Tag Archives: Wonderland

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 →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Literary Lyricism, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cast Picture

Posted on March 17, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  Jonathan Fox Powers (music director), Anne Bragg, Allie Radice, Amanda Thomas, Zachary Martin, Kristen Quinn, Rita McCann, Larry Johnson, Rebecca Marquardt, Brendan Mellette, Camille Atkinson, Tim Connell, Matias Polar, Darcy Dunn, Kayleigh Shuler, Brian Henry, Bri Molloy, Sebastian McCracken, … Continue reading →

Posted in Live! On Stage, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“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 →

Posted in Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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  

Posted in Live! On Stage, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Live! On Stage, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Gay City News Review for Speakeasy

Posted on February 21, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

“An offbeat, mind-blowing fantasia on identity, taboo romance, and queer culture circa 1930.” “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.” “The score … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Live! On Stage, Melodies Linger On, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Adam Szymkowicz interviews Danny Ashkenasi

Posted on February 3, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

So there are two last names with lots of letters and lots of Eastern European heritage… Adam Szymkovicz posted his interview with me yesterday on his site.  You can go to it here or read the excerpt below. Those looking … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

AXS INTERVIEW

Posted on February 2, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

The on-line magazine AXS has published an interview with yours truly.  The questions delve into the evolution of Speakeasy as well as musical influences in my childhood and advice to aspiring playwrights and composers. The article is excerpted below: Interview … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Speakeasy – THE LOBSTER QUADRILLE vs. THE LOBSTER CHARLESTON

Posted on January 24, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Introducing the latest dance craze from the Roaring Twenties: The Lobster Charleston! The Lobster Charleston Yes, it’s a novelty dance, like the Turkey Trot, or the Chicken Dance, or the Macarena, the Mashed Potato and Gangnam Style. But it’s imaginary, … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Literary Lyricism, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Speakeasy Tickets Now on Sale

Posted on January 6, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Tickets for the showcase production of SPEAKEASY – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland are now on sale. Check out the Theater for the New City Speakeasy webpage here! Check out the Smarttix Speakeasy ticket purchase page here! Plus, … Continue reading →

Posted in Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SPEAKEASY HONOR ROLL OF PLEDGES

Posted on December 24, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE GRATEFUL! Thank you to all who gave to help make Speakeasy’s February/March showcase run a reality! In alphabetical order:   Ilse & Hanns Ahrens Michael Ahrens Kelly Aliano Claudia Arlo Abraham & Catherine Ashkenasi David … Continue reading →

Posted in The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

THE SPEAKEASY KICKSTARTER REWARDS – from Signed Collectible Postcard to VIP On Stage Performance Cameo

Posted on November 28, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

When we decided we would need to turn to Kickstarter to raise the funding necessary to mount a showcase production of “Speakeasy – John and Jane Allison in the Wonderland”, we learned that creating an attractive set of rewards for … Continue reading →

Posted in The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment