Arts - The Boston Globe

These recent titles deliver juicy plots that will keep you reading.

Books

A dozen thrilling new page-turners to give you goosebumps this winter

With New England-based authors and/or plots, these 2023 releases and new-in-paperback titles enthrall.

STAGE REVIEW
‘Chicago’ holds up a mirror to its times, and to ours
A mordant, ink-dark sendup of celebrity culture, a corrupt legal system, tabloid journalism, and showbiz, “Chicago,” now at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, remains a warhorse with bite.

Publishers for Palestine organizes global reading event
#ReadPalestine runs from Nov. 29 - Dec 5, offers free e-books, discussion panels

Six ‘Spinal Tap’ moments to savor before the sequel
‘Spinal Tap II’ isn’t set to start shooting until February, but that shouldn’t stop groupies from revisiting the original now.

Eddie Murphy in Amazon's "Candy Cane Lane."

HOLIDAY ARTS PREVIEW

10 TV specials for some merry holiday viewing

Eddie Murphy, Barry Manilow, Hannah Waddingham, and enough '80s divas to fill a sleigh are channeling the season.

From Mike Birbiglia, a generous helping of ‘Christmas Parmesan’For organists, Boston is a city of (pipe) dreamsTree lightings, holiday markets, and more family-friendly events for 202310 pop concerts that are beginning to look a lot like ChristmasJazz pianist Christian Sands loves a good Christmas story

Besides writing and singing the songs, Valerie Forgione played most of the instruments on Lovina Falls' “Calculating the Angle of Our Descent."

Long absent from the concert stage, Mistle Thrush’s Valerie Forgione returns with a new identity and sound

She'll debut Lovina Falls, her new project, at the Rockwell in Somerville on Saturday.

"Black Nativity" runs Dec. 1-17 at the Emerson Paramount Center's Robert J. Orchard Stage.

THE TICKET

Things to do around Boston this weekend and beyond

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are a few recommendations from Globe writers and critics, covering music, theater, comedy, museums, family events, and more.

From left: Busy Philipps, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sara Bareilles, and Paula Pell in "Girls5eva."

‘Girls5eva’ fan club may grow after show’s revival on Netflix

Filming of the third season wrapped before the WGA and SAG-AFTA strikes, and star Sara Bareilles recently told The Wrap that she’s hoping for an early 2024 premiere.

Josh Andrés Rivera attended "The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes" in Hollywood earlier this month. The actor will play Aaron Hernandez in the upcoming series "American Sports Story."

‘American Sports Story’ cast shapes up for Aaron Hernandez FX series

Josh Andrés Rivera talked with Interview Magazine about beefing up for his leading role, while Jake Cannavale has been cast as Hernandez’s love interest.

Sam Wasson, author of a new biography of Francis Ford Copppola, “The Path to Paradise."

BIBLIOPHILES

Sam Wasson, author of new Francis Ford Coppola biography, likes a good doorstopper

But don’t ask him to read "Buddenbrooks."

A still from the film "This Is Spinal Tap." Director Rob Reiner has teased details around an upcoming sequel set to begin filming in February.

Rob Reiner teases details of ‘Spinal Tap’ sequel

An upcoming sequel to the 1984 documentary parody “This Is Spinal Tap” is scheduled to shoot in late February and will feature Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Garth Brooks, among other stars.

Documentaries

Photographer Evgeniy Maloletka picks his way through the aftermath of a Russian attack in Mariupol, Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022. Still from "Frontline" PBS and AP’s feature film "20 Days in Mariupol."

‘20 Days in Mariupol’ captures the devastating early days of the war in Ukraine

AP journalist and filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov’s early 2022 footage is the basis of a new documentary on PBS.

Pastor Seungeun Kim, left, and Soyeon Lee are featured in the documentary "Beyond Utopia," which traces the journeys of North Korean defectors.

‘Beyond Utopia’: a documentary that takes viewers on an escape from North Korea

The film, which has collected a variety of festival awards this year, screens Saturday at the Brattle as part of the GlobeDocs Film Festival.

Fifteen documentary features and 13 shorts make up this year’s GlobeDocs Film Festival, now in its ninth year.

‘Journalistic eye’ guides GlobeDocs Film Festival, now in its ninth year

This year’s slate includes true stories of Black space pioneers, victims of deepfake porn, and the first female Episcopal priests. Plus: Errol Morris’s portrait of a certain British spy novelist.

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MORE RECENT ARTS HEADLINES

BOOK REVIEW

Louise Kennedy, author of the short story collection “The End of the World Is a Cul de Sac.”

Louise Kennedy, in ‘The End of the World Is a Cul de Sac,’ populates her stories with wit, grit, and heartbreak

The acclaimed Irish author’s debut story collection explores the roles of men and women in their complicated, troubled lives. 8:00 a.m.

BOOK REVIEW

Andrew Pettegree looks at ways in which books have been weaponized in ‘The Book at War’

A new history reveals functions of reading often taken for granted. 8:00 a.m.

BOOK REVIEW

The cover of “Songs on Endless Repeat” by Anthony Veasna So.

Anthony Veasna So’s ‘Songs on Endless Repeat’ offers a glimpse of the losses and challenges facing a California Cambodian community

The author’s posthumous collection of mingled fiction and nonfiction showcases a generosity of spirit in its portraits of family life. 8:00 a.m.

RI FOOD & DINING

A spread from a pop-up dinner by the chefs of Little Friend's at Glou, a wine bar in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence.

Four pop-up restaurants worth checking out in Rhode Island in December 2023

A ticketed dinner serving small plates, a bar takeover from a Boston sake expert, smash burgers, and more. 6:00 a.m.

Morgan Wallen performs "Man Made a Bar" at the 57th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Morgan Wallen tops Apple Music’s 2023 song chart while Taylor Swift, SZA also lead streaming lists

Country singer Morgan Wallen's "last Night" tops Apple Music's global song chart in 2023 12:12 a.m.

Jean Knight performed with her band at the 2016 French Quarter Festival in New Orleans.

Jean Knight, who struck platinum with ‘Mr. Big Stuff,’ dies at 80

Ms. Knight received a Grammy Award nomination in 1972 for best female R&B vocal performance, and “Mr. Big Stuff” was nominated for best R&B song. 6:44 p.m.

TV CRITIC'S CORNER

Nicholas Ralph in "All Creatures Great and Small."

A world at war in season 4 of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’

Here’s what’s to expect in upcoming episodes. 4:18 p.m.

Odie Henderson review | ★★

Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein in "Maestro."

‘Maestro’ presents master challenge for director, star Bradley Cooper

Playing Leonard Bernstein is one thing. Becoming him is another. 4:12 p.m.

A dozen thrilling new page-turners to give you goosebumps this winter

From left: Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean in 1984's "This Is Spinal Tap."

Six ‘Spinal Tap’ moments to savor before the sequel

The Globe’s film critic picks 6 holiday movies that are actually good

Taylor Swift spoke during a graduation ceremony for New York University at Yankee Stadium in New York, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. A class centered around the singer will launch at Harvard in 2024.

Class is in session: Taylor Swift course coming to Harvard next year

The 2024 Salem Film Fest runs March 21-24. Tickets are on sale at its website.

Salem Film Festival spotlights documentary films from around the world

Discounted tickets for the March 2024 festival are available now on its website. 2:16 p.m.

James Taylor is pictured during his concert held at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park Aug. 30, 2022. The musician will be back in Boston next week for a benefit show in support of president Joe Biden.

President Biden to join James Taylor at benefit concert in Boston

The Boston-born musician will perform at a show in support of the president’s re-election campaign. 1:45 p.m.

Hall & Oates, John Oates and Daryl Hall, in 2014.

Hall suing Oates over plan to sell stake in their joint venture

Daryl Hall sued his longtime music partner John Oates, arguing that his plan to sell off his share of a joint venture would violate a business agreement the duo had. 8:52 a.m.

Dance Review

Patrick Yocum and Boston Ballet in "Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker."

Boston Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ brings classic holiday magic

The company's 45 performances have begun, delivering Clara, a Nutcracker-turned-prince, the sugar plum fairy, and friends to the Opera House stage. 3:59 p.m.

MUSIC REVIEW

Countertenor soloist John Holiday and soprano soloist Joélle Harvey performing with artistic director Jonathan Cohen and the Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra and Chorus in Handel's "Messiah" at Symphony Hall, Nov. 24, 2023.

Artistic director Jonathan Cohen picks up the banner for H+H’s annual ‘Messiah’

The ensemble has performed Handel’s classic oratorio around Christmas every year since 1854. 3:42 p.m.

Chris Evans arrived for the "Ghosted" premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater in New York City on April 18, 2023. The actor appeared on "The View" Monday.

Watch: Chris Evans’s rescue dog Dodger adorably crashes interview on ‘The View’

The Sudbury native talked holidays in Massachusetts, how he met his furry friend, and if he’ll return as Marvel’s Captain America. 3:21 p.m.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attend the 2023 Eastern Congo Initiative Poker and Blackjack Tournament in Las Vegas earlier this month. Affleck co-wrote Lopez's upcoming film "This Is Me . . . Now."

Jennifer Lopez announces new album release date, with companion film co-written by Ben Affleck

"This Is Me . . . Now" is the singer’s first album in nearly a decade. 12:18 p.m.

BOOKS

Tess Gerritsen and her book “The Spy Coast”

Tess Gerritsen spies literary opportunity in the unexpected

The Maine-based former surgeon turned thriller writer and filmmaker talks about the life of spies, getting older, and the lessons of romance novels 11:10 a.m.

A dozen thrilling new page-turners to give you goosebumps this winter

STAGE REVIEW ‘Chicago’ holds up a mirror to its times, and to oursA mordant, ink-dark sendup of celebrity culture, a corrupt legal system, tabloid journalism, and showbiz, “Chicago,” now at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, remains a warhorse with bite.

Publishers for Palestine organizes global reading event#ReadPalestine runs from Nov. 29 - Dec 5, offers free e-books, discussion panels

Six ‘Spinal Tap’ moments to savor before the sequel‘Spinal Tap II’ isn’t set to start shooting until February, but that shouldn’t stop groupies from revisiting the original now.

10 TV specials for some merry holiday viewing

Long absent from the concert stage, Mistle Thrush’s Valerie Forgione returns with a new identity and sound

Things to do around Boston this weekend and beyond

‘Girls5eva’ fan club may grow after show’s revival on Netflix

‘American Sports Story’ cast shapes up for Aaron Hernandez FX series

Sam Wasson, author of new Francis Ford Coppola biography, likes a good doorstopper

Rob Reiner teases details of ‘Spinal Tap’ sequel

‘20 Days in Mariupol’ captures the devastating early days of the war in Ukraine

‘Beyond Utopia’: a documentary that takes viewers on an escape from North Korea

‘Journalistic eye’ guides GlobeDocs Film Festival, now in its ninth year

FROM OUR PARTNERS

MORE RECENT ARTS HEADLINES

Louise Kennedy, in ‘The End of the World Is a Cul de Sac,’ populates her stories with wit, grit, and heartbreak

Andrew Pettegree looks at ways in which books have been weaponized in ‘The Book at War’

Anthony Veasna So’s ‘Songs on Endless Repeat’ offers a glimpse of the losses and challenges facing a California Cambodian community

Four pop-up restaurants worth checking out in Rhode Island in December 2023

Morgan Wallen tops Apple Music’s 2023 song chart while Taylor Swift, SZA also lead streaming lists

Jean Knight, who struck platinum with ‘Mr. Big Stuff,’ dies at 80

A world at war in season 4 of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’

‘Maestro’ presents master challenge for director, star Bradley Cooper

most read

A dozen thrilling new page-turners to give you goosebumps this winter

Six ‘Spinal Tap’ moments to savor before the sequel

The Globe’s film critic picks 6 holiday movies that are actually good

Class is in session: Taylor Swift course coming to Harvard next year

Salem Film Festival spotlights documentary films from around the world

President Biden to join James Taylor at benefit concert in Boston

Hall suing Oates over plan to sell stake in their joint venture

Boston Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ brings classic holiday magic

Artistic director Jonathan Cohen picks up the banner for H+H’s annual ‘Messiah’

Watch: Chris Evans’s rescue dog Dodger adorably crashes interview on ‘The View’

Jennifer Lopez announces new album release date, with companion film co-written by Ben Affleck

Tess Gerritsen spies literary opportunity in the unexpected

STAGE REVIEW
‘Chicago’ holds up a mirror to its times, and to ours
A mordant, ink-dark sendup of celebrity culture, a corrupt legal system, tabloid journalism, and showbiz, “Chicago,” now at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, remains a warhorse with bite.

Publishers for Palestine organizes global reading event
#ReadPalestine runs from Nov. 29 - Dec 5, offers free e-books, discussion panels

Six ‘Spinal Tap’ moments to savor before the sequel
‘Spinal Tap II’ isn’t set to start shooting until February, but that shouldn’t stop groupies from revisiting the original now.