Ellen’s Boys

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE

You don’t have to be Irish to laugh out loud at Ellen’s Boys which focuses on the Flaherty family, living in their Dorchester triple decker, in 1965. From Jewish to Jehovah’s Witnesses, most of us are from quirky, dysfunctional families.

That being said, we would like to collaborate with you to bring this vibrant and delightful production to your stage.

This award-winning new play by Braintree, MA playwright James Sullivan has received rave reviews and sold out audiences at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, MA and our home theater at the Beal House, Kingston, MA. We would like to add you to that list.

Ellen’s Boys focuses on Ellen, a widow who has raised six children on her own but struggles to accept the changing times and her aging children’s embrace of the future.

Her middle son, Gil, now in his thirties, still lives at home and struggles to come to terms with his sexuality in the face of his staunch Irish Catholic upbringing, as Ellen plots and plans to marry him off. The eldest son, John is a priest involved in a relationship to a teenage parishioner that is a little too close. Youngest son, Michael, is about to be shipped off to Vietnam and is courting an unacceptable “I-talian” girl from the neighborhood.

What better way to explore the social issues of the times?

“Anyone with Irish relations or friends will recognize this family,” says Victoria Bond, who plays Ellen. “They act out of love and are beautifully imperfect and impossibly strong.”

Donald Sheehan, Artistic Director at True Rep, who plays middle son Gil, adds, “Audiences can’t help but root for the Flaherty family – just as we are rooting for this play.”

CAST (in order of appearance)

Donald Sheehan (Gil Flaherty/Director) Donald has been acting and directing for over 40 years and founded True Repertory Theatre in 2000 with its humble beginning as an outdoor travelling Shakespeare Company. Since that time, the Company has focused on the Classics, contemporary works, musical theatre and now considers itself privileged to have been entrusted with James Sullivan’s beautiful play, Ellen’s Boys. Donald holds an MFA in acting from Trinity Rep Conservatory and has worked with such theatres as Beowulf, The Gamm, Trinity Rep, The Theatre Co-Operative and The Williamstown Theatre Festival. Recent appearances for True Rep include Reverend Hale (The Crucible), Howie (Rabbit Hole), Tom (Reckless), Jacob Marley (Christmas Carol) and Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf (Into The Woods). Directing highlights for True Rep include The Wizard Of Oz, Reckless, Into The Woods, Christmas Carol, The Imposter and Blithe Spirit. Donald received a nomination from BroadwayWorld as Best Director for Ellen’s Boys. He wishes to thank all involved actors and production staff, family and friends for making this such a special and unique 25-year journey of making Art!

Victoria Bond (Ellen Flaherty) has been involved in theatre since childhood.  After receiving her degree from Emerson College, she spent a decade in NYC working in all aspects of theatre.  In 2009 she co-founded Rogue Theatre Company, a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit, where she served as performer, producer, director, and administrator.  In 2017 she started working with True Repertory Theatre as an actress and recently the associate artistic director. Victoria is an ardent believer in the power of theatre and the many ways that it enriches the community it serves.  She has appeared on stage many times, with many companies.  Some of her favorite roles include Shirley in Shirley Valentine, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Mame Dennis in Auntie Mame, and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.  Ellen Flaherty always has been, and always will be, her favorite.

Melanie Gillespie (Bridgie) moved to the United States from Dublin, Ireland in 1994 and received her BFA in theater training from Emerson College in 2001. Melanie went on to perform in theaters in Boston, Dublin and South Florida. In 2006 she landed the role of Annmarie Murphy on Ireland’s only Gaelic soap opera, Ros Na Rún. ‘One of the best roles of my life!’ She eventually settled back in Massachusetts, where she founded a theater school for kids called Mel O’ Drama. She credits her father, the late entertainer,Brendan Grace, for her love of performance. She’s thrilled to be working alongside her son Patrick & the fabulous folks of True Repertory theater in her role as Bridgie in Ellen‘s Boys.

Andrew Burke (Nathan), an alum of the Atlantic Acting Studio at NYU, is thrilled and humbled to continue working with this brilliant team after last year’s run at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton. Recent acting credits of his include Malcolm in Bedroom Farce, Hal in Proof, Lucas in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and Sebastian in Twelfth Night. Experimental film and video art of his has also been featured at the 8fest of Toronto, Auditoria in Tbilisi, Khodynka Gallery in Moscow, and will be on display later this month at Midway Artist Studios in Fort Point, as part of the Museum of Science’s WaveForms program. He’d like to thank his partner and his family for all their love and support.

Paul Noonan (John Flaherty) is thrilled to be reprising his role as Father John, one of Ellen’s boys. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to bring Ellen’s Boys to the Boston area. The Foundry is a beautiful space and we are all really looking forward to performing here”. Paul is the Artistic Advisor and one of the resident actors at True Rep Theatre. He is a full-time SAG-AFTRA actor, focusing mainly on TV and film. He is repped in Boston and New York City. Paul is originally from Pembroke and now resides in Swansea, MA. His inspiration are his late mom Kathi, his son Conor and his daughter Casey, He hopes you enjoy the show!

Patrick Gillespie (Patrick) is 15 years old and lives in Quincy, Massachusetts. He has been involved in theater since he was 6 years old and some of his favorite roles have included Mr. Wormwood in Matilda, Roger in Rent: Teen edition and Mary Sunshine in Chicago. When Patrick is not performing in theater, you can find him playing the guitar and singing in venues around the south shore with his band, 93 South. He’s thrilled to get to be a part of this talented cast of actors taking on the role of Patrick Walsh.

Justin Maloney (Michael Flaherty) is relatively new to the wonderful world of theatre, and feels truly blessed to be working with such a talented, professional, and gosh-darn-fun cast. The role of Michael Flaherty has been such a delightful challenge for him, and he is relishing the opportunity to bring to life a character so well-written and complex. His recent roles include Monty Navarro in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Muder at The Company Theatre, and Nick in Bedroom Farce with Hull Performing Arts; he also will be performing the role of Cousin Fred in a musical version of A Christmas Carol at The Company Theatre this November and December. His dream stage role is Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, but truthfully, he is already in his true dream role: Husband to his wonderful wife, Shannon, who is more supportive of and patient with his penchant for drama than he has any right to expect.

Alyse Clinton (Tina Toccio) is a graduate of Northeastern University with degrees in Theatre and ASL/English Interpretation. They work at The Learning Center for the Deaf as an aide for DeafDisabled elementary school students. In addition, they are an open captioner, stage manager, actor, and teaching artist in the Boston area. Recent credits include How I Learned to Drive (Female Greek Chorus), The Winter’s Tale (Florizel), The Wolves (#11), As U Like It (Jacques), Hair (Black Boys Trio), Jonathan (Tom/Ensemble), SWAN (Aiden), Proof (Catherine), Joseph (Naphtali/Baker),  Bedroom Farce (Kate), and Cabaret (Fritzie). ILYI, 

Julie Butler (Kathleen) Julie is so excited to be reprising her role in Jim Sullivan’s original play,”Ellen’s Boys” and to be a continuing company member at True Rep Theater. Originally from Wisconsin, Julie has been singing and acting from a very young age. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Musical Theater from UW Steven’s Point. Upon relocating to New England, Julie was first cast as Mary Curley, wife of the infamous mayor, in a Boston original musical, “The Life and Times of James Michael Curley which was an ongoing production in Boston’s theater district. Julie now lives on the South Shore with her beautiful family whose unwavering support makes it possible for her to do theater at all! Some recent roles include: Sheila in “The Boys Next Door”, Elmire in “The Imposter, Mary Warren in “The Crusible”, Sister Augusta in “Drinking Habits” and now as Kathleen in this very intricate, layered play. As far as the cast and director, both extremely hardworking and talented, making this production soon-to-be classic. Thank you so much for supporting us.

Jim Sullivan (Playwright) feels honored and humbled to have the amazing actors of True Repertory Theatre perform his play, Ellen’s Boys, for the third time. He is especially thankful to Donald Sheehan the Artistic Director of True Rep, Victoria Bond, and Paul Noonan, for acting in this production and their encouragement and support. For this play, he is a recipient of a Broadway World nomination and a Consultant Choice Award for Excellence in Playwrighting from the Distinguished Achievement Special Honors (DASH) committee. Jim has acted in many local productions here at True Rep, North River Theater, Hull Performing Arts among others. He has also directed at North River Theater and Hull Performing Arts. He wants to thank all the casts and crews for each production of his play and thanks The Foundry for allowing us to perform his play again. He thanks his wife, Kathy, and sons James, William, and Thomas and dog Moe for their love and support.

Debby Rawson Stratton (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be returning to True Repertory Theatre to help back stage for this new production of Ellen’s Boys.  Most recently she played Flavia/Belinda in True Reps production of Noises Off.  Last fall she had the unique opportunity to play Auntie Em and The Cowardly Lion alongside her husband and 2 daughters in True Rep’s Production of The Wizard of Oz.  Before that she played The Witch in their 2021 production of Into The Woods at Grey’s Beach. She has spent many years performing, directing and stage managing with various theater groups in the Boston area.  Some of her most treasured roles to date include Mrs. Potts in Beauty and The Beast, The Witch and The Baker’s Wife, in Into The Woods, Miss Hannigan in Annie, The Dragon in Shrek, The Musical, Mama Rose in Gypsy, Mama Morton in Chicago, and The Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  However, Debby’s most favorite roles are being Mama to her 2 beautiful girls Destiny and Isabella and wife to her wonderful husband John.  Debby is so grateful to have such an amazing family that loves, encourages, and supports her as she pursues her passion for theater.

* Ellen’s Boys takes place on the top floor of a Dorchester triple decker over the course of the year 1965.  

PRODUCTION TEAM

• Founder/.Artistic Director, Director:  Donald Sheehan
• Associate Artistic Director: Victoria Bond
• Artistic Advisor: Paul Noonan
• Marketing: PR Works
• Set Design: J.C.
• Production Stage Manager: Debbie Rawson Stratton
• Lighting Design: Greg Jutkiewicz
• Costumes: Ensemble
• Fight Choreographer: Sarah Flanagan
• Sound Design: Victoria Bond and Donald Sheehan
• Set Construction: John Brennan, Ida Mihok, Donald Sheehan, Victoria Bond, James Sullivan, Melanie Gillespie, Patrick Gillespie, Justin Maloney, Alyse Clinton, Andrew Burke, Paul Noonan, Julie Butler, Adam Bond
• Graphic Design: Calvin Nelson
• Program Design: Mathew Phillips

AVAILABLE SHOWS

We have several dates available. Please select the show you would like to attend.

General Admission is $30, Students/Seniors/Groups of 10 or more $25, plus a $2 service fee per ticket.