Tag Archives: David R. Gordon

Empire Stage to Present Yasmina Reza’s ART April 29 – May 15, 2022

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

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“…This comedy crosses cultural barriers with such ease …a limber comic exercise
 in escalating tensions.” ~ Ben Brantley, The New York Times

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

April 6, 2022

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL:  How much would you pay for a white painting? Would it matter who the painter was? Would it be art? These are just some of the questions that are asked, but not necessarily answered in Yasmina Reza’s award-winning play, ART.  ART will open at Empire Stage on April 29th and run through May 15th.

ART is a fascinating, clever, and often comedic exploration of both art and friendship.  Serge, one of a trio of three long-time friends indulges his penchant for modern art and buys a large, expensive, completely white painting. His friend Marc is horrified, and their relationship suffers considerable strain as a result of their differing opinions about what constitutes “art”. The third member of the trio, Yvan, caught in the middle of the conflict, tries to please and mollify both of them.  As their discussions move from the theoretical to the personal, the three friends are forced to ask questions not only about the nature of art, but about the nature of friendship.

Amir Darvish

“I have been wanting to direct and work on ART for several years”, says the show’s director, Amir Darvish. “To me, productions that really resonate are those that delve deep into relationships and how those bonds are tested. I want to make audiences think and laugh at the same time. How a simple event can mean so many things to different people and the viewing audience.  What can we tolerate? When do we speak up? Who are our friends?”

Empire Stage Executive Producer David R. Gordon agrees wholeheartedly. “I am very excited to be working with Amir Darvish on this project.  ART is not the type of play we typically do here at Empire Stage, and I am very curious to see how many of our regular patrons show up to see it.”

Darvish has cast Dean Nigro as Yvan, Ben Prayz as Serge, and David R. Gordon as Marc.  Gordon recently garnered excellent reviews in Pigs Do Fly Productions’ 2 Across.

David R. Gordon, Dean Nigro, Ben Prayz

Yasmina Reza’s ART premiered in 1994 at Comédie des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The play, translated by Christopher Hampton, subsequently ran in London in 1996 and on Broadway in 1998 and garnered numerous awards during all three runs, including the Molière Award for Best Commercial Production, the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, the New York Drama Critics’ Circle for Best Play, and the Tony Award for Best Play.  ART has been produced in 30 countries and translated from the original French into 45 languages.

Brian Bloomer will serve as ART’s Stage Manager, Preston Bircher is the show’s Lighting Designer, Dean Landhuis is the Set Designer, and David Hart is the show’s Sound Designer.

Tickets for ART are $35 and are available online at www.empirestage.com or by calling 954-678-1496.  Performances are on Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, and on Sunday at 5 pm. All performances will take place Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

For more information about Empire Stage please visit www.empirestage.com.   To arrange for interviews or for photos, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~

ART
April 29 – May 15, 2022By Yasmina Reza
Translated by Christopher Hampton
Directed by Amir Darvish
Tickets: $35
For tickets:
www.empirestage.com / 954-678-1496
Performances:
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
All performances take place at 
Empire Stage
1140 N. Flagler Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

  • Amir Darvish
  • Ben Prayz
  • Dean Nigro
  • David R. Gordon
  • David R. Gordon, Dean NIgro, Ben Prayz
  • Dean Nigro, David R. Gordon, Ben Prayz

Pigs Do Fly Productions presents 2 ACROSS March 4 – 20, 2022

03 Thursday Feb 2022

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Pigs Do Fly Productions
presents

March 4 – 20, 2022

“A charming, character driven comedy” ~ Los Angeles Times” 

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

February 3, 2022

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL:   Rehearsals will begin shortly for 2 Across, Pigs Do Fly Productions’ upcoming ‘reprise’ production of Jerry Mayer’s ‘comedy of crosswords and romance’. The show will run from March 4th through March 20th at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.

2 Across finds two strangers, a man and a woman, on board a San Francisco BART train at 4:30 a.m. Alone in the car, the only thing they have in common is that they are both doing the New York Times crossword puzzle.  Soon the puzzles they unravel are more intriguing than any crossword puzzle could ever be.

Ellen Wacher

“2 Across was extremely successful when we presented it in 2019, and I am often asked not if, but when we will be bringing it back,” says Pigs Do Fly Productions’ founder and Executive Producer Ellen Wacher. “Presenting it again is an exciting prospect – it’s a delightful two-person comedy that totally meets with our company’s mission – to show people over the age of 50 who are interesting and active and real. I was captivated by these characters’ development, and I believe our audiences will be too.”

Deboralih Kondelik

Deborah Kondelik, who directed 2 Across in 2019 and helmed Pigs Do Fly’s recent successful production of Helen on Wheels is looking forward to revisiting these characters: “It has been said that opposites attract,” Kondelik said recently.  “Whether or not that rings true remains to be seen in Jerry Mayer’s hilarious yet poignant romantic comedy.  One thing that is guaranteed though, is a delightful very early morning romp by two strangers on San Francisco’s BART train.  The tie that binds is that both of them are hard at work on the Saturday New York Times crossword puzzle.  Although they tackle the puzzle with very different approaches, they soon discover commonalities that cannot be ignored.”

Michele Verdi and David R. Gordon will star in 2 Across, and both are excited at the prospect of exploring their diametrically opposite characters: Verdi’s Janet is a responsible, honest, rule-abiding psychologist, and Gordon’s Josh is part-free spirit, part executive, part dreamer, and part Peter Pan.

Playwright Jerry Mayer has written scripts for All in the Family, M*A*S*H*, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and the Bob Newhart Show (where he served as story editor).  His first play, Almost Perfect ran for a year and a half at the Santa Monica Playhouse.  Other plays include the musical You Haven’t Changed a Bit, and Other Lies and Dietrich and Chevalier, The Musical.  

Tickets for 2 Across are $39 and are available online at www.pigsdoflyproductions.com  or by calling 954-678-1496.  Performances are on Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, and on Sunday at 5 pm. All performances will take place Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

This press release along with actor head shots can be viewed online at:  TBA

For more information about Pigs Do Fly Productions, please visit www.pigsdoflyproductions.com.   For more information about Ellen Wacher, please visit www.ellenwacher.com.  To arrange for interviews, or for photos, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~*~

2 Across
By Jerry Mayer
March 4 – 20, 2022
Directed by Deborah Kondelik
Performances:
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
Tickets:  $39
For tickets:  www.pigsdoflyproductions.com / 954-678-1496
All performances will take place at
Empire Stage
1140 N. Flagler Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
www.pigsdoflyproductions.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PigsDoFlyProductions/

  • Deborah Kondelik
  • Ellen Wacher
  • Jerry Mayer
  • Michele Verdi
  • David R. Gordon & Michele Verdi
  • Joseph Long, Deborah Kondelik, Michele Verdi, David r. Gordon, Ellen Wacher

Romance, Comedy & Crosswords! Pigs Do Fly Productions Presents 2 ACROSS – March 7 – 24

12 Tuesday Feb 2019

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Pigs Do Fly Productions
presents
2 Across

March 7 – 24

“A charming, character driven comedy” ~ Los Angeles Times”

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

February 12, 2019

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL:   Rehearsals have begun for 2 Across, Pigs Do Fly Productions’ upcoming production of Jerry Mayer’s ‘comedy of crosswords and romance’. The show will run from March 7th through March 24th at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.

2 Across finds two strangers, a man and a woman, on board a San Francisco BART train at 4:30 a.m. Alone in the car, the only thing they have in common is that they are both doing the New York Times crossword puzzle.  Soon the puzzles they unravel are more intriguing than any crossword puzzle could ever be.

Ellen Wacher

“This is our first play that focuses on a relationship between two people,” says Pigs Do Fly Productions’ founder and Executive Producer Ellen Wacher. “It also totally meets with our company’s mission – to show people over the age of 50 living interesting and active and real lives. I was captivated by these characters’ development, and I believe our audience will be too.”

Deborah Kondelik

Deborah Kondelik, who starred in both of Pigs Do Fly’s recent successful productions of The Ladies Foursome, will direct 2 Across: “It has been said that opposites attract,” Kondelik said recently.  “Whether or not that rings true remains to be seen in Jerry Mayer’s hilarious yet poignant, romantic comedy.  One thing that is guaranteed though, is a delightful very early morning romp by two strangers on San Francisco’s BART train.  The tie that binds is that both of them are hard at work on the Saturday New York Times crossword puzzle.  Although they tackle the puzzle with very different approaches, they soon discover commonalities that cannot be ignored. The stumbling block is that both are married . . . to someone else.”

Barbara Sloan and David R. Gordon will star in 2 Across, and both are excited at the prospect of exploring their diametrically opposite characters: Sloan’s Janet is a responsible, honest, rule-abiding psychologist, and Gordon’s Josh is part-free spirit, part executive, part dreamer, and part Peter Pan.

Playwright Jerry Mayer has written scripts for All in the Family, M*A*S*H*, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and the Bob Newhart Show (where he served as story editor).  His first play, Almost Perfect ran for a year and a half at the Santa Monica Playhouse.  Other plays include the musical You Haven’t Changed a Bit, and Other Lies and Dietrich and Chevalier, The Musical.

Tickets for 2 Across are $39 and are available on line at www.pigsdoflyproductions.com  or by calling 866-811-4111.  Performances are on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 pm, and on Sunday at 5 pm. All performances will take place at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

For more information about Pigs Do Fly Productions, please visit www.pigsdoflyproductions.com.   For more information about Ellen Wacher, please visit www.ellenwacher.com.  To arrange for interviews, or for photos, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~*~

2 Across
By Jerry Mayer
Directed by Deborah Kondelik
March 7 – 24
Performances:
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
Tickets:  $39
For tickets:  www.pigsdoflyproductions.com / 866-811-4111
All performances will take place at
Empire Stage
1140 N. Flagler Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
www.pigsdoflyproductions.com
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BOTH SIDES OF A FAMOUS LOVE AFFAIR – THE JACKIE MASON MUSICAL – At Empire Stage – January 7 – 24, 2016

08 Tuesday Dec 2015

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Triton Talent
presents
LOGO DaveBoth Sides of a Famous Love Affair –
The Jackie Mason Musical
January 7 – 24, 2016

“….an astonishing show that was touching, yet hilarious. I would recommend
it to anyone who wants a good laugh, terrific musical numbers,
and an entertaining show!  Rating: 5 Stars”
Daniel Yusum – The Examiner

December 9, 2015
LAUDERDALE, FL: In 1988 in Florida’s Dade County, Ginger Reiter sued comedian Jackie Mason for paternity, claiming he was the father of her daughter Sheba. She won. Reiter went on to become a high school English teacher in South Florida, and raised her daughter on her own (Mason did pay child support until Sheba turned 18). But she also had a story to tell, and a unique one at that.   Both Sides of a Famous Love Affair – The Jackie Mason Musical is Reiter’s light-hearted, laughter-filled musical recounting of her relationship with Mason, starring the result of that much contested union – her daughter Sheba Mason.

Both Sides of a Famous Love Affair: The Jackie Mason Musical will run at Empire Stage in Ft. Lauderdale from January 7th through January 24th. The production had an extremely successful three year run Off Broadway.

Reiter’s tale begins at The Rascal House Deli on Miami’s Collins Avenue in 1977, where Mason – a renowned 46 year old comedian (David R. Gordon), spots a pretty young college girl, Ginger (Sheba Mason). Along for the ride is her overbearing mother, Mrs. Olivier (Meredith Cariski), who engineers the entire affair – even down to a black negligee. Romance does bloom, and Mason woos Ginger each time he visits South Florida. The problem is that Jackie is pursuing several other women at the same time, including a ravishing young Latina waitress Trixie (Cristina Blanco) and Rosa (Vicki Klein), a senior citizen waitress with attitude. Ginger becomes pregnant, Jackie denies his paternity, and a complicated relationship ensues.

The musical’s original score, written by Ginger Reiter, the woman in the eye of this comedic storm includes “Ode to the Early Bird Special” and “I Never Met This Yenta. The seven member cast also includes New York actor Charles Baran as Wooley the Schlepalong, Joseph Long as Nelson Zee ‘the Enraged Fan’, and Elaine Budnick as Sophie. Musical direction will be by Kelley Olson, and Reiter, who also wrote the script, will direct the production.

Sheba Mason

Sheba Mason

Sheba Mason’s first stage role at the age of two was as a prop in one of her mother’s plays. Raised in Boca Raton, she is a stand-up comic. Her home base is in the New York comedy clubs, including The Broadway Comedy Club, The New York Comedy Club, and The Comic Strip; she also appears throughout the country, including Las Vegas and California. Sheba is often a guest on the Artie Lang Show, and recently starred in a Rearview Films web series debuting in March 2016 called “Non-Disclosure”. Sheba has been performing as her mother Ginger in the Off Broadway version of The Jackie Mason Musical since 2013.

Ginger Reiter

Ginger Reiter

Ginger Reiter is a former Wellington High School English teacher who quit teaching to focus full-time on managing the musicals and comedies she writes. Other plays include 700 Wives The Musical – Solomon’s Saga (Off Off Broadway), and Mel Schwartz Sleeps with Mae West, which will open in New York in 2016. She performs a one-woman show “Schtick with The Matriarchs” throughout the Florida Condo Circuit and is married to Manny Silver – the world’s only Cantor/Celebrity-Impressionist.  She claims that Jackie Mason was more than a love – he was “an experience and an education” – and riotously funny off stage.

Tickets for Both Sides Of A Famous Love Affair – The Jackie Mason Musical are $39.99 and are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.thejackiemasonmusical.com or by phone at 866-811-4111.

For more information about Both Sides Of A Famous Love Affair – The Jackie Mason Musical visit www.thejackiemasonmusical.com; to arrange to speak with anyone involved in the production or for further information, contact Carol Kassie at ckasssie@gmail.com/561-445-9244.
Photographs and graphics available on request.

Both Sides Of A Famous Love Affair – The Jackie Mason Musical
By Ginger Reiter
January 7 – 24, 2016
Tickets: $39.99 (Use discount code EBLAST to purchase tickets at $24.50)
Performances:
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
For tickets:  866-811-4111
To purchase tickets on line: http://tinyurl.com/q3slnxk
All performances will take place at
Empire Stage
1140 N. Flagler Drive
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304

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