Past Productions
Covenant
LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD
BY ANY OTHER NAME
A Message from our Artistic Director
Friends,
Look, it’s no secret we’re living in the wildest timeline. Every day feels like someone spun the giant Wheel of Global Chaos and walked away. But through all of that noise, SpeakEasy has been here. For me. For our artists. For you.
It has been a place to feel something real. A place to ask big questions, laugh till our sides hurt, ugly cry in public without shame, and occasionally walk out of the theater whispering, “…well THAT was unhinged,” in the best possible way.
This season was especially meaningful because it marked my first year stepping into artistic leadership at SpeakEasy alongside the incomparable Paul Daigneault. Co-programming this milestone 35th Season with Paul was joyful, surreal, emotional, and occasionally “are we really doing this?” in the way that all good theater should be. Together, we built a season that celebrated where SpeakEasy has been while throwing the doors wide open toward where we’re headed next.
And you did it with us.
Primary Trust reminded us how desperately we need tenderness and human connection. Lizard Boy was gloriously sincere and theatrical in ways I could talk about for hours if you catch me in the Calderwood lobby after a cocktail. Job had audiences buzzing and debating all the way to the parking garage. The Antiquities gave us a hauntingly funny meditation on technology and humanity. And Swept Away closed the season with an emotional tidal wave of music, brotherhood, survival, and artistry that left audiences leaping to their feet night after night.
But what excites me most isn’t just what happened onstage. It’s what happened around it.
You came to our cocktail hours and talkbacks. You shared your stories with us and with one another. We even stumbled into something magical with our tiny concert series, which is now becoming a permanent part of SpeakEasy programming. Seeing the cast of Swept Away harmonizing across the Wimberly stage? Pure joy.
That’s what SpeakEasy means to me. Not just productions, but people. Not just performances, but conversations. A living, breathing community that continues to evolve alongside the stories we tell.
I have never been more excited about what comes next.
Dawn M. Simmons
Producing Artistic Director, SpeakEasy Stage Company
Stories That Matter
Since September 2025, SpeakEasy Stage Company brought audiences together through FIVE unforgettable performances that stayed true to our values of artistry, empathy, and community – celebrating our past while embracing the possibilities ahead. Each show told a story that moved us, challenged us, and reminded us why live theatre matters. We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us on this journey and helped our stages come alive. Here’s our roundup of stories that we think matter:
PRIMARY TRUST
September 12 – October 11, 2025
WRITTEN BY Eboni Booth
DIRECTED BY Dawn M. Simmons
SpeakEasy opened its 2025–2026 season, our milestone 35th, with Eboni Booth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Primary Trust, which warmed audiences’ and critics’ hearts everywhere. Following the unassuming life of Kenneth, a long-time small-town bookstore clerk, Primary Trust revealed how the smallest acts of kindness can have the biggest impact, and maybe even save a life. With newly appointed Artistic Director Dawn M. Simmons and a critically acclaimed performance from David J. Castillo as Kenneth, Primary Trust marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter at SpeakEasy while continuing our commitment to profound storytelling and captivating performances.
LIZARD BOY
October 24 – November 22, 2025
MUSIC, LYRICS, AND BOOK BY Justin Huertas
DIRECTED BY Lyndsay Allyn Cox
MUSIC DIRECTION by Violet Wang
Lizard Boy brought a comic-book adventure and indie-rock sound to our season, following Trevor on a first date that spirals into a journey of self-confidence, identity, unexpected romance, and even a few dragons. Directed by Lyndsay Allyn Cox with music direction by Violet Wang, the production showcased a trio of actor-musicians who accompanied themselves on everything from cello and percussion to acoustic guitar, piano, and even a kazoo. Keiji Ishiguri, Chelsie Nectow, and Peter DiMaggio made their SpeakEasy debuts and wowed audiences with their onstage chemistry and tightly synced musicality, bringing this genre-defying musical to vibrant life.
JOB
January 16 – February 7, 2026
Written by Max Wolf Friedlich
Directed by Marianna Bassham
Job sparked bold reactions from critics and audiences alike, receiving widespread acclaim for its powerful performances and thrilling themes. Taut, unsettling, and sharply observed, Job interrogated questions of power, labor, technology, and morality, spinning a single therapy session into a gripping psychological thriller. Directed by Marianna Bassham and featuring dynamic performances by Josephine Moshiri Elwood and Dennis Trainor Jr., Job received a Critics Pick and Elliot Norton Nomination for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Midsize).
The Antiquities
March 6 – 28, 2026
Written by Jordan Harrison
Directed by Alex Lonati
The Antiquities brought quiet reflection to SpeakEasy, as its AI-powered hosts looked back on the history of humanity. Under the careful direction of Alex Lonati, this hauntingly funny and quietly profound play interrogated our relationship with technology and challenged audiences to question the costs of progress and the legacy we leave behind. Led by an ensemble of actors, spanning decades of history, this genre-defying exploration sparked meaningful dialogue and thoughtful reflection.
Swept Away
April 24–May 23, 2026
Music & Lyrics by The Avett Brothers
Book by John Logan
Directed by Jeremy Johnson
Music Directed by Paul S. Katz
Choreographed by Ilyse Robbins
SpeakEasy closed out its 35th season with Swept Away, a gripping new musical set against the chilling backdrop of the deep sea. Driven by music from the Grammy-nominated folk rock band, The Avett Brothers, Swept Away explored themes of friendship, sibling hood, and what we sacrifice when everything’s on the line. Directed by Jeremy Johnson, Music Directed by Paul S. Katz, and Choreographed by Ilyse Robbins, this lively musical wowed audiences with stunning visuals, moving performances, and stirring music.
CONVERSATIONS THAT EXCITE
At SpeakEasy, our mission has always been to start conversations and build meaningful communities —and this year was truly unforgettable. We were thrilled to welcome audiences for our evocative talkbacks with visiting playwrights, access programming, and special events!
These moments reminded us how theatre can spark dialogue, connection, and joy. And to top it all off, our Annual Gala exceeded its goal and was an inspiring testament to the community’s support.
Playwright Visits
This past year, we were thrilled to welcome numerous playwrights to Boston from our season, including:
- November 5, 2025: Lizard Boy playwright and composer Justin Huertas joined us to give a rousing talkback.
- January 24, 2026: Max Wolf Friedlich visited SpeakEasy to speak to audiences about Job and the importance of regional theatre in new work development.
Special Events
SpeakEasy presented a number of thrilling special events this year!
- 2026 Season KickOff: We celebrated the 2025/2026 season with a rooftop kickoff party on August 15, 2025 with our donors, supporters, and friends of SpeakEasy.
- BackStage with Dawn! Patrons joined Dawn Simmons and the SpeakEasy team for drinks after performances this season! Special thanks to Bootleg Special, Black Lamb, Reunion BBQ, and Shore Leave for hosting these community gatherings to meet Dawn! To learn more about these special events, visit us here!
- Tiny Claws: A post-show jam session inspired by Tiny Desk, invited the Lizard Boy cast to share original music and covers after the performance, deepening engagement with both the production and its artists. This concert took place on November 14, 2025.
- Tiny Deck: We brought our Tiny Desk inspired post-show jam back with the cast of Swept Away on May 22, 2026.
2026 Gala
On April 10, 2026, we gathered at the Royal Sonesta for a night of celebration as we honored Paul V. Kastner with the Mayor Thomas M. Menino Award for Inspired Support of the Arts, Melinda Lopez with the Daigneault Award for Artistic Excellence, and Harry Baker and Kwezi Shongwe with the Thomas Derrah Emerging Artist Award. The program featured performances from SpeakEasy’s rich past. With the help of our SpeakEasy community, we raised $275,000!
Access Programming
SpeakEasy believes that theatre belongs to all — which is why creating accessible programming is crucial to our mission.
Access Programming: For each production in SpeakEasy’s season, we are dedicated to programming 5 accessible performances each.
- Two Open Captioning Performances
- Two Audio Described Performances
- One Relaxed Performance
At SpeakEasy Stage, we pride ourselves on providing an inclusive, accessible environment, welcoming everyone who wants to partake in our art, while treating all involved with respect. To learn more, please visit our Access Page.
Accessible Ticketing Program: This year, we launched our Pay-What-You-Can Ticketing Program in addition to our array of other ticketing discounts. This program opens the doors to our theatre for patrons of all income levels to partake in our programming — starting at just $15 a ticket and running the first week of each performance in our season.
SpeakEasy’s 2025/2026 Ticket Sale Data
At Rise: A New Musical Partnership with Somerled Arts
SpeakEasy was proud to kick off At Rise: A New Musical Partnership with Somerled Arts Foundation at our Bound For Boston event at CitySpace this past fall. At Rise: A New Musical Partnership will be our launchpad for annual workshops of new musicals in development, with the goal of propelling them from concept to curtain – either on SpeakEasy’s Mainstage or elsewhere.
Titles presented at the sold-out Bound For Boston event hosted by Broadway’s Liz Calloway include:
- FINN Created by Chris Nee, Chris Dimond & Michael Kooman with Book & Lyrics by Chris Dimond & Chris Nee; Music by Michael Kooman
- A heart-warming, coming-of-age tale about a young shark who doesn’t fit in with his dull grey pack
- HATCHETATION — Book, Music & Lyrics by Amy Jo Jackson
- A comedic take on the life of the infamous Temperance Activist Carrie A. Nation
- LEWIS LOVES CLARK — Book & Lyrics by Mike Ross; Music by Dylan MarcAurele
- A funny, fast-paced epic about Lewis & Clark’s famous Corps of Discovery expedition
- PRESENT PERFECT – Book & Lyrics by Nancy Nachama Cheser, Music & Spanish; Dialogue/Lyrics by Jaime Lozano;
- A spirited, uniquely American musical about immigrants and outsiders finding community in a New York City adult English class.
- PROUD MARYS, Creator, Book & Lyrics by Jennifer Paz; Music & Lyrics by Anthony Fedorov
- A seriocomic musical that busts wide open the myth of the model minority Asian-American family, one pop song at a time.
UP NEXT: BY ANY OTHER NAME Workshop
SpeakEasy will continue our partnership with Somerled Arts as we co-produce By Any Other Name, a new musical by Deborah Zoe Laufer and Daniel Green! By Any Other Name will be workshopped in June 2026 and join our Mainstage season in 2027.
An Update from Our Executive Director
To our trusted community of SpeakEasy Stage,
It has been a privilege to serve as SpeakEasy’s Executive Director these past three seasons. I’d like to express my deep gratitude to the SpeakEasy Board of Directors and Board of Advisors, to our amazing donors and subscribers, to our partners, and to the artists, staff, and audiences who sustain this company and will have such a crucial role to play in its ongoing transformation.
While I am saddened that the financial pressures facing so many theater companies no longer allow SpeakEasy to support an E.D. role—particularly since there is still meaningful strategic and financial work to be done—I am proud of the progress we have made and excited about what the future holds. Over the past three years, we reinvented our approach to season subscriptions, with new packages and SuperSize options. We expanded our artistic ambitions, most notably through our partnership with Somerled Arts to develop new musicals. And we have continued producing theater that makes people laugh, cry, and engage meaningfully with the times in which we live.
It hasn’t been easy. Nonprofit theaters remain under significant economic pressure nationwide, and SpeakEasy is not immune to these challenges. However, I have tremendous faith in the loyalty and support of this community, in the resilience of this organization, and in the strength and creativity of the leaders, artists, and staff who will continue to drive it forward. What comes next will require careful stewardship, creativity, and commitment, but the organization is resilient, artistically vibrant, and up to that challenge. If SpeakEasy stays true to its identity and mission—producing top-quality, entertaining, relevant theatre that champions local talent and starts important conversations—the future is bright. To each and every one of you reading this, thank you for your continued support of this company. There would be no SpeakEasy without you.
David Beardsley
Executive Director, SpeakEasy Stage Company
View The unaudited FY26 Fiscal Summary
Thank you supporters and Sponsors!
In this pivotal year—and at a time when producing theatre is more challenging than ever—we rely on the strength of our donor community to provide the foundation from which we can take creative risks, tell urgent stories, and spark meaningful conversations. Your generosity is what allows SpeakEasy to remain bold, responsive, and artistically ambitious. We couldn’t be more grateful for your partnership and support.
You make SpeakEasy happen.
We invite you to view a listing of our incredible donor community here and our corporate sponsors here.
People with Heart
None of our work would be possible without SpeakEasy’s incredible leadership team and staff! To learn more about our team, visit our Leadership page Below!
What Comes Next?
Join us for an incredible set of upcoming shows!
Learn more about ways you can support SpeakEasy below! Thank you for a wonderful year and we look forward to seeing you at the theatre again soon!
