This week, GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen discusses a museum exhibit that looks at incarceraton through the lens of photography, and two productions taking the stage.
“Prison Nation”
On view at the Davis Museum through June 5
"Prison Nation" uses photography to examine mass incarceration across the United States. One example is the use of mug shots and how they can be a way of normalizing the criminalization of minorities.
Throughout this exhibition, photographers use cameras as a response to the oppression by showing the individuality of the people behind bars.
"I can tell you, from my time in news, it was always incredibly difficult to get a video camera inside prisons," Bowen says. "Here in Massachusetts, prisons don't like cameras — for the most part — to show life, but here we get slices of life through photographers."
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations”
Now playing at the Citizens Bank Opera House through May 1
The Broadway musical based on legendary Detroit band The Temptations takes audiences through the trajectory of the vocal group’s career.
Its repetoire goes from love songs like “My Girl” to protest songs like “Psychedelic Shack.”
"It's really this compelling mix of rousing delight and joy. Also with, I thought, a fascinating dissection of the price of fame and success," says Bowen.
“Don’t Eat the Mangos”
Now playing at the Chelsea Theatre Works through May 15
“Don't Eat the Mangos” takes audiences into a family of three sisters caring for their ailing parents in Puerto Rico. It centers on the interpersonal dynamics among the sisters, who are struggling to forge their own paths as they bear the weight of caring for their parents. The show is a co-production between Apollinaire Theatre Company and Teatro Chelsea.
"There is a very dark turn, and I felt the audience lean in. I leaned into this show. I don't want to give away too much. It sounds very dark, what I'm talking about," Bowen says. "But it's also extremely funny, darkly humorous, just incredible. Fresh, inventive, great theater."
What art activities are you looking forward to? Tell Jared about it on Facebook or Twitter!
