Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Delivers a Thrilling “MacBeth” to the Boston Common

July 29, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of Macbeth on the Boston Common in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s “Macbeth.”
(Nile Scott Studios)

“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare. Directed by Steven Maler. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. On the Boston Common, through August 6.

By Michele Markarian

As smoke ominously fills the stage set for Commonwealth Shakespeare’s rousing production of “Macbeth,” there’s a feeling of hushed anticipation over the significant crowd that’s gathered at the Common. Now in its 27^th year of bringing free Shakespeare to Boston audiences, Commonwealth Shakespeare’s productions are accessible and riveting to witness. This year is no exception. With the text running on a screen beside the stage, the drama is easy to follow, should you need it.

CSC’s ‘Tempest’ Casts an Enchanting Spell

July 30, 2021July 31, 2021 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s “The Tempest” (Photos by Evgeina Eliseeva)

“The Tempest”. By William Shakespeare. Directed by Steven Maler. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Boston Common through August 8.

by Michele Markarian

From the opening moment of “The Tempest”, Prospero (John Douglas Thompson) front and center, the cast readied behind him, exhaling audibly with rising urgency, you know you’re about to witness something special. The tempest itself is a thing of terrifying beauty, causing sails and passengers to flail and fall. There’s nothing like the wonder of watching a play where you know what’s going to happen but, in the moment of the scene, you completely forget. Let’s just say I was relieved when Prospero assures his daughter Miranda (Nora Eschenheimer) in the next scene that none of the passengers have been hurt.

BIRDY’s Winged Victory

March 1, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Spencer Hamp (Young Birdy) and Maxim Chumov (Young Al) in ‘Birdy’ – Photos by Evgenia Eliseeva)

By Beverly Creasey

‘Birdy’ – Adapted by Naomi Wallace from the novel by William Wharton; Directed by Steven Maler; Scenic & Costume Design by Clint Ramos; Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg; Sound Design by J Hagenbuckle. Presented by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company at the Sorenson Center for the Arts, Babson College through March 17

Commonwealth Shakespeare (in residence at Babson College) has assembled an impressive team to animate William Wharton’s allegorical novel, BIRDY (playing through March 17^th). BIRDY has been adapted by playwright Naomi Wallace, whose brilliant ONE FLEA SPARE is fondly remembered by this reviewer. BIRDY is both the play’s title and the nickname of its central character. The touching, and at times humorously ironic, narrative soars alternately from past to present, illustrating the value of friendship and the devastating damage of war.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Lets the Universe Rush Apart

November 15, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Review by James Wilkinson

‘Universe Rushing Apart: Blue Kettle and Here We Go’ – Written by Caryl Churchill. Directed by Bryn Boice. Scenic Design: Christina Todesco. Lighting Design: Jen Rock. Composer and Sound Design: Dewey Dellay. Costume Design: Nancy Leary. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company at the Sorenson Black Box at Babson College, through November 18, 2018.

Back in May of this year, I was speaking with a friend and mentioned how disappointed I was after seeing Huntington Theatre’s production of Top Girls. “Oh,” he remarked, “Do you not like Caryl Churchill’s plays?” “It’s not that,” I said. “I like Caryl Churchill’s work a lot.” But hearing the words come out of my mouth triggered an involuntary double take. Wait…do I like Caryl Churchill’s plays? The question is actually harder to answer than you might think. Despite being one of England’s most respected living playwrights, you’re not as likely to see a performance of her work on this side of the pond aside from the occasional production of Top Girls or Cloud Nine. I know that I admire Caryl Churchill. I admire her quite a bit. While many writers tend to get stuck in old patterns as they enter their golden years, Churchill has, if anything, doubled down on experimenting with theatrical forms and challenging our ideas of narrative. You’re almost required to admire someone so unwilling to rest on her laurels, but being unable to see the work on stage makes it hard to form an opinion as to whether or not any of these experiments actually work.