This week, Jared Bowen reviews a spate of new plays in the Greater Boston area.
“Gloria: A Life,” presented by the American Repertory Theater through March 1
A new play at the American Repertory Theater aims to encapsulate the career and legacy of feminist icon Gloria Steinem. Directed by Diane Paulus, “Gloria: A Life” stars Patricia Kalember as Steinem, chronicling her decades of journalism and activism while highlighting the connections she made with other women along the way.
“She has this great quote that shared purpose is the eliminator of hierarchy,” says Paulus of Steinem, “and I think that starts with herself. She doesn't want to be in a hierarchical relationship with anybody.”
Following each performance is a conversation evoking the “talking circles” Steinem herself regularly hosts.
“This is a wrenching reminder of the widespread discrimination and debasing of women,” says Jared. “But here, their stories and strength are literally center stage.”
“Detroit Red,” presented by ArtsEmerson at the Paramount Theatre through February 16
At ArtsEmerson, another activist is getting the theatrical treatment. Malcolm X is most closely associated with Harlem, New York, where he spent the majority of his adulthood as an influential minister for the Nation of Islam.
But before he was Malcolm X, he was Detroit Red — a wayward young man living, working and getting arrested in Boston. Written by Will Power, “Detroit Red” examines this often-overlooked phase of Malcolm X’s life.
“I want people to see our heroes as heroes when they were struggling,” says Power, “to construct a story that says ‘OK, how did they get there?’”
“Mean Girls,” presented by Broadway in Boston at the Citizens Bank Opera House through February 9
Tina Fey’s Broadway sensation “Mean Girls” has arrived in Boston! Based on the 2004 film of the same name, this Tony-nominated musical tells the story of high-schooler Cady Heron, who moves from Africa to Illinois and quickly ascends her new school’s pecking order by befriending and then taking on “The Plastics,” a cutthroat click of popular girls led by the glamorous and ruthless Regina George.
“Please don’t let this be Tina Fey’s only entry into musical theater” says Jared. “'Mean Girls' reveals even more of her comedic brilliance and affirms her place at the apex of the comedy kingdom.”
Think we missed this week’s best new theater? Tell Jared about it on Facebook or Twitter!
