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The Understudy

Presented by The Lyric Stage Company of Boston at The Lyric Stage Company

January 1-January 29, 2011

Avg. Event Rating (4.7 Stars):
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By Theresa Rebeck

Directed by Elliot Norton Award winner Larry Coen

 

When a Hollywood action star who is trying to prove himself in a serious Broadway play comes up against a new understudy with a chip on his shoulder and a tangled romantic past, the results are hilarious. Lyric favorite Theresa Rebeck (The Scene) pokes affectionate fun at the inner workings of the world of the theatre in this smart new comedy. "Funny, funny, funny." (The Boston Globe)

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    The Lyric Stage Company

    140 Clarendon Street
    Boston, MA 02116

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

    Tickets are $25-$56, senior discounts and student rush available

    Info Phone: 617-585-5678

    Email

    Buy ½ price tickets at BosTix.org

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    January 1-January 29, 2011

    Times:
    

    Wednesday & Thursday: 7:30pm
    
    Friday: 8:00pm
    
    Saturday: 3:00pm and 8:00pm
    
    Sunday: 3:00pm
    
    Wednesday matinees: January 5 and 26th at 2:00pm

  • Accessibility Info

    

    We offer a tactile tour for patrons who are blind or have low vision at 1:30PM, prior to the Saturday January 15 matinee performance. After a brief overview, the tour allows patrons to explore the set, costumes and props to enrich their theatre going experience.

  • Video & Image Gallery

    Video | Images Images

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "Interesting Play"
      Review posted by: RM from Boston, Ma, Jan 31, 2011
      

      There was a lot of energy that was generated by the 3 actors. They were very good, however I wasn't familiar with Franz Kafka, so I felt I was missing something.

      There was a lot of energy that was generated by the 3 actors. They were very good, however I wasn't familiar with Franz Kafka, so I felt I was missing something.

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "the understudy"
      Comment posted by: ruth from boston, ma, Jan 31, 2011
      

      very good

      very good

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "great ensemble work"
      Review posted by: Ron from Boston, MA, Jan 31, 2011
      

      This was a terrific production, well directed by Larry Coen, of an insightful and funny plan. The three cast members threw themselves into the performance & made the characters real for me. They... Expand

      This was a terrific production, well directed by Larry Coen, of an insightful and funny plan. The three cast members threw themselves into the performance & made the characters real for me. They were all excellent: Latreille, Webb & Aiken. A great night at the Lyric. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "Unique and Lasting Backstage Exploration"
      Review posted by: Alan Michael Wilt from Arlington, MA USA, Jan 10, 2011
      

      "The Understudy" by Theresa Rebeck is a thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the nature of art and, especially, of the artist. Each character in this backstage comedy is a uniquely vulnerable... Expand

      "The Understudy" by Theresa Rebeck is a thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the nature of art and, especially, of the artist. Each character in this backstage comedy is a uniquely vulnerable individual with specific challenges relative to his or her place in the show biz pecking order. Parallels to the overall human condition abound as the two male actors and their female stage manager work through their challenges in a manner both cuttingly funny and poignant. The theatricality of their circumstances is effectively framed by the opening image of the stage, empty but for a ghost light, and the final action of the trio dancing--together, separate, in concert, a sweet and lasting image. Strong writing, acting, and directing in the Lyric's intimate space add up to an evening in the theatre to which you will return in thought again and again. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "Top Notch Surprise"
      Review posted by: Jackson Boyd from Maine, USA, Jan 06, 2011
      

      What a pleasure I had the other evening with my wife, enjoying the Lyric Theater's production of THE UNDERSTUDY. Filled with laughter, excellent performances from three actors and wonderful directing.... Expand

      What a pleasure I had the other evening with my wife, enjoying the Lyric Theater's production of THE UNDERSTUDY. Filled with laughter, excellent performances from three actors and wonderful directing. We enjoyed the quickly entertaining show greatly! We also were deeply moved by the choreography of Mr. Yo-el Cassell. We had seen his excellent work last for Commonwealth Shakespeare Company ( The Comedy of Errors) and felt he was robbed of an IRNE Award. His choreography in The Understudy is brieft but deeply memorable. He made us leave the theater truly feeling like angels. His choreography was organic and a perfect recipe for the characters in the play. My wife and I are so glad that the Boston theater community is taking notice of his work and looking forward to hopefully seeing his work develop. We are believers of his brilliant talent and the excellent work of The Lyric Theater! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "Deeply moving journey"
      Review posted by: Deeply Moved from Cambridge, Ma, Jan 06, 2011
      

      I must admit when I went to see THE UNDERSTUDY at the Lyric theater this past Wednesday, I was not expecting much. I knew it would be wonderfully produced with some of the best actors in town... Expand

      I must admit when I went to see THE UNDERSTUDY at the Lyric theater this past Wednesday, I was not expecting much. I knew it would be wonderfully produced with some of the best actors in town executing the material with an excellent actor ( Larry Coen) directing. I was expecting to enjoy it, being a fan of Theresa Rebeck's work. But what I did not expect is how moving the play is. Mr. Coen and the cast have digged deep behind the layers of comedy and created a moving character study about human beliefs and the need to be transformed by the beauty of art. Everything is top notch in the play, from the performances to the technical elements but what really floored me was the beautiful and moving choreography at the end by the acclaimed artist Yo-el Cassell. I am surprised the review has not mentioned his great work. Through organic movement poetry, he goes beyond "steps" and gives us a metaphor for what these characters feel most satisfied with...just soaring and executing art. Bravo! Collapse

• Media
  Gallery

  • All Media Gallery

    Video | Images Images

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "Interesting Play"
      Review posted by: RM from Boston, Ma, Jan 31, 2011
      

      There was a lot of energy that was generated by the 3 actors. They were very good, however I wasn't familiar with Franz Kafka, so I felt I was missing something.

      There was a lot of energy that was generated by the 3 actors. They were very good, however I wasn't familiar with Franz Kafka, so I felt I was missing something.

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "the understudy"
      Comment posted by: ruth from boston, ma, Jan 31, 2011
      

      very good

      very good

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "great ensemble work"
      Review posted by: Ron from Boston, MA, Jan 31, 2011
      

      This was a terrific production, well directed by Larry Coen, of an insightful and funny plan. The three cast members threw themselves into the performance & made the characters real for me. They... Expand

      This was a terrific production, well directed by Larry Coen, of an insightful and funny plan. The three cast members threw themselves into the performance & made the characters real for me. They were all excellent: Latreille, Webb & Aiken. A great night at the Lyric. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "Unique and Lasting Backstage Exploration"
      Review posted by: Alan Michael Wilt from Arlington, MA USA, Jan 10, 2011
      

      "The Understudy" by Theresa Rebeck is a thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the nature of art and, especially, of the artist. Each character in this backstage comedy is a uniquely vulnerable... Expand

      "The Understudy" by Theresa Rebeck is a thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the nature of art and, especially, of the artist. Each character in this backstage comedy is a uniquely vulnerable individual with specific challenges relative to his or her place in the show biz pecking order. Parallels to the overall human condition abound as the two male actors and their female stage manager work through their challenges in a manner both cuttingly funny and poignant. The theatricality of their circumstances is effectively framed by the opening image of the stage, empty but for a ghost light, and the final action of the trio dancing--together, separate, in concert, a sweet and lasting image. Strong writing, acting, and directing in the Lyric's intimate space add up to an evening in the theatre to which you will return in thought again and again. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "Top Notch Surprise"
      Review posted by: Jackson Boyd from Maine, USA, Jan 06, 2011
      

      What a pleasure I had the other evening with my wife, enjoying the Lyric Theater's production of THE UNDERSTUDY. Filled with laughter, excellent performances from three actors and wonderful directing.... Expand

      What a pleasure I had the other evening with my wife, enjoying the Lyric Theater's production of THE UNDERSTUDY. Filled with laughter, excellent performances from three actors and wonderful directing. We enjoyed the quickly entertaining show greatly! We also were deeply moved by the choreography of Mr. Yo-el Cassell. We had seen his excellent work last for Commonwealth Shakespeare Company ( The Comedy of Errors) and felt he was robbed of an IRNE Award. His choreography in The Understudy is brieft but deeply memorable. He made us leave the theater truly feeling like angels. His choreography was organic and a perfect recipe for the characters in the play. My wife and I are so glad that the Boston theater community is taking notice of his work and looking forward to hopefully seeing his work develop. We are believers of his brilliant talent and the excellent work of The Lyric Theater! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Understudy
      "Deeply moving journey"
      Review posted by: Deeply Moved from Cambridge, Ma, Jan 06, 2011
      

      I must admit when I went to see THE UNDERSTUDY at the Lyric theater this past Wednesday, I was not expecting much. I knew it would be wonderfully produced with some of the best actors in town... Expand

      I must admit when I went to see THE UNDERSTUDY at the Lyric theater this past Wednesday, I was not expecting much. I knew it would be wonderfully produced with some of the best actors in town executing the material with an excellent actor ( Larry Coen) directing. I was expecting to enjoy it, being a fan of Theresa Rebeck's work. But what I did not expect is how moving the play is. Mr. Coen and the cast have digged deep behind the layers of comedy and created a moving character study about human beliefs and the need to be transformed by the beauty of art. Everything is top notch in the play, from the performances to the technical elements but what really floored me was the beautiful and moving choreography at the end by the acclaimed artist Yo-el Cassell. I am surprised the review has not mentioned his great work. Through organic movement poetry, he goes beyond "steps" and gives us a metaphor for what these characters feel most satisfied with...just soaring and executing art. Bravo! Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.