Admissions is a successful comedy, but not quite the hot, scathing satire of ‘privileged whiteness’ one might gather from the ads. (Or from some of the local reviews.)
Review
Arts Commentary: “Counterculture in Boston 1968 – 1980s” — High and Heady Days
About the post-Reagan era, Boston Phoenix and Boston After Dark editor, Arnie Reisman, observes: “Everything went to sleep, and while we were sleeping, the Republican Party grew six more heads.”
Classical CD Review: Hungarian Composer Ernő Dohnányi — Love at First Listen
This is a gem of a recording, a wonderful introduction to this often overlooked Hungarian composer.
Music Review: New Hip-Hop Singles of October 2019
It has been a busy month for R&B and Rap — with tantalizing singles from Danny Brown, Gang Starr, and Frank Ocean.
Jazz CD Review: Nat King Cole Hittin’ the Ramp — The Early Years (1936-1943)
To hear Nat King Cole move from an anonymous member of a backing chorus to a world-class vocal soloist is well worth the time this boxed set demands.
Theater Review: “The Thanksgiving Play” — The Perils of “Wokeness”
When confronted with a seemingly intractable quandary, playwright Larissa FastHorse — and her characters — take the easy way out.
Book Review: “On Fire” — An Optimistic Take on Climate Change
In this book, Naomi Klein shines a light on the path to a politically and economically just model of sustainability.
Theater Review: “Triptych (Eyes of One on Another)” — Distanced Beauty?
TRIPTYCH (Eyes of One on Another) serves up a cool emotional package.
Book Review: “My Mother’s Tears” — Mystery Matriarch
Michel Layaz’s narrator is juggling much more than nostalgia — his traumas are overwhelmingly odd and disturbing, almost to the point of absurdity.
Book Review: “The Topeka School” — Urban Neuroticism
All told, The Topeka School is engaging — it’s a talented and kaleidoscopic story touching down just about everywhere in modern life.
