Did the Boston Massacre really start over a snowball?

Not exactly, but colonists who threw snowballs at British soldiers did escalate growing tension leading up to this historical event.  It is one of many wildly staged ideas explored in Greater Boston Stage Company’s Founding F%!#ers, a historical comedy which dives into the lives of laidback renegade Vermonter Ethan Allen and meticulous Connecticut-born military officer Benedict Arnold through the American Revolution.  These notorious and egotistical individuals cross paths shortly after the Boston Massacre and would become frenemies, but they also might share a lot more in common than they would ever care to admit. 

History buffs, prepare to be entertained.  Boasting Will McGarrahan’s candid and compelling narration, Greater Boston Stage Company delivers a historical comedy whose two strong leads face missteps and misfortune worse than witnessing poor Stewart Evan Smith and Jules Talbot as soldiers enduring the throes of a punishing Boston winter.

Directed with a contemporary comical edge by Weylin Symes, Greater Boston Stage Company presents the world premiere of Conor Casey’s Founding F%!#ers live and in person at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 18.  The production is approximately two hours with one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Rumor, gossip, spies, backstabbing, conspiracies and tall tales all come to a head in a story that looks back on events with the full knowledge of how these events were bound to turn out.  It is also full of local references and colonial fare making Massachusetts the ideal spot to debut this world premiere production with Vermont running a close second. 

Plans take shape and also go humorously awry with brief contemporary references such as Hamilton interspersed throughout the play.  Iconic moments in history are played out under McGarrahan’s capable narration, which keeps the show from becoming an arduous history lesson.  Never preachy, McGarrahan is a wonderful and animated narrator, also peppering his performance with occasional candid reactions to the action before stepping in later as John André.  André is a cunning individual that I would have like to have known better.

The cast personify a number of roles as the show progresses such as Jeff Mitchell portraying sweet Rosie the barmaid and John Adams.  Within Jenny S. Lee’s multiple roles, Lee’s pivotal role as resourceful Peggy Burr brings mischievous intrigue.

Corey Whittemore’s warm lighting illuminate Katy Monthei’s sliding rustic wooden colonial set.  Deirdre Gerrard’s exacting costume design includes a combination of New England and period colonial pieces with accessories such as leather hats, white wigs, gold buttons, suede, lace, fringe and makeshift mustaches.

Dressed in a suede fringe jacket, William Johnston depicts laidback renegade Ethan Allen, head of the Green Mountain Boys, with a combination of charisma and the ability to spin a good yarn.  Allen is dodgy, impulsive and often inebriated and Olivia Dumaine as Allen’s trusty and reasonable cousin Seth Warner does an admirable job in steadying Allen’s spontaneity.

Marge Dunn does double duty as Fight Captain and Benedict Arnold, boasting a serious and commanding demeanor longing to rise up the military ranks.  Arrogant and orderly, Arnold insists on following the rules of engagement until something unexpected takes shape.  They share an interesting and unpredictable rapport and it is good fun to anticipate whether they are finally in agreement or about to double cross each other.  They are both impressive in these roles as they get under each other’s skin and to watch them make the decisions that lead to their ultimate fate.

Founding F%!#ers is plenty informative and not edgy as the title may suggest, even as they are embarking on exaggerated battles with a good dose of physical and satirical humor from Quebec to West Point and beyond.  While it may run a bit long at times, the show has a lot to cover and does so with a combination of action, comedy, silliness…and irony.  I guess hindsight really is 20/20.

Greater Boston Stage Company presents the world premiere of Conor Casey’s Founding F%!#ers live and in person at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 18.  Click here for more information and for tickets.