Kevin Glaccum Producing Artistic Director
Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund Honorary Producer
AZUKA THEATRE presents
by PHILIP DAWKINS Featuring TABITHA ALLEN BRENDAN DALTON KEVIN MEEHAN MARY BETH SHRADER ISA ST. CLAIR Scenic Design LINDSEY MAYER
Lighting Design ROBIN STAMEY
Costume Design AMANDA SHARP
Sound Design TOBY PETTIT
Dramaturg SARAH OLLOVE
Production Manager MIKE TRONCONE
Production Stage Manager KATE COOTS Directed by ALLISON HEISHMAN
East Coast Premiere! New Professionals Production!
May 8 – 26, 2013 Azuka Theatre is a 501(c)(3) Not for profit organization Permission granted by ABRAMS ARTISTS AGENCY, 275 Seventh Ave., 26th Floor, New York, NY 10001. All inquiries concerning rights to the Play shall be addressed to the above or to literary@abramsartny.com.
Developed at The Lark Play Development Center, New York City FAILURE: A LOVE STORY World Premiere Produced by Victory Gardens Theater Chicago, Illinois Chay Yew, Artistic Director Jan Kallish, Executive Director
CAST Nelly Fail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mary Beth Shrader Jenny June Fail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tabith Allen Gertrude Fail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Isa St. Clair John N. Fail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brendan Dalton Mortimer Mortimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kevin Meehan
There will be no intermission. Please turn OFF all electronic devices prior to the performance. Photography or recording of this production, including cell phones, is strictly prohibited.
Proud member of Off-Broad Street. Celebrating Philadelphia Independent Theater!
Azuka Theatre is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (GPCA).
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR We live in an age of instant nostalgia. Putting the present through a filter, almost immediately. Our photos, our clothing, our music - it all hearkens back to days gone by. We can't seem to resist the pull of the past.
That past is where we meet The Fails, where Boy meets Girl, meets Girl, meets Girl... but as the wise Gerty Fail reminds us, “you can't live in the past, you can only dwell there.”
We can't help but look back, tell our stories over and over again, and these days the way we are telling stories is changing. As time moves forward new technologies like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram echo a time when stories were passed down and through us, where they grew and stretched and changed with each new telling. We have once again become the storytellers, in a new way we are drawing on that collective memory that pushes each new story down the pipeline.
That is the hidden love story of our play, the love of telling stories. The need to do so.
It is the answer to the question, “How do we go on?” We tell the stories, and we move on together.
– Allison Heishman
WHO’S WHO Tabitha Allen (Jenny June) Tabitha is so excited to be a part of this production! Recent credits include Vainglorious (Applied Mechanics), Making God Laugh (Montgomery), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (11th Hour), and This Is the Week That Is! (1812). Thanks to Allison and Kevin for this amazing opportunity. For Reuben.
Brendan Dalton (John N.) Brendan is thrilled to be making his Azuka Theatre debut. A proud graduate of the University of the Arts, his credits include: Timon of Athens (Philadelphia Artists’ Collective), Love/Stories (Round Table Theatre Co.), Charlotte’s Web (Arden, u/s), and several UArts productions. Brendan is very excited to tell this story with such a wonderful cast and crew. Many thanks to Kevin and Allison for this opportunity. Love and thanks to his family and friends for all their love and support. www.brendan-dalton.com Kevin Meehan (Mortimer Mortimer) Kevin’s Philadelphia professional debut was with Azuka Theatre’s production of Kid Simple five years ago. He is super pleased to be welcomed back and working with everyone involved. He is a Philadelphia native and a graduate of Adelphi University. Previous work includes projects with New Paradise Laboratories, Wilma Theater, Lantern Theater Company, PlayPenn, Inis Nua Theatre Company, Flashpoint Theatre, Simpatico Theatre, Curio Theatre, and Hedgerow Theater. For Anna and her details. Mary Beth Shrader (Nelly) Mary Beth is thrilled to be making her Azuka Theatre debut! Mary Beth is a recent graduate of The University of the Arts where she received her BFA in Acting. Past Productions include: The Walls, Our Town, Colorado, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Edinburgh Fringe Theatre Festival). Many thanks to the Azuka family for this amazing opportunity. Love to my family, friends, and my four stars.
Isa St. Clair (Gerty) Isa is delighted to be joining Azuka and this phenomenal group of artists. Recent projects include Flashpoint Theatre Company (The Bends), Curio Theatre Company (The Tempest, Equus, The Runner Stumbles, Hansel and Gretel), New City Stage (Mrs. Cratchitt’s Wild Christmas Binge), Shakespeare in Clark Park (The Merry Wives of Windsor), Dragon’s Eye Theater (Seek & Hide), Applied Mechanics (Vainglorious), the Delaware Shakespeare Festival (The Winter’s Tale, Romeo & Juliet 3-D), and the National Constitution Center (understudy for The Living News). She has received additional training from Shakespeare & Company (Lenox, MA) and the British American Drama Academy (London). Next up –Macbeth with Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company. Big thanks to this wonderful company, cast, and artistic team! Philip Dawkins (Playwright) Philip’s critically-acclaimed play The Homosexuals received a Joseph Jefferson Nomination for New Work after its world premiere with About Face Theatre in the summer of 2011, under the direction of Bonnie Metzgar. His play Failure: A Love Story premiered at Victory Gardens Theater under the direction of Seth Bockley, with productions slated at Azuka Theatre in Philadelphia and Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington-Normal in Summer 2013. His play Miss Marx or The Involuntary Side Effect of Living received a staged reading as part of Steppenwolf’s 2010 First Look Series. Other credits: Dead Letter Office (Dog and Pony Theatre); Yes To Everything! (Chicago, New York, California, DC); Perfect (The Side Project); Ugly Baby (Chicago Opera Vanguard/Strawdog Theatre Company); A Still Life In Color (T.U.T.A. Company). His plays for young folks are published through Playscripts, Inc. A graduate of Loyola University, Chicago, Mr. Dawkins is an Artistic Associate of About Face Theatre, an Ensemble Playwright at Victory Gardens, and a founding member of Chicago Opera Vanguard. Mr. Dawkins teaches playwriting at Northwestern University and through the Victory
Gardens ACCESS Program for writers with disabilities. He also teaches Kung Fu to little Chicago kids through Rising Phoenix Kung Fu. Hi-Yah! Allison Heishman (Director) Allison is Artistic Associate at Azuka Theatre, and a freelance ‘theatrician’ throughout Philadelphia. Her work includes Directing, Performance, Script Analysis, Stage Management, and a smattering of Dramaturgy and Writing. She has done work for Azuka (Actor: Long Christmas Ride Home, Director: the terrible girls, Hazard County, “I Love You I Hate You”); National Constitution Center (Program Manager/Educator: Living News, AD/Dramaturg: Fighting for Democracy, Director/Writer: Theatre Exhibition Series); The Wilma Theatre (AD; Angels in America, pts I and II); Tiny Dynamite (Director: Spacewang - A Play, A Pie and A Pint); Flashpoint Theatre (Actor: Autobahn, Dead Guy); Madhouse Theatre (Actor: Pounding Nails into the Floor); Quince Productions (Director: Beebo Brinker Chronicles, Well of Horniness) and A Taste of History, An Evening with Chef Staib in collaboration with The Kimmel Center and City Tavern for PIFA. Lindsey Mayer (Scenic Designer) Lindsey B Mayer, a native Philadelphian, recently finished her fourth and final year at Point Park University earning a BFA in Technical Theater and Design. Her emphasis is in scenic design and art, taking great pride in painting her own designs. Lindsey’s designs have been featured at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and Upper Darby Summer Stage. Recent designs include: Upper Darby Summer Stage’s Hairspray (2012), The Pittsburgh Playhouse REP’s The Lonesome West (2011), and Pittsburgh Playhouse Jr.’s Yo Vikings (2012). But her most recent honor came in the form of international recognition. Lindsey’s work was exhibited as part of the American student showcase at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space. Her set design for Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, originally a class project, was chosen among over 450 submissions from undergrad and graduate students across the USA. www.lindseybmayer.com Robin Stamey (Lighting Designer) Robin is a lighting designer, stage manager, carpenter, production manager, puppet maker and all-around theater technician. She is a graduate of Arcadia University where she earned her B.A. in Theatre Arts. While at Arcadia, she competed in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for her lighting design of Samm-Art Williams’ Home, for which she won regionally and received an honorable mention at the national
level. In addition to working on many shows in various capacities at Arcadia, she has worked with companies throughout Philadelphia, including: Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium, Band of Artists, Little Bunny Voodoo, Rebecca Davis Dance Company, BRAT Productions, Pig Iron Theatre Company, Banji Girl Productions, Represented Theatre Company, Philadelphia Young Playwrights and Plays & Players. She is currently the Theatre Programs Manager at the National Constitution Center and production manager/resident designer for The Renegade Company. Amanda Sharp (Costume Designer) Amanda is a freelance artist and designer. She’s also a graduate of Arcadia University’s Theater Program where she designed the costumes for Club California and The Children’s Hour. Both designs earned her an award for Excellence in costume design at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, once as the regional winner, then as a national finalist alternate. She is so very thankful to Azuka for this opportunity. To her family, friends and teachers; she could never adequately express her gratitude for the support and guidance you’ve all provided. Thank you. xo Toby Pettit (Sound Designer) Toby Pettit is excited to be working on his first production with Azuka. He is a recent graduate of Drexel University- past work includes assistant design positions at The Lantern Theater, The Arden Theater and Theatre Horizon, as well as his work with Inis Nua, The Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Shakespeare in Clark Park and Drexel University. Many thanks to my family and this amazing cast and crew. Avista Custom Theatrical, LLC (Properties) Avista was founded in 2007 as a properties design and construction firm. Avista specializes in custom construction, upholstery, soft goods construction, and also owns a 7,000 square foot rental house in Norristown filled with props and lighting equipment. Avista’s work has been seen at Azuka Theatre, Flashpoint Theatre, Theatre Horizon, Mauckingbird, Act II Playhouse Theatre Exile, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Burlington County College and Drexel University. Avista is in its second season as resident prop team at 1812 Productions and its fifth season at InterAct Theatre. Please visit http://www.avistacustom.com/. Sally Ollove (Dramaturg) Sally Ollove is the Resident Dramaturg at Azuka Theatre. She has dramaturged locally for Arden Theatre Company, The Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Gas & Electric Arts, and TheatreExile and nationally at the American Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre Company in New York, and Untitled Theatre Company #61 among others. Sally also teaches at Rowan University and holds an MFA in Dramaturgy from the MXAT/ART Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. Thanks to Kevin and the Azuka family. Kate Coots (Stage Manager) Kate is a recent graduate of Villanova University’s MA program. She has been a member of the Philadelphia theater community for seven years as a scenic painter, set designer and props designer. She is currently exploring new roles in production and is excited to be part of the Azuka New Professionals production team. Mike Troncone (Production Manager) Mike Troncone holds a B.A. in Theatre - Design/Technology from DeSales University and currently resides in Philadelphia. Mike has worked as a Production Manager, Technical Director, Designer, Consultant and Technician for numerous companies including Azuka Theatre, Theatre Exile, Philadelphia Theatre Company, BRAT Productions, Walnut Street Theatre, The Arden, Philly Fringe Arts, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Pig Iron Theatre Co, The German Society of Pennsylvania and many more. Some of his favorite productions include the terrible girls (Azuka - Technical Dir.), knives in hens (Exile - Technical Dir.), and Old Wicked Songs (Bristol Riverside Theatre - Sound Designer). He is extremely excited to be taking the Azuka production reigns from his friend and mentor Terry Smith for many seasons to come. Love to Julia.
PAST SEASONS
Everyone and I (2013)
the terrible girls (2011)
2012-13 NP† Failure: A Love Story by Philip Dawkins *Everyone and I by Elizabeth Scanlon Co-Produced with The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts *Pookie Goes Grenading by J.C. Lee 2011-12 NP **Hazard County by Allison Moore *Hope Street & Other Lonely Places by Genne Murphy **Act a Lady by Jordan Harrison 2010-11 **Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley *the terrible girls by Jacqueline Goldfinger
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2008)
2006-07 *Azuka One-Acts by various ‘Twas the Night by Veronica Griego Two Rooms by Lee Blessing Co-Produced with Blue Ridge Theatre Festival 2005-06 *‘Twas the Night by Veronica Griego *The Boys by Kris Elgstrand 2004-05 **Laura’s Bush by Jane Martin **Four by Christopher Shinn 2003-04 *An Artist’s Workshop conceived and created by Alden Moore written by Raelle Myrick-Hodges 2001-02 **Sincerity Forever by Mac Wellman **Friends by Kobo Abe
2009-10 **Nerve by Adam Szymkowicz **The Long Christmas Ride Home by Paula Vogel
2000-01 **Polaroid Stories by Naomi Iizuka
2008-09 **Kid Simple by Jordan Harrison *Whiskey Neat by Bruce Walsh
1999-2000 *Trouble With Bohemia by Raelle Myrick-Hodges Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka adapted by Steven Berkoff
2007-08 *Sweetie Pie by Madi Distefano Hedwig and the Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell music & lyrics by Stephen Trask
1999 *La Rue des Faux by Raelle Myrick-Hodges adapted from James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room
*World Premiere
**Philadelphia Premiere
†
East Coast Premiere
NP
New Professionals
STAFF & CREDITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012-2013 David Fedor – President Heather Evans – Vice-President Andrea Sheaffer – Treasurer Mark H. Andrews – Secretary Natalie Diener Jason Evans Tamanya Garza Kevin Glaccum Lee Porter AZUKA THEATRE STAFF Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum Director of Marketing Mark H. Andrews Artistic Associate Allison Heishman
PRODUCTION CREW & CREDITS Technical Director John Bryant Assistance Stage Manager Lena Barnard Puppetry Consultant Martina Plag Music & Composition Consultants Tabitha Allen Brendan Dalton Scenic Mentor Meghan Jones Carpenters Lena Barnard Jay Wojnarowski
Production Manager Mike Troncone
Painters Leslie Curd Lena Barnard
Playwright in Residence Jacqueline Goldfinger
Photo Credits Alexander Heishman
Resident Dramaturg Sally Ollove
Graphic Design Mark H. Andrews & Derek Carnegie
PR Coordinator Carrie Gorn, Perpetual Motion PR
IT, Website Design & Maintenance Andrew Nelson
Interns Administrative Sapphire Johnson Greg Nanni Production Eric Baker Megan Fedorczyk
Printing Quaker Printing Special Thanks Pete Wool, Roy Harker and everyone at First Baptist Church; Kate Tejada; Trevor William Foehl; Adam Darrow; Richard Quinn
SUPPORT FOUNDATION SUPPORT William Penn Foundation The Wyncote Foundation The Lida Foundation Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund CHG Foundation Independence Foundation Philadelphia Cultural Fund Miami Foundation
PRODUCERS CIRCLE Honorary Producer Annie and Ken Goldenberg Harmelin Media Producer Louis Bluver Dan & Christiane Geisler Karen & David Jones Anne O’Donnell Patrick & Robin Tracy Associate Producer Michael Norris
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Dreamer ($1000 - $2499) Mark Andrews & Derek Carnegie David Fedor Matthew & Marie Garfield Kevin Glaccum Bob & Sue Ann Marburg Optimist ($500 - $999) Chris Colucci David Fedor Ken & Annie Goldenberg Andrea Sheaffer Marilyn Steinbright Idealist ($100 - $499) Mary Anne & Robert Andrews Patrick Bell Martin Bodtmann Thomas Carragher Phyliss Cohen Marie Conti Joseph & Helene Dees
Natalie Diener & Michael Cosenza Heather Evans Andrew Fatek & Andrea Levin Jill & Michael Feighan Dan Gannon Greg Gephart Bryan & Kathy Glaccum Maureen Glaccum & David Speers Stephen & Pamela Heishman Betsy & Ted Hershberg Steve & Jane Heumann E. Ashley Izard Kate & John Kerrigan Josephine Klein Tom Korman & Ann Kirschner Robert Mandel Noris Weiss Malvey Walter A. McCann Susan Mock Brian Moore Ellen Mulroney Dan Perelstein Kathryn Petersen Joel & Roberta Porter Lee Porter Dito van Reigersberg Alice Richardson Kevin Riordan Mari Shaw Noreen & Eric Tarr Ed & Lynn Tettemer Kanani Tichen & Louis Seitchik John Tobin Lee Cooper Van de Velde Florence Vanembden Peter Wool Anonymous Realist (up to $99) Judy Adamson & Fred Jackes Ralph Andracchio & Daniel Kelly Todd Armstrong Larry Biren Gail Bourguignon Tony Braithwaite Tina Brock Timothy P. Carey Pearl Carpel Daniel Cheever Christopher & Peggy Cline Stephen Cribb Charles Devlin
Joseph Distanislao Melanie Einbund Quinn Eli Heather Evans Tony & Sue Faillace Molly Frantz Pat & Narinder Garg Amber Gaynor Grace Gonglewski Carrie Gorn Gene Gualtieri Terry & Paul Guerin Chris Hallenback & Lauren Bieber Frederick D. Jackes Joann & Michael Kean Andrea Kocerha Tom & Ann Korman Stephen Mandato Jean Markovitz Francis R. & Peter Matherly Jay May Jr. Christopher McCarrick Antonio Muniz Judie Nodler Sara Pilling Peter Reynolds Tom Shotkin Richard St. Clair Stephen Woosley Askold Zagars & Marie Feehan Anthony Zalis (List complete as of May 1, 2013) Azuka Theatre thanks all of our donors for their continued support of the work we do. If you have questions about supporting Azuka, please call Kevin Glaccum at 215.563.1100
Add your name to this list!