Needles and Opium

Boston audiences have the rare opportunity this weekend to catch the revival of Robert Lapage's "Needles and Opium" at the Emerson Majestic.

Hailing from Quebec, Lapage is one of the world's most innovative directors whose use of technology is nothing short of extraordinary. The Metropolitan Opera renovated their theater in order to accommodate his vision for Wagner's Ring Cycle. And in 2012, he was honored by MIT with their highest arts honor, the McDermott award.

In "Needles and Opium", Lepage weaves three unique stories in to an exploration of how creative people learn to go on through intense heartbreak. Taking place in Paris and New York, we experience a Canadian voice-over actor working on a film, Jazz legend Miles Davis' 1949 trip to Paris, and the French writer Jean Cocteau returning from New York as he composes "Lettres aux Am�ricains."

Marc Labr�che reprises his virtuosic performances as the actor and Cocteau, while acrobat Wellesley Robertson III portrays Davis with a beautiful elegance. And though the set only consists of a simple white cube that rotates and transforms as needed, the production is cinematic in scope and feel.

Anyone without plans this weekend should grab the opportunity to see the work of these masters.

Needles and Opium runs through April 12 at the Cutler Majestic Theatre (219 Tremont Street, Boston). For more information and to buy tickets visit artsemerson.org or call 617-824-8400.