In an intimate portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt, the most consequential First Lady in American history, audiences have a front row seat to her reflections on love, loss, politics, and purpose. Multiple Elliot Norton Award winner Paula Plum (Breaking the Code) returns for this one woman show where Eleanor revisits her marriage to Franklin, her activism, and her role in shaping modern human rights. Eleanor, praised by the Wall Street Journal as, “A great show, period”, blends warmth, wit, and candor, revealing a complex public figure whose private doubts and convictions illuminate an enduring and lasting legacy of courage, empathy, and service.
ELEANOR
by Mark St. Germain
directed by Bryn Boice
starring Paula Plum
September 10 – October 4, 2026
Meet Alex and his friend, Dr. Irene Pepperberg. Alex is an African Grey parrot. Irene is a researcher at Harvard University. Over the protests of her male colleagues, Irene teaches Alex to meaningfully communicate and solve problems at the level of a five-year-old child. This highly theatrical new work tracks their 30-year research experiment turned love story and asks: in a world where we are rapidly destroying animal habitats, just who exactly are we sharing our planet with? From the award-winning writer of Paradise.
Originally commissioned and developed by The Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science & Technology Project.
Inspired by the life story of Irene Pepperberg and Alex
directed by Cassie Chapados
March 14 – April 14, 2024 A Catalyst Collaborative@MIT Production
Tags: Anthony Pires, Jr., Sherée Marcelle, and Diego Cintrón in Central Square Theater and Front Porch Arts Collective’s production of “next to normal”. Photo: Maggie Hall.
Dad’s an architect. Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal. Their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens. A typical American family. Except Mom’s been battling bipolar disorder for 16 years. With Front Porch Arts Collective (Ain’t Misbehavin), we bring you the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning, energetic pop-rock musical through the lens of a Black upper middle class family. Experience this emotional powerhouse at the intersection of mental health and race, gender and class.
Watch videos about The Front Porch and next to normal!
next to normal
Music by Tom Kitt
Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Directed by Pascale Florestal EXTENDED! May 30 – June 30, 2024 Co-produced with The Front Porch Arts Collective
Artificial Intelligence is here. There’s no turning back. “Arnold” (named after the Terminator) is a nursing application created by wunderkind computer scientist Jorge to provide personalized treatment to Gabriel, his estranged and ailing father. As Arnold’s learning increases and Gabriel’s health deteriorates, Jorge must confront his responsibility as a son and accountability as a creator. Full disclosure: This play description is 100% human content.
MACHINE LEARNING by Francisco Mendoza
Directed by Gabriel Vega Weissman
January 25 – February 25. 2024
Produced in partnership with Teatro Chelsea
A Catalyst Collaborative@MIT Production
On a dark and stormy night, sweethearts Brad and Janet suffer a blowout. Dammit (Janet). Without a spare they enter (at their own risk) the eerie mansion of the dangerously charming Dr. Frank-N-Furter who seduces them with his B-movie horror film wonderland complete with a motley crew. Do the time warp (again). Be hypnotized by this hedonistic rock-n-roll promenade through gender, sexuality, and identity, and learn what it means to be from the planet Transsexual.
Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Book, Music, & Lyrics by Richard O’Brien
Directed by Jo Michael Rezes & Lee Mikeska Gardner
Extended through December 3, 2023
Anthony Pires, Jr., Sherée Marcelle, and Diego Cintrón in Central Square Theater and Front Porch Arts Collective’s production of “next to normal”. Photo: Maggie Hall.
Armando Rivera. Photo: Nile Scott Studios.
