Leigh Barrett’s staging reflects a clear-eyed understanding of the power of the material’s simplicity, which makes The Last Five Years an exceptional musical experience: thought-provoking as well as captivating.
Theater
Theater Review: “The Half-Life of Marie Curie” — The Science of Friendship
A valentine card is touching because it is short and sweet. A valentine play — even at 90 minutes with no intermission — wears out its affectionate welcome.
Theater Review: “Caroline, or Change” Reflects How Far We’ve Come – and How Far We Haven’t – Regarding Race
The first Broadway revival of this challenging 2004 musical makes a sincere but ultimately unpersuasive case.
Television Review: “Passing” — The Tragedy of Race and Space
After nearly a century, the fierce psychological nuance of Passing remains as relevant as ever.
Theater Review: “Macbeth in Stride” — Lady Macbeth Sings the Blues? Not Really
As sure as “the crow/Makes wing to the rooky wood,” Mrs. Macbeth is going to fall tragically short when it comes to being an inspirational role model for marginalized females everywhere.
Theater Review: “BLKS” — Fun, Heartbreaking, and Thought-Provoking
BLKS is a bouncing, romping, profanity-laced, and sex-filled roller coaster — but it also has an important message for those who are not Black femme sisters
Theater Review: “The Chairs” — Not a Full House
At the very least, Ionesco’s drama about the unreality of the world should produce shudders as well as chuckles.
Book Review: Sarah Ruhl’s “Smile: The Story of a Face”
This is the voice of a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, patient, and author who wrote a memoir on her own terms. I can’t wait for Sarah Ruhl’s next play.
Theater Review: “The Sound Inside” — A Hollow Thud
A hatred of self and others sits, relatively neglected, at the center of Adam Rapp’s script.
Theater Review: GSC’s “Think of Me Tuesday’ — Local Heroes
Unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly rare for Boston area theater companies to produce shows that are as deeply rooted in our local culture as this one.