THE SHOW BEHIND THE SHOW

A well-done backstage farce is always a good time, especially for theatre lovers. But a well-done backstage farce with something to say, with layers and depth—that is harder to come by, and even more of a good time—thespian or no. Hats off to Hub Theatre Company of Boston‘s The Understudy for delivering the latter in the intimate Club Café setting that immerses us in that stimulating world from lights up.

Acclaimed playwright, TV and screen writer, and author Theresa Rebeck has created a captivating web of a story, utilizing only three actors and one set—on the stage and in the house—of a put-in, rehearsing the understudy of a Broadway play. Actually, the audience is treated to multiple “sets” because of the rehearsal of the play-within-the play, but it is all done smartly on one set in the small space, thanks to the talents of scenic designer Peyton Tavares, projections designer Justin Lahue, sound designer Gage Baker, lighting designer Emily Bearce, and renowned Boston treasure, director Paula Plum.

The at-first-glance hapless understudy Harry, played with a nice combo of nuance and farce by Kevin Paquette, is eager to begin his Broadway rehearsal of a newly discovered Kafka masterpiece. He is, however, somewhat out of place, as his scene partner is none other than big-time action movie star Jake, played with the right balance of emotional shading, vulnerability and bravado by Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia. Jake, though, is only second banana to Bruce, an even bigger action movie star box-office draw who plays opposite Jake in the Kafka piece. We never see Bruce, but his presence is clearly felt.

Running this rehearsal for Jake (understudying Bruce’s role) and Harry (understudying Jake’s role) is harried yet impressively adept stage manager Roxanne. Here I must give particular mention to Lauren Elias who, in addition to masterfully inhabiting the rich and layered character of Roxanne, also serves as the producing artistic director and public relations coordinator of Hub Theatre. Elias is obviously a woman of many hats and talents onstage and off.

Without giving too much away, the changing power dynamics and relationships between the three characters, and the dramatic and comedic strengths needed to make that all work is alone worth buying a ticket for attending. Can’t afford a ticket right now? That’s another reason to go: this is Boston’s only pay-what-you-can theatre company—every show, every play, every time.

In addition to its accessibility and many laughs, The Understudy also addresses broader questions of the definition of success, who decides what real ‘art’ is, the ups and downs of growing commercialism within the arts, revenge, forgiveness, and community. Both this play and this production of it are a great way to spend an uninterrupted hour and thirty-five minutes of backstage theatre delight.

photos by Kai Chao

The Understudy
Hub Theatre of Boston
Club Café on Columbus Avenue in Boston
Thurs-Sat at 7:30; Sun at 2
ends on August 2, 2025
for tickets (Pay-What-You-Can to all performances), visit Hub Theatre