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Dickinson: The Secret Story Of Emily Dickinson
By William Roetzheim

Directed by Susanne Boulle
Stage Manager: Katie Hong

With: Brian DeCaluwe*, Ellen DiStasi*, Jeffrey Farber*, James Fleming*, Kate Erin Gibson*, Matt Hollerbach, Brian McKeon*, Lori Singleton, Emilea Wilson

Tuesday, June 01, 2010        8:00 PM
Thursday, June 03, 2010        8:00 PM
Saturday, June 05, 2010        8:00 PM
Wednesday, June 09, 2010        2:00 PM
Friday, June 11, 2010        8:00 PM
Sunday, June 13, 2010        3:00 PM
Wednesday, June 16, 2010        8:00 PM
Saturday, June 19, 2010        2:00 PM

Why do they shut me out of Heaven? Did I sing too loud?–Emily Dickinson

The myth of Emily Dickinson is that she was a prudish Victorian spinster who wrote beautiful poetry. The reality is that she was a stunning creative intellect coping with an emotionally and sexually abusive Father, an enabling mother, surfacing homosexual feelings, raging sexual emotions, and mental breakdowns. This play brings the real Emily Dickinson to life, with all of her depth and complexities, and takes the audience on a magical journey of love and discovery.

Dickinson Tickets

N.I.C.E.
By William Roetzheim

Directed by Kate Erin Gibson
Stage Manager: Nicole Walters

With: Richard Rice Alan*, Nikki Van Cassele*, Jennifer Winegardner*, Jill Melanie Wirth*

Wednesday, June 02, 2010        8:00 PM
Saturday, June 05, 2010        2:00 PM
Tuesday, June 08, 2010        8:00 PM
Thursday, June 10, 2010        8:00 PM
Saturday, June 12, 2010        8:00 PM
Wednesday, June 16, 2010        2:00 PM
Friday, June 18, 2010        8:00 PM
Sunday, June 20, 2010        3:00 PM

Four siblings confront death, each other, and themselves

In Britain, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E.) sets up guidelines about who should live and who should die for terminal patients. What happens when they decide your comatose mother must die? What starts out as a debate about issues of nationalized health care quickly turns into a debate about the value of human life.
NICE
Four siblings are forced to confront death and their own inner demons. Tess, raised in London, grew up with National Health Care and she must now defend the system against her American siblings. Frank, a truck driver from Clayton, Iowa and an avid fan of the Fox Network, believes in defending the sanctity of life against attacks by left wing liberals. But his use of stereotyped responses to cope with life’s issues fails him when he must confront failings in his own life, failings for which there are no pat answers. Dawn ran away to Berkley to pursue her career as a folk singer, but also to escape persecution by the religious right for her sexual orientation. Elizabeth’s Harvard education helps her to be sexual calculating financial value for mergers and acquisitions, but what happens when the equations directly affect the lives of those around her?

N.I.C.E. Tickets

T.S. Eliot: A New Musical
Book & Lyrics by William Roetzheim
Music by Vlad Spasovick
Arrangements by Andrew Fox

Directed By JV Mercanti
Musical Direction by Andrew Fox
Stage Manager: Jeanette Prather

With: Pierce Cravens*, Dierdre Friel*, Bruce Jones, Danny Katz*, Richard Koons*, Eric Loscheider*, Jeremy Parrish*, Ethan Sher*, Steven Strafford*,  Erin Williams*, Kit Williams*

Wednesday, June 02, 2010        2:00 PM
Friday, June 04, 2010        8:00 PM
Sunday, June 06, 2010        3:00 PM
Wednesday, June 09, 2010        8:00 PM
Saturday, June 12, 2010        2:00 PM
Tuesday, June 15, 2010        8:00 PM
Thursday, June 17, 2010        8:00 PM
Saturday, June 19, 2010        8:00 PM

“The future is a faded and crushed flower, a wistful regret of those who are no longer here to regret.” T.S. Eliot

Poet T.S. Eliot’s imaginary and real worlds are brought to life and intertwined in this euro-pop jazz musical. Eliot is gay, but his religious background and societal attitudes force him to hide this fact. Eventually he discovers that his greatest threat is not from London society, but from within the corridors of his own mind.

Eliot Tickets

All shows are playing at:

The Grand Theatre
Producers’ Club Theaters
358 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
(8th & 9th Aves)

Tickets:
General admission: $18
Students and Military: $15
Subscribe to all three shows: $30

and are available in advance at www.Smarttix.com

*Actors appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Richard Rice Alan* (Frank N.I.C.E.) Some of his favorite roles/shows; Dracula – Dracula; Emile de Becque – South Pacific; Charles – Blithe Spirit;  El Gallo – The Fantastiks; John Dickinson – 1776; Serge – Art; Count de Chandon – Phantom; Nick Arnstein – Funny Girl; Mr. Manningham – Angel Street ; Donald – The Panacea.  FILM- Terminus, Mercy; Abscond Valley. As always, with thanks and love to Frances, his mom.  Have a job offer or just curious? – www.RichardRiceAlan.com

Pierce Cravens* (T.S. Eliot T.S. Eliot) Broadway credits include: Ragtime (original company), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (original company), Beauty and the Beast (original company), Titanic and Christmas Carol.  Selected Off-Broadway and regional appearances: All’s Well That Ends Well (The Public/NYSF), Plagued! (NYMF), Silver Nitrate (Blue Heron), The Secret Garden (5th Avenue Theater, Seattle), The Prince and the Pauper (World Premiere, Starlight Theater, Kansas City). Film & TV: co-starred with Oscar-winner Fisher Stevens in the upcoming indie-feature Rising Stars (Moderncine), The Life Before Her Eyes (2929 Productions), Pitch (Cannes Film Festival 2006), Filmore! (Disney) and the voice of Joshua Finkel on Finkel Files (Cartoon Network).  Numerous commercials and voiceovers.  Four albums. Grammy voter. Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Pierce is also president of Metropolitan Entertainment, a theatrical and film production company which is currently developing a screen adaptation of Annie Cheney’s non-fiction, Body Brokers. www.MetropolitanEntertainment.com

Brian DeCaluwe* (Austin Dickinson) is so excited to be a part of this production!  NY Credits include:  Back in Pictures (Off-Bway), Fade Out, Fade In (Opening Doors), The Dad Play (Actors’ Studio), Bloody Lies (Midtown Theater Festival).  Other favorites include: Bash: The Latter Day Plays, Our Country’s Good, Three Sisters, The Laramie Project, Piece of My Heart.  BFA from Illinois Wesleyan University.  Thanks to Susanne!

Ellen DiStasi* (Emma Dickinson) was a part of the Gorilla Repertory Theatre Company the past two summers playing Gertrude in Hamlet and Isabel, Joan’s mother in Joan of Arc. In December she was in the TRU Voices Musical Festival playing the mother in Kafka’s Mr. K at the Players Theatre. As a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University Drama Department, she appeared in two new plays by the Carnegie Collaborative in NYC. Ellen appeared Off Broadway last spring as a midwife from the 1800’s. This year Ellen played principal roles in three Independent films and was featured on television in Gossip Girl and 30 Rock. Later this summer Ellen will be appearing in the Airmid Theater production of Three Cornered Moon. She is a member of Actors Equity Association.

Jeffrey Farber* (Judge Lord Dickinson) studied at both The Circle In The Square Theatre School and the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute through NYU and with Alice Spivak ever since. In his youth he attempted to mug Al Pacino in Serpico, traveled the country as Spiderman for Marvel Comics and later the northeast as the Rabbi in The Godfather’s Meshugeneh Wedding. Jeff can be seen as Viggie in the non-cult hit Auditions & has performed in many oob & regional theatre productions.  Some of his recent favorites; Sidney Feinman in What Makes Sammy Run, Arnold in A Thousand Clowns, Serge in Art and Henry Kissinger in Nixon’s Nixon.

James Fleming* (Higginson Dickinson) has appeared as Dr. Watson and Hercule Poirot as well as the fathers in A Christmas Story, Othello, and Proof. Other stage favorites include: The Foreigner, Sylvia, Driving Miss Daisy, Oscar Wilde Solitaire, God’s Man In Texas, On Golden Pond, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, and others. Television appearances include Guiding Light, Another World, and Alamance (for PBS), and others. Films include Somewhere Tomorrow and Do Me A Favor with Sarah Jessica Parker, Anna To the Infinite Power, Preppies for Playboy, and the interactive feature Darkside of the Moon.

Deirdre Friel* (Madame Sosostris T.S. Eliot) is a proud member of SAG and Actors’ Equity.  New York and Regional credits:  Connie Deluca Lighter (NYMF 2009);  Sr. James Doubt (Triad Stage, the Appalachain Theater Festival);  Annie Pazinski Over the Tavern (Portland Stage, Theater at the College of Santa Monica);  Marcus Brutus Julius Caesar (the Kraine Theater);  Portia Cinderella (Arkansas Repertory Theater);  Aemelia/ Nell/ Ensemble Comedy of Errors (Mile Square Theater Company);  Katina Zorba! (Berkshire Theatre Festival);  King Lear, Comedy of Errors, Richard III (Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, London;  dir.  Rob Clare) .  Staged Readings: Connie Deluca Lighter; Sister Mary Patrick Sister Act:  the Musical (with Peter Schneider and Alan Menken).  Film/Television: The Sopranos, My Father’s Will, Pretty Bird (with Billy Crudup and Paul Giamatti;  dir. Paul Schneider). Awards: MAC Nominee for “Outstanding Female Debut 2004.”  Many thanks and love to God, her family, and JV.

Kate Erin Gibson* (Emily Dickinson) I’m nobody! Who are you?/Are you nobody, too?/Then there’s a pair of us–don’t tell!/They’d banish us, you know. /How dreary to be somebody!/How public, like a frog/To tell your name the livelong day/To an admiring bog!

Matt Hollerbach (The Playwright Dickinson) moved to New York last summer from Ann Arbor, where he graduated from the University of Michigan. He studied acting, production, and management with the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, MI and appeared last year in Rabbit Hole at Tipping Point Theatre, Panache at Williamston Theatre, and Orpheus Descending and Jack Goes Boating at Blackbird Theatre. In New York, he has performed with Safe Mode Productions and was ASM for Phoenix at the Barrow Group Theatre, where he is an apprentice. He makes his on-screen debut this Fall alongside Hilary Swank and Minnie Driver in Fox Searchlight’s Betty Anne Waters. Thanks to Hurley, Alan, Kit, Max, Ollie, Mom, Dad, and Katie. For Charlie.

Bruce Jones (Columbo T.S. Eliot) s honored to be a part of the T.S Eliot team and be a part of something completely new!
NYC credits: Whom Shall I Send (tour), and Its Nothing Personal (a musical review), Regional credits: Honk! (u/s Ugly), and other recent credits: Pirates of Penzance (u/s Frederic), To Kill a Mockingbird (u/s Tom Robinson), Once Upon a Mattress (Sir Harry). Deepest love and gratitude to my beautiful family, beautiful friends, and the beautiful cast and crew! “I’m much more powerful than ANY law!”

Danny Katz* (Hammond, T.S. Eliot) will be singing in a concert performance of  Brigadoon at the Shubert Theatre this June to benefit the IRISH REPERTORY THEATRE.  Recently, he was seen in To Paint the Earth (NYMF) and  Body Language (Midtown International Theatre Festival).  He has played Menelaus in The Trojan Women at LaMaMa e.t.c. and understudied the roles of Marcellus and Reynaldo in Hamlet at the American Repertory Theatre.  Television: Loving Leah (HALLMARK HALL OF FAME PRESENTATION)  and As The World Turns.  Thank you to JV and Kate for this opportunity.  For Meg, my parents,  my brother, Denise, Sal and Lucia.

Richard Koons (Sweeney T.S. Eliot) is a native of South Bend, Indiana and received Degrees in Vocal Performance from Ball State University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.  Recent NYC appearances include OFFSHORE PIRATE, IMMORTAL JOURNEY, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, SLEEPY HOLLOW and SWEET WILLIAM. Regional and Tour credits include: JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, EVITA, MAN OF LA MANCHA, CAROUSEL, THE STUDENT PRINCE,  BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and TITANIC THE MUSICAL. www.richardkoons.org

Eric Loscheider* (Prufrock T.S. Eliot) Off-Broadway: Cycling Past the Matterhorn (Theatre Row). NY: Convict Therapist (Arcade Theatre), At the Public Burning Place (Infiltrage 2), Shelf Life, Ophelia (NY Fringe Festival), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Dog Run Rep), Mao on Line One (Downtown Theater Company), Three Musketeers (Actors Shakespeare Company), Mindbleach (Phareplay).  Regional: Twelfth Night (Cincinnati Playhouse/Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), Runaway Beauty Queen (Florida Studio Theatre), Assassins (Berkshire Theatre Festival), 1776 (Drury Lane, Joseph Jefferson Award-Musical/Director), The Taming of the Shrew, The Forty Minute Macbeth (First Folio Shakespeare Festival).  Rutgers University: Arms & the Man, Tartuffe, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard Cory, Camino Real.  Television: Guiding Light.  MFA: Rutgers University under William Esper.  He is Artistic Director of The Arcade Theatre, head writer for Hungry Hungry Hobo, a member of AEA and the SAFD, and currently on faculty at William Esper Studio and CAP 21.

Brian McKeon* (Edward Dickinson) AEA   SAG  AFTRA  studied classical theater in Germany for two years and later worked in everything from summer stock to regional theater and Broadway, as well as in television and film. Brian originated the role of David in Bent at the Gate Theater and went on to star on Broadway in Sleuth opposite Patrick MacNee, and in The Circle opposite Erika Slezak. His television credits include a featured role on The Doctors (Dr. Rolf Kriling) and more recently as a GE executive on 30 Rock. Recent film credits include Burn After Reading and the upcoming summer release Salt. For the past several years he has been featured in original theatrical productions such as Getting and Spending (Brother Alfred) and Heaven-Sent (Samuel Clemens), as well as in Laughter on the 23^rd Floor (Max Prince), Death of a Salesman (Uncle Ben/Howard), Same Time, Next Year (George), The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife (Ira), and The Lion in Winter (King Henry). On an exotic note, Brian speaks Farsi fluently, having lived in Iran for 16 years where he had his own pistachio farm.

Jeremy Parrish* (King Bolo T.S. Eliot)

Ethan Sher* (Reginald T.S. Eliot) Off-Broadway work includes The Pirates of Penzance (Frederick u/s and performed; Drama Desk Nomination) and The Marriage Contract. Other NYC credits include House of Love and Prayer (Jazz at Lincoln Center), 5XWilder, Tonight at 8:30 (Provincetown Playhouse), Silk Stockings, Oh Lady Lady! (Musicals Tonight!), The East Village Chronicles (Metropolitan Playhouse), Joan of Arc (Gorilla Rep). At CT’s Ivoryton Playhouse he played Ernst in Cabaret. Film work includes lead and supporting roles in Just Another Zombie Love Story, You Can See It, What’s The Point? and So She Fell Silent. Originally from Israel, Ethan trained at NYU’s Steinhardt School (MA) and Birmingham School of Acting, England (BA). His first play, RealMusik, was a semi-finalist at The Network’s One-Act Festival. Ethan is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and is also a cantor. Thanks to JV, Kate, cast and crew.

Lori Singleton (Sue Dickinson) is glad to be back on the stage and excited to be a part of Red Door this season. Originally from Wichita Kansas she studied acting and set design at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.  After taking a  break from acting to work as a production associate on the now broadway show Million Dollar Quartet and other new musical works for the stage and recently heading up an off Broadway venue Theatre 80 as Company Manager, she is happy to be here in New York City and on  stage again. Favorite roles include Martha in A Piece of My Heart, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and Sarah in Guys and Dolls. Special thanks to Susan and Kate for letting me be a part of this process.

Steven Strafford* (Jack T.S. Eliot) s happy to be a part of this process. He has been seen as Prince Herbert/ Not Dead Fred/ et al in Monty Python’s Spamalot(Orig. Vegas Cast); The Herald in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella w/ Lea Salonga; and most recently as Lord Edgar Hillcrest and Jane Twisden et al in The Mystery of Irma Vep at Portland Stage. This summer he will be reprising his roles in Spamalot at The Sacramento Music Circus. Thanks to JV for the opportunity.

Nikki Van Cassele* (Dawn N.I.C.E.) was most recently seen in Gutter Star at the NY Fringe Festival. Prior to that was in a new play called Blowing Bubbles as part of a festival performed at The Barrow Group. Favorite credits include: the role of Sin in the NYMF show Sophia’s Fall, role of the Spider Woman in the Vortex Theater Company’s re-imagined production of Kiss of the Spider Woman directed by drama desk nominated director Gisela Cardenas, Cabaret-1st National tour, Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens and Godspell at the fantastic Walnut Street Theater.

Erin Williams* (Vivienne T.S. Eliot) Previous credits include 1776 (Goodspeed), The Last Five Years (Amphibian Stage Productions),  Merrily We Roll Along (Gallery Players), Pippin, The Secret Garden, Rags, Julia Pastrana…, Vincent in Brixton and Look Back in Anger.  Erin holds a BFA in Theatre from Texas Christian University.  Much love to Daniel and Jasper.

Kit Williams* (Queen Bolo T.S. Eliot) hails from Tulsa, OK, and ever since she was three years old claimed “I want to be a singer, dancer, actress just like Miss Irene Cara from Fame.”To this day no one knows how at three she even knew what the movie was about, but the mantra stuck.A proud member of both Screen Actors Guild and Actor’s Equity Association, Kit has various film credits, national commercials, New York, regional and hometown credits: The Little Mermaid (Fish Witch), Nunsense (Sister Hubert), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), and Dreamgirls (ensemble/us Effie). Thanks to my mom and God. Because without either I would not be. And of course to my mentor and friend Dickie Daddy Sabellico for showing me that “if you are afraid to fail you’ll never fly.”

Emilea Wilson (Vinnie Dickinson) is so happy to perform in her third Red Door Theatre production! Recent work includes Neither Here Nor There at The Cherry Pit, Dog Sees God at The Barrow Group Arts Center and Jumpin’ The Gun, from which she won Best Supporting Actress in The Network’s One-Act Play Festival. Regional productions include The Ghost Sonata, Betty’s Summer Vacation and variety of new works in conjunction with the University of Iowa. Thanks to family, friends and Jeff for your love and support. Visit her website: www.emileawilson.com.

Jennifer Winegardner* (Elizabeth N.I.C.E.) Jennifer has been seen Off Broadway in The Awesome 80s Prom, Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding and Murder at Midnight. Other notable NYC credits include: Musicals Tonight’s revivals of Oh Lady! Lady!! and The Girlfriend, as well as concerts at Lincoln Center and Symphony Space.  Her favorite regional theatre roles include: The Thing About Men (Lucy), How To Succeed… (Rosemary), Grand Night for Singing (Lynne), Dial M for Murder (Margot), and The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Reba). Jennifer’s television appearances include roles on Rescue Me, Chappelle’s Show and Late Night with David Letterman. Jennifer co-wrote and recorded two CDs of original children’s music – Songs to Blather By and Playground of My Mind – with her husband, Bill.  She is also writing an original musical revue entitled Halloween Hullaballoo. www.jenniferwinegardner.com

Jill Melanie Wirth* (Tess N.I.C.E.) is an actress, singer, and writer of one-person-one-act “dramedies.” She most recently appeared in Sex Ed, which she co-wrote and performed with her husband, David Wirth. Sex Ed was presented as part of Boxers & Briefs: An Eclectic Evening of Short Works by Artistic New Directions. Additionally, Jill has performed at Lincoln Center, Playwrights Horizons, Carnegie Hall, BAM, Vineyard Theatre, La Mama E.T.C., The 92nd Street Y, and The York Theatre. As a writer/performer her recent “dramedies” focus on matters of sex and death. The SEX/DEATH pieces include: Long Term Care, Life Support, Rufus To The Rescue, Sex Sells!, PC Pull-Ups, Boston on Business, and Sex Ed. Jill has worked in theatre, film, television, concert, commercials, and voice-overs in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and London.  www.JillMelanieWirth.blogspot.com

William Roetzheim (Playwright) is the author of seven plays, twenty-two books, and twenty spoken word audio poetry CDs (Producer and Director).  He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America.  His writing has won eight gold medals and twenty-two finalist awards in national and international literary competitions.  Two of his plays were produced in NYC during 2009, and three are scheduled for production in NYC during 2010.  He edits an annual anthology of new plays called “Regional Best,” and is a member of the Board of Directors of American International Theater, Inc. where he serves as the Producing Director.  His film credits include Producer for “Decay,” a short film due for release in April 2010.  He and his wife Marianne own and operate a Victorian Bed and Breakfast outside of San Diego, CA.

Vlad Spasojevic (Composer T.S. Eliot: A New Musical)

Susanne Boulle (Director Dickinson:The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson) is the Resident Director at the Red Door Theatre. Dickinson is her third production for the Red Door, along with Dog Sees God and Proof . Other credits in NYC: Strange Kindness by Brook Berman, Affair Play by Jessica Goldberg, and Untitled by J.Hairston at the Atlantic Theatre/New Works; The Marriage of Bette and Boo and Silverstein One Acts at NYU/453 Studio; Teaching Artist for Theatre for A New Audience’s New Voices Program (2000-2003). She has workshopped new plays for Abingdon Theater Company and the Puerto Rican Travelling Theater and is currently a member of The Actor’s Studio Playwrighting/Director’s Unit. Susanne spent six seasons as Resident Director at Barter Theatre in Virginia. At Barter: Blackbird, Travels With My Aunt,  Pow’r In the Blood, The Baby Dance,  Miracles, Huck Finn, Of Mice and Men, The Tempest, John Henry, many others.  She is a founding member of Barter’s First Light Theatre for young audiences which played to over 180,000 kids in the U.S. and Russia in it’s first three seasons. Member AEA. Upcoming: The Dad Play by Kevin Podgorski, The Actor’s Studio P/D Festival 2011.

Kate Erin Gibson (Director N.I.C.E.) serves as founder and Artistic Director of The Red Door Theatre Co. Recent RDT performance credits include Catherine in Proof and Van’s Sister in Dog Sees God: Confessions….  New York (Highlights): Emma and Company (Wings Theatre), Hello, Dolly!, A Grand Night… (Neuwirth Theatre), Katie and Frank (The Barrow Group). Regional: My Fair Lady (Eliza), Carousel (Carrie), Zelda (Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald), Hamlet (Polonius), The Secret Garden. Nat’l Tour: Four Score and Seven Years Ago. Directing credits include: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Witches, Bye Bye Birdie, Harvey, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, The Choir Loft (World Premiere). Kate is also active in NYC as a producer, stage manager and teaching artist. BM. Shenandoah Conservatory, MA. NYU/Steinhardt. www.kateeringibson.com. Proud AEA member.

JV Mercanti (Director T.S. Eliot: A New Musical) is currently serving as the Assistant Director on Martin McDonagh’s A Behanding in Spokane.  He recently served as the Acting Coach on the CW series “TBL: The Beautiful Life.”  JV was the Casting Director and Producing Associate on the recent Broadway revival of Cyrano de Bergerac starring Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner.  As a Casting Associate for Jim Carnahan Casting projects included: The Woman in White, Fiddler on the Roof, The Threepenny Opera and Noises Off, among others.  JV has an MFA in Directing from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts where he directed Therese Raquin, As Bees in Honey Drown and Other People. NYC and regional credits include: Matt and Ben, dark play or stories for boys, Icarus, Julia Pastrana, The Ugliest Woman in the World.  He was the associate director of the National Tour of Cabaret as well as the Broadway productions of Joe Egg and Little Me.

Andrew Fox (Musical Director T.S. Eliot: A New Musical) is an up-and-coming composer, performer, producer and musical director working in theatre, film, and popular music. In the past year he has assistant musical directed under Drama Desk Nominee James McElwaine, taught voice and music performance at the acclaimed Purchase Conservatory of Acting, written and orchestrated the award-winning short musical film Cheap Shots, and composed orchestrations for more than fifteen pop records. Andrew most recently provided orchestrations for a new r&b project with Grammy-nominated producer Joe Ferry, and will be releasing an EP of his own original songs this July. He trained in musical theatre performance at Circle in the Square and holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Studio Composition from Purchase Conservatory. Thanks to JV, Kate, William, cast and crew.

Katie Hong (Stage Manager) is delighted to be a part of Dickinson.  Her latest NYC credits include, 167 Tongues (Lighting Designer & Assistant Stage Manager) and BASH (Assistant Designer). Katie is a graduate of University at Buffalo’s B.F.A theatre design & technology program. Thanks to family, friends, and pmd for the never ending love and support.

Nicole Walters (Stage Manager) is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with a BFA in Stage Management. Nicole is currently working as an ASM for Platanos and Collard Greens and was recently the Production Assistant for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Nicole has worked as a PSM for the Arsht Center in Miami, as well as a SM intern for Florida Grand Opera.

Jeanette Prather (Stage Manager) graduated California State University, Long Beach in journalism, international studies, French and dance. She taught dance in Los Angeles while performing in events like the Super Bowl XXXVII, NBA and ABA, and acting as the city editor for a daily newspaper, the managing editor for a magazine, and a dj for her own radio show. While living in France in 2005, she wrote two books, “Flicker” and “Vital Energy,” before leaving for a two-year stint as the assistant choreographer in Club Maeva in Mexico, as well as the stage manager and choreographer of Club Med in Cancun, the Turks & Caicos Islands and Florida. Jeanette moved to New York City in 2009, where she currently practices circus (Lyra, silks, hammock, static trapeze and contortion) and dance. Jeanette is writing her third and fourth books, freelancing for various publications, setting choreographic works, and stage managing for multiple New York City-based theatrical events.

Justin Couchara (Scenic Design)

Kate Rance (Costume Design) since graduating from Central Saint Martins, Kate has enjoyed a very varied career as a Production Designer in both London and New York, working on dance productions with The Rambert School and Ballet Black, physical theatre with Forbidden Theatre Company, Shakespeare at the Young Vic Studios, musicals with the St Bride Foundation and the Brothers Kaufman, big scale illusion shows with False Impressions, Ibsen with The Barrow Group and most recently a number of films including a feature length adaptation of Moliere’s Don Juan shot on location in New York. She is currently designing another feature film, Hulk which is being shot entirely on a built set in Brooklyn.

Jennifer Wilcox (Lighting Design)

Susanne Collins (Intern)

Marketing Designs by Andrew Napier, www.designapier.com

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by Washington Irving
adapted by Chrysten Peddie

Directed by Jen Browne and Kate Erin Gibson

POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN!!!  New Date – October 25, 2009 2pm

October 17th at 2pm
October 18th at 12pm & 2pm

Socrates Sculpture Park
Vernon Blvd at Broadway, Long Island City
www.socratessculpturepark.org

FREE ADMISSION

Co-Produced by Art House Astoria and Presbyterian Church of Astoria

The Red Door Theatre Company visits this classic Halloween tale set right in our own part of the world.  Come visit with Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, and Brom Van Brunt, as they tell the tale of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.

Stage Manager: Kathryn McConnell

Cast: Jen Browne, Ricky Dunlop, Rainbow Geffner, Alice Johnson, Michelle Poynton, Clare Schmidt, Emilea Wilson

Scenic Design: Séamus Mulholland

Cast

Jen Browne actor and all around theatre maker studied physical theatre at Middlesex University in London as well as Stella Adler Studios here in New York. She recently returned from a three month stint in Belfast Northern Ireland where she studied ensemble and creative performance at Queens University. Whilst in Belfast she worked with company Curious Doings devising two original pieces over a three month period. Currently she is working with the Deconstructive Theatre Company here in New York on their new piece The Orpheus Variations as well as The Red Door Theatre Companies adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Her script lamb was produced as part of the 2008 Houston Fringe Festival and her short play again and again was produced this past February. Recently she directed the New York debut of Short Cycle of a Love Story at The Barrow Group. She also collaborated on Indecipherable Gesture a collection of original movement based pieces with Forgotten Theatre as part of the Rider University Women’s Conference. She has had the opportunity to assist Pete Clerke of benchtours, Scotland, as well as director Simone Federman. She has also worked closely with choreographer Melanie Stewart of Melanie Stewart Dance in Philadelphia. She is a co-founder of Purple Threads Theatre Ensemble as well as an associate member of Rebellious Subjects Theatre.
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Ricky Dunlop is excited to team up with The Red Door again, after performing in a successful production of Dog Sees God:  Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead this past Summer.  Ricky studied Theatre at the University of Florida and performed in productions of Our Town, BENT, The Foreigner and more.  Some of his New York credits include:  Wild Thing (The New Acting Company), Ask Someone Else, God (The Looking Glass Theatre), and he is an original collaborator of the brand new In Fields Where They Lay (The Dreamscape Theatre) coming this December to The Hudson Guild Theatre.  Add Ricky as a FAN on Facebook!  www.rickydunlop.com / www.blahblahtheatre.com

Rainbow Geffner trained in Physical Theatre at Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre in 2001 and received her Masters from East 15 Acting School in London, England in 2003. She has performed nationally and internationally, doing original theatrical works professionally for the past ten years, with long-established ensembles like A Traveling Jewish Theater, Teatro Kismet O.P.E.R.A, Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, and Touchstone Theatre in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. While in Pennsylvania, Rainbow wrote and performed a solo show called Emily: On Clerical Errors and Destiny. Since her arrival here in New York six years ago she has performed in the New York Fringe Festival and numerous off-off Broadway shows. She has also done commercial work for Disney, Microsoft, and Bloomberg Television. In 2008 she wrote, directed and produced Tales From the Tub. She has taught at Spoke the Hub in Park Slope and directed HAIR at Riverdale in the spring of 2009.

Alice Johnson is excited to be back on stage (or grass/wooden pathways in trees) with the Red Door Theater again!   She appeared in last year’s Fall Harvest Production of The Witches and had so much fun that she couldn’t wait to do it all again this year.  She is originally from Seattle but has been a resident of Astoria for the past couple of years while she embraces the struggling actress cliche by waitressing and bartending in Manhattan between auditions.  She’d like to thank everyone for coming out to see the show, and hopes that you have a great time watching.  Happy Fall everyone!

Michelle Poynton is a recent graduate of the Boston University School of Theater with a BFA in acting. She also holds a diploma in classical theater from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Since moving to NYC last year, Michelle has done an acting apprenticeship with New Perspective Theater, an internship with The Barrow Group, and has had her play Pope Joan produced off Broadway at New World Stages. Michelle also appeared in Shakespeare’s Three Marys with The Dark Lady Players, and is a writer for the New Perspectives Theater Women’s Work Lab. Michelle is excited to be making her debut with The Red Door Theater Company, and would like to thank Kate and Jen for all their support.

Clare Schmidt is thrilled to be working with the Red Door on this wacky and fun production of Sleepy Hollow. She received her BFA from Otterbein College last year. New York Credits: Mentshn (New Worlds Theatre Project) Regional: Stickfly (Contemporary American Theatre Festival) A View of the Harbor (CATF) She has been privileged enough to work on various commercials, and currently just finished production on her first documentary entitled Showcase.

Emilea Wilson is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa with a BA in Theatre Arts and Journalism. Her most recent work includes the Red Door Theatre Company’s production of Dog Sees God at The Barrow Group Arts Center; Theatre for the New City’s musical production of Who Murdered Love, and The Network’s NYC One-Act Play Festival in Jumpin’ The Gun, where Emilea won Best Supporting Actress of the festival for her role as Julie. Emilea has been seen regionally in productions of The Ghost Sonata, Betty’s Summer Vacation and various other new works in conjunction with the University of Iowa. Visit her website at www.emileawilson.com.

Kate Erin Gibson (Co-Director) serves as RDT’s Founder and Artistic Director. Recent RDT performance credits include Catherine in Proof and Van’s Sister in Dog Sees God: Confessions….  New York (Highlights): Emma and Company (Wings Theatre), Hello, Dolly!, A Grand Night… (Neuwirth Theatre), Katie and Frank (The Barrow Group). Regional: My Fair Lady (Eliza), Carousel (Carrie), Zelda (Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald), Hamlet (Polonius), The Secret Garden. Nat’l Tour: Four Score and Seven Years Ago. Directing credits include: The Witches, Bye Bye Birdie, Harvey, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, The Choir Loft (World Premiere). Kate is also active in NYC as a producer, stage manager and teaching artist. BM. Shenandoah Conservatory, MA. NYU/Steinhardt. www.kateeringibson.com. Proud AEA member.

Kathryn McConnell (Production Assistant) is a Director and Dramaturg (who dabbles in Stage Management) with a BFA from the University of Oklahoma. She most recently worked as ASM and Dramaturg for Gutter Star: The Paperback Musical at the NY Fringe, and is a director and charter member of Friends Always Creating Theatre collective.  All-time favorite credits include The Last Five Years, Ancient History, The Crucible, The Dead Guy, Yard Sale, and COLLEGE: The Musical.

Dog Sees God:
Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead

Upcoming!
July 5-12th, 2009 8pm
July 11th, 2009 2pm

TBG Arts Center
312 West 36th Street
3rd Floor

General Admission $18
Seniors $14
www.smarttix.com

When CB’s dog dies from rabies, CB begins to question the existence of an afterlife. His best friend is too burnt out to provide any coherent speculation; his sister has gone goth; his ex-girlfriend has recently been institutionalized; and his other friends are too inebriated to give him any sort of solace. But a chance meeting with an artistic kid, the target of this group’s bullying, offers CB a peace of mind and sets in motion a friendship that will push teen angst to the very limits. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen toward an ending that’s both haunting and hopeful

***Not appropriate for children under 13. Suggested violence, drug use, and sexual situations.***

Directed By Susanne Boulle
Featuring: Kaitlin Colombo, Ricky Dunlop, Dan Gershaw, Izze Gibson, Kate Erin Gibson*, Thomas Matthew Kelley*, Kevin Michael Murphy*, Emily Kenyon Scott, Andy Wagner, Emilea Wilson

Stage Manager: Marc Eardley*

*These actors and stage manager appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Thomas Matthew Kelley* (CB)  -  Off-Broadway: Dust (Westside Theatre) and Phenomenon (HERE Arts Center). Regional: Cardenio, Julius Caesar, and Donnie Darko (American Repertory Theatre); Pride and Prejudice, As You Like It, and Christmas Carol (Actors Theatre of Louisville).  Film: The Strangest Bullet in my Skull (AlphaSixty Productions). MFA: A.R.T./MXAT Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University.

Izze Gibson (CB’s  Sister) is thrilled to be making her stage debut with Red Door! Recently, she appeared in the world premiere of My Williamsburg Neighbors Downstairs at the Manhattan Repertory Theatre. Film credits include Yes Man and AFI’s Pawn. A graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, she had the pleasure of studying in both New York and Los Angeles.  Many thanks to teachers and peers, much love to F&F, C&C – B’lieve!

Ricky Dunlop (Van) studied Theatre at the University of Florida. Since relocating to New York last September, Ricky has been seen on stage in Shopping & F***ing (Rude Monkey Theatre Group), Wild Thing (The New Acting Company) and a staged reading of Escape From Happiness (Algonquin Productions).  He recently filmed a video for Shakira’s new single “She Wolf” and will be working on a web series entitled Desk Jockeys this Summer.  If you enjoyed Ricky’s performance, become his fan on Facebook!

Dan Gershaw (Matt) is ecstatic to be a part of this production of Dog Sees God! Previous credits include: Regional: Altar Boyz (Matthew), RENT (Roger- NJ Premiere), Cats (Rum Tum Tugger), Macbeth (Lennox), NYC: Songs for a New World , A Black Christmas Carol, Cleopatra: A Life Unparalleled. He would like to thank Susanne for being absolutely incredible, and all of his friends and family for endless love and support. “If I only had a magic carpet…”

‘

Kevin Michael Murphy* (Beethoven) Hailed by Gawker.com as “the most clueless boy in New York,” Kevin can be found on Youtube playing his alter-ego, Craig Stevens, or on stage in his live show,  Craig Stevens Guide to Making it on Broadway, which is playing at the Laurie Beechman Theater through the summer.  Other recent credits include: Max and the Truffle Pig(NYMF), With Glee(NYMF), Flora the Red Menace(Opening Doors), Snapshots(Seaside Music Theater) or doing musical improv with his group, Zamboni!  Kevin holds a M.A. from NYU, and a B.M. from James Madison University.  Thanks to Susanne, the cast, and his ever supportive parentals! www.kevinmichaelmurphy.com

Emilea Wilson (Tricia) is very “WOOT WOOT!!” to be a part of Dog Sees God. Recently, she has appeared at Theatre for the New City in the musical production of Who Murdered Love and in Jumpin’ the Gun a one-act play in The Network NYC One-Act Festival, where Emilea won Best Supporting Actress of the festival for her role as Julie. Emilea has been seen regionally in productions of The Ghost Sonata, Betty’s Summer Vacation and various other new works in conjunction with the University of Iowa.   Emilea has received her BA from the University of Iowa in Theatre Arts and Journalism and Mass Communications. Visit her website at www.emileawilson.com.

Kaitlin Colombo (Marcy) Making her stand-up comedy debut at the age of 13 at the world-famous Hollywood Improv,  Kaitlin Colombo’s extensive career in comedy has spanned a decade.  She has appeared on Last Comic Standing (Season 4, Winner- Week #1 Online Fan Favorite), MTV’s The Reality Show, and provides Comedic Commentary on numerous countdown specials for E! Entertainment Television.  At the age of 17, she sold a sitcom pilot, based on her standup, to FOX/FBC.  A recent graduate of the New York Film Academy’s Intensive Filmmaking Workshop, she is also a member of the Actors Studio’s Playwright-Directors Unit.  www.KaitlinColombo.com.

Kate Erin Gibson* (Van’s Sister) is happy to be returning to the stage with Red Door after playing Catherine in Proof last summer.  New York (Highlights): Emma and Company (Wings Theatre), Hello, Dolly!, A Grand Night… (Neuwirth Theatre), Katie and Frank (The Barrow Group). Regional: My Fair Lady (Eliza), Carousel (Carrie), Zelda (Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald), Hamlet (Polonius), The Secret Garden. Nat’l Tour: Four Score and Seven Years Ago. Kate is also active in NYC as a director, producer, stage manager and teaching artist. BM. Shenandoah Conservatory, MA. NYU/Steinhardt. www.kateeringibson.com. Proud AEA member. A million thanks to this amazing cast and crew! Chris, we did it!

Emily Kenyon Scott (U/S) New York: New Beulah (Amazing Play Festival, Planet Connections) Regional: Otherwise Engaged, Ready Set Go, The Greekest of Tragedies, Game On! (Actors Theatre of Louisville) Other: Cigarette and Burrito Man (Solo Performance, University of California in Santa Barbara, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival)

Andy Wagner (U/S) is a recent graduate of Yale University where he received a BA in Theater Studies. Recent credits include Brodie in The Real Thing and Richard in The Lover at Yale College. Much thanks to the cast and crew of DSG, to Mom and Dad, PKJTM, SL, MJ… SY’09!

…………

Marc Eardley* (Stage Manager) is a busy stage manager/director/producer. Directing highlights include The Affair in 22B Off-Broadway, critically acclaimed Hedwig and the Angry Inch revival in Jersey City, NJ and One Night Only: Broadway Sings in Jersey for BC/EFA. He has countless SM credits. marc@3stc.com for more info.

Susanne Boulle (Director) NYC: Atlantic Theatre’s Studio 453, (new plays by Brooke Berman, Jessica Goldberg), The Abingdon Theatre, and for The Red Door Theatre, last season’s Proof. Theatre for A New Audience’s New Voices Program- Teaching Artist, 2001-2003. Member of the Actor’s Studio Plawrighting/Director’s Workshop. Regional: Associate Artistic Director at the Barter Theatre in VA for 5 seasons. Barter credits include: Blackbird, Pow’r In the Blood (by T.Cat Ford/premiere), Travels With My Aunt, The Baby Dance, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Miracles (by F. Higgins/premiere), Of Mice and Men, The Tempest, John Henry: Steel Driving Man, The Gift of the Magi, and others. She is also a playwright, with four works produced.

Rachel Greene* (Assistant Stage Manager)

Tammie Rhee (Production Assistant)

Molly McKee Culp (Costume Designer)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2009

Contact: Kate Erin Gibson (718)-316-3842, kateerin@thereddoortheatre.com

The Red Door Theatre Company
Presents
DOG SEES GOD: CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD
by Bert V. Royal
July 5-12, 2009

The Red Door Theatre Company presents DOG SEES GOD: CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD by Bert V. Royal, July 5-12th at the TBG Arts Center, 312 W. 36th Street, 3rd Floor.  Tickets are $18/$14 and available through www.Smarttix.com 212-868-4444

When CB’s dog dies from rabies, CB begins to question the existence of an afterlife. His best friend is too burnt out to provide any coherent speculation; his sister has gone goth; his ex-girlfriend has recently been institutionalized; and his other friends are too inebriated to give him any sort of solace. But a chance meeting with an artistic kid, the target of this group’s bullying, offers CB a peace of mind and sets in motion a friendship that will push teen angst to the very limits. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen toward an ending that’s both haunting and hopeful.

An ensemble cast features: Thomas Matthew Kelley as CB, Kevin Michael Murphy (Craig Stevens Guide to Making it on Broadway) as Beethoven, Kaitlin Colombo (Last Comic Standing) as Marcy, Izze Gibson as CB’s Sister, Ricky Dunlop as Van, Dan Gershaw as Matt, Kate Erin Gibson as Van’s Sister, and Emilea Wilson as Tricia.  The piece is directed by Susanne Boulle.

The Red Door Theatre Company’s mission is to offer a safe haven to produce socially relevant theatrical pieces.  With gay marriage and episodes of school violence being highlighted in the media almost everyday, DOG SEES GOD: CONFESSIONS… seems extremely relevant as it takes a look at how teens must deal with discovering their own sexuality and identity and how it will impact their lives in larger ways.

DSG Press Release