Boston Theater Reviews

Review: SHREK: THE MUSICAL at Emerson Colonial Theatre
by R. Scott Reedy - September 14, 2024

What did our critic think of SHREK: THE MUSICAL at Emerson Colonial Theatre?...

Review: THREE TALL PERSIAN WOMEN at Shakespeare & Company
by Marc Savitt - September 10, 2024

Despite the title, character names, and some references, the dialogue is contemporary and comfortable. It seems as if we could be viewing three generations of just about any family unit. There are plenty of mmh hmmh moments and head nods as the action unfolds that feels familiar regardless of one’s ...

Review: NEXT TO NORMAL at Barrington Stage Company
by Marc Savitt - August 19, 2024

A theatrical experience that, while honestly not for everyone, had the opening night crowd literally leaping to it's collective feet with more than just myself shouting BRAVO! I encourage those brave, perhaps “healed”, open minded, individuals to experience this outstanding production of NEXT TO NOR...

Review: Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is Gold-Medal-Worthy
by R. Scott Reedy - August 11, 2024

What did our critic think of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS at Reagle Music Theatre Of Greater Boston?...

Review: FLIGHT OF THE MONARCH at Shakespeare & Company
by Marc Savitt - August 11, 2024

As we filed out after after the two acts (with one intermission) in about two hours, that was well – done and solid was more-or-less my simple, surface level impression and take away. Over the course of the next 24 or so hours, however, something of a metaphysical metamorphosis took place in me. It ...

Review: FORGIVENESS at Barrington Stage Company
by Marc Savitt - August 05, 2024

The mix and synergy of an excellent script, skillful direction, and an accomplished cast and creatives achieve an overall strong production that pulls audience members in and quite probably leave you asking What Would You Do?...

Review: Kristin Chenoweth Glitters in World Premiere of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES at Emerson Colonial Theatre
by R. Scott Reedy - August 02, 2024

Jackie Siegel first came to the public’s attention as the subject of Lauren Greenfeld’s 2012 documentary, “The Queen of Versailles,” a real-life look at the former Mrs. Florida who married a billionaire and then, inspired by trips not only to France but to Las Vegas, set about building with him thei...

Review: Hub Theatre Company of Boston's 46 PLAYS FOR AMERICA'S FIRST LADIES is Delightfully Irreverent
by R. Scott Reedy - August 02, 2024

What did our critic think of 46 PLAYS FOR AMERICA'S FIRST LADIES at Hub Theatre Company Of Boston?...

Review: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's THE WINTER'S TALE Makes for a Splendid Summer Evening
by R. Scott Reedy - August 01, 2024

What did our critic think of THE WINTER'S TALE at Commonwealth Shakespeare Company?...

Review: DIONNE WARWICK Dazzles at Cabot Theatre
by R. Scott Reedy - July 23, 2024

From the moment Dionne Warwick took the stage at her recent concert at Beverly’s Cabot Theatre, accompanied by a thunderous, sustained standing ovation, it was clear that there was a legend in the house....

Review: BOEING BOEING at Barrington Stage Company
by Marc Savitt - July 22, 2024

At a time when headlines are ominous, dew points are uncomfortable if not oppressive, and very little is what it appears to be on the surface, a lighthearted romp, fraught with silliness and laughter seems very appropriate. BOEING BOEING continues on the Boyd-Quinson Stage at Barrington Stage Compan...

Review: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS at Shakespeare & Company
by Marc Savitt - July 21, 2024

Shakespeare & Company’s colorful, fun, and zany production is set in the seaside Vaudeville of New York City, 1912 – a mystical and sometimes strange place filled with as much magic and mischief as sailors and sea captains!...

Review: Gloucester Stage Company's Wipeout is Moving and Funny Look at Enduring Friendships
by R. Scott Reedy - July 19, 2024

What did our critic think of WIPEOUT at Gloucester Stage Company?...

Review: With Re-energized Elvis Musical, Reagle Music Theatre Of Greater Boston is ALL SHOOK UP
by R. Scott Reedy - July 15, 2024

For decades now, TV movies and feature films have been made about Elvis Presley, but stage shows about the King of Rock ‘n Roll, or built on his amazing musical catalogue, have been fewer and further between....

Review: DISNEY'S FROZEN at Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre Will Melt Hearts
by R. Scott Reedy - July 13, 2024

What did our critic think of DISNEY'S FROZEN at North Shore Music Theatre?...

Review: A TENDER THING at Barrington Stage Company
by Marc Savitt - July 01, 2024

The production stars Derek Smith as Romeo and Candy Buckley as Juliet, both of whom are skilled and strong performers. Adept with their characterizations as well as the Shakespearian dialogue. Their embodiment of characters conceived by Shakespeare as teens, but as mature adults is remarkable. They ...

Review: American Repertory Theater's GATSBY is Great
by R. Scott Reedy - June 26, 2024

The new musical Gatsby, being given its world premiere by the American Repertory Theater at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge through August 3, isn’t just great, it’s spectacular....

Review: A BODY OF WATER at Shakespeare & Company
by Marc Savitt - June 24, 2024

At times A BODY OF WATER seems to resemble the works of Agatha Christie, perhaps Alfred Hitchcock. Twists and turns abound. You will laugh heartily and often; and quite likely find yourself “feeling all the feels”. I certainly did. I also found myself mouth agape for much of the production....

Review: Greater Boston Stage Company Has a Winning Hand with Well Sung GUYS AND DOLLS
by R. Scott Reedy - June 20, 2024

The classic 1950 musical Guys and Dolls has a wonderfully well written, funny, and familiar score, not to mention a terrific book, that make productions of the enduring favorite always worth a look and a listen....

Review: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Barrington Stage Company
by Marc Savitt - June 18, 2024

'We’re extremely fortunate to have Alex Michaels, perhaps best known for their drag persona Alexis Michelle on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and the dashing Tom Story as our Albin and Georges. With a brilliant cast and helmed by Mike Donohue with high-flying choreography from Paul McGill, we think BSC audie...

Review: ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS at Berkshire Theatre Group
by Marc Savitt - June 17, 2024

An intimate portrayal of Lincoln's evolution, capturing his complex character and presenting a multifaceted figure, a humble man grappling with self-doubt and haunted by premonitions of the Civil War, his own tragic fate, and his journey to the presidency are vividly brought to life, showcasing the ...

Review: Lyric Stage Company Of Boston's YELLOW FACE is a Head on Look at Fallout of Miscasting
by R. Scott Reedy - June 14, 2024

There was considerable excitement surrounding the pre-Broadway world-premiere production of David Henry Hwang’s “Face Value” when it opened at Boston’s Colonial Theatre in early 1993....

Review: Sutton Foster Showcases Her Soprano in Concert with Boston Pops
by R. Scott Reedy - June 12, 2024

Sutton Foster just may have made history during her recent concerts with the Boston Pops – as the first artist to break out the crochet needles and yarn to add a few rows to an in-progress blanket mid-performance at Symphony Hall....

Review: Central Square Theater and Front Porch Arts Collective's NEXT TO NORMAL is Heart-Rending and Hopeful
by R. Scott Reedy - June 10, 2024

What did our critic think of NEXT TO NORMAL at Central Square Theater?...

Review: Sullivan Rep's Strong Cast Shines in Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
by R. Scott Reedy - June 04, 2024

Late in the second act of “A Little Night Music,” the Stephen Sondheim musical about love – and the amorous, sometimes adulterous, always complicated entanglements that accompany it – the opening lines of the plaintive ballad “Send in the Clowns” ask, “Isn’t it bliss? Don’t you approve?” When it com...