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The Boston Globe's The Big To-Do Short Cuts

October 8, 2025

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Big To-Do: Short Cuts, our midweek round-up of what’s going on around Boston, as selected by Boston Globe critics and writers.

The Big Apple Circus is at Suffolk Downs through Nov. 2. JULIANA CRAWFORD

Thursday

Centered around a young gay man who joins the military in the ‘90s, Miles Heizer stars in “Boots,” premiering on Netflix.
“Tron: Ares” arrives in theaters this weekend, with the sci-fi franchise tapping Jared Leto for its latest installment.
Channing Tatum plays the infamous “Rooftop Robber” in the new film “Roofman,” opening in theaters.
The 20th annual HONK! Festival kicks off on Thursday, with various street bands set to perform around Somerville and Cambridge through Sunday.
The Big Apple Circus returns to Boston for the first time since 2019, setting up shop at Suffolk Downs beginning Thursday and running through Nov. 2.

Friday

The new documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” debuts on Prime Video, with stars like Conan O’Brien and more appearing in the film to pay tribute to the late actor.
Get in the Halloween spirit and see the 1999 horror adventure classic, “The Mummy,” back on the big screen at Alamo Drafthouse in the Seaport.
Boston comedian Joe Fenti brings the laughs to Beverly’s Off Cabot Comedy and Events.

Saturday

Check out a free screening of the 2002 live-action “Scooby-Doo” flick at Kendall Center’s Spooky Saturday event.
The 16th annual Blues After Hours event will celebrate the legacy of Mai Cramer at the Regent Theatre in Arlington.

Sunday

Tim Robinson is back with his latest comedic endeavor in “The Chair Company,” with the series premiering on HBO.
Brent Cobb & The Fixin’s perform live at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River.

Ongoing

Presented by Actors’ Shakespeare Project, “Macbeth” continues at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown through Oct. 26.

Last Chance

“The Mountaintop,” directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent, ends its run at the Modern Theatre on Sunday.

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Thanks for reading our new Wednesday newsletter. Keep an eye out for Friday's regular Big To-Do email written by Marie Morris. Send comments to arts@globe.com.

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Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Big To-Do: Short Cuts, our midweek round-up of what’s going on around Boston, as selected by Boston Globe critics and writers.

The Big Apple Circus is at Suffolk Downs through Nov. 2. JULIANA CRAWFORD

Thursday

Centered around a young gay man who joins the military in the ‘90s, Miles Heizer stars in “Boots,” premiering on Netflix.

“Tron: Ares” arrives in theaters this weekend, with the sci-fi franchise tapping Jared Leto for its latest installment.

Channing Tatum plays the infamous “Rooftop Robber” in the new film “Roofman,” opening in theaters.

The 20th annual HONK! Festival kicks off on Thursday, with various street bands set to perform around Somerville and Cambridge through Sunday.

The Big Apple Circus returns to Boston for the first time since 2019, setting up shop at Suffolk Downs beginning Thursday and running through Nov. 2.

Friday

The new documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” debuts on Prime Video, with stars like Conan O’Brien and more appearing in the film to pay tribute to the late actor.

Get in the Halloween spirit and see the 1999 horror adventure classic, “The Mummy,” back on the big screen at Alamo Drafthouse in the Seaport.

Boston comedian Joe Fenti brings the laughs to Beverly’s Off Cabot Comedy and Events.

Saturday

Check out a free screening of the 2002 live-action “Scooby-Doo” flick at Kendall Center’s Spooky Saturday event.

The 16th annual Blues After Hours event will celebrate the legacy of Mai Cramer at the Regent Theatre in Arlington.

Sunday

Tim Robinson is back with his latest comedic endeavor in “The Chair Company,” with the series premiering on HBO.

Brent Cobb & The Fixin’s perform live at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River.

Ongoing

Presented by Actors’ Shakespeare Project, “Macbeth” continues at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown through Oct. 26.

Last Chance

“The Mountaintop,” directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent, ends its run at the Modern Theatre on Sunday.

Sign up here to get The Boston Globe’s latest food stories delivered to your inbox once a week.

Thanks for reading our new Wednesday newsletter. Keep an eye out for Friday's regular Big To-Do email written by Marie Morris. Send comments to arts@globe.com.