Ryan Cooper News

The Boston College Theatre Department continues its 2013-2014 season with an exciting, non-traditional production of Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters. The production will be directed by guest artist, David R. Gammons, the Theatre Department's Rev. J. Donald Monan, S.J. Professor in Theatre Arts for the Fall 2013 semester. [More below.] Performances will take place on the Robsham Theater Arts Center main stage November 21-24.

Composer Alexander Sage Oyen's new musical MOMENT BY MOMENT made its world premiere at 54 Below on August 31, 2013. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The Boston College Theatre Department continues its 2012-2013 season with its second student-directed workshop production of the year: the contemporary romantic comedy Jack and Jill. This now-funny, now-serious show--about the ups and downs of love and relationships--is directed by BC senior Theatre major Hana Hyseni and was written by the pseudonymous Jane Martin. The production will be presented in BC's Robsham Theater Arts Center, in the Bonn Studio Theater, from tonight, February 21-23, 2013.

The Boston College Theatre Department continues its 2012-2013 season with its second student-directed workshop production of the year: the contemporary romantic comedy Jack and Jill. This now-funny, now-serious show--about the ups and downs of love and relationships--is directed by BC senior Theatre major Hana Hyseni and was written by the pseudonymous Jane Martin. The production will be presented in BC's Robsham Theater Arts Center, in the Bonn Studio Theater, from February 21-23, 2013.

Hot off the release of his new album, 'Drafts (Volume One),' composer Alexander Sage Oyen is bringing his songs to 54 Below tonight, January 19th! Joining Oyen at the 11PM concert will be Derek Klena (Dogfight), Ben Fankhauser (Newsies), Taylor Trensch (Bare, Matilda), Emma Hunton (Rent, Spring Awakening), Alex Brightman (Wicked, Glory Days), Corey Mach (Hands on a Hard Body, Godspell), Remy Zaken (Spring Awakening), Matt DeAngelis (Hair, American Idiot), Andrew Kober (Hair), Kennedy Caughell (American Idiot), Noah Galvin (The Great American Mousical), Michael McCorry Rose (Wicked), Lois Sage (John Bucchino's Grateful album), Drew Gasparini (composer, Smash), Jessica Kent, ElAnna White, Noah Zachary, Max Chernin, and Dan Housek.

Hot off the release of his new album, 'Drafts (Volume One),' composer Alexander Sage Oyen is bringing his songs to 54 Below on Saturday, January 19th! Joining Oyen at the 11PM concert will be Derek Klena (Dogfight), Ben Fankhauser (Newsies), Taylor Trensch (Bare, Matilda), Emma Hunton (Rent, Spring Awakening), Alex Brightman (Wicked, Glory Days), Corey Mach (Hands on a Hard Body, Godspell), Remy Zaken (Spring Awakening), Matt DeAngelis (Hair, American Idiot), Andrew Kober (Hair), Kennedy Caughell (American Idiot), Noah Galvin (The Great American Mousical), Michael McCorry Rose (Wicked), Lois Sage (John Bucchino's Grateful album), Drew Gasparini (composer, Smash), Jessica Kent, Elanna White, Noah Zachary, Max Chernin, and Dan Housek.

The Boston College Theatre Department continues its 2012-2013 season with The Arabian Nights, Mary Zimmerman's adaptation of the ancient Arabic tales. Directed by BC Associate Professor of Theatre John Houchin, the production will be presented on the mainstage of the University's Robsham Theater Arts Center from November 15 through 18.

URINETOWN is a satirical musical based on the idea that an ecological disaster could create a situation whereby individuals have to pay for the opportunity to eliminate their wastes in public amenities. If that sounds like an odd concept, you're right, it is. And, with it's grungy atmosphere and grimy costuming, it might seem unappealing. But, Urinetown works because it makes fun of itself, and the conventions of musical theatre, while actually managing to communicate a potent message about conserving our resources and being socially responsible. There's also the clever, dense lyrics and engaging melodies of Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann. Stray Dog Theatre's current production is excellent and because of it drawing sell-out crowds the run has been extended.

Move over Rocky Horror, and make way for EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL! Based on the 80's cult classic Evil Dead films, this show is hilariously campy and bursting with more farce than a Monty Python skit. Five college kids take a trip to a remote cabin in the woods and encounter everything from ancient evil spirits to revenge-seeking Candarian Demons. One outrageous, horror-filled moment leads to another as every attempt is made to ward-off the bloodthirsty villains. It's all ridiculous and wild, while the term 'Fresh Blood!' takes on new meaning!

I can distinctly recall catching filmmaker Sam Raimi's Evil Dead 2 in a local theatre (an unrated cut) and being wowed by his audacious and imaginative camera work, as well as the copious amounts of gore and humor that gushed forth at breakneck speed. I'd only had the opportunity to see the first film, Evil Dead, on video, since it had been victimized by a decidedly limited and slipshop distribution, but I quickly became of a fan of the series, and even enjoyed the further adventures of Ash in the silly, but fun flick. Army of Darkness. I bring this all up because Stray Dog Theatre is presenting EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL, which pays homage to, and parodies, the Evil Dead trilogy, as well as other horror movie and musical theatre conventions, and it's a gruesome fun fest that's perfectly timed for the Halloween season.

Move over Rocky Horror, and make way for EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL! Based on the 80's cult classic Evil Dead films, this show is hilariously campy and bursting with more farce than a Monty Python skit. Five college kids take a trip to a remote cabin in the woods and encounter everything from ancient evil spirits to revenge-seeking Candarian Demons. One outrageous, horror-filled moment leads to another as every attempt is made to ward-off the bloodthirsty villains. It's all ridiculous and wild, while the term 'Fresh Blood!' takes on new meaning!

Move over Rocky Horror, and make way for EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL! Based on the 80's cult classic Evil Dead films, this show is hilariously campy and bursting with more farce than a Monty Python skit. Five college kids take a trip to a remote cabin in the woods and encounter everything from ancient evil spirits to revenge-seeking Candarian Demons. One outrageous, horror-filled moment leads to another as every attempt is made to ward-off the bloodthirsty villains. It's all ridiculous and wild, while the term 'Fresh Blood!' takes on new meaning!

The time is 1928. The world is between wars, the stock market is booming, Berlin is the center of high life, and optimism rules the day. Inspired by Viki Baum's period novel, book writer/playwright Luther Davis collaborated once again with the prolific, distinguished composer-lyricist team Robert Wright and George Forrest for GRAND HOTEL. Together, they created a seamless musical that boasts an engaging, non-stop book and a powerful score that is sure to sweep you away with all of the lavishness of the 1920s.

The time is 1928. The world is between wars, the stock market is booming, Berlin is the center of high life, and optimism rules the day. Inspired by Viki Baum's period novel, book writer/playwright Luther Davis collaborated once again with the prolific, distinguished composer-lyricist team Robert Wright and George Forrest for GRAND HOTEL. Together, they created a seamless musical that boasts an engaging, non-stop book and a powerful score that is sure to sweep you away with all of the lavishness of the 1920s.

The time is 1928. The world is between wars, the stock market is booming, Berlin is the center of high life, and optimism rules the day. Inspired by Viki Baum's period novel, book writer/playwright Luther Davis collaborated once again with the prolific, distinguished composer-lyricist team Robert Wright and George Forrest for GRAND HOTEL. Together, they created a seamless musical that boasts an engaging, non-stop book and a powerful score that is sure to sweep you away with all of the lavishness of the 1920s.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents FIDDLER ON THE ROOF October 30 - November 22, 2009 at the Fontbonne University Black Box Theatre in the Fine Arts Building at 6800 Wydown Boulevard in Clayton. Celebrate the lives of Tevye and his family as they navigate tradition, progress, love and hate. You'll see this well-loved musical in a new light: staged in an intimate setting, focused on the characters and the melodies of their relationships.

Mustard Seed Theatre's production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is being billed as a more intimate staging, eschewing some of the elements of spectacle and scope that can often overwhelm this simple tale. This presentation succeeds by focusing our attention on Joseph Stein's characters, and their joyous celebration of life. It's also a good way to appreciate Jerry Brock (music) and Sheldon Harnick's (lyrics) delightful score, with the meaning coming through with clarity and precision. The cozy confines of the black box theatre on the campus of Fontbonne College provides a perfect space for this timeless classic.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents FIDDLER ON THE ROOF October 30 - November 22, 2009 at the Fontbonne University Black Box Theatre in the Fine Arts Building at 6800 Wydown Boulevard in Clayton. Celebrate the lives of Tevye and his family as they navigate tradition, progress, love and hate. You'll see this well-loved musical in a new light: staged in an intimate setting, focused on the characters and the melodies of their relationships.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents FIDDLER ON THE ROOF October 30 - November 22, 2009 at the Fontbonne University Black Box Theatre in the Fine Arts Building at 6800 Wydown Boulevard in Clayton. Celebrate the lives of Tevye and his family as they navigate tradition, progress, love and hate. You'll see this well-loved musical in a new light: staged in an intimate setting, focused on the characters and the melodies of their relationships.