This week, Jared Bowen takes us to the new Peabody Essex Museum, reviews “Nixon’s Nixon” at New Repertory Theatre, and breaks down the pre-Broadway run of “David Byrne’s American Utopia.”
The Peabody Essex Museum opens a new wing and garden to the public with free admission on Sept. 28 and 29.
The Peabody Essex Museum is expanding its footprint in Salem with a new, 40,000 square foot wing and 5,000 square foot garden. The new wing features three floors of dedicated gallery space highlighting the museum's permanent collections in maritime art, Asian export art, and fashion and design. Outside, a new garden gives viewers the chance to experience local and imported plants as well as a “confluence fountain” that flows through the center of the garden.
“It's a whole new adventure,” says Peabody Essex Curator Lynda Hartigan. “It's an opportunity for the museum to share the incredible richness of its many facets of its collection.” The museum opens its new wing to the public on Sept. 28 and 29. Admission is free for the day.
“Nixon’s Nixon,” presented by New Repertory Theatre through Oct. 6
Spend a boozy night at the White House in New Repertory Theatre’s “Nixon’s Nixon.” The play takes place on the eve of President Richard Nixon’s resignation when he invites his Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, to the White House for a closed-door meeting. The details of which have never been revealed, but here they’re imagined by playwright Russell Lees. Written in 1996, “Nixon’s Nixon” paints a humorous and compelling picture of a moment in history that feels more resonant today than ever before.
“When you have those momentous times,” Lees said, “that's when character comes out — when your innermost, deepest feelings and thoughts and concerns will rise to the surface.”
“Here you’ll find two of Boston’s most esteemed actors taking the stage,” says Jared. “Jeremiah Kissel as Nixon delivers a ferocious performance finding the wild incomprehension of a trapped political animal.”
“David Byrne’s American Utopia,” presented at the Emerson Colonial Theatre through Sept. 28
The Emerson Colonial Theatre hosts the pre-Broadway run of “David Byrne’s American Utopia.” As frontman of the band Talking Heads and creator of the rock musical “Here Lies Love,” David Byrne is known for his innovative music projects. In his new stage show “David Byrne’s American Utopia,” Byrne strips away the conventional clutter of a musical performance by removing everything from the stage but the musicians themselves, who perform new songs alongside Byrne’s classic hits — all while barefoot.
“Beautiful, intellectual and moving, ‘David Byrne’s American Utopia’ is all that you’d anticipate from the brilliant Byrne,” says Jared. “And as the title might suggest, there’s an abundance of sheer joy here, too.”
Making plans to see the new Peabody Essex Museum? Tell Jared about it on
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