People Behind "Masoch & DeSade"

Lamont Hendrix (Edgar) is delighted to sharing the stage with this amazing cast. A humble actor from Indiana. LaMont would like to thank God, and the Duchess Virginia for their grace, blessings, and support. LaMont's last Shakespeare role was the title role and "he who shall not be named" in the Scottish play. He is a lover of musicals and recently played Joseph in the LA debut of the musical The Promise.





Dante (Damien) blah blah blah blah blah blah blah TBA TBA TBA TBA

Danny Hackin (Melvin) iis an actor, writer, poet, and improviser. He is an associate at the Actors Gang and a member of the improv team Felix, which performs at the Westside Comedy Theater. Danny is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College. At Sarah Lawrence he was in productions of Crazy Face written by Clive Barker and Not A Leg To Stand On by Lena Meruane. Danny has performed at theaters such as City Garage, Edgemar Center for the Arts and The Complex. He has performed with David Blue in a Dance Troupe called Troupe Zaghareet and is now being directed by David for the first time. Danny is grateful to be a part of Richard III and especially grateful to be doing it with David Blue and Theater Anon.

David MacDowell Blue (Director) hails from San Francisco, born Sagittarius in the Year of the Boar (which as it happens is this year as well).  Got a theatre degree from the University of West Florida, then attended the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York.  His directing credits include Heartbreak House, The Public Eye, Dirty Linen, and numerous staged readings as well as several dance shows by Troupe Zaghareet.  Mostly he's known as a review of live theatre in Los Angeles via his blog, Night Tinted Glasses.  Masoch & DeSade appeals very much to his sense of the gothic and the topical.

Omen Kaine (Producer) From childhood’s hour I have not been 

As others were—I have not seen 

As others saw—I could not bring 

My passions from a coMmon spring— 

From the same source I have not taken 

My sorrow—I could not awaken 

My heart to joy at the same tone— 

And all I lov’d—I lov’d alone— 

Then—in my childhood—in the dawn 

Of a most stormy life—was drAwn 

From ev’ry depth of good and ill 

The mystery which binds me still— 

From the torrent, or the fountain— 

From the reD cliff of the mountain— 

From the sun that ’round me roll’d 

In its autumn tint of gold— 

From the lightning in the sky 

As it paSs’d me flying by— 

From the thunder, and the storm— 

And the cloud that took the form 

(When the rest of Heaven was blue) 

Of a demon in my view—

Cast of Richard III

In order of appearance...

Daniel Adomian (King Henry VI, the Prince of Wales, Apothecary)is excited to be back on the stage in Richard III: Hour of the Tyrant.  Previously, he acted in the stage debut of Nineteen Years Later, as well as performances in Plaza Suite and Mystery at Twicknam Vicarage.  On screen, Daniel appeared in Brando Unauthorized and Between Two Minds.  He has also appeared in numerous short films, including the award-winning La Pieta.  He trained at the Los Angeles Acting Studio.

Jordan Graham (Lord Hastings) hails from North Carolina, where he graduated from UNC with a degree in film and performing arts. There he had a leading role on the longest-running student television show, General College, where Billy Crudup also made his start. In Los Angeles, he has performed in film, theater, and television – playing a wide variety of roles from the KIA hamster to Jimmy Stewart. Jordan is thrilled to portray Hastings in this wonderful Shakespeare production.

Thomas P Hanrahan (King Edward IV) has been blessed with a multi-professional life as a singer, actor, pediatric and geriatric physical therapist, flight instructor, lecturer, and spiritual care minister. But his passion through all that has been the theatre. Thomas returns to the stage after a family-hiatus. This performance is dedicated to Charlotte Patton, of blessed memory. Thomas is graced with a wife Mary Ann, two step-children Ryan and Kendra and two grandchildren Emme and Nolan!

Libby Letlow  (King Richard III) has been working as an actor and director in Los Angeles for the past 16 years. She’s been a part of several companies like the Ark Theatre Company, Effusion, Theatre Unleashed, and 2 Cent, and has been enjoying classes through the Antaeus Academy. Some of her Shakespeare credits include Lady Macbeth (Macbeth), Puck (A Midsummer Nights Dream), Lady Capulet (Romeo & Juliet), Portia (Julius Caesar), and Elizabeth (Richard the III) respectively. She is HONORED to be portraying the title role with Theatre Anon’s very first production and would like to thank David for his continued faith and trust. Libby would also like to give a HUGE thanks to Walt for his constant support and encouragement.

Claire Stephens  (The Duke of Clarence) is a creative writer and physical actor with a background in acrobatic arts. Recent roles she's cherished have included Shanon/Gollum (Breaking Convention), Tina/Mary (The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever), and Robot Bindy (Future Court). She is honored to render the dynamic Duke of Clarence for you tonight. ig: @veryclairely

London Murray (Deirdre) has a B.A. Theater, Occidental College (go tigers!). Stage: Icarus’ Mother (Fran), Machinal (Mother/Lover), Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato), A Little Night Music (Desiree Armfeldt), Measure for Measure (Mistress Overdone). One of the newest members of LA’s hottest and quietest mime troupe, The Quiet Kids. She’d like to thank her friends, her family, and most importantly, her knee surgeon. She hopes you enjoy the show! 

Ian Jesse Lasky (Tom) has been performing since a young age. He is the great-grandson of movie mogul and founder of Paramount, Jesse L. Lasky. He shocked his family when he decided to pursue acting instead of production.  Professional credits include the movie, Hail Ceasar (2016). Ian has been involved in many different stage productions as well. In some of his past productions, he was previously Rick Steadman, in The Nerd, Gooper in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Jonathan Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, Siward in Macbeth, Dromio in The Comedy of Errors, and Tranio in Taming of the Shrew. He would like thank his director, cast, and crew for this awesome opportunity of being involved in a unique production of Richard III.  He would also like to thank his wife for believing in him enough to resurrect his crazy dream of being an actor. When he is not on stage, or on camera, he is also an adjunct professor at Riverside City College. Ian’s future aspiration is to one day finally become the man he dreamed of being since he was a child: Captain James T. Hook in Peter Pan and a James Bond villain.

Paula K. Long (The Archbishop)  One day in Kindergarten many years ago, the teacher asked the children what they wanted to be when they grew up. All the other little girls said they wanted to be teachers, nurses or mommies; Paula said she wanted to be an actress. And, well, here she is! Paula has been seen in many theatre productions over the years, including as an ensemble member is Theatre West’s acclaimed production of The Women,  Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz, as well as many productions of Shakespeare’s plays including Othello (Ludovica), Coriolanus (Titus Lartius) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Fairy Peaseblossom), to name a few. Paula is pleased to be part of this show!

Lauren Simon (Cecily, Duchess of York) is excited to portray the Duchess of York. Philadelphia native and Wellesley College graduate, Lauren has appeared in over 40 stage, film and television productions in New York, New Orleans, New Jersey, and Israel. Some stage favorites include New Orleans Repertory, Electra, Little Murders, Marat/ Sade, Desdemona in Othello, and an L.A.-S.F.-NY tour. Some film work favorites: The Cheap Detective, Gumball Rally, Number One, Family Honor and working with Neil Simon, Raul Julia, Charlton Heston and Bruce Dern. A member of Hollywood film collective We Make Movies, Theatre Unleashed, and Hold For Plane Pictures, Lauren appears in web series Hollywood Vampire by 8 Aprons and as Doris in award-winning short Keep.  Lauren most recently appeared on stage at Studio C in Revocable Trust.

Danny Hackin (Lord Dorset) iis an actor, writer, poet, and improviser. He is an associate at the Actors Gang and a member of the improv team Felix, which performs at the Westside Comedy Theater. Danny is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College. At Sarah Lawrence he was in productions of Crazy Face written by Clive Barker and Not A Leg To Stand On by Lena Meruane. Danny has performed at theaters such as City Garage, Edgemar Center for the Arts and The Complex. He has performed with David Blue in a Dance Troupe called Troupe Zaghareet and is now being directed by David for the first time. Danny is grateful to be a part of Richard III and especially grateful to be doing it with David Blue and Theater Anon.

Ayako Karasawa (Queen Elizabeth) comes from Kyoto,Japan, where she studied the dramatic arts in a local company with contemporary playwrights. She joined in theaters in California studying in the UCSC, and performed classical and modern plays.  Beside acting, Ayako holds a black belt of Aikido, performed as a singer in a musical show, and is attracted by painting, writing, calligraphy, photography.  She met the director David MacDowell Blue in February and then worked in his company ‘Theater Anon’ on Shakespeare for Richard III.

Lamont Hendrix (Duke of Buckingham) is delighted to sharing the stage with this amazing cast. A humble actor from Indiana. LaMont would like to thank God, and the Duchess Virginia for their grace, blessings, and support. LaMont's last Shakespeare role was the title role and "he who shall not be named" in the Scottish play. He is a lover of musicals and recently played Joseph in the LA debut of the musical The Promise.

Georgan George (Queen Margaret) is excited to have another go at playing QM after her award-winning performance in RICHARD III as a member of Knightsbridge Theatre many years ago. More

recently, Georgan has been seen as Merryweather, the fairy in THE DRAGONKEEPERS (Force of Nature productions), Mrs Hardcastle in SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER (West Valley Playhouse), and Virginia Woolf in the world premier of Don Nigro’s WASTE LAND (Studio/Stage). Georgan has been seen in many short films and webseries and is also a trained mezzo-soprano. She has a Bachelor of Theatre degree in Acting from Willamette University.

Judith Foster Thompson (Tyrell) has worked in film, television, and theatre for over 40 years. Some of her favorite stage roles include Aunt Ev in The Miracle Worker, Prudence in Beyond Therapy, and Alice Ayers in Closer. Judith is known for her quick adaptability as a last minute fill in actor, “It’s feels like jumping on a fast moving train; exciting, terrifying, and I pray I won't die.” Judith graduates this June with a B.A. in Psychology and Environment from UCLA, and has performed with The Hooligan Theater Company. She is a native of the S.F. Bay Area, and currently resides in Studio City. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to play such a wonderfully clever character as Tyrell, and is grateful to this production, her family, and friends for their loving encouragement. Judith Foster Thompson can be booked for commercial, print and voice through Avant Artists, or directly at goodjujufilms@gmail.com for film, television, and theatre. 

Sahil Kauer (Lady Anne)is an actor, writer and director residing in Los Angeles. She graduated USC, in which she studied Acting and Communication/Journalism. Since graduating in 2016, Sahil has acted in several student and independent short films. Her most recent film Party of Two is screening in festivals around Los Angeles and successfully made it to Cannes Film Festival. Sahil made it a point last year to begin studying Shakespeare and is grateful for the opportunity to portray Lady Anne in her first Shakespeare production.

RIII.photos

All photos courtesy of Richard Michael Johnson

Crew of Richard III

David MacDowell Blue (Editor/Director) hails from San Francisco, born Sagittarius in the Year of the Boar (which as it happens is this year as well).  Got a theatre degree from the University of West Florida, then attended the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York.  His directing credits include Heartbreak House, The Public Eye, Dirty Linen, and numerous staged readings as well as several dance shows by Troupe Zaghareet.  Mostly he's known as a review of live theatre in Los Angeles via his blog, Night Tinted Glasses.  Richard III is his favorite Shakespeare play, and he thinks today is a particularly appropriate time to produce a show about tyranny.

George “Geo” Nikitas (Stage Manager) is a theater professional that hails from the bay area and has directed, choreographed, staged managed or performed in numerous productions up and down the west coast. Youth theater Directing/Choreography Credits: Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad, The Jungle Book, Charlotte’s Web for Theater in the Mountains, Aladdin and Treasure Island for Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse at the Morgan-Wixon Theater. Favorite theater projects include directing Jekyll and Hyde and Into The Woods for Sunnyvale Players and stage managing The 1940s Radio Hour for San Jose Musical Theater and the 50th Anniversary production of Hair the musical in San Francisco for Landmark Musicals to commemorate the Summer of Love. Cheers to this cast and David for this opportunity. Please continue contributing to the vitality of our community by supporting the arts.

Michaela Slezak (Combat Choreographer) is a lover of combat and is SAFD certified in Unarmed, Rapier and Dagger, and Broadsword stage fighting. She has choreographed combat for projects including ZJU’s original Western West Destiny and the Nightpantz sketch group’s Warriors-inspired piece Paint Night. She is also a lifelong actor, performing youth theatre in Phoenix before getting her BFA at AMDA and going on to act in venues including ZJU, Skylight Theatre, and Rogue Machine.

Omen Kaine (Producer) From childhood’s hour I have not been 

As others were—I have not seen 

As others saw—I could not bring 

My passions from a coMmon spring— 

From the same source I have not taken 

My sorrow—I could not awaken 

My heart to joy at the same tone— 

And all I lov’d—I lov’d alone— 

Then—in my childhood—in the dawn 

Of a most stormy life—was drAwn 

From ev’ry depth of good and ill 

The mystery which binds me still— 

From the torrent, or the fountain— 

From the reD cliff of the mountain— 

From the sun that ’round me roll’d 

In its autumn tint of gold— 

From the lightning in the sky 

As it paSs’d me flying by— 

From the thunder, and the storm— 

And the cloud that took the form 

(When the rest of Heaven was blue) 

Of a demon in my view—

Swag (kind of)

Mouse Pad

Just a few quick notes about the gifts offered for contributors to our GoFundMe Campaign.  We divide our contributors into groups, a la PBS and other, more established theatre companies.  So here is the breakdown, with our ever-so-slightly pretentious use of British noble titles:

KNIGHT ($5 minimum) Personal thanks in our program.
BARONET ($10 minimum) A copy of the program autographed by our cast! *
BARON ($20 minimum) A mouspad with the RIII logo. *
LORD ($30 minimum) A t-shirt with the RIII logo over the heart. *  Of course this comes in both male and female designs.
EARL ($40 minimum) A coffee mug with the RIII logo. *

DUKE ($50 minimum)  Two free tickets to any peformance (reservations strongly advised).  Simply call up the theatre to make said reservations.

T-shirt (female)

PRINCE ($100 minimum) A copy of the special edition printed copy of this specific script with over one dozen production photos included!  As has been said many times, this script is a radical edit, so this version of the play will not be available elsewhere. * 

 * Delivery date no later than June 2019 because we have a small staff and are very busy.

The reason we're doing this should surprise no one--these kinds of gifts statistically tend to increase the number of donations.  Boom.  Simple.  To be honest the money given in donations will not be used to pay for said gifts.  No, that will come out of our ticket sales, a way of saying "thank you" to those making the production possible.

T-shirt (male)

Of course if we were a big time theatre company, we'd be offering a custom-made chess set, with the colors red, white and black (harkening back to fascist symbolism) and probably with our own stylized theatrical masks that form part of our logo.  Yeah, that would be cool.  But we cannot afford it.  Sorry.

Maybe in ten years.  Let us cross fingers.

But that ties into our long-term goals.  Richard III: Hour of the Tyrant is our first full production, but hopefully not our last.  We have original plays in the works as well as other re-interpretations of the classics on the theatrical equivalent of our drawing boards. 

Coffee Mug

Next up will be a concert/reading of Masoch and DeSade, a work by Omen Kaine, which tells a story a la Edgar Allan Poe but set today and very much aimed at the issues and anxieties of our age rather than the early 1800s.  We are still drawing up plans for a production in 2020, depending on several factors. 

Watch this space for more information forthcoming!

Rehearsal Photos

Our stage manager has been doing more than taking notes.  He's been taking pictures on his phone!  These might capture a little bit of how much excitement we all feel for this project! 

 

 

Interview with RICHARD III Director/Dramaturg

A couple of months ago The Stage Door (a theatre podcast) interviewed David MacDowell Blue.  Among the subjects discussed was Richard III:  Hour of the Tyrant (now in rehearsals).


Here is the interview (26:56)