Jennifer Pierro and Laura Shoop
DARRYL REILLY OF THEATRESCENE.ORG
“Wiry and jittery Jennifer Pierro has several hilarious bits as the scheming company psychologist.”
“Director Ken Wolf’s sharp staging realizes the play’s comedic and dramatic momentum through zesty straightforwardness, visual élan and his cast’s strong performances.”
“With its five characters and one set, Powerhouse is in the tradtion of well-made plays.”
Jennifer Pierro
Jennifer Pierro and Laura Shoop
“The best acting accolade goes to Jennifer Pierro as the HR psychologist second banana.” -Mari S. Gold, T and B On The Aisle
Just Announced:
RAWSHOCK by Rita Lewis is on THEATERSCENE.ORG’s
A 2024 10 Best List
by Darryl Reilly
(shared with Off-Broadway and Broadway Plays)
I think the reason why RAWSHOCK did so well was because we took the time, in this case, literally years to develop the script. Rita came to me with this play in the pandemic and I did two script consultations on it. We did a developmental production of this play in June 2023, where I worked with Rita before rehearsals started, to refine the play even further, and worked it in rehearsals. Before this recent production, we again went through the script to make it more concise and more compelling, and then, we cut and changed scenes as we worked it again.
I had a great idea to change all the scenes which took place in the main therapists office to being scenes in the hallways of the hospital, the group room and even an Elevator, which Rita okayed, which worked beautifully in this production, making scenes which previously seemed stagnant, active and engaging.
And then, we were lucky enough to cast a fantastic team of actors including my partner in life and Manhattan Rep, Jennifer Pierro! It was a perfect storm of playwright, material, actors and my passionate direction. One of the most fulfilling plays I have ever directed.
So the reason I am sharing this story is because I would love you to join our Playwright's Reading Room on Zoom this January where we do play development and I am passionate about this process. And it is so much fun too.
STARTING IN JANUARY 2025
TWO new Playwright’s Reading Rooms on Zoom from anywhere in the world!
One on Wednesdays at 10 am to 12 noon
And the other on Thursday night 6 pm to 8 pm
"For anyone serious about their craft, Ken Wolf’s Playwright’s Reading Room series is a great step in the development process. There’s nothing like hearing your work read by a team of actors to gain insights on pacing, clarity and flow. Ken creates a supportive and motivational environment that’s as instructive as it is fun." - Iyna Caruso - Playwright
Taught by Ken Wolf, Artistic Director of Manhattan Rep, who is an Off-Broadway producer and host of The Playwriting Podcast, voted the #1 playwriting podcast in the world!
Come join the original Playwright's Reading Room if you want to bring your play to the next level, and have fun in the process too!
Get productive and constructive feedback on your work as it is read by some of Manhattan Rep’s best actors.
Learn some important production insights into your writing that no one else teaches, and so much more!
THE REVIEWS ARE IN!
DARRYL REILLY OF THEATERSCENE. ORG:
“exquisite command of dramatic writing”
“exhilarating physical staging”
“Dressed all in black with flowing black hair, the thin, animated and alluring Jennifer Pierro is haunting as a disturbed artist off her meds; she is riveting enacting several harrowing breakdowns.”
“Chelsea Clark conveys tremendous pathos as a troubled young woman on the verge of a new start in life!”
“The authoritative, yet approachable Camber Carpenter is serene as the heroic therapist.”
“Nathan Cusson is ferocious as a combative hothead patient.”
“Christian Libonati beautifully combines intensity and weariness as a forlorn substance addicted male prostitute.”
“Each actor offers and sustains fearless characterizations”
"Rawshock intelligently explores its painful subject matter through blazing theatricality."
DEB MILLER OF DCTHEATERARTS. ORG:
“Rawshock is an important example of theater in the service of society”
"explosive segments of psychological and emotional breakdowns"
SCOTTY BENNETT OF THEATERSCENE. NET PROCLAIMED:
“It is beautifully written by Rita Lewis and superbly directed by Ken Wolf.”
"The ensemble that plays the patients is outstanding. They fully embody their characters and give several emotionally compelling performances."
"Jennifer Pierro is so in tune with the character that watching her feels like eavesdropping on a real patient."
"Chelsea Clark gives a beautifully integrated performance of Tina, fully realizing the moments of anxiety and calm."
"Nathan Cusson is solid in his characterization of Alex, a young man who is an outpatient and has an explosive temper."
"Theresa Della Valle's performance adds to the powerhouse that this ensemble represents. She is totally believable as the grandmotherly member of the group. From the moment she enters the stage and speaks her first lines, there is no doubt that it is not an actor playing a role but a real person."
"Christian Libonati gives an emotionally powerful, heart-breaking tour de force performance, the impact of which is not fully realized until the end of the play."
Jennifer Pierro, Chelsea Clark, Nathan Cusson, Theresa Della Valle, Christian Libonati, and Camber Carpenter
Christian Libonati, Jennifer Pierro, Camber Carpenter, Nathan Cusson, Theresa Della Valle, and Chelsea Clark
Jennifer Pierro, Christian Libonati, Nathan Cusson, and Theresa Della Valle
Jennifer Pierro and Chelsea Clark
Christian Libonati, Jennifer Pierro, Dave Siberger, Nathan Cusson, Theresa Della Valle, Chelsea Clark and Camber Carpenter.
Theresa Della Valle as THE WITCH!
Picture by Bob GreenbergWitchland by Tim Mulligan
Provocatively Entertaining!
As the story unfolded, the audience sojourned in a world of horror and black comedy. The initial elements of fear, tension, and tragedy were liberally peppered with dark and light humor, creating a unique, provocatively entertaining experience that was baffling and unsettling. Witchland deftly wallowed in evil witches, curses, baby cemeteries, winsome teenagers, family life, heroes, and heroines set in a dark, mysterious landscape. It also delved into modern families, 21st-century social mores, and the broad diversity of big cities compared to sheltered villages. The show provided immersive, intimate theater as characters swished about, performing both from the stage and among the audience.
Edward A. Kliszus - OPENINGNIGHT.ONLINE
The production creates some authentically creepy moments, such as an incongruous cry issuing from the witch's mouth, an instance when pecking from Judith's double stops being seemingly ticklish, and a suggestion of Judith taking flight upon her double's back. Witchland makes effective use of the entire space inside the theater (an early moment involving the double is particularly unsettling as well as indicative of things to come, and even the programs offer a touch of immersion), and Ken Wolf's sound design, which includes periodic sirens that might put some in mind not only of nuclear disaster but also of the Silent Hill franchise, helps to maintain a suitably fearful atmosphere...You might not want to live in Witchland, but you won't regret a visit.
John R. Ziegler and Leah Richards - THINKINGTHEATERNYC.COM
Dave Silberger, Mars Holscher, and Geoffrey Grady
Nina Randazzo and Mars Holscher
Theresa Della Valle, Dave Silberger & Chelsea Clark
Theresa Della Valle as THE WITCH
Chelsea Clark as Honey Pot, Jessica Luhmann as Barb
Nathan Cusson as Matt
Geoffrey Grady as Ben Hammer
Nathan Cusson as Matt
Dave Silberger as Tom
Nathan Cusson as Matt
Dave Silberger as Tom
JOIN OUR ARTIST WORK DATABASE
We are always seeking production staff: Actors, Directors, Design Team, Technicians and House Staff, so we are building an Artist Work Database to use for the various productions we build. Click on the button below. Fill out the form or forms which work for what you do, and we will reach out first to this database when building a Production Team.
Need some help writing your play?
"Ken is a wonderful, gentle coach who will support you at every step of the creative process. Writing can be an incredibly isolating, solitary pursuit. Without having someone to interact with your work and hold you accountable to deadlines, it can feel as if you aren't making the progress you should be. My decision to work with Ken feels like a meaningful investment in myself and my play. Ken's long-term professional experience in acting, writing and producing makes him an excellent resource to you. He has the capacity to view your work from many different lenses and provide you with advice that best helps convey your story and makes it viable for production. Not to mention, he is seriously passionate about your work and will treat it with the utmost kindness as he challenges you to take it further. All in all, I am very happy with my decision to work with Ken."
Claudia Wasielewska - Playwright
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