Breaking News At The O’Neill
Play Change At Playwrights’ Conference;
Cabaret And Performance Conference Details

For Immediate Release:
Inquiries please contact Janice Muirhead, Interim Dir. Institutional Development at 860-443-5378, x213.

(July 25th, 2005: Waterford, CT)

PLAY CHANGE

THRASH by Wendy MacLeod will replace the previously announced SNAKE TANK on July 30 and July 31.

Conceived by Wendy MacLeod and Wendy C. Goldberg and directed by Wendy C. Goldberg, THRASH is the story of an ambitious young writer who tries to make his name by tracking down legendary skateboarder Doone and solving the mystery of his disappearance. Professional Skateboarder Mark Nickels will join the company as Skate Consultant.

Wendy MacLeod’s playwriting credits include SCHOOLGIRL FIGURE, JUVENILA, and both play and screenplay for THE HOUSE OF YES.

COME TO THE CABARET! AUGUST 4TH THROUGH AUGUST 12TH
EXCITING DETAILS OF THE CABARET AND PERFORMANCE CONFERENCE ARE ANNOUNCED!

Under the theme TELL ME A STORY, the O’Neill presents nine evenings of special projects and performances programmed and developed by Michael Bush, the Cabaret and Performance Conference’s Artistic Director and current Director of Artistic Production at the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York. Every performance is a unique, intimate and entertaining theatrical event that can expand your definition of Cabaret Performance.

Thurs 8/4 - BETTER DON’T TALK! Performed by Naava Piatka. An actress discovers lost material from her mother’s performing past, as well as some of her family’s harrowing secrets. This true story is a joyful evening of song and remembrance. Our Cabaret Conference scholarship winner! Directed by Michael Bush.

Fri 8/5 - AN EVENING WITH PENNY FULLER. Classic cabaret, performed by one of theatre’s pre-eminent artists. Penny Fuller, Tony-nominated actress (Neil Simon’s THE DINNER PARTY, APPLAUSE) and Emmy winner, unveils her latest work at the O’Neill. A dazzling evening of songs and laughter. Directed by Barry Kleinbort.

Sat 8/6 and Thurs 8/11 - O’NEILL CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS CABARET. Participants Nancy Lee Bach, Naava Piatka, Jim Speake, and Brent Winborn will serenade and delight you with an evening of great songs, developed here at the O’Neill under the guidance of the Artistic Director along with Artistic Associates Penny Fuller, Barry Kleinbort, and Joel Silberman.

Sun 8/7 - PURE HEAVEN: THE MUSIC OF KAY THOMPSON. Conceived and performed by Ruth Williamson, stage and screen actress featured in the recent Tony Award winning revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. The music of songstress Kay Thompson, MGM musical director and co-star with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn of the film FUNNY FACE and author of the Eloise books, and the four Williams Brothers, evoked at the zenith of their acclaimed American night-club tour in the 1940’s. A high energy performance that will positively blow the roof off the Dina Merrill Theatre! With Erich Bergen, Christopher J. Hanke, Tom Keeling, and Garth Kravits. Directed by Michael Bush. Musical Direction and Arrangements by Olivier nominee Dana P. Rowe and Musical Supervision by Joel Silberman.

Mon 8/8 - TITLE OF SHOW by Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen - A multi- talented cast of four (Hunter Bell, Heidi Blikenstaff, Susan Blackwell, Jeff Bowen) perform this cabaret musical about writing and developing a musical. Directed by Michael Berresse (Tony-nominated for KISS ME KATE; one of the principals in the current Broadway hit THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA) with Musical Direction by Larry Pressgrove.

Tues 8/9 - ALL THE PEOPLE, ALL OF THE TIME by Patrick Cook, Darwin Ortiz and David Roth. Ortiz and Roth, two of the world’s greatest “close-up” magicians, tell the story of their quest for super stardom in the world of close up magic while dazzling you with their world acclaimed “sleight of hand.” Directed by Michael Bush and featuring Joe Grifasi and Ruth Williamson.

Weds 8/10 - LUCKY TO BE ME. Award winning actress of stage, screen, and television, Suzzanne Douglas celebrates the music of famed actress/singer Abbey Lincoln in a tour de force performance that explores Lincoln’s musical legacy. Featuring the jazz trio MusiQologY. Directed by Ted Sod. Musical direction by Dr. Guy Ramsey.

Thurs 8/11 - O’NEILL CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS CABARET. See Sat 8/6 for details.

Fri 8/12 - GRAND FINALE CABARET/RECEPTION. The exciting culmination of our Conference! All Conference participants perform together in a spectacular evening of music, magic and talent conceived and hosted by Artistic Director Michael Bush and Cabaret Conference alumni favorite Joel Silberman. Includes a post-show reception with performers, catered by The Lighthouse Inn.

All performances begin at 8:00 pm in the Dina Merrill Theater at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road, Waterford.

Ticket Prices:

• Stadium seating: $12-$15; $30 for performance on 8/12
• Table seating (includes a bottle of your choice of red or white wine):
• $25 for performances 8/4 - 8/11; $50 for performance on 8/12.

FOR TICKETS CALL THE BOX OFFICE: 860-443-1238
Box Office Hours: Noon - 8:00 pm performance days, noon - 6:00 pm non-show days.
Box Office closed on Mondays.

Program subject to change