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Poster by Paul Springer
Photos by Michael Behrens Credits: Nate Levine plays Billy and Miss Emma REVIEW OF THE WIDOW WEST: “The Widow West” by Morgan Ludlow is at Stage Werx until September 27, and YOU SHOULD NOT MISS IT! Classical Greece had Homer and Ulysses, ancient Rome had Virgil and Aeneas, and now San Francisco has Morgan Ludlow providing us a myth of the city's own founding husband, Wily West. Historians be damned! The real story of what kept San Francisco afloat when the gold ran out involves a young cross-dressing prospector by the name of Billy and a rough, tough millionaire, the aforementioned Mr. West. The play is almost too much fun, especially when watching Jason Jeremy as Adolph Sutro vie for the affections of Miss Emma, who he hasn't realized is a young man in drag. But the underlying humanity of the situation, particularly the danger to Emma if it is ever discovered that she is really a boy, is continually and seamlessly brought back into focus by the playwright and by the cast's balanced work. Excellent performances are turned in by Janice Wright as the whore with a heart of coal, Mark Shepard as Sam Brannan, and Billy Hayes as Wiley West. But best of all are the two leads, Nate Levine as Billy and Miss Emma, and Gwyneth Richards as the Widow West, whose narration advances the story. I've been going to theater in the area since 1977 and, for my money, Gwyneth Richards is the Bay Area's most accomplished Shakespearian actor. That's why it was particularly surprising and enjoyable to see her switch from a reminiscing Widow West into brief stints as various comic characters, including a brothel keeper who walks and talks like John Wayne (in a purple gown). As you can tell, I was delighted at this evening of theatre, and I'm urging all my friends to go see it. “The Widow West” deserves to be San Francisco’s next big home grown hit. Nick Hornby, YELP |
The Widow West
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Poster Designed by Paul Springer
Photos by William Boice Credits: Linda Wang, Celeste Russi Lauren Umansky, Celeste Russi and Gwyneth Richards "Come see this beautiful actor's play..." --Jim Strope SF EXAMINER "This play covered territory that is near and dear to my heart: The battle of the sexes, patriarchal versus matriarchal values, and the effect of spirituality on societies. It had witty comedy, highly affecting drama, outstanding costuming, and spot-on performances by the actors." --Goldstar Member "A quirky and amusing fantasy..." --Molly Rhodes SF Weekly "Great play; funny but powerful & relevant for our times. A great adult fairy tale. Great writing, acting, music, costumes." - Goldstar Member |
Maidrid's Bow
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Poster Designed by Paul Springer
Photos by Michael Behrens Credits: Kira Shaw and Alex Hersler Jessica Scalzo and Jeff Newton What do a couple swingers, a Siberian orphanage, a gay superhero, a woman who has lost her cat, two North Beach restaurateurs and a bunch of corporate yuppies have in common? Find out in San Francisco Stories! A modern collection of hilarious and heart-warming plays set in our beloved city by writers who live here. "Enjoyable, unpretentious stories. Plots and actors were great. I would recommend it..."
-- Mike Arbunich GOLDSTAR MEMBER "Mr. Ludlow has done it again. Gathering an ensemble of wonderfully entertaining short plays. Each sprinkled with San Francisco neighborhood charm and wit. " GOLDSTAR MEMBER |
San Francisco Stories
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Poster Designed by Paul Springer
Photos by William Boice Credits: Ben Ortega and Linda Wang Kat Kneisel and Ben Ortega "NYMPH O' MANIA is delightful! " --SF BAY TIMES "A happy diversion for a midsummer's night" --BAY AREA REPORTER "NYMPH O' MANIA's cast totally owned the script of this play. They were funny, skillful and poignant, with great timing. I would see it again and again! Morgan Ludlow's story touched me throughout and he had my complete trust by the end of the play. I would watch anything he writes. The set was amazing and I hear was built on a shoestring, which makes it even more wonderful to see. The sound, lighting and Stage Werx itself were perfect for this production. Go SEE IT!" --YELP "Absolutely fabulous!" --GOLDSTAR MEMBER "I saw NYMPH O' MANIA last week with my mother and what a hoot! She and I both loved the production wildly. The audience was laughing hysterically throughout the show and the seats were almost all sold-out..." --YELP "This play is very, very funny! But it also turns on a dime, switching to dead serious. And back. That audience members were both crying and laughing (during very different scenes) is evidence that this is very well-written." --GOLDSTAR MEMBER “Last night was the closing of this curiously in-depth ultra modern look at a dance around Midsummer Night's Dream, "Nymph O Mania." Bringing elements of an ever intriguing Shakespearean play to present day was nothing short of hysterical. Every character was fully engaged, not a one stealing the show but all impressive in their focus and message to be delivered. The message for me was don't forget to stop and think about what is truly important--our hearts, our souls and truth. Don't hide from anything, be who you are, live through your pain, wow. Not only did I laugh myself silly I felt thoughtful when I left. The last scene faded to black perfectly, with one of the lead characters left to reflect the new freedom he felt in his heart, seemingly a new man. Bravo! The house was full, and the energy perfect.” --YELP |
Nymph O' Mania
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Poster Designed by Paul Springer
Poster Photo by Linda Wang Photos by William Boice Credits: Gwyneth Richards, Ryan Hayes Ryan Hayes, Gwyneth Richards "One of the TOP 10 Shows of 2010 in the Bay Area!" --SF BAY TIMES "I'm a fan of Wily West Productions and it was a pleasure seeing RUTH AND THE SEA." --Jim Strope, SF EXAMINER.COM "Excellent. RUTH AND THE SEA explores the family ties that bind, positing that love can find a way to win, even in the most dysfunctional of families. Recommended!" --Tom Kelly, SF BAY TIMES 
Photo by Bill Boice
Credit: Linda Wang as Jamie "Great production! The play is very well-written, and the acting is first class. Some very moving scenes but also lots of humor throughout. I highly recommend it." --GOLDSTAR MEMBER "An interesting viewpoint of the Christmas spirit with live music (quite wonderful!!!) Excellent acting. Something Christmasy without being Chistmasy." --GOLDSTAR MEMBER |
Ruth and the Sea
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Wily West New Play FestivalBelievers
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Juno en Victoria
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Poster Designed by Paul Springer
Photos by William Boice Credits: Celeste Van Etten & Michelle Jasso Linda Wang "Bousel's witty dialogue shines, with clever nods to Austen and Wilde..." --Sam Hurwitt "If it is still running, you MUST go see it. The play is SUPERB, the actors are Oscar-worthy. Really." --Goldstar Member "JUNO EN VICTORIA is a cleverly written and beautifully executed Victorian representation of Ancient Mythology focused on the Goddess Hera and her family." --Goldstar Member "Bousel's depiction of Hera, and Jasso's realization of it, is a great triumph of the play." --Sam Hurwitt "The women in this production are incredibly strong and talented actresses and I was deeply moved..." --Goldstar Member |
Juno en Victoria
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Poster Designed by Paul Springer
Photos by William Boice Credits: Philip Goleman Sarah Moser as Peaches The funniest play this season!" Lee Hartgrave, BEYOND CHRON "Lyons has a gift for stream-of-conciousness monologue and all of the characters get to play their own great scene...a wonderfully written and staged "time-lapse" sequence...that is priceless!" Robert Sokol, SF EXAMINER "Sharp performances crisply directed by Sara Staley... the writing has several inspired flights of zaniness..." --Robert Avila, SF BAY GUARDIAN "The play is at its best in quirky little moments of revealing human behavior..." --Richard Dodds, SF BAY AREA REPORTER |
Peaches en Regalia
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Poster Designed by Paul Springer
Credits: Wesley Cayabyab & Gabrielle Patacsil on cover of 96 Hours Photo by Colin Hussy Left Photo by William Boice Credit: Gabrielle Patacsil "Stuffed with ultimatums and revelations and Jewish-Italian home cooking..." --Amber Adrian, 7X7 Magazine "We all left with huge smiles and repeating great lines from the show! Another Wily West cavalcade of talent showcasing beautiful work from all ends." --Goldstar Member "A wild and melodramatic send-up of the mafia genre." --Nirmala Nataraj, SF Chronicle |
Arrivederci Roma
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Poster Designed by Colin Hussy
Photos by Jim Norrena THE PLAYS Mission: Irrisistible by Patricia Milton Of Machines and Men by Rod McFadden The Disadvantaged by Candice Benge Traveling Music by Gaetana Caldwell-Smith An American Traitor by Jordan Puckett Her Special Day by Rachel Bublitz One Last Night Stand by Bridgette Duta Portman Space Junk by Kristin Anundsen |
SHEHEREZADE XIILaylah Muran
Executive Producer Stage Werx Theatre 446 Valencia San Francisco MAY 11 – 26, 2012 Ann Thomas and Kat Kneisel Directors Quinn Whitaker Lead Design and Producing Director Costumes by Rhonda Carson -STARRING- Diana Brown Wesley Cayabyab Abigail Edber Philip Goleman Edward Kimak Melissa Keith Ben Ortega Linsay Rousseau Burnett Lila Tavelli Space garbage is falling from the sky and the Mayan's might have something to do with it, but a Russian / American space program might solve all our problems at home. Matt's at the bar and even the end of the world can't get him laid, but at least his mom isn't trying to steal his wedding day focus like Caroline's is. When Dr. Turing thought of thinking machines more than half a century ago, we doubt he had a jealous Prius in mind. Stress can lead a rich man to be ridiculous on the front lines of a revolution at home and a young doctor to tragedy in a war torn nation half a world away. It all happens in around and because of 2012, don't miss it! |
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Poster Designed by Paul Springer
Photos by Jim Norrena Credits: Maria Giere Marquis, Casey Fern "The story develops...with some clever plot twists and sharp comic writing...there's a lot here to enjoy." --Robert Hurwitt, SF CHRONICLE "Playwright Patricia Milton has good comic chops and there are plenty of laughs to be found in this light hearted romance. Actors Casey Fern and Maria Giere Marquis are charming as Rocky and Grace, the battling researchers." --Charles Kruegar, BAY AREA THEATRE CRITICS' CIRCLE "The horny muskrats, and the frequent deluges of frogs? Bring it on!" --George Heymont, HUFFINGTON POST |
Believers
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Poster Designed by Cody Rishell
Monday, October 8th 7:30pm FRIAR LAZARO By Bridgette Dutta Portman Directed by Brady Brophy-Hilton Set in a Spanish mission in 19th century California, Friar Lazaro tells the story of a young padre whose religious doubts lead him to madness and murder... Tuesday, October 9th 7:30pm HOPE'S LAST CHANCE By Rod McFadden Directed by Brady Brophy-Hilton While staying the weekend at a secluded Bed and Breakfast Inn Stan and Angela are awakened to screams in the night... 
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Spooky Cabaret
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AUDIENCES LOVE SHEHEREZADE 13
"9-10 minutes plays with one-ten-minute intermission. All world premiers of local playwrights' work by a local top-notch actors. Great direction too. Professionally staged in an intimate 60 seat cabaret theatre. 2 short plays stood out for me. 'Indelible'--about a tattoo artist with anger management issues and a girl wants a butterfly on her butt. Funny and sweet. And then the crown jewel was 'Romulus and Jewel: A 10-Minute Travesty in Five-Acts.' Funniest wildest 10 minutes I have seen in a long long time." --Goldstar Member "This year's Sheherezade is a tour de force of writing, directing and acting with a wide variety of short plays that showcase the skills of all involved, especially the versatility of the actors who play several roles in different plays. Don't miss it!" --Goldstar Member Hell hath no furry like the women Frank left behind in AFTER FRANK . Fleeting fame and scientific ambition affect a young romance in CURT AND LAURA: A STORY OF LOVE AND BIG NUMBERS and the missed chance to ride a heroic-win on the basketball-court out of small town poverty twenty years ago brings old friends to the Stinky Raccoon Saloon in TWO TO FIVE WITH THREE SECONDS TO GO. In AUTO-INCORRECT Nate doesn't have a chance with old high school crush Claire, an enthusiastic English teacher, when his brain starts "correcting" his speech on their first date, but an unexpected similar interest bring two opposites together at the tattoo parlor in INDELIBLE. W hen the line between art and life blur too close for her soon-to-be son-in-law's comfort and daughter Midge sees the line, Madeline finds it hard to hide in CHRYSOMELIDAE HIDE NO MORE. Athletic and tough Mei-Hua never did SAY UNCLEand she never will. And while Maddy and Joe potentially ruin their daughter's birthday and try to unravel the blame in PINATA FIGHT , the star crossed dog and cat, ROMULUS AND JEWEL experience an instant and tragic inter-species passion surpassed by no-one except perhaps their masters' ill-fated love at first sight. 
Rich Egan, Joey Cherney, Karen Offereins, Wes Cayabyab, Kate Jones and Abigail Edber
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SHEHEREZADE 13Laylah Muran
Executive Producer Quinn Whitaker Producing Director & Lead Design Featuring : Wesley Cayabyab, Joey Cherney, Abigail Edber, Rich Egan, Kate Jones, Karen Offereins, Peter Townley Brady Brophy-Hilton Kat Kneisel Laylah Muran Ann Thomas Directors Wesley Cayabyab Technical Director The Exit Theatre Main Stage April 12-April 27th 2013 Thu-Fri-Sat 8pm Now in its 13th year, Sheherezade throws down the gauntlet! It's an evening of fully-produced short plays by Playwright's Center of San Francisco members performed by a phenomenal ensemble cast. Always a mix of the irreverent with the poignant, this year's line-up promises to be fun, entertaining, intelligent and occasionally quirky. 
Kate Jones and Rich Egan
After Frank
Written by Patricia Milton Directed by Laylah Muran Auto-Incorrect Written by Bridgette Dutta Portman Directed by Ann Thomas Chrysomelidae Hide No More Written by Jennifer Lynne Roberts Directed by Brady Brophy-Hilton Indelible Written by Beverly Butler Directed by Kat Kneisel Laura and Curt: A Story of Love and Big Numbers Written by Rod McFadden Directed by Brady Brophy-Hilton Piñata Fight Written by Elizabeth Flanagan Directed by Brady Brophy-Hilton Romulus and Jewel: A 10-Minute Travesty in Five Acts Written by Diane Sampson Directed by Kat Kneisel Say Uncle Written by Mordecai Cohen Ettinger Directed by Kat Kneisel Two to Five with Three Seconds to Go Written by Susan Jackson Directed by Laylah Muran |
Photo Jim Norrena
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Photo Jim Norrena
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Poster designed by Paul Springer with photography by Jim Norrena
All photos by Jim Norrena.
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GORGEOUS HUSSY:
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Photo by Jim Norrena
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Photo by Jim Norrena
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All Photos by Jim Norrena
All Photos by Jim Norrena
"The playwright certainly has fun with many of
the cliches of the genre: the isolated country inn, the stormy weather, a
ghostly child in need, a mysterious landlady, a cantankerous old codger with a
desperate secret, and so on and so forth. He also manages to imbue his hapless
haunted couple with an interesting personal subtext that helps us to care about
them in their life predicament, bringing a bit of gravitas to an otherwise
lightweight story.The result is entertaining"
--Charles Kruegar TheatreStorm |
LAWFULLY WEDDED
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Poster designed by Paul Springer
Dissonance
by TERRY ANDERSON The Duck by VONN SCOTT BAIR The Box by MADELEINE BUTLER Brew, Drink, Repeat by BRIDGETTE DUTTA PORTMAN Almost Like Being Alive by STEVE KOPPMAN Reframing Rockwell by JIM NORRENA The Interview by MADELINE PUCCIONI Photo Dynamic Therapy by JENNIFER LYNNE ROBERTS "Wily West Productions Executive Producer Laylah Muran de Assereto has assembled a talented cast and a diverse collection of one-acts that meld into a satisfying evening of fresh and lively theatre." --BEAST IN A JUNGLE |
Sheherezade 14Laylah Muran
Executive Producer WESLEY CAYABYAB AMY CRUMPACKER | Directors ELLEN CHESNUT | Set & Costumes ANTONIA LUCAS | Music Design & Compilation Featuring: CAMERON GALLOWAY, PHILIP GOLEMAN, RICK HOMAN, JASON JEREMY CAT LUEDTKE, LEONTYNE MBELE-MBONG, GARETH TIDBALL QUINN CAYABYAB| Producing Director Exit Theatre 156 Eddy Street San Francisco June 7-28 SHEHEREZADE is a fully produced short play festival featuring 8 original plays written by local San Francisco playwrights. This year the plays deal with disparate topics from trying to get a job to solving a decades-old murder, from new to old romance, from paint on canvas to the space-time continuum, these plays embody a common theme of how we navigate reality when it can’t be relied upon or won’t hold up to the preconceived. 
Photo by Jim Norrena
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Barrett Courtney. Photo by Jim Norrena
Jenna May Cass & Dan Wilson. Photo by ML.
"Are you the kind of person who questions authority? Who likes to challenge the status quo or disrupt established business models? If so, you'll probably be amused by the mini-dramas included in Wily West Productions' Superheroes..."
--George Heymont My Cultural Landscape "The results range from the level of very good sketch comedy to a piece so over-the-top funny (“Marvin’s Last Wish” by Bridgette Dutta Portman) that it produced what is certainly the longest sustained audience laugh I can remember. It just kept coming in waves, as the shocked, but no doubt delighted, actors stood frozen in tableau..." --Charles Kruger TheatreStorm "A fun play, with some decent acting and writing. We had a very enjoyable night." --Goldstar Review "The plays are all clever, occasionally touching, and divergent enough to sustain interest. The ensemble is first rate and is more-than-ably supported by musician Kat Downs who has composed several clever original songs and incidental music which she performs with panache." --Charles Kruger TheatreStorm |
SUPERHEROES
Laylah Muran Executive Producer July 17, 19, 24, 31 August 2, 7, 14, 16 Thursdays & Saturdays (Alternating) Exit Theatre 156 Eddy Street San Francisco Jennifer Lynne Roberts | Head Writer With Plays By Susan Jackson, Morgan Ludlow, Rod McFadden, Patricia Milton, Laylah Muran, Bridgette Dutta Portman, Karl Schackne Directed by | ALICIA COOMBES & CHELSEY LITTLE KAT DOWNS | Musician QUINN CAYABYAB | Lead Design ALEX HINTON | Production Stage Manager CAST Jenna May Cass, Barrett Courtney, Brian Flegel, Shelley Lynn Johnson, Karen Offereins & Dan Wilson Superheroes is a tight, hilarious collection of interwoven stories about old and new superheroes – their woes, predicaments and foes resulting in a funny and powerful new show that will be performed by an ensemble cast. What happens at the Superhero Convention? What do Superman and Wonder Woman talk about when they are drinking whiskey? And what tricks does Angry Fairy Boy have in store for us this time? Kat Downs, from the band Sit Kitty Sit, will be returning to Wily West and singing live each night songs written from the theme. 
Karen Offereins & Brian Flegel. Photo by ML.
Shelley Lynn Johnson. Photo by Jim Norrena.
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"In a story that at first seems to have a gay relationship at its core before sending out tendrils into complex webs of sexual permutations. Happy and sad are always in close proximity, but Bousel finds ways to evoke laughs that always seem appropriate for the situations. Even the most quippish wisecracks ring true for the characters, who feel like fresh creations but are somehow still familiar."
--Richard Dodds Bay Area Reporter "This is a marvelous script packed with witty, character revealing dialogue! Wily West Productions can be extremely proud to have brought this world premiere to a Bay Area stage." --Charles Kruger TheatreStorm "Stuart Bousel has written a very clever entertainment and this production has a young energetic cast performing the roles." --Richard Connema Talkin'Broadway "Delightful. The cast is uniformly excellent...the direction is sharp and smooth, and the script is hilarious (and incisive). A comedy with a great deal of heart, this one is for anyone who has ever dated. I'm not kidding. The questions we all have while in the dating pool are deliciously exposed and up-ended in this tale of a love triangle that becomes a rectangle and then a hexagon... I'm going to go back and see it again." --Goldstar Review "Everybody Here Says Hello! is a delightful contemporary comedy... It contains some of Bousel's smartest writing and is performed by a talented, finely-tuned ensemble. If you've ever wanted to see a furiously fast-paced, fierce Feydeau farce without any slamming doors, Bousel's play definitely hits the spot!" --George Heymont My Cultural Lanscape |
EVERYBODY HERE
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