By C.E.E.K. for BCN #135
May 3, 2021
The Huntington Theatre just set the stage for live performances to return for the 2021–2022 season. This is big news as one of the largest companies in town is reopening their theatres this August! While touring shows are doubtful, this is the first bit of light at the end of this Covid tunnel, and it’s a welcome sight.
More urgently, there are lots of cool shows wrapping up their runs this first week of May, so check 'em out while you can. This month also features the last four weeks of the Boston Theatre Marathon XXIII, which is a great (FREE) way to get to know the local theatre landscape with a 10-minute play per day via Zoom.
Also on the horizon are new dates for the Arlekin Players’ groundbreaking, interactive new media workshop of The Cherry Orchard called chekhovOS /an experimental game/ and the summer schedule of Central Square’s pop-up outdoor theatre, Starlight Square. In Western, MA the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival returns with outdoor shows starting in July. Now is the time to buy tickets, so click the link and see what’s available..
Below are some highlights for May 2021, with our full listings at brain-arts.org. Anything we’re missing? Email TheatrescapeBoston@gmail.com
-CEEK
Thru 5/6
A powerful show from Company One’s 2018 season, now captured for the screen. This play is more relevant than ever, confronting the consequences of police brutality while dealing with our expectations for friends and ourselves. Written by break beat poet and playwright, Idris Goodwin.
WHERE: $25 tickets or pay-what-you-can at americanrepertorytheater.org
Thru 5/9
Actors Shakespeare Project brings a virtual version of this layered, tragic play to life, adapted by Mfoniso Udofia.
WHERE: ActorsShakespeareProject.org
5/16, 5/23, 5/27 & 5/30
chekhovOS /an experimental game/
Virtual theatre innovators, The Arlekin Players are workshopping new ways to tell interactive stories, combining technology with live performance and some incredible talent. Visionary director Igor Golyak leads the way with local acting heavy weights Darya Denisova, Nael Nacer and global phenomenon Mikhail Baryshnikov. This is an experiment you don’t want to miss.
WHERE: ArlekinPlayers.com
Thru 5/28
A New England tradition and a great opportunity to sample new works by our local artists, thanks to the Boston Playwrights Theatre at BU. Check out a show while you have your lunch any Monday thru Saturday at noon with 10-minute plays available via Zoom.
WHERE: Schedule and tickets at http://www.bu.edu/bpt/
Ongoing
Check out the first two short audio plays in this new series from the Lyric Stage Co featuring playwrights David Valdes and Ginger Lazarus.
WHERE: LyricStage.com
Ongoing
The Huntington Theatre’s 2016 show is back and has gone audio for its radio debut. This hilarious confrontation of Asian stereotypes and family by Mike Lew will also be streaming via podcast in four half hour episodes.
Where: Huntingtontheatre.org
Ongoing
This ongoing online series of short audio plays features a gaggle of local playwrights imagining a future scene in their favorite Boston spots. Talents include local theatre mainstays like John Kuntz, Melinda Lopez, Kirsten Greenidge and more.
WHERE: Free to listen at HuntingtonTheatre.org
Ongoing
Free online every tues at noon via ART. Talk show with artists, activists and civic leaders
WHERE: https://americanrepertorytheater.org/shows-events/the-lunch-room/