On the Road to Ruin
By William (Bill) Zeffiro (Book, Music and Lyrics)
Every time I see that I have written the principle elements for R2R (as we call it around campus) I feel a teensy bit guilty because even though I did, in fact, write all three. I could never have reached this point without the incredible amount of insight and support I've received from countless others. Most notably, my writer/friends, including
Chris Ceraso,
Linda Klein and Michelle Kholos, who listened to countless drafts, the actors who believed in the show back when it was an eight page notion (big shout out to
Stephanie Kurtzuba!), my mother and sisters, my wife and daughter who have endured the innumerable times when I've wandered around the apartment on three hours of sleep, and now the array of talent that my director Mary Catherine Burke has assembled to make this dream come true. I sit in rehearsal and hear other people talk about this idea that I started alone at my desk in 2002. It matters deeply to this team of theater professionals and they will bring it to life at the 45th Street Theater starting on September 18h at 8:00!
Set in 1928 somewhere in New Jersey, a ragtag theater company has pitched their tent to present The Road To Ruin, the story of fifteen year old Sally Canfield , the nicest girl at Central High. I'm sure most of my fellow acerbic New Yorkers can tell from the set up that all does not bode well for Little Sally. BUT before the near incest, dancing bunnies at the abortion doctor's, radium laced water, and a high school aged Evangelical Christian entrepreneur have concluded their story,
Brooke Sunny Moriber,
Ann Morrison,
Michael Dantuono, Cristina L. Fadale, John O' Creagh,
Lori Hammel, Christy McIntosh, and Billy Wheelan manage to make sex delinquency, parental neglect, and yes, the destruction of youth and innocence seem like a lot more fun than it probably should be. I certainly hope you'll come see us in September. I've never slept less or had more responsibility but when asked how I'm holding up, I reply, If you hear me complain about any of this, hit me! I am forever grateful to my colleagues, all the folks at NYMF and I hope everyone has a moment like this sometime. I'm having the ride of my lifetime!!
THE ROAD TO RUIN Plays at:
The 45th Street Theater
Sept 18, 8pm; Sept 19, 8pm; Sept 21, 8pm; Sept 25, 8pm; Sept 28, 8pm; Oct 1, 4:30pm
