Category Archives: Listings

Oct 15

Cirque of the Dead Preview: The Nightmare Continues

Posted on by

Presented by Boston Circus Guild
Directed by Joseph C. Walsh
October 19 – October 31, 2017

The Oberon
2 Arrow Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Cirque of the Dead on Facebook

Preview by Gillian Daniels

(Cambridge, MA) Last year, in 2017, Cirque of the Dead delighted me with Jumanji-esque antics and host Wes Hazzard’s charisma.

This year, in another callback to one’s youth for an adults-only murder show, the theme is Choose Your Own Adventure. The 2018 show promises new acts, acrobats, aerialists, butts, cannibalism, monsters, sex, and a bar full of specialty cocktails.

Joseph C. Walsh will be directing and says, “This exciting event combines breathtaking circus skills, startling theatricality and classic horror to offer its audience a unique and immersive experience. The incredible performers have stretched me artistically and inspired me with their astounding abilities and passion for pushing the boundaries of the modern circus genre.”

Music will be provided by Minusworld, a nerd-themed, “high-energy Synthrock” band.

Boston Circus Guild (BCG) describes itself as “a collaboration of over fifty musicians, artists, circus performers, dancers, and event producers from the Boston area. BCG members regularly perform at prestigious events and venues throughout New England including the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Pfizer, Cirque du Soleil, and The Boston Bruins Foundation.” I had to scrape my jaw off the floor after witnessing last year’s acrobatics. I expect nothing less than spectacular.

Last year, I also wrote,  “The visuals are deeply compelling and wonderfully gross. […] The sense of escapism Cirque of the Dead represents, gory and grim as it may be, is invaluable and beautifully articulated with supreme commitment to physical flights of fancy.”

And I can’t wait for the next chapter.

Performances:
Friday, October 19: 7:00PM & 10:30PM
Saturday, October 20: 6:30PM
Thursday, October 25: 7:30PM
Friday, October 26: 7:00PM & 10:30PM
Saturday, October 27: 6:30PM
Wednesday, October 31: 7:00PM & 10:30PM

Share with Your Audience
Oct 14

Netflix and Fringe: A Fireside Chat with Theatre on Fire

Posted on by

Photo from a TOF production. Theatre On Fire Presents “FireSide Chat: Tell Us What You Want” on October 17, 7-8PM

The first of many FireSide Chats with the new Theatre On Fire company! This enriching, moderated cyberspace discussion with Theatre on Fire company members and you, the patrons, will center on how our small theater company can be everything that it should, especially given that it’s pretty easy now for people to just stay home and watch Netflix and whatnot.

What was your favorite thing a theater company ever did for you as an audience? We want to know. Least favorite? We want to know that too. What would you like to see from us in the next few months? We want to know that always.

To take part, go to patreon.com/theatreonfire, make sure you’re signed up at any level (even $2!), and watch for our posts there beginning at 7:00.

“FireSide Chat: Tell Us What You Want”
Hosts: Darren Evans, Kitty Drexel, Carl Danielson
October 17, 2018
7:00-8:00 PM
Attend online: patreon.com/theatreonfire

Share with Your Audience
Sep 07

Theatre on Fire and Charlestown Working Theater’s Latest Production is Not Safe

Posted on by

Presented by Theatre on Fire, and the Charlestown Working Theater
Written by Lucy Kirkwood
Directed by Darren Evans

Charlestown Working Theater
442 Bunker Hill Street, Boston, MA

Performances:
Nov. 2-17, 2018
Ticket Prices: $5 – $15 – $25 (You choose)
Box Office: www.theatreonfire.org
866-811-4111 (toll free)

Charlestown, MA – Theatre on Fire (TOF) and Charlestown Working Theater (CWT) present NSFW by Lucy Kirkwood, directed by Artistic Director Darren Evans. A biting and hilarious satire of media mores and manipulation, NSFW takes on questions of who is responsible for mysogyny in our culture – men? women? producers? consumers? There are no easy answers in this scathing dark comedy.

The lads mag, “Doghouse,” has just proudly unveiled the winner of its Local Lovely 2018 competition. When buxom Carrie, 18, turns out to be only 14 years old, havoc ensure and her father threatens legal action. In an attempt to save the magazine, head editor Aidan sacks the well-meaning junior, Sam, who sanctioned the use of the shots. But Carrie’s irate father is not so easily mollified. When Sam shows up later at the women-centered “Electra” magazine, he gets to see another other side of the publishing world, for better or worse.

Premiering at the Royal Court in 2012, NSFW is a sharp, biting, satirical new comedy that marks the breakthrough of one of the United Kingdom’s most exciting playwrights. Continue reading →

Share with Your Audience
Sep 07

Bodega Presents: The Intersection @ District Hall, Boston

Posted on by

Bodega Presents: The Intersection
Sun, September 23, 2018
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
$21.00

District Hall
75 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210

Doors open at 7:00 pm. Show at 7:30 pm. Come by for some #FUNinBOS !
Somebody tell Permit Patty and BBQ Becky it’s going down in District Hall! Bodega has curated the most fearless and funniest performers in Boston for one night only. If you stay rooting for everybody Black, then this is the place to to The Intersection at District Hall in the Seaport for a night of comedy completely comprised of Boston creatives of color. Comedians, and improvisers will nourish your spirit and have you laughing until you snort. We promise.

Standups include Tooky Kavanagh, Reece Cotton and Sarah Francis.

The Intersection is part of the six day FUN festival hosted by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and City Awake. For more ways to join the conversation and celebration of Boston’s Millennials of Color visit the festival site. Venue sponsored by the good folks at District Hall. Dinner and drinks available on-site at Gather restaurant.

FAQ: What are my transportation/parking options?
District Hall is closest to the MBTA Courthouse stop on the Silver Line. There are a number of bike racks available by the Seaport Boulevard entrance. In addition, DH is located right next to the Seaport Square station on the Hubway bikeshare network. If you drive in, there are a number of parking lots in the area: Pilgrim Parking – One Marina Park Drive Garage; LAZ Parking – Watermark Seaport; One Seaport Parking Garage.

Share with Your Audience
May 22

Geeks Read Books: TCG Play Reviews

Posted on by

(Somerville, MA/NYC) Occasionally the New England Theatre Geek is invited to review plays. Theatre Communications Group (TCG) provides gratis paperback copies to NETG in exchange for objective reviews. The opinions stated here are not shared by TCG and are the author’s own. Continue reading →

Share with Your Audience
Mar 26

Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club presents “The Laramie Project”

Posted on by

Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club Presents THE LARAMIE PROJECT at A.R.T.’s Club OBERON

 Cambridge, MA – Tickets are now on sale for Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club’s production of The Laramie Project. Performances will take place on Wednesday, April 11 and Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 PM, as well as Friday, April 13 at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Performances are at the American Repertory Theater’s second stage, Club OBERON (2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA).

Tickets ($15-$35) may be purchased through the A.R.T. box office (64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA – (617) 547-8300), online (http://bit.ly/laramieatoberon), or at the door pending availability.

Facebook Event: http://bit.ly/laramie2018

About the Play – In 1998, Matthew Shepard was fatally injured and left for dead because he was gay. Following his death, the Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie, Wyoming to understand the town which came to be defined by two men’s crime. The Laramie Project retells the words of Laramie’s residents verbatim, and in their retelling, begins to uncover the prejudices, both loud and quiet, that boil over into violent hate crime.

Join the ensemble of actors as they embody these stories, bringing the Laramie of 1998 to the immersive Club OBERON. Join them as they ask – what does Laramie have left to tell us? Continue reading →

Share with Your Audience
Oct 11

Geeks Read Books: 2017 Editions and “The Kilroys List”

Posted on by

On occasion, the New England Theatre Geek will review newly published plays. Below are reviews for Evan Hansen (the book), Speech & Debate, Sweat, and The Kilroys List… Volume One. All books are available via the TCG website.  Continue reading →

Share with Your Audience
Oct 02

Zeitgeist Stage Company presents “Faceless” thru Oct. 7, 2017

Posted on by

Photo by Reinhold Mahler

Presented by Zeitgeist Theatre Company
by Selina Fillinger
directed by David J. Miller

September 15 – October 7, 2017
Plaza Black Box Theater
Boston Center for the Arts
Boston, MA

Performance are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 4 and 8 PM, and Sunday at 4 PM with talkbacks following the Sunday matinees.

Tickets are available at http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/Faceless/. Subscriptions and more information can be found at www.ZeitgeistStage.com.

In Faceless eighteen-year-old Susie Glenn is on trial for conspiring to commit acts of terrorism, and recent Harvard Law grad and practicing Muslim, Claire Fathi, has been brought on to prosecute. Though pitted against one another in the courtroom, these two young women are fighting a similar battle to defend their morals, motives and religious freedoms in this riveting and timely new drama. An explosion of identity politics, questions of faith, and a face-off between two seemingly diametrically-opposed women drives this compelling narrative.

Cast: David Anderson, Aina Adler, Robert Orzalli, Ashley Risteen, Victor Shopov

ScenicDesign: David Miller
Lighting Design: Michael Clark Wonson
Sound Design: Jay Mobley
Costume Design: Elizabeth Cole Sheehan
Stage Manager: Margaret Umbsen

Publicity Photography: Reinhold Mahler
Production Photography: Richard Hall/Silverline Images

Share with Your Audience
Sep 20

“5 to 9” Playing at Ramrod Center for the Performing Arts, Sept. 21 – 24

Posted on by

Presented by the Gold Dust Orphans
Written by Ryan Landry

September 21 through 24, 2017
8:00 pm Thursday – Saturday, 5:00 pm on Sunday
Machine Night Club/ The Ramrod Center for the Performing Arts
1254 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
Tickets
18+ ONLY

From the GDO: “5 to 9 is an uproarious comic take off on the current oval office and its endless hilarious hijinks.

Written by award-winning playwright, Ryan Landry, 5 to 9 is the story of three of Trumps overworked secretaries and how they end up getting even. You will simply never see political satire the same way again.

Along with Landry playing the Lily Tomlin role as Violet, 5 to 9 also stars drag legend Varla Jean Merman in the Dolly Pardon role as Dora Lee and Kiki Samko in the Jane Fonda role as Judy.

Based on the classic film, 9 to 5, 5 to 9 also features Penny Champayne (Gold Dust Orphans) as Kellyanne Conway and Larry Coen (Gold Dust Orphans) as Trump.
5 to 9 is ridiculous, silly, nonstop fun but it is NOT recommended for children.”

For the kids in the back, anyone under 18 years of age will not be admitted.

P.S. The Gold Dust Orphans are going to New York City with the their musical “GREECE.” Playing from October 13-15 at Theatre 80 St. Marks in the East Village. Interested parties can support this venture via the Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1037808882/bring-ryan-landrys-greece-to-new-york-city.

Queen’s Note:
We elected a thin-skinned Nazi to the office of the President who is turning our “democracy” into a fascist, totalitarian oligarchy dominated by the 1%. Trump is a monster. His policies, when he names them, are destructive. His narcissistic behavior is more so.

Congressional “negotiators” released a spending bill that saves the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for Humanities, and National Public Radio until September at which time, the President and his impotent cronies may still cut arts funding. It is ever important to remain vigilant. And, for the love of all that’s sacred, keep creating. If you need help, ask for it. Our existence is our resistance. May the force be with you. – KD

TCG has a list of things you can do to help.

Share with Your Audience
Aug 28

MIT Musical Theatre Guild Presents: AVENUE Q

Posted on by

Music and Lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez
Book by Jeff Whitty

Directed by Geoff Hegg ’17
Music directed by Matt Putnam ’09
Puppet mastery by Elisa Boles ’18
Assistant puppet mastery by Mandy Fike ’19

Kresge Little Theatre
48 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139

September 1, 2, 7-9, & 14-16, 2017 at 8 PM, and September 3, 2017 at 2 PM
Tickets are:
$6 – MIT and Wellesley students
$10 – MIT faculty, staff, and community; all other students; seniors and children
$15 – General public
Reserve tickets online.
Discounts available for groups of 10 or more people.

Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart.

The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that, although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score, not to mention puppets, Avenue Q is a truly unique show that has quickly become a favorite for audiences everywhere. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children’s show; a place where puppets are friends, Monsters are good and life lessons are learned.

Production Staff and Cast

Queen’s Note:
We elected a thin-skinned Nazi to the office of the President who is turning our “democracy” into a fascist, totalitarian oligarchy dominated by the 1%. Trump is a monster. His policies, when he names them, are destructive. His narcissistic behavior is more so.

Congressional “negotiators” released a spending bill that saves the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for Humanities, and National Public Radio until September at which time, the President and his impotent cronies may still cut arts funding. It is ever important to remain vigilant. And, for the love of all that’s sacred, keep creating. If you need help, ask for it. Our existence is our resistance. May the force be with you. – KD

TCG has a list of things you can do to help.

 

Share with Your Audience