This week, Jared Bowen reviews a cinematic adaptation of Company One’s “Hype Man: A Break Beat Play” produced with the American Repertory Theater. Plus, a preview of “Beethoven in Beijing” presented by “Great Performances” on PBS.

“Hype Man: A Break Beat Play,” a Company One Theatre and American Repertory Theater play streaming through Thursday, May 6

Idris Goodwin found critical acclaim in 2018 with the Company One Theatre world premiere production of “Hype Man: A Break Beat Play.” Now, Company One and the A.R.T. are presenting a virtual OBERON production of the Elliot Norton Award-winning play. The plot revolves around three lifelong friends: A rapper, DJ and hype man who are about to get their big break performing on “The Tonight Show.” However, when the news of a police shooting of an unarmed Black teenager reaches them shortly before the performance, the group is divided about whether to leverage their appearance to make a plea for social justice. This cinematic production reunites the original Company One cast of Kadahj Bennett, Michael Knowlton and Rachel Cognata.

“The filmed version of ‘Hype Man’ provides an intimacy that makes the disintegrating friendships at the heart of the work so much more deeply felt,” says Jared. “We see how expertly playwright Idris Goodwin examines deep-seeded racial inequity via three friends who come to understand how fragile even lifelong bonds are in the absence of true understanding.”

“Beethoven in Beijing,” presented by “Great Performances” on PBS April 16th at 9pm

“Great Performances” presents “Beethoven in Beijing,” a new documentary that explores the resurgence of classical music in China after the Philadelphia Orchestra’s historic 1973 tour to the country. With the onset of the Cultural Revolution, western music was banned in China in favor of more politically-themed works. When the Philadelphia Orchestra became the first American orchestra to tour the country following President Nixon’s historic 1972 visit and a thaw in diplomatic relations between the two countries, it helped set off a wave of “Beethoven fever.” Through firsthand accounts of American and Chinese musicians and historians, “Beethoven in Beijing” also explores China’s enthusiasm for classical music, and how China may now be the country to save classical music.

“What I think China is doing, is they always create something new,” says Jindong Cai, who produced "Beethoven in Beijing” and is a professor of music and arts at Bard College. “Every year there’s a new professional orchestra being created. There’s a new opera performing are new music.”

Hyped for Hype Man, or ready to bask in Beethoven? Tell Jared about it on Facebook or Twitter!