BWW Stage Mag Something Fresh - Upstart Arts Stage Mag

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Something Fresh

 

Written

by

P.G. Wodehouse

 

Adapted

by Michelle Denise Norton

    
     
              
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
     
       
     
     
 
     
     

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Director's Note

 

Hello. Welcome to Something Fresh. I hope you laugh. And smile. And spend some time in London or wandering the grounds of Blandings Castle, feeling the rush that Spring can bring. Every play is a new adventure and this one started a year ago, with auditions for Twelfth Night that turned into me adapting 380 odd pages of an early P.G. Wodehouse novel in the public domain. Then I stretched my scheduling muscles, micro managing the scene breakdowns so actors had to deal with things like "tonight we rehearse Sc. n + 22a". I cannot say often enough how much I appreciate their patience and adaptability. This was a difficult project, so many words to wrangle. Sometimes it's good to not do things smoothly. Then, I don't fall into the too easy trap of taking things for granted and not paying enough attention. I learn, if only what not to do next time. And I value the people who were here with me while I created something fresh and new out of words, paper, and possibility. That's a lesson the arts can teach us all: something fresh can always be created. Imagination and perseverance are the basic recipe for so many forms of wonder and progress. Remember that. Anyone who tells you that you have no options, no voice, or that their way is the only way are misleading you. Protect your possibilities.

Now, in an era when history is being erased in real time and voices silenced, I think it is even more important to restate our values, written by Jasmine Graham:

Upstart Arts recognizes that diversity creates better art. We are dedicated to providing opportunities to and inviting people of all ages, races, gender expressions, sexualities, or ethnicities. We acknowledge the Indigenous peoples, the Sioux, Algonquin, and Susquehannock tribes,who are the original stewards of the lands on which we now live and perform. We encourage our participants, patrons, and viewers to engage with their current leadership to learn more about land and climate issues. The theatre is a better place when we are all working together to tell rich and diverse stories focusing on all walks of life.

Cast

Joan Concilio
Adams, Colonel Horace Mant
Jonathan Davis
The Honorable Frederick Threepwood
Gayle Eubank
R. Jones, Expert, Maid
Aliona Garcia
Joan Valentine
Kitty Geoghan
George Emerson
Priscilla McFerren
Beach, Doctor, Mrs. Bell, The Bishop
Joshua R. Read
Ashe Marson
Paula Rineer
Rupert Baxter
Stephanie Schwartz
Lord Emsworth
Julie Spector
Aline Peters
Eric Suben
J. Preston Peters
Lorna Veraldi
Narrator

Creative Team

Michelle Denise Norton

Director

Gayle Eubank

Technical Director

Ash Otto

Stage Manager

Kitty Geoghan

Graphic Designer, Logo

Nicholas J. Ryan

Sound Designer

Meet the Company

Joan Concilio

Adams, Colonel Horace Mant
Joan Concilio is a former Pennsylvanian living in the Arizona desert. Professionally, they herd cats in the form of website developers, and for fun, they herd cats of the more traditional fur variety. They also enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles, making and sending cards, reading, talking with their hands, going on ridiculous adventures, and giving away stuffed penguins. Joan has participated in virtual theater with Upstart for several years, most notably as the creator and portrayer of podcast host A.C. Doyle for Twilight Thriller Radio. They are currently adapting one of their favorite Sherlock Holmes tales, The Sussex Vampire, for the podcast format.

Jonathan Davis

The Honorable Frederick Threepwood
I (he/him) have been acting since elementary school all through high school. I stopped for a little until my son was old enough for me to continue. I was in Pygmalion and Wyrd Sisters and I'm proud to be a part of Upstart again. You may have seen me at The Haunted Forests during the spooky season. I have also done other local theater along with independent films in the area.

Gayle Eubank

R. Jones, Expert, Maid
Gayle has worked behind the scenes and in front of the audience with Upstart Arts since its beginning. She is also a managing editor for The York Dispatch.

Aliona Garcia

Joan Valentine
Aliona Garcia (she/her) is a Spanish/British actress currently residing in Valencia, Spain. She has appeared in countless virtual productions on film and theatre and appeared in shows such as A Sketch of New York at the Producers' Club The Ballad of Lulu and Dad in the Secret Theatre, and Upstart Arts' Pygmalion, Wyrd Sisters and Something Fresh. She is also the Executive Director of Tiger's Heart Players and co-founder of EliWay Films.

Kitty Geoghan

George Emerson
Kitty Geoghan (she/her zie/hir they/them)is the graphic designer and visual artist for Upstart Arts. They have created designs for Upstart since its inception, as well as portraying Claudio in *Much Ado About Nothing* during 2020's Stay-At-Home Shakespeare. In the TUTT days, she also appeared as Hortensio in *Taming of the Shrew* and Celia in *As You Like It*. Born and raised in York, Kitty has traveled far and wide from Upstart's home base, and is currently in Michigan studying for a PhD in English and Education.

Priscilla McFerren

Beach, Doctor, Mrs. Bell, The Bishop
Priscilla McFerren (she/her) is active in community theatre in State College, PA, having recently performed the part of Mrs. Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest (in New York) for The Next Stage. Recently, she was Marie Higgins in Sock & Buskin Theatre Company's For Better Or Worse, a murder mystery party. Her involvement in Upstart Arts, which began with the pandemic, has been the source of constant edification and challenges in multiple performances including Shakespeare readings, Sherlock Holmes radio shows, and the pleasure of meeting talented folks from near and far.

Joshua R. Read

Ashe Marson
Described as having "a wonderful singing voice" (Caroline Russell-King, Calgary Theatre Critics Awards), Joshua R. Read is an artist with a diverse repertoire including opera, theatre, and film. He made his Upstart Arts debut as Colonel Pickering in "Pygmalion" and has also been a part of the monthly Shakespeare readings of "The Merchant of Venice" and "Hamlet." Joshua's 2024/2025 season includes "Nabucco" with Calgary Concert Opera, "Don Giovanni" with Calgary Opera, and the world premiere of "Signs and Wonders" with Tiger's Heart Players. Stay tuned with his artistic ventures on Instagram and YouTube (@joshua.r.read.bass.baritone).

Paula Rineer

Rupert Baxter
Paula (she/her) has been involved with Upstart Arts from the beginning, is very involved with her church, and was last seen reading Chekhov with our monthly reading group.

Stephanie Schwartz

Lord Emsworth
Stephanie (Lord Emsworth) is a NYC actor who has performed on many stages in the metropolitan area. She particularly likes to find the comedy in serious dramas and the sense of humor in each of her characters. She has worked in commercials and performed featured roles in independent films, some of which have been selected in major film festivals. Favorite roles include Agnes in A DELICATE BALANCE, Clairee in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Alfred Doolittle in Upstart Arts production of PYGMALION, Prof. Van Helsing in DRACULA, and Helga in DEATHTRAP. She has been seen in different roles in two productions of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, two productions of I HATE HAMLET, two productions of GREASE, and two productions of ROMEO AND JULIET and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Member: SAG-AFTRA, TRU, Actor's Access. Contact: actorstephanieschwartz@gmail.com

Julie Spector

Aline Peters
Julie is an actor and playwright based in New York City, and is thrilled to be Aline! She is a graduate of Atlantic Acting School’s Full Time Conservatory, and has a BA in Drama & English from Hofstra University. Favorite roles include Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale from La Mama Experimental Theater Club, #00 in The Wolves at Atlantic Theater Company’s Stage 2, the ensemble of a Sketch of New York, at The Producer’s Club and the ensemble of 54 Rolls Initiative at 54 Below. Cheers! https://www.julie-spector.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZQDwA-_HiqJcWxROhEMOHFYXnkGRxApqgkVlFHSf3LEPHugtEmLnFc5I8_aem_7-dzTZjbeg5W8sK_mtXPnQ

Eric Suben

J. Preston Peters
Eric (he/him/his) is a performer and playwright based in Westchester County, New York. He recently originated the role of Steve in The Bee vs. the People (Bzzz) at Theatre for the New City in Manhattan. He was recently in Wyrd Sisters with Upstart Arts and was seen onstage as Baron van Swieten in Amadeus at the Manor Club Theatre in Pelham.

Lorna Veraldi

Narrator
Lorna lives in Miami, Florida, where she taught for 33 years as a member of the journalism and mass communication faculty of Florida International University. Shortly before she retired in 2022, she happened to see an online notice of a virtual audition for the Upstart Arts production of Oscar Wilde's "A Woman of No Importance," in which she played the dafty cleric, Dr. Daubeny. She has since looked forward to monthly readings of Shakespeare, etc. with the Upstart Arts gang. She has thoroughly enjoyed reading the part of the Narrator in Michelle Denise Norton's fun-filled radio adaptation of "Something Fresh." A little dafty herself at 75, Lorna's not sure she's up to memorizing lines for the stage anymore--so this radio play has indeed been a chance to try "something fresh."

Michelle Denise Norton

Director
Michelle Denise Norton (she/her) is the creative engine for Upstart Arts. And also a writer, cartoonist, photographer, editor, and theatre maverick. Theatre and the plays of William Shakespeare fascinated Michelle from a young age, leading her through every Shakespeare and Tudor history class she could find at Northwestern University, while also ushering at university performances and exploring Chicago's thriving theatre scene. Then she moved to York, PA, and began her apprenticeship period, culminating in founding Theatre Under The Trees, a summer Shakespeare touring program. With this unique theatrical journey and the the creative collaborations Upstart Arts has facilitated, Michelle has been adding to her skill set, currently working on adapting material like P.G. Wodehouse's Something Fresh into performance ready pieces.

Gayle Eubank

Technical Director
Gayle Eubank (she/her) is a co-founder of Upstart Arts and the digital managing editor for The York Dispatch.

Ash Otto

Stage Manager
Ash (he/they) is a 24 year old vampire in disguise who has the humor of Ryan Reynolds (who happens to be Ash’s hero and someone who he is a fan of).

Kitty Geoghan

Graphic Designer, Logo
Kitty Geoghan (she/her zie/hir they/them)is the graphic designer and visual artist for Upstart Arts. They have created designs for Upstart since its inception, as well as portraying Claudio in *Much Ado About Nothing* during 2020's Stay-At-Home Shakespeare. In the TUTT days, she also appeared as Hortensio in *Taming of the Shrew* and Celia in *As You Like It*. Born and raised in York, Kitty has traveled far and wide from Upstart's home base, and is currently in Michigan studying for a PhD in English and Education.

Nicholas J. Ryan

Sound Designer
Nicholas is a senior at Gettysburg College with a major in Theatre with a minor in History. They spent last summer as an apprentice at Theatre Aspen and worked on Totem Pole’s A Christmas Carol the past 2 years. Recent credits include sound designs for The Ver*zon Play, Animal Farm, Eurydice, Steel Magnolias, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and lighting designs for Xanadu, Finding Nemo Jr, Godspell, Mnemonic, The Time Machine, The Mousetrap, and The Glass Menagerie. https://illuminatedsoundscapes.com/

Photos

Behind The Scenes
Behind The Scenes

Thank yous: Jasmine Graham, Kitty Geoghan, Nicolas J. Ryan, Ashar Otto,  and Lorna Veraldi. We would also like to thank our Give Local York donors for their continued support.

Scarab is used under Creative Commons licensing, thanks to the Walters Museum.

 

 

 

Eden, Janine and Jim

 

Upcoming Events

 

Something Fresh

A radio play adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse's Something Fresh, the first book set at Lord Emsworth's Blandings Castle. A cross between a cozy pastoral and an Egyptian artifact heist thriller, Something Fresh is the perfect Spring Adventure.  Subscribe for news updates here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3jFB0LpOMsLlvh1R8zLSdf?si=878705dc00084889

Chapter One release date: 5/10/25; Chapter 2: 5/17/25; Chapter 3: 5/24/25.

 

May we suggest Twilight Thriller Radio, our Sherlock Holmes's series, classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories adapted into modern crime podcasts. Start off with The Adventure Of The Devil's Foot, a terrifying tale of murder and betrayal that almost kills our favorite detective. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/31iasPZNptrmMzfcK2lu4J

Subscribe to the Upstart Arts email list and receive updates on shows in progress and behind the scenes peeks as well as advance audition notices.

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