This week, Jared visits the new Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University and reviews two new plays in the Greater Boston area.
The Danforth Art Museum reopened to the public this April, and is currently featuring highlights from their permanent collection through May 2020
In 2016, the Danforth Art Museum received an abrupt eviction notice, forcing it to relocate more than 3,500 works of art in just four months. Fortunately, the museum found a new home at Framingham State University, now the only public college in Massachusetts with a museum collection.
“We are fully part of Framingham State University now,” said Executive Director Debra Petke. In addition to having more gallery space for rotating and contemporary art exhibitions, the Danforth now also houses a permanent exhibition of works and artifacts from sculptor Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller, whose Framingham studio has been painstakingly recreated for the exhibition.
“Her work really references the development of an African-American identity,” says curator Jessica Roscio. “She's looking at contemporary issues that are related to race, that are related to gender.”
“SIX,” presented by the American Repertory Theater through Sept. 29
History has generally favored King Henry VIII of England, but a new show at the A.R.T. is passing them the mic to his six wives. In this Broadway-bound new musical, “SIX” gives the Tudor queens a pop makeover as they take to the stage to sing their side of the story. Part history lesson, part Spice Girls concert, “SIX” upends centuries of his-story in this rocking and empowering musical.
“It’s the lives of the wives now putting Henry VIII in their shadow," says Jared. "And their hour upon the stage is a hypnotic one.”
“Little Shop of Horrors,” presented by Lyric Stage Company of Boston through Oct. 6
The Lyric Stage Company opens its season with the timeless sci-fi musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” In this production, down-and-out florist Seymour stumbles upon an unusual plant that turns his fortunes around. But this plant craves not raindrops, or sunlight, but blood. With timeless songs and impressive puppetry designed by Cameron McEachern, this new production of “Little Shop of Horrors” is a delightfully dark cautionary tale.
“The Lyric plants us in an enjoyable patch,” says Jared, “with a surprisingly sinister look at the dangerous tendrils of fame and fortune.”
What shows are you looking forward to seeing this season? Tell Jared about it on Facebook or Twitter!
