Someday, you’ll be able to see green grass again. And when that day comes, why not go see some shows? Here’s our guide to what you can do this spring in Boston.
THEATER
‘City of Angels’
March 27 through May 2
Lyric Stage
140 Clarendon St.
$33-$67, 617-585-5678
This musical takes us to 1940’s Hollywood, with a big, jazzy soundtrack. Our hero, Stine, is a writer whose latest project is dominated by an overbearing producer. Stine escapes from his crumbling marriage into his cinematic alter ego’s noir drama, and we follow him there. But soon enough, even his own character begins to disagree with his plot moves! ‘Come Back, Little Sheba’
March 27 through April 26
Calderwood Pavilion
527 Tremont St.
$15-$88, 617-266-0800
This 1950 play by William Inge, his first, tells the story of a married Midwestern couple, Doc and Lola, who rent a room to a promiscuous young college student, Marie. Her verve and enthusiasm remind both older housemates of missed opportunities and lost youth. David Cromer, last seen with the Huntington on “Our Town”, directs the production. ‘The Grand Parade (of the 20th Century)’
April 30 through May 3
Paramount Center
559 Washington St.
Prices TBA, 617-824-8400
Double Edge Theater, based in rural Massachusetts, presents this multimedia theatrical experience, a whirlwind tour of the past century’s cultural legends, from Houdini to the Hiroshima to the moon landing to the fall of communism. The visual component takes inspiration from the painting of Marc Chagall. Combined with live music and even some circus stunts, it should make for a full-bodied event. ‘Dirty Dancing’
April 28 through May 10
Citi Emerson Colonial Theatre
106 Boylston St.
$30-$175, 617-482-9393
See the world’s most popular slumber party movie danced onstage, and enjoy all the lifts, watermelon carrying and objections to putting Baby in a corner that you’ve always loved. The touring show is only in town for two weeks, so make sure to grab tickets early to make sure you catch it while it’s here. MUSIC
Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock
April 12, 7:30 p.m.
Symphony Hall
301 Mass. Ave., Boston
$30-$88, 888-266-1200
Two living jazz legends for the price of one? Not too shabby. For this concert, the two pioneering keyboardists reprise their 1978 tour, which featured just the two men and two pianos, face-to-face. If it’s anything like last time, you’ll see them play the whole piano, not just the keys—plucking the strings with fingers, beating it like a drum—whatever’s required. Don Giovanni
May 1 through May 10
Citi Shubert Theater
265 Tremont St., Boston
$30-$223, 617-482-9393
Boston Lyric Opera once again presents Mozart’s perennially popular telling of the legend of Don Jaun, the charismatic rake who ends up getting dragged off to hell for his lecherous ways. Modern morality might not punish him so severely, but cads are no more favored than they were then, and his downfall remains a delightful spectacle. The Wailin’ Jennys
May 3, 7:30 p.m.
Berklee Performance Center
136 Mass. Ave., Boston
$30-$40, 617-747-2261
The Wailin’ Jennys are folk/bluegrass trio from Winnipeg, Manitoba, celebrated for their crystal-clear harmonies. All had solo designs, but the world wanted otherwise. They were smart enough to listen, and they’ve gone on to become one of the most popular contemporary North American “trad” groups. Albums are rare, but worth the wait. Their last, “Bright Morning Stars”, appeared in 2011. DANCE
Reggie Wilson: Moses(es)
March 27 through March 29
Institutue of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave., Boston
$15-$30, 617-478-3100
Reggie Wilson and his Brooklyn-based Fist and Heel Performance Group return to Boston to perform a work about the biblical figure of Moses, integrating a variety of influences, including Zora Neal Hurston, Wilson’s visits to Africa and the Middle East and even fractal geometry, to pose the question of “how we lead and why we follow.” Edge of Vision
April 30 through May 10
Boston Opera House
539 Washington St., Boston
$29-$142, 617-695-6955
Boston Ballet presents three commissioned works, old and new. Helen Pickett’s “Eventide”, updated here with a brand new first movement, is set to music by Phillip Glass and Ravi Shankar. Lila York’s “Celts” features music by the Chieftains, William J. Ruyle, Bill Whelan, Celtic Thunder and Dan Ar Braz. Finally, there’s a world premiere work by Jorma Elo, “Bach Cello Suites.” Momix
May 8 through May 10
Culter Majestic Theater
219 Tremont St., Boston
$35-$69, 617-876-4275
Momix, directed by Moses Pendleton, puts a surreal spin on contemporary dance, crafting a unique multimedia performance with weird costumes, mysterious lighting and head-tripping human symmetry. They’ll perform “Alchemia”, a piece exploring the four classical elements of wind, water, fire and earth. It’s a simple springboard but Pendleton takes it all the away, imagining deep realms of inner and outer experience. ART
Hokusai
April 5 through August 9
Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave., Boston
$23-$25, 617-267-9300
19th Century Japanese ukiyo-e master Hokusai’s print “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is one of the most iconic images in art history, as ubiquitous as the Mona Lisa or “The Scream”. It’ll be here alongside other works from his series “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji”, plus the multi-panel screen painting “Phoenix”, several scenes from the Japanese “Floating World” of his era, and more. Jean-Michel Othoniel: Secret Flower Sculptures
Through September 7
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way, Boston
$5-$15, 617-566-1401
The Gardner Museum showcases French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel’s bronze models and sketches for sculptures he created for Versailles—the first permanent contemporary art installation at the grandiose French palace. Two similar finished sculptures will also be installed at the Gardner, one of them outdoors. The works express, in the Museum’s words, Othoniel’s “obsession with the hidden meanings of flowers.” Confronting Guantanamo
March 19 through April 25
International Village, Northeastern University
1155–1175 Tremont St., Boston
Free, 617-373-4140
The United States’ indefinite detainment of alleged terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has been a scandal for many since it first began in 2002. 13 years later, the detainees remain in a legal quagmire, as if suspended outside space and time. This multi-artist exhibition examines Guantanamo as a place, exploring its pre-9/11 history as well as its uncertain present. COMEDY
Jerry Seinfeld
April 10, 7 p.m.
Citi Wang Theater
270 Tremont St., Boston
$65-$150, 800-745-3000
There is only one Jerry Seinfeld—master of observational humor, star one of the most popular sitcoms ever, and now enjoying a low-key second act with his web series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”, getting deep into the art of comedy with a diverse array of guests. In the age of iPhones, his analyses of human silliness remain as sharp as ever. Hannibal Buress
April 16 through April 18
The Wilbur Theater
246 Tremont St., Boston
$30, 800-745-3000
Comedian Hannibal Buress has been all over the TV comedy world; you can currently catch him on “Broad City” and “The Eric Andre Show”, and he’s appeared on “Louie” and “Bob’s Burgers” as well. He’s also slated to star in his own Comedy Central show, “Why? With Hannibal Buress”, which will finds him exploring cultural issues through stand-up, man-on-the-street interviews and more.
Spring arts in Boston: what to see and where to go
Matthew Murphy
