The Depot Theatre’s 39th season begins with the east coast premiere of “A Brief History of Penguins and Promiscuity”. Is the stuffy but steady English Lit Professor the true father of his son? Or is it the incredibly ugly Marine Biologist? Or the obnoxious French Waiter? Or the FedEx, DHL or UPS Delivery man? (Not to mention the aspiring Mime…) A simple question becomes hilariously convoluted when the power of Penguin Musk is unleashed on the unsuspecting mother!
This production of A Brief History of Penguins and Promiscuity is sponsored by Skidmore College.
ABOUT THE CAST (in alphabetical order)
JACK HERHOLDT (King) Depot Theatre debut! Off Broadway: A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory; That Physics Show! (Drama Desk Award-Unique Theatrical Experience); King Lear. National Tours: Peter Pan, A Christmas Carol. Regional: Greater Tuna, The Importance of Being Earnest (Savannah Rep) Out at Sea (John Drew Theatre); How to Succeed… (BAPA); The Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. As playwright: Bacchae Redux, Little Stories, Falling in Love and Other Ridiculous Ideas.
CHRISTIAN PEDERSEN (Fantasy Man) is making his Depot Theatre debut, and is very pleased to be working with Kevin again. They first collaborated on Eternal Equinox at the 59E59 Theatre in NYC. Other NY credits include The Fabulous Kane Sisters (Cherry Lane), Vieux Carre (The Pearl), Another Vermeer (Abingdon), and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (3LD). Regionally, Christian has performed at Cleveland Play House, Rep St. Louis, Geva, Arkansas Rep, Maltz-Jupiter, NJ Rep, and most recently in Cloud Nine, directed by Michael Kahn at the Studio Theatre in Washington DC. TV appearances include The Good Wife, Fringe, Damages, Royal Pains, and recurring roles on One Life to Live. Next month he will head West to perform in Once at South Coast Rep. www.christianpedersen.com
RICHARD ROWAN (Roquefort) played General Genghis Kahn Schmitz in the First National Tour of Seussical the Musical with Cathy Rigby and appeared in the world premiere of Disney’s When You Wish. His many New York and regional credits include Sister Act (Monsignor O’Hara), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), A Little Night Music (Fredrik), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Douglas Panch), Crazy for You (Eugene), Forever Plaid (Smudge), Urinetown (Mr. McQueen), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Pharaoh), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Miles Gloriosus), The Pirates of Penzance (Pirate King), Godspell (John the Baptist/Judas), Kiss Me Kate (First Gangster) and The School for Scandal (Joseph Surface). He also appeared on the final season of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Richard is a graduate of Northwestern University.
AUBREY SAVERINO (Julia) is a New York based actor with an MFA from The Old Globe/USD. OFF BROADWAY/NYC credits include: Dido in Dido & Aeneas (Dixon Place); Antigone, Mend (Epic Theatre Ensemble); Brewed (NYC Fringe) Absolution (St. Luke’s) and more. REGIONAL credits include: Regan in King Lear, Maria in Twelfth Night (The Old Globe); Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby, Princess of France in Love’s Labour’s Lost (Orlando Shakespeare Theater); Lady Percy in Henry IV, Viola in Twelfth Night (Independent Shakespeare Company); Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice (Capital Repertory Theatre); Catherine Givings in In The Next Room (San Diego Repertory Theatre); additional credits include Vineyard Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Furious Theatre Company, Chester Theatre Company, various commercial work and more. In addition to her acting work, Aubrey is also a published playwright and co-creator of the award-winning series, The Digressions (www.thedigressions.com). IG: @AubreySaverino. www.aubreysaverino.com
JONATHAN C. WHITNEY (Albert) is thrilled to be a part of this incredibly fun new show. From southern Ohio, Whitney has since appeared in several NYC, regional, and collegiate productions, including: Sex Tips for Straight Women From a Gay Man, Off- Broadway (Stefan); The Video Games, Off-Broadway (Scorpion/DK swing); Henry V (Henry V); Taming of the Shrew (Petruchio); Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde); Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Sherlock Holmes); One Man Two Guvnors (Stanley Stubbers); The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack); He has also appeared in several web series, music videos, video games, and advertisements. Many thanks to his very supportive family, and all his amazing friends. BFA, Acting: Ball State University.
ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
KEVIN COCHRAN (Director, Set Designer) has been Artistic Director of Grove Theater Center in Burbank, California since 1994. Plays directed there include Blake…da Musical! (L.A. Ovation Award for Best New Musical, Ovation and LA Weekly nominations for Best Director); Film Chinois (Ovation Award for Best New Play); R.R.R.E.D. (LA Weekly Nomination for Best Director); The Adding Machine (OC Weekly Award for Best Production); The Beckett Project II (OC Weekly nomination for Best Director) and Eternal Equinox (also its Off-Broadway premiere). Kevin wrote and directed Bobby & Matt at GTC and FringeNYC (Pick of the Week in Back Stage NY). He is also the Producing Artistic Director of the Moss Hart & Kitty Carlisle Hart New Play Initiative whose first project premieres October 2017 in LA and Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters in March 2018. Kevin graduated as a Scholar of the House in theater, design and circus arts from Yale University.
BONNIE BREWER (Lighting Designer) has been working the professional theatre circuit for more than a quarter of a century. Professional Stage Manager & Company Member at Pendragon Theatre since 1990, she is also a Director of more than 20 shows, and has shared her talents in designing sound, lights and creating props for close to 150 productions throughout upstate NY. She has even had the occasion to make a few rare on-stage guest appearances – sometimes on purpose, other times out of necessity. Recently she found herself teching two shows simultaneously on opposite sides of the mountains: Man of La Mancha at Pendragon, and My Way at The Depot.
JIM CARROLL (Sound Designer) Jim’s love of technical theatre that started when he was in Middle School. Challenging a severe case of stage fright, he made his acting debut as Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors for Essex Theatre Company in 2005. Jim has been Technical Director or provided support for over 150 shows since 1998 with various local, community, and professional theatres. He can occasionally be seen on the Discovery and Travel Channels talking about his sightings of Champ, the Lake Champlain Sea Monster. Jim and his family run Westport Marina and The Galley Restaurant and Bar. In addition, he creates memories with OvertimePhotoBooth.com. Jim is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Depot Theatre and continues his work with the Boquet River Theatre Festival, the NYS Theatre Education Association and is a member of the Westport Central School Board of Education.
KELLIE MCMENEMON (Stage Manager) is excited to be a part of the 2017 summer season at Depot Theatre! Most recently Kellie has been a part of the world premiere of Beatsville at Asolo Repertory in Sarasota Florida. Other credits include Guys and Dolls (Asolo Rep, FL), the 2016 summer season at Pendragon Theatre (Saranac Lake, NY), Butler and Alabama Story (Florida Studio Theatre, FL), Almost Maine (Two Roads Theatre, CA) and Desdemona: A Play About A Handkerchief (Edinburgh, Scotland). Kellie would like to thank her amazing family, Matthew, Beth and Karen for their support as well as her super adorable puppy, Henley!
A Brief History of Penguins & Promiscuity Special Events
Catch a special preview July 7 at 8pm. The performance is a fully-rehearsed and staged performance, although some directorial decisions may be changed for future performances of the production. Preview Night tickets are $20, plus the $1 per ticket facility fee.* No other discounts apply.
Celebrate Opening Night on July 8 with a toast immediately following the performance with the cast and crew, staff and board. (While the toast is free, tickets to the performance are required.)
Depot Dialogue: Join the cast and crew after the 5:00 performance on Sunday, July 16, for a moderated discussion about the show.
Full Production Information:
A Brief History of Penguins & Promiscuity
By James McLindon
Directed by Kevin Cochran
With Jack Herholdt, Christian Pederson, Richard Rowan, Aubrey Saverino, and Jonathan C. Whitney
Lighting Design by Bonnie Brewer
Set Design by Kevin Cochran
Sound Design by Jim Carroll
Stage Management by Kellie McMenemon
Sponsored by Skidmore College
At the Depot Theatre, 6705 Main Street, Westport, NY 12993
July 7-23, 2017
CAST:
King: Jack Herholdt
Fantasy Man: Christian Penderson
Roquefort: Richard Rowan
Julia: Aubrey Saverino
Albert: Jonathan C. Whitney
CREATIVE TEAM:
By James McLindon
Director: Kevin Cochran
Lighting Designer: Bonnie Brewer
Sound Designer: Jim Carroll
Stage Manager: Kellie McMenemon
Back Stage Apprentice: Libby Morehouse
Producing Director: Kevin Cochran
Business Manager: Erin Harrington
PLAN YOUR VISIT
TICKETS: Tickets for A Brief History of Penguins & Promicuity are $30 ($28 seniors/students) and are based on availability. A $1 facility fee will be added to each ticket to help defray the cost of maintaining our historic theatre.
Tickets and subscriptions may be purchased online at depottheatre.org, by phone at 518-962-4449 or at the Box Office window at 6705 Main Street in Westport. Phone and Window hours are 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
PARKING: Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the upper and lower lots of the Westport Train Station.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: The Depot Theatre is air-conditioned and accessible to all audiences. Patrons who are sensitive to air-conditioning and Adirondack breezes may wish to bring a light jacket or sweater.
For full details about the 2017 season, visit: https://depottheatre.org/main_stage/
ABOUT THE DEPOT THEATRE
The Depot Theatre is a non-profit, professional theatre located in a historic, functioning 1876 train station in Westport, N.Y., and operates under an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. In addition to its volunteer board of trustees, the theatre depends on the support and generosity of its loyal donors, volunteers and community members. Committed to promoting and providing exposure to the performing arts in the Adirondacks, the Depot Theatre invites all to “Take a journey without leaving the station.” The Depot Theatre’s 2017 Season is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.