You might think that Davis Square is the last place you'd go to see theater on a Saturday night. You might want to think again.
The Nexus Theater is an up and coming theater company looking to expand the arts in Davis Square. What's more, besides Aidekman Arts Center, it's the only place in Somerville to enjoy a theatrical production.
You've probably passed by the Nexus, located next to the Burren at 225 Elm Street, several times without realizing it. Instead of fancy signs or neon lighting advertising its existence, the theater is graced by a simple black and white sign with a large downward arrow. This is the spot.
As you descend the stairs and follow the hallway around the theater, it may seem like you're in the wrong place. But don't turn back just yet. Despite the simple atmosphere and lack of fancy decoration, the Nexus Theater does not disappoint. The theater itself is a small, comfortable venue in the process of being renovated. With about 120 seats situated around the stage, everyone is sure to have a perfect view. The stage is small and at floor level, allowing for an intimate experience with the actors, musicians, or whoever the night's performer might be.
Before becoming the Nexus Theater, the space was used as a community theater with only one or two shows a year. The new venue, managed primarily by executive director Larry Jaquith and programming director Nick August-Perna, opened this past July as a non-profit organization. The Somerville Arts Council approached Jaquith with the proposal to take over the theater, and the Brandeis graduate was immediately interested in bringing theater to Somerville.
At the time, Jaquith decided that, "If I come in, we're going to be here everyday." He wanted the venue to become something special in Somerville and for the Boston area.
The word "nexus" means link, connection, or bridge - which is what Jaquith hopes to do with the theater on many levels. He said that his goal is for the Nexus to be a bridge to the community. Among the ways in which he hopes to achieve this is to ensure that a variety of culture groups perform at the theater. He also wants programming that is "off the normal path of what is seen in Boston."
Nexus's first performances during the summer included "The Downbeat," a series of jazz shows. Performances were offered by jazz bands such as Jama Jigi, a mixed group of African and American artists. Jazz shows, which the theater is looking to feature again in the near future, are a great way to spend a Thursday evening - for just seven dollars you get an evening of jazz music along with free food from various Davis Square restaurants. Among the acts Nexus is looking to bring to the theater is Escena Latina, an all-female Spanish drama group based in Jamaica Plains, and Slant Trio, an Asian group that already has a following in New York City.
Jaquith is also planning to involve families in the arts through a ghost storytelling event, which will run on four weekends in late October and early November. The event will explore the myths of ghosts in conjunction with historical information on houses in the Boston area that are rumoured to contain ghosts.
Rickey, which was met with much praise, was the first play to open at the Nexus Theater in early September. It is the story of the baseball executive who signed Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. A few weeks later, A Place Called Home premiered to similar applause.
Before the tragedies of Sept. 11, the Nexus Theater had five shows planned for the upcoming season, two of which had to be cut due to topics that were deemed appropriate. But despite - and even in light of - the recent events, Jaquith feels this is an important time for the arts, and especially theater. In fact, several organizations want to use the theater for various productions that will give audiences a deeper understanding of the present political situation.
"You can either fall apart or adjust to the situation," Jaquith said.
Jaquith and August-Perna have big plans for their theater - and Davis Square's newfound reputation as a Boston-area hostpot can't hurt either. With improvements and innovations on the horizon, local students should put the Nexus Theater on their list of venues to visit.
