Burbage Theatre Company’s production of the classic Shakespeare comedy The Taming of the Shrew begins with a truly inspired bit of trickery. To go into detail would ruin the surprise, so I will say no more. It has to be seen to be believed. The story focuses on Petruchio (Jeff Church, who also directed) who […]
“She looks alarmed, and it is the same disingenuousness that marked the bad acting of so many of Emily’s friends … when they pretended to be actors in their community theater dramas …” – Chris Bohjalian, The Night Strangers “It’s very hard to insert nudity into an Ibsen play.” – Patrick (Kevin Broccoli), “Amateurs” “No […]
John Guare’s dark, biting, yet somehow sweet family drama The House of Blue Leaves was last produced in RI almost exactly a year ago by Next Generation Theatre. In the March 2014 Motif review (https://motifri.com/capable-cast-seeks-fame-in-house-of-blue-leaves/), there is speculation as to how The Gamm’s version the following year would present the same script with a bigger […]
After a long, snowy winter, spring is right around the corner and the State Ballet of Rhode Island looks to heat things up by presenting their annual spring performance nearly two months earlier than usual. In years past, it would fall on or close to Mother’s Day, giving many a wonderful opportunity to treat mom […]
I’m known for complaining about the lack of women playwrights whose work gets produced. One reason artistic directors are reluctant to produce women is because they are telling a “female” story, whereas Death of a Salesman is a “human” story. Amy Herzog’s 4000 Miles is not the stereotypical “female” story. This funny, beautiful and touching […]
Trinity Repertory Company has unveiled a slightly refurbished version of playwright Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. The semi-autobiographical memory play focuses on the Wingfields: Tom (Brian McEleney), who serves as narrator, his overbearing mother Amanda (Anne Scurria), and his withdrawn sister Laura (Mia Ellis). They live a modest existence in a small apartment. The Wingfields are […]
For over 20 years, the world has been amazed by a bunch of guys covered in blue paint and wearing black sweatsuits who like to make a lot of noise while putting on a one-of-a-kind performance art experience. You might have heard of them. They’re known as The Blue Man Group and they’ll be taking […]
As most of the country debates whether or not Anastasia Steele’s sexual awaking is empowering or just pure smut, Ocean State Theatre Company’s current offering, the contemporary musical The Last Five Years, presents a much more realistic look at love and relationships, warts and all. So realistic, in fact, that writer and composer Jason Robert […]
“Pick a black card, pick a loser” – Suzan-Lori Parks, Topdog/Underdog Topdog/Underdog has been described as a “postracial” play, but that moniker is purely academic. Suzan-Lori Parks’ story of two brothers who struggle against poverty, identity and each other necessarily uses race as a context, but not a crutch. Parks’ metaphors may be heavy-handed at […]
For many aficionados of classical ballet, the enjoyment comes from watching a dancer’s technique, strength and stamina. Critics often refer to long, clean lines and gravity-defying leaps whereas with contemporary ballet, the lines are often angular and truncated, the movements far more grounded. Success resides in the dancers’ ability to convey the choreographer’s theme or […]