May 2014
AN APPEAL TO THE WOMAN OF THE HOUSE
by Christie Perfetti Williams
Directed by DeLisa White
at the Workshop Theatre Mainstage
312 W. 36th Street, 4th Floor, New York City
Set Designer: Ron Naverson
Costume Designer: Jeanette Aultz
Lighting Designer: Scot Gianelli
Sound Designer: Robert Pompa
Properties Designer: Sara Slagle
Dramaturg: Dillon Slagle
Dialect Coach: Charley Layton
Associate Producer: Ricardo Rust
Stage Manager: Monica Daniels
Press Representative: Alton PR and Production
Photographer: Connolly Photo NYC
Featuring:
James Armstrong*, Heather E. Cunningham*, Shaun Bennet Fauntleroy, John Graham, Laura Killeen, Daryl Lathon*, Elise Rovinsky, Ben Schnickel and Ric Sechrest*
*Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.
"The cast, under the direction of DeLisa White, play their roles well, with heart, conviction, and respect for the story they are telling. The design work is phenomenal... All in all, this is a wonderfully heartfelt play from a very talented group of people." - Quick Theatre
"Playwright Christie Perfetti Williams keeps the action within the Walkers’ tidy and modest living room, and she depicts the marriage between Gideon and Rose as a genuine partnership unlimited by gender lines. Directed by DeLisa White, Sechrest and Cunningham deliver graceful performances that are quietly powerful... One of the two standouts is [John Graham as] Russell Calvert… Graham never once bows his head or changes his tone of voice, thereby amplifying the one note of his character into a chilling presence. As the opposite of Russell, Claire Tyson (Shaun Bennet Fauntleroy) also delights. .. Fauntleroy plays Claire with believable maturity – without the brio many other young actors today can’t shed." - Stage Buddy
“If there is a heart and soul of this play, it is Heather Cunningham as Rose Walker. She is, after all, the woman of the house. Cunningham’s portrayal of Rose is appropriately motherly yet Rose is also very much a woman to be reckoned with. Cunningham’s Rose has been worn down by a difficult and dull life, but she has not completely lost the spark that drives her onwards. Cunningham was an inspired choice for this role and has great emotional breadth. Another actor who leaves an indelible impression, even in his silence, is Daryl Lathon, who portrays Freedom Rider David. Lathon has a strong stage presence and conveys emotion incredibly well with subtle expressions and mannerisms. Even in his silence, he appears to have a purpose on stage, which is a respectable achievement.” – Theresa Perkins, My Entertainment World
"Retro Productions excels yet again with this play, only their second production of new work... This is a beautiful story, eerily brought to life by director DeLisa White… Ron Naverson’s set is indeed a Home Sweet Home, tastefully showing us the good old days on the verge of change. Jeanette Aultz’s costumes are very much of the time, too, especially the ties and hats." – Ed Malin, nytheaternow.com
NOMINATED FOR THREE NEW YORK INNOVATIVE THEATRE AWARDS: Outstanding Production of a Premiere, Outstanding Full Length Script - Christie Perfetti Williams, and WINNER Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role - Heather E. Cunningham
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