Arts

New Rep Director Leaving to Head Mass. Cultural Council

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Michael Bobbitt will take over as New Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director in August 2019. Michael Bobbitt, the artistic director of New Repertory Theatre, will be leaving the company to become the new executive director of the Mass. Cultural Council. Bobbitt took over New Rep in July of 2019, and left his mark in his time in Watertown — increasing audiences, revenues and leading company’s anti-racism efforts in the wake of the George Floyd’s killing. Prior to that, he had already started efforts to stress the importance of diversity, inclusion and equity at New Rep.

Even during COVID-19, New Rep brought theater to town with its Historical Moving Plays, which were performed on the streets of Watertown.

Around Town

New Rep Adds 10 New Members to Board of Directors

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The following information was provided by New Rep Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce that it has added tenfantastic new members to its Board of Directors. Working alongside New Rep’s Anti-Racism Action Plan, which states that board will be comprised of 50 percent members of color by July 2023, members who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color now account for 33.3 percent of the board. Joining New Rep’s Board of Directors are Michelle Aguillon, Benny Sato Ambush, Nicole Dumas, Shannon Fairley-Pittman, Christopher Jones, Cheryl Price, Christopher Shearer, Natalie Stevenson, and Dr. Robert M. Turner. “One year ago, New Rep had only one person of color on our Board of Directors,” shares New Rep Artistic Director, Michael J. Bobbitt. “This was not at all conducive to our efforts in EDI and anti-racism, or to our goal to be a truly multi-cultural theatre.

Entertainment

Watertown Children’s Theater Building on Success of Online Plays

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Children’s Theatre:

Building on the successes of our fall online productions, Watertown Children’s Theatre/Mosesian Center for the Arts will be producing three more online productions this winter for Grades 3-12.  Registration is open now at mosesianarts.org for all winter productions, which begin in early December. For Grades 3-5, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by John Glore is a fun, irreverent look at fairy tales that includes comedy, music and a lot of fun. Based on the beloved book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, this play includes fresh takes on stories like Chicken Little, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and more. Favorite fairy tales are hilariously remixed with comical music and quick-paced scenes to challenge actors and delight audiences. Orientation begins December 9.

Entertainment

Find Out How to Book a Private Screening at Watertown’s Movie Theater

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The following information was provided by The Majestic 7 theater:

In celebration of its re-opening earlier this fall, The Majestic 7, Arsenal Yards, is offering special pricing on “Book the Room” private screenings for families or groups of friends looking to get back to the movies! For a limited time, groups of up to 20 people can have a movie theater all to themselves and enjoy a private showing for as little as $200. The Majestic 7 is offering groups the choice of screening any of the existing films currently playing in the cinema – including Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” “Unhinged” and “The New Mutants” – or can choose from CW Rewind Cinema offerings, including bring backs and classic films. With cinemas in Massachusetts now able to offer concessions once again, guests can purchase movie-theater popcorn, candy and soda to enjoy with their movie experience. All theaters are being thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to the start of all screenings. Face masks are mandatory in all common areas of the theater such as lobbies, hallways, restrooms, restaurants, lounges, game rooms and concession stands, and social distance markers and plexiglass barriers have been installed.

Entertainment

New Rep Brings Theater & History to the Streets of Watertown Square

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Charles Lenox, played by Kadahj Bennett, talks about his time in the Massachusetts 54th Infantry during the Civil War sitting on a cannon at the Watertown Civil War Monument. The performance is the first Moving Play presented by New Rep Theatre. Visitors to Watertown Square may have recently noticed an enthusiastic, precocious and out-spoken young man wandering around the area. Charles Lenox, or Kadahj Bennett portraying Lenox, will gladly share his views about the major issues of his time — the 1860s — many of which are familiar to people today. The performance, called the Charles W. Lenox Experience, is the first of New Repertory Theatre’s Historical Moving Plays, and focuses on a real Watertown resident during the time of the Civil War.

Entertainment

NewRep Pushing Back Performances, Coming Up With COVID-19 Friendly Productions

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Watertown-based New Repertory Theatre announced this week that it will have to push back the performances of two plays, due to the COVID-19 restrictions. However, Artistic Director Michael Bobbitt and his staff are busy coming up with new options for fans of live theater and performances during the pandemic. NewRep tried rescheduling two plays from the spring to the fall, but looking at the COVID-19 restrictions the decision was made to postpone them once again. The company also announced the cancellation of its annual gala, which they had hoped to move from April to October. “It’s the nature of the beast at the moment.

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.