IT’S ONLY A PLAY
By Terrence McNally

Original Broadway Production Produced by Tom Kirdahy, Roy Furman and Ken Davenport

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Peter Austin
Frank Beaudry

Julia Budder
Gretchen Ziegler

Ira Drew
Jonathan Ross

Frank Finger
Chris Guertin

Virginia Noyes
Chrissy Flynn

James Wicker
Lou Champagne Guertin

Gus P. Head
Jordan Maia 

Executive Director
Jeffrey Dunn

Production Manager
Andrea Bingham

Technical Director
Ian Jones

Director
Cheyenne Walent

Stage Manager
Deb Cryan

Costume Designer
Lori Poulin

Assistant Stage Manager/Props
Cassie McKenna

Lighting Design
Lucas Peck 

Sound Board Operator
George LaChance

Production Crew
Lillian Jackson & Cassie McKenna

Sound Effects
Michael Gonsalves

Costume Assistants
Franziska Manuel
Hilda Wehrle 

Set Design
Lou Champagne Guertin
Chris Guertin

Set Painters
Anne Antes
Shanelle Dupre
Ian Jones
David Verdosci

Photographers
Aaron Westcott

Opera House Organist
Juan Cardona, Jr.

Tom Bate
Geoff Cryan
Phoenix Stage Company
The Warner Theater – Renee Purdy

Special acknowledgement to the cast, crew, & volunteers for donating their time towards all aspects of this theatrical production and anyone who jumped on board after this playbill went to print. 

Welcome!

“At rise…and if those aren’t the two most exciting words in the English language, I’d like to know what are” 

The thrill of the house going dark, the actors moving into place, the anticipation that fills a theater as all is in readiness–so that the play can begin! I am thrilled that you are joining us for the never-ending opening night party being thrown in celebration of Landmark Community Theatre’s production of It’s Only a Play! 

On the surface, It’s Only a Play tells us the tale of a Broadway opening night and the fabulously grandiose party that follows.  On the surface, Terrance McNally’s brilliant production introduces you to seven wildly distinct members of our theater-family who, when thrown together in the bedroom of a New York City penthouse, create over the top moments of hilarity all while raucous shenanigans ensue. But as you dig deeper beyond the not-so casual name dropping, theater references, and the unforgettably, deliciously malicious zingers; you find that this play is a celebration of the most beautiful thing about theater: the never-ending desire to create and be a part of something wonderful that matters and to have the chance to share that creation with an audience.

Behind this razor-toothed parody of all those “Broadway theater types”, you find a love letter to the theater.  A love letter to the stage from anyone and everyone who that same stage drives absolutely bonkers time and again. Einstein once said, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” He was obviously referencing those of us in the theater business when he uttered those famous words because that is EXACTLY what we do–yes, of course I am absolutely a part of that masochistic, nutso theater loving crew, and so are you.  Actors come together, diving head first into each new script, taking the words on a page and creating a brand-new world.  Directors and production teams come together, drawing the outlines of that new world as the actors help to color in the blank spaces with their words, actions, and emotions.  Audiences come together, anxiously waiting to see what world they’ll be transported to and (if everyone has done their job fairly well) hoping that the adventure will never come to an end.  And we all love it–but then, sadly, it does end.

But ya know what? We do it again.  No matter how bruised and battered the theater leaves us, we do it again.  It may be only a play to some people–but to the cast, the crew, the production team, the audience? It’s everything.  It’s the most important thing in the world.  And it always will be.

This production of It’s Only a Play would not have been possible without the support of my incredible production team: Deb Cryan, Cassie McKenna, Lucas Peck, Lori Poulin, Lou Guertin, Chris Guertin, Ian Jones, George LaChance, and Michael “Gonzo” Gonsalves.  I would also like to thank Jeff Dunn and Andrea Bingham for entrusting this show to me. To this hard-working, unparalleled cast–you have my heart, always.  Above all, community theater would not be the majestic safe haven it is without audiences like you.  So, thank you for joining us.  

Finally, I dedicate this production of It’s Only a Play to the one and only Phyllis C. Walent.  A woman who loved fiercely, was unabashedly herself at all times, and who showed me that family was more than blood–it was the ones who chose to love you each day even more fiercely than the day before.  For the light she brought to this world, the mints she passed out, and the legacy she left behind–this one’s for you, Phyllis.  

The house goes dark.  Cue lights.  And…curtain!

Mad love

Cheyenne Walent