Book Review: An inheritance game, a steamy romance and family turmoil in 'These Summer Storms'
Alice Storm's world is immediately captivating. Her childhood feels completely alien; an upper-class New York City upbringing taking helicopters to Rhode Island to spend summers at Storm Manor under an oppressive father and stifled mother — whom my brain immediately cast as Jessica Walter a la 'Archer' or 'Arrested Development' — gin and tonic always in hand, heavy on the gin. But Alice hasn't seen her family in five years, since she was excommunicated from the Storm empire. And while she's enjoying the independence and accomplishment that comes from building a life for herself by herself, the death of tech mogul Franklin Storm, the patriarch, is enough to drive her back to the family's secluded, stormy island one more time.
So if there's a hookup with a strange, handsome man on the way there, who cares? Alice is grieving. She can have this one thing and move on, right?
Wrong! MacLean wouldn't dare let the romance end there. 'These Summer Storms' may be a genre shift for the author, but it doesn't mean she's leaving romance completely behind. A steamy undercurrent of lust runs through a passionate enemies-to-lovers plot alongside the shifting sands of a shaken family in great need of some therapy, who find themselves thrust into an inheritance game Franklin manufactured before his death.
If Franklin's widow and four kids want to see a penny of his enormous wealth, they'll have to follow his rules, which range from saying nice things about him and not speaking during odd hours to revealing grave truths and upending years-long relationships.
The drama is intoxicating, and it feels great to get swept up in an imaginary rich family's problems. 'These Summer Storms' is pitted with little mysteries and interpersonal land mines. While the novel loses some momentum in the final act, it's a fun beach read, perfectly positioned for summer; on one level, it's a light read with rich-behaving-badly appeal. But it also goes deeper, into grief and emotional healing. MacLean writes with a strong narrative voice filled with humor and beautiful word-paintings.
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San Francisco Chronicle
13 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Book Review: An inheritance game, a steamy romance and family turmoil in 'These Summer Storms'
It's one thing to look at someone like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk and envy their wealth and success. It's a totally different thing to be the child of a tech pioneer, with a reputation to uphold lest stock prices suffer — at least according to Sarah MacLean's latest novel, 'These Summer Storms.' Alice Storm's world is immediately captivating. Her childhood feels completely alien; an upper-class New York City upbringing taking helicopters to Rhode Island to spend summers at Storm Manor under an oppressive father and stifled mother — whom my brain immediately cast as Jessica Walter a la 'Archer' or 'Arrested Development' — gin and tonic always in hand, heavy on the gin. But Alice hasn't seen her family in five years, since she was excommunicated from the Storm empire. And while she's enjoying the independence and accomplishment that comes from building a life for herself by herself, the death of tech mogul Franklin Storm, the patriarch, is enough to drive her back to the family's secluded, stormy island one more time. So if there's a hookup with a strange, handsome man on the way there, who cares? Alice is grieving. She can have this one thing and move on, right? Wrong! MacLean wouldn't dare let the romance end there. 'These Summer Storms' may be a genre shift for the author, but it doesn't mean she's leaving romance completely behind. A steamy undercurrent of lust runs through a passionate enemies-to-lovers plot alongside the shifting sands of a shaken family in great need of some therapy, who find themselves thrust into an inheritance game Franklin manufactured before his death. If Franklin's widow and four kids want to see a penny of his enormous wealth, they'll have to follow his rules, which range from saying nice things about him and not speaking during odd hours to revealing grave truths and upending years-long relationships. The drama is intoxicating, and it feels great to get swept up in an imaginary rich family's problems. 'These Summer Storms' is pitted with little mysteries and interpersonal land mines. While the novel loses some momentum in the final act, it's a fun beach read, perfectly positioned for summer; on one level, it's a light read with rich-behaving-badly appeal. But it also goes deeper, into grief and emotional healing. MacLean writes with a strong narrative voice filled with humor and beautiful word-paintings. ___
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
9 Celebrities Who Are Headed to Broadway This Year
It's been quite the year for celebrities on Broadway and it's not over yet! While some stars have already wrapped up their 2025 run, there are tons of other celebrities slated to appear on stage in the coming year. In the next several months, quite a few stars will be making their Broadway debut, like Tom Felton and Keanu Reeves, while other celebrities will be reunited with old co-stars in fan favorite musicals and plays. With such exciting lineups coming to the stage, fans better grab tickets now before they miss out on these limited runs! Find out which stars are headed to Broadway… It was recently announced that Matthew Broderick will be heading back to Broadway this year in a production of Tartuffe at New York Theatre Workshop. He is set to star alongside Arrested Development's David Cross as well as RuPaul's Drag Race winner Bianca del Rio. While there's no set dates for the production just yet, you can expect to see Matthew on stage late this fall. Tom Felton is returning to his roots while making his Broadway debut in his upcoming run in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. He will reprise his role as Draco Malfoy for the first time in over a decade for a limited 19-week engagement. Tom will be taking the stage at the Lyric Theatre from November 11 through March 22, 2026. 'Being a part of the Harry Potter films has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Joining this production will be a full-circle moment for me, because when I begin performances in Cursed Child this fall, I'll also be the exact age Draco is in the play,' Tom said in a statement. He continued, 'It's surreal to be stepping back into his shoes -- and of course his iconic platinum blond hair -- and I am thrilled to be able to see his story through and to share it with the greatest fan community in the world. I look forward to joining this incredible company and being a part of the Broadway community.' Keanu Reeves is set to make his Broadway debut this year in a production of Waiting for Godot which will reunite him with his Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure co-star Alex Winter. The pair will take the stage for a limited engagement at the Hudson Theatre from September 28, 2025 to January 4, 2026. 'We're incredibly excited to be on stage together and work with the great Jamie Lloyd in one of our favorite plays,' the co-stars said in a statement. Tom Hanks is taking his short stories to the stage. In an upcoming production titled The World of Tomorrow, Tom is set to bring his 2017 collection of stories to life at the Griffin Theater from October 30 through December 21. In addition to serving as a co-writer, he will also star in the production. It marks his return to the stage in New York for the first time in over a decade. Leslie Odom Jr. is going back to the room where it happens and reprising his role as Aaron Burr in Hamilton. The actor, who was an original cast member and won a Tony in 2016 for his role, will join the cast at the Richard Rodgers Theatre from September 9 to November 23. 'The first time around, I didn't know people were going to like the show. I didn't know people were going to like me, I didn't know anything. So this is the first time I've had the opportunity to step into something where all those questions are answered. I don't have to worry if they'll like it,' Leslie told The Hollywood Reporter. He continued, 'People have embraced me all over the world because of what Lin-Manuel [Miranda] and that original company of Hamilton were able to offer them at all different times of their lives…Hamilton means something. So to go back and revisit that and touch that…I'm just thrilled. My kids are going to get to see this show. I didn't even have kids before. It's very exciting.' Neil Patrick Harris is joining a star-studded cast in a revival production of the Tony Award-winning play Art. The Broadway veteran is set to star alongside Tony-nominated actor Bobby Cannavale and late-night host James Corden in the play, which will run at the Music Box Theatre from September 16 until December 21. Tony Award-winning Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth is returning to the stage for a production of a new musical, The Queen of Versailles. Kristin is set to reunite with Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz for the brand new show in which she will portray real-life socialite Jackie Siegel. The show is set to kick off at the St. James Theatre with opening night set for November 10. 'I'm beyond excited to return to Broadway and also make my Broadway producing debut with this incredible company,' Kristin said in a statement. 'Stephen is a once-in-a-generation songwriter and I'm so lucky we are able to reunite for this original musical, under the direction of the iconic Michael Arden to bring Lindsey Ferrentino's captivating story to life.' This fall, Lea Michele is set to star alongside Aaron Tveit in a revival of Chess, a production that hasn't been brought to life since its initial two-month Broadway run back in 1988. The show's opening night will take place on November 16 at the Imperial Theatre, which happens to be where Lea made her Broadway debut back in 1996. '1996, backstage at the Imperial Theatre—my Broadway debut as Young Cosette in Les Misérables. Now, nearly 30 years later, I'm returning to that very same stage for my sixth Broadway show: Chess,' Lea captioned a backstage photo on Instagram. 'And would you believe the Chess Playbill sitting behind me in this photo? Even then, it was waiting for me.' She continued, 'This moment isn't just about doing another show. It's a homecoming. A celebration of the long, winding, extraordinary journey that's brought me back to where it all began. See you in the Fall.' Early next year, Rose Byrne is set to take the stage in a production of Noël Coward's comedy, Fallen Angels, alongside Tony-winner Kelli O'Hara. It won't be the first time Rose is involved with the play -- back in 2023, she took part in a benefit reading of the show. While the exact dates are TBD, the performances will take place at the Todd Haimes Theatre.
Boston Globe
5 days ago
- Boston Globe
A writer sees Blue Man Group for the first time as it closes
But I didn't. Instead, I bought tickets to other things — maybe an acclaimed play at There was no pressure, of course. Blue Man Group would always be there, anyway. Advertisement But always is never forever. Blue Man Group announced on June 10 that Boston's July 4-6 weekend performances would end the production's 30-year run in town. Blue Man Group had already closed in Chicago in January, and in New York City, its hometown, in Blue Man Group in 1995. Tom Herde/Globe Staff After the final Boston performance at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Blue Man Group will only run in That's why I went to Blue Man Group Boston last week — at the Charles Playhouse — to say hello and goodbye at once. I was there on June 26, in a mostly sold-out room. Advertisement To the six full-time Blue Man Group performers who trade off shows, the three full-time band members, the nine part-time band members, and the 42 people who ran the production from the back, I'd like to say: You were weird. You were peaceful and neutral about the world. I'm sorry it took me so long. I'm surprised by how much I loved you. I have made some fun of Blue Man Group over the years — because it's easy to do that. It looks goofy (by design, the three performers are covered in blue paint and move kind of like aliens). Second, there's the legacy of 'Arrested Development,' one of my favorite TV comedies, which had its most ridiculous character, psychotherapist-turned-actor Tobias (David Cross), seeking out Blue Man Group because he's mistaken it for a support group for sad men, only to become an aspiring Blue Man who's desperate to be a member of the company. That plot becomes a running joke through seasons. Also, Blue Man Group's longevity turned it into a punch line, which is inevitable. Its origin was expect . Over time, it became clear that Blue Man Group was a safe show — something for people of all ages and backgrounds. The thing you did with those in-laws. But I always noticed that even when people made a joke about Blue Man Group — the way people joke about anything when it becomes mainstream — they never suggested it wasn't good or worthy of being seen. Advertisement At a collaborative exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum in 2004. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff At the Charles Playhouse last week, in the bar, where people can mess around with noise-making tubes similar to ones used in the show, I asked people why they got tickets. There was a New Englander who needed a Father's Day gift; a group that had been multiple times; and a family taking a teen for her first performance. Sitting behind me in the theater were more than 40 students who attend an all-girls school in Buffalo. Blue Man Group was their final social activity before heading home. The performance was mostly what I thought it would be — and many of you know what I'm going to say, because according to the show's producers, more than 4.5 million people have seen Blue Man Group in Boston over the years. There is schtick — including audience participation where people are asked to play instruments or help with wordless punch lines; sound-based art, where the blue men chew cereal loudly, making their own music; and some video clips that point out the absurdity of daily life under capitalism (that's my take, at least). My favorite moments were meditative — when the room went quiet as we all watched the blue men bang on paint-covered drums, the paint splattering everywhere, making beautiful flashes of light in time with the rumble of percussion. Last year, clown — as an art — is linked to the concept of 'ego death.' Clowns are at their best when the performer can fully detach and be silly without trying to be anything in particular. It's not easy to pull off. Advertisement During Blue Man I realized: This is it. Ego death. There is no credit for the performers — no laugh that isn't shared among the group, no success or failure. They're just hopping around, doing weird or beautiful things. People wait under the theater marquee at the Charles Playhouse before a performance by the Blue Man Group in March 2000. Bill Polo/Globe Staff I think I experienced it in the audience, too. I went in cynical and became a person smiling because toilet paper was being shot at me from above. The next morning, I interviewed a blue man, 'This place, Boston, held a show for 30 years. I mean, that's a remarkable thing.' McLin said this weekend's performances will deliver what the ensemble always has: 'We'll send this off in a way that befits the gift that it's been for all of us.'
