“Who will believe thee, Isabel?”
'Measure for Measure' is one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays” that, despite being categorized as a comedy, feels like anything but. This rendition by MIT Shakespeare Ensemble leaves us feeling as if we were helpless, as if we had witnessed a tragedy because, despite the comedic relief, despite her efforts, the fate of Isabella does not change.
Roll over Pushkin
If you’re looking for a sincere adaptation of Alexander Pushkin’s novel-in-verse, then this is not the production for you. However, if you are looking for humorous, light-hearted musical parody of a classic Russian story, then hitch up your troika, grab your palliative bottle of vodka, and direct your driver to the faraway land of Stoneham.
My mother’s daughter
An unfortunately underwhelming performance that leaves you wanting more.
Lustful princes, or the proximate cause of the rise of the Republic
There is much that entrances the viewer in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of 'The Rape of Lucretia,' despite its heavy thematic content. The BLO presents high-caliber singing, aesthetic costume design, and an orchestra that breathes life into Britten’s score, all at unprecedentedly close quarters.
Six decades, twelve trumpets, and infinite beauty
The 12th Annual Herb Pomeroy Memorial Concert honored the legacy of the influential jazz performer, educator, and founder of the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble through exhilarating and heart-wrenching personal compositions. The performance showcased the talents of many musicians, presented a night full of beautiful music, and united the audience in emotional, spiritual ways.
Captain Marvel, the MCU’s newest powerhouse
Captain Marvel is an enjoyable and groundbreaking contribution to the MCU. However, its weak conclusion and thematic inconsistency result in some wasted potential.
‘Mob Psycho 100’ and the problem of being a hero
‘Mob Psycho 100’ and its general humanity and moralistic, pacifistic outlook are refreshing in a genre of anime that focuses on power-ups over real character growth, epic fight scenes over mundane, everyday life, and the supernatural instead of the real.
Falling slowly in love with ‘Once’
Based on the highly acclaimed 2007 indie film, ‘Once’ tells a fable of a budding romance between an Irish busker and a Czech immigrant. While the Speakeasy Stage production does not fully shrug off the reputation of the film, the exceptional musical performances remind of the joys only live theatre can provide.
The squashed cabbage leaf prevails
Professor of phonetics, Henry Higgins (Eric Tucker), and his friend, Colonel Pickering (James Patrick Nelson), take up the challenge of teaching a flower girl, Eliza Doolittle (Vaishnavi Sharma), to speak like a duchess. This production of Pygmalion will make you laugh and will make you think — I recommend it wholeheartedly.
‘How to Train Your Dragon 3’ sets out for a dazzling, dragon-filled voyage
After nearly a decade of vikings and dragons, Dreamworks’s ultimate installment delivers a powerful, satisfying conclusion to their beloved franchise. Fans who’ve grown up with the series will appreciate this poignant send off to a fantastically realized friendship.
Rona Wang ’21 talks identity, art, and writing the heroes of your own story
“That was something that was really important to me,” said Wang. “To write stories in which Chinese people or Chinese American people could be the heroes of their own stories.”
Human-scented perfume, bacteria-painted sculptures, mind-controlled sperm: art in the new era
Technology shapes the way one thinks and expresses. As the 21st century rapidly brings us closer to a world woven with the synthetic threads of artificial intelligence and automation, how will art react? This is one of many questions that fuels research-based artist, Ani Liu, in her transdisciplinary work. Her pieces encompass the intersection of aesthetics, science, design, and technology.
Cereal milk, transformed
If you grew up in the States, chances are you know cereal milk, potato chips, and birthday cake pretty well. But you've probably never had them the way Milk Bar presents them.
Rona Wang’s debut story collection sings
'Cranesong' is a beautiful debut story collection, stringing together characters exploring their identities: what does it mean to be an artist, to be female, to be Asian, to be Asian American, to be queer?
‘Reefer Madness’ makes you giggle for good reason
Based on the cult classic propaganda film, the musical ‘Reefer Madness’ is the tongue- in- cheek examination of what is definitely the source of all corruption: marijuana. As presented by the MIT Musical Theatre Guild, this production of ‘Reefer Madness’ earns a lot of laughs from the wacky plot and the efforts of the cast and design team.
Rumor has it…
Eight overdramatic men and women, a suicidal deputy mayor, and an unruly gun converge one night during a fated anniversary party. We all know what ensues: Rumors galore.
Likeness of love
In their second visit to Boston, Nederlands Dans Theater 2 proves why choreographers flock to create their most experimental work on the company’s blank canvas of young talent.
When reality strikes back
During the first half of the film, there are multiple nebulous concepts that are constantly addressed by the inhabitants of Plymouth island: luck, morality, right and wrong. They way these ideas are thrown about feels arbitrary. Some inhabitants of the island criticize Dill’s obsession with catching tuna. “You just gotta catch the fish that’s in your head” is a common phrase that comes up.
‘Aquaman’ makes a big splash in theaters
Jason Momoa gives an entertaining performance as Aquaman, but the film still begs for more depth. Still, the splashy visuals often distract from the story line overload.