Extension!

 Sleeper has been extended!  After an amazing two nights of performing to full houses, we have been asked to extend for an addition three performances: April 11,12, and 13^th.

Rocco Chierichella and Christina Roman on setThis has been such an amazing journey: to think that less than a month ago this midtown production was not even an idea and now to see it getting the accolades it deserved is phenomenal.  The entire cast and crew deserve praise beyond measure. Leal Vona, Stephanie Bramson, and Kat Funkhouser donated unbelievable amounts of time to make this production come to life. (When your director spends 14 hours creating the perfect soundscape and then shows up to make balloon animals for set, your stage manager nails absurd amounts of cues and fades seamlessly and still runs out to get duct tape, and your writer is building props you know you are amongst the passionate.)

Of course, nothing could be said without noting Rocco Chierichella.  In two weeks this outstanding actor and myself learned over 80 pages of dialog, developed multiple characters, and managed to deliver layered performances. I’m impressed.

Emily Houlihan reviews: Christina Roman as Isabelle

“I knew Roman and Chierichella were the right choices for the play when they made everyone laugh even before its first line. Roman skillfully bounces from vindictive to defensively vulnerable in her portrayal of Isabelle. Chierichella as Adam is a perfect foil; the character may be naïve and desperate, but Chierichella makes us root for him anyway, whether or not the audience wants him to be with Marie. Both actors’ comedic timing and ability to be serious without being cheesy serves them well, as their interactions are, of course, the sole material of the play. Roman and Chierichella seem to have so much fun playing off each other that such responsibility is not too heavy.”

There is something rewarding about pushing yourself to the extreme and rising to the challenge.  It was my first fully-fledged production and the tightest rehearsal schedule I have ever worked on: I’m glad to see it come to fruition. 

Chris Karlesky  also wrote a beautiful article about bringing “Sleeper” to the stage including quotes from myself and the writer:

There is also a complete SLEEPER gallery online on TheChristinaRoman.com and SleeperThePlay.com – check out the production photos by Luis Enrique! (More on the gallery pages!)