Tag Archives: 1920s

The Young Lovers’ Path to Speak Easy

Posted on June 25, 2017 by dannyashkenasi

Two Fawns in the Wood Dance into the Light   Maybe it’s just a dream.  Maybe it’s real.  Maybe it doesn’t matter either way.  For the shame and the betrayal are felt just as acutely. In the musical Speakeasy, an … Continue reading →

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SPEAKEASY – The Irony of the Young Lovers’ Duets

Posted on June 22, 2017 by dannyashkenasi

Curious Colorful Night – It’s a Dream – Momentary Bliss Three lovers’ duets that are not what they seem to the ear Ah, young lovers’ duets.  A hallmark of musicals, especially those of the 1920s and 1930s, and so of … Continue reading →

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Speakeasy Highlight Reel

Posted on February 19, 2017 by dannyashkenasi

It’s the one year anniversary of the workshop performances of “Speakeasy – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland“.  To mark the occasion, here are some screen shots of the Speakeasy Highlight Reel, a 13 minute edit of selections from … Continue reading →

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SPEAKEASY – Douglas McDonnell sings “Dance into the Light”

Posted on May 31, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

The tenor Douglas McDonnell sang two songs from Speakeasy at last weekend’s Lower East Side festival at the Theater for the New City: “Dance into the Light” and “All You Are”.  Unfortunately technical difficulties got in the way of recording … Continue reading →

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FINAL SPEAKEASY PERFORMANCES – Dance into the Light tonight, let Love have her way

Posted on March 11, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Tonight and tomorrow, 8pm Final Performance Sunday, March 13, 3pm Theater for the New City, 155 1st Avenue Thank you to all, contributors, performers, production team, audiences, who have helped make this workshop production of Speakeasy possible.  May we all … Continue reading →

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“SPARKLING MOMENTS OF MUSICAL THEATER” – OffOffOnline’s Speakeasy Review

Posted on March 7, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

OffOffOnline posted their Speakeasy review.  Here a few highlights: “Kayleigh Shuler as Jane and Matias Polar as John are the heartbeat of the show; they are the flawless young lovers, never missing a note or a cue.” “As Jane’s best … Continue reading →

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The Inspiration for SPEAKEASY’S DUCHESS BENTLEY – Part 2 of The Terrific, Transgressive and Tragic Tale of Gladys Bentley

Posted on March 4, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Gladys Bentley, the model for the character Duchess Bentley in Speakeasy, enjoyed a terrific career as deliberately outrageous Lesbian nightclub singer during the Roaring Twenties, but saw her prospects plummet during the far less permissive Great Depression.  Almost all homosexual … Continue reading →

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The Inspiration for SPEAKEASY’S DUCHESS BENTLEY – The Terrific, Trangressive and Tragic Tale of Gladys Bentley – Part 1

Posted on March 2, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

In the musical Speakeasy – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland, Jane Allison first meets Duchess Bentley, Harlem nightclub singer and unabashed lesbian, when she finds herself outside a door being angrily knocked upon by Minister Fish, who implores … Continue reading →

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Speakeasy inspired ART by PETER BONNER

Posted on February 28, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Peter Bonner is a New York based artist originally from Australia.  We met as members of the choir singing the Ode to Joy in Carnegie Hall with the World Community Orchestra.  He has been reading the libretto and listening to … Continue reading →

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SPEAKEASY PRODUCTION PHOTOS #2

Posted on February 25, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

    “An offbeat, mind-blowing fantasia on identity, taboo romance, and queer culture circa 1930.” Gay City News       “The lyrics, melodies, and orchestrations are surprisingly rich and sophisticated.” Gay City News  

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SPEAKEASY PRODUCTION PHOTOS #1

Posted on February 23, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  “One of the most wildly ambitious, inspired theatrical endeavors I’ve seen on an Off Off Broadway stage. Bursting with an excess of ideas and passion” Gay City News       “Director Lissa Moira, choreographer J. Alan Hanna, and … Continue reading →

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ANOTHER OPENING OF ANOTHER SHOW!

Posted on February 19, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

SPEAKEASY  John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland is now in previews! Grand Opening Night Saturday 8pm! Theater for the New City – 155 1st avenue   I think Cole Porter had something to say about this: Another Op’nin, Another … Continue reading →

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BROADWAY BULLET PODCAST INTERVIEWS DANNY ASHKENASI ABOUT SPEAKEASY

Posted on February 16, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  Broadway Bullet’s Michael Gilboe interviewed me back in December for his seventh season of Broadway Bullet podcasts.  Episode 703 includes that interview.  It begins on the 37 min 24 second mark. Michael Gilboe always provides unedited full length versions … Continue reading →

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Speakeasy Drag Make-Up Workshop

Posted on February 14, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Last Saturday we held a drag make up workshop, specifically focused on drag make up styles of the 1920’s and 1930’s.  Veteran drag artist Terry Lee King and his colleague Cesar Castillo explained the finer points of drag make-up while … Continue reading →

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SPEAKEASY performances start 2/18 – OPENING NIGHT 2/20

Posted on February 12, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  SPEAKEASY PREVIEW PERFORMANCES START THURSDAY OPENING NIGHT SATURDAY FEB 20, 8PM FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 13 WEDNESDAY – SATURDAYS 8PM SUNDAYS 3PM   Theater for the New City – 155 1st Avenue – Smarttix 212 868 4444 – Tickets … Continue reading →

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