Performing Arts

The American Repertory Theater operates out of the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge's Harvard Square. (John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons)

Boston-Area Theaters Shutter In Response To Coronavirus Fears

The closures were a rapid reversal to theaters' initial response to growing concerns around the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused over 4,900 deaths worldwide and overwhelmed hospitals in China, Italy...

The ARTery

Mar 13, 2020

Freelance musician Louise Bichan. (Courtesy Louise Bichan)

As Coronavirus Fears Grow, Freelancers In The Arts Feel The Squeeze

As Boston-area arts institutions are shuttered and cultural events canceled amid growing coronavirus fears, performing artists and other creatives have been hit hard.

The ARTery

03:14Mar 13, 2020

Participants at Hella Black Trivia night at Dudley Cafe in Roxbury. (Courtesy)

Hella Black Trivia Makes Space For Community And Culture In Roxbury

For hosts Eric Esteves and Jeff Grey, the trivia nights have become a “movement,” that “centers the black identity.”

The ARTery

Mar 13, 2020

Actors performing in the cinematic stage production
"Plata Quemada" about a bank heist. (Courtesy Teatrocinema)

A Chilean Theater Company Stages A Bank Heist With Cinematic Flair

Teatrocinema's dynamic production is based on a real robbery that occurred in Argentina in 1965, and resonates with Chile's present political moment.

The ARTery

05:08Mar 11, 2020

Hubens "Bobby" Cius and Alexandra Danielle King in "Pipeline" at Central Square Theater. (Courtesy Nina Groom)

'Pipeline' Tries To Find Space For The Anger Of Young Black Men At Central Square Theater

Dominique Morisseau's script can be both poetic and prosaic, says critic at large Ed Siegel.

The ARTery

Mar 11, 2020

Protestors and theater festival attendees meet outside the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center in Santiago. (Jorge Sanchez for WBUR)

In Chile, Theater And Politics Collide At The Santiago A Mil International Festival

In January, one of Latin America's premiere theater festivals unfolded in the midst of Chile's biggest political upheaval in decades.

The ARTery

08:08Mar 10, 2020

Dancer Seo Hye Han and choreographer Helen Pickett. (Courtesy Brooke Trisolini/Boston Ballet)

Choreographer Helen Pickett Explores Femininity With Boston Ballet

The choreographer has two ballets, “Petal” and “Tsukiyo,” in Boston Ballet’s “Carmen” -- a program exploring and celebrating many facets of femininity.

The ARTery

Mar 10, 2020

Felton Sparks (left) as David and Ben Freeman as Jonathan in rehearsal for "Beloved King." (Courtesy Jonathan Beckley)

Jade Sylvan's 'Beloved King' Finds Space For Queerness In Biblical Stories

The Cambridge-based artist's latest project adapts the Biblical story of a young David through a queer lens.

The ARTery

Mar 9, 2020

Comedian Andy Ofiesh hosts ImprovBoston's Naked Comedy Showcase. (Courtesy Roger Hagadone

Comedians Bare It All At ImprovBoston’s Naked Comedy Showcase

On the first Thursday of each month, the bravest of the brave reveal not only their (figurative) souls, but also their (literal) bodies.

The ARTery

Mar 3, 2020

Paula Plum, Karen MacDonald and Tyrees Allen in Lucy Kirkwood's "The Children" at SpeakEasy Stage Company. (Maggie Hall Photography)

SpeakEasy Stage's 'Children' Should Be Seen — And Definitely Heard

Lucy Kirkwood's "The Children" is a theater-lover's dream, says critic at large Ed Siegel.

The ARTery

Mar 3, 2020

The Cast of "Fiddler on the Roof." (Courtesy Joan Marcus)

At Emerson Colonial, 'Fiddler On The Roof' Updates Tradition

Set in early 1900s Russia, the classic musical asks what it means to hold onto tradition, faith and family in a changing world.

The ARTery

Mar 2, 2020

"In Flight: Live" cast members perform choreography by Douglas Webster. (Courtesy David J. Murray)

Ice Dancers Flock To New England With 'In Flight: Live'

Ten skaters from Ice Dance International are touring both classic and contemporary routines through March.

The ARTery

Feb 21, 2020

The cast of Huntington Theatre Company's production of "Sweat." (Courtsey T. Charles Erickson)

At The Huntington, Pulitzer-Winning 'Sweat' Tugs At Roots Of Rage That Empowered Trump

The production captures the polarizing politics that boil over today.

The ARTery

Feb 7, 2020

Eric Berryman as "Detroit Red" stands amid a projection of the man who would become Malcolm X. (Courtesy Randall Garnick Photography)

Malcolm X's Powerful Origin Story Surges To Life In 'Detroit Red' At ArtsEmerson

Will Power's tale of how Malcolm Little became Malcolm X has a superb world premiere at the Emerson Paramount Center says critic at large Ed Siegel.

The ARTery

Feb 7, 2020

Eunice Wong and Patricia Kalember in "Gloria: A Life." (Courtesy)

Women Weave Their Stories Into "Gloria: A Life"

The ARTery

04:06Feb 5, 2020

Left to right, Inés de la Cruz as Robin, Minh-Anh Day as Wolf/Jeenu and Tonasia Jones as Ash in "Wolf Play." (Courtesy Andrew James Wang)

Company One's 'Wolf Play' Explores What It Means To Have A Pack

Portrayed by an adult actor manipulating a child puppet, the play’s protagonist follows the journey of a boy who thinks he’s a wolf and the couple trying to adopt him.

The ARTery

Feb 4, 2020

The cast of "Gloria: A Life." (Courtesy)

In A.R.T.'s 'Gloria: A Life,' Steinem Gets By With A Little Help From Her Friends

Directed by Diane Paulus, the show is a multimedia, biographical theater piece based on the life of second-wave feminist powerhouse Gloria Steinem and her allies.

The ARTery

Jan 31, 2020

Josephine Moshiri Elwood, Debra Wise, and Malikah McHerrin-Cobb in "Vanity Fair" at Central Square Theater. (Courtsey Nile Scott Studios)

As It Scrutinizes Our Morals, 'Vanity Fair' Gets Overstuffed

Kate Hamill's take on "Vanity Fair" goes over the top, writes critic Rosalind Bevan.

The ARTery

Jan 31, 2020

Composer and pianist Conrad Tao with dancer Caleb Teicher. (Courtesy Em Watson)

A Musician And Dancer Unite For A Novel Performance On Sand

Musician Conrad Tao and dancer Caleb Teicher have created a novel sound and movement exploration that combines new music and a very old style of tap dancing.

The ARTery

Jan 28, 2020

Co-creators of "Shear Madness" Marilyn Abrams and Bruce Jordan. (Courtesy Carol Rosegg/Cranberry Productions)

40 Years Of 'Shear Madness,' Where Success, At Least, Is No Mystery

At the fictional Shear Madness salon, there’s a lot more going on than pin curls and dye jobs.

The ARTery

Jan 28, 2020

Here & Now

Boston-Area Theaters Shutter In Response To Coronavirus Fears

As Coronavirus Fears Grow, Freelancers In The Arts Feel The Squeeze

Hella Black Trivia Makes Space For Community And Culture In Roxbury

A Chilean Theater Company Stages A Bank Heist With Cinematic Flair

'Pipeline' Tries To Find Space For The Anger Of Young Black Men At Central Square Theater

In Chile, Theater And Politics Collide At The Santiago A Mil International Festival

Choreographer Helen Pickett Explores Femininity With Boston Ballet

Jade Sylvan's 'Beloved King' Finds Space For Queerness In Biblical Stories

Comedians Bare It All At ImprovBoston’s Naked Comedy Showcase

SpeakEasy Stage's 'Children' Should Be Seen — And Definitely Heard

At Emerson Colonial, 'Fiddler On The Roof' Updates Tradition

Ice Dancers Flock To New England With 'In Flight: Live'

At The Huntington, Pulitzer-Winning 'Sweat' Tugs At Roots Of Rage That Empowered Trump

Malcolm X's Powerful Origin Story Surges To Life In 'Detroit Red' At ArtsEmerson

Women Weave Their Stories Into "Gloria: A Life"

Company One's 'Wolf Play' Explores What It Means To Have A Pack

In A.R.T.'s 'Gloria: A Life,' Steinem Gets By With A Little Help From Her Friends

As It Scrutinizes Our Morals, 'Vanity Fair' Gets Overstuffed

A Musician And Dancer Unite For A Novel Performance On Sand

40 Years Of 'Shear Madness,' Where Success, At Least, Is No Mystery