September 11, 2024 | Theatre,

ArtsEmerson Season Openers

ArtsEmerson is just a few days away from opening the first show of our 24/25 season, Fight Night, coming to Boston from Belgium’s celebrated theater company, Ontroerend Goed. To welcome in the first show of the main season, here is a look back at the other performances that kicked off our past seasons: 

23/24: We Are The Land from the Wampanoag Nation opened the 23/24 Season to audiences in a sold-out Cutler Majestic Theatre. This performance, which was part play and part pageant, gave audiences a chance to hear directly from one of Massachusetts’s oldest indigenous nations, as they told the story of their relationship to the soil, how it was taken away, and how the nation has re-established themselves in a way that both honors their ancestors and looks toward the future.

22/23: This season opened with the triumphant return of Step Afrika! with their performance of Drumfolk, a lively and inspiring dance and percussion piece inspired by the Stono Rebellon of 1739 and Negro Act of 1740. The show incorporated rhythmic movement, drumming, and spoken word to depict how movement and sound can evolve into acts of of both expression and resistance in the midst of oppression. 

21/22: In October 2021, fan favorites The 7 Fingers returned to ArtsEmerson with a free, on-demand streamed performance of Out of Order! This dark comedy, set in a dystopian future, provided views with a sharp critique on contemporary social issues, while remaining entertaining, satirical, and engaging – exciting remote audiences from around the country! 

20/21: In the midst of the global pandemic, ArtsEmerson’s 20/21 season opened in an exciting and unique way, with an interactive digital performance of State Vs. Natasha Banina. This innovative performance allowed audiences to participate live over Zoom, with the show delivering an emotional experience for all viewers – truly highlighting the power art has, especially in difficult times.

19/20: The 7 Fingers kicked off the 19/20 season with the hit-show Passengers, a captivating blend of theater and circus arts that delved into the emotional and physical journey of a group of travelers. Through acrobatics, dance, and music, the famed circus troupe exquisitely illustrated beauty and complexity of human connection. 

18/19: Bush Moukarzel’s Hamnet, a solo performance performed first by Ollie West and then Aran Murphy, opened the 18/19 season. This show brought to life the story of Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet, a young boy who never knew his famous father. The minimalist set and haunting sounds resulted in an emotional, riveting, and memorable opener. 

17/18: Audiences were left stunned and excited by 17/18 opener, Reversible, another impressive acrobatic feat by Canada’s famed circus group The 7 Fingers. This masterful performance explored the concept of time and identity and was directly inspired by the performers’ own family histories.

16/17: Created by Boston’s Cerise Lim Jacobs, Ouroboros was a cycle of three grand operas including the 2011 Pulitzer Prize-winning Madame White Snake, along with two World Premieres, Gilgamesh and Naga. Together, this epic cycle explored themes of life, death and rebirth, with each opera as a fully realized production, separately created by three living composers, all featuring librettos by Cerise Lim Jacobs.

15/16: The 15/16 season opened with the high-energy and high-tech musical adventure Ernest Shackleton Loves Me. This quirky and fun show, complete with original songs, was about a single mom who is contacted across time by legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton. Together, they travel on an Antarctic quest and conquer new horizons while creating a time-traveling love affair for the ages.

14/15: The 7 Fingers’ Traces opened the 14/15 season at the historic Cutler Majestic Theatre. This urban circus combined high-energy acrobatics with personal storytelling, live video projections, and a dynamic soundtrack, creating a truly visceral experience for audiences.

13/14: Columbinus, a powerful drama by Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli and inspired by the events that lead up the the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre opened ArtsEmerson 13/14 season. This play used a combination of documentary interviews and fictionalized scenes to delve into the lives of the students who were involved, and societal factors that contributed to the tragedy. 

12/13: Paris Commune was a a vibrant and rousing musical that brought to life the revolutionary spirit of the Paris Commune of 1871. This exciting historical narrative was delivered by an ensemble cast who sang and dance their way through the complex history of the Commune. 

11/12: How Much Is Enough: Our Values In Question was an interactive, thought-provoking theatrical experience that encouraged audiences to join discussions about values The production, created by directors Moisés Kaufman and Barbara Pitts McAdams, utilized live performances and interaction to explore the often contradictory values within the world that shape our lives. Like the 24/25 season opener, Fight Night, audience members took part in the outcome of the production!

10/11: ArtsEmerson’s inaugural season opened with Fraulein Maria, a dance-theater production that offered a new twist on the “The Sound of Music.” Created by choreographer Doug Elkins, this show featured a diverse cast of dancers, bringing a fresh energy to the classic story. The production’s innovative choreography blended ballet, modern dance, and even hip-hop for a joyful and uplifting experience

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These season openers have left a mark on ArtsEmerson’s production history, reflecting the organization’s commitment to bringing bold, audience engaged theatre. Don’t miss your chance to witness the latest season opener at ArtsEmerson, Fight Night, which runs for a limited time at the Emerson Paramount Center from September 20-21! Have you seen any of the past openers? Let us know in the comments!