Full Productions

Lake Hollywood

An HB Ensemble Production

Playwright: John Guare HB Studio - Lake Hollywood

Director: Amy Wright

Cast: Georgina Bates, John FitzGibbon*, Richard Mawe*, Liam Mitchell*, Danae Torn*, Reed Birney*, Denise Lute*, Barry McBrien, Catherine Siracusa, Rip Torn*, Amy Wright*.

*Appearing courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association

Costume Designer: Juliann Kroboth Managing Director: Marlene Mancini Technical Director: Corrie Beth Allen Stage Manager: Jamila Whigham Assistant Stage Manager and Sound Operator: Lizzie Follie Sound Design: Alan Bluestone Construction: Giovanni Villari House Manager: Tom Tinelli Backstage: Jamila Wigham

Lake Hollywood was performed November 2nd – 19th, 2007

Synopsis: According to Agnes, August 15th is Virgin Mary’s day. If someone goes for a swim on Scroon Lake on that day they can be cured from any disease for the rest of the year. Agnes has been following this yearly tradition since she was a child and is thrilled that Andrew, her significant other joins her on this date for a swim in the lake. Florence (Flo) and her husband, Randolph along with his mother, Mrs. Larry also follow along for an afternoon picnic.This play takes place on a summer day in New Hampshire August 15th, 1940 and Hell’s Kitchen, NYC in the late 1980’s where married couple Agnes and Andrew, now a happy family in their late years reveal their hidden stories from over 50 years ago.

Summerfolk

An HB Ensemble Production Summerfolk - HB Studio

Playwrights: Maxim Gorky, Translated by John Tillinger and Edward Gilbert

Director: Austin Pendleton

Cast: Andy McCutcheon*, Dara O’Brien, Georgina Bates, James LaChere, Michael Epp, Adam Groves, Kathryn Danielle*, Mindy Luce, Kathleen Peirce, Grace Kiley*, Toshiji Takeshima, Shaun Bennet Wilson, Koichiro Goto, Etienne Navarre, David B. Sochet*, Kenneth Thompson, Nick DeSimone, Louis Zorich*, Barry McBrien, David McElfresh*, Hanna Hayes, Judy Rosenblatt*, Tom Schubert, Danusia Roberts*, Marci Occhino.

*Appearing courtesy of the Actor’s Equity Association

Lighting Design: Brian Nason Stage Management: Shiraz Biggie, Abbey Simon Costume Design: Patricia Adshead, Catherine Siracusa Assistant Director: Karen B. Song Managing Director: Marlene Mancini Technical Director: Duana Pagano Office Manager: Tara Webb Dramaturg: Stephanie Braxton*

Summerfolk was performed September 14th – 30th, 2007

Synopsis: The play dramatises the Russian bourgeois social class and the changes occurring around them in the middle of the first decade of the twentieth century. It is set in a world of “false hopes and unfulfilled promises,” where dachas have been subdivided into summer colonies and the newly rich idle away their time in unhappy romantic alliances. Gorky’s characters are still dreaming of a better life, but they are increasingly aware of impending revolution.

Our Son’s Wedding

A Playwrights in Development Series

Part of “The 2nd Six Playwrights in Search of a Production…”

Playwright: Donna de Matteo

Director: Donna de Matteo

Cast: Marina Re*, Roger Serbagi*, Perry Ojeda*, Eric Rasmussen*

*Appearing courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association

Stage Directions: Chris Drury Managing Director: Marlene Mancini Technical Director: Giovanni Villari Office Manager: Tara Webb

The 2nd Six Playwrights in Search of a Production - HB Studio

Our Son’s Wedding was performed October 25th & 26th, 2008

Synopsis: Husband-to-be Michael and Dr. David Schwartz are bound to get married for the first time. Angelo Lo Presto, seemingly homophobic father of Michael and his wife of forty years, Mary Lo Presto are having an adversarial conversation in their hotel suite at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Boston, MA about their son’s marriage. Michael is crushed when he finds out about a huge wedding decoration error, his interior decorator mind drives him into destroying half of the decorations and punching his groom in the face after following his mother’s advice. Angelo Lo Presto is also involved in the feud when he has to face his wife’s secrets after being kept in the dark for a long time.

Cawfee Tawk

Part of “The 2nd Six Playwrights in Search of a Production…”

Playwright: Jenifer Badamo The 2nd Six Playwrights in Search of a Production - HB Studio

Director: Marlene Mancini

Cast: Nicole Pandolfo, Marina Re, Sophia Remolde, Jenny Mollen.

Managing Director: Marlene Mancini Technical Director: Giovanni Villari Office Manager: Tara Webb Stage Directions: Catherine Siracusa

Cawfee Tawk was performed 22nd – 23rd

Synopsis: In 1970, during the Vietnam War, childhood friends Maria, Luann, and Geri gossip about past relationships, including their personal ones. In Rosie’s apartment, Maria’s future mother-in-law, Rosie threatens to expose her secret from a past mistake if she doesn’t call off her wedding with her son.While Luann, an Irish-methodist struggles with the pressure of neighborhood rumors that her future husband is queer. Whereas twenty-three year-old, Geri is not concerned with her life decisions as she chooses a stable job career over a family.

The Sleeper Awakens

An HB Ensemble Production

Playwright: Julie Mckee

The Sleeper Awakens - HB Studio
Playbill

Director: Carol Rosenfeld

Cast: Elizabeth Grey*, Johanna Leister*, Robin Christian McNair*, Nick DeSimone, David Khouri, Frank Anderson*, Laura Gilreath, Nathalie Bryant.

*Members of the Actors Equity Association

Set and Costumes: Michael Masse Costume Assistant: Catherine Siracusa Light: Les Dickert Sound: Bob Murphy Stage Combat: Ian Marshall Managing Director: Marlene Mancini Technical Director: Giovanni Villari Office Manager: Tara Webb Assistant Directors: Nina Baddock & Yveyi Yi

The Sleeper Awakens was performed April 18th-May 5th, 2009

The Sleeper Awakens reimagines Pedro Calderon’s Life Is A Dream, seen through the lens of a Preston Sturges screwball comedy.

Synopsis: This play takes place in various locations in Florida. Wanting to name his successor, Uncle King has to make up for his abandonment of daughter Doleen, who was vanished from the family tree because of a portent during her birth. Introduced to freedom, power, and wealth, Doleen becomes aware of her family’s lifestyle and is ready to become the next heir. Uncle King, scared for all his hard work to go to waste opts to teach her the ropes of the business but harshly warns her not to mess things up.

Lady with a Lapdog With Jokes and A Happy Ending

An HB Ensemble Production Lady With a Lapdog - HB Studio

Playwright: Aleksey Burago

Director: Aleksey Burago

Cast: Georgina Bates, Snezhana Chernova, Matthew Conlon, Daniela Dakich, Jen Dbnby, Pascal Escriout, Jack Gillespie, Koichiro Goto, Hanna Hayes, Vadim Krol, Mindy Luce, Joseph Larocco, Andy McCutcheon, Danijela Popvich, Danusia Trevino, Giovanni Villari, Sharon Wajswol, L.B. Williams, Julia Wolfermann, Marius Zilberstein

Set & Costumes: Olga Rogova Lighting: John Burkland Managing Director: Marlene Mancini Technical Director: Corrie Beth Shotwell Office Manager: Tara Webb

Lady with a Lapdog was performed September 13th- 30th

Synopsis: As time passes, Andrei marries Natalya and devotes himself to gambling, while Natalya has babies and takes over the household. Masha has a romantic affair with Vershinin; Natalya commits adultery with the school administrator. A fire rages through the town, but Chebutykin is drunk and unable to help the victims. In the end, just before the Army contingent moves to another post, Irina’s fiance is killed in a duel.

Hedda Gabler

An HB Ensemble Production

Playwright: Henrik Ibsen Hedda Gabler - HB Studio

Director: Amy Wright

Cast: Candace Bryant, Snezhana Chernova, Chris Chinn, Selma Cifka, Jen Danby, Chris Gilmer, Hanna Hayes, Ross Kramberg, Philip Kushner, Alicia Lobo, Midy Luce, Don Marlette, Arnie Mazer, Andy McCutcheon, Dara O’ Brien, David Shih, Catherine Siracusa, David Smilow, Robert Spence, Toshiji Takeshima, Maruis Zilberstein

Director: Amy Wright Lighting: Corrie Beth Shotwell Managing Director: Marlene Mancini Technical Director: Giovanni Villari Stage Manager: Aj Dobbs Office Manager: Tara Webb

Hedda Gabler performed June 12th – 29th, 2009

Synopsis: Hedda, the daughter of an aristocratic and enigmatic general, has just returned to her villa in Kristiania (now Oslo) from her honeymoon. Her husband is George Tesman, a young, aspiring, and reliable (but not brilliant) academic who continued his research during their honeymoon. It becomes clear in the course of the play that she has never loved him but married him because she thinks her years of youthful abandon are over. It is also suggested that she may be pregnant.

 

Three Sisters

An HB Ensemble Production

Playwright: Anton Chekhov Three Sisters - HB Studio

Director: Amy Wright

Cast: Candace Bryant, Snezhana Chernova, Chris Chinn, Selma Cifka, Jen Danby, Chris Gilmer, Hanna Hayes, Ross Kramberg, Philip Kushner, Alicia Lobo, Mindy Luce, Don Marlette, Arnie Mazer, Andy McCutcheon, Dara O’ Briain, David Shih, Catherine Siracusa, David Smilow, Robert Spence, Toshiji Takeshima, Marius Zilberstein.

Lighting: Corrie Beth Shotwell Managing Director: Marlene Mancini Technical Director: Giovanni Villari Stage Manager: AJ Dobbs Office Manager: Tara Webb

Three Sisters performed June 12th – 28th, 2009

Synopsis: The play takes place over a several-year period in the provincial town in which the Prozorov sisters and their brother Andrei live. Olga, the oldest, is a high school teacher; Masha is unhappily married to a teacher in the same school; and Irina and Andrei have dreams of moving back to Moscow. Vershinin, the new Army commander, joins the group of military hangers-on around the Prozorov home, a group that also includes the ineffectual doctor, Chebutykin, who lets everyone know that he has forgotten all the medicine he ever knew.

Freud’s Last Session

Part of the 6 Playwrights in Search of a Production…

Playwright: Mark St. Germain Freud's Last Session - HB Studio

Director: Rasa Allan Kazlas

Cast: Fritz Weaver*, Matthew Conlon*

*Appearing courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association

Costumes: Patricia Adshead, Catherine Siracusa Lighting: Diana Kesselschmidt Managing Director: Marlene Mancini Technical Director: Giovanni Villari Sound Technician: Jazmaine Kirby Office Manager: Tara Webb

Freud’s Last Session was performed February 24th – March 8th, 2009 and April 20th & 21, 2008

Synopsis: At Freud’s Study in Hampstead, London, Dr. Sigmund Freud requests to meet with professor Lewis in regards to his intellect on why he has suddenly abandoned truth and embrace an insidious life of believing in God and the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout the meeting, the two men discuss many controversial topics regarding religion and personal beliefs which brings out a discoursal conversation. Although they have different viewpoints, both men respect one another’s opinion, improving their relationship later on during the play.

What Are Our Kids Thinking…?

Playwright: Marlene Mancini What Are Our Kids Thinking...? - HB Studio

Director: Marlene Mancini

Cast: Jenifer Badamo, Delia Bannon, Allison Bass, Stephanie Carlisle, Samantha Carlisle, Monique Clemente, Anthony De Palma, Bria Emmanuel, Will Engle, Maia Moore, Nicole Pandolfo, Frida Perez, Grace Powell, Lilian Monique Sherman, Catherine Siracusa, Tom Tinelli.

Contributing Writers: Jenifer Badamo, Agnes Garrett, Nicole Pandolfo Set and Lighting: Giovanni Villari Office Manager: Christina Roussos

What Are Our Kids Thinking…? was performed July 23rd – August 1st, 2010