Speakeasies came to an all-time high during the prohibition era in the United States from 1920 to 1933. They ranged from fancy clubs with jazz bands and ballroom dance floors to dingy backrooms, basements and rooms inside apartments. In prohibition-era New York City, many gangsters, flappers and celebrities pass through Katie Bee’s, a famous speakeasy owned by Tony LaRacca.
Such is the theme of the Off Broadway Players’ next show, “Speakeasy the Musical,” cataloged for Nov. 27 and 28 at La Hacienda Regional Recreation Complex.
“Speakeasy” was originally written and staged by Ray Leggiero, club leader, about seven years back. This time, he is inducting an all-new cast, over 24 songs from the era, a handful of tap and jazz numbers by the Off Broadway Dancers led by Shirley Keith and colorful outfits.
“We believed it was about time to revive this one because it was so well accepted and so much fun, and we have a whole new audience now seven years later that haven’t been exposed,” Leggiero said.
Actors will depict various personalities such as Charlie Chaplin, Al Jolson, Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallée. A sing-along to “Shine On, Harvest Moon” and “Bye Bye Blackbird” will be lead by few speakeasy patrons visiting from Florida.
“We prefer to cast people in the best light for them,” Leggiero said. “A lot of it has to do with fit, not only with talent but how people represent the characters we’re trying to portray.”
The cast is currently rehearsing, and tickets will be sold closer to the date. Audience members dressed in era-themed attires will be spotted for possible prizes.