Latest news with #GreaterBostonStageCompany
CBS News
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
"The Play That Goes Wrong" is nonstop laughs as chaos unfolds onstage in Massachusetts
It's a disastrous night at the theater but that's a good thing at "The Play That Goes Wrong," which is now playing in Stoneham, Massachusetts. During "The Play That Goes Wrong," the cast deals with everyone onstage mishap imaginable. The production at Stoneham's Greater Boston Stage Company is a play within a play, where the actors portray actors. "What I think is surprising for a lot of people is that what they're seeing is actually just an exaggerated version of what happens in theaters every single day," said cast member Mark Linehan. From the set coming apart to an unconscious leading lady, just about everything that could go wrong, does. "It is really a masterwork of physical comedy and comic timing," said cast member Ceit Zweil. "And it's the kind of comedy that isn't done quite as much anymore." "It is a deeply challenging show technically but when you fill your cast with stunning comedic actors and your design team with people who are just so prepared to take on that challenge? It is just pure joy," said director Tyler Rosati. But it's far from easy to perform. "I don't think I've ever had to have this much strength training in order to do a show, in which I am having a nonsensical phone call, while completely supporting my body weight from falling off the set, using only my 10 fingertips," said Linehan. "So this is pretty new for me." The set is designed to come apart a little at a time, with secrets hiding in plain sight. "I wanted something that looked beautiful to start, I wanted an audience to walk in and be like, 'I am going to see a stunningly gorgeous Agatha Christie murder mystery' and then we are going to slowly but surely dismantle this gorgeous set into a pile of nothing before your very eyes," said Rosati. And Linehan said the audience should expect the unexpected. "This show is nonstop laughs," said Linehan. "And the only time that you're not going to be laughing is when you're going to be gasping because you can't believe what just happened." It's the crew you don't see that makes it all happen. "Backstage choreography is one of the great joys of theater," said Zweil. "I sort of sometimes wish the audience could see all the amazing stuff happening backstage because it is delightful to experience." Rosati agreed, saying, "For anyone who has done theater knows that stage managers and your team backstage are some of the hardest working people in the business. This show takes so long to set back up because there are so many pieces." "The set falls on us but they make the set fall safely," said Linehan. "So we couldn't do this without them." You can see "The Play That Goes Wrong" at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham through April 16.
CBS News
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
"The Irish and How They Got That Way" brings audience up close to experience tribute to Ireland
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, "The Irish and How They Got That Way" is a musical tribute to Ireland that's taking the stage in Massachusetts. The theatrical concert at Stoneham's Greater Boston Stage Company is a night of storytelling and songs. Experiencing the story up close "We have seats onstage, so people can have a Guinness and sit onstage with us and experience the music and the stories right up close," said music director Kirsten Salpini. There are about a dozen seats for the audience on the stage, which looks like your favorite Irish pub. "The community in Irish culture is such an important thing and one of the ways that it was done historically and is still done is the pub," said actor Dan Prior. "And it wasn't just about the drinking as a lot of people like to talk about. It's where you would talk, it's where you'd play music, you'd connect with your community." While the actors aren't portraying characters, Billie Butler explained they're still telling tales, all while playing their own instruments. "Some of the monologues are an entire story, beginning, middle and end," said Butler. "Then we move onto the next thing." "There's a lot of stories about the Irish immigrant experience here," said Salpini. "And there's also a lot of poking fun at it. I think that that's a real asset of Irish culture and Irish people is that they are definitely not afraid to laugh at themselves and laugh at dark parts of their history." Irish ties to Massachusetts For many in our region, that history is personal. Nearly 19% of the Massachusetts population has Irish roots. "New England always has been a very popular area because it's the closest to what Ireland is in terms of its land and in terms of its atmosphere," said Prior. But Butler said you don't need a connection to Ireland to appreciate the show. "Whether it's Irish or Jewish or any 'ish,' we all share the same feelings," said Butler. "I think that's why live performances are still so important." Ultimately, it's the songs that bring the past into the present. "A lot of people don't realize how much Irish music that was traditional has impacted what is now popular in different genres," said Prior. "I love that we go through this, not only this journey of how the Irish came to American, but how the music also carries us through that journey," said Butler. "The Irish and How They Got That Way" can be seen at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham through Sunday, March 16.
