SECONDSTORY REP "A Man Of No Importance" May 15 through June 7, 2026 Review
A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE
Book by TERRENCE MCNALLY
Music by STEPHEN FLAHERTY
Lyrics by LYNN AHRENS
Based on a Film "A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE"
Directed by Micheal O’Hara
Music Direction by Gabe Mangiante
SecondStory Repertory
Redmond, WA
Thursday May 21, 2026 - 8pm Performance
The latest production at Secondstory Rep is the musical A Man Of No Importance. This show comes from the creators of Ragtime which may give some patrons a good idea of what they’re going to get.
I only knew a bit about the show so I went in fairly fresh. As always I’d rather the reader/patron go into any show and judge for themselves. So, I won’t be going over the story in any detail.
Instead, I’d rather talk about what stood out about this production.
I’ve seen other shows where the cast is partially made up of veterans of the stage who came back after a break (some short, others long) to a particular show. This to me is always a good thing. The “musical theatre muscle” doesn’t go away. It may need some massaging at first but once it’s warmed up, it flexes in full force as if the break never happened. That was the case here with some of the cast members.
As a group, the cast were full of talent and experience. It showed in every scene and every song they performed. It was a pleasure to watch and hear each and every one of them perfect their craft on stage.
Book by TERRENCE MCNALLY
Music by STEPHEN FLAHERTY
Lyrics by LYNN AHRENS
Based on a Film "A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE"
Directed by Micheal O’Hara
Music Direction by Gabe Mangiante
SecondStory Repertory
Redmond, WA
Thursday May 21, 2026 - 8pm Performance
Photos by Michael Brunk | https://nwlens.com/
The latest production at Secondstory Rep is the musical A Man Of No Importance. This show comes from the creators of Ragtime which may give some patrons a good idea of what they’re going to get.
I only knew a bit about the show so I went in fairly fresh. As always I’d rather the reader/patron go into any show and judge for themselves. So, I won’t be going over the story in any detail.
Instead, I’d rather talk about what stood out about this production.
I’ve seen other shows where the cast is partially made up of veterans of the stage who came back after a break (some short, others long) to a particular show. This to me is always a good thing. The “musical theatre muscle” doesn’t go away. It may need some massaging at first but once it’s warmed up, it flexes in full force as if the break never happened. That was the case here with some of the cast members.
As a group, the cast were full of talent and experience. It showed in every scene and every song they performed. It was a pleasure to watch and hear each and every one of them perfect their craft on stage.
Photos by Michael Brunk | https://nwlens.com/
Frank Kohel as (Alfie Byrne) was center stage in practically every scene in the show. He was tasked with embodying a character that had so many different layers that it was a tough task. But, Mr. Kohel handled it with ease. His Alfie Byrne was likeable, misunderstood, empathetic, and relatable. In lesser hands, this role could have sank the production but in Mr. Kohel’s capable hands, the character became the heart of the story and it soared to new heights.
The earlier note about veteran experience really showed itself throughout the production. It was hard to pinpoint particular scenes or songs where this was a standout because they were all standouts in their own way. It reminded me a bit of a select sports team. You take the best from each team and put them together into one amazing team. In other words, there were no weak links in this cast. If anything, they each supported and challenged each other to up their performance game with each new scene in both acts one and two.
The themes of the show were relatable in many ways. The need to belong, the hate that exists in society for marginalized groups, chasing one's dreams, judgment of others situations, just to name a few.
The musicians that made up the band were exceptional. They sounded flawless all evening.
I will add that once the story took a turn in act two, that’s when things really started to gel for me. While I enjoyed the first act, I still wasn’t sure I had found anything to latch on to which is something I look for in every show I review. But, by the second act, I was hooked.
A Man Of No Importance is quality musical theatre and it’s well worth your time and investment.
Recommended!
“A Man of No Importance” runs through June 7th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
The earlier note about veteran experience really showed itself throughout the production. It was hard to pinpoint particular scenes or songs where this was a standout because they were all standouts in their own way. It reminded me a bit of a select sports team. You take the best from each team and put them together into one amazing team. In other words, there were no weak links in this cast. If anything, they each supported and challenged each other to up their performance game with each new scene in both acts one and two.
The themes of the show were relatable in many ways. The need to belong, the hate that exists in society for marginalized groups, chasing one's dreams, judgment of others situations, just to name a few.
The musicians that made up the band were exceptional. They sounded flawless all evening.
I will add that once the story took a turn in act two, that’s when things really started to gel for me. While I enjoyed the first act, I still wasn’t sure I had found anything to latch on to which is something I look for in every show I review. But, by the second act, I was hooked.
A Man Of No Importance is quality musical theatre and it’s well worth your time and investment.
Recommended!
“A Man of No Importance” runs through June 7th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
Photos by Michael Brunk | https://nwlens.com/
Photos by Michael Brunk | https://nwlens.com/
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