The Funny, Frustrating, and Fascinating “Lennox Mutual”

April 13, 2024April 25, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

“Lennox Mutual,” created by Evan Neiden, Olivia Behr, and Joel Meyers.

Directed by Jacob Leaf and Evan Neiden. Presented by Candle House Collective.

By Michele Markarian

I don’t even know where to begin about my three phone call experiences with “Lennox Mutual,” the latest remote immersive theatre experience from Candle House Collective. According to Candle House Collective’s website, Lennox Mutual is “an alternate reality experience by phone.” Very true. The alternate reality was such that I found myself believing it was real. Which, for a theatrical experience that took place in my office and on my cell phone, is pretty impressive. And creative. As well as the most intriguing and unique theatrical experience I’ve had in a while.

A Pitch-Perfect ‘Porch on Windy Hill’ at Merrimack Rep

April 11, 2024April 11, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of The Porch on Windy Hill at Merrimack Rep

Merrimack Repertory Theatre presents THE PORCH ON WINDY HILL. Written by Sherry Stregack Lutken, Lisa Helmi Johanson, Morgan Morse, and David M. Lutken. Conceived and directed by Sherry Stregack Lutken. Scenic Design by Mara Ishihara Zinky. Costume Design by Gregory Graham. Lighting Design by Dawn Chiang. Sound Design by Sun Hee Kil. Music Direction by David M. Lutke. At Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Lowell, Massachusetts, through April 21, 2024.

By Linda Chin

Merrimack Rep’s production of The Porch on Windy Hill features a diverse and tremendously talented trio of professional actors who have appeared on Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional stages – David M. Lutken, Rob Morrison, and EJ Zimmerman. In this ‘new play with old music,’ the actors sing and actually play a diverse mix of instruments, including the banjo, dulcimer, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, violin, and erhu (Chinese fiddle), with a remarkably high level of proficiency. In their poignant performances, they demonstrate that music is indeed ‘the food of love’ – and has the power to heal hearts and nourish souls, connect cultures and cultivate relationships, and to even inspire families in longstanding feuds to communicate with each other and ‘play on.’

Hub Theatre Company Revives Lanford Wilson’s ‘Burn This’

April 7, 2024April 7, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Kiki Samko, Victor Shopov in Hub Theater’s ‘Burn This’

“Burn This” — Written by Lanford Wilson. Directed by Daniel Bourque. Presented by Hub Theatre Company of Boston at the BCA Plaza Black Box Theatre, 539 Tremont St., through April 21.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Since Burn This arrived on Broadway in 1987, critics have lamented the same thing – at its core, the play itself is not great. Despite luminary-filled casts (including John Malkovich, Adam Driver, and Edward Norton), the play never garnered the kind of accolades awarded to Wilson’s other works, such as Talley’s Folly (Pulitzer Prize), Hot L Baltimore (Obie), and Fifth of July.

The Israeli Dance Company Vertigo Hit It Out of the Park with ‘MAKOM.’

April 7, 2024April 8, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

MAKOM – Vertigo Dance Company. Choreographed by Noa Wertheim and Rina Wertheim-Koren. Music by Ran Bagno; Lighting Design by Dani Fishof-Magenta; Costume Design by Sasson Kedem; Stage Design by Zohar Shoef. Presented by Celebrity Series of Boston at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre. Run has ended.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Renown Jerusalem-based contemporary dance company Vertigo does much more than its modest claim of “exploring the creative process.” Artistic Director and Co-Founder Noa Wertheim’s newest work, MAKOM (Hebrew for “place”), breaks new ground with its exciting blend of storyline, emotion, sound, and movement. The result is an evening-length journey that takes us to a deep place within and without ourselves, where language is more than words and meaning is more than content.

Rapturous Applause for Anthony Rapp’s ‘Without You’

April 7, 2024April 7, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Anthony Rapp in “Without You”. Photos by Russ Rowland

‘Without You,’ – Written and performed by Anthony Rapp. Songs by Jonathan Larson, Anthony Rapp, David Matos, and Joe Pisapia. Directed by Steven Maler. Scenic design and lighting design by Eric Southern. Costume design by Angela Vesco. Sound design by Brian Ronan. Projection design by David Bengali. Musical Director & Orchestrations: Daniel A. Weiss. Presented by Ambassador Theater Group at the BCA’s Wimberly Theater, Tremont Street, Boston, through April 14.

By Linda Chin

Since childhood, Anthony Rapp has loved singing, playing the lead in musicals such as Oliver, and delighting audiences in his hometown of Joliet, Illinois – especially his biggest fan, his mother, Mary Lee. After moving to NYC, Rapp appeared in a host of roles his mother wished were more “normal.” While working at Starbucks to, uh, pay the rent, Rapp got his big break at age 22 when he landed the principal role of Mark Cohen (the filmmaker and narrator) in the off-Broadway and Broadway productions of Jonathan Larson’s ground-breaking musical RENT.

S-O-S: Sensational-Outstanding-Spectacular ‘Message In A Bottle’ Takes Boston by Storm

March 30, 2024March 30, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of ‘Message In A Bottle’ at Emerson Colonial Theatre

‘Message In A Bottle’ – Directed and Choreographed by Kate Prince. Music and Lyrics by Sting. Music Supervision and New Arrangements by Alex Lacamoire. Set Design by Ben Stone. Video Design by Andrej Goulding. Costume Design by Anna Fleischle. Lighting Design by Natasha Chivers. Sound Design by David McEwan. Presented by Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK and ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston, through March 30.

By Linda Chin

The spectacular touring production Message In A Bottle that is taking cities in the US by storm – LA, Denver, Chicago – has washed ashore at Boston’s Emerson Colonial for a limited run (through March 30) before making its way down the East Coast to Charlotte, NYC, DC, and Philadelphia. World-class, award-winning creatives Sting (music and lyrics), Kate Prince (director and choreographer), and Alex Lacamoire, of Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen fame (music supervision, new arrangements), have built a show with no spoken narrative or dialogue. A phenomenal corps of 14 storyteller dancers tell an urgent, and unfortunately timely, tale – of families displaced from their war-torn villages, of three siblings separated from their parents and one another, of refugees seeking safety and new places to call home – with the universal languages of movement and music.

“Mrs. Krishnan’s Party” a Cascade of Color and Sound

March 29, 2024March 29, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

ArtsEmerson’s ‘Mrs. Krishnan’s Party’ Photos: Grabb for Image Excellence

Mrs. Krishnan’s Party. Written by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis. Produced by Indian Ink Theatre Company. Presented by Arts Emerson, Jackie Liebergott Black Box, Emerson Paramount Center, 559 Washington Street, Boston through April 7.

By Michele Markarian

As you are heralded through a beaded curtain, James (the personable Justin Rogers, decked out in Indian costume) ushers you to your seat and encourages you to talk with your neighbors. The setting is a storeroom of an Indian grocery store; the occasion is a surprise Onam party for the store’s owner, Mrs. Krishnan (Kalyani Nagarajan). Mrs. Krishnan isn’t exactly a large party kind of woman; since her husband died, she allows herself very few pleasures, other than church and cooking for her architect son, Apo. James, a university student who boards with Mrs. Krishnan, is determined to put on a celebration. Colorful scarves and garlands are passed out, along with balloons. James plays Indian dance music and urges us to our feet. In spite of myself – I’m not a fan of audience participation and am seated in the section for Wallflowers – the mood is infectious, and I am on my feet.

Jay Eddy Brings Healing (and a Brilliant Score) to Boston Playwrights’ Theatre with ‘Driving in Circles’

March 28, 2024March 28, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Jordan Palmer, Jay Eddy and Zach Fontanez in Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s ‘Driving in Circles’

Written & performed by Jay Eddy; Directed by Sam Plattus; Scenic Designer: Danielle DelaFuente; Lighting Designer: Kevin Fulton; Sound Designer: Gage Baker; Costume Designer: Eric Tran; Projection Designer: Maria Servellon. Presented at Boston Playwrights’ Theater through April 6, 2024

By Mike Hoban

In the pulsating opening number of the enthralling semi-solo autobiographical musical Driving in Circles, writer and performer Jay Eddy describes “what to do in an earthquake,” singing, “Stay down, stay down, stay down (because) it’s the aftershock that kills you.” It’s a brilliant metaphor for what survivors of sexual abuse experience long after the physical abuse has ceased, as Eddy details in their powerful but surprisingly funny and touching work. Part monologue, part performance art, part standup comedy, and powered by an astonishingly cool “folktronica” score that likely rivals any album you’ll hear from the current crop of indie artists, it’s a unique theatrical experience.

‘Message In A Bottle’ is a Sublime Synchronicity of Song, Dance and Story

March 27, 2024March 27, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

‘Message In A Bottle’ at Emerson Colonial Theatre

‘Message In A Bottle’ — Music and Lyrics by Sting. Directed and Choreographed by Kate Prince. Music Supervisor and New Arrangements by Alex Lacamoire; Set Design by Ben Stones; Video Design by Andrej Goulding; Costume Design by Anna Fleischle; Lighting Design by Natasha Chivers; Sound Design by David McEwan. Presented by Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK Production with ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company at Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston, through March 30.

By Shelley A. Sackett

The only negative comment that anyone could possibly utter about the earth-shattering Message In A Bottle is that it is an unforgivable shame that its Boston run is a mere five days (seven performances). My suggestion is to interrupt reading this review, trust the reviewer, and jump on your computer to secure tickets while there might still be some left.

Yes, it really is that good.

‘Beyond Words’ at Central Square Theater Opens Our Ears and Hearts

March 25, 2024March 25, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Stephanie Clayman, Jon Vellante in ‘Beyond Words’ at Central Square Theater.
Photos by Maggie Hall

‘Beyond Words’ – Written by Laura Maria Censabella; Directed by Cassie Chapados; Scenic Design by Qingan Zhang; Costume Design by Sandra Zhihan Jia; Lighting Design by Amanda Fallon; Sound Design by Anna Drummond. Presented by Catalyst Collaborative@MIT Productions at Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, through April 14, 2024

By Helen Ganley

In the eye of a tornado of falling feathers, a scientist lies in a heap. Surrounded by a fluorescent-lit lab cheekily bedecked with “Birds at Work” signage and decals of African Grey parrots, the tornado emanates from Dr. Irene Pepperberg as she sweeps us back to the beginning of her story. Central Square Theater’s production of Beyond Words invokes a central question of humanity: How intelligent is the rest of the animal kingdom?