Tag Archives: SpeakEasy Stage

SpeakEasy Stage presents Dogfight at the Calderwood through June 4, 2016

SpeakEasy Stage is concluding their 25th season with the musical, Dogfight. The two act musical tells the story of three young Marines on their last night in San Francisco before they are shipped off to Vietnam.

The story centers around a contest the marine platoon hosts for each man to find and bring the homeliest girl to a party (shown above). The main character, Eddie Birdlace, unexpectedly develops feelings for his date and what follows will touch the romantic in you; at least it did with me.  The cast does the musical justice and this was probably my favorite production of their entire season. While the lead characters did a fine job I was especially taken by the crass and sassy supporting character, Marcy, who made me laugh every time she was on stage.

I’d love to get the thoughts of any women who may be familiar with the story or those who go to the SpeakEasy Stage production. This makes for a great date night option or evening spent with friends. Get your tickets, (they start at just $25) and tell me what you think.

Get Your Tickets Here

The SpeakEasy Stage concludes their 25th season with their production, Dogfight, a powerful musical about an unlikely love story set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War.

For more information and to get your tickets link here

Dogfight: It’s November 21, 1963; and on the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery, partying, and maybe a little trouble. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love and compassion.

Earlier this week Sergio and I attended the SpeakEasy Stage production of Casa Valentina at the Calderwood Pavilion on Tremont Street in the South End.

The play is set in 1962 at a Catskills resort that has seen better days and centers around a group of heterosexual men who secretly gather to dress and behave like women. The funny play – and it is really very funny – gets a bit serious when they are challenged to publicly reveal their female alter-egos in the pursuit of greater political acceptance. Harvey Fierstein wrote this play and his wit is evident throughout. The SpeakEasy Stage cast does a good job delivering his sometimes caustic comments and many hilarious Oscar Wilde quotes. Sergio and I found ourselves laughing along with the audience regularly and thought this was one of the funnier performances we’ve seen this year. Tickets remain available and will run through Saturday, November 28th.

Photo by Glenn Perry

Casa Valentina Tickets and Show Information

The Welcoming Committee is hosting a takeover on Thursday, November 12th and tickets are discounted! Get them while they last here.

Casa Valentina runs for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with an intermission and is based on actual events.   Tickets start at $25.

Last week SpeakEasy Stage Company opened their 25th season with the New England premiere of the family drama, appropriate. The play picks up as members of the Lafayette family come home to a crumbling plantation in rural Arkansas to mourn the loss of their father and settle his estate.

appropriate
September 12 – October 10
For more information and to purchase tickets

Sparks start to fly pretty quickly as the Lafayette family come together for the first time in years.  Family members start to verbalize long held grudges in an attempt to clear the air and make peace but bonds are tested when a terrible discovery is made.  The painful and sometimes tense confrontations on stage provide an interesting mirror to tensions we see in our society.

Boston Globe review: In ‘Appropriate’, family tensions and something more

Sergio and I really enjoyed the production and would be curious to hear what you think.  Come out and check out the SpeakEasy Stage Co’s. latest production and congratulate this Boston theater company that has been bringing wonderful plays and musicals for an impressive 25 seasons.  Congratulations SpeakEasy Stage Co.

Later this week Boston’s SpeakEasy Stage will present Big Fish at the Calderwood Pavilion in the South End.   The 2.5 hour musical is based on the Daniel Wallace novel and the 2003 Tim Burton film that starred Ewan McGregor.

Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a travelling salesman whose larger-than-life stories of epic adventures delight those around him; except for his pragmatic son, Will.  As Edward’s health begins to fail and Will learns that he is about to become a father, Will sets out to discover his family’s real story by seeking the truth behind his Dad’s tall tales.

Big Fish March 13 – April 11 – Get Your Tickets Here

I look forward to seeing the show and hearing from those of you who see Big Fish. Support Boston’s local theater and arts scene by attending one or more cultural / arts events each month.  If it has been a while since attending a local theater company production or visiting one of Boston’s many cultural venues, consider seeing Big Fish or feel free to reach out to me for suggestions for ideas.

Boston’s SpeakEasy Stage Company’s first production of the calendar year opens tomorrow on Friday, January 9th for a brief run at the Calderwood Pavilion. The world premiere of A Future Perfect is about two couples, Claire & Max and Alex & Elena, who are best friends.  That friendship is tested when one couple announces they are expecting a baby and careers start to trump youthful ideals.

A Future Perfect:  Jan 9 – Feb 7 – Tickets Here

Photo by: Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo

Verbal sparring dark comedy, Bad Jews, will leave you speechless

Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon and directed by Rebecca Bradshaw is currently running at the Calderwood Pavilion in the South End.   Set in March in a studio on the Upper West Side of NYC, this dark comedy includes four characters but really centers on two equally unlovable and selfish cousins who manipulate conversations and relationships to get their way.   Don Aucoin from The Boston Globe sums it up best, “this is a dark comedy that cuts deep and draws blood.”

The key to this storyline is the amazing dialog and the speed at which it is delivered.  The 110 minute play unfolds at the speed of light and leaves you gasping at the verbal spars and emotional vulnerability; manufactured or real it doesn’t seem to matter because the tension on the stage is palpable.  This is one of those plays that you want to go grab a drink to discuss after you see it.

While this production must have added angst for those raised in the Jewish faith, one needn’t be Jewish to be touched (and horrified). The play is impossible to turn away from and will suck you in from the first moment to the touching final scene between Jonah and Daphna.

Bad Jews runs until Saturday, Nov. 29th – Get Your Tickets Here

Elizabeth Erardi in the SpeakEasy Stage production of CARRIE THE MUSICAL.
Photo by Craig Bailey / Perspective Photo.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to see CARRIE the musical by SpeakEasy Stage Company.  I’ll admit that I didn’t know quite what to expect of a classic Stephen King novel that had been adapted into musical theater, but the cast made me a believer, and I think you’d enjoy this show as well.

Paul Melone does a fantastic job directing this New England premiere and it is definitely a worthy consideration for a date night or fun night out with friends. The cast does an impressive job and includes a number of good voices.

Do you have tickets to the show which runs through Saturday, June 7th? If not, you can purchase them here.

The SpeakEasy Stage Company’s next production, CARRIE The Musical opens this Saturday and Friday, May 16th is SpeakEasy Stage Co’s Out & About performance where you can join the cast following for a special post-show party.

Get your tickets here.