Photo Flash: In Rehearsal for Page 73's ORANGE JULIUS at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater

Rehearsals have begun for Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and Page 73 presentation of the New York premiere of Basil Kreimendahl's memory play about a transmasculine child and their dying Vietnam vet father, Orange Julius, directed by Dustin Wills. Previews begin January 10 for an opening January 22 at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

After being poisoned by Agent Orange in the jungles of Vietnam, Julius is dying; his body is racked with cancer and his mind gone. Nut, his adult child, tries to reconnect with Julius by caring for his decaying body, sorting through childhood memories, and diving into war movie fantasies, ultimately finding ways to connect with him in ways Nut never expected.

Jess Barbagallo, an actor and a playwright (My Old Man (And Other Stories)), plays Nut; Stephen Payne, who served two tours of duty in Vietnam, is Julius; and Mary Testa, two-time Tony nominee, is Nut's mother. Rounding out the cast are Irene Sofia Lucio and Ruy Iskandar.

The designers are Kate Noll, sets; Montana Blanco, costumes; Barbara Samuels, lighting; and Palmer Hefferan, sound. Nicole Marconi is production stage manager.

Orange Julius performs Tuesday to Sunday evenings at 8:00pm with matinees Saturdays at 2:00pm at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place, January 10 through February 12. Tickets can be bought at www.rattlestick.org or via phone at 212-627-2556.

Photo Credit: Bruce Cohen

Mary Testa and Dustin Willis

Dustin Willis

Dustin Willis and Basil Kreimendahl

Michael Walkup and Daniella Topol

Irene Sofia Lucio

Irene Sofia Lucio

Irene Sofia Lucio and Mary Testa

Irene Sofia Lucio and Mary Testa

Daniella Topol and Victor Cervantes

Dustin Willis and Ruy Iskander

Dustin Willis and Ruy Iskander

Dustin Willis and Michael Walkup

Stephen Payne and Jess Barbagallo

Palmer Hefferan and Jess Barbagallo

Michael Walkup, Daniella Topol and Basil Kreimendahl

Daniella Topol and Basil Kreimendah

Basil Kreimendahl, Jess Barbargallo and Dustin Willis

Jess Barbagallo, Basil Kreimendah and Dustin Willis