(Cover Photo: Debra Wise as "Miss Sophie" and Paul Melendy as "James" in a scene from "DINNER FOR ONE" by Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. now playing through November 17, 2024. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724   

"Skol!" - ("Admiral") / Christina Baldwin, Sun Mee Chomet and Jim Lichtscheidl

Greater Boston Stage Company  

Presents 

"DINNER FOR ONE"

New England Premiere!

Written by Christina Baldwin, Sun Mee Chomet, and Jim Lichtscheidl

Directed by Weylin Symes

Music Director Tim Goss

Production Stage Manager E.D. Fitzgerald*

Cast Includes: Debra Wise* as "Miss Sophie" and Paul Melendy* as "James"

Additional Creative Team:

Scenic Designer - Katy Monthei; Lighting Designer - Jeff Adelberg^; Costume Designer - Deirdre Gerrard; Sound Designer - David Remedios^; Properties Designer - Hazel Peters; Musician/Violin - Tommaso Lorenzon; Production Manager - Casey Blackbird; Assistant Stage Manager - Mariah Ruben; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant - Kira Troilo 

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. 

^ Member of IATSE/USA + Member of SDC

Performances:

November 1, 2024 through November 17, 2024

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times) 

GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY, 395 Main Street Stoneham, MA 02180 

TICKETS:

Box Office Hours: Mondays – Fridays, noon to 6pm Box Office # 781-279-2200 boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

BUY TICKETS 

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

Greater Boston Stage Company (GBSC) returns with the delightfully amusing "DINNER FOR ONE" to kick off its 25th Anniversary Season.   

After months of renovations, GBSC is back and serving up the New England premiere of the “two-hander” comedy, directed by GBSC Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes, and starring renowned Boston-based actors Paul Melendy and  Debra Wise. 

(Photo: Debra Wise as "Miss Sophie" and Paul Melendy as "James" in a scene from "DINNER FOR ONE" by Christina Baldwin, Sun Mee Chomet and Jim Lichtscheidl, presented by Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. now playing through November 17, 2024. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

According to a press release, "DINNER FOR ONE" was adapted from a 1963 short film which became a New Year’s Eve tradition in Europe. 

Written by Christina Baldwin, Sun Mee Chomet and Jim Lichtscheidl, "DINNER FOR ONE" contains an enormous amount of comedy but there is also an underlying ghoulishness and sadness. 

In fact, even though the story takes place on New Years Eve, if the show had premiered in October instead of November it might have proven more appropriate for “spooky season” as "DINNER FOR ONE" comes across as a little bit of a ghost story. 

(Photo: Debra Wise as "Miss Sophie" in a scene from "DINNER FOR ONE" by Christina Baldwin, Sun Mee Chomet and Jim Lichtscheidl, presented by Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. now playing through November 17, 2024. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

Wise plays “Miss Sophie” – a wealthy recluse who likes to re-live past romances every New Year’s Eve. 

Aiding her is her ever-faithful man servant, James (Melendy) who re-enacts past suitors who shower Miss Sophie with their respective gifts and tales of old. 

For at lest the first 10 minutes of "DINNER FOR ONE" there is absolutely no talking, giving the sense we are watching a silent movie, heightening much of the appeal to the story.

However, it is in those unspoken moments where much of the backstories is revealed of these two characters we are about to encounter.

The above also lets the audience know that they need to be paying close attention to those first silent moments as much of what is conveyed will return later. 

There is an enormous amount of physical comedy, mostly coming from the ever-skillful Melendy, who also must switch between his portrayal of multiple characters, occasionally at break-neck speed and utilizing some amazing improvisational skills.

(Photo: Debra Wise as "Miss Sophie" and Paul Melendy as "James" in a scene from "DINNER FOR ONE" by Christina Baldwin, Sun Mee Chomet and Jim Lichtscheidl, presented by Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. now playing through November 17, 2024. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

Counterbalancing Melendy’s diverse comedic skills is Wise who, as “Sophie” brings to the character a sad, wistful sense of nostalgia. 

It is a poignant portrayal of loneliness - of a woman who squandered her youth and now is only left with an empty, dilapidated house replete with fading, dilapidated memories. 

But through the sadness there is also a hell of a lot of laughter in "DINNER FOR ONE," and part of the enjoyment comes from audience participation and suggestions. 

The fourth wall is broken many times with a great deal of improvising involved, adding to the overall enjoyment in this fabulous short one-act set in a declining old mansion. 

One of the most enjoyable aspects of watching this show is not always knowing where the actual improvisation begins and when something has been so carefully staged to make it appear as if something is being improvised. 

(Photo: Paul Melendy as "James" in a scene from "DINNER FOR ONE" by Christina Baldwin, Sun Mee Chomet and Jim Lichtscheidl, presented by Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. now playing through November 17, 2024. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

The GBSC single set is meticulously crafted with suspended paraphernalia, a gorgeous central staircase and “windows” into other rooms where musicians can be heard playing throughout the 70-minute show. 

While not a musical, music is played a great deal throughout and the choice of music is propitiously timed out to coincide with the actions on stage. 

There is also a sweetness to the tale thanks to the heartwarming relationship between Miss Sophie and James as conveyed by the actors on stage. 

The split-second timing for the handling and execution of various props used throughout the show is masterfully handled by the actors and by the behind-the-scenes (literally) GBSC stage crew, led by production stage manager E.D. Fitzgerald. 

(Photo: Debra Wise as "Miss Sophie" and Paul Melendy as "James" in a scene from "DINNER FOR ONE" by Christina Baldwin, Sun Mee Chomet and Jim Lichtscheidl, presented by Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. now playing through November 17, 2024. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

"DINNER FOR ONE" continues at the Greater Boston Stage Company until November 17^th so make your reservations now. 

Coming up next for the GBSC 25^th Anniversary Season will be the 60s holiday revue “Winter Wonderettes” by Roger Bean beginning November 29^th and running through December 22^nd.

For tickets, contact the Box Office at # 781-279-2200 or at boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

BUY TICKETS 

Approximately one hour, 10 minutes with no intermission.

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE SHOW

New England Premiere!

Experience a New Year’s Eve party like no other in "DINNER FOR ONE"- where Miss Sophie’s devoted butler, James, hilariously impersonates four of her long-lost lovers. 

As the night unfolds, unexpected mishaps and a bit too much wine lead to uproarious and unpredictable outcomes. 

Inspired by the iconic comedy sketch that has delighted Europe for over six decades, this charming performance is packed with physical comedy, music, and heartwarming nostalgia.

ABOUT GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY 

We bring vibrant professional theatre and dramatic education beyond the boundaries of Boston, featuring world and regional premieres alongside fresh interpretations of familiar work. Within this setting, we uniquely foster the artists of tomorrow by providing ongoing performance and employment opportunities to our company of current and former students. Located in Stoneham, MA.

GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY produces five Mainstage shows, presents a series of Special Events, and runs year-round classes, lessons, and fully staged productions through The Young Company for students in grades 1–12.

GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY  

395 Main Street 

Stoneham, MA. 02180 

Box Office # 781-279-2200 

boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

greaterbostonstage.org