HAND TO GOD, SCOTTSBORO BOYS, 'MADISON COUNTY' & More Set for Speakeasy Stage Company's 2016-17 Season

Two powerhouse American musicals, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY; two acclaimed contemporary plays, GRAND CONCOURSE and SIGNIFICANT OTHER; and the riotous Broadway comedy HAND TO GOD will each enjoy their New England premiere as part of SpeakEasy Stage Company's 2016-2017 Season, the company's Founder and Producing Artistic Director Paul Daigneault announced today.

In addition to Mr. Daigneault, acclaimed Boston directors M. Bevin O'Gara, Bridget O'Leary , and David R. Gammons will also helm productions for the company next year.

Also signing on for next season are award-winning Boston actors Marianna Bassham, Thomas Derrah, Kerry A. Dowling, Jennifer Ellis, Melinda Lopez, Greg Maraio, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, and Kathy St. George.

The shows and schedule for SpeakEasy Stage Company's 26th Season are:

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - by Joshua Harmon, Sept. 10 - Oct. 8, 2016;

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS -Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by

David Thompson, Oct. 22-Nov. 26, 2016;

HAND TO GOD - by Robert Askins, Jan. 7 - Feb. 4, 2017;

GRAND CONCOURSE - by Heidi Schreck, Mar. 11 -Apr. 8, 2017; and

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY- Book by Marsha Norman, Music and Lyrics by

Jason Robert Brown, May 6 - June 3, 2017

"I am thrilled to begin the next chapter in SpeakEasy's history with such a diverse and entertaining line-up that so clearly demonstrates our commitment to championing contemporary American plays and musicals," said Daigneault, in announcing the new line-up.

All 2016-2017 shows will be performed in SpeakEasy's home in the Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street in Boston's South End.

For more information on SpeakEasy's 26th Season or to subscribe, the public can call the SpeakEasy Administrative Office at 617-482-3279 or go online to www.SpeakEasyStage.com.

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1) SIGNIFICANT OTHER
by Joshua Harmon

Directed by Paul Daigneault

Featuring Greg Maraio and Kathy St. George

New England Premiere - September 10 - October 8, 2016

Press Performance - Tuesday, Sept. 13 - 7:30PM

Roberts Studio Theatre

From Joshua Harmon, author of the hit play Bad Jews, comes a sharply observed new comedy about of the challenges of finding love and letting go. Jordan Berman and BFFs Kiki, Lauren, and Vanessa have been inseparable up until now; but as singles' nights become bachelorette parties, Jordan finds himself increasingly on his own. As these once passionate friendships morph and cool, Jordan starts to worry about his own prospects, embarking on a series of romantic misadventures on a quest to find Mr. Right.

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2) THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS

Music & Lyrics by John Kander & Fred Ebb

Book by David Thompson

Directed by Paul Daigneault

Featuring Maurice Emmanuel Parent.

New England Premiere! October 22 - November 26, 2016

Press Performance - Tuesday, Oct. 25 - 7:30PM

Roberts Studio Theatre

In this, their final collaboration, legendary songwriting team John Kander and Fred Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago) bring to light one of the most infamous events in American history: the shocking true story of nine African American boys jailed in Alabama in 1931 for a crime they did not commit. Featuring a period-specific mix of gospel, jazz, and vaudeville, this audacious musical uses the construct of a minstrel show to tell the harrowing true story that provoked a national outrage and helped launch the American Civil Rights Movement.

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3) HAND TO GOD
by Robert Askins

Directed by David R. Gammons

Featuring Marianna Bassham

New England Premiere! January 7 - February 4, 2017

Press Performance - Tuesday, Jan. 10 - 7:30PM

Virginia Wimberly Theatre

Tyrone causes trouble. Tyrone breaks things. Tyrone wants to hurt people, which is bad news for Jason, because Tyrone is Jason's sock puppet, and he's refusing to go away. Created as a coping mechanism for a shy and introverted teen, Tyrone now battles Jason for the body that they share, and the church's after-school activities program will never be the same. Robert Askins explodes notions of morality, family and possession of all kinds in this vicious and oddly heart-warming comedy about a boy and his right hand.

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4) GRAND CONCOURSE
by Heidi Schreck

Directed by Bridget Kathleen O'Leary

Featuring Melinda Lopez and Thomas Derrah

New England Premiere! March 11 - April 8, 2017

Press Performance - Tuesday, Mar. 14 - 7:30PM

Roberts Studio Theatre

Called to a life of religious service, Shelley now struggles to find meaning in her work as the manager of a Bronx soup kitchen. The arrival of Emma, a college dropout looking for a sense of purpose, is at first a welcome addition, but the girl's erratic behavior soon pushes Shelley to the breaking point, in this compelling drama about the mysteries of faith, forgiveness, and compassion.

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5) THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
Book by Marsha Norman

Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Browon
Based on the novel by Robert James Waller

Directed by M. Bevin O'Gara

Featuring Jennifer Ellis and Kerry A. Dowling

New England Premiere! May 6 - June 3, 2017

Press Performance - Tuesday, May 7- 7:30PM

Roberts Studio Theatre

A chance meeting between an Italian-American farm wife and a world weary photographer leads to a soul-stirring affair in this lush, lyrical musical by the Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning team of Marsha Norman ( 'night, Mother) and Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World). Winner of two Tony Awards, this sweeping saga combines thrilling intimacy with near-operatic grandeur for a heart-rending reflection on love, loss, and acceptance.

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Subscription Information

Subscriptions for SpeakEasy Stage Company's 2016-2017 Season are now on sale by calling
617-482-3279 or online at www.SpeakEasyStage.com.

Information on all of SpeakEasy's 2016-2017 shows and subscription options can be found by visiting www.SpeakEasyStage.com.

Patrons with subscription questions may also call Jim Torres at 617-482-3279 or write Jim at JimTorres@SpeakEasyStage.com.

Tickets to individual shows in SpeakEasy's 2016-2017 Season go on sale in August.

Press inquiries should be directed to SpeakEasy Marketing Director Jim Torres.

Office: 617-482-3279 Cell: 617-529-1670 (this cell number not for publication)

Email: JimTorres@SpeakEasyStage.com

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