SpeakEasy Stage Company Presents "Significant Other" by Joshua Harmon - Prior To Broadway!

 

Boston audiences have a chance to get a jump on New York theater goers. Joshua Harmon's new play, "Significant Other," is heading to Broadway, but SpeakEasy Stage Company garnered the rights to produce the play here first in its New England Premiere. One of the highlights of last season was SpeakEasy's production of Mr. Harmon's "Bad Jews," so SpeakEasy Producing Artistic Director, Paul Daigneault was eager to build upon that momentum by booking "Significant Other." It was a fortuitous decision, for this is a very entertaining and thought-provoking play.

The plays centers on Jordan (Greg Maraio), a gay man who struggles to find the right significant other, but who fills his life with close friendships with Kiki (Sarah Elizabeth Bedard), Laura (Jordan Clark), and Vanessa (Kris Sidberry).  As the play progresses, Jordan obsesses over the new guy at work, Will (Jared Troilo), but has a hard time building a real connection with him. One by one, Jordan's friends find their own significant other, and the serial weddings become increasingly difficult times for him, especially when it comes to navigating the choppy waters of the first dance.

Greg Maraio as Jordan
Jordan Clark as Laura
"Significant Other" by Joshua Harmon
SpeakEasy Stage Company
Through October 8th
Photo by Justin Saglio

Mr. Harmon does a masterful job of capturing much of the ethos of urban Millenials - loneliness, superficiality, obsession over body image, use and abuse of texting and e-mails, escape into fantasy, and more pervasive loneliness in the midst of a crowd. The playwright intersperses real time action with freeze frame moments in which we are ushered into Jordan's imagination, signaled by lighting changes designed by Lighting Designer Daniel H. Jentzen. One effective example of this device is an early scene in which Jordan is describing to one of his female confidantes the moment when he was at a pool party for work and saw Will step out of the swimming pool.  Jared Troilo, clad in a swimsuit, strikes a pose looking like a Greek God with chiseled torso. Jordan describes in vivid and lurid detail what he remembers seeing , muscle group by muscle group. Kudos to Mr. Troilo for managing not to blush as his anatomy is described with precision.

Another significant figure and anchor in Jordan's life is his grandmother, Helene Berman, played by the always remarkable Kathy St. George.  He regularly visits her, bringing her medicine, repeating the same reminiscences over her favorite photos of her family in bygone days, and indulging her asking him during each visit "How is your social life?" Her home is represented by a warmly lit nook upstage left on a set that is otherwise appropriately composed of sterile off-white tones, emblematic of Jordan's sterile love life. Scenic Design is by Christopher & Justin Swader. Costume Design is by Tyler Kinney, and includes some lovely wedding attire.  Sound design is by Lee Schuna.

As Jordan's friends, Ms. Bedard, Ms. Clark and Ms. Sidberry each shine. Eddie Shields demonstrates great versatility in three roles as Gideon, Evan and Roger. The real star of this play is Greg Maraio in his very convincing portrayal of the conflicted Jordan.  Mr. Maraio is familiar to Boston audiences, but here he elevates his game to a new level in this role. His Jordan is one of the best performances of this season. He and the rest of the cast have been beautifully molded together by Director Daigneault.

Kris Sidberry as Vanessa
Greg Maraio as Jordan
Sarah Elizabeth Bedard as Kiki
"Significant Other" by Joshua Harmon
SpeakEasy Stage Company
Through October 8th
Photo by Justin Saglio

This play contains many elements that reminded me of Bobby in Stephen Sondheim's "Company." A chronically single man is surrounded by friends, but still experiences loneliness.  The difference is that Bobby avoids commitment, while Jordan longs for it. The play ends on a poignant note at the reception following Laura's wedding. Greg and Laura had had a huge fight at her bachelorette party over her not choosing him as a "bridesmaid." It is a strong scene for both Mr. Maraio and Ms. Clark. But they eventually reconcile and he attends the wedding and does a reading.  As the last dance is announced, Jordan stands alone, with a thousand yard stare, perhaps wondering what might have been or what might be in the future.

Now playing through October 8th at the Calderwood Pavilion. You do not want to miss this play.  Or, you can wait a few months, travel to NYC and pay Broadway prices.  Your choice!

SpeakEasy Stage Website

Enjoy

Al