WHAT: Betrayal
WHERE: Huntington Theatre Company
WHEN: Now through December 9, 2012
TICKETS: (617) 266-0800
WHAT: Oberon’s Winterbloom
WHERE: OBERON is located at 2 Arrow Street at the corner of Mass Ave. in Harvard Square.
WHEN: Friday Dec. 14 7PM and 10 PM
TICKETS: 617-547-8300 or online at http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/events/show/winterbloom
WHAT: Memphis
WHERE: Colonial Theatre
WHEN: December 11-23
TICKETS: Office 1-866-348-9738 or www.BroadwayInBoston.com
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WHAT: The Nutcracker
WHERE: Boston’s Opera House
WHEN:Nov. 23-Dec. 30
TICKETS: www.bostonballet.org
WHAT: Boston Holiday Pops
WHERE: Boston Symphony Hall
WHEN: December 5-24 Company Holiday Pops Dec. 12 Vanessa Williams
TICKETS: Fundraiser companies call 617-638-9272.
www.bostonpops.org or 617-266-1200
WHAT: BROADWAY MUSICALS: A Jewish Legacy
WHERE: Channel 2 PBS GREAT PERFORMANCES
WHEN: January 1, 2013 9:30 PM
Tickets: FREE!
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BRILLIANT BUZZ NOVEMBER 19
Who would have thought that our cold climate would be a hotbed for the creative arts?
Besides Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (BTW, his film Argo is a great suspense thriller and almost true), we have Brad Falchuk who created TVs Glee, Jeff Bader who is the NBC president of programming and so many more of our young ones who heeded the call to “go west young man.”
Books are not far behind. Did you read Defending Jacob? It’s a real page turner that takes place in Newton…and Suzy Duffy who wrote the successful chick flick WELLESLEY WIVES? She’s almost finished her fictional take on… Newton Neighbors. There must be something in the food.
Now on to the theatrical buzz.
The HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY presents a timely play, Petraous and Schwartenagger aside, it aptly called Betrayal. It is about a couple of couples who are best friends and …well you get the rest. The play is Pinter’s minimalistic approach to a complex subject and based on one of his many affairs. The actors behave with British reserve as they endure the emotional toll of the plot. It will keep you talking long after.
A first rate production that all takes place in one act. Pinter does not go forward with the plot nor backward. He moves us a little forward, a little backward, keeping us on our toes. Betrayal is theatrical art.
Maria Atkin, acclaimed British director, has an interesting back story . When just a young actress she was directed by the Nobel Prize Laureate playright Harold Pinter. Check it out, it is terrific theatre.
Leave it to American Repertory Theatre to challenge our perceptions of traditional holiday offerings. This time in the spirit of the holiday, they have given us a new tradition of friendship and music. Four singer/songwriters who have been touring together as Winterbloom since 2008, bring us together for the holidays. You will hear songs old and new in Hebrew, Tibetan and German while enjoying Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and family related themes. You;ll laugh, you’ll sing, you;ll feel sentimental you’ll be together.
I am so happy that the 112 year old Colonial Theatre will be reopening. So who cares if the new name takes up this entire report . It is now called… Citi Performing Arts Center Emerson Colonial Theatre. By the time you read the marquee the play will be over. They reopen with the 2010 multiple Tony award winning musical…MEMPHIS. It was written by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan.
Broadway in Boston does it again by bringing up top notch touring companies.
MEMPHIS takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50’s, where a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun fell in love with everything he shouldn’t – rock and roll and an electrifying black singer. MEMPHIS is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever.
WHAT? They’ve changed our beloved Nutcracker? Yes, it’s true Artistic Director and choreographer Mikko Nissinen commissioned award-winning designer to conjure up new sets and a total of nearly 350 new costumes. To quell our nerves, Nissenen promises that“This reinvented production will remain the holiday classic that audiences know and love, but the experience will be enhanced exponentially.” I am so glad that they kept the Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky music. We are nervous but we will go to see it and let you know.
Since1974 when Arthur Fielder started the THE BOSTON HOLIDAY POPS, we have had the Pops as a must see destination. But as with all arts organizations, they need funds so they are presenting in addition to holiday season their 29th annunal “ A COMPANY CHRISTMAS AT POPS.” Special guest artist, is VANESSA WILLIAMS, singer , TV actress and former Miss America.
And now, drumroll please, I know that it is shameless gratuitous promotion, but I have been working on a documentary for over 3 years called BROADWAY MUSICALS, A Jewish Legacy.
It will be aired on PBS GREAT PERFORMANCES Jan 1 at 9:30 PM. I hope that you can stay up long enough to watch or DVR it. Let me know what you think.
For the BUZZ this is Barbara Brilliant.
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