Season

The Apollo of Bellac

An HB Production

Playwright: Jean Giraudoux

Director: Marlene Mancini

Cast: Carlos Masero, Richard Mawe, Kerry Armstrong, Wallace Johnson, Ed Kershen, Ken Young, Craig Bacon, Jophi Ries, Carleton Carpenter, Dorthy Dorff, Barnetta Carter

(Set): Mina Albergo, (Lighting): Craig Miller, (Costumes): Patricia, (Production Manager): Marlene Mancini, (Technical Director): Robert Fleri, (Stage Manager): Mary Monier, (Assistant Stage Manager): Jolie Steckart, (Assistant to Craig Miller): Michael Baumgarten (Scenic Artists): Carolyn Leslie King, (Production Electrician): Joseph Ouellette, (Sound Electrician): Don Sileo, (Production Assistants): Anne Gillis, (House Managers): Sally Burtenshaw, (Poster): Margaret Ritchie

The Apollo of Bellac was performed July 27th-August 8th, 1983

Synopsis: Here is the quintessence of Giraudoux’s extraordinary imagination and style. A shy girl applying for a job at the Office of Inventions learns from a nondescript man that she can have her way with any man if she declares that he is as handsome as the nonexistent statue of the Apollo of Bellac. The play is alive with wry and trenchant observations on the comical attitudes and truths that men assume in life.

The White Crow

An HB Performance

Playwright: Donald Freed

Director: Danny Selznick

Cast: Herbert Berghof, Pierre Shrady, Uta Hagen, Michael Garr

Set: Mina Albergo; Lighting: Howell Binkley; Costumes: Clare Gosney; Production: Marlene Mancini; Technical Director: Robert Fleri; Stage Managers: E.T. Hefter & Michael Garr; Understudy: Edith Meeks; Assistant Set Designer: Marguerite Montello; Assist. Set Designers: Kimberly Messner & Susan Knightly; House Managers: Sally Burtenshaw , Loretta Church, Mariana Rence, Trudy Steibl; Poster by: Helen Buttfield

The White Crow was performed May 1st, 1985

Synopsis: Adolph Eichmann in Jerusalem for the trial of the century.

Easter

An HB Performance

Playwright: August Strindberg

Director: Herbert Berghof

Cast: Margaret Eginton, Paul Roebling, Alice McLane, Peter Byrnes, Sally Burtenshaw, Herbert Berghof

(Lighting): Lisa Pinkham (Sound): Robert Fleri (Costume): Lydia hamza (Stage Manager): Mia Alicea (Lighting Assistants): Sandt Litchfield, James Windus (Sound Assistant): Andrew Nelson

Easter was performed August 20th through August 31st, 1990

Synopsis: The Heyst family live under a shadow. The father is in prison for embezzlement and the daughter, Eleanora, has been committed to an asylum. Mrs Heyst and her son Elis live from day to day on the edge of collapse. They fear that they are on the brink of ruin, but as the snow melts and a single daffodil appears, Easter Eve brings them hope, joy and mercy.

Inca of Perusalem

An HB Studio Student Workshop Production

Playwright: George Bernard Shaw

Director: Carol Rosenfeld

Cast: Dena Beth Alan, Edmund Day, Maggie DeVora, Andy McCutcheon, Jess Osuna, James Wilson.

Stage Managers: Catherine Kjome, Celeste Gregoire, Lorena Arancibia, and David Shih.

Inca of Perusalem was performed on January 25th-27th, 2005

Synopsis: In a hotel sitting room the Princess is met by the hotel manager. Ermyntrude, now dressed very plainly gets the job as her lady’s maid. Captain Duval, a messenger from the “Inca of Perusalem” appears with news that Inca wants one of his sons to marry the Princess. Ermyntrude realises that the messenger is in fact the Inca in disguise. She offers to return the trick, by pretending to be the Princess to find out what his intentions are. The Princess, who is very timid, agrees to let Ermyntrude take charge. Ermyntrude receives the “captain” with an air of great superiority. She is given a gift of a jewel, designed by the Inca, but she is horrified by its size. The Inca is impressed by the “Princess”‘s grand manner and reveals his true identity. However, he says that he recognises Ermyntrude. He knows she is the Archdeacon’s daughter, not the Princess. But she is so convincing as a princess that now he wishes to marry her himself. Unfortunately he already has a wife, so he suggests they should to convert to Islam so he can legally have another one. Ermyntrude says the Inca is far too poor for her, since his country is going bankrupt because of its foolish war. The Inca says that the war will result in his overthrow and the creation of a republic, but this will not be a problem as he will be elected as “super-president” of the republic. He then says how surprised he is by the popularity of the war in his homeland. He used to rely for popularity on his contributions to art, literature and science, but he was ignored. Now the mass killing in the war leads to cheering crowds. Despite being turned down for marriage, the Inca offers to take Ermyntrude on a drive round the town. She accepts, but emphasises that she will “refuse any incorrect proposals” he makes to her.

Play By Ear

A 2001 Herbert Berghof Memorial Production

Playwright: Julie McKee

Director: Pamela Berlin

Cast: Patricia Conolly*, Mary Fogarty*, Rebecca Nelson*.

Scenic Design: Vicki R. Davis, Lightning Design: Chris Dallos Costume Design: Amela Baksic Sound Design: Robert Auld Production Stage Manager: David Apichell* Artistic Director: William Carden Managing Director: Robert Callely Master Electrician: Edmond Deraedt Technical Director: Josh Sherer Set Construction Crew: Steve Hayes & Rob Graham Electrics Crew: Andrew Schwartz & Kate Lewis Assistant Stage Managers: Damian Acosta & Angie Morrow Sound Board Operator: Sasenarine Ramlakhan

*Appearing courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association

Play By Ear was performed December 8th-21st, 2001

Poster_Flyer_Playbill_Play By Ear

The Office Plays

One Act Play Festival

Playwrights: Karen Ludwig, Jason Jung, Carolyn Boriss-Krimsky, Rosemary DeAngelis, Margaret Ritchie, Elizabeth Primamore, Randy McHaney, David Loughlin, Natalie Bates, Jean Bergantini Grillo, Stanley Taub, Ryan Davenport, Matthew Widman, Claire Torn, Maria Torres, Philip Kushner, Perry Guzzi, Andrew R. Heinze, Jim Broaddus, Jane Flanagan, Andrew Marvel, Inna Tsyrlin, Emmett McConnell, Rita Marchelya, Hila Ben Gera.

Directors: Giovanni Villari, Adam Delia, Peter Zinn, Eric Rasmussen, Margaret Ritchie, Amy Wright, Dawn Knipe, Karen Ludwig, Jean Bergantini Grillo, Michael Beckett, Gwynn MacDonald, Marlene Mancini, Tim Butterfield, Eli Thacker Taylor, Laura Esterman, Julie Boyd, Michael Manuelian, Joshua Lombard, Joan Kane, Kennedy Kanagawa, Noel MacDuffie.

Cast: Marlene Mancini*, David Jacobs, Keegan McDonald, Jason Jung, Suzanne Limozinere, Michael Arena, Lucas Raphael, Jody Prusan*, John L. Payne*, Luke Wise, Nick DeSimone, Jen Danby*, Bryon O’Hanlon, Luda Millais, Melissa Sussman, Janine Hegarty, Philip Kushner*, Eric Rasmussen*, Georgina Bates, Tiffany C. Williams, Charles Black*, Michael Dermansky, Stanley Taub, Olivia Buckley, Nick Hepsoe, Paul Eisemann, Billie Brouse, Allan Mangaser*, Tabitha Vidaurri, Ryan Bess Winnick, Sean Shannon, Craig McNulty*, Ellen David*, Mariah Freda, Trey Ervine, Mitch Tebo*, Dov Tiefenbach, John Fennessy*, Johanna Leister*, Hayley Barrett, Jim Broaddus*, Philip Carlson, Alexandra Gellner, Donna Svennevik, Rita Marchelya*, Andrew Dawson*, Keithen Hergott, Jody Moore*, Heather Massie*, Scott Williams, Jesse Barr*, Nairoby Otero*, Joe Mullen, Joel Malazita.

 *Actor Appears Courtesy of Actors’ Equity. An Equity Approved Showcase.

The Office Plays were performed on April 11-27 2014

EVENING A:

Love 1: Love 2 by Karen Ludwig: In an office, middle-aged Cookie and young man, Don perform two sides of a record after a tape malfunction complaint from a customer.

Excessive Measures by Jason Jung: At a CIA office, Jonas and Bobby, two agents discuss a prisoner of war.

Perfectly Safe by Carolyn Boriss-Krismky: Lydia, a youthful looking therapist and client, Tommy discuss in an art therapy office about getting back Lydia’s husband.

To Turn Around by Rosemary De Angelis: Mailroom clerk, Robert Malcolm invites Ms. Fields, manager of the Secretarial Pool to a brunch date when they suddenly hear distant gunshots.

An Exercise in Deleterious Motivation by Margaret Ritchie: Executive Mr. Rivet welcomes Standhope, a Princenton graduate into his office. As they converse, Mr. Rivet introduces a new opportunity for him.

The Child’s Best Interest by Elizabeth Primarone: In an office of a family mediation institute, lawyer, Gordon and his wife, Heather discuss with a social worker in order to settle a custody dispute that is part of their divorce.

Cracks by Randy McHaney: Ms. Green, a new teacher at High Solutions Elementary privately discusses with principal Gatwood about a troubled student.

The Senior Case Manager by David Loughlin: In a facility for the formerly homeless, Deborah, a resident, enters the office of Jack, the Senior Case Manager. She wants relief from the pressure of imaginary break-ins, red-headed rivals, and space aliens who want to burn down the only home she’s ever known. She puts her last hope in the Senior Case Manager, a man who wants more out of life than Chinese take-out, and who finally agrees to help cure her feelings of intense loneliness and unrequited love.

EVENING B:

….and Make It Better by Natalie Bates: A screenwriter meets with the head of a major production company to pitch his movie.

The Agency by Jean Bergantini Grillio: At a voting station, Emma, a new employee has a discussion with Hector, the employee whom she is replacing.

The Consultation by Stanley Taub: At a doctors office, a plastic surgeon consults a patient who is unhappy over a previous operation.

What Do You Want For Lunch, Kevin? by Ryan Davenport: Kevin’s father, CEO of a tech company and nineteen year-old, Kevin reminisce in his father’s office after his grandmother’s death.

Homeland Security by Matthew Widman: In an office setting, homeland security workers, Hawthorne and Hastings work together to pair up millenials, Ivy and Brendan into a relationship. Both workers give a brief rundown of their lives and state how they’re compatible for each other.

Dixie and Sea Bass Pitch Outside the Box by Claire Torn: Coworkers Sebastian and Dixie meet in their boss’ office to discuss their possibility in being part of The Roasters concert as the event coordinator’s assistant.

Of Unsound Mind by Philip Kushner: Co-workers, Annie and Patrick are surprised by Annie’s secret admirer who bargers into their office confessing his admiration for her.

A Job Offer by Maria Elena Torres: Niels Bohr is determined to convince his co-worker, Lise to stay in his Institute for Physics as she wants to move to Berlin where her laboratory is.

EVENING C:

An Angry Heart by Perry Guzzi: At a music publishing company, charming and social, Will converses with his perfectionist co-worker, Helen about Chin Wa’s death. Will then proceeds to blame Helen for wishing her death, but she makes him contradict himself by proving him wrong.

What It Takes To Get Things Done In Washington by Andrew R Heinze: It’s 1957, the US Senate, and the LBJ must do the impossible: get a Northern liberal and a Southern conservative to agree on the first Civil Rights bill of the century, a bill that violates each one’s core principles. How will they do it?

Lonely at the Top by Jim Broaddus: Inside the CEO’s office at Dysfunction & Company, irrational Donna gets a lousy phone call from her husband, Barney who threatens to fire her if she doesn’t do what he pleases.

Family Business by Jane Flanagan: At an office in lower Manhattan, father and daughter, Bert and Patricia converse in his office about her mother’s grand scheme into involving Patricia into business.

Kissed Off by Andrew Marvel: In the New York headquarters of Green and Benderof, junior executive, Jeannie discusses with Caroline, director of human resources about obtaining a raise and a possible promotion.

My Wife by Inna Tsyrlin: In the president’s office of a prestigious firm in New York City, Jonathan invites Lochlan, a senior attorney into his office for a partner interview. What the president proposes next is unbelievable.

Conspiracy by Emmet McConnel: At an office in midtown Manhattan, publicity director, Sonia gets involved into an argument with the cleaning lady, Ana. Sonia then proceeds to call security in order to escort her out of her office.

The Coven by Rita Marchelya: Tina, creative assistant at an ad agency introduces a plan to sabotage an ad campaign and asks Mandy, an ambitious hard worker to help her.

Just Do It by Hila Ben Gera: At a local postal office in a small town, Postman NO. 1 recites the events that happened to him the night before which shocks his co-worker, Postman NO. 2. Both characters are work weary, not very bright, simple men. They’re best friends and both dream of a better life.

The Airport Plays

Playwrights: Neena Beber, Catherine Filloux, Alexandra Gersten, Dmitry Lipkin, Quincy Long, Julie McKee, Daniel Reitz, Ari Roth, Peter Sagal, Joe Sutton, Jay Tarses, Tug Yourgrau

The Airport Plays - HB Studio

Directors: Jessica Bauman, Aleksy Burago, Kevin Confoy, Deborah Hedwall, Caroline Kava, Kimberly I. Kefgen, Jordan Lage, James Milton, Jules Ochoa, Shira Piven, Jean Randich and David Simonds

Cast: Jessica Allen, Marc Ardito, Peter Birkenhead, Victoria Boothby, Robert Burke, Shannon Burkette, Snezhana Chernova, Caitlin Clarke, Tami Dixon, Tom Draper, Ryan Dunn, Joel Garland, Grant Goodman, Pamela Jayne Gray, Paula Gruskiewicz, Michelle Hurst, Rhonda Jensen, Diana LaMar, Julie Fain Lawrence, Salem Ludwig, Jason J. Madera, Tony Martinez, Jennifer McGowan, Sheryl Moller, Julia Mueller, Harsh Nayyar, Patricia O’Grady, David Prete, Gerriane Raphael, Richard Rodriguez, Martin Shakar, Godfrey L. Simmons Jr and Amy Wright

Set: Andy Warfel Lighting: Chris Dallos Sound: Robert Auld Costume: Deborah R. Rosen and Kyra Svetlovsky Technical: Carlo Adinolfi Production Stage Manager: Kimberly I. Kefgen Stage Managers: Gro Engelstoft, Ruth McKee, Liz Sabia Artistic Director: William Carden Managing Director: Robert Callely

The Airport Plays were performed June 8th – 27th.

Plays:

Departures: Two sisters, Pauline and Jane, were conversing  in the airport as they were about to board the plane. Pauline starts having a sort of anxiety so she holds off on going on the plane, but as the last call for boarding is announced they finally rush to get on the plane.

Storks: Anne is a woman who is accompanying  her aging grandmother back to her home in France and while waiting for the flight discuss life choices and regrets.

The Airport Play: A woman and a man waiting at an airport terminal form a connection through literature and eventually have an in depth conversation about life in which they consul each other.

I AM LAIKA: Two dogs in an airport pet carrier bond over what they perceive as unjust treatment.

The Flight of the Last Calhoon: Calhoon, a young man scared to go on an airplane, complains to the dentist about his situation. After, the dentist puts Calhoon to sleep to remove his wisdom tooth, and he has a dream of his mother and father.

HAERE MAI KI AOTEAROA:  Fiona is entering New Zealand and as she waits to enter she converses with herself.

Where I Come From: An American couple converses about middle eastern people and culture not knowing that a middle eastern man named Aziz was waiting in the airport with them. The woman named Shay converses and flirts with Aziz everytime Mark, the man who was with Shay, left to go to the store.

Terminal Connection: While in an airport terminal, Cordella and Morgan are having a long conversation with each other. Cordella is supposed  to go home to her family but is restricted not by force but by the words of Morgan to not go home. The end result leads both of them to go home.

Happenstance: Amy and Martin, two old lovers run into each other at an airport and talk about their current lives.

Layover: Four strangers in an airport lounge bond over “making love”.

Cecila: A man tells a woman about his play in an airport terminal and tries to convince her to let him use her likeness for a character. 

Peanuts:  In a departure gate, an elderly couple, Herb and Frances wait with there friend Phil to board an old propellor plane. As they are going through the process the Gate Agent is giving everyone a very hard time.

 

Voir Dire

An HB Studio Performance

Playwright: Joe Sutton Voir Dire - HB Studio

Director: William Carden

Cast: Tamaris Canals, Todd Gearhart, Laura Sametz, Lynn Cohen, Sally Stewart, Dorothea Harahan, Kevin Gleason

(Director): William Carden (Lighting): Chris Dallos (Costume): Chris Field (Sound): Doretta Berry (Production Stage Manager): Kimberly I. Kefgen (Casting): Stuart Howard, Amy Schecter, Howard Meltzer

Voir Dire was performed from March 26th- April 11th, 1998

Synopsis: A prominent black man is arrested for buying crack. His lawyer says he was framed, set up by a racist white cop. It is left to a jury of six (as is the case in misdemeanors and many civil cases in New York State), a racially mixed group of five women and one man, to decide who is telling the truth. This they do over three brutal, often explosive days of harrowing deliberation, as we take a peek behind the one door that will always remain closed to us—the door to the jury room.

 

The Museum Plays

Playwright: Joe Sutton, Daniel Reitz, Julie McKee, Ari Roth, Catherine Filloux, Dmitry Lipkin, Neena Beber, Tug Yourgrau, Qunicy Long, Peter Sagal and Alexandra Gersten

Directors: Jean Wagner, Constance Grappo, Julie Boyd, Shira Piven, Eva Saks, Tim Cunningham, Allison Eve Zell, Stephanie Scott, Chris McCann, Alex Roe and Amy Wright

The Museum Plays | HB Studio

Cast: Sam Tsoutsouvas, Janet Zarish, Joan Matthiessen, Patrcia O’Grady, Martin Gobbee, Frederica Meister, John Fitzgibbon, Amy Wright, Michi Barrell, David Jung, Andrew Pang, Katherine Leask, Michael Ornstein, Sarah Trelease, Ed Vassallo, Liam Craig, Anna Grace, Ean Sheehy, Heather Carduff, Frank Girardeau, Michael Etheridge, Simon Fortin, Larry Nathanson, Fred Rivers, Janelle Schremmer, Troy Schremmer, Maureen Van Zandt, Marylouise Burke, Jayne Haynes, Michael Moran, Larry Pine, Mark Devine, John FitzGibbon, Edith Meeks, George Bartenieff and Richard Mawe

Set: Andy Warfel Lighting: Chris Dallos Sound: Robert Auld Costumes: Amela Baksic Production Stage Manager: Kimberly I. Kefgen Producer: India Cooper

The Museum Plays were performed June 9th – 28th of the year 1998.

Plays:

Sensations: At a museum in London Amy, an observer, and Simon, a painter, talk about the meaning of the art as they flirt with each other.

Photographs from S-21:  Two paintings on a wall of a museum talk about each other, and what they see through a very strange perspective.

Two Jewish Men In Their 70s: Two men in their 70s conversing about how old people are treated, as they are sitting on a bench.

Pithecus: A couple, Jane and Frank, walk around the Museum of Natural History observing the prehistoric human section of it. As they observe, they converse about how the displays are drawn if the occurrence of these nomads was so long ago.

The Sixth Floor Museum: Two men, Dub and Lou, are walking around a museum talking about John F. Kennedy’s death and who killed him. After, two women, Belle and Patty, walk in the museum and start conversing with the two men.

Jill On A Recliner Reading: A woman at a restaurant in Madrid examines and talks about a painting that’s displayed for her by a Spanish painter she knew.

Divulgence At Damrak 18: At the Amsterdam sex museum, two women are in their seventies reflecting on their previous experiences with love.

Love and Yearning in the Not for Profits & Other Marital Distractions: Cordelia is speaking with her friend Claire on the phone, telling her how she got an offer from a wealthy businessman. She’s interested in the man, but she’s married and wants to take a risk as she thinks of what she’s doing as a game.

The Taliban: At a gallery for Afghanistan, a woman observes the art pieces with two men, Goldman and Rigby, as they converse about the Taliban and Afghanistan society.

Art For arts sake: When a woman brings her reluctant boyfriend to a museum, he opens up about his insecurities involving his own career.

TH FT: Two young men attempt to steal a painting in a gallery, yet only to be surprised by friends as they get caught.

Collected Stories

An HB Studio production

Playwrights: Donald MarguliesReview_Uta Hagen_Collected StoriesCollected Stories_Uta Hagen - HB Studio

Director: William Carden

Cast: Uta Hagen, Lorca Simons

Set: Ray Recht Lighting: Chris Dallos Sound: Robert Auld Costumes: Mirena Rada Casting: Adrienne Stern Production Stage Manager: Lloyd Davis, Jr

Collected Stories was performed from March 26th- April 3rd

Synopsis: This play explores the vexed emotional and legal question of a writer’s right to create art from the biographical material of another person’s life-particularly when that other person is also a writer. Meditating upon the recent, real-life conflict between poet Stephen Spender and novelist David Leavitt, Margulies has created two of the most vivid and moving fictional characters of his career: Ruth Steiner, an aging, highly regarded author who never wrote about her youthful affair with real-life poet Delmore Schwartz, and Lisa Morrison, a student of Steiner’s who, after publishing a much-ballyhooed first short-story collection under Steiner’s direction, follows up with a novel that draws upon the Schwartz affair. The result is charged drama with the depth and weight of the finest prose fiction.