A Moon for the Misbegotten By Eugene O’Neill Directed by Kevin Theis+* Co-Artistic Directors Director of Development and Marketing Production Stage Manager Stage Manager Co-Scenic & Props Design Lighting Design Sound Design Costume Design Wig Design Dialect Design Graphic Design
Sarah Wellington+ and Michael Grant+* Rebekah Johnson Michael Grant+* Erin Diener+* Ira Amyx+ & Merje Veski Julian Pike Victoria (toy) DeIorio Beth Laske-Miller Aly Renee Amidei Barbara Zahora Robert Kauzlaric+
This program is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, the City Arts I Program of the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Richard H. Dreihaus Foundation, and the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. *Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association +Denotes member of Seanachaí Theatre Company
A Moon for the Misbegotten 1
CAST (in
or der of appe ar ance)
Phil Hogan.......................................................................................................... Brad Armacost+* Josie Hogan............................................................................................................. Carolyn Klein+ Mike Hogan..........................................................................................................Andrew Nowack James Tyrone, Jr...................................................................................................Steve Pickering* T. Stedman Harder.......................................................................................................Stuart Ritter The play will be performed with one ten minute intermission. T H E S E A N AC H A Í E N S E M B L E Ira Amyx, Brad Armacost, Jeff Christian, Erin Diener, Jeff Duhigg, Barbara Figgins, Jacquelyn Flaherty, Jeri Frederickson, Coburn Goss, Michael Grant, Robert Kauzlaric, Shane Kenyon, Carolyn Klein, Mary Rose O’Connor, Anne Sunseri, Kevin Theis, Dan Waller and Sarah Wellington S E A N AC H A Í W E S T Mac Brandt, Thomas Vincent Kelly, Ann Noble, Catherine O’Connor and Andrew Turner S E A N AC H A Í E N S E M B L E E M E R I T U S Dan Michel
T H E S E A N AC H A Í B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S Amie Marks (President), Marlena Ascher, Jack Blakey, Michael Cox, Michael Grant, Jean Haley, Carrie Hall, Sam Harrod, Jolanda Krawczyk, Ann Noble, and Leslie Spiller SPECIAL THANKS The Fifth Province pub, Noel Rice and the Academy of Irish Music, Chicago Spotlight, the Seanachaí Board of Directors, Jeanmarie Reed & Rent-a-Chef, Lynne Jordan & the Shivers, John Mossman, The Artistic Home Theatre, Walt & Fran Sunseri, John Grant, John & Dawn Palmer, Al Wyatt, Vince Cook, Jackie Jasperson, Joseph Moore, Andria Smith, Jenny Diluciano, Amanda Kulczweski, Janice O’Neil, Hilary Ann Feldman, Satyam Premraj Muench, P.J. & Claudia Hine, the Copernicus Center, Old Irving Park Association, Gerard Staniszewski, CRA International, Shokran, Sabatino’s Eli’s Cheesecake, Café Soroni, Porretta’s, Hot Woks/Cool Sushi, Portage Park Neighborhood Association, the Office of the Alderman John Arena, the City Arts Program and the City of Chicago, the Illinois Arts Council, the Driehaus Foundation, Charles River Associates and the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.
2 Seanachí
CAST Brad Armacost+* (Phil Hogan) Brad returns to Seanachaí as an Artistic Associate after appearing in the Jeff-nominated THE WEIR last season. His long association with Irish theatre in Chicago includes A LIFE at Northlight and THE SEAFARER at Steppenwolf with John Mahoney. He received the Joseph Jefferson Award for his work in Brian Friel’s FAITH HEALER at Steppenwolf. Additional Friel projects include ARISTOCRATS, WONDERFUL TENNESSEE, LOVERS, and DANCING AT LUGHNASA. Steppenwolf appearances include PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD and MARIA ARNDT. He has appeared at the Goodman Theatre in A TOUCH OF THE POET with Brian Dennehy, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, ZOO STORY, OEDIPUS COMPLEX, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL and CHICAGO BOYS. He is a Collaborating Artist with Provision Theatre where he has received Jefferson nominations for his work as Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, C S LEWIS, ONSTAGE and SHADOWLANDS. He has appeared at Chicago Shakespeare (THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, ELIZABETH REX, CYMBELINE, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, COMEDY OF ERRORS, MERCHANT OF VENICE, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA and TIMON OF ATHENS) and various Chicagoland theatres. His television credits include MISSING PERSONS, ANGEL STREET and recurring roles on THE UNTOUCHABLES and EARLY EDITION. Film credits include Robert Altman’s THE COMPANY, BARBERSHOP 2, REPETITION, EIGHT MEN OUT and BACKWOODS. Carolyn Klein+ (Josie Hogan) Carolyn, a proud Ensemble member since 2008, most recently directed Seanachaí’s production of That Was Then. Additionally for Seanachaí, she has been seen in Dancing at
Lughnasa, Scenes from the Big Picture and Drink Me. Other Chicago credits include King Phycus with The Strange Tree Group (Jeff Citation - Best Ensemble); Macbeth at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Accidental Death of an Anarchist at Next Theatre; Tooth of Crime and Spring Awakening at Strawdog Theatre; The Radiant Abyss at Profiles Theatre; Henry V and Blood Wedding with The Hypocrites; Sexual Perversity in Chicago with Theo Ubique; Faith Healer at Buffalo Theatre Ensemble and the dreamer examines his pillow with New Leaf. Carolyn is also an Artistic Associate with The Strange Tree Group where she directed Mr. Spacky… and The Mysterious Elephant… Up next, Carolyn will direct Clive Barker’s Life of Death for WildClaw Theatre in the fall. She has a BFA from Western Michigan University and an MFA from Indiana University-Bloomington. Andrew Nowack (Mike Hogan) Andrew Nowak is happy to be making his Seanachaí Theatre debut. Other Chicago credits include Frindle (Griffin Theatre), Iphigenia at Aulis (Lights Out Theatre Company), In Loco Parentis (Next Theatre), and The Teacher (The Neopolitans). Andrew recently received his B.A. from Columbia College Chicago for Theatre. Columbia credits include Equus, The Normal Heart, and Of Mice and Men. Andrew would like to thank Kevin, Mary Rose, and the rest of the cast and crew for this opportunity. Steve Pickering* (James Tyrone, Jr.) Steve Pickering is an award-winning actor, director, designer and playwright who has lived and worked in Chicago for over two decades. Most recently, he appeared as the Critic in Conor McPherson’s St. Nicholas here at A Moon for the Misbegotten 3
C A S T ( c o n t .) the Irish American Heritage Center, and in the world premiere of Ask Aunt Susan for the Goodman – one of over 30 productions for that theatre since 1987. A founding member of Shanghai Low Theatricals and an ensemble member with the Pine Box Theater, he is formerly the Artistic Director of the Next Theatre, and an Artistic Associate for the Organic. He has appeared on and off-Broadway, at the New York Shakespeare Festival in Central Park, and at many major regionals across the US. In 2005, he celebrated over 700 performances of Robert Falls’ Tony Award– winning production of Death of a Salesman opposite Brian Dennehy at the Goodman, on Broadway, for the National Tour, the Showtime Network, and in London’s West End. In 1997, he was named Chicago Magazine Actor of the Year. This summer he will direct Inherit The Wind at the Oak Park Theatre Festival, and Hamlet for the Houston Shakespeare Festival.
Stuart Ritter (T. Stedman Harder) Stuart is quite honored to be making his debut with Seanachaí Theatre Company. He is proud to be a company member of the Strange Tree Group, whose credits include the 2011 Joseph Jefferson Best Ensemble Citation for Shakespeare’s King Phycus. Other Chicago credits include Timeline Theatre Co., Provision Theatre Co., Village Players, Historical Perspectives for Children, Pretty Blue Sky, Rogue, Stage Left, Keyhole and The Mill. Hailing from Jenks, Oklahoma, Stuart received a B.A. in Theatre and Drama from Indiana University and a certificate in classical studies from LAMDA. He was an apprentice at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and ensemble member at Chamber Repertory Theatre of Boston, both of Massachusetts.
www.vincecookphoto.com 4 Seanachí Seanachi ad.indd 1
3/2/12 12:03:30 PM
PRODUCTION TEA M Eugene O’Neill (Playwright) Eugene Gladstone O’Neill was an American playwright and Nobel laureate in Literature. His poetically-titled plays were among the first to introduce into American drama techniques of realism. His plays were among the first to include speeches in American vernacular and involve characters on the fringes of society, where they struggle to maintain their hopes and aspirations, but ultimately slide into disillusionment and despair. O’Neill was born in a Broadway hotel room in 1888, in what is now known as Times Square. He was the son of Irish immigrant actor James O’Neill and Mary Ellen Quinlan. Seven years after vowing to devote his life to theatre, O’Neill’s first published play, Beyond the Horizon, opened on Broadway in 1920 to great acclaim, and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. His first major hit was The Emperor Jones, which ran on Broadway in 1920. His best-known plays include Anna Christie (Pulitzer Prize 1922), Desire Under the Elms (1924), Strange Interlude (Pulitzer Prize 1928), Mourning Becomes Electra (1931), and his only well-known comedy, Ah, Wilderness!, a wistful reimagining of his youth as he wished it had been. In 1936, he received the Nobel Prize for Literature. After a ten year pause, and suffering from multiple health problems (including depression and alcoholism), O’Neill wrote three largely autobiographical plays, The Iceman Cometh, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and A Moon for the Misbegotten. He managed to complete Moon for the Misbegotten in 1943, just before losing his ability to write due to the onset of a severe Parkinson’s-like tremor in his hands. O’Neill died in Room 401 of the Sheraton Hotel in Boston, on November 27, 1953, at the age of 65. As he was dying, he, in a barely audible whisper, spoke his last words: “I knew it. I knew it. Born in a hotel room, and God damn it, died in a hotel room.” Kevin Theis+* (Director) Kevin is a Seanachaí ensemble member and Moon for the Misbegotten marks the fourth production he has directed for the company. Previous Seanachaí directing credits include Helen
Edmundson’s The Clearing, Ann Noble’s The Pagans (Jeff Award, Best New Work) and Mary Fengar Gail’s Drink Me. Over the years he has directed six productions at City Lit Theatre (including Jeeves and the Mating Season), four for the Oak Park Festival (Henry V and Cyrano de Bergerac among them), three at Lifeline Theatre (most recently The Picture of Dorian Gray), as well as productions at CT20 Ensemble, greasy joan & co., the Michigan Shakespeare Festival and the Circus Tortellini. He has received three Jeff nominations for his directing work. Also an actor, Kevin has appeared in Seanachaí Theatre’s productions of Dancing at Lughnasa and The Weir. In addition, he is, along with Mr. Pickering, a founding member of Shanghai Low Theatricals, a company devoted to literary adaptations to the stage. Erin Diener+* (Stage Manager) Erin is excited to be back with Seanachaí for A Moon for the Misbegotten. Previous Seanachaí credits: That was Then, Dancing at Lughnasa and Mojo Mickybo. Other Chicago stage management credits include: Shining City, Private Lives, The Mystery of Irma Vep and On Golden Pond at Buffalo Theatre Ensemble; The Overwhelming, Dying City, and Well with Next Theatre Company; Love’s Labours Lost and Henry V with Lakeside Shakespeare; It’s a Wonderful Life with American Theatre Company; and Amelia Earhart: Jungle Princess with The New Colony. Prior to joining Actor’s Equity in October of 2008, Erin hailed from Indiana. Since graduating from St. Joseph’s College as a well-rounded member of the theatre industry, she has taken on a variety of positions all over the city, including, but not limited to, assistant stage manager at Next Theatre Company for The Adding Machine, Defiance, Fabulation, American Dream Songbook, and Miss Witherspoon, intern at Court and overhire carpentry for Chicago Shakespeare Theater, as well as Lookingglass Theatre Company. She hopes you enjoy your time with us and thanks her family and friends for all their love and support. A Moon for the Misbegotten 5
P R O D U C T I O N T E A M ( c o n t .) Ira Amyx+ (Co-Scenic Designer) Ira is a Chicago-based freelance artist, working in the art department of film production and as a theater practitioner - most recently performing the role of Noel in That Was Then for Seanachaí, for which he received a Jeff nomination. He directed and co-produced the world premiere of Shakespeare’s King Phycus at The Building Stage in 2010, winner of the Jeff Award for Best Ensemble. Ira performed in five seasons at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival; other favorite credits include Chris in All My Sons, Vladimir in Waiting For Godot, Owen in Translations, and James Tyrone, Jr. in A Moon For the Misbegotten. Ira serves on the board of MoFest, a Chicago area film festival featuring local filmmakers. Ira is co-owner of Hero Solutions, a prop, set and special effects studio serving the Chicagoland film community. He holds a B.A. in Dramatic Writing and Acting from Boise State University and an M.F.A. in acting from Indiana University. Merje Veski (Co-Scenic Designer) Merje Veski is freelance art director. She has worked in the film industry for over 13 years, designing sets for movies and decorating TV shows. Her credits include Last Rites of Joe May, Polish Bar, Contagion, Public Enemies, Source Code, and Merry Gentleman. For television, she worked on Boss and Prison Break. She has designed several shows for Trap Door Theatre, including Quills, Eva Peron, People Annihilation and for Pyewacket Theatre, Conversation and Gardens of Frau Hess. Julian Pike (Lighting Designer) Julian is a Chicago-based Freelance Lighting Designer who has worked with several companies over the years. Credits include companies such as: Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago Chamber Opera, Chicago Folk’s Operetta, Inaside Chicago Dance, Mordine & Co. Dance Theatre, Porchlight Music Theater, Griffin Theatre Company, The Strange Tree Group, Seanachaí Theatre Company, Pine Box Theatre, Wild Claw Theatre, and Bailiwick Chicago among others. Julian has an MFA in Theatrical Design & Technology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 6 Seanachí
Beth Laske-Miller (Costume Designer) Beth Laske-Miller is thrilled to be working with Seanachaí again! Beth previously designed costumes for Shadow of a Gunman and That Was Then. Other recent design credits include; the short film Citizen in the Temple directed by Jason Huls, Clue: The Musical for Greenroom Productions and the upcoming Take Her to See the Maco Lights at Prologue Theatre Co. Beth has also designed Pridelands, Fiddler on the Roof, The Jungle Book, and The Sound of Music for CYT Youth Theatre; Jekyll & Hyde, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Greenroom Productions; The Seagull and Joy of the Desolate at CalArts; and the short films Hot Java and Crashers in Los Angeles. She has also worked as a costume draper and stitcher at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Goodman Theatre & DePaul University Theatre. A Chicago native, she received her BA in Costume/Fashion Design from Indiana University-Bloomington and her MFA in Costume Design from CalArts. Victoria (Toy) DeIorio (Original Music and Sound Designer) Victoria is thrilled to be back with Seanachaí after having designed Shadow of a Gunman, War, and Bold Girls. OffBroadway Productions: Cassie’s Chimera – Joe’s Pub, The Public Theatre, The Bluest Eye – Steppenwolf Theatre @ The Duke Theatre, and Ophelia – NYC Fringe Festival. National Tour: Private Lives – LA Theatre Works. Regional: Northlight Theatre, Indiana Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, Center Stage, Chautauqua Theatre Company, Florida Stage, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Milwaukee Rep, and others. Chicago: Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, Writers’ Theatre, Next Theatre, Remy Bumppo, and countless other theatres in and around Chicago, NY, and LA. She has been nominated for 10 and has received 6 Joseph Jefferson Awards, as well as 2 After Dark Awards. She is the head of Sound Design for The Theatre School at DePaul University. For more information visit www.victoria-sound-design.com.
Seanachaí Thanks Our Northwest Side Restaurant Partners
Shokran Authentic Morroccan Cuisine 4027 W. Irving Park Rd. 773-427-9130
Trattoria Porretta Ristorante 3656 N. Central Ave. 773.736.1429
Gale Street Inn 4914 N. Milwaukee 773.725.1300
Hot Woks Cool Sushi 3930 N. Pulaski Rd. 773.282.1818
Sabatino’s Italian Cuisine 4441 W Irving Park Road Chicago (773) 283-8331
Café Soroni Vegetarian Cuisine 4945 N. Milwaukee 773.736.1800
Eli’s Cheesecake Chicago Delicious Cheesecake, Widely Sold elischeesecake.com Seanachaí would like to honor and recommend these restaurants as culinary artists, as well as strong participators and supporters of the arts movement on the northwest side.
P R O D U C T I O N T E A M ( c o n t .) Barbara Zahora (Dialect Designer) Barbara is delighted to be working with Seanachaí again, after having had the pleasure of working on their beautiful production of The Weir. She has served as dialect coach on several Chicago area productions, including Henry V and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Lakeside Shakespeare), The Autumn Garden (Eclipse Theatre), The Collector (Livewire Theatre), Toys in the Attic (Blindfaith Theatre), The Glass Menagerie (New World Repertory Theatre), Sex in the Title (First Street Playhouse) and Smash (Oakton Community College). As an actor, she has performed this season at ShawChicago in both Androcles and the Lion and Coward in Two Keys. Other credits include Shakespeare’s Globe in London, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, Writers’ Theatre, Northlight, Lookingglass, Illinois Theatre Center and Oak Park Festival Theatre. She’s currently the
8 Seanachí
Associate Artistic Director of The Shakespeare Project of Chicago (www.shakespeareprojectchicago. org) and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Jeri Frederickson+ (Dramaturg) is proud to be working with Seanachaí again-this time as an ensemble member! She was recently the Assistant Director and Dramaturg for Shadow of a Gunman (Seanachaí). She will next be stage managing the Lifeline kid’s series Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed. Recent credits include: AD and Dramaturg for Romeo and Juliet (First Folio) and Director as part of Cut to the Chase Festival at Artistic Home. Stage management credits include St. Nicholas (SEP), Blithe Spirit (First Folio), The Chicago Landmark Project and The Water Engine (Theatre Seven). She graduated with a B.A. in Theatre and Writing from Hope College. Erin and Babs, you are my rockstars.