red fern theatre red fern theatre
red fern theatre
red fern theatre
red fern theatre

melanie red fern theatre
Crystal Cotton Alex C. Ferrill
red fern theatre
melanie red fern theatre melanie
Lindy Flowers Deborah Johnstone
red fern theatre melanie
Sierra Marcks Dan Odell
melanie red fern theatre melanie
Myra Palmero Anthony Reimer
melanie red fern theatre melanie
Brad Thomason Sarah M. Wilson

Cast

Crystal Cotton – Mrs. Laura Cheveley
Alex C. Ferrill* – Mr. Arthur Goring
Lindy Flowers – Mrs. Cynthia Chiltern
Deborah Johnstone – Mrs. Markby
Sierra Marcks – Mrs. Marchmont
Dan Odell – Governor Goring
Myra Palmero – Miss Mabel Chiltern
Anthony Reimer* – Mason/Nanjac/Phipps
Brad Thomason* –
Senator Robert Chiltern
Sarah M. Wilson* –
Mrs. Basildon

Production Team

Melanie Moyer Williams
Director/Co-Adaptor
Kendall Rileigh – Co-Adaptor
Jessica Greenberg – Lighting Designer
Adrienne Kapalko – Set Designer
Ryan J. Moller – Costume Designer

Erienne Wredt – Stage Manager

Lauren McDonnell – Marketing
Chris Flecker – Illustrator

*Actors appear courtesy of Actors Equity Association.

Equity Approved Showcase.


An Ideal Husband
By Oscar Wilde
Adapted by Kendall Rileigh and Melanie Moyer Williams
Directed by Melanie Moyer Williams

Featuring Crystal Cotton, Alex C. Ferrill*, Lindy Flowers, Deborah Johnstone, Sierra Marcks, Dan Odell, Myra Palmero, Anthony Reimer*, Brad Thomason*, and Sarah M. Wilson*
*Actors Appear Courtesy of Actors Equity Association.  Equity Approved Showcase.

What do our recent Stock Market Collapse, the Savings & Loan Scandal, the Keating Five, and Oscar Wilde have in common?  The Red Fern Theatre Company’s modern adaptation of An Ideal Husband.  On the verge of our historic Presidential election, this production is a Wilde and witty look at how one politician's secrets threaten to undo his public and private life.

An Ideal Husband will be performed October 30-November 16, 2008, at the Shell Theatre located in the Times Square Arts Building at 300 West 43rd Street @ Eighth Avenue.

Thursday, October 30 @ 8pm
Friday, October 31 @ 8pm
Saturday, November 1 @ 8pm
Sunday, November 2 @ 3pm

Thursday, November 6 @ 8pm
Friday, November 7 @ 8pm
Saturday, November 8 @ 8pm
Sunday, November 9 @ 3pm

Thursday, November 13 @ 8pm
Friday, November 14 @ 8pm
Saturday, November 15 @ 8pm
Sunday, November 16 @ 3pm

New York IT Awards

An Ideal Husband is registered with the New York Innovative Theatre Awards, new awards specifically for
Off-Off-Broadway theatre, and your vote will make a difference.  Vote for us at www.nyitawards.org!

We participate in the TDF voucher program.


New York Common Cause

For this production, the RFTC has chosen to partner with the New York Common Cause.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that was founded in New York by John Gardner in 1970. It works nationally and locally, with state chapters, to reform the election process; limit the role of money in politics; ensure that the government remains accountable to the voters; and preserve the diversity of media ownership.

Since its inception, the New York chapter has always been and continues to be one of the most active and effective state organizations in the country.  This has been especially true with respect to its efforts to limit the influence of money in politics. We played a leading role in the passage of the comprehensive and progressive public campaign finance system in New York City beginning in the late 1980s and continued with far-reaching amendments strengthening the system in 2007.

Please visit http://www.commoncause.org/newyork for more information.



Cast Bios:

Crystal Cotton, Mrs. Laura Cheveley

Crystal, native of Ohio, avid Equestrian, graduate of Florida State University, is a performing and visual artist. Currently in NYC, she has performed in plays such as Generic Hispanic, Tartuffe, and For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Wasn’t Enough, just to name a few.  Some of her film and television credits include Rapture, Goodnight Charlie, Outlawz: The Ronin, and a few appearances on the Chappelle Show.

Alex C. Ferrill*, Mr. Arthur Goring

Credits include (NYC): Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), Wall of Water (Gig), Macbeth (Banquo), Henry VI Pt. III (Edward). (Regional): Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Picasso), Taming of the Shrew (Lucentio), Cowboy Mouth (Slim). Film: An Englishman In New York, Hey Diddle Diddle, Up the Hill. Alex is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.  Website: www.alexcferrill.com.

Lindy Flowers, Mrs. Cynthia Chiltern

Lindy recently received her MFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is proud to be making her New York debut with the Red Fern Theatre Company.  Favorite roles include her thesis performance as Margery Pinchwife in The Country Wife, Ermengarde in The Matchmaker at Triad Stage and Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Shakespeare Project in Charleston, SC.  Lindy has also appeared in numerous films at the North Carolina School of the Arts.  She is represented theatrically by Harden-Curtis Associates. 

Deborah Johnstone, Mrs. Markby

Deborah is thrilled to make her first appearance with The Red Fern Theatre in An Ideal Husband. She recently appeared as Bernarda in, The House of Bernarda Alba with Phare Play Productions. Previous roles include Googie Gomez in Terrence McNally’s The Ritz, Velma in Leonard Melfi’s Birdbath, Billy Lyles in Alphabet City III, which she created at the Metropolitan Playhouse in New York, and tours with Second City in Toronto, Canada where she was born. In Canada, she has appeared in dozens of classical productions and in New York, her one-woman shows have been produced by Dixon Place, PS 122, Estrogenius Festival, Manhattan Rep, and La Mama.

Sierra Marcks, Mrs. Marchmont

Sierra is happy to be working with Red Fern Theatre again!  She was previously in RFTC's Who Will Carry the Word, Cinderella with Youth On Target, Sonnets For An Old Century with Impulse Initiative, and The Imaginary Invalid at the Looking Glass Theatre, among others.  She is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College.

Dan Odell, Governor Goring

Dan is thrilled to be making his Manhattan stage debut in An Ideal Husband.  Dan has most recently performed on Long Island in the comedy Moon Over Buffalo.  Prior experiences include New York City workshops, numerous student films and a career in law. He is a graduate of St. John’s University and its School of Law.  Dan would like to express his tremendous gratitude to Melanie Williams and The Red Fern Theatre Company for the opportunity to be a part of the production of this classic comedy.

Myra Palmero, Miss Mabel Chiltern

Hailing from Saudi Arabia, Myra is thrilled to be making her NYC acting debut with the Red Fern Theatre Company. She is a recent graduate of Middlebury College, where she both acted and directed. Many thanks to Melanie, RFTC, family and friends for their support.

Anthony Reimer*, Mason/Nanjac/Phipps

Anthony is very happy to be making his Red Fern Theatre Company debut. Theatre, New York: Macbeth (New York Classical Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Wide Eyed Productions), Neal (Educational Alliance), 5+ Shows with The New York Dinner Theatre. Regional: The Boys Next Door (Brown County Playhouse), Two seasons at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival; The Sound of Music, Sylvia, My Fair Lady, Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Little Theatre of the Rockies.) MFA: Alabama Shakespeare Festival/University of Alabama. BA: University of Northern Colorado. Graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (School of Film + Television) Proverbs 16:9. Much thanks to Mom & Dad. Proud member of Actors' Equity.

Brad Thomason*, Senator Robert Chiltern

Brad is proud to return to RFTC, playing his 17th character with the company (16 were in last season’s The Exonerated).  He has performed in over two dozen Off and Off-Off Broadway productions, a national tour and numerous regional theater productions.  Favorite roles include Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, the Actor in The Woman in Black, and Ed in Torch Song Trilogy (opposite Seth Rudetsky at Gallery Players).  2008 film credits Filthy Rich, Filthy Uncle Phil (Brad’s first lead in a feature), The Babysitter, and The Steam-Room Crooner.  Watch Brad’s infomercial currently running on cable (www.proimagestudios.com/topdotinfo.html)..  TV credits: The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Guiding Light, Law and Order, The History Channel, and L&O: SVU and CI. Visit www.bradthomason.com.

Sarah M. Wilson, Mrs. Basildon

Sarah was born and raised in New York City and began her acting career at 2 as a baby model.  Sarah is making her Red Fern Theatre Company debut, and is thrilled to be connected to this production.  An M.F.A. graduate of The Actors Studio Drama School, Sarah was recently seen as Flossie in On The Town (St. George Theatre – Staten Island).  Sarah’s favorite roles include Balthazar (Much Ado About Nothing – Cider Mill Playhouse); Desdemona (Othello: The Moor – Theatre of Necessity, NYC); Yente (Fiddler On The Roof – 40th Anniversary National Tour); Agnes (I Do! I Do!); Sally Bowles (Cabaret); and Dr. Charlotte (Falsettos – Actors Studio Drama School).   Sarah is a proud member of Actors Equity and has studied acting with Bob LaVelle, Sam Schacht, and Tom Kremer.


Production Bios:

Chris Flecker, Illustrator

Chris has spent time at Freeze CMI, Wine and Spirits Magazine, IN New York Magazine, and Kenneth Cole Productions.  He graduated top of his class at Pratt Institute with a degree in Communications Design.  Flecker’s style is both implausible and knowledgeable, harsh yet delicate, yin but yang, detailed yet simple.  A student of social satire, his approach to human interaction is driven by Carravagio, Bill Watterson, Ben Sargent, and Gary Larson.  www.chrisflecker.com

Jessica Greenberg, Lighting Designer

New York credits include: The Long Christmas Ride Home, Found A Peanut, The Exonerated, Who Will Carry the Word?, A Piece of My Heart, Stars in a Dark Sky (Red Fern), The Scariest (The Exchange/Orchard Project), The Art of the Double Cross (JB Heaps Productions), Richard III (Epic Theatre Ensemble), and Henry VI (Midlantic Theatre). Jessica received her BA from Hampshire College. www.jessicagreenberg.com

Adrienne Kapalko, Set Designer

An Ideal Husband is Adrienne's fourth time working with the Red Fern Theatre Company. Favorite design credits include: The House of Yes (The Neighborhood Playhouse), The Marriage of Figaro (Purchase College), Bat Boy: The Musical (St. John's University), The Jungle Book (HHC Theatre, Maine), Once Upon a Mattress (HHC Theatre, Maine), and Found a Peanut (78th Street Theater Lab). Current assistant design work includes the production of West Side Story which is coming to Broadway in 2009. Adrienne graduated with a BFA in scenic design from SUNY Purchase.

Lauren McDonnell, Marketing

Lauren is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Public Relations and currently works for Yahoo!.  In the past three years, she has combined her love of the arts and her PR background to design websites.  Her client list includes the Broadway actress, Stephanie J. Block, David Garner, Mason McCulley, Paige McDonnell, Jennifer Lucas, and Grace Cullman. Lauren serves on the Red Fern Theatre Company Board of Directors.

Ryan Moller, Costume Designer

An Ideal Husband marks Ryan's debut with Red Fern Theatre.  Recent credits include Jonah! (New Horizons), Boleros and Blues (GALA Hispanic) The Dead (NCSA), and the premier of Our Town the opera by Ned Rorem. He has also toured with 42nd Street (Asian Tour) and with The Acting Company. Currently he serves on the crew for Grease and Spring Awakening on Broadway.

Kendall Rileigh, Co-Adapter

Kendall is delighted to be working with Red Fern again (she played Sissy in A Piece of My Heart and Berthe in Who Will Carry the Word?).  Kendall’s NY-produced plays include Marginalia; Taking Toll; Some Fatal, Some Fortunate; The Fish Can Dance.  She received Alex Cohen and Edward Benenson Awards to develop her play Typhus Vision Two.  As an actor: national tours of Great Expectations and Charlotte’s Web.  NY: The Tempest (as Ariel, currently running at Theatre 1010); Julius Caesar; There Will Come Soft Rains; Spartacus; et al.  Regional: Romeo & Juliet; The Lonesome West; The Seagull; The Cherry Orchard; Sweet Bird of Youth; Antigone; et al.  Training: Duke University (Phi Beta Kappa); Moscow Art Theatre; NY Circus Arts Academy.  AEA, SAG, AFTRA.

Melanie Moyer Williams, Director/Co-Adaptor

Melanie, a cum laude graduate of Duke University, is also Co-founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Red Fern Theatre Company.  Her credits for the company include A Piece of My Heart, Who Will Carry the Word?, The Exonerated, The Long Christmas Ride Home, Found a Peanut, Two Rooms, and Patient A.  Melanie was thrilled to work with Shirley Lauro on a reading of her new play, What Cost the Moon: Madame Curie's Private Life at Ensemble Studio Theatre.For Woodframe Productions, Melanie directed a reading of Memorial Days by John Attanas and the World Premiere of Henry Kissinger in FringeNYC where they received rave reviewsShe has also directed A Tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of El Salvador in El Salvador with Wanderlust Theatre Company. She directed That is the Question in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival which was named one of the Best in the Festival.  Other New York credits include Medea excerpts for CYPRECO and the New York Public Library; Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, When the World Was Green and Icarus’s Mother for the Michael Chekhov Theatre Company.   Prior to moving to New York, Melanie was also a founder and Managing Director of the Camden Shakespeare Company in Camden, Maine. 

Erienne Wredt, Stage Manager

Erienne is originally from Omaha Nebraska and has a B.F.A in theatre arts from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She has had the pleasure of working on The Seagull (Columbia University) Steel Net and A High Wire Sing Alone (Doorknob Company) The Fanasticks, Working, and The Robber Bridegroom (Nebraska Wesleyan University)  and as Production Assistant for Love Child at Primary Stages.