New City Stage to Present AMERICAN SLIGO, 5/30-6/23

New City Stage Company finishes its successful 7th season with the regional premiere of Adam Rapp's play about the life of a professional wrestler --AMERICAN SLIGO. The play takes place during the family dinner for Art "Crazy Train" Sligo on the day of his final match. The show is the 5th production of the 2012-13 season, entitled "The New American Dysfunctional Family." Previews begin May 30 and opening night is Saturday, June 1 at 8 PM. The show is being performed at the Adrienne Theatre Skybox. Tickets range from $10 to $35 and can be purchased online at www.NewCityStage.org or by calling 215-563-7500.

This dark comedy received its initial workshop production in 2007 at the Rattlesticks Theatre in the Greenwich Village section of New York City, which was also directed by the playwright. New City Stage is thrilled to present the first regional production, which is being directed by Aaron Cromie. Mr. Cromie is a commedia dell-arte and puppetry expert and has been a professional, director and musician in Philadelphia for 15 years. He was on the Barrymore Award-winning team in 2007 for Best Musical Direction for his work on The Fantasticks presented by Mum Puppettheatre.

Adam Rapp is an American novelist, playwright, screenwriter, musician and film director. His play "Red Light Winter" was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2006. The majority of Rapp's plays feature small casts and are set in small spaces. Many characters in his plays are lower-class Americans. His work often combine stories of Midwestern longing with the idea of finding escape in New York. He is known for combining humor with gloom, preferring dark themes. Rapp has said that his ideas for characters and stories come to him most often while playing basketball or walking the streets of New York. He is interested in the rhythm and language that he hears while listening to conversations and voices.

The show stars John Jezior as Art Sligo, who has been a professional actor in Philadelphia for over 15 years. He has worked numerous times at Bristol Riverside Theatre, the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre and the Classic Commonwealth Theatre. He appeared in the Barrymore Award-wining production of Love and Communication at the Passage Theatre in Trenton, New Jersey and will be performing the role of Banquo in Commonwealth Classic Theatre's Macbeth later this summer at various parks in the tri-state area.

Susanne Sulby co-stars as Aunt Bobbie, the sister-in-law of Art Sligo. Ms. Sulby, a Philadelphia-based actress, was recently seen in the Academy Award winning film Silver Linings Playbook as well the 2013 Samuel French Short Play Festival in New York City. She is a graduate of the University of the Arts, as well is Allen Radway, who is playing the role of Victor, Art's sadist and recently paroled son. Mr. Radway is the Artistic Director of Simpatico Theatre project and starred in New City Stage's 2009 production of Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love, who "enacts the role with a perfect intensity that pulls you in" according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Sam Sherburne, who made his New City stage debut in January in the educational program production of Midnight on a School Night, plays the younger brother Kyle. He recently received a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting form Florida Atlantic University. New City Stage Producing Artistic Director Ginger Dayle plays Lucy, the girlfriend of Victor. She made her directorial debut with the sold-out hit RFK in the fall and also served as the dance coach to Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook. The cast is rounded-out by recent local college graduates, Jordan B. Mottram (Temple University) as die-hard wrestling fan Bobby Bibby and Francesca Piccioni (University of the Arts) as Kyle's innocent girlfriend Cammie.

AMERICAN SLIGO, written by Adam Rapp and directed by Aaron Cromie, plays in previews beginning May 30, 2013 at 8 PM. The opening performance is set for Saturday, June 1 at 8 PM. The production runs through Sunday, June 23 at 3 PM.

Cast:

Art "Crazy Train" Sligo ............... John Jezior *

Aunt Bobbie ............................... Susanne Sulby *

Victor Sligo ................................. Allen Radway *

Kyle Sligo ................................... Sam Sherburne

Bobby Bibby ............................... Jordan B. Mottram

Lucy ............................................ Ginger Dayle *

Cammie ...................................... Francesca Piccioni

Production staff:

Director ...................................... Aaron Cromie

Stage Manager .......................... Janelle Caso *

Assistant Director/Publicist ........ Sarah Scholl

Dramaturg/Box Office ................ Kevin Rodden

Production Manager .................. Russ Widdall *

Scenic Design ........................... S. Cory Palmer

Lighting Design .......................... Matt Sharp

Sound Design ............................. Ren Manley

Costumes & Properties .............. Becca Austin

*Denotes member of Actors' Equity Association.

A darkly humorous saga about the quintessential working class American family. On the eve of his final fight, all-star wrestling legend Art "Crazy Train" Sligo, his two slacker sons, his colorful sister-in-law and his biggest fan gather for a very unusual last supper. Of course, a few unexpected guests arrive, sparks fly, and things just can't seem to stop going wrong in this home... This play is a wild ride that stirs up a heady brew of gritty realism stuffed with the twisted values of the Sligo household.

New City Stage Company, founded in 2006, is dedicated to presenting high quality professional theatre that engages audiences on a variety of levels; not only entertaining them but also encouraging awareness of issues relevant to the community. We draw our season from contemporary and classical works, with a special focus on including Philadelphia premieres from local playwrights, and form storytellers whose work is not normally found in the region.

To post a comment, you must register and login.