EDEN PRAIRIE, 1971 |
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As war churns in Vietnam, night falls over the tranquil hills and creeks of a small Midwestern town, and a young woman hears a tap at her window. On the same night Apollo 15 makes its lunar landing, a young draft-dodger steals home to Eden Prairie, after a 300-mile trek from Canada. He risks arrest to deliver an important message to his childhood friend, Rachel. Both are caught between duty to the ones they love and their own futures. In a moment of national tension that mirrors our own, the young man must defend his choices and grapple with the sacrifices he has made. Mat Smart's stark, passionate drama skillfully questions our notions of bravery and responsibility. PLACE: Eden Prairie, Minnesota TIME: July 1971 Directed by Evan Bergman Casting by Judy Henderson CSA EDEN PRAIRIE, 1971 is produced at New Jersey Repertory Company as part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Other Partner Theaters are Riverside Theatre (Iowa) New Jersey Repertory Company (New Jersey) Butterfly Effect Theatre (Colorado). For more information, please visit nnpn.org EDEN PRAIRIE, 1971 was originally written and developed at Primary Stages in the Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group EDEN PRAIRIE, 1971 was developed with the support of the Playwrights’ Center, the Colorado New Play Festival and the Goodman Theatre. |
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Cast
Meet the Company
Emilio Cuesta
Emilio Cuesta is a New York-based actor and musician. He can be seen in primetime television series, including Showtime's Homeland and City on a Hill, as well as Dopesick on Hulu. Other credits include American Assassin and the independent feature, From Nowhere. Prior to the Covid pandemic, he was cast as the lead in Greg Kotis's (Tony-award winning writer for Urinetown) off-Broadway show I am Nobody. He trained at the William Esper Studio and The Beverly Hills Playhouse Club. Emilio is also director for film and television, being recently admitted to the DGA after doing second unit work for the upcoming FOX series, Accused. Aside from acting and directing, Emilio helms the live rock band QUESTA. He has released several singles, and his first single "Feedin'' was bought by M. Night Shyamalan to be used in the Apple TV series, Servant. The band has and continues to perform around Manhattan's underground music scene at establishments such as the Cutting Room, Arlenes Grocery, Rockwood Music Hall, and many more.
Oriana Lada*
Oriana, who was born and raised in Minnesota, is thrilled to be back at NJ Rep after workshopping Eden Prairie, 1971 here last year. She is an actress and singer based in New York City. You can currently spot her in Hardee's and Carl's Jr. commercials running nationwide. She is also the co-host of Verizon Media's ADD TO CART. NYC: Summer Valley Fair (New York Musical Festival). Regional: A Christmas Carol (Trinity Repertory Company). Film: Lolita Express (Houselight). Education: BFA, University of Evansville; MFA, Brown/Trinity Rep. Love to Matthew - I can't wait to marry you!
Andrea Gallo*
Andrea Gallo New York credits include: Kurt Vonnegut’s Mother Night; The Respectful Prostitute; Ring Round the Moon; Hidden Voices (w/Terrence Mann); world premieres of Strings, The Velvet Oratorio, Frankie, Coney, and The Chaos Theories. Regional credits: The Niceties, Chester Theatre Company; The Last Romance and Private Lives, Riverside Theatre; Third, TheaterWorks Hartford; Good People, St. Louis Rep; Over the River and Through the Woods, Florida Rep; The Last Romance and The Language Archive, Public Theatre; Mercy and the Firefly, Luna Stage; Murderers, Hudson Stage; A View From The Bridge, Nevada Rep; Memoirs of a Forgotten Man, Evie’s Waltz, Tilt Angel, tempOdyssey, and two solo shows, Broomstick and Donna Orbits the Moon, NJ Rep; What Every Woman Knows, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Noises Off, Lettice and Lovage, I’m Not Rappaport, Horse Cave Theatre. TV/Film credits: City on a Hill, Law and Order: SVU, Sober, On Settling Down, Look on the Bright Side, Brooklyn Battery, The Query, Chasing Taste, The Date and Across Dot Ave. Earphones Award winner for audiobook narration. BA, Tufts University; MFA, Temple University. Fulbright Recipient (Paris, France).
Mat Smart
Mat Smart has written 25 full-length plays that have been produced around the country and he currently has several television and film projects in development. The Agitators, his play about the true, untold friendship between Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, has been produced at 20 different theatres from Maine to Seattle. He recently adapted The Agitators into a podcast hosted by Ashley C. Ford and produced by PRX, the National Park Service, and the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission. Select plays include: Kill Local (La Jolla Playhouse, nominated for Outstanding New Play by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle; recently translated into Korean and produced in Seoul), The Royal Society of Antarctica (Gift Theatre, recipient of the 2015 Jeff Award for Best New Work in Chicago), Samuel J. and K. (Williamstown Theatre Festival; Steppenwolf for Young Adults), and Tinker to Evers to Chance (Geva; Merrimack Rep). An avid traveler and baseball fan, Mat has been to all of the states, all of the continents, and all of the current MLB stadiums. A native of Naperville, Illinois, he currently lives in Brooklyn. Undergrad: University of Evansville. MFA: UCSD.
Evan Bergman
Over the years Evan has directed over 15 productions for New Jersey Rep, many of them world premieres. He is extremely proud of the body of work and the theater's ability to identify a wide range of talented playwrights deserving to have their plays produced. He has also directed world premieres at many other theaters including Ensemble Studio Theater, The Duke, Daryl Roth, Barrington Stage, Jane Street, Playwrights Horizon, Arclight, The Tiffany and 59E59. His film work includes the recent short film Day Zero which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and was called ”A cautionary tale, perfectly realized” by Oscar award winning Director James Ivory. Dig A Hole, Find A Finger, Palm Springs and Newport Beach International Film Festivals and his Documentary for Warner Music Group featuring Roger Daltry (The Who), Philip Bailey (Earth Wind and Fire). Currently he is in pre-production for a new Feature film he wrote about the life of Oyster Farmers on Cape Cod called Life on the Flats which starts principle filming in the spring of 2023.
Gabor Barabas
For NJ Rep, he has produced over 80 world premieres including Ends, A World I Never Made, North Fork, Octet, The Girl With the High Rouge, In Search of Red River Dog, Naked by the River, An Unhappy Woman, Immortal Interlude, Getting in Touch With My Inner B*tch, Till Morning Comes, Slave Shack, Panama, Big Boys, Winterizing the Summer House, Piaf in Vienna, The Color of Flesh, Emil, Touch of Rapture, Beyond Gravity, A Child’s Guide to Innocence, The Good Daughter, Apostasy, The Best Man, Tilt Angel, Love and Murder, tempOdyssey, October 1962, Place Setting, And Her Hair Went With Her, Engaging Shaw, Poetic License, The Housewives of Mannheim, Dead Ringer, Exposure Time (recipient of and Edgerton New American Plays Award), Character Assassins, The Tangled Skirt (nominated for an Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America), Puma, Night Train, The Judy Holliday Story, Jericho (recipient of and Edgerton New American Plays Award), American Stare, Release Point, Esther’s Moustache, Ants, Noir, Happy, Broomstick, Admit One, A View of the Mountains, Butler (recipient of and Edgerton New American Plays Award), Lucky Me, Dinner with the Boys, Angels and Ministers of Grace, and the musicals Immortal Interlude,Bookends, The Little Hours (recipient of and Edgerton New American Plays Award), and Date of Lifetime. His book Miklos Radnoti: The Complete Poetry in Hungarian and English was recently published by McFarland.
SuzAnne Barabas
SuzAnne Barabas (Director/Artistic Producer), has been the Artistic Director of NJ Rep for the past 24 years. SuzAnne is a member of Actors Equity Association, the Dramatist Guild, and the Society of Directors & Choreographers.
Dee Dee Irwin
Dee Dee joined New Jersey Repertory Company in October 2022, bringing with her almost 30 years of experience in the performing arts and live events industry. Prior to coming to NJRep, Dee Dee spent nine years as the Director of Marketing and Communications/Associate Producer for Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA, and 12 years as part of the Broadway in Hollywood team for Nederlander’s beautiful Pantages theatre in Hollywood, CA. Dee Dee can also be found playing with puppets as part of the gang that produces Brian Henson’s Puppet Up! Uncensored at the legendary Jim Henson Company Lot. While in Laguna Beach, Dee Dee served as chair for the Laguna Beach Arts Alliance, saw the theatre turn 100 years old and produced much of the virtual programming during the pandemic. Originally from Los Angeles, Dee Dee holds an MA in Humanities, a BA in Theatre, and is a proud member of IATSE 857. Special shout out to the love of her life, her dog Pickle, who you might see roaming the theatre and giving his opinion on, well, pretty much everything.
Kristin Pfeifer*
NYC Credits: Hedwig and The Angry Inch Nat'l Tour (Production Asst.) Opera: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Assistant Stage Manager, Yale Opera) Regional: With George St. Playhouse as Production Stage Manager: Dear Jack, Dear Louise, The Nerd, A Doll’s House Pt. 2, The Fabulous Lipitones. With the NJ Repertory Company as Production Stage Manager: Multiple Family Dwelling, & Juliet, Halftime w/Don, F-Theory, Mutual Philanthropy, The Calling, Wild Horses, Mercy, Apple Season, The Source, Surfing My DNA, Voyager One, Lily, Bone on Bone, The Promotion. Kristin is a proud member of Actor's Equity.
Patricia Doherty
As NJ Rep’s resident costume designer since 2000, Doherty’s work includes: The Housewives of Mannheim, The Color of Flesh, Old Clown Wanted, The Good Daughter, Place Settings, Bookends, Engaging Shaw, Puma, Noir, Broomstick, View of the Mountains, Swimming at the Ritz, Dinner with the Boys (with Dan Lauria), Closure (with Wendy Malick, Gary Cole), Nobody’s Girl, Butler, Mad Love and Iago , Fern Hill (with Jill Eikenberry, Dee Hoty and John Glover) to name just a few. New York: Southern Comfort—The Musical (The Public Theater 2016 Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Award Nominations with Annette O’Toole, Jeff McCarthy); Dinner with the Boys with Dan Lauria (The Acorn Theatre) Academia Nuts (2014 NYMF Best New Musical); The Devil’s Music (St. Luke’s); The Goldman Project (Abingdon Theatre); Freed, Fall to Earth, Poetic License, The Housewives of Mannheim, Butler, Small World (59E59th St Theatres); Love Therapy (DR2) Regional: Alley Theatre (past resident designer), Barrington Stage, Cleveland Play House, Merrimack Rep, Florida Rep, Penguin Rep, Engeman Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Montreal Jazz Festival , Luna Stage, Playwrights Theatre of NJ, Merrimack Rep (MA), People’s Light and Theatre Festival (PA), Rubicon Theatre of LA, Mosaic Theatre (DC), Cape Cod Playhouse (MA), Weston Playhouse (VT) TV/Video: AT&T, “Unsolved Mysteries,” Pennsylvania Public Television Guest Artist: Monmouth University, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio University, Niagara University, Syracuse University Guest Artist and Instructor: Kent State University, School of Theatre and Dance 1992-95
Jessica Parks
Jessica has been working for NJ Repertory Company since 2003 and has been the resident scenic designer and prop designer since 2010. Set designs at NJ Rep include: The Promotion, Memoirs of a Forgotten Man, Wolf at the Door, The Jag, Swimming at the Ritz, Happy and Broomstick. NYC credits at 59E59 St. Theaters include: Michael Tucker’s Fern Hill, Butler, The Housewives of Mannheim, Jericho and Poetic License. Other credits include: The End of Hester at Theatre Row NYC, Bretch:Call & Response at Paradise Factory Theatre and Dan Lauria's Dinner with the Boys at Theater Row NYC.
Jill Nagle
Jill is the Resident Lighting Designer at NJ Rep. Partial NJ Rep include: Dinner with the Boys, Closure, Butler, Broomstick, Happy, Puma, Night Train, and Noir. Partial NYC designs include: Butler, A Stool at the End of the Bar, Jericho, Poetic License, Housewives of Mannheim, The Man in Room 306, The Dishwashers (59E59), Love Therapy (Daryl Roth), Dinner with the Boys (The Acorn) The Bully Pulpit (Samuel Beckett), Do Not Go Gentle (Harold Clurman), Count Down (Bank Street), In the Parlance (The Pulse), Carrera (La Mama E.T.C.), South Beach Rapture (Dixon Place). Other venues: John Engeman Theatre, Chester Theatre, Luna Stage, Playwrights of New Jersey, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University. www.jillnagle.net
Janey Huber
Huber began her relationship at NJ Rep in 2004 as a patron & quickly became a subscriber: "They had me at Whores!" Janey then brought close to 30 years of administrative experience in community college & graduate nurse-midwifery education, women’s healthcare, and theater management to her 5-year role as Managing Director. She is thrilled to remain in the NJ Rep family volunteering as Artistic Associate, (ambassador for the theater), Assistant Lighting Designer (all plays), Assistant to the Covid Compliance Officer, & Assistant Director (Wild Horses, Mercy, The Source, West End Arts Festivals, Voyager One, Lily, & The Promotion). Her BA and MS degrees, from East Stroudsburg University, are in aquatic biology.
Nick Simone
Simone has been a performing arts educator in NYC for the past 18 years. He has worked at various music schools for all ages and has been a teaching artist for Roundabout Theatre Company, Apollo Theater, and Sundog Theatre specializing in sound design and musical disciplines. As a musician, Nick plays multiple instruments and has also performed at the renowned Carnage Hall and at the Metropolitan Opera House. Nick has also worked as sound designer and as an audio engineer for many productions such as: US: A Progressive Love Story, The Norwegians, North To Maine, IYOM, Wild Children, Time Travelers Trip To Niagara, The Diorama, Shakespeare's Hamlet at Bryant Park, Extreme Weather, Don’t Dress For Dinner, Villainous Company, Capone, & Romantic Trapezoid. Nick is also affiliated with MTV's production Artist to Watch series as a sound assistant. He is currently the chief audio engineer for Fenix Studios in Staten Island, NY and has credits on multiple albums, films, broadcasts, streaming, music videos and mobile apps. He has worked with up and coming talent and platinum selling artists in different genres from Lorde to Coldplay.
Rachael Malloy
Malloy is very excited to be starting their career with NJ Rep. Previous credit highlights include: 7 Deadly Sins NYC with Tectonic Theatre Project (Show Operator) and Northampton Community College’s Summer Theatre (Tech Intern). College theatre: Head Over Heels (Assistant Stage Manager), FAME (Stage Manager), Into The Woods (Assistant Stage Manager), Cabaret (Stage Manager).
Sunjay Venkatraman
Venkatraman is a graduate from the University of Connecticut with a passion for the arts. In high school, Sunjay served as the student representative for the Matawan Board of Education. In this role his goal was to bring awareness to the art programs at all the schools in the district resulting in an arts budget increase. In college he worked for the Student Union Board of Governors that brought concerts, comedy shows, and lectures on campus. Sunjay would like to thank SuzAnne, Gabor and the Board for giving him the opportunity to represent NJRep. #NJRep
Robert Baird
Baird graduated from Duke University in 2008 with a dual major in Theater Studies and Public Policy. After a career in the telecommunications and legal consulting worlds, he’s thrilled to jump back into the world of the theater. At Duke he directed, produced, and acted in numerous productions for the Hoof ’n’ Horn Theater Company as well as Duke University Theater Studies. He also assistant directed a staged reading of Labyrinth Theater Company’s Going After Alice. He won the Jody McAuliffe Award given to the top student director in his class, and his thesis project, directing John Patrick Shanley’s the dreamer examines his pillow, was awarded highest distinction. Thanks to Gabor and SuzAnne for bringing me aboard the team - excited for what’s to come at NJ Rep!
Brian Snyder
Snyder has been an artist, carpenter, and prop builder since 2003 for several companies in NY and NJ including The Art Department, PVS, Stone Dog Studios, Two River Theater Company, and NJ Repertory Company. After 4 years of teaching Visual Arts and Stagecraft at Lakewood High School he returned to the world of freelance and made his debut as Technical Director and Master Carpenter here at NJ Rep in 2014.
Karen Wharmby
Judy Henderson
Judy Henderson has been honored as one of the top 20 US Film Casting Directors. Highlights: EMMY AWARD, 6 ARTIOS AWARDS. 9 ARTIOS nominations. Select Film credits: L.I.E. (6 Spirit Award Nominations) Before Sunrise. Select TV credits: Homeland (Emmy Award and 2 Artios Awards), City On A Hill. Broadway: Barefoot In The Park, Anna Karenina (4 Tony Nominations). Off-Broadway: Forever Plaid (MAC Award for best cast album), Invasion (Obie Award), Lie Of The Mind, The Kid (5 Drama Desk Nominations), Hurlyburly and Daddy. Member of CSA and the Teamsters Theatrical Union.
James Lockhart
Brad Lemons
Donna Stiles
Blake Robinson
John Pietrowski
Andrea Phox
John Pocalyko
Board of Trustees
Tanis Deitch, President
Linda Standley, Vice President
Nancy Stek, Secretary
Karen Wharmby, Treasurer
Pat Addiss, Mare Akana, Gabor Barabas, SuzAnne Barabas, Evan Bergman, Steven Darien, Carl Hoffman, Vasi Laurence, Marilyn Pearlman, Marianne Pedersen, Kim Puvalowski, Lauren Schwarz, Carl Jennings
Staff
Executive Producer- Gabor Barabas
Artistic Director- SuzAnne Barabas
Managing Director- Dee Dee Irwin
Associate Artistic Director- Evan Bergman
Production Manager/Resident Set Designer- Jessica Parks
Marketing and Public Relations Director- Sunjay Venkatraman
Literary Manager- Joel Stone
Technical Director/Facilities Manager- Brian P. Snyder
Stage Manager- Kristin Pfeifer
Assistant Stage Manager- Rachael Malloy
Resident Costume Designer- Patricia E. Doherty
Resident Lighting Designer- Jill Nagle
Resident Sound Designer- Nick Simone
Master Electrician- James Lockhart
House Manager/Volunteer Coordinator- Karen Wharmby
Director of Education- Robert Baird
Assistant Director, Lighting Designer, Covid Officer- Janey Huber
Intimacy Coordinator- Brad Lemons
Artistic Associate- Gail Winar
Photography & Digital Imaging Curator- Andrea Phox
Scenic Artist/Assistant Properties- Donna Stiles
Scenic Painter/Props Assistant- Blake Robinson
Covid Compliance Officer- John Pietrowski
Head of Finance Committee- John Pocalyko
Financial Director- Dee Cantalice
Visual Arts Coordinator/Gallery Coordinator- Mare Akana
Upcoming Performances
POPCORN FALLS
by James Hindman
JANUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 12
Welcome to Popcorn Falls, a small American town whose only claim to fame – their namesake waterfall – has dried up. Now bankrupt, their last chance to save themselves is a large grant that can only be used if the town produces a play in a week. One big problem: no theatre. Another problem: no play. Led by the Mayor and the local handyman, the enterprising townsfolk try to rise to the challenge and prove that art can save the world.
Starring: James Hindman & Tom Souhrada
Directed by Rose Riccardi
Tickets available online at www.njrep.org and over the phone at 732-229-3166
Thank You
We thank the following for their support: The Shubert Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, SBA Shuttered Venues Program, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, New Jersey CRF, NJEDA, JENNJOE Fund, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, OceanFirst Foundation, Princeton Area Community Foundation, Manasquan Bank, Community Foundation of New Jersey, Monmouth County CARES, Investors Bank Foundation, Jewish Communal Fund, Darien Family Fund, Vasi Laurence, Linda Mitchell, Caroline Huber, and all our patrons, year-round subscribers, and new audience members. We are extremely grateful for all your support during these trying times.
Shout out to Blake Robinson, Mare Akana, Mitch Berman, Dee Cantalice, Anita Corvin, Barney Fitzpatrick, Steve Corvin, Kathleen Goldpaugh, Jay Kaplan, Barbara Kulberg, Mitch Kulberg, Nancy Lubarsky, Donna Marrazzo, Eric Oberer, Carol Oliver, John Pocalyko, Lindy Regan, Donald Shapiro, Barbara Smith, Larry Smith, Nancy Stek, Jan Thompson, Louis Thompson, Fred Wharmby, Karen Wharmby, Robyn Flipse, Gail Winar, Jessica Parks, and Donna Stiles
Actors Equity
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA) founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 50,000 Actors and Stage Managers. Equity seeks to foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts union. ActorsEquity.org. NJ Rep is proud to work with AEA.
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