(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Three decades of marriage and three daughters later Peter has an epiphany and informs his wife that he is in love with another woman whom he has been having an affair with for the past three years. He assumes his wife will leave, but she doesn't, and to make matters worse his girlfriend gives him an ultimatum. Peter’s choices in life are put to the test as he questions the meaning of love, friendship and betrayal. That's the premise behind FOR WORSE by Deborah Rennard, which will have its World Premiere at New Jersey Repertory Company March 10 through April 10, 2016.
The cast includes Ed Kershen, Kristin Griffith, Daniela Mastropietro and Angie Tennant and is directed by Evan Bergman.
Playwright Deborah Rennard played "Sly", JR’s secretary, on the hit TV show, Dallas, for ten years. She also starred in the cult favorite, Lionheart, with Jean Claude Van Damme. In 1991 she co-wrote an episode of Due South for CBS, and co-produced the highly acclaimed TV series EZ Streets with her then husband, Paul Haggis, also for CBS. In 2006, she co-produced Warner Independent's, In the Valley of Elah, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron, for which Mr. Jones received an Oscar nomination. In 2008 her first play Enough was optioned Off-Broadway. In 2012, her second play, For Worse, was read at NYSAF, at MTC in 2013 and at NJ Rep in 2014. In 2013 she also co-produced 3rd Person, starring Liam Neeson, Olivia Wilde, Mila Kunis, and James Franco.
Rennard spends most of her time writing and producing, but did a small cameo as "Poodle Lady" on HBO’s Show me a Hero last year. She loves to sing, and for the last few years, has been doing a singing duet act at various charity events and opening for comedians at Catch a Rising Star clubs.
The production team includes: Jessica Parks (Set Design & Props), Brian Snyder (Technical Director,) Jill Nagle (Lighting Design), Merek Royce Press (Sound Design), Michael Bevins (Costume Design), and Jennifer Tardibuono (Stage Manager).
New Jersey Repertory Company is located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch, NJ.
INSIDE THE PRODUCTION
Evan Bergman (Director) For NJ Rep World Premieres: The Substance of Bliss by Tony Glazer, The M Spot by Michael Tucker, A View of the Mountains by Lee Blessing. The Tangled Skirt by Steve Braunstein (nominated 2011 EDGAR Award). Saving Kitty by Marisa Smith. American Stare by Tony Glazer. Jericho, Poetic License and Place Setting (Nominated 2005 Best Play The Star-Ledger) by Jack Canfora. Off-Broadway: Love Therapy with Alison Frazer. The Director starring John Shea (New York and Los Angeles). The Glass House (workshops) with David Strathairn, Laila Robins, Hope Davis (Connecticut); with Geraint Wynn Davies (Barrington Stage), New York premiere starring Harris Yulin (Clurman). Gryzk (Ensemble Studio Theater). Poetic License, Jericho (NY Times critic pick; 59E59). Workshop Goodnight Sister; James Lapine (Cherry Lane Theater). Film: Dig A Hole, Find A Finger by John Ford Noonan official selection Palm Springs and Newport Beach International Film Festivals.
Ed Kershen (Peter) TV: The Sopranos, Law & Order, Law & Order CI, NYPD Blue, LA Law, True Blue, NY News, One Life To Live, All My Children. Film: The King Of America (PBS), Clara (A&E). Film credits: The Miracle Of Spanish Harlem Earthwork, An Affirmative Act, The Crimson Mask, Winter of Frozen Dreams, A Packing Suburbia, Poison, Sidewalk Stories. Off-Broadway: Sam’s Romance (Actors Temple Theatre), The Godfather Workout (American Place Theatre) The Eggnog Talking (Cherry Lane Theatre) The Gift Horse (Jewish Rep). Regional: Guthrie (MN), Cape Fear Regional Theatre (NC), City Theatre (PA), Clarence Brown Theatre (TN), Wilma Theatre (PA), Syracuse Stage (NY), Merrimack Rep (MA) Huntington Theatre (MA), North Shore Music Theatre (MA), Kennedy Center (DC), Forum Theatre (NJ), Autumn Playhouse (PA). Ed has appeared in dozens of national and regional commercials and voice overs, formed the musical trio OCD3.
Kristin Griffith (Karen) received a Drama Desk nomination as Outstanding Actress for her performance in The Fatal Weakness at the Mint Theater. Broadway: A Texas Trilogy, Park Your Car in Harvard Yard. Off Broadway: Mary Broome, The Charity that begins at Home, Mr. Pym Passes By, also at The Mint; The Most Deserving and Bethany at The Women's Project; Da, The Master Builder, Ernest in Love and It's A Wonderful Life at the Irish Rep. Her performance as Rose Mary Woods in Stretch: A Fantasia at the Ohio Theater was critically acclaimed and at the Promenade Theater she was directed by Simon Gray in his play The Holy Terror, A long-time member of Ensemble Studio Theater, she recently appeared there in Murray Schisgal's Existence. Kristin has played leading roles at regional theaters across the country and at the Shaw Festival in Canada. TV: Guest roles on Blue Bloods, Third Watch, and all franchises of Law & Order. Film: Woody Allen's Interiors, Stephen Soderbergh's King of the Hill, Merchant/Ivory's The Europeans and most recently, Drawing Home, Cold in July and I Smile Back with Sarah Silverman.
Daniela Mastropietro (Lucia) Classically-trained, Italian-American actor and dancer, Daniela Mastropietro has played many roles from Shakespeare to original work. She has recently appeared as a lead in the indie short film, Gallina and Kabul (2016) written and directed by Lauren Fritz, a lead in feature film: Behind The Mirror (Director: Minos Papas 2015 release) and '79 Parts (Director: Ari Taub), currently in post-production. She has also played on-stage roles like Masha in Chekhov's Three Sisters (Columbia University), Ariel Spirit in Shakespeare's The Tempest (CSC Young Company), Annette in God of Carnage (Chico, California) and Darla in the award-winning play, The Rise and Fall of a Teenage Cyber Queen by Lindsay Joy in 2013 (Winner for Best Ensemble and Best Director, Padraic Lillis Innovative Awards NYC). Daniela has also appeared on the ID Network. Italian-Speaking and proud graduate of Columbia's MFA Acting Program (2014) and SUNY Buffalo Dance Program, has studied with Alec Baldwin, LAByrinth Theater Company and HB Studio.
Angie Tennant (Ashley) is a New York based actor and dancer originally from New Orleans. After receiving her BFA in Theatre from Pacific Lutheran University, Angie moved to the city to pursue her MFA in Acting from The New School for Drama. During her three years at NSD, she had the opportunity to work on roles such as Helen in Dennis Kelly's Orphans, Moth in Love's Labour's Lost, and Josie in The Skriker by Caryl Churchill. Recent NY credits include Rascals with Altitude (General Mischief Dance Theater), Shooting Rats (Second Circle Theatre Company), and Tres Leches (web series). You may also have seen her in a Superbowl L commercial for the NFL. Angie is a founding member of both Second Circle Theatre Company and New Dance Theatre. For more information, visit www.angietennant.com.
