Writing — Juan A. Ramirez

FAKE FRIENDS Don't Let Fake Friends Make Bad Theatre

An in-depth conversation with Fake Friends, the group behind the new digital hit Circle Jerk.

TheatreJuan A. RamirezJanuary 13, 2021theatrely, circle jerk, fake friends, michael breslin, patrick foley, rory pelsue, cat rodriguez, gaymen island, lord baby bussy, ariel sibert

Review: "Borders & Crossings" at Under the Radar

An excellent group of poems and dramatic scenes about forced migration wants to break free of its Zoom box.

Review, TheatreJuan A. RamirezJanuary 8, 2021review, exeunt, under the radar, public theater, inua ellams, borders & crossings, Mylène Gomera, Sopè Dirisu, Fuck Borders, Fuck Border Guards, Dolphins, Icarus, barber shop chronicles

Review: "Espíritu" at Under the Radar

The Public Theater presents a “Marxist Lynchian nightmare” from Chilean company Teatro Anónimo that meets the anxieties of our time.

Theatre, ReviewJuan A. RamirezJanuary 7, 2021espiritu, exeunt, review, under the radar, public theater, teatro anonimo, trinidad gonzalez, tomas gonzalez, matteo citarella

Review: "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Despite lacking a certain oomph in the portrayal of its iconic titular character, Wolfe’s adaptation is a lowkey, low-stakes affair with excellent performances and captivating tension.

Film, ReviewJuan A. RamirezJanuary 3, 2021ma rainey, ma rainey's black bottom, george c. wolfe, chadwick boseman, black panther, colman domingo, august wilson, fences, denzel washington, pittsburgh cycle, film, review, dig

Review: CHONBURI is a Welcomed Oasis on Audible

I’m sure an Audible production was not what Shakina Nayfack had envisioned for this work, but it has inadvertently blossomed into what might be its ideal form.

Staff Pick: Images of 2020

My picks for best moving image works of 2020: I May Destroy You and Circle Jerk

FilmJuan A. RamirezDecember 18, 2020circle jerk, i may destroy you, micaela coel, hbo, stream, livestream, digboston, review, film, theatre, list, staff pick

Review: Audible’s ANIMALS Need To Be Tamed

Not since Shakespeare began Romeo and Juliet by declaring their love fatal have onstage pairings been so clearly doomed.

Theatre, ReviewJuan A. RamirezDecember 18, 2020audible, theatrely, theatre, review, animals, jason butler harner, aja naomi king, william jackson harper, stacy osei-kuffour, whitney white, madeline brewer, williamstown, williamstown theatre festival

Review: PHOTOGRAPH 51 is Better Heard Than Seen on Audible

If, in terms of cohesion, the play fares better as an audio production […] it is because the work itself is only a few lectures away from being a podcast.

Review: Audible's STREETCAR Stops Just Short of Desire

Lacking the raw, visible sexuality that drives most productions, what we get here feels closer to a wickedly fun tea with some exasperated Southern ladies and the men with whom they surround themselves.

Review: "A Christmas Carol" Like You Have Never Seen Before

So, who is this for? Well, this one’s for goodwill and charity, as proceeds from the stream will benefit dozens of regional theatres nationwide that have seen their year reduced to near-ashes.