Arts

Pirates of Penzance, playing at the A.R.T.’s Loeb Drama Center through June 2nd

The Hypocrites, known for their insightful illuminations of classic theater texts, will bring Pirates of Penzance to Cambridge, complete with irreverent and hilarious bathing beauties, philosophizing pirates, and plenty of short shorts.

At Any Price, Opens Landmark Kendall Square in Cambridge and the Embassy in Waltham Friday

This weekend, music aficionados from the Bay State and beyond will descend upon City Hall Plaza for two days of dancing, food, and general good vibes. The occasion? It’s Boston Calling — Beantown’s first ever two-day music festival. On Saturday and Sunday, 19,500 fans will shake what their mother gave them to the sounds of The Shins, Of Monsters and Men, Matt & Kim, The Walkmen, Fun., The National, and many more.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has appointed Andris Nelsons director, the BSO announced Thursday.

Nelsons will become the 15th director in BSO history, dating back to 1881. At 34, he'll become the youngest BSO director in more than 100 years, the BSO said. He had been director of the City of Birmingham Orchestra in the U.K.

Read the Full BSO Release:

ANDRIS NELSONS TO VISIT BOSTON IN LATE JUNE FOR HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY FOLLOWING HIS APPOINTMENT AS THE NEXT BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MUSIC DIRECTOR

Two new live performances in Boston give audiences and moment to look into the past, both to reminisce and to realize how far we have come. 

Master Class, Presented by New Repertory Theatre, playing at the Arsenal Center for the Arts through April 21st

The inimitable Boston Globe pop music and TV critic Sarah Rodman joined myself, Jim and Margery on Boston Public Radio. We offered up some new music recommendations and to discussed everything from the average age of performers at the upcoming Boston Strong benefit concert to the Gatsby Soundtrack to a prominent odor on Willie Nelson's tour bus.

Chroma, Presented by Boston Ballet, through May 12th at the Boston Opera House.

All eyes are on NY theater this week with the Tuesday announcement of the Tony awards including, 10 for the A.R.T.’s Pippin and news that the Huntington Theatre Company will receive the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award. I spent the weekend in New York City catching these shows:

Matilda, presented by The Royal Shakespeare Company at the Shubert Theatre

Today, Boston Public Radio turned to the Boston Globe's Sarah Rodman and the guy behind our Curiosity Desk, Edgar B Herwick III, for some tips on new music worth digging into, from artists well-known and obscure. Here are a few of their favorites:

New Music Picks from Sarah Rodman, Boston Globe Pop Music and TV Critic:

"Someone Will" by Dawes, from "Stories Don't End"

What compels the devotees of to keep the old-time faith? How did the promise of discovery become a siren's call to men of science? What is it in Mussorgsky's compositions that inspires visual art? This week Jared Bowen talks with Morning Edition host Bob Seay about three new events around town that explore these questions through both extremely comedic and dramatic performance. 

The list of shows that tried out here in Boston before going to Broadway is pretty dazzling. Oklahoma, Carousel and Annie Get Your Gun to name a few. It still happens, but not as often as it could, say theatre producers. A group of local theater leaders are asking Beacon Hill to help make Broadway big business in Boston.

Another holiday, another "Five Favorites" post from the gang here at The Curiosity Desk. Here are a few of our favorite tunes that focus the spotlight on of the great archetypes of art, literature and music: The fool.  

"What A Fool Believes," by the Doobie Brothers
Only a fool would try to deny the light touch and infectious groove of the Doobies on this track.

“The Sleeping Beauty”

Presented by Boston Ballet at the Boston Opera House through April 7.

The one peril in Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen’s vivacious stewardship of his company is how deftly he’s immersed audiences in the ever-exciting realm of contemporary dance. It could give us all reason to look past chestnuts like “The Sleeping Beauty.” Do not. Boston Ballet’s Beauty is a masterpiece — a sumptuous production that heaves with emotional heft, enchants with gorgeous sets and costumes and most importantly captivates with stunning dance. Interestingly, it’s likely that the push Nissinen has given the company toward technically challenging contemporary dance has made its principal dancers and soloists so masterful at classical ballet.