By Albert Innaurato

Directed by Mark Sickler

Some of us, it seems, exist outside of nature and no one knows where we fit. Nature has her claws in all of you but not in we who exist outside her. You have your claws in us.

Can intelligence, sensitivity, and a deep appreciation of nature and beauty be enough to combat the ugliness of despair, loneliness and longing for acceptance and love? In simpler terms, is beauty really only skin deep? The Transfiguration of Benno Blimpie tells the story of a 500lb young man who can no longer face these questions. Through monologue and memory we learn of his tragic upbringing, and ultimately his resolve to eat himself to death.

Please note this play contains strong themes and strong language.

Performance dates August 16, 17 and 18, 2007, at 8.00pm at the Abbott Memorial Theater, 9 Spring Street, Waltham, MA.

There will be a talk back session immediately following the performance on Thursday August 16.

Come show your support and help us raise money for a new lighting board. Tickets are $20.00 general admission, and $15.00 for students and seniors. $10.00 admission for Members and Subscribers.

Hovey Players wishes to thank all those who attended performances of The Transfiguration of Benno Blimpie and all those who sent donations because they could not attend! We were able to raise $1,250…and counting! Hovey Players also wishes to thank Mark, and his cast and crew, for contributing their time and talent!

Cast

Ronny Pompeo
Brishani Reece
Brian Wolfe Leonard
Michael Corbett
Judith Kalaora

Production staff

Assistant Director, Jesse Olson
Sound by Robin Gabrielli
Costumes by Kristina Perry.
Eric Houghton – webmaster

By J. Mark Baumhardt

Directed by J. Mark Baumhardt

Friends Josh, Sam, and Kate come together on a Vermont mountain top to mourn the loss of their good friend, Will. They share memories of Will both good and bad, but when Will’s ex-wife Claire, an unwelcome guest arrives for the eulogy, Josh, Sam, and especially Will’s sister, Kate, are forced to face truths and unexpectedly discover forgiveness. In the end, Will gets what he wants “pulling strings from beyond the grave.”

Eternal Swim is written by local playwright, J. Mark Baumhardt, and was first produced for Acme’s Winter Works Festival in 2006. It has been expanded to a longer version for the EMACT 2007 annual competition. The piece is also directed by Baumhardt. Hovey Players is proud to present his work.

Performed Sunday, June 10, 2007, at noon, at the 54th EMACT Festival

Hovey Players won the 2007 June Henshaw Special Adjudicators Award – For Excellence in Production Values for Eternal Swim.

The Cast

Tom Berry as Josh
Michelle M. Aguillon as Sam
Leigh Berry as Kate
Sara Jones as Claire

The Production Team

Produced by Jessie Olson
Set Design by John Greiner-Ferris
Lighting Design by Mark Sickler
Costume Design by Kimmerie Jones
Stage Managed by Kristin Hughes
Sound Design by Ed Council
Costume Assistance by Kristina Perry
EMACT backstage crew: Michael Corbett, Michelle McDonald, Jessie Olson, Mark Sickler, Matt Silverstein

Eternal Swim was also nominated for:

Best Production
Best Director (J. Mark Baumhardt)
Best Actor (Tom Berry)
Best Actress (Michelle M. Aguillon)
Best Ensemble (Michelle M. Aguillon, Leigh Berry, Tom Berry, Sara Jones)
Best Set Design (John Greiner-Ferris)
Special Adjudicators Award for Notable Excellence for Performance Values

By Jan Donley

Directed by Michelle M. Aguillon

Hovey is participating in the Boston Theater Marathon this year. The 10-minute piece by Jan Donley is entitled “It’s Just the Wind” and features Karen Dervin, Leigh Berry, Maureen Adduci, and Gabrielle Hatcher.

Performance: Sunday, May 20, 2007, in the 12 noon – 1pm slot, at the Boston Center for the Arts Calderwood Pavilion

For more information, check the Boston Theater Marathon site.

Book and Lyrics by David Kruh
Music and Lyrics by Steven Bergman

Directed by Tom Berry
America’s favorite pastime takes the stage in this musical. Writers David Kruh and Steven Bergman take us on a nostalgic, 86-year journey from 1918 through 2004, exploring the reasons for the sale of Babe Ruth and its subsequent effects on the Boston Red Sox and their die-hard fans, leading to the ultimate reversal of fortune.

Production sponsored by:

Performances: May 11-26, 2007

May 11, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 8pm
Sunday May 20th at 2pm (the only matinee)

Opening night party at Baan Thai follows May 11 performance.

Tickets $15.00 general admission, $13.00 for students/seniors. For reservations, please call 781-893-9171. Seating is limited so call and reserve early.

Cast

Father/Steve Waterman – David Wood
Announcer – Mike Soulios
Rooter/Myron – Andrew McKay
Rooter/Carelli – Steve Key
Rooter/Wiznowski – Ronny Pompeo
Rooter/MacMullen – Gordon Ellis
Betty Danvers – Kathleen Dalton
Harry Frazee – John Small
Babe Ruth – Aaron Velthouse
Col. Ruppert/McGreevey – John Gorgone

Production Team

Co-Producers, Kristin Hughes and Mark Sickler
Stage Manager, John MacKenzie
Musical Direction by Stephen Peters
Choreography by Linda Sughrue
Set and Lighting Design by John MacKenzie
Costumes by Kimmerie H.O. Jones

Review: Metro West Daily News, Theater Mirror

By Joan Ackerman

Directed by Michelle Fisher

Two estranged sisters travel to St. Augustine, Florida, to memorialize their beloved deceased sister, Morgan, whose dying wish was to have her ashes scattered in the ocean. When the airline loses their luggage—and the ashes—the sisters have no choice but to wait, and confront their strained relationship. Amidst tourist attractions and batting cages, and from the curious man with a barnacle growing in his ear to the odd conquistador, the sisters discover themselves and each other in this sometimes unusual and very moving story.

Performances: February 23-March 10, 2007

February 23, 24, March 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 at 8:00 pm and March 4 at 2:00 pm.

Cast

Wilson……….Karen Dervin
Rose…………Ronni Marshak
Bobby……….Kevin Nessman
Julianna……..Victoria Taylor

Crew

Stage Manager……….Tracy Sullivan
Set Designer………….David Fisher
Light/Sound Designer…Ed Council
Costume Designer…..Kristina Perry
Publicity……………….Leigh Berry
Photography………….Jason Sadofsky

Review: Theater Mirror

By Stephen Mallatratt

Directed by Kristin Hughes

Arthur Kipps, a middle-aged lawyer, hires a theater and its actor/manager to help him re-enact and ideally exorcise a ghostly event that he believes has haunted his life. At first, Kipps is hesitant; but he and the actor work together to bring the story to life, using the theatrical effects left from other productions. Kipps, coached by the actor, portrays a variety of roles, as the events he narrates begin to come to life on the stage. The actor portrays the young Kipps, sent to an isolated location to settle the estate of an elderly recluse – where he encounters the Woman in Black. Through a series of events, he learns her tragic story – and how it may affect him.

Performances: January 12, 13, 19, 20 , 25, 26, and 27, 2007, at 8:00 pm and January 21 at 2:00 pm

Tickets $15.00 general admission, $13.00 for students/seniors. For reservations, please call 781-893-9171. Seating is limited so call and reserve early.

Reviews: Theater Mirror, Metro West Daily News

By Wendy MacLeod

Directed by Mark Sickler

The House of Yes is a richly textured dark comedy that examines the life of a family that exists without rules, without limits, and without a father. The Pascal family is celebrating Thanksgiving approximately twenty years after the assassination of JFK, and Marty, the oldest son, is bringing his fiancée Lesley home to meet his mother, his younger brother Anthony, and his twin sister Jackie-O. And while a hurricane blows outside, a bigger storm approaches with Marty and Lesley’s arrival. Lesley is everything that the Pascals are not. She was not raised in a pampered, wealthy environment and did not have neighbors such as the Kennedys. Perhaps her upbringing reminds Mrs. Pascal a little too much of her own past? Her appearance is a harsh dose of reality for the Pascals and a threat to the fragile relationships and secrets that they share. These are secrets that are probably best kept buried in the croquet lawn. Marty’s search for normalcy leads him back to the house and family that hold his secrets and ends in tragic loss for everyone.

Performances Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18 @ 8.00pm and Nov. 12 @ 2.000pm at The Abbott Memorial Theater, 9 Spring Street, Waltham, MA.

Tickets $15.00 general admission, $13.00 for students/seniors.

For reservations, please call 781-893-9171. Seating is limited so call and reserve early.

Cast (In Order of Appearance):

Jackie-O – Susan Condit Rice
Anthony – Angus Merry
Mrs. Pascal – Ronni Marshak
Marty – Judson Pierce
Lesly – Jessie Olson

Stage Manager – Nicole Sparks

Reviews: Theater Mirror

Adapted by Pamela Whalan, from the novel by Jane Austen

Directed by Michelle M. Aguillon

When Mr Dashwood died his considerable estate passed into the hands of John, the son of his first marriage. His second wife and her three daughters had to rely on the good nature and honour of John Dashwood if they were to have more than a modest competence upon which to live. Unfortunately, John Dashwood loved his money much more than he loved his half-sisters.

“Sense and Sensibility” tells the story of the two eldest daughters of Mrs. Dashwood – brought up to be young ladies in comfortable circumstances but now reduced to poverty. Elinor Dashwood is the “sensible” sister who puts others before herself. Marianne Dashwood is full of “sensibility” allowing herself to be ruled by her feelings and caring little for the feelings of others. Lose your heart and come to your senses as you follow the trials and tribulations of these two young ladies. Jane Austen’s story of greed and love is as fresh today as it was when first published in 1811.

Performances: September 15-30, 2006

September 15, 16, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 at 8pm and September 24 at 2pm

Tickets $15.00 — Seniors $13.00, or subscribe and see our entire season at a special rate. Reserve your tickets today at (781) 893-9171.

Please join the cast and crew on Opening Night, Friday, September 15, for a post-show reception welcoming Australian playwright, Pamela Whalan, at Baan Thai Restaurant, 659 Main Street in Waltham – a 5-minute walk from Hovey Players. Complimentary food and snacks and cash bar will be available. Help us celebrate the American Premiere of Ms. Whalan’s adapation of Jane Austen’s novel.

Cast, In Order of Appearance…
Tracy Nygard as Fanny Dashwood
Mike Soulios as John Dashwood
Leigh Berry as Elinor Dashwood
Sara Jones as Marianne Dashwood
Jill Wassong as Mrs. Dashwood
Evan Bernstein as Edward Ferrars
Michael Peluso as Colonel Brandon
Angus Merry as Willoughby
Mark Sickler as Sir John Middleton
Kristin Hughes as Mrs. Jennings
Brashani Reece as Lucy Steele
Evan Bernstein as Robert Ferrars
Jessie Olson as Hester
Gabrielle Aguillon-Hatcher as Martha

Produced by Mark Sickler
Stage Managed by Michelle McDonald
Costumes by Kimmerie H.O. Jones
Lighting Design by Matt Silverstein
Asst Lighting Design by Ed Council
Sound Engineering by Ed Council
Sound Design by Michelle Aguillon
Set Design & Dress: Michelle Aguillon & Gabrielle Hatcher
Set Construction Team: John Greiner-Ferris, Michelle McDonald, Jessie Olson, Mark Sickler & Gabrielle Aguillon-Hatcher
Tech Crew: Chris Wrenn, Anne Freund

Reviews: Theater Mirror, Theater Mirror