DREAMGIRLS

Inuka Ivaska*, Charnette Batey, Aisha Curtiss in DREAMGIRLS photo by Joey Haws

Inuka Ivaska*, Charnette Batey, Aisha Curtiss in DREAMGIRLS
photo by Joey Haws

Watch DREAMGIRLS on youtube!

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The Cast

Charnette Batey as Deena
Kolton Bradley* as Curtis
Charles Browning* as CC
Aisha Curtiss as Lorrell
Frank Holmes* as Marty
Inuka Ivaska* as Michelle
Tunisia Renee* as Effie
Caliaf St. Aubyn* as Jimmy

featuring
Tamara Pilar Allen, Jennifer Ambler, Troy Anthony Burton, Donald R. King, Derrick Bryant Marshall, Peter McIntosh, Kendra Moore, Janelle Neal*, Ilene Pabon, Alex Pagels, Michael Terry * denotes member of AEA

The Staff

Produced by Connor Davis
Directed by Mark Harborth
Choreographed by Elyse Daye Hart
Music Direction by Ryan Touhey
Assistant Director Steve Velardi
Set by Harlan Penn
Lighting by Scott Borowka
Costumes by Joey Haws
Props by Sara Slagle
Sound by Jacob Subotnick
Draperies by Jerry Mittelhauser
Production Stage Manager Becky J. Doster
Assistant Stage Managers: Kathleen Parker and Anthony Scheer

Master Class

Carolyn Mignini as Maria Callas

Carolyn Mignini as Maria Callas (photo by Bella Muccari)

by Terrence McNally

Legendary opera diva Maria Callas won renown both for her voice and for her dramatic stage presence. Terrence McNally’s play shows her late in life, teaching a master class for young singers. As she coaxes, prods and inspires students into giving the performances of their lives, she reveals her own history.

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THE CAST

Maria Callas: Carolyn Mignini*
Accompanist (Manny): Jonas Cohen*
Soprano 1 (Sophie): Stephanie Joiner*
Tenor (Tony): Brandon Snook*
Soprano 2 (Sharon): Samantha Guevrekian
Stagehand: Matt Casteel
*Member of AEA

THE STAFF

Produced by: Connor Davis
Directed by Tom Rowan
Set design: Kathryn Lieber
Lighting design: Peter Gorneault
Costumes design: Tony Johnson
Props design: Sara Slagle
Sound design: Jacob Subotnick
Production Stage Manager: Katy Lynn Patterson

GalleryTalks

 

GalleryTalks with Barrie Gelles

 

GalleryTalks is a brand new series of post-show conversations that will offer an enlightening and entertaining look into aspects of each show in The Gallery Players season. Talks feature a panel of scholars who specialize in related topics, as well as some artists who are part of the production.  Moderated by Barrie Gelles, the format of these post-show talks is a panel discussion which includes questions and conversations with the audience –thereby offering participants a chance to delve deeper into the understanding of the show and gain insight into the particulars of the production.

Get the panelist’s reaction to the launch of GalleryTalks:

http://showshowdown.blogspot.com/2012/11/company.html

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 “Love Love Me Baby”: The Appeal of Music, Show Business, and Celebrity in Dreamgirls

Saturday, May 18 at 4:30pm (following the 2pm matinee)

Dreamgirls is sure to please with its R&B tunes, its glittery showbiz style, and the irresistible story of a rise to fame filled with struggles, heartbreak, and redemption.  Music takes center-stage this story, using both diagetic performance numbers and character/plot driven out-of-the-blue numbers.   This panel will take a look at the function of music in Dreamgirls as a narrative device, as characterization, as entertainment, and as a marketing tool for perspective audiences.  We will also consider how the glitz and glamour of on-stage show business is contrasted with the treacherous “reality” of what happens off-stage.  Finally, we will discuss the allusions (incidental though they may be) to famous Motown performers.  How does the portrayal of celebrity and fame within the show reflect on the actual stories of Motown stars?  Furthermore, how has Dreamgirls capitalized on the blending of real life stories with this fairytale of musical dreams?

 

Featuring:

Emily Clark – The Graduate Center, CUNY

Ji Hyon (Kayla) Yuh – The Graduate Center, CUNY

Elizabeth Wollman, PhD – Baruch College, CUNY

Mark Harborth – Director of Dreamgirls

The cast of Dreamgirls

Moderator – Barrie Gelles –The Graduate Center, CUNY

Barrie Gelles is the curator for GalleryTalks. She is a fellowship student in the PhD Program in Theatre at The Graduate Center at CUNY. She completed her Masters, in Theatre, at Hunter College and has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College.  She has presented at conferences for the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, the American Society for Theatre Research, Popular Culture Association/ American Culture Association, and others.  Publications include a book review for Theatre Topics, an article for Popular Entertainment Studies, and a chapter in a forthcoming book about Glee.  Barrie currently teaches at Brooklyn College and has previously taught at Hunter College, Wingspan Arts, the 92nd Street Y Tribeca, and other institutions.  In addition to Barrie’s scholarly pursuits, she directs theatre throughout New York City.

Emily Clark is a former performer with a BA in   Theatre Performance and a Musical Theatre Minor, and is currently a Doctoral Student of Theatre. Her fields of study include the Broadway Musical and Celebrity Culture. She has presented at numerous conferences on the subject. Most recently she presented her paper “Like, Oh My God: The Myth of the Blonde in The Broadway Musical” at the MATC conference in St. Louis. She currently teaches Musical Theatre History at Marymount Manhattan College in addition to additional courses at other New York institutions.

Ji Hyon (Kayla) Yuh is a Ph.D student in Theatre at the CUNY Graduate Center, where she is focusing on sociological and cultural analyses on transnational productions of musical theatre in the United States and in Asia, especially in Korea and Japan. She is also interested in theories and practices of inter/intra/transcultural theatrical performances, especially in regards to the migration of discourses and ideas on race, and how these -cultural activities intersect with(in) transnational performances.

Elizabeth L. Wollman is associate professor of music at Baruch College, CUNY. Her research and teaching interests include American popular and traditional music, the American musical, gender issues, performance aesthetics, and the cultural history of New York City. She is the author many articles about the stage musical, and of the books The Theater Will Rock: A History of the Rock Musical from Hair to Hedwig and Hard Times: The Adult Musical in 1970s New York City.

 

 

 

The History Boys

[EasyGallery id='thehistoryboys']

The Staff

Producer: Connor Davis
Director: Mark Gallagher
Scenic Designer: Mike Kaukl
Lighting Designer: Scott Borowka
Costume Designer: Tony Johnson
Sound Designer: Jacob Subotnick
Music Composer: Ashur Rayis
Properties and Set Dressing: Sara Slagle
Production Stage Manager: Craig Rosenthal
Assistant Stage Manager: Tim Sheridan

 

The Cast

Akthar……………………………………………..Gen Parton Shin              Crowther…………………………………………..Michael Gregory              Dakin………………………………………………Cory Michael Kosel              Lockwood…………………………………………Josh Gulotta
Posner….…………………….……………………Corey Camperchioli*
Rudge……………………..…………..…………Thomas Edward
Scripps…….…………………………………..…Matt Cusack* Timms……………………………………………..Jake Levitt     Headmaster………………………………………Michael Horowitz
Mrs. Lintott…..…………………………………….Rosalind Ashford*              Hector…………………………………………..….James Luse           Irwin……………………………………………….David Lind

The History Boys Performance Schedule

Sat Dec 8 – 8:00pm
Sun Dec 9 – 3:00pm

Thur Dec 13 – 8:00pm
Fri Dec 14 – 8:00pm
Sat Dec 15 – 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sun Dec 16 – 3:00pm

Thur Dec 20 – 8:00pm
Fri Dec 21 – 8:00pm
Dec 22 – 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Dec 23 – 3:00pm

PARADE

 

 

Book by Alfred Uhry
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Co-conceived and Directed on Broadway by Harold Prince

PARADE Performance Schedule

Sat Jan 26 – 8:00pm
Sun Jan 27 – 3:00pm

Thur Jan 31 – 8:00pm
Fri Feb 1 – 8:00pm (Alumni Night)
Sat Feb 2 – 8:00pm
Sun Feb 3 – 3:00pm

Thur Feb 7 – 8:00pm
Fri Feb 8 – 8:00pm
Sat Feb 9 – 2:00pm and 8:00pm  (GalleryTalks @5pm)
Sun Feb 10 – 3:00pm

Thur Feb 14 – 8:00pm
Fri Feb 15 – 8:00pm
Sat Feb 16 – 2:00 and 8:00pm
Sun Feb 17 – 3:00pm

Jesse Manocherian as Leo Frank and Jennifer Lorae as Lucille Frank

Jesse Manocherian as Leo Frank and Jennifer Lorae as Lucille Frank

 The Cast

Leo Frank: Jesse Manocherian*
Lucille Frank: Jennifer Lorae*
Mary Phagan: Jenavene Hester*
Hugh Dorsey: Mike Backes*
Young Soldier / Frankie Epps: Mark Mozingo*
Older Soldier / Judge Roan: Bill Brooks*
Governor Slaton: Eric Morris*
Jim Conley / Newt Lee / Riley: Anthony Wills, Jr.*
Minnie McKnight / Angela: Crystal Sha’nae*
Britt Craig: Patrick Dunn*
Sally Slaton: Lorinne Lampert*
Mrs. Phagan: Leah Jennings
Watson / Det. Starnes: Danny Lindgren
Luther Rosser / Officer Ivey: Spencer Robinson
Iola Stover: Elizabeth Burton
Essie: Emma Ruck
Monteen: Ashley Harris

*denotes member of AEA.

Anthony Wills, Jr. as Jim Conley and the company of PARADE

Anthony Wills, Jr. as Jim Conley and the company of PARADE

The Staff

Producer: Robert Earle Jones
Director: Hans Friedrichs
Choreographer: Christine O’Grady
Musical Director: Julianne Merrill
Scenic Designer: Chris Minard
Costume Designer: Mina Hyun-Ok Hong
Lighting Designer: Dan Jobbins
Sound Designer: Julian Evens
Hair Designer: Jon Jordan
Production Stage Manager: Hollace Jeffords
Associate Producer: Abby Wolbe
Assistant Director: Max Gosman
Assistant Choreographer: Kristen Marie

Danny Lindgren as Tom Watson, Jenavene Hester as Mary Phagan and Mike Backes as Hugh Dorsey

Danny Lindgren as Tom Watson, Jenavene Hester as Mary Phagan and Mike Backes as Hugh Dorsey

GalleryTalks launches Nov 10

GalleryTalks is a brand new series of post-show conversations that will offer an enlightening and entertaining look into aspects of each show in The Gallery Players season. Talks feature a panel of scholars who specialize in related topics, as well as some artists who are part of the production.  Moderated by Barrie Gelles, the format of these post-show talks will be a panel discussion and include questions and conversations with the audience—thereby offering participants a chance to delve deeper into the understanding of the show and gain insight into the particulars of the production.

The premiere of GalleryTalks will take place at 5:00pm following the Saturday, November 10 matinee performance of Company.  GalleryTalks is a special program made free to all patrons of The Gallery Players.

“‘What Would We Do Without You’: How Company Came to Define an Era of New York City Living, Marriage, and the ‘Concept’ Musical.” 

Saturday, November at 5:00pm

Featuring:

Donatella Gallella – The Graduate Center, CUNY

Elizabeth Wollman, PhD – Baruch College, CUNY

Andrew Block, – Director of Company

Debra Carozza – Sarah” in Company

Cindy Marcionda – “Joanne” in Company

David Shoonover – “Bobby” in Company

Moderator – Barrie Gelles –The Graduate Center, CUNY

Barrie Gelles is the curator for GalleryTalks. She is a fellowship student in the PhD Program in Theatre at The Graduate Center at CUNY. She completed her Masters, in Theatre, at Hunter College and has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College.  She has presented at conferences for the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, the American Society for Theatre Research, Popular Culture Association/ American Culture Association, and others.  Publications include a book review for Theatre Topics, an article for Popular Entertainment Studies, and a chapter in a forthcoming book about Glee.  Barrie currently teaches at Brooklyn College and has previously taught at Hunter College, Wingspan Arts, the 92nd Street Y Tribeca, and other institutions.  In addition to Barrie’s scholarly pursuits, she directs theatre throughout New York City.

Andrew Block received the 2011 Ovation and L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards for Best Director & Production for the world premiere ofSmall Engine Repair (Rogue Machine Theatre, L.A.). Recent: Lost and Found (FringeNYC Encore Series, Lucille Lortel); Adam Rapp’s Bingo With the Indians (GLAAD nom., west-coast premiere); Illuminati (Best Director & Best Production-2010 Network OAF); Recovery (FringeNYC); The Shape of Things (Adelphi, Guest Artist); Asst. Director - The Cocktail Party (TACT- Off-Broadway). Past credits: Dancing at Lughnasa, Twelfth Night, Noises Off, City of Angels, Little Shop, & Tartuffe. MFA (DePaul), proud New Orleans native. Member, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).

Donatella Galella is a doctoral theatre student at the Graduate Center, City University of New York. She has written reviews for Theatre Survey, PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art, and Slavic and Eastern European Performance, and served on the production staffs of the latter two journals. Donatella has taught at Brooklyn College and Hostos Community College. Her chapter on Arena Stage in the 60s and encyclopedia entries on Asian American theatre are forthcoming. Her primary research fields are musical theatre, U.S. theatre institutions, and theorizing the nation.

Elizabeth L. Wollman is Associate Professor of Music at Baruch College, City University of New York, and the author of the books The Theater Will Rock: A History of the Rock Musical, from Hair to Hedwig (2006) and Hard Times: The Adult Musical in 1970s New York City (2012).

 

 

COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book by George Furth

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

 

Sondheim’s classic kaleidoscope of contemporary relationships seen through the lens of Bobby, the last single man among his married friends, set on the eve of his 35th Birthday. This timeless journey of romantic self-examination in the heart of New York City, with a witty book by George Furth, is told through such musical-comedy landmarks as “Another Hundred People”, “The Ladies Who Lunch” and “Being Alive”.

VOTE FOR US! (click here)

Performance Schedule

Saturday, Oct 20 – 8:00pm
Sunday, Oct 21 – 3:00pm

Thursday, Oct 25 – 8:00pm
Friday, Oct 26 – 8:00pm
Saturday, Oct 27 – 8:00pm
Sunday, Oct 28 – 3:00pm

Thursday, Nov 1 – 8:00pm
Friday, Nov 2 – 8:00pm
Saturday, Nov 3 – 2:00pm &  8:00pm
Sunday, Nov 4 – 3:00pm

Thursday, Nov 8 – 8:00pm
Friday, Nov 9 – 8:00pm
Saturday, Nov 10 – 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Sunday, Nov 11 – 3:00pm

The Staff

Producer: Connor Davis
Director: Andrew Block
Music Director: Charlotte Evans
Choreography: Melissa Riker
Scenic Design: Kathryn Lieber
Lighting/Sound Design: Tony Lepore
Costume Design: Mike Kaukl
Production Stage Manager: Phoebe Duncan
Properties Design: Sara Slagle
Casting Director: Ian Lowe

The Cast

April………….Diana Rose Becker
Paul………….Chris Caron
Sarah………..Debra Carozza*
David………..Thom Christensen
Peter………..John Gazzale
Kathy………..Dana Domenick*
Harry…………Greg Horton*
Susan………..Margaret-Ellen Jeffreys*
Jenny………..Katie Johannigman*
Joanne……..Cindy Marchionda*
Robert………David Schoonover*
Amy…………Sarah Stevens*
Larry………..Dominic Cuskern*
Marta………..Darcy Yellin*

Lend Me a Tenor

by Ken Ludwig
September 8 – 23, 2012

Lend me a TenorIt’s the biggest night in the history of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. When Tito Morelli, a renowned tenor about to make his North American premiere, is incapacitated by a series of calamities; Max, the office boy, is forced to impersonate him. What follows is a chain reaction of mistaken identity, innuendo and absurd plot twists that are as funny as they are ridiculous.

 

Performance Schedule

Saturday, September 8 – 8pm
Sunday, September 9 – 3pm

Thursday, September 13 – 8pm
Friday, September 14 – 8pm
Saturday, September 15 – 2pm
Saturday, September 15 – 8pm
Sunday, September 16 – 3pm

Thursday, September 20 – 8pm
Friday, September 21 – 8pm
Saturday, September 22 – 2pm
Saturday, September 22 – 8pm
Sunday, September 23 – 3pm

The Cast

Joe Beuerlein……………….Max

Gregory Cohan……………..Bellhop

Laura Lawson……………….Diana

Marisol Miller-Wave……….. Maria

Sean Patterson*……………..Tito

Amanda Pulcini*……………  Maggie

Jim Shine…………………… Saunders

Pauline Walsh……………… Julia

The Staff

Mark Harborth………………Producer

Dominic Cuskern……………Director

Joey Haws…………………..Costume Design

Andrew Lu…………………. Set Design

Michael O’Connor…………. Lighting Design

Sara Slagle…………………. Props & Set Dressing

Jacob Subotnick…………….Sound Design

Vocal Coach……………….   Steve Olsen/Natalie Tenebaum

2012-13 Season Staffing Opportunities

The Gallery Players, Brooklyn’s premier, award-winning Off-Off Broadway theater is seeking set, lighting, costume and sound designers as well as stage managers, producers and directors to staff its upcoming season which includes: a musical (TBD) which opens October 20th; History Boys by Allan Bennett which opens December 8th; Parade which opens January 26th ; Master Class by Terrence McNally which opens March 6th and Dreamgirls which opens April 27th.

We are seeking enthusiastic, hard-working, talented, self-starting people who are willing and able to work in an Off-Off Broadway setting. Producers will be expected to supervise a production from the choosing of a director through opening night, making sure that each show meets our high standards and comes in within budget. Please indicate which shows particularly interest you. Small stipends are available for these positions.

Please send your resumes for an immediate appointment to Mark Harborth at: mark@galleryplayers.com.

Reading Series

United States v. Ezra Pound by T J Edwards

Saturday June 2nd, 3pm

No reservations required. FREE.

Every word true: his broadcasts, his trial, his poetry, the debate. A cast of ten tells the story of the only American artist to go on trial for treason against the United States. Dominic Cuskern stars in a reading on the life of the disaffected poet who turned to Fascism, broadcast from Italy, was arrested and imprisoned, rendered home to the U.S. for charges of treason, then thrown in a mental hospital for 12 years. The greatest English-language literary influence in the 20th century was sent to a hell-hole rather than face his crimes. This is the story and every word true, taken from first-hand accounts, broadcasts, trial transcripts, diaries, books and essays. You may think you know the story. You do not know the story.