The Opposites Game
To inaugurate the Tufts University Dance Faculty Series, Nicole Pierce and her company EgoArt, Inc. present this one-act exploration of opposing states in four chapters: “Hot v. Cold,” “Agitated v. Tranquil,” “Tense v. Slack,” and “Together v. Alone.” Pictured: Mary McCarthy and Kathryn Dunkel Zeek. June 19-20. $22-$25. Tufts University’s Jackson Dance Lab, Medford.
www.brownpapertickets.com
KAREN CAMPBELL
AFTER ALL THE
TERRIBLE THINGS I DO An absorbing production of A. Rey Pamatmat’s talky but trenchant dramatization of a timely issue — the bullying of gay kids — that explores the corrosive nature of guilt and sheds light on what can be revealed, or concealed, by the stories we tell about our lives. Directed by Peter DuBois. Through June 21. Huntington Theatre Company at Wimberly Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts.
617-266-0800, www.huntington
theatre.org
SHINING CITY Last summer, shortly before Benedict Cumberbatch excited moviegoers with his portrayal of British computer pioneer and World War II code breaker Alan Turing in “The Imitation Game,’’ Mark H. Dold riveted theatergoers with an unforgettable performance as Turing in a production of Hugh Whitemore’s “Breaking the Code.’’ Memories of that portrayal are enough to whet the appetite for this production of Conor McPherson’s “Shining City,” where Dold will play Ian, a troubled therapist whose patient, a Dublin widower, insists he has seen the ghost of his wife, recently killed in a car crash. Directed by Christopher Innvar. June 18-July 11. Barrington Stage Company, St. Germain Stage, Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, Pittsfield. 413-236-8888; www.barringtonstageco.org
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SWEET AND SAD Gathered for dinner on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, a family navigates the intersection of the personal and the political in Richard Nelson’s deeply sensitive, subtext-rich play. A six-person cast shines under masterful direction by Weylin Symes. The mixture of social relevance, deeply personal stakes, and thoughtful questioning found here is more or less why we go to the theater. Through June 20. Production by Gloucester Stage Company in collaboration with Stoneham Theatre. At Gloucester Stage Company, Gloucester. 978-281-4433, www.gloucester
stage.com
MELANCHOLY PLAY:
A CHAMBER MUSICAL A farcical spirit pervades this new musical setting of Sarah Ruhl’s play, a frequently funny contemporary fable that boasts an assured ensemble performance. Ruhl coheres elements of magic realism, opera, and melodrama into something strange but ultimately comforting. Here, a vial of tears possesses transformational powers, and almonds are not what they seem. An onstage string quartet plays bittersweet, faintly melodic pieces that remain eminently pleasant. Through June 28. Trinity Repertory Company. At Dowling Theater, Providence. 401-351-4242, www.trinityrep.com
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Dance
THE TEAM This ensemble of visual and performing artists uses humor to explore a range of contemporary issues. This “Dancing in the Streets” presentation features “Business Casual,” which examines rites and rituals of women in the workplace, and “Mammals Dancing,” which explores the tactile relationship between skin and clothing. June 19, 8:30 p.m., Free. Conway Basketball Court (Somerville Ave. and Central Street), Somerville. 617-625-6600, www.somervillearts
council.org
LUMINARIUM
DANCE COMPANY To celebrate its progress over the past five years, including winning a Massachusetts Cultural Council 2015 Gold Star Award, the company is presenting a “5th Anniversary Gala & Showcase.” Anchored by troupe performances, the evening also includes food from local establishments, a cash bar, a raffle, and auctions. June 21, 5-8 p.m., $20-$30. Center for the Arts at the Armory, Somerville. 617-477-4494,
www.luminariumdance.org
DARK SHADOWS:
BRIGHT LIGHTS Penumbra:Movement presents two concerts of new choreography by Wisty Andres, Eugenia Kim, and Mai Telesford. Programs range from improv and contemporary to jazz funk and include a suite of dances inspired by 1950s movie musicals. The first concert also includes the children’s hip-hop troupe Move and Inspire. June 20, 6 and
8 p.m., $12-$15. Green Street Studios, Cambridge. 617-864-3191, www.penumbrarme.org
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Galleries
THE BOSTON SCHOOL
TRADITION: TRUTH, BEAUTY, AND TIMELESS CRAFT
From the 1870s to the 1920s, Boston School painters blended Impressionist and Barbizon techniques with an old master approach to figuration. On view, more than 60 works by artists such as Frank Benson and Edmund Tarbell.
Through July 18.Vose Galleries, 238 Newbury St. 617-536-6176, www.vose
galleries.com
ABOVE THE FOLD:
ALUMNI WORKS IN DESIGN
Samples of innovative designs in architecture, industrial design, illustration, fashion, and more include cooking and garden tools, skateboards, snazzy logos, and eco-friendly water bottles. Through July 11. Sandra and David Bakalar Gallery, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, 621 Huntington Ave. 617-879-7333, www.massart.edu
DRAWING & SPARRING
The Club by George Foreman III welcomed local artists to make life drawings of boxers in the ring. The results range from fleeting sketches to more finished paintings, along with photos and video. Through July 3. Fort Point Arts Community Gallery,
300 Summer St. 617-423-4299, www.fortpointarts.org
Museums
VAN GOGH AND NATURE The great Dutch artist’s passionate investigations into the natural world are the subject of this ambitious show, featuring 40 paintings and 10 drawings. Through Sept.13. Clark Art Institute.
413-458-2303, www.clarkart.edu
ARLENE SHECHET:
ALL AT ONCE The first museum survey of the celebrated sculptor, who works primarily in clay and was recently an artist in residence at the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Through Sept. 7. Institute of Contemporary Art. 617-478-3100, www.icaboston.org
JIM SHAW:
ENTERTAINING DOUBTS A wide range of work by the superb Los Angeles-based artist, emphasizing his interest in fallen heroes, disgraced political figures and broken economies. The show is centered on new work utilizing old theatrical backdrops, but includes much more. Through January 2016. Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, North Adams. 413-662-2111, www.massmoca.org
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BYZANTIUM TO RUSSIA:
THE ORIGINS AND
DEVELOPMENT OF RUSSIAN ICONS 1200 TO 1900 Rare icons and artifacts from the British Museum feature in this show that traces the development of sacred art in Byzantium and Russia. Includes two famous 14th-century icons – “Saint John the Baptist” and “Saint George and the Dragon” – never previously sent to a US museum. Through Sept. 12. Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton. 978-598-5000, www.museumofrussian
icons.org
Eric Zener & Marc Harrold
Here’s your giddy, spacious, lolling-in-the-sun summer show. Zener’s hyperrealist paintings depict idealized, glimmering scenes of swimmers and water. Harrold pares down his color photos to small silhouettes moving along bleached, expansive shorelines – the iconic beach. Pictured: Zener’s “Deep Angel II”, Through July 11. Lanoue Gallery, 450 Harrison Ave.
617-262-4400, www.lanouefineart.com
Don Aucoin can be reached at aucoin@globe.com.