Things are in the works! My '16-'17 season is starting to shake itself out - and I'm incredibly grateful that after less than a full year based in Philly, that I've been able to fill out my work calendar. That's never a guarantee, and I know how fortunate I am that things have gotten off to a strong start here.
I'm superstitious about looking too far ahead, but my Fall project is already a lock, and I'm happy to report that I'll be on the boards again with Quintessence Theatre Group, as the "Chaplin" in MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN. Long-time Philadelphia actress, Janis Dardaris will take on the title role. Word has it that Janis is a bit of legend in Philly, and I'm very much looking forward to working with her on this project.
In addition, as a personal treat, I also get to share the stage, once again, with one of my very best friends, Leah Gabriel, who will be playing "Yvette". Leah and I originally met while working on a production of Bercht's SAINT JOAN OF THE SLAUGHTERHOUSES in New York, and now we get to return to Brecht together.
Finally, a bit of trivia that will, perhaps, interest only me: After Gene Wilder's death earlier this week, I was reminded that he originally met Mel Brooks while working with Anne Bancroft on Broadway in 1963. What I did not know was that the play was MOTHER COURAGE, and the role he was playing was the "Chaplin". Apparently, he liked to tell the story about that meeting by first explaining that he was "miscast" in that show. (I highly recommend you click through this link and listen to Terry Gross interview Wilder for NPR's "Fresh Air" in 2005, before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.)
The Quintessence production will run from October 12th - November 6th, 2016 at the Sedgwick Theatre in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia.
(Below are a couple of production photos from that Broadway version of MOTHER COURAGE with Wilder and Bancroft.)
Art by Lee Cortopassi