Entertainment :: Theatre
New England Hit List :: Nov. 16 by Sam Baltrusis
EDGE ContributorThursday Nov 15, 2007
Don’t have plans this pre-Turkey Day weekend? Now you do. We’re out and about revisiting Boston’s celluloid closet, drudging up some holiday cheer at P’town’s "Holly Folly" and 8 other "musts" this week. Want to know what’s hot? Here’s the hit list:
BOSTON FILMED
With a slew of Boston-based flicks in the works--including Ben Affleck’s recently released "Gone Baby Gone" and a saucy remake of "The Women"--here’s your chance to revisit the Bay State’s celluloid closet with a week-long series at the Brattle Theatre. The fest boasts recent cinematic gems like "The Departed" and "Mystic River," the quintessential tearjerker "Love Story" as well as lesser-known faves like "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" and "Session 9." 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 until Thursday, Nov. 22. The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St. Cambridge. $9.50. 617-876-3678 or www.brattlefilm.org.
HOLLY FOLLY
Sure, you’ve been more naughty than nice this year. And you’ve twisted Santa’s innocent "Ho! Ho! Ho!" catchphrase way out of context. However, here’s your chance for some holiday cheer. Provincetown transforms into a winter wonderland starting with the annual lighting of the Pilgrim Monument from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21. On Friday, Nov. 23, get out of the malls and into P’town’s unique and quirky shops where you will find the perfect gift. Forget about your buyer’s remorse and tally up your receipts and be eligible for prizes based on the amount of money you spend. Even the most "Bah! Humbug" queen can drudge up some Christmas spirit within at "Holly Folly"--it just may take a few of those spiked Hot Toddies to get you going. www.ptown.org/happenings/hollyfolly.
THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD
Charles Dickens passed away before solving this whodunit. Leigh Barrett, Kerry A. Dowling, Will McGarrahan, Brendan McNab and Michael Mendiola head the SpeakEasy cast for this acclaimed musical, which is loosely based on Charles Dickens’ last and unfinished novel of the same name. The story revolves around John Jasper, a Jekyll-and-Hyde-like choirmaster, who is madly in love with his music student, the fair Miss Rosa Bud, who, in turn, is engaged to Jasper’s nephew, Edwin Drood. When the well-liked young Drood suddenly disappears one stormy Christmas Eve, no one is above suspicion, including the Reverend Crisparkle, a local clergyman; Helena and Neville Landless, two exotic immigrants from Ceylon; and Princess Puffer, the proprietress of a sinister London opium den. SpeakEasy @ the Theater Pavilion, 539 Tremont St. Runs for five weeks starting 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 until Saturday, Dec. 15. $14-$54. 617-933-8600 or www.speakeasystage.com.
BRIGHT EYES
With fame and acclaim tapping him on the shoulder, Nebraska’s wunderkind songwriter Conor Oberst--who works under the Bright Eyes alias--hits Worcester’s Palladium in support of his Saddle Creek mates Cassadaga. Bright Eyes continues to be weird and experimental enough to maintain the act’s indie cred while being accessible and magnificent enough to make Oberst one of the hipster crowd’s premiere songwriters. Nik Freitas and the Felice Brothers join the tragically hip Oberst. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18. Palladium, 261 Main St. Worcester. $25.50. 508-797-9696 or www.thepalladium.net.
LES MISÉRABLE
Last call for this brilliantly staged production based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel, "Les Misérables." The musical tells the story of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict who is pursued relentlessly--over decades through the tumult of revolutionary France--by Javert, a policeman. The eight-time Tony Award-winning musical has thrilled audiences around the world and is now presented in a most unique production. The score features such songs as "I Dreamed a Dream," "One Day More" and "On My Own." This beloved musical will be presented in a production created solely for NSMT’s signature theater-in-the-round. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 15 until Sunday, Nov. 18. $40-$75. 978-232-7200 or www.nsmt.org.
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Rhode Island’s oldest community theater, The Community Players, opens their 87th season with the Tony Award-winning musical "La Cage aux Folles." Directed by Marcia Zammarelli, with music direction by Esther Zabinski and choreography by Peter Deffet, "La Cage aux Folles" is a saucy and uplifting celebration of love. The feel good story, with an award-winning book by Harvey Fierstein, focuses on a gay couple who run a night club in St. Tropez. Their 20 years of domestic tranquility is thrown into turmoil when their son, fathered during a one-night fling, announces he is marrying the daughter of a moral crusader. The show is filled with gorgeous costumes, fabulous dance numbers and a wonderful Jerry Herman score including "The Best of Times," "I Am What I Am" and "The Song of the Sand." 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 until Sunday, Dec. 2. Jenks Auditorium, 350 Division St., Pawtucket, RI. 508-695-4826 or www.communityplayers.org.
SAME-SEX DANCE PARTY
Forget "Dancing With The Stars." Join Dyke Night for the ever-popular same-sex dance lesson. This month the crew features the rhumba. This cool, smooth dance of Cuban origins is so versatile you’ll be surprised how easy it is to learn. Danced to Latin pop and even non-Latin popular tempos, the beautiful rhumba will heat you up and chill you out. It’s time to put on those dancin’ shoes, ladies. No partner needed to participate. After the lesson, the Dyke Night DJ will keep you on the dance floor until the wee hours. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16. Toast Lounge, 70 Union Square. Somerville. $10. www.dykenight.com.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
Who needs cutie Zac Efron? This throwback to "Grease" burst onto the cultural landscape first as a smash hit Disney Channel Original Movie and the soundtrack climbed to the top of the Billboard charts. Now, get ready for "the start of something new." Disney Theatrical Productions, the producers of "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast" have created an exciting stage version of the phenomenal "Disney’s High School Musical." It’s the irresistible story of two teenagers--Troy Bolton, super-popular captain of the basketball team and Gabriella Montez, super-smart transfer student and a genius in science class--who try to navigate the tricky currents of peer pressure to follow their dream and score the leads in the big-school show. 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20 until Sunday, Nov. 25. Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI. $28-$65. 401-421-ARTS or www.ppacri.org.
BEOWULF
Combining two new technologies--stereoscopy and completely digital characters--Robert Zemeckis has successfully transformed perhaps the most tedious of all heroic epic poems into a fast-paced, entertaining, must-see holiday release. There are no live actors on screen, just CGI enhanced via performance capture; this is the technology that was used to create "The Polar Express" a few years ago, to mixed reviews. In "Beowulf," Zemeckis has found the perfect vehicle for his digital toys. "Beowulf" hits movie theaters Friday, Nov. 16.
PROJECT RUNWAY
Scissors--and claws--are sharp again as Bravo unleashes its fourth cycle of what the New York Times calls the "Prada of reality shows" (10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 Bravo). Tim Gunn calls the crew "the most talented group yet." He should have said "the most gayest group yet." All but one of the eight guys on "Project Rungay," um, "Runway" are big ol’ queens. Next week promises to be even homosexual-er, if that’s possible, based on the reaction of the designers’ faces when Gunn announced the special guest. Can you say diva alert?
Sam Baltrusis has worked for WHDH-TV, CW56, MTV, VH1, Seventeen, Newsweek and as a regional stringer for The New York Times. He’s currently a full-time freelance editor/writer based in Boston. Check out his blog at loadedgunboston.blogspot.com.
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