BWW Stage Mag 5 Minute Mile - Holiday Edition - Cone Man Running Productions Stage Mag

Five Minute Mile
 
a 5 minute play festival
Holiday Edition
 

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Plays Featured in the Festival
​

#frankenstein #modern by Thomas J. Misuraca (Halloween)

10 Seconds Left by Cole Dzubak (NYE)

A Christmas of Inexpressible Pleasure by Diana Howie (Christmas)

A Misunderstanding at Sunshine Quest by William Ivor Fowkes (NYE)

A Sibling's Soliloquy by Ruth McCleskey (National Siblings Day)

Anaconda in the Mangrove Trees by Evan Baughman (Amazon Prime Day)

Auld Lang Syne by John Patrick Bray (NYE)

Broken Hearted Valentine by Carl Williams (Valentine's Day)

Chemistry by David L. Williams (Anniversary)

Christmas Temptation by Conor Farrell (Christmas)

Classic Family Holiday Dinner by Cassie Randall (President's Day)

Dear Nate by Ali Keller (Christmas)

Elf on a Shelf by James Kelsey Nelson (Christmas)

Empower Hour by Ophelia’s Rope (International Women’s Day)

First Florida Xmas by Helen Cheng Mao (Christmas)

Friendzoned by Reed Halvorson (Christmas)

Halloween is Straight Pride by Colleen O'Doherty (Halloween)

Hinata by Jade Rothman (Anniversary)

Jesus Comes Back by Jessica Moss (Easter)

Kareem Dream by Nabra Nelson (Ramadan)

Man and Mooncake by Yangzhou Bian (Mid-Autumn Festival)

National Vanilla Cupcake Day by Bara Swain (National Vanilla Cupcake Day)

Next Year by Yangzhou Bian (Chinese New Year)

Oy Vey Maria by Mark Harvey Levine (Christmas)

Spirits by Thomas J. Misuraca (Christmas)

The Christmas Lights by Alex Dremann (Christmas)

The Last Father's Day by Fernando Dovalina (Father's Day)

The Light by Mark Harvey Levine (Hanukkah)

The Very First Christmas by Joe Farrell (Christmas)

Under a Christmas Moon by Brian Rust (Christmas)

Wanna Get Ghosted by Colleen O'Doherty (Christmas)

Welcome to Christmas Village by Dan Guyton (Christmas)

Zombie Valentine by Kate Danley (Valentine's Day)

Each night features a set lineup for Act 1, but in Act 2, YOU get to decide what happens next. The audience will vote on selected plays and draw others at random, making every performance one-of-a-kind!

Act 1 Lineups - Order Subject to Change
 

Saturday, February 15, 2025 (8 PM)
Act 1:

  • ​Welcome to Christmas Village 

  • Halloween Is Straight Pride 

  • The Last Father's Day 

  • Friendzoned 

  • Auld Lang Syne 

  • A Misunderstanding at Sunshine Quest 

  • Anaconda in the Mangrove Trees 

  • Christmas Lights 

  • Christmas Temptation 

  • Empower Hour 

​

Sunday, February 16, 2025 (3 PM)
Act 1:

  • ​Oy Vey Maria 

  • Broken Hearted Valentine 

  • Spirits 

  • Chemistry 

  • First Florida Xmas 

  • Next Year 

  • Wanna Get Ghosted 

  • A Christmas of Inexpressible Pleasure 

  • Under a Christmas Moon 

  • Auld Lang Syne 

​

Monday, February 17, 2025 (8 PM) 

Act 1:

  • Elf on a Shelf

  • #frankenstein #modern

  • Halloween Is Straight Pride

  • The First Christmas

  • Man and Mooncake

  • The Light

  • Hinata

  • Classic Family Holiday Dinner 

  • Kareem Dream

  • Jesus Comes Back 

​

Thursday, February 20, 2025 (8 PM)

Act 1:

  • Welcome to Christmas Village 

  • A Misunderstanding at Sunshine Quest 

  • Sibling's Soliloquy 

  • National Vanilla Cupcake Day 

  • Broken Hearted Valentine 

  • Hinata 

  • Anaconda in the Mangrove Trees 

  • Elf on a Shelf 

  • 10 Seconds Left 

  • Spirits 

 

Friday, February 21, 2025 (8 PM)

Act 1:

  • Anaconda in the Mangrove Trees 

  • Wanna Get Ghosted 

  • 10 Seconds Left 

  • Kareem Dream 

  • Christmas Temptation 

  • Man and Mooncake 

  • #frankenstein #modern

  • Sibling's Soliloquy 

  • Welcome to Christmas Village 

  • Elf on a Shelf

 

Saturday, February 22, 2025 (8 PM) 

Act 1:

  • Oy Vey Maria 

  • Chemistry 

  • The Light 

  • National Vanilla Cupcake Day 

  • Wanna Get Ghosted (Nata, Abigail)

  • Next Year 

  • Halloween Is Straight Pride 

  • #frankenstein #modern

  • Classic Family Holiday Dinner 

  • Dear Nate 

 

Sunday, February 23, 2025 (3 PM Matinee)

Act 1:

​

  • The Light 

  • A Christmas of Inexpressible Pleasure 

  • Under a Christmas Moon 

  • Friendzoned 

  • Empower Hour 

  • The Last Father's Day 

  • Christmas Lights 

  • The First Christmas 

  • Jesus Comes Back 

  • Auld Lang Syne 
    ​

Thursday, February 27, 2025 (8 PM) 

Act 1:

  • Dear Nate 

  • Classic Family Holiday Dinner 

  • Christmas Lights 

  • Christmas Temptation 

  • A Christmas of Inexpressible Pleasure 

  • First Florida Xmas 

  • Kareem Dream 

  • Under a Christmas Moon 

  • Friendzoned 

  • Anaconda in the Mangrove Trees 

​

Friday, February 28, 2025 (8 PM) 

Act 1:

  • Welcome to Christmas Village 

  • The Light 

  • Hinata 

  • A Misunderstanding at Sunshine Quest 

  • Halloween Is Straight Pride 

  • The Last Father's Day 

  • Jesus Comes Back 

  • Next Year 

  • Empower Hour 

  • Chemistry 

 

Saturday, March 1, 2025 (8 PM) 

Act 1:

  • ​Oy Vey Maria 

  • Spirits 

  • Broken Hearted Valentine 

  • Man and Mooncake

  • Sibling's Soliloquy 

  • National Vanilla Cupcake Day 

  • Christmas Lights 

  • Elf on a Shelf 

  • Wanna Get Ghosted 

  • 10 Seconds Left

Cast

Abigail Anastasio
Helen Baker
Nata Cornelia
Mark Gonzalez
Stephanie Kelso
Patrice McKinney
Suzanne Mobarak
Jacobí Montgomery
Deirdre Phlegm
Amy Pope
Cawlyn Robinson
Barbara Stalder
Hilary Unger

Creative Team

Michael Weems

Artistic Director

Christine Weems

Director

Ruth S McCleskey

Director

Josh Baker

Tech

Meet the Company

Abigail Anastasio

Abigail Anastasio - Abigail Anastasio is a multipotentialite disguised as an attorney and former judge. Her many potentials and passions include: arts and crafts, the great outdoors, travel anywhere and everywhere, autonomous sports, strategy games, and animals. The stage is her latest passion and 5MM is her third production with Cone Man Running. She previously had roles in Witness for the Prosecution and Office Hours.

Helen Baker

Helen Baker - Helen Baker is excited to be playing on stage as an actor with Cone Man after a long unintended break from acting. She is currently a middles school Theatre Teacher and loves inspiring students through the art of theatre. Favorite roles include Inga from “Young Frankenstein, "Frosty from “Frosty the Snowman,” and multiple appearances in previous Cone Man Smatterings. She is always thankful for her family, friends, and husband’s (the Josh Baker) support.

Nata Cornelia

Nata Cornelio is excited and proud to participate in another production with Cone Man Running . In addition to her acting career , she is the elected judge of the 351st state district court in Harris County. She thanks her husband for supporting in doing all the things.

Mark Gonzalez

Mark Gonzalez - Mark Gonzalez is ecstatic to be performing alongside his delightful castmates in CMR’s 2025 Five Minute Mile! When he was 6 years old, Mark decided he wanted to become an attorney after watching the 1997 comedy Liar Liar featuring Jim Carrey’s ridiculous facial expressions and silly jokes. Many years and mock trials later, Mark became an attorney. “It’s nothing like the movie, and I’m no Jim Carrey,” says Mark. Still, the legal profession rewards Mark’s passions for performance and justice whenever he advocates for clients in court. Mark always looks forward to the challenges of performing outside the courtroom, and he appreciates the encouragement of his family and friends.

Stephanie Kelso

Stephanie Kelso - Stephanie is happy to be back on the Cone Man Running stage. Favorite past CMR credits include a handful of Spontaneous Smatterings (including The Worst Time In Forever, Journey to the Center of the Psycho Sexual Beast, and SmatterFunk), Senior Moments (Secrets of a Euphemism), and Merry Wives of Windsor. Stephanie serves on the Board of Directors at Company OnStage. Outside of theatre, she enjoys baking, cross-stitching, and Bourbon (her senior miniature Schnauzer). Love to The Professor!

Patrice McKinney

Patrice McKinney - Patrice Baumann McKinney is thrilled to be back on stage in a Cone Man Running production with this incredible cast. Patrice has previously appeared in Inherit the Wind, as Mrs. Sarah Brady; in Twelve Angry Jurors, as the Foreperson; in Witness for the Prosecution, as Ms. Mayhew; and in Night Court, an all lawyer musical production, in a number of roles, but her favorites were as a file box, Glenda the Good Witch, Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton, and Baby Bop. During the pandemic, she appeared virtually as RBG (Ruth Bader Ginburg), Suffragette Carrie Chapman Catt, and Kellyanne Conway. By day, she is an attorney with the Lanier Law Firm.

Suzanne Mobarak

Suzanne Mobarak - By day I analyze data at a nonprofit with a mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. In my spare time I enjoy hermiting, acting, reading, and trying every craft I can get my hands on. So far I can’t stand macrame or flower arranging, and I’m enjoying crochet and basket weaving. Best theatre moment? The audience cheering as I melted, playing the Wicked Witch of the West!

Jacobí Montgomery

Jacobí Montgomery - Jacobí has enjoyed the performing arts since an early age until he joined the military in 2005. Upon his return to the United States as an army combat veteran in 2009, he began working at U.S. VETS assisting homeless and at-risk veterans in finding stable housing, employment, and a sense of self worth; during that time, he co-founded the G.I. Jargon program where veterans could speak about their experiences in a safe space. Still having a love of the arts, he became a performer and organization administrator for Bayou City Performing Arts (BCPA), while also taking the stage at several playwright festivals. Continuing work in the non-profit field, he is also an assistant to the founder and CEO of the Texas Center for African American Living History (TCAALH) where the history of Texas’s past is taught through educational courses, historical bus tours, and re-enactments. This is his second Cone Man Running performance, and he is thrilled to be gracing their stage again!

Deirdre Phlegm

Deirdre Phlegm - Deirdre Phlegm is a Native of Houston, Tx, She is a student of the Charnele Brown Acting School. She has been back in the acting game since 2014 and has appeared in multiple plays such as Living it up with Ida Vaughn, Steel Magnolias , Eight notes to Heaven , Really Mom, and The Divas Ball to name a few… More recently starring in films The Dichotomy of Hattie Mcdaniel, The book of Aries, Bordersville, and more ..Deirdre is also a student behind the camera and productions as well.

Amy Pope

Amy Pope - Amy Pope is back for another round with CMR. Amy has worked her theater magic all around Houston working with Company OnStage, Cone Man Running Productions, Big Head Productions, Stage Door Inc., Houston Community College, Theater Southwest, Scriptwriters Houston, Pandora Theater and The Country Playhouse. When not acting, she is behind the scenes running lights and sound or directing.

Cawlyn Robinson

Cawlyn Robinson - Cawlyn Robinson is an Assistant County Attorney with the Harris County Attorney’s Office. After years of watching the arts, he decided after law school to pursue a new passion of performing. He has performed in two Cone Man Running Productions and is excited to participate in his third.

Barbara Stalder

Barbara Stalder -

Hilary Unger

Hilary Unger - Hilary Unger came to Houston from Miami Beach by way of New York. While in New York, she dabbled in screenwriting and earlier in the century was pleasantly surprised to learn that one of her screenplays actually made it to the quarter finals of the Austin Film Festival. Her prior acting experience consists of poorly attended comedy open mic nights, starring as a flying monkey in her elementary school’s production of The Wizard of Oz and Witness for the Prosecution. Hilary is the mother of two, a member of Houston’s legal community and very happy to get to keep playing onstage!

Michael Weems

Artistic Director

Christine Weems

Director

Ruth S McCleskey

Director

Josh Baker

Tech

Donors

Donors

Jeffry Abrams
Joe Alexander
Stacy Williams Bakri
Brandon Barchus
Patrick Barton
Malinda L Beckham-Cone 
Allan Brain
Karla Brandau
Rachel Brownhill
Troy Chandler
Autumn Clack
Brett Dressler
Conor Farrell
Bailey Hampton
Janet Hansen
Stephanie Kelso
Joel & Ruth S McCleskey
Patrice McKinney
Susan Noe
Kathryn Noser
Copper Buthman Paradiso
Ben Plopper
Michael Raabe
John & Kelly Raley
Sandra Peck Ramsey
Lee Raymond
Katherine Rinaldi
Helen Rios
Jason Jonathon Rivas
Adam Roberson
John William Stevens
Stephanie Howe Sullivan
William Tynan
​​​​​​​Hilary Unger
Christine & Michael Weems

Play Descriptions

#frankenstein #modern by Thomas J. Misuraca (Halloween)
 - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Mark Gonzalez, Abigail Anastasio 
#follow a couple in Geneva as they react to reports of a monster terrorizing their town. 

10 Seconds Left by Cole Dzubak (NYE)
 - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Mark Gonzalez 
New Year's Eve is about leaving the old year in the past and preparing for a new rotation around the sun. For Ryan, he spends the last few seconds of the year wishing he didn't have to leave everything behind.

 

A Christmas of Inexpressible Pleasure by Diana Howie (Christmas) - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Stephanie Kelso 

George Washington said of the attack on Trenton, Dec.25-26, 1776, that his men had behaved in a manner that gave him "inexpressible pleasure." 

A Misunderstanding at Sunshine Quest  by William Ivor Fowkes (NYE)
- dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Jacobì Montgomery, Barbara Stalder 
A heartfelt conversation between a widowed man and a dance instructor takes an unexpected turn, leading to a comedic yet poignant misunderstanding about love, identity, and second chances. 

A Sibling's Soliloquy by Ruth McCleskey (National Siblings Day)
 - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Helen Baker 
What do you say when your sibling dies before you get a chance to reconnect? 

Anaconda in the Mangrove Trees by Evan Baughman (Amazon Prime Day) - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Cawlyn Robinson, Deirdre Phelgm 
Craig has concerns about his wife’s online shopping habits
 

Auld Lang Syne by John Patrick Bray (NYE)
 - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Abigail Anastasio, Hilary Unger 
Jackie tries to return a bottle of champagne purchased the year before because last year was awful. The clerk at the liquor store helps Jackie realize that perhaps this year won’t be so bad, as new traditions are created.

 

Broken Hearted Valentine by Carl Williams (Vday)
 - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Cawlyn Robinson, Mark Gonzalez 
A man going through a breakup combats the blues with beer and a buddy.

 

Chemistry by David L Williams (Anniversary)
 dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Nata Cornelio 
Chemist Andi records an anniversary message for her long-distance boyfriend.

 

Christmas Temptation by Conor Farrell (Xmas) -
 dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Jacobì Montgomery, Suzanne Mobarak, Cawlyn Robinson 
While attempting to deliver presents, Santa is surprised by Maggie, who has getting on the naughty list on her mind.

 

Classic Family Holiday Dinner by Cassie Randall (President's Day) - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Cawlyn Robinson, Stephanie Kelso, Hilary Unger, Amy Pope, Patrice McKinney, Babs Stalder 
A wife/mother of two works on a holiday dinner for the whole family of husband, two children, brother-in-law, and mother-in-law...this is the painful and classic family dinner experience we all love to hate.

 

Dear Nate by Ali Keller (Xmas) dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Mark Gonzalez, Helen Baker 

Charlie and Nate work together, hang out together, and more recently – sleep together. Unfortunately, the transition in and out of sleeping with one another isn’t going smoothly. So Charlie tries to end her complicated “friendship” with Nate...through a construction paper Christmas card. 

Elf on a Shelf - James Kelsey Nelson (Xmas) - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Jacobì Montgomery, Stephanie Kelso, Amy Pope 
Gurgles the Elf is getting promoted to serve as an official Elf on the Shelf! But their excitement is dampened somewhat by Santa revealing the dark intentions behind his surveillance

 

Empower Hour by Ophelia’s Rope (Int'l Women's Day)
 dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Hilary Unger, Patrice McKinney, Helen Baker, Deirdre Phelgm, Abigail Anastasio/ Stephanie Kelso (understudy) 
On International Women’s Day, a group of men decide to allow women to do their jobs. And, oh boy, do they. 

First Florida Xmas by Helen Mao (Xmas) - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Mark Gonzalez, Hilary Unger 
Is about a couple celebrating their first Christmas after moving to Florida...and the husband's attempt at creating a natural tropical scene.

 

Friendzoned by Reed Halvorson (Xmas)
 - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Mark Gonzalez, Stephanie Kelso 
Clarke gives his son, CJ, a bit of tough love when his dating life is stuck in the cruelest status of all, the “Friendzone.”

 

Halloween is Straight Pride by Colleen O'Doherty (Halloween)
 - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Suzanne Mobarak, Deirdre Phelgm, Nata Cornelio 
A Short Play about Halloween and Dating.

 

Hinata by Jade Rothman (Anniversary) - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Suzanne Mobarak 
A surreal and haunting monologue capturing the disorienting moments after a catastrophic car crash. 

Jesus Comes Back by Jessica Moss (Easter)
 - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Helen Baker, Amy Pope, Stephanie Kelso 
Jesus died. But now he's returned! Unfortunately, it's not a great time for two of his apostles.  

Kareem Dream by Nabra Nelson (Ramadan) - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Deirdre Phelgm 
Fatima settles in for a relaxing and undisturbed night in, with a special treat just for herself. Unfortunately, she forgot that it is the first day of Ramadan, so her night in may not be that relaxing after all. 

Man and Mooncake by Yangzhou Bian (Mid Autumn Festival)
 dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Babs Stalder, Amy Pope 
is about the Mid-Autumn festival, during which the Jade Rabbit is getting drunk and babbling to the Osmanthus Tree about the hostess at the banquet who for thousands of years has been declining her mooncakes. 

National Vanilla Cupcake Day - Bara Swain (National Vanilla Cupcake Day)
 - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Stephanie Kelso 
As Naomi and her boyfriend anticipate their first intimate encounter, why must she wear his designer eyeglasses?

  

Next Year by Yangzhou Bian (Chinese New Year) - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Cawlyn Robinson, Jacobì Montgomery 
A phone conversation between Old Zhang and Zhang, the father and son about their plans for the Chinese New Year. 

Oy Vey Maria by Mark Harvey Levine (Xmas) - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Hilary Unger, Suzanne Mobarak 
Everything's going fine in the manger until Mary's mother shows up.

 

Spirits by Thomas J. Misuraca (xmas)
- dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Helen Baker, Deirdre Phelgm, Abigail Anastasio/ Nata Cornelio (understudy), Patrice McKinney 
A darkly comedic twist on A Christmas Carol, where a cynical woman fends off flirtatious Christmas spirits at a nightclub. 

THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS by Alex Dremann (xmas) - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Mark Gonzalez, Nata Cornelio 
Things go awry when Edgar tries to spice up things in the bedroom with his wife Crystal on Christmas Eve.  

The Last Father's Day by Fernando Dovalina (Father's Day) - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Jacobì Montgomery 
A man examines his failed relationship with his dying father.

 

The Light by Mark Harvey Levine (Hannukah)
  - dir Ruth MCCleskey 
Actors: Cawlyn Robinson, Jacobì Montgomery, Mark Gonzalez 
Two men are tasked with making sure the light stays lit – they're just not told exactly how to do that. 

The Very First Christmas - Joe Farrell (Xmas)
 dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Cawlyn Robinson
 
Chris Kringle decides to give this Santa concept a shot. In this sketch he receives push back from his wife who doesn’t understand. The more Chris tries to explain the more absurd the whole concept sounds. 

UNDER A CHRISTMAS MOON by Brian Rust (xmas)


 - dir Ruth McCleskey 
Actors: Nata Cornelio, Barbara Stalder, Suzanne Mobarak 
A third date takes a bizarre turn when Kel transforms under the full moon, forcing Scout to think fast to save their partner from a jolly, cookie-fueled rampage. 

Wanna Get Ghosted by Colleen O'Doherty (Xmas) - dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Abigail Anastasio/Hilary Unger (understudy), Nata Cornelio 
A lonely woman struggling through loss and the holidays forms an unexpected bond with an awkward but well-meaning poltergeist who has been unknowingly keeping her company. 

Welcome to Christmas Village by Dan Guyton (xmas) dir Christine Weems 
Actors: Patrice McKinney 
Gingerbell, the Christmas Elf, welcomes people to Christmas Village. Unfortunately, she gets a little distracted by a handsome audience member, and has trouble keeping her lines right. 

 

Zombie Valentine by Kate Danley (Vday) - Ruth Mccleskey 
Actors: Helen Baker, Jacobì Montgomery, Amy Pope, Barbara Stalder, Patrice McKinney 
Scott and Sarah are trying to survive the zombie apocalypse.  Who knew that their salvation would be the most mindless of holidays? 
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