Cast Complete for Joe Gulla's GARBO Reading at The Dramatists Guild

Complete casting has been announced for a private staged reading of Joe Gulla's "GARBO". Directed by Brian Rardin, the staged reading will be performed on October 21. This reading will be part of the Friday Night Footlights Series held in the Mary Rodgers Room at The Dramatists Guild.

The complete cast of "GARBO" features Joe Gulla (Joe), Olivier J. Renaud (Ario/Angelo) and Ruth Sullivan (Anne/Jenn).

"GARBO" was previously staged at the Barrow Group Theatre as part of the 2011 All Out Arts "Fresh Fruit Festival". It was also a featured production in the 2012 "Times Square International Theater Festival".

Press notes state: "GARBO" tells the story of Joe, a Gay New Yorker, who happens upon the tiny, hidden, candle-lit Garbo Bar during his visit to Rome, Italy. An emotional adventure begins when he is introduced to the handsome, enigmatic, (possibly!) closeted bartender/owner. Funny and heartfelt, Garbo explores why life and love may be better lived outside the closet... even (or especially) in the shadow of the Vatican!"

Playwright Joe Gulla says, "What's exciting about 'GARBO' now is that it has grown into a Two Act play. In its earlier incarnation, 'GARBO' was a simple One Act. The addition of Act Two allows GARBO to tell a larger, deeper and richer story. We are excited to present a staged reading of the new 'GARBO' to our invited guests on October 21... with an eye on a full production in early 2017."

Joe Gulla (Playwright) wrote and performed "The Bronx Queen" which sold out Joe's Pub at The Public Theater this past August. "The Bronx Queen" also won the 2016 Downtown Urban Arts Festival "Audience Award" for its performance there earlier this year. Also, "Fall and Rise" written by Joe played the Hollywood Fringe Festival this summer. As an actor, Joe played "Joey" in San Francisco's "Tony & Tina's Wedding" for many years and "Frankie" in Off-Broadway's "My Big Gay Italian Wedding". He also starred on NBC's "LOST", one of television's first adventure reality series. Joe is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

Brian Rardin (Director) recently directed "The Bronx Queen" (Joe's Pub, NYC). He has also directed "GARBO" (Barrow Group Theatre), "Swingin' At Jack's", an Aerial Circus Cabaret (Galapagos Art Space, Bklyn, NY), "Under The Tree" 2011 & 2012 Editions (Theatre for the New City) and "Suspended Cirque". He was Director and Choreographer for "Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding" (Philadelphia, San Jose, San Francisco and Disney World). Brian was also Stage Manager for Broadway's "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" (Winner 2014 Tony for Best Musical), "Equus" with Daniel Radcliffe, "Well" by Lisa Kron, "Amadeus" with David Suchet & Michael Sheen and "Showboat". Rardin also served as Producer for "The Midnight Experience: Sex, Aerial & Rock'n'Roll" at The Cutting Room.

Olivier J. Renaud (Ario/Angelo) is a recent Terry Knickerbocker Studio graduate, Olivier fell in love with acting at a very young age. Having lived abroad his entire childhood and teenage years he has been in contact with many cultures of the world. He decided to move to New York two years ago after having left the world of circus and acrobatics. Olivier had been performing with the worlds best athletes, characters and clowns in major Cirque du Soleil productions before deciding to pursue his dream of acting.

Ruth Sullivan (Anne/Jenn) appeared in Discovery ID's "Redrum" and "Over My Dead Body". She also played May in Roger Williams University's "Fool for Love" and performed in "West Side Story" and "Angels in America" at CCNY. Ruth played the lead in various short films including "Whispers", "Ocean Boulevard" and "Perfect Day for a Picnic".

For more information on "GARBO", visit the playwright's website at JoeGulla.com.