THEPROVOCATIVE AND WHO MOVING DRAMA & THE WHATBY DIRECTED BY AYAD M. BEVIN AKHTAR O’GARA MAR.31-MAYSOUTH END 7 CALDERWOOD PAVILION AT THE BCA Seasonal cocktails, handmade pasta, perfectly cooked steaks & fresh seafood, expertly prepared using the nest ingredients. At Davio’s, it’s all about the guest. CONTENTS APRIL–MAY2017 7 THE PROGRAM 11 A MESSAGE FROM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PETER DuBOIS 12 E PLURIBUS UNUM PLUS: 12 Nile Hawver 4 Backstage by Olivia J. Kiers 14 About the Company 34 Patron Services 35 Emergency Exits 38 Guide to Local Theatre 44 Boston Dining Guide 46 Dining Out: Davio’s 38 theatrebill STAFF Publishing services are provided by Theatrebill, a pub- lication of New Venture Media Group LLC, publisher of President/Publisher: Tim Montgomery Panorama: The Official Guide to Boston, 560 Harrison Ave., Suite 412, Boston, MA 02118, 857-366-8131. Art Director: Scott Roberto Assistant Art Director: Laura Jarvis Editorial Assistant: Olivia J. Kiers WARNING: The photographing or sound recording of any performance or the possession of any device Vice President Publishing: Rita A. Fucillo for such photographing or sound recording inside Vice President Advertising: Jacolyn Ann Firestone this theatre, without the written permission of the Senior Account Executive: Andrea Renaud management, is prohibited by law. Violators may be punished by ejection and violations may render the Chief Operating Officer: Tyler J. Montgomery offender liable for money damages. Business Manager: Melissa J. O’Reilly FIRE NOTICE: The exit indicated by a red light and sign nearest to the seat you occupy is the shortest route to the street. In the event of fire or other emer- gencies do not run—WALK TO THAT EXIT. To advertise in Theatrebill, call 857-366-8131 or e-mail [email protected]. HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY 3 BACKSTAGE BEHIND THE SCENES IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL THEATRE BY OLIVIA J. KIERS Angela Sterling FINISHING STRONG: Boston Ballet concludes its recently announced 2017–2018 season by bringing August Bournonville’s magical La Sylphide to the Boston Opera House stage May 24–June 10, which is paired with the rarely performed Bournonville Divertissements. Boston Ballet’s Old and New Unite for the Scandinavian Season Huntington’s 2017–2018 Season When Boston Ballet opens its 2017–2018 season Huntington Theatre Company announced a in November, it will honor Mikko Nissinen in a lineup for its 36th season that includes eight special way by highlighting the artistry of several works wildly different from one another, composers and choreographers who share the artis- from the revival of a Sondheim musical to a tic director’s Finnish heritage. The much-awaited classic 17th-century farce. A multi-award- North American premiere of Wayne McGregor’s winning musical about one man’s showbiz all-male Obsidian Tear, a co-production with the career trajectory, Sondheim’s Merrily We Royal Ballet, is set to music by Finnish composer Roll Along is directed by Maria Friedman, Esa-Pekka Salonen. The evening also includes who first presented this stunning revival in choreographer Jorma Elo’s World Premiere, as London to rave reviews. Huntington’s produc- well as an orchestral performance of Jean Sibelius’ tion of Molière’s French Enlightenment-era Finlandia, a turbulent masterpiece composed in comedy, Tartuffe, promises to play with the- protest over Russian censorship in Finland at the atregoer’s expectations about period staging. turn of the 20th century. Huntington’s other six productions include The remainder of the season is no less excit- two new works—Huntington Playwriting ing, while covering more familiar territory. It Fellow Ken Urban’s drama featuring a chance goes without saying that The Nutcrackerarrives encounter, A Guide for the Homesick, and over the holidays; another Tchaikovsky clas- Dominique Morisseau’s Skeleton Crew, a sic, The Sleeping Beauty, is back by popular timely play set in a breakroom full of Detroit demand in May for a limited, one-week run. auto workers. There’s also a special presenta- Other highlights include Classic Balanchine, tion of Mala, a new play recently premiered a triple-bill of dances choreographed by the by ArtsEmerson that is by Huntington legendary George Balanchine, in late May; a Playwright-in-Residence Melinda Lopez. Go to spring repertory program featuring the work of huntingtontheatre.org for more information. Elo, William Forsythe, and Justin Peck; John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet; and a season finale New Season for New Rep of Danish choreographer August Bournonville’s New Repertory Theatre, the resident troupe La Sylphide. For details, visit bostonballet.org. at Watertown’s Mosesian Center for the Arts, 4 THE WHO & THE WHAT BACKSTAGE(continued) traditionally threads a thought-provoking Stoneham Theatre in January. At a time and theme through each play in its season lineup, place still to be determined, the Boston pre- and 2017–2018 is no exception. Artistic direc- miere of Jennifer Barclay’s site-specific drama tor Jim Petosa announced that New Repertory’s Ripe Frenzy—the winner of the National New upcoming season promises to weave a tapestry Play Network’s 2016 Smith Prize for Political of “resilience.” Theatre—is sure to be a powerful event. Visit Productions include two Boston-area pre- newrep.org for details. mieres. Ideation, Aaron Lobe’s psychological thriller featuring a cadre of consultants work- Putting the “Fun” in Fundraiser ing for a mysterious client, opens the season It’s coming! The Theater Offensive’s annual in September, and Kate Cayley’s The Bakelite climACTS! gala, that is. ClimACTS! is a Masterpiece arrives in the spring with the true unique experience—a celebratory evening that story of art forger Han van Meegeren’s highly also explores queer identities through unusual publicized trial in the wake of World War II. themes. The Theater Offensive, a Boston- Also of note is a revival of the Tony Award- based LGBT theatre group, has community- winning musical Man of La Mancha, on stage building and breaking through isolation at just in time for the holidays and featuring Elliot the heart of its mission to present a diversity Norton and IRNE award-winning Maurice of gender expression through art. Attending Emmanuel Parent as the delusional, yet coura- the annual fundraising party is a great way to geous and chivalrous, Don Quixote. get involved while having one heck of a good In addition, New Rep announced a pair time. Promising to be full of bold color and of very topical and “resilient” add-on pro- surprises, this year’s party is themed “Bounce.” ductions. Rohina Malik’s one-woman show It jumps on stage at the Theatre District’s about five Muslim women living in a post Royale Nightclub on May 3. For tickets, go to 9/11 world, Unveiled, is co-presented with thetheateroffensive.org. WHAT’S ON STAGE in April Our picks for the hottest plays and musicals on local stages this month BARBECUE 17 BORDER CROSSINGS LYRIC STAGE COMPANY ARTSEMERSON April 7–May 7 April 19–29 Award-winning playwright Robert O’Hara takes on stereo- Stage designer and TV types of all sorts in this witty new play about interventions, actor Thaddeus Phillips’ starring a multiracial family. Refer to listing, page 38. one-man play is a sur- real exploration of trav- BARNUM el’s odder moments, MOONBOX PRODUCTIONS from invasive body April 8–30 searches at Charles de Directed by choreographer Rachel Bertone—who was also Gaulle Airport to smug- Marc Simpson involved with Moonbox’s 2014 production of The Musical gling Kentucky Fried Chicken through Palestine. Refer to of Musicals that was listing, page 38. nominated for six IRNE Awards, including Best THE GIFT HORSE Choreography—this daz- NEW REPERTORY THEATRE zling musical harkens April 22–May 14 back to the 19th-century The Boston premiere of this comedy by acclaimed play- heyday of circus. Refer to wright Lydia R. Diamond (Stick Fly) deals with a teacher and listing, page 38. artist confronting her dark past. Refer to listing, page 40. HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY 5 Art New England New Art ARTIST DIRECTORY CLIMATE CHANGE ART AUCTIONS THE ARTS ARMY VERMONT Art New England C ONTEMPORARY March/April 2017 • Vol. 38 issue 2 issue 38 Vol. • 2017 March/April A RT MARCH/ AND APRIL 2017 $5.95 US C $7.00 Canada ULTURE Critical. Compelling. Contemporary. Don’t miss a thing! Stay connected to New England’s unrivalled arts scene. Subscribers receive six issues per year and are invited to exclusive art HUNTINGTON salons, exhibitions, and openingsTo Subscribe: visit throughout New England. THEATRE COMPANY ON THE COVER: AVENUE OF THE ARTS & SOUTH END Jay Critchley, Mobil Warming: In God We Trust (detail), 2015, digital print. artnewengland.com Available by subscription, on newsstands everywhere, and at special art events throughout the region. HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY AVENUE OF THE ARTS & SOUTH END CristinaScenic Todesco Design THEWHO&THEWHAT Directed by by PETERDUBOIS Costume Design SaraswathiOriginal Jones Music Ayad Akhtar NORMAJEANCALDERWOOD Production Stage ManagerMary Lauve Carola Morrone LaCoste ARTISTICDIRECTOR M. Bevin O’Gara MICHAELMASO MANAGINGDIRECTOR Lighting Design Huntington’s 2016–2017 Season Sponsors Annie Wiegand We gratefully acknowledge the Alaine Alldaffer the Production SponsorsSherryl of The & Who Gerard & the Cohen What Casting and the Production Co-Sponsors of The Who & the What JeremiahStage Mullane Manager Sound Design Carol G. Deane J. David Wimberly M.L. Dogg Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director & Michael S. Rosenberg, Managing Director was produced in 2014 by La Jolla Playhouse,Jill La& MitchJolla, California, Roberts The world premiereEloise of The Who& Art & Hodgesthe What Jane & Fred Jamieson The Who & the What is presented by special arrangement with Produced by LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater, Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York New York City, 2014 HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY 7 HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY AVENUE OF THE ARTS & SOUTH END A GUIDEMERRILY FOR THE WE HOMESICK ROLL ALONG 2017-2018 SEASON SKELETON CREWTARTUFFE BAD DATES SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW ON SALE! TOP GIRLS PLUS A SPECIAL EVENT 7-PLAY PACKAGES START AT $154 FALL There will be one 10-minute intermission.