Verb Ten Has Some Sharp Songs But The Book Sags

UPDATE Friday, March 13: this event has been canceled. Refunds available at point of purchase.

As it follows bandmates Jason, Zack (Jeff Kurysz), Tracey (Krystal Ortiz), and Chris (Matthew Lunt), Verböten shows how music provides an outlet and a sense of belonging for teens struggling to find their places in the world. The problem is their behind-the-music struggles. If you’re going to write about yourself, you need a ruthless editor to tell you when you’re boring and navel-gazing. That’s missing here. Watching Verböten is akin to reading somebody else’s teenage diary. There’s a lot of het-up Sturm Und Drang, but none of it is as interesting or momentous as the author thinks.

Through 3/29: Thu-Fri 8 PM, Sat 3 and 8 PM, Sun 3 PM; Sat 3/14, 2 PM only; Sat 3/28, 2 PM and 7 PM; no show Sun 3/22, Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, 773-769-3832, thehousetheatre.com, $30-$50, $20 student and industry, available same day (pending availability).