1. IN THE HEIGHTS
So you send your kid to Wesleyan and you think he will
be on the doctor or lawyer track, but Lin-Manuel Miranda bypassed the obvious and became a Tony-award winning Broadway.. everything.
While a sophomore, he wrote the first incarnation of
IN THE HEIGHTS which, as you know, went on to win 4 Tonys in 2008… including Best Musical.
When it was Broadway bound, Lin-Manuel wrote the score and played the lead role. If that’s not enough, he was a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for drama.
I heard him interviewed and when asked about his inspiration for the musical about a close-knit Latino community on the brink of change, he quickly answered that his inspiration was
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.” If you missed IN THE HEIGHTS on Broadway or want to see what Lin-Manuel dreamed up while at college check out this “very local” version at SpeakEasy Stage now through June 8th.
2. RAPTURE BLISTER BURN
Also at the Calderwood, the Huntington Theatre Company concludes it’s 31st season with the 2013 Pulitzer Prize Drama finalist play Rapture, Blister and Burn by Gina Gionfriddo.
The play takes place decades after college, as friends covet each other’s lives. It is an insightful, witty and biting new comedy that takes a deep look at family, career, romance and the decisions that define one’s life. Hailed by The New York Times as “an intensely smart, immensely funny new play.”
Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois reunites with Gina Gionfriddo to bring you this production.
(3) COPPELIA
BOSTON BALLET
I love Balanchine’s choreography and now we can all
enjoy his work as the Boston Ballet presents COPPELIA at the Opera House. Closing their season the full-length ballet Coppelia will charm both young and old. Truly a light-hearted comedy, Coppélia is the tale of a life-size dancing doll created by Doctor Coppélius, the town’s intriguing inventor. The ballet has legs as it was first choreographed in 1870.Blanchine’s revival, nearly a century later made it’s debut in 1974
(4) POPS
My guilty pleasure (I actually have a few more too) is watching the television series SMASH byExecutive Producer Stephen Speilberg. Writing most of the new music is written by Hairspray composer, the marvelous Marc Shaiman.
The plot revolves around the mounting a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe. That’s really a good idea.
The outstanding star playing the lead role of Marilyn is Megan Hilty. She is the preverbial triple threat needed for musicals, she can act , sing and dance…and she’s gorgeous to boot.
Keith Lockhart and the POPS will be featuring soloist Megan Hilty in her Pops debut on May 23 and 24th and yours truly will be there cheering them on.
Megan appeared on Broadway in Wicked, 9-5, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. See you at Pops.
BTW, on May 28, 29 Matthew Morrison from the TV series Glee will be featured at Pops .
And on June 7,8,11,12 it’s the multi award-winning composer of Hollywood John Williams. He will be conducting the Pops as he celebrates decades of unforgettable music-making such as Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, ET, Harry Potter and Lincoln. This is one of the few men who could be forgiven if her were conceited, demeaning and demanding but he is not. His talent is eclipsed by his values and demeanor. What a role model. What a talent!
WHAT: IN THE HEIGHTS
WHERE: Huntington CALDERWOOD SOUTH END
WHEN: NOW THROUGH JUNE 8
TICKETS: 617-933-8600 or www.BostonTheatreScene.com
(2)
WHAT: RAPTURE BLISTER BURN
WHERE: CALEDERWOOD PAVILLION
WHEN: MAY 24-JUNE 22
TICKETS: 617-933-8600 or www.BostonTheatreScene.com
(3)
WHAT: COPPELIA
WHERE: BOSTON OPERA HOUSE
WHEN: MAY 16-MAY 26
TICKETS: BOSTONBALLET.ORG
(4) WHAT: BOSTON POPS
WHERE: SYMPHONY HALL BOSTON
WHEN: CHECK SCHEDULE
TICKETS: bostonpops.org, (617) 266-1200