American Repertory Theater

I've seen several shows here and each has been a treat! 1776 was no exception. I loved the all female cast. The set design was wonderful. I don't think you can have a bad seat in this theater.

Just saw 1776. This is an exuberant production with a wonderful cast. The choice to use an all woman cast is provocative and brilliant. Some of the play has a special "ring" due to recent political events that are challenging our liberties. The play however seems way too long and my engagement level even for a history buff dropped in the second half. Its definitely not for everyone. The theatre does a great job managing to keep people safe in a small space. It is a terrific place to see a play.

I have been to dozens of plays here over the years and often really really impressed with the quality. Most recently a phenomenal production of 1776 with an all women/ People of Color / trans women cast. The two African American women who played John Adams and Ben Franklin were incredible. I was confused by the all female cast at the outset but quickly found myself enjoying it tremendously. Such a creative way to bring the play to the 21st century and also make it a lot more interesting. A few Greek tragedies I saw as a child ago there still live on very clearly in my memory. I was also lucky enough to see Audra McDonald in porgy and Bess here before it went to Broadway. Another play, a moving but fast paced tribute to Schubert’s life, also brought me a lot of joy. I loved another one taking place in Victorian Britain with a very dark twist. Really only ever saw one I found boring but that was because it just wasn’t my cup of tea- too intellectual for me! But its always good to broaden your horizons. The student productions I’ve seen have have also been wonderful, I remember one focused on racism. Boston is truly lucky to have such an incredible theater! And the prices are super reasonable as well, plus the theater is small so you can sit in the back row and still see great. Can’t recommend enough.

Very nice venue, medium sized, friendly staff. Came here to see Life of Pi.

Had the opportunity to see Life of Pi here. The show was incredible. I was happy that the facility still had mask mandates in place,especially during the heavy flu/cold season. Seating was very comfortable and all accommodations were clean.

Just an absolutely wonderful experience, each and every time. Be it for a student performance or the next big show on Broadway, we are lucky to have such a fantastic theater so close by! Thanks ART for everything you do!!

I saw a production of In the Heights here. The show was said to start at 7:30 but wasn't very punctual. The show was good, with solid production value. They didn't have any playbills though, which was disappointing. Still, a show here is well worth the ticket price.

This is a review of -LIFE OF PI- which I was lucky to attend on December 21st. What propelled me to get a ticket was an article in the Harvard gazette with the headline "Scene stealing puppets of "Pi". That unfortunately was not the case. The only thief that stole the show was the set designer Tim Hatley which created two magical moments: the appearance of the boat and the protagonist jumping into the ocean and bobbing mid torso a few seconds later. It would not have had the same effect without the lightning design Tim Lutkin and Video Design Andrzej Goulding. A competent cast ensemble with outstanding performances by Avery Glymph and Sathya Sridharan in multiple roles. I believe the puppets could steal the show if the puppeteers were to be robed in black so that they blend into the background, a device that would have allowed the animals to come into their own. The most successful pairing between handler and puppet were the glowing fish. The rest were disjointed and did not move like their counterparts in real life. Zebras do not move like horses and bengal tiger are majestic not disjointed. The other problem I found was the in the casting. Pi we are told by an official is a sixteen year old boy who is hiding under the hospital bed, and when he finally comes from under it we get someone who appears to be in his early 30's, and with a physique that looked pretty good for having spent 227 days at sea, malnourished and in the company of a Bengal tiger. As competent a performer as Mr. Adi Dixit is, especially in his physical dexterity I had a credibility issue from the start. The initial interaction with the two officers seems to be playing for laughs rather than the traumatic experience he had undergone. Regardless of my reservations I urge you to make yours as soon as possible. It was an uplifting experience, full of awe and a full fledge collaboration of actors and puppeteers.

Broadway quality productions in Harvard Square! I'm especially appreciative of their work with schools, my students love the Life of Pi and 1776

Always a pleasure. Productions are of high quality. No seat is bad in this small theater.