Boston theater scene comes alive with music, dance & drama – Boston Herald

As the theater scene blooms, we finally get a look at a handful of productions that were once set to debut two years ago. Between the joys of seeing long-gestating projects arrive on stage, the spring theater season features ballet, modern dance, Afrofuturism, history lessons, Tony winners, jukebox musicals and jukebox musicals that are also Tony-winning history lessons.

A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder, Lyric Stage, April 15 May 22

Its a simple plan. All Monty Navarro needs to do to become the ninth Earl of Highhurst is murder eight innocent members of the high-born DYsquith clan. But will love stand in his way? Fun, tuneful and completely murderous. (lyricstage.com)

Aint Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, April 19 May 1, Citizens Bank Opera House

Some jukebox musicals dont have enough tunes to fill a shoebox. Thats not a problem with this slice of Motown history. The Temptations scored 42 Top 10 hits and an astounding 14 chart toppers. From the Detroit streets to immortality thanks to perfect choreography, powerful harmonies and wonderful melodies. (boston.broadway.com)

Parable of the Sower, April 21-24, Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre

After its sold-out 2017 concert experience, Octavia E. Butlers work (finally, after years of COVID-related delays) returns as a fully realized stage production featuring over 30 original compositions drawn from 200 years of black musical traditions. Parable of the Sower explores a not-so-distant future where climate change has devastated the world while reflecting on a present where gender and race determine peoples destinies. (artsemerson.org)

The Inheritance, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, April 22 June 11

Written by Matthew Lopez and directed by Paul Daigneault, this epic two-part play totaling over six hours pulls E.M. Forsters novel Howards End into 21st century New York, a generation after the AIDS crisis. The creative team then uses Forsters frame to look at the lives of young gay men in NYC and the legacy of a generation nearly lost. (speakeasystage.com)

Aint Misbehavin The Fats Waller Musical, April 28 May 29, Central Square Theater

Fats Wallers personality, talent and wicked smile made him a legend go watch the 1943 film Stormy Weather for a taste of his charisma. Aint Misbehavin digs into all the magic behind that smile and the history of the Harlem Renaissance (and won a Tony Award for best musical). Local acting ace Maurice Emmanuel Parent directs. (centralsquaretheater.org)

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Wang Theatre, April 28 May 1

The history of this dance company is storied. But amazingly, since 2011, Aileys dancers have only become more engaging through the leadership of artistic director and Juilliard alum Robert Battle. (bochcenter.org)

1776, Loeb Drama Center, May 15 July 24

American Repertory Theater artistic director Diane Paulus didnt grow up in the shadow of Hamilton (a daunting prospect facing young writers and directors). Her generations historical masterpiece came with 1969 Tony-winning musical 1776. Over two years ago, Paulus gushed about the opportunity to close the ARTs 2020 season with a revival of a show that examines how the founders invented modern freedom and who that freedom belonged to. Finally, the dream comes true. (americanrepertorytheater.org)

Swan Lake, May 26 June 5, Citizens Bank Opera House

Boston Ballet artistic director Mikko Nissinens Swan Lake is the ultimate gateway from The Nutcracker to your grand, new obsession with the art form. When discussing the broad sweep of this season, he looked at the pair of classics as great bookends. It starts with the Tchaikovsky holiday classic and ends with the best known classical ballet. (bostonballet.org)

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Boston theater scene comes alive with music, dance & drama - Boston Herald