Last spring at Dunn Gaherins Pub, after the final performance of a Newton Nomadic Theater play, a guy named John McDonagh came up to me in the crowd to say how much he enjoyed it.
We got talking and I learned that his wife was from Upper Falls, that he has been a cab driver for the last 40 years in New York City, and that he had written and performed a one man show called The Cabtivist.
We brought his show to Newton for three sold out nights last spring and the audience loved it.
Since then John has been on a roll. A reworked version of show just had a two month sold out run in New York City and was named as one of the “Top 10 Off Broadway Shows of 2017”. Meanwhile he’s taped a segment of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah that should air soon.
John is immensely grateful to both Dunn Gaherins where this all started rolling and to the Newton audience that got him up and going. John’s coming back on Sunday Jan 14 to do a single performance at Dunn Gaherins, as a benefit for the Newton Food Pantry.
If you didn’t see him last spring, be sure you don’t miss it this time around – ask anyone who was there. The new show is called “Off the Meter”. It’s 3/4 the same material as The Cabtivist but with some great new and reworked stories. The show weaves together a life time’s worth of outrageous stories from behind the wheel of a cab, blended with an amazing series of video clips that show you that these crazy tales are all 100% true.
Tickets are $20, plus a donation of food or supplies for the Newton Food Pantry. Tickets and more info available here.
“Uproarious and moving, a terrifically mounted one-man show about a veteran New York City taxi driver”. – Theater Scene
“John McDonagh is not a polished performer, but, in delivering this matter-of-fact memoir of his thirty-five years chasing fares, he’s an unfailingly affable raconteur.“ – The New Yorker
Get your tickets now. Don’t let history repeat itself. Here were a few messages to the people of Newton after John’s last shows in Newton sold out:
Well that was quick. The show is already sold out! This was one magnanimous offer on the part of John McDonagh (aka the Cabtivist). Thanks to his generosity we’ve just raised a $1000+ for the Newton Food Pantry.
For those who weren’t able to get tickets for the Dunn Gaherins show, come to the Nomad Story Slam at Gregorian Rugs the night before (Sat Jan 13). John will be our special guest and will tell one of his insane stories on the theme of “the law”. Plenty of tickets still available for that event – click here.
Speaking of the Newton Food Pantry, even if you missed getting tickets for the show, consider sending a donation to the Newton Food Pantry any way. They can always use you help – click here.
… or the Centre St Food Pantry (Newton Centre) – click here
… or the Arabic Baptist Church Food Pantry (Newton Corner)