2009 Reading Series
May 27, 2009
60 Miles to Silver Lake by Dan LeFranc
Directed by Tim Wright and Jen Kays
Performed by: Tim Wright, Karri Krause and Zack Schenkkan
May 20, 2009
Putting the Days to Bed by Deron Bos
Directed by Ken Sawyer
Performed by: Suzy Jane Hunt, Mara Hesed, Max Faugno and Zack Schenkkan
May 13, 2009
The Emancipation of Alabaster McGill by Jeff Goode
Directed by Jonathan Westerberg
Performed by: Joe Fria, Doug Sutherland, Bill Salyers, Michael Allen, Clem Blake, Chris Loprete, Ralph Cole Jr., and Joe Tyler Gold
May 6, 2009
The Heart in your Chest by Kristen Palmer
Directed by Paul Willis
Performed by: Matty Ford, Michael Chick, Nick Braun, Chris Goodson, Jen Kays, Lia Aprile, and Bridget White
April 29, 2009
The Cataract by Lisa D'Amour
Directed by Trevor Biship
Performed by: Tim Wright, Jennifer A. Skinner, Bill Heck, and Cloie Wyatt Taylor
April 22nd, 2009
Creature by Heidi Schreck
Directed by Darrin Anthony
Performed by: Nealy Glenn, Chris Gerson, Noah Harpster, Jayne Taini, Johanna McKay, and Grayson DeJesus
2008 Reading Series
May 7, 2008
The Internationalist by Anne Washburn
Directed by Bart DeLorenzo
Performed by: Andrew Elvis Miller, Holly Gabrielson, Max Faugno, Lauren Campedelli, David Vegh, Tom Fiscella, and Bridget White
April 30, 2008
The Good Book by Moby Pomerance
Directed by John Langs
Performed by: John Getz, Paul Witten, Tarah Flanagan, James Eckhouse, Doug Sutherland, Jim Anzide, Gillian Doyle, and Joelle Carter
April 23, 2008
What Once We Felt by Ann Marie Healy,
Directed by Stefan Novinski
Performed by: Rebecca Avery, Camille Brown, Heidi Darchuk, Melanie Elliott, Thomas Fiscella, Joe Tyler Gold, Kate Mayfield and Thia Stephan
April 16, 2008
Hello Failure by Kristen Kosmas,
Directed by Abigail Marateck
Performed by: Kelly Brady, John Wallace Combs, Thomas Craig Elliott, Chris Goodson, Jamey Hood, Suzanne Jamieson, Jen Kays, Christina Mastin, Johanna McKay and Julie Millett
April 9, 2008
Scarcity by Lucy Thurber
Directed by Thomas Elliott
Performed by: Jasmine Jessica Anthony, Will Collyer, Jennifer A. Skinner, Kelly Boulware, Peter Friedrich, Virginia Schneider, Emily McDonald, and Mara Hesed
April 2, 2008
Fubar by Karl Gajdusek
Directed by Larissa Kokernot
Performed by: Alicia Martino, Matty Ford, Chet Grissom, Sascha Alexander, Brad Fleisher, and Rebecca Avery
2007 Reading Series
May 22, 2007
Courting Vampires by Laura Schellhardt
Directed by Jessica Kubzansky
Performed by: Hugo Armstrong, Lena Hill, Jamey Hood, and Jen Kays
May 8, 2007
Moloch and Other Demons by Jason Grote
Directed By Matthew McCray
Donald Boughton, Camille Brown, Will Collyer, Doug Sutherland, Chris Goodson, Chris Gerson, Kiff Scholl, and Julie Millett
May 15, 2007
A Brief Narrative of an Extraordinary Birth of Rabbits by C. Denby Swanson
Directed By Tim Wright
Performed by: Bob Clendenin, Michaela Watkins, David Vegh, Melanie Elliott, Kelly Brady, Jeff Ricketts, Dorothy Drury, Max Faugno, Casey Smith, Ross MacKenzie, and Emily McDonald
May 1, 2007
Air Conditioning by Tommy Smith
Directed By Michael Michetti
Sascha Alexander, Gwyn McColl, Tom Elliott, Rebecca Avery, Tom Fiscella, and Johanna McKay
April 22, 2007
The Beloved Disciple by Tom Jacobson
Directed By Kiff Scholl
Performed by: Kevin Fabian, Zack Schenkkan, Paul Witten, and Doug Sutherland
April 17, 2007
Love Loves a Pornographer by Jeff Goode
Directed By Jillian Armenante
Performed by: David Paul Wichert, Johanna McKay, Jim Anzide, Michele Begley, William Salyers, Bridget Ann White, and Matt Ford
2006 Reading Series
April 18, 2006
Capsized Flotsam by Donoco Smyth
Directed by Rebecca Avery
Performed by: Yuri Lowenthal, Bob Clendenin, Kevin Fabian, Doug Sutherland, Julie Millett, Melanie Hermann, and Jen Kays
April 11, 2006
Death of a Cat by C. Denby Swanson
Directed by Jen Kays
Performed by: Linda Bailey, Yuri Lowenthal, Tara Platt, and Bob Clendenin
April 4, 2006
The Bigger Man by Sam Marks
Directed by David Vegh
Performed by: Matt Ford, Richard Augustine, Jerry Thomas Fiscella, Jennifer A. Skinner, and Rebecca Avery
March 28, 2006
707 Pine by Deron Bos
Directed by David Grammer
Performed by: Linda Bailey Walsh, Max Faugno, Nancy Leopardi, Holly Gabrielson, Jamie Bullock, Jen Kays, Joe Dalo, Mary Lou Ahlenius, Anthony Backman, Todd Lubitsch, Matt Ford, David Vegh, Tara Platt, and Tim Wright
March 21, 2006
800 Words: The Transmigration of Philip K. Dick by Victoria Stewart
Directed by Bridget Ann White
Performed by: Anthony Backman, John Combs, Holly Gabrielson, Illana Krechit, Alicia Martino, Victoria Schneider, and David Vegh
March 14, 2006
Faust. Us. by Joseph Fisher
Directed by Thomas Craig Elliott
Performed by: Mary Lou Ahlenius, Julie Alexander, Jamie Bullock, Kevin Fabian, Nancy Fassett, Joe Gold, Chris Loprete, Ross Mackenzie, Julie Millett, and Brian Shnipper
2004 Reading Series
December 13, 2004
21 Shots By Deron Bos
Directed by Jacob Sidney DietzmanCasey Smith, Richard Augustine, Jen Kays, Beverly Hynds, Holly Gabrielson, and Melyssa Peters
November 22, 2004
Two, Nikita by Jeffrey Hatcher, dir. Chris A. Loprete
Illana Kira, Anthony Backman, Tom Elliott, David Grammer, Scott Plusquellec, David Paul Wichert, Ally Loprete, and Tim Wright
November 14, 2004
Lunatic by KC Davis
Directed by Matthew Bretz
Performed by: William Salyers, Emma Barton, Beatrice Casini, Tom Elliott, Todd Sible, and Bob Clendenin
November 1, 2004
The Museum Play by Jordan Harrison
Dir. by Holly Gabrielson
Performed by: Doug Sutherland, Todd Sible, Michelle Cashman, Alicia Martino, Tove Hansen, and David Grammer
October 18, 2004
An Experiment with an Air Pump by Shelagh Stephenson
Directed by Tom Elliot
Performed by: Anthony Backman, Tara Platt, Melanie Hermann Elliott, Yuri Lowenthal, Julia Millett, and Melyssa Peters
October 3, 2004
Restoring the Sun by Joe Sutton
Directed by Tim Wright
Performed by: Bob Clendenin, Doug Sutherland, Ross Mackenzie, Jennifer A. Skinner, Patrick Gorman, and Brian Shnipper
September 26, 2004
Mallbaby by Jennifer Maisel
Directed by Jayne Taini
Performed by: Wendy Willoughby, Holly Gabrielson, Rebecca Avery, Doug Sutherland, Jeff Marlowe, Kevin Fabian, and Matt Ford
September 19, 2004
The Faithful by Scott Organ
Directed by Matthew Bretz
Performed by: Matt Ford, Rebecca Avery, Daniele O'Loughlin, Abram Lewis-Rosenblum, Mickey Watkins, Tom Elliott, and Anthony Backman
September 12, 2004
All the Rage by Keith Reddin
Directed by Brian Shnipper
Performed by: Tom Fiscella, Michelle Begley, Scott Plusquellec, Peter Friedrish, Jen Kays, David Paul Wichert, Jerry Kernion, Patrick Gorman, Colin Doty, and Kevin Fabian
August 23, 2004
Lemon by Lawrence Krauser
Directed by DP Wichert
Performed by: Brian Shnipper, Ross Mackenzie, Tim Wright, Bob Clendenin, Joe Tyler Gold, Anthony Backman, Ahmed Enani, Beatrice Casini, Illana Kira, Julianna Robinson, Mary Lou Ahlenius, Andrea Ruth, Nancy Leopardi, Julie Millet, Shea Bart, and Tove Hansen
Lascivious Something
By Sheila Callaghan
Director: Paul Willis
Dates: March 27-May 1, 2010
Location: [Inside] the Ford at the Ford Amphitheatre
Cast:
August: Silas Weir Mitchell
Daphne: Olivia Henry
Liza: Alina Phelan
Boy: Alana Dietze
Production Team:
Produced by Tim Wright and Jennifer A. Skinner
Associate Producers: Camille Schenkkan and Crystal Diaz
Set Design: Sibyl Wickersheimer
Light Design: Tom Ontiveros
Sound Design: John Zalewski
Costume Design: Dianne K. Graebner
Props: Ali Hisserich
Asst. Director: Lisa Szolovits
Stage Manager: Tina Baldwin
Asst. Stage Manager: Jessica M. Amezcua
Publicity: Lucy Pollak
Press:
"Sheila Callaghan has created a great premise and fascinating characters, her writing intertwining wine and blood and sex as painful but necessary life forces... the quartet of actors is superb ... Director Paul Willis creates a highly energized, highly mysterious world." - Backstage (Critic's Pick)
"Director Paul Willis expertly torques the proceedings to their high-tension dénouement, while Tom Ontiveros' subtle lights and John Zalewski's rumbling sound effectively accent Callaghan's incisive language."- LA Weekly (Go!)
"Circle X's production is first rate; under Paul Willis' sharp direction, the performances snap and crackle." - Los Angeles Times (Top Pick)
"Sheila Callaghan's Lascivious Something, presented by Circle X, achieves its mythic ambitions to a surprising degree ... more exotic romance than a score of Mamma Mia! tours." - Variety
"This is a brave new work by an exciting writer and a show that should not be missed unless you're a priggish teetotaler or have a heart condition. This play has a broad audience: fans of the hit film "Sideways," lovers of Greek theatre and mythology, or those who are just passionate about pioneering new works. It is safe to say this play will be the toast of the town here and in its New York production." - Eye Spy LA
"Lascivious Something turns into an edge-of-your-seat drama likely to appeal equally to fans of day-or-nighttime soaps who like things hot and heavy, and to fringe theater aficionados who prefer edgier, more challenging fare. It's a crowd-pleaser that stimulates the intellect-- and how many plays have you seen lately that can do both?" - Stage Scene LA
"Lascivious Something is a marked departure from Sheila Callaghan's work as a writer on Showtime's The United States of Tara... Sibyl Wickersheimer's astute set design reflects the barren inner landscape of the complex characters, whose unfettered relationships with themselves - and each other - are inspired by Greek tragedy." - Flavorpill LA
Click here for the Show Page!
Battle Hymn
By: Jim Leonard
Director: John Langs
Dates: January 17-March 7, 2009
Location: [Inside] the Ford at the Ford Amphitheatre
Cast:
Martha: Suzy Jane Hunt
Henry, et al: Bill Heck
Ambrose, etal: William Salyers
Primbody, et al: Robert Manning Jr.
Lanford, et al: John Short
Production Team:
Produced by Tim Wright & Jennifer A. Skinner
Associate produced by Camille Schenkkan & Diana Wyenn
Set & Lighting design by Brian Sidney Bembridge
Costume design by Dianne K. Graebner
Sound design by Cricket S. Myers
Original score by Michael Levine
Properties by Ali Hisserich
Projection design by Jason H.Thompson
Stage managed by Kathleen Ressegger
Assistant projection design by Matthew Melinger
Makeup and Hair by Emily McDonald
Scenic painting by Jen Kays & Lauren Horowitz
Master electrician & Assistant lighting design by Jeff Davis
Assistant stage managed by Cate Cundiff
Program design by Kevin Fabian
Backstage Crew: Mary Lou Ahlenius, Diana Wyenn & Jenny Bokoch
Awards:
LA Weekly Awards:
Play Writing: Jim Leonard
Original Music: James Levine
LA Weekly Nominations:
Production of the Year
Ensemble
Costume Design: Dianne K. Graebner
Lighting Design: Brian Sidney Bembridge
Set Design: Brian Sidney Bembridge
Ovation Nominations:
Sound Design - Intimate Theatre: Michael Levine & Cricket S. Myers
Lighting Design - Intimate Theatre: Brian Sidney Bembridge
GLAAD Nomination:
Outstanding Los Angeles Theatre
Press:
"Refreshingly original, smart and engaging... a perfect match for Circle X Theatre Company's signature whimsical staging and inventive visual flair." - Philip Brandes, LA Times
"This is among Circle X's most exhilarating offerings - a sinfully rich theatrical adventure infused with profoundly resonant social satire that produces visceral wonderment." -- Les Spindle, Backstage West
"Watching parts of the Lincoln Memorial concert last Sunday afternoon, I wondered if theater could deliver entertainment that would be equally appropriate for this moment.
Battle Hymn answered my question." - Don Shirley, LA City Beat
"The cast is outstanding, John Lang's direction is inspired and tech credits are uniformly superb. Leonard's writing is rich and often humorous, and he's skilled at creating memorable characters." - Terry Morgan, Variety
"A compendium of symbols that add up to a century of clashes between America's founding principles and the betrayals of those principles that show up through history - from slavery to gay rights to religious hypocrisy. This land is our land? Hardly. And yet the prevailing symbol is that of birth, and re-birth, of ourselves." - Steven Leigh Morris, LA Weekly
NAACP Nomination:
Best Supporting Male - Local: Robert Manning, Jr.
Click here for the Show Page!
Married but Solo
By Ally Loprete and Chris Loprete
Directed by Thomas Fiscell
World Premiere
Dates: July 20 --September 7, 2004
Location: Stages Theatre Center
Act 1: Chasing Ally
Cast: Ally Loprete
Act 2: You're From Philly, Charlie Brown!
Cast: Chris Loprete
Production Team:
Producer: Tim Wright
Director: Thomas Fiscella
Writers: Ally Loprete, Chris Loprete
Technical Director: Jennifer Skinner
Stage Manager: Erin Noble
You Are Here
5 solo pieces written and performed by Anthony Backman, Kevin Fabian, Holly Gabrielson, Jennifer Skinner and Doug Sutherland
Directed by Rebecca Avery, Kevin Fabian, Jennifer Skinner and Michael Winters
Dates: October/November 2004
Location: Stages in Hollywood
Ensemble:
Anthony Backman
Kevin Fabian
Holly Gabrielson
Jennifer Skinner
Doug Sutherland
Stage Manager: Megan Histand
The Flu Season
By: Will Eno
Director: Jonathan Westerberg
Dates: February 16--March 29, 2008
Location: [Inside] the Ford at the Ford Amphitheatre
Cast:
Doctor: David Fruechting
Epilogue: Christopher Goodson
Woman: Jamey Hood
Nurse: Christina Mastin
Prologue: Michael McColl
Man: Tim Wright
Understudy: Doug Sutherland
Production Team:
Directed by Jonathan Westerberg
Produced by Jennifer A. Skinner
Set design by Todd Sible
Lighting design by Craig Housenick
Sound design and original score by Tim Labor
Costume design by Dianne K. Graebner
Properties by Ali Hisserich
Stage Managed by Kathleen Ressegger and Heather Mickelson
Press:
"The Circle X Theater Company production of the show captures the play's audacity and humor, bolstered by Jonathan Westerberg's smart direction and a topnotch cast... Hood, who has been very good in such previous Circle X productions as "The Shaggs" and "The Brothers Karamazov," tops herself with a superb performance that combines charm, subtlety and deep emotion. A moment in which she quickly glances to someone, hoping that sympathy still exists, only to find otherwise, is simply devastating. Where another actor might milk the realization for overwrought pathos, Hood's Woman hurts, takes it in and makes an immediate effort to move forward -- a simple, clear piece of acting as piercing and pointed as a needle." -- Terry Morgan for Variety
Love Loves a Pornographer
By: Jeff Goode
Director: Jillian Armenante
World Premiere
Dates: November 17, 2007--January 20, 2008
Location: [Inside] the Ford at the Ford Amphitheatre
Ensemble, In Order of Appearance:
Fennimore (The Loveworthys' Manservant): Weston Nathanson
Reverend Miles Monger (A Critic): Jim Anzide
Millicent Monger (His Wife): Johanna McKay
Lady Lillian Loveworthy (The Lady of the Manor): Gillian Doyle
Lord Loveworthy (The Lord of the Manor): William Salyers
Emily Loveworthy (The Loveworthys' Daughter): Kathleen Rose Perkins
Earl Kant (Her Fiancé): Matt Ford
Production Team:
Produced by Tim Wright and Jillian Armenante
Associate Producer: Jennifer A. Skinner
Scenic Design by Gary Smoot
Lighting Design by Karl Gajdusek
Costume Design by Paul Spadone
Sound Design by Jillian Armenante
Properties by Ali Hisserich
Assistant Directed by Abby Marateck
Stage Managed by Mel Stone and Kathleen Ressegger
Awards:
Garland Awards:
Playwrighting: Jeff Goode
Direction: Jillian Armenante
Scenic Design: Gary Smoot
Lighting Design: Karl Gajdusek
Costume Design: Paul Spadone
Garland Honorable Mentions:
Production, Kathleen Rose Perkins,
Performance in a Straight Play
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards:
Writing
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Nominations:
Direction
Writing
Featured Performance
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Press:
"Crisply directed by Jillian Armenante for Circle X Theatre Company, it stars an ensemble that steps perfectly into the era and classes... Armenante keeps the action flowing and the dialogue moving at a blistering pace, snuggly fitting in twice as much dialogue as would normally be delivered in a two-hour running time." --Jeff Favre for Back Stage
365 Days/365 Plays
World Premiere
By Suzan-Lori Parks
Directed by Tom Elliott, Pete Friedrich, Jamey Hood, Lisa Szolovits, David Paul Wichert
Dates: March 22--March 24, 2007
Location: [Inside] the Ford at the Ford Amphitheatre
Ensemble:
Mary-Lou Ahlenius, Rebecca Avery, Zac Barton, Dana Bean, Levi Brewster, Camille Brown, Dorothy Drury, Melanie Elliott, Tom Elliott, Bella Enohoro, Kevin Fabian, Jessica Gershen, Lena Hill, Beverly Hynds, Irwin Iskak, Miah Jeffra, Ilana Kira, Forrest Lancaster, Ross Mackenzie, Emily McDonald, Julie Millett, Wilder Millett, Gabe Palo, Ian Porter, Zack Schenkkan, Virginia Schneider, Susan Schramm, Benno Sebastian, Doug Sutherland, Lisa Szolovits, Jayne Taini,Terry Tocatins, Jennifer Toffel, Jessica Townsend, Brittany Wilkerson
Production Team:
Produced by Camille Brown
Technical Director: Brandon Baruch
Eurydice
Los Angeles Premiere
By Sarah Ruhl
Directed by John Langs
Dates: November 18, 2006--January 6, 2007
Location: [Inside] the Ford at the Ford Amphitheatre
Ensemble:
Eurydice: Kelly Brady
Father: John Getz
Little Stone: Joe Tyler Gold
A Nasty Interesting Man & Lord of the Underworld: Jeff Ricketts
Big Stone: Thia Stephan
Loud Stone: Doug Sutherland
Orpheus: Tim Wright
Understudies: Camille Brown, John Combs
Production Team:
Produced by Tim Wright
Scenic Design by Brian Sidney Bembridge
Sound Design by Robbin E. Broad
Costume Design by Dianne K. Graebner
Stage Manager: Jamey Hood
Awards:
Ovation Awards:
Brian Bembridge nominated for Set Design Intimate Theatre, Lighting Design Intimate Theatre
Robbin Broad nominated for Sound Design Intimate Theatre
LA Weekly Award:
Sound Design (Robbin Broad)
Press:
"Ricketts is deliciously rapacious as the horny little devil who courts Eurydice from the seat of his tricycle... Also entertaining are the Greek chorus trio of relentlessly disapproving stones, who seem to have been British music hall buskers when their living personas trod the earth. Complementing the proceedings are the evocative, surrealistic sets and lighting of Brian Sidney Bembridge." --Julio Martinez for Variety
The Bigger Man
West Coast Premiere
By Sam Marks
Directed by David Vegh
Dates: July 29--September 9, 2006
Location: Theater/Theatre
Ensemble:
Rick: Richard Augustine
Jerry: Thomas Fiscella
Len: Matt Ford
Lily: Jen Kays, Jennifer A. Skinner
Stacy: Linda Bailey Walsh
Understudy: Brian Schnipper
Production Team:
Produced by Tim Wright, Jennifer A. Skinner and Jen Kays
Set: Laura Fine
Master Carpentry: Chris Hawkes
Lights: Kristie Roldan
Sound: Jake Davis
Costumes: Jennifer Koster
Stage Manager: Vanessa Rundle
The Brothers Karamazov
West Coast Premiere
Adapted by Anthony Clarvoe from the novel by Feodor Dostoyevsky
Directed by John Langs
Dates: December 3, 2005--Februrary 4, 2006
Location: [Inside] the Ford at the Ford Amphitheatre
Ensemble:
Grushenka Sveilov: Rebecca Avery
Father Zosmia, Samsonov, Mussyalovich: John Combs
Ivan: Colin Doty
Plastonov: Kevin Fabian
Alyosha: Max Faugno
Fyodor, The Judge, The Devil: John Getz
Katya Verkhovisev: Jamey Hood
Smerdyakov: Doug Sutherland
Feyna: Jayne Taini
Dmitri: Paul Witten
Production Team:
Directed by John Langs
Produced by Tim Wright
Set and Lighting design by Brian Sidney Bembridge
Costume design by Dianne K. Graebner
Sound design by Robbin E. Broad
Stage Manager: Mina Yueh
Awards:
Ovation Nominations:
Ensemble Performance
Lighting Design Intimate Theatre (Brian Sidney Bembridge)
Costume Design Intimate Theatre (Dianne Graebner)
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards:
Production
Direction (John Langs)
Writing and Adaptation (Anthony Clarvoe)
Ensemble Performance
Scenic Design (Brian Sidney Bembridge)
Lighting Design (Brian Sidney Bembridge)
Sound Design (Robbin Broad)
Garland Awards:
Anthony Clarvoe: Adaptation
John Langs: Direction
Brian Sidney Bembridge: Scenic Design
Brian Sidney Bembridge: Lighting Design
Robbin E. Broad: Sound Design
LA Weekly:
Nomination: Production of the Year
Recommended Pick
Press:
"The Circle X production of Anthony Clarvoe's adaptation of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov at (Inside) the Ford is a grand achievement, a reminder of how good theater can be...This excellent show satisfies and impresses in equal measure... Langs' staging is creative and hums with vitality, fully utilizing Brian Sidney Bembridge's striking two-level set, a dilapidated squat that looks like it's been scheduled for demolition. Bembridge's lighting segues from realistic to stark, at one point brightly illuminating the Russian graffiti scrawled on the walls as though it were a background of heavenly latticework. This classic novel has received a classic production." --Terry Morgan for Variety
At Play in the Valley of the Shadow of Chet
By Clown Corn Messiah
Directed by Chuck Harper
World Premiere
Dates: October 1--November 13, 2004
Location: Stages Theatre Center
Ensemble:
Chet: Casey Smith
Percussion/Sound: Jesse Aasheim
Production Team:
Producer: Tim Wright
Director: Chuck Harper
Writer: Casey Smith
Percussion: Jesse Aasheim
Lighting Design: Jennifer A. Skinner
Costume Design: Casey Smith
Doll Maker: Casey Smith
Stage Manager: Todd Lubitsch
Awards: Nominated for LA Weekly Award for Solo Performance (Casey Smith)
Press: "so completely offbeat that it beggars description... nothing short of hilarious... this brief and impressively dada-esque piece starts to grow on you like a psychedelic fungus." -- LA Times review
Sperm
By Tom Jacobson
Directed by Tim Wright and Tara Flynn
World Premiere
Dates: March 4--April 17, 2004
Location: 24th Street Theatre
Ensemble:
Richard: Joel McHale
Louis XVI: Jim Anzide
Marie Antoinette: Michaela Watkins
Duc De Coigny: Casey Smith
Sister Louise: Sarah Hartmann
Seaman/ Co-Fight Captain: DP Wichert
Seaman: Thomas Fiscella
Seaman: Matt Ford
Barmaid: Jen Kays
Seaman/ Co-Fight Captain: David Holmes
Understudies: Julie Alexander, Jen Kays, Jacob Sidney, Thia Stephan
Production Team:
Producer: Stan Weightman Jr.
Associate Producer: Josh Costello
Associate Producer: Melanie Hermann
Associate Producer: Valerie Gordon
Co-Director: Tara Flynn
Co-Director: Tim Wright
Assistant Director: Holly Gabrielson
Set Designer/FX: Richard Augustine
Lighting Designer: Jonathan Klein
Sound Designer/Composer: Tim Labor
Costume Designer: Cynthia Herteg
Properties Designer: Ali Hisserich
Scenic Artist/Floor Design: Katia Kaplan
Fight Choreography: David Holmes
Fight Choreography: DP Wichert
Technical Director: Jennifer A. Skinner
Lighting Board Op/Sound Board Op: Mary Lou Ahlenius
Graphics/ Program Design: Mark Hesselgrave
House Manager: Ross Mackenzie
Assistant House Manager: Julianna Robinson
Production Photographer: Erin Fiedler
Videographer: Nancy Fassett
Webmaster: Anthony Backman
Stage Manager: Christi Vadovic
Assistant Stage Manager: Heather Hisserich
Awards:
LA Weekly Award Nominations:
Fight Choreography (David Holmes)
Costume Design (Cynthia Herteg)
Set Design (Richard Augustine)
Production Design
Leading Male Performance (Joel McHale)
Supporting Female Performance (Sarah Hartmann)
LA Times Critic's Choice
Backstage West: Recommended Pick
Press: "In a refreshingly original and imaginative debut staging from Circle X Theatre Company, Tom Jacobson's "Sperm" combines the literary DNA of 18th century French drama with postmodern irony to spawn a whale of a tale (literally - the title refers to the species of leviathans that have loomed large in symbolic portent since Jonah's night sea journey). History, mythology, poetry and scatological puns collide with dazzling ingenuity in Jacobson's quirky seriocomic gem, composed entirely in rhyming iambic pentameter." -- Phillip Brandes, LA Times
Henry IV, Part One (Co-Produced with Shakespeare Festival LA)
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Tara Flynn
Dates: May 21--June 6, 2004
Location: Shakespeare Festival LA
Ensemble:
King Henry the Fourth: Patrick Gorman
Henry, Prince of Wales/Prince Hal: David Paul Wichert
John of Lancaster/Poins: Holly Gabrielson
Earl of Westmoreland: Kevin Fabian
Sir Walter Blunt: Scott Plusquellec
Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester: Thomas Craig Elliott
Earl of Northumberland: Hugh O'Gorman
Henry Percy, surnamed Hotspur: David Holmes
Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March; Gadshill: Mark Jameson
Richard Scroop, Archbishop of York: Hugh O'Gorman
Archibald, Earl of Douglas: Peter Friedrich
Owen Glendower: Kevin Fabian
Sir Richard Vernon: Doug Sutherland
Sir John Falstaff: Jerry Kernion
Sir Michael; Peto: Wayne Salvatore
Bardolph: David Wilcox
Chamberlain; Francis: Joe Tyler Gold
Lady Percy: Sarah Hartmann
Lady Mortimer: Sarah Lang
Mistress Quickly: Johanna McKay
Production Team:
Sets: David Holmes
Costumes: Ela Erwin
Lights: Kristie Roldan
Sound and Music: Tim Labor
Stage Manager: Jennifer Skinner
Cartographer: Jen Kays
Press: "Director Tara Flynn and her richly capable company attack this drama, interspersed with the Bard's comic accompaniment, with gusto from start to finish.....Flynn is blessed with classically trained actors who handle the language with clarity. They are costumed to period perfection by Ela Erwin." -- Dink O'Neal, Back Stage West
Marley's Ghost
By Jeff Goode
Directed by Matthew Bretz
World Premiere
Dates: November 14--December 20, 2003
Location: Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Ensemble:
Phantom: Richard Augustine
Housekeeper, Friend, Mrs. Cratchit: Rebecca Avery
Tuttle, Right Hand: Anthony Backman
Gravedigger's Wife, Belle, Passerby: Emma Barton
Scrooge, Young Scrooge: Bob Clendenin
Gravedigger, Friend, Beggar: Ahmad Enani
Diminutive Spirit: Kevin Fabian
Marley, Young Marley: Keythe Farley
Bob Cratchit: Matt Ford
Pawnbroker, Widow, Maggie, Passerby: Jennifer Kays
Fezziwig: Ally LoPrete
Wilkins, Left Hand: Ross Mackenzie
Gigantic Spirit: Johanna McKay
Reverend, Businessman, Passerby: Todd Sible
Laundress, Friend, Tiny Tim: David Paul Wichert
Understudies: Anthony Backman, Beatrice Casini, Tom Elliott, Joe Tyler Gold, Chris LoPrete, Ross Mackenzie, Tara Platt, Jessica Toth
Production Team:
Producer: Ken Metz & Stan Weightman, Jr.
Production Design: Gary Smoot
Lighting Design: Geoff Korf
Soundscape: Paul Hepker
Costume Design: Cynthia Herteg
Stage Managed: Christi Vadovic
Awards:
LA Times: Critic's Choice
LA Weekly: Recommend
Backstage West: Critic's Pick
Backstage West: Best of 2003
ShowMag.Com: Critic's Choice
Press:
"an unseen gaggle of Circle X members prove they could have careers voicing the howls of feral dogs." -- Travis Michael Holder, Back Stage West
"The ensemble cast gave an exceptional performance in this new kind of "third dimensional" theater. While creatively using this extraordinary environment with an original top-notch script (by Jeff Goode), Marley's Ghost could easily become a new holiday classic." -- R. Harker, Maestro Arts and Reviews
Laura Comstock's Bag-Punching Dog
Written and Conceived by Jillian Armenante & Alice Dodd
Directed By: Jillian Armenante
World Premiere
Dates: July 16--August 25, 2002
Location: 24th Street Theatre
Ensemble:
Jim Anzide (Georges Melies)
Richard Augustine (Eadweard Muybridge & others)
Mickey Caputo (Adolphe LePrince)
Christopher Carroll (Thomas Edison)
Beatrice Rose Casini (Yvonne & others)
Alice Dodd (Alice Guy)
Joe Fria (Auguste Lumiere & others)
David Heckel (W.K.L. Dickson)
John Lovick (Houdin)
Johanna McKay (Lizzie LePrince)
Emma-Jame Mezher (Automaton, Laura Comstock, and others)
Michelle Noh (Simone, and others)
Tim Sabourin (Louis Lumiere and others)
Casey Smith (Marey and others)
Michaela Watkins (Jehanne D'Alcy)
Production Team:
Music & Lyrics: Chris Jeffries
Additional Lyrics: Alice Dodd & Jillian Armenante
Musical Direction and Additional Arrangements: Paul Hepker
Produced: Jim Anzide and Jillian Armenante
Set Design: Gary Smoot
Costume Design: Paul Spadone
Lighting Design: Kathi O'Donohue
Sound Design: Tim Labor
Video Design: Jillian Armenante
Projection Design: Paul Hepker
Stage Manager: Jo Anna Underwood
Assistant Stage Managers: Jennifer Hoyt & Abram Lewis-Rosenblum
Awards:
Ovation Award:
World Premiere of a Musical
Ovation Nominations:
Costume Design
LA Weekly Award:
World Premiere of a Musical
LA Weekly Award Nominations:
Comedy Ensemble
Choreography
Press: "The concept here seems to demonstrate that invention is the break-through and the artist takes it from there. The play ends with a tribute to Alice Guy, whose many films were lost and forgotten and who died without an obituary at age 95. Melies also ended his career selling newspapers in the Paris Metro. It's good to see these pioneers given their just due, if only in many little moments, by an ensemble of such talent." -- Laura Hitchcock, CurtainUp Los Angeles
American Book of the Dead: The Game Show
By Paul Mullin
Directed By: Jim Anzide and Jonathan Westerberg
World Premiere
Dates: April 12--May 18, 2002
Location: The Met Theatre
Ensemble:
Kim, Isabel, Emily, Ghost: Wendy Abas
Tonya, Emma Goldman, Farmer, Sylvia: Rebecca Avery
Spokesmodel, Aisha: Jaime Bullock
Chin, Farmer, Tom Watson, TS Elliot, Ghost: Conrad Cimarra
Etta, Bardo Guide, Maddy, Ghost: Alix Elias
Husband, Hops, Carver, Jimmy, Paulie, Dr. Bill, Sinatra: Thomas Craig Elliot
Host, Joao, Louis: Kevin Fabian
Tom Hennessey: Peter Friedrich
Cooper, Crispus, George, Langston, Ghost: Yvans Jourdain
Bardo Voice, Harriet Tubman, Florida, Ghost, Sammy: Ammenah Kaplan
Tim Long, Stonewall, Ezra, Ghost: Richard Marshall
Announcer, Andie, Hi, Dino: Michael McColl
Spokesmodel, Molly Pitcher: Daniele O'Loughlin
Barry, Witherspoon, Jack, Uncle Walt: William Salyers
Salted Wife, Surge, Jacqui Potts, Microsoft, Keely: Kellie Waymire
Rev, Brace, Nathan, IBM: Jonathan Winn
Production Team:
Producer: Ken Metz
Scenic Design: Gary Smoot
Lighting Design: Michael E.R. Habicht
Sound Design & Original Music: Tim Labor
Costume Design: Cynthia Herteg & Rosemary Boyce
Stage Manager: Jenni Weiland
ElectroPuss
By Trista Baldwin
Directed by Paula Goldberg
World Premiere
Dates: February 22--March 30, 2002
Location: The Hudson Theatre
Ensemble:
Bob Mickey: Jim Anzide
Carol: Nedra Gallegos
Tumor Tom: David Grammar
Muffy Jonesmith: Jassica Makinson
Electric Lucy: Katy Selverstone
Shelly Ann: Ally Wolfe
Travis: Tim Wright
Understudies: Wendy Abas, Anthony Backman, Jay Boyer, Alan Clark, Nancy Fawcett
Production Team:
Producers: Stan Weightman, Jr. & Michael Michetti
Set Design: Michael Allen
Costume Design: Sabrina Benson & Mara West
Lighting Design: Michael E.R. Habicht & Eran James
Stage Manager: Moira J. Squier
Dirigible (Part of the Edge of the World Theatre Festival)
By Dan Dietz
Directed by Debbie Falb
Dates: October 19--November 18, 2001
Location: Theatre/Theater
Ensemble:
Dr. Aaron P. Tredwell: Chris LoPrete
Laura Treadwell: Gwyn Fawcett
The Saboteur: David Paul Wichert
Understudies: Amy Raymond, Tim Wright
Production Team:
Producers: Jenni Wieland and Tim Sabourin
Set Design: Robin Sanford Roberts
Costume Design: Dione H. Lebhar
Lighting Design: John P. Martin
Sound Design: James Grabowski
Stage Manager: Tim Wright
Press: "Sketch comedy rubs shoulders with actual recordings of unfolding Hindenburg horrors, so actors must nimbly leap from style to style, but director Debbie Falb somehow pulls the disparate materials together in a funny and intriguing show."—LA Weekly.
Grendel
By John Gardner, Adapted by Paul Mullin
Directed by Jim Anzide
Dates: August 24--September 22, 2001
Location: Open Fist Theatre
Ensemble:
Beowulf: Karl Bury
Ensemble: James Caffery
Ensemble: Colin Doty
Grendel: David Grammer
Hygmod/Ensemble: Michael Hagerty
Hrothgar: Ted Haler
Ensemble: Alicia Martino
Unferth: Joel McHale
Ensemble: Tim Sabourin
Ensemble: Casey Smith
Shaper: Scott Tuomey
Wealtheow: Linda Bailey Walsh
Ensemble: Michael Watkins
Dragon: Helen Wilson
Understudies: Tom Fiscella, Sarah Hartmann, Danielle O'Loughlin, Doug Sutherland, Jonathan Winn
Production Team:
Director: Jim Anzide
Assistant Director: Arianna Navarre
Producer: Ken Metz
Production Designer: Richard Augustine
Scenic Designer: Gary Smoot
Technical Director: Drew Rebelein
Fight Choreographer: Brian Reynolds
Puppet Designer: Leslie K. Gray
Puppet Builder: Gillian Harwood
Sound Designer: Kenny Klimak
Composer: Paul Hepker
Costume Designer: Sara Foster
Assistant Costume Designer: Sabrina Benson
Props: Frank "Speedy" Lopera
Lighting Designers: Ellen Monocroussos and Robert (Bobby) Fromer
Soundboard Operator: Josh Haber
Lightboard Operator: Stan Weightman, Jr.
House Manager: Amy Thiel
Assistant House Managers: Kate Asner and Lisa Alpi
Set Builders: Beret Malmgren and Toby Baker
Stage Manager: Maria Pavone
Assistant Stage Managers: Rachel Brenna, Jamie Bullock and Natalie Compagno
Awards:
LA Weekly Awards:
Adaptation: Paul Mullin
Set design: Gary Smoot
Production Design
LA Weekly Awards Special Commendation:
Puppet design: Leslie K. Gray, Grendel
Press: "I liked it a lot." - LA Weekly.
Schadenfreude
By Carlos A. Murillo
Directed by Jonathan Westerberg
World Premiere
Dates: May 4--June 2, 2001
Location: Hollywood Court Theatre
Ensemble:
Friedrich Nietzche: Thomas Redding
RĂ©e/Priest/Julius Klingbeil/Surgeon/Joseph Goebbels: Jeff Marlowe
Lou Salomé/Mother/Surgeon: Suzanne Pirret
Elisabeth Nietzsche: Bridget White
Bernhard Foster: Rob Nagle
Morgenstern/Headmaster: Marius Mazmanian
Understudies: Rebecca Avery, David Franco, Julia Hamilton, William Salyers Jacob Sidney, Doug Sutherland
Production Team:
Directed by Jonathan Westerberg
Produced by Jacob Sidney
Assistant Director: Jenni Wieland
Set Design/Technical Director: Michael Allen
Master Electrician: D.P. Wichert
Helper Guy: Matthew Bretz
Lighting Design: Michael E.R. Habicht
Sound Design: Jason Brice
Additional Sound Engineering: Paul Hepker
Costume Design: Marina Leone
Property Design: Aaron Francis
Composer/Co-Sound Design: Tim Labor
Graphic Designer: Mark Hesselgrave
Scenic Artist: Gillian Harwood
Dramaturge: Jonathan Winn
House Manager: Sarah Lang
Sound Board Operator: Anastasia Basil
Light Board Operator: Emma Jane Mezher
Backstage Assistants: Brandon James, John Altieri, and Ahmed Enani
Stage Manager: Maria Pavone
Awards:
Backstage West Critic's Pick
Press: "Provocative, well-acted." - LA Times.
"Another dynamic work by our town's most daring and ambitious theatre company, which continually strives to find intriguing new plays and pull whatever conventional stops necessary to present them to us. As always with Circle X, my hat's off for another bold and stunning artistic triumph." - Entertainment Today.
Edward II
By Bertolt Brecht with Lion Feuchwanger, Adapted from the play by Christopher Marlowe, English translation by Eric Bently
Directed by Michael Michetti
Dates: February 9--March 11, 2001
Location: Actors' Gang Theatre
Ensemble:
Young Edward: Sharon Bart
Abbot: Spencer Beglarian
Drummer: Stephanie Bettman
Younger Gurney: James Caffery
Anne: Jillian Crane
Baldock: Ahmed Enani
Kent: Joshua Haber
Mortimer: Dominic Hoffman
Archbishop: Travis Michael Holder
Gaveston: Brian McDonald
Lancaster/Rice ap Howell: Thomas Redding
Drummer: Paul Rudolph
Spencer: Todd Sible
Lightborn/James: Todd Tesen
Edward: Connor Trinneer
Elder Gurney: Bradley White
Production Team:
Directed and Designed by Michael Michetti
Produced by Michael Seel
Assistant Director: Richard Neely
Assistant Stage Managers: Matt Bauer and Andrea Ruth
Co-Scenic Design: John Altieri
Lighting Design: Robert Fromer
Co-Costume Design: Pamela Shaw
Original Music: Paul Hepker
Original Drum Score: Paul Hepker and Paul Rudolph
Fight Choreography: Brian Reynolds
Graphic Designer: Rachel Flannigan
Photography: Michael Lamont
Program: Jonathan Winn
House Manager: Sarah Lang
Seamstress: Esther Smith
Wardrobe Assistant: Grace Yim
Production Stage Manager: Scott Cheek
Stage Manager: Holly Gabrielson
Awards:
Backstage West Critic's Pick
LA Weekly Awards:
Supporting Male: Brian McDonald
Lighting design: Robert Fromer
LA Weekly Pick of the Week
Press: "So powerful, so innovative, and so well acted, directed and staged, that it is hard to describe." - Tolucan Times
"If you think classic theatre is not for you, think again." - Nightlife Magazine
"Terrifying, ravishingly picturesque, and dramatically exciting." - Entertainment Today
"Circle X continues its courageous journey toward a unique and stunning place in the local theatre scene." - Park Labrea/Beverly Press
The Veil Plays
By Karen Hartman
The Mother of Modern Censorship, directed by Jim Anzide
Gum, directed by Julia Hamilton
World Premiere
Dates: November 17--December 16, 2000
Location: Hollywood Court Theatre
Ensemble:
The Mother of Modern Censorship--
Thuraya al-Ghindi: Jennifer Toffel
Samia Fahmi: Luck Hari
Khadiga Saad: Danielle O'Loughlin
Omar Hammouda: Matthew Allen Bretz
Gum--
Rhami: Kiersten Van Horne
Lina: Wendy Abas
Inayat: Richard Augustine
Auntie: Jayne Taini
Young Man: Michael Hagerty
Understudies: Seth Cutler, Jodi Hahn, Todd Sible, Michaela Watkins
Production Team:
The Mother of Modern Censorship Directed by Jim Anzide
Gum Directed by Julia Hamilton
Producer: Michael McColl
Production Manager: Jonathan Westerberg
Production Consultant: Matt Sweeney
Scenic Design: Gillian Harwood
Technical Director: Michael Allen
Costume Design: Mara West
Lighting Design: Michael E.R. Habicht
Master Electrician: David Wichert
Musical Score: Paul Hepker and Jonathan Westerberg
Vocal Score: Kim D. Sherman
Song Lyrics: Karen Hartman
Prop Master: Ken Metz
Sound Board Operator: Alanna Flanagan
Light Board Operator: Priscilla Sanders
Graphic Designer: Rachel Flanagan
Program: Jonathan Winn
Stage Manager: Rebecca Avery
Assistant Stage Manager: Andrea Ruth
Press:
"Adventurous, scrappy, and possibly word-class Circle X Theatre Company…" - Backstage West
"A provocative and worthwhile evening." - Daily Variety
In Flagrante Gothicto
By Alice Dodd and Jillian Armenante
Directed by Jillian Armenante
World Premiere
Dates: August 25--September 30, extended through October 22, 2000
Location: The McCadden Place Theater
Ensemble:
Headmaster-Sinai-Chief Sal-Captain: Jim Anzide
Aunt Agnes-Countess-Islander: Cindy Basco
Mrs. Bernely: Anastasia Basil
Lilly-Monk-Islander: Tom Beyer
(Unnamed Heroine): Alice Dodd
Victorine-Ishtabey: Emma Jane Mezher
Dora-Olivette-Islander: Shannon O'Hurley
Hampstead Hamilton: William Salyers
Father-Marquis-Sailor-Priest: John Sylvain
Understudies: Wendy Abas, Richard Augustine, Peter Carrs, Nancy Fassett, Arianna Navarre, Jacob Sidney, Amy Thiel, Jennifer Toffel, David Paul Wichert
Production Team:
Director: Jillian Armenante
Assistant Director: Julia Hamilton
Co-Producers: Jim Anzide & Jillian Armenante
Production Manager: Tim Sabourin
Production Consultant: Matt Sweeney
Scenic Design: Gary Smoot
Scenic Painter: Gregory Music
Costume Design: M.E. Dunn
Lighting Design: Dan Weingarten
Sound Design: Jillian Armenante
Props Design: Michael Rainey
Assistant Props: Amy Thiel
Sound Board Operator: Beatrice Casini
Light Board Operator: Seth Cutler
Graphic Designer: Nicole Hagedorn
Graphics Editor: Mark Hesselgrave
Program: Jonathan Winn
Fight Consultants: The Thrown Gauntlet
Pious Holiday Music Composed and Performed By: Chris Jeffries
Ishtabey Theme Composed and Performed By: Ray Wilcox and Jillian Armenante
Stage Manager: Julia Hamilton
Awards:
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards:
Production
Direction
Writing
Ted Schmitt Award (for outstanding world premiere of a new play)
L.A. Weekly Awards:
Playwriting
Comedy Ensemble
LA Weekly Award Nominations:
5 total
LA Weekly Pick of the Week
Garland Awards:
Production
Direction
Writing
Ensemble
Lead Actress - Alice Dodd
Ovation Award nomination:
Featured Actress - Anastasia Basil
2000 Maddy Awards:
Playwriting
Direction
LA Times Critics Choice
Press:
"Satiric meatloaf of an exceptionally tasty order." - LA Times
"A hilarious romp." - Backstage West
"In Flagrante Gothicto, a Gothic romance parody at a tiny Hollywood theater, landed seven Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nominations, more than any other production in this year's competition, the organization announced Tuesday. "--Don Shirley, Times Theater Writer
Fathers and Sons
Adapted for the stage by Brian Senter
Based on the novel by Ivan Turgenev
Directed by Michael Jaeger
World Premiere
Dates: April 8--May 6, 2000
Location: The Space
Ensemble:
Bazarov: Michael McColl
Arkady: Bill Harper
Masha/Adintsova: Gwyn Fawcett
Sasha/Katya: Julia Hamilton
Nikolai: Richard Augustine
Pavel/Butler: Jim Anzide
Porter/Kolyazin/Vassily: Thomas Redding
Booth Girl/Auntie Xenia/Arina: Annie Christianson
Dunyasha/Yevdoxia: Luck Hari
Prokovich/Governor/Timofyeich: Colin Doty
Pytor/Sitnikov: David Wichert
Fyenichka: Linnea Pyne
Understudies: Tom Elliott, Nancy Fassett, Heather Metcalf, Tim Sabourin, Paul Morgan Stetler, Dave Weinberg
Production Team:
Director: Michael Jaeger
Light Board Operator: Holly Gabrielson
Sound Board Operator: Lisa Alpi
Costume Crew: Catherine Vaughn
Associate Director: Linnea Pyne
Producer: Jonathan Westerberg
Production Deus Ex Machina: Michael Hagerty
Playwright: Brian Senter
Dramaturge: Camala Kirchen
Scenic Designers: Michael Allen and Gillian Harwood
Costume Designer: Marina Leoné
Lighting Designer: Dan Weingarten
Technical Director: Todd Sible
Composer: Paul Hepker
Prop Masters: Jim Anzide and Richard Augustine
Choreographer: Lynsey Jones
Music Director: Julia Azrael
Stage Manager: Tim Sabourin
Assistant Stage Manager: Beatrice Rose Casini
Press: " . . . A voluptuous wallow in a Russian masterwork that delights the senses." - LA Times
"A heartbreaking illustration of the generation gap." - LA Weekly.
"An excellent, insightful stage adaptation of this sweeping work." - Variety.
Louis Slotin Sonata
By Paul Mullin
Directed by Jonathan Westerberg and Jim Anzide
World Premiere
Dates: November 12--December 18, 1999
Location: The Hollywood Court Theatre
Ensemble: Marion Cieslicki
Harry: Richard Augustine
Cleary/Black Soldier/Time Magazine Reporter: Daniel Bryant
Shreiber/Groves/Israel Slotin: John Combs
Louis Hempelmann/Allan Kline: Jeff Goldman
Alvin Graves/A.W. Betts/ Herman Lisco: Dexter Hamlett
Dwight Young/Oppenheimer/Physicist 2/Sam, Dreamer A/NY Times Editor: Chris LoPrete
Annamae Dickie: Ariana Navarre
Louis Slotin: William Salyers
Pearlman/Einstein, Bradbury/Kenneth Bainbridge/Physicist 1/Frank/Dreamer B: Tim Sabourin
Philip Morrison/The Lord: Connor Trinneer
Understudies: Jim Anzide, Mark Conley, Joe Tyler Gold, Luck Hari, Kellyn Jones, Mitchell McLean, Rob Nagle, Michael Reisz
Production Team:
Co-Director: Jonathan Westerberg
Co-Director/Producer: Jim Anzide
Set Designer: Gary Smoot
Costume Designer/Choreographer: Mara West
Lighting Designer: Dan Weingarten
Sound Designer: Peter Carlstedt
Technical Director: Gordon Capps
Lighting Lackey: Gwyn Fawcett
Dramaturge: Susan M. Carr
Composer: Tim Labor
Properties Master: Jayne Taini
Assistant Properties Master: Jonathan Winn
Program Designer: Joe Tyler Gold
Postcard Designer: Mark Hesselgrave
Light Board Operator: Mike McColl
Sound Board Operator: Dave Weinberg
Running Crew: Angela Brazil and Brian Fogel
Stage Managers: Margot Bercy and Amy Thiel
Awards:
Backstage West Critic's Pick
Don Shirley's Top Ten in LA Times
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle:
Ted Schmidt Award to Paul Mullin for a "world premiere of an outstanding new play."
Press:
"Imaginative, gut-wrenching, thought-provoking, and, unexpectedly, highly amusing." - Backstage West
Beatrice
By Suzanne Maynard
Directed by Michael Michetti
World Premiere
Dates: July 30--September 4, 1999
Location: The Hudson Guild Theatre
Ensemble:
Beatrice: Wendy Abas
Daphne: Jody Hahn
Maid: Jayne Taini
Samuel: Karl Bury
Fiancé: Charlie Dell
Jake: Jacob Sidney
La Figure: Jolene Hjerleid
Understudies: Teresa Castracane, Michael Goodfriend, Sharon MacMenamin, Michael Strickland, Jennifer Toffel
Production Team:
Director: Michael Michetti
Assistant Director: Sarah Lang
Set Designer/Costume Designer: M.E. Dunn
Costume Assistant: Julia Hamilton
Composer: Paul Hepker
Set Designer: Charley McQuary
Lighting Designer: Adrienne Klotz
Fight Coordinator/Production Coordinator: Erin Fiedler
Production Coordinator: Bob Clendenin
Technical Director: Matthew Bretz
Properties Master: Jim Anzide
Properties Artisan: Richard Augustine
Score Mixing & Engineering: Adam Schiff
Sound Board Operator: Chris Loprete
Program Designer: Joe Tyler Gold
Postcard Designer: Mark Hesselgrave
Stage Manager: Vajdon Sohaili
Assistant Stage Manager: Jonathan Winn
Press: "Visually witty staging." - LA Times
Show and Tell
By Anthony Clarvoe
Directed by Luck Hari
Dates: May 14--June 19, 1999
Location: Stages Theatre
Ensemble:
Farsted: Richard Augustine
Sharon/Erinn: Anne Christianson
Ann/Gail: Sarah Lang
Corey: Shannon O'Hurley
Seth: Paul Sandberg
Iris/Lucy: Eileen T'Kaye
Understudies: Jillian Crane, Charley McQuary, Sarah Rudinoff, Wendy Shapiro, Michael Strickland, Jennifer Toffel
Production Team:
Director: Luck Hari
Assistant Director: Jillian Crane
Set Designer: Albert Cox
Lighting Designer: Dan Weingarten
Assistant Lighting Designer: Deanna Hurst
Costume Designer: Mara West
Sound Designer: Jonathan Westerberg
Sound Engineer: Chad Harris
Properties Master: Robert Carin
Production Manager/Technical Director: Matt S. Sweeney
Light Board Operator: Frank Cappuccino
Sound Board Operator: James Panozzo
Wardrobe/Stage Crew, Program Designer: Joe Tyler Gold
Stage Manager: Todd Sible
Assistant Stage Manager: Sarah Anthony
Awards:
Backstage West Critic's Pick
LA Weekly:
Pick of the Week
Dramalogue:
Critic's Choice
Press:
"If it is tough to face these themes onstage right about now, this Circle X production makes it worth the challenge." - Backstage West
"A rare bird--a new play that wraps intellectual complexity, emotional depth and theatrical derring-do into one tight and memorable package." - LA Times
In the Sherman Family Wax Museum
By Alexander Woo
Directed by Wade McIntyre
Dates: April 8--11, 1999
Location: Heliotrope Theatre
Ensemble:
Lobster Boy Sherman, Professor Hobson, Lloyd, Harvey Sherman: Troy T. Blendell
Mitzi, Estelle Sherman, Mrs. Leavenworth: Kellynn Jones
Nathaniel Sherman, Stanley Sherman, Lefty, Werner: Chris Loprete
Marjorie, Marion Sherman, Claire: Linda Miller
Anna: Michelle Noh
Roy, Sally, Mr., Wiggins, Duffy: Kenny Rice
Doris Sherman: Jayne Taini
Artie Sherman: Bob Verini
Understudies: Spencer Beglarian, Chuck Constance, Judy Cosgrove, Jennifer Cottleer, Sarah Jakle, Linda Miller, Patrick Reed, Mark Truet
Production Team:
Director: Wade McIntyre
Assistant Director: Julia Hamilton
Set Production Team: David Holmes and Amy Raymond
Costume Designer: Mara West
Lighting Designer: Dan Weingarten
Technical Director: Todd Sible
Sound Designer: Jonathan Westerberg
Assistant Stage Manager: Sarah Jakle
Props Master: Todd Sible
Sound Engineer: Chad Harris
Production Manager: Matt S. Sweeney
Cover Art Design: Russell Koza
Program Designer: Joe Tyler Gold
Fight Choreography: Gwyn Fawcett
Cover Illustration: Christian Cooper
Dumpster-Diving: Jody Hahn and Vajdon Sohaili
Choreography/Additional Music: Chris Loprete
Orchestration: David Rodwin
Stage Manager: Julia Hamilton
Notcracker: The Nutcracker Project
Shorts Conceived, Developed, Written and Performed by Members of Open Fist and Circle X
Directed by Eugene Buica and Gwyn Fawcett
Shorts—Writers and Directors:
The Fall of the Snowflakes by Matthew Bretz and Teresa Castracane
Directed by Teresa Castracane
Christmas Shopping I - V by Stacey J. Warner
Christmas Shopping I - V Brainstormed by Chris Loprete and Deanna Hurst
To Russia, With Love conceived by Anne Christianson, Julia Hamilton, Paul Krosby, written by Anne Christianson
Directed by Julia Hamilton
Isolation by Alisa Wilson
Directed by Stacey J. Warner
Some Thoughts On Gift Giving by Charley McQuary
Directed by Charley McQuary
Co-Conspirator & Confidant: Teresa Castracane
Ghost of Christmas Past: Vajdon Sohaili
Dance of Merrill & Tom by Martin George
Directed by Samantha Bennet
Last Stand by Eugene Buica
Directed by Scott Kennedy
The Mouse, The King & The Myth of the Toy Soldier by Randall Greenwald
Directed by Luck Hari
Dates: December 4-19, 1998
Location: The Los Angeles Playhouse
Ensemble:
The Fall of the Snowflakes -
Teresa: Alisa Wilson
Mona: Mary Mares
Bella: Teresa Castracane
Nicky: Giampiero Judica
Christmas Shopping I - V -
Him: David Wichert
Her: Jody Hahn
To Russia, With Love -
Papa: Paul Krosby
Mama: Paulene Smith
Sergei: Giampiero Judica
Sonja: Amy Raymond
Igor: Charley McQuary
Patrinka: Anne Christianson
Masha: Jillian Crane
Steve: William Saylers
Isolation -
Amy Raymond
Martin George
Anne Christianson
Charley McQuary
David Paul Wichert
Richard Augustine
Deanna Hurst
Jody Hahn
Erin Feidler
Some Thoughts On Gift Giving -
The Mistress of Ceremonies: Samantha Bennet
The Couple: Deanna Hurst and Chris Loprete
Slave: Martin George
Lonely Wrapping Girl: Amy Raymond
Lonely Wrapping Guy: David Wichert
Dance of Merrill & Tom -
Merrill: Amy Edin
Tom: Martin George
Last Stand : Eugene Buica and Chris Loprete
The Mouse, The King & The Myth of the Toy Soldier -
Mouse: Todd Sandman
Jane: Cindy Basco
Fairy Godmother: Jillian Crane
David: Allan Natale
Elvis: David Castellani
Santa: Eugene Buica
Production Team:
Directors: Eugene Buica and Gwyn Fawcett
Production Manager: Matt Sweeney
Assistant Production Manager: David Wichert
Light Design: John Bass
Sound Design: Clayton Tripp
Set Design: John Guzzardo
Technical Directors: Clayton Tripp and Martha Demson
Nutcracker of All Trades: Matthwe Allen Bretz
Light Board Operator: Ana Rey
Sound Operator: Calyton Tripp
Follow Spot Operator: Sabrina Fiander
Running Crew: Ally Freund and Jenni Wieland
The Fall of the Snowflakes directed by Teresa Castracane
Christmas Shopping I - V Brainstormed by Chris Loprete and Deanna Hurst
To Russia, With Love directed by Julia Hamilton
Isolation directed by Stacey J. Warner
Some Thoughts On Gift Giving directed by Charley McQuary
Co-Conspirator & Confidant: Teresa Castracane
Ghost of Christmas Past: Vajdon Sohaili
Dance of Merrill & Tom directed by Samantha Bennet
Last Stand directed by Scott Kennedy
The Mouse, The King & The Myth of the Toy Soldier directed by Luck Hari
Stage Manager: Katie Miller
Assistant Stage Manager: Sabrina Fiander
Press: " . . . a new holiday chestnut has been born with Notcracker" - Edge (12/9/98)
Texarkana Waltz
By Louis Broome
Directed by Allison Narver
World Premiere
Dates: October 9--November 14, 1998
Location: The Los Angeles Playhouse
Ensemble:
Emma: Cindy Basco
Cowboy Bob, Nurse Bob, Warden Bob, Father Bob: Todd Beadle
Eddie: Burton Curtis
Dallas: Alice Dodd
Morgan: Dina Gardner
Slim/Twitty: Kyle McCullough
Mr. Wickett/Truett: William Salyers
Mrs. Wickett/Patsy: Laura Kellogg Sandberg
Houston: Paul Morgan Stetler
Production Team:
Director: Allison Narver
Musical Direction/Co-Composer: Jonathan Westerberg
Set Designer: Gary Smoot
Lighting Designer: Matthew O'Donnell
Costume Designer: M.E. Dunn
Co-Composer: Little Jack Melody
Technical Director: D.P. Wichert
Scenic Painter: Adrienne Klotz
Assistant Lighting Designer: Bob Clendenin
Assistant Costume Designer: Annie Christianson
Production Manager: Erin Fiedler
Assistant Director: Luck Hari
Props: Melanie van Betten
Dramaturge: Sharon MacMenamin
Graphic Designer: Mark Hesselgrave
Stage Manager: Jeff Goldman
Awards:
Backstage West Dramalogue:
Critic's Pick
Garland Award:
Matthew O'Donnell (Lighting)
LA Times:
Critic's Choice
LA Weekly:
Pick of the Week
LA Weekly Award Nomination:
Production of the Year
Nightlife Mag:
Pick of the Week
Press: " . . . an invigorating and highly inventive piece of mind-stretching theatre that demonstrates why the reputation of this new company grows stronger with each production." - Frontiers (11/13/98)
"Clever writing and first-rate acting enable 'Texarkana Waltz' to spoof cowboys and trigger our emotions at the same time." -LA Times
"More than any other troupe on the L.A. theatre scene, Circle X - a group of savvy, embarrassingly talented artists, most with heavy regional credits and theatre degrees - raises the bar for local stage productions to a level of both sturdy professionalism and imaginative stagecraft that seems almost dangerously headily high." - Backstage West Dramalogue.
The Rover
By Aphra Behn
Directed by Michael Michetti
Dates: July 17--August 23, 1998
Location: The Actors' Gang
Ensemble:
Master of Revelry: Brad Spencer
Mistress of Revelry: Kelli Christine
The Spaniards —
Don Pedro: David Wichert
Florinda: Wendy Abas
Hellena: Melanie van Betten
Valeria: Alisa Wilson
Callis: Donna Bacalla
Don Antonio: Vajdon Sohaili
Diego: Steve Garland
The Italians —
Angellica: Gwyn Fawcett
Morella: Deanna Hurst
Biskey: Chris Loprete
Sebastian: Joe Tyler Gold
Lucetta: Anne Christianson
Phillipo: David Franco
Roses Woman: Sarah Lang
Stephano: John Guzzardo
The British —
Willmore, The Rover: Michael Eric Strickland
Belville, a banished cavalier: Connor Trinneer
Frederick, a banished cavalier: Brett Ashton Baker
Blunt: Richard Augustine
Blunt's Boy: Teresa Castracane
Understudies: Anne Christianson, David Franco, Steve Garland, Deanna Hurst, Sarah Lang, Chris Loprete
Production Team:
Director: Michael Michetti
Assistant Director: Jeff Goldman
Production Manager: Shannon O'Hurley
Composer: Peter Carlson
Set Design: Jim Fitipaldi
Choreographer: Brian Frette
Costume Designer: Sean Sullivan
Lighting Designer: Dan Weingarten
Sound Designer: Jonathan Westerberg
Fight Choreographer: Randy Kovitz
Assistant Fight Choreographer: Erin Fiedler
Vocal/Dialect Coach: Judi Dickerson
Assistant Dialect Coach: Stephanie Sterns
Stage Manager: Matthew Allen Bretz
Assistant Stage Manager: Stacey Warner
Press:
" . . . A fine and worthy company" – Backstage
"Taking a page from Peter Brook's book, Michetti makes this Carnival a whirling visual treat, filled with dancers, prancers, stilit-walkers and fire-eaters." - LA Times
Great Men of Science Nos. 21 and 22
By Glen Berger
Directed by Jillian Armenante
World Premiere
Dates: March 19--April 26, 1998
Location: Lost Studio Theatre
Ensemble:
Chatelet: Alice Dodd
Vaucanson: Matthew Allen Bretz
Spallanzani: Jim Anzide
Condorcet: David Wichert
Lecat: Paul Morgan Stetler
Housekeeper: Melanie van Betten
Abbe: Bob Clendenin
Production Team:
Director: Jillian Armenante
Set Designer: Gary Smoot
Costume Designer: M.E. Dunn
Lighting Designer: Dan Weingarten
Sound Designers: Daniel Hakim and Mikael Sandgren
Music Selection: Jillian Armenante
Stage Manager: Anne Mulhall
Awards:
Ovation:
Play/Smaller Theatre
Set Design/ Smaller Theatre
Costume Design/Smaller Theatre
LA Weekly:
Award for Best Production
Pick of the Week
Backstage West Critic's Pick
LA Times Critics' Choice
Dramalogue Critic's Choice
Press: "One of the most unusual, most thoughtful, most amusing plays seen in more than a decade of reviewing." - Park LaBrea News
"Told with wit and played with charm." - LA Times
" . . . This is a company worth watching and a production which exceeds the limitations imposed by an ambitious script." - Dramalogue
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
By Jeff Goode
Directed by Richard Augustine
Dates: December 4--21, 1997
Location: Hollywood Court Theatre
Ensemble:
Dasher: Todd Beadle
Cupid: Brian Senter
Hollywood: Todd Sandman
Bitzen: Alisa Wilson
Comet: Luck Hari
Donner: Kyle McCulloch
Vixen: Shannon O'Hurley
Production Team:
Director: Richard Augustine
Scenic Design: Matthew Allen Bretz and Jillian Armenante
Sound Design: David Hakim
Video Editor: Matt Chessé
Lighting Design: Kirkland Dickey
Costume Design: Jen Biscup
Video Operator: Paul Stetler
Sound Operator: Todd Henry
Stage Manager: Stacey Warner
City
By Scott Organ
Directed by Martha McFarland
World Premiere
Dates: June 20--July 20, 1997
Location: Hollywood Court Theatre
Ensemble:
Jackie: Gwyn Fawcett
Joey: Matthew Allen Bretz
The Guy: Bob Clendenin
Davy: Richard Augustine
Bruce: Jim Anzide
Clair: Melanie van Betten
Production Team:
Director: Martha McFarland
Assistant Stage Manager: Todd Henry
Set Designer: Ryan Cassidy
Set Designer: Joanne Baker
Lighting Designer: Rob Shirreffs
Costume Designers: Julie Carnahan and David King
Sound Designer: David Hakim
Stage Manager: Karen Cornwell
Press:
"The acting is grand all around under Martha McFarland's fluid and eloquent direction."- Backstage West
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
By Jeff Goode
Directed by John Lovick
Dates: December 5--22, 1996
Location: Hollywood Court Theatre
Ensemble:
Dasher: Richard Augustine
Cupid: Doug Hutchison
Hollywood: Jim Anzide
Blitzen: Gwyn Fawcett
Comet: Matthew Allen Bretz
Dancer: Melanie van Betten
Donner: Bob Clendenin
Vixen: Alisa Wilson
Production Team:
Director: John Lovick
Assistant Director: Paul Plunkett
Lighting Designer: Cheryl Waters
Costume Designer: Denise Caplan
Stage Manager: Jenifer Hamel
Awards:
Critic's Choice in Dramalogue Magazine
4 1996 Dramalogue Outstanding Achievement Awards
LA Weekly Pick of the Week
Press: "I was assigned to review a new holiday show entitled The Eight, a story of Santa's reindeer. I did not expect it to be one of the most memorable theatre experiences of my tenure as an L.A. critic, but it was indeed that."-- Tom Provezano, Freelance Critic for LA Weekly, Backstage West/ Dramalogue.