” The Providence Players find both delightful comedy and poignant drama in this beautifully written piece.” – DCMTA
“Am always surprised and thrilled to discover “little” local theatre productions that just rock!!! Excellent performance last night.”- Audience Member
“Wonderful theatre space, good staging, excellent acting, very interesting play.” – Audience Member
Andra Whitt (left) with Tina Thronson as daughter and mother in “Other Desert Cities”Tina Thronson (left) as Polly Weyth and Andra Whitt as Brooke Wyeth
Just Five Performances Remain
Good Seats Still Available
The Providence Players Present Other Desert Cities
By Jon Robin Baitz – Directed by Tina Thronson
James Lee Community Center Theater 2855 Annandale Rd Falls Church VA
Not for young children- mature themes and strong language
REMAINING PERFORMANCES
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. March 21, 26, 27 & 28
Final Sunday Matinee 2:00 p.m. March 22
L to R: Barbara Gertzog as Silda and Andra Whitt as Brooke in “Other Desert Cities” on stage through March 28th from the Providence Players
REVIEWS:
“Skilled, seasoned actors make this beautifully written play a laugh-filled, enjoyable evening that you will be talking about for some time.Laughter in Other Desert Cities is frequent and well-earned.The Providence Players find both delightful comedy and poignant drama in this beautifully written piece. Bobby Welsh is terrific as Trip Wyeth.. Silda Grauman is played energetically and with great humor by Barbara Gertzog. The set is excellent [and the] Lighting Design by Jason Hamrick was strong. Don’t delay, and get your tickets now to Providence Players of Fairfax’s superb Other Desert Cities.” from DcMetrotheaterArts Chuck Leonard
Tina Thronson and Bobby Welsh on Stage in the Providence Players’ “Other Desert Cities”
“Seriously! The script, acting, set, everything was so well done. Such a bargain for a night’s first class entertainment!” – Audience Member
L to R: Tina Thronson, Bobby Welsh and John Coscia in the Providence Players’ “Other Desert Cities”
“I was in VA last week-end and attended opening night of “Other Desert Cities”. Your cast did a fabulous job–the humor and pain of the Wyeth family story was beautifully presented. Your set was very bright, sunny and very Palm Springs! Thanks for an enjoyable evening in a beautiful and comfortable theatre with an accessible parking area.” – Audience Member
John Coscia as Wyeth family patriarch “Lyman”Bobby Welsh as Trip and Andra Whitt as Brooke are compelling and natural on stage in “Other Desert Cities”
Don’t Miss “Other Desert Cities”: Barbara Gertzog as Silda Grauman
Recently, one of the hottest tickets on Broadway and a 2012 Tony nominee, Other Desert Citiesopens on the Providence Players stage at the James Lee Community Center Theater through March 28th. This Pulitzer Prize Finalist play by Jon Robin Baitz is a funny and smart drama filled with witty repartee that both dazzles and decimates. It is beautifully written and is full of both humorous and deeply felt moments. 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”.
Not for young children- mature themes and strong language
REMAINING PERFORMANCES
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28
Final Sunday Matinee 2:00 p.m. March 22
REVIEWS:
“Skilled, seasoned actors make this beautifully written play a laugh-filled, enjoyable evening that you will be talking about for some time.Laughter in Other Desert Cities is frequent and well-earned.The Providence Players find both delightful comedy and poignant drama in this beautifully written piece. Bobby Welsh is terrific as Trip Wyeth.. Silda Grauman is played energetically and with great humor by Barbara Gertzog. The set is excellent [and the] Lighting Design by Jason Hamrick was strong. Don’t delay, and get your tickets now to Providence Players of Fairfax’s superb Other Desert Cities.” from DcMetrotheaterArts Chuck Leonard
“Seriously! The script, acting, set, everything was so well done. Such a bargain for a night’s first class entertainment!” – Audience Member
“I was in VA last week-end and attended opening night of “Other Desert Cities”. Your cast did a fabulous job–the humor and pain of the Wyeth family story was beautifully presented. Your set was very bright, sunny and very Palm Springs! Thanks for an enjoyable evening in a beautiful and comfortable theatre with an accessible parking area.” – Audience Member
Recently, one of the hottest tickets on Broadway and a 2012 Tony nominee, Other Desert Citiesopens on the Providence Players stage at the James Lee Community Center Theater through March 28th. This Pulitzer Prize Finalist play by Jon Robin Baitz is a funny and smart drama filled with witty repartee that both dazzles and decimates. It is beautifully written and is full of both humorous and deeply felt moments. 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”.
Not for young children- mature themes and strong language.
Recently, one of the hottest tickets on Broadway and a 2012 Tony nominee, Other Desert Citiesopens on the Providence Players stage at the James Lee Community Center Theater this Friday, March 13th and runs until March 28th. This Pulitzer Prize Finalist play by Jon Robin Baitz is a funny and smart drama filled with witty repartee that both dazzles and decimates. It is beautifully written and is full of both humorous and deeply felt moments. 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 production of Other Desert Cities on stage March 13-28
Other Desert Cities is set in Palm Springs, California over the Christmas holidays and centers on the powerful Wyeth family. Family patriarch, Lyman, played by John Coscia, is an actor-turned-politician during the Reagan era. Matriarch Polly, played by director Tina Thronson, is a former screenwriter. The couple is set to celebrate the holidays with their adult children, daughter Brooke (played by Andra Whitt) and son Trip (Bobby Welsh). Without informing her parents, Brooke, a once-promising novelist, has written a memoir exposing painful family secrets. Trip, who is the producer of a TV reality series, tries to stay out of the crossfire as their alcoholic aunt, Polly’s sister Silda Grauman (played by Barbra Gertzog), encourages Brooke. In a series of confrontations, the Wyeths sift through conflicting memories of the past and face serious choices about how to go forward.
Jon Robin Baitz, the author of this funny and searing play is no stranger to family drama having created TV’s successful series Brothers & Sisters. His other plays include The Substance of Fire, A Fair Country, Ten Unknowns, Mizlansky/Zilinsky, Three Hotels, and The Paris Letter. He is a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Other Desert Cities, Drama Desk winner, Humanitas winner, a Guggenheim and an NEA Fellow. Other Desert Cities received near universal acclaim for both its off-Broadway debut at Lincoln Center and its subsequent move to Broadway where it garnered multiple Tony nominations including Best Play in 2012.
Andra Whitt as Brooke Wyeth with Barbara Gertzog (Silda Grauman) and John Coscia (Lyman Wyeth) in a scene from PPF’s “Other Desert Cities” opening this Friday March 13th.
Director, Tina Thronson has assembled a cast of some of PPF’s most talented veterans for this production. After auditioning nearly 30 actors, casting the show and starting rehearsals, her choice for Polly had to drop out of the show for day job reasons. Now Tina finds herself wearing two hats, as actor (having stepped into the role of Polly) as well as director. Far from the original plan for the production, she is wearing both hats with great distinction.
Andra Whitt as Brooke Wyeth
Andra Whitt as Brook Wyeth
Andra has moved effortlessly between outstanding onstage performances and backstage roles. Onstage for PPF, 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.
Tina Thronson as Polly Wyeth
Tina Thronson as Polly Wyeth
Tina has graced the PPF stage often 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 more than a decade of PPF theater history. Tina has also performed many backstage roles with distinction and is a longtime PPF Board Member and Past President.
John Coscia as Lyman Wyeth
John Coscia as Lyman Wyeth
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.
Bobby Welsh as Trip Wyeth
Bobby Welsh as Trip Wyeth
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.
Barbara Gertzog as Silda Grauman
Barbara Gertzog as Silda Grauman
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.
The Other Desert Cities set will, once again, wow audiences and was designed and built by John Coscia. John was nominated for WATCH awards for design and construction of two sets in 2014 and has won numerous WATCH awards for his set work for PPF. Ingrid Helvig David has brought her outstanding design talents in decorating the set (having previously decorated for PPF’s production of All My Sons and Auntie Mame) with PPF veterans Robbie Snow and Beth Harrison (both WATCH recognized designers) handling costumes and make-up/hair design respectively. Jason Hamrick will be making his lighting design debut for the production but is no stranger to the tech side of PPF productions having worked on many shows as he has followed actress wife Andra Whitt (Brooke Wyeth) through various shows. Properties are being handled by Julie Janson and Beckie McNair. Mike Donahue, a talented actor, director, combat choreographer and stage manager has served the production in the dual roles of Assistant Director and Stage Manager. He has been the invaluable second set of eyes on the show as Tina stepped up onto the boards from the director’s chair. Mike Mattheisen has produced the show for the Providence Players.
If you love a smartly written, beautifully acted and stage new American play, then PPF’s Other Desert Cities is the ideal choice and a great way to spend an evening losing yourself in the words and characters of this terrific play.
“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
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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
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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
