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THEATRE EXILE
1340 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
EM3RY and MW ENTERTAINMENT present
the 2024 SUMMER READING SERIES!
This season we're bringing a revised version of FUN WITH JANE, A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY by Mitch Weiss, Harrison Lee and Perri Gaffney and VAGABOND by Matthew Ethan Davis.
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By Mitch Weiss, Harrison Lee and Perri Gaffney
08/2/2024 7:00PM
Jane is between a rock and a hard place. Tragic in love, she refuses to get involved again, but her new boss and recent promotion break down her defenses. Her first assignment gets her in deep trouble when she convinces two rich and powerful women to secretly use insider trading to raise $100 million dollars for their children's charity. Praise from her billionaire boss intoxicates her until she is threatened by a corrupt SEC agent. And then all hell breaks loose.
FUN WITH JANE - CAST
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JOHNNY FERNANDEZ - RICHARD
Johnny Fernandez is a Philadelphia-local actor performing in musicals and plays throughout the region. Recent roles includes Horace Vandergelder in Hello, Dolly!, and Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the Walnut Street Theatre. Johnny proudly works as a reader and actor with Philadelphia Young Playwrights, an organization supporting emerging student playwriters. Next up, Johnny will perform as George in Kinky Boots at Delaware Theatre Company. Have confidence in others, believe in yourself, and share your joy! Te adoro, mi amor!
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NICHALAS L. PARKER - KEN
NICHALAS L. PARKER Happy to be apart! Recent credits: Man of La Mancha (DTC) Rocky: The Musical, Shrek: The Musical, A Funny Thing Happened..., The Wizard of Oz, Peter and the Starcatcher (WST). Graduate of The University of the Arts. He is currently a Drama and Vocal Faculty Member at the Brooklyn Music School. He would like to thank all his Parents and Family for all the love and support. IG: @Nickparker202
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HANNAH PARKE - DOROTHY
Hannah Parke (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based actor, singer, and voiceover artist. She was on the National Tour of “The Lightning Thief” and has worked with 54 Below, Arden Theatre Company, Azuka Theatre, Act II Playhouse, Media Theatre, and many more. Her own show “Close Your Legs, Honey” was seen in the 2018 Fringe Festival and her new one-woman autobiographical show “Birth. Sparkle. Death”. will be seen in 2023 Fringe.
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NAYELI DEJESUS - MARGARET
Nayeli DeJesus was born and raised in Camden, New Jersey. In May 2024, she graduated from Rutgers University-Camden, where she was in several shows such as RENT, URINETOWN: The Musical, and her own senior capstone project, Magic of Music: A Bilingual Disney Cabaret. When she’s not on stage, Nayeli enjoys baking, traveling, and spending quality time with family.
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MARY MARTELLO - RACHEL
Mary has been a regional theatre artist for over 50 years. In Philadelphia she has worked at the Walnut, Arden, Lantern, Azuka, Act2,1812, Interact, PLTC, and the Wilma, and most recently in LOVE SONG at Inis Nua. Mary has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, created several cabarets, won five Barrymore Awards, and is a Lunt-Fontanne Fellow. Mary recently directed Tea for Three at Act2, Macbeth at the Ritz Theatre, and assisted Bernard Havard on WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. More details at marymartello.com. Thanks to all the amazing artists in the Philadelphia theatre community.
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RYANE NICOLE STUDIVANT - JANE
RYANE NICOLE STUDIVANT she/her (Jane) Regional: Erzulie in Once On This Island (Arden Theatre Company), Mama Rose in Gypsy (Gretna Theatre), Church Lady in The Color Purple, Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors (Theatre Horizon), Jemima in the World Premiere Galilee (Azuka Theatre), Mrs. Greene in The Prom, Store Manager in Elf, Gina in Beehive, Medda in Newsies (Media Theatre). Thank you to Matthew and Darnelle for the opportunity. Love and endless gratitude to my husband Ian and my family and friends. Tik Tok/Instagram: @RyaneStud
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BILL VAN HORN - TED
Bill Van Horn is an actor, writer, and director who works at The Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Artist Collective, The Theater at Monmouth in Maine, and many other theatres around the country. He recently directed the national tour of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Ken Ludwig starring Ian Peakes. His next project will be a production of “An Iliad” by Lisa Peterson and Dennis O’Hare at The Theater at Monmouth. This spring his original adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Speckled Band” will premiere at The Walnut Street Theatre. He has provided voiceovers for many documentaries including “Wagner’s Jews”, “God’s Fiddler”, and “Workshop for Peace”. He is the co-writer of the documentaries “Khachaturian” and “Caruso”, the latter written with Michael Capasso. He has written several musicals with librettist Gene Scheer, including “Jane Hawkins” an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.” Favorite roles include King Lear, Shylock, Walt Whitman, and Bottom the Weaver.
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ANNE BRAGG - JESSE
Most recently seen at the Walnut Street Theatre in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Other regional credits are Cinderella in Into The Woods (Candlelight Theatre), Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, Sister Berthe/Mother Abbess understudy in The Sound of Music (Media Theatre). Vita brevis, ars longa.
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AMY BOEHLY - GERRI
Amy Boehly (she/they) is an actor, teaching artist, and emerging playwright working throughout the greater Philadelphia area. Previous credits include Water By the Spoonful (The Eagle Theatre), The Scarlet Letter (Humble Materials, and Daphne’s Dive (SCTC). Amy is a proud member of the Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists and has been a member of their Playwrights Project for 3 seasons. For more about Amy, visit www.amyboehly.me
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MARK MAHER - RAY
Mark is a local legal aid attorney and very occasional actor. Some favorite roles include Torvald (A Doll's House, Part 2), Dr. Stockman (An Enemy of the People), Pablo Picasso (Picasso at the Lapine Agile), and Pontious Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar).
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C. DAVID ROCHE - ROGER/ COOK
Christopher David Roché (he/him) is a North Philadelphia-based, actor, singer, producer, director, and stage manager. He currently is performing in the one-man show, Adventures of a Revolutionary Solider as Joseph Plumb Martin at the Museum of the American Revolution. Select training: Albright College, B.A. Theatre (Acting/Directing), B.A. History, Minor in Voice; 2004 Grammy Nominee, Jeffrey Lentz's, voice studio. Select theatrical credits: This Is Reading w/Lynn Nottage (LAByrinth Theatre Company); Ballad of Trayvon Martin as George Zimmerman, Othello: the Panther (Freedom Theatre), Camelot, Peter Rabbit (Sierra Rep. Theatre); As You Like It (Shakespeare in Clark Park); Die Fledermaus (Berks Opera); Life on the Mississippi, No Easy Road to Freedom (Gretna Theatre) Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Daphne's Dive (South Camden Theatre Company); Understudy credits: Clyde's, 74 Seconds to Judgement, Streetcar Named Desire (Arden Theatre Company); Sense and Sensibility (People's Light & Theatre Company); Young Frankenstein (Walnut Street Theatre). Select film/TV/web credits: Chimera with Carly L. Bodnar & Lisa VillaMil, Market Road Films, Hot Snakes Media, and Destination America. Next up: Goldie and the Green Mountains (Philadelphia Women's Theatre Festival). ChristopherDavidRoche.com
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OLIVIA FOWLER - 7- YEAR OLD
Olivia Fowler is a rising 8th grader at C W Henry School, a Philadelphia Public School. Regional Credits: Arden Theatre Company, Little Girl in Once on this Island. Other experience: Mount Airy Performing Arts: Iago- Aaladin Jr, Molly- Annie, Jr, Charlie - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Pinocchio- Shrek Jr. C.W. Henry Players: Ti Moune - Once on this Island. Thank you Mr. Matt for this opportunity. THANK YOU TO MY MOM AND DAD FOR BEING THE BEST PARENTS EVER!
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MITCH WEISS - PLAYWRIGHT
Mitch Weiss has managed several hundred Broadway and off-Broadway shows including Tony Award-winners A Chorus Line, The Grapes of Wrath, and Beauty and the Beast, and has over forty years of management and producing experience with such clients as Disney Theatrical Productions, New York Shakespeare Festival, and Big Apple Circus, as well as many other successful and well-known recording, sports, and theatrical artists. He has been a certified ATPAM manager since 1985 and teaches management courses at New York University. He is the author of Managing Artists in Pop Music with Perri Gaffney (Allworth Press). He lives in New York City.
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HARRISON LEE - CO - WRITER
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PERRY GAFFNEY - CO - WRITER
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By Matthew Ethan Davis
08/01/2024 7:00PM
Set in a shoemakers shop in 1856 Pennsylvania, 3 craftsmen battle the advancing Industrial Revolution, challenged by notions of gay love and sexuality. Their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of a charmingly handsome stranger.
VAGABOND - CAST
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NICO MONTALVO - PAUL
Nico Montalvo (PAUL) is overjoyed to be making their Philadelphia theatrical debut as a part of the Summer Reading Series! They earned a B.A. in Theatre from Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi in 2023, and have recently completed their first year of Devised Performance training at Pig Iron Studios. Selected prior credits include Angel Dumott-Schunard (RENT), Bishop Hogan (Fat Men in Skirts), and Sonny de la Vega (In the Heights). @montal.nic
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ADAM BROOKS - JOEY
Adam Brooks (Joey) – Born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, based in Philadelphia, PA! Television: Mr. Robot (Co-star; USA Network); Regional Theater: Vinny in The Odd Couple (Plays and Players), Thomas in Alabama Story (South Camden Theatre Company), Man in Gint and Malcolm in Macbeth (The Ritz Theatre Company), Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Berenger in Rhinoceros (The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company), Scott in The Warrior Heroes of Kala Kay (New York Theater Festival), Noah in Black Hollow (The Argo Collective); Co-host of The SpellCast D&D podcast. This performance is dedicated to his wife, Kelsey, his mother, Ginger, and his late grandmother, Fay.
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ROBERT DAPONTE - CURTIS
Robert DaPonte has been an actor and devisor in Philadelphia theater for over 15 years. He has performed for Philadelphia Theatre Company (Rizzo), People's Light (Pride and Prejudice), The Wilma (MacBeth), Theatre Exile (American Buffalo) and EgoPo (Spring Awakening) just to name a few. He has created original works such as The Jaws Project (with MK Tuomanen and Sam Henderson), The Giant Squid (with The Berserker Residents) and The Ballad of Joe Hill (with Swim Pony). Regionally he has performed for Hartford Children's Theater (Treasure Island) and Playhouse on Park (This Is Our Youth). He studied at The National Theater Institute in Waterford, CT.
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BILL VAN HORN - SEAN
Bill Van Horn is an actor, writer, and director who works at The Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Artist Collective, The Theater at Monmouth in Maine, and many other theaters around the country. He recently directed the national tour of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Ken Ludwig starring Ian Peakes. His next project will be a production of “An Iliad” by Lisa Peterson and Dennis O’Hare at The Theater at Monmouth. This spring his original adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Speckled Band” will premiere at The Walnut Street Theatre. He has provided voiceovers for many documentaries including “Wagner’s Jews”, “God’s Fiddler”, and “Workshop for Peace”. He is the co-writer of the documentaries “Khachaturian” and “Caruso”, the latter written with Michael Capasso. He has written several musicals with librettist Gene Scheer, including “Jane Hawkins” an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.” Favorite roles include King Lear, Shylock, Walt Whitman, and Bottom the Weaver.
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MATTHEW ETHAN DAVIS - PLAYWRIGHT
Productions include; "Faster Than Shadow," and“Dangerous Walk,” NY Theatre Festival, “Eddie," "Sleep At Your Own Risk," "Falling Awake”, Midtown International Theatre Festival, co-produced by T2E, “Falling Awake,” nominated as "Most Outstanding New Play.” “Sleep At Your Own Risk,” also at The Queerly Festival," The International Solo Festival and published in an anthology of plays from the festival, “Ticket to Eternity," New York International Fringe Festival, co-produced by T2E, “Looking Past the Past,” a festival of Davis’s one-act plays, T2E, "A Little Class," (Samuel French Semi-Finalist) and at The Long Wharf Theatre One-Act Festival, “A Midlife’s Dream,” Gorilla Rep Co., “Falling Awake,” Salty Tears,” “The Moon In the Man,” Tiberius” & “Highway 5.9,” Expanded Arts Theatre, “Pieces of a Playwright-A Festival of Davis’s one-act plays,” Oasis, NY Theatre Group. “The Three Minute Hamlet,” The Cell, "Super Romantic!”, "Highway 5.9," Emerging Artists Theatre Company. BFA & MFA Dramatic Writing, Tisch School of the Arts, NYU, and teaches Introduction to Playwriting and Play Script Analysis at Marymount Manhattan.
SUMMER READING SERIES -TEAM
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SHAMUS - DIRECTOR
Shamus (he/him/his) is a Queer theatre maker and Producing Artistic Director for Shakespeare in Clark Park where he recently directed Comedy of Errors: Real Housewives of Ephesus & Two Gentlemen of Verona the musical. Other recent collaborations: Rutgers-Camden (Urinetown) University of Pennsylvania (Spring Awakening), Temple University (Boys Don’t Cry), Hannah Parke’s Birth. Sparkle. Death., Playwrights’ Center (J.C. Pankratz’s Little Kingdom), Boston Playwrights Theatre (Jay Eddy’s Alligator-A-Phobia in 3D! and Pankratz’s Eat Your Young), PlayPenn (Kevin Esmond’s Vintage Illustrations of the Devil), Samuel French Off-Off-Broadway Festival (Eddy’s Big Red Button), National Puppetry Conference at the O’Neill Theater Center. His original musical, Close Your Legs, Honey, co-created with Parke, premiered at PHIT Comedy and was later produced by Bootless Stageworks. Upcoming: Complete Works (Abridged) at the Gene Frankel, Into the Woods at Long Island University-Post, Machinal with Rutgers-Camden & a new musical adaptation of Midsummer Night’s Dream with Shakespeare in Clark Park. MFA Boston University. Member of AEA, Director’s Gathering & SDC (Associate). shamushuntermccarty.com @mononymous_shamus
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MATTHEW MASTRONARDI - MUSIC DIRECTOR
Matthew is happy to return to Fun With Jane for the 3rd time! A Philadelphia based theatre artist and musician, Matthew has performed, directed, and music directed all over the world. He has worked with the Walnut Street Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, 11th Hour Theatre Company, People's Light, Drexel University, Montgomery County Community College, Act II Playhouse, Media Theatre, and the Wilma Theater just to name a few. Some of Matthew’s favorite acting/music direction credits include: Peter and the Starcatcher, A Child's Christmas in Wales, Civil War Voices, and A Christmas Carol (Walnut Street Theatre); Roadshow, Into the Woods, and Urinetown (11th Hour Theatre Company); Man of La Mancha (Act II Playhouse); Patience (Theater at Monmouth, Maine). In Italy, Matthew appeared in The Merry Wives of Windsor with Teatro delle Due as Sir John Falstaff. He was featured in [Untitled Project] #213 as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland. Matthew traveled to China to perform and music direct for Sunrise Art Group. Many thanks go to this phenomenal group of artists. He sends love to his family and Darnelle. To learn more visit www.matthewmastronardi.com
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MITCH WEISS - CO-PRODUCER
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ARI HEFF - STAGE MANAGER
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DARNELLE RADFORD - CO - PRODUCER
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SUMMER READING SERIES
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VAGABOND
By Matthew Ethan Davis
08/01/2024 2:00pm and 7:00PM
Set in a shoemakers shop in 1856 Pennsylvania, 3 craftsmen battle the advancing Industrial Revolution, challenged by notions of gay love and sexuality. Their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of a charmingly handsome stranger.
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FUN WITH JANE
By Mitch Weiss, Harrison Lee and Perri Gaffney
08/2/2024 2:00pm and 7:00PM
Jane is between a rock and a hard place. Tragic in love, she refuses to get involved again, but her new boss and recent promotion break down her defenses. Her first assignment gets her in deep trouble when she convinces two rich and powerful women to secretly use insider trading to raise $100 million dollars for their children's charity. Praise from her billionaire boss intoxicates her until she is threatened by a corrupt SEC agent. And then all hell breaks loose.