space

REVIEW:  Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s world premiere of Brandon Zang’s ‘Recursion of a Moth’ alongside world premiere of Isabelle Fereshteh Sanatdar Stevens’ ‘The Fig Tree, and the Phoenix, and the Desire to Be Reborn’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Boston Playwrights’ Theatre recently presented two world premiere productions for BPT’s Spring Rep Festival.  Boasting some common themes, both are fitting companion pieces though one executes their ideas more fluidly than the other.

Both shows are rooted in preventing disaster and end the way they began with new meaning.  While one travels through time while the other roams through a cosmic plane, both shows are motivated through grief, trauma, and discovery while featuring key twists on the journey.  Both believe that changing their present circumstances will lead to better futures, but facing a world that cannot easily bend to their will.

Fear gives way to strength as one travels through space and the other among the stars.

Minou Pourshariati and Danny Bryck in ‘The Fig Tree, and the Phoenix, and the Desire to Be Reborn’ Photo by Benjamin Rose Photography

Boston Playwrights’ Theatre presented the world premiere of Brandon Zang’s Recursion of a Moth alongside Isabelle Fereshteh Sanatdar Stevens’ The Fig Tree, and the Phoenix, and the Desire to Be Reborn for BPT’s Spring Rep Festival through Sunday, March 9 live and in person at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts.  Both shows ran approximately 80 minutes with no intermission.  Click here for more information and for BPT’s future events.

REVIEW:  A sky full of stars, transformation and resilience fuel Isabelle Fereshteh Sanatdar Stevens’ The Fig Tree, and the Phoenix, and the Desire to Be Reborn

In a country entrenched in war, two children meet under a mystical fig tree.  One loves to sleep and the other constantly stands watch.  However, their purpose under this tree unveils in significant ways from what they share to what they face.

Directed by Nikta Sabouri, The Fig Tree,  and the Phoenix, and the Desire to Be Reborn  by Isabelle Sanatdar Stevens is a mythological tale about love, grief, courage in the face of danger, war, loss, and unbreakable bonds.  Minou Pourshariati and Danny Bryck are cosmically and supernaturally connected and that connection is explored meaningfully as transformation takes place around them.

Taking place in August 1988 during the Iran-Iraq War, Danny Bryck as Javeed and Minou Pourshariati meet under a fig tree.  Mandana loves to sleep because she can speak to her late brother in her dreams while Javeed is afraid to sleep because he needs to stand guard to keep his family safe.  For these two children whose bravery is ingrained in fear, they seem to become old souls overnight. 

Danny Bryck and Minou Pourshariati in ‘The Fig Tree The Fig Tree, and the Phoenix, and the Desire to Be Reborn’ Photo by Benjamin Rose Photography

Skillfully taking on dual roles, Pourshariati and Bryck are adorable as children and revel in their roles sharing each other’s fears, prayers, anger and sadness as they struggle for certainty and to understand what is happening around them.  Irresistibly endearing building a unique bond and vowing to change the world they live in and beyond, inquisitive Mandana and virtuous Javeed instill playfulness, imagination, and joy into these complex performances enhanced by bright and affectionate choreography as they share their creativity, energy and boundless imagination amidst the turmoil.  Sporadically mature in thought and innocent in their approach, they squeal, leap and bounce in a stirring bitter sweetness during a serene interlude in a land where things can change at any moment as light and darkness are in constant battle.

Danny Bryck and Minou Pourshariati in ‘The Fig Tree, and the Phoenix, and the Desire to Be Reborn’ Photo by Benjamin Rose Photography

Lighting designer Grant Powicki and scenic design Cleo Brooks work together as twinkling lights, sunshine and glowing lanterns highlight a beautiful tree and wooded residential landscape which is unfurled by a retractable spool.  Shadows give way to surprises and bring to life their shared stories.  Sound designer Arshan Gailus is behind the immersive cosmic and natural harmony of this world.

The production contains a wealth of symbolism enmeshed in stories, objects, conversation and more.  Funny, touching, powerful, and poignant, The Fig Tree,  and the Phoenix, and the Desire to Be Reborn is an affecting and thought provoking journey worth taking.

REVIEW:  Brandon Zang’s The Recursion of a Moth races against time

This is no way to document time. 

Directed thoughtfully by Katie Brook, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre presented Brandon Zang’s sci fi drama The Recursion of a Moth.

It is the 25th century and a couple of time traveling bureaucrats and ex lovers are sent to document time and find a woman named Chrys for undisclosed reasons.  However, what transpires becomes far and away from what their mission entails into a journey rife with complications.

Alexander Holden and Jaime José Hernández in ‘The Recursion of a Moth’ Photo by Scornavacca Photography

Lighting designer Grant Powicki enhances Cleo Brooks’s simple black and white scenic design that colorfully depicts various dimensions and planes throughout the production. Fold out compartments depict a living room and kitchen as cast members change the props between scenes. Aubrey Dube’s radiating and moth-inspired clicking divide each scene while subtle and sparkling special effects drive this quantum leaping story.

Alexander Holden depicts resourceful time traveling bureaucrat Icarus heading to the Denver airport, his mysterious motivations behind a trench coat and glasses.  Jaime José Hernández portrays Mikey, a commitment phobic time bureaucrat dedicated to saving his family and completing their current mission.  However, Icarus has gone rogue with his own agenda to his timeline for good.

Alexander Holden and Jenny S. Lee in ‘The Recursion of A Moth’ Photo by Scornavacca Photography

The Recursion of a Moth explores generational patterns, family, the nature of suffering, and takes some liberties with time travel that becomes a bit too outlandish to be believable even if it would make for a nice story. Holden’s Icarus is obstinate and will stop at nothing to bend time according to his will while Hernández’s reasonable and grounded Mikey cannot help but remind him of time’s known limitations and consequences.  However, Icarus knows far more than he is letting on and longs to change time piece by piece for what may become a better future.

Alexander Holden, Jenny S. Lee and Jaime José Hernández in ‘The Recursion of a Moth’ Photo by Scornavacca Photography

Jenny S. Lee as Chrys, Alexander Holden and Jaime José Hernández all convincingly convey the production’s intensity at the mercy of time.  The moth’s role and recursion theory in this story is particularly fascinating.  Full of twists and quick turns which at times can be confusing, the show may have benefited by a longer runtime for further development of these characters and to give the revelations more breathing room.  The storyline winds into a major plot twist that seems too absurd to be believable even if it makes for a nice story. Recursion of a Moth has its bright spots, but especially under Back to the Future’s Doc Brown’s standards, certain twists would lead to a paradox. 

Boston Playwrights’ Theatre presented the world premiere of Brandon Zang’s Recursion of a Moth alongside the world premiere of Isabelle Fereshteh Sanatdar Stevens’ The Fig Tree, and the Phoenix, and the Desire to Be Reborn for BPT’s Spring Rep Festival through Sunday, March 9 live and in person at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and for Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s future events.

REVIEW:  Navigating a dream in Central Square Theater’s ‘SPACE’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

For some aviators, space is so close and yet so far away.

The journey for breakthrough can span generations and Space examines the rocky path to bring women to space by taking leaps and bounds through time while unveiling a mix of accomplished and still some hidden figures.

A Catalyst Collaborative@MIT production written by LM Feldman with innovative direction by Larissa Lury, Central Square Theater continues SPACE live and in person through Sunday, February 23 at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  The performance is not limited to the stage, contains some mature themes and runs approximately two and a half hours including one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Barlow Adamson and Kaili Y Turner in Central Square Theater’s ‘SPACE” Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Prior to SPACE, make your way to a star-filled, adjacent room to study an array of promising and bright aviators featured in this production.   Some who became astronauts and others who attempted to break through barriers while making strides for others. 

Introduced by Kaili Y. Turner as the first African-American woman to travel to space Mae Jemison and Barlow Adamson as JFK, Central Square Theater’s SPACE transcends 100 years bringing together aviation legends whose paths may have never crossed in reality, but gathered together in this production where anything is possible.

Catherine K. Slusar, Kaili Y. Turner, Hui Ying Wen, and MK Tuomanen in Central Square Theater’s ‘SPACE’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Qingan Zhang’s simple yet expansive set design with John R. Malinowski’s transformative lighting and Nate Tucker’s immersive sound design combine for a celestial experience.  The journey to become an astronaut is a physical and mental rollercoaster and this production articulates that rigorous and complicated path in an unconventional and effective manner.  This multilayered production maintains a swiftly moving pace through simultaneous conversations and detailed commentary while stylistically evolving from scene to scene with a zippy narrative. 

The cast’s fascinating rapport explores the similarities and differences these women might have shared had they existed in the same time period, especially when they put their heads together.  It is unique method of examining their individual backgrounds and how they might have interacted if time and space had no barriers.  The production discusses each of these dynamic women’s accomplishments (some who were self taught) and delves into aspects of their personal lives, interests and tragedies which those in charge unreasonably deem to affect their ability for the program compared to male candidates. 

Catharine K. Slusar, Hui Ying Wen, Valencia Proctor and Monica Risi in Central Square Theater’s ‘SPACE’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Some of the strongest scenes of the production include the arduous testing involved for this group of women test candidates in the 1961 Mercury 13 space program.  Led by Barlow Adamson as a testing official, the candidates physically pile together through clever human choreography during testing, symbolizing a bond with the other women who may have never met in reality, but share a common dream.

MK Tuomanen and Mitra Sharif in Central Square Theater’s ‘SPACE’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

MK Tuomanen delivers a memorable performance as daring and carefree Sally Ride and aptly articulates the panic and pressure of being NASA’s special consultant Geraldyn Cobb in a dual role.  Listing jaw dropping accomplishments, Catherine K. Slusar avidly depicts Jackie Cochran’s sheer vigilance in a difficult position navigating the system as a Woman Airforce Service pilot, spokesman, and sponsor of the Mercury 13 space program.  Adamson portrays an inspiring and exacting JFK and juggles a number of other characters with finesse and occasional humor while Turner delivers a fervent performance as Mae Jemison.

Mitra Sharif, Hui Ying Wen, Catherine K Slusar, Valencia Proctor, MK Tuomanen and Monica Risi in Central Square Theater’s ‘SPACE’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

At one point in the production, it is mentioned that there is no ceiling in space.  Learning about these brilliant women who reached and fought tirelessly through generations for their mutual dream to innovate beyond the system through changes, blockages and rejection to explore space stands an as an inspiration for any dreamer to persist no matter what until that dream is a reality.

Central Square Theater continues SPACE live and in person through Sunday, February 23 at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  The performance is not limited to the stage, contains some mature themes and runs approximately two and a half hours including one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Exploring theatre, nature, space and more, Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s Christopher Wilkins talks depth and diversity in free summer concert series

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

From exploring live theatre and music to nature to science to space as well as taking on racism, climate change, and many more important topics all involving a vast array of community members, organizations, and performers, Boston Landmarks Orchestra is so much more than a beautiful free Wednesday night concert outing at the Esplanade.  Boston Landmarks Orchestra Gala will celebrate 90 years of free concerts on the Esplanade in October.

WCRB is a media partner for the Boston Landmarks free concert series.  Click here for Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s complete summer schedule at Boston’s renowned Hatch Shell and here for further details on the upcoming Gala.

It was an honor to speak with Christopher Wilkins, Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s conductor and Music Director, who took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the highlights of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s summer season and what is coming up.

The Sleepless Critic:  The season kicked off on July 10 with the second annual “Season Tune-Up” party.  What was that like?

Christopher Wilkins:  It was a gorgeous night with a great turn out.  Lots of children attended and we introduced our audience to many of our partner organizations which include musical organizations, music educational schools, and partners like the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science.  The “Season Tune-Up” Party featured fun games, a performance from the Everett High School band, and our Maestro Zone where kids can step up at the podium, wave the baton, look at a score, and get a conducting lesson.  We offer Maestro Zone at our regular concerts as well.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra Maestro Zone Assistant Conductor Shuang Fan

The Maestro Zone with Maestro Zone Assistant Conductor Shuang Fan

SC:  We’ve been blessed with some beautiful nights this summer.  You have been the Music Director and conductor for the Boston Landmarks Orchestra since 2011.  What has it been like for you collaborating with different theatres and new works each year?

CW:  Our mission is to engage as many Bostonians as possible from all walks of life and one of our strategies is to develop partnerships.  They feature an array of organizations to get their fans, their folks, and their constituency excited to come to a concert and work with us.

One of our best strategies is to create composer residencies in different neighborhoods around Boston so people who might not ever encounter an orchestra can develop some way of making music or dancing or some other performing art that they can bring to our stage and perform with the orchestra. We have a lot of inexperienced young performers throughout the summer and some who have never been onstage before.   We do all that along with an eclectic lineup of Dvorak, Broadway, symphonies, and a great choral repertoire.

SC:  It must be an incredible experience to see how everybody interacts with each other and how it turns out onstage.

CW:  It’s wonderful to perform it in the Hatch Shell because it is an iconic venue, people associate it with orchestral music, and it is in the heart of the city.  The Hatch Shell is also quite enormous. We can fit 5,000 people or more at our concerts and that is typically what we draw when the weather is nice.

SC:  Such depth in a free event.

CW:  It’s important to many people that can’t afford to come otherwise.  It’s also a powerful emblem of the idea of universal access.  Everybody is welcome.

We just think about access barriers, which are not only economic.  Cultural assumptions in a community can cause people to stay away.  At Landmarks, we think deeply about what those barriers are and do what we can to get rid of them.

SC:  Yes, and you have held many events so far this season.  For example, you recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing with Symphonic Space Odyssey.  How did you pay tribute to this historic event?

CW:  We performed that in Jordan Hall because it was a stormy night.  Jordan Hall is one of the most beautiful venues in America and the sound indoors just rattles your bones.  We didn’t have to change the program at all, just the venue.

The Moon Landing is one of the most amazing achievements in the history of mankind.  It was an awesome night and we celebrated it with the Museum of Science which was perfect because they have had an exhibition ever since the moon landing occurred.  The Museum of Science prepared fabulous video footage relating to the moon landing, space travel, rockets, and deep space taken from materials produced in house at the Hayden Planetarium for their full dome experience.

SC:  What are you most looking forward to this season?

CW:  Each week is so over the top that it’s hard to pick a favorite.  We have a wonderful collaboration on August 14 with the New England Aquarium featuring some remarkable video material that will be synchronized live to the orchestra.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra New England Aquarium

Boston Landmarks Orchestra partners with the New England Aquarium for a free concert on August 14 Photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Orchestra/New England Aquarium

The subject is climate change and we’re performing Vaughan Williams Symphonia Antarctica which is originally a film score, but now set to a more recent film made by Natural History New Zealand featuring all shots from Antarctica.

Then we have a beautiful photographic sequence put together by Boston Globe writer David Arnold called “Above and Below.”  He’s taken Brad Washburn’s iconic aerial photographs of glaciers and coral reefs mostly from the 1930’s and then taking the same shots today.  Of course what you see is a devastating record of loss set to Adagio for Strings.  The program also includes optimistic shots from Boston Harbor and other places from then and now which shows tremendous improvement environmentally and send the message that we can do something about climate change.

We did an extremely interesting panel discussion recently which has some caused useful and in depth panel conversation called “Who Should Sing Ol’ Man River?” around race and the portrayal of racial themes at WBUR CitySpace.  Our moderator was Emmett G Price III, a celebrity in Boston and a wonderful musician, historian, pastor, and radio personality.  It was a wonderfully experienced and informed panel who weighed in on a lot of these questions and shaped how we put together the following week’s concert.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra Alvy Powell

Bass Bariton Alvy Powell Photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Orchestra

SC:  Ol’ Man River from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Showboat” is such an amazing song and I’ve seen it done is so many different ways.

CW:  It’s a showstopper.  Our base Alvy Powell has sung Ol’ Man River in the White House for the last six sitting Presidents in a row.  He sang it at George H.W. Bush’s funeral at President Bush and his wife Barbara’s request.  He also sang it at Gerald Ford’s funeral.  If anyone should sing Ol’ Man River, it’s Alvy Powell and he performed it that night.

SC:  What kind of conversation sprung from that panel?

CW:  That’s a good question.  We got into questions of language, dialect, the history of black music, and cultural appropriation.  Quite an interesting segment was when we were looking at where we go from here.  One of our panelists was Ashleigh Gordon, founder of an organization that has attracted a lot of praise and attention called Castle of Our Skins.  It celebrates African American composers and performers.  She’s done an amazing job furthering the discussion and coming up with creative ways of producing eye catching programming.

They are opening a permanent set of offices at the Boston Center for the Arts.  We are collaborating with Ashleigh, Castle of Our Skins and Anthony Green, a composer she works with frequently on the Esplanade on August 21 for our Landmarks Dance Night.  The project surrounds the music and dance of Haiti because we are also including the Jean Appolon Expressions Dance Company.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra Jennifer Ellis Matthew DiBattista, Maesto Wilkins, and One City Choir

Christopher Wilkins with Jennifer Ellis Matthew DiBattista, Maesto Wilkins, and One City Choir Photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Orchestra

It’s often our best vehicle for showcasing the diversity of traditions and types of cultural expression.  I grew up here, but the city is infinitely more diverse now than it was when I grew up.

SC:  Absolutely.  What have you liked most over your time with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra?

CW:  We’ve had lots of great moments over the last eight or nine years.  My first concert was conducting Beethoven’s 9th at Fenway Park so that is pretty hard to top.  We did an amazing night celebrating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream Speech with Governor Deval Patrick as our narrator and featuring a lot of video and photographic imagery.

We did a memorable collaboration with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum when their director, Peggy Fogelman, first arrived in Boston.  Another highlight was a series of programs with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company.  We performed full productions of musicals or a Shakespeare play such as “Midsummer Night’s Dream” with Mendelssohn.

The musicians learn something they know so well and are able to put it into the context of the play while the actors now can play off a symphony.  Now how often does that happen?   It is amazing for the performers and the audience.

SC:  You’ve performed all over the United States.  What do you like best about your time with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra?

CW:  I love our mission.  It’s readily understandable to most people in the community which I think is why we are receiving increasing levels of support from all quarters from individuals and foundations and from political reps because we are using great music with its level of complexity, depth, and emotional appeal and a first class professional orchestra as a means to gather community together.

I don’t know another orchestra that has a mission defined in this way.  I learn a lot and meet all kinds of interesting people doing interesting work.  We get to come together in a musical setting and it’s almost guaranteed everybody has a wonderful time.

Sit back and enjoy the Boston Landmarks Orchestra free every Wednesday night.  Click here for the full schedule and how to support future concerts.