February House
Music and Lyrics by Gabriel Kahane
Book by Seth Bockley
Director: Katie Swimm
Music Director: Jeff Kimball
September 27 - October 13, 2024
BCA Black Box Theatre at The Boston Center for the Arts
Read reviews from NE Theatre Geek & NE Theatre Mirror.
In 1940, on the brink of the U.S.’s entrance into World War II, artistic and literary luminaries including Carson McCullers, Gypsy Rose Lee, W.H. Auden, and Benjamin Britten shared lives of creation and freedom in a Brooklyn brownstone. Though their time together was brief, the experience profoundly shaped their lives and work. February House, with music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane (The Ambassador, Book of Travelers) and a book by Seth Bockley (King Gilgamesh & the Man of the Wild) explores that moment in time through the lives of these artists, examining the ways people choose their family, pursue romance and lust, and thrive in a community founded on creativity.
Featuring:
Todd Sandstrom as George Davis
Em Sheeran as Carson McCullers
Todd Yard as W.H. Auden
Shai Wolf as Chester Kallman
Travis Karas as Benjamin Britten
Matty Finn as Peter Pears
Sean Donnelly as Reeves McCullers
Shira Cahn-Lipman as Erika Mann
Devin Bean as Gypsy Rose Lee
Maggie Poost as Young Man & Swing
The Band:
Piano: Jeff Kimball
Banjo & Guitar: Robert Draper
Violin: Caroline Leguia
Cello: Minghui Lin; Paul Alperin
Reed 1: Jeff Leonard; Jeri Sykes
Reed 2: Jordan Roach
The Crew:
Assistant Director: Lisa Tierney
Stage Manager & Sound Design: Dannie Smith
Assistant Stage Manager: Mia Kania
Lighting Design: Dan Clawson
Costume/Hair Design: Marc Capizzi
Costume Design: Christina Petrillo
Set/Props Design: Britt Ambruson
Producer: AJ Lyman
Producer & Select Choreography: Melissa Paz
Set Construction: Zach Best
Finance Director: Katie Kinlay
Audience Engagement & Outreach: Zack Page
Fundraising & Grants: Devin Bean
Marketing & Communications: Ashley DiFranza
Public Relations: Emma Futhey
Photography: Val Tracy
Graphic Design: John Sanchez
Contracting Assistance: Caroline Leguia
Special Thanks:
Hovey Players
Vokes Players
Arlington Friends of the Drama
Quannapowitt Players
John Murtaugh
Linda Burtt
“A singular, engrossing thing of beauty. One of the best musicals Boston has seen this year!”
“What wonderful performances, and such sublime music. This labor of love lingers in the memory. Thank you!”
“Director Katie Swimm has tapped into the text’s uniquely meditative charms, resulting in a production that lingers in all the right places and cares more about intimate details than sweeping song-and-dance numbers: Davis wrapping a blanket around a friend’s shoulders; the clink of tumbler glasses; a breath of sharp winter air.”
“An enjoyable and utterly unique musical theatre listening experience.”
