Playwright: David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed By: Kevin Keller
Production Snapshot
When prickly Abby is forced to share her room at Bristol Place Senior Living Facility with the sunny and chipper Marilyn, she decides to get rid of the intruder by any means necessary. A seemingly harmless bet between the old women creates some hilarious battles, escalating into a game of one-upmanship that reveals the tenacity and wit of these worthy opponents, as well as some hidden secrets.
Cast
Connie Cowper
Abby
Connie Cowper (Abby) is thrilled to return to Open Book, where she was last seen in Wonder of the World. Other Open Book credits include Kim in Kimberley Akimbo and Sonia in Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike. She has worked with Flint Repertory, Detroit Repertory Theatre, Tipping Point and several regional Shakespeare companies. She received a Wilde Award for her role as Daisy in Driving Miss Daisy with Thumbcoast Theaters. In addition to commercials and film, she employs her acting skills in medical education for Henry Ford Hospital, teaching communication techniques to physicians.
Linda Rabin Hammell
Marilyn
Linda is delighted to be back in her 7th show at Open Book, where she's appeared in For Peter Pan On Her 70th Birthday (Ann/Pan), Wonder Of The World (Lois), and Good People (Margie), among others. Some favorite credits elsewhere are Margaret in The Inheritance Pt.2 (The Ringwald), Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare Royal Oak), Ethel in On Golden Pond (JET), Ruth in Collected Stories (Matrix), Beatrice in A View From The Bridge (Blackbird), and Color Blind and The Sisters Grey at Obsidian Theatre Festivals 2023 and 2024. "There's nothing like making art with friends, especially for the wonderful audiences at Open Book. Love, as always, to the Dood."
Camden Maccagnone
Scotty
Camden Maccagnone (Scotty) is over the moon to be making his debut at Open Book Theatre Company. He has recently graduated from Wayne State’s BFA program and was an improv instructor with Shakespeare Royal Oak’s KidsAct! program. You may remember Camden from Bunburying as ‘Earnest' in The Importance of Being Earnest at Arsène Performing Arts, or from licking rocks as ‘Thomas' from Candy Corn, Christ, and the Convoluted Creation of Golf at the Ringwald Theater. Camden would like to humbly plug his TikTok account Playsfromtheboxoffice where he talks about plays and scripts he thinks people should check out! Camden would like to thank first and foremost God for placing a love for the performing arts in his life and would like to thank his family and peers for their overwhelming love and support.
Amy Schumacher
Colleen
Amy Schumacher (Colleen) is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC and is thrilled to be making her debut at OBTC. Most recently, Amy has appeared at The Dio in Doubt (Sister Aloysius), Lost in Yonkers (Aunt Gert), and Jenny’s House of Joy (Clara Casey). Her performance career includes numerous shows at The Encore Musical Theatre Company and The Palace Theatre of Brown County as well as her one-woman cabaret shows New York State of Mind and What the Hell IS a Smidebush? at Don’t Tell Mama in Manhattan. Additionally, she owns and operates a fabulously quirky online gift shop, AmyFoxyStyle.com. Amy is grateful to share her life with her magnificent husband Bryce and their adorable, floofy cats.
Jordan Climie
Derek
Jordan Climie (Derek) is honored and thrilled to be making his Open Book Theatre Company debut alongside this talented cast and crew. A graduate of UM-Flint's Theatre Department, Jordan has acted in productions mostly around Mid-Michigan. Some favorites include The Play That Goes Wrong (Robert), The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack Worthing), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bottom), The Tempest (Caliban), Macbeth (Macbeth), God of Carnage (Michael), Proof (Hal), Amélie (Dufayel), and Pippin (Charlemagne). He has also directed productions of The Last Five Years, The Whale, Luna Gale, and Gidion's Knot. Jordan makes his home in the Flint area, but travels as often as he can. Love always to Mom, Dad, and the rest of the family and friends that support him on this journey, while understanding "I can't, I have rehearsal."
Foster Johns
Benjamin
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!
Crew
Kevin T. Keller
Director
Kevin T. Keller is so excited to be working on this play he loves so much at a theatre he has dreamed of working with for so long. Past directing includes Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice with etude production, writing and directing the speaking portions of Taylor Craft’s the semi-truck that blocks my view is still beautiful, and Kevin's adaptation of Spring's Awakening presented at Wayne State University. Kevin has been seen onstage at The Ringwald, Nicely, and Detroit Rep, and many others. Past writing credits include Something Gay: A Brief Hookup which was a finalist and staged for the 2020 Louise Heck-Rabi playwriting festival and Front of House which was commissioned by Wayne State University in 2021.
Shardai R. Davis
Stage Manager
Shardai R. Davis is a classically trained actor, dancer, musician, and stage manager who has performed and been behind the scenes in many different mediums from plays and shorts films, operas, and even traditional Hula Luaus. Shardai received her Bachelors of Science in Individualized Studies Degree w/Concentrations in Kinesiology, Theatre, and Music from Eastern Michigan University in 2014. Some of her performances include: Polonius in Hamlet, Calpurnia in To Kill A Mockingbird, Kitty Duvall in The Time of Your Life, Athena in The Odyssey, and as Mrs. Walker in Tommy. She has stage managed at DDC Dances, Puzzle Piece Theatre, Marquis Theatre, Open Book Theatre, and at the historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Davis has a high level of proficiency in piano, martial arts, directing and scenic design, and has won several accolades for her skills and techniques in the traditional Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. She would like to give a shout out to her Mom & Dad for always supporting her and inspiring her to live her dreams!
Henry Ballesteros
Properties Designer
Henry is beyond excited to return to Open Book designing props, after appearing on stage in Bernhardt/Hamlet, Grand Concourse, and Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley. Henry 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.
Harley Miah
Lighting Designer
Harley Miah is a freelance artist designing and programming for theatres, nightclubs, concerts and festivals across the country with IKO Global Productions. As the resident Lighting Designer for Open Book Theatre Harley has earned Wilde Awards for Best Design – Lights for Red in 2014, and This Random World in 2022. Harley's work can also be seen this season at Tipping Point Theatre, The Inspired Acting Company, and at The Williamston Theatre. Harley spends his spare time with his loving partner Reyna spoiling their cats, traveling, and seeing as many shows as they can in this great theatre community we have in Southeast Michigan. He hopes you do the same.
Ashley M. Lyle
Costume Designer
Ashley M. Lyle is thrilled to be back with OBTC. She directed Breaking Laws to Gain Freedom here earlier this season, and designed the costumes and performed in last year's Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea. Some of her credits, as an actor, include Who Will Sing for Lena (Matrix Theatre, Detroit); Ain't Misbehavin’: A Fats Waller Musical (Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Walled Lake); Mom's Boyfriend is an Ass (Obsidian Theatre Festival, Detroit); and Nollywood Dreams (Open Book) where she won Best Actor in a Play (comedy) by EncoreMichigan.com. Ashley previously directed Dance with Me, one of OBTC's 2022 Driveway Theatre shows. Ashley is also a strong anti-racism activist within the Michigan theater community. #FreeCongo #FreeSudan #FreePalestine
Krista Schafer
Producer, Scenic Designer
Krista Schafer 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 won the Wilde Award for best performance by a lead actress for Sister Shelly in Grand Concourse, Lil’ Bit in How I Learned to Drive, and the title role in Emilie 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.
Leigh Ryder
Sound Designer
bio coming soon
Meet the Playwright(s)
David Lindsay-Abaire
David Lindsay-Abaire is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter, lyricist, and librettist. His newest musical Kimberly Akimbo, written with composer Jeanine Tesori, recently received five Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score of a Musical. Before moving to Broadway, the show premiered at the Atlantic Theater Company and won the Lortel, New York Drama Critics Circle, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Best Musical. David’s play Good People premiered on Broadway and was awarded the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, The Horton Foote Prize, The Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, and two Tony Award® nominations. His previous play Rabbit Hole received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, five Tony Award® nominations, and the Spirit of America Award. David also wrote the book and lyrics for Shrek the Musical (Jeanine Tesori, composer), which was nominated for eight Tonys®, four Oliviers, a Grammy®, and earned the David Kleban Prize as America’s most promising musical theatre lyricist. David’s other plays include Ripcord, Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo (the play), Wonder of the World, and A Devil Inside, among others. In addition to his work in theater, David’s screen credits include his film adaptation of Rabbit Hole (starring Nicole Kidman, Oscar® nomination), Dreamworks’ Rise of the Guardians, and The Family Fang, among others. He, along with Tanya Barfield, is Co-Director of the Playwriting Program at the Juilliard School.
