Bryan Fitzgerald (Jordan) is making his Off-Broadway debut at 59E59. Stage credits include: Stanley in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Ichabod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Salamander Stew, an award-winning play which premiered at the Strawberry Festival and the NYC Fringe Festival; Film/TV credits include Law and Order, National Lampoon’s Dirty Movie, and independent films Pablo on Wheels [dir. Brett Sorem], I Am Julia [dir. David Capurso], The Narrows [dir. François Velle], to name a few. Bryan, a native New Yorker, eagerly accepts the challenge of portraying a small town young man with such odds stacked against him. THE BUS speaks volumes for contemporary audiences, and Bryan is proud to be a voice for both friends and family in this true work of art that is powerful, expressive and meaningful. www.bryanfitzgerald.com.
Will Roland (Ian) is making his NYC professional debut, having just graduated from NYU Steinhardt, and is thrilled to be a part of The Bus. Most recently, Will traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the new musical, We Didn’t Have Time to be Scared. Will was also seen in the third installment of the If it Only Even Runs a Minute concert series at Le Poisson Rouge. NYU Credits include: Bat Boy (Bat Boy), Fantasy Football: The Musical? (Skip Berry), and Violet (Billy Dean). Thanks to John and Jim and the whole cast and crew for making this such an awesome experience! Thanks Mom, Dad, Val, and all the teachers who’ve supported me through this endeavor. www.will-roland.com
Robert Nuner (Sloat) has worked in Commedia d’el Arte form with The Two Penny Theater and puppet/masks work with Bread & Puppet’s Our Domestic Resurrection Circus and Pageant. Regional theater experience includes: Editor Webb in Our Town, Angus in The Drawer Boy, Gogo, Waiting for Godot, the Chaplain in Mother Courage and Egeus in Midsummer Night’s Dream. Recent credits include, Bob Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird, Ben Hecht in Moonlight and Magnolias, and Quince in Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as Frank in Song For My Father by poet, David Budbill. Bob enjoys participating in the creative development of works by today’s playwrights, and The Bus is a welcome chance to work with a strong production team in the presentation of critical new work.
Julia Lawler (the little girl) has worked with The 52nd Street Project and Young Playwrights Inc. She is a member of Glass Bandits Theater Company with whom she recently appeared in an adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Film: Beautiful Garden (fall ’11 release). BFA: SUNY Purchase.
Travis Mitchell (Harry) Travis is thrilled to be working with this amazing group of people on such a remarkable piece. National Tours: Spring Awakening (u/s Adult Men) Regional: Spring Awakening (Adult Men)-ReVision Theatre; Clue: The Musical! (Colonel Mustard), Lycian Theatre. Film: “Frequent Flyers” (Dir. Matt Troy) Television: “Law & Order: SVU”, “As The World Turns”. Please check out his website at www.travistravistravis.com. Enormous thanks to John, Jim and Paul Davis. So much love and respect to Jules.
Kerry McGann (Sarah) Kerry is super-excited to be making her 59E59 debut! Originally a Ginger from Jersey, Kerry currently lives in Connecticut and shares her time with the Empire, Garden, and Nutmeg states– thank you, Metro North. Recent roles include the Good Will spokesperson and the MTA’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign. (Thank you again, Metro North). Formerly a student of the amazing Wynn Handman, she currently studies with Bob Krakower and adores all her fellow Krakheads. Much thanks to our fearless director John, and the rest of this talented cast. Bravo to writer James Lantz for tackling such topics with grace and care. A special thanks to Jennifer and Emily, Paul Davis, and much love to friends and family! Kerry can be reached at kerrymcgann1@gmail.com
James Lantz (Playwright) is the writer of four plays including American Machine, which was a co-commissioned project of The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. As an award-winning filmmaker, he has produced, written and directed over 200 commercial films, videos and live events for clients such as American Express, American Airlines, Amtrak, Alamo Rental Cars, Mobil Oil and The Brooklyn Museum of Art. He is the recipient of numerous filmmaking awards including, The International Television and Video Association’s Best in Show Award, numerous Telly Awards and the Best in Show Award at the Rosebud International Film Festival. As a screenwriter, James has received recognition from numerous film festivals as well as The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowship for Screenwriting, and the Austin Film Festival. Last year, his unproduced screenplay for Hide Fox won awards at eight national film festivals. In addition to serving as a film programmer for The Brooklyn Museum of Art, he created and produced Dreams and the Art of Filmmaking, a conference devoted to exploring the synergy between cinema and psychology. For an audience of 600 attendees at the Great Hall at Cooper Union in New York City, he moderated a panel that included filmmakers such as Academy Award nominated writer/director Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show) and several internationally recognized psychologists such as John Beebe, film scholar and co-author of the book The Feminine in Film. James is currently at work on another stage play and screenplay. He lives with his wife, two sons, and a dog named Rufus in Burlington, Vermont. www.jameslantz.com
John Simpkins (Director) recently directed the three-time Drama Desk nominated Off-Broadway production of Bloodsong of Love: The Rock and Roll Spaghetti Western (by Joe Iconis) at Ars Nova. Other New York credits include the Off-Broadway productions of ReWrite (Urban Stages); The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks (Theatreworks, USA- Lucille Lortel Theatre); Things to Ruin (which he co-conceived and directed productions of at Second Stage, Le Poisson Rouge, Zipper Factory, Joe’s Pub) and The Black Suits (SPF at the Public Theatre). Regional productions include Hairspray (North Carolina Theatre); Damn Yankees (Engeman Theatre); Annie and Cabaret (Sacramento Music Circus); Evita (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma); Rent, A Funny Thing…Forum and The Wedding Singer (TriArts Sharon Playhouse). He has directed workshops/ readings/ productions of new works including ReWrite (Goodspeed Opera House); Fantasy Football, the Musical; When the World Ends (Blaemire- Ars Nova); Ripper (NAMT); Party Come Here (David Kirshenbaum/ Daniel Goldfarb); Next Thing You Know (Berkshire Theatre Festival); Half Married (Cunningham/ Antin); Plastic! (Maddock/ Iconis/ Jacobs – York Theatre), You Don’t Know Jack (York Theatre), Bad Kid School (Barrington Stage), 29 (Alter/ Newman), Lyrical Langston Hughes (New Triad- Lincoln Center) and Blood Drive (Rachel Sheinkin). John is Artistic Director at TriArts Sharon Playhouse. He is also a member of the music theatre faculty at New York University Steinhardt – where he has directed Floyd Collins, The Fix, Sweet Smell of Success, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Violet, Urinetown, Merrily We Roll Along, Parade, Fiorello! and A New Brain. His production of Parade was preserved and is on reserve at Lincoln Center’s Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Miami University and a Master of Arts from NYU. Current projects include further productions of The Black Suits and Bloodsong of Love (Joe Iconis), Hellraisers at Barrington Stage, A Wonderful Life at the Engeman Theatre, When the World Ends (Nick Blaemire), and the world premiere production of Fantasy Football: the musical? in Minneapolis. www.john-simpkins.com
April Cornell, Debra Blumberg, Debra Lopez-Gottesman and Bill Gottesman, Deborah Kehoe, Alex Dostie and Mary Moynihan plus over 450 Backers (Honorary Producers) The Bus is honored to name these folks as Honorary Producers. Without their support, encouragement and help, this production would not exist today. To see even more Honorary Producers, check out our ‘Sponsors’ page. Thanks!
Paul Davis/Calleri Casting (Casting Director) With James Calleri and Erica Jensen, Paul casts for a variety of theatre, TV and film projects. Theatre: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Classic Stage Company, The Long Wharf, The Rattlestick, The Playwrights Realm, and New Georges. Current TV: Army Wives for Lifetime. Film: Another Earth (currently in release), upcoming That’s What She Said (director Carrie Preston), Kyle Jarrow’s Armless (Sundance 2010) directed by Habib Azar as well as Ready? OK! for Daisy 3 Pictures. Much gratitude to Jim and John for the opportunity to work with them on The Bus. www.callericasting.com
Michael Schweikardt (Set Designer) most recently designed the critically acclaimed revival of Showboat for Goodspeed Musicals. He has designed sets for several musicals by Joe Iconis: ReWrite, A Musical Comedy Triple Feature at Urban Stages, The Black Suits at The Public Theater, The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks at The Lucille Lortel Theater and Things To Ruin at The Zipper Factory and Second Stage. He is the set designer for Ella, a musical about Ella Fitzgerald, which is appearing in cities all across the country. Recently he created the sets for The Asolo Theatre Company’s 50th anniversary production of Barnum and the critically acclaimed productions of Annie Get Your Gun, Camelot, 1776 and Big River for Goodspeed Musicals. He designed the American premier of Frank McGuinness’ Gates Of Gold at 59E59, The Bird Sanctuary for Pittsburgh Public Theatre (starring Elizabeth Franz and Hayley Mills) and productions of Donald Margulies’ Collected Stories (starring Lynn Redgrave) and Joe Sutton’s Restoring The Sun. For Blue Light Theater Company Michael designed the set for Clifford Odets’ Golden Boy directed by JoAnne Woodward. He would go on to design two more productions for Ms. Woodward: Waiting For Lefty (starring Marisa Tomei) and The Big Knife. Michael continued his association with Blue Light, designing sets for The Seagull (directed by Austin Pendelton) and Michael Cristofer’s Amazing Grace (starring Marsha Mason). Other credits include All Under Heaven (starring Valerie Harper) and Tallulah, Hallelujah! (starring Tovah Feldshuh). Mr. Schweikardt also designed the set for James Taylor’s One Man Band Tour which toured the U.S.A. and Europe and was recorded on dvd. Online portfolio at: www.msportfolio.com
Chris Dallos (Lighting Designer), his theatre, dance and opera projects have been produced across the country. Off-Broadway, his work has been represented in over 50 productions. His designs for James Taylor’s One Man Band Tour were seen in over 40 cities. Regionally his work has been seen at The Kennedy Center, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, Bay Street Theatre, NJPAC, Lyric Theatre/Oklahoma, The Hangar, and The Geary among others He has designed numerous corporate environments for clients including Wal-Mart, Pfizer, MillerCoors, Volkswagen, Phillip’s, Bridgestone/Firestone, Showtime, Starwood Resorts, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, Major League Baseball, Tribeca Film Festival and even the Christmas windows for Macy’s. See his work at www.dallosdesign.com
Michael Shaieb, (Original Music) Stage: THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY (Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus); GO-GO BEACH (dir. John Simpkins, 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival, licensed through Theatrical Rights Worldwide); ALEXANDER’S HOUSE (Washington DC Gay Men’s Chorus). Choral: KUSHNER TRILOGY, including “I Want More Life” (text from “Angels In America: Perestroika”), commissioned by Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus for the 2009 Tony Kushner Festival at the Guthrie Theatre. Film & TV: original scores for BRIEF REUNION (dir. John Daschbach) and the Vh1 documentary LAST DAYS OF LEFT EYE; end credits song for WAKING DREAMS starring Ben Shenkman. Live Entertainment: CARNAVAL DE FUEGO (Six Flags Elitch Gardens). Michael received his MFA from NYU’s Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program in 1999. Before moving to New York, he performed for 15 years as a classical pianist in Detroit. Upcoming: OUT OF MY RANGE (AND OTHER AGE-RELATED PERFORMANCE ISSUES) (Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus); THE ASTONISHING RETURN OF THE PROTAGONISTS with Kevin Del Aguila.
Michelle Eden Humphrey (Costume Designer) Dally with the Devil (Rachel Reiner Productions, Theater Row), Ghostlight (NYMF Signature Theater), Bloodsong of Love, Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular (Ars Nova) Caesar and Cleopatra (Resonance Ensemble, Theatre Row), ReWrite (Urban Stages), Things to Ruin (Le Poisson Rouge, Second Stage & The Zipper Factory), The Black Suits (SPF The Public Theater) King David (Skirball) Regional: Academy (Maltz Jupiter Theater, NYMF TBG Theater and Daegu International Musical Festival in Korea) Oklahoma (Ohio Northern University) Damn Yankee’s (John Engeman) Rent, The Wedding Singer (Sharon Tri Arts) 42nd Street, Man of La Mancha, Nunsense, California Suite (Plays in the Park), The Univited, Let Him Sleep (Brea Theater League), and The NJ Renaissance Festival. She is has a designed many musicals for New York University Steinhardt and is the costume shop supervisor. Film: Stylist for International Auto Show web series After Dark (2011) Radio City Christmas web-video (2010). Badia Farah stylist for NJPAC performance and music video Heaven, Assistant Costume Designer for Una Calle sin Salida (LMF Productions). Michelle was a costume designer for Knott’s Berry Farm Theme park and costumed performances such as Tales from the Crypt and “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark”. She has worked as a celebrity dresser and worked on Madonna’s “Girlie Tour”. Michelle is on the board of directors for Theatreworks USA and creator of children’s entertainment company beautyandthehero.com.
Joshua Wright (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working on THE BUS with such a great tream! Previous stage manager credits include Chamber Opera (NYU) and at Theatre LaB Houston: Barbra’s Wedding, Barrymore, Dealer’s Choice, and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife. Recent acting credits include My Fair Lady (with Terrence Mann) and Rent (Mark) at Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Die Fledermaus (Frank), Sweeney Todd (Judge Turpin), The Fix (Graham Chandler), Hotel for Criminals (Judex), and Fiorello! at NYU, and Maybe One Day (reading) at The York Theatre. Other favorite acting credits: I Love You, You’re Perfect…Now Change! (Man #2), Guys and Dolls (Benny Southstreet), and You Can’t Take it With You (Ed) at Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, Forever Plaid (Frankie) at The [late] Great Caruso, and at Theatre LaB Houston: Tick, Tick…BOOM! (Jon), I Sing! (Alan), China: The Whole Enchilada (Eric), Gutenberg: The Musical! (Doug), and Johnny Guitar: The Musical! (Turkey). Josh holds a M.M. from New York University and a B.A. in Theatre from University of Houston. JoshuaWrightOnline.com
Alix Claps (Production Manager) is the Production Manager for New York University’s Program in Vocal Performance, and has PSM’d there for the last four years. New York: the Chicago 10th Anniversary Production, The Black Suits (SPF at The Public Theatre), Things to Ruin (The Zipper Factory, Second Stage), The New Fangled Variety Show (Comix), Howard Katz (Roundabout Theatre Company), the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, Gypsy of the Year, The Easter Bonnet Competition, Broadway Bares, and The Leading Men concert series. Regional: Music Theatre of Wichita, Ogunquit Playhouse, Theater By The Sea, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Surflight Theatre, Mac-Haydn Theatre. Alix holds a B.T.A. from the University of Michigan and a M.A. from DePaul University, and is currently pursing her J.D. at Rutgers School of Law – Newark. www.alixclaps.com
Sven Henry Nelson (Properties Master) is originally from Seattle, but has been in New York for the last two years working as a prop master. NYU Stienhardt School credits include: Trouble in Tahiti, The Telephone, Kiss of the Spider Woman, I’ll Be Damned, Candide, Party Come Here, and The Light In the Piazza. Other New York credits: Gates of Gold (59E59), Joe Iconis’s ReWrite (Urban Stages), Sin, Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party, and When Last We Flew (NYFringe 2010). Sven dedicates all his work to Murmenfrau and Leopold.
Mark Dabelstein, John Maurier, Isaac Wasuck (Set Construction)