Bedlam's Sense and Sensibility

Saw the ART's production of Sense and Sensibility this weekend - it was FABULOUS!!

Excellent casting, engaging and immersive staging - what a wonderful evening!

The show was so creative and so much fun! GO already!

Bryan Cranston channels LBJ

I was lucky enough to get tickets ahead of time to the ART's production of "All The Way" on it's second night in Cambridge.  For a three hour production, I can honestly say I was riveted the entire time.  Cranston is barely recognizable, so effectively does he inhabit LBJ's persona.

LBJ is the first president that I remember growing up, and Cranston performs him admirably, his accent is very good, and his portrayal of LBJ's mannerisms and down-home crudeness is remarkably on-target.

From a historical standpoint, it's fascinating to watch a master of negotiation deal with Congress and other national leaders during his first year in office, focusing on the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Currently the show is sold out, with standing room only tickets available, and there is talk of this show moving on to Broadway.  It's that good.  Fascinating history, remarkable performances.

Boston Globe review here. BostonInno preview here. Boston Inno review here.

August Wilson's "Fences" at the Huntington

This week I saw "Fences" at the Huntington, one of August Wilson's plays from the Pittsburgh cycle. Wilson wrote 10 plays in the cycle, one from each decade, depicting the lives of black folks in 10 different decades. "Fences" is set in 1957. Troy Maxson, who ran away from an abusive father who was trapped in a life not of his own making, could have been a baseball player. And not just any baseball player, but a baseball star. He didn't get that chance, because as his friend Bono tells him, he was just too early. Troy, frustrated and angry at the injustice of it, replies, "There ought not never have been no time called too early!’’

The role of Troy, originated on stage by James Earl Jones, was filled ably by John Beasley. His performance is filled with power, and restraint, and anger, and conflict. His voice fills the theater, his tenderness and love for his wife Rose is palpable, and his anger consumes him. Rose is played by Crystal Fox, and she is simply amazing. Loving, supportive, firm, she's wise and tough and playful. The casting and direction is awesome, even the set design was beautifully done. All the action takes place in a dusty backyard space - the house and the streets beyond are out of our sight. The world beyond doesn't make its way into this space.

The performances were magnificent - I can't recommend this play highly enough. August Wilson was a powerful, poetic playwright, and this cast do him proud. It's a tense, emotional ride, with heavy doses of humanity thrown in - some laughter, family and friendship as well.

Huntington's Blog - Audience Feedback for "Fences"

Boston Globe review: "Fences" Returns to the Huntington