This Week, Jared Bowen tours "M.C. Escher: Infinite Dimensions" at the Museum of Fine Arts and reviews some of the best new theater in Boston, including the Huntington Theatre Company's revival of "Bad Dates" and "Death and the Maiden," presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company.

"M.C. Escher: Infinite Dimensions," on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston through May 28

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Belvedere, by M. C. Escher
Jared Bowen/WGBH News

The Museum of Fine Arts hosts the first ever M.C. Escher retrospective in Boston. "M.C. Escher: Infinite Dimensions" investigates the Dutch artist's tessellations, transformations, and tricks of the eye. Alongside the 50 Escher works on display are writings from a variety of creative types - including astronaut Nicole Scott, writer James Caroll, and cellist Yo-yo Ma. "As you start to spend time with these pieces," says Jared, "you begin to realize what a brilliant artist he was, and how he really does play with your mind."

"Bad Dates," presented by the Huntington Theatre Company through Feb. 25

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Haneefah Wood stars as Haley Walker in "Bad Dates"
T. Charles Erickson, courtesy of the Huntington Theatre Company

Take it from Jared: "dating is detrimental to your health, but not to the theater!" "Bad Dates" returns to the Huntington for a fifteenth anniversary production. In this comedy, written by Theresa Rebeck, successful restaurant manager Haley Walker (Haneefah Wood) has decided to start dating again. Directly addressing the audience from her bedroom, Haley recounts the outrageous details of her awkward, embarrassing, and otherwise awful date nights. "Bad dates delivers," says Jared, "you'll want to pall around with her, root for her, and have her on speed dial."

"Death and the Maiden," presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company at the Sorenson Black Box Theater through Feb. 11

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Flora Diaz and Mark Torres star in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's "Death and the Maiden"
Nile Hawver / Nile Scott Shots, courtesy of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

In the first staged production of their 2018 season, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company presents Ariel Dorfman's political drama, "Death and the Maiden." Set in an unnamed country emerging from a totalitarian regime, former political prisoner Paulina Salas (Flora Diaz) comes face-to-face with her captor in her own home. With grim resolve, she decides to put the man on trial, and take justice into her own hands. But is he guilty? Dissecting the lingering effects of torture, repression, and revenge, Jared calls this play "a carefully rendered thriller that follows the toxic drops of injustice as they burn through the soul."

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