Interviews with the artists in The Colors Of Life One-Acts

Darryl Boone, host from Riant! Riant! Arts & Entertainment interviews the cast of GOODNIGHT LOVIN' TRAIL by John Patrick Bray.



Darryl Boone, host from Riant! Riant! Arts & Entertainment interviews an actor from FIGHTING FIRES by Von H. Washington, Sr.



Darryl Boone, host from Riant! Riant! Arts & Entertainment interviews the cast and director of CAWFFEE TAWKE by Jenifer Badamo.



Darryl Boone, host from Riant! Riant! Arts & Entertainment interviews the cast and playwright/director of BITTER APPLES by Arthur W. French, III.



Darryl Boone, host from Riant! Riant! Arts & Entertainment interviews the cast, director and playwright of ANYTHING BUT BLACK by Fred Rohan Vargas.



Darryl Boone, host from Riant! Riant! Arts & Entertainment interviews the cast, director/playwright of ALWAYS, ANASTASIA by Michele Leigh.



THE COLORS OF LIFE: ONE-ACTS
7 Plays Celebrating Our Diversity & Humanity
Opens April 16th - May 3, 2009 at the Producers Club, 358 West 44th Street, NYC

Tickets: $20.00 online at www.therianttheatre.com or by calling 646-623-3488.
Thursday & Friday at 9pm; Saturday at 5pm & 7pm; and Sunday at 5pm.

You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RiantTheatre

The Colors of Life opens April 16 - May 3, 2009

The Colors Of Life: 7 One-Act Plays Celebrating Our Humanity & Diversity
At the Producers Club, 358 West 44th Street. Tickets: $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488.

ANYTHING BUT BLACK An exchange in a suburban cigar lounge leads to a crisis between two best friends.

Duane S. Egyud (Marty) is happy to be appearing for the first time at the Riant Theatre. Past performances include: De Guiche in Cyrano De Bergerac (National Tour), the title role in Hamlet, Austin in True West, the Promoter in The Lark, and Eugene in Biloxi Blues. Duane holds a BFA in Acting/Directing from Montclair State University. Duane thanks his best friend, his wife Paula, for her support through it all.


James Earl Stewart (Lloyd) is pleased to be appearing in Anything But Black, and thanks Van Fisher and Vanya for the opportunity. Past performances include two engagements as Marty in Dreamgirls, Col. Makinson in A Few Good Men, Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope, the Foreman in The Jury Room, (also at the Riant Theater), Steve Daniels in A Lesson From Aloes, and Walter Lee Younger in A Raisin in the Sun. Best wishes to all in The Colors of Life.



Vanya Cassel Pawson (Director) thanks Van Fisher and Fred Rohan Vargas for the opportunity to direct Anything But Black. For the Riant, she previously appeared in and directed Credit/No Credit by David Lohrey and Walking the Dream by Bronson Dudley, and directed Anonymously Written, Love, Dogs and Other Obsessions, and The Amnesiac. She serves as Executive Director of the Center Stage Company, where she adapted from the French, produced and directed The Lark by Jean Anouilh. Vanya remembers her mentor, Herbert Berghof. “It should be so simple, a child could understand it.”

GOODNIGHT LOVIN' TRAIL Two wounded strangers find redemption in each other's eyes while negotiating over a stolen guitar.

Olivia Roric (Lee) Olivia graduated with a BA from Rutgers University and an MA from The University of Chicago in Literature. She is a recent graduate of the William Esper Studio Two-Year Meisner technique program and has made appearances in multiple independent and student films, and various theater productions at Interborough Repertory Theatre, Where the Eagles Dare Theatre and Roy Arias Theatre. Olivia is thrilled to join Rising Sun Performance Company! Thank you Akia, RSP, and the cast and crew Goodnight Lovin' Trail! Love to my family and friends!

Nic Mevoli (Mr. Coffee and Cigarettes) Nic has been working with Rising Sun since 2003, and has appeared in many of their productions including: A Royal Toil, The Off Broadway Revival of An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein, The Crucible, "Amerikan Mine" and RSP’s 2004 Production of Good Night Lovin' Trail; most notably he received rave reviews as the Cab Driver in their hit production of Hellcab, which ran for 13 Weeks at Under St Marks Theater 2005-06. The prospect of getting enough time away from his current job of freelance film production to write his own bio proved too much for our talented young Nic, therefore you will have to stalk him at the end of performances and ask him what other things he has done.

Billy Fenderson (Mr. Coffee and Cigarettes, Swing) Billy is proud to working with Rising Sun. He has received his theatre training at Columbia University. His latest performances include Johnny-Boy in “Sneakers and Soul,” The Editor in Carmen Vidal Balanzat’s “Slate,” and Camille in “A Flea in Her Ear.”

Akia Squitieri (Director) Akia has been a member of many NYC Off-Off & Off Broadway theatre companies since 1997. Akia is Company Manager for the Blue Man Group. Proudly, she’s the Founding Artistic Director of Rising Sun Performance Company. She’s on staff at Horse Trade Theatre Group, Board Member of The Paul Butterfield Fund & Society, and Company Manager for The NY Innovative Theatre Awards. In 2007 she was General Manager for FRIGID New York, and Production Coordinator for The Puerto Rican Traveling theatre. She resides in the Bronx, with her husband and their 2 cats. Thanks to Van and The Riant, JPB for writing such great work, and most of all to her amazing Cast & Crew!

Matthew Kreiner (Assistant Director) Matthew's fun-loving, party-going personality injected the necessary flair that this play's seemingly somber approach needed. He has traveled the plains of Poland, climbed the Alps, and wrestled snow leopards with his bare hands in Tibet. He trained with Ken, Ryu, and Akuma, and if you ask him nicely to borrow something, he just might say "Sureyouken!" Matthew also a bottomless pit of poor jokes and bad lies. But in all honesty, Matthew has climbed the Alps. He swears.

John Patrick Bray (Playwright) John is a PhD in Theatre Student at LSU and has an MFA in Playwriting from the Actors Studio Drama School at New School University. His full length plays include the critically successful Trickster at the Gate (At Hand Theatre Co., OOBR), As We Speak (re:Directions Theatre, OOBR), and Hound (upcoming: Planet Connections Festivity, OOBR). His one-acts have been produced at the Samuel French Festival, the Strawberry One-Act Festival, and the RSPC's Aspire to Inspire series. John is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America Inc.

Lindsay Rhae Beecher (Stage Manager) She is a graduate from Adelphi University's BFA Acting program and Design Technology. She is very excited to become a new member of the RSP family. Some of her acting credits include Pasty, The Rimers of Eldritch; Seada, Necessary Targets; Rachel Corrie, My Name is Rachel Corrie. Some of her Stage Management credits include City of... by Anton Dudley and Out Behind the Bard by Nicholas Petron. She would like to thank the wonderful Cast & Crew on GNLT and her family and friends for their support and love.

Elaine Jones (Production Assistant) Elaine is new to New York and to the theatre scene. A recent graduate of Humanities at San Francisco State University and a seasoned painter, contractor, and musician Elaine is making her debut as technician and prop master in Goodnight Lovin' Trail. As a new intern with Rising Sun Performance Company Elaine is thrilled to be working alongside such a talented cast and crew.

THE COLORS OF LIFE: 7 One-Act Plays Celebrating Our Humanity & Diversity at the PRODUCERS CLUB, 358 West 44th St., NYC. Opens April 16th thru May 3rd

7 One-Act Plays running in repertory from April 16th through May 3, 2009
At the PRODUCERS CLUB
358 West 44th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues.
Tickets: $20 Online at www.therianttheatre.com
CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR. 646-623-3488

Thursdays & Fridays at 9pm
Goodnight Lovin' Trail by John Patrick Bray
Bitter Apples by Arthur W. French, III
Fighting Fires by Von H. Washington, Sr.
Anything But Black by Fred Rohan Vargas

Saturdays at 5pm
Anything But Black by Fred Rohan Vargas
Always Anastasia by Michele Leigh
Goodnight Lovin' Trail by John Patrick Bray
Bitter Apples by Arthur W. French, III

Saturdays at 7pm
Goodnight Lovin' Trail by John Patrick Bray
Bitter Apples by Arthur W. French, III
Fighting Fires by Von H. Washington, Sr.
Cawffee Tawk by Jenifer Badamo (April 18th & 25th)
Love - This Game Is Real by Tremane Hickman (May 2nd Only)

Sundays at 5pm
Anything But Black by Fred Rohan Vargas
Always Anastasia by Michele Leigh
Fighting Fires by Von H. Washington, Sr.
Cawffee Tawk by Jenifer Badamo (April 19th & 26th)
Love - This Game Is Real by Tremane Hickman (May 3rd Only)

ALWAYS ANASTASIA by Michele Leigh. A disillusioned cop on the verge of a nervousbreakdown believes he is being tormented by a narcissistic psychopath.

ANYTHING BUT BLACK by Fred Rohan Vargas. An exchange in the lounge of a suburban cigar shop reveals flaws in two best friend’s perception of one another.

BITTER APPLES by Arthur W. French, III. Temptation is in the air as singles mingle while having lunch in the park.

CAWFFEE TAWK by Jenifer Badamo. A woman is blackmailed and must make a decision that will change her life forever.

FIGHTING FIRES by Von H. Washington, Sr. On the eve of his 18th birthday, a young man kidnaps his absentee father and demands the attention he believes was owed him during his development years.

GOODNIGHT LOVIN’ TRAIL by John Patrick Bray. At a truck stop diner in West Texas, two wounded strangers find redemption in each other’s eyes while discussing a stolen guitar. And the beat plays on.

LOVE – THIS GAME IS REAL by Tremane Hickman. A poetic story about a girl and a guy anxiously waiting to play the game of love without getting played.

A Riant Theatre Production
Also in production FOUR GORN CONCLUSIONS
4 One-Act Plays By Albi Gorn.
Directed by Mark Cirnigliaro
April 16 - May 3, 2009
Thursdays & Fridays at 7pm
Saturdays at 9pm; Sundays at 3pm
Tickets: $20.00 http://www.therianttheatre.com/
Cash Only At The Door. 646-623-3488

FOUR GORN CONCLUSIONS By Albi Gorn Opens April 16th At The Producers Club, 358 West 44th St, NYC

DOUBLE DATE

A man discovers his blind date has brought an unusual third party to their meeting.

Featuring: Katie Hyde Lewars, Scott Nath, Sergio Fuenzalida & Lauren Kelly

Katie Hyde Lewars (Joan) is a graduate of the acting program at NYU and spent the past 7 years in LA where she began her career acting in independent films, theater and commercials. Katie is thrilled to be back in New York and would like to thank her mentor and teacher George DiCenzo and sends all her love to her husband, Jack. Recent NY Theater credits include: A Memory a Monologue a Rant and a Prayer directed by Ashley Marinaccio and Casey Cleverly, For Pete's Sake directed by Robert Charles Gompers, Surfacing directed by Julia Martin.

Scott Nath (Paul) is an Iowa native who moved to New York five years ago. In NYC he has worked with Quality Meats, The Culture Project, Present Tense Theater Project, Prospect Theater and Mackwell Productions. He also had a brief appearance on Law & Order. Nationally, Scott has worked with the Intiman Theatre, Book-It Repertory, Portland Center Stage, Seattle Shakespeare Co, Arkansas Rep, Shenandoah Shakespeare and Theatre Memphis, among others. During daylight hours he is a senior site developer with NBC/Universal. More info: scottnath.com.

Sergio Fuenzalida (Michael) has worked with director Mark Cirnigliaro in The Matador by Bill Holland and is thrilled to be collaborating with him once again in Double Date. Graduating from The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater, Sergio has worked nonstop on stages across Manhattan and Long Island performing in everything from dramas, comedies to musicals. Crazy L-O-V-E to Jessica and Alyssa. Thank GOD for theater!

Lauren Kelley (Randy) is pleased to be making her NYC debut in this one act play festival. Lauren is a recent transplant from L.A. where she was seen in Getting Out (Arlene), A Chorus Line (Judy), To Kill a Mocking Bird (Mayella), Importance of Being Earnest (Cecily), and Piece of My Heart (Leanne). Film credits with leading roles include: The Fiancé and Evil Ground and the upcoming NYC short film City of Love. Lauren has a degree from American Academy of Dramatic Arts and voice over training for commercial work. Lauren would like to thank family, friends and Freckles (her cat) for their phenomenal support.

THE RUB
What if our dreams really came true, could we deal with it? Two co-workers discover that they’ve been having the same dream.
Featuring: Namakula & Daniel Sabo

Daniel Sabo (Jeff) is thrilled to be a part of Four Gorn Conclusions. NY Theatre: Talk Thirty to Me, Clemenza and Tessio are Dead, Popcorn, Burn This, Taking Steps, Michael and the Wee Man, Idiot’s Delight, Othello and Romeo & Juliet. Film: This Charming Boy, Present Tense, and Accione. Daniel is also the creator, writer, and star of the upcoming Stepstone Media sitcom Spilt Milk. He is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts NY and Villanova University, and currently resides in Brooklyn with his lovely fiancée and their pet schnauzer doorstop. Daniel is grateful for the unwavering support of his family and friends. Much love to Esther, Mom, Dad, Tim, Grams & Gramps, and Aunt Liz.

Namakula (Marieke) is a Jamaican/Ugandan artist who accredits her love of performance, to her quirky, profound family roots-- (as a boy in Kampala, her father wanted to be a cowboy). After studying at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, Namakula spent several years as a film editor, working with the likes of John Leguizamo & Spike Lee. In addition to, editing tv commercials while working as an actor & v/o artist in NYC, Miami, LA, Barcelona, & London. She also cultivated her comedy writing by performing stand-up in NYC, while management company Brillstein Grey shopped her spec sitcom scripts. Currently, you can see Namakula in two on-camera tv spots and in the short film Weekends In Brooklyn on the film festival circuit. Namakula is proud and excited to be a part of this one act series. http://namakula.com/

VERBATIM
Frustrated by her husband’s continuing denials of having made hurtful remarks, a woman hires a court reporter to make a record of their next argument.
Featuring: Prudence Heyert, Greg Kalafatas & Clinton Faulkner

Prudence Heyert (Marlene) has appeared in numerous stage and film productions. She is proud to have worked with The Women’s Project on Suzan-Lori Park's 365 Days/365 Plays and their Corporate Carnival at the World Financial Center. At St. Ann’s Warehouse, Prudence played Kristin in Strindberg's A Dream Play. Her film credits include: In the Bag, which will be hitting the festival circuit this year, Neal Cassady, directed by Noah Buschel, and Liars, which won Best Comedic Feature in the Staten Island Film Festival 2008. Prudence’s film, Say That You Love Me, received the Silver Medal at the Park City Music and Film Festival and was an official selection at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival. She can also be seen in M. Night Shyamalan's American Express commercial. Upcoming projects include a new play by Lisa Clair, Love Monster at Dixon Place.

Greg Kalafatas (Andy) is excited to be back performing in the city. Most recently, Greg appeared in regional productions of The Full Monty (Dave) and The Buddy Holly Story (Big Bopper). Other New York credits include: Hospitalization with the St. Jean's Players, Fata Morgana and Scotch & Poison with 2 Cities Productions, and A Twisted Carol, a modern twist on the classic story. Favorite regional credits include: Oklahoma! (Jud), Lend Me a Tenor (Tito) and Chicago (Amos). Greg would really like to thank the economic crisis. Without it, he'd still be stuck behind a desk from nine to five. Thanks, layoffs!!

Clinton Faulkner (Reese) has just completed a successful run of Leslie Lee's world premier, The Book of Lambert, where he played the lead role and received successful reviews in Backstage, The Fab Marguee, The New Yok Times, etc. Credits include: Manchild in the Promisedland, directed by the accomplished Wyn Handman in the role of Claude Brown-one-man show performed at the Abingdon theater, A Hazy Shade of Green performed at the Ensemble Studio Theater, and Valentine in William Shakespeare's Two Gentleman of Verona, with the Drilling Company in conjunction with the Shakespeare festival. Clinton wishes to thank all who show support, and a special thanks to my brother Clarence Paul, father and mother.

IT'S ABOUT FORGIVENESS

A delightful comedy about a man who seeks out his wife to ask for forgiveness.

Featuring: Barb Malley & Sheldon Stone

Barb Malley (Myrna), newly transported form the Long Island entertainment scene, is excited about having a role in one of Albi Gorn's works. She looks forward to having friends and relatives enjoy these four wonderful plays.

Sheldon Stone (Herman) is very happy to be part of this terrific play. He has appeared in over 70 shows, the most recent being Time Of Your Life at the Storm Theatre in New York. Favorite roles are Jonathan in Arsenic And Old Lace and King Henry II in The Lion In Winter. He has also completed the independent film Vital Signs and appears in a Webisode series titled This End Up. Sheldon thanks his family for their continued support.

Mark Cirnigliaro (Director) has been acting and directing in New York theatre and film for 9 years. He is a founding member of The Present Tense Theatre Project and sLAB. Mark was nominated for best Director at the Wonderland One Act Festival last year for Michael and the Wee Man by Bill Holland. His Short movie Zanzibar made him the only male director officially selected to present at Eve Enslers, UTVS V Day Film Festival. Mark is a graduate of the William Esper Studio. He would like to thank Albi for this great opportunity, Van, Mike, and his beautiful cast for their hard work and dedication and finally Julie for showing him life is beautiful.

Albi Gorn (Playwright) Albi's one-act plays Verbatim and It's About Forgiveness have won national playwriting competitions in LA, Iowa, Connecticut, and NYC. His full-lengths Hello, I Must Be Going and To Know Him also won national contests and were produced in Ft. Myers and Cleveland, respectively. Short plays Double Date, Dearth of a Salesman and You Don't Know Me have all been presented at the TANYS Festival. Double Date went on to place second at the ESTA Festival. It's About Forgiveness won the Strawberry One-Act Festival in the winter of 2006, was runner-up at ESTA in the original play category last spring, and was produced in England this past September.

The Riant Theatre Kicks Off Immigrant Heritage Week with THE COLORS OF LIFE: One-Acts

6 One-Act Plays running in repertory from April 16th through May 3, 2009
At the PRODUCERS CLUB
358 West 44th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues.
Tickets: $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com
CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR. 646-623-3488

Thursdays & Fridays at 9pm
Goodnight Lovin' Trail by John Patrick Bray
Bitter Apples by Arthur W. French, III
Fighting Fires by Von H. Washington, Sr.
Anything But Black by Fred Rohan Vargas

Saturdays at 5pm
Anything But Black by Fred Rohan Vargas
Always Anastasia by Michele Leigh
Goodnight Lovin' Trail by John Patrick Bray
Bitter Apples by Arthur W. French, III

Saturdays at 7pm
Goodnight Lovin' Trail by John Patrick Bray
Bitter Apples by Arthur W. French, III
Fighting Fires by Von H. Washington, Sr.
Love - This Game Is Real by Tremane Hickman (May 2nd Only)

Sundays at 5pm
Anything But Black by Fred Rohan Vargas
Always Anastasia by Michele Leigh
Fighting Fires by Von H. Washington, Sr.
Love - This Game Is Real by Tremane Hickman (May 3rd Only)

ALWAYS ANASTASIA by Michele Leigh. A disillusioned cop on the verge of a nervousbreakdown believes he is being tormented by a narcissistic psychopath.

ANYTHING BUT BLACK by Fred Rohan Vargas. An exchange in the lounge of a suburban cigar shop reveals flaws in two best friend’s perception of one another.

BITTER APPLES by Arthur W. French, III. Temptation is in the air as singles mingle while having lunch in the park.

CAWFFEE TAWK by Jenifer Badamo. A woman is blackmailed and must make a decision that will change her life forever.

FIGHTING FIRES by Von H. Washington, Sr. On the eve of his 18th birthday, a young man kidnaps his absentee father and demands the attention he believes was owed him during his development years.

GOODNIGHT LOVIN’ TRAIL by John Patrick Bray. At a truck stop diner in West Texas, two wounded strangers find redemption in each other’s eyes while discussing a stolen guitar. And the beat plays on.

LOVE – THIS GAME IS REAL by Tremane Hickman. A poetic story about a girl and a guy anxiously waiting to play the game of love without getting played.

A Riant Theatre Production
Also in production
FOUR GORN CONCLUSIONS
4 One-Act Plays By Albi Gorn.
Directed by Mark Cirnigliaro

April 16 - May 3, 2009
Thursdays & Fridays at 7pm
Saturdays at 9pm; Sundays at 3pm
Tickets: $20.00 http://www.therianttheatre.com/
Cash Only At The Door. 646-623-3488