Synopsis of Scenes:

ACT ONE:

Prelude- A Line In Hell

Scene 1- The Devil's Office

Scene 2- The Gates of Hell

Scene 3- The Devil's Office

Scene 4- Hell Park

Scene 5- The Gates of Hell

Scene 6- Purgatory

Scene 7- The Office of Screwum, Cheatum & Runn

15 Minute Intermission

ACT TWO:

Prelude- A Line In Hell

Scene 1- A Court Room in Purgatory

Want to know more about the Writer and Director of this production Martin W. Prevost. You can follow him at

Facebook: Martin Prevost Playwright

Patron: patreon.com/c/martinwprevostplaywright

Like the background art used throughout the show? Check out Mike Eserkaln on line to see more art and even buy some art.

Online at: eserkaln.com

Patron: www.patreon.com/c/eserkaln

Facebook: Mike Eserkaln - Author and Artist 

Writer/Directors Note

The idea for this story began in 2004. I was a young high school student learning to write plays. Long story short the original version of The Lawsuit (then titled Hell is a Lawyers Place) was not good. It was bad real bad. I think one joke has survived from that original version. Then I put the script away for a few years and while in College at UW Oshkosh I took a playwriting class (one of many) I was assigned to write a full-length play. And I kept thinking about this concept so in 2007 I decided to turn The Lawsuit into that assignment.

In the years since I have regularly gone back to this show to work on it and update it. I’ve been working on it so long I’ve lost count of what draft you’re watching. But this has been a show that has stuck with me for over two decades. And for those who’ve read the script or seen a staged reading of it; it’s also stuck with them. So, when the opportunity to finally bring this show to life I had to take it.

Which brings me to getting to do this show. The cast I have gotten to put together has been amazing. Getting to work with Ves Stanford (Captain Wallaby’s Neighborhood), Valerie Rivas (Mr. Nibbles The Amazing Talking Cat, Ten Seconds, & 12 Angry Jurors), Nicolai von Grumbkow (Captain Wallaby’s Neighborhood, Mere Cats, & Lovestruck an Improv Reality Dating Game), Michelle Gauthier (Dreaming of a Dark Christmas), Maddie Pamperin (Lovestruck an Improv Reality Dating Game) Dana Cordry (Captain Wallaby’s Neighborhood, & Mr. Nibbles the Amazing Talking Cat), & Jon Bruinooge (Captain Wallaby’s Neighborhood & Lovestruck an Improv Reality Dating Game) on anther show is just wonderful. And having the new cast members who I haven’t gotten to work with before has been very rewarding. Everyone has brought there A game, and it has been greatly appreciated. And the fact I have so many (6) people I haven’t gotten to direct before is just amazing.

I truly hope you enjoy this show. Laugh, be taken out of this world for a little while and just get lot in the world we’ve created. Thank you for joining us, you are all amazing for supporting new local theater.

-Martin W. Prevost

Writer and Director

Cast

Special Announcement

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Raziel Dixon

Matthew Sampson

Raziel is ecstatic to be taking on this role in the lawsuit. Raziel has been in Bad Auditions by Bad Actors, Mamma Mia, Charolette's Web, Kodachrome, Guys and Dolls, and most recently played Nick Bottom in Midsummer Nights Dream. Raziel would like to thank his family, friends and girlfriend for their undying support.

Ves Stanford

Howey Screwum

Ves Stanford, playing Howey Screwum, has participated in a variety of community productions around the Green Bay area, including Justice Grimm in Captain Wallaby’s Neighborhood and Paul Jones in The Vultures. He is delighted to be serving damned lawyer realness with this role in The Lawsuit. He would like to thank his emotional support lesbians (they know who they are) for all the support they have provided and Nicolai Von Grumbkow for writing him this very cool and epic bio when he totally forgot to.

Valerie Rivas

Howey Cheatum

Valerie is thrilled to be a part of the cast of The Lawsuit! Her recent roles include Michelle Walker in "In Plain Sight" and Norma in "Mr. Nibbles the Amazing Talking Cat." When she's not on stage, she's often behind the scenes, having recently stage managed "The Charitable Sisterhood of Second Trinity Victory Church." She is honored to share the stage with her fellow castmates and thanks her loved ones for their unwavering support.

Nicolai Von Grumbkow

Howey Runn

Nicolai von Grumbkow- (Howey Runn) – Partook in multiple musicals through his high school career such as Chicago and Damn Yankees. He then started community theatre by playing Jerry Cummings in The Christmas Express. Nicolai then played Daniel in Captain Wallaby’s Neighborhood in May of 2024. Since then, he has been in other works by Martin Prevost such as Shadow in Mere Cats and participating in Lovestruck, an improv reality dating game. He is thrilled to be performing for another piece by Martin as Howey Runn in The Lawsuit.

Chelsea Murphy

The Devil

Chelsea Murphy is an actor, writer and current embodiment of the Devil, (professionally, of course). Hailing from Appleton WI she trained at New York Film Academy, Playhouse West and UCB where she learned how to cry on cue, hit her mark in heels and convincingly summon hellfire (emotionally speaking). Catch her directorial indie feature debut “Yucca Fest” on Amazon prime and tubi and look out for her upcoming film “Under a Melted Sky” set to be completed later this year. @Chelseajmurphy for updates.

Michelle Gauthier

The Gate Keeper

Michelle is delighted to be part of The Lawsuit. She has been keeping gates for years and is absolutely ready to take it to the stage. Michelle has recently performed in hits such as Dreaming of a Dark Christmas, Lend Me a Soprano, Cleverly and Comically, Leaving Iowa and more. She wants to thank her family and dearest love Bryan for encouraging her always.

Maddie Pamerin

Cael Anael/Howey Saveum

Maddie Pamperin is a veterinary technician by day and an actor by night. Shes been on the stage in the past, including Abrams Spotlight Production of The Play That Goes Wrong and Lovestruck! at Green Bay Fringe. She’s excited to play both Cael and Saveum in The Lawsuit, where she instigates the philosophical and legal questions of a man suing Heaven. Outside of theater, Maddie is a proud cat mom to Haku, Prismo, and Azula, and enjoys combining her love for animals with her passion for storytelling.

Akaidin Jaskie

Ezekiel Noname/Phil Sanford

Akaidin started acting in high school, featuring in plays and musicals alike, along with an improv show. Since then he put theater aside focusing on work but now he's coming in swinging having a better hobby than video games, starting with Ezekiel Noname.

Aster Johnson

Steve The Pastry Chef

Aster is delighted to be playing Steve in The Lawsuit. He has enjoyed any form of art since he was young, and is more than glad to be back in the local acting scene. Aster would like to thank his family and friends, both offline and online, for their support and encouragement in getting here.

Dana Cordry

Nana Sampson

Dana Cordry will be playing Nana Sampson in this production of The Lawsuit. She graduated from Lawrence University with a theatre degree and is currently getting more involved with social causes in her community. She would like to thank her mom Lisa and her close friend Nicolai for encouraging her to join The Lawsuit.

Jon Bruinooge

Judge Ibzan

As Judge Ibzan, Jon must remain neutral in his feelings toward being in The Lawsuit. While he hopes everything will reach a suitable conclusion, he will wait until the end to give his verdict. Jon prepared for this role by watching The People’s Court, Judge Judy, and playing through all the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney games. Martin advised him to learn his lines instead, but this objection was overruled. When Jon is not judging others, he enjoys spending his weekends on stage at Comedy City. He has also appeared in Cardboard Theater productions as well as Lovestruck! at Green Bay Fringe and as Lance the Puppet in Captain Wallaby’s Neighborhood.

Sage Cowell

Trey Schroeder

As Tray, Sage brings fresh energy to this fiery corner of the underworld with just the right edge. Recently seen in I Finally Did It at Green Bay's Fringe Festival, Sage earned praise for their emotionally resonant performance. Up next, they'll don a conductor's cap for The Polar Express at the National Railroad Museum, guiding passengers on a holiday journey (with less bureaucracy than Hell, hopefully). Sage is thrilled to bring Tray's frustration, curiosity, and rebellious spirit to life. They thank their dog Phoebe for giving up valuable snuggle time and their cats Naya and Papaya for running lines (and occasionally walking across the script).

Abygail Jelenic

Beth Knaapen

Abygail is excited to be part of the cast. The Lawsuit will be Abygail's first appearance on stage. She would like to thank her family, partner and cats, Florence and Ferguson, for their patience with her during this show.

Martin W. Prevost

Writer & Director

Ali Weaver

Assistant Director

Andrew Delaurelle

Stage Manager

Jacob Ebbensgard

Assistant Stage Manager

Kit Honkanen

Light Design

Raechal Wozniak-Sanford

Costume Design

Mike Eserkaln

Background Design

Photos

The Cast and Crew Would Like to Thank:

Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary- For allowing us to use there space for Rehearsals

SAGE- For allowing us to use there space for Rehearsals

Green Bay Community Theater- For loaning us set pieces, props and costumes

De Pere High School Drama Club- For loaning us costume pieces

The Writer/Director Would Like To Thank:

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Theater Department- For existing

Richard Kalinoski- For teaching me how to be a playwright

The People Who Originated These Roles In The Original Staged Reading October 15, 2008 at UW Oshkosh:

Mike Heyer- Matthew Sampson

Peter Simon- Howey Screwum

Noah Totzke- Howey Cheatum

Carter Wedl- Howey Runn

Laura Klein- The Devil

Matthew Scales- Voice of God

Tosha Herman- The Gate Keeper

Dan VanDenEng- Judge Ibzan

Sam Spees- Howey Saveum

Michelle Grantin- Nana Sampson

Laurie Bellart- Stage Directions

Merlaine Angwall- Director

And of course My Mother for all her support through the years.

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