PROGRAM 2

Doc Burns and Mrs. Teter by Fred Pezzulli

Jailbirds by Sheldon Shaw

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

Time: The past

Scene: The action takes place in the office of a small-town country doctor.

CHARLES E. GERBER* (Doc Burns) is entering his 53rd year as a working professional in All Media. He's appeared numerous times on Broadway, as well as scores of other New York productions. He starred in the National Tours of "TORCH SONG TRILOGY", “DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST", and is among the Founders of The Workshop Theater.  Starred, wrote, and composed for the EMMY winning "THE MAGIC DOOR" in Chicago (CBS).  More at: YouTube/Charles E. Gerber

TOM HERMAN (Director) has worked both in New York City and regionally.  Off Broadway: AN EVENING AT THE CARLYLE by Al Tapper (proclaimed “the surprise Off-Broadway hit of the summer theatre season” by United Press International) and MARK TWAIN’S BLUES: A PLAY WITH SONGS by Walt Stepp.  Off-Off Broadway shows include Sam Shepard’s BURIED CHILD (a production acclaimed by The New York Times as “exciting… powerful… a tragic opera”), as well as his critically applauded productions of Kenneth Lonergan’s LOBBY HERO and Caryl Churchill’s CLOUD NINE at Brooklyn’s Gallery Players.  Member, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.  www.TomHermanDirector.com

LUCY MCMICHAEL* (Mrs. Teter): New York City theater credits include: Primary Stages, Ensemble Studio Theater, Urban Stages, Theater for the New City, the Workshop Theater Company, Abingdon Theatre Company.  Select film: “Dare” (Sundance), “Knife Point” (Sundance), “The Christening of William Trumbull,” and currently on the festival circuit: “Overdue,” “What If I Were You,” and “The Choice.” Lucy’s reel is available on IMDB, Backstage, and Actors Access. AEA/SAG-AFTRA

FRED PEZZULLI (Playwright)  Poet, Physician, Scholar, Husband, Father, Grandfather (8/16/32-11/23/21).  Among many other accomplishments, Fred was among the The Founders of The Workshop Theater (1994-Present).  His memory was celebrated last August at The AMT Theater on 45th St with selections from his plays and poems.

KIMBERLEY WINDBIEL (Costume Designer) has been a rocker and chanteuse. She has costumed many shows including for Workshop, UP and Pied Piper Children’s Theaters. Fave shows are a Victorian circus look for “The Astonishing Times of Timothy Crachit” and a biker-punk Macbeth.

EQUITY APPROVED SHOWCASE

*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actors’ Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production.

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers in the United States.  Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society.  Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans.  AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions.  This Equity emblem is our mark of excellence.  www.actorsequity.org

Bios

Sheldon Shaw (He/Him) Playwright/Director is a versatile artist based in New York City, with experience as a screenwriter, playwright, and actor. Sheldon has written several plays that have received critical acclaim. Sheldon has an MA in theater from Villanova University. He studied playwriting at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. And acting at the William Esper Studio in NYC. Sheldon is ecstatic to present Jailbirds with these fantastic actors at the helm. I would like to give a special thanks to Jenny Choi, Virginia Crespo, Ted Snowdon, and Dr. Hugh Paul Gabriel (RIP) and all my friends and family for their support, wisdom, and encouragement; none of this would be possible without them.

Hassiem Muhammad (Paul) has had the opportunity to work on projects across the film, television, theater, and commercial industries. His most recent accolade came performing in The Tempest at Round House Theatre, for which he received a 2023 Helen Hayes Award nomination. Other regional credits include: SWEAT at The Pioneer Theatre, The Three Musketeers at Cleveland Playhouse, and Shoebox Picnic: Route 1 at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. He has also had the pleasure of participating in festivals and workshops in NYC at Emerging Artists Theater, Corkscrew Theater Festival, The New School, and Play On Shakespeare. Making his rounds on the CBS network, Hassiem has appeared on Madam Secretary, Blue Bloods, and FBI. He also had the opportunity to work on an indie feature, The Drummer, starring Danny Glover, and in 2022, worked on General Motors’s Super Bowl LVI commercial starring the infamous evil villains of the Austin Powers franchise.

Marcus Edghill (Shalomi) is a proud Gemini. Previous roles include GZA in the Off- Broadway Alliance nominated Pharma Bro: An American Douchical, Twelfth Night (Antonio & Feste), Company (Bobby), The Rivals (Sir Anthony Absolute), and Curse of the Starving Class (Taylor). Love you, mom!

Crys Clemente (It/They) Stage Manager: Is a performing arts producer, technician, and performer. Its previous stage management experience includes the 2023 Cannonball Festival, CURTAINS (Villanova Theatre Department), COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI (Hedgerow Theatre Company), and THE WEST PHILLY MEETING (Theatre in the X). In addition to a BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Crys graduated this May from Villanova University with an MA in Theatre and a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management.