All stories by Jason M. Rubin on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Comedy Review — Paul Reiser at the Cabot by Jason M. Rubin

Like a magic show where you know you’re being duped and enjoy it all the same, Reiser’s act was something you just settled back and enjoyed without analyzing it too much.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:43AM
Friday, November 15, 2019

Book Review: Biographies of Lou Reed and Warren Zevon — Satisfying Lives of Singular Talents by Jason M. Rubin

Two recent biographies take very different approaches as they revel in the wild lives and examine the distinctive songs of two of rock music’s most enigmatic figures: Lou Reed and Warren Z…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:24PM
Sunday, November 10, 2019

Concert Preview: Club Passim Celebrates 60 Years with a Birthday Bash by Jason M. Rubin

At a time when a number of established music venues in the Boston area have closed, Club Passim continues to thrive thanks to the same grass-roots support it has enjoyed over six decades. Th…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 02:03PM
Sunday, November 3, 2019

Film Feature: “The Rabbi Goes West” — Not Your Typical Gefilte Fish Out of Water story by Jason M. Rubin

The turf war for the bodies and souls of Montana’s Jews makes for an engaging inter-tribal drama. The post Film Feature: “The Rabbi Goes West” — Not Your Typical Gefilte Fish Out of …

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 01:03PM
Monday, October 7, 2019

Music Interview: “Going to the Place That’s the Best” — Norman Greenbaum Returns Home to Malden by Jason M. Rubin

The hit 1969 song "The Spirit in the Sky" by Malden’s own Norman Greenbaum is the inspiration for one of several new works of public art. The post Music Interview: “Going to the Place Th…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:24PM
Thursday, October 3, 2019

Rock Album Review: John Powhida International Airport — “The Bad Pilot” by Jason M. Rubin

Musically, The Bad Pilot encompasses the sound and feel of everything from Philly soul to new wave, hard rock, funk, and progressive rock. The post Rock Album Review: John Powhida Internatio…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:33AM
Sunday, September 15, 2019

Music Feature: Funny Tales and Flying Fingers — Keyboard Whiz Rick Wakeman Steps Out by Jason M. Rubin

Prog legend Rick Wakeman is grumpy -- becoming a septuagenarian means he can no longer party like it’s 1969. The post Music Feature: Funny Tales and Flying Fingers — Keyboard Whiz Rick W…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 01:54PM
Thursday, September 12, 2019

Music Preview: The Waterboys Bring the Action to Boston and Northampton by Jason M. Rubin

The Waterboys has always existed as Mike Scott’s vehicle for his egalitarian musical vision. The post Music Preview: The Waterboys Bring the Action to Boston and Northampton appeared first…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:37AM
Monday, September 2, 2019

Music Interview: No Way To Slow Down — Ian Anderson Marks 50 Years of Jethro Tull in America by Jason M. Rubin

Jethro Tull founder Ian Anderson brings the group’s classics to Medford's Chevalier Theatre on September 11. The post Music Interview: No Way To Slow Down — Ian Anderson Marks 50 Years …

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:18PM
Saturday, August 17, 2019

Music Interview: At 73, Dave Mason is Feelin’ (and Playin’) (and Singin’) Alright by Jason M. Rubin

A talk with Dave Mason,  a R&R Hall of Famer who will be performing with Electric Hot Tuna at the Wilbur. The post Music Interview: At 73, Dave Mason is Feelin’ (and Playin’) (and …

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:48AM
Friday, August 9, 2019

Music Commentary: In Brian Wilson’s World, Bad Vibrations Are Never Far Away by Jason M. Rubin

The recent death of longtime guitarist Nicky Wonder just the latest setback for pop genius Brian Wilson The post Music Commentary: In Brian Wilson’s World, Bad Vibrations Are Never Far Awa…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 01:24PM
Monday, July 8, 2019

Arts Preview: Jamaica Plain Porchfest Rolls into its Sixth Year by Jason M. Rubin

“Porches are loosely defined. Our stages include stoops, yards, and driveways, as well as churches, community centers, affordable housing, and elderly housing." The post Arts Preview: Jama…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 05:06PM
Friday, May 24, 2019

Music Interview: From Bass Goddess to Singer/Songwriter — Tal Wilkenfeld by Jason M. Rubin

With the release of her second solo album, Tal Wilkenfeld has become more than a bass virtuoso: she's a sensitive songwriter, expressive singer, and capable guitarist. The post Music Intervi…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 08:48AM
Monday, May 20, 2019

Visual Arts Review: Play It Loud — Admiring the Tools that Made the Tunes by Jason M. Rubin

Play It Loud is porn to musicians and fans who fetishize the tools of the trade. The post Visual Arts Review: Play It Loud — Admiring the Tools that Made the Tunes appeared first on The Ar…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 04:54PM
Sunday, May 5, 2019

Music Preview: Soul Man Cometh — Nick Waterhouse by Jason M. Rubin

The music Nick Waterhouse performs (almost all of which he writes) is consistently retro—not to mention relentlessly danceable and fun. The post Music Preview: Soul Man Cometh — Nick Wa…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 08:48AM
Thursday, March 14, 2019

Arts Appreciation: Hal Blaine — The Beat Goes On by Jason M. Rubin

Hal Blaine contributed so much to such a large number of rock and pop’s greatest hits, that his music will continue to be heard and appreciated for as long as there are radios. The post Ar…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:39AM
Saturday, February 16, 2019

Rock Concert Review: After Forty Years, Joe Jackson is Still “The Man” by Jason M. Rubin

The show cemented Joe Jackson’s reputation as an inscrutable and enigmatic songwriter, a talented musician and social outsider who speaks for Everyman. The post Rock Concert Review: After…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:48AM
Friday, December 7, 2018

Jazz Concert Preview: 41st John Coltrane Memorial Concert to Feature Some “Favorite Things” by Jason M. Rubin

“Now I’m retired, but I still look forward to honoring the legacy of John Coltrane.”

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 04:06PM
Monday, November 12, 2018

Music Review: Projections — Alan Parsons To Perform His Sonic Masterpieces by Jason M. Rubin

Asked what the experience was like to go back and revisit his earlier recordings, Alan Parsons explained, “It’s actually very pleasurable, like stepping back in a time machine."

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 05:48PM
Thursday, July 26, 2018

Film Commentary: Monkee Python and the Heady Grail by Jason M. Rubin

The quality of the experience has as much to do with the star’s in-person performance as it does with the film itself.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:04PM
Tuesday, July 3, 2018

CD Review: Summer Classics…with Strings Attached — The Beach Boys with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra by Jason M. Rubin

Why would anyone think a good-time rocker like “Fun, Fun, Fun” needed strings?

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:54AM
Saturday, June 23, 2018

Music Review: Stephen Stills and Judy Collins — Who Knows Where the Time Goes? by Jason M. Rubin

So who knows where the time goes? Sadly, it only goes in one direction. But the past can be gracefully revived.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 05:48PM
Monday, May 8, 2017

Book Review: “Shake It Up” — Great American Writing on Rock and Pop by Jason M. Rubin

On the whole, this anthology, along with igniting discussions about sins of omission, will make for entertaining browsing.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 08:54AM
Saturday, April 8, 2017

Book Feature: The Decibel Diaries — A Journey Through Rock in 50 Concerts by Jason M. Rubin

A journal that is part travelogue, part music history, and part meditation on the evolution of our culture through the often-bloodshot eyes of one man.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:02AM
Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Commentary: Donald Trump and the New Culture War by Jason M. Rubin

Who might be chosen to receive a Kennedy Center Honor from President Trump who wouldn’t refuse it?

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:33AM
Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Book Review: “Caring for Red” — Living out the Last Act by Jason M. Rubin

This is a moving yet quite practical book about caring for an aging parent.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:48AM
Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Concert Preview: David Crosby Still Sees the Light by Jason M. Rubin

At age 75, there are more miles behind David Crosby than ahead of him, but he is resolved to carry on with freak flag flying.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 07:48AM
Monday, April 25, 2016

Fuse Film Review: Disney’s Revamped “Jungle Book” — A Remarkable Remake by Jason M. Rubin

Those familiar with --and, like me, in love with -- the 1967 animated Disney film, may fear (as I did) that the new version would substitute CGI for story.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 07:20PM
Monday, April 18, 2016

Fuse CD Review: Weezer’s ‘Beach Album’ — A Pleasing Breeze of Power Pop by Jason M. Rubin

This album is not a slavish imitation of an old sound but a fresh take on the kind of timeless, tuneful fun that pop music used to be all about.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 06:12PM
Thursday, February 4, 2016

Fuse Jazz Review: Pianist Kenny Werner — Teaching “Effortless Mastery” by Jason M. Rubin

“The problem is that more people get lost going to music school than get found."

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:50AM
Saturday, December 5, 2015

Fuse Feature: Notable Music Deaths of 2015 by Jason M. Rubin

A homage to the amazing musical talents that passed away this year.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 08:26AM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
TBA: Titanic