*denotes TATL ensemble member
Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer
Cast
Brindsley……………….Brooks Whitlock
Carol……….…Connar Brown-Sprenger*
Miss Furnival…………Allyson Womack*
Colonel Melkett…………....Tony DiPisa
Harold……………………Nick Barnes*
Clea……….……Madison Pappalardo
Schuppanzigh……….…Kingsley Day
Bamberger………...….Willard Walker
Due to the intimate setting of our theatre and out of respect for the audience and artists there is no late seating for this production. Thank you for understanding.
Water is used as a weapon in this production thus be aware some audience members may receive friendly fire droplets.
Production Staff
Director……………….…..……..….Tony Lawry*
Stage Manager.……….………….Sophie Berger
Sound Design……….………....Lou Stockmeyer
Set Design………………..…….….Stina Taylor*
Lighting Design………………...Mikee Parangalan
Fight Choreography……………..…..Lexi Dewitt
BROOKS WHITLOCK (Brindsley Miller) Brooks returns to Theatre Above the Law where he has performed in Grimm. Recent credits include Pride and Prejudice (Parker Players), The School for Scandal (Idle Muse), and The Gift of the Magi (Oil Lamp). Much thanks to Tony and the TATL team for this amazing opportunity. Love always to Mom, Dad, Hannah, Mimi, Claire, family, and friends for their eternal love and support. Basil!
CONNAR BROWN-SPRENGER (Carol Melkett) She is a multi-hat wearing performer, director, producer, video editor, and ensemble member of Theatre Above the Law. Have you seen her in anything? Maybe on stage doing some storefront theatre in Chicago, as she most recently portrayed Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in Theatre Above the Law's production of Matt and Ben. Maybe you were lucky to randomly see her in a short film at a film festival getting devoured by a couch or voicing a nepobaby shrimp. Maybe you just heard her voice in an Allstate radio commercial saying "my what?". When she's not performing she can be found recording videos of herself impersonating animal sounds, eating sour gummies, playing D&D, or looking at photos of her family dog named Nori. Give her a follow at @jgcbrown97 to follow her silliness. Much love to her agents at NV Talent! <3
Allyson Womack (Ms. Furnival) Allyson is thrilled to be part of Black Comedy! Favorite past shows include Cry it Out (Theatre Above the Law-Jeff nominated) and Hatmaker’s Wife (Theatre Evolve). This summer, Allyson was in a staged reading of Hanna Kime’s Next Door with Producing Body. When not on stage, she pretends to be sick to help medical students learn. Thank you to Taylor for always being the most supportive partner!
Tony DiPisa- (Colonel Melkett) Tony is thrilled to be making his TATL debut in Black Comedy. Recent previous credits include: The Haunting of Hill House(Saint Sebastian Players); It Is So (If You Think So!), Bernhardt/Hamlet, (Edge of the Wood Theatre); Dying For It (The Artistic Home); The Virginian, The Wind In The Willows (City Lit Theatre); Winter Garden (Tin Drum Theatre); Mic Father, Like Son(Subtext Theater); The Crucible (PlayTime Theatre Company); 4,000 Days (Pride Arts); and The Cleanup (Prop Thtr); among others. Many thanks to Greg, Colls, Ash, TEA, Daniel, Rusty, and his family for being comedic and thespian inspirations and helping him find his inner Colonel Melkett. Tony is proudly represented by Ambassador Talent. Enjoy the show!
Nick Barnes (Harold Gorringe) He is incredibly excited to be jumping into Black Comedy. He graduated from Cornell College with a BSS in Theatre. In the past you might have seen him working with Theatre Above the Law as Jakob in Grimm, Shakespeare Motley Crew, Idle Muse or The Passage Theater. When he isn't onstage he spends his time getting yelled at by his cat. He would like to thank his family, friends, and cat (even if she does it begrudgingly) for their constant support.
Madison Pappalardo- (Clea) Madison is beyond thrilled to return to the stage as Clea in Black Comedy with Theatre Above the Law. After recently performing in The Process, an original part-scripted, part-improv show at the Lincoln Lodge, this production marks a true homecoming to The Theatre after a nearly a decade away from the stage. Her past work includes productions of Antigone, Columbinus, and Almost, Maine. She is deeply grateful for the kind, welcoming, and supportive community at TATL, with special thanks to director and TATL Artistic Director Tony Lawry.
Kingsley Day (Schuppanzigh) He previously appeared at TATL as the Old Man in Prelude to a Kiss. Other recent roles include Terry in Casa Valentina (Pride Arts), Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (Metropolis), and Dr. Dreyfuss in Promises, Promises and Doctor Tambourri in Passion (Blank). Kingsley played all 14 of the Gilbert & Sullivan patter baritone roles with the Savoyaires and has directed the company's last six productions. He has also performed with Folks Operetta, Porchlight, Bailiwick, Theatre Wit, and Light Opera Works. An artistic associate with City Lit Theater, he has been seen there as Sir Harcourt in London Assurance and Doc Swain in Peyton Place, among other roles; City Lit premiered his three most recent original musicals and will premiere his new musical Scaramouche this spring. Kingsley’s reconstruction of Chopin’s posthumous F Minor Mazurka is published by Hal Leonard’s Schirmer Performance Editions, and his biographical novel Music’s Guiding Hand is published by Mentoris
Willard Walker- (Georg Bamberger) Willard grew up in Evanston. He has three daughters and one granddaughter. He lives with his wife Gigi in Uptown. He has performed in many big and little roles over the years. This may be the littlest and funniest! Enjoy the show.
Sophie Berger- Stage Manager Sophie is beyond thrilled to be back at Theatre Above The Law! Her previous acting credits include Grimm (TATL), Camp Rock (Beautiful City Project), Into the Woods (International Lyric Academy- Italy), Hairspray (Beverly Arts Center), Dry Land (Benchmark Denver), and more. She is so grateful to Tony for taking a chance on her, and for this wonderful cast and crew for being so welcoming. Much love to her moms, Justus, and her friends. @soph.lmberg
Lexi DeWitt - Fight and Intimacy Director Lexi is a Columbia College Chicago graduate and a certified combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors who specializes in stage combat and acting for film. Most recently, you may have seen her perform as Conrade/Sister Francis in Silverstage Theatre Company’s Much Ado About Nothing, or her fight and intimacy choreography in Theatre Above the Law’s Matt and Ben, Woodstock Shakespeare Players’ A Bit O’ The Bard, and Macbeth at Chicago’s Raven Theatre. She is delighted to work with Theatre Above the Law again!
Lou Stockmeyer - Sound Designer Lou is excited to be back at Theatre Above the Law doing sound design for Black Comedy! They recently graduated with a B.A. in Theatre from Northwestern, and are incredibly passionate about new work. Recent sound credits include The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals at The Athenaeum, Matt & Ben and The Pyg Hypothesis & Grimm at Theatre Above the Law, as well as John Proctor is the Villain and The Thing About the Dream, both at Northwestern. They'd like to thank their family, friends, and the wonderful cast and crew of this show for making this process so enjoyable!
Mikee Parangalan (she/her) - Lighting Designer Mikee is stoked to be back at Theatre Above the Law. Lighting design shows at Theatre Above the Law include Grimm, Matt & Ben, The Importance of Being Earnest, Cry it Out, and A Night of Classic and Unique One Acts. She hopes you have a wicked time in London!
Tony Lawry - Director Tony is honored to be working with this talented group of performers and designers. He has gotten the Laughter sweats many times during this process. In addition to directing in Chicago he has directed at some Detroit area theatres, from which he hails. Including winning the P.A.G.E Award for directing Romantic Comedy. He would love to thank his ever supportive wife and soon to grace the TATL stage someday daughter for putting up with the bedtime absences and dinner leftovers. Tony is represented by Stewart Talent and would love to direct for your theatre company whenever possible ;)
Special Thanks!
Madison Pappalardo, Reagan Stevenson, Abby Glister, Allyson Womack, River Run Press, Connar Brown, Nick Barnes, Stephanie Stockstill, The TATL Ensemble, Subscribers and Board, Meg Ryan, Tyler Core, Idle Muse Theatre Company, Barbara, Olivia and YOU, the audience!
MASKS ARE ENCOURAGED WHILE IN OUR INTIMATE SPACE.