Return to: Blog

LNT is so excited to bring some favorite artists of near and far together to create Sylvia - see who's who and what they may have to say about the show, their characters and LNT!

October 02, 2016
Tags:

sylvia graphic

all photos on this page courtesy of Robert Eddy, First Light Studios

LNT is so excited to bring some favorite artists of near and far together to create Sylvia - see who's who and what they may have to say about the show, their characters and LNT!

Thougts from the Cast:

the cast of Sylvia

Courtney Wood  as the dog, Sylvia
(you can almost hear her barking!)

  • LNT is a great environment to learn,  grow, and be challenged as an artist. 
  • LNT has that home away from home feeling.
  • At LNT I always feel very inspired and supported.
  • LNT is such a happy place to come to work, and it feels like family. 
  • Sylvia is one of my favorite plays. 
  • The character Sylvia has always been a dream role for me, and now I am so excited because that dream to play her is coming true! 

Paul Molnar plays the husband, Greg

Working with Lost Nation is truly my favorite fall activity.  As someone who Produces, Acts & Directs a summer Shakespeare Theatre Company in Brooklyn, having the opportunity to come to beautiful Montpelier and experience the wonderful community, and amazing fall colors all while working with a great company on an amazing play makes me feel very lucky indeed.  

Sylvia, for me, is a wonderful look at the challenges of growing into the next chapter of life.  As someone who has been married a long time and reaching past my mid-forties I can certainly relate to Greg's situation.   A funny, warm, crazy story with a charming ending that is always a laugh to see, Sylvia will be a wonderful way to spend the next 5 weeks in Vermont.

Kate resorts to desperate measures to get Greg's attention

Maura O'Brien is the wife,  Kate

I always love when I have the opportunity to act, especially at LNT- to explore new characters and relationships within the world of the play  What can be better!  

I have seen Courtney and Paul's work and so look forward to playing with them.  I have also seen Renzo's work and have had the pleasure of acting with him in several productions--(he was my son in Durang Bang!) --can't wait to play with him as well.

I think Sylvia is a great ensemble piece and it is sooo funny but yet touching and serious. I am loving getting to discover who Kate (my character) is and what makes her tick--and look forward to the rehearsal process with  the director, Will.

..and Sylvia--the main character... now everytime a dog barks or whines or moans and groans--I think of Sylvia and literally burst out laughing thinking of what he or she is really trying to say.   

And now from the director. Will Davis...

I’m very excited to explore the wild love triangle that is at the heart of Sylvia. This story pops with questions about the world around us and our own understandings of the relationships we form. I don’t think there is a stronger company around to find the intricacies or motivations of these characters than Lost Nation Theater. Every discussion has been a great uncovering and it is leading to some very playful and bold storytelling.

 out for a walk

Who's Who in Sylvia

KIM ALLEN BENT (Founding Artistic Director) — Kim founded LNT in 1977. He’s worked as an actor, director, teacher & designer in theaters across America, Europe, and Canada. Favorite roles: Frank—Educating Rita, Dogberry—Much Adoe, Deane Davis—But Your Honor!, Didi—Waiting for Godot, and Gunslinger; directing: Judevine, Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest, and Molly Sweeney. As a playwright, his work includes STONE, about the Barre granite community, winner of the VT Historical Society’s Hathaway Prize, Katherine Paterson’s Lyddie, and Treasure Island. He recently starred as Mark Rothko in RED and adapted Pinocchio for LNT’s stage.

CHARIS CHURCHILL (Co- Costume Designer) – Charis has been living in VT for the last 13 years and in addition to costuming, is a bartender by trade. She has designed costumes for such LNT shows as  Love Letters Made Easy, I Love You You're Perfect…Now Change, 39 Steps, Treasure Island, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Tomfoolery. Other credits include Oliver for Montpelier Theatre Guild, Alice in Wonderland for Moving Light Dance co. and all the shows for the past 6 years at Quarryworks Theatre in Adamant.

WILLIAM E. P. DAVIS (Director & Sound Designer) – Will is the Technical Director for the Performing Arts at Johnson State College and is happy to be directing his first show with Lost Nation Theater. Previously Will has directed for Central Kentucky Community Theatre, AXIS Arts, Stagedoor Manor, Omaha Theatre Company for Young People, F-Troupe Collaborative and others. Will holds his MFA in theatre directing from East 15 School of Acting and his BA in Drama from the University of Washington.

JOHN PAUL DEVLIN (Lighting Designer) – John Paul Devlin is an Associate Professor of Fine Arts at Saint Michael’s College; he is happy to be returning to Lost Nation after 11 years. Recent design credits include sets for Sister Act and lighting for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? with the Saint Michael’s Playhouse, sets for Barefoot in the Park (Moonbox Productions, Boston), sets and lights for The Crucible and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (SMC Theatre Department).

LAURA GIST (Production Manager/Co-Costume Design) – is thrilled to be joining Lost Nation Theater for her second season as The Production Manager and Stage Manager. She is excited to be working with incredible talent in such a beautiful place. Other recent credits include Florida Studio Theatre out of Sarasota, FL and Public Theatre in ME. She is eager to see what the future has in store.

THOMAS GUNN (Master Electrician) – Thomas is a recent graduate of Johnson State College, where he earned degrees in both Theater and Technical Theater. This is his first season with LNT and he is excited to be working on another fantastic show. Earlier this season he designed the lights for Pinocchio and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Thomas also enjoys acting, directing, in addition to light design. He would like to thank the cast and crew for a great experience and an amazing production. Enjoy the show!

AR GURNEY (Playwright) – “Pete” Gurney was born in 1930 in Buffalo, NY. He graduated from Williams College in 1952, served as an officer in the Navy, and afterwards attended the Yale School of Drama. For many years, he taught literature at M.I.T., but moved to New York in 1982 to devote more time to writing for the theatre. He has won a fair amount of awards during his career, written over 50 plays/librettos, and is now a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.  Gurney’s been married to his wife Molly for over fifty years. They have four children, eight grandchildren, and now live in Connecticut and New York City.

KATHLEEN KEENAN (Producing Artistic Director)— Kathleen was featured at NYC’s Folk City, worked Off Broadway and at Lincoln Center prior to joining Lost Nation. LNT credits include: title roles in in Always-Patsy Cline. Shirley Valentine, Educating Rita, Molly Sweeney, Belle of Amherst; Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, etc; director for Hairspray, 39 Steps, Mystery of Irma Vep, To Kill a Mockingbird, LYDDIE, Miracle Worker and Songs of Kander & Ebb; original music: Metamorphoses, 12th Night, Midsummer, Frankenstein, etc; adaptor/director/ composer: many kids shows and DH Lawrence’s Rocking Horse Winner.

AMANDA MENARD (Volunteer Coordinator) – Amanda served 5 years as LNT’s Audience Services Manager. With a BA in theater she’s performed extensively on-stage & backstage. She now volunteers for LNT, & is an active member of Vermont Playwrights Circle & Valley Players. Recent projects include Pride at Chandler, Steel Magnolias at Waterbury Festival Players.

 PAUL MOLNAR (Greg) – This marks Paul's 3rd Season with LNT. Originally from Michigan, Paul now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. He and his wife run South Brooklyn Shakespeare, a nonprofit theatre company in its 4th season, as well as a bar in Park Slope called South. Paul holds an MFA in Acting from The FSU/Asolo Conservatory. (Previews LNT shows include Henry V and Hamlet.)

MAURA O’BRIEN (Kate) – Maura is thrilled to share the stage with this amazing cast and crew.  She has been a frequent flyer on the LNT stage since 1999 and was last seen in It's a Wonderful Life and Always Patsy Cline.  She dedicates this run to all the dogs who have shared their love and companionship with her. Special hugs and treats to Diva. Many thanks to Will, Kim and Kathleen. 

MITCH OSIECKI (Volunteer Coord.) – An ad for volunteers for Richard III in 1999 drew Mitch to LNT, and he has made himself indispensable ever since. He creates the best incentives ever for hardworking, and lucky, volunteers and staff (such as his truffles and cheesecake)! Mitch very recently retired as a financial analyst from National Life Group.

SCOTT RENZONI (Tom/Phyllis/Leslie) – Eighteen shows over eight seasons with Lost Nation. Extensive work with Shakespeare & Company (Lenox, MA) and Hubbard Hall (Cambridge, NY), as well as many other regional theatres. Gratitude to Mom, colleagues, audience, all. "This is my life. This is what I do. I try to make people forget for a little while the world we all now live in." (Harvey Fierstein)

DONNA STAFFORD (Scenic Designer) – Donna has enjoyed working with Lost Nation Theater for many seasons as scenic designer and painter; also creating props. Her first show was Collected Stories and since then productions include To Kill a Mockingbird, creating the tree twice and the set once, Lies and Legends; The Belle of Amherst; Woody Gutherie’s American Song; The Miracle Worker; Glass Menagerie; A Song For My Father, Judevine, Henry V, Death Trap, The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged; The Complete History of America Abridged; Bad Dates; and many others.

MELISSA TROXLER (Production Stage Manager/Co-Costume Design) – is glad to be a part of the stage management team at Lost Nation Theater for her second season. Along with working in stage management, she enjoys working in carpentry and lighting. Melissa has worked with Berkshire Theatre Group, the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket and recently stage managed a touring production of The Nutcracker.

COURTNEY WOOD (Sylvia) – Courtney is absolutely delighted to be back in Vermont performing in both fall shows at Lost Nation Theater this season. Previous LNT credits include: As You Like It (Phebe) and Treasure Island (Israel Hands.) Just back from a two-person tour of Aladdin and The Wizard of Oz, other national tours include A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past) with North Country Center for the Arts and The Little Mermaid with Missoula Children’s Theatre. When not performing, Courtney shares her love of theatre as Acting Specialist for OnStage & Inclusive, a community outreach and education program serving individuals with disabilities in Greensboro, North Carolina. Courtney would like to thank her family for all their love. courtneywoodactor.com 

JANINE WOODS-THOMA (Technical Director) – Hails from Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she earned a theatre degree and her first industry stripes, designing and tech directing for the much lauded Performance Network Theatre, Williamston Theater, and the brand new New Theatre Project. Also a scenic and lighting designer, her favorite designs from this era included Boom, It Came From Mars, and If You Start a Fire, Be Prepared to Burn.

 

Join Our Newsletter