Bad Habit Productions Presents "A Man Of No Importance" - A Total Delight

From his entrance, replete with subtle sighs and a face that looks like it wants to apologize for itself, Nicholas Magierowski-Howe had me in his thrall.  His depiction of Dublin bus conductor, Alfie Byrne, is both powerful and heartbreaking. Alfie worships Oscar Wilde, quoting him on his bus route and directing Wilde plays at the local parish.  And like Wilde, Alfie harbors a "love that dare not speak its name" for the handsome young bus driver, Robbie Fay (a very fine Dan Prior).  By fits and starts, Byrne summons up enough courage to begin to act on his desires, with consequences that are both tragic and gratifying.

Cast
"A Man Of No Importance"
Bad Habit Productions
Calderwood Pavilion
Through August 28th
Photo by Earl Christie Photography

This little gem of a musical is based upon the film of the same name.  The book is by legendary playwright Terrance McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.  Under the skillful direction of Daniel Morris, the action is presented as if the community players are telling their own story in the local parish hall. Meghan MacFadden leads an excellent live orchestra.

Dan Prior as Robbie Fay
Nicholas Magierowski-Howe as Alfie Byrne
"A Man Of No Importance"
Bad Habit Productions
Calderwood Pavilion
Through August 28th
Photo by Earl Christie Photography

Set in 1963 in conservative Dublin, the action plays out with Alfie's sister, Lily (a very convincing Mary O'Donnell) waiting patiently for Alfie to find the right girl so that she can marry the butcher, Mr. Carney (Kevin Fennessy), an amateur thespian who usually plays the male lead in Alfie's productions.  Lily does not suspect that "the right girl" will never come along for her brother.  Mr. Fennessy is impressive both as Carney and as the ghost of Oscar Wilde, who urges Alfie to give into his temptations.

Complications multiply when Alfie decides to mount a risky production of Wilde's "Salome," to which Carney has strong moral objections. Alfie finds his princess in Adele (a wonderful Dani Berkowitz), one of the riders on his bus. Adele brings her own secrets to the little theatrical troupe, and high drama ensues.

The music and lyrics are tuned perfectly to fit the intimate performance space at the Calderwood Pavilion.  They reflect the Irish setting and ethos of the play, and have a homespun feel that is apt. Special recognition should go to Dialect Coach Steve Emanuelson for helping the players bring Dublin to Boston's South End. The cast is strong from top to bottom. Gillian Mackay-Smith plays a fun double role as Mrs. Patrick and a memorable Sully O'Hara.

Nicholas Magierowski-Howe as Alfie Byrne

Mary O'Donnell as Lily Byrne
"A Man Of No Importance"

Bad Habit Productions

Calderwood Pavilion

Through August 28th

Photo by Earl Christie Photography

This play runs through August 28th, and should not be missed.

Bad Habit Productions Website

Enjoy!

Al

CAST

Dani Berkowitz, Adele Rice
Catherine Lee Christie, Mrs. Curtain
Kevin Fennessy, Carney/Oscar Wilde
Ian Flynn, Rasher Flynn/Carson
Kevin Hanley, Father Kenny/Brenton Beret
Gillian Mackay-Smith, Mrs. Patrick
Nick Magierowski-Howe, Alfie Byrne
Mary O’Donnell, Lily Byrne
Kim Onah, Miss Crowe
Nick Osborne, Ernie Lally
Dan Prior, Robbie Fay
Nicole Vander Laan, Mrs. Grace/Kitty
Arthur Waldstein, Baldy O'Shea

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Continues To Delight Boston Audiences - "The Boys From Syracuse" - With Boston Landmarks Orchestra, 7:00 PM, Wednesday 8/31 at The Hatch Shell

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
and
Boston Landmarks Orchestra
Entertain Boston Audiences
The Hatch Shell
Photo by Andrew Brilliant/Brilliant Pictures

Following a highly successful production of "Love's Labour's Lost" on Boston Common, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company will delight Boston audiences one more time to close out the summer season.  On Wednesday evening, August 31st at 7:00 PM at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, CSC will join forces with Boston Landmarks Orchestra to offer a concert version of the classic Rogers and Hart musical, "The Boys From Syracuse."

(FYI - because of my recent knee surgery and recuperation, I was only able to attend one of the final performances of "Love's Labours Lost," so could not post a review before the show closed. It was one of the best productions in the 20 year history of CSC's Shakespeare on Boston Common.)

Plan to join me on the Esplanade on the 31st for what promises to be a memorable night.  Elliot Norton and IRNE aware winner Jennifer Ellis, fresh from her triumphant singing of the National Anthem at Fenway Park, leads a stellar cast.

Rodgers and Hart’s The Boys from Syracuse

A Concert Performance—in music and dance
In collaboration with Boston Landmarks Orchestra

Steven Maler, director

Christopher Wilkins, conductor

Yo-El Cassell, choreographer

A landmark Broadway musical from the swing era is reborn on the Esplanade. The Boys from Syracuse, based on Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, is often considered the finest of all Rodgers and Hart creations. Familiar songs include ‘Falling in Love with Love,’ ‘Sing for Your Supper,’ and ‘This Can’t Be Love.’ This ‘concert performance with dancing’ marks only the 2nd professional performance of the inimitable big-band style original 1938 orchestrations.

*If it is raining on the 31st, the concert will be postponed to September 1st at the Hatch Shell. If it is also raining September 1st, the concert will be moved to a location TBA on the 1st.

Enjoy!

Al