Presented by Arts Emerson
Written by Papel Machete
Directed by Jorge ‘Cano Cangrejo’ Díaz Ortiz
Directing team: Deborah Hunt and Sugeily Rodríguez Lebrón
Selected voices by Rob Thelusma, Krystal Clark, Mumia Abu-Jamal
Puppet and mask design and direction by Deborah Hunt
Lighting design by Luis Felipe Rivera Santiago
In community partnership with Prison Radio and Sisters Unchained
BOSTON — In Papel Machete’s On the Eve of Abolition, an ensemble of multi-talented performers demonstrate the power of imagination on two levels.
For one, there is the majesty of inventive storytelling. Papel Machete presents an ever-unfolding series of theatrical surprises: doll-sized prison doors open to reveal cells where marionette revolutionaries bide time until their uprising; pop-up book scenes of abolition camps and prisons are displayed simultaneously on stage and through video projection; characters appear in a variety of awe-inspiring configurations, from tiny figurines trapped in paper prisons to life-sized dancers in detailed, expressive masks. Continue reading →
Dec. 9 – 17, 2023, 10:30am & 1pm Puppet Showplace Theatre 32 Station St Brookline, MA 02445
Runtime: 40 minutes, for all ages
Review by Kitty Drexel
BROOKLINE, Mass. — Talking Hands Theatre from Western Massachusetts performed Hanukkats at the Puppet Showplace Theatre from Dec. 9 – 17. Hanukkah was from sundown on Dec. 7. It ended on Dec. 15. Performances in Brookline ended on Dec. 17. One can look to the Talking Hands Theatre website for more puppetry updates.
Hanukkats is a story for all ages that caters specifically to curious wee ones old enough to ask questions but young enough that they require some assistance to understand complex ideas such as metaphors and the significance of protests. Hanukkats follows the story of Ziva, the orange cat, as she learns how to play the dreidel.Continue reading →
Photo by Queen Kitty. Amal receives a prayer from an American Native tribal representative welcoming Amal to Boston.
Presented by ArtsEmerson, American Repertory Theater, Company One, and many others. Performed by Walk with Amal Artistic producer Amir Nizar Zuabi Producers: David Lan & Tracey Seaward The Walk Productions in association with Handspring Puppet Company Puppetry Director: Enrico Dau Yang Wey Technical Director: Muaz Jubeh Puppeteers: Ashley Winkfield, Ashley Winkfield, Bartolomeo Bartolini, Craig Leo, Emma Longthorne, Fida Zaidan, Mouaiad Roumieh, Nicole Baker, Sebastian Charles, Troy Feldman, Yukari Osaka
Sept. 7 – 9, 2023 Various locations in Massachusetts City of Boston website has updated information
BOSTON, Mass. — ArtsEmerson, the City of Boston, and members of the journalism and arts communities extended a warm welcome to Little Amal on September 7 at the Rowes Wharf Rotunda, Boston. It was there that she began her journey of 6,000 miles across the US.
You are welcome here, sweet friend (and caregivers!). We wish you safe and peaceful travels across this uniquely great but troubled nation.
Amal is a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl. Her name means “hope” in Arabic. She has already journeyed across many countries, and she carries a message of hope for displaced people everywhere.
There is a home for you. Our human potential for compassion is boundless. Continue reading →
Touring through September 9th, 2023 Vernon, NJ Thursday, September 7 @ 6pm
Meadowburn Farm
42 Meadowburn Rd, Vernon, NJ 07462
Brooklyn, NY
Friday, September 8 @ 4pm & 8pm
Old Stone House
336 3rd St., Brooklyn, NY 11215
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Saturday, September 9 @ 4pm
Montgomery Place Estate @ Bard College
Easthampton, MA
Sunday, September 10 @ 5:30pm
Park Hill Orchard
82 Park Hill Road, Easthampton, MA 01027
Pittsford, VT
Monday, September 11 @ 6pm
Pittsford Village Farm
42 Elm Street Pittsford, VT 05763
Review by Maegan Bergeron-Clearwood
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Much has been said recently about the seeming demise of American theater, with company after company reducing production capacity or closing their doors for good. Earlier this summer, The New York Times lamented this trend with the doom-and-gloom headline, “A Crisis in America’s Theaters Leaves Prestigious Stages Dark,” and a focus on big-name regional theaters – after all, if “prestigious” institutions are going under, surely this spells disaster for theater as a whole.* Continue reading →
Presented by American Repertory Theater Based on the novel by Yann Martel Adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti Directed by Max Webster Scenic and Costume Design by Tim Hatley Puppetry and Movement Direction by Finn Caldwell Puppet Design by Nick Barnes by Finn Caldwell Video Design by Andrzej Goulding Lighting Design by Tim Lutkin Sound Design by Carolyn Downing Original Music by Andrew T. Mackay Dramaturgy by Jack Bradley
Dec. 6, 2022 – Jan. 29, 2023 Loeb Drama Center 64 Brattle Street Cambridge, MA 02138
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” – The Bene Gesserit’s “Litany Against Fear” from Dune by Frank Herbert
Critique by Kitty Drexel
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Life of Pi at American Repertory is for fans who loved the novel and the movie. It’s for people who loved the movie, too. Life of Pi may also appeal to people who don’t regularly attend the theatre but enjoy a spectacle epic.
Life of Pi the stage adaptation is not for children. The movie was rated PG, but the theatrical version is PG-13 at least. Puppets are no longer an indication of child-friendly content. Life of Pi’s puppets can be graceful and inspire wonder – yes – they also rightly invoke fear. Continue reading →
Presented by Puppet Showplace Theater by Paradox Teatro: Sofia Padilla and Davey T Steinman Puppetry design and sand art art by Sofia Padilla Projection design by Davey T Steinman Co-compositions by Dan Dukich and Davey T Steinman
In-Person August 12 & 13 at 8:00 pm August 14 at 2:00 pm Puppet Showplace Theater 32 Station St Brookline, MA 02445 Run is 50-minutes. No intermission.
Review by Kitty Drexel
BROOKLINE, Mass. — No father would put his family on a boat unless the journey were safer than on land. This is paraphrased statement from a performance of Migraciones/Migrations by Paradox Teatro. It captures and builds upon the universal affirmation that a parent would do anything to save their children from harm. Anything: even to break immigration laws to journey to a foreign land whose people reject them sight unseen; to risk death and being sent back. Anything. Continue reading →
Presented by ArtsEmerson
A play by Thaddeus Phillips Cocreated and directed by Tatiana Mallarino
Designed by Steven Dufala
Magic by Steve Cuiffo
Night Clerk: Newton Buchanan
AE Production Program featuring leadership team bios, a synopsis of the performance, and the full list of staff, artist and creative team credits for the production.
Originally presented via Miami Light Project Sept. 28 – Oct. 25, 2020. It is the longest running theatre play on the world wide web.
Review by Kitty Drexel
Virtual Boston, Mass — New England Theatre Geek reviewed Zoo Motel on October 14, 2020. The Quarantine was a dark time that produced some dark writing. Our ridiculously written review can be read here.
We were interested in seeing Zoo Motel again to see if it had updated since its 2020 run. Its creators have taken this show to audiences all over the world: Stockholm, Madrid, Perth, London, and now Boston. We can say that Zoo Motel still inspires wonder and awe.Continue reading →
Tributes in the Arena. Photo credit imaginary beasts.
Presented by imaginary beasts Directed by Matthew Woods Written by Matthew Woods & Noah Simes Costumes: Cotton Talbot-Minkin Visual Design & Illustration: Lillian P.H. Kology Production Stage Management: Sophia Nora Giordano Video Editing & Design: Sophia Nora Giordano Technical Direction: Bob Mussett Puppet Design & Construction: Sophia Nora Giordano & Jamie Semel Cast: Michael Chodos, Laura Detweiler, Molly Kimmerling, Catherine Luciani, Tara Harbert, Colin McIntire, Amy Meyer, Bob Mussett, Elizabeth Owens, Jill Rogati, Kiki Samko, Jamie Semel, Noah Simes, Derek Smith, Jennifer Taschereau, and Matthew Woods with Sara Kenney and Hannah Uher
March 13, 14, 20 at 4:00 pm ET and March 19 at 7:30 pm ET on Zoom New show added! March 21 at 4 pm! Tickets: imaginarybeasts.eventbrite.com All tickets are Pay What You Wish with a $0 minimum imaginary beasts on Facebook
Review by Kitty Drexel
ZOOM — The imaginary beasts yearly panto is a Massachusetts theatre institution. It doesn’t feel like wintertime without it! So thank goodness the beasties rallied and produced their February family-show in March. Continue reading →
Presented by Liars & Believers and Moonbox Productions Written by Rachel Wiese (To Bed To Bed & Vasalisa the Blessed) and Jesse Garlick (Malka and the Behema) Directed by Jason Slavick Costume Design by Kendra Bell Featuring Music by Veronica Barron, Singer Mali, and Carols Odria Video Editing by Sam Powell Zoom Mastery by Cynthia Hu
ZOOM – In winter, spring is a fairy tale. That sounds pretty ridiculous, what with empirical data suggesting, yes, the northern hemisphere will tilt once again toward the sun. If you, like me, are on the East Coast in January, though, it’s going to be a while, and what with the current horror of a plague ravaging the country, this winter is particularly bleak. The usual comforts of gathering indoors with friends and family are not as available to us as they have been in the past. So, why not unite with one another through the power of sharing stories? Continue reading →
“To Bed To Bed” & Vasalisa The Blessed” written by Rachel Wiese “Malka and the Behema” written by Jesse Garlick Directed by Jason Slavick Costume design by Kendra Bell Puppet design by Faye Dupras Shadow puppet design by Rebecca Lehrhoff Mask design by Becca Jewett Video editing by Sam Powell Original music by Carlos Odria Featuring: Rachel Wiese, Rebecca Lehrhoff, Glen Moore, Jesse Garlick, Cynthia Hu, Carlos Odria, Singer Mali
EMAIL — The good, creative folks at Liars & Believers held two preview workshops of their upcoming production Beyond a Winter’s Day on December 17 and 20. They generously answered some questions over email about their work, the pandemic, and their hopes for the New Year. Please keep reading for responses.
Thank you Jason, Jesse, Glen, Cynthia, Rebecca, and Rachel! We look forward to Beyond A Winter’s Day in January. We hope all of your New Year wishes are liberated into being with bright joy, cheer and grace.
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Queen Geek:Please talk about your role in the show.
Jason – I’m Jason Slavick, the Artistic Director of Liars & Believers, and the director of the show. I provide the guiding vision for the whole project and I shape each individual element. I’m much like a conductor in an orchestra. The individual artists play their parts, but I shape the tempo, the tone, and the overall feel. I try to create opportunities for the other artists to express themselves. And I try to help them do their best work. My biggest job is to make sure you in the audience feel engaged and understand what’s going on.
Jesse- I’m Jesse Garlick, an artistic associate with Liars & Believers as well as being the company’s director of education. I wrote Malka and the Behema as well as performing with the puppets in the piece. I also perform in the final piece, To Bed To Bed, as Rabbit. And lastly I play Stanislov in the interstitial pieces.
Glen- I’m Glen Moore an artistic associate with Liars & Believers. I helped to devise and build content for the original production of “A Story Beyond” which was the inspiration for this online version. In this zoom production I play the storyteller Fargus, perform puppetry in the story Malka and the Beheyma, and lastly I don the mask of Bear in the story To Bed To Bed.
Cynthia – I’m Cynthia I am the zoom master of the show. I control all the tech behind what you see and make sure “the magic” happens on time. Outside of the show I’m an actor and I’m pursuing my MFA in acting at The Actors Studio Drama School.
Rebecca- I’m Rebecca Lehrhoff, an Artistic Associate with Liars & Believers. I’ve worked with the company since 2014. I helped devise the content for both “Beyond A Winter’s Day” as well as the original 2018 production the show is inspired by, “A Story beyond.” In addition to playing Mishka and the mole, I designed, created and performed (along with Rachel Wiese) the shadow puppetry for Vassilisa the Blessed.
Rachel- And I’m Rachel Wiese, an Artistic Associate with LAB. I worked on writing and devising the original “A Story Beyond” and performed as Isabel in that production. For Beyond a Winter’s Day, I again portrayed Isabel as well as Condor and puppeteered (along with Becca) Vasalisa the Blessed. I wrote Vasalisa the Blessed and To Bed, To Bed. I had lots of fun scouting the location for To Bed, To Bed which we shot on Worcester Trust Land near my home in Worcester, MA. Continue reading →
