Last November a reincarnated Boston theater company made up of senior citizens proved that fine actors, like fine wine, only get better with age as it debuted under a new name in a Dot-based dinner theater series. Encouraged by the warm reception of their 2013 production of “A Betrothal,” the troupe of time-tested thespians is back this month with a bigger cast and a longer run.
Through Nov. 22, Avenue Stage will be presenting Friday and Saturday evening performances of “Home” at the Dot to Dot Café. The drama critic of the UK’s highly respected daily Guardian wrote, “David Storey’s beautiful 1970 play “Home,” about old age, mental infirmity and what Virgil called ‘the tears in mortal things,’ is one of the glories of modern drama.”
“Home” tells the tale of dapper gentlemen Jack and Harry and their straight-talking lady companions, Marjorie and Kathleen. The four meet at what appears to be a seaside resort, but as they stroll around the grounds chatting about meals, activities, and the other guests, we learn that there is more to the place than first meets the eye.
The production stars Anthony Dangerfield, Marie Jackson, Geoffrey Pingree, and Jennifer Jones, all with impressive acting credits. It is directed by Dot resident Michael O’Halloran, whose son Desmond, a student at Boston Latin, has a small role in the play.
O’Halloran explains how he got these veteran performers to appear here: “I think experienced actors are willing to do a show in a small place like Dot 2 Dot because they realize that neighborhood audiences are enthusiastic and appreciative. We had a wonderful experience with the venue last year, and people were asking when we’d come back. We are trying to combine the best aspects of community theatre – local venue, affordable, friendly audiences – with content that might be termed ‘fringe’ or at least ‘off Broadway.’ “
O’Halloran, who first studied the play under legendary UMass drama professor Lou Roberts, who frequently used “Home” as a model text in his classes, is a longtime third-grade teacher at the Edward Everett School. He once was the artistic director of the QE2 Players, who were active in Boston from 1997 to 2008. QE2 mounted productions of works by contemporary British dramatists – Harold Pinter’s “Moonlight”; Alan Bennett’s “Talking Heads”; and Willy Russell’s “Shirley Valentine.” QE2 eventually modulated into the Avenue Stage, whose name alludes to the address of Dot to Dot at 1739 Dorchester Avenue just south of St. Mark’s Church.
The largely British Commonwealth expatriate company found a warm reception from the cozy restaurant’s chef and owner, Karen Henry-Garrett, who graduated from the Cordon Bleu in London. Dot to Dot, by the way, was singled out as “Best Neighborhood Café, Dorchester,” in Boston Magazine’s 2014 Best of Boston issue, partly because of its frequent hosting of local arts events.
Tickets are priced at $30, which includes a two-course dinner featuring choice of entree: Chickpea and sweet potato stew with coconut bread or Caribbean “stewed” chicken with rice and peas and a mixed salad or wild mushroom risotto with marsala and a mixed salad. The dessert choices are apple pie with whipped cream or Brioche bread pudding with caramel sauce and whipped cream or tropical fresh fruit salad in a ginger sauce.
Dinner seating is from 6 to 6:30 p.m., with the play beginning at 7:15. Tickets may be purchased online at avenuestage.com or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006. People can keep up with cultural and culinary happenings at the café’s Facebook page.
