Sep 20

THEATRE@FIRST PRESENTS “THE BULLY PLAYS” TO BENEFIT TEEN EMPOWERMENT

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THEATRE@FIRST PRESENTS THE BULLY PLAYS
Honoring National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month in Somerville
Portion of the proceeds to benefit the local anti-bullying work of Teen Empowerment
Directed by Jeanné Callinan

October 23-24 @ 7pm
The Somerville Theatre
Davis Square, Somerville, MA
Order tickets now via Vendini: http://goo.gl/ajZvO0
Theatre@First on Facebook

(Somerville) For first time director Jeannè Callinan, the hardest thing about her son being bullied was “the terrible feeling of being alone.” After members of her community rallied around her teenaged son and supported the family through their crisis, Callinan was compelled to let others know that they are not alone. On October 23rd and 24th at 7pm, Theatre@First presents The Bully Plays at the Somerville Theatre. Directed by Callinan as part of National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month, The Bully Plays will donate a portion of its proceeds to benefit the local anti-bullying work of Teen Empowerment (www.teenempowerment.org). Callinan is not the only production member turning negative experiences into positive engagement. Jason Hair-Wynn, an ensemble member who experienced bullying as a teenager, credits his family, specifically his mother and various local LGBT groups such as BAGLY for helping him in the face of harsh, anti-gay bullying that escalated into physical violence. A survivor of a hate crime in high school, he moved on to run workshops on making schools safer for all students. The ten one-acts chosen from the anthology The Bully Plays focus on kids within the American school system to force us to confront bullying as it happens: to our faces, behind our backs, across our social media, through our phones, and into our heads. Methods to combat aggression are brought to light on stage,often from a younger perspective than one would typically find in local community theatre.

The Bully Plays

Since 2003, Theatre@First has drawn on community talents and resources to offer thought-provoking entertainment, and to address issues of local concern through the universal language of theatre. This multi-faceted production encourages people to talk about difficult situations and come up with their own
strategies, perhaps by connecting to resources or simply by speaking with sympathetic listeners. Youth
activists from Teen Empowerment and a therapist will be available to talk after performances. Students,
teachers and parents are especially encouraged to attend. Group discounts are available for parties of six
or more by emailing groups AT theatreatfirst.org.

The Plays:
Alex by José Casas
Blu by Gloria Bond Clunie
The Bully Pulpit by Dwayne Hartford
Bully There Be by Lisa Dillman
Bystander Blues by Trish Lindberg
Conundrum by Brett Neveu
Downhill by Eric Coble
Final Testimony of Henry Sampson by Y York
Nobody Nose by Barry Kornhauser
“Send” by Linda Daugherty

Sep 16

Poetry in Motion: Luminarium’s “Secrets and Motion”

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Photo: Ryan Carollo, Melenie Diarbekirian, Rose Abramoff, and Mark Kranz in A Secret in Three Phases

Luminarium’s “Secrets and Motion”
Featuring the choreography of Merli V. Guerra and Kimberleigh A. Holman

Review is based on the Sept. 14, 2013 performance
More of Luminarium’s events can be found here.

Center for the Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Luminarium Dance on Facebook

Company: Rose Abramoff, Jess Chang, Melenie Diarbekirian, Jessica Jacob, Mark Kranz, Amy Mastrangelo, Katie McGrail
Guest Performers: Emily Evans, Elena Greenspan, Rachel McKeon, Jennifer Roberts, Emily Sulock
Collaborating Artists include: Larry Pratt, Photographer; Hannah Verlin, Installation Artist; Caryn Oppenheim, Poet

Review by Kitty Drexel

(Somerville) Luminarium Dance is dedicated to creating a unique experience for its audience by consistently using contemporary and modern dance with aspects of lighting to push the performance envelope. In Secrets & Motion they use the simple lighting design to compliment the choreography. The shadows created by the motion of their bodies become an extension of the dancer as well as an extension of the set. Combined with companion art installations and video that occur in the same gallery as the dance, theirs is a powerful play on poetry in motion and the mysteries hidden in the light and dark. Continue reading →

Sep 13

Boston Babydolls “Cavalcade of Curiosities” Combines Striptease and Carnival

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(Boston) Award-winning burlesque troupe, The Boston Babydolls, are known for their classic burlesque, but their upcoming show, The W. R. Athskellar Cavalcade of Curiosities, adds some big top to their trademark burlesque. The show runs Thursdays through Sundays from October 3 to November 2 at The Uniun (11 Sanborn Court, Somerville MA, at Union Square). All shows begin at 8:00 p.m.

The well-established troupe has been running a Halloween-themed show since their founding in 2007,
and this will be the fifth show with some variant of The Wrathskellar name. Previous incarnations of The
Wrathskellar were set in an underworld tavern and have been produced at The Davis Square Theater,
The Cambridge YMCA, and a vacant storefront in East Cambridge.

“We wanted to change things up this year,” says author and director, Scratch. “While keeping it true to
the shows that have attracted so many people to our past Halloween shows.” The W. R. Athskellar
Cavalcade of Curiosities is an immersive and interactive show, set at a traveling sideshow. As the
evening unfolds, the audience realizes that they are the prize in a confrontation between good and evil.
Highlights of the evening include a sparking tap dance, an aerial performance by Kirby Russell, and
burlesque backed by a seven-piece band.

Primary Babydolls dancer and choreographer, Brigitte Bisoux, says she is thrilled to choreograph two new
solo numbers. Teases Bisoux, “I won’t give too much away, but one involves tap dancing and a grinding
wheel!”

Co-founder of the Boston Babydolls and Headmistress of The Boston Academy of Burlesque
Education, Miss Mina Murray, promises that they’ve shaken things up this season, saying, “Every year we do something a little different with the show, but this year is wildly different and I’m really excited about the direction we’re taking.”

The W. R. Athskellar Cavalcade of Curiosities is no conventional theatre experience. This is a
promenade production. Comfortable footwear is essential. The performance lasts for up to two and a half
hours and most of the audience is standing throughout. Guests can try their luck in The Shooting Alley,
test their strength on The High-Striker, or learn what their futures hold in The Fortune-Teller’s Tent.
The W. R. Athskellar Cavalcade of Curiosities stars The Boston Babydolls, Zach Eisenstat, and Regie
Gibson, with Ava Henry and Kirby Russell. Music Direction by Alissa Coates. Written and directed by
Scratch. Technical Direction by Hunter Heinlein.

Tickets are $25.00 and $45.00 and available at www.BrownPaperTickets.com or (800) 838-3006.

 

Sep 11

Admiral Your Kittypants* in September, October and November 2013

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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

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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 →

Sep 02

Not the End of the Line for “T Plays V: Last Call”

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Winning play: “SL1 12:32am,” Greer Rooney and Kevin LaVelle, Photo by Meg Taintor

Presented by Mill 6 Collaborative
Artistic directed by John Edward O’Brien
Co-managing directors: Irene Daly, Antoine A. Gagnon

Aug. 21-31, 2013
The Boston Playwright’s Theatre
Boston, MA
Mill 6 Collaborative on Facebook

Written by : Lisa Burdick, Patrick Gabridge, Emily Kaye Lazzaro, Alexa Mavromatis, Bob Murphy, Rick Park

Plays directed by: Barlow Adamson, Matt Chapuran, Mikey DiLoreto, Lindsay Eagle, Kathy Maloney, Kim Anton Myatt

Actors: Jake Athyal, Irene Daly, Jillian C. Couillard, Kelley Estes, Kevin LaVelle, Lonnie McAdoo, Mal Malme, Janelle Mills, Bob Mussett,Jason Myatt, Greer Rooney, Forrest Walter, Stephanie Yackovetsky

Review by Kitty Drexel

My apologies to the cast and crew of T Plays. I had intended to get this review out several days ago. Life interceded and prevented me from doing ago. Please accept this as compensation.

(Boston) The MBTA has its own special kind of magic that transcends beyond the brilliance of a puppy’s smile or the tragedy of a dropped ice cream cone. It affects us all, pedestrian, car-driver and commuter alike. It’s a wonder that local transit hasn’t inspired more art in Boston. That is where Mill 6 Collaborative steps in. This theatre troupe brought us six 1-act plays all inspired by the MBTA in its many forms. The playwrights pick a bus or T line out of a hat, ride the last trip of the evening and write a short play based on their experiences. They hand the show over to their assigned directors and actors who then churn out theatre for an audience three days later. The audience then votes* for their favorite. The play that wins gets to brag and return for the next round in 2014.  Continue reading →

Aug 26

AUDITION FOR TRUE COLORS: Sept. 10, 2013, 6-9pm

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Are you interested in acting, writing, or performing? Want to use your art for activism, to make your school, community and world a better place? Audition for True Colors: Out Youth Theater!
 
Open auditions on Tuesday, September 10th from 6 – 9 PM.
Looking for youth ages 14-22 who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, or straight allies. Performers must have a flexible schedule & be available for:
  • Rehearsals & touring September 17 – December 19, 2013
  • Weekly rehearsals in Boston ­on Tuesdays & Thursdays 6-9:15pm
  • One week of mandatory rehearsal: September 30 – October 4, 2013
  • Touring to up to 10 locations (4 performances during school/work hours)
  • Ability to travel independently via Boston public transportation required

** Please contact us to sign up for an audition slot & for location information at The Theater Offensive: 617-661-1600 or truecolors_at_thetheateroffensive.org. The Theater Offensive is also on Facebook.

True Colors: Out Youth Theater Troupe is a group of up to 15 youth, ages 14 – 22 who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and straight allies. Through this program, youth work together to write a play based on personal experience, the experience of their peers, and LGBT youth issues, and then tour this play to schools, community organizations and state agencies throughout Massachusetts. Youth perform and participate in audience discussions after each show, using the arts as a means to educate about, and advocate for, the LGBT community and youth in particular.

Aug 26

Brown Box Theatre’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” Drips with Humor, Actual Water

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Presented by Brown Box Theatre Project
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Kyler Taustin

Aug. 23 – Sept. 1, 2013
Children Wharf’s Park, outside the Boston Children’s Museum
Boston, MA
Brown Box Theatre Project on Facebook

Can’t attend these performances in Boston? You’re in luck! Following their Boston performances, the Brown Box cast and crew will pack up their set and continue their tour on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware.

Review by Gillian Daniels

The last production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream I saw before Brown Box Theatre’s was The Donkey Show at the Oberon.  Where the Oberon’s version was a show infused with drugs, sex, the excesses of 1970’s disco culture, and go-go dancer boys with body glitter, Brown Box Theatre fills its show with the excesses of Elizabethan fairies and water basins liberally placed around its stage.  The long-running Donkey Show may be the toast of Cambridge, but Brown Box Theatre has captured a more vibrant energy in its traditional telling. Continue reading →

Aug 23

Punks That Rock, Plot that Panders: “Rooms, A Rock Romance”

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Photo Credit: Kevin Hadfield for Bad Habit Productions. Kicking ass/Taking names.

presented by Bad Habit Productions
music and lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman
book by Paul Scott Goodman and Miriam Gordon
directed by Daniel Morris
arrangements and orchestrations by Jesse Vargas

The production is in memory of Terri Meilus.

reviewed on August 22, 2013
August 10 – 25, 2013
Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA
Boston, MA
Bad Habit on Facebook

Review by Kitty Drexel

(Boston) Rooms: A Rock Romance is a contemporary rock musical dressed in vintage clothing. It has Folk, New Wave and Pop Rock influences. It sounds like the love child of John Cameron Mitchell and Jonathan Larson if Joni Mitchell was the surrogate and they all lived in Glasgow. It has a rich score well worth a listen. Continue reading →

Aug 22

Strength in Numbers: “Les Miserables”

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Photo Credit: Herb Philpott

presented by Reagle Music Theatre
music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel
English-language libretto by Herbert Kretzmer
directed by David Hugo

August 8th – 18th 2013
617 Lexington Street
Waltham Massachusetts
Reagle Music Theatre on Facebook

Review by Kate Lew Idlebrook

(Waltham) What is it about this musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s epic masterpiece, Les Miserables, that has captivated us since it’s opening in 1985? Perhaps it’s Javert’s fall from grace or Valjean’s salvation? Maybe it’s the rescue of innocents, or the death of innocents? Maybe it’s the music? There are so many reasons to love this musical; no doubt you have your own. But whatever they are, if you love the show, you’re bound to enjoy the Reagle Music Theatre’s production. Continue reading →