CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK

Why has ‘Messiah’ been so popular for nearly 300 years?

The oratorio is ubiquitous — and while it’s associated with Christmas, the music has proven to transcend faiths. 4:06 p.m.

STAGE REVIEW

Alone together in a new world

At the Huntington, Lloyd Suh’s ‘The Heart Sellers’ illuminates the assimilation experience of two Asian immigrants in 1970s America. 3:57 p.m.

Odie Henderson review | ★

In John Woo’s ‘Silent Night,’ all is neither calm nor bright

Joel Kinnaman plays a grieving father on a vengeful journey. 2:20 p.m.

In his chaotic live shows, Eric Andre detonates a comedy ‘explosion’

The Adult Swim star, who cut his teeth in Boston clubs during his student days, aims to create "the most dangerous comedy show I think that’s ever been." He comes to the House of Blues Tuesday. 1:55 p.m.

CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK

‘The Last Detail’: How Hal Ashby’s 1973 Navy movie gave me a portal into my Pops’ past

The film starring Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, and Randy Quaid turns 50 this year. 1:27 p.m.

APPRECIATION

With his rebel spirit, Shane MacGowan fought ‘to make Irish music hip’

For all his troubles, MacGowan was a true poet at heart, and a fierce believer in faith. 12:56 p.m.

Jeremy Strong cast as Roy Cohn in new Trump biopic ‘The Apprentice’

The Boston actor and "Succession" star joins Sebastian Stan, who will play a younger version of the former president. 12:00 p.m.

With ‘Phoenix,’ jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin soars to a new realm

Lakecia Benjamin recorded her new album after recovering from a near-fatal 2021 auto accident. It recently earned the saxophonist three Grammy nominations. 10:56 a.m.

Frances Sternhagen, Tony Award-winning actor who was familiar maternal face on TV, dies at 93

The veteran character actor won two Tony Awards and appeared in shows such as “Cheers,” “ER” and “Sex and the City." 8:03 a.m.

STORY BEHIND THE BOOK

Writing the book she ‘didn’t want to write,’ Amanda Peters tells ‘a story for the collective history of Indigenous people’

The author of "The Berry Pickers" found the spark for her novel in her father’s memories. 8:00 a.m.

Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan dies at age 65

Mr. MacGowan was the singer-songwriter and frontman of The Pogues, best known for their ballad “Fairytale of New York.” 7:25 a.m.

Books

A dozen thrilling new page-turners to give you goosebumps this winter

With New England-based authors and/or plots, these 2023 releases and new-in-paperback titles enthrall. 5:38 p.m.

STAGE REVIEW

‘Chicago’ holds up a mirror to its times, and to ours

A mordant, ink-dark sendup of celebrity culture, a corrupt legal system, tabloid journalism, and showbiz, “Chicago,” now at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, remains a warhorse with bite. 5:37 p.m.