THE COVER OF LIFE Coming Spring 2018 to The Gene Frankel Theater

Miller-Coffman Productions Proudly Presents - The Cover of Life The Cover of Life to make way to the Gene Frankel Theater in 2018! Directed by Stephen S. Miller

Tood, Weetsie, and Sybill are brides in rural Louisiana in 1943. Each married a Cliffert brother. The men are off to war and a local news story about these young wives keeping the home fires burning intrigues Henry Luce. He decides that they belong on the cover of Life Magazine and assigns Kate Miller to the story. She has been covering the war in Europe and, though she views doing a "women's piece" as a career set-back, she accepts because it will be her first cover story. Kate spends a week with the Cliffert women and her haughty urban attitude gives way to sympathy as she begins to understand them while coming face-to-face with her own powerlessness in a man's world. Filled with charm and fun, The Cover of Life is a deeply affecting story about the struggle for self-worth.

THE COVER OF LIFE had its world premiere at the American Stage Company, James N. Vagias, Executive Producer; further developed at The Hartford Stage Company, Mark Lamos, Artistic Director; David Harkanson, Managing Director.

The Cover of Life will be making its way to the Gene Frankel Theater with an opening on 7 March 2017, where it will run for a month in celebration of Woman's History Month. Tood, Weetsie and Sybil the brides of rural Louisiana during 1943. Each young lady married one of the Cliffert brothers. The brothers currently off at war in which a local news story written about the wives left at home in Louisiana keeping the home fires burning intrigued the attention O. Henry Luce. In which he decides that this story would make a perfect cover for Life Magazine. Kate Miller is assigned to the story. Kate has been focused on the way in Europe, though she is surprised to be asked to cover this story. "A woman's piece", something that Kate Miller had no interest in doing. Feeling that this would be a set-back in her career at Life Magazine, but she decides to accept the story as this will be her first cover story. Kate Miller is sent down to Sterlington, Louisiana to spend a week with the Cliffert women in her sophisticated New York attitude allows way for the sympathetic feelings as she begins to learn the background that this family holds near and dear to their heart. Kate comes face-to-face with her own powerlessness within a man's world. The Cover of Life is filled with 1943 charm in today's world. This show is deeply filled with an affecting story that will bring such struggle and self-worth to life and the realization that life can bring such bumps along the dirt road.

Full Length Play

Dramatic Comedy

105 Minutes

Time Period - 1940s / WWII

Settings of Play - September 1943. Various locations over several weeks in Sterlington, Louisiana, a very small town.

MEET THE CAST

JESSICA CARILLO AS TOOD

Jessica Carillo is a native New Yorker and continues to call New York home. Jessica has studied acting at HB studio in Greenwich Village, the Labyrinth Theater group and most recently The Neighborhood Playhouse. Jessica starred as Joy in Some Room Above the Street at the ATA. Jessica has starred as Polly in Polly Comes Home Again at the ATA. Jessica Starred in Typecast as Lana at St. Clements Theater. Jessica starred as Emma in Millennial Disclosure in the Secret Theater festival. Jessica Starred as Lisa in Psychic Cafe at St. Clements theater. Jessica Starred in Fade to Black as Nile at the Secret theater. Jessica also starred in Black Me Out as Beth at the Kraine theater in the East village and also the secret theater in Long Island City in 2015. In 2014 Jessica had a role in Shakespeare's Coriolanus at the ATA theater group in NY City.

MOLLY CALLAHAN AS SYBIL

Best known for her work in Broken Heart Land, America the Beautiful, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Holiday Party, Young and Tender Heart, Sleigh Bells, A Christmas Carol and many more. Molly has been seen at the Producers Club, and all-around New York City. Film credits include - Paradise East Feature Film. Molly wishes to thank her family and friends for there never-ending support. Molly also wishes to thank Stephen Miller and Miller-Coffman Productions, as well as the cast and crew of The Cover of Life!

ABIGAIL MILNER-SWEETSER AS WEETSIE

Classically and contemporary trained actress living in New York City. Favorite credits include (Hamlet), (Much Ado About Nothing), (People, Places & Things), (The Member of the Wedding), (Look Back in Anger), (Three Sisters). Feature film, Badpuss: A Popumentary (Indieflix). Along with her training at The Actors Studio Drama School, she studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatics Arts and the British American Drama Academy in the UK. She's worked with esteemed actors and directors such as Fiona Shaw, Simon Callow, Brian Cox, James Bundy, Peter Francis James, and UK director Lyndsey Turner (Hamlet, Barbican Centre featuring Benedict Cumberbatch). Additional training includes The National Theatre Institute, the William Esper Studio, and the Robert X. Modica Studio, and a has BA in theatre from Smith College. She is also in the feature film, Badpuss: A Popumentary. Much gratitude to her family, friends, and acting mentors & heroine(s).

Jill Cook AS Kate Miller

Jill is thrilled to be joining the cast of The Cover of Life and is thrilled to be working with the cast and crew of the show. She most recently appeared as Fain Cuddehy in the world premiere production of "Blood Boundary" produced B. Miller- Coffman Productions. She has also appeared as Emma in "Stupid f-ing Bird" at the Arthur Seelen theater which was directed by Jennifer Kent. Jill also appeared at the American Theater of Actors in "Who Killed Homer Keats", where she won the 2015 Jean Dalrymple award as the best supporting actress. Jill was also seen in Barbarians at The Gate, The Illegitimate by James Jennings and the shows Willing Participants in A Sexual Polka, Violence and Oxygen by James Crafford. Jill's other credits include Reggie Fluty in "The Laramie Project" at the La Mama theater which was directed by George Papamichael. Jill Studies with Michael Beckett at HB Studios and has a vast dance background with the New Jersey Ballet Company. Jill earned her B.A. at Simmons College in Boston where she became a Bikram Yoga devotee. Jill wishes to thank her father for his amazing love and support.

Amy Losi AS AUNT OLA

Amy has appeared in lead and supporting roles in nearly sixty comedies, dramas, and readings. Favorite roles: Olivia de Havilland in Livvie and J. De Beau (Manhattan Rep), three comic women in Perfectly Normal People (NY Fringe Encores), the title role in And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little (Regional), Maria in Lend Me a Tenor, ten women in The Dining Room, the abusive Mother Superior in Eclipsed, Gloria's sidekick in The Gloria Glitter Show (18 months, Broadway Comedy Club), and performing in three different plays, with 3 different accents, in the same week. Other credits: commercials, film, web, TV (Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations; Celebrity Ghost Stories). Amy is honored to help bring Stephen Miller's vision to Life.

MAIA NERO

Maia is an actress, singer, model and painter. A tap dancing superstar in which she has participated in many tap showcases at Symphony Space and Broadway Dance Center working with Mark Albright. Maia earned two degrees' through FIT in advertising and communication and textile surface design. Performances at Geva Theater, and PCI studios. Studied with Michael Beckett at HB Studios and Susan Boston. Check out her art at mydecorart.com. A publish author of her book "Attitude & Dreams" a book of poetry and art. Received an art residency in Lake George at St. Mary's on the Lake. Credits include a title role in the movie "A Foreign heart of hope, Normal, and Ice- T's "Talk Shit Get Shot" as well as the 100th Anniversary for the JCC Production, JJ Adler. She is a Lifestyle Model. She is seen all around the city performing in various jazz rooms and supper clubs around Manhattan, working with such names as Ted Firth, Barry Lefitt, Danny Holgate and Kenny Barron.

THOMAS KALNAS AS TOMMY

Tom is humbled and thrilled out of his mind to work with Stephen Miller. After graduating William and Mary in 2017, Tom moved to NYC. This is his acting debut. His playwriting was produced Dec 2017 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center via Writers in Performance. He loves writing, reading, and arithmetic. He sings, enjoys classical text, and swears by the Alexander Technique. He's only relaxed when he improvises.

MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM

STEPHEN MILLER - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

Stephen is thrilled to be directing "The Cover of Life" by R.T. Robinson. Stephen is the nephew of R.T. Robinson and has been inspired throughout the years and has held the dream to produce and direct this show in the loving memory of Uncle Ronn. Stephen is fresh back from Producing Blood Boundary and Siren's Den - A New Rock Musical. He wishes to thank his mother "Kate Miller" for the never-ending love and support. A very special thank you to Uncle Ronn and Pop David R. Coffman for the inspiration that you have given me. Stephen also wishes to thank his amazing Aunt Louise for the amazing support. Pop and Uncle Ronn this is for you!www.millercoffmanproductions.com

MELANIE MAGRI - MARKETING DIRECTOR/ASM

Melanie Magri is thrilled to be part of Miller-Coffman Productions Off-Broadway revival of The Cover of Life! Melanie is the Valedictorian of the 2016 class at Five Towns College receiving her Bachelor's degree in Music/Music Business and has always had a serious passion for theater! She's worked in many aspects of theater including marketing, stage management, front of house and as a musician/musical director. Melanie's select performance credits: Siren's Den the Musical BCEFA Benefit Concert (Keys 2); DCINY Total Vocal A Capella Concert at Carnegie Hall (Alto); International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella- ICCAs (Dominance A Capella Group Alto). NYC Theater credits: A Piece of My Heart (ASM); Blood Boundary (Crew); Siren's Den the Musical (Production Assistant); Five Towns College theater credits: The Marvelous

Wonderettes (Music Director); Little Shop of Horrors (Ensemble/Urchin understudy); Ragtime (Musician); Short film credits: Lily (Production Assistant/Extra). Many thanks to her friends and family for their constant support! Break a leg cast and crew!

TONY WHITE - SET DESIGNER

From classics to original works, Tony has enjoyed appearing and directing in a variety of off-off Broadway shows. Directing credits include "Blood Boundary", "Broken Heart Land" "Much ado about nothing", "as you like it", "Romeo and Juliet", "Uncommon Women", "Titus Andronicus" and "Lysistrata". Favorite roles - Falstaff in "The Merry Wives of Windsor", Pompey in "Measure for Measure", Dumain in "All's Well That Ends Well", Dogberry in "Much Ado About Nothing", Duke Senior in "As You Like It" and Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet". He has enjoyed playing Rupert in "Robe", Edward in "Spike Heels", Deacon Crow-for-a-day in "Tambourines to Glory" (Nominated best supporting actor 2003 Tiffany Awards), and Reverend Drum in "Gods Trombones" (Nominated best actor 2004 Tiffany Awards). Tony is represented by Carson Kolker Innovative, and Avanti Talent.

Ken Coughlin - LIGHTING DESIGN / SOUND DESIGNER
Ken Coughlin - Lighting Design/Sound Design - has been called a Renaissance Man. An award-winning Actor/Director, accomplished Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist and involved in the technical aspects of theater for years. Ken has worked with sound since the late 60s. His path veered toward theater in the late 80s, where he began creating sound effects for the stage. Ken was thrown into lighting design while working on The Last Songbird. Since his 2006 foray into lighting design, he has designed over 50 shows. His lighting and sound credits from 2017 include Leaving Lannahassee, Buzz, Emmett, A Lesson in Blood, The Killing of The Snow Fox, The Dead Old Lady, P.O.W. and Touch Not My Heart - Lights & Sound - The Sargent Theatre, Siren's Den- Sound - The Gene Frankel Theatre, The Sandman - Lights & Sound - The John Cullum Theatre, Shelter, In Some Room Above the Street, Polly Come Home Again and Diary of a Madman - Lights & Sound - The Beckmann Theatre.

RENEE SHUBERT - STAGE MANAGER

"Renee Shubert is thrilled to be on board with Miller-Coffman Productions for their production of "The Cover of Life". Renee is a recent graduate from Five Towns College and is a singer, actress, and stage manager. Past stage management credits include "Angels in America" and "Seussical" at the Five Towns college performing arts center as well as having assisted on many other productions. Renee would like to thank her mother for giving her everything to pursue her dreams as well as Stephen and Melanie for this opportunity and their support. Break Legs to my cast!"

SHOW SCHEDULE

PUBLIC FREE PREVIEW PERFORMANCE:

Wednesday, March 7th * 8PM
*Tickets sold at the door, first come first serve

OPENING NIGHT:

Thursday, March 8th * 8PM

SHOW DATES:

Friday, March 9th * 8PM Saturday, March 10th * 2PM & 8PM Sunday, March 11th * 3PM Wednesday, March 14th * 8PM Thursday, March 15th * 8PM Friday, March 16th * 8PM Saturday, March 17th * 2PM & 8PM Sunday, March 18th * 3PM Wednesday, March 21st * 8PM Thursday, March 22nd * 8PM Friday, March 23rd * 8PM Saturday, March 24th * 2PM & 8PM Sunday, March 25th * 3PM Wednesday, March 28th * 8PM Thursday, March 29th * 8PM Friday, March 30th * 8PM Saturday, March 31st * 2PM and 8PM

TICKETS:

Http://thecoveroflife.brownpapertickets.com