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  Toast of the Town  
 

Writen by Ernie Deak* & Scott OKen*
Directed by Nick Digilio

 
   
 
Mind if we play through...
11.9.12


Goldie McJohn is a playwright ready to quit the business. His wife is 8 months pregnant, he's had moderate success, but not enough....Enter the prestigious Lawdy Mama Theater Company to offer him a slot in their upcoming season....if it is successful he gains a spot in the theater company. Sounds easy enough right? Well throw in a distraught company member who'll stop at nothing to sabotage the show, not to mention some peculiar actors, an insane director and her two wacky cohorts, a power crazed restaurant owner, a mention of Shakespeare's Scottish play and a Cesarean, and you have insanity unleashed....it's Toast of the Town!!

 
 
Toast of the Town

 
     
 
 

Opens November 9th and runs through December 15th 2012 $20
Previews November 2 - 4  8pm $10

OPENING NIGHT GALA PARTY November 10th $30
Industry Night Monday, November 26th $5
$30 Flex Pass for our 20th Anniversary Season (includes 2 tickets)

Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm $20

Factory Theater at the Prop Thtr 3502 N. Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618




FOR RESERVATIONS: Please call (312) 409-3247


 
   
 
     
bullet The Cast  
     
  Lorainne Sweet - Kathryn Acosta
Goldy St. John - Timothy C. Amos*
Myrna Flockstein - Allison Cain
Bob Hope - Ernie Deak*
Kay McJohn - Laura Deger
Yvonne Elliman - Catherine Dughi*
Melina Comaway - Alexandria Frenkel
Roy/Jake Stone - Tony Kaehny
Nurse Chinworthy - Charlotte Long
Arrabella C. Doyle - Laura McKenzie*
Wallington Smithington Silverston - Colin Milroy*
Bigsby - Scott OKen*
Cy Curnin - Brian Parenti
Dr. Hardon - Jason Peregoy
Renchini Shatterson - Tony Rossi
Chief Floyd Rose - Dennis Schnel
Commissioner Thurston deBladderhorn - Anthony Tournis*
Eddie - Chas Vrba*

* Denotes Factory Ensemble Member
 
     
     
     
     
  Kathryn Acosta (Lorainne Sweet)  
 

Kathryn is a recent Columbia College grad who is so excited to be making her Factory Theater debut! Some of her past credits include Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride (Madeline) with Babes with Blades, Equus (Jill Mason) and A Memory of Two Mondays> (Patricia) at Columbia College, and The Tooth of Crime (Becky Lou). She would like to thank all the Factory folk for making her laugh herself to tears.

 
 
     
     
     
  Timothy C. Amos* (Goldy St. John)  
 

As a proud ensemble member Tim is so happy to wrapping up this 20th anniversary season with such a fun Factory show. Thank you for spending your evening with us and supporting the storefronts. We keep Chicago alive! Love and hugs to all Tim's friends and family. Jamo the Factory spaniel says "Woof"

 
 
     
     
  Allison Cain (Myrna Flockstein)  
 

received her training at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA and Columbia College in Chicago. As an actor, she has performed in over thirty productions in Chicago since 1992. She was a proud ensemble member of the Factory Theater from 2000 to 2011, where she also served as Executive Director from 2001 - 2007, and is thrilled to be back on the boards with her Factory family reprising her role as one of the crazy triumvirate. In 2009, she successfully made the leap to a full time job in not-for-profit theater administration and is serving as the Managing Director for Lifeline Theatre in Rogers Park where she can remain committed to the production of new works

 
 
     
     
  Ernie Deak* (Bob Hope)  
 

has been a proud and dignified member of the Factory Theater ensemble since Aught Five. He was last seen entertaining a roomful of swells as Ben Turpin in the old Essanay Studios in the truncated version of "Sounds of Silents." Imagine he was me and I was called Frankenstein. Go ahead. Just once. He also met Sara Sevigny for the first time in 2005. What more does he need to tell you? There is no more.

 
 
     
     
  Laura Deger (Kay McJohn)  
 

is thrilled to be performing with the Factory Theater again after playing Liz in Black & Blue. Most recently she performed in Males Order Brides with Quest Theatre Ensemble. She has performed throughout the city in such shows as The Glass Menagerie (Fury Theatre), The Somewhat Gelatinous BLOB from Beyond the Grave (The Cornservatory), Electra & Orestes (20% Theatre), The Four Seasons (Quest Theatre Ensemble), Bed, Bath and Beyond (Dirty Thatch Theatre), and the Jeff nominated Boojum: Nonsense, Truth, and Lewis Carroll (Caffeine Theatre & Chicago Opera Vanguard), to name a few. She's also played Lois Lane in a few Superman Columbia College short films. She would like to thank Nick for being crazy enough to cast her again. Mom and Dad, this is for you!

 
 
     
     
  Catherine Dughi* (Yvonne Elliman)  
 

is happy to be back on stage with her homebodies, the Factory Theater, in the third show of their 20th anniversary season. On a bit of a hiatus, she recently returned from a trip to Australia, where she got to hang out in a rainforest, hike in the mountains, drink wine country dry, all while hugging a koala bear. So, if Yvonne suddenly has an Australian accent, you understand why. Love to my Five Families. Mitakuye Oyas'in.

 
 
     
     
  Alexandria Frenkel (Melina Comaway)  
 

was born to an Alabama TV man and a Colorado beauty queen twenty some-odd years ago (which explains her love of cable and big hair). Alex graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BFA in Acting in 2009. She's been on several Chicago stages since, including Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, Prop Thtr, Stage 773, Dream Theatre and more. Most recently, she appeared in There's Treachery Afoot!, a choose-your-own- adventure extravaganza at Donny's Skybox Second City. She also appeared in Factory Theater vet's Mike Beyer and Kirk Pynchon's Johnny Theatre earlier this year as Cathi the Intern. When not acting or writing, she enjoys sewing and baking and if she could have one wish, it would be for world peace.

 
 
     
     
  Tony Kaehny (Roy/Jake Stone)  
 

studied Acting at University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point and has thoroughly enjoyed the theater scene in Chicago for the past 5 years. He's worked with some great companies in his time here- among his favorites are The Plagiarists, The New Colony, Collaboraction, New Leaf Theatre- and THE FACTORY! Love to family and Emily.

 
 
     
     
  Charlotte Long (Nurse Chinworthy)  
 

Born in Chicago, with the usual length hiatus at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, Charlotte is thrilled to be debuting with The Factory for her first post-grad Chicago show! Previous summer shows include Nothing Without a Company's attendance in Abbyfest 2011 and ShaBAM's production of Refuge in 2007. In the coming months, you can see her perform her writing most weeks with Lifeline Theatre's Storytelling Project. You probably will never see her perform her ukulele because she's just that bad at it.

 
 
     
     
  Laura McKenzie* (Arrabella C. Doyle)  
 

made her Factory Theater debut as actor and writer in the late-night hit Chicagostyle. She has since written Janice Dutts Goes to Life Camp, co-written Ménage à Trailer and appeared in Janice Dutts, Operation Infiltration, The Willing Participant, Top Shelf..., Toast of the Town (original run), Ménage à Trailer, 1985 and Being at Choice. Laura has dabbled a bit in the role of sleep-deprived, neurotic director with Shameless Shamuses and Jenny and Jenni. She has also composed original music for several shows including Janice Dutts, Bustin' Out of Hell, Chicagostyle and Jenny and Jenni. A native Texan, Laura has lived and performed all across the country, including doing her one woman show Laura McKenzie Feels Like Makin' Love in Chicago, New York and Seattle. Other writer-performer credits include: Picked Up and Alice with the Neo- Futurists, Funk Cloud: Fight the Stank! and Waiting On Godot. She is half of the comedy facemelt duo The Laura On Laura Comeback Tour -- check the Lauras out at www.lauraonlaura.com. Laura's other favorite company is the Barrel of Monkeys and you can often see her in the long-running hit show That's Weird, Grandma.

 
 
     
     
  Colin Milroy* (Wallington Smithington Silverston)  
 

Oh, Chicago theater, how the Colin loves you in both first and third-person. Since transplanting from New Mexico, Colin has enjoyed many years of Chicago and its unmatched theater community. After working with the Raven Theater, The Hypocrites, Stage Left Theater and many others, Colin found his home at the Factory Theater in 2007. It's a joy to be in the Toast Of The Town remount because it was a Factory play that helped make him a stalker-y fan of their work. For the Factory, Colin has performed in The Gray Girl (which he also wrote), The New Adventures of Popeye (which he co-wrote with Factory compatriot Sarah Rose Graber and others), Bustin Out of The Hell, Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago, Operation Infiltration, and GI's in Europe. He also serves as the company's co-Casting Director. Next year, more brand new, original plays will blast their way on to the Factory stage, including Street Justice: Condition Red, the play Colin co-wrote with Anthony Tournis. It will be a buddy/bloody cop play. Much love and thanks to Kori, George and Francie for their support and adorability.

 
 
     
     
  Scott OKen* (Bigsby)  
 

is pleased to be in the remount of Toast of the Town. They made him do it. He thought he got away. He tried to hide out in Monument Valley in Utah. Perhaps he would see John Ford. Perhaps he would be the next companion to the Doctor. Perhaps...but they found him and brought him back to Chicago. He escaped the shackles, but was still subdued by men wielding baby seals, you see, he was clubbed by baby seals. It hurts. His bruises bear the scars of past shows he has written, co-written or directed, such as GI's In Europe, Top Shelf..., Mop Top Festival, and Easy Six. His wounds tell the tales of the various plays he has acted in...all at the Factory. Heed my lessons!!!

 
 
     
     
  Brian Parenti (Cy Curnin)  
 

is extremely excited to be working in his first full production with Factory Theater. As an actor he was last seen as Knuckles "the Brain" in The Wild Party Variety Hour, and as Andre in Noir (Silent Theatre). Some of his favorite acting credits include, Borkin in Ivanov (The Moscow Art Theatre), Pauly in Joey & Maria's Wedding (Dillstar Productions), and Tony Morelli in The Set Up (Silent Theatre). Brian holds a BA in Playwriting from Columbia College Chicago. Brian would like to thank Nick Digilio and the hilarious cast and crew for making this experience so much fun! He would also like to give his gratitude to his family and friends for their support. .

 
 
     
     
  Jason Peregoy (Dr. Hardon)  
 

is excited to be working with Factory Theater for the first time, especially since I'm finally getting to be a Doctor, like my father always wanted! Prior to this, I have worked on Cripple of Inishmaan (Redtwist Theatre), Alice in Wonderland (Emerald City Theatre), and was a part of the Jeff Award winning fight team for Cyrano (House Theatre of Chicago). I am also an ensemble member with Explore Theatre, and have performed with them in many different schools. A big shout out to my awesome Wife and my baby that she is carrying in her belly!

 
 
     
     
  Tony Rossi (Renchini Shatterson)  
 

made the move to Chicago in the fall of 2010 from Salem, Massachusetts. Tony made his debut with Factory Theatre last summer in Black and Blue and most recently performed with Eclipse Theatre in Ah, Wilderness!. When not performing, he takes voice lessons and works as an extra for various Chicago television shows. Tony also recently completed level one of the Second City Conservatory. Big shout out to all his friends in Chicago, his "pigeon" family, and most importantly Mom and Dad.

 
 
     
     
  Dennis Schnell (Chief Floyd Rose)  
 

is downright giddy to be working on his first production with Factory Theater! Born and raised in Arlington Heights, IL, Dennis has been living and working in Chicago for the last twelve years. Dennis is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a BFA in Theatre-Acting. Most recently he was seen unintentionally spraying audiences with his wig sweat as Gaetano Proclo in The Ritz at Circle Theatre. In the last few years, Dennis has worked with Chemically Imbalanced Theater, National Pastime, Consortium Project, Village Players, Gorilla Tango, James Downing, and the Attic Playhouse. He would like to give thanks to Factory for giving him the opportunity to be silly onstage with additional thanks going out to the cast, crew, his family, his friends, his co-workers, his girlfriend/new roomie Christyn and the 2015 World Championship Chicago Cubs (It's gonna happen – "Back to the Future II" predicted it).

 
 
     
     
  Anthony Tournis* (Commissioner Thurston deBladderhorn)  
 

hails from Dillon, Texas where his biggest achievement was playing fullback/ running back for the Dillon Panthers. After winning one state championship and leaving his shoes at another, Anthony went to San Antonio State College. After deciding college wasn't for him, he threw his books out the window of a moving pick up truck and relocated back to Dillon. Although tempted, he didn't bang a high school freshman...because she was a freshman. Anthony was arrested for operating an illegal chop shop out of the back of Riggins Rigs. He dedicates this show to his best friend and favorite cripple/sports agent Jason Street. Love to Billy, Mindy, Lyla, and Tara. Texas Forever.

 
 
     
     
  Chas Vrba* (Eddie)  
 

returns to the Factory stage as a performer for the first time since 1985 (the play not, the year) He's happy to reprise his role as Eddie and pleased to be working with a variety of old pals and new friends this time around. These days Chas works primarily as a DJ and sound designer, but is glad to trot the boards once again. Chas loves being part of Factory's storied 20 year history and could tell you many tales of triumph and tragedy, however, while it may be cliched, he'd like to think the best is yet to come. He hopes you enjoy the show, and sincerely thanks you for your attendance of this show, previous Factory shows, and shows that are coming to the Factory in the future. KA.

 
 
     
     
     
     
bullet The Crew  
  Director: Nick Digilio
Technical Director: Tom Aufmann
Stage Manager: Jermaine E Thomas*
Co-Writer: Ernie Deak*
Co-Writer: Scott OKen*
Photographer: Melissa Engle
Lighting Designer: Chloe Honeyman-Bloede
Prop Design: Vivian Knouse
Set Design: Joseph Lark-Riley
Marketing/Poster Design: Jason Moody
Costume Design: Rachel Sypniewski*
Sound Design: Chas Vrba*
Web Designer: Craig Eisenhammer

* Denotes Factory Ensemble Member
 
     
     
  Nick Digilio (Director)  
 

is happy to be back working with the Factory again after co-writing and directing last summer's hit Black and Blue. He is especially happy to be returning to one of his favorite plays Toast of the Town. Nick directed the original production in 2005 and has appeared in, written, and/or directed tons of Factory shows including Alive, White Trash Wedding and a Funeral, Among the Dead, The Vinyl Shop, Win Place or Show, Here Comes a Regular, and GI's in Europe. And for some reason, every time he sees a sports mascot, he laughs his ass off.

 

Tom Aufmann (Technical Director) is excited to be working again with The Factory for Toast. Previous Factory productions include Easy Six, 1985 (the remount), and The Gray Girl. Other theater credits include Avenue Q and Wizard of Oz (Music on Stage), Forever Plaid (Highland Park Players), Life is a Dream (Vitalist Theatre Chicago) and Doll's House, Escape from Happiness and The Crucible (Infamous Commonwealth Theater). Tom wants to thank Phil for his cool hats, and The Factory Theater's cast, crew, technical staff and all those 'behind the scenes' for giving him the opportunity. Tom encourages everyone to continue to support their local theater because this is where it all begins! Enjoy the show!

 

Jermaine E Thomas* (Stage Manager) is pumped to stage manage the first Factory show that he ever saw. It is an honor to work with such talented people on this show and with the amazing Factory Theater once again. That's all I got, enjoy the show and be ready for Zombies. You never know. It could happen.

 

Ernie Deak* (co-writer) has been a proud and occasionally sober member of the Factory Theater ensemble since 2005. He first met Sara Sevigny in the fall of 2005. Coincidence?

 

Scott OKen* (co-writer) Scott OKen...that's right, he has two captial letters in his last name. What of it??!?!? He likes elipses......and talking in the third person. He has been a member of the Factory for the most part since 1995! The Factory has been kind enough to let him act in Sabatoge, White Trash Wedding And A Funeral, Preying Manthis, Win, Place and Show, Urban Legends, Clean, Escape From the North Pole, The Endzone, Being at Choice-the remount, and Operation Infiltration. He has co-written and starred in Surface Dwellers, Toast of the Town, and G.I's in Europe. He has also written and starred in Top Shelf... and Repair Guys. Damn, that's a long-winded credit sequence....It's a Good thing he doesn't start telling you about his Fender Texas Fat Strat, Fender Highway One Strat, PRS SE, Gibson Voodoo SG, and his Ovation EliteT....we'll be here for friggin' hours! Just remember, Thin Lizzy rules, Bloodrock kicks ass, and Magnolia sucks!!!!!

 

Melissa Engle (Photographer) is thrilled to be working with these crazy Factory folks again after performing as Halle in Hey! Dancin'! a few years ago. Melissa married in The Factory (by way of Matt Engle) a year ago and couldn't be happier to be a part of their extended family. Chicago credits The Stinky Cheeseman (Griffin), OOHRAH! (LiveWire/Steppenwolf), Henry V (Oak Park Festival), Romeo & Juliet (Shattered Globe), The Picture of Dorian Gray (Lifeline Theatre), Feydeau Si Deau (Theatre Wit), Dancing at Lughnasa, The Seagull, and Book of Days (Raven Theatre), The (W)hole Thing (Stage Left) as well as work with Steppenwolf, Chicago Dramatists, Chicago Shakespeare and Collaboraction. Regional credits include Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Brown County Playhouse, Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Her first feature film, Older Children, will receive its Chicago premiere at the Gene Siskel Center on November 10th. Melissa is represented by Paonessa Talent.

 

Chloe Honeyman-Bloede (Lighting Designer) is super excited to be working with Factory again! She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in May with a degree in Theatrical Lighting Design. The last show she lit was Christmas Carol: The Silent Bah-Humbug (Silent Theatre Company) of which she is a member. She would like to thank Stefan Brun and the Prop Thtr as well as Factory Theater for her first professional lighting gig after graduation.

 

Vivian Knouse (Prop Design) is excited to be working on her first show with Factory Theater. Designer credits include Her Naked Skin and Burn This (Shattered Globe)and Sexual Perversity in Chicago and Bobby Gould in Hell (Organic Theatre Company). She is a recent graduate from Northern Illinois School of Theatre, where she worked on almost thirty shows, and was a 2012 intern for the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. In her spare time, she enjoys making placentas.

 

Joseph Lark-Riley (Set Design) is really really happy to be working with the Factory again. Previous shows include Gray Girl, Black and Blue, Easy Six, and The League of Awesome. Joseph currently lives in New York City and plans to retire to Florida next year, where he and his lovely wife, Elizabeth, will open a brand new theater company in the small riverside town of Rockledge (madeinrockledge.org). If you're curious, you can see some more of Joseph's work at josephlarkriley.com. Thanks to Nick and Phil and Tom and All!

 

Jason Moody (Marketing/Poster Design) Jason Moody has developed the marketing collateral for The Factory for the last three seasons. Just to prove it, further examples of his work can be viewed here: http://www.behance.net/moodyrama.

 

Rachel Sypniewski* (Costume Design) has costumed many shows for the Factory, but this is the first one as an official member! She's excited and proud to be a part of this crazy fun loving group. Ms. Sypniewski has designed over 100 shows in the Chicago storefront and educational theatre communities, some of her favorites include,Frankenstein in Love with Will Act For Food, Hey! Dancin'! with the Factory, Arcadia with New Leaf, Resort 76 with Infamous Commonwealth, and A Passage to India with Vitalist. Her recent and upcoming designs include, The Wizard of Oz with St. Patrick's High School and Gruesome Playground Injuries with Rasaka Theatre Productions. Thank you for supporting theatre and the arts in Chicago. Much love to Robb and the cats. www.rachelsyp.com

 

Chas Vrba* (Sound Design) Born Charles Edward Vrba on February 2, 1972 to Charles A. Vrba and Paula Dumas Vrba at Evanston Hospital in Evanston, Illinois, "Chas" as he would later be called weighed in at 6lbs and 10oz. The attending doctor was David Danforth and the nurses were Margret Gunn and Candy Knight. Since 5:15 pm on that Groundhog's Day in 1972 Chas has been quite busy. He joined the Factory in 2000. He has appeared in Poppin' & Lockdown, Captain Raspberry, Endzone, Goooooo! Speech Team!, Variations on Death, Lab Rats, and White Trash Wedding and a Funeral. He has also lent his amazing talents and infinite modesty to companies such as Defiant Theatre, Raven Theatre, The Journeymen, European Rep., and Steppenwolf among others. In film, you won't see him in Normal Life where his poignant portrayal of the "Cruising Loser" opposite the lovely Ashley Judd wound up on the cutting room floor. (Maybe the DVD release will have outtakes???) A true blue Chicagoan, Chas offers up the following favorites. Best Pizza: Lou Malnati's Best Hot Dog: Byron's Best Record Store: Dusty Groove Best Statue: those huddling people at Diversey & Sheridan Best CTA bus route: 37 Sedgwick. Chas currently serves as the Factory's Managing Director.

 
     
 
  Previews (04/19 – 04/21)  
   
  Opens 04/26  
 
 
  This is our 21st Season in a nutshell  
   
  *nods* well, this is it!  
 
 
     
   
     
 
 
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