Debra Wise News

Catalyst Collaborative@MIT, Underground Railway Theater's science theater initiative with MIT, presents the World Premiere of From Orchids To Octopi: An Evolutionary Love Story by award-winning playwright Melinda Lopez and commissioned by the National Institutes of Health in order to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of 'On the Origin of Species'. Surprises erupt as a muralist's work is derailed by hallucinations, pregnancy, and dinosaurs in this witty take on how we understand - or do not - the theory of evolution.

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE), a panel of critics from media outlets around the state of Massachusetts, have announced the nominees for the IRNE Awards honoring the best of the 2009 Theatre Season.

Underground Railway Theatre offers collage of Grace Paley and Truman Capote Depression era stories as heartwarming entry to the Christmas canon

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the year Galileo first turned his telescope upward and changed the way human beings thought of their place in the cosmos, Catalyst Collaborative @ MIT and Underground Railway Theater present Bertolt Brecht's The Life of Galileo! Playing Friday, April 10 through Sunday, May 17 at Central Square Theater, this production of The Life of Galileo, Brecht's widely acclaimed masterpiece of science theater, is translated by David Hare, directed by David Wheeler, and stars Boston area favorite Richard McElvain in the title role. Press night is set for Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 PM.

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the year Galileo first turned his telescope upward and changed the way human beings thought of their place in the cosmos, Catalyst Collaborative @ MIT and Underground Railway Theater present Bertolt Brecht's The Life of Galileo! Playing Friday, April 10 through Sunday, May 17 at Central Square Theater, this production of The Life of Galileo, Brecht's widely acclaimed masterpiece of science theater, is translated by David Hare, directed by David Wheeler, and stars Boston area favorite Richard McElvain in the title role. Press night is set for Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 PM.

Underground Railway Theater presents How Do You Spell Hope?, a theatrical experience for the whole family based on true stories of people who overcame great obstacles to learn to read, playing at the Central Square Theater Friday, February 13 through Sunday, March 1. Written by Melinda Lopez and directed by Underground Railway Theater Artistic Director Debra Wise, How Do You Spell Hope? tells the stories of the road to literacy for a Cambridge high school athlete with severe dyslexia, Frederick Douglass, and a Latina immigrant who learns to read English ? all woven together by puppets and actors in a world of giant pop-up books. The cast features award winning Boston area actors Vincent E. Siders and Ramona Alexander, as well as puppeteer Penny Benson. Press Night is set for Saturday, February 14 at 3 PM.

Underground Railway Theater presents How Do You Spell Hope?, a theatrical experience for the whole family based on true stories of people who overcame great obstacles to learn to read, playing at the Central Square Theater Friday, February 13 through Sunday, March 1. Written by Melinda Lopez and directed by Underground Railway Theater Artistic Director Debra Wise, How Do You Spell Hope? tells the stories of the road to literacy for a Cambridge high school athlete with severe dyslexia, Frederick Douglass, and a Latina immigrant who learns to read English ? all woven together by puppets and actors in a world of giant pop-up books. The cast features award winning Boston area actors Vincent E. Siders and Ramona Alexander, as well as puppeteer Penny Benson. Press Night is set for Saturday, February 14 at 3 PM.

Boston area theaters mount a weighty 'Orson's Shadow,' a delightful 'Souvenir' and a quietly powerful 'Grapes of Wrath'

Donald Margulies' 'Brooklyn Boy' treads familiar family ground in unexpected ways in SpeakEasy Stage's warm and sincere New England premiere