Playwright: Theresa Rebeck
Directed By: Shelby Seeley
Production Snapshot
A sparkling, witty comedy that brings to life the indomitable Sarah Bernhardt as she tackles one of Shakespeare's most iconic roles—Hamlet, in a production that could make or break her career. Set in the late 19th century, this play follows Bernhardt's audacious decision to take on the traditionally male part, challenging societal norms and theatrical conventions. With a blend of humor, drama, and backstage intrigue, the story showcases her larger-than-life personality, relentless determination, and the power of breaking boundaries in the world of theater.
Cast
Krista Schafer
Sarah Bernhardt
Krista Schafer (Sarah Bernhardt) is the founding Artistic Director of Open Book. She earned her degree in theatre from Northwestern University and has additional training from Arden Theatre Company, SITI Company, Fringe Benefits, and Augusto Boal. Krista has performed on professional stages large and small across the country. Krista won the Wilde Award for best performance by a lead actress for her title role in Emilie and as Lil’ Bit in How I Learned to Drive, as well as the Best Director award for both The Watson Intelligence and This Random World. She is humbled and grateful beyond measure for the love and support of her wonderful family and friends. Krista is extraordinarily proud of this wonderful theatre that YOU have helped create and grow, and thanks you for being here. Now Begin.
David Gallido
Edmond
David was previously seen at Open Book as James in Time Stands Still (one of his favorite roles ever) and is excited to make his return in this fantastic play. David earned his BA in Theatre from Albion College before serving as an officer in the United States Air Force. He studied with Aaron Speiser in Los Angeles, wrote and performed educational shows at the Michigan Science Center, and was a member of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival Interstate Tour. Some of his favorite past productions include What the Constitution Means to Me, The Renaissance Man, I'll Be Waiting, The Gravedigger, and Assassins. David enjoys running, making desserts (especially cheesecakes), editing the Star Wars prequels, and playing D&D with his friends.
Lindel Salow
Constant
With over 100 shows behind him, Lindel has played roles from Shakespeare to Albee, working in numerous theatres throughout Southeastern Michigan. Open Book audiences will remember him, most recently, as Robin in "The Children". Other appearances with Open Book include; "Marjorie Prime", "Fool for Love", & "Ada & the Engine" along with numerous other shows. Watch out for Lindel's brief appearance in the new short film, "Double Take", where he got to wander around the back alleys of Detroit, in flannel pajamas while carrying a tommy gun! It makes his appearance as Joan Crawford, at the RIngwald, pale by comparison. Off stage, Lindel is the Support Services Coordinator for Auburn Hills Public Library. He and his husband spend their free time traveling, laughing and enjoying the quiet moments life has given them. He is keenly interested in restoration work and has tried his hand at everything from clocks to fireplaces. Lindel is looking forward to his next project. The ride so far has been exciting, unnerving and wonderful. It'll be interesting to see what comes next.
Kevin Keller
Maurice/Francois
Kevin T. Keller - Kevin is so glad to be making his Open Book acting debut before making his Open Book Directing Debut with Ripcord. Most recently Kevin was seen as Motel in Fiddler on the Roof with Thumbcoast. He has also performed around the Detroit area with The Ringwald, Flint Rep, Detroit Rep, and Nicely Theatre Group. Kevin also recently directed Eurydice with etude production. Endless thanks to this company, his family, his friends, and all of his muses for all their endless support. kevin-t-keller.com
Mike Sandusky
Raoul
Mike Sandusky is a Michigan based actor and is ready to take on this incredibly powerful script and story. His philosophy on life is to always be unapologetically great at everything you do. Special thanks to his family and partner for their continued support. FMOI-@sandusky.mike
Kamryn Marck
Lysette/Rosamond
Kamryn is positively thrilled to return to Open Book this season. She was last seen as Georgiana in Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley. You may have also caught one of her one-woman history shows. Some regional theater highlights include: Ring of Fire (Brown County Playhouse), The Glass Menagerie (Thunder Bay Theatre), and The Sound of Music (Riverbank Theatre). In life, Kamryn is a lover of gardening, puzzles, going for walks, and other activities commonly found in your local senior citizen center. So much gratitude to OBTC, the cast and crew, my dog, Pickles, and my family for giving me the space and support to be here. www.anna-marck.com | @anyamarckgetset
Foster Johns
Louis
Foster Johns (He/Him) is elated to be making his Michigan stage debut with Open Book! He is a performer and dialect coach who grew up in New Orleans and currently based in Hazel Park. Foster is an Assistant Professor of Teaching at Wayne State University in the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance where he teaches voice, speech, and acting. He is also a contributing author on a recent publication entitled Queering the Stage: Inclusive Approaches to Performing Gender and Sexuality (Routledge). He received his MFA in Voice Studies at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and his BA in English and Theater at Boston College. Foster would like to thank his fiancé Clark for being a constant source of love and support, his friend Jen for her encouragement to get back on the boards, and his students for always providing so much hope and inspiration!
Henry Ballesteros
Alphonse
Henry is beyond excited to return to Open Book Theatre Co.!(Grand Concourse, Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley) Attended Southern Utah University (B.F.A. in Classical Acting.), Henry has had the pleasure of working with The Michigan Shakespeare Education Tour(MiSFITS), The Utah Shakespeare Festival (Twelfth Night 2014) and with the SimonFest Theatre Co.(2015-2019). Recently, Henry has worked with Shakespeare In Detroit(As You Like It), The Penny Seats Theatre Company(Return To The Forbidden Planet) and Planet Ant(Lovebird Jamboree). For my love Bryan, B, R & A.
Meet the Playwright(s)
Theresa Rebeck
Theresa Rebeck is a widely produced playwright throughout the United States and abroad. New York productions of her work include Dead Accounts at the Music Box Theatre; Seminar at the Golden Theatre; Mauritius at the Biltmore Theatre in a Manhattan Theater Club Production; The Scene, The Water’s Edge, Loose Knit, The Family of Mann and Spike Heels at Second Stage; Bad Dates, The Butterfly Collection and Our House at Playwrights Horizons; The Understudy at the Laura Pels Theater in a Roundabout Theatre Company production; and View of the Dome at New York Theatre Workshop. Omnium Gatherum (co-written, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2003) was featured at the Humana Festival, and had a commercial run at the Variety Arts Theatre. Her play Poor Behavior premiered at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 2011.
Ms. Rebeck’s other publications are Free Fire Zone, a book of comedic essays about writing and show business. She has written for American Theatre Magazine and has had excerpts of her plays published in the Harvard Review. Ms. Rebeck’s novels, Three Girls and Their Brother and Twelve Rooms With A View, were published by Random House/Shaye Areheart Books. Her third novel, I’m Glad About You, was published by Putnam in February 2016.
In television, Ms. Rebeck has written for Dream On, Brooklyn Bridge, L.A. Law, American Dreamer, Maximum Bob, First Wave and Third Watch, and she created the NBC drama Smash. She has been a writer/producer for Canterbury’s Law, Smith, Law and Order: Criminal Intent and NYPD Blue. Her produced feature films include Harriet the Spy, Gossip, and the independent features Sunday on the Rocks and Seducing Charlie Barker, an adaptation of her play The Scene.
Awards include the Mystery Writer’s of America’s Edgar Award, the Writer’s Guild of America award for Episodic Drama, the Hispanic Images Imagen Award, and the Peabody, all for her work on NYPD Blue. She has won the National Theatre Conference Award (for The Family of Mann), and was awarded the William Inge New Voices Playwriting Award in 2003 for The Bells. Mauritius was originally produced at Boston’s Huntington Theatre, where it received the 2007 IRNE Award for Best New Play as well as the Eliot Norton Award. Other awards include the PEN/Laura Pels Foundation Award, the Athena Film Festival Award, an Alex Award and a Lilly Award, and in 2011 she was named one of the “150 Fearless Women in the World” by Newsweek.
Ms. Rebeck is originally from Cincinnati and holds an MFA in Playwrighting and a PhD in Victorian Melodrama, both from Brandeis University. She is a proud board member of the Dramatists Guild, a Contributing Editor to the Harvard Review and an Associate Artist of the Roundabout Theatre Company, and has taught at Brandeis University and Columbia University. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
