Entertainment

New Rep Hosting Multicultural Mosaic Fundraiser

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New Repertory Theatre announces its virtual Multicultural Mosaic: AnAnnual BIPOC Fundraiser on Monday, October 26, 2020 at 7:00pm. This fundraiser will consist of a variety of performances by BIPOC artists, with all raised funds dedicated to supporting a ticket underwriting program, BIPOC self-care affinity spaces, salaries and fees for BIPOC artists, and the advancement of race equity initiatives for all New Rep interns, staff, boardmembers, artists, and volunteers. Tickets are $68/each, and are now on sale. More information about Multicultural Mosaic: An Annual BIPOC Fundraiser can be found at https://www.newrep.org/events/multicultural-mosaic/. About Multicultural Mosaic: An Annual BIPOC FundraiserIn addition to the variety of live performances, guests will also enjoy:

Celebrating director Benny Sato Ambush as the first recipient of the Johnny Lee Davenport Artistic Achievement AwardMixing and sipping a cocktail, expertly guided by New Rep’s virtual bartenderParticipating in Interactive Theatre TriviaBidding at a silent auctionAn opportunity to contribute to New Rep’s New Traditions Fund – a restricted fund dedicated to supporting New Rep’s race equity initiatives

“2020 has been so challenging in countless ways,” shares New Rep Artistic Director, Michael J. Bobbitt.

Around Town

See How to Help New Rep Weather Financial Difficulties Caused by COVID-19

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New Repertory Theatre sent out the following information:

Like other arts organizations, New Rep is facing financial challenges due to the necessary and important steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The difficult decision we made to postpone and cancel our spring performances and events (including our annual gala) puts us at risk of losing 20 percent of our annual revenue. How Can I Help? Purchase a 20/21 Subscription! The best option of all – your purchase today provides revenue that will help to relieve our cash flow challenges, and you guarantee your seats for a phenomenal upcoming season. It’s a win-win!

Arts

NewRep Theatre Announces 2020-21 Season Featuring Five Plays

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The 2020-21 season at New Repertory Theatre features five shows, including four Tony-Award-winning plays and two musicals. New Repertory Theatre proudly announces their 2020-2021 season. Featuring five productions in the MainStage Theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown, the company’s 36th season includes ANGELS IN AMERICA: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES, the groundbreaking drama by Tony Kushner; THE 25 TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, the uproarious family-friendly musical comedy; STUPID F##KING BIRD, Aaron Posner’s modern-day adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull; the Tony Award-winning great jazz musical JELLY’S LAST JAM; and John Patrick Shanley’s resonant drama DOUBT, A PARABLE. The season includes 4 Tony Award-winning plays and musicals and one of the most produced titles in American Theatre over the last few years. “I am so thrilled to announce this season” shares New Rep Artistic Director Michael J. Bobbitt.

Around Town

ICYMI: Watertown Featured on WCVB’s Chronicle

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Watertown was featured as part of a recent episode of WCVB Channel 5’s Chronicle. The piece focused on what residents already know: Watertown is the place to be! They highlighted the town’s Armenian community and visited Massis Bakery, and visited the Cigar and Lounge in the East End. The piece also touched on the major building boom, including the remaking of the Arsenal Mall into Arsenal Yards and the biotech boom. And don’t forget New Rep Theatre and its upcoming production of Hair the musical.

Around Town

Latest Episode of Inside Watertown Focuses on Theater in Watertown

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Special guests Michael Bobbitt (second from right) from New Repertory Theatre and the Mosesian Ceter for the Arts’ Roberta Miller were featured on “Inside Watertown.” They joined co-hosts Bob Airasian, left, and Charlie Breitrose. Two people who have helped bring theater productions to Watertown were featured on the most recent episode of Watertown Cable’s Inside Watertown. New Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Michael Bobbitt and Roberta Miller, executive director of the Mosesian Center of the Arts, joined co-hosts Charlie Breitrose and Bob Airasian for the show, which is now airing on Watertown Cable. Bobbitt, who recently joined New Rep, spoke about his role and the play he is directing, Oliver!, which will be at the Mosesian Center for the Arts through Dec.

Around Town

NewRep’s “Oliver!” Features Actor with Watertown Ties

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Andy Papas, who has ties to Watertown, makes his New Rep Theatre debut in the current production of “Oliver!” Andy Papas has starred on stages across the country, but the actor and singer will be making his debut in the town where his family has made a name in a different arena. Papas will play Mr. Bumble in the New Rep’s production of Oliver! The play started its run Monday, and will be on the Mosesian Center for the Arts’ MainStage through the end of December. Papas grew up in Winchester, but his father, grandfather and uncle are from Watertown and were famed for their accomplishments on the football field.

Entertainment

New Rep Theatre Announces New Artistic Director

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Michael Bobbitt will take over as New Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director in August 2019. The following announcement came from New Repertory Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre is proud to announce that arts leader, director, choreographer, and playwright Michael J. Bobbitt will serve as Artistic Director, beginning August 1, 2019. Bobbitt joins New Rep after twelve years as Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre-MTC (Musical Theatre Center) in Maryland, where he led the organization to be one of the most respected theatre/training companies in the DC region, as well as one of the nation’s most influential professional theaters for young audiences. “After an extensive national search,” shares New Rep Board President Chip Phinney, “during which we reviewed many highly-qualified candidates, our succession planning committee unanimously recommended Michael to be the next Artistic Director of New Rep, and our Board of Directors enthusiastically agreed.”

“I look forward to welcoming Michael to our New Rep team,” shares New Rep Managing Director Harriet Sheets. “His proven track record of leading and growing Adventure Theatre-MTC will certainly help guide New Rep as we look to continue both building and diversifying our audience.

Entertainment

New Rep Theatre Reveals the Productions for the 2019-20 Season

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Watertown-based New Rep Theatre announced the lineup for 2019-20, its 35th Anniversary Season, which will feature a musical, an August Wilson play and a play about President Nixon. The following information came from New Rep Theatre:

“The theme of TRANSITION,” says New Rep Managing Director Harriet Sheets, “is perfectly fitting both for where we are as a society, and for what New Rep will experience in this coming season. Some of this season’s shows were selected by Jim Petosa, who is in his final months as New Rep’s Artistic Director, and some by our incoming Artistic Director, whom we are very excited to soon announce. This Anniversary Season is a momentous occasion for New Rep – a time for celebration, and also a time to advance the future of the theatre.”

NIXON’S NIXONSeptember 14 – October 6, 2019By Russell LeesMainStage Theater

The night before Richard Nixon announced his resignation from the Presidency, he summoned Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to meet with him in the White House. What happened behind those closed doors will never be known, but playwright Russell Lees takes us on a journey through his own interpretation.