Tag Archives: Theater

Boston’s Company One production of Green Eyes

Posted on January 21, 2012 | 3 comments

Company One is a local theater company I first wrote about in my post 2o11-2012 season for local theater companies. The theater company is presenting and co-producing the New England premiere of Tennessee Williams erotic drama, Green Eyes.  Originally written in the 1970s, this play remained unpublished for nearly 40 years.

This production stars Erin Markey from NYC and has performances at the Ames Hotel at 1 Court Street near Government Center.  The same production from The Kindness, a NYC-based company founded by Travis Chamberlain and Chris Keegan premiered in NYC last year at The Hudson Hotel which is owned by the same group that owns The Ames.

There are only 25 seats for each performance and the prices are very reasonable, ranging from $20-$35.  The show runs through Sunday, Feb. 12th.  Purchase your tickets online here.

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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 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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Gold Dust Orphans present: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Posted on September 22, 2011 | Leave a comment

Starting next month (Oct 14th to be exact) and every Friday night thereafter The Gold Dust Orphans will be performing The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Oberon Theater in Cambridge.  According to Ryan Landry (the Orphans ring leader), “My version of ’Rocky Horror’ is heavy rock ’n roll, and dark.  All the songs are thinly veiled about getting high. Many of the songs are flat out about heroin addiction. There is nothing pretty about that. I really cannot stand the Toys ’R Us version of the musical. Let me say this: I’m bringing the cock and balls back to ’Rocky Horror’.”

Live performances start Friday, October 14th and tickets cost $25. Purchase your tickets today here.

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Boston Ballet Season 2011-2012

Posted on September 7, 2011 | 3 comments

Last week I wrote about how many fantastic local theater companies there are in Boston in my post, 2011-12 season for local Boston theater companies. This week I wanted to encourage people to consider visiting and supporting the Boston Ballet. Many may not realize this but the Boston Ballet is considered one of the major ballet companies in North America and among the top companies in the world.

Ballet can sometimes be a tough sell for people unfamiliar with it, but it is an amazing dance form that beautifully blends athleticism and art. The Boston Ballet’s 2011-2012 season starts in just a few weeks with Romeo & Juliet (Nov. 3-13), followed by The Nutcracker (Nov. 25 – Dec 31).

To see their full season or to purchase tickets visit their website www.bostonballet.org.

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2011-2012 season for local Boston theater companies

Posted on September 2, 2011 | Leave a comment

In September many of Boston’s local theater companies begin their 2011-2012 season. Many of these companies provide a more intimate setting than their counterparts in Boston’s theater district; and prices for shows are certainly more affordable. Here are a few local theater companies I hope you’ll consider supporting.

American Reportory Theater (A.R.T.) is technically in Cambridge and affiliated with Harvard University, but I’d be remiss not to include it. The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess is currently playing and received strong reviews. I’ve yet to see The Donkey Show in their Oberon theater, which is based on Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream and has performances every Saturday. To see the full 2011-2012 performance calendar or to purchase tickets, visit their website at, www.americanrepertorytheater.org.

Company One is a resident theater company that shares space at the Boston Center for the Arts and is known for embracing innovative and socially provocative performances. Their 13th season will begin in October with In the Red and Brown Water. You can see the rest of their 2011-2012 line up or purchase tickets on their website, www.companyone.org.
Huntington Theatre in residence at Boston University with theater space on Huntington Avenue as well as in the South End at the Calderwood Pavilion has been providing Boston with excellent options to shows in the Theater District. A few years back I was able to see Nathan Lane perform in a production of Butley. Their 2011-2012 season starts in two weeks with Candide. More information about tickets is available on their website, www.huntingtontheatre.org.
Lyric Stage Company of Boston consistently has high quality performances. Last spring their production of Blithe Spirit was one of my favorites. Like many of the smaller theater company’s there is not a bad seat in the house so to speak. Their season starts this weekend with Big River. Other notable shows included in their 2011-2012 season include Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Avenue Q. You can read more and purchase tickets from their website, lyricstage.com.

SpeakEasy Stage is a well-respected local theater company now entering it’s 20th season. I have probably seen more productions from the SpeakEasy Stage than any other local theater company. Their 2011 season starts in just a couple weeks with Next Fall a Tony nominee for best play, but I’m intrigued to see their production of Xanadu later in the season. To see the complete line up for their 2011-2012 season and to purchase tickets to upcoming shows at www.speakeasystage.com.
Support Boston’s local theater scene and reserve a couple of tickets to a show this September. I promise, you will enjoy yourself.

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Free stuff to do in Boston this Friday

Posted on August 4, 2011 | 1 comment

Although I’m off to Gotham this weekend, that doesn’t mean I’m unaware of all the fun things happening in Boston. If you don’t have plans this Friday or if you are tired of doing the same thing, consider one of these options.

Shakespeare on the Common Once again this year, The Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. is providing free performances. This year they are performing All’s Well that Ends Well through August 14th down by the bandstand on the Boston Common. Invite that special someone to join you Friday evening under the stars and enjoy some great local theater.
ICA Boston Thanks to the Highland Street Foundation, this Friday (August 5th) Boston’s premiere contemporary art museum is free to the public as part of their FREE FUN FRIDAYS series. Be sure to check out their “The Record: Contemporary Art & Vinyl” exhibit. For a small cover charge after taking in the exhibit you can partake in their waterfont dance party “DJs on the harbor: Classic DJ Throwdown”.
Of course there are more options such as First Fridays Open Studios, Boston Guerilla Queer Bar which will be overtaking a straight bar in the theater district this month, or joining guys for a drink at Fritz Bar in the South End to watch the Red Sox kick off a hometown series against the Yankees.

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Posted in Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Free Stuff

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Shakespeare on Common starts

Posted on July 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

Free performances from The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company begins tomorrow, Wednesday, July 27th. Every year The Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. hosts free performances open to the public on the Boston Common. This year’s play is All’s Well That Ends Well and will run from July 27th thru August 14th. No performances are held on Mondays, from Tuesday through Saturday performances start at 8PM and on Sundays performances start at 7PM.

All’s Well That Ends Well is a story of how far one woman will go to win the heart of her beloved. With boundless wit and tenacity Helena pursues the object of her desire, Bertram, from Paris to Florence and through a maze of obstacles.
Will Helena find true love with Bertram? For those familiar with Shakespeare’s plays, I think you know already, but come down and see a performance. Support the local art and theater scene by helping to spread the word and planning an evening with friends down on the Common. Local Pizzeria’s (e.g. Upper Crust in Beacon Hill) will deliver orders to the show and its easy to smuggle a bottle or two of wine, making an impromptu picnic on the Common.
For more information about the program, The Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. website.

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Peter Pansy

Posted on April 7, 2011 | Leave a comment

Ryan Landry has announced his newest production, Peter Pansy: A musical adventure in faggotry. I have to admit that Landry’s musicals tend to be my favorite so I’ll be lining up to see this latest production.

Performance information:
Dates May 6th – May 29th
Times Friday & Saturday nights at 8pm
Location 1254 Boylston Street (Machine)
Tickets: $35 general seating / $45 VIP seating
You can purchase tickets to his latest production here.

About Peter Pansy
Peter Pansy is a very mischievous boy who not only has the ability to fly but swishes quite effeminately while doing so! … Move over Billy Elliot! Living out his never ending childhood on the island of Provincetonia, Peter Pansy is the leader of all things lavender!

When our hero ventures into the “real world” looking for his lost eye shadows he meets the not so darling, Darling children. Wendy – a chronic masturbator, John – a cross dressing academic and Michael – a post pubescent baby. Before you can say Charles Nelson Reilly, Peter gets them all hooked on “Pixie Dust” and up they go… following Peter back to his mythical homeland and a slew of adventures that would make even Michael Jackson spin in his grave!

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Patti LuPone in Boston

Posted on April 3, 2011 | 3 comments

Tonight, I’m going to see Patti LuPone perform her show The Gypsy in my soul at Symphony Hall. Earlier today a friend offered the extra pair after the couple who originally bought them realized they had a conflict and would not be able to attend. I’m no Broadway aficionado, but Patti LuPone is legendary so I’m looking forward to tonight’s performance. Look Mom – I’m trying new things and ‘broadening my horizons’.

According to the write-up, Patti LuPone will be accompanied by a 10-piece band and will sing songs from musicals including Gypsy, Anything Goes, and Oliver. I’m sure I won’t recognize many of the songs, but I certainly look forward to the performance; hopefully she’ll also sing “Don’t Cry for me Argentina”.

Posting Update
I’ve just returned from the Patti LuPone show in Boston at Symphony Hall, and I have to say it was BRILLIANT. I really couldn’t believe how beautiful she sang and was surprised when the 2 hour show ended. I have a terrible memory so I can’t recall all the songs she performed, but if tickets are available in your town – I’d really recommend checking out her show.

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Commonwealth Shakespeare Company 2011 season presents, All’s Well That Ends Well

Posted on March 3, 2011 | 2 comments

For years the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company has provided free Shakespeare performances on the Boston Common. Although the 2011 performances which are free and open to the public will not begin until the summer, it warms me just to write about this summer tradition.

According to Wikipedia, the play was initially classified as a comedy but is now considered by some as one of his problem plays, so named because it cannot be neatly classified as tragedy or comedy. Inspired by one of Boccaccio’s tales from the Decameron, the play centers on Helena, the orphan daughter of a famous physician. This globe-trotting adventure shows how far one woman will go to win the heart of her beloved.

I never read this play and look forward to seeing it this summer. If you are a native and have never been – check this out and support the local arts community. If you are planning to visit Boston this summer and will be in town when this is showing spend an evening under the stars enjoying this free performance. I smuggle in a bottle or two and order a pizza (yes pizzerias deliver to the Common).

Mark your calendars:
Boston Common – Parkman Bandstand
July 27 – August 14
Tuesday – Saturday @ 8pm
Sundays @ 7pm

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Pussy on the House

Posted on February 26, 2011 | 3 comments

Pardon the title, but if it offends then you know you probably would not enjoy Ryan Landry’s campy, in-your-face and outrageous sense of humor. Earlier this month I mentioned that Landry’s latest play would be a twisted version of the William’s classic, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Tonight I’m heading to the “Ramrod Performing Arts Center” as Landry calls it to see his latest show which opened last night. His performances in recent years have all taken place at the gay nightclub “Machine” which is the downstairs section of Ramrod (Boston’s only leather bar). I only share this to provide you with an idea of the setting for his shows. I’m not sure how many shows I’ve seen from Ryan Landry and The Gold Dust Orphans, but I’m sure I’ve seen most. He’s definitely had his hits and misses over the years, but I never grow tired of his shows or leery of attending. Ryan and his troupe of misfit performers are equal parts outrageous and entertaining and bring so much life and color to Boston’s theater scene.

For those who visit Provincetown, this will likely be his summer show so if you don’t live in the area but are intrigued, you can always see it if you come out to Ptown.

If you live in Boston – order tickets and plan a night out. Local theater needs your support and its a great way to spend an evening with friends. You can purchase tickets online here.

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Ryan Landry announces dates for "Pussy on the House"

Posted on February 3, 2011 | 2 comments

Ryan Landry and his Gold Dust Orphans are set to spoof one of my all-time favorite movies in his next play entitled, Pussy on the House.

Landry’s plays, which come to life with the help of the Gold Dust Orphans, routinely take American classics and turn them on their head with bawdy banter that pokes fun at stereotypes. When Ryan is at his best, his shows are so funny that you leave with a bellyache from laughing so hard. So rent a copy of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof if you are unfamiliar with the story. Both Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor are so amazingly beautiful in this movie I promise it will hold your attention. Then plan a night out with friends and purchase your tickets early to see Ryan’s perverse take on William’s classic. You won’t be disappointed.

Pussy on the House
February 25 – March 20
Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m.
Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Ramrod/MACHINE 1254 Boylston Street, Boston
Cost: $35 General Admission / $45 VIP Reserved Seating
Purchase Tickets Here
To provide you with a teaser of what you can expect from Landry, I’ve included a video clip of the song “SuperEgo Blues” from his 2008 play, Whizzin.

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Support your local theater and artists

Posted on October 17, 2010 | 2 comments

Ministry of Pleasure blog recently referenced one of my favorite musicals of all-time, Avenue Q. It is no longer on Broadway but continues to tour, and although seeing a broadway show is not quite the same as supporting your local theater scene – I still hope it inspires you to purchase tickets to a local play or musical.

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Posted in Music, Video

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