ArtsEmerson: The World On Stage — it sounds epic, and for its premier weekend, September 23-26, the new performance series programmed by Emerson College is offering a taste of everything its got. That means free tours of The Paramount Center, Emerson’s newly restored, art deco movie palace in downtown crossing; film screenings and live performances large and small.
Two full-length main stage productions will open at the Paramount: "Fraulein Maria," a dance parody of the Sound of Music, and "The Laramie Residency," a staging of the documentary theater piece about the notorious murder of Matthew Shepard, and of a new, follow-up piece, "The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later."
The main stage and black box space at the Paramount will also host "Paramount pop-ups," a series of new 10-minute plays by accomplished local playwrights including Ronan Noone and John Kutz.
Meanwhile, the Paramount’s screening rooms with be humming. Offerings will include "The Sound of Music;" "Shanghai Express," the Marlene Dietrich vehicle that was the first film shown at the theater’s original opening in 1932, and "Vitaphone Varieties" a sampling of vintage vaudeville-esque shorts from the same era.
These events will take place in repertory throughout the weekend and beyond. Prices vary and some events are free but require tickets. Complete scheduling and pricing information can be found at artsemerson.org.