Dogfight

Speakeasy Stage is bringing their 25th season to a close with a lovely and touching production of the award winning musical "Dogfight."

Based upon the 1991 film by Nancy Savoca, the musical was developed in 2012 and features music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ("SMASH", "A Christmas Story") and a book by Peter Duchan. It premiered at off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre and enjoys somewhat of a cult following since.

Set in 1963, three young Marines are in San Francisco and ready to raise some hell on their last night before deployment to Vietnam. This hell comes in the form of a Marine tradition to have "dogfight" - a contest to see who can find the ugliest girl and bring her to a party to be rated by the others. But from this stomach churning premise emerges a poignant love story between Corporal Eddie Birdlace and a shy young waitress named Rose.

Director Paul Daigneault, musical director Jose Delgado, and choreographer Larry Sousa have created a simple yet sure-footed production from start to finish. This is a character driven show and the simplicity of the staging allows the cast to shine both in their acting and singing. And while there are definitely lead roles, the comradery on stage makes it very much feel like an ensemble piece.

One of the many highlights is the age-appropriate casting - most of the characters are in their early 20s, as is the cast. It shows the amount of young talent that exists within Boston. It's a shame so many choose to leave.

Jordan J. Ford and Alejandra M. Parrilla are fantastic as Eddie and Rose. Mr. Ford is the epitome of the fresh-faced Marine who is just a boy but trying to prove he is a man. And Ms. Parrilla's Rose is full of the kind of strength you can only find in someone that has been repeatedly disappointed, yet remains a diehard optimist.

They are honest, relatable, and perfectly capture the conflict and awkwardness of young love. Ms. Parrilla's Rose is especially memorable as she effortlessly serves as the emotional core of the show. It does not take long before you are rooting for these two.

Other standouts include Drew Arisco and Jared Troilo as Eddie's buddies, Bernstein and Boland. On paper, their characters are not much more than the standard stereotypes used in countless buddy movies - the nerdy one and the jerk. However, their performances manage to transcend these limitations and become three dimensional people.

McCaela Donovan also does a fantastic job as the toothless prostitute, Marcy. Her rendition of the title song with Rose toward the end of Act One is great.

The only elements that do not rise to the same level of excellence are the wigs and costumes. The 1960s are a difficult period to pull off, but when a show is performed in such an intimate setting the details and the fits are visible.

But as we come to the end of the standard theater season, give yourself one last treat and check out this delightful production and hope we see more like it next year.

"Dogfight" continues through May 4 at the Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. For more information, visit the SpeakEasy Stage website.