Nov 04

A Polite Mugging: MRS. MANNERLY

Care of MRT Facebook Page

Care of MRT Facebook Page

Presented by Merrimack Repertory Theatre
By Jeffrey Hatcher
Directed by Mark Shanahan

October 24 – November 17, 2013
50 East Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA
MRT on Facebook

Review by Craig Idlebrook

(Lowell) I didn’t know there had to be rules about flashback nostalgia stories, but I think I’ve found one….if only I can decide which one.

First, let’s define the genre.  Have you ever seen the movie A Christmas Story or The Wonder Years?  Then you know the kind of show MRT’s Mrs. Mannerly is attempting.  It’s the adult narrator looking back on his precocious tween self, with a wistful smile, to share lessons learned. Continue reading

Oct 08

Art, Process, and Connection in Miranda July’s “Lost Child!”

Photo Credit: Todd Cole

Presented by The Institute of Contemporary Art

Review based on the Oct. 6, 2013 performance
Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater at the ICA
100 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA
ICA on Facebook
Miranda July on Facebook

Review by Gillian Daniels

(Boston) The Institute of Contemporary Art is a glass and steel structure near the shore.  On a gray, rainy Sunday, it looks imposing and a little unnerving. I’m reminded of the cold skyscrapers in Manhattan in my first visit there to see Miranda July on stage.  This isn’t a bad state of mind to be in.  Coincidentally, my first exposure to Miranda July was when I lived in New York and read her book of short stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You (2007).  I was enchanted with her writing, its self-deprecating jokes and nervous whimsy.  It appealed to me in a city where I often felt unanchored. Continue reading

Sep 11

Admiral Your Kittypants* in September, October and November 2013

Admiral Dudley T Kittypants

Admiral Dudley T. Kittypants: copied but never duplicated.

 

 

For Immediate Release – September 11, 2013

For More information, please contact: Kitty Drexel, Queen Geek at blognetheatregeek@gmail.com

 

 

 

Admiral Kittypants: Full, Frontal Artistry seeks performers and attendees for three upcoming events.

Event date:September 22, 2013, 3pm to 5pm
October 27, 2013, 3pm to 5pm
November 17, 2013, 11am to 1pm
The Democracy Center, Cambridge, MA
Suggested $5 donation to benefit The Democracy Center

(Cambridge, MA) – New England Theatre Geek announces the 2nd event for Admiral Kittypants: Full, Frontal Artistry for September, October and November dates. Performers are encouraged to submit their monologues, sets, songs, solos, etc. to blognetheatregeek@gmail.com for consideration. Artists interested in dusting off their monologue or song before audition season hits full swing are particularly encouraged to submit.

Kittypants is a creative community experiment that promises performers of all stripes and polka dots the opportunity to play with their art in a relaxed, safe space before performing it on the stage. Dramaturges, Directors, Music Directors, Composers, Choreographers, Stage Managers and the ilk interested in more information or in hosting an event should do the same.

Kittypants events will be held monthly and announced on www.newenglandtheatregeek.com and on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/AdmiralKittypantsFFA

Admiral Kittypants: Full, Frontal Artistry is a creative community experiment that gives performers the opportunity to play with their art in a safe space before performing it on the stage. If it’s in moderate taste* and you want feedback, we can provide a constructive audience.

New England Theatre Geek is a pro-theatre, intellectually-bent theatre blog that features reviews and articles to excite and educate theatre audiences. We respect theatre professionals and amateurs and review with the intent of getting people interested in going to the theatre. We do write objectively and point out large flaws in productions for the benefit of the audience and the theatres. In this economy, audience members are looking for quality and value, and we want them to feel comfortable with expensive ticket purchases. In addition, we do not want one production to prevent a theatre from developing repeat business.

*To “Admiral one’s Kittypants” is to create zealously for the benefit of the artist and the art. Example: I Admiraled by Kittypants today by doing vocal exercises for 10 minutes and then later successfully teaching my pet armadillo, Nancy, the Argentinian Tango. It was a good day.

Sep 03

Energetic and Repetitive: CATS

2013 Photo©Paul Lyden

2013 Photo©Paul Lyden

presented by North Shore Music Theatre
Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Based on the poetry by Thomas Stearns (T. S.) Eliot
Directed/choreographed by Richard Stafford
Music directed by Milton Granger

August 20th – September 1st, 2013
North Shore Music Theatre
62 Dunham Road
Beverly, MA
North Shore Music Theatre Facebook

Review by Craig Idlebrook, Kate Lew Idlebrook and Clara Idlebrook

Reviewer’s Note: The Idlebrook clan took in “Cats.” Rather than have either regular reviewers Kate Lew Idlebrook or Craig Idlebrook write the review, it was decided to hold a roundtable discussion that would include their daughter, Clara Idlebrook, age 7 11/12ths. The first attempt of the review was accidentally erased by Craig. This review is the transcript of the second discussion. Continue reading

Aug 12

Admiral Kittypants: Full, Frontal Artistry seeks performers for Sept. 22, 2013

Admiral Dudley T. Kittypants

For Immediate Release – August 12, 2013
For more information, please contact: Kitty Drexel, Queen Geek at blognetheatregeek@gmail.com

Admiral Kittypants: Full, Frontal Artistry seeks performers for its 2nd event

Event date:
September 22, 2013, 3pm to 5pm
The Democracy Center, Cambridge, MA
Suggested $5 donation to benefit The Democracy Center

 

Cambridge, MANew England Theatre Geek announces the 2nd event for Admiral Kittypants: Full, Frontal Artistry on Sept. 22, 2013, 3-5pm. Performers are encouraged to submit their monologues, sets, songs, solos, etc. to blognetheatregeek@gmail.com for consideration. Artists interested in dusting off their monologue or song before audition season hits full swing are particularly encouraged to submit.

Kittypants is a creative community experiment that promises performers of all stripes and polka dots the opportunity to play with their art in a relaxed, safe space before performing it on the stage. Dramaturges, Directors, Music Directors, Composers, Choreographers, Stage Managers and the ilk interested in more information or in hosting an event should do the same.

Kittypants events are held monthly and announced on www.newenglandtheatregeek.com and on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/AdmiralKittypantsFFA

Continue reading

Jul 15

The Theory of Everything Explained: “Supergravity and the Eleventh Dimension”

Photo Credit: Paul Cantillon, LIDEC Photo

Presented by Vagabond Theatre Group
By Heather Houston
Directed by James Peter Sotis

July 11 – 20, 2013
The Factory Theatre
Boston, MA
Vagabond Theatre Group Facebook Page

Review by Kitty Drexel

(Boston) Einstein’s Law of Thermodynamics states that “energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another.” This quote from a beloved theoretical physicist describes the natural state of constant flux in the world around us. This quote is often bastardized by Religion* to explain the existence of God, a Super-creator from whence all the energy of life flows. God must exist, they paraphrase, because the energy to create the universe must have come from somewhere… It must have come from God! Ladies and Gentlemen, God and Science can sit at the same table but this isn’t the room they sit in. Continue reading

Jul 15

But still, like terrible comments on unmoderated blogs, I’ll rise: PAPER CITY PHOENIX

Photo Credit: Boston Actors Theater

Presented by Boston Actors Theater
By Walt McGough
Directed by Melanie Garber

July 12-27
Boston Playwrights’ Theatre
Boston, MA
Boston Actors Theater Facebook Page

Review by Noe Kamelamela

(Boston) For the past nine years, Boston Actor’s Theater has made every effort to involve community in choosing and putting on performances that have distinct flavor.  Their latest production of local playwright Walt McGough’s salute to The Connected Era is an homage to the Internet and how we, as users, understand and relate to it. Continue reading

Jul 03

New England Theatre Geek Wants to Play with You! (You Heard Me)

keep-calm-and-admiral-your-kittypants-75In an effort to serve the community Queen Geek, Kitty Drexel, is starting a creative coterie for Cambridge-area artists. Starting in September 2013, a monthly meeting will be held in order that artists may play with their respective art in a safe environment for the purpose of practice, performance and constructive critique. Artists of all stripes can email Kitty at blognetheatregeek at gmail dot com for more information.

Mission Statement:
Admiral Kittypants: Full, Frontal Artistry is a creative community experiment that gives performers the opportunity to play with their art in a safe space before performing it on the stage. If it’s in moderate taste* and you want feedback, we can provide a constructive audience.

Mark your calendars for September 2013.
The meeting will occur on a Sunday between 2:30PM and 5:30PM. Those interested in attending should email the Queen for an RSVP.

Piano/Accompanist Needed:
Admiral Kittypants is looking for an electric piano and/or an experienced accompanist to join Admiral Kittypants: Full, Frontal Artistry as an artist and critique cohort. We are looking for one, the other or (preferably) both. Interested parties should contact  blognetheatregeek at gmail dot com with summer/fall Sunday availability, and hourly rate.

Please put “Full, Frontal Piano” in the subject line. Leads are welcome and encouraged.

More information about “Admiral Kittypants” can be found on Facebook.

Logo/Mascot by the marvelous Kezi

Logo/Mascot by the marvelous Kezi

*Moderate Taste: Some, but not full, nudity; light cursing; no actual violence but stage combat and references to violence are ok; sexism, racism, and other -isms without warrant are strongly discouraged – potentially with a baseball bat.