Writer/Director – Tony Fiorentino Exec. Producers - George & Bill Apostolou Stage Manager – Heather Timmerman Assistant Director – Jessie Mutz Scenic Designer – Roger Wykes Lighting Designer – Frank Rose Costume Designer – Emma Weber Props Designer – Lindsay Monahan Technical Director – Frank Guttilla Web Design – Jeff L. Pascal
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CAST (in
or der of appe ar ance)
Benny................................................................................................................................. Joe Bianco Carl............................................................................................................................. Michael Woods April........................................................................................................................ Jennifer T. Grubb June................................................................................................................................... Laura Rauh Monday...................................................................................................... Florence Ann Romano Harvey...................................................................................................................... Rob Grabowski Mary......................................................................................................................... Brigitte Ditmars Wanda........................................................................................................................Marie Goodkin Father Murphy............................................................................................................ Mike O’Brien Nigel Sinclair.......................................................................................................... Joel Thompson Lindsay.......................................................................................................... Kieran Welsh-Phillips B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) Michael Woods (Carl) has appeared in film, television, commercials, theater and improv across the nation. Recent credits include The Boys Next Door (Metropolis PAC), Gross Indecency (Black Elephant), The Thin Man (City Lit Theater), and Midsummer Nights Dream (Apollo Theater). Michael thanks Tony and the cast and crew for this wonderful opportunity. Much love to his beautiful wife Angela, and much thanks to the hardest working actor in Chicago: Andrew Pond. Joe Bianco (Benny) is thrilled to be appearing in his first show with Diamante Productions. A recent graduate of Millikin University’s BFA Acting program, Joe took part in the first Chicago Fringe Festival as Hal/Man 2 in Scenes of a Love Like Nature and most recently finished understudying multiple roles in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of Funk It Up About Nothin’. Thanks to Mr. B, Mrs. B and Cass for everything.
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Jennifer T. Grubb (April) is happy to be back at Diamante Productions where she last appeared in My Dinner with Amy. Most recently Jennifer was seen in The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe at First Folio Theatre. Other Chicago credits: Franca in Light in the Piazza (Marriott Theatre); Jacky in Oh, Boy (City Lit); Baby Jane in Jerry Springer the Opera (Bailiwick); and productions at Attic Playhouse, Theatre at the Center, Quest, BoHo, Circle, & Porchlight. Laura Rauh (June) is happy to be laughing it up for the first time with Diamante Productions. Recent credits include Independence, Messiah on the Frigidaire, and The Maids. Prior to working in the Chicago theatre scene she earned her acting degree from Ohio University and trained with Second City. Florence Ann Romano (Monday) is a graduate of Bradley University, with a Bachelor of Science in Performance Theatre. She was born and raised in Chicago – within a big and beautiful Italian family.
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) Florence Ann has been pursuing a career in Theatre, Voiceovers, Commercials, Television and Film. She is a proud member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). One her favorite theatre credits includes playing Regina in Ghosts at the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble. Florence Ann would like to thank her spectacular family and friends for teaching her about the most serious part of life – laughter. Rob Grabowski (Harvey) is returning to the form of the farce after performing in “Sex Marks the Spot” last summer at Stage 773. He has acted with several theater companies and in numerous sketch shows throughout Chicago. Rob can also be seen at iO on the house Harold team “Hey, Rocket.” Rob would normally thank a friend or family member at this point but he doesn’t want to inflate anyone’s ego. Brigitte Ditmars (Mary) is thrilled to be working with the good folks at Diamante Productions. Favorite Chicago credits include Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Mack And Mabel with Circle Theatre, The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie and The Ballad Of The Sad Cafe with Signal Ensemble Theatre, The Odd Couple at Raven Theatre, Nine with Porchlight Music Theatre, Trust with Open Eye Productions, and Caged Dames with Hell In A Handbag Productions, where she is an ensemble member. She holds a BFA in Acting from Wright State University . Thanks for supporting live theatre!
Marie Goodkin (Wanda) is delighted to be working with the talented cast and crew of Cold Cold Feet. A long time Chicago-area actress and singer, she has appeared at Lincoln Square Theatre, Circle Theatre, Village Players, Chicago Dramatists, Stage 773 (prior to its transformation), and Open Door Rep, among others; and at several local colleges. Favorite roles include Betty Meeks in The Foreigner, Edna in The Oldest Profession, Guido’s Mother in Nine, and Ethel in On Golden Pond. Thanks to Tony for this opportunity, and to Ira for absolutely everything. Mike O’Brien (Father Murphy) wants to thank Tony and a terrific cast for the chance to play Father Murphy. It’s his opportunity to pray and repent for any sins he may have ALLEGEDLY committed during his two years as one of Mayor Daley The First’s inner circle in Neil Giuntoli’s “Hizzoner”. Joel Thompson (Nigel Sinclair) was born and raised in a small, rural Indiana town. After graduating from Anderson University he decided to move to Chicago in 2005. His Chicago credits include Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, James in The Miracle Worker and Simon Bliss in Hay Fever. Most recently he was seen at Piccolo Theatre as Dr. Lombardi in The Servant Of Two Master. When not on stage Joel spends his time encouraging a nasty habit of play video games. He would like to thank his friends and family for there constant support of his craft!
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B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) Kieran WelshPhillips (Lindsay) is happy to be working with some familiar faces again. She has worked with Quest Theatre Ensemble, First Folio, Circle Theatre, Bruised Orange, and Purple Bench. Love to M, D, and Stef. Tony Fiorentino (Playwright/Director) has written Lease on Love, Cold Cold Feet, Fraternal Instinct, My Dinner with Amy, All My Love, Lucid, Crossing Party Lines and The Feast. In 2008 he received a Jeff nomination for best new work with All My Love. Outside of Chicago, his work has been produced at the American Theatre of Actors in New York, the Northeast Theatre in Pennsylvania, and the Attic Playhouse in Highwood. He would like to extend a special thank you to the cast and crew for their dedication, and to his family for their endless support.
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Heather Timmerman (Stage Manager) is very excited and honored to be working with Diamante Productions on this project. Her stage management credits include Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (Peninsula Players, intern), Aladdin (Chicago Shakespeare, intern), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chicago Shakespeare), A Christmas Carol (Goodman, intern), A Song for Coretta (Eclipse Theatre), Broken Thread (Urban Theatre Company) and MATE (Grassroots Theatre Company). Heather received her BA in theatre and English from Truman State University in the spring of 2008. Jessie Mutz (Assistant Director) originally hails from Florida, where she received her BA in Theatre from the University of Florida. Chicago credits include: And He Flew Over the Forest, Lives of the Dead, and Somnambulist. Favorite directing credits include: Macbeth and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) Roger Wykes (Scenic Designer) favorite Chicago credits include This, The Four of Us (Theater Wit); Kid Sister (Profiles Theater); Oh, Boy!, The Body Snatchers (City Lit); OklaHomo! for the Holidays (About Face Theater); The Flu Season, Camp Freedom (Black Sheep Productions); among others. Mr. Wykes was born and raised in the Oregon High Desert and received his BFA from Southern Oregon University. http:// rogerwykes.carbonmade.com Emma Weber (Costume Designer) is a graduate of Columbia College. She has worked professionally in Chicago for the past 6 years. Past credits include: The Four Seasons and Pandora Drum Circle (Quest Ensemble), Black Comedy (Piccolo), I Am My Own Wife (Boho), Last Daughter of Oedipus (Babes with Blades), and the web series Dragon Age: Redemption. She is thrilled to be working with Diamante for the first time, and would like to thank her family and friends for their advice, inspiration, and support. See more of her work at www.emmaweberdesign.com.
Frank Rose (Lighting Design) has been the Technical Director for North Shore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie since its opening in November 1996. He has free-lanced extensively in the Chicago area as a technical director, a stage manager, and as a scenic and lighting designer. For several years Frank was the production manager for Light Opera Works in Evanston, and taught and served as the technical director/resident designer at National-Louis University. He is also currently lighting designer for The Attic Playhouse in Highland Park. Lindsay Monahan (Properties Design) is a graduate of College of Charleston with a degree in Studio Art. A few of her Chicago props design credits include Look Homeward, Angel at The Artistic Home, Grapes of Wrath for Infamous Common Wealth, and currently Storytown at iO, and Songs for a Future Generation for Lights Out Theatre Company.
SPECIAL THANKS George and Bill Apostolou, Stephen and Frances Fiorentino, Ben Thiem, the League of Chicago Theatres, Steven “Swoops� Fiorentino, Sergio Morales, Frank Guttilla, Carmela Rinella.
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A B O U T S TAG E 77 3 Mission Stage 773 acts to embody the vibrant spirit of Chicago off-loop theatre: • We celebrate the creative process, supporting the work of actors, directors, writers, composers and designers. • We nurture the artist, offering technical, organizational and emotional support. • We honor our audience, presenting accessible, affordable, exceptional entertainment. Vision Stage 773 operates a multi-theatre performing arts venue that serves our community through the arts – both Chicago artists and the public who visit us. We strive to offer support to artists as they develop their voices and talents. We provide rehearsal and performance space, our knowledge and experience, and a nurturing environment to help actors, directors, designers, writers and other artists reach their potential. We will remain true to our storefront roots, offering our audiences the best possible theatre experience at low ticket prices. Our patrons will be an extension of our family, receiving the same warm welcome and respect we offer our artists. We will remember every day that art is transformative – whether we make someone laugh hysterically or consider the world in a new way, whether our work brings people to tears of empathy or joy – and that the artists and audiences who entrust themselves to us, for an evening or for years, create that shared experience. S TAG E 77 3 B OA R D A N D S TA F F BOARD OF DIRECTORS Laura Michaud (Chair) Christine Carsen Michael Gellman Charles H. Jesser
Alex Meyer Steve Miller Marlene Rubenstein (Advisory Member) Brian Walter
STAFF Brian Posen............................................................................................................ Artistic Director Megan Flanagan............................................................................................. Executive Director Jill Valentine..............................................................................................Director of Operations Brian Peterlin................................................................................................. Director of Facilities Jack Short.......................................................................................... Customer Service Director Jesse Aukeman, Nancy Farnard, Billy Sullivan............................................ Box Office Staff Cassandra Rose........................................................................................................................Intern Diamante Productions 7
INVEST IN STAGE 773! Your support is critical to our future – and to the future of the many local artists who partner with us. The financial support of individuals, corporations and foundations allows us to: •
offer subsidized theatre rental to our fellow Chicago performing arts groups, along with marketing, audience development, ticketing and technical assistance.
• present high-quality programming at low ticket prices. • maintain and improve our facility, a highly-beloved venue for Chicago artists and audiences.
Please consider a gift to our Annual Fund, or ask us about specific projects and funds that need support. Call us at 773.929.7367 x 223 or email megan@stage773.com with questions or to make a donation. Stage 773 is partially supported by a CityArts Program 1 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.
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