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Erik Nikander

Theater Review: “The Last Five Years” — Time-Tripping Through Scenes From a Marriage

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.

By: Erik Nikander Filed Under: Featured, Review, Theater Tagged: Erik Nikander, Jason Robert Brown, Leigh Barrett, Lyric stage company of boston, The Last Five Years

Theater Review: “The Merchant of Venice” — Rebooted Marvelously

Audiences who are open to a show that provides both riotous comedy and bracing truths will find plenty to think about in this deconstruction of one of the Bard’s most problematic problem plays.

By: Erik Nikander Filed Under: Featured, Review, Theater Tagged: Actors' Shakespeare Project, Erik Nikander, Igor Golyak, Nael Nacer, The Merchant of Venice

Theater Review: “A Brimful of Asha” — Trying to Bridge the Generation Gap

The conversation between Ravi and his mother is funny, engaging, and often illuminating; their real life bond is palpable as the pair try to reconcile the young man’s hopes and dreams with his Indian heritage.

By: Erik Nikander Filed Under: Featured, Review, Theater Tagged: A Brimful of Asha, Arts Emerson, Asha Jain, Erik Nikander, Ravi Jain

Theater Review: A Raucous Zoomified “Much Ado” — “Thou Art Muted, Don Pedro”

Hub Theatre’s virtual production of Much Ado About Nothing recognizes Zoom’s potential for farce and leans into it: this is a rollicking delight of a show that refuses to take itself seriously, to everyone’s benefit.

By: Erik Nikander Filed Under: Featured, Review, Theater Tagged: Bryn Boice, Erik Nikander, Hub Theatre Company of Boston, Much Ado About Nothing

Theater Review: “Nina Simone: Four Women” — Theater of Social Concern

There’s much to admire and appreciate about this MRT production; but the play’s lack of a solid dramatic spine is a crippling problem.

By: Erik Nikander Filed Under: Featured, Review, Theater Tagged: Christina Ham., Dionne Addai, Erik Nikander, Nina Simone: Four Women

The Arts Fuse Mentorship Program: Student Reviews from Somerville High School

The Arts Fuse Mentorship Program invites high school students from diverse backgrounds (in this go around from Somerville High School) to team-up with Arts Fuse critics.

By: Arts Fuse Editor Filed Under: Featured, Film, Review Tagged: Adriana Martinez, Bill-Marx, Erik Nikander, Jackson Anderson, Max Nadeau, Somerville Arts Council, Somerville High School

Theater Feature: Best Stage Productions of 2019

Our theater critics pick some of the outstanding productions of the year.

By: Bill Marx Filed Under: Featured, Review, Theater Tagged: Bill-Marx, Bob Israel, Christopher Caggiano, David Greenham, Erik Nikander

Theater Review: “The Seagull” — An Exceptional Staging of a Legendary Play

Director Igor Golyak takes major chances in presenting a version of The Seagull that’s self-consciously about The Seagull. And they pay off.

By: Erik Nikander Filed Under: Featured, Review, Theater Tagged: Arlekin Players ​Theatre, Erik Nikander, Igor Golyak, The Seagull

Theater Review: “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” — Pray for the Devil

A script with this many characters buzzing about demands a strong cast — fortunately, Hub Theatre’s terrific ensemble is more than up to the task.

By: Erik Nikander Filed Under: Featured, Review, Theater Tagged: Erik Nikander, Hub Theatre Company of Boston, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot

Theater Review: “Tiny Beautiful Things” — A Little Anonymity Can Bring Us Closer Together

At its best, Tiny Beautiful Things delves deep into demanding emotional territory without becoming sappy or maudlin.

By: Erik Nikander Filed Under: Featured, Review, Theater Tagged: Cheryl Strayed, Erik Nikander, Jen Wineman, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Nia Vardalos, Tiny Beautiful Things

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