Tag Archives: SpeakEasy Stage

In The Heights, the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards, is the current production from The SpeakEasy Stage Company that opened May 10th and runs through June 16th.  The musical will grab your attention with large dance numbers set to rap and hip hop rhapsodies all set in NYC’s Latino neighborhood, Washington Heights, in the summer of 2003.  The story centers around members of this closely knit neighborhood and how their lives are entwined with the neighborhood they all call home.

If you require a bit more incentive to purchase tickets to this show, I’ll give you three reasons: Diego Klock-Perez (Usnavi) and Jorge Barranco (Sonny) who’s lives center around their barrio bodega.  Their rap and dance scenes are among the best in the show.  However, I was distracted every time the incredibly handsome actor, Jared Dixon (Benny), stepped on stage and his shirtless scene on the balcony at the opening of the second act alone makes this show worth its money, but fortunately there is more to offer than these three men and the entire cast really does deserve credit for pulling off some intricate dance and musical numbers.  This is a great date option or night out with friends.

You may purchase tickets at The Calderwood Pavilion box office on Tremont Street in the South End or by phone, 617-933-8600 or online at SpeakEasyStage.com.

On Friday, the SpeakEasy Stage will open their 100th production with the 80s cult movie classic, Xanadu, and I will be front and center to see this movie from 1980 that was later turned into a Broadway musical.

Xanadu’s performances will run through Saturday, June 9th so be sure to get your tickets while they remain available. You can do this by visiting the Calderwood theater box office on Tremont Street or purchasing them online here.

Xanadu from The SpeakEasy Stage May 11th – June 9th

Starring Ryan Overberg as “Sonny”
Photo by Glenn Perry Photography

Here’s a little something to put you in the mood while you log-on to buy your tickets… Who can resist a little Olivia Newton-John?

The SpeakEasy Stage included a quote from my review of Next to Normal, the rock-musical currently playing at the Calderwood Pavilion, that rocked my world when I saw it last weekend. I’m no Joyce Kulhawik (sorry its a local reference for those who grew up in Boston) so I was pretty darn flattered.

You may read my full review of Next to Normal here and purchase your tickets here.  Get a few friends together and check it out.

Next to Normal, The SpeakEasy Stage’s latest production, explores a family that is anything but what its name implies. This rock musical centers around a  mother who struggles with bipolar disorder, and how she and her family are impacted. This musical which opened on Broadway in 2009 and went on to receive 11 Tony nominations is making its Boston premiere  at the Calderwood Pavilion on Tremont Street in the South End.

SpeakEasy Stage’s production is compelling.  Kerry A. Dowling’s performance as Diana – the housewife struggling with bipolar disorder – is reason enough to see the show.  However, Dowling is not forced to carry the show on her own, the entire cast comes together. In particular, I found myself extremely sympathetic to the high school daughter, Natalie, played by Sarah Drake who’s struggling to make sense of her life which lacks love and attention from her ill mother and her father too obsessed with “saving” his wife to notice her.  More than once I could hear sniffles from the audience so I know I wasn’t the only one touched by this performance.

Next to Normal was extended and now runs through Sunday, April 15th.  I dare you to step out of your “normal” routine and make date to check out this new show. Be sure to bring along some friends, because after the curtain drops you’ll want to talk about what you just saw. You can read more about the show and purchase tickets online here.

I love getting a good deal so when I saw this offer from The SpeakEasy Stage last night, promoting their spring musical comedy, Xanadu with a one day sale, I knew I had to post this.  Tickets for the first week of performances of Xanadu (May 11-17 shows only) will be only $29 (not including phone or online handling fees).

This is a GREAT deal so snag a pair of tickets to see the show, which looks as if it will marry nostalgia with humor. Sale hours are today from 9:00am – midnight (online at www.SpeakEasyStage.com) and from 12:00pm – 7:00pm  by phone (617-933-8600 ) or for walk-up sales.

This past weekend the SpeakEasy Stage invited me to see their latest production, RED. I was happy to go, although I will admit I wondered if a 2-person play about a famous abstract expressionist artist living in NYC in 1958 would be too deep or too intellectual for me to grasp.

I should have realized that a play that won five Tony Awards in 2010 would be compelling to see. However, the reason the story comes alive on stage here in Boston is because of the chemistry between the two actors Thomas Derrah who plays the lead (Mark Rothko) and Karl Baker Olson who plays his new young assistant (Ken). The play is filled with quick, spirited dialog and (to my surprise) many funny lines.  The dialog is expertly delivered by both actors. One of my favorite lines is when Rothko shouts at his assistant Ken.  “You are an employee! This is about me.”  The line sums up the artist as portrayed in the show better than I ever could.

RED plays through February 4th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts at 527 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End.   Looking for a great evening out? Support Boston’s local art and theater scene by coming to see this Tony Award winning play.  You’ll be happy you saw this New England premiere. Check out The Boston Globe’s glowing review by Terry Byrne here.

You can purchase tickets over the phone at 617-933-8600 or online at SpeakEasyStage.com