Director Diane Paulus told me that among her considerations as she stages a play is what the audience will get from the effort. "For me," she said, "it’s always about, 'have we asked a big enough question?'" The same consideration is obvious in the Boston Playwrights’ Theatre presentation, looking closely at aging and dementia, and also present in the very real discussions about museums, taking place at the Boston Athenaeum.
Witness Uganda, plays at the A.R.T.’s Loeb Drama Center through March 16th.
This is the story of Griffin, a young man from New York City, who volunteers for a project in Uganda, and finds himself on a journey that will change his life forever. Inspired by a true story, this rousing new musical exposes the challenges confronted by American aid workers and the complex realities of trying to change the world.
Absence, plays at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre through March 2nd.
Floyd’s thesis play as an M.F.A. student at Boston University tells the story of 76-year-old Helen, whose lapses in memory have not diminished her need to control her family. The story evolves into a very stirring look at dementia through the eyes of the afflicted. The play was a co-winner of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival’s Jean Kennedy Smith Award in 2012. Absence was also a 2012 finalist in the Alliance Theatre’s Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition.
The Future of the Museum: Technology at the Boston Athenaeum.
A century ago, the “new technology” in American museums was electric lights. Today, museums have a huge range of technologies to explore and use in carrying out their missions. This second of three panels on “The Future of the Museum” explores how rapidly developing digital and technological revolutions are affecting these traditionally conservative institutions. Still to come is The Future of the Museum: Governance on February 24th at 6pm, and since it’s sold out, it will be streamed live on-line.
Winter's Tale, in theaters Friday.
Set in a mythic New York City and spanning more than a century, “Winter’s Tale” is a story of miracles, crossed destinies, and the age-old battle between good and evil.The film marks the directorial debut of screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind”), who wrote the screenplay, based on the acclaimed novel by Mark Helprin.
Coming up on Open Studio
Jared looks at the American Repertory Theater’s world premiere production of Witness Uganda, a musical inspired by a true story of the challenges faced by American aid workers in Africa. Also, an interview with Spiro Veloudos, Artistic Director of The Lyric Stage Company of Boston about directing the upcoming production of Arthur Miller’s seminal play, Death of A Salesman.
Add your thoughts to the Arts This Week segments. » Join the conversation with me on Facebook or Twitter.
