1. Tribes at Studio Theatre
“Studio Theatre is on a roll with new, and inspiring theatre. The Apple Family Plays offered us insight into contemporary liberalism. Edgar & Annabel takes us to the dark side of surveillance and mind-control. And now Tribes, by Nina Raine, which is not only deeply political but deeply personal and heartfelt, rips the lid off any worldview that does not place empathy front and center, as that most necessary of human ingredients.” —Robert Michael Oliver
Read Robert Michael Oliver’s full review.
Synopsis: Billy was born deaf into a garrulous academic family who raised him to lip read and integrate into the hearing world. When he meets Sylvia—who’s going deaf herself—Billy decides it’s time to speak on his own terms, sending shock waves through the family. Playing out in sign language, argument, music, and mesmerizing silence, this sophisticated drama examines family, belonging, and the limitations of language. A moving and surprising play from a rising star of the British theatre.
James Caverly (Billy) and Helen Cespedes (Sylvia). Photo by Teddy Wolff.
2. Meena’s Dream at Forum Theatre
“And that is exactly what makes Meena’s Dream such a delight to experience. Although Anu Yadav’s portrayal of Meena is wonderfully distinct, and Meena is quite the “Idiosyncrat,” she is also the Every Child, who like Peter Pan, does not want to grow up so fast, but who wants to dream, to imagine a world free from fear, free from that dastardly Worry Machine throbbing beneath every breath we breathe.” –Robert Michael Oliver
For Robert Michael Oliver’s full review.
Synopsis: During the day, nine-year-old Meena wishes that her mother could get well; and by night, the Hindu God Lord Krishna appears, entreating Meena’s help in his war against the Worry Machine. Meena’s Dream creates a fantastical world through storytelling and live music, from South Indian classical to indie folk.
3. Boeing, Boeing at Fells Point Corner Theatre
“Boeing Boeing is a great play to begin this 2014 year in theatre. Marc Camoletti really knows how to entertain his audience in this wacky comedy thrust right out of the 1960’s. This powerful comedy hits your gut with two hours of nonstop laughter. Directed by Josh Shoemaker, Boeing Boeing now playing at the Fells Point Corner Theatre is a refreshing, humorous and stunningly attractive play and as you get lost in the physical appeal and unique characters you’ll want to keep watching to see where this potential train wreck will lead.” Sakiera Malone
Read Sakiera Malone’s full review.
Synopsis: Handsome bachelor Bernard is a man with a plan. Engaged to three different gorgeous flight attendants, he keeps each of them in the dark about the others by carefully scheduling his life around the airlines’ timetables. However, when the schedules change, all hell is set to break loose in his posh Parisian apartment! Boeing-Boeing is a sexy 60s romp with all the hilarious earmarks of a rollicking French farce, and it is most certainly not to be missed!
The cast of ‘Boeing Boeing.’
4. Harvey at Vagabond Players
“The Vagabond Players’ production of Harvey opened to a full and enthusiastic house last night. Mary Chase originally wrote Harvey as a stage play. It premiered on Broadway on November 1, 1944, and closed on January 15, 1949, after 1,775 performances. Ms. Chase also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Harvey in 1945. The popularity of the play led to the 1950 movie of the same name staring Jimmy Stewart and Josephine Hull. Harvey is known for it’s charm and humor and Vagabond’s production supplies an enormous amount of both.” –April Forrer
Read April Forrer’s full review.
Synopsis: Not since Alice in Wonderland has a rabbit caused so much consternation! In Chase’s Pulitzer Prize winning comedy, family and friendship prevail, resulting in a memorable and heartwarming story of a man and hisvery unusual best friend.
Myrtle Mae (Karina Ferry) and Duane Wilson (Colin Holmes). Photo by Ken Stanek.
5. Late: a Cowboy Song at No Rules Theatre
“It’s brash and disarming in the manner of Ruhl plays, with actors spouting blank verse with even blanker expressions. But it also has the feel of an early work in that as dazzling as it sometime is on stage; and as well acted as it is throughout, it lacks a kind of cohesive whole and strong dramatic shape.” –Roger Catlin
Read Roger Catlin’s full review.
Synopsis: It is the story of Mary, a young wife and mother, who constantly searches to understand who she is and where she fits in. But, Mary always feels her time will run out before she gets those answers. Mary’s quirky husband, Crick, is her passive-aggressive, macho-effeminate sweetheart since childhood who is fixated on their lives being picture-perfect. He loves cooking and looking at museum paintings in frames because they never change. One day, Crick buys a painting with the last of their savings. Adding to the pressures, Mary delivers their baby. The mysteries of life become even more confusing as the couple tries to decide on the baby’s name and the baby’s gender. Riding into Mary’s life is Red, a singing, urban, female cowboy who helps Mary explore life outside the boundaries of convention.
Alyssa Wilmoth as Red and Sarah Olmsted Thomas as Mary. Photo by Second Glance Photography
