BWW Stage Mag The Shot - New Jersey Repertory Company Stage Mag

THE SHOT
 
at New Jersey Repertory Company
 
 
 
by
Robin Gerber
 
 
Starring

 
Sharon Lawrence
 
 
 

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Letter from the Playwright

As a feminist and activist, I have always written about women. As historian Arthur Schlesinger said, “Woman are the most spectacular casualty of history.” Through my biographies, and my novel about Eleanor Roosevelt running for president (if only), I have tried to move women’s stories out of obscurity. I have tried to untangle the secret, messy and frightening threads of our lives. I based my first play, THE SHOT, on my book about Katharine Graham and that part of her life that is hard to look at and understand. Katharine was an abused wife, derided in public and beaten in private by her husband, Phil Graham, the man who had inherited The Washington Post newspaper from Katharine’s father. After the book was published, I couldn’t stop thinking about the abuse that preceded her famous role as publisher, and that plagues so many women’s lives. I decided to explore intimate partner violence, and interviewed many women survivors. Those interviews and other research informed this imagined story of Katharine Graham’s life inside an abusive marriage. THE SHOT is a story for this moment. The #metoo movement focus on harassment and abuse outside the home must look inside as well. The first refuge for sexism and misogyny is the treatment of women as objects for abuse. If we can be abused with impunity, we can be paid less, denied opportunity and control over our bodies. I dream of THE SHOT playing a role in holding the focus on abuse, empowering women who are abused, and giving the rest of us a window into an abused woman’s soul.

Katharine Graham, publisher of The Washington Post, won a Pulitzer Prize for her courage in revealing the Pentagon Papers. She forces a president to resign after uncovering his abuse of office in the Watergate scandal. She was the first female CEO of a Fortune 500 Company. And she was a survivor of domestic abuse.

This is a work of fiction drawn from the life of Katharine Graham based on Robin Gerber’s book, Katharine Graham: The Leadership Journey of An American Icon.

Cast

Sharon Lawrence
Katharine Graham

Creative Team

MICHELLE JOYNER

Director

ROBIN GERBER

Playwright

JT PUBLIC RELATIONS

PR/Public Relations

KAREN SCHLEIFER

Production Stage Manager

JESSICA PARKS

Resident Scenic Designer/Props Designer

BRIAN SNYDER

Technical Director/Facilities Manager

PATRICIA DOHERTY

Resident Costume Designer

JILL NAGLE

Resident Lighting Designer

NICK SIMONE

Resident Sound Design

JAMES LOCKHART

Master Electrician

RACHAEL MALLOY

Assistant Stage Manager

GABOR BARABAS

Executive Producer

SUZANNE BARABAS

Artistic Director

DEE DEE IRWIN

Managing Director

NJRep Staff

Gabor Barabas, Executive Producer

SuzAnne Barabas, Artistic Director

Evan Bergman, Associate Artistic Director

Dee Dee Irwin, Managing Director

Joel Stone, Literary Manager

Jessica Parks, Production Manager andResident Scenic Designer

Patricia Doherty, Resident Costume Designer

Jill Nagle, Resident Lighting Designer

Nick Simone, Resident Sound Designer

Brian Snyder, Technical Director and Facilities Manager

Kristin Marie, Production Stage Manager

James Lockhart, Master Electrician

Rachael Malloy, Assistant Stage Manager

Janey Huber, Assistant Lighting Designer/Assistant Covid Monitor

Karen Wharmby, Volunteer Coordinator

Dee Cantalice, Director of Finance

Robert Baird, Director of Education

John Pietrowski, Covid Compliance Officer

John Pocalyko, Head of Finance Committee

Mare Akana, Gallery Curator

Andrea Phox, Photography Curator

Gail Winar, Artistic Associate

Donna Stiles, Scenic Artist/Assistant Properties

Blake Robinson, Assistant Properties/Set Design

Gisela Nucciarone, Carpenter

 

Meet the Company

Sharon Lawrence

Katharine Graham
Sharon Lawrence - Katharine Graham Sharon is currently starring in the Paramount + series JOE PICKETT based on the best seller of the same name. Previously she starred opposite Kirsten Dunst in the Showtime series ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, and as an elusive librarian in HOME BEFORE DARK for Apple TV. Many recurring roles include REBEL with Katy Sagal and Andy Garcia, a serial killer in CBS's CRIMINAL MINDS, Fiona's acerbic boss on Showtime's SHAMELESS, Sam Elliott's love interest in THE RANCH, and in the critically acclaimed series QUEEN SUGAR produced by Ava DuVernay. Sharon continues to be recognized from her multiple Emmy nominated and SAG Award-winning portrayal of ADA Sylvia Costas Sipowitz in the ground breaking NYPD BLUE and as Izzy's tender but ditzy Mom on GREY'S ANATOMY (for which she earned her 4th EMMY nod). Her 5th EMMY nomination came in 2021 as Lead Actress in a digital series -THE GAZE www.thegazeseries.com Film work includes THE LOST HUSBAND with Leslie Bibb and Josh Duhamel, OF MIND AND MUSIC with Anjeannue Ellis and and the indie hit MIDDLE OF NOWHERE directed by Ava DuVernay. An accomplished stage actress, and 2012 Lunt-Fontane Ten Chimneys Fellow, Sharon appeared in the West Coast premiere of A KID LIKE JAKE directed by Jennifer Chambers. LA theatre credits includes her acclaimed performance in THE MYSTERY OF LOVE AND SEX at the Mark Taper Forum, playing twenty different women in the LOVE, NOEL cabaret at The Wallis, at the Pasadena Playhouse she starred in Noel Coward's final play, A SONG AT TWILIGHT and as Vivian Leigh in ORSON'S SHADOW for which she was nominated for an Ovation Award, and won the LA Drama Critics Circle Award. She was part of a rotating cast in Nora & Delia Ephron's LOVE, LOSS & WHAT I WORE, and starred opposite Cherry Jones in TONGUE OF A BIRD at the Public Theatre. Sharon created the role of Maureen in the premiere of Theresa Rebeck's POOR BEHAVIOR at the Mark Taper Forum and her last Broadway appearance was as Velma Kelly in CHICAGO.

MICHELLE JOYNER

Director
MICHELLE JOYNER (Director/Dramaturg) Michelle has been at the helm of The Shot from its earliest development phase at the Ojai Playwrights Conference. She currently lives in The Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, and has helmed plays there with Shakespeare and Co., Berkshire Playwrights Lab, Great Barrington Public Theatre and Theatre Fest. West coast: Center Stage, Santa Monica Rep, Greenlight Productions, and LA Women’s Shakespeare Co. Internationally: The EdinburghFringe Festival. She is an accomplished stage and screen actor with a long career and has written ten studio screenplays. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, AEA, WGA, and DG. Her first full-length play IODINE will have a reading this year in the Berkshires. She leads THE LONG TABLE, a woman's writing group. www.michellejoyner.com

ROBIN GERBER

Playwright
ROBIN GERBER (Playwright) THE SHOT, Robin’s first play, was selected for the 2017 Ojai Playwrights Conference. After a well-spent youth involving drugs, sex and feminist activism, Robin took the next logical step and became a Washington, D.C. lawyer. She worked on Capitol Hill for a legendary leader of the House of Representatives, before leaving to be a union lobbyist during the Clinton years. Robin’s post-politics writing life includes: The bestselling advice book, Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way (Penguin), Katharine Graham (Penguin), Barbie and Ruth, about the founder of Mattel (HarperCollins), and the novel Eleanor vs. Ike, which imagines Eleanor Roosevelt running for President in 1952 (HarperAvon). Robin has toured the professional speaking circuit, motivating audiences at many Fortune 500 companies with stories from the lives of great women leaders. She has also appeared as a guest historian for the Biography and History channels and as a featured historian on the CNN documentary series First Ladies speaking about Eleanor Roosevelt. She dedicates this performance to her sister Dee Francken who first led her to the land of literature. robingerber.com

JT PUBLIC RELATIONS

PR/Public Relations
Founded by Joe Trentacosta, JT Public Relations is a full-service entertainment public relations firm. For over 20 years, they have handled over 300 projects on Broadway, Off-Broadway, festival productions, industry readings, films in release, film festivals, non-profit organizations, and special events. Current projects include Anthony Rapp’s Without You, Dog Man The Musical, and the international hit Katsura Sunshine’s Rakugo. Theater companies include AMT Theater, Houses on the Moon, Royal Family Productions, TheaterWorksUSA, Theater Breaking Through Barriers, and Urban Stages. Joe is currently developing a Broadway-bound musical about the Six Triple Eighth Postal Battalion with Holly Garman and Blair Underwood.

KAREN SCHLEIFER

Production Stage Manager
Karen Schleifer (Production Stage Manager): is thrilled to join NJ Rep for the very first time (thanks to Dee Dee and Pickle)! Favorite PSM/SM Credits include: Secret Hour* (Capital Rep Theatre), The Panic of ’29* (59E59), SMALL* (Penguin Rep Theatre), To The Moon* (Creede Rep Theatre), King Lear, Pericles, As You Like It* (San Francisco Shakespeare Festival), Hello Again, 2022 Drama League Awards & 2022 Drama League Gala (The Drama League), Driving Miss Daisy (The Laguna Playhouse), Jews, Christians & Screwing Stalin* (The Matrix Theatre), (*denotes world premiere); An accomplished singer-songwriter (@shotguncurly), Karen played “Kate” for 2 years in the original Broadway production of Annie! B.A. SUNY Purchase, member AEA/SAG-AFTRA. She dedicates her theatrical career to her mentor, Jennifer Straniere.

JESSICA PARKS

Resident Scenic Designer/Props Designer
Jessica has been working for NJ Repertory Company since 2003 and has been the resident scenic designer and prop designer since 2010. Set designs at NJ Rep include: The Promotion, Memoirs of a Forgotten Man, Wolf at the Door, The Jag, Swimming at the Ritz, Happy and Broomstick. NYC credits at 59E59 St. Theaters include: Michael Tucker’s Fern Hill, Butler, The Housewives of Mannheim, Jericho and Poetic License. Other credits include: The End of Hester at Theatre Row NYC, Bretch:Call & Response at Paradise Factory Theatre and Dan Lauria's Dinner with the Boys at Theater Row NYC.

BRIAN SNYDER

Technical Director/Facilities Manager
Snyder has been an artist, carpenter, and prop builder since 2003 for several companies in NY and NJ including The Art Department, PVS, Stone Dog Studios, Two River Theater Company, and NJ Repertory Company. After 4 years of teaching Visual Arts and Stagecraft at Lakewood High School he returned to the world of freelance and made his debut as Technical Director and Master Carpenter here at NJ Rep in 2014.

PATRICIA DOHERTY

Resident Costume Designer
As NJ Rep’s resident costume designer since 2000, Doherty’s work includes: The Housewives of Mannheim, The Color of Flesh, Old Clown Wanted, The Good Daughter, Place Settings, Bookends, Engaging Shaw, Puma, Noir, Broomstick, View of the Mountains, Swimming at the Ritz, Dinner with the Boys (with Dan Lauria), Closure (with Wendy Malick, Gary Cole), Nobody’s Girl, Butler, Mad Love and Iago , Fern Hill (with Jill Eikenberry, Dee Hoty and John Glover) to name just a few. New York: Southern Comfort—The Musical (The Public Theater 2016 Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Award Nominations with Annette O’Toole, Jeff McCarthy); Dinner with the Boys with Dan Lauria (The Acorn Theatre) Academia Nuts (2014 NYMF Best New Musical); The Devil’s Music (St. Luke’s); The Goldman Project (Abingdon Theatre); Freed, Fall to Earth, Poetic License, The Housewives of Mannheim, Butler, Small World (59E59th St Theatres); Love Therapy (DR2) Regional: Alley Theatre (past resident designer), Barrington Stage, Cleveland Play House, Merrimack Rep, Florida Rep, Penguin Rep, Engeman Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Montreal Jazz Festival , Luna Stage, Playwrights Theatre of NJ, Merrimack Rep (MA), People’s Light and Theatre Festival (PA), Rubicon Theatre of LA, Mosaic Theatre (DC), Cape Cod Playhouse (MA), Weston Playhouse (VT) TV/Video: AT&T, “Unsolved Mysteries,” Pennsylvania Public Television Guest Artist: Monmouth University, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio University, Niagara University, Syracuse University Guest Artist and Instructor: Kent State University, School of Theatre and Dance 1992-95

JILL NAGLE

Resident Lighting Designer
Jill is the Resident Lighting Designer at NJ Rep. Partial NJ Rep include: Dinner with the Boys, Closure, Butler, Broomstick, Happy, Puma, Night Train, and Noir. Partial NYC designs include: Butler, A Stool at the End of the Bar, Jericho, Poetic License, Housewives of Mannheim, The Man in Room 306, The Dishwashers (59E59), Love Therapy (Daryl Roth), Dinner with the Boys (The Acorn) The Bully Pulpit (Samuel Beckett), Do Not Go Gentle (Harold Clurman), Count Down (Bank Street), In the Parlance (The Pulse), Carrera (La Mama E.T.C.), South Beach Rapture (Dixon Place). Other venues: John Engeman Theatre, Chester Theatre, Luna Stage, Playwrights of New Jersey, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University. www.jillnagle.net

NICK SIMONE

Resident Sound Design
Nick has been a performing arts educator in NYC for the past 18 years. He has worked at various music schools for all ages and has been a teaching artist for Roundabout Theatre Company, Apollo Theater, and Sundog Theatre specializing in sound design and musical disciplines. As a musician, Nick plays multiple instruments and has also performed at the renowned Carnage Hall and at the Metropolitan Opera House. Nick has also worked as sound designer and as an audio engineer for many productions such as: US: A Progressive Love Story, The Norwegians, North To Maine, IYOM, Wild Children, Time Travelers Trip To Niagara, The Diorama, Shakespeare's Hamlet at Bryant Park, Extreme Weather, Don’t Dress For Dinner, Villainous Company, Capone, & Romantic Trapezoid. Nick is also affiliated with MTV's production Artist to Watch series as a sound assistant. He is currently the chief audio engineer for Fenix Studios in Staten Island, NY and has credits on multiple albums, films, broadcasts, streaming, music videos and mobile apps. He has worked with up and coming talent and platinum selling artists in different genres from Lorde to Coldplay.

JAMES LOCKHART

Master Electrician
Lockhart has the pleasure of working as the Master Electrician for NJ Repertory Company. He is a young, vibrant freelance lighting designer & master electrician that has worked in the tri-state. He has a comprehensive set of skills.

RACHAEL MALLOY

Assistant Stage Manager
Malloy is very excited to be starting their career with NJ Rep. Previous credit highlights include: 7 Deadly Sins NYC with Tectonic Theatre Project (Show Operator) and Northampton Community College’s Summer Theatre (Tech Intern). College theatre: Head Over Heels (Assistant Stage Manager), FAME (Stage Manager), Into The Woods (Assistant Stage Manager), Cabaret (Stage Manager).

GABOR BARABAS

Executive Producer
For NJ Rep, he has produced over 80 world premieres including Ends, A World I Never Made, North Fork, Octet, The Girl With the High Rouge, In Search of Red River Dog, Naked by the River, An Unhappy Woman, Immortal Interlude, Getting in Touch With My Inner B*tch, Till Morning Comes, Slave Shack, Panama, Big Boys, Winterizing the Summer House, Piaf in Vienna, The Color of Flesh, Emil, Touch of Rapture, Beyond Gravity, A Child’s Guide to Innocence, The Good Daughter, Apostasy, The Best Man, Tilt Angel, Love and Murder, tempOdyssey, October 1962, Place Setting, And Her Hair Went With Her, Engaging Shaw, Poetic License, The Housewives of Mannheim, Dead Ringer, Exposure Time (recipient of and Edgerton New American Plays Award), Character Assassins, The Tangled Skirt (nominated for an Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America), Puma, Night Train, The Judy Holliday Story, Jericho (recipient of and Edgerton New American Plays Award), American Stare, Release Point, Esther’s Moustache, Ants, Noir, Happy, Broomstick, Admit One, A View of the Mountains, Butler (recipient of and Edgerton New American Plays Award), Lucky Me, Dinner with the Boys, Angels and Ministers of Grace, and the musicals Immortal Interlude,Bookends, The Little Hours (recipient of and Edgerton New American Plays Award), and Date of Lifetime. His book Miklos Radnoti: The Complete Poetry in Hungarian and English was recently published by McFarland.

SUZANNE BARABAS

Artistic Director
SuzAnne Barabas (Director/Artistic Producer), has been the Artistic Director of NJ Rep for the past 24 years. SuzAnne is a member of Actors Equity Association, the Dramatist Guild, and the Society of Directors & Choreographers.

DEE DEE IRWIN

Managing Director
Dee Dee joined New Jersey Repertory Company in October 2022, bringing with her almost 30 years of experience in the performing arts and live events industry. Prior to coming to NJRep, Dee Dee spent nine years as the Director of Marketing and Communications/Associate Producer for Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA, and 12 years as part of the Broadway in Hollywood team for Nederlander’s beautiful Pantages theatre in Hollywood, CA. Dee Dee can also be found playing with puppets as part of the gang that produces Brian Henson’s Puppet Up! Uncensored at the legendary Jim Henson Company Lot. While in Laguna Beach, Dee Dee served as chair for the Laguna Beach Arts Alliance, saw the theatre turn 100 years old and produced much of the virtual programming during the pandemic. Originally from Los Angeles, Dee Dee holds an MA in Humanities, a BA in Theatre, and is a proud member of IATSE 857. Special shout out to the love of her life, her dog Pickle, who you might see roaming the theatre and giving his opinion on, well, pretty much everything.

We Thank the Following for Their Support

The Shubert Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, SBA Shuttered Venues Program, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, New Jersey CRF, NJEDA, JENNJOE Fund, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, OceanFirst Foundation, Princeton Area Community Foundation, Manasquan Bank, Community Foundation of New Jersey, Monmouth County CARES, Jewish Communal Fund, Darien Family Fund, Vasi Laurence, Linda Mitchell, Caroline Huber and Caryl Sills.

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