Bursting with the sounds of R&B and gospel, Best of Both Worlds is a soulful re-envisioning of The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare’s timeless story of heartbreak and redemption. Clap your hands, jump out of your seat, and feel the power of love with this holiday treat for all ages.
Best of Both Worlds takes us on a journey through the rich musical tapestry of R&B, rediscovering Shakespeare’s characters with smooth sounds and funky beats. When jealousy rips apart love and friendship, only the revelatory power of gospel can restore the enduring bonds of faith, family, and forgiveness.
The production will feature a rotating roster of Boston’s most celebrated gospel choirs, including community, university, and church choirs from throughout the city.
Artistic Director Diane Paulus on Best of Both Worlds
Best of Both Worlds cast members give a special holiday performance at Macy's!
"(Best of Both Worlds) will astound you with its soulful sounds and brilliantly accessible, edge-of-your-seat storytelling. This production's going to have you jumping for joy....An experience you don't want to miss." -Boston Metro
From the clamorous arrival of some ghetto hot wheels to a scorching gospel finale, Best of Both Worlds warms up The Winter's Tale.
Boston Globe review of Best of Both Worlds: "This gospel and R&B adaptation of “The Winter’s Tale’’ is a rousing testament to the power of song to illuminate every corner of the human heart."
"Imagine Shakespeare crossed with Dream Girls. Now turn up the heat a notch: that's what we have here..." - EDGE Boston
"Maybe it's also true that behind every great woman, there's a man." - Wicked Local
"William Shakespeare would have rolled over in his grave if he had heard last night's performance of Best of Both Worlds at the A.R.T.- but only to get his ear closer to the magnificent sound!" - Boston Theater Review
| CAST | |
| Ezekiel | Gregg Baker |
| Serena/Daughter of Joy | Jeannette Bayardelle |
| Violetta/Daughter of Joy | Mary Bond Davis |
| Mamillius | Sebastien Lucien |
| Rain | Brianna Horne |
| Camillo/The Bear | Nikkieli DeMone |
| 8-Ball/Tariq | Lawrence Stallings |
| Sweet Daddy/Narrator | Cleavant Derricks |
| Maurice | Darius de Haas |
| MUSICIANS | |
| Keyboard | Michael Mitchell |
| Guitar | James Peterson |
| Fred Woodard | |
| Bass | Wesley Wirth |
| Drums | Yoron Israel |
| CREDITS | |
| Scenic Design | Riccardo Hernandez |
| Costume Design | Emilio Sosa |
| Lighting Design | Aaron Black |
| Sound Design | Brett Jarvis |
| Music Director | Michael Mitchell |
| Associate Music Director/Choir Coordinator | David Freeman Coleman |
| Movement | Tracy Jack |
| Line Producers | Ariane Barbanell |
| Chris De Camillis | |
| Dramaturgs | Ryan McKittrick |
| Beck Holden | |
| Assistant Dramaturgs | Laura Henry |
| Joe Pindelski | |
| Assistant Directors | Allegra Libonati |
| Laura Savia | |
| Stage Manager | Katherine Shea |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Amanda Robbins-Butcher |
| Casting | Stephen Kopel |
| Music Copyist | Kevin Massey |
| Dialogue Coach | May Nazareno |
| Associate Sound Designer | Justin Stasiw |
| PRODUCTION | |
| Carpenters | Dan Black |
| Alan Boyer | |
| Tom Ibbitson | |
| George Kane | |
| Andrew Remillard | |
| Audio Engineers | Clive Goodwin |
| Jason Van Sleet | |
| Properties Intern | Katie Flemming |
| Assistant Charge Artist | Kristin Knutson |
| Audio Associates | Doug Mullen |
| Alexis Rodriguez-Carlson | |
| Scenic Painter | Katie Richmond |
| Wigmaster | Rachel Padula Shufelt |
Director's Note by Diane Paulus
A.R.T. Dramaturg Ryan McKittrick speaks with Diedre Murray, Composer of Best of Both Worlds.
Laura Henry interviews Best of Both Worlds composer Diedre Murray
Beck Holden discusses adaptations of The Winter's Tale
A.R.T. Dramaturg Ryan McKittrick interviews Diane Paulus and Randy Weiner about The Donkey Show and Best of Both Worlds
Artistic Director Diane Paulus introduces the Shakespeare Exploded! festival
Several of us from the A.R.T. trekked down to the big apple yesterday for the presentation at the end of a one-week workshop kindly hosted by the folks at The Public Theater.
10% off lunch and dinner, kid's dessert free with ticket stub
1 free Cookie Platter with all catering orders and $2 off a purchase of any 2 pitas
15% off dine in or take out with a ticket or ticket stub
$5 off with a minimum purchase of $20 or more.
Please note that the A.R.T. reserves the right to edit or remove comments that are "spoilers" or are otherwise inappropriate.
Comments
Comments
Wonderful Show
Words cannot express how much I enjoyed this show. The writing was so clever, the performers so powerful, the music so thrilling. My only quibble was the direction which at times didn't live up to power of story. But what a great night at the theater!
Unbelievable!
Last night's performance was unbelievable. I have never been in a theater with that much energy.
Great Show!
My family and I loved it. Most enjoyable show we've seen in years!
Best of Both World's
The Loeb is such an intimate and wonderful experience each time we have attended. Best of Both World's was thought provoking, timely and entertaining. The cast was outstanding, and the music uplifting and energetic... we were busting to jump into the aisle and start dancing during some of the numbers... Thank you for bringing exceptional writing, directing and performing to A.R.T.!
Fishy
I think that if many of these comments were put through one of those writing analysis programs, we'd find that plenty of them are being written by the same person. "How does Diane Paulus find these people?" "Will it win a Tony anytime soon?" "The program said she wrote AND directed this show. Can she act too?" Like, it's a joke, right? Hey, ART: you are in an uber-educated, uber-intelligent American enclave. That fact has helped to grow you and, frankly, define the kind of work you've done for years. You are dumbing it down lately. The Donkey Show, you serious? Best of Both Worlds: high school material. We're hoping this populist streak from you guys is short-lived.
What are your bona fides?
Are you a professor? Are you a student? What does "uber-intelligent" mean? is it possible the intelligence of these shows is beyond the capacity of your mid-level. simplistic, spoon-fed mind?
Incredibly wonderful!
My two favorite shows in the past 10 years, BEST OF BOTH WORLDS and THE DONKEY SHOW. What's the connection? I noticed some guy named Randy Weiner is responsible for both. Who is he? Is he Boston based? How does Diane Paulus find these people?
The Best!
Long story short - GREAT SHOW! Will it win a Tony anytime soon? I can't say, but the cast & the music was absolutely wonderful. Jeannette Bayardelle is worth the price of admission. Her voice is pure gold! She sings with such passion and control! Gregg Baker, Nikkieli DeMone, Lawrence Stallings, Darius de Haas, Bianna Horne, the infamous Mary Bond Davis, and youngster Sebastian Lucien are simply amazing. I am usually a reserved man, but the choir had me on my feet unabashedly rejoicing during the last scene! The choir directress' enthusiasm is infectious. I highly recommend this show. I've purchased another ticket for this weekend!!
Best of Both Worlds Was Just That!
What a wonderful blend of incorporating contemporary gospel and r&b to Shakespeare. Brought a new associate from out of state and she was as floored as was I. I can't for the life of me understand why that show was not packed to the gills! If you don't make an effort to see it before it ends, you'll have missed a superb show with an incredible cast. MAKE TIME IN YOUR SCHEDULE TO SEE THIS ONE! Give yourself a Christmas gift and buy a ticket! You won't be disappointed. -- p.s. ART put more bathrooms in the place will ya! BTW one get through the ladies room, the second half of the show has already started. That's the most annoying thing of this ART place.
Diane Paulus is a GENIUS!
The program says she wrote AND directed this show, Can she act, too? She's unbelievable. The show was wonderful. The best thing I've seen at ART in years!