MERCY SEAT

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THE PLAYS

ACT ONE

"What You Done" by j Snodgrass. Featuring Adam Batt & Alyssa Grace Adams. Directed by Michael Breen. 

"Where Do Go But Nowhere" by Samatha Marchant. Featuring Lanie Shannon, Ian Michalski & Andrew Zuccari. Directed by Ellen Catherine Falank'

"Go Tell the Men (We're Leaving)" by Ellen Catherine Falank. Featuring Ashleigh Chrisena Recci, Susan King & Danette Pawlowski. Directed by Catherine Burkhart. 

"People Are No Good" by Matthew LaChiusa. Featuring Quentin Gray.

"To Be By Your Side" Designed and Choreographed by Suzanne Hibbard. Featuring Ashleigh Chrisena Recci, Cassidy Granchelli & Paige Batt

INTERMISSION

(15 Minutes)

ACT TWO

"Weighing of Truth" by Matthew Boyle. Featuring Trevor Dugan & Paige Batt. Directed by Matthew LaChiusa

"The Church of the Noninterventionism" by Michael Fanelli. Featuring Trevor Dugan, Paige Batt & Cassidy Granchelli. Directed by Justin Pope.

"The Anti Curse" by Justin Pope. Featuring Andrew Zuccari, Trevor Dugan, Paige Batt, Cassidy Granchelli & Ian Michalski. Directed by Mariangela Mecurio.  

Song List

SONGS 

In Order of Production

"MERCY SEAT" by Nick Cave

"OH CHILDREN" by Nick Cave

"BLACK CROW KING” by Nick Cave

"INTO YOUR ARMS" by Nick Cave (Sung by Ian Michalski) 

“TO BE BY YOUR SIDE” by Nick Cave

“THE CARNIVAL IS OVER" by Nick Cave

Cast

Creative Team

DIRECTORS' NOTE

"To Be By Your Side” - Choreographer's Note

Is a movement written piece about the personal relationship one has with the spiritual in times of need. The beginning indicates uncertainty and feeling separated from faith. As the piece moves on, we see a push and pull between wanting to believe, but still feeling left alone at times. The piece culminates as the connection between the two figures start to enjoy eachother’s presence and dance in unison. - Designer/Choreographer, Suzanne Hibbard

"People Ain't No Good" - Director's Note

Nick Cave's song "People Ain't No Good" paints a cynical response to the world full of disappointment, faithlessness, and lovelessness. How to counter the pain of understanding this all is the embracing of indifference. Sure, the piece features a plastic doll, comedic in presentation, but it's the willingness to forgo Love and Hate with this prop that allows 'Noah' (effectively delivered by Quentin Grey) to embrace that people are no good by accepting indifference is the key to happiness.  - Director, Matthew LaChiusa

"The Church of Noninterventionism" - Director's Note 

The Church of Noninterventionism is a lot like unconventional spiritual warfare. The Reverend finally catches a break from his stage time only to be swept up in a battle of sin behind the scenes. While the angels, Nancy and Hester, have hunted down and punished false prophets time and time again, this guy becomes much more of a difficult target. What makes this play so exciting is the ever-changing shift in power. It doesn't take too much for the tide to turn, but when it does, it's horrifying. It isn't until the end when you see who really was in power the entire time - and I really mean the entire time. Lion-like movement and stark imagery assist in painting a sinful picture where the paint is slowly melting into a new portrait altogether. The script calls it "sinful ecstasy," and two soldier angels melting over the filth of a "false prophet" couldn't paint that image any better. It's a revelation of character, and a testament as to how far people will go for their goals... no matter how bizarre they may be. The Reverend sees himself as a "Third Coming." Perhaps after seeing all of the work he's put in, you'll see him that way, too. - Director, Justin Pope 

"We Go Now But Nowhere" - Director's Note

Cults are in the zeitgeist. Whether it’s Jonestown, the Manson family, Scientology, or NXIVM, people are fascinated by cults. With the advent of the docuseries, we’re learning more about how people from all backgrounds can be seduced by these organizations People get swept up in lofty ideals. They leave security in search of those ideals, abandoning their families to join a group of people just like them.

With this in mind, I was excited to dive back into Samantha Marchant’s work. She’s is an expert in poetic playwriting in that there is always a wild and dense world behind her sparse text. I wanted to use her unique style to put a twist on the standard cult. I’ve seen the vaguely religious cults... I’ve seen the ones that end up funding the crimes of a quirky megalomaniac.

"We Go Now But Nowhere", I wanted to know what happens when the leader is a true believer. The trio of Younger, Older, and Even Older is a group of unlikely characters that have created a strong bond somewhere between a traditional nuclear family and a polyamorous relationship, complete with a pet cat. They’re a spiritual, nomadic group. They're from everywhere. They've lived nowhere. And with their lack of individual names, they could be any of us.  - Ellen Catherine Falank - Director. 

PRODUCTION NOTE

In understanding MERCY SEAT as a production, one has to look at the musician who these works were based upon. In describing his extensive career (and music portfolio)  as the front-man for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the band ,with Cave as their leader and frontman, has released seventeen studio albums. Pitchfork Media deemed the group one of rock's "most enduring, redoubtable" bands, with an "accomplished discography". Though their sound tends to change considerably from one album to another, the one constant of the band is an unpolished blending of disparate genres, and song structures which provide a vehicle for Cave's virtuosic, frequently histrionic theatrics. Music critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and Steve Huey wrote: "With the Bad Seeds, Cave continued to explore his obsessions with religion, death, love, America, and violence with a bizarre, sometimes self-consciously eclectic hybrid of blues, gospel, rock, and arty post-punk."

Through MERCY SEAT, the journey our playwrights weave is one of individuals seeking redemption and finding it in a tent revival with a charismatic leader. There is some humor, there is...well, bizarro, but that's what Nick Cave is about. He sees the the polar opposites of all sides of humanity. Through his music and profound lyrics, we are treated to the balance every creative soul seek. An understanding that the world is full of extremes, that in order to understand one human emotion, an individual needs to understand the opposite of it:  Gain/ Loss; Hate/Love; Life/Death. 

American Repertory Theater of WNY trusts you will like our showcase and the celebration of Nick Cave along with a continuing support & development of 716 Playwrights.  

Enjoy. 

ART/WNY Special Thanks To:

John F Kennedy, Justin Karcher, Michael Breen, Matthew Mogenson, Paul McQuillen, Catherine Burkhart, Michael Dugan, Hugh Davis, Michael Hibbard, Mark Humphrey, And all those who have generously their resources, time and energy to keeping ART/WNY moving forward. 

2022-23 ART/WNY Board of DIrectors

Suzanne Hibbard (Board President), Beth Geyer (Secretary), Mark Humphrey, Michael Breen, Robert Insana, Matthew LaChiusa (Treasurer), Susan King, Keith Wharton (Board Advisor), Justin Karcher (Board Advisor), Gina Schuster 

Meet the Company

Trevor Dugan

The Preacher

This is Trevor Dugan’s second time on the American Repertory Theatre stage, having appeared last year in Fall From The Grace Of God. He is also often seen performing at Alleyway Theatre in the likes of Buffalo Quickies, Factory For Murderers, Girls Who Walked On Glass, and annually in A Christmas Carol. Other credits include Dracula and Moon Over Buffalo (Lancaster Opera House) Biloxi Blues (Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre) Robin Hood and Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (Patchwork Theatre Niagara). He thanks his wife Madeline and the Buffalo Fire Department for supporting him in his second-front, the theatre.

Alyssa Grace Adams

Lottie ("What You Done")

Alyssa Grace is a local theatre and film actor, artist, and writer. This is her second time working with ART, last year she was seen as Geri in FALL FROM THE GRACE OF GOD. Her other favorite credits include Jo March in LITTLE WOMEN, Pamela Stewart in VINTAGE HITCHCOCK, and Mary Bailey in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Aside from continuing to originate roles in new plays and films, Alyssa has career goals of publishing a collection of poems and getting her own scripts produced. She is a freelance artist, taking commissions for digital and traditional work. Alyssa Grace will be seen next on stage as Jill Tanner in BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE with Aurora Players this June. She wants to give a special thank you to her sibling Riley for their unending support of her numerous creative ambitions.

Adam Batt

Charlie ("What You Done")

Adam is excited to join the cast of Mercy Seat in his debut with American Repertory Theater of WNY. You may have seen him in Aurora Players' recent productions of Hair (Berger), The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood (Little John), or Pirates of Penzance (ensemble), or in Lancaster Regional Players' production of Dracula. When he isn't on stage, Adam can usually be found riding his motorcycle or enjoying the great outdoors. He is excited to perform alongside his wife, Paige, and thanks her for her love and support.

Ian Michalski

Dusty ("Where Do We Go" & "The Anti-Curse")/ Have Mercy Choir

Ian Andre Michalski - Dusty Ian was most recently seen on the ART stage as the Little Drummer Boy in "The Birth Of Santa". Other favorite roles include Sancho Panza in "Man of La Mancha" and Jacob in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with Lancaster Opera House.

Lanie Shannon

Even Older (Where Do We Go")/ Have Mercy Choir

Lanie Shannon has performed live theatre across New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Tennessee. People can hear her in the Paw Island children's audio book series as Fifi LeGrume and see her on-screen in the sketch comedy troupe Full Body Wag and in PAX TV's It's a Miracle. Some of her favorite roles have been Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, Mariah Duchess of Dean in Me and My Girl, Othello in Othello, and Kate Parr in of Royal Gambit: Henry the VIII and His Six Wives. Lanie most recently appeared in Towne Players’ Radio TBS as Harlene. She would like to thank Tony, her co-star in life, for all his love and support.

Justin Pope

Stevie ("Go Tell the Men (We're Leaving")/Playwright ("Anti-Curse") / Director ("Church of the Noninterventionist")

Justin Pope is an actor and a playwright from Williamsville, NY, who has his BFA in Theatre Performance with a focus in Playwriting from Niagara University. He’s truly amped to be doing so much in this incredible production, including writing The Anti-Curse, directing, and acting! Some of his acting credits include Is He Dead? (Leroux), Legally Blonde (Callahan), Room to Grow In (Garth), The Love Astronaut (Humph), and Something Wicked (Israel Thayer), as well as a season of touring with NURT doing children’s theatre across WNY. As for the field of playwriting, Justin has a wide repertoire of ridiculous short plays he’s written, along with work on monologues and full lengths. Many of his short plays were produced online with Green Buffalo Production’s Quarantine Quarters and 2018 Emerald Terrace, and some pieces have been produced in a few other parts of the country (including places like Chicago!) For any kind of inquiries at all, including fulfilling any curiosities on finding out about his long list of strange short plays (which are always available for reading!), you can gleefully contact him at theatremyriad@gmail.com or find him on NPX. Reach out and just say hi if you want!

Danette Pawlowski

Acacia ("Go Tell The Men")/ Have Mercy Choir

Danette Pawlowski (Acacia) has most recently appeared as Titus in the punk rock Shakespearean musical TITUS XX (Brazen Faced Varlets). She has also been performing and teaching Improv comedy in Buffalo for the past 13 years. She is a regular player and referee with Buffalo ComedySportz and has performed with groups such as A Totally Made Up Musical and Twisted Sister Act. She is thrilled to be making her debut with American Repertory Theater of WNY.

Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci

Magnolia ("Go Tell The Men") / Featured Dancer in "By Your Side" /Have Mercy Choir

Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci is thrilled to be making her Buffalo debut with ART/WNY. Her most recent work includes voicing the character Serolod in the cartoon ‘Mini Beat Power Rockers’, Madame Maigret in ‘Transformers Rescue Bots Academy’ and various characters in ‘Transformers: Cyberverse’. Off-Broadway credits include ‘Come Back Once More So I Can Say Goodbye’, ‘Honestly Abe: The Musical’ and ‘Embodi(ED)’. Favorite Regional credits include Judy in ‘9 to 5’, Squirrel-tooth Alice in ‘The Days of ‘98’, Val in ‘A Chorus Line’ and the Fool in ‘King Lear’. She would like to thank her husband, Chris, and all her friends and family for their constant support. (For more: www.ashleighchrisena.wixsite.com/ashleighc)

Paige Batt

Hester ("Church of the Non-Interventionist) / Anita ("Weighing of the Truth")

Paige is thrilled to be making her downtown debut with American Repertory Theater of WNY. After spending a few years in Los Angeles where she gained some experience in film, Paige is excited to be returning to theatre, her first acting love. Past credits include The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play (Jordan Baker/Myrtle Wilson) with the Lockport Palace Theatre, Murder on the Orient Express (Mary Debenham) with Rocking Horse Productions, Man of La Mancha (Antonia) with Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, And Then There Were None (Vera Claythorne), When the Rain Stops Falling (Young Elizabeth Law), Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette), Grease (Sandy), and The Curious Savage (Fairy May), all with Aurora Players. When not on stage, Paige enjoys reading, game nights with friends, trying a new recipe, or just curling up on the couch with her two dogs and three cats. Thanks and love go to her husband for his support of her time spent on the stage.

Chrissy Granchelli

Nancy ("Church of the Noninterventionist") / Featured Dancer in "By Your Side"

This marks Chrissy's debut with American Repertory Theater of WNY

Andrew Zuccari

Younger Man ("Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere?")/Somebody ("The Anti Curse")

Andrew is excited to perform the role of 'Tevye' in "Fiddler in the Roof". When he’s not performing in theatre he can usually be found up in the North Pole in his fortress of solitude. Or saving metropolis. He is also an avid knitter.

Susan King

Music Director/ FREESIA ("Go Tell the Men")

SUSAN KING - Music Director 'FREESIA' ("Go Tell the Men") It has been a creative journey as Music Director and arranger of Nick Cave’s music and is thrilled to see the results of her hardworking and talented choir! Susan has a long list of theatrical credits from the NY area and is now enjoying being part of the Buffalo theatre community. Recent credits include FALL FROM THE GRACE OF GOD and Artie Award nominated SOMETHING WICKED here at ART of WNY where she also served as Music Director. Other credits include SISTER ACT, THE MOUSETRAP at LANCO and DIVA BY DIVA with O’Connell and Co. Susan recently performed in First Look Buffalo Theatre’s LETS PLAY HOUSE, and will be seen in their upcoming production of FURSONA NON GRATA. As vocalist with VINTAGE POP, she recently appeared at the Bittersweet Piano Lounge. Susan has studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in NYC

Matthew LaChiusa

Director ("People Ain't No Good") & ("Weighing of Truth") /Playwright (

Matthew directorial resume with American Repertory Theater of WNY includes two Artie Award nominations for Direction of Musical ("American Idiot" and "Jesus Christ Superstar". He also received three nominations for the Manny Freid Artie Award for Original Plays ("Axeman's Jazz", "Shine", and "RED CLAY"), winning the award for "RED CLAY". He is the Executive/Artistic Director for ART/WNY. Matthew thanks all who've put their hard work and effort into this production.

Suzanne Hibbard

Choreographer "Into My Arms"/Movement Coach/Production Manager

Suzie Hibbard (choreographer) received her B.F.A. in Theatre Studies from Niagara University and soon after, toured the country as a dancer with Sesame Street Live. Choreography credits include Fall from Grace of God (ART of WNY), Unique Theatre's Movement and Dance Workshops, Assistant Choreographer for Niagara University’s Legally Blonde: The Musical (2019), Choreographer for Aurora Players Hair (2021), She Loves Me (2018) and Little Shop Of Horrors (2016). She can also be seen in some local commercials and has recently been named Artistic Director for Unique Theatre Company, whose mission is to provide theatre opportunities for all abilities.

Mariangela Mercurio

Director ("Anti-Curse")

Mariangela Mercurio is a performer, director and stage manager from Buffalo, NY. She has had the opportunity to direct with a few different companies, including Windows Theatre, Green Buffalo Productions, and even directed the fall play at Niagara County Community College. She received her BFA for Theatre Performance at Niagara University, where she completed an independent study on different directing styles. At the end of 2022, she started her own production company, Mercurie Studios, and hopes that she can continue to perform, produce, collaborate, and direct more theatre in the future.

Catherine Burkhart

Director - "Go Tell the Men (We're Leaving)"

Catherine is happy to be back directing at ART. She most recently directed a piece in last springs “Fall from the Grace of God”. She holds a BFA in Theatre from SUNY Fredonia and hopes to be performing again soon. Catherine notes: “The piece I’m directing this time around “Go Tell the Men..”, is a modern day 9 to 5. It was fun to bring this piece to life…And to playwright Ellen Scherer-Falank, thank you for the opportunity to present powerful women taking a stand!

Mark E Humphrey

Percussionist

In 1998, Mark made his playwright debut with TIMES OF SERVICE starring Timothy White and produces by BET. It won the Artie for "Best New Play" in 1998. Other shows include, LITTLE ROBERT(Artie 2014), SPEED OF DARK(Artie 2022), all produced by ART. Mark also has played percussion with local and celebrity musicians. Mark lives in Buffalo with his wife Becky. Their son Robert, and their daughter Kathryn, still keep close ties to home.

Michael Breen

Director "What You Done"

“What You Done” marks Michael’s first time directing a play for ART. He has performed on-stage in their productions of “Fall From the Grace of God”, “The Crucible”, and “Something Wicked”. He has amassed numerous credits as an actor and director in productions with The Aurora Players and the Niagara Regional Theater Guild. He has directed seventy musicals and plays at high schools throughout WNY; he was also part of the Artie Award winning ensemble of “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” for the Subversive Theater. He is thrilled to be working with the enormously talented Directors, Crew, Musicians, and Actors striving in collaboration to create "The Mercy Seat.”

Samantha Marchant

Playwright (Where Do We Go But Nowhere)

Samantha Marchant is a playwright and director based in WNY. She graduated from the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University with a concentration in Playwriting. Her work has been produced on both US coasts and has had readings all across the country and in Canada. Her plays have been produced or developed with Nickel Flour, Woven Theatre, Inkwell Lab, Workshop Theater, The Pulp Stage, The Skeleton Rep(resents), Theater Three, TMDT, Post Industrial Productions, Skull and Dagger, Alleyway Theatre, and Route 66, among others. She has attended the Sewanee Writers' Conference as a Horton Foote Scholar in playwriting. Her writing has been published in Smith & Kraus The Best 10-Minute Plays, Go Play Outside, The Louisville Review, Sick Lit Magazine and Women Writing Letters Season 3 and 4. She is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild and BAWG Playwrights. She longs for what's weird and a good laugh.

Justin Karcher

New Play Development Director

Ellen C. Scherer-Falank

Playwright/Director

is ready for some of that old-time religion! She previously served as Stage Manager for THE BIRTH OF SANTA (ART/WNY) and THE ACTING CLASS (Unique Theatre), as well as Assistant Stage Manager for TITUS XX (Brazen-Faced Varlets) and ALLEY OF THE DOLLS (Buffalo United Artists). Ellen has been produced by CurtCo Media, Cone Man Running Productions, GBP, and ITOWNY. Thank you, Dylan, for your endless love and support.

Donors

ART/WNY 2022-23 Season

SEASON FINALE

April 21st to May 13th, 2023

INFO

www.artofwny.org

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