Category Archives: Theater

SpeakEasy Stage presents “RED”

Posted on January 16, 2012 | 1 comment

This past weekend the SpeakEasy Stage invited me to see their latest production, RED. I was happy to go, although I will admit I wondered if a 2-person play about a famous abstract expressionist artist living in NYC in 1958 would be too deep or too intellectual for me to grasp.

I should have realized that a play that won five Tony Awards in 2010 would be compelling to see. However, the reason the story comes alive on stage here in Boston is because of the chemistry between the two actors Thomas Derrah who plays the lead (Mark Rothko) and Karl Baker Olson who plays his new young assistant (Ken). The play is filled with quick, spirited dialog and (to my surprise) many funny lines.  The dialog is expertly delivered by both actors. One of my favorite lines is when Rothko shouts at his assistant Ken.  “You are an employee! This is about me.”  The line sums up the artist as portrayed in the show better than I ever could.

RED plays through February 4th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts at 527 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End.   Looking for a great evening out? Support Boston’s local art and theater scene by coming to see this Tony Award winning play.  You’ll be happy you saw this New England premiere. Check out The Boston Globe’s glowing review by Terry Byrne here.

You can purchase tickets over the phone at 617-933-8600 or online at SpeakEasyStage.com

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The Slutcracker

Posted on December 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Are you struggling to get into the holiday spirit? Looking for something a bit different to do?  If you live in the Boston area, check out the Boston classic The Slutcracker, a burlesque, satirical version of The Nutcracker.

The production is the brainchild of Babes in Boinkland troupe director Vanessa White. While its not quite what you will see if you attend the Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker, what it lacks in technique I think you will find it more than makes up for in laughs. It may be the best holiday entertainment for the money.

Tickets ($25) are currently on sale and this year’s show which started this past weekend will run through most of December.  More Information

Heads up – the video may not be appropriate to play at your office. 

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BosGuy is a Cultcha Vultcha

Posted on November 15, 2011 | 1 comment

In early September I wrote about all the great local theater companies in Boston in my post, 2011-2012 season (which was at the time just starting).  The productions these companies pull together are not as elaborate as travelling Broadway and the National touring companies that come to Boston’s Theater District, but they can be surprisingly entertaining and tickets are half the price.

On Friday, I’m off to see The Divine Sister, which closes this weekend and is playing at the Roberts Studio Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion.  The program which was written by Charles Busch is probably more bawdy and lewd than anything playing currently in Boston’s theater district and that suits me just fine.  We’re going to be joined by two other couples and make a night of this which is a welcome change from hitting the same bars or restaurants.

Have you attended a local theater production lately?  There are so many good shows playing right now; support your local arts community.

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The Divine Sister

Posted on November 12, 2011 | 2 comments

The Divine Sister is now in its final week at the Roberts Studio Theatre (at the Calderwood Pavilion) in the South End.

I’m not sure if I completely understand the write up below which I swiped from the SpeakEasy Stage Co. website, but I’m intrigued.

The Divine Sister – written by Charles Busch, the comic genius behind such classics as Die, Mommie, Die!; Psycho Beach Party; and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, is a gleefully twisted tale that tells the story of an indomitable Mother Superior trying to cope with a young postulant experiencing “visions,” a sensitive schoolboy in need of mentoring, a mysterious nun visiting from Berlin, and a former suitor intent on luring her away from her vows.

Interested?  The show closes one week from today, Saturday, November 19th. Tickets may be purchased online here.

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Landry’s Rocky Horror Show is worth seeing

Posted on October 15, 2011 | 3 comments

Ryan Landry’s take on the cult film classic, Rocky Horror Picture Show, opened in Cambridge at the Oberon Theater to a sold out audience filled with “Antici-Patients” as Dr. Frank-N-Furter (played by Landry) might have suggested on Friday, October 14th.

The 90-minute show which started at 11PM had all the energy of a rock concert and had half the crowd singing and dancing along with the band and cast.  The show remained faithful to the original with some tweaks and a new score, but Landry’s personality is also evident as he works a few snarky remarks into the act.  The cast croons out the tunes everyone knows with energy and better voices than I would have expected, making the show exceed expectations.

Shows will continue each Friday through December 2nd, and don’t be fooled the best tickets in the house are for standing room which cost only $25.  You can purchase your tickets here (and I hope you do) because I’d love to see this become a new fall tradition with the Oberon and Landry’s Gold Dust Orphans.

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Rocky Horror Show opens in Cambridge tonight

Posted on October 14, 2011 | 3 comments

It is opening night for Ryan Landry’s Gold Dust Orphan’s take on The Rocky Horror Show.  Starting tonight and playing each Friday through December 2nd his cast of misfits will be dancing the Time Warp and providing their own spin to this classic cult film.  I’ll be providing an update and review of the show later but should you not have any plans for the evening a few standing room (dance floor) tickets remain.  You can read more about the show and buy your tickets here.

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Posted in Gay, Theater

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