“A funny and smart drama that both dazzles and decimates”
Recently, one of the hottest tickets on Broadway and a 2012 Tony nominee, Other Desert Cities opens on the Providence Players stage at the James Lee Community Center Theater March 13-28th. This latest play from Pulitzer Prize finalist Jon Robin Baitz (creator of TV’s Brothers & Sisters) is a funny and smart drama filled with witty repartee that both dazzles and decimates. Brooke Wyeth returns to her politically conservative parents’ glamorous Palm Springs home to spend the holidays with them. But the warm desert air turns chilly when news of her upcoming memoir threatens to revive the most painful chapter of the family’s history. Perception and reality battle love and mercy as old family wounds are reopened, childhood memories are tested, and the Wyeth clan learns that some secrets can’t stay buried forever. Full of both humorous and deeply felt moments, Other Desert Cities brings dysfunctional family drama to new heights. The New York Times called Other Desert Cities “the best new play on Broadway,” and audiences everywhere are finding it both entertaining and insightful. Not for young children- mature themes and strong language.
Barbara Gertzog as Silda GraumanL to R: Bobby Welsh as Trip Wyeth and John Coscia as Lyman Wyeth
This witty and thought provoking family drama strikes the perfect balance between comedy and drama and has been called “smart, supremely entertaining and richly satisfying”.
The Cast of “Other Desert Cities” (L to R) Bobby Welsh, Andra Whitt, Barbara Gertzog, John Coscia and Tina Thronson (Click on Photo to Enlarge)The Providence Players “Other Desert Cities” March 13 – 28, 2015Bobby Welsh and Tina Thronson in “Other Desert Cities”Andra Whitt and John Coscia in PPF’s “Other Desert Cities”“Other Desert Cities” – Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7:30 PM Sun 2 PM – March 13 thru March 28thBarbara Gertzog and Tina Thronson on stage in “Other Desert Cities”
Performance Dates And Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
March 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28
Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m.
March 15 & 22
What do you get when you put the characters of A Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in the same room? A hilarious comedy that parodies some of Tennessee William’s most popular southern dramas. It’s Big Daddy’s birthday and the entire blended family has gathered at Belle Reve to celebrate with sweet tea, cheese balls, cards and brutish, unfettered, southern charm. If you don’t know these plays, don’t fret. These off-kilter and dysfunctional family shenanigans can be enjoyed by all!
Eight Roles (4 Men – 4 Woman) – All Open
The Providence Players of Fairfax is a non-profit community theater troupe. All participation is on a volunteer, non-compensated basis.
Print the Full Audition Announcement, Audition Form and Production CalendarHere
(This will open a new browser window – click on the pdf file listed)
Matinees: Sundays; 2:00 pm curtain – May 31 & June 7
Audition Dates
FINAL NIGHT -Wednesday March 11 7:00 – 9:30 pm (In the James Lee Urbanites Room)- FINAL NIGHT
Call-Backs (if needed – by invitation):
NEW DATE –Thursday March 12 7:00 – 9:30 pm (In the James Lee Urbanites Room)-NEW DATE
Location
The James Lee Community Center
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
Auditions will be held in the Urbanites Room – NOT IN THE THEATER. The Urbanites Room is located to the left of the main desk at the front entrance of the community center.
Print the Audition Announcement – Click on this link and then on the .pdf file and print or save
HOW WE WORK: Most PPF auditions have actors up and down to read multiple times in multiple combinations and scenes. Most actors find this fun. As space allows, you will be able to watch all the auditions. You may be asked to go into the hallway with audition partners and work a bit on a scene. We will do our best to get you up multiple times reading for parts you are interested in. You will also be asked to read for other parts you may not be auditioning for. The Providence Players strives to make our productions open to interested and engaged actors & actresses, regardless of their level of experience. We try and make our auditions as relaxing and fun as possible.
AUDITION PROCESS: Please prepare a short comedic monologue. Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Auditioners may be asked to do a brief ice breaker.
AUDITION SIDES: Sides for the audition process will be supplied at auditions.
AUDITION FORM: Resumes and headshots will be accepted, but are not required. Please ALSO COMPLETE the attached PPF The Glass Mendacity AuditionForm and bring it with you to the audition.
MEMBERSHIP: The Providence Players of Fairfax is a membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, actors in addition to production team members will be asked to become members of the Providence Players ($10) for the season (if they are not already).
RSVP: Please send us an RSVP if you plan to audition to providenceplayers@cox.net (or email us any questions you may have).
Rehearsal Schedule:
A copy of the preliminary stage rehearsal schedule is included with this announcement and will be available online and at auditions. Stage rehearsals begin April 27, 2015. In addition to the stage rehearsal schedule, additional full cast readings of the play and some selected scene study and character work may be scheduled based on actor availability in March and April prior to the stage schedule. The schedule for these will be finalized a week or two after auditions. Unless indicated otherwise, all rehearsals will happen at the James Lee Community Center. Rehearsals will be held in the evenings roughly from 6:30/6:45 to 9:45 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays as indicated.
Please come to auditions prepared to list any scheduling conflicts you have over this time period.
The Glass Mendacity from the Director
The fragile and damaged characters in Tennessee Williams’ plays are ideal for parody; the success of his works requires focus and concentration on his characters to bring his plays to life. Writers Maureen Morley and Tom Willmorth have created a hilarious parody that could be re-named “ The Glass Streetcar Menagerie on a Hot Tin Roof”! It combines characters and story lines from Williams’ three best known plays. In The Glass Mendacity narrator/attorney Mitch O’Connor visits his client Big Daddy Dubois, who is dying of a spastic colon, his daughter Blanche Kowalski (crazy as a loon) is married to Stanley who is having an affair with Maggie the Cat (who spends the entire play in an array of slips). Laura is haunted by her love for Mitch and her collection of glass figurines that in reality are ice cubes; why do the figurines keep disappearing??
The Glass Mendacity Character Descriptions
While these characters are indeed based on Tennessee Williams’ original characters, the biggest difference is that these characters have a sense of humor. Some of the characters are actually composites of two or more of their original selves.
MITCH O’CONNOR – male 35-65
A combination of Jim O’Connor, the Gentleman Caller from The Glass Menagerie and Mitch from A Streetcar Named Desire. O’Connor, though successful, is a homebody, who wants something more out of life.
BIG DADDY DUBOIS – male 50-70
As the name implies, he is big and bold and no-nonsense. He is father, here, to Brick, Blanche and Laura. He is based on the Big Daddy character from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
AMANDA DUBOIS – female 40-70
A combination of Big Mama from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Amanda Wingfield from The Glass Menagerie. She is flamboyant and flighty and prefers to dwell on past glories. Her devotion to her family is never far from the surface.
MAGGIE THE CAT – female 30 and up
Maggie is a sexy scheming seductress based on the character of the same name from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
BRICK DUBOIS – male 30 and up
He is the quiet, sullen, brooding type rendered silent by self-pity and alcohol. He has no lines in the play, but plenty of stage time.
STANLEY KOWALSKI – male 35-55
He is similar in all respects to the character on which he is based in A Streetcar Named Desire. He is a working class brute, but here is married to Blanche Dubois.
BLANCH DUBOIS – female 30-55
She is a withered flower with a penchant for young boys. She is based on the character of the same name from A Streetcar Named Desire.
LAURA DUBOIS female 30 and up
She is painfully shy, walks with a limp and lives in a dream world. This character is based on the character of Laura Wingfield from The Glass Menagerie.
Print the Full Audition Announcement, Audition Form and Production CalendarHere
(This will open a new browser window – click on the pdf file listed)
Recently, one of the hottest tickets on Broadway and a 2012 Tony nominee, Other Desert Cities opens on the Providence Players stage at the James Lee Community Center Theater March 13-28th. This latest play from Pulitzer Prize finalist Jon Robin Baitz (creator of TV’s Brothers & Sisters) is a funny and smart drama filled with witty repartee that both dazzles and decimates. Brooke Wyeth returns to her politically conservative parents’ glamorous Palm Springs home to spend the holidays with them. But the warm desert air turns chilly when news of her upcoming memoir threatens to revive the most painful chapter of the family’s history. Perception and reality battle love and mercy as old family wounds are reopened, childhood memories are tested, and the Wyeth clan learns that some secrets can’t stay buried forever. Full of both humorous and deeply felt moments, Other Desert Cities brings dysfunctional family drama to new heights. The New York Times called Other Desert Cities “the best new play on Broadway,” and audiences everywhere are finding it both entertaining and insightful.
This witty and thought provoking family drama strikes the perfect balance between comedy and drama and has been called “smart, supremely entertaining and richly satisfying”.
The Providence Players opens Other Desert Cities on March 13th for a Three Week Run
This play’s adult themes and language make it most appropriate for older teens and adults. Parental discretion is advised.
Let’s meet the cast:
The Cast of The Providence Players Other Desert Cities (L to R) – Barbara Gertzog (Silda), Andra Whitt (Brooke), Tina Thronson (Poly), Bobby Welsh (Trip) and John Coscia (Lyman) – Photo by Chip Gertzog Providence Players
Polly Wyeth, portrayed by Tina Thronson
Tina has been seen often on the PPF Stage and has directed many of the Company’s most outstanding productions. Over her 16 years with PPF, she has had lead and featured roles as Sabrina (The Skin of our Teeth, 2002), Mary Haines (The Women, 2005), multiple roles in It’s a Wonderful Life, a Live Radio Play (2010), Patsy (Sideman 2012) and was featured in Cash on Delivery (2004), and You Can’t Take it With You (2013). Tina has directed the PPF Productions of Born Yesterday, 12 Angry Men, The Man Who Came to Dinner (which won two WATCH awards), Steel Magnolias, The Laramie Project and Dinner with Friends, spanning from 2002 to 2014 of PPF theater history. Tina has also performed many backstage roles with distinction and is a longtime PPF Board Member and Past President. In Other Desert Cities, Tina is wearing two hats, as actor and director, although not the original plan for the production, she is wearing both with great distinction.
The Cast of “Other Desert Cities” in early rehearsal
Polly, wife of Lyman, mother of Brooke and Trip, and sister to Silda, is a bright, sharp, funny woman with class and a strong sense of who she is. As the family members relate to each other, and as with most mothers, there is no mistaking her importance to the dynamics of this family.
Lyman Wyeth, portrayed by John Coscia
John has been seen often on the PPF stage, performing with great distinction in many award winning plays as lead and featured actor. Favorite roles include (but are not limited to) Grandpa (You Can’t Take it With You, 1998 and 2012), Harry Brock (Born Yesterday, 2002), Juror #8 (Twelve Angry Men, 2005), Tom (I Never Sang for my Father, 2006), Kit Carson (Watch Nomination, The Time of your Life, 2006), Peppino (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, 2007), Gal (Rough Crossing, 2008), The Father et al (The Laramie Project, 2010), Joe (The Shadow Box, 2011), and Gene (Sideman 2012). John has been nominated and won many WATCH awards for his acting, set design and set construction with PPF. In 2014, John marked his directorial debut with the play, Of Mice and Men, which has been WATCH nominated for many awards, including best play and best director. He is also an original and current member of the PPF Board of Directors.
Andra Whitt (Brooke) and John Coscia (Lyman) in an early rehearsal for the Providence Players Production of “Other Desert Cities”
Lyman Wyeth, family patriarch, loving husband and father, is a man who describes himself as having traditional American family values, and who has had much success in his life, while remaining true to the value he places on his family relationships.
Brooke Wyeth, portrayed by Andra Whitt
Andra has fluctuated between onstage performances and backstage roles. Onstage, she has performed as Claire (Rumors, 2014), Essie (You Can’t Take it With You, 2012), Terry (Sideman, 2012) and Sally Cato (Auntie Mame, 2011), in each role to great acclaim and entertaining effect. She has served as properties and stage manager/crew for PPF. Andra also serves on the PPF Board of Directors and is an indispensable member of the Company, giving her time and skills in some way to each production, for this one, the audience gets once again to see her in another stellar performance.
Mercurial, smart, funny, engaging, Brooke Wyeth can be seen as the family keeper of memories whose journey to understanding her relationship with her family is an essential part of the story for her and for the audience to enjoy and experience.
Trip Wyeth, portrayed by Bobby Welsh
Bobby Welsh (Trip) and Tina Thronson (Polly) in rehearsal for the Providence Players Production of “Other Desert Cities”
Bobby has engaged PPF audiences in prominent featured roles for the last five years and has created an indelible impression in each in his character portrayals. He has been featured as Perry (Waiting in the Wings, 2010), Ito (Auntie Mame, 2011), Father (Best Christmas Pageant Ever, 2012), Jonesy (Sideman, 2012), and Whit (Of Mice and Men, 2014). His portrayals have been thoughtful and authentic in varied character roles and he has greatly enhanced each play he has performed in for the audience and his fellow actors. Previous community theater roles include Sancho Panza, Man of La Mancha, and The Mysterious Man, Into the Woods. Bobby has also been indispensable in production roles for PPF, backstage and in the tech booth.
Trip Wyeth, a loving son and brother, is a character of many dual qualities, well educated, under achieving, fun loving with some personal demons, who has a good sense of life’s priorities and the good sense to remind his family of them every once in a while. Every family needs a Trip, to keep them grounded in the here and now.
Silda Grauman, portrayed by Barbara Gertzog
Barbara has performed many roles for PPF, including comic turns as a wily bank customer (The Good Doctor, 2004), a scheming fortune teller (Elmira, Good Help is So Hard to Murder, 2007), the mean cousin (Chick, Crimes of the Heart, 2003), a snobbish matron (Mrs. Upson, Auntie Mame, 2011), a British dominatrix (Mrs. Cowper, Cash on Delivery, 2003) and a lusty landlady (Is He Dead, 2013). She was also featured as Billie Dawn (Born Yesterday, 2002), Maggie Cutler (The Man Who Came to Dinner, 2004), and Rosa Peppino (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, 2007). Barbara has also directed the PPF productions of Heaven Can Wait, The Women and TheShadow Box (Ruby Griffith “Best Play” award winner and WATCH nominated Best Play) and performed numerous other production roles for the company.
Andra Whitt and Barbara Gertzog (Silda) in an early rehearsal for PPF’s “Other Desert Cities”
Aunt Silda is a character who has experienced many hard knocks, most of her own making. She is smart, irritating, knowing in a self-deluded way, full of hard edges, humor and love in her own Silda style. Spending some time with the Wyeths and Aunt Silda will entertain, amuse, and provide an evening of great theater.
Other Desert Cities is a great way to spend an evening losing yourself in the words and characters of a terrific play. ODC has multi-faceted characters and is the story of a family whose relationships and revelations will be entertaining and riveting.
Performance Dates And Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
March 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28
Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m.
March 15 & 22
With a fresh coat of snow on the ground in the DC Metro area, the Providence Players are preparing to whisk you away to the warmer climes of the Palm Springs desert. PPF is less than a month away from opening Other Desert Cities a riveting new play that was nominated for a 2012 Tony Award for Best Play and was a Finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize. This witty and thought provoking family drama strikes the perfect balance between comedy and drama and has been called “smart, supremely entertaining and richly satisfying”.
The Providence Players opens Other Desert Cities on March 13th for a three week run. Tickets are on sale now here.
Let’s meet the cast:
Polly Wyeth, portrayed by Tina Thronson
Tina has been seen often on the PPF Stage and has directed many of the Company’s most outstanding productions. Over her 16 years with PPF, she has had lead and featured roles as Sabrina (The Skin of our Teeth, 2002), Mary Haines (The Women, 2005), multiple roles in It’s a Wonderful Life, a Live Radio Play (2010), Patsy (Sideman 2012) and was featured in Cash on Delivery (2004), and You Can’t Take it With You (2013). Tina has directed the PPF Productions of Born Yesterday, 12 Angry Men, The Man Who Came to Dinner (which won two WATCH awards), Steel Magnolias, The Laramie Project and Dinner with Friends, spanning from 2002 to 2014 of PPF theater history. Tina has also performed many backstage roles with distinction and is a longtime PPF Board Member and Past President. In Other Desert Cities, Tina is wearing two hats, as actor and director, although not the original plan for the production, she is wearing both with great distinction.
Polly, wife of Lyman, mother of Brooke and Trip, and sister to Silda, is a bright, sharp, funny woman with class and a strong sense of who she is. As the family members relate to each other, and as with most mothers, there is no mistaking her importance to the dynamics of this family.
Lyman Wyeth, portrayed by John Coscia
John has been seen often on the PPF stage, performing with great distinction in many award winning plays as lead and featured actor. Favorite roles include (but are not limited to) Grandpa (You Can’t Take it With You, 1998 and 2012), Harry Brock (Born Yesterday, 2002), Juror #8 (Twelve Angry Men, 2005), Tom (I Never Sang for my Father, 2006), Kit Carson (Watch Nomination, The Time of your Life, 2006), Peppino (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, 2007), Gal (Rough Crossing, 2008), The Father et al (The Laramie Project, 2010), Joe (The Shadow Box, 2011), and Gene (Sideman 2012). John has been nominated and won many WATCH awards for his acting, set design and set construction with PPF. In 2014, John marked his directorial debut with the play, Of Mice and Men, which has been WATCH nominated for many awards, including best play and best director. He is also an original and current member of the PPF Board of Directors.
Lyman Wyeth, family patriarch, loving husband and father, is a man who describes himself as having traditional American family values, and who has had much success in his life, while remaining true to the value he places on his family relationships.
Brooke Wyeth, portrayed by Andra Whitt
Andra has fluctuated between onstage performances and backstage roles. Onstage, she has performed as Claire (Rumors, 2014), Essie (You Can’t Take it With You, 2012), Terry (Sideman, 2012) and Sally Cato (Auntie Mame, 2011), in each role to great acclaim and entertaining effect. She has served as properties and stage manager/crew for PPF. Andra also serves on the PPF Board of Directors and is an indispensable member of the Company, giving her time and skills in some way to each production, for this one, the audience gets once again to see her in another stellar performance.
Mercurial, smart, funny, engaging, Brooke Wyeth can be seen as the family keeper of memories whose journey to understanding her relationship with her family is an essential part of the story for her and for the audience to enjoy and experience.
Trip Wyeth, portrayed by Bobby Welsh
Bobby has engaged PPF audiences in prominent featured roles for the last five years and has created an indelible impression in each in his character portrayals. He has been featured as Perry (Waiting in the Wings, 2010), Ito (Auntie Mame, 2011), Father (Best Christmas Pageant Ever, 2012), Jonesy (Sideman, 2012), and Whit (Of Mice and Men, 2014). His portrayals have been thoughtful and authentic in varied character roles and he has greatly enhanced each play he has performed in for the audience and his fellow actors. Previous community theater roles include Sancho Panza, Man of La Mancha, and The Mysterious Man, Into the Woods. Bobby has also been indispensable in production roles for PPF, backstage and in the tech booth.
Trip Wyeth, a loving son and brother, is a character of many dual qualities, well educated, under achieving, fun loving with some personal demons, who has a good sense of life’s priorities and the good sense to remind his family of them every once in a while. Every family needs a Trip, to keep them grounded in the here and now.
Silda Grauman, portrayed by Barbara Gertzog
Barbara has performed many roles for PPF, including comic turns as a wily bank customer (The Good Doctor, 2004), a scheming fortune teller (Elmira, Good Help is So Hard to Murder, 2007), the mean cousin (Chick, Crimes of the Heart, 2003), a snobbish matron (Mrs. Upson, Auntie Mame, 2011), a British dominatrix (Mrs. Cowper, Cash on Delivery, 2003) and a lusty landlady (Is He Dead, 2013). She was also featured as Billie Dawn (Born Yesterday, 2002), Maggie Cutler (The Man Who Came to Dinner, 2004), and Rosa Peppino (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, 2007). Barbara has also directed the PPF productions of Heaven Can Wait, The Women and TheShadow Box (Ruby Griffith “Best Play” award winner and WATCH nominated Best Play) and performed numerous other production roles for the company.
Aunt Silda is a character who has experienced many hard knocks, most of her own making. She is smart, irritating, knowing in a self-deluded way, full of hard edges, humor and love in her own Silda style. Spending some time with the Wyeths and Aunt Silda will entertain, amuse, and provide an evening of great theater.
Other Desert Cities is a great way to spend an evening losing yourself in the words and characters of a terrific play. ODC has multi-faceted characters and is the story of a family whose relationships and revelations will be entertaining and riveting.
Performance Dates And Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
March 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28
Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m.
March 15 & 22
Last evening (Sunday January 18, 2015), the Washington Area Community Theater Honors (WATCH) organization announced the 15th Annual 2014 WATCH AWARDS Nominations for community theater productions mounted in calendar year 2014. There are currently 31 member companies in WATCH from throughout the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. A total of 111 productions (34 musicals, 77 plays) were adjudicated in 2014. The Providence Players have been a member of WATCH since 2004.
The Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) is an organization founded for the adjudication and presentation of annual awards recognizing artistic and technical excellence in community theatre throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, and that these honors will:
Foster and encourage the growth of community theater
Promote and enhance the image of community theater; and
Educate and inform the general public about the theatrical opportunities provided by the member theaters.
The Providence Players have been honored with a total of 19 WATCH nominations for 2014 including two each in the Outstanding Play (“Best Play”) and Outstanding Direction of a Play (“Best Director”) categories. Prior to these nominations, PPF had previously garnered 75 nominations and 18 awards since joining WATCH with some 69% of all PPF productions having been honored with one or more WATCH nominations and awards.
Congratulations to all our nominees and to all PPF members who contributed to the success of these and all PPF productions during 2014. Congratulations as well, to all our colleagues in the 31 DMV WATCH member community theater companies. 2014 was an outstanding year in Washington area community theater with a huge number of outstanding productions and hundreds of wonderful performances and technical achievements.
PPF Production of Rumors – Spring Production 2014 – 8 Nominations
Click to Enlarge
Outstanding Play – Rumors
Outstanding Direction of a Play – Liz Mykietyn
Outstanding Cameo in a Play – Eric Jones as “Officer Welch”
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Don Myers as “Lenny Ganz”
Outstanding Hair Design in a Play – Beth Harrison & Robbie Snow
Outstanding Set Construction in a Play – John Coscia
Outstanding Set Design in a Play – John Coscia
Outstanding Set Painting in a Play – Craig Geoffrion
PPF Production of Of Mice and Men – Fall Production 2014 – 11 Nominations
Click to Enlarge
Outstanding Play – Of Mice and Men
Outstanding Direction of a Play – John Coscia
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play – Kyle Keene as “Lennie”
Outstanding Properties in a Play – Julie Janson & Andra Whitt
Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play – Lisa Church & John Coscia
Outstanding Set Design in a Play – John Coscia
Outstanding Set Painting in a Play – Lisa Church
Outstanding Light Design in a Play – Chip Gertzog
Outstanding Sound Design in a Play – Chip Gertzog
Outstanding Special Effects – Julie Janson, Beth Harrison, Andra Whitt
Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography – Mike Donahue
Very few years can be seen as more emblematic of the growth, development and evolution of the Providence Players as was 2014. Our 10th year at the James Lee Community Center Theater and our 17th season as a company, PPF shined in 2014 with four outstanding audience and critically acclaimed productions indicative of our commitment to artistic excellence as well as our commitment to creative expression and personal fulfillment for our company members. Moreover, we successfully continued our commitment to the broader community in many ways in 2014. Join us as we take a brief look back on ’14 and a look forward to what’s next in 2015 AND how you can be a part of the PPF experience!
We honor you for your support!
But, first things first – We thank and honor all of you! We could not do it without you – our patrons, donors and members. Again this year, we offer you a chance to support the company with a tax-deductible contribution. Ticket sales alone cannot cover all of our costs and we rely on our generous donors to help make all of this possible. New for 2015 is the ability to make a secure tax-deductible contribution online if you choose. Many of you have donated in 2014 and we thank you for your patronage and support of Providence Players and we hope it will continue in 2015. Make a Donation Online Today
Last January, we opened calendar 2014 with the news that PPF had garnered seven WATCH award nominations for calendar 2013 productions with our production of Is He Dead? receiving six nominations (and one award) from the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors. WATCH Nominations for 2014 will be announced later this January.
Our 2014 winter production of John Guare’s The House of Blue Leaves marked Michael Donahue’s PPF directorial debut.
DcMetroTheaterArts said “Well directed by Michael P. Donahue and performed by a super cast.. Providence Players of Fairfax once again offers audiences a chance to revisit a classic and provides a funny, yet poignant production, featuring fine performances by a very talented cast. Don’t miss it.” DCMTA Full Review Here – Falls Church News Press Here – Connection Newspapers Here
Audiences loved the production and it was honored by a runner-up designation from the Ruby Griffith awards for Outstanding Achievement in a Play. Recently, DcMetroTheaterArts further recognized the play with six ‘Best of 2014″ Awards:
PPF’s The House of Blue Leaves Best of 2014
DCMTA Best Plays in 2014 – The House of Blue Leaves
Michael P. Donahue Best Director of a Play – Community Theater
Acting Honors:
Beth Whitehead as Bananas Shaughnessy – 2014 Best Actress in a Play – DCMTAAdam Downs as Artie Shaughnessy – 2014 Best Actor in a Play – DCMTAJayne Victor as Bunny Flingus – 2014 Best Featured Actress in a Play – DCMTA
Best Scenic Design – John Coscia
The Set of “The House of Blue Leaves” by John Coscia
Our 2014 spring production of Neil Simon’s Rumorswas also a directorial debut, this time for Liz Mykietyn.
DCMetroTheaterArts.com reviewer Francine Schwartz echoed audience sentiments with a GLOWING 5 Star “Its’ A Blast” review. She sums it up with “Providence Players of Fairfax’s Rumors is a blast! Rumor has it that you will have a belly-laughed filled time in the theatre.And rumor has it that Mr. Simon would be beaming! The Providence Players of Fairfax wring every possible laugh out of it. The zingers fly everywhere, and Director Liz Mykietyn and her hilarious and hard-working cast make sure those funny one-liners land-and land they do. At the performance I attended, the audience was howling! So if you need a good laugh or several dozen-make your way to the James Lee Community Center.” DCMTA Full Review Here – Falls Church News Press Here – Connection Newspapers Here
Also an audience favorite, DcMetroTheaterArts further recognized the play with no less than ten ‘Best of 2014″ Awards:
PPF’s Rumors Best of 2014
DCMTA Best Plays in 2014 – Rumors
Liz Mykietyn Best Director of a Play – Community Theater
Acting Honors:
Beth Hughes-Brown as Cookie Cusack – 2014 Best Featured Actress in a Play – DCMTAAndra Whitt as Claire Ganz – 2014 Best Featured Actress in a Play – DCMTARoxanne Waite as Cassie Cooper – 2014 Best Featured Actress in a Play – DCMTALauren Sullivan as Officer Pudney – – 2014 Best Featured Actress in a Play – DCMTADon Myers as Lenny Ganz – 2014 Best Featured Actor in a Play – DCMTAL to R: Zell Murphy as Glenn Cooper and Eric Jones as Officer Welch – Both recognized as 2014 Best Featured Actors in a Play – DCMTA
Best Costume Design – Robbie Snow and Courtney Fonnesbeck
Best Lighting Design – Chip Gertzog
Best Scenic Design – John Coscia
The Set of PPF’s Rumors – 2014 Best Scenic and Lighting Design – DCMTAThe Set of PPF’s Rumors – 2014 Best Scenic and Lighting Design- DCMTAThe Set of PPF’s Rumors – 2014 Best Scenic and Lighting Design – DCMTA
Our 2014 fall production of John Steinbeck’s classic Of Mice and Menwas yet another directorial debut for PPF. John Coscia, multiple WATCH award winning actor, set designer and one of the company’s founders, took the directorial reins for the first time and touched audiences and critics alike.
In their five star review of the production, DCMetroTheaterArts said “Providence Players of Fairfax’s Of Mice and Men is a superb production. I encourage anyone, especially if you have not had the chance to see the stage production of the show, to take a trip out to see it. The top-notch design and direction by John Coscia, his designers and team of actors, make this a ‘must-see’ impressive production.” DCMTA Full Review Here – Connection Newspapers Here
DcMetroTheaterArts further recognized the play with five ‘Best of 2014″ Awards:
PPF’s Of Mice and Men Best of 2014
DCMTA Best Plays in 2014 – Of Mice and Men
John Coscia Best Director of a Play – Community Theater
Acting Honors:
Kyle Keene as Lenny Small – 2014 Best Actor in a Play – DCMTAMichael Donahue as George Mitchell – 2014 Best Actor in a Play – DCMTADavid James as Candy – Best Featured Actor in a PlayThe inventive set of PPF’s “Of Mice and Men” – The Bunk House – Set Design by John Coscia, Set Decoration by Lisa Church
The inventive set of PPF’s “Of Mice and Men” – The Barn – Set Design by John Coscia, Set Decoration by Lisa ChurchThe inventive set of PPF’s “Of Mice and Men” – The River Bank – Set Design by John Coscia, Set Decoration by Lisa Church
We closed a diverse and entertaining 2014 in December with our holiday season offering of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the C.S Lewis classic adapted by award winning playwright Joseph Robinette.Veteran PPF holiday show director Brian O’Connor returned with another outstanding family production. As always, Brian’s shows are rich in inventiveness with strong performances and an outstanding directorial touch. Once again, PPF partnered with The Young Hearts Foundation on the holiday production to raise money to improve the lives of young people and their families affected by long-term illness. And once again, the production was both a critical and audience hit.
DCMetroTheaterArts said “FIVE STARS! “As a treat for the entire family, or an early Christmas gift, there is none better than C.S. Lewis’ classic tale of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe now playing at Providence Players of Fairfax…Providence Players of Fairfax’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a ‘must see’ production this holiday season that the entire family will enjoy.” DCMTA Full Review Here – Connection Newspapers Here
DcMetroTheaterArts further recognized the play with eight ‘Best of 2014″ Awards:
PPF’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Best of 2014
DCMTA Best Plays in 2014 – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Brian O’Connor Best Director of a Play – Community Theater
Acting Honors:
Bill Fleming as Aslan – 2014 Best Actor in a Play – DCMTABeth Gilles-Whitehead as The White Witch- 2014 Best Featured Actress in a Play – DCMTARoberto “Rob” Cuevas as Fenris Ulf – Best Featured Actor in a Play DCMTA
Best Scenic Design – Brian O’Connor
Best Costume Design – Robbie Snow
Best Lighting Design – Jimmy Gertzog and Jason Hamrick
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – The Providence PlayersThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – The Providence PlayersThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – The Providence PlayersThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – The Providence PlayersThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – The Providence PlayersDirector Brian O’Connor with Costume Designers Robbie Snow
Four out of four productions garnered DCMTA’s Best of 2014 Best Play honors and all four directors were recognized for their artistic achievements. Sixteen actors and 9 designers were also recognized by DCMTA for “Best Of” achievements. Coupled with the audience reception of these productions, 2014 was an outstanding year artistically for PPF.
Strengthening Our Link to the Community
We continue to develop strong ties to the community, and are so proud of the organizations we work with. Here are just a few of the wonderful offerings we provide students and underserved members of our community:
Scholarship Program – Working with community leaders, PPF will again offer awards to students who have demonstrated leadership within their respective theater programs or contributed to the theater arts in some way and plan to do so in the future.
Free Tickets – We continue to promote our free ticket program to community organizations that reach underserved members of our community. We ask for your help in identifying reputable organizations that serve those who may be unable to afford the price of admission. Please send an email to providenceplayers@cox.net with your ideas or suggestions.
Free Previews – We remain committed to and continue to grow our preview audience of students, teachers and parents. This special Thursday performance (the night before opening) is free and helps encourage our young people to experience live theater. Attendees participate in a post-show discussion with the director, actors and production team as well as a backstage tour.
As we noted above, PPF again joined up with The Young Hearts Foundation, to create the magical and meaningful world of Narnia on the James Lee stage and provide a quality holiday production in support of those young people in our community struggling with leukemia. It is unfortunate that we know so many who are in a fight for their life, and Young Hearts is there to help. Prior to the December production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (LWW), PPF and Young Hearts together had leveraged more than $16,000 toward the cause. With the tremendous audience success of LWW this year, and with half of all net proceeds from the holiday production once again supporting the Young Hearts important work, that figure will grow. PPF remains committed to its community, and this continuing collaboration is just one small way of demonstrating it.
We are honored to have been recognized with a “2014 Best of Special Award” by DcMetroTheaterArts.com for our community commitment. DCMTA said:
“We honor Providence Players of Fairfax not only for its high-quality productions, but also for its community outreach with its Theater Community Inclusion Project. “To serve, providing quality, affordable theater to existing patrons while building new audiences for the future, particularly youth and underserved communities.” They provide concessions for each mainstage production, where the proceeds from concession sales are donated to that organization. They provide free tickets to students and their teachers and families and guests and work local non-profit partners- including Young Hearts and Capital Caring. In fact,their current production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is raising money for Young Hearts). We salute Providence Players of Fairfax for their fine work and for their generosity.
A Stronger Financial Base Today and for the Future
The company remains in a strong financial position. Again, the board’s focus on artistic quality and sound financial management helped create a small surplus at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2014. The generous support of our patrons and donors helps make that possible. A copy of the company’s financials can be found on our website at www.providenceplayers.org.
More Great Shows to Come
We are proud of our successes this past year, and have an exciting season remaining for 2015:
Other Desert Cities, by John Robin Baitz and directed by Tina Thronson. In this searing comedy-drama, young writer Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs to celebrate Christmas with her politically-connected parents, and announces her plans to publish a tell-it-all memoir of crucial events in the family’s past. This riveting new play was nominated for a 2012 Tony Award for Best Play and a Finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize.
The Glass Mendacity, by Maureen Morley and Tom Willmorth, and directed by Jayne Victor. A hilarious comedy that parodies some of Tennessee Williams’ most popular southern dramas. It’s Big Daddy’s birthday and the entire blended family have gathered at Belle Reve to celebrate with sweet tea, cheese balls, cards and brutish, unfettered, southern charm. If you don’t know Williams’ work, don’t fret. These off-kilter and dysfunctional family shenanigans can be enjoyed by all!
And, we will be announcing our 2015- 2016 season in the near future!
Becoming a Part of the PPF Experience
Once again, we thank you for a wonderful 2014 and we look forward to seeing you in this new year. As we say JOIN US! On Stage, Back Stage, or In the Audience! We could not do it without you – our patrons, donors and members.
(New for 2015, we now offer you a chance to support the company with a tax-deductible contribution that can be made securely online. Ticket sales alone cannot cover all of our costs and we rely on our generous donors to help make all of this possible. Thanks again for your patronage and support of Providence Players, and we look forward to seeing you at the theater soon)
DCMetrotheaterarts.com honors four (4) Providence Players’ productions and sixteen (16) performances in their “Best of” 2014″ series! Congrats to all honored in DCMetrotheaterarts’ shout outs and to all the other great PPF performances of 2014!
Best Directors in a Play
Mike Donahue, The House of Blue Leaves
Liz Mykietyn, Rumors
John Coscia, Of Mice and Men
Brian O’Connor, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Best Actor in a Play
Mike Donahue as George Mitchell in Of Mice and Men
Adam Downs as Artie Shaughnessy in The House of Blue Leaves
Bill Fleming as Asian in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Kyle Keene as Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men
Best Actress in a Play
Beth Whitehead as Bananas in The House of Blue Leaves
Best Featured Actor in a Play
Roberto “Rob” Cuevas as Fenris Ulf in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
David James as Candy in Of Mice and Men
Eric Jones as Officer Welch in Rumors
Zell Murphy as Glenn Cooper in Rumors
Don Myers as Lenny Ganz in Rumors
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Beth Hughes-Brown as Cookie Cusack in Rumors
Lauren Sullivan as Officer Pudney in Rumors
Jayne Victor as Bunny in The House of Blue Leaves
Roxanne Waite as Cassie Cooper in Rumors
Beth Gilles-Whitehead as The White Witch in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
The Providence Players stage C.S. Lewis Family Classic for the 2014 Holiday Season – Great Theater for a Great Cause – Final Week!
The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe
At the James Lee Community Center Theater
2855 Annandale Rd Falls Church Virginia 22042
The Providence Players (PPF) present The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the C.S Lewis classic adapted by award winning playwright Joseph Robinette at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church. This beloved C.S. Lewis classic that has inspired generations of readers, young and old alike, for more than 60 years will is directed for PPF by Brian O’Connor. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is on stage for just five more performances, Thursday thru Sunday thru December 21st.
Great Theater for A Great Cause
The Providence Players and The Young Hearts Foundation are, once again, proud to bring you outstanding live theater for a great cause. Half of all net proceeds from this production will be donated to Young Hearts Foundation that strives to improve the lives of young people affected by long-term illness. For the past two years, over $16,000 was generated to support this important cause, and PPF hopes to increase its support in 2014.
Directed by Brian O’Connor Produced by Prince McLaughlin and David Whitehead
Four children, evacuated from London during World War II, explore their new country home. Lucy, the youngest, stumbles upon a curious wardrobe, climbs in and discovers a magical forest in the land of Narnia. The land is under the power of a White Witch, and soon Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy must lead an entire kingdom in a fight for good. This popular and heart-warming tale is full of mystical creatures, talking animals and Aslan, the great lion and ruler of Narnia. A holiday treat that is good for the entire family.
Co-Produced by Providence Players and The Young Hearts
Nine performances including 4 Saturday and Sunday matinees as well as a Thursday evening performance in addition to Friday and Saturday evenings.
About the Play:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a timeless and enchanting tale that has been a favorite of children and adults for decades, was written by C.S. Lewis in 1950. This stage adaptation brings all of the magic and majesty of Lewis’ Narnia to the stage and has been neatly condensed by award-winning playwright Joseph Robinette. The adventures of four children who inadvertently wander into an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia are faithfully recreated, along with the benevolence and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, and his struggle with the White Witch. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are the four otherwise ordinary children until Lucy discovers a wardrobe that is really a gateway to the enchanted land of Narnia. The evil White Witch has cursed the land with eternal winter and turned many of her enemies to stone. With the arrival of the children, the land begins to change, murmurs of a prophecy surface, and rumors soon spread that Aslan, the beloved lion king, is going to return. All the memorable episodes from the story are represented in this exciting dramatization: the temptation of Edmund by the witch, the slaying of the evil wolf by Peter, the guidance of Aslan as the children are crowned the four new rulers of Narnia, and more. The supporting characters are also here: the unicorn, the centaur and other forest animals, along with Father Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver and Tumnus the Faun. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is truly a story of love, faith, courage and giving, and the triumph of good over evil. This beloved C.S. Lewis classic has inspired generations of readers, young and old alike, for more than 60 years.
Opening weekend audience reaction: “A classic done with class!” “We loved this brilliant production of a timeless play – its a don’t miss performance at Providence Players in Falls Church!” “…it was fabulous! Great casting, beautiful sets, and perfectly directed by John Coscia…” “It was amazing! Top notch acting presenting a difficult story… Kudos to everyone involved in this production!”
Five Star Review from DCMetrotheaterarts.com
DCMetrotheaterarts.com reviewer Anne Vandercook says:
“Providence Players of Fairfax’s Of Mice and Men is a superb production. I encourage anyone, especially if you have not had the chance to see the stage production of the show, to take a trip out to see it. The top-notch design and direction by John Coscia, his designers and team of actors, make this a ‘must-see’ impressive production.
Michael Donahue as George in the Providence Players production of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men (Photo by Chip Gertzog)
Coscia… assembles an enviable cast to play out the timeless tale. Leading the cast are Mike Donahue as George Mitchell and Kyle Keene as Lennie Small.
[Donahue] has moments of brilliance as he goes from brooding, cynical working man to fearless protector and compassionate care taker to his friend and companion, Lennie. I was particularly enthralled by his dream like storytelling to the childlike, Lennie. Keene is equally spell-bounding as the gentle giant, Lenny Small. Keene is perfectly cast as the caring yet clumsy mentally challenged man. His wide eyes stares as he dreams about his future and “living on the fat of the land” that he plans to purchase with George are very authentic and flawlessly constructed. The pair interact well, it was a pleasure to watch them throughout the show.
Kyle Keene in his Providence Players debut as Lenny in Of Mice and Men (Photo By Chip Gertzog)
Joining the pair in their quest for a new life is the endearing one-handed Candy (David James). James delivers a powerful performance [and] takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions, he evokes a raw sense of compassion and had me rooting for him as he had hopes of a new life in his grasp. Equally outstanding as the dignified and practical jerkline skinner is Ian Wade as Slim. The talented cast is rounded out by Mike Mattheisen as the stoic Boss, Mike Dempsey as the napoleon complex inflicted Curly, Julie Janson as the temptress Curly’s wife, Bobby Welsh and Craig Geoffrion as the farm workers, and Stephen Olbina as Crooks. All of the supporting cast members serve the play well.
Joining the pair in their quest for a new life is the endearing one-handed Candy played by David James (Photo by Chip Gertzog)
Director John Coscia and the Providence Players shine in their current production of the melancholy story [Of Mice and Men].”
Left: Kyle Keene as Lenny. Right: Stephan Olbina as Crooks “Olbina has a stand out moment as he confronts Lennie who has come to visit him in his room in the barn as the only black farm hand, and his quarters are separated from the rest.” (Photo by Chip gertzog)Center: Mike Dempsey as Curley (Photo by Chip Gertzog)L to R: Bobby Welsh as Whit and Ian Wade as Slim (Photo by Chip Gertzog)Craig Geoffrion as Carlson (Photo by Chip Gertzog)
Kyle Keene as Lennie and Julie Janson as Curley’s Wife in Providence Players’ “Of Mice and Men” (Photo by Chip Gertzog)Mike Mattheisen as the stoic Boss in Providence Players’ Of Mice and Men (Photo by Chip Gertzog)
Recently, one of the hottest tickets on Broadway and a 2012 Tony nominee, Other Desert Cities opens on the Providence Players stage at the James Lee Community Center Theater March 13-28th. This latest play from Pulitzer Prize finalist Jon Robin Baitz (creator of TV’s Brothers & Sisters) is a funny and smart drama filled with witty repartee that both dazzles and decimates. Brooke Wyeth returns to her politically conservative parents’ glamorous Palm Springs home to spend the holidays with them. But the warm desert air turns chilly when news of her upcoming memoir threatens to revive the most painful chapter of the family’s history. Perception and reality battle love and mercy as old family wounds are reopened, childhood memories are tested, and the Wyeth clan learns that some secrets can’t stay buried forever. Full of both humorous and deeply felt moments, Other Desert Cities brings dysfunctional family drama to new heights. The New York Times called Other Desert Cities “the best new play on Broadway,” and audiences everywhere are finding it both entertaining and insightful. Not for young children- mature themes and strong language.
