(NEW HOPE, PA) -- New Feathers Productions producers, Mandee K. Hammerstein, Greg T. Nanni and new addition to the producing team, John Augustine, have announced the selected shorts, cast and director for their upcoming series re-launch November 1 at the James A. Michener Art Museum. First unveiled in 2017, New Feathers’ ongoing mission is to professionally produce reading series, dedicated to offering a voice and welcoming forum while showcasing new, literary works by established and emerging playwrights.
The New Feathers Productions series dates at the Michener are Thursday, November 1st, 15th and December 20th. Show tickets also include instant access to the latest museum exhibits including: Impressions on Paper: Henry Snell (on view now through November 11), Leslie Pontz: Integration (on view 11/3/18 – 2/17/19), and Frank Hyder: The Janis Project (on view 11/10,18 - 2/23/19), as well as the popular, pre-show gatherings at 6:00pm, prior to each 7:00pm performance.
The November 1st evening includes the following shorts from the Princeton Witherspoon Circle, with direction from veteran character actor (Actors Equity) and acting coach, Joey Perillo of Bucks County: A Slap In The Ass by Ken Kaissar; Jugs by Shelli Pentimall Bookler; Try The Fortune Cake by Barry M Putt; The Tale Of The Spooky Turnip by Greg Nanni; Animals by Kerri Kochanski; and The Faint Taste Of Cat Food And Sour Milk by Barbara Blumenthal Ehrlich.
After an open casting call held at the Michener Art Museum on August 19th, the producers have announced the following actors who will be performing multiple roles by Perillo’s direction throughout the evening: JAMES JESEBERGER as "Max" (Slap), "Mark" (Jugs), "Eddie" (Turnip); BRIANNA LYNN as "Lisa" (Cat Food), "Debbie" (Cake), "Liz" (Animals); KEITH MALISZEWSKI as "Sean" (Slap), "Adam" (Cat Food), "Harrison" (Animals); ALEXANDRA VOELMLE as "Lydia" (Slap), "Kelly" (Turnip), "Cathea" (Animals); and Returning New Feather Performer: HAYDEN SAUNIER as "Lucille" (Jugs), "Brenda" (Cake).
"Having the addition of John Augustine as producer, truly provides an exciting, new flavor to our dynamic as a producing team. John brings a wealth of creative expertise to the table from every aspect of entertainment, having him on board is simply thrilling. As a new team, it was instantly decided to involve Joey Perillo as director. Like Augustine, Perillo’s expertise spans across many performance platforms, from the arenas of stage to screen. Coincidentally, both professionals offer unique, personal styles that always involve elements of fun, along with an invigorating mix of honesty, engagement and fresh thought, perfectly in alignment with the New Feathers Productions approach with creatives, partners and audiences ," stated producer Mandee K. Hammerstein.
Show tickets are $20.00 and are available online – "New Feathers" and select proceeds of all NFP ticket sales additionally benefit the James A. Michener’s educational programming department.
John Augustine plays have been produced in NYC at The Zipper, HERE, Naked Angels, Expanded Arts, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Miranda Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, and 59E59 Theaters. His anthology of 20 short plays, Augustine’s Confessions, is published by Playscripts.com. He and playwright, Willy Conley were commissioned by the National Theatre of the Deaf, to write OH! FIGARO! Touring the United States. For television, Augustine wrote for the Fox TV show Titus and Encore! Encore! with Nathan Lane and Joan Plowright. He has taught playwriting at Sarah Lawrence College, NYU, and Playwrights Horizons Theatre School. He is a Revson Fellow in Playwriting, and a member of WGA, The Dramatists Guild, SAG, AEA and SDC.
Joey Perillo is a veteran Equity Member, character actor and acting instructor who has worked and taught in Philadelphia, Princeton, New York and Los Angeles for more than 30 years. Joey has appeared as a principal (speaking) actor in virtually every theatrical medium including 14 major motion pictures such as "Philadelphia," "12 Monkeys," Rachel Getting Married, " "The Negotiator," "The Manchurian Candidate,"....and the original (and best) "Hairspray". You can also find Joey starring in principal roles of such hit television shows as "Veep", "Homicide", "The Wire", and "The Sopranos"
New Feathers Productions is a professionally produced, ever-expanding playwright and performance reading series devoted to new works and are now accepting open-submissions from all playwrights, submission details TBA. From inception and onto their exciting, second-season this fall, NFP promises to showcase theatrical works currently created by the award-winning playwrights of Princeton’s Witherspoon Circle and will be collecting new work for future programming from Bucks County area playwrights. NFP purposefully presents an edgy, industry-inside view to the creative development process with skilled performers, playwrights and directors. NFP aims to deliver a delightful and memorable mix of emotion-flexing, brain-teasing comedy, frank thought, post-conversation, while immersing participants in the experimental, theatrical process and encourages audience feedback to support new work.
The James A. Michener Art Museum collects, preserves, interprets, and exhibits American art, and promotes the work of nationally and internationally known Delaware Valley artists of all eras and creative disciplines. Founded in 1988, the museum presents exhibitions that explore a variety of artistic expressions and offers diverse educational programs that develop a lifelong involvement in the arts. Throughout the year, the Michener Art Museum hosts a wide range of programs open to the public, including lectures, artists conversations, gallery talks, artist studio tours, dance performances, jazz performances, family-themed activities, and other events. The Museum also offers a diverse selection of art classes for children and adults, which include instruction in drawing, painting, sculpting, and printmaking as well as programs for the public, schools, and teachers designed to support arts education. The James A. Michener Art Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
Infusing a classical oratorio with blues, gospel, jazz and soul, this musical and visual journey investigates human experiences of time and memory alongside powerful physical forces that shape the universe. Our exploration emphasizes the significance of the ritual of gathering for live performance in an increasingly screen-focused world.
Featuring the students of the Lewis Center as the cast and crew, this production is the first non-professional performance of this important new work which premiered in 2022 in New York City to great critical acclaim.
Directed by visiting Iranian artist and director Nikoo Mamdoohi, with English to Latin translations by Greg Taubman, Princeton Class of 2006, the professional team includes music direction by Emma Sway, music supervision by Solon Snider Sway, set design by Afsoon Pajoufar, lighting design by Kelley Shih, sound design by Kay Richardson, costume design by Keating Debelak, choreography by Sariel Golomb, and stage management by Milan Eldridge, Princeton Class of 2020. Juniors Lota Alagbe and Peyton McLaughlin serves as dramaturgs.
