Media Page – Betty's Summer Vacation
Recommended for Mature Audiences The scope of this production may include content / themes considered to be of graphic nature; including but not limited to strong language, depictions of violence, sexual situations, substance abuse, etc. Such content may be considered unsuitable for minors and / or individuals sensitive to graphic depictions. LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS DATES / TIMES
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By Christopher Durang OPENING NIGHT 20-FEB
(Preview 19-Feb) ABOUT BETTY’S SUMMER VACATION – A dark comedy by Christopher DurangFrom Durang: “The theme of the play is, basically, the “tabloid-ization” of American culture‚ how in the 90s in particular, human nature’s interest in horror and gossip combined with television’s need to hook viewers, and the result was we all fell into the habit of looking at human tragedy and disgusting behavior as a fascinating kind of ‘mini-series’ for our delectation…” Intro: Betty is looking forward to a relaxing vacation at the ocean. But Trudy, whom she knows only slightly, chatters incessantly; and then there are the other housemates – sexy lout Buck, who’s pathologically on the make with women all the time, and sweet, withdrawn Keith who carries a shovel and a mysterious hatbox and just may be a serial killer… [Betty's Summer Vacation is] not only wickedly funny but a trenchant commentary on the state of American culture and the most original play to hit the New York stage in years. Read more about the roots of BSV: http://www.christopherdurang.com/FullBetty.htm
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| Betty’s Summer Vacation Photos |
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| Cast & Crew |
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| CAST OF CHARACTERS
(IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Betty ——————————————– Lara Hughes* Trudy —————————————— Allison M. Evans* Keith ——————————————– Scott T. Finn Mrs. Siezmagraff —————————– Margaret McCarley* Buck ——————————————— David Rusiecki Mr.Vanislaw ———————————— Jim Rice Voice#1 —————————————— Richard Van Slyke* Voice#2 —————————————— Melisa Cole Voice#3 —————————————— Dan Cole* *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, Screen Actors Guild, or American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. |
 Lara Hughes
(Betty) |
Lara Hughes is pleased to make her Long Beach Playhouse debut. She was most recently seen in the world premiere of Graveyard Shift: The American Tragedy Musical at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City. Favorite roles include Renee in M. Butterfly, Eugenie in The Manchurian Candidate, Fairy May in The Curious Savage, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Birdie in The Little Foxes. She appeared as Dona Ana in Williamstown Theatre Festival’s production of Don Juan in Hell. Television credits include Days of Our Lives, Law & Order: Trial By Jury and various commercials. Lara received training at Carnegie Mellon University, Michael Howard Studios and has performed at the American Dance Festival. She has a BFA from Emerson College. Much love and thanks to her incredible family and friends. |
 Allison M. Evans
(Trudy) |
Allison was most recently seen on stage as Miss Shields in A Christmas Story at the Torrance Theatre Company. Other stage credits include Lucy in Dracula (Sierra Repertory Theatre), Natasha in Three Sisters (dir. Tim McNeil), Raina in Arms and the Man, Amy Lee in Laundry and Bourbon and Catherine in Twice on Sunday. She has also appeared in several short films including the award-winning Neither Here nor There, Jane & John and To Debbie on her 37th Birthday. Allison is represented by L & L Talent: www.lltalent.com. Thank you to the wonderful cast and all of the superb people behind the scenes that made this happen! Enjoy the show! |
 David Rusiecki
(Buck) |
David Rusiecki is delighted to return to the Studio theatre. Other performances include: Banbury (Long Beach Playhouse), Pachuro 1942 (Stella Adler) and Liberation (Rude Guarilla). David is also a member of the New Voices Playwriting Group and had one of his plays, Sides, selected as a 2009 Finalist with the New Works Festival at Long Beach Playhouse. A very special “thanks to Donna for Buck’s “member”. |
 Scott T. Finn
(Keith) |
Scott is very happy to return to the Studio in this, his fourth Studio performance. Scott recently finished up a Mainstage production called The Lutz Radio Hour as Jaycob Bernardi, a radio actor. Scott’s other stage performances in the Studio in- clude Jed Jenkins in Fifth of July, Bo Decker in Bus Stop and Bob/Randy in Jest a Second. Other roles include Connie Rivers in The Grapes of Wrath, Colonel Guy Fitzwilliam in Pride and Prejudice, the Major Domo in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Captain Albert Lennox in The Secret Garden, and Mr. Bixby in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (GWC productions). Scott is grateful to be back on stage and is having a great experience with the entire cast and crew. |
 Margaret McCarley
(Mrs. Siezmagraff) |
A familiar face on Los Angeles stages, Margaret has won many awards for both her acting and her costume designs. Some of her favorite roles have included Josie in A Moon for the Misbegotten, Truvy in Steel Magnolias, Edward III in Edward III, Empress Laula in The Empress of Morocco, Yvonne in Indiscretions, Sister Mae (West) in …And Then There Was Nun, and eleven characters in Charles Dickens’ Ghost Stories. She is an accomplished voiceover actor, equestrienne, artist, writer, dancer, former figure skating coach and quite a sharpshooter with her .45 automatic. |
 Richard Van Slyke
(Voice #1) |
Richard Van Slyke has appeared on many stages on both coasts. LA stage credits include Harold Nichols in The Full Monty (Mercury Productions), Malvolio in Twelfth Night (Knightsbridge Theatre), Val in Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Long Beach Playhouse), Red Hot and Blue (The Whitefire Theatre), Pirates of Penzance (NoHo Arts Center), Grieves in Murder Me Once and Perkins in Ernest in Love (Fremont Centre Theatre). He is also a member of Acme Comedy Theatre’s Bravo sketch company. Richard has three films currently in various stages of production, Repeat Offenders, Project Purgatory and Office of the Dead. |
 Melisa Cole
(Voice#2) |
This is Melisa’s millionth appearance, but first here in Long Beach. Some of her favorite roles include the singing waitress in Working, Sheila in A Chorus Line, Andy in Stepping Out, Speed in Two Gentleman of Verona, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Tessie Tura in Gypsy. She obviously loves all types of theatre, but is most pleased to work with what looks like an amazing group of people in a real, live the-a-tre! |
 Dan Cole
(Voice #3) |
Dan has been working as an actor in LA and Orange County for longer than he cares to remember. He is a graduate of the Profession Actors Conservatory and the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain Studio Programme. Some of his favorite roles include Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sheriff Will in Bus Stop, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, E.K. Hornbeck in Inherit the Wind and Froggy LeSure in The Foreigner. He has appeared in the films Disconnected and Tahiti and has appeared in the critically acclaimed TV series Arrested Development as well as several times on the popular sitcom The Office as Dan Gore (Regional Manager, Buffalo) and was Stan the Fan in the first episode of the final season of Monk. Dan’s most recent appearance at LBP was as The Magistrate in Neil Simon’s FOOLS. |
 Jim Rice
(Mr. Vanislaw) |
Jim is pleased to be working with LBP again. Most recently Jim appeared in Bus Stop and directed Fools on the Mainstage. He thanks Bob for casting him and Amanda for all her love and patience. |
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PRODUCTION CREW
Director – Robert Craig Robert Craig has shared his passion of theatre in many venues throughout Southern California (including The Knightsbridge Theatre, Action!Theatre, and the Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre) for the past 32 years. As an actor his favorite roles include Atticus in To Kill A Mockingbird, Drummond in Inherit the Wind and King Lear in King Lear. As a director his work has ranged from Shakespeare to original works to modern comedies. Enjoying an eclectic taste in theatre, his favorite productions include Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Nottage’s Intimate Apparel, Russell’s Educating Rita and Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor. As well as established works, Mr. Craig also work- shopped and directed the premier production of Tender by David Alan Preece which enjoyed three L.A. Weekly Award nominations. Mr. Craig holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from California State University at Fullerton in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Directing and Theatre History. Thank you to the cast and crew of Betty’s Summer Vacation for their bold and fearless commitment to this production. It has been my pleasure to work with each and every one of you. Stage Manager – Jeanne Marie Valleroy This is Jeanne’s first show here at LBP. She has loved working with this cast and crew and hopes to get to work them again and work at LBP again. Jeanne most recently stage managed for The Seagul (Chance Theatre), Hair (Chance Theatre), The Girl, The Grouch and The Goat (Chance Theatre, West Coast Premier), and Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol (Chance Theatre). She thanks both the cast and Bob for making this such a great experience. She also thanks her mom for always supporting and believing in her and allowing her to “live her dreams”.
DIRECTOR …………………………………………………………. Robert Craig STAGE MANAGER ………………………………………………… Jeanne Marie Valleroy ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/TECHNICAL DIRECTOR ……………….. Andrew Vonderschmitt SET DESIGN ……………………………………………………….. Andrew Vonderschmitt LIGHT DESIGNER ………………………………………………… Matthew Mikulka SOUND DESIGNER ………………………………………………. Julie Moore COSTUME DESIGNER …………………………………………… Donna Fritsche SCENIC PAINTER ………………………………………………… Mowrenna Ferral ASSIST TECH DIRECTOR/PROP MASTER ……………………. Sean Gray THEME SONG COMPOSER …………………………………….. Steve Garbade BOARD OPERATOR ……………………………………………… Tony Carnaghi SCENE SHOP ……………………………………………………… Mal Groff, Ray Smith COSTUME SHOP …………………………………………………. Susan Taylor, Ann Simmonds, Alberta Montgomery PHOTOGRAPHY ………………………………………………….. Robert Craig PROGRAM DESIGN ………………………………………………… Daisy Ramirez, Peter Prucnel |
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