“SIMPLY NOT TO BE MISSED”
— Chicago Tribune
Life & Times of Michael K Media Partner
Intricate marionettes come alive to depict the trials and tribulations faced by Michael K and his mother as they seek to escape political turmoil.
Life & Times of Michael K is the celebrated adaptation of J.M. Coetzee’s award-winning novel from South Africa’s Baxter Theatre. Through Handspring Puppet Company’s inventive, stunning creations, the incredible, poignant journey of Michael K is brought to life in ways that have made critics and audiences alike call this show an absolute must-see.
This hauntingly beautiful story follows Michael K, a simple man who embarks on a journey through South Africa, ravaged by civil war, to return his mother to die on the farm where she was born. He finds strength in his own humanity, his profound connection to the earth, and his unique path, which, as it unfolds, reveals to him his reason for living.
Info
Venue
Emerson Paramount Center, Robert J. Orchard Stage
559 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111
Dates
Jan 31, 2025 - Feb 09, 2025
Post-Show Talk Back
Join us for a conversation with guest speakers following the performance on FEB 1 @ 8PM
Tickets
Tickets
Artists
Company
A Baxter Theatre Centre and Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus
The Baxter Theatre Centre is a vibrant, multicultural entertainment hub in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. Nestled under the striking Devil’s Peak mountain and at the foot of the University of Cape Town, the Baxter boasts a world-class theatre and concert hall, as well as a studio stage, rehearsal rooms, offices, a restaurant and bars and an impressive spacious foyer.
Built in 1976, the Baxter was a pillar of hope during the apartheid era. By leveraging its strong relationship with UCT, the theatre was able to present multiracial, progressive work at a time when all other non-racial interactivity was banned or censored. The first interracial kiss ever on a South African stage took place during the Baxter’s first production of Miss Julie in 1985, while today our version of Mies Julie storms theatres all around the world.
Adapted and directed by
Lara Foot
In collaboration with
Handspring Puppet Company
Gallery
Photo Credit: Fiona McPherson
Buzz
Related Events
Jan 22-Feb 15 2025
Play Reading Book Club:
Life & Times of Michael K
Expand your theater experience through group dialogue and behind the scenes access to Life & Times of Michael K. Over the course of four weeks, we will read the play out loud, discuss the context, see the live performance, and be treated to a private reception with a creative producer for this production at ArtsEmerson.
Registration is free!
JAN 23, 2025
The Point: Pulling at the Strings
At ArtsEmerson, the art is the provocation; conversation is the point. The Point is a conversation series that invites audiences to explore big questions in intimate settings. Hosted by a member of the ArtsEmerson team, local and national luminaries will offer their points of view on the urgent questions surfaced by the artists on our stages.
Free Event!
FEB 1, 2025 @ 8PM
Post-show Talk-Back
For Talk Back performances, immediately after the conclusion of the show, a moderator and special guests will talk about the production and field questions from the audience as well. Free for all ticket holders!
JAN 31—FEB 09, 2025
Read the Michael K Program booklet during the show.
— The Boston Globe
“A moving odyssey”
— WBUR
— Boston Arts Diary
“ArtsEmerson’s Latest Must-See Marvel….’Must see’ hardly does it justice; this is a groundbreaking pilgrimage into the multisensorial world of out-of-the-box theater….It’s hard to describe the enchantment of such artistry and skill.”
— Theater Mirror
“A search for meaning brought to glorious life by a puppet…The marvel of Michael K’s story is that he finds beauty and contentment in the midst of tragedy, oppression, and injustice.”
— Stage & Cinema
★★★★★
“Gripping, heart-rending
and perfectly-crafted.”
— The Scotsman
“Extraordinary… dreamlike quality… beautiful… and yearning for purpose”
— THE NEW YORKER
“Everything that theater should be.”
— THE DAILY BEAST
February 4, 2025
Critics Are Raving About Life & Times of Michael K!
After a number of successful performances and being lauded by the New York Times as a "marvel to watch," Life & Times of Michael K landed in Boston on January 31 and...
Read MoreJanuary 27, 2025
A Note From Ronee Penoi on Life & Times of Michael K
ArtsEmerson is thrilled to welcome you back to the theater for Life & Times of Michael K. Based on J.M. Coetzee’s award-winning novel of the same name, this gorgeous piece follows a...
Read MoreJanuary 23, 2025
Meet the Cast of Life & Times of Michael K
Adapted by Lara Foot, Life & Times of Michael K has received multiple accolades and the Scotsman Fringe First Award. The performance is comprised of the cast, crew creative team...
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Puppetry in Life & Times of Michael K
The art form of puppetry can evoke feelings of childhood, causing us to imagine childhood stories coming to life through small figures. But in the theatre, puppetry has been utilized...
Read MoreJanuary 9, 2025
Deep Dive into the Life & Times of Michael K with PRBC!
Whether you're a theater buff or someone who's never set foot in a playhouse, ArtsEmerson's Play Reading Book Club invites you to explore scripts, share insights, and connect with fellow...
Read MoreJanuary 9, 2025
Life & Times of Michael K Production Photos
Life & Times of Michael K will take the stage at the Paramount Center this January. This Baxter Theatre adaptation of J.M. Coetzee's novel features puppets created by the Handspring...
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What’s On in 2025?
The first half of our 24/25 Season has been a huge success with interactive theater, dance performances, and multimedia productions. The second half of the season, beginning in January 2025,...
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The 3 Day Sale is Back
ArtsEmerson's annual 3 Day Sale is back from Tuesday, December 10 through Thursday, December 12, giving you the chance to enjoy the biggest savings for our 2025 shows! For the next...
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