DANCING FOR BRIGID
A NEW PLAY BY
TERENCE KEYES
DayStar Creations will present “Dancing for Brigid” at the Little Theatre in Purchase, NY on June 8-9-10 at 7:30 pm. A full-length drama/comedy that explores the meaning of masculinity today, “Dancing for Brigid” concerns a desperate member of a young adult LGBTQ group seeking help from their mentor, who tells the story of his own coming out as a 1990s married man. The group helps spin the tale, combining hip-hop and Irish dancing that honors the ancient Celtic priestess/warrior Brigid. 19 cast members of varying ages, races, & genders play 45 characters. Joining the cast are talented Stage/Film/TV actress Sachi Parker, daughter of Oscar winner Shirley MacLaine, and Carey Fox, retired Emmy Award winning MSNBC producer who has returned to his first love of acting.
To purchase the $25 General Admission tickets, go to daystar.booktix.com & click "View Performances."
Discounted tickets for members of The LOFT Community Center! Go to: LGBT Life Westchester
The Cast
CHRISTOPHER J. ANDERSON He/Him (Firebrand Kieran, Ben, Waiter)
Originally from Detroit, Christopher is a multi-talented individual who moved to New York City from Seattle, and has stage-directed and choreographed the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus and the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps Marching Band (QBAC). In addition to Christopher's dance, vocal and athletic involvements, he also plays oboe, clarinet and alto saxophone and holds a Doctorate in Cardiovascular Science, working in clinical research. Past credits include both choreographing and/or performing in Broadway Bares, AIDA, La Cage aux Folles, Into The Woods, A Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Music Man, West Side Story, Annie Get Your Gun, South Pacific, Damn Yankees, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Billy Budd, as well as the glitzy and glamorous shows of Las Vegas and Reno. Christopher has also had the pleasure of sharing the stage with amazing performers like Billy Porter, Neil Patrick Harris, Hugh Jackman, and Cheyenne Jackson; just to name a few.
Favorite Quote: “We’re all fools whether we dance or not; so we might as well dance!”
GRAHAM BALL he/him (Ross, Men’s Group, Personal Ads)
Graham is thrilled to make his acting debut in the first performance of Dancing for Brigid at Little Theater in Purchase, New York. He has studied acting at HB Studio with Francesca Ferrera. He has a law degree from Penn State University, and is an appellate public defender for the Legal Aid Society.
HAN they, he (Firebrand Leo/Counselor/Park)
Han is a multidisciplinary artist whose talents include acting, singing, writing, and filmmaking. They have appeared in several improv and sketch comedy shows and have written and directed their own short film. Han always looks to improve as an artist, so they often take classes, some notable ones being led by The Barrow Group, New Beginnings Dance Company, and Alyson Scharerer. In college, Han worked with renowned poet Claudia Rankine on several art projects, including their senior thesis and novella, entitled The Whiter the Book, the Wider the Audience, a commentary on the experiences of Black people, Black women and girls, specifically, in young adult literature. They are a mental health advocate who believes uplifting marginalized people will better everyone. Han is currently working on a variety of musical projects, which they hope will be released in the next few years. In the meantime, enjoy their performance as Leo, a fierce FireBrand in Dancing for Brigid!
RUTH CHIAMULERA she/her (Alexandra)
Ruth is thrilled to join this wonderful cast for the world premier of Dancing For Brigid. She has been performing in theatre throughout Westchester and NYC for more than 30 years in such roles as Rosalind (Moon Over Buffalo) Latrelle (Sordid Lives,) Marjorie (Tales Of The Allergist’s Wife [opposite writer/director Terrence Keyes],) Tracy (The Philadelphia Story,) and Dr. Livingstone (Agnes Of God.) A singer as well as an actor, other favorite roles include Sally Bowles (Cabaret,) Liliane LeFleur (Nine,) Smitty (How To Succeed…,) Miss Hannigan (Annie,) Illona (She Loves Me,) and Ado Annie (Oklahoma) to name just a few. Ruth has also appeared in numerous cabarets and music reviews with “The Usual Suspects” and as a vocalist with "Three For The Show," specializing in music of the Big Band Era. Thanks to Terry for this incredible opportunity!
JULIET COSME she/her (Firebrand Lakesha, Waitress, Park)
Juliet Cosme is an indigenous Mexican American transwoman of color who also happens to be neurodivergent. A proud New York City native she grew up in Flatbush Brooklyn and later moved to The Bronx. Apart from acting Juliet is also a dancer,model and singer (soprano) in trans musical choir group TRANSCEND. She was also featured on a special episode of Paramount & AwesomenessTV's "My Dream Quinceanera (Never Too Late)". Juliet is also known for her Youtube channel & Tik Tok where she posts content with the aim to inspire & empower LGBTQ+ youth by sharing her experiences so that others may not feel as alone in their own journey. Juliet is strong, resilient and warm hearted. Having overcome so many obstacles in her life to feel safe in being her true self she brings her fiery personality that lights up every room and brings inspiration everywhere she goes.
instagram/tiktok : @ juliet.cosme
youtube : @ Julietcosme
RICH EVANS he/him (Martin/Felix/Officer McGrath)
Rich is a stand-up comedian by trade and has only recently transitioned to the theater, his new passion. Earlier this spring he appeared in an off-Broadway production entitled, Bonhoeffer: Last Days, in which he portrayed German jurist and resistance leader Hans von Dohnányi. Some other notable and favorite roles include Howie in Rabbit Hole, Finbar Mack in The Weir, and Bernard in Boeing, Boeing. Rich is very grateful to be a part of the uber-talented cast of Dancing for Brigid under the brilliant direction and vision of Terence Keyes. Rich lives in Pelham with his wife Georgene and two daughters, Allison and Kate, whom he would like to thank for their never-ending love and support.
HJ FARR they/them (Firebrand Dawn, Park, Dance Captain)
HJ is an actor/writer/aerialist originally from Cleveland, Ohio. They graduated with Honours from Sheridan Institute’s Music Theatre Program and moved to Madison, Wisconsin before finding a home here in NYC! Favorite experiences include playing Mac in Dumpster Flower (Broom Street Theater), Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (TheatreLILA), Al in And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining (The Tank NYC), Pax in A Very Queer Holiday (available on Amazon Prime Video), voicing Nat in BawdCast (the podcast), Singing for Chrismukkah in July (54 Below), directing black & white (Broom Street Theater), and performing various aerial circus acts with Cycropia Aerial Dance, Madison Circus Space, Cosmic Circus Arts, The Muse Brooklyn, and Aerial Arts NYC! “HJ loves Kip!”
TONI FAZIO she/her (Kathleen)
Toni loves being a part of this touching and inspiring show. She would like to thank Terry for allowing her to be a part of his play that needs to be told.
She has performed in various productions throughout Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, Greenwich, CT, and New York City. Toni has appeared in indie and feature films, and has performed as a featured improv player in New York City's Comedy Club. Toni dedicates this show to Uncle Matt
CAREY FOX he/him (Randy/Police/Men’s Group)
Carey is a former Emmy Award-winning producer and writer at MSNBC, now rediscovering a love for acting. Carey studies at HB Studio in Manhattan and lives in Brooklyn. This is his first play since his high school days as an active thespian.
KIT JAMES he/him (Firebrand Henry, Adam, Guy)
Kit is a proud trans male and gay actor who started his career at the age of 8 in Minneapolis, performing for theaters including The Children’s Theater Company and Mixed Blood. At 18, he moved to New York City and began performing in off-Broadway productions while studying at The Pratt Institute, where he helped in the creation of its first theater department and its Performance Minor by his sophomore year. After graduating, he came out as transmasc socially, then spent 6 years performing and teaching improv across the Midwest, giving lectures and workshops on trans inclusion in comedy spaces, and directing and coaching long-form improv shows and teams centered around trans/queer casts and themes. Kit moved back to Brooklyn 4 years ago to begin his medical transition and continue his performance career in a city with a safer and more accepting creative culture of trans actors than Minneapolis, where his improv community only misgendered him despite knowing him as loudly out for over half a decade. He has been steadily performing in plays and films in male roles ever since. Kit also sings tenor for TRANScend, NYC’s only trans choir.
TERENCE KEYES he/him (Leland Fairchild)
Has performed for decades in Westchester and Fairfield, most recently as an acerbic New York Times theatre critic in the premiere production of Be Still Be Silent by Daniel Tobias, directed by John Treacy Egan at the SOOP Theatre. Terry’s prior roles include at An Evening Dinner Theatre as Jesus in Godspell and Christopher Wren in The Mousetrap; at the Emelin Theatre as Ken Talley in Fifth of July and Potiphar in Joseph…Dreamcoat; at the Tarrytown Music Hall as Dennis Shephard in Laramie Project; at the Kweskin Theatre as Gregory in Love! Valor! Compassion!, at the Carriage House Arts Center as Harry in The Sum of Us, and at The LOFT in White Plains portraying Brother Boy in Sordid Lives and Michael in God of Carnage. Terry was also seen as Beverly Carlton (based on Noel Coward) in The Man Who Came to Dinner, Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, Geoffrey in The Sisters Rosensweig, and Rev. Parris in The Crucible. He played Patrick Gary in the first play he wrote, Teach Us to Laugh Again, and deeply appreciates coming full circle to play Leland with this company of splendid actors. Terry is also a director and producer.
LUKE LAUCHLE he/him (Seth, Hank, Wendell, Brown, Park)
Luke is an actor, director, playwright, theatre enthusiast and a Wells College graduate. He has performed in many shows including Clark Gable Slept Here (Gage Holland), Remember (Actor 4), Boeing-Boeing (Robert), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfée), We Will Not Be Silent (Hans Scholl), Incendiary Agents (Jimmy), Rumors (Ernie), Of Mice and Men (Curley), Juvie (Andy), and Urinetown (Senator Fipp) among others. He has also helped direct productions of Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice and many shadow productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Luke would like to thank his family and friends for their support and love as well as the cast for all their hard work. Break a leg
SACHI PARKER she/her (Eileen)
Sachi Parker, the daughter of internationally acclaimed film star Shirley MacLaine and the late producer Steve Parker, is an accomplished actress in her own right, appearing in theater and films throughout the world. Born in Los Angeles, she moved to Japan at age 2 to live with her father, and spent much of her childhood there before moving on to boarding schools in England and Switzerland. She spent her early adult years in Hawaii, Australia and France, before returning to Los Angeles at the age of 25 to live with her celebrated mother.
Parker made her film debut in l985 in “Stick,” directed by Burt Reynolds, and appeared in “Back to the Future,” “About Last Night,” “Peggy Sue Got Married,” “Riders to the Sea,” “Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael,” “Bad Influence,” and “Scrooged.” She recently completed “All Me, All the Time,” with Keir Dullea.
When television beckoned, Parker soon found herself guest-starring in numerous popular series and TV movies, including “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Equal Justice,” “Eerie, Indiana,” “Alien Nation,” “Shelley Duvall’s Faerie
Tale Theatre,” “Santa Barbara,” “Capitol” and “Scarecrow and Mrs. King” . Her theater
work included “The Lulu Plays,” “Ladies in Waiting,” and “Pastorale.” She was invited to perform at Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival in “My Cup Runneth Over,” “West Side Story,” “Moon Children” and “Independence.” She has appeared in regional theatre companies in the Chekhov classics “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Seagull” and “The Three Sisters.”
Staying true to her Japanese roots, Parker has served as the daytime anchor for a Japanese language news program out of New York City, and starred in daytime Japanese television. She was recognized for her work as an actress bridging cultural differences between Japan and the US in l990 with the prestigious Kurosawa Award. In 2008, Parker appeared in the acclaimed Japanese film “The Witch of the West is Dead”, playing the leading role of a 75-year-old grandmother and winning the Best Actress Award.
She is currently starring in a web series The So So You Don’t Know, having won 3 Best Actress Awards. She recently appeared Off Broadway at the Chain Theater in the inaugural production of “That G*d Damn House” and was previously seen in the premiere of “Be Still, Be Silent” at the SOOP Theater in Pelham.
MAURICE RICHARD he/him (Dr. Stephen Edwards, Park, Personal Ads)
Maurice lives on City Island in The Bronx, where he also works at the Black Whale Restaurant.
In 1999, he was lucky enough to travel in the European production of Hair, directed by James Rado. He had the privilege of performing in a tribute to Angela Lansbury with the New York City Gay Mens Chorus at the 2022 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall. He would like to thank Terry for this amazing opportunity for bringing all of us Dancing for Brigid. Peace!
JOSHUA ROBINSON he,him (Carlos/Ryan/Park)
Previous training includes Matthew Corozine Studios and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Previous roles include Danny Douglas in the original workshop of Daniel Tobias’ Be Still, Be Silent as well as Dale in the Actors Studio reading of Stephen Michael’s New Haven Dream.
KENNETH SKJEVELAND he/him (Angelo, Jordan, Men’s Group, Personal Ads)
Ken is honored to be a part of this amazing cast and crew! Ken has enjoyed performing in many recent theatrical productions of Mamma Mia, The Secret Garden, Ragtime (LRT), Hairspray Working, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Ave Q and many more. Ken also currently performs with two local bands, The Uninvited and House Arrest! Come check us out!
JOSE F. TORRES Sr. he,him (Lee Fairchild)
Hi my name is Jose. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, the youngest of 8. I was surrounded by different family and friends with loads of personality. I’m for sure my upbringing prepared me for the stage and screen. As I continue my journey in entertainment I will keep using my past experiences to fuel my opportunities. I’m a dad to a wonderful, smart, talented 9 year old boy, Jose Jr. He is the reason why I’m so focused now more then ever. To show him that hard work always pays off. It’s an honor for me to be in this production. I’d like to thank the Director and every single person (cast, crew) involved for making this happen. God Bless Us All!
GIORGIO JOZEF VARIPAPA he/him (Rocco)
A Polish/Italian actor who started his acting career in Germany.
Thanks to his mother, who at first forced him into the theater, Giorgio Varipapa was able to finally discover his passion for acting and has since then appeared in several theater productions including: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Green Kakadu.
In New York, Giorgio recently appeared in plays like Faulty Lock at the Secret Theater and Saturdays with Lenny at the Chain Theater both in lead roles
Staff
PETER BOPP he/him (Co-Producer)
Peter is thrilled to be taking on his first producing role with Dancing for Brigid. What an exciting and wonderful ride this has been working with this very talented cast and crew!
Peter spent his career in corporate marketing, advertising and business management roles at General Foods and American Express. Over a decade ago, he shifted to a second career pursuing his passion in executive and team coaching, which he is still active in.
Very happy to be helping my partner, Terry Keyes, bring his vision and story to life with this play. It’s extraordinary to witness his passion come to life on stage.
Let’s all join him in Dancing for Brigid!
TOM BUDERWITZ he/him (Projection Design)
Tom has designed scenery for: Center Theatre Group, South Coast Repertory, Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Wallis-Annenberg Center, The Kennedy Center, The Second City, The Goodman, The Shakespeare Theatre, Berkeley Repertory, Intiman Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company, Chautauqua Theatre Company, Portland Center Stage, Antaeus Company, Theatre @ Boston Court, A Noise Within, Laguna Playhouse, PCPA Theatrefest and Utah Shakespeare Festival among many others. 6 LASA Ovation Awards (31 Nominations), 3 LA Drama Critics Awards, 3 Emmy Award Nominations, Art Directors Guild Award nomination. Adjunct faculty U.S.C. School of Dramatic Arts.
TERENCE KEYES he/him (Playwright/Director)
Terry has written 5 full-length and 15 one-act plays and has directed over 50 productions. These include his own plays Shake the Soul, Push Comes to Shove, Second Wind, Free Spirit! and Change of Hearts, the latter at An Evening Dinner Theatre in Elmsford, NY featuring Broadway veteran Jim Walton. Other credits at the dinner theatre include directing a special production of Grease as well as a series of family theatre musicals he co-wrote, writing/directing duties he repeated for Westco Productions in White Plains. These followed his participation in the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop for librettists facilitated by renown director Susan H. Schulman. Terry also directed The Gingerbread Lady and Same Time, Next Year for Boston’s Syzygy Theatre, which he co-founded, along with productions of West Side Story, Barnum, Fifth of July, and The Sisters Rosensweig. Terry’s collegiate directing credits include The Miracle Worker, Look Homeward, Angel and Once Upon a Mattress at Boston University, Jesus Christ Superstar at Fordham University, Once on this Island and Agnes of God at Iona College, and Prelude to a Kiss at Adelphi University. With over 30 years working in higher education, Terry is currently a Professor at The College of Westchester in White Plains, where he was bestowed the 2022 Faculty of the Year Award. He teaches such courses as Psychology, Conflict Resolution, Public Speaking, and Interpersonal Group Dynamics.
VINCENT MRAZ he/him (Technical Director)
Vincent is a playwright, teaching artist and theater maker in NYC. His work has been seen at La Mama, the New Ohio, Object Movement Festival, The Tank, Dixon Place, Andy’s Summer Playhouse, Little Theater, The Dallas Solo Festival, Harlem Nights, the Secret Theater, New Short Play Festival, the PIT Solocom and Sarah Lawrence College. Vinny was an Artist-in-Residence with the Object Movement Festival from 2018 - 2019 where he developed an original puppetry piece called You Can see Nothing From Here along with collaborator Chris Carcione. He is a 2022 – 2023 NYSCA Individual Artist Grant recipient and Arts Council for Wyoming County mini-grant recipient for his upcoming Dairy Farmer Project to be presented by Shake on the Lake in 2023. Vinny studied Sketch Comedy Writing at The Second City Chicago and learned to speak Greek from Duolingo. He is a teaching artist with Rehabilitation Through the Arts and an adjunct professor of theater at Manhattanville College. MFA, Sarah Lawrence College.
Vincent Mraz
Adjunct Professor of Theater
Division of Arts & Humanities
ANTHONY SANTORA he/him (Lighting Designer)
Anthony is glad to be a part of the Design Team for Dancing for Brigid! Over the last 10+ years, Anthony has worked many roles in both New York and Connecticut theatres. While his primary theatrical passion is Lighting Design, Anthony has also made theatre magic as a Technical Director, Set Designer & Carpenter. He's had the privilege of working with a variety of groups over his career including The White Plains Performing Arts Center, The Westchester Broadway Theatre, The PlayGroup Theatre, The Sandbox Theatre,Norwalk Community College, John Jay High School, The Harrison Players, The Armonk Players, Katonah Classic Stage, The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and many more. Anthony also works full time as a Media Specialist and Event Technician at Fairfield University. GO STAGS!
KIM SOLOW she/her (Assistant Director, Stage Manager)
Kim has worked on and off stages in theater and music for most her of life. Favorite roles include Miss Hannigan in Annie, Yente in Fiddler on the Roof and Clara in The Boys Next Door. A songwriter/singer/keyboardist, Kim has played with over 20 music groups in the Tri-State Area spanning 30 years. One of her most memorable gigs was with the Belmonts at Richard Nader’s Doo Wop show at the (former) Meadowlands complex. Kim appeared in country artist Jessica Lynn’s Not Your Woman video, had the privilege of singing with the Westchester Women’s Chorus during the Pandemic (remotely), under the musical direction of Carol Arrucci and recorded “Love is the Reason” distributed by Laurie Records on the album, Missing You: 10 Original Oldie Love Songs with Warren Gradus of the Belmonts.
Kim is honored to be working with one of her favorite writer/director/actors, Mr. Terry Keyes on the Premiere Production of Dancing for Brigid. She thanks this wonderful cast and production staff and especially Terry for giving her this opportunity. Kim also thanks all her family and friends for their never-ending emotional support. Thank you to the three productions I am most proud of, Alex, Valerie & Remy.
JENNA STAMPS she/her (Choreographer, Costume Designer)
Jenna is a professional dancer and choreographer in New York City. Originally from Massachusetts Jenna graduated from Manhattanville College with a Bachelor of Arts in dance. She dances professionally with HeartBreak Crew and Brickhouse NYC X Factory in both Xpro and MiXrz. She is a staff instructor for Universal Dance Association (UDA). Through UDA she now has the opportunity to choreograph and work with many dance teams from all over the country, and has the opportunity to go to London to work their New Year’s Day Parade. She has also won Vet of the Year in 2021. She is a teacher, choreogrpaher, and Competition Director at The Studio School of Dance in Mount Kisco, NY.
GIANNA TIMPONE she/her
Gianna is going on to be a junior at Manhattanville College with a double major of Dance and Business Management. I am so excited to be a part of this experience, working backstage handling the sound effects and projections of “Dancing for Brigid”. I have worked one other performance backstage here at Manhattanville dealing with props and lights, but nothing can compare to this. Within a week I have seen this play grow into a piece that I will hold close to my heart. I wish all of the performers luck as they bring this play to life. I thank them for making backstage feel so alive. Enjoy the show! Hope to see you back at Manhattanville soon at our upcoming Fall 2023 performances!
DYLAN DALY he/him (Light Board Op)
Dylan is a rising senior at Manhattanville College, Class of 2024, with a Major in Theater and a Double Minor in Musical Theater and Technical Theater. His technical theater credits at Manhattanville include stage manager for 2022 Spring Dance Concert, stage crew for the 2022 Senior Thesis Projects & light board operator for 2022 Fall Dance concert. Dylan has also done internships at the White Plains Performing Arts Center for both Jersey Boys and Miss Saigon in 2022-2023, working as a spot op. He would like to thank Vincent Mraz and Terry Keyes for this opportunity and his family and friends for their love and support.
TO MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE
Driving:
Manhattanville College is located at 2900 Purchase Street in Purchase, NY. You can put into your phone’s Map app to pull up directions. The closest highway is the Hutchinson River Parkway. Take to Exit 16 – Purchase Street, and turn north when you get off the exit. The college entrance is about ¾ of mile north on the left hand side. At the gatehouse, say you are attending a performance in the Little Theater.
General parking lots are available to the left and right sides of the gatehouse after entering. You may park in either of these large lots. It’s a beautiful walk across the campus to Brownson Hall, which is on the opposite side of the campus green from the parking lots. See maps below for location of Brownson Hall on the campus. PLEASE NOTE that the Little Theater is located within Brownson Hall, on the lower level, at the south end of the building. (marked with a pink star on the left side map). You will enter Brownson on the main floor and take the stairs down to the lower level. We will have signs both outside and inside directing you to the theater. Please have your paper tickets out or phone based ticket open for check in at the theater. For those friends wanting to join by purchasing last minute tickets - they will be available at the door for $25 - cash only please.
Note that there is very limited street parking on the road in front of Brownson Hall, so we recommend using the large main lots instead. If you have mobility or handicap needs, please let us know in advance so that we can reserve one of these limited spots for you.
Train:
MetroNorth train service from Grand Central is available to either White Plains (Harlem Line) or Rye (New Haven Line). Both stations are equidistant from Manhattanville. You should be able to take a cab or UBER from either station to the campus. If taking a cab/UBER from station, have them drop you in front of Brownson Hall.
Note that White Plains is both an express and local stop – and has more frequent service than Rye has.
DIRECTIONS
