The Next Stage...

(Boston Stages)

[Greek Theatre at Taormina Italy; Kirk F has released this “Greek Theatre” image under Public Domain license.]

Yes, I’ve been away. Family travel, a backlog of work following that travel, followed by illness and accompanying exhaustion, but I’m going to try to resume regular posting here.

First of all, my big news is that last month I was invited to join the Boston Theater Critics Association. This is an honor, a big deal, and a big commitment. I will be one of ten Boston-area critics voting on which theatrical productions win a Critics Choice medallion to place on their publicity materials early in a run and then, at the end of the season, to vote on outstanding Elliot Norton recognition in multiple categories, including Direction, Lighting Design, Musical, New Script, etc. etc.

I’m excited and thrilled to have the opportunity to see even more shows in Boston’s vibrant theater scene. As the photo above indicates, theater has been a source of entertainment, uplift, and challenge for about as long as civilization has existed. And while movies and TV can provide their own form of satisfaction, there is nothing like live performance.

In this past week, I have seen four TERRIFIC shows. Any one of them would be an excellent choice if you’re looking for something to see in the Boston area this weekend. (Note: now that I am attending more shows, I am not always reviewing all of them. My lack of a review in no way indicates lack of enthusiasm—simply lack of time.)

I’m listing the shows below in the order in which I saw them, not in order of preference:

The Odyssey directed by Shana Cooper at the Loeb Drama Center, American Repertory Theatre, Cambridge. Written by the acclaimed playwright Kate Hamill (who also plays Circe!), this reimagining of Homer’s ancient tale of a returning hero grapples with PTSD and war crimes and the role of women in perpetuating (or not) the concept of heroism. Penelope gets her life back. SNARKY. MOVING. HILARIOUS. COMPELLING.

The Grove directed by Awoye Timpo at Huntington Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts. If you live in or around Boston and care about local theater, you must get involved with the Ufot Family Cycle. This ambitious undertaking offers nine plays over two years (in chronological order, by multiple theater companies) about a Nigerian-American family by playwright Mfoniso Udofia (who has also written for Netflix, Amazon, Showtime, and HBO). The set alone is among the most beautiful I’ve seen. The final scene will leave you gasping. HUMANE. GORGEOUS. ENGAGING. RADIANT.

Hedda Gabler directed by Danielle Fauteux Jacques, Apollinaire Theater, Chelsea, Massachusetts. Who knew Norwegians could be so sexy? or self-destructive? Apparently Parker Jennings knew it, because that’s how she plays Henrik Ibsen’s notorious Hedda Gabler, literally a femme fatale. You’ll be glad there’s no intermission because you won’t want it to end—until it does. TENSE. MOODY. PSYCHOLOGICAL. SHOCKING.

A Man of No Importance directed by Paul Daigneault, SpeakEasy Stage, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts. A bus conductor in 1960s Dublin tries to bring Oscar Wilde’s Salomé to the stage with a community theater group, but in order to do that, he has to come to terms with his own sexuality as well as that of others. The amazing Eddie Shields stars in this musical, and I guarantee you will feel happy while you watch this, no matter what else is going on in the world. DELIGHTFUL. CHARMING. HEART-WARMING. UPLIFTING.