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.
‘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.
Make some noise for ‘Small Mouth Sounds’
In Bess Wohl’s ‘Small Mouth Sounds,’ the play’s six characters partake in a spiritual retreat during which they are not allowed to speak. Guided by an unseen sermonizing guru, the six people hilariously struggle to adapt to their new lifestyle while desperately wanting to communicate their personal traumas.
Running with the wolf pack
Sarah DeLappe’s ‘The Wolves’ displays the social dynamics of a girls’ soccer team with fully developed characters and engaging dialogue. Indeed, it is difficult to find a flaw in Lyric Stage’s impressive production of ‘The Wolves’ which boasts a stellar all-female cast and creative team.
The wronged Maria Callas
Tom Volf’s documentary about Maria Callas aims to dispel the gossip about the late operatic soprano by using only her own words. With this challenge, the film creates a portrait of Callas’s life that is intelligent but marred by presentation issues.
No offense, but get out
The trademark coarse-grained dialogue of Stephen Adly Guirgis returns in the New England premiere of Between Riverside and Crazy, an explosive comedy about an ex-cop bitterly fighting against eviction and injustice. Mounted by SpeakEasy Stage, the production is a thrilling and humorous depiction of urban life in New York with all of its challenges and contradictions.
Guide dogs work hard
‘Pick of the Litter’ follows a litter of five puppies as they train to become potential guide dogs under the organization Guide Dogs for the Blind. ‘Pick of the Litter’ is an edifying documentary beyond mere cutesy fare while occasionally suffering from tonal whiplash and lack of focus.
Not in Kansas anymore
A funkalicious, soulful, jazz-packed version of one of the most wonderful stories in history.
Poke bowls and burritos
While Pokéworks follows other restaurants in marrying poke bowls with the fast, casual format and an overreliance on toppings, the food is delicious and satisfying regardless. Its recent Harvard Square location provides great convenience and accessibility.
Panda pandemonium
Due to their adorable appearance, pandas have embedded themselves in human society as cute icons found in advertising and media. Embracing the cuteness of these animals, ‘PANDAS’ depicts the challenges of panda conservation as Chinese and US biologists collaborate to train panda cubs for success in their natural habitat.
Photographing whiteness
Claudia Rankine’s ‘The White Card’ bares the hypocrisy of a white family as they host a black photographer over dinner before the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Despite its promising premise, the play suffers from shallow characterization and forced dialogue, dulling what otherwise could have been a compelling narrative.
A long summer fling
If one can get past the film’s uneventful nature, the film will reward with audiovisual splendor and superb acting.
Stereotypes and subculture
Tom of Finland is a biopic of the artist of the same name, who pioneered the BDSM subculture through his homoerotic illustrations in beefcake magazines and pornographic comics from the ’50s to the ’80s.
A warm and communal ‘Christmas Carol’
Through Wise’s direction, 'A Christmas Carol ' goes to the heart of Christmas and theater, where a group of people enjoy a shared experience.
The greatest of adventures
Based off of Michael John LaChiusa’s 1994 musical adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde, Hello Again features ten people engaging in a daisy chain of sexual affairs.
‘Oleanna’ returns to stir controversy
Inspired by Anita Hill’s sexual harassment allegations against Clarence Thomas and the accompanying public outrage, Oleanna explores the power dynamics between a student and her professor when she accuses him of sexual harassment after a private meeting concerning her grades.
