When Worlds Collide |
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| A Christmas Carol Retelling | ||
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| Adaptation & Arrangement | ||
| By Matthew LaChiusa | ||
| Featured Writers | ||
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Ben Brindise |
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P.K. Fortson Ian Michalski |
Juli Grygier Alfonso Tyson |
Catherine Burkhart Cameron Kogut |
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All works are presented through permission of playwrights & poets. Any duplication of this production without expressed permission of both the playwrights, poets, and American Repertory Theater of WNY is strictly prohibited. American Repertory Theater of WNY encourages photography & video during the production but requests individuals to be mindful of other patrons, no flash is allowed, and to adequately tag American Repertory Theater of WNY, the production and actors in each photography. Content warning: R - Adult Language; Adult Situations |
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ACT ONE
Stave 1
**Featured Writers**
J.B. Stone
"Dearest Unkey"
Ben Brendise
"The Performance is Practiced"
Umar Azam
"Night turns to Day"
Heather Ackerman
"An Eternity Outside God's House"
Stave 2
**Featured Writers**
Helena Torres
Belle's Monologue
Ellen Catherine Falank
Belle's Second Monologue
(10 MINUTE INTERMISSION)
Act Two
Stave 3
**Featured Writers**
Noah Doktor
Marley's Monologue
Tyler Collis
"They Say Everyone Deserves a Second Chance"
j. Snodgrass
Stave 4
**Featured Writers**
Umar Azam
"If its redemption you seek."
Justin Karcher
"Perhaps. What an Unsettling Word"
"A Christmas Carol" adaptation and Script Arrangement
Matthew LaChiusa
Cast
Creative Team
Matthew LaChiusa
Mariangela Mercurio
Tyler Collis
Rebecca Mutchock
Suzanne Hibbard
Director's Notes
Mother is invention of all necessity, so when American Repertory Theater of WNY got the December slot for the company's first performance of the 2023-24 season, the choice was either do something completely different from the usual Holiday flair, or "go with the flow", and produce something in line with the season. That's where "When Worlds Collide" was invented.
The classic Dickens narrative has had multiple variations, from a musical to a Disney cartoon, and producing "A Christmas Carol" is not an artistic inventing the wheel. There is only the one story and that is Ebenezer Scrooge and his redemption arch. Oh, and there are his ghosts as well. Yet, despite all the reboots and remakes, the story holds a compelling narrative that speaks to every generation since the first published version came out on December 19th, 1843.
This is why an adaptation of the story was chosen. Because, yes, here we go again, another version, but the narrative Dickens wrote is timeless and can be applied to any generation, any time period. It's a necessary piece that needs to be told, retold, and presented every Holiday.
The challenge was how to set it apart without being redundant in message. It's been a musical, a comedy, an origin story, any type of variation one imagines, it has most likely been applied to the story. But ART/WNY knows the deep resources the area has with poets, playwrights and writers, so an idea was born out of it. Take the brilliance of Dickens' novella, utilize the literary poetry of the narrative, and then counter them with passages written by local writers. This "collision" of the Victorian vernacular and contemporary language is the basis behind our show.
The artistic choice is a gamble, but why not? If a cartoon duck can portray the iconoclastic 'Scrooge', or a frog puppet represent 'Bob Cratchit', then why not attempt something more creative? That's the creative beauty of theater and the synergetic nature of its forum.
Enjoy our grass-roots production - Director, Matthew LaChiusa
Production Notes
American Repertory Theater of WNY will start another season featuring original works by 716 playwrights & poets. Although highlighting regional works is a challenging season endeavor, the creative rewards is enriching for the company.
But the struggle will continue to bring original works to the stage. Challenges include the creative stigma associated with new works, perceptions that it's a "deranged" idea producing original works in a complete season, patron uncomfortably with unfamiliar plays, and lack of interest in theater unless it's "gimmick theater" or "Hello Dolly". Which ever it may be, the fight is real and continuing.
However, ART/WNY will remain steadfast in premiering local playwrights and giving opportunities to those who may not find them at other Buffalo-based theaters. Because, as the company's mission statement and artistic vision maintains, in presenting works, diversity is the main goal. Not only with presentation, but with the audience base. This is achieved by affordable tickets that allows all community members to attend all ART/WNY shows.
ART/WNY invites you to become part of a growing commitment to theater that serves a purpose. A purpose that is solely based on poignant, compelling, and diverse narratives. Proactive theater that opens community dialog. Despite opinion, this isn't deranged, unorthodox or poor business decisions. This is what will keep theater going through the digital age, Netflix narratives, and presentations relying on drunk actors or dusty ol' chestnut crowd pleasers.
American Repertory Theater of WNY invites you to be part of this honest movement. Please join us through Facebook, Instagram, or visiting the company's website.
Love the 716 in You!
ART/WNY SPECIAL THANKS
This program is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature and administered by Arts Service
Additional Thanks:
Braymiller Markets (Buffalo NY), John F Kennedy, Michael Breen, Paul McQuillen, Catherine Burkhart, Suzanne Hibbard, Mark Humphrey, Thomas LaChiusa, and all those who have generously their resources, time and energy to keeping ART/WNY moving forward.
2023 - 2024 Board of Directors
Suzanne Hibbard (Board President), Beth Geyer (Secretary), Mark Humphrey, Michael Breen, Robert Insana (Vice President) Matthew LaChiusa (Treasurer), Susan King, Catherine Burkhart (Board Advisor)
American Repertory Theater of WNY seeks individuals who want to see this company continue to grow and move forward. Please contact Matthew LaChiusa at 716-697-0837 for more details.
Love the ART in You
Meet the Company
Robert Insana
A veteran of Buffalo theater stage for over 40-years, this marks Robert's third performance, the Artie Award winning "Little Robert" and the Artie Nominated "House of Blue Leaves".
Jessica K. Rasp
Jess is excited about making her debut with ART of WNY! She has been in 4 other productions of a more traditional version of A Christmas Carol. This has been the most original and challenging version of that ghost story! She has worked with various local theatre companies. Her next onstage role will be as Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond with Rocking Horse Productions in May of 2024. Some favorite roles: The Golden Girls Lost Episodes (Sophia), Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime (Lady Julia Merton), Charlotte’s Web (Goose) and Dracula (Renfield), Barefoot in the Park (Mrs. Banks), The Importance of Being Earnest (Lady Bracknell), Steel Magnolias (Ouiser Boudreaux), The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch of the West), and The Divine Sister (Agnes). She wishes everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!
Danette Pawlowski
Danette Pawlowski (She/Her) is thrilled to return to the stage with ART of WNY! She is a regular Pro Roster player and referee with Buffalo ComedySportz and has also performed with groups such as A Totally Made Up Musical, Twisted Sister Act, It's Not the Humidity: Hot One's Inspired Improv and Drunk Theater Buffalo's: But…Make It Drunk. Non-improvised stage credits include Titus XX (Titus Andronicus – Brazen Faced Varlets), Mercy Seat (Acacia – American Repertory Theater of WNY), and Hello, Dolly (Community Choir- Starring Buffalo).
P.K. Fortson
P.K. Fortson is excited to make his ART/WNY debut alongside these outstanding artists. Previous credits include LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Lockport Palace Theatre), DRUNK WIZARD OF OZ (Drunk Theatre Buffalo), BUFFALO QUICKIES (Alleyway Theatre), EL HAJJ MALIK (Ujima Theatre), STOMPIN' AT THE SAVOY (Paul Robeson Theatre), among others. Film credits include MARSHALL and THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF WOLFBOY. For Aniyah and Rosha, always.
Juli Grygier
Ian Michalski
This is Ian's fifth production with ART, having previously appeared in Bloody,Bloody Andrew Jackson (Henry Clay), Fall from the Grace of God (Petey) The Birth of Santa (Little Drummer Boy) and Mercy Seat (Dusty). Other favorite roles include Charlie in Your a Good Man Charlie Brown with Rocking Horse productions and Epstein in Biloxi Blues with Desiderios dinner theatre. When not on stage, Ian is a film actor, puppeteer, digital artist, and frontman for local punk band Crypt Kickers.
Sarah Emmerling
Sarah Emmerling (she/her) is actor based in Buffalo, NY with a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University. Recent theatre credits include: Ben in American Idiot (Bellissima Productions), Silvia in Rust and Redemption (ART of WNY), Miss Casewell in The Mousetrap (HARP), Catherine in Proof (Carriage House Players), Joan/Vicky in Fall from the Grace of God (ART of WNY), Friederike in All Through the Night (Brazen Faced Varlets) and Elissa in To the New Girl (First Look Buffalo Theatre Company). Some of her favorite college credits include Helen Hammon in Mother Hicks, George Young Bradley in Men on Boats, and Claudio in Much Ado about Nothing, which she performed while studying abroad in London with the Live Literature Company. In addition to performing on stage, Sarah enjoys working with children and is a character performer at Enchanting Birthdays of WNY. She is also currently studying aerial silks at the Bird's Nest Circus Arts.
Christopher Jackson
Catherine Burkhart
Catherine is thrilled to be working with American Repertory Theater again, this time onstage. She has directed for the company previously, for both Mercy Seat and Fall From the Grace of God. A graduate of SUNY Fredonia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater, she’s worked in WNY theater as an actor, director, producer and dialect coach for 25 years. Catherine would like to thank the tremendous crew and talented cast she shares the stage with. She’s an avid yogi and enjoys reading, hiking and of course, Volunteering at Whispering River Animal Rescue.
Cameron Kogut
Cameron is excited to be back working with ART for another season!
He began working with this company during their Jesus Christ Superstar run, and has been involved over the past two years in productions, Fall From Grace of God, and Rust and Redemption. Cameron has enjoyed being a part of this ensemble piece, and the process that has brought it together. He looks forward to more ART productions!
Scott Gattie
Scott Gattie is making his onstage debut in "When Worlds Collide". Scott, a graduate of Buffalo State University, is a singer/songwriter who has been playing guitar since childhood. While not coming from a theater background, Scott brings in a number of unorthodox influences in his experience, everything from talk radio to poetry to competitive video game play-by-play commentary.
Alfonzo Tyson
Matthew LaChiusa
Matthew directorial resume with American Repertory Theater of WNY includes two Artie Award nominations for Direction of Musical ("American Idiot" and "Jesus Christ Superstar"). Other favorite directorial opportunities at ART/WNY include Tracy Letts' "Killer Joe", Martin McDonagh's "A Behanding in Spokane", and "The Guys" by Anne Nelson. A 716 playwright, he also received four nominations for the Manny Freid Artie Award for Original Plays ("Axeman's Jazz", "Shine", "Paradigm Bomb" and "RED CLAY"), winning the award for "RED CLAY".
As the Executive/Artistic Director for ART/WNY, Matthew built this scrappy blue-collar theater up from scratch, earning multiple company nominations and awards for theater excellence, into a recognizable Buffalo theater uniquely specializing in producing regional playwrights.
Matthew thanks all who've put their hard work and effort, both on and off-stage, into this production.
Mariangela Mercurio
Mariangela Mercurio is a performer, Stage Manager and Director from Buffalo, NY. She loves theatre and movement and being a part of this amazing process. Mariangela works with many different companies through out Buffalo, most recently with Bellisima Productions and Road Less Traveled. Her next project after When Worlds Collide is ART of WNY's production of London Calling, where she will be Co-Directing.
Tyler Collis
Tyler Collis is an actor, musician, and writer who is based in Buffalo, NY. This is his first time working with American Repertory Theater of WNY. Tyler has been in various productions with Inclusive Theater of Western New York, and made his debut with Unique Theater last year in their production of "The Acting Class." Tyler's most recent appearance was Inclusive Theater's production of "The 12th Night," William Shakespeare adaptation playing the role of Duke Orsino. Tyler also writes poetry and performs each week at Cafe Aroma. This is Tyler's first production with ART and is very excited to be working with them and getting the chance to write poetry for this production too.
Rebecca Mutchock
Suzanne Hibbard
American Repertory Theater of WNY's
2023-24 Season Continues
FEBRUARY 8TH - FEBRUARY 24TH
LONDON CALLING
ONE-ACTS BASED ON THE MUSIC OF
THE CLASH
APRIL 11TH -APRIL 27TH, 2024
JOHN WEBSTER'S
"THE WHITE DEVIL'
ADAPTED & DIRECTED BY
CHARLES MCGREGOR