Thomas Grenon

In order to write about Open Theatre Project's 7th Annual Slam Boston (a series of home-grown 10 minute plays hosted at Boston Playwright's Theatre), one must first open up the discussion of the 'D' word. That's right, Boston. Let's talk about that 9-letter word that not only kills in Scrabble, but also purports to have the mystical power of selling tickets, encouraging productive conversation, and absolving institutions of the need to engage with their more inherently exclusive practices. Diversity.

A King, now a ghost, walks the night, to bring tidings to his son Hamlet, of his own murder 'most foul', at the hands of his brother Claudius who then becomes King. The Queen mother, Gertrude, then becomes the new King's wife. Next a counselor to the king, Polonius, is murdered by Hamlet when Hamlet confronts his Mother over her role in his father's death and the Polonius tries to call the guards to stop Hamlet from revealing this secret, Then Polonius' daughter Ophelia, who is in love with Hamlet and who is rejected by him in his grief, commits suicide. Her brother Laertes comes to avenge his father's death, and duels with the Hamlet, to the death of both, but not before the queen drinks poison meant for Hamlet, and then just before he dies Hamlet kills Claudius. 'The Play's the thing' says Hamlet, and quite the play it is.

Gloucester Stage Company wraps up its 40th Anniversary Season of professional theater with William Shakespeare's  Hamlet from October 25 through November 17 at Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA.. Hamlet's story begins when she meets her father's ghost, revealing that her uncle, Claudius, has murdered him and taken Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, for his queen.

Winner of 5 Tony Awards including 'Best Play' and 7 Olivier Awards, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time brings Mark Haddon's best-selling novel to thrilling life on stage, adapted by two-time Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens.

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) today announced the nominees for the 23rd Annual IRNE Awards, which honor the best of the previous year's actors, directors, choreographers, designers and companies across the full spectrum of large, mid-size and fringe theater companies. Moulin Rouge!, a new musical produced by Global Creatures, and An American in Paris, produced by the Ogunquit Playhouse, led with 12 and 11 nominations, respectively, in the Large Stage Musical Category. The Huntington Theatre led all companies with 31 nominations across seven productions, including 11 for Man in the Ring, the story of six-time world champion prizefighter Emile Griffith.

Olivia D'Ambrosio's vision for DARK ROOM is an artistic blend of spoken dialogue, choreographed movement, evocative sounds and music, and the best use of the architectural features of the space at the Multicultural Arts Center in East Cambridge. George Brant's play is inspired by the life, death, and photography of Francesca Woodman, and Bridge Rep employs a cast of 22 women to portray the subjects of Woodman's works.

Gloucester Stage Company concludes its 38th season with a thoughtful and thought-provoking production of Harper Lee's American classic, adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel. Directed by Judy Braha, this affecting production is buoyed by guileless child actors and strong performances from a bevy of adult stage veterans.

Gloucester Stage Company wraps up its 38th season of professional theater on Cape Ann with Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, now through October 27 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Gloucester Stage Company wraps up its 38th season of professional theater on Cape Ann with Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird from October 6 through October 27 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!

Gloucester Stage Company wraps up its 38th season of professional theater on Cape Ann with Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird from October 6 through October 27 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!

Before Senator Elizabeth Warren, another Elizabeth spoke out, despite being warned and threatened with commitment to an insane asylum. Bridge Repertory Theater, in a co-production with Playhouse Creatures, presents Emily Mann's MRS. PACKARD, a drama inspired by true events, chronicling one woman's fight for the right to freely express her opinion, even if it differed from that of her husband. Under the direction of Emily Ranii, a cast of eighteen actors, lead by Olivia D'Ambrosio, Joseph Rodriguez, and Steven Barkhimer, stages a vivid and compelling interpretation of Mann's play.

After the acclaimed LIBERTINE, Bridge Rep and Playhouse Creatures are teaming up for Emily Mann's MRS. PACKARD, inspired by true events.

Actors' Shakespeare Project will bring magic and theatricality to the Bard's The Tempest, returning to Brookline's Willet Hall at United Parish, 210 Harvard Street, the venue for last season's The Winter's Tale, from December 1, 2016 through January 8, 2017 (Press performance Saturday December 3 at 8 PM).

Actors' Shakespeare Project will bring magic and theatricality to the Bard's The Tempest, returning to Brookline's Willet Hall at United Parish, 210 Harvard Street, the venue for last season's The Winter's Tale, from December 1, 2016 through January 8, 2017 (Press performance Saturday December 3 at 8 PM).

? Dreambook, a play with music; premiere presented by Fort Point Theatre Channel. Performances: Friday, June 17 & Saturday, June 18, 8 pm; Sunday, June 19, 4 pm; Thursday, June 23 thru Saturday, June 25, 8 pm. Boston Playwrights' Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. Tickets: $20, $14 students/seniors. For more information: www.fortpointtheatrechannel.org/dreambook; for advance tix: 866-811-4111, https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/956983.

Zeitgeist Stage Company presents the Boston area premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's A GREAT WILDERNESS, set in a gay conversion camp in Idaho. A gentle Christian counselor takes on one final camper before his retirement, but the boy wanders off into the woods, setting in motion a physical search for him and soul-searching for the adults in his life. The plot gets lost in the woods with the missing boy, resulting in a very different play than anticipated.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston starts its third season with LOOT, an irreverent, dark comedy by British playwright Joe Orton (WHAT THE BUTLER SAW, ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE) at the First Church in Boston. Daniel Bourque directs a cast of six live actors and one dormant dummy that is handled with reckless abandon. Part detective story, part farce, LOOT is reminiscent of plays staged by high school drama clubs in the 1960s, giving everyone a chance to chew lots of scenery.

Actors' Shakespeare Project (ASP) begins the New Year with Shakespeare's Measure for Measure where sex, power, and justice collide in a city on the edge. The award-winning itinerant company returns to a familiar home at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second Street, Cambridge tonight, January 7 through February 1, 2015.

Actors' Shakespeare Project (ASP) begins the New Year with Shakespeare's Measure for Measure where sex, power, and justice collide in a city on the edge. The award-winning itinerant company returns to a familiar home at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second Street, Cambridge January 7 through February 1, 2015. Performances are Wed. (1st preview only)-Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 3pm (not opening Sat.) & 8pm; Sun., 2pm. Student matinees are at 10am on January 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29. (Press performance is Saturday, January 10 at 8pm; please RSVP to jbpr@comcast.net.) Tickets are $28 - $50. Special $15 student rush. For tickets and information, visit www.actorsshakespeareproject.org or call 617-776-2200 x225.

Following last season's award-winning production of THE NORMAL HEART, Zeitgeist Stage Company sets the bar high with the compelling drama BENT, featuring outstanding performances from Victor L. Shopov and Brooks Reeves. Directed with distinction by David J. Miller, the play challenges its audience to bear witness to atrocities, but illustrates the strength of the human spirit.