Long Wharf Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Ray Cullom, present the Next Stage Company's production of Mac Wellman's tigertigertiger directed by Artistic Resident Maryna Harrison.
The play will have four school performances on April 7 and 8 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. then will be open for two public performances on April 9 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Admission is free for school performances and a suggested donation of $5 for the public performances. The play is suitable for first through eighth graders.
An exciting, fun and poetic rock musical for young audiences, tigertigertiger, lyrically portrays two kids growing up in a grown up world-of violence, unknown places and tigers! "The music in tigertigertiger has a hip, rock vibe to it that aides in the telling of a story that is the perfect blend of danger, venture and silliness. I think audiences of all ages will leave humming a tune or two," said Annie DiMartino, director of education and the show's musical director.
After their Uncle Celery disappears, Kid One and Kid Two know that tigers are to blame-and it's up to them to stop the tigers from eating any more grown ups. Their tiger hunting quest leads them across New York City tracking the Upper East-Side Man-Eater down to the deserts of New Mexico to capture the Man-eater of the White Sands Missile Range and even up to the moon for the final showdown with the Man in the Moon Moon-man Eater. But as their journey progresses, the kids must confront different histories and acts of violence, leaving them to wonder: are the tigers really the bad guys or are they?
"This is a play about the imagination. It takes place in a dream world ... It's a coming of age story about the choices you make growing up," Harrison said. "It is about learning how to love yourself, be nice to yourself and how to not be afraid to be loving and compassionate."
The creative team for this production is composed of the Next Stage Resident Company joined by Director of Education and Next Stage Administrator, Annie DiMartino.
Director Maryna Harrison is the Artistic Resident from Danvers, MA. Maryna holds an M.F.A. in Directing from Rutgers University.
Education Resident Mallory Morris is serving as the marketing head, dramaturg, movement coach for this production. Mallory hails from Greenville, SC and received her B.A. in Theatre from the University of South Carolina.
Properties Resident Katrina Frances is both the Set Designer and Props Master for this production. Katrina comes from Newington, CT and has a B.A. in Theatre from UMass, Amherst.
Lighting Resident and Designer Sam Hewett earned his B.A. in Psychology and Technical Theatre from Bates College. Sam is originally from Holden, ME.
From Springfield, OH, Caitlin Headley is the Costume Resident and Designer. Caitlin obtained her B.A. in Theatre from Ohio State University.
Nicole Rheaume is the Sound Resident and Designer. From Providence, RI, Nikki got her B.A. in Technical Theatre and Design from Rhode Island College.
Scenery Resident Lydia Pustell is serving as the Technical Director. From Andover, MA, Lydia has a B.F.A in Technical Theatre from Salem State.
The cast is composed of: Sam Taubl (Kid One), Jenna Lex (Kid Two), Jesse Gabbard (Tiger One), Nicole Rodriguez (Tiger Two), Taneisha Duggan (Tiger Three), Matt Cornish (Homeless Man/ Oppenheimer/ Moon Rock), and Rick Bean (Uncle Celery).
Sam Taubl is a senior at Christian Heritage School where he has been in Seussical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and As You Like It. Last summer, Sam played Petruchio in
Long Wharf Theatre's Shake It Up Shakespeare's production of Taming of the Shrew. Sam also plays the guitar, bass guitar, drums and cello-and is even a songwriter and recording artist.
Jenna Lex is a local student who has been in On The Verge, Skin of Our Teeth and Doubt. She also has a background in improvisation comedy.
Jesse Gabbard returns to
Long Wharf Theatre's stage after appearing in last year's Next Stage Production of The Happy Prince. Jesse has been in a wide range of productions from Trojan Women, to A Few Good Men, to Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet throughout Connecticut.
Nicole Rodriguez holds a B.A. in Music from Yale University where she was hevily involved in opera. She has also appeared in Annie and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at Hartford Children's Theatre.
Taneisha Duggan received her B.F.A. from Purchase College in New York. She has appeared in A Raisin in the Sun and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Hartford Stage, as well as Fiddler on the Roof and Gypsy at the Greater Hartford Academy.
Matt Cornish obtained a M.F.A in Acting from The Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He has been in The Producers, The 25th Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Mikado, Urinetown, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Rick Bean is a resident of New Haven, CT returning to the
Long Wharf Theatre stage after appearing in Voir Dire and The Admirable Crichton. He has also been in Of Mice and Men (Spokane Civic Theatre), The Crucible, Bus Stop and Oklahoma (Albertus Magnus College).
For more information, visit
www.longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.
