Theater Mirror’s Reviewers ‘Top 10’ Lists for 2023

December 30, 2023December 30, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

‘The Band’s Visit’ appeared on all four reviewers Top Ten lists for 2023

2023 was not only the year that the COVID masks literally came off in theaters (although with the recent spike in cases, they’re wisely coming back on in some venues), it also saw a minimizing of COVID-related cancellations thanks to a downturn in cases and an explosion of understudies for critical roles. It was also a year when theaters realized they could offer quality programming instead of well-intentioned but artistically weak messaging plays and still achieve diversity goals. Not surprisingly, that meant bringing back works by masters like Lorraine Hansberry, August Wilson, and Tony Kushner while still presenting new works by talents like Josh Harmon and newcomers Lenelle Moïse (K-I-S-S-I-N-G) and LaDarrion Williams (Boulevard of Bold Dreams). Here are the Top 10 picks for 2023 by our reviewing staff:

A.R.T’s ‘Wife of Willesden’ is a Pleasure with a Capital P

March 7, 2023March 7, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Clare Perkins in ‘*The Wife of Willesden’* at the A.R.T. Photo Credits: Marc Brenner

‘The Wife of Willesden’ – Adapted by Zadie Smith from Chaucer’s ‘The Wife of Bath’ from The Canterbury Tales; Directed by Kiln Theatre Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham; Design by Robert Jones, Lighting Design by Guy Hoare; Composition and Sound Design by Drama Desk Ben and Max Ringham. The Wife of Willesden is a Kiln Theatre Production and is presented in association with BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA through March 17

by Shelley A. Sackett

Whether by design or chance, the slightly tardy start to “The Wife of Willesden” gifted the audience with a few bonus minutes to soak in the vibe of Robert Jones’s magnificent set while seat dancing to disco party tunes. The stage, meant to represent a pub in Willesden (a multi-racial part of North London’s Brent) feels more like a holy shrine to drink and camaraderie. Six triple-case bays are filled floor to ceiling with glimmering bottles. A disco ball sparkles from above. A barmaid cuts fruit while local revelers mill about. Members of the audience sit at small tables on the stage, further breaking down the fourth wall. The effect is, well, intoxicating.

And then boom! The play starts.

Theater Mirror Reviewers Top Five Picks for 2021

December 31, 2021December 31, 2021 michaelhobanLeave a comment

*Zurin Villanueva and Gregg Mozgala in the Huntington’s ‘Teenage Dick’*

Let’s face it, as eagerly as theatergoers anticipated the return to live theater in 2021, it was a fairly unremarkable year in terms of productions. And given that the season didn’t fully get underway until September (with the exception of Gloucester Stage’s solid outdoor programming at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Rockport), there wasn’t a wealth of shows to weigh in on for a top 10 list for the year, and please bear in mind that reviewers did not see all of the shows. So here are the Top 5 lists as submitted by our participating reviewers (with links provided to original Theater Mirror reviews):

Theater Mirror Editors Favorite Theatrical Experiences of 2019

January 1, 2020January 10, 2020 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Michele Markarian and Mike Hoban

2019 was another banner year for theater in Boston, with the widest range of themes and offerings we’ve seen in a while. Fresh new theater companies and faces surprised us this year, so it’s energizing to see so much burgeoning talent bursting out in one small city. Theater Mirror Co-Editors Michele Markarian and Mike Hoban had a hard time pulling their respective lists of favorites from 2019, as there were so many deserving theatrical events, but here goes:

2019 – A Year in Boston Theatre

December 30, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Ireon Roach, Crystin Gilmore, Veronica Byrd in School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play – Photos by Maggie Hall Photography)

by James Wilkinson

What a time to be alive, huh? Now at the end of 2019, I’m recalling a moment way back in the early months when I was speaking with an Artistic Director about reviewing theater. “Really?” She inquired, “You enjoy seeing all of those shows?” As she asked the question, she had the furrowed brow of someone deeply concerned for my mental state. The word “enjoy” received an extra note of emphasis that signaled she wasn’t prepared to believe me if I answered in the affirmative, (which I did). I’ve counted it up. In 2019 I saw 56 plays in the Greater Boston area; I reviewed 46. With figures like those, perhaps we should be concerned for my mental state. But I figure that until I’m discovered crouched in a dark corner, eating my own hair, I haven’t cracked yet. I’ve been covering Boston theater for a little over two years and I’m happy to report back that I still think it’s the most exciting thing in the world when the house lights go down, the stage lights come up and anything at all might happen on that spot in front of you. Go figure.

Acropolis Stage Goes Towards the Light

August 31, 2019August 31, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Elliot Purcell and David Anderson in Acropolis Stage Company ‘s “Cherry Docs”

Review by James Wilkinson

‘Cherry Docs’ – Written by David Gow. Directed by Evan Turissini. Scenic Design by Eliott Purcell and Evan Turissini. Costume Design by Olivia Dumaine. Lighting/Sound Design by Jeff Bousquet. Props Design by David Anderson. Law Practice Consultation by Will Korman. Judaism and Culture Consultation by Becky Price. Presented by Acropolis Stage Company at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St, Somerville through September 1st

When we first see Mike Downey, he sits like the Buddha, cross-legged, on a metal table. He appears, bathed in blue light and in his first few lines he’ll refer to Reflexology, the belief that the foot is an entry point that connects to the rest of the body. It’s an image of tranquility, but not a lasting one. We’ll soon be exposed to the reserves of rage and hate bubbling somewhere beneath that calm surface. Mike, you see, is an unabashed white supremacist currently awaiting trial for the murder of a Pakistani man. The character is one half of playwright David Gow’s two-hander, Cherry Docs, now being presented by the newly-formed Acropolis Stage Company. The other half is Danny Dunkelman, the Jewish lawyer who has been charged with defending Mike in court.

‘Moulin Rouge!’, ‘Man in the Ring’ Earn Top Honors at 23rd Annual IRNE Awards

April 9, 2019April 16, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Moonbox Productions’ ‘Cabaret’ Took Home 5 Awards at the 23rd Annual IRNE Awards last night.

‘Boston, MA, April 9^th, 2019 – Global Creatures’ Broadway-bound Moulin Rouge and the Huntington Theatre Company’s production of Man in the Ring were the big winners at the 23^rd Annual IRNE Awards, as the two productions garnered a dozen awards between them. Moulin Rouge took home seven awards, including Best Musical and New Musical in the Large Stage category, and Man in the Ring was honored with five, including the Best Play, Director, and Actor awards. Moonbox Productions’ Cabaret earned a half-dozen awards, including Best Musical, and Best Director and Choreography awards for its director, Rachel Bertone.

“Spamilton” a Hilarious Love Letter to Broadway

February 16, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Cast of “Spamilton” – Photos by Roger Mastroianni)

By Michele Markarian

“Spamilton” – Created, Written and Directed by Gerard Alessandrini. Presented by Huntington Theatre Company, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, through April 7.

Where to start with this show? Well, in the Obamas’s bedroom, where Barack puts on the cast recording of “Hamilton” before he and Michelle go to sleep. Lo and behold, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Adrian Lopez) is onstage, in full “Hamilton” garb, and the first number is a spoof on him (“In New York you can be a real ham” sung to the tune of “Alexander Hamilton”). I don’t know where they found Lopez, but onstage he is the spitting image of Miranda, and captures his vocal inflections perfectly. It’s uncanny to watch. Daveed Diggs (Dominic Pecikonis) and Aaron Burr (Datus Puryear) provide their own admonishments, but lest you think you’re in for an entire evening of roasting Lin-Manuel, the show, under the excellent musical direction and accompaniment of Curtis Reynolds, spins into a loving roast of Broadway itself, past and present.

Confessions of a Revolutionary Preacher – ASP’s ‘Nat Turner in Jerusalem’

February 5, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Brandon G. Green, Lewis D. Wheeler in ‘Nat Turner in Jerusalem’ (Photos by Nile Scott Shots)

by Deanna Dement Myers

‘Nat Turner in Jerusalem’ – Written by Nathan Alan Davis. Directed by Benny Sato Ambush; Scenic Design by Janie E. Howland Director; Costume Design by A.W. Nadine Grant,; Sound Design by Dewey Dellay; Lighting Design by Aja M. Jackson. Presented by the Actors Shakespeare Project in collaboration with Hibernian Hall, at Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St., Roxbury through February 24

“The uprisings will never cease until injustice ceases.”

In August 1831, thrice-sold Nat Turner, an educated preacher, led a two-day uprising of enslaved and free African American people that shook not only Jerusalem, Virginia, but our whole nation. Turner acted upon visions and signs from God, who called him to lead his people out of bondage. Approximately fifty white men, women and children were killed in the uprising, and the militia that retaliated murdered twice as many people of color, most who were not rebels. No white person was ever tried for their part in this horrific event. This insurrection lead to oppressive legislation designed to prohibit the education, movement and assembly of enslaved people. Turner was caught after two months on the run, tried, convicted and sentenced to hang until dead, dead, dead.

Speakeasy’s ‘Small Mouth Sounds’ Silently Sends Up Spirituality Industry

January 8, 2019January 22, 2019 michaelhoban1 Comment

by Mike Hoban

Small Mouth Sounds – Written by Bess Wohl; Directed by M. Bevin O’Gara; Scenic Design by Cristina Todesco; Costume Design by Mary Lauve; Lighting Design by Annie Wiegand; Sound Design by Elizabeth Cahill. Presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company at The Roberts Studio Theatre in the Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, Boston through February 2.

If you’ve ever been skeptical of the kind of spirituality-lite movements whose adherents sometimes mouth the words of the Dali Lama while still behaving with all of the empathy of a corporate raider, you’re going to love Small Mouth Sounds, now playing at SpeakEasy Stage. This very funny but deceptively poignant play by Bess Wohl lovingly skewers the spirituality industry while leaving the door open to the possibility that the universe may indeed work in mysterious ways – when we’re in enough pain to seek a better path.