punkplay by Gregory S. Moss

November 22- December 21, 2019

photos by Gary Leonard

OVATION NOMINATED!

Ann Closs-Farley, Costume Design

Sibyl Wickersheimer, Scenic Design

Thank you to Ticket HoldersLA for the recognition in multiple categories for the Best Of 2019 Awards
Best Production, Punkplay, Circle X Theatre Co.
Best stunt/fight choreography, Edgar Landa
Special achievement in hair design, Ann Closs-Farley
Runner’s up: Best Actor, Dempsy Bryk and Zackary Stone Gearing, Best supporting actress in a play, Sadie Kuwano, Best Playwright, Gregory S. Moss, Best direction of a play, Lisa Sanaye Dring and Matt Bretz, Best Set Design Sibyl Wickersheimer and Best Costume design Ann Closs-Farley

"GO. If you had a thing for punk then or now - go. If you want to see a really gifted cast bring surprising depth to what feels like it could descend into poser hell - go." -KCRW

"RECOMMENDED.... a gift to the audience.. the script is buoyant, vivid, poetic, humorous, and painfully and sweetly real... Circle X’s creative team executes a loving homage to adolescence with all-around skill." - stageraw.com

"BRASSY AND AUDACIOUS, brilliantly realized by an outstanding technical team and acted with gusto..."
-Curtainup.com

"ELECTRIFYING... brought to life by two of the most dynamic, talented, charismatic young actors in town... it’s punkplay’s authentic, affecting look at its misfit protagonists that make it well worth seeing and savoring." - stagescenela.com

"VISUALLY STUNNING... Along with all the usual rule-defying and inventive creative genius that has defined Circle X over the past 23 years, co-directors Matt Bretz and Lisa Sanaye Dring do a masterful job interpreting Moss’ raucous yet insightful play…" - ticketholdersla.com

"Moss has a knack for balancing COMEDY and HEART set to a naturalistic dialogue that feels straight from the halls of a high school... Sibyl Wickersheimer’s set is delightfully droll...Heather Carson’s lighting design and Dustin Hughes’ video design made the production a visual feast..." - USC Annenberg Media

Cast

Zackary Stone Gearing as Mickey

Dempsey Bryk as Duck

Sadie Kuwano as Sue Giki

Mathew Dunlop as Chris Sawtelle

Puppeteers and Crew

Ruby Farley, Jillian Lindner

Understudies

Khara Baret, Conlan Kisilewicz

Punkplay is the story of Mickey and Duck.

Mickey and Duck are two teenage boys trying to makes sense of the world in the mess of 80s America. Through the music and culture of punk rock, they patch together a precarious identity, skating (literally) between the demands of an increasingly strict subculture and an authentic desire to break free from convention. A coming of age story in the form of a mixtape, punkplay is a theatrical love letter to loud music, irresponsible behavior and the beating heart of authenticity we all strive to preserve.

Produced by Jen Kays and Jennifer A. Skinner

Associate Produced by Dena Cerino

Co-Directed by Matt Bretz and Lisa Sanaye Dring

Set Design - Sibyl Wickersheimer

Lighting Design - Heather Carson

Sound Design - Jeff Gardner

Costume and Hair Design - Ann Closs-Farley

Puppet Design - Adam Lawrence

Prop Design - Nichole Baffone

Video Design - Dustin Hughes

Composition and Music Direction - Rob Cairns and Beth Thornley

Casting Director - Gayle Pillsbury