FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Pigs Do Fly Productions will present Better Late,Larry Gelbart’s (M.A.S.H.) ‘breezy entertainment on serious themes’ (Variety) at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale from November 7 – 30.
A bitingly funny December-December-December romantic triangle, Better Late focuses on former actress Nora, her not-always-faithful husband of 25 years, Lee, and her ex-husband Julian, who needs a place to stay while recovering from a recent illness. Once Julian moves in, the question becomes: how long will Julian have to remain with them? Gelbart’s clever script is filled with one-liners and sharp repartee, yet “explores love, divorce, aging and death with a mature sensibility and in a decidedly comedic tone.” (Variety)
“We are now into our ninth year of operations,” says Pigs Do Fly Productions’ Founder and Executive Producer Ellen Wacher. “When we started, we weren’t sure how our concept of focusing on characters (and employing actors!) over a ‘certain age’ who are living real and interesting lives would resonate with audiences. But we have found that people want good theatre, no matter what their age or demographic – our full houses reflect that.
“It has sometimes been a challenge to find plays that fit our mission,” she continues, “But with both Better Late, and our upcoming March 2026 production, Bonnie and Claire, we know we have chosen pieces that will provide great theatre and fit that mission perfectly!”
“Two husbands. One wife. Under one roof. What could possibly go wrong?” says Better Late director Deborah Kondelik. Gelbart has given us a story that’s funny, sharp, and surprisingly tender. It reminds us that love is never simple. We can love more than one person in different ways, and the past doesn’t always stay neatly in the past.
“Love is rarely tidy,” she continues. “It’s layered with jealousy, guilt, old affections, and unexpected loyalties. But in the end, forgiveness – sometimes grudging, sometimes hard-won- emerges as the saving grace.”
Kondelik has cast Carbonell Award-winner (and current 2024 nominee) Patti Gardner as Nora, Geoff Freitag as Lee, Peter W. Galman as Julian, and Chad Raven as Lee’s son Billy.
The Stage Manager for Better Late is Patrick Vida. Dean Landhuis is the show’s Scenic Designer, David Hart will do the Sound Design, and Preston Bircher will create the Lighting Design and serve as Technical Director. Director Kondelik will serve as both production’s the Costume Coordinator and Property Designer, and MNM Theatre Company will build the sets. Jessica Kaschube is the Company Manager, and Luis Roberto Herrera will handle the Box Office.
Tickets for Better Late are $45 and are available online at www.pigsdoflyproductions.com or by calling 954-678-1496. Performances are on Fridays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays 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. To arrange for interviews, or for photos, or for requests to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244. For more information about Ellen Wacher, please visit www.ellenwacher.com.
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Better Late By Larry Gelbart November 7 – 30 Directed by Deborah Kondelik Tickets: $45 Tickets: www.pigsdoflyproductions.com Or call 954-678-1496 Performances: Friday at 8 pm Saturday & Sunday at 5 pm All performances will take place at Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(Click on each image to enlarge it, then right click on the enlarged image and ‘save image as’ or ‘copy image’)
Photo credit: Deborah Kondelik
Geoff Freitag, Patti GardnerPatti Garnder, Chad RavenPatti Gardner, Chad RavenPatti Gardner, Geoff FreitagPatti GardnerPatti Gardner, Geoff FreitagGeoff Freitag, Patti Gardner, Chad RavenPeter W. Galman, Patti GardnerPatti Gardner, Peter W. GalmanPeter W. Galman Patti GardnerPeter W. Galman
Better Late – Cast, etc.
Peter W. GalmanPatti GardnerGeoff FreitagChad RavenEllen WacherDeborah KondelikLarry Gelbart
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Upstage Productions, the brand-new theatre company founded by Actress, Auctioneer, and Business Woman Janice Hamilton, will debut at Empire Stage on October 10th with Ira Levin’s classic comedy-thriller Deathtrap.
Hamilton and director Deborah (DK) Kondelik have assembled a talented cast to take on Levin’s twist-filled comical suspense ride which focuses on Sidney Bruhl, a previously successful playwright who will stop at nothing to regain his status.
Larry Buzzeo will take on the role of Sidney Bruhl, and Om Jae will play Clifford Anderson, the student Bruhl lures to his home with promises of help with his own play. Also cast are Michele Verdi as Bruhl’s wife Myra, Betsy Bittar as the psychic Helga Ten Dorp, and Matthew Pyle as attorney Porter Milgrim.
“Our vision at Upstage Productions is simple yet ambitious,” Hamilton says. “To bring audiences a wide variety of stories – dramas, comedies, musicals, revues, mysteries, and classics – that both resonate deeply and entertain joyfully.
“With Deathtrap, we begin that journey in the perfect way: a play that blends wit, suspense, and surprise, reminding us of the enduring power of live theatre to captivate and connect. But this is only the beginning. In the near future, we look forward to offering theatre classes for teens and adults, creating opportunities for growth, expression, and community engagement.”
“What makes a thriller so irresistible?” Director Kondelik asks. “Perhaps it’s the delicious tension of not knowing what’s around the corner – or the guilty pleasure of being one step ahead of the characters on stage.
“As a director, what excites me most about thrillers is the shared experience they create. Suspense is never a solitary emotion – an audience gasps together, laughs nervously together, even holds its collective breath together. That communal heartbeat is why these stories endure, why we return to them, and why Deathtrap remains one of the greatest examples of theatrical thrills.”
Deathtrap will run at Empire Stage from October 10th through November 2nd. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at https://upstageproductions.net or by calling 954-264-1461.
For more information about Upstage Productions, or Deathtrap, to speak with Janice Hamilton, or to arrange to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
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Deathtrap By Ira Levin October 10 – November 2 Directed by Deborah Kondelik Tickets: $40 For tickets: https://upstageproductions.net Phone: 954-264-1461 Performances: Friday & Saturday at 8 pm Sunday at 5 pm All performances will take place at Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(Click on each image to enlarge it, then right click on the enlarged image and ‘save image as’ or ‘copy image’)
Photos by Amy Pasquantonio:
Om Jae & Larry BuzzeoBetsy BittarLarry BuzzeoOm JaeLarry BuzzeoLarry Buzzeo & Michele VerdiMIchele Verdi & Larry BuzzeoLarry BuzzeoOm Jae, Matthew Pyle, Larry BuzzeoBetsy Bittar & Michele VerdiOm Jae & Larry BuzzeoBetsy Bittar & Matthew Pyle
Photos by David Bishop:
The Cast of DeathtrapMIchele VerdiBetsy BittarOm JaeMatthew PyleMichele Verdi, Betsy Bittar, Larry BuzzeoLarry BuzzeoOm JaeMichele VerdiBetsy BittarMatthew PyleJanice HamiltonDeborah Kondelik
Below is a list of the theatre productions currently scheduled for the 2025-2026 season.
Tickets are on sale now for all these productions.
Please note that this list and these productions are subject to change, and that there will possibly be additions and rescheduling as time goes by! Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need more information about any of these theatre companies and/or shows.
2025-2026 THEATRE PRODUCTION SCHEDULES for Entr’Acte Theatrix Upstage Productions Pigs Do Fly Productions Hy Juter Presents Off Glades Theater Company Thinking Cap Theatre My Son the Waiter
ENTR’ACTE THEATRIX The Rocky Horror Show By Richard O’Brien October 10 – 26 The Rocky Horror Show is an outrageous assemblage of – and humorous tribute to – the most stereotypical science fiction and horror movies, Marvel comics, Frankie Avalon/Annette Funicello outings and rock ‘n’ roll of every vintage. The play (upon which the classic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show is based) has grown from an experimental production originally produced in a small London theatre in June 1973, to a cult phenomenon with fans world-wide. The quintessential audience participation show, the musical tells the story of a newly engaged couple who, when caught in a storm, find refuge in the home of a decidedly unusual scientist who is madly working towards unveiling his latest and greatest creation. Tickets: $50 Premium seating $35 Standard seating $25 Value seating For tickets: https://linktr.ee/entractetheatrix Phone: 561-386-0045 Performances: Fridays & Saturdays at 7 pm Saturdays at 11 pm Sundays at 7 pm All performances will take place at The Cast Theatre (formerly Standing Ovations) 7429 Military Trail Lake Worth, Florida, 33463
UPSTAGE PRODUCTIONS Deathtrap By Ira Levin October 10 – November 2 In Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, Sidney Bruhl, a writer of thrillers whose recent offerings have been flops, is prepared to go to any length and use any devious machinations to improve his fortunes. Deathtrap is an ingeniously constructed play that offers a rare and skillful blend of gasp-producing thrills and raucous laughter. It provides twists and turns and sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be spellbound until the very last moment. Directed by Deborah Kondelik Tickets: $40 For tickets: https://upstageproductions.net Phone: 954-264-1461 Performances: Friday & Saturday at 8 pm Sunday at 5 pm All performances will take place at Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
THINKING CAP THEATRE Lizzie, The Musical Music and Lyrics by Steven Cheslik-deMeyer Lyrics, Book, and Additional Music by Tim Maner Music and Additional Lyrics by Alan Stevens Hewitt October 18 – November 1 In October 2025, just in time for Halloween season, TCT will present Lizzie, The Musical, a provocative and pulsating musical exploration of the legendary 1892 trial of Lizzie Borden, who was accused (and ultimately acquitted) of brutally murdering her parents with an axe. Lizzie, The Musical offers up a delicious blend of history and anachronism in its exploration of Lizzie’s oppressive upbringing, troubled relationship with her father, and unapologetic defiance of Victorian norms and courtroom accusations. Fueled by a searing rock score, raw emotion, and dark humor, Lizzie, The Musical is a blistering portrait of one of America’s most infamous figures. Directed by Nicole Stodard Tickets: $45 (plus service charges) For Tickets: https://thinkingcaptheatre.org or Phone: 310-500-6448 Performances: Saturday, October 18 at 8 pm Sunday, October 19 at 6 pm Wednesday, October 22 at 7 pm Saturday, October 25 at 3 pm Sunday, October 26 at 6 pm Wednesday, October 29 at 7 pm Friday, October 31 at 8 pm Saturday, November 1 at 8 pm All performances will take place at The Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center 1770 Monroe Street, Hollywood, FL 33020
Cymbeline By William Shakespeare December 5 – 14 In December 2025, TCT will present Cymbeline, which scholars affectionately refer to as Shakespeare’s “kitchen sink” play because of its wildly diverse stylistic elements, from history and romance to tragedy and comedy. Peter Wayne Galman, a veteran actor of TV, film, and the stage as well as the Founding Artistic Director South Florida Shakespeare Troupe, will play the title role. Never liked Shakespeare? Never seen Shakespeare performed live? This anarchic and presciently modern work by the Bard is a great place to start (again). There will be a ‘Talk Back’ after the 6 pm (closing) performance on Sunday, December 14th. Directed by Nicole Stodard Tickets: $45 (plus service charges) For Tickets: https://thinkingcaptheatre.org or Phone: 310-500-6448 Performances: Friday, December 5 at 7 pm Saturday, December 6 at 7 pm Sunday, December 7 at 6 pm Wednesday, December 10 at 7 pm Saturday, December 13 at 7 pm Sunday, December 14 at 7 pm All performances will take place at The Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center 1770 Monroe Street, Hollywood, FL 33020
PIGS DO FLY PRODUCTIONS Better Late By Larry Gelbart & Craig Wright November 7 – 30 Reluctant roommates: Julian is forced to move in with his ex-wife Nora and her new husband, composer Lee Baer, in order to recuperate from a sudden illness. With each passing day, the awkward situation spirals further and further out of control. As the laughter builds, the question becomes: how long will Julian have to stay? This bitingly funny December-December-December romance is a breezy entertainment with serious themes as it “explores love, divorce, aging, and death with a mature sensibility and a decidedly comedic tone.” (Variety) Directed by Deborah Kondelik Tickets: $45 For tickets: https://pigsdoflyproductions.com Phone: 954-678-1496 Performances: Friday at 8 pm Saturday & Sunday at 5 pm All performances will take place at Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Bonnie and Claire By Bo Wilson March 13 – April 5, 2026 Bo Wilson’s play tells the story of two estranged sisters now living together 45 years after Claire left home as a teenager to pursue an acting career while leaving Bonnie behind to take care of their parents. With the assistance of their niece, the sisters try to reconcile their differences while dealing with their own issues. Bonnie and Claire is a gentle and humorous journey through the pitfalls of aging, agency, and admitting when we need someone. Directed by Deborah Kondelik Tickets: $45 For tickets: https://pigsdoflyproductions.com Phone: 954-678-1496 Performances: Friday at 8 pm Saturday & Sunday at 5 pm All performances will take place at Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
HY JUTER PRESENTS To Life 6 – Stories & Music Celebrating the Contributions of Jewish Composers, Artists, & Comedians to Broadway & Hollywood. Written, directed, and hosted by Shari Upbin. Musical direction by Aidan Quintana January 16 – February 8, 2026 The popular series returns to the Willow Theatre with more stories and music celebrating the contributions of Jewish composers and artists to Broadway and the great Hollywood musicals. Featuring amusing anecdotes, fascinating facts, and stunning performances honoring the composers and entertainers such as Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, Stephen Sondheim, Mel Brooks, Barbra Streisand, and many more. Featuring Shelley Keelor, Shane Tanner, Kate Delaney, and Bruno Faria. Tickets: $46 ($42 Group Rate – 6 or more tickets purchased in a single transaction) For tickets & Information: https://www.myboca.us/2647/To-Life-6 Phone: 567-347-3948 Performance days and times: Friday and Saturday at 7 pm Saturday and Sunday at 1 pmAll performances will take place at The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park 300 S. Military Trail Boca Raton, FL 33486
OFF GLADES THEATER COMPANY [title of show] Music and Lyrics by Jeff Bowen Book by Hunter Bell February 13 – March 1, 2026 Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers, hear about a new musical theatre festival. However, the deadline for submissions is a mere three weeks away. With nothing to lose, the pair decides to try to create something new with the help of their friends Susan, Heidi and Larry on the eighty-eights. With the cast in place, Jeff and Hunter begin a conversation about what to write about. Eventually, Jeff suggests they write about what to write about. They make a pact to write up until the festival’s deadline and dream about the show changing their lives. [title of show] — taken from the space on the festival’s application form which asks for the “[title of show]”. Directed by Jodie Langel Tickets: $35 Group rates available For tickets & Information: https://www.myboca.us/2648/Title-of-Show 561-347-3948 Performance days and times: Friday and Saturday at 7 pm Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm All performances will take place at The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park 300 S. Military Trail Boca Raton, FL 33486
MY SON THE WAITER: A Jewish Tragedy & STILL Not Famous My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy& STILL Not Famous is the continuation of the story of comedian/actor/raconteur Brad Zimmerman’s struggle to fulfill his dream and ‘make it’ as a comedic actor in New York. One-part standup, one-part theatrical, and all parts uproarious, Zimmerman celebrates his 10th year on the road (with his original show, My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy) with this brand-new production – once again detailing his search for success in show business and “the parents who suffered through it”.
My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy By Brad Zimmerman December 6 & 7 Tickets: $45-$65 Phone: 1-561-586-6410 Online: https://www.mysonthewaiter.com Group Rates (12 +): 1–888-264-1788 Showtimes: Saturday at 2 pm & 7:30 pm Sunday at 2 pm The Lake Worth Playhouse 713 Lake Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33460
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Janice Hamilton – Actress, Singer, Auctioneer, and Business Woman, will add Producer to her resume when Upstage Productions – her brand-new theatre company – debuts with Ira Levin’s Deathtrap at Empire Stage this fall. The show will run from October 10th through November 2ndat the popular Fort Lauderdale venue.
Ira Levin’s (Rosemary’s Baby) Deathtrap is an ingeniously constructed play that offers a rare and skillful blend of gasp-producing thrills and raucous laughter. It provides twists and turns and sudden shocks in abundance as it follows the machinations of Sidney Bruhl, a writer of thrillers, whose recent offerings have been flops, and who is prepared to go to any lengths and use any devious means to improve his fortunes.
Janice Hamilton, through her company Hamilton Fundraising Auctions, has raised millions of dollars for hundreds of not-for-profit organizations and causes over the past thirty years. She also has an impressive film, television, and theatrical resume and has been featured in numerous productions throughout South Florida. Some of her credits include City of Angels and Crazy for You (Jupiter Theatre); RX and Gingerbread Lady (Boca Stage); The Savannah Sipping Society, Morning After Grace, The Long Weekend (Pigs Do Fly Productions), Don’t Dress for Dinner (Caldwell Theatre); Hotel on Marvin Gardens (Actor’s Playhouse); Mystery of Love & Sex (Primal Forces); Anton in Show Business (Red Barn Theatre); Dames at Sea (Shores Performing Arts); and Menopause, theMusical (G-Four Productions). She toured the US in the award-winning comedy Viagra Falls opposite Harold Gould and appeared Off-Broadway in The Dutchman and Be Happy ForMe. Her television and film credits include As the World Turns, Miami Sands, Boynton Beach Club, LostEverything, Life’s a Drag, and Just My Type, and the Hallmark film A Royal Makeover, which was recently released on Amazon Prime.
“I chose Deathtrap as our opening production because I adore the murder-mystery genre and thought the timing was perfect in conjunction with Halloween”, Hamilton says. “Plus, Deathtrap is a comedy and pure escapism, something I believe is we all need in the present social climate.”
Deathtrap will be directed by Hamilton’s long-time collaborator DK Kondelik, who has also agreed to act as prop master and set dresser for the production.
Kondelik shares Upstage Productions’ artistic philosophy: “Whether on stage or in the classroom, we strive for artistic excellence that entertains, challenges, and inspires. Our mission is to celebrate the joy of live performance while elevating voices and provoking meaningful dialogue,” she says.
Deathtrap will run at Empire Stage from October 10th through November 2nd. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at upstageproductions.net or by calling 954-264-1461.
For more information about Upstage Productions, or Deathtrap, to speak with Janice Hamilton, or to arrange to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
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Deathtrap By Ira Levin October 10 – November 2 Directed by Deborah Kondelik Tickets: $40 For tickets: upstageproductions.net Phone: 954-264-1461 Performances: Friday & Saturday at 8 pm Sunday at 5 pm All performances will take place at Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Pigs Do Fly Productions will present Painting Churches,Tina Howe’s moving and hilarious portrait of a family of artists falling apart and coming together at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale from April 11th through May 4th. Painting Churches was a finalist for the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Gardner Church (a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet), and his wife, Fanny (a flamboyant aesthete) are aging Bostonian bluebloods in the process of moving out of their Beacon Hill home into their summer cottage on Cape Cod due to the shambles their lives have become. They have invited their daughter, Mags, who is on the verge of artistic celebrity as a portrait painter, to come and help them with the move.
“When Tina Howe’s Painting Churches first premiered, it invited audiences into the intimate, poignant, and often humorously complex world of family dynamics,” says the play’s director, Deborah Kondelik. “Set against the backdrop of a New England home, the play explores the shifting tides of relationships between parents and their adult children, all while subtly examining the process of memory, change, and the inevitable passage of time.
“In Painting Churches Howe captures the bittersweetness of life – how we struggle with the past while simultaneously grappling with the responsibility of the present,” she continues. “The play gives us moments of levity amidst its emotional depths – finding laughter in the confusion, in the mismatched recollections, and in the sometimes outrageous behaviors of its characters. Howe reminds us that even in the face of loss or impending change, there is room for wit and tenderness.”
Kondelik has cast Carbonell Award-winner Laura Turnbull as Fanny, William Mahone as Gardner, and Ana Marie Calise as Mags.
“We are now entering our ninth year of operations,” says Pigs Do Fly Productions’ Founder and Executive Producer Ellen Wacher. “I am so proud of what we have accomplished during these past nine years; we are continuing to grow and to explore the many facets of life over 50. I love the fact that unlike in the past, the actor – and the character over ‘a certain age’ is no longer considered ‘old’. We are totally involved in life – we love, we lose, we work, we play, and we enjoy life.”
The Stage Manager for Painting Churches is Joseph Long. Dean Landhuis is the show’s Scenic Designer, David Hart will do the Sound Design, and Preston Bircher will create the Lighting Design and serve as Technical Director. Director Kondelik will serve as both production’s the Costume Coordinator and Property Designer, and MNM Theatre Company will build the sets. Jessica Kaschube is the Company Manager, and Donna Pacheco de Castro will handle the Box Office.
Tickets for Painting Churches are $45 and are available online at www.pigsdoflyproductions.com or by calling 954-678-1496. Performances are on Fridays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays 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. To arrange for interviews, or for photos, or for requests to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244. For more information about Ellen Wacher, please visit www.ellenwacher.com.
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Painting Churches April 11 – May 4, 2025 By Tina Howe Tickets: www.pigsdoflyproductions.com Or call 954-678-1496 Performances: Friday at 8 pm Saturday & Sunday at 5 pm All performances will take place at Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(Click on each photo to expand, identify and/or download; To download, right click on the expanded image and click on the ‘Save Image As’ option) Photo credit: Carol Kassie
Ana Marie CaliseAna Marie Calise & Laura TurnbullAna Marie Calise, William Mahone, & Laura TurnbullAna Marie Calise, William Mahone, & Laura TurnbullAna Marie Calise, William Mahone, & Laura TurnbullLaura TurnbullLaura TurnbullLaura Turnbull & William MahoneLaura Turnbull & William MahoneLaura Turnbull, William Mahone, Ana Marie CaliseLaura Turnbull, William Mahone, Ana Marie CaliseLaura Turnbull, William Mahone, Ana Marie CaliseLaura Turnbull, William Mahone, Ana Marie CaliseWilliam MahoneWilliam MahoneWilliam Mahone, Laura Turnbull, Ana Marie CaliseLaura TurnbullAna Marie CaliseWilliam MahoneDeborah KondelikEllen WacherTina Howe
HOLLYWOOD, FL: Thinking Cap Theatre’s (TCT) first production of the 2024 – 2025 season will be the regional premiere of Lovesong by playwright/screenwriter Abi Morgan. Lovesong will run from October 19th through November 3rd at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center (managed by the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood (ACCH). TCT’s new residency at the venue will mark the return of professional theatre to Hollywood for the first time since the Hollywood Playhouse closed in 2003.
Inspired by the T.S. Eliot poem, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, Abi Morgan developed Lovesong with the world class innovative UK-based company, Frantic Assembly:
“Lovesong is a play that’s been on TCT’s radar since 2018, when I was searching for plays for our 10th Anniversary Season in 2020,” says TCT’s Producing Artistic Director Nicole Stodard. “The pandemic prevented us from staging it then, but I am thrilled finally to be directing the piece now. It’s a truly breathtaking play that examines the love story of one couple at two different stages of their life together, their youthful beginning and their twilight years. It’s a play about true love, the power of memory, the value of legacy, and the meaning of life. It’s also a visually stunning play that incorporates movement. Its message and its innovative style speak directly to TCT’s mission.”
Abi Morgan (OBE) is a Welsh playwright and screenwriter known for her works in television such as Sex Traffic, The Hour, and The Split, and the films Brick Lane, The Iron Lady, Shame, and Suffragette.
Stodard’s cast consists of Peter Galman, Deborah Kondelik, Nathaniel Heustis, and Abbie Fricke.
The Stage Manager for Lovesong is Pablo de Pablo; Breanna Michel and Manda Gonzalez will serve as Assistant Stage Managers. Costume Design and Co-Sound Design is by Nicole Stodard, along with Designers Bree-Anna Obst and Alyiece Moretto-Watkins. Nicole Perry is the production’s Intimacy/Movement Director, and Alex Gonzalez is the Front of House Coordinator.
Tickets for Lovesong are $45 and are available online at https://thinkingcaptheatre.org or by calling 310-500-6448. Performances are on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 5 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm. All performances will take place at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center (1770 Monroe Street, Hollywood, FL, 33020).
Lovesong October 19 – November 3, 2024 By Abi Morgan Tickets: $45 / $20 Student Rush tickets at the door for 21 & under with valid student IDTickets: https://thinkingcaptheatre.org Or call 310-500-6448 Performances: Wednesday at 7:30 pm Saturday at 5 pm Sunday at 5 pm All performances will take place at Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center 1770 Monroe Street Hollywood, FL 33020
Peter W. GalmanDeborah KondelikAbbie FrickeNathaniel HeustisAbi MorganNicole Stodard
Pigs Do Fly Productions to present Norm Foster’s The Affections of May March 8 – 31, 2024
“A delightful, feel-good comedy by Canadian playwright Norm Foster, “The Affections of May” tickles your funny bone and tugs at your heartstrings.” Michigan Live
“Norm Foster creates characters who are so believable that theatergoers see bits of themselves reflected on the stage.” L.A. Daily News
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Pigs Do Fly Productions’ second show of the 2023-2024 season will be The Affections of May, Canadian playwright Norm Foster’s delightful comedy that explores love, loss, and new beginnings. The production will run from March 8th through March 31st at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.
“This is the second Norm Foster play we at Pigs Do Fly have produced,” says Executive Producer Ellen Wacher. “This is the second Norm Foster play we at Pigs Do Fly have produced,” says Executive Producer Ellen Wacher. “We loved doing his The Ladies Foursome so much we decided to see what else he had that fit our misssion – to feature people over ‘a certain age’ whose lives are just as interesting – and messy, and funny, and hopeful, and real ‘now, as they were ‘then.’!
“This is our eighth season,” Wacher continues. “I am so proud of how much we have grown and what we have accomplished these past eight years. We have featured and served a demographic that is often ignored, and I think our patrons are extremely appreciative of that. And… it’s also very gratifying to see not only ‘my’ contemporaries in our audiences, but younger people as well! It proves beyond a doubt that good theatre has no age limit!”
“Norm Foster’s Affections of May is a charming account of a woman who has been dumped by her husband of 29 years and left to fend for herself in a new town at the helm of a struggling business,” the production’s director Mariah Reed explains. “May’s tenacity and ability to overcome challenges is inspirational and her story is one I am delighted to craft as a director. Her ardent suitors, too, have their own personal challenges and with May as a catalyst each learns to overcome their insecurities and embrace an uncertain (and potentially exciting) future.
“Stories of redemption and triumph are a joy to share,” she continues, “And I’m extremely grateful to Executive Producer Ellen Wacher and Artistic Director Deborah Kondelik for allowing me the opportunity to do so with Pigs Do Fly Productions.”
Reed has cast William Mahone as Hank, Brian James McCormack as Brian, Ben Prayz as Quinn, and Deborah Kondelik as May.
Norm Foster is considered Canada’s most produced playwright. An extremely prolific writer, frequently referred to as the Canadian Neil Simon, Foster has had more than fifty plays produced on professional stages. His plays are known for their humor, accessibility, and insight into ‘the everyday tribulations of life.’
The Stage Manager for The Affections of May is Patrick Vida. Dean Landhuis is the show’s Scenic Designer, David Hart will do the Sound Design, and Preston Bircher will create the Lighting Design and serve as Technical Director. Jessica Kaschube is the Company Manager.
Tickets for The Affections of May are $45 and are available online at www.pigsdoflyproductions.com or by calling 954-678-1496. Performances are on Fridays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays 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. To arrange for interviews, or for photos, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244. For more information about Ellen Wacher, please visit www.ellenwacher.com.
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The Affections of May March 8 – 31, 2024 By Norm Foster Tickets: $45 Tickets: www.pigsdoflyproductions.com Or call 954-678-1496 Performances: Friday at 8 pm Saturday & Sunday at 5 pm All performances will take place at Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Deborah Kondelik & Ben PrayzDeborah Kondelik & Brian James McCormackDeborah Kondelik & William MahoneDeborah Kondelik, Ellen Wacher, Mariah Reed
Pigs Do Fly Productions to present Carey Crim’s Morning After Grace
October 27 – November 19, 2023
“She’s a witty, subtle but also deeply sensitive playwright. She explores in the real context of this play some serious issues facing older people and she brings true compassion to the questions raised. The play should get produced at many other theaters in the future.” Pulp Arts ~ Ann Arbor
“It is heart-warming that, in these “worst of times,” playwrights like Carey Crim are working quietly to give us a look at new beginnings with humor and tenderness and hope.” The Arts Fuse, Boston
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Pigs Do Fly Productions’ first show of the 2023-2024 season will be Morning After Grace, playwright Carey Crim’s delightful comedy that explores love, loss, and new beginnings. The production will run from October 27th through November 19th at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.
“This lovely play is a perfect example of what we at ‘Pig’s are trying to prove,” says Executive Producer Ellen Wacher. “That people over ‘a certain age’ are as interesting in ‘the now’ as they ever were. Morning After Grace is a funny, profound, and very hopeful example of life in general – no matter what age someone may be.
“This is our eighth season,” Wacher continues. “I am extremely proud of how much we have grown and what we have accomplished these past eight years. We have featured and served a demographic that is often ignored, and I think our patrons are extremely appreciative of that. And… it’s also very gratifying to see not only my contemporaries in our audiences, but younger people as well! It proves beyond a doubt that good theatre has no age limits!”
Angus, Abigail, and Ollie, all residents in a Florida retirement community gather together for the first time in Angus’ apartment the day after a funeral. During the course of the play, each one of them discovers something about themselves – and the others – and that no matter what might occur, there is always a morning after.
“I am very familiar with Carey Crim’s amazing work and was thrilled to learn that Morning After Grace was finally available for production in South Florida,” says the show’s director, Deborah Kondelik. “The play is hilarious yet poignant, timely, and a perfect match for Pigs Do Fly’s mission. I am happy to know that more plays are being written about older yet vibrantly alive people.
“The wonderful thing about theatre is that it has an open-door policy. Everyone is invited to participate. No exceptions,” she continues. “Pigs Do Fly Productions has opened the door wide to showcase the more mature actor. Older actors bring a great deal of life experience to the stage. After all, the most important trait of a good actor is the ability to move others and to truly connect with the character being portrayed. And there is no age limit on that!”
Kondelik has cast Andre Gainey as Ollie, Peter W. Galman as Angus, and Janice Hamilton as Abigail.
The Stage Manager for Morning After Grace is Patrick Vida. Dean Landhuis is the show’s Scenic Designer, David Hart will do the Sound Design, and Preston Bircher will create the Lighting Design and serve as Technical Director. Jessica Kaschube is the Company Manager.
Tickets for Morning After Grace are $45 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 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.
For more information about Pigs Do Fly Productions, please visit www.pigsdoflyproductions.com. To arrange for interviews, or for photos, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244. For more information about Ellen Wacher, please visit www.ellenwacher.com. ~
Morning After Grace October 27 – Novembr 19 By Carey Crim Tickets: $45 Tickets: www.pigsdoflyproductions.com Performances: Friday, & Saturday: 8 pm Sunday: 5 pm All performances will take place at Empire Stage 1140 N Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Rehearsals will begin shortly for Pigs Do Fly Productions’ production of playwright/actor Tom Dugan’s Cemetery Pub. This will be only the second time the play has been produced – the first time was in May 2022 in Dugan’s own Backyard Theatre in California. Cemetery Pub will run from March 3rd through March 19th at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.
Set in the old-time and slightly run-down O’Brien’s Tavern (also known as the Cemetery Pub) across from St. Gertrude’s Catholic Cemetery as well as from the railroad tracks, Cemetery Pub is a dark comedy, and features a trio of fascinating characters: Dixie, the young owner of the bar, Ken O’Brien, Dixie’s uncle, and Danny, Dixie’s long-lost cousin.
Tom Dugan
This three-character play is somewhat of a departure for playwright Tom Dugan, who is well known to South Florida audiences for his award-winning play (and performances in) Wiesenthal, and several other one-person shows: “I grew up in a big Irish Catholic family, I had over 60 first cousins, aunts and uncles,” he explains. “As the second youngest of the clan, no one sat me down to explain, who was who and what was what. I was on my own to figure out my family history – I cobbled together a family narrative, based largely on half pieces of information, fortified by my own imagination. My older siblings have pointed out to me recently that most of my assumptions are wrong, but they also pointed out that my version was much more entertaining. This got me thinking about writing a play based not on the facts of my family story but rather the rumors and embellishments I came up with.”
“How I feel about this play is ‘Wow’”, says Pig’s Do Fly’s Executive Producer Ellen Wacher. “It’s definitely a departure from many of the shows we’ve done in the past. But it’s superbly written – I can visualize each scene – and it has a great deal of humor integrated with its serious subject matter and the characters’ lives.”
“To me, Cemetery Pub defies classification,” says the production’s director, Deborah ‘DK’ Kondelik. “It is deadly funny, full of mystery and suspense, and at times even farcical. The characters and relationships are distinctively off-beat and captivating; there is an edginess to the play, a tongue-in-cheek kind of humor that will titillate audiences.”
Kondelik has cast Caroline Dopson as Dixie, David Corey as Ken, and Todd Bruno as Dan.
Cemetery Pub’s Stage Manager is Joseph Long, Dean Landhuis is the show’s Scenic Designer, David Hart will do the Sound Design, Preston Bircher will create the Lighting Design and serve as Technical Director, Jameelah Bailey will handle props, and Director Deborah Kondelik will coordinate Costumes. Jessica Kaschube is the Company Manager.
Tickets for Cemetery Pub 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 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.
Tom Dugan: Dubbed by critics “A National Treasure,” for the past twenty years Tom Dugan’s one-man plays have thrilled audiences from Beverly Hills, to 42nd street, and have been the subject of many PBS programs throughout North America. His play Wiesenthal, (Produced by Daryl Roth) honored with multiple awards and nominations (N.Y. Drama Desk, N.Y. Outer Critics Circle, L.A. Ovation, L.A. Drama Critics Circle), has enjoyed productions in Israel, India, Australia, Italy, and Mexico. A feature film of Wiesenthal is planned for 2024. Mr. Dugan’s one person plays include The Civil War Trilogy, Robert E. Lee – Shades of Gray (100% Sweet -Bitter Lemons), Frederick Douglass In The Shadow Of Slavery (“the best history lesson ever!” – Peninsula News) and The Ghosts of Mary Lincoln (Spellbinding – LA Times), The twentieth century trilogy; Tevye In New York! (“Delightful” – Broadway World) Wiesenthal (“Masterful”- Backstage), Tell Him It’s Jackie. (“Brilliant”- Curtain Up). Tevye In New York will have its Florida premiere at The Delray Beach Playhouse in December 2023. For more information contact; Tom.dugan@outlook.com
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.
Carol Kassie 