THE BUTTONHOLE BANDIT
An Intergalactic Musical Fantasy
A new children's musical by Mary Fengar Gail
Music by Michael Silversher
Directed by Emily Plumb
February 23 - April 6!
The Looking Glass Theatre proudly presents The Buttonhole Bandit:
An Intergalactic Musical Fantasy, a new children’s musical written by
Mary Fengar Gail with music by Michael Silversher and directed by
Emily Plumb, which opens at The Looking Glass Theatre on Saturday,
February 23. There will not be any performances on Sunday, March 23.
About The Show…
Phoebe’s active imagination sometimes stops her from doing the
things she wants to do. Then one day she discovers that an entire
galaxy lives inside her closet! With the help of a silly alien named
Melf the Gelf, Phoebe bravely embarks on a magical journey to save
the galaxy. Through these adventures, Phoebe discovers that by
making friends and challenging herself to conquer her fears, an imagination can be a wonderful thing!
Announcing the Cast...
Howard/Vizeer Volspar: Rick Benson
Mildred: Angela Donovan
Alphos: Griffin DuBois
Brelleya: Brooke Lyn Hetrick
Phobee Moth: Nidia Medina
Playwright: Mary Fengar Gail
Music: Michael Silversher
Director: Emily Plumb
Musical Director: Ahmed Alabaca
Assistant Director/Stage Managers: Cristina Knutson, Kayla Shriner- Cahn
About the Playwright Mary Fengar Gail…
Ms. Gail has had plays produced at the InterAct Theatre of Philadelphia, New Jersey Repertory, the Seanachai Theatre of Chicago, and the Moxie Theatre of San Diego. She received commissions from the National New Play Network, the Salt Lake Acting Company, South Coast Repertory, as well as a playwriting fellowship from the California Arts Council. Her play, Devil Dog Six, was given a 2007 Craig Noel Award for Playwriting by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, and The Island of No Tomorrows was chosen to participate in the 2007 International Playwrights Festival at the Warehouse Theatre in England. The Judas Tree will be produced by MultiStages in New York this April.
About the Director Emily Plumb…
Ms. Plumb has directed three shows as part of the Looking Glass Forum; an abridged adaptation of The Rover and two original plays, Hollywood Lights and Hustlers. Most recently, she served as acting/movement instructor at the Looking Glass and directed Love, Death and Vengeance at Gene Frankel Theatre. Ms. Plumb is a graduate of University of California Santa Cruz where she studied Theatre and Modern Literature. Her favorite college productions include Eurydice, Fat Men in Skirts and Tales of the Lost Formicans. Other New York credits include 65 (Here Now Arts Festival) and The House of Blue Leaves (Midtown International Theatre Festival).
About Looking Glass Theatre…
Looking Glass Theatre’s mission is to explore and expand the feminine aesthetic, producing works by historic female playwrights, new works by women, and productions of the classics re-imagined by contemporary women directors. THE NEW YORK TIMES called The Looking Glass Theatre’s production of the new children’s show The Three Sillies “a show that could entertain a 4-year-old and a 12-year-old.” In June 2006, The Looking Glass Theatre and Artistic Director Justine Lambert received The Lucille Lortel Award from The League of Professional Theatre Women.
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THE BUTTONHOLE BANDIT: AN INTERGALACTIC MUSICAL FANTASY
February 23 - April 26, 2008 (no shows March 23)
SCHEDULE: Saturday @ 12PM & 2PM; Sunday @ 2PM & 4PM
ADDRESS: 422 West 57th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues
TICKET PRICE: $15 adults, $12 for children (12 and under)
TDF Vouchers Accepted!
This show is closed.
CAST
RICK BENSON (Howard/Vizeer Volspar) is a native of Wilmington, DE. Since moving to New York, he has performed such roles as Cyrano from Cyrano de Bergerac and Alceste in The Misanthrope. In the world of children’s theatre he has created the characters Evil Baron Bigbutt for Pirate Pete’s Parrot and Cecil the Scarecrow for Wiseacre Farm. He attended The Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre.
ANGELA DONOVAN (Mildred) is very excited to be joining this talented and wonderfully quirky cast of characters. Favorite roles include: Amy (Company), Nancy (The Women), Scotty (Merrily We Roll Along), and Kafka (Words, Words, Words).
GRIFFIN DuBOIS (Alphos) is happy to be back at the Looking Glass Theatre after recently appearing in the Winter Writer/Director Forum as Hank in Chicken with Stars. A native of upstate NY, Griffin went to college at SUNY Albany and then spent a season interning with the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. BTE credits include Lonely Planet (Carl), Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio), and Private Eyes (Adrian). SUNY Albany credits include Arcadia (Valentine), All in the Timing (Al/Baker), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Snug). Thanks to all my friends and family and LGT for this opportunity.
BROOKE LYN HETRICK (Brelleya) Brooke Lyn Hetrick is thrilled to be making her debut performance with The Looking Glass Theatre. Throughout the past year she could be seen in cities throughout the Midwest as Martha Cratchit in a national tour of A Christmas Carol or in Alaska performing for Princess Cruises. She also recently spent time in Ghana, West Africa volunteer teaching English and Yoga. She dedicates this performance to the beautiful students of Anani Memorial International School. Enjoy the ride!
NIDIA MEDINA (Phobee Moth) received her BFA in Acting from Emerson College, and since then has had her hands in many different theatrical ventures in NYC. Favorites include her work as Assistant Director of The Big Picture in FringeFestNYC, performing her solo show Power Lunch, and singing and dancing as part of the tribe of Hair in Peculiar Works Project’s East Village Fragments. She also enjoys talking about herself in the third person. Many thanks to family and friends for their support, and the cast and crew for being such a pleasure to work with!
MICHAEL REYNA (Qwerkiss) is thrilled to be a part of this intergalactic fantasy. Michael holds a BM from UCO. This is his first production with The Looking Glass Theatre. Other roles in NYC include: 2nd Nun/ The House of Blue Leaves (MITF), Tom/ The Invited Guest (Gallery Players), Gregor and Showgirl/ Victor/Victoria (Gallery Players). Favorite roles: Richard/ A New Brain, Michael/ Smokey Joe's Cafe, Hiram/ Hair, and Transylvanian/ The Rocky Horror Show.
JORDAN UNGERER (Narbot), who has been performing and training since age 11, graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2006 with a BA in Music and Theater. He has been involved in numerous cabarets, original works, music groups, and improvisational performances, as well as plays and musical productions. He has also taught music and theater to children in addition to writing and directing several performances for children’s community theater.
ELIZABETH YOCAM (Xanthees) is appearing in her third production with The Looking Glass Theatre. Previous LGT credits include Helix 999 (Walker) and Hell Hath Three Furies (Beth). Last August, Elizabeth played Bunny Flingus in The House of Blue Leaves at the Midtown International Theatre Festival and won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play in the “Best of the Fest” awards. Favorite shows include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck) with New England Shakespeare Festival and Uncle Vanya (Sonya) with Sonnet Repertory Theatre. Elizabeth is a graduate of the Michael Howard Studios’ One-Year Conservatory Program and holds a B.A. in Theatre from Connecticut College. www.elizabethyocam.com.
EMILY CLARE ZEMPEL (Melf) hails from the beautiful state of Wisconsin, where she spent the first 20 some years of her life. She moved to Brooklyn nearly three years ago to attend Brooklyn College, where she received her MFA in Acting last May. She has performed with the Midtown International Theatre Festival, the Under the Radar Festival, and is currently with the Manhattan Children's Theatre in Little Tales. Last fall she and her boyfriend planned and took an audition tour of regional theatres that took them across the country. She would like to thank her family for their generous support.
MELISSA ZIMMERMAN (Phoebe) Melissa is thrilled to get the chance to tap into her inner child as she portrays 7-year-old Phoebe. Regional credits include Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (Summer Theatre of New Canaan), Kiss Me Kate (Light Opera Works), The Teapot Scandals (Porchlight Music Theatre- Jeff Award nominated) and Shout! The Mod Musical (Downstairs Cabaret Theatre). She is also a babysitter and a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor. Melissa graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern University. Thanks to her family and to Dan for all of their love and support.
CREATIVE TEAM
MARY FENGAR GAIL (Book & Lyrics) has had plays produced at the InterAct Theatre of Philadelphia, New Jersey Repertory, the Seanachai Theatre of Chicago, and the Moxie Theatre of San Diego. She received commissions from the National New Play Network, the Salt Lake Acting Company, South Coast Repertory, as well as a playwriting fellowship from the California Arts Council. Her play, Devil Dog Six, was given a 2007 Craig Noel Award for Playwriting by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, and The Island Of No Tomorrows was chosen to participate in the 2007 International Playwrights Festival at the Warehouse Theatre in England. The Judas Tree will be produced by MultiStages in New York this April.
MICHAEL SILVERSHER (Composer) ) began his theatre career in Palo Alto as the first musical director of TheatreWorks, from 1970 through 1980, writing eleven full musicals and participating in thirty-three other shows. At the Mark Taper Forum in LA, he collaborated with Peter Brosius, now head of Minneapolis Children’s Theatre. Since 1989, he’s written the annual educational touring show for South Coast Rep as well as two main stage shows for young audiences. He was founding composer for Sundance Children’s Theatre from 1990-96 and served as resident composer for the Sundance Playwrights’ Lab as well. He’s had many productions all over the world and all over the United States, receiving commissions to create operas for the Kennedy Center and Los Angeles Opera. He’s co-written over100 songs for the Walt Disney Company and more than 50 songs for Jim Henson. He won a Grammy in 1999, and has received three Emmys nominations.
EMILY PLUMB (Director) has directed three shows as part of the Looking Glass Forum; an abridged adaptation of The Rover and two original plays, Hollywood Lights and Hustlers. Most recently, she served as acting/movement instructor at the Looking Glass and directed Love, Death And Vengeance: A Comedy at Gene Frankel Theatre. Ms. Plumb is a graduate of University of California Santa Cruz where she studied Theatre and Modern Literature. Her favorite college productions include Eurydice, Fat Men in Skirts and Tales Of The Lost Formicans. Other New York credits include 65 (Here Now Arts Festival) and The House Of Blue Leaves (Midtown International Theatre Festival).
AHMED ALABACA (Musical Director)
CRISTINA KNUTSON (Assistant Director/Stage Manager) is honored to be working with The Looking Glass Theatre as an Assistant Director/Stage Manager. Hailing from Seattle, WA, this will be her third production since moving to New York including Acts of Love (Dangerous Arrangement) and The Chalk Boy (The Management). She looks forward to directing and acting in New York City and recently started work on an independent film-short to be screened in the Spring. Cristina holds a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts (Seattle) where she studied Theater with an emphasis in Original Works. She is also proud to be apart of The Society of American Fight Directors as an actor combatant.
KAYLA SHRINER-CAHN (Assistant Director/House Manager) is very excited to be working with such a wonderful cast and crew on The Buttonhole Bandit. Other credits include: Yank! A New Musical (Gallery Players), I Knew You’d Say That (Theatervision), West Side Story (DuOC UC) and Woman at a Threshold, Beckoning (Binghamton University). Upcoming: Anton Dudley’s new play Letters to the End of the World (Stella Adler). She would like to thank her friends and family for all their support.
JACQUELYN D. MAROLT (Scenic Design) is excited to return to The Looking Glass after designing The Three Sillies. She has painted sets for Shakespeare and Company, New York Stage and Film, New Century Theatre, and Lexington’s Children’s Theatre. She received her B. A. from Smith College, where she designed sets for Arcadia, Golden Girls, and Amadeus. Since moving to Brooklyn in August, Jacquelyn has designed and painted productions for Vital Theatre including, A (Tooth) Fairy Tale and Welcome to New Jersey. She has also charged numerous productions at Dicapo Opera Theatre and A Hard Heart at The Clurman Theatre on Theatre Row.
RYAN METZLER (Light Design) is the Lighting Designer in Residence at the Looking Glass Theatre, where he designs the semi-annual Writer/Director Forum. Productions in New York include: Spring’s Awakening, Odyssey, The Three Sillies, and Baal (LGT); Stone Cold Dead Serious (Clurman Theatre); Always Family (Kirk Theatre); North of Providence (Altered Stages); Eden (Chashama); Eight Ways to Meet Your Neighbor (The Theatre-Studio, Inc.); and The End of Civilization (Locus Theatre Company). His work includes the recent design for the charity production of Hear Our Song, a new musical revue, staged to benefit the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation.
LYNN WHEELER (Costume Design) is the company costume designer for LMNO Theatre Company. His LMNO credits include the ‘03 and ‘04 productions of Forbidded Fruit, Biblical Bitches Part 1: The Adventures of Everywoman (2005), and The Understudies in (2006). He has also worked independently for Casa 204 productions on the 2007 New York International Fringe Festival show Up, Down, Strange, Charmed, Beauty and Truth, and most recently with Brick by Brick Productions on the December 2007 production of Love, Death and Vengeance: A Comedy. He is honored to be working with The Looking Glass Theatre on this production.
MARGOT FITZSIMMONS (Puppetry) recently graduated with a Masters in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities. She currently works for Shadow Box Children’s Theatre as a performer and puppeteer, a teaching artist for Wing Span Arts and works for Leadership in a forum theatre group in New York City. She enjoys writing, directing, acting and creating and working with puppets.
