Pigs Do Fly Productions to present BETTER LATE By Larry Gelbart

25 Thursday Sep 2025

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Pigs Do Fly Productions, Uncategorized

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Better Late, Chad Raven, comedy, Deborah Kondelik, Ellen Wacher, Empire Stage, Geoff Freitag, Larry Gelbart, Patti Gardner, Peter W. Galman, Pigs Do Fly Productions, Theater in Fort Lauderdale, Theatre in Wilton Manors

Pigs Do Fly Productions
to present
Better Late
by Larry Gelbart
November 7 – 30, 2025

“…funny, deliciously sharp and ultimately moving.” ~ New City Stage

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

September 25, 2025

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.

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

Better Late – Cast, etc.

Upstage Productions’ DEATHTRAP Opens October 10th at Empire Stage

18 Thursday Sep 2025

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, UpStage Productions

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Betsy Bittar, crime-fiction, Dark Comedy, Deathtrap, Deborah Kondelik, Empire Stage, Ira Levin, Janice Hamilton, Larry Buzzeo, Matthew Pyle, Michele Verdi, Om Jae, Theatre in Broward, Thriller Comedy, UpStage Productions

Upstage Productions’
Deathtrap
Opens October 10^th at Empire Stage

“If you care to assassinate yourself with laughter, try Deathtrap.”
~ Time Magazine

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

September 18, 2025

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 10^th 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 10^th through November 2^nd. 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.

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:

Photos by David Bishop:

New Theatre Company! Upstage Productions Debuts with Ira Levin’s DEATHTRAP in October

27 Wednesday Aug 2025

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, UpStage Productions

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Deathtrap, Deborah Kondelik, Empire Stage, Ira Levin, Janice Hamilton, Theatre in Fort Lauderdale, UpStage Productions

The Curtain Rises on
Upstage Productions
The New Theatre Company to Present
Deathtrap
At Empire Stage in October

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

August 27, 2025

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 10^th through November 2^nd at 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, the Musical (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 For Me. Her television and film credits include As the World Turns, Miami Sands, Boynton Beach Club, Lost Everything, 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 10^th through November 2^nd. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at upstageproductions.net or by calling 954-264-1461.

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

Pigs Do Fly Productions to Present PAINTING CHURCHES – April 11 – May 4

04 Tuesday Mar 2025

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Pigs Do Fly Productions

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Ana Marie Calise, comedy, David Hart, Dean Landhuis, Deborah Kondelik, Donna Pacheco de Castro, Ellen Wacher, Empire Stage, Jessica Kaschube, Joseph Long, Laura Turnbull, Painting Churches, Pigs Do Fly Productions, Preston Bircher, Theater in Fort Lauderdale, Tina Howe, William Mahone

Pigs Do Fly Productions
to present
Tina Howe’s
Painting Churches
April 11 – May 4, 2025

“Beautifully written… A theatrical family portrait that has the shimmer and depth of Renoir portraits.”
~ The New York Times

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

March 4, 2025

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 11^th through May 4^th. 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.

~

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

Amir Darvish to Direct GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS at Empire Stage

27 Monday Jan 2025

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Empire Stage

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Amir Darvish, ArtBuzz Theatrics, David Mamet, Empire Stage, Glengarry Glen Ross, Theatre in Fort Lauderdale

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

January 27, 2025

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Actor/Director/Producer Amir Darvish will direct David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Glengarry Glen Ross, at Empire Stage. The production will run from February 7^th to 23^rd at the popular Fort Lauderdale venue.

Darvish, a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actor’s Equity Association, has appeared in numerous television programs, films, and theatrical productions in New York and across the country, and is the Co-Founder, Creator, and Producer of his own company, Five on a Match. He has played a multitude of characters – from his award-winning Off-Broadway turn as Freddie Mercury in Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God, to featured roles in films (Charlie Wilson’s War, Month to Month, Love, Magical) and on such television shows as Madam Secretary, The Blacklist, and The Michael J. Fox Show.

Glengarry Glen Ross will be Darvish’s third directorial project at Empire Stage – his previous projects were the well-reviewed Art (by Yasmina Reza) and Mike Bartlett’s Cock.

“I was drawn to directing Glengarry Glen Ross because of its exploration of corporate and personal greed, cutthroat business practices, and, of course, David Mamet’s razor-sharp dialogue,” Darvish says. “What fascinated me most was the chance to dive into the deeper layers of ambition, desperation, and the ethical dilemmas people face — the relentless drive to succeed at any cost. In today’s cultural and political climate, these themes feel more relevant than ever.”

Glengarry Glen Ross will run from February 7^th through February 23^rd at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased online at https://empirestage.com/ or by calling 954-678-1496.

To learn more about Amir Darvish, visit https://amirdarvish.com. For more information about Glengarry Glen Ross, Amir Darvish, Empire Stage, and/or ArtBuzz Theatrics, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

A press release about the production, along with the show logo, and director and actor headshots can be viewed online at https://wp.me/p1S9OR-2yz.

In the attached photo:
Amir Darvish
Photo credit: Matthew Tippins

Glengarry Glen Ross
By David Mamet
Directed by Amir Darvis
February 7 – 23
Tickets: $40
For tickets and Information:
https://empirestage.com/events/glengarry-glen/
Phone: 954-678-1496
Performances:
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
All performances will take place at
Empire Stage
1140 N. Flagler Dr.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

David Mamet’s GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS Opens at Empire Stage February 7th

16 Thursday Jan 2025

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Empire Stage

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Amir Darvish, Bob Sharkey, David Mamet, David R. Gordon, Drama, Empire Stage, Eric Purcell, Glengarry Glen Ross, Harry Redlich, Larry Buzzeo, Matthew Schenk, Michael Small, Michael Vadnal, theatre, Theatre in Fort Lauderdale

David Mamet’s
Glengarry Glen Ross
Opens at Empire Stage
February 7^th

“This may well be the most accomplished play its author has yet given us. As Mr. Mamet’s command of dialogue has now reached its most dazzling pitch, so has his mastery of theatrical form.” Frank Rich – The New York Times

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

January 16, 2025

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Empire Stage and ArtBuzz Theatrics will present Glengarry Glen Ross, David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play from February 7^th through February 23^rd at the popular Fort Lauderdale venue. The production will be helmed by noted director Amir Darvish.

Based on Mamet’s own experience working in a real estate agency, the play depicts two days in the lives of four desperate Chicago real estate agents who are prepared to engage in any number of unethical, illegal acts—from lies and flattery to bribery, threats, intimidation and burglary—to sell real estate to unwitting prospective buyers.

Darvish’s cast includes Michael Small as Shelley Levine, Matthew Schenk as John Williamson, Eric Purcell as Dave Moss, Harry Redlich as George Aaronow, David R. Gordon as Richard Roma, Michael Vadnal as James Lingk, and Bob Sharkey as Baylen.

Preston Bircher will serve as the production’s lighting designer, and David Hart will design the sound. Set and costume design is by Larry Buzzeo, who will also serve as the production’s stage manager.

Glengarry Glen Ross will run from February 7^th through February 23^rd at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased online at https://empirestage.com/ or by calling 954-678-1496.

For more information about Glengarry Glen Ross, Empire Stage, ArtBuzz Theatrics, and/or Amir Darvish, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

In the attached photo:
Amir Darvish
Photo credit: Matthew Tippins

Pigs Do Fly Productions’ THE LONG WEEKEND Opens at Empire Stage November 1st

07 Monday Oct 2024

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Pigs Do Fly Productions

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Alan Goodman, Christopher Michaels, comedy, Comedy of Manners, Ellen Wacher, Empire Stage, Janice Hamilton, Karen Stephens, Michael Coppola, Norm Foster, Pigs Do Fly Productions, theater, theatre, Theatre in Fort Lauderdale

“…just enough sex, just enough smart talk, just enough preposterous plot twists to keep you titillated.”
– Gary Smith, Hamilton Spectator

“Norm Foster scores a bull’s eye with this tickling romp about mismatched spouses.”
L.A. Times

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

October 7, 2024

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Pigs Do Fly Productions will present Canadian Playwright Norm Foster’s The Long Weekend, a comedy of manners filled with numerous plot twists and a hilariously tangled web of truths, deceptions, and surprises. The production will run from November 1- 24 at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.

“Norm Foster’s plays definitely resonate with our audiences,” says Pigs Do Fly Executive Producer Ellen Wacher. “This is the third one of his plays we have produced. They are clever, and funny, but they also they examine life and circumstances in ways that ring true – whether he’s analyzing established relationships or observing emerging or fluctuating ones.

“His characters are often of over the age of 50, which is great for us – that’s our target audience and that ties in perfectly with our mission statement.” She continues. “But – and this is a wonderful caveat – we have found over the past 8 and a half years that as our audiences have grown, they have diversified; it’s been so great to see younger people at the theatre and enjoying what we’re offering. As I often say, good theatre has no age limit!”

As The Long Weekend opens Max and Wynn are preparing to show off their beautiful new summer home to their best friends, Roger and Abby. What is meant to be a relaxing holiday weekend turns into a battle of wits as their pasts catch up with them, the gloves come off and old scores are settled in comedic fashion.

The production will be directed by Christopher Michaels: “The Long Weekend had me in absolute stitches on the subway while I gave it a first read,” Michaels says. “It is hilariously well-written and all I could think was how much it felt like a sitcom: unit set, key cast, set-ups and punchlines, the overall pacing… And there was the challenge of putting a large country home in the intimate space at Empire Stage.”

Michaels is making his Pigs Do Fly directorial debut; this is his second South Florida theatre directing credit, following his acclaimed production of Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story at Wilton Manors’ Island City Stage last season.

The Long Weekend cast consists of 2024 Carbonell Award nominee and Silver Palm Award Winner Karen Stephens as Abby, along with Janice Hamilton as Wynn, Alan Goodman as Roger, and Michael Coppola as Max.

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 Long Weekend is Larry Buzzeo. 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. Costumes are by Saul Mendoza and MNM Theatre Company will build the sets. Jessica Kaschube is the Company Manager, and Patrick Vida will handle the Box Office.

Tickets for The Long Weekend 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.

The Long Weekend
November 1 – 24
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

ArtBuzz Theatrics to present FALSETTOS at Empire Stage

16 Tuesday Apr 2024

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients

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ArtBuzz Theatrics, Casey Sacco, Christopher R. Dybash, Empire Stage, Falsettos, Jackson Goddard, James Lapine, Jodie Langel, Larry Buzzeo, Michael Ursua, musical comedy, Musical Theatre, Seana Nicol, Steven Fuentes, William Finn

ArtBuzz Theatrics
to present
Falsettos
at Empire Stage
April 26 – May 19

A hilarious and achingly poignant look at the infinite possibilities that make up a modern family… and a beautiful reminder that love can tell a million stories.

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

April 16, 2024

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: ArtBuzz Theatrics, in cooperation with Empire Stage, will present the Tony Award-winning musical Falsettos. The production will run from April 26^th through May 19^th at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.

A ‘sung through’ musical with a book by William Finn and James Lapine, and music and lyrics by William Finn, Falsettos revolves around the life of a charming, intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin, his wife, his lover, his about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist, and the lesbians next door.

Falsettos is a pairing of March of the Falsettos (1981) and Falsettoland (1990), two Off-Broadway musicals written nearly a decade apart. An earlier chapter in the story of Marvin, In Trousers, premiered Off-Broadway in 1979. Falsettos was nominated for seven Tony Awards and won two – for Best Book and Best Original Score.

“After seeing a touring production of Falsettos – I believe in the early 90s – starring Adrian Zmed, this show became an instant favorite,” says ArtBuzz Theatrics Producer and Founder Larry Buzzeo. “The score is beautiful – ranging from energetic Sondheimish patter songs to beautiful and poignant ballads. And I have seen few stories that highlight and examine the human condition quite like this show does.

“There are no villains or heroes in Falsettos – and the show accurately presents with much humor,” he continues. “The reality is that people are very flawed, and yet we learn to still understand and love one another in the strangest and most unorthodox of situations. For me the through lines are: 1: Adults at their core are still children, and 2: Love is the most beautiful thing in the world.”

Falsettos will be directed/music directed by Michael Ursua, whose acclaimed production of Hello, Dolly! is currently running at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. The production will feature Larry Buzzeo as Marvin, Jodie Langel as Trina, Jackson Goddard as Jason, Steven Fuentes as Mendel, Seana Nicol as Dr. Charlotte, Christopher R. Dybash as Whizzer, and Casey Sacco as Cordelia.

Tickets for Falsettos are $40 and are available online at https://empirestage.com or by calling 954-678-1496. Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm 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 ArtBuzz Theatrics, to arrange for interviews, or to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

Falsettos
April 26 – May 19
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Tickets: $40
For tickets: https://empirestage.com
Or call 954-678-1496
Performances:
Friday and Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
All performances will take place at
Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Pigs Do Fly Productions’ THE AFFECTIONS OF MAY Opens at Empire Stage March 8

06 Tuesday Feb 2024

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Pigs Do Fly Productions

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Ben Prayz, Brian James McCormack, comedy, Deborah Kondelik, Ellen Wacher, Empire Stage, Fort Lauderdale Theatre, Mariah Reed, Norm Foster, Pigs Do Fly Productions, Romantic Comedy, The Affections of May, theater, William Mahone

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

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

February 6, 2024

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 8^th through March 31^st 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.

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

Mariah Reed
Deborah Kondelik
William Mahone
Brian McCormack
Ben Prayz
Ellen Wacher
Norm Foster

Pigs Do Fly Productions’ MORNING AFTER GRACE opens October 27 at Empire Stage

18 Monday Sep 2023

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Pigs Do Fly Productions

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Andre Gainey, Carey Crim, comedy, Deborah Kondelik, Ellen Wacher, Empire Stage, Fort Lauderdale Theatre, Janice Hamilton, Morning After Grace, Peter Galman, Pigs Do Fly Productions

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

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

September 18, 2023

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 27^th through November 19^th 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.

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