Terry Kiser

From August 11 to September 3, Essential Theatre is presenting its 24th Festival featuring two World Premiere productions, four staged readings, partner presentations of two more plays, and a 10 Minute Play Bootcamp Showcase - all by Georgia playwrights.

Purlie played by Ronald Edwards is a newfangled preacher man extolling the gospel of freedom. Tanasha West partners with him in the lead as love struck Lutiebelle and the key to Purlie's plan to win back Big Bethel - the family's symbol of freedom. Crystalyn Monet joins the cast as Aunt Missy apprehensive yet committed to Purlie's ambitious plan. While, Terry Kiser embodies the realist Gitlow, 'Deputy of the Color People', Missy's husband and Purlie's brother. Brian Christopher Roberson arrived in Atlanta just in time to portray Charlie Cotchipee who openly challenges the racist ideas of the old south which drives his plantation owning, Jim Crow believing father, Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee played by Ian Scott, also a newcomer to metro Atlanta, crazy. DeEtta West, sister to Cleavon Little who won the Tony for his role as Purlie in 1970, rounds out the cast as discrete yet alert Idella Landy, Charlie's childhood nurse and a former slave.

The man who played the most popular dead guy in the movies is back and better than ever. Terry Kiser, the iconic actor who brought Bernie Lomax to life (and death), in Weekend at Bernie's, has joined the cast of the hit series, Johnny Dynamo, which recently debuted its second season on YouTube.

Angel Light Pictures announced today that they will produce THE APPRENTICESHIP OF TED KOTCHEFF, a documentary about the life of Ted Kotcheff (William T. Kotcheff). The film will track the cinematic journey of the legendary Canadian film and television director, by Antonio Saillant in his debut as a director (Heterosexual, The Ascension).

Angel Light Pictures announced today that they will produce THE APPRENTICESHIP OF TED KOTCHEFF, a documentary about the life of Ted Kotcheff (William T. Kotcheff).