Speech and Debate - The Fiercely Funny Off-Broadway Hit
American Theater Company (Chicago, IL)
Rated 3.4 by 24 members who went.
This quick-witted and timely comedy tells the story of three misfits who team up to expose their teacher's online secrets while forming their high school's first Speech and Debate club. Speech and Debate is the hysterical yet touching tale of three teens' quest for fame and free speech.
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13 Member Reviews
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- Norman S.
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Norman S.
Member since 2005
34 Reviews
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Excellent cast in a sharply funny and well-produced play with a serious underlying purpose
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- Sonia Nahmod
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Sonia Nahmod
Member since 2007
11 Reviews
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The acting by the female lead was outstanding...some of the dialogue was crisp and smart and funny...but overall, 3 teenagers who are gay and/or pregnant, and have had an abortion, are tiresome to me. I'm aware that high schools are replete with these issues, but I don't find them entertaining or informative. There should have been a warning in the reviews that these are the topics of the play.
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- Henry Itkin
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Henry Itkin
Member since 2008
1 Reviews
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This is an excellent show that got deservedly good reviews both in Chicago and in its original staging in New York. The reviews say correctly that the depiction of high school students rings pretty true. Two of the four actors in the Chicago production are equity members, and all four turned in very fine performances. As for our Goldstar experience, we were in the front row. There are some, usually larger, theaters where this might be undesirable, but in this little black box, it was great!
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More Details About Speech and Debate
More Information
Fresh from a popular and extended Off-Broadway run at the acclaimed Roundabout Theater in NYC, this quick-witted and timely comedy is "Ugly Betty" meets "Election.” Even though they go to the same school, misfits Solomon, Diwata and Howie have never met. But when a shocking scandal involving one of their teachers brings them together through an unexpected chain of events, they realize three voices are stronger than one. And since their school has no speech and debate squad, maybe this is their chance to be heard at last – by the school and even the world.
This is the first regional production of this show following its hit Off-Broadway run. It also marks the Chicago directorial debut of PJ Paparelli, Artistic Director of ATC and creator of Columbinus, recently seen at Raven Theatre. The show features ATC Ensemble Member Cheryl Graeff.
American Theater Company
American Theater Company is an ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic American stories that ask the question: "What does it mean to be an American?" ATC provide a truly intimate home for the community to experience meaningful stories. ATC fosters a nurturing environment for artists to take risks and create essential work.
