Ben Choi-Harris News

This return to live musical theatre, following 18 months of darkness, is the inaugural collaboration between Reagle Music Theatre and Friends of Herter Park, the organization which oversees the preservation and continued use of Boston’s historic outdoor amphitheater – once home to the renowned Publick Theatre – located at 1175 Soldiers Field Road.

Musical Theatre Factory Tune In Tuesdays continues on July 14th with Who is Cheeyang Ng?. An Asian-American adoptee fighting leukemia; a girl struggling to discover what part she plays in the 1930s Salt March in India; and a 10 year old child grappling with his sexuality.

New Repertory Theatre dusts off an old chestnut for a family-friendly, non-holiday, crowd-pleasing offering as their gift for the season. Lionel Bart's OLIVER!, based on Charles Dickens' novel OLIVER TWIST, is known to be a little dark, with its themes of orphans, child exploitation, and vast income inequality (sound familiar?), but in the hands of New Rep's new Artistic Director, Michael J. Bobbitt, the darkness is lightened up with jaunty performances, a smattering of silly antics, and a set design (Luciana Stecconi) that skews to the cartoonish. With almost a dozen capable adults anchoring the cast, the seven children of all ages are given free rein to behave like children, albeit amazingly talented and spirited ones.

New Repertory Theatre presents Oliver!, the classic, intergenerational musical by Lionel Bart is based on Charles Dickens' famous novel, Oliver Twist. Appropriate for all generations of theatre-goers, this timely story brings to light the importance of friendship and caring for one another when the world is set against you from the very beginning. Directed and choreographed by Michael J. Bobbitt, the new Artistic Director of New Rep. The production runs November 29 through December 29, 2019 in the MainStage Theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA. Tickets start at $25 and may be purchased by calling the New Rep Box Office at 617-923-8487 or visiting newrep.org. Student, senior, and group discounts are available, as well as free tickets for WIC/EBT cardholders.

New Repertory Theatre presents Oliver!, the classic, intergenerational musical by Lionel Bart is based on Charles Dickens' famous novel, Oliver Twist. Appropriate for all generations of theatre-goers, this timely story brings to light the importance of friendship and caring for one another when the world is set against you from the very beginning. Directed and choreographed by Michael J. Bobbitt, the new Artistic Director of New Rep. The production runs November 29 through December 29, 2019 in the MainStage Theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA. Tickets start at $25 and may be purchased by calling the New Rep Box Office at 617-923-8487 or visiting newrep.org. Student, senior, and group discounts are available, as well as free tickets for WIC/EBT cardholders.

CAROLINE, OR CHANGE is Tony Kushner's (book and lyrics) semi-autobiographical, sung-through musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori (FUN HOME), that had its origins Off-Broadway in 2003, before transferring to Broadway in 2004 for 136 performances and receiving six Tony nominations. In the ensuing years, it had numerous productions in regional theaters and London, and it has long been on Moonbox Productions' short list, according to Producer and Artistic Director Sharman Altshuler. Under the direction of Allison Olivia Choat, the Moonbox staging is a solid effort with a cohesive ensemble, excellent musical direction and vocals, and vivid design elements. Yewande Odetoyinbo is a force in the title role.

Moonbox Productions, winner of numerous IRNE and Elliot Norton Awards, is thrilled to present the Tony- and Olivier-Award-winning musical, Caroline, or Change, by Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori.

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.

Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University's production will reveal the contemporary resonances of the Tony Award-winning musical, Ragtime, based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Performances will run Today, January 25th (Opening) through Sunday, February 17th with Todays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $20-40 and may be purchased online by visiting https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/dept/1292. 

Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University's production will reveal the contemporary resonances of the Tony Award-winning musical, Ragtime, based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Performances will run Friday, January 25th (Opening) through Sunday, February 17th with Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $20-40 and may be purchased online by visiting https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/dept/1292. 

For the fifth holiday season, Big League Productions' critically acclaimed national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical, delights in seven cities across the U.S., opening in Orange, TX on November 19, 2018. The tour will also play engagements in Knoxville, TN, Louisville, KY, Charlotte, NC, Dallas, TX, Davenport, IA and Detroit, MI.  The heart-warming TONY-nominated Broadway musical brings the classic holiday film vibrantly to life on stage by expanding the movie's iconic moments with breathtaking choreography and joyous songs.

Award winning singer-songwriter Cheeyang Ng will make his composer debut at Joe's Pub on September 24 (Monday) 9:30pm, opening Musical Theatre Factory's (MTF) fifth season with new Producing Artistic Director, Mei Ann Teo, at the helm.

PETER PAN, the high-flying Tony© Award-winning musical, follows the adventures of Peter Pan and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell, as they visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night. With a sprinkle of pixie dust, they begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget. From ticking crocodiles, to fierce warriors, bungling pirates and the villainous Captain Hook himself, this fun classic will delight all ages. With its iconic score featuring songs like 'I'm Flying,' 'I Gotta Crow,' 'I Won't Grow Up' and 'Never Never Land,' PETER PAN is the perfect show for the child in all of us!

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) continues the 2018 Musical Season with the family favorite musical, PETER PAN, set to take flight beginning on Tuesday, July 10 and playing through Sunday, July 22.

CABARET has stood the test of time and Moonbox Productions puts a time stamp on the 1966 musical that brings it into the here and now. Director/choreographer Rachel Bertone and Music Director Dan Rodriguez whip a kick-ass kick line of high steppers into a precision machine to evoke the seedy Kit Kat Klub, and triple threat performers Aimee Doherty, Phil Tayler, and Jared Troilo lead an outstanding cast.

GYPSY will run at the Lyric Stage Company in Boston until October 8. The legendary show is based on the real-life memoirs of burlesque mega-star, Gypsy Rose Lee, and her stage-mother behind the curtain, Mama Rose. It features songs such as 'Everything's Coming Up Roses,' 'Some People,' and 'Let Me Entertain You.'

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston has hit the trifecta with their season opener GYPSY, directed and choreographed by Rachel Bertone, music directed by Dan Rodriguez, and raised to the rafters by Leigh Barrett's forceful Mama Rose. This is one for the ages.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, HOOD, PIPPIN, and more!

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is producing a new and original production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST uniquely conceived for its trademark theater-in-the-round. The beloved tale will delight New England audiences for three weeks, now through July 30. Below, BroadwayWorld has exclusive footage from all your favorite scenes!

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is producing a new and original production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST uniquely conceived for its trademark theater-in-the-round. The beloved tale will delight New England audiences for three weeks, now through July 30. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!