The New Century

The New Century

4 Plays by Paul Rudnick
Directed by Paul Daigneault

Jan. 16 - Feb. 14, 2009

Show Description:

From the author of Jeffrey and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told comes this hilarious collection of four short gay-themed comedies. A wealthy Jewish matron with at least three gay children, a flamboyant public access TV host and a Midwestern scrapbooker/competitive cake decorator each have their say, then meet, in this outrageous look at where society is headed in the new millennium.

With: Emile Battle, Kerry A. Dowling, Paula Plum, Robert Saoud, and Bud Weber

Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission

Recommended for mature audiences. Contains Nudity and Adult Language.

Here's what the Boston press has to say:

“Very, very funny! The one liners fly furiously, and when they are in the air, it’s hard to do anything but laugh.” —Boston Globe

“Hilarious! The quips come with such rapid-fire regularity that it’s demolition by laughter.” —Edge Boston

“Silliness reigns supreme... SpeakEasy’s latest is a ‘New Century’ of funny!” —Boston Metro

“Charming! Will leave you feeling like the happy victim of an assault by Jackie Mason, Dame Edna and Oscar Wilde.” —Boston Phoenix

“Expertly delivered, beautifully paced, and laugh-out loud funny!” —OnStage Boston

“Damn Funny! A deliciously brazen (and subtly political) comedy... that shows us both the fabulousness and challenges of the human experience.” —Boston Theater Examiner

Check out an audio slide show interviewing Paul Rudnick about The New Century

Cast of Characters

Helen Nadler Paula Plum*
Mr. Charles Robert Saoud*
Barbara Ellen Diggs Kerry Dowling*
Joann Emilie Battle
David Nadler, Shane Bud Weber*

Production Staff

Director Paul Daigneault
Production Manager Paul Melone
Production Stage Manager Dawn Schall*
Scene Design Cristina Todesco**
Costume Design Gail Astrid Buckley**
Lighting Design Jeff Adelberg
Sound Design Nathan Leigh

*Member of Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

**Member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829.

Video Trailers

Meet Barbara Ellen...

Meet Mr. Charles...

Meet Helene...

Videos by Jordan Harrison. Original music by Nathan Leigh.

SpeakEasy Press Contact:

Jim Torres
Director of Marketing,
Press and Public Relations

Phone: 617-482-3279
Cell: 617-529-1670
Fax: 617-482-3280

Email: use our Contact Us form

Basic Show Information

The New Century
By Paul Rudnick
Jan. 16 - Feb. 14, 2009

PDF Downloads

Hi-Resolution Images

Below are photos from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Please be sure to include the following attribution when using any of these photos: "Photo: Stratton McCrady."

Paula Plum plays a mother with three gay children in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady. Paula Plum address members at a Long Island PFLAG meeting in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady.
Robert Saoud as flamboyant cable TV talk show host Mr. Charles in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady. Robert Saoud as flamboyant cable TV talk show host Mr. Charles in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady.
Kerry A. Dowling as the "crafty" Barbara Ellen Diggs in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady. Kerry A. Dowling as the "crafty" Barbara Ellen Diggs in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady.
From left: Robert Saoud, Bud Weber, Paula Plum and Kerry A. Dowling in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady. Bud Weber in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady.
Bud Weber in the military fantasy sequence from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady. Emilie Battle in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of Paul Rudnick’s THE NEW CENTURY, running now thru February 14th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street in the South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600. Photo: Stratton McCrady.