AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN by Matthew Hansen Wetsel
June 29th, 2014 @ 3:00 PM
Synopsis: An Appeal to Heaven is a play about excess and how money corrupts absolutely. It follows four college seniors on their Winter Break in the Hamptons and all of the ensuing debauchery that quickly spirals out of control until they are incapable of ‘turning back;’ there is no redemption. These addled youths personify the shining promise of a once great nation rotting from the inside out. They are an open sore we allow to fester, parasites, vermin. They aren’t people. They are a self-induced plague that society has conjured with its exultation of greed, luxury lifestyles and the importance of an individual’s desires over the needs of the many. If this play doesn’t cause you to feel upset over the sorry, stratified state of what society has become, then I have failed and I implore you to either write a play, song, anything to incite violence and unrest against people with more money than you or simply take something blunt, bash their heads in and steal their stuff.
CAST
(In order of appearance)
Jonathan ......................Ryan DeNardo*
Jeremy ................... Nick Clark Tanner
Seth .................................. Matt Strool
Maria................................. Anna Ilina
Directed by: Kimberly Nordstrom
Stage Directions by Alex Kozak
Ryan DeNardo (Jonathan) Theatre credits include Grease (Danny Zuko), Cabaret, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Pump Boys and Dinettes, West Side Story, RENT, Les Mis, Shenandoah, and several workshops and new works. Film/TV: “Crazy Love,” “Almost College.” Also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist in a variety of styles, he plays in NYC-based folk rock band Worthy Fools, who just released their debut album "Goin' Down Swingin'." BFA from Ithaca College. www.ryandenardo.com
Nick Clark Tanner (Jeremy)
Matt Strool (Seth) Matt is excited and grateful to finally be a part of Just Kidding Theater Company. He graduated with Kimberly Nordstrom from the Somerset County's Vo Tech in the performing arts department. He recently choreographed a couple fight scenes for the musical 'Garden of Eden' at the Bergen PAC. Graduating from the University of the Arts he was nationally certified in stage combat, proficient in 8 weapons while achieving his B.F.A. A couple credits include 'In the Boom Boom Room' and 'The cider House Rules: Part 1 and 2'. He is proud to support new works and thanks everyone in attendance. Also special thanks to friends and family for their amazing support!
Anna Ilina (Maria) Anna Ilina had her debut on the New York stage with Just Kidding Theatre Company’s “Living Dead in Denmark” in April, 2013, and today she is happy to be back with JKTC’s “An Appeal to Heaven”. During this year Anna has been part of many productions, such as: “The Seagull” (Masha), “The New Play” (Constance), Fringe Festival’s “The Great iii Am” (assistant director; Jaqqy), “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether” (Mademoiselle Eugenie) and “Free” (Lilith). Anna’s other roles include: “The Glass Menagerie” (Laura), “A Very Simple Story” (Burenka the Cow), “Twelfth Night” (Olivia), “August: Osage County” (Barbara). Anna has also been part of Camera 2’s and Rick Rocker’s music videos “Freakshow” and “Spend the Night”; and two short films by Danielle Levy: “Anthem” (Girl) and “She Dreams She’s Awake” (She).
Kimberly Nordstrom (Director) Kimberly is thrilled to undertake the role of Director for AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN, the 3rd reading in Just Kidding Theatre Company, INC's 2014 Spring and Summer Reading Series. The whole series has been in the works over the past year and she is excited to finally see it come together. Theatre credits include: Living Dead in Denmark (Juliet), Dog Sees God (CB's Sister) andCactus Flower (Toni). Film credits include: Is Anybody Listening? (Riley), Misdirection (Stacy) and Infection (Karen). Thanks to Matthew Hansen for writing such a wonderful piece of work, her family for their constant love and support throughout it all and finally her main date man for making her feel strong when she has felt her weakest. Can't wait to see what will be next for JKTC and which play will be put up in the upcoming 2015 season. www.kimberlybnordstrom.com
Alex Kozak (Stage Directions) Born in California, Alex attended The Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre and is currentl pursuing a career in Voice Acting. He has also appeared in several plays and musicals including "Dracule," "A Streetcarr Named Desire," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Les Miserables" and more than helf of the works of William Shakespeare
Matthew Wetsel (Playwright) holds a BFA in Acting from Pace University and is a graduate of the William Esper Studio. Past plays include ‘An Analysis of Suspense and Dramatic Tension’ (Strawberry One Act Festival) and ‘The Burden of the Few’ (Rhapsody Collective). He would like to thank Danielle for her constant love and support
* Members of Actors' Equity
June 29th, 2014 @ 3:00 PM
Synopsis: An Appeal to Heaven is a play about excess and how money corrupts absolutely. It follows four college seniors on their Winter Break in the Hamptons and all of the ensuing debauchery that quickly spirals out of control until they are incapable of ‘turning back;’ there is no redemption. These addled youths personify the shining promise of a once great nation rotting from the inside out. They are an open sore we allow to fester, parasites, vermin. They aren’t people. They are a self-induced plague that society has conjured with its exultation of greed, luxury lifestyles and the importance of an individual’s desires over the needs of the many. If this play doesn’t cause you to feel upset over the sorry, stratified state of what society has become, then I have failed and I implore you to either write a play, song, anything to incite violence and unrest against people with more money than you or simply take something blunt, bash their heads in and steal their stuff.
CAST
(In order of appearance)
Jonathan ......................Ryan DeNardo*
Jeremy ................... Nick Clark Tanner
Seth .................................. Matt Strool
Maria................................. Anna Ilina
Directed by: Kimberly Nordstrom
Stage Directions by Alex Kozak
Ryan DeNardo (Jonathan) Theatre credits include Grease (Danny Zuko), Cabaret, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Pump Boys and Dinettes, West Side Story, RENT, Les Mis, Shenandoah, and several workshops and new works. Film/TV: “Crazy Love,” “Almost College.” Also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist in a variety of styles, he plays in NYC-based folk rock band Worthy Fools, who just released their debut album "Goin' Down Swingin'." BFA from Ithaca College. www.ryandenardo.com
Nick Clark Tanner (Jeremy)
Matt Strool (Seth) Matt is excited and grateful to finally be a part of Just Kidding Theater Company. He graduated with Kimberly Nordstrom from the Somerset County's Vo Tech in the performing arts department. He recently choreographed a couple fight scenes for the musical 'Garden of Eden' at the Bergen PAC. Graduating from the University of the Arts he was nationally certified in stage combat, proficient in 8 weapons while achieving his B.F.A. A couple credits include 'In the Boom Boom Room' and 'The cider House Rules: Part 1 and 2'. He is proud to support new works and thanks everyone in attendance. Also special thanks to friends and family for their amazing support!
Anna Ilina (Maria) Anna Ilina had her debut on the New York stage with Just Kidding Theatre Company’s “Living Dead in Denmark” in April, 2013, and today she is happy to be back with JKTC’s “An Appeal to Heaven”. During this year Anna has been part of many productions, such as: “The Seagull” (Masha), “The New Play” (Constance), Fringe Festival’s “The Great iii Am” (assistant director; Jaqqy), “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether” (Mademoiselle Eugenie) and “Free” (Lilith). Anna’s other roles include: “The Glass Menagerie” (Laura), “A Very Simple Story” (Burenka the Cow), “Twelfth Night” (Olivia), “August: Osage County” (Barbara). Anna has also been part of Camera 2’s and Rick Rocker’s music videos “Freakshow” and “Spend the Night”; and two short films by Danielle Levy: “Anthem” (Girl) and “She Dreams She’s Awake” (She).
Kimberly Nordstrom (Director) Kimberly is thrilled to undertake the role of Director for AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN, the 3rd reading in Just Kidding Theatre Company, INC's 2014 Spring and Summer Reading Series. The whole series has been in the works over the past year and she is excited to finally see it come together. Theatre credits include: Living Dead in Denmark (Juliet), Dog Sees God (CB's Sister) andCactus Flower (Toni). Film credits include: Is Anybody Listening? (Riley), Misdirection (Stacy) and Infection (Karen). Thanks to Matthew Hansen for writing such a wonderful piece of work, her family for their constant love and support throughout it all and finally her main date man for making her feel strong when she has felt her weakest. Can't wait to see what will be next for JKTC and which play will be put up in the upcoming 2015 season. www.kimberlybnordstrom.com
Alex Kozak (Stage Directions) Born in California, Alex attended The Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre and is currentl pursuing a career in Voice Acting. He has also appeared in several plays and musicals including "Dracule," "A Streetcarr Named Desire," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Les Miserables" and more than helf of the works of William Shakespeare
Matthew Wetsel (Playwright) holds a BFA in Acting from Pace University and is a graduate of the William Esper Studio. Past plays include ‘An Analysis of Suspense and Dramatic Tension’ (Strawberry One Act Festival) and ‘The Burden of the Few’ (Rhapsody Collective). He would like to thank Danielle for her constant love and support
* Members of Actors' Equity