Boston – Sunday, July 20

Arts
A real killer play
There’s been grumbling about the timing of Company One’s staging of “Assassins,” Stephen Sondheim’s creepy musical about people who have shot presidents.
 
 
Boston
ArtBeat cycles and recycles
Somerville Arts Council has always been about combining disparate elements for their outdoor ArtBeat festival. Program manager Rachel Strutt says the goal for this year’s program, “Green” is to “meld and celebrate” the arts culture and the biking culture, and maybe get people to think about the environment in the process.
Arts
Theater ‘As You Like It’
It’s hot, sticky, and most afternoons the sky looks like the end of the world.  Combine that with massive crowds, grass in your crotch, and some of the best literature known to man and you’ve got Shakespeare in the Park. This year’s three-week run of “As You Like It” promises to make you forget about the sweat building up behind your knees and provide breathtaking performances of one of the greatest love stories ever told.
 

Arts
Ready to slam, poetically, at least
PREVIEW. Poetry slams have always been about the sheer power of language, from the way that slam-mers refer to our region as the NorthBeast, to the phrase “poetry slam,” itself. But tonight it’s about to get even more intense, as poets compete in the second half of this year’s Regional Team Poetry Slam.

 

Books
A new kind of novel
Writer Steve Niles has a well-deserved reputation for some of the darkest comics and graphic novels around, including the Alaska-set vampire saga “30 Days of Night” and Rob Zombie collaboration “The Nail.” Now the 43-year-old L.A. resident is stepping outside his comfort zone with “The Lost Ones,” a graphic novel where — gasp — there’s hardly any bloodshed.
 
 
Comedy
C’mon, take a ride in this ‘Van’
Speaking with veteran comedian Michael Ian Black is a lot like reading the essays in his brand new book, “My Custom Van: And 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays that Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face,” (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, $23.95).  
Theater
Howard shines in New Rep’s O’Neil bio
REVIEW. If Congressman Tip O’Neil was even half as charming as the New Repertory Theatre’s world-premiere production of “According to Tip,” it’s easy to see how the North Cambridge native became Speaker of the House.
 
 
 
Theater
Assassination of character
INTERVIEW. Twenty-one years ago when WBZ-TV’s Liz Walker announced her pregnancy, being a high-profile, single-parent was big news. But the trailblazing anchor did a remarkable job of keeping her young son out of the headlines, until now. 
Theater
Freezing ‘COLE!’
REVIEW. The American Repertory Theatre has assembled its finest acting talent for their musical review “When It’s Hot It’s COLE.” Unfortunately, they’re actors, not singers.
 

Books
A new book series becomes pro-choice
Imagine: You are a 33-year-old actor with no job prospects, no girlfriend and no ambition. To make matters worse, lately,  you’ve been feeling like life is passing you by. But then one morning you get a call from some kidnappers...
 
Arts
Getting ‘Panties’ in a bunch
Books for a read hot summer
Gurnet’s ‘Self-Defense’ is absolute ‘Essential’ viewing
David Halberstam always made room for sports
Gurnet combine ‘Essential’ ingredients with new play
Jackie Collins’ book dynasty
Laughing all the way to the stage
‘King John’ shines
‘She Loves Me’ not
Comedian pens a new book, ‘Me of Little Faith’
Arts
A good review not in the cards for ‘Cardenio’
Bunker Hill student cooks up inspiration for Future Chefs
How the YouTube lecture sensation became a book
Unger delivers with third mystery novel
News in brief
Way Theatre hits a high ‘Water’ mark
‘Ennio!’ a good one-note joke
Lyric delivers play of great ‘Importance’
‘The Billionaire’s Vinegar’ uncorks a true wine mystery
Verbobala creates a political spectacle in verse and multimedia performance art
 



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