A Man of No Importance, SpeakEasy Stage, Roberts Studio, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, through March 22.

A city is often a character all its own in a musical. So it goes with the place of New York City in much of the great Broadway musical "Ragtime". Composer Stephen Flaherty, lyricist Lynn Ahrens and the late playwright Terrence McNally do the same for the city of Dublin in their Off-Broadway musical "A Man of No Importance." Paul Daigneault, in his last production as SpeakEasy Stage's artistic director, is making the great Irish city come to vivid life at the Calderwood Pavilion.

Having chosen this 2002 gem "in part for its celebration of theater as community" Daigneault has brought together a veritable Who's Who of Boston musical theater talents and technicians in what is easily one of the best efforts already this year.

Set in 1964 Dublin, "A Man of No Importance" centers on a simple bus conductor named Alfie Byrne and the two joys of his life—namely the poetry of great Irish writer Oscar Wilde and the amateur productions he stages with St. Imelda Players, his local theater troupe. Playwright McNally sharply builds a confrontation between Byrne and local bigots—including church officials trying to shut down his latest production—the controversial Wilde play "Salome." While local performers fondly remember Byrne's earlier efforts with Wilde's comic masterpiece "The Importance of Being Earnest," they react very differently to "Salome"—with its provocative dance of the seven veils and controversial portrayal of John the Baptist.

Early on Byrne develops an unspoken crush for bus driver Robbie Fay—an attraction he realizes is in effect the 'love that dare not speak its name.' Along the way, he experiences an ongoing sibling conflict with his sister Lily and a difficult difference of views with homophobic butcher Carney. The entrance of a somewhat mysterious passenger named Adele—played with just the right vulnerability by Rebekah Rae Robles—suggests a serendipitous choice for the title role of the Wilde play. Will Alfie remain closeted? What will happen to his friendship with Robbie? What will be revealed about Adele? The answers to these and other questions in this lively and often moving musical are orchestrated with Ahrens and Flaherty's insightful and sometimes humorous score.

Director Daigneault has smartly configured the Roberts studio as a thrust area so that audience members on all three sides seem to become both spectators and residents in the musical's richly detailed Dublin. Designer Jenna McFarland Lord has provided ample detail for St. Imelda's theater space—with a busy backdrop of books and related items—as well as the pub that Alfie and community members frequent. Karen Perlow strikingly lights the backdrop at moments of particular insight.

Choreographer Ilyse Robbins provides a rich variety of Irish dancers that reflect the exuberance of Dublin. Music director Paul S. Katz captures the poetic music of the city and Alfie's lyrical approach to life. Kudos also go to the multi-talented cast members—who play a variety of instruments on stage in this New England premiere of the recently reimagined version of the show, as presented by Classic Stage Company in New York.

Most of all, the superb cast keep the emotional conflicts and the very meaningful score in arresting display. Gifted Eddie Shields captures all of Alfie's warring feelings about relationships, religion and love. His renditions of "Love Who You Love" and "Welcome to the World" are both heartfelt and vocally robust. Aimee Doherty has all of Lily's tough love and essential caring for Alfie. Her duet with disturbingly judgmental Carney on "Books" makes the most of the humorous song's clever use of rhyme. Keith Robinson finds Robbie's charm and easygoing nature. Will McGarrahan brings appropriate majesty and flamboyance to Oscar Wilde as Alfie imagines seeing the Bard of Dublin who inspires him.

"A Man of No Importance" resonates even more strongly in an age of resurging hate. SpeakEasy Stage's very timely revival not only compellingly validates the title bus conductor but also makes an important statement about community and caring.