The Shawshank Redemption |
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Jeremy Woloski George Smith |
Gavin Grey |
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Content warning:
Please be aware there are several scenes of brutal violence and sexual assault, as well as language that might be offensive to some viewers.
Note from the Director:
I fell in love with Stephen King after I read another of his prison stories: The Green Mile. It was only after being wowed by that tale's epic magical realism that I went back to the flagship novella, Rita Hayworth & the Shawshank Redemption.
Like the other mini-novels featured in that collection -- The Body (the inspiration for the movie Stand By Me), Apt Pupil, and the lesser-known The Breathing Method -- the story of a wrongly-accused banker cemented in my mind that King was, at his best, not a schlocky horror writer, but a master of telling, yes, frightening, but also profoundly moving stories about the human condition. Shawshank is just one of those accomplishments.
When I considered doing a staged version of this show -- a virtual one too! -- I know I had a lot going against me from the get-go; namely, a script that was created specifically for the stage, but also a near-flawless film version by Frank Darabont. How could I, a guy with no real film experience apart from a college class or two and a couple videos I made on my Dad's Camcorder as a kid -- do such a beautiful story justice?
What I soon realized, as any director worth his or her salt knows, is that it boils down to the talent of the cast. (The old "that's 90% of a director's job" bit.) I was blessed to have a group of actors who had the same passion for the story and the art as I did, and it goes without saying that none of this would have happened without their dedication, patience, and, yes, hope.
And that's really what this adventure comes down to: hope. From the start, I held out hope that the production would be a satisfying alternate rendition of the story that many people hold dear. I hope that I have made proud everyone involved, from the cast to King himself. I hope that this show proves virtual theatre is not a passing fad. I hope you enjoy the hard work we have put in to make this story powerful.
I hope.
Thank you for your support of community and virtual theatre.
Best,
Jake Lewis
Director
Song List
"Hopeful (Theme to The Shawshank Redemption"
by PuzzleWaves
Who's Who
Cast
Creative Team
Jake Lewis
Andrea Dube
Meet the Company
Ray Fletcher
‘A British/American actor’- Ray has performed such roles as; Tevye, Willie Loman, Fagin, and Bottom. Ray studied theatre at university and was awarded Best Male Musical Performer in a Lead Role by the American College Theatre Festival at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. After living in the U.K. for the last twenty-five years, Ray returned home to the U.S.A. and settled down in Maine! Stage, Film, TV – OK, but this Virtual Stuff – Old Dogs, New Tricks!!
Ben Gold
Ben is a somewhat recent graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School Of Theater in New York and a not so recent graduate of Brandeis University in Boston. He last performed as Lt. McNalty in the off-broadway production of WICKED CITY BLUES, and as Smokey in Priscilla Beach Theater’s production of DAMN YANKEES. Other credits include The Governor/various in the off-broadway workshop of VIVA MAX! directed by Even Pappas, Basilio/Don Curzio in THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO at the Narnia festival in Italy, Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Lt. Munoz in CITY OF ANGELS, and William Barfee in SPELLING BEE.
Rocky Graziano
Rocky grew up in East Boston and currently resides in Revere. He majored in Theatre Arts at UMass Boston graduating in 2005 and earning his Masters of Education in 2017. Past credits include Puck in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Rudy in BENT, Dauphin in HENRY V, and Matt in THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE & BOO. Called "pageant king of New England" by the media, Rocky has competed, coached, directed and volunteered in pageants since he was 13 years old. He won the titles of Mr Gay Rhode Island 2006, King of Boston Pride 2006, served as Executive Director of the Miss Boston Scholarship Organization and currently serves as Treasurer on the Miss Massachusetts Board of Directors.
Gavin Grey
Gavin Grey is excited to make his virtual theatre debut in this production. While his start in performing came at a young age, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION marks Gavin’s first acting venture since 2007, and he is grateful for the opportunity to rediscover the craft, especially through such an iconic story, and alongside this incredibly hardworking cast. Offstage, Gavin works in medical technology, and enjoys volunteering with both underserved youth populations and animal welfare.
Jason Iannone
Jason is making his mama proud by portraying Bogs, world-renowned...lover in THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. He was previously seen in Jakespeare's TURN OF THE SCREW, where he was also really creepy. Lest you detect a pattern, he's also portrayed Malcolm in MACBETH, Paul in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, and Tony in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. See, he can be good! Mainers (and anyone willing to travel) can next see him onstage in BULLSHOT CRUMMOND and the original musical AN EVENING AT DAVE'S SAUNA. His upcoming film debut, THE BELL AFFAIR, will hopefully be released this year as well. When not performing, Jason writes plays, studies music, and enjoys marriage to his wife Holly. He has a real job, but we don't need to discuss such silly things.
David Lee Vincent
David brings stage and film experience to THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTON.. He has appeared in professional and community theaters across New England, and has been in ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Tracy Lett’s BUG, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, and Albee’s AT HOME AT THE ZOO. Most recently, he appeared in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. His film work includes lead & supporting roles in features, shorts, webseries and audio drama serials. He studied improv, voice, movement, stage and film acting. He lives in Newburyport with his partner Sandy and his German Wirehaired Pointer, Dee. Vincent says “I’m excited to join Jakespeare Virtual Theatre Company in this production."
J.D. McElligott
J.D. is thrilled to be part in his first show with Jakespeare Virtual Theatre Company and his first time back on stage (virtually speaking) since the pandemic started. He previously appeared as Sebastian in TWELFTH NIGHT, Malcolm in "THE SCOTTISH PLAY," and as part of the cast and crew of ASSASSINS. He also played Inigo Montoya in THE PRINCESS BRIDE, and has appeared in PINOCCGIO, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and THE LITTLE PRINCE. He is an openly transgender actor and outside of the theatre he enjoys writing, hiking, and voice acting. He would like to thank his wife and family for their unending support, as well as his theatre family for always being there for him, and SHAWSHANK for letting him live out his goal of going completely feral after 2020.
Scott Salley
Scott is honored and excited to be able to play the iconic role of Red. He has previously played the same role as an on-screen legend when portraying Anthony Hopkins's film character Richard the Lionheart in THE LION IN WINTER (TCAN Players). Other stage credits include Gareth in ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS; Pete in FIRST THINGS FIRST; Charlie in ABSOLUTELY MURDER (TCAN Players) and Roger/Ensemble in THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME (Umbrella, Conord MA). In his previous work life, Scott spent 10 years in the front office of the Boston Red Sox and earned two World Series rings. Scott lives in Framingham, MA with his wife and 9 year old son, to whom he gives his unending appreciation and love!
Madison Sedlor
Madison is thrilled to be a part of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION cast! Favorite credits include: BOOK CLUB (Kyle), THE TEENAGE WIDOW (Jessica), COMEDY OF ERRORS (Courtezan), and 420 THE MUSICAL (Becki/Bic). Also a playwright, Madison’s play, KEEP A LITTLE SOUL, was produced Off-Off-Broadway in 2019. She continues to be produced nationally. Madison is a co-founder of Green Buffalo Productions and moderates for The Buffalo Theatre Workshop in Buffalo NY. Love to Mom, Dad, and John.
George Smith
George made his debut in 2016, playing the Waiter in the romantic musical comedy FIRST DATE. Until that time, he had been involved with set construction and behind-the-scenes work. He was then excited to find out that he would be part of the energetic, passionate, and exciting cast of the musical production of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. George’s good luck continued when he was cast in the Jeremy Woloski stage production THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. When COVID-19 hit, George set his sights on the Virtual Stage. You cannot imagine George’s excitement when he was awarded the lead role of Hercule Poirot in the Jakespeare Virtual Theatre production of THE CASE OF THE CARELESS CLIENT. George considers himself fortunate to be in this production of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION with its talented cast, crew, and staff. If you ask George, he will tell you that being on stage physically or virtually is some of the most challenging work he has ever done. George is thankful for all the advice that he has received from his fellow cast and crew members. He now understands why actors choose theater as their favorite vice. Break a leg, everyone!
Jeremy Woloski
Jeremy is proud to work along side such a talented group of "inmates" in this virtual show. He has appeared in numerous productions in the area such as THE 39 STEPS with Braid productions, a local theater group he runs with his wife Rebecca and closest friend Neal Martel. Typically playing the comedic roles in THE NERD, 23rd ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS to name a few, he is enjoying being one the hard asses in Shawshank. He currently teaches theatre at Burncoat Middle School in Worcester. For the past 16 years he has been living in Holland Ma with his loving wife and two children who always support him in every production. Enjoy the show!!
Jake Lewis
A "constant reader" of Stephen King for most of his life, Jake was beside himself when one of the best stories by the Master of Macabre, and his all-time favorite film was turned into a stage play. Just like Andy writing letters to the Senate in the text, Jake emailed the licensing company incessantly until they let him acquire the rights to do the show virtually. He couldn't be happier to have been able to produce it with this talented group of actors and crew, and he hopes he did Mr. King proud. He'd like to thank his wife, Amy, and his two kids, Asher and Myka, for putting up with the loud rehearsals several nights a week. This production and company would not be possible without their love and support.
Andrea Dube
Andrea has been involved in various theatre companies and productions in her home town of Pelham, NH since high school. Over the last 25 years she has worn many hats both on stage and behind the scenes. She stepped up to the role of Stage Manager for THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION because she enjoys taking on new challenges and really enjoys virtual theatre.
Multimedia
The first thing you do after receiving your script -- number your lines!
The cons hanging out in the yard
Re-tarring the plate roof factory with a bottle of suds
Red has a surprise for Andy
Now that you've seen the show, listen to how it was all put together!
"Inside the Shank: Behind the Bars of The Shawshank Redemption"
Available at: www.jakespearevtc.com/podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts!