MadLab Theatre Presents THE QUINTESSENTIAL ROULETTE With Best Plays From Each Of The Theatre Roulettes Runs Through 8/29

MadLab Theatre will present The Quintessential Roulette, featuring the best plays from each of the 10 previous Theatre Roulettes, MadLab's annual shorts festival, the longest running such festival in Columbus. Performances are August 6-29th, Thursday- Saturdays at 8, with the exception of the final day when showtimes are 2, 4 and 8 at MadLab Theatre, 105, N. Grant Ave. Tickets are $12, $8 for students and senior citizens, $6 for members. Call 614-221-5418 or visit http://www.madlab.net/tickets.htm.

To mark the 10th Anniversary of Theatre Roulette, MadLab presents the best play from each of the past 10 Theatre Roulettes plus one bonus MadLab pick. Earlier this year, MadLab asked people to go online and vote for their favorite show for the first 9 Roulettes. Then during Theatre Roulette 2009, they asked the audience to vote for their favorite every night. Finally, one show was chosen by the MadLab ensemble and board for 11 shows representing the best of the 10 years.

Next came selecting directors and casting. All of the original directors and actors were invited back. Five of the original directors returned and 21 of the original 35 actors.
Theatre Roulette offers three distinct nights of programming:

Each night of programming plays every weekend on a different night.
Thursday Aug 6 8pm Night A, Friday Aug 7 8pm Night B, Saturday Aug 8 8pm Night C, Thursday Aug 13 8pm Night C, Friday Aug 14 8pm Night A, Saturday Aug 15 8pm Night B, Thursday Aug 20 8pm Night B, Friday Aug 21 8pm Night C, Saturday Aug 22 8pm Night A, Thursday Aug 27 8pm Night A, Friday Aug 28 8pm Night B, Saturday Aug 29 2pm Night A, Saturday Aug 29 4pm Night B, Saturday Aug 29 8pm Night C

"Night A" featuring

Postcards from a Dead Dog by F.J. Hartland (2008) directed by Nikki Smith
Smuggler's Three by David Lavine (2005), directed by Vicki Andronis
Alien Hand Syndrome by Michael Erickson (2009), directed by Jim Azelvandre

"Night B" featuring

Roadkill by Moonlight written and directed by Johnrick Hole (2001)
The First Time by Josef Matulich (2003), directed by Stephen Woosley

Cloudy by Michael Griffo (2005), directed by Jen Barlup
The Secret Life of Mimes by Eric Myers (2000), directed by Andy Batt

"Night C" featuring

The Rebuttal by Jen Feather (2006), directed by Michelle Batt
Asshole by Rebecca Jones (2004), directed by Tricia Jones
The Original Last Wish Baby by William Seebring (2002), directed by Amanda Bauer
Family Portrait by Tom Hoefner (2007), directed by Michelle Batt
All performances are at:

MadLab

105 N. Grant Ave

Columbus, OH 43215

www.madlab.net
Ticket prices are $12 for general admission, $8 for students/seniors, $6 for MadLab members.

For reservations call 614.221.5418 or send to publicity@madlab.net

To order tickets, go to: http://www.madlab.net/tickets.htm

For reservations or questions call 614.221.5418 or email publicity@madlab.net
The Columbus Foundation, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and Ohio Arts Council support MadLab throughout the year.

The Quintessential Roulette
* denotes actor or director who was involved in original production

The Secret Life of Mimes by Eric Myers (2000)

Three mimes are trapped in four walls for a slide into absurdist dementia, as they lip sync to a prerecorded audio soundtrack, and the audience watches the show as if reading a comic strip full of thought balloons. "Beckett meets Blue Man Group meets Bugs Bunny," in the words of one patron, and a brief respite from all the serious socio-political crap.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
Josh Kessler as Dick
Jennifer Feather as Jodie
Stephen Woosley as Simon
*Greg McGill as Cop/Delivery Man
Directed by Andy Batt

Written by MadLab founder Eric Myers.

Roadkill by Moonlight by Johnrick Hole (2001)

A woman on her way to the sea. A man with peculiar tastes.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
*Rich Stadler as Rich
*Jennifer Barlup as Jenn
Directed by Johnrick Hole

Director/Playwright Johnrick Hole returns to direct his piece. And has fond memories of the original production: "It's exciting to return to a play of which I have very positive memories- the 2001 Theatre Roulette production of Roadkill by Moonlight was the playwright's dream. Great direction by Janetta Davis, an Equity actor who worked at CATCO and now heads the theatre program at Columbus School for Girls. A great cast with Jennifer Barlup and Rich Stadler. The production elements were just what was needed. Edward Albee says the best production a playwright can hope for is the one in his head, but the 2001 Roulette production of this play was better than what I saw in my head.

I am doubly excited that Rich and Jen are back in their roles and that I get a chance to direct my own work, having learned a thing or two from Janetta, who will be stopping by to make sure we're on the right track.

The audience in 2001 found this play oddly satisfying, in that I wanted to them to be amused, be touched, and yet disgusted at the same time, and they seemed to hit on all three, which was very gratifying to me. I must say I was quite touched that eight years later people remembered Roadkill by Moonlight for the Quintessential Roulette. Theatre is such a fleeting, ephemeral thing, and to have done something that memorable is very special."
What's changed since 2001? "It's amazing to me the improvements that Madlab has made to the space since 2001. At the time I thought it was a great space, and now it's a great space with greater technical capabilities, comfortable seats, and air conditioning. I also think that there's a lot to be said for the continuity and dedication of the MadLab people- many of the 2001 faces are here now, and from what I saw at this year's Roulette, they've attracted some really exciting and talented additions."

And one or element from the original production returns, "the bus stop bench will be played by the bench that originated the role."

The Original Last Wish Baby by William Seebring (2002)

The Original Last Wish Baby concerns a baby born without a heart, and yet, despite the absence of such a seemingly consequential vital organ, the baby is, miraculously, alive.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
Melissa Bair as Narrator
*Nikki Smith as Various
Stephen Woosley as Various
Justin Toomey as Various
Jolane Campbell as Various
Directed by Amanda Bauer

Amanda Bauer, who has co-directed Roulette shows such as Impulsitive and Exit Interview and full lengths like Stripped Away, takes her first solo shot at the helm with this absurdly funny piece from 2002.

The First Time by Josef Matulich (2003)

A young woman who is making the next step in her relationship with some anxiety discovers something truly terrifying under the bed. Any more there and it will be longer than the play.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
Michelle Batt as Marsha
Greg McGill as John
Anna Wang as Garm
Directed by Stephen Woosley

Director Stephen Woosley: "This show takes something that everyone can relate to. The nervousness and awkwardness of that first time with a new person and all the insecurities inherent in it and adds in this element of a monster from childhood lurking. A very funny monster from childhood."

Woosley is assisted in presenting this tale by long time MadLab vet Greg McGill. And portraying the "sexually active young" woman at the center of the show is another MadLab veteran, Michelle Batt, who has been cast by Woosley in 2008's full-length Stripped Away and in Exit Interview from this year's Theatre Roulette. And in the key role of Garm is Anna Wang making her first appearance in a MadLab show.

Asshole by Rebecca Jones (2004)

Ever wanted to give that one guy one more good talking to? Or just throw him out a window?

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
Traci Weaver as Andi
Angela Cutrell as Cameron
Pamela Sanchez as Nat
*Directed by Tricia Jones

Raconteur Theatre regular Tricia Jones returns to MadLab to direct a show written by her sister.
Smugglers Three by David Lavine (2005)

Kiki, Cliff, and Pablo have passports, pills and a plan. Not to mention a 200 pound one-legged 'Nam vet handcuffed in the bathroom. A bawdy and boisterous night of friendships gone awry.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
*Robert Stretch as Cliff
*Sarah Brunet as Kiki
*Brian Spangler-Campbell as Pablo
Directed by Vicki Andronis

One of 2 shows from the 2005 Roulette. Brian Spangler-Campbell, who plays Pablo talks about the show.

"The character I play, Pablo, has such intense energy and is unlike a lot of characters I've played throughout the years. He's Latin, addicted to pills, bi-sexual and has the attention span of a 4 year old on lucky charms sprinkled with sugar. Who would not want to play that character again? Plus, I get to work with the same dynamite cast that I performed it originally with (Sarah Brunet and Rob Stretch). The saying goes: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
"It's got high energy, drugs, laughs, a sick love triangle, handcuffs and me running around the stage in nothing but my underwear and a hospital gown. What's not to love about this piece?"

"This time around I think will be even better because all three of us have had some time to grow as actors while being away from the piece. We're already picking out little nuances that we didn't see before that will add even more depth and hilarity to the show."

Cloudy by Michael Griffo (2005-staff pick)

How does one woman cope after witnessing the tragic and senseless deaths of her three children? That's the question CLOUDY asks. Georgia has retreated into her own private world to cope with a devastating tragedy. Her husband Dan is some times a stranger, some times an anchor. Only time will tell if Dan's love will be enough to push away the clouds from Georgia's mind.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
*Vicki Andronis as Georgia
*Joe Lusher as Dan
*Directed by Jennifer Barlup

Joe Lusher, one of the most versatile actors in Columbus, discusses returning to MadLab to reprise his performance as Dan in Cloudy.

"Cloudy" is a modern day tragedy. It has laughter and tears, the heights of hope and the searing pain of loss...all in ten minutes. "Cloudy" strikes some chords of human frailty better than any other piece of theatre I've been a part of."

You've done the show before, what is it like to return to this piece? "To return to an interesting and successful role years after having played it before is both a frightening and exciting opportunity. Frightening because the magic of the first time may be difficult to recapture. Exciting in the fact that so many things in my own life have changed it's impossible not to do things differently in playing it and in understanding the character and the play itself."

The Rebuttal by Jennifer Feather (2006)

Every story has three sides: his side, her side, and what really happened.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
*Andy Batt as Inamorato (Man)
*Jennifer Barlup as Inamorata (Woman)
*Melissa Bair as Columbiana
*Josh Kessler as Arlecchino
*Directed by Michelle Batt

Michelle Batt returns to direct The Rebuttal a second time: "What excites me the most about directing Rebuttal for the second time is that I have more experience now. The first time I directed I had only directed one other piece the previous year. Now, I have been directing for years, I still have my same wonderful cast and I believe we will be able to pull even more things out of this show than we did before."

"The audience can relate to the characters in this show. Everyone has had some type of relationship with similar thoughts, feelings and conflicts. The presentational style draws in the audience and makes them laugh at times as well. I enjoy shows that the audience can leave saying " Hey I can relate to that."

Family Portrait by Tom Hoefner (2007)

An eccentric and wealthy couple have some distressing news for their grown son.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
*Jim Azelvandre as Mr. Rainsford
*Vicki Andronis as Mrs. Rainsford
*Stephen Woosley as Charlie
*Josh Kessler as Pablo

*Directed by Michelle Batt

The 2nd of 2 shows directed by Michelle Batt in its original incantation and in its Quintessential return is Family Portrait. She also directed a 3rd Quintessential show, Postcards from a Dead Dog in its original incarnation in 2008. Here she discusses reuniting cast and director to remount Family Portrait.

"The most important thing I believe when creating a show, is having a good time. I am excited about this show because the cast and I had such a good time doing it the first time, that we are just stoked to have that much fun again. Its laugh out loud funny and having the actors I have, with their wonderful comedic timing, I am just thrilled to bring back to the stage The Other Paper's: Best Original Production 2007.

This show is laugh out loud funny from beginning to end. Audiences love when they can laugh so hard their side hurts. Family Portrait will do that to you.

The only thing I think will be different is that it may be funnier, if that is possible. One of the things the cast and I have done for the past 2 years since the production is think of all the things we could have made even funnier. Now, we have that chance to do it again. The cast has saved all their ideas and are ready to put them to use. These are some funny people and I am just privileged to be able to have them for my cast."

Postcards from a Dead Dog by F.J. Hartland (2008)

Following the death of a family pet, a dysfunctional family finds an unusual way to communicate with each other.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
Justin Toomey as Clay
*Melissa Bair as Nell
Directed by Nikki Smith

Melissa Bair returns to the role of Nell. Here's what The Other Paper's Richard Ades had to say about it recently: "One reason last year's Postcards was so entertaining, for example, was that Melissa Bair was brilliant as the brittle but loving mother. "

Alien Hand Syndrome by Michael Erickson (2009)

Mark is diagnosed with the very rare but real illness of alien hand. His right hand has literally begun to lead a life of its own, separate from Mark. The hand learns sign language, gets Mark fired from his job, acquires a girlfriend, and becomes the person that Mark could never be. No matter what Mark does, he cannot stop his hand from dominating and tormenting him. Finally, Mark makes a bloody decision only one of them will survive.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:
*Andy Batt as Mark
*Erin Prosser as Emily
*Stephen Woosley as Mr. Smalls/Dr. Carmody
*Directed by Jim Azelvandre

Here, we'll have Michael Grossberg of the Columbus Dispatch speak for us: "Under Jim Azelvandre's crisp direction, Andy Batt's hapless Mark single-handedly become almost a Jekyll-and-Hyde dream team in Syndrome, St. Louis writer Michael Erickson's parody of a cautionary fable about losing control.

While Mark's hand gets him into trouble at work, it unexpectedly improves his love life. Solid support comes from polished farceurs Erin Prosser, as Mark's easily seduced girlfriend, and Stephen Woosley, in nicely contrasting double roles of an offended boss and a blithely reassuring doctor.

Drawing upon 1950s sci-fi B-movies for its absurd premise, Syndrome employs classic physical slapstick -- some quite intricate and impressive -- for much of its zany style."

 

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