WIT Program

PRESENTS

WIT

By: Margaret Edson

Featuring:

Steve Benko Amanda Brenner

Sean Davis Eric Dino

Bonnie Gregson Tammy Mulrooney

Monica O’Brien Marilyn Olsen

Brodey Ott

Directed by: Brian Crook

Saturday, May 30th 7:00 p.m.

Artistic Director: Christy McIntosh-Newsom
Media Manager: Brian Bish

Executive Producer: Eli Newsom

Special Thanks

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Curtis Farr
Rose Lillie

Virgil Watson
Kristi Novin
Dramatists Play Service
Craig Pospisil
Margaret Edson

***

Produced in New York City by MCC Theater
(Bernard Telsey and Robert LuPone, Executive Directors;
William Cantler, Associate Director), Long Wharf Theatre, and Daryl Roth, with
Stanley Shopkorn, Robert G. Bartner and Stanley Kaufelt.
Lorie Cowen Levy, Associate Producer, Roy Gabay, General Manager.

New York production originally premiered at Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven,
Connecticut. Doug Hughes, Artistic Director; Michael Ross, Managing Director.

Originally produced by South Coast Repertory,
David Emmes, Producing Artistic Director; Martin Benson, Artistic Director.

SPECIAL NOTE ON COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL THE RUNAWAY BUNNY by
Margaret Wise Brown Copyright © 1942, Harper & Row, Inc.
Copyright © Renewed 1970, Roberta Brown Rauch Used by permission of
HarperCollins Publishers.

THE DIVINE POEMS by John Donne, edited by Helen Gardner. Used by
permission of Oxford University Press.

©2020. This video recording was produced by special arrangement with
Dramatists Play Service and Margaret Edson. All rights reserved. This
performance is authorized for non-commercial use only. By accepting the video
recording, you agree not to authorize or permit the video recording to be
copied, distributed, broadcast, telecast or otherwise exploited, in whole or in
part, in any media now known or hereafter developed.

WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the
unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted motion
pictures, videotapes or videodiscs. Criminal copyright infringement is
investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of
up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000.00 fine.

DIRECTOR NOTE

When I was approached about directing this production, I hadn't seen it in
probably over 10 years. I could recall, however, in my mind, the image of Emma
Thompson in the starring role of Vivian (for the HBO film). I was only 16 when
that movie came out, and I remember being jarred by the thought of what
cancer can do to the body. I don't think I actually watched until I was around 20
or 21, but I was immediately struck by the use of humor...of wit... alongside
what can be a very dark subject matter. Flash forward to being asked to helm
this production. I immediately re-visited the work, reading the play and
watching the movie. And I was surprised to see how much more jumped out at
me this time around. Perhaps it is because I have lived more, so I can empathize
with these characters on a deeper level. That is how I approached working with
this cast. These performers are so incredibly thoughtful and insightful. They
brought such a raw honesty and a willingness to dig deep into these people.
Everyone working on this production, watching this production, reading the
play, watching the movie...we can all find a bit of ourselves in these characters.
Ms. Edson's writing so beautifully manages to encapsulate the grief process
through this myriad of characters. We see how it plays out for Vivian as all of
these characters interact with her, but we also see how it is relevant to us, as
we attempt to process the various adverse situations in our own lives...like this
unprecedented COVID pandemic. This piece is truly timeless, and I am honored
to be able to share this phenomenal cast and thought-provoking writing with
you.

-Brian Crook
Director of WIT / Associate Director of FCS

COMPANY BIOS

MONICA O’BRIEN (Vivian Bearing, Ph.D.) is honored to appear for
the first time with Fairfield Center Stage. She has been involved in
community theatre for a few years playing a variety of roles from
Big Mama in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to Ouiser in Steel Magnolias to
Improv. But her favorite "role" by far has been a homeschooling
mom to 4 amazing kids! A.M.D.G.!

ERIC DINO (Harvey Kelekian, M.D.) is thrilled to be a part of the
Fairfield Center Stage family and this production of Wit. Most
recently Eric appeared in Rocket Girl at the Town Players of New
Canaan. Other favorite roles with FCS include A Christmas Carol as
Marley’s Ghost and The Ghost of Christmas Present and The Music
Man as Charlie Cowell. Thanks Eli, Christy and Brian and the entire
cast. For more visit ericjamesdino.com

SEAN DAVIS (Jason Posner, M.D.) is thrilled to be part of this
production! Most recently he was seen as the Emcee in FCS’s
production of Cabaret. Sean is honored to share the message that
Wit tells. This cast/crew is truly like no other. He thanks his family,
friends, and Sal for their undying support! IG: @TheSeanMDavis

AMANDA BRENNER (Susie Monahan, R.N., B.S.N.) has appeared in
previous Fairfield Center Stage, the MAC/Eastbound, Town
Players of Newtown, and Fat and Greasy Citizen's Brigade
productions as everything from the comedic lead to the
Shakespearean background character. She is a graduate student
in social work policy.

MARILYN OLSEN (E. M. Ashford, D.Phil.) is here in her second
appearance with FCS, being seen as Fräulein Schneider in Cabaret
last summer. A veteran actor and director of many area stages,
some recent favorites are Rosie, Mamma Mia; Norma Desmond,
Sunset Boulevard; Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd; Maria Callas,
Master Class, Madam Rose, Gypsy. Marilyn is a PA in Waterbury.
Thanks to husband John and her two favorite productions, Philip
and Ellie, for supporting her creative side!

STEVE BENKO (Mr. Bearing) has been part of Fairfield Center
Stage for nine years and currently serves as Board President. In its
previous productions, he has portrayed both Scrooge and Marley
in A Christmas Carol, Herr Schultz in Cabaret, Mayor Shinn in The
Music Man, Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray, Lazar Wolf in Fiddler On
the Roof, the criminologist in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Lord
High Underling in The Wiz, and various roles in The Laramie Project.

BONNIE GREGSON (Ensemble) Thanks to the cast, crew, and
production team for this amazing journey. Credits include Lulu in
Cabaret, Connie in A Chorus Line, and Cynthia in Priscilla Queen of
the Desert. Thank you to family & friends. Lots of love to Emily,
Melanie, and John.

TAMMY MULROONEY (Ensemble) is delighted to be working with
Fairfield Center Stage for the first time with a fantastic cast and
crew! Recent performances in Rhode Island include Janie in Isn’t it
Romantic with The Players, Becca in Rabbit Hole with The
Community Players, Nina in Vanya, and Sonia, and Masha and
Spike at Roger Williams University’s Barn Summer Playhouse.

BRODEY OTT (Ensemble) is excited to be making his Fairfield
Center Stage debut. Brodey is a Stratford based actor/educator
who has worked in productions across Fairfield County. Favorites
include: Spamalot (Sir Galahad/Black Knight/Herbert's Father), A
Midsummer Night's Dream (Snug/Mustardseed), You Can't Take
It With You (Paul), and Dancing at Lugnassa (Michael/Father
Jack u/s).

BRIAN CROOK (Director / Associate Artistic Director of FCS) Brian is thrilled to
mount another production with Fairfield Center Stage, his home away from
home. He has been involved in nearly every production since the founding of
FCS and is so proud of the body of work of this organization in its two years!
Recent FCS credits include: FCS Rocks: Songs in the Key of Life (Vocal Director),
A Christmas Carol Experience (Actor - Ebenezer Scrooge), Matilda (Music
Director), Barnum (Music Director) and Dreamgirls (Director). He also serves as
the theatre director at Norwalk High School (And misses interacting with his
students very much!). He would like to thank his family and incredible friends
for their unending support! WASH YOUR HANDS!

CHRISTY MCINTOSH-NEWSOM (Artistic Director of FCS) is honored to be able
to help this production happen virtually with the special permission of Ms.
Edson and Dramatists Play Service. Since the stay-at-home order took effect,
Christy has stayed active to produce online content for Fairfield Center Stage,
including 20 episodes of Fairfield Center Couch, our quarantine concert series.
She looks forward to the time when we can gather as a community once more
to celebrate the arts in person.

BRIAN BISH (Media Manager / Company Manager) is honored to be a part of
the team for the second season of Fairfield Center Stage and proud to be in
this theater family! Favorite productions with this creative team include The
Wedding Singer, Memphis, American Idiot and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Much love to Jack!

ELI NEWSOM (Executive Producer of FCS) Along with running the day-to-day
operations, Eli supports all of the production teams throughout the season.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, after many years in non-profit
theatre as a singer/actor/dancer, he eventually discovered he much prefers
directing and producing. Eli is a proud resident of downtown Fairfield with his
wife Christy, kids CJ and Melody, and two dogs.

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