Press

Fringe in Focus: Four Shows of Resonance

Presented by Wilbury Theatre Group, The Providence Fringe Festival returns to the Valley Arts District this summer. Known for its dedication and commitment to new and eccentric work, FRINGEPVD is now celebrating an impressive 13th season! At a time when arts funding is scarce and the cultural landscape feels fraught, the festival arrives at the exact right moment—bursting with vital stories that tackle heavy topics, provide much-needed laughs, and explore...

Theater Review: Barker Playhouse's 'anthropology' gives you plenty to ponder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Artificial intelligence becomes a “character” in Lauren Gunderson’s intriguing play “anthropology,” now in well-crafted production by The Players at the Barker Playhouse.

A little eerie but very timely, the show is a thought-provoking suggestion about what AI might be able to do, for better or for worse. Yet, The Players’ production is performed like a slice of real life...

Five actors stage on stage in historical dresses stand prepared for battle, holding weapons

Review: YOU ON THE MOORS NOW at The Players at Barker Playhouse

Considering the periodic, seemingly countless remakes of such classic works like “Little Women,” “Pride and Prejudice,” and “Wuthering Heights,” the significance of women’s voices in the history of literature cannot be overstated. Jaclyn Backhaus’ remarkably original satire, ‘You On The Moors Now,’ now presented by The Players at Barker Playhouse, not only invites audiences to yet again revisit these timeless tales but asks us to imagine how these esteemed heroines would behave in society today....

Two actors stand face-to-face, with the woman's hand on the man's face.

Review: 'You On The Moors Now' is a Fast-Paced, Well-Staged War of the Sexes

"You On The Moors Now" has a unique premise: The female protagonists from four classic pieces of literature reject their suitors and take off on a quest of self-empowerment. Jane Eyre (Emma Dunlop) from "Jane Eyre," Elizabeth Bennet (Stephanie Rodger) from "Pride and Prejudice," Jo March (Tali Russell) from "Little Women," and Cathy Linton (Rosalynde Trammell) from "Wuthering Heights" break free from the expectations society has placed on them. A violent, well-staged battle ensues...

Nine actors perform an emotional scene on a stage.

And Another Thing; 'Much Ado About Nothing' at Idle Hands Collective (Idle Shakes)

Written at the turn of the 17th century, Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedies. For centuries, it has served as the perfect entry point for new fans thanks to its relatable humor, relationship drama, and heartwarming resolution. Set in scenic Italy, the play follows...

Review: ANTHROPOLOGY at The Players at Barker Playhouse

Despite the seemingly endless complications and headaches associated with technology, most of us will agree that it helps more than hinders and has made our lives easier, or at least more productive—until the recent arrival of Artificial intelligence (AI), which has reignited the debate. Lauren Gunderson’s fascinating play...

Four actors sit on stage in various positions, looking at a map on the floor

Untamed Heroines, Unwritten Rules

You On The Moors Now is a literary and theatrical eruption that tears through the narratives of 19th-century heroines with all the subtlety of a battle cry.

It is inspired by four 19th century novels: “Pride and Prejudice” [1813], “Wuthering Heights” [1847], “Jane Eyre” [1847], and “Little Women” [1868-69], “You on the Moors Now” by Jaclyn Backhaus.

“You on the Moors Now” is what happens when the Brontës, Jane Austen, and Louisa May Alcott go to a feminist rage room together and rewrite their own novels. The show gleefully detonates...