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joe2 dishes out Cake and other theatre goodies

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EVIL DEAD returns to THE CITY THEATRE

October 4th, 2011 by admin
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It’s BAAAAACK…EVIL DEAD: The Musical (presented by The Ringwald – Who Wants Cake Theatre? and Olympia Entertaintment) returns with a new team, cast, and crew (goodies, newbies, and returnees!). Performances begin THIS Friday and run through OCTOBER 29 (on Thurs/Fri/Sat 8pm at THE CITY THEATRE). Tickets are $25 (Splatter Zone FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!) For RESERVATIONS: http://OlympiaEntertainment.com/, Ticketmaster – Charge by Phone 800.745.3000, or you can purchase with NO service charge at the box office, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary of the 1981 film, which premiered in DETROIT, this campy, comedic, and gory musical parodies horrific yet iconic movies of the decade. Based on Sam Raimi’s 80′s cult classic films, Evil Dead: The Musical unearths the old familiar story: boy and friends take a weekend getaway at abandoned cabin, boy expects to get lucky, boy unleashes ancient evil spirit, friends turn into Candarian Demons, boy fights until dawn to survive. As musical mayhem descends upon this sleepover in the woods, “camp” takes on a whole new meaning with uproarious numbers like “All the Men in my Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons”, “What the F&%* Was That?” and “Do the Necronomicon”.

This year features:

Pete Podolski – Ash
Tim Kay – Scott
David Schoen – Jake
Thalia Schramm – Linda
Tara Tomcsik – Shelley/Annie
Dez Walker – Ed/Moose/Professor
Molly Zaleski – Cheryl

Director – Michelle LeRoy
Producer – Jamie Warrow
Stage Manager – Heather Puchalski
Music Director – Geff Phillips
Choreographer – Molly Zaleski
Costume Designer – Vince Kelley
Set Designer – Tommy LeRoy
Fight Choreographer – Adam Barnowski
Back Stage Crew Head /Performer – David Woitulewicz

 

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SISSIES trailer

October 4th, 2011 by admin
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we closed Southern Baptist Sissies on September 26 and it was an amazing run! thank you to the audiences who came out to see it. i realized i never posted a trailer….so for those of you who missed it, check it out below!


 

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The Ringwald’s 2011/2012 Season Poster

September 3rd, 2011 by admin
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Click for LARGER View

 

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MERCURY FUR wins BEST DRAMA in The Rogue’s Gallery!

September 3rd, 2011 by admin
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Mercury Fur: BEST DRAMA WINNER in The 2011 Rogue's Gallery

there is a new batch of theatre awards in town from the amazing Rogue Critic called The Rogue’s Gallery. i previously announced all the nominees HERE and this past week the winners were announced. super DUPER excited that Mercury Fur won BEST DRAMA!

here is what the Rogue had to say about the production:

“…Mercury Fur gained the edge in attention to tone: the same care taken to make the viewer like its characters deepened the smack of its depraved and terrifying climax.”

check out all the winners HERE and make sure to follow the Rogue as she reviews darn near every show in the Detroit area!!!

 

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WWC? wins 5 WILDE AWARDS!

August 27th, 2011 by admin
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wow, it was indeed a WILDE night on wednesday when Who Wants Cake? received 5 statues at this year’s Wilde Awards. the awards are put on by EncoreMichigan.com and Pridesource Media (who publish Between the Lines). this is their 10th year of the awards and we were thrilled to go into it with 14 nominations. take a look at the WWC? winners below and check out the full list of winners HERE.

Best Actress in LGBT Themed Play - Suzan M. Jacokes, The Little Dog Laughed

Best Actor in LGBT Themed Play - Joe Plambeck, Love! Valour! Compassion!

Best Actor in a Comedy - Joel Mitchell, Christmas on Mars

Best Design, Lights - Joe Plambeck, Mercury Fur

Best LGBT Themed Play - Mercury Fur, Joe Plambeck - Director

 

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THE SISSIES ARE BACK!

August 19th, 2011 by admin
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i am SO excited that we are bringing Del Shores’ Southern Baptist Sissies back. it has always been a show near to my heart and i love playing Andrew so very much. the story is incredible and people seem to be really moved by it. i am especially thrilled that we have built up an audience who may not have seen it back when we first opened. and we have some new cast members so folks who saw it before will be able to experience it fresh, as well! for anyone who doesn’t know much about the story, check out the synopsis below. also there are a few press shots for you to check out! click HERE to get your reservations!

Del Shores’ play follows the journey of four gay boys in the Baptist Church. Storyteller Mark Lee Fuller tries to create a world of love and acceptance in the church and clubs of Dallas, Texas, while desperately trying to find a place to put his own pain and rage. The world Mark creates also includes two older barflies, Peanut and Odette, whose banter takes the audience from hysterical laughter to tragedy and tears. With a theme of religion clashing with sexuality, the play opened to rave reviews in Los Angeles during its original run and became the most awarded play of the year.

With a theme of religion clashing with sexuality, the play opened to rave reviews in Los Angeles during its original run in 2000 and became the most awarded play of the year, winning the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding LA Theater Production, as well as multiple LA Weekly Theater Awards, Los Angeles Critics Awards, Ovation Awards, Backstage West Garland Awards and Robby Awards.

 

Southern Baptist Sissies (2011) - Publicity Shot 2Southern Baptist Sissies (2011) - Publicity Shot 1Southern Baptist Sissies (2011) - Publicity Shot 3

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2011 ROGUE’S GALLERY includes 10 NOMS FOR Who Wants Cake?

August 15th, 2011 by admin
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2011 Rogue GalleryThe Rogue Critic is amazing. she watched about 140 shows in the past 12 months, of which about 105 were eligible for consideration, and 77 received nominations. she has now compiled a first ever “Best Of” called The Rogue’s Gallery. Who Wants Cake? was thrilled to receive 10 nominations! our neighbors, Go Comedy! Improv Theater received 6 nominations (including some for the show i directed there, ROGOCOP! The Musical) and our friends at Sweet Love Productions got 2 nominations for their holiday show at The Ringwald, F$$$ The Holidays. Check out the selected nominations below and check out the complete list HERE. winners will be announced in the beginning of September.

2011 Rogue’s Gallery
Nominations for Who Wants Cake?
& Go Comedy! Improv Theater, and SweetLove Production
s


Best Drama
Mercury Fur - Director, Joe Plambeck – Who Wants Cake?

Best Musical
ROGOCOP! The Musical - Director, Joe Plambeck – Go Comedy!

Original Production
Best Damn Holiday Show - Go Comedy!
F$$$ the Holidays - SweetLove Productions
Ferndale 2-4-8
- Go Comedy!

Costume Design
Tommy LeRoy, ROGOCOP! The Musical - Go Comedy!

Choreography (Movement or Fight)
Dave Early, Mercury Fur – Who Wants Cake?

Best Rogue (aka Best Villain)
Bryan Lark, ROGOCOP! The Musical- Go Comedy!

Lead Actor (Drama)
Joe Bailey, Shining City – Who Wants Cake?

Supporting Actor (Drama)
Alex D. Hill, Mercury Fur – Who Wants Cake?
Joe Plambeck, Love! Valour! Compassion! - Who Wants Cake?

Lead Actress (Comedy)
Lisa Jesswein, The House of Blue Leaves – Who Wants Cake?

Lead Actor (Comedy)
Joel Mitchell, Christmas on Mars - Who Wants Cake?

Supporting Actor (Comedy)
Joe Hingelberg, F$$$ the Holidays – SweetLove Productions

Lead Actor (Musical)
Mitchell Koory, Evil Dead: The Musical - Who Wants Cake? & City Theatre

Supporting Actress (Musical)
Christa Coulter, Evil Dead: The Musical - Who Wants Cake? & City Theatre
Allyson Ortwein, Evil Dead: The Musical - Who Wants Cake? & City Theatre


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READER POLL: Which production are you most looking forward to in the 11-12 Season?

August 4th, 2011 by admin
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View Results

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Who Wants Cake? announces 5TH SEASON (2011-2012)

August 3rd, 2011 by admin
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Who Wants Cake? announces 5th Season! (click for LARGER view!)

Who Wants Cake? is thrilled to announce its line-up of productions for the upcoming 2011-2012 season.  Our 5th full season kicks off with a returning favorite, and continues with a hit musical, a holiday staple, a world premiere and, of course, men in women’s clothing!

Returning to popular genres while exploring new territory, the new season promises to take Who Wants Cake? to new, artistic heights!  All productions are to be performed at The Ringwald Theatre, located at 22742 Woodward Avenue in downtown Ferndale. For more information and to find out about ticket reservations, please call 248-545-5545 or visit us online at: www.WhoWantsCakeTheatre.com!

September 9-September 26, 2011
Southern Baptist Sissies by Del Shores

To commemorate our 5th season, we are bringing back our first big hit!  To this day, people ask when we’re bringing it back and here it is!  Del Shores’ play follows the journey of four gay boys in the Baptist Church. Storyteller Mark Lee Fuller tries to create a world of love and acceptance in the church and clubs of Dallas, Texas, while desperately trying to find a place to put his own pain and rage. The world Mark creates also includes two older barflies, Peanut and Odette, whose banter takes the audience from hysterical laughter to tragedy and tears. With a theme of religion clashing with sexuality, the play opened to rave reviews in Los Angeles during its original run and became the most awarded play of the year.

October 14-November 7, 2011
Hedwig and the Angry Inch Text by John Cameron Mitchell, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Trask

This groundbreaking Obie-winning Off-Broadway smash also won multiple awards for its hit film adaptation. It tells the story of “internationally ignored song stylist” Hedwig Schmidt (played by Vince Kelley), an East German rock ‘n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just “an angry inch.” This outrageous and unexpectedly hilarious story is dazzlingly performed by Hedwig (née Hansel) in the form of a rock gig/stand-up comedy routine backed by the hard-rocking band “The Angry Inch.” It’s a rocking ride, funny, touching and ultimately inspiring to anyone who has felt life gave them an inch when they deserved a mile.

November 25-December 19, 2011
Silent Night of the Lambs by Ryan Landry

A twisted take on two classic tales! Silent Night of the Lambs mixes one part thriller (The Silence of the Lambs) and one part holiday TV special (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer) to create a twisted recipe. Rudolph’s daughter Clarice is all grown-up. She’s an FBI agent on the biggest case of her life. To enter the mind of a serial killer she must challenge the mind of a madman- a fat, jolly, bowlful of jelly madman (played by Dave Davies). Can she find The Skinner before he kills again without losing her sanity?

December 21-23, 2011
The SantaLand Diaries and Season’s Greetings by David Sedaris, adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello

The delightful anti-holiday treat makes its return to the Ringwald stage for three performances only!

January 14-January 30, 2012
Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner

Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer prize-winning opus comes to The Ringwald in a stirring production!
“Daring and dazzling! The most ambitious American play of our time: an epic that ranges from earth to heaven; focuses on politics, sex and religion; transports us to Washington, the Kremlin, the South Bronx, Salt Lake City and Antarctica; deals with Jews, Mormons, WASPs, blacks; switches between realism and fantasy, from the tragedy of AIDS to the camp comedy of drag queens to the death or at least the absconding of God.” –Newsweek
Featuring Richard Payton, Matthew Turner Shelton, Jon Ager, and Laurel Hufano.

February 17-March 12, 2012
It’s Liz-a-Palooza!
Elizabeth the Beautiful by Kim Carney
Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams

In honor of Elizabeth Taylor’s birth month, Who Wants Cake? presents two unique looks at both her life and one of her most famous roles.
In Elizabeth the Beautiful, acclaimed playwright Kim Carney tells the story of the famous actress and the significance (or insignificance) her beauty had on her life and her many loves.
Starring Joe Bailey as Elizabeth Taylor.
Suddenly Last Summer is the sordid tale of what is possibly the worst summer vacation ever.
Starring Marke Sobolewski as Catherine, the role played by Elizabeth Taylor in the acclaimed film.
These two shows will run in repertory.

March 30-April 22, 2012
Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet

At one of Hollywood’s hottest studios, Charlie Fox has a terrific vehicle for a currently hot client. Bringing the script to his friend Bobby Gould, the newly appointed Head of Production, both see the work as their ticket to the Big Time. The star wants to do it; and they prepare their pitch to the studio boss.  Throw into the mix a temp who may or may not be all that she seems, a sexy bet, and a book about radiation and Speed-the-Plow is the perfect Mamet concoction!
Starring Jamie Warrow as Bobby Gould.

May 11-June 4, 2012
The Divine Sister by Charles Busch

This outrageous comedy pays homage to nearly every Hollywood film involving nuns. Evoking such films as The Song of Bernadette, The Bells of St. Mary’s, The Singing Nun and Agnes of God, The Divine Sister tells the story of St. Veronica’s indomitable Mother Superior (played by Joe Bailey) who is determined to build a new school for her Pittsburgh convent. Along the way, she has to deal with a young postulant who is experiencing “visions,” sexual hysteria among her nuns, a sensitive schoolboy in need of mentoring, a mysterious nun visiting from the Mother House in Berlin, and a former suitor intent on luring her away from her vows.  This madcap trip through Hollywood religiosity evokes the wildly comic but affectionately observed theatrical style of the creator of Die! Mommie! Die! and Psycho Beach Party.

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GOLDEN reviews for THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND!

July 25th, 2011 by admin
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Thank You For Being a Friend is now playing at The Ringwald (through August 15th!) and the reviews have hit! take a look at the awesome thoughts on the show from our awesome local critics! and get your tickets HERE before it’s too late!!!

“…Those who connect with gleeful evisceration as the highest form of flattery should not be disappointed. The production is well in keeping with its thoroughly dirty text, not to be evaluated as an art form, but merely played for shrieking, shocking laughs.”
Carolyn Hayes, Rogue Critic – Click HERE for full review

Button

“…a raucously delicious production that both pokes fun at and celebrates the long-running comedy that’s still loved by gays and straights alike thanks to endless reruns on cable TV.”
Donald V. Calamia, Encore Michigan – Click HERE for full review

http://www2.metrotimes.com/sb/162691/Wonder-Twins.jpg

“I laughed so much. I loved the show, but I never laughed as hard at any televised episode as I did at this musical…I seriously thought I was going to pee my pants. The whole crowed was in stitches. In retrospect, they should really hand out Depends at the door.”
The Wonder Twins, Metro Times – Click HERE for full review


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GOLDEN GIRLS musical now at THE RINGWALD!!

July 18th, 2011 by admin
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it’s been ages, i know! between directing ROGOCOP! The Musical at Go Comedy! and acting in Thank You For Being a Friend at The Ringwald, i’ve been uber busy. we are nearing the close of our opening weekend of the Golden Girls musical and it has been awesome! check out the trailer below and hurry and get your tickets HERE before it’s too late!!!

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GPS – Meet the Playwright – Brian Walker

June 16th, 2011 by admin
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Take a moment to get to know Brian Walker, playwright of the one act play,  I Had to Meet You Like This Here (Again) (One More Time) selected to show as a part of the second annual Gay Play Series at The Ringwald Theatre.

You can catch I Had to Meet You Like This Here (Again) (One More Time) on Sunday, June 19th at 3PM, Saturday, June 25th at 8pm, or Sunday, June 26th at 5PM. Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE

Brian Walker, Playwright of I HAD TO MEET YOU LIKE THIS HERE (AGAIN) (ONE MORE TIME)

You have 100 words to tell us everything about yourself. Go!

I am a playwright and artistic director of Louisville, KY based Finnigan Productions, now in it’s 7th season.  I created a festival in Louisville called Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun (we just finished the fourth):  a celebration of local theatre artists showcasing scripts from local playwrights.  I have a dog named Rosie and a cat named Bogie which I adore, I like traveling, Star Trek, Pixie Sticks and am committed to theatre and creating it and seeing it and keeping it alive and vital.

In one sentence, tell us what your play is all about:

I had to meet you… is about two fellas that meet at a booth house on a regular basis for a little hanky-panky and they want to fall in love because they are really into each other but they’re just not sure it’ll ever happen.

How long have you been writing plays?

I’ve been writing plays since high school but really started committing myself to it about six years ago.

Why is this play important to you?

This play is important to me because I believe that the universe puts people together for a reason and regardless the circumstances of the meeting you should never deny yourself the opportunity to be in love (even if it is brief…).

What was the inspiration for writing your script?

We’ll just say I was an adventurous young gay and I used to find myself in all sorts of establishments and situations and they now serve as a never ending source of inspiration and amusement.

Is this the first script of yours to get produced?

No, but it is my first script to be produced in Detroit (which is where I was born!).

What are you most looking forward to in regards to the GPS experience?

I can’t wait to see my script on stage!  I also can’t wait to see all of the other scripts, meet the other playwrights and theatre artists and hang with my boys, The Joes.

To see all available playwright interviews, click HERE
Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE
For complete line-up and details, click HERE


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GPS – Meet the Playwright – Daniel Talbott

June 16th, 2011 by admin
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Take a moment to get to know Daniel Talbott, playwright of the one act play, What Happened When, selected to show as a part of the second annual Gay Play Series at The Ringwald Theatre.

You can catch What Happened When on Saturday, June 18th at 8PM, Friday, June 24th at 8pm, or Sunday, June 26th at 1PM. Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE

Daniel Talbott, Playwright of WHAT HAPPENED WHEN

You have 100 words to tell us everything about yourself. Go!

I live in Brooklyn with my wife Addie and son Bailey and am an actor, director, playwright, one of the lit managers at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, and the artistic director of Rising Phoenix Rep.

In one sentence, tell us what your play is all about:

As two brothers wait for the snow to start falling outside, an unraveling of memory and secrets begins that will hopefully lead to the beginning of a life for one and a release into death for the other.

How long have you been writing plays?

I wrote my first play Dillon the summer before I moved to New York and started Juilliard in 1998, and have been trying to write as many plays as I can since.

Why is this play important to you?

I’m not always sure why a play is important to me or why I start to write about certain people or about certain things, but I think this play has a lot of my family in it and is about my brothers and sisters who are all some of the most important people in my life: especially Heather, Dayna, Jeremy, Brandi, Shana, Brett, Cameron.

What was the inspiration for writing your script?

This was a really hard play for me to write, and I just got the image of a brother in the middle of the night surrounded by ice and snow and haunted by his older brother who, along with his sister, was everything to him in life. I’ve always been greatly influenced by my relationship with my brothers and my sisters, and by the places we traveled to and grew up in. I spent a lot of my life living here and there in small towns all across the country, and have always been extremely interested in what goes on behind closed doors in the old, rundown houses that are scattered throughout America. This play is especially influenced by the time I spent in and around Sonora, California, and by the people who came in and out of our lives and the scene we were forced to be a part of. A lot of this play is fiction, some is closer to fact, but it all comes from the endless storytelling that we were privy to on the beds of rivers, on the rocky edges of lakes, walking to and from Crystal Falls, driving all over Tuolumne County, and at countless barbeques and bonfires held in all our backyards. We would always laugh, but they often played out like ghost stories–mostly about other people’s misfortunes, bizarre coincidences, and the many deaths that occurred while we lived there.

Is this the first script of yours to get produced?

This was my first play produced in New York but I consider it my second or third play, and I’m so excited and honored that you guys are making it a part of this years’ festival.

What are you most looking forward to in regards to the GPS experience?

I’m so excited to have something of mine included in the festival, and in Detroit for the first time.  I always love when a theatre takes a risk on someone and something they don’t know, and when some of your work is brought into a community and you feel like you’re getting to share something hard and personal with a bunch of new people from far away. It’s a really cool feeling and is one of the big reasons I love regional theatre and how interconnected theatre is all over the country, and I wish I was going to get to come out and see it.

To see all available playwright interviews, click HERE
Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE
For complete line-up and details, click HERE


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GPS – Meet the Playwright – Jason Sebacher

June 15th, 2011 by admin
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Take a moment to get to know Jason Sebacher, playwright of the one act play, A Few Survivors, selected to show as a part of the second annual Gay Play Series at The Ringwald Theatre.

You can catch A Few Survivors on Sunday, June 19th at 3PM, Saturday, June 25th at 8pm, or Sunday, June 26th at 5PM. Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE

Jason Sebacher, Playwright of A FEW SURVIVORS

You have 100 words to tell us everything about yourself. Go!

Jason is a founding member of the Ann Arbor-based theatre company, The New Theatre Project.  He was written nearly twenty plays, which have been seen in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and New York City.  He received a BA in English Literature from Albion College, studied John Milton’s juvenilia at the Newberry Library, has taught high school English through Teach for America, and is currently a MFA Dramatic Writing candidate at Carnegie Mellon University.

In one sentence, tell us what your play is all about:

Mr. Robert Such, an impossibly-old Victorian, has unfortunately lost everything, including his wife, his country, and his sanity; whilst in mourning, Robert’s lover arrives unannounced and without a formal invitation to give him one last chance at happiness.

How long have you been writing plays?

Since the summer of 2006.

Why is this play important to you?

This play explores questions which help me understand homosexuals’ disenfranchised place in society today through the historic and comic lens.

What was the inspiration for writing your script?

My simultaneous love and disgust of Victorian culture.  A fascination, really.

Is this the first script of yours to get produced?

No.

What are you most looking forward to in regards to the GPS experience?

I’m eager to make connections with a theatre that I admire and that does good work, and to work with people whose artistic visions harmonize with my own.

To see all available playwright interviews, click HERE
Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE
For complete line-up and details, click HERE


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GPS – Meet the Playwright – Rich Orloff

June 15th, 2011 by admin
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Take a moment to get to know Rich Orloff, playwright of the one act play, Vowed and Wowed, selected to show as a part of the second annual Gay Play Series at The Ringwald Theatre.

You can catch Vowed and Wowed on Sunday, June 19th at 3PM, Saturday, June 25th at 8pm, or Sunday, June 26th at 5PM. Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE

Rich Orloff, playwright of VOWED AND WOWED

You have 100 words to tell us everything about yourself. Go!

Although I’ve written a dozen full-length comedies (most of which have won awards and had multiple productions – more at my website), I’m better known for my short comedies.  Playscripts has published 70 of my short plays in eight collections, and they’ve had over 700 productions around the world.  During June, my short comedy That Bitch is being performed at Fancy Pants Theatre’s Gayla Festival in Kalamazoo, and my short comedy Tough Cookie is being produced at Pink Banana Theatre in Milwaukee, while my full-length comedy Romantic Fools is in its seventh month in Madrid.  It’s a good month!

In one sentence, tell us what your play is all about:

The comedy Vowed and Wowed is about a romantic triangle, in which a woman has to choose between her spouse (a soldier recently returned from Afghanistan) and her secret lover (with whom she began a torrid affair while the spouse was away).  Oh, all three characters in this triangle are women.

How long have you been writing plays?

I wrote my first play when I was 11.  Before then, I was a complete goof-off.

Why is this play important to you?

I shun the word “important”; I just like to write smart, engaging plays.  If someone else finds them important, so much the better!

What was the inspiration for writing your script?

I’m currently writing a collection of ten short plays with all-female casts, called Female Persuasion.  Some of the plays are my own ideas, while others are contemporary adaptations of classic short plays.  As I researched material, I found a 1919 short comedy by A.A. Milne about a romantic triangle set after World War I.  As I read it, I thought, hey, now that women serve in combat and can marry in some states, this could be placed in the present as a female triangle.  I was immediately smitten with the idea, which is a great place for a playwright to start.

Is this the first script of yours to get produced?

Nope.

What are you most looking forward to in regards to the GPS experience?

Simply put, I hope audiences have a blast watching it, laughing heartily and smiling at the play’s twists.  I like taking audiences for a fun ride.

To see all available playwright interviews, click HERE
Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE
For complete line-up and details, click HERE


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GPS – Meet the Playwright – Matt Heftler

June 15th, 2011 by admin
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Take a moment to get to know Matt Heftler, playwright of the one act play, Reluctant Hero , selected to show as a part of the second annual Gay Play Series at The Ringwald Theatre.

You can catch Reluctant Hero on Saturday, June 18th at 8PM, Friday, June 24th at 8pm, or Sunday, June 26th at 1PM. Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE

Matt Heftler, playwright of RELUCTANT HERO

You have 100 words to tell us everything about yourself. Go!

Matt Heftler’s script Brief Exchange has been produced at regional theatres all over the country.  His play LD has been performed at NYC theaters, Gene Frankel, and Cherry Lane and in London  by the company  “Mis fits.” His  play Falling from the Sky was part of the Turnip Festival in NYC and won a national contest from The Chameleon Theatre Group.  His other plays were performed at New York City Festivals; Samuel French, Medicine Show, E.S.T., Raint Strawberry,  ESPA@ Primary Stages and Native Aliens.  He’s been with the same partner, Bill for close to eighteen years and he is an associate member of Dramatist Guild.

In one sentence, tell us what your play is all about:

The play is about an unsung tragic hero of the gay movement named Oliver “Billy” Sipple.

How long have you been writing plays?

I’ve been writing plays since high school.

Why is this play important to you?

I feel that Billy Sipple’s story has a great significance to today’s society . Certain liberties  that we take for granted were not  available during Billy’s time and he suffered because of it.  I wanted to dramatize what it was like to be a semi closeted  gay man during  mid 70’s.

What was the inspiration for writing your script?

I was drawn to the story by two things, the sweet innocents of Mr. Sipple character  and injustice he faced.

Is this the first script of yours to get produced?

No, I’ve had many plays produced all over the country and in London. But this production will be the world premiere of  Reluctant Hero.

What are you most looking forward to in regards to the GPS experience?

To have the best production of the play!

To see all available playwright interviews, click HERE
Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE
For complete line-up and details, click HERE

 

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GPS – Meet the Playwright – Anson Mount

June 14th, 2011 by admin
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Take a moment to get to know Anson Mount, playwright of the one act play, Love Liza? , selected to show as a part of the second annual Gay Play Series at The Ringwald Theatre.

You can catch Love Liza? on Saturday, June 18th at 8PM, Friday, June 24th at 8pm,  or Sunday, June 26th at 1PM. Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE

Anson Mount, playwright of LOVE LIZA?

You have 100 words to tell us everything about yourself. Go!

Anson Mount is a professional actor working in stage, film and television.  His film credits include Tully, Poolhall Junkies, City By The Sea, CrossroadsIn Her Shoes, the upcoming Safe opposite Jason Statham and Hick with Blake Lively and Alec Baldwin.  Anson originated the role of Joshua in Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi at the Manhattan Theater Club in 1998 and has continued his stage career since then.  You can see him as the leading character Cullen Bohannon this Fall in AMC’s new series western Hell on Wheels.

In one sentence, tell us what your play is all about:

Set in a near future state, our mild-mannered hero is in the middle of an INS hearing attempting to convince the agent that his marriage to a Canadian drag queen is legitimate.

How long have you been writing plays?

I suppose I’ve been writing plays for a little over three years.  I began with a full length farce based on Our Town which I wrote for an experimental Danish theater company.  I decided to make it about an left-wing experimental company wanting to deconstruct American economic and political structures.  They turned it down because, as it turned out, that was exactly what they were trying to do.  They didn’t like the idea of being lampooned.

Why is this play important to you?

Prop 8 pissed me off.  Plain and simple.  My father marched with Dr. King and I supposed I inherited the “liberal cause” gene.  At any rate, it occurred to me that, even if Prop 8 hadn’t passed, it would only have been the beginning of this chapter in discriminatory history.

What was the inspiration for writing your script?

As I thought about Prop 8 and its implications for our generation, I thought it might be interesting to see Green Card remade today and to do it with a gay slant.  Around this time a good friend sent me this absolutely hilarious classified ad from Craigslist.  It exists verbatim towards the end of my play and it became the seed around which the rest of the idea grew.

Is this the first script of yours to get produced?

As a matter of fact it is.  Couldn’t be more thrilled.

What are you most looking forward to in regards to the GPS experience?

Well, first of all, I’m hoping that I can just make it in to see the show.  Right now I’m shooting in Calgary and all my waking hours are spent either on a horse or in fight choreography.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to find some time and shoot down there.  If I do, and you like the play, please say ‘hello’.

To see all available playwright interviews, click HERE
Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE
For complete line-up and details, click HERE


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GPS – Meet the Playwright – Ron Morelli

June 14th, 2011 by admin
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Take a moment to get to know Ron Morelli, playwright of the one act play, My Cup Bearer Runneth Off, selected to show as a part of the second annual Gay Play Series at The Ringwald Theatre.

You can catch My Cup Bearer Runneth Off on Saturday, June 18th at 8PM, Friday, June 24th at 8pm,  or Sunday, June 26th at 1PM. Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE

Ron Morelli, playwright of MY CUP BEARER RUNNETH OFF

You have 100 words to tell us everything about yourself. Go!

Male.  5’8. Brown hair, hazel toffee eyes.  I enjoy men with fresh breath who know the value of daily grooming.  My parents are dead, so no fear of obnoxious in-laws.  Must like animals, but not in the sickee kind of way.  Prefer my height or taller.

In one sentence, tell us what your play is all about:

You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need.

How long have you been writing plays?

I began last September, actually.  A friend, Audra, recommended I take a playwriting class at Oakland University taught by Kitty Dubin, who’s the playwright in residence at the Jet.  This is the second play I wrote during my time in her class.

Why is this play important to you?

I view my writing projects as children.  Writing is very much a process of birth.  The conception of it is fun but then there’s a hard labor process involving copious amounts of weeping, yelling at people and drugs.  So, when something I’ve “birthed” gets picked up for production it’s like my kid has gotten into college and decided not to become a drop-out crack whore living out in L.A. who’s in a “band.”

What was the inspiration for writing your script?

I was sleeping around with a D-list actor who felt he was really A-list despite the clear and present reality of his situation.  This is my way of saying all the things he wouldn’t listen to and being able to move onwards from the experience.

Is this the first script of yours to get produced?

Yes and no.  For four years I had a monthly show at iO West, which is a theatre out in West Hollywood.  I’d send sketches in, they’d pick two to put up for the show I wrote for.

For plays, this would be my first playwriting script that’s produced.  It’s also being produced by Native Aliens theatrical productions out in NYC the same week as the GPS.  So it’s been very flattering to send out a script for the first time to two theatres for their gay play festivals, have both theatres pick the script up and produce them at the exact same time.

What are you most looking forward to in regards to the GPS experience?

There’s so many things.  First just being part of a LGBT-themed production and bringing together LGBT artists and their straight allies.  Then there’s the chance of having that insane preacher with the white shirt and black tie who screams about God punishing gays at every Michigan Pride event coming in.  You know, the one who makes his young kids hold up hate signs of white poster board with black Sharpie messages scrawled over it.  He just needs a good laugh.  Maybe a hug.  Maybe a good laugh and a hug from a hot leather top daddy.  And lastly sex.  Everyone knows writing a play for GPS means muscle bear seduction.  For some reason muscular, hairy dudes with buzz cuts get their Under Armour panties moist at the prospect of getting it on with a playwright.  Just ask Joyce Carol Oates.  She gets never-ending bear tail.

To see all available playwright interviews, click HERE
Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE
For complete line-up and details, click HERE

 

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the GIRLS are coming this summer!

June 13th, 2011 by admin
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check out an exclusive sneak peek at the girls from this summer’s musical parody, Thank You For Being A Friend. this hilarious unauthorized spoof of The Golden Girls opens on July 16th and tickets can now be purchased HERE. take a peek at the ladies below and watch for more information later this week!!!

The GIRLS of Thank You For Being a Friend

 

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GPS – Meet the Playwright – Allison Fradkin

June 13th, 2011 by admin
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Take a moment to get to know Allison Fradkin, playwright of the one act play, Our Little Lezzie, selected to show as a part of the second annual Gay Play Series at The Ringwald Theatre.

You can catch Our Little Lezzie on Saturday, June 18th at 8PM, Friday, June 24th at 8pm,  or Sunday, June 26th at 1PM. Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE

Allison Fradkin, Playwright of OUR LITTLE LEZZIE

You have 100 words to tell us everything about yourself. Go!

I have a degree in Women’s Studies from SUNY Purchase College. As Editor of Off the Rocks, an annual anthology of GLBT writing published by NewTown Writers Chicago, my life is rich in glitz and grammar. In addition, I teach drama, perform in community theatre, and serve as the Literary Coordinator of Pride Films and Plays’ Women’s Work writing contest. In other words, I’m a drama queen. My Sapphic stage plays have been featured in festivals such as Girl Play (The Women’s Theatre Project), SlamBoston (Another Country Productions), Queer Shorts (StageQ), and Page-to-Stage (The Kennedy Center). I also collect rubber ducks.

In one sentence, tell us what your play is all about:

When Missy tells her parents she’s a lesbian, their reaction is… well, queer, especially when they begin making preparations for their daughter’s coming out party, a celebration they delightfully dub The Dykeutante Ball.

How long have you been writing plays?

Almost ten years.

Why is this play important to you?

I often see plays that explore what it’s like to be young and gay and male, but I don’t often see plays that explore what it’s like to be young and lesbian and female. I wanted to give those girls a chance to be heard loud and queer. I also wanted to portray a positive parental reaction to a child’s coming out, because there can and should be a celebratory aspect to it.

What was the inspiration for writing your script?

I had a gay old time writing Our Little Lezzie, which is inspired by classic sitcoms and religious fundamentalists.

Is this the first script of yours to get produced?

No, but this is the first script of mine to be produced in Michigan.

What are you most looking forward to in regards to the GPS experience?

The audience reaction—it’s mildly petrifying watching a production of a play I’ve written, because I can’t predict how it will be received. Yet it’s also unbelievably awesome to see my work live! onstage! in 3-D! I’m excited to see how the script transitioned from the page to the stage—it’ll be fascinating to see how the director and actors interpreted the material.

To see all available playwright interviews, click HERE
Make your reservations for GPS by clicking HERE
For complete line-up and details, click HERE

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