PROUDLY PRESENTS
A NEW PLAY BY Howard Skora
DIRECTED BY Jim Fall
CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Alex Skuby, Mo Collins, Jessica Pohly, Peggy Maltby Etra, Robert Mangiardi and the voice of Drew Droege.
SET DESIGN AND PROPS LIGHTING DESIGN Dusti Cunningham Kevin Vasquez
VIDEO AND SOUND DESIGNER TECHINCAL DIRECTOR Brian Levin David Svengalis
STA GE MANAGER PUBLIC RELATIONS Jamie Capone Nora Feldman
GRAPHIC AND POSTER DESIGN PRODUCED BY Lukas Berg Howard Skora Cast IN ORDER OF APPEARENCE
Alex Skuby Doug Mo Collins Laurie Jessica Pohly Gina Peggy Maltby Etra Irene Robert Mangiardi Phil
AND THE VOICE OF... Drew Droege Jo
THE PLAY IS PERFORMED WITH ONE 10 MINUTE INTERMISSION
Special Thanks to:
Bobby Moresco and The Actor’s Gym Ron Brawer Billy Homan Lukas Berg Amy Smallman-Winston Chris Spinder and Jean Francoise Valcarcel Allan Steele Anthony Carro Gary Lennon Write Club members Elecciri Birnbaum Entertainment Everyone at Golds Gym – Venice “the Howard Goldiner mecca” Linda Camplese Clinton Leupp Bryan Rasmussen Daddy Don Tax Services Frank Cassavetes Mark Saltzman ALEX SkuBY
MO cOlLINs
JESSICA pOhlY
PEGGY MALTBY ETRA
ROBERT Mangiardi From the Playwright
Three years ago, I was developing a play about a man whose mother couldn’t speak anymore which was based on my own experience with my mom’s very rare and awful disorder called Supra Nuclear Palsy. It was, of course, a comedy that also involved a closeted gay man and his alter ego, a talking French clown doll named Bobo. You know, that old chestnut. I would bring in ten pages a week and have wonderful actors at Bobby Moresco’s Actor’s Gym read them for me here at The Whitefire.
I was about halfway done when Bryan Rasmussen, the owner of this theatre, who had been quietly watching in the corner, approached me and said, “Hey, why don’t you put it up here”. Since that moment, the Whitefire Theatre has been my home where I develop and realize my work. I am so grateful for what Bryan has created here and the opportunities it has afforded me and other artists. Thank you, Bryan. The Whitefire is a very special place for this community.
That play turned out to be Miserable with an Ocean View, it ran for 5 glorious months. I asked my good friend, Jim Fall, to direct it. Jim’s attention to detail and his ability to see the big picture elevated the material. He also broke down the set with me every Saturday with my dear friend, Jaime, who is a very talented comedy writer. I’ve never felt more supported in my life. I’m very grateful to all these wonderful friends and artists, who are helping me bring another work to life. As a playwright, I cannot operate without collaboration and that includes you the audience who purchased a ticket and are supporting original Los Angeles theatre. Thank you. I am very proud to be a playwright in Los Angeles, despite that a lot of people think that’s an oxymoron. I love this city.
As much as Miserable was about my mother, Damaged Furniture is about my father. My family owned a furniture business on 62nd and 16th Ave in Brooklyn. My Dad worked there every day with my Mom for 54 years. He was a quiet man. He was kind. He was funny. He told awful jokes. And, for the record, most of this play is fiction. I’m going to let you guess which parts are not fiction.
Now, please just sit back and laugh. That’s all I really want from you.
Howard Skora Venice, CA
who’s WH0 IN THE CAST AND CREW
Alex Skuby (Doug) was born in Neptune, Parks and Recreation as scandal-wrangler New Jersey on December 27th, 1972. He “Joan Callamezzo” and ”Gyna” in “40 Year attended the DePaul University Theater Old Virgin”. Currently, Mo can be seen School (2 years) in Chicago, IL. After as “Susan” on “Lady Dynamite” and the leaving DePaul, he stayed in Chicago for animated show “F is for Family” on Netflix 5 years and was cast in various plays with where she earned her first Emmy nomina- several different theater companies. He tion in 2017. Mo is an avid animal advo- moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1998 and cate, and enjoys doing stand-up for even has been in various television series, films more shits and giggles. and voice-overs. Some of his credits: “Santa Clarita Diet”, “Bones”, “Last Man Jessica Pohly (Gina) is thrilled to be part Standing”, “CSI”, CBS’s hit sitcom “The King of the amazing cast of Damaged Furniture! of Queens” (5 seasons recurring as Mr. Jessica writes and performs as a member Pruzan), recently recurring on Freeform’s of Sunday Company at the Groundlings drama series “The Fosters” as Detective Theater. You can also catch her on Netflix Joe Gray and has a feature film coming in PEE WEE’S BIG HOLIDAY and Amazon in out in late 2018 titled “My Babysitter the GOLIATH Season 2. Superhero” where he plays the main villain, Commander Kruel. Alex played the role of Peggy Maltby Etra (Irene) is elated to ‘Ray’ in Howard Skora’s other original com- be a part of this production and this cast. edy play “Miserable with an Ocean View” Her Credits included Seinfeld and Boston Legal. Her film, The Last Champion, will Mo Collins (Laurie) was born and raised be released latter in 2018. She received in Minnesota where she started her improv her theatrical training at PCPA and ACT. and sketch career with Dudley Riggs Brave Peggy was a performing member of the New Workshop in Minneapolis. Groundlings and is a current performing In 1998, Mo moved to LA where she member of Puppet Up. landed Mad TV, giving birth to many unforgettable characters such as Lorraine, Doreen Larkin (Stuart’s Mother) Trina and many more. Post Mad TV, Mo built her credits up with hit shows such as Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Robert Mangiardi (Phil) has most recently Drew Droege (the voice of Jo, the agent) been seen in the role of “Pug” in Patty most recently starred Off-Broadway in his McCarthy Gliniewicz’s “The Birches” _last solo show, Bright Colors And Bold Patterns, year at The Lounge Theater in Hollywood. at Soho Playhouse. Other theatre credits He also was part of Bobby Morocco’s include Die Mommie Die! (Celebration Working 2017 production as a writer Theatre & opening in May 2018 at Kirk director, songwriter and actor here at The Douglas Theatre), UMPO: The Devil Wears Whitefire. A veteran of TV, films and the Prada, Troop Beverly Hills (Rockwell), The theater, Robert is thrilled to be in the World Golden Girlz, The Homecoming Queen’s Premiere of “Damaged Furniture”. His Got A Musical (Casita del Campo), motto: “Stay creative whether you’re being Miserable With An Ocean View (Whitefire paid or not.” Robert also is a composer and Theatre), and The Groundlings. He will be singer-songwriter. He also writes screen- on Paramount Network’s upcoming TV plays and plays. He is represented by Joe reboot of Heathers, and his other recent Kolkowitz at The Players Talent Agency and TV credits include Cocktails & Classics, Walter Tabayoyong at 129 Management. Mother May I Dance With Mary Jane’s When not performing, Robert works at and Fist?, Life In Pieces, IdiotSitter, Transparent, is the proud owner with his wife Sunny of Bob’s Burgers, and Drunk History. He hosts Bangkok Spa Massage in Studio City. Minor Revelations podcast, is an Outfest award winner, and sometimes plays Chloe Sevigny on YouTube. Howard Skora (Playwright / Producer) Jim Fall (Director) has had a diversified Howard’s first play, Miserable with an directing career spanning theater, TV, Ocean View, directed by Jim Fall, had it’s and motion pictures. Jim’s feature film world premiere on June 6th,, 2015 at the credits include: TRICK which premiered at Whitefire Theatre. It ran for 5 sold-out Sundance, Disney’s THE LIZZIE McGUIRE months thanks to multiple 5-star reviews MOVIE starring Hilary Duff, which opened which placed it as the top-rated original at number two below “X-men 2” its comedy in Los Angeles on Bitter Lemons opening week. Jim also directed the for it’s entire run with a 94% sweet rating. A&E feature WEDDING WARS, starring The reviews called Skora “..brilliant” and John Stamos and James Brolin, HOLIDAY the play “clever…with hilarious one-liners ”, ENGAGEMENT, starring Shelley Long, “laugh-out loud funny” and “…equally mas- Bonnie Somerville, and Jordan Bridges, terful to August: Osage County. Skora is HOLLY’S HOLIDAY (Lifetime) starring Claire able to find absurdity and humor in some Coffee and Ryan McPartlin, and KRISTIN’S of the most shocking of situations”. The CHRISTMAS PAST (Lifetime) starring Shiri production is currently looking for other Appleby, Elizabeth Mitchell. All three runs in New York and San Francisco. He Christmas films continue to be shown in develops most of his writing in The Actor’s rotation on TV these past five Christmas Gym at The WhiteFire Theatre, run by seasons. Jim is currently developing a Bobby Moresco (Academy-Award winner sequel to TRICK that he’s planning to shoot for “Crash”) who has been his mentor for summer of 2018. On stage, Jim recently many years. Howard is also the 1st place directed the world premieres of PRIMAL winner of the 5th Annual Scriptapalooza SCREAM, The Musical, music by David Screenwriting Competition. He beat out Foster, book and lyrics by Arthur Janov, 3000 other screenplays with his dark com- at the Smother’s Theater, Pepperdine edy-thriller Reckless Endangerment and University, Howard Skora’s comedy used the $10,000 prize money to complete MISERABLE WITH AN OCEAN VIEW at Nick Name and The Normals, his first the Whitefire Theater, Mark Saltzman’s independent feature-length documentary musical about Lorenz Hart; FALLING FOR which premiered in London at The National MAKE BELIEVE at the Colony Theater, and Film Theatre. Gary Lennon’s THE INTERLOPERS at the Bootleg Theater. history of corruption in the judicial system Kevin Vasquez (Lighting Design) is of Chicago, and another short documen- from the San Fernando Valley and a tary about the discovery and subsequent graduate from California State University, auction of the famous “Joan Anderson” Northridge and holds a BA in Theatre. letter that sparked the inspiration for the Kevin has designed for NoHo Arts Center, writings of Jack Kerouac. Cupcake Theatre, Secret Rose Theatre, and Casa0101. Among his credits are: Little Jaime Capone (Stage Manager) studied Shop of Horrors, Antigone, Idiots Delight, comedy with the acclaimed Second City in Funny Girl, and Batboy: The Musical. Santa Monica, CA, and Toronto, ON. She performed with her own comedy troupe, Dusti Cunningham (Set Design and “Slow Children at Play” in and around Props) grew up in a very clean single–wide Los Angeles throughout the 90’s. She has trailer home in rural Kansas. His family worked closely with Bob Chartoff, Irwin didn’t own television so they watched Winkler, Roseanne Barr, Robert Townsend, tornadoes. None of his dogs were named and Tim Burton. She has developed come- Toto. Dolly Parton and his mother were his dy pitches and film ideas for Goldie Hawn’s heroes, both wore wigs. His inspirations are Cosmic Entertainment, Dustin Hoffman’s gypsies, pirates, circuses, 1970s glamour, Punch Productions, Michael Ovitz’ APG and the National Enquirer. Dusti designed and David Dobkin’s Big Kid Films. After the Clown in Miserable with an Ocean View starting her own company, Stolen Thunder and Jim and Howard are both glad he is Productions in 2008, Jaime has written back for their second colloboration. and produced several short films and web series. Most recently, Jaime has written Brian Levin (Video and Sound Designer) episodes for the upcoming CBS show began at a young age, his parents still keep “The Inspectors” and the Korean animated photos of him editing with Jazz drives on series, “Boing, The Play Ranger.” the first release of Final Cut Pro. Over the years he has had the pleasure of growing his career as a professional editor working with several frequent collaborators, and finding new ones along the way. Brian comes with a variety of credits under his belt. He has cut projects from feature films to documentaries, music videos to corporate videos, commercials to anima- tions. His most recent work has been in the documentary space, having completed a 30 minute broadcast documentary about a David Svengalis (Techincal Director) Alan Wethern (Script supervisor) is is the founder of Mahoobla produc- proud to be involved in this produc- tions, an actor, director, inventor, tion after spending the last few years graphic designer, stage manager, producing both reality tv and indie sound designer, lighting designer, films, alike. An avid theatre goer, he and Technical Director at the Whitefire enjoys staying active, volunteering, and Theatre. He has produced several finding time for a good book whenev- plays, including Frank and Ava, Bridge, er possible. The Oklahoma native is a and Some Girl(s) by Neil LaBute. David graduate of OCU’s MBA program, as was Technical Director on Howard’s last well as The Los Angeles Film School show, Miserable with an Ocean View, immersion program, located right here and is thrilled to be working with the in the heart of Hollywood. He recently team again, See David’s design work was an associate producer of Cabaret at www.mahoobla.com for the stage at The Celebration Theatre. Lukas Berg (Graphics and Poster Design) is the founder of Rasby Design, an interaction and motion designer and visual artist, with back- ground in Human–Computer interac- tion at Aalborg University in Denmark. Lukas consults tech companies in Silicon Valley for user experience design and, designs and creates visual arts as an independent contractor. Check Lukas’ works at www.rasby.com
Nora Feldman (Publicist) is on staff at Actors Co-op and the Group Rep. She has publicized numerous theatre productions, and events such as World Championships of the Performing Arts and Experience NoHo. Nora has also served as producer of the theatre com- ponent for the NoHo Theatre & Arts Festival, NoHo Scene, and Experience NoHo. Nora is married to actor Steve Peterson. Howie, Baby!
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We are currently seeking producers, investors and other companies interested in producing this play or, our past production, Miserable with an Ocean View, in other venues. Looking for New York, London, San Fransisco, Chicago and any other possible locations. Our Miserable Producer can be reached at [email protected] or visit our website at MiserablewithanOceanview.com
A NEW COMEDY BY Howard Skora
DIRECTED BY Jim Fall
JUNE 6 — JULY 18 MISERABLE.BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM
LIGHTNING DESIGN SET DESIGN & PROPS COSTUME DESIGN CLOWN MAKE–UP, COSTUME & DESIGN VIDEO DESIGN Sohail E. Najafi Melisa Myers Kate Bergh Dusti Cunningham Corwin Evans
SOUND & GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIAL EFFECTS BOARD OPERATOR STAGE MANAGER PUBLIC RELATIONS David Svengalis Arthur Goldiner Paul Lauden Jaime Capone Nora Feldman
PRODUCED BY Howard Skora