Speakeasy Stage Co

When Dorchester native Kai Clifton saw “A Strange Loop,” it was the first time he had ever seen a queer Black character represented at the heart of a musical. After years of studying and participating in theater, Clifton finally felt like he belonged.

Playwright Selina Fillinger’s timely satire, “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” renders a frenzied day in the life of female staff members as they strive to clean up the latest mess caused by President Dumbass.

On Feb. 17, Speakeasy Stage opens the Boston premiere of “Fairview,” a probing comedy by playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury. Running through March 11, the show uses unexpected twists to investigate both the theater experience and its larger societal reflection.