World Premiere by Irish author at Curtain Call Stamford

Stamford CT

12 April, 2022

1:51 PM

Description

This world premiere production, written by Irish author, actor and director, Don Creedon, is about Jimmy Burgess—the unassuming night doorman of a posh downtown loft-space, and his old friend Miles O'Riordan. Jimmy is stuck behind a desk watching life in New York City pass him by, while the incorrigible ne'er do-well Miles is always looking for the next scheme to get ahead, often at Jimmy's expense. The lobby's elevator doors open and close seemingly on Jimmy and his dreams. But, unbeknownst to this cast of characters, Jimmy has plans of his own. "I love producing/nurturing new works," said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call's executive director and producer for this play. "I am always on the lookout for original pieces that are looking for a first home, so I was thrilled when fate brought me The Lobby," Ursone added. The Lobby is an ensemble piece that focuses on a particular sector of New York's population that is not always featured: Irish Americans. Don Creedon, originally from Dublin, Ireland, has had plays produced in New York at the Irish Arts Center and in Los Angeles at the Celtic Arts Center. The Lobby was previously presented in readings at Playwright's Horizons, produced by Randall Wreghitt and directed by Adam Fitzgerald, and at The Elektra Theatre directed by Eric Tucker. Creedon is a Fellow of the Blue Mountain Center, The MacDowell Colony and a member of the Dramatist Guild of America. Director Stephen Emerick said, "Rarely in community theatre do you get the opportunity to work on a new play, so I am very excited to direct the first full-scale production of The Lobby, and even better at Curtain Call where I've been volunteering and performing since 2007." He added, "I hope audiences enjoy this charming and hilarious story of Irish immigrants living in NYC, as much as we are in creating it." Over the past 20 years, Ursone has mounted more than a dozen concert readings or full productions of new works. "As an actor, for me, there is nothing more exciting than creating a role," Ursone said, noting that it is one of the reasons he loves working on original works. "Each season I try to find at least one new play or musical to produce," he said. Emerick added, "Collaborating with this cast and creative team has been extremely rewarding. As we've worked through the script, we've created a space where everyone can voice their input and try new things, often resulting in fits of laughter at each other's jokes and attempts. Plus, everyone's willingness to discuss the details of the story, and create three dimensional characters has really ensured that we are on the right track." The cast of eight includes: Jim Foley, Celine Montaudy, Frank Pagliaro, Jeff Pliskin, Sarah Sherwood, Tyler Small, Kate Telfer and Mat Young. Set design is by Peter Barbieri, Jr., costumes by Helen Adams, lighting design by Jamie LaJoie, and stage management by Ryan Tice. Hunter Brady serves as dramaturg and assistant director to Emerick. Performances will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00PM, from May 5 through 22. The Dressing Room Theatre is located at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. Doors open one hour before show time. Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for senior citizens and $20 for children under 21. (Discounted Flex Pass subscriptions offer savings of 25% and more.) Box Office: 203-461-6358 or on the web at www.curtaincallinc.com. The Lobby is produced in cooperation with The City of Stamford with support from the CT Office of the Arts and funding from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. The show is sponsored by Britta & Denis J. Nayden Charitable Foundation Ltd. It is produced through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, NY, NY. Curtain Call was voted Fairfield County's BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP ten years running in the Annual Readers' Poll of the Fairfield County Weekly and has received similar BEST OF awards from Stamford Magazine and StamfordPlus magazine for 2008 through 2022. Curtain Call received The Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011 and the ACE Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County in 2016.