REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT CAST
KEN BUTLER* (Maish Resnick) is an actor, director, producer and writer who returns to REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT after a 22-year absence. He has a long affiliation with the work, which began in 1979. He created the role of Perelli in the SoHo Repertory Theatre (0ff-Broadway) production in that year. Then, Mr. Butler moved to California, and produced a new production of the work at the Long Beach Playhouse. With the success of that production, he set his sights on Broadway, and the journey to New York began... with stops at New Haven, Connecticut as well as Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Beach, Florida. The journey was realized on March 7, 1985, when REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT, starring John Lithgow, George Segal, and David Proval graced the stage of Broadway’s Martin Beck Theatre (renamed in 2003 as the Al Hirschfeld Theatre). Now, in 2007, he has the opportunity to achieve one of his acting pursuits, to create the role of Maish Resnick. Theatre credits include 1776 (National Tour), A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, GUYS & DOLLS, FUNNY GIRL, and WHAT THE BUTLER SAW. A partial list of Mr. Butler’s film credits include MURDER ON THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD (available on DVD this summer), GROWING UP VEGAS, WILDCARD, ALL THAT JAZZ, FIREPOWER, THE BEAVER TRILOGY with Sean Penn and Crispin Glover, VOICES, FAST BREAK, THE POPE OF GREENWICH VIL-LAGE, NIGHT OF THE JUGGLER, and MULBERRY PARK. He is very proud to have created the role of Barry in the Award winning short, EVEREST, for which he received a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2005 SMMASH Film Festival in Minneapolis, MN. Television appearances include DESIGNING WOMEN, PRISON STORIES: WOMEN ON THE INSIDE, co-starring with Anabella Sciorra, Rae Dawn Chong and Lolita Davidovich for HBO, W.I.O.U., and DARK JUSTICE. He is currently in pre-production for his next feature, FANTASY LIMO, directed by Ross Hagen, which he will produce and star as Detective Jim Pitowski. For photos and more information, please visit him on his website: www.kenbutler.net
BOB RUSCH (Harlan “Mountain McClintock) was last seen onstage in SkyPilot Theatre Company’s last production, HELLCAB, and also in their productions of SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHI-CAGO and JERRY AND TOM. He began his theatrical career in Chicago, performing in numerous productions, including THE BOYS OF THE PEGGY AUGUST CLUB, BLOOD ON THE CATS NECK and SALOME. His television credits include IT”S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, TWO AND A HALF MEN, WILL AND GRACE, ER, CROSSING JORDAN, BONES, NUMBERS and BOSTON LEGAL. Upcoming you can see him in the films WIZARD OF GORE, FASHION VICTIM and SAN SABA, directed by his friend and SkyPilot co-founder Mike Greene. He is proud to be the Artistic Director of SkyPilot Theatre Company and would like to thank you for your support of this production.
DUFF DUGAN * (Army Hakes) started his performing career in boxing, having had three fights in a Brooklyn boy’s club... He moved on to less painful pursuits performing in numerous rock and roll bands, followed by “the obsession” with theatre and acting. It’s been a few years since Duff has been seen on an LA stage in a straight play. A few memorable LA roles were in THE NEVADA LINE and AN EVENING IN THE MEN’S ROOM, where he received an ADA award for “best actor in a comedy.” Since then, he has dipped and dabbed in stand-up comedy, written and directed two short films, finished his first feature length screenplay and survived lots of life stuff. Currently he is writing and performing original folk songs and hopes to record his first CD this year. He’s grateful that things are right with all his peeps and to Sky Pilot Theatre Co. for creating and sharing the magic.
TONJA KAHLENS (Grace Miller) was raised in a small town in Kentucky and had always dreamed of one day moving to California and realizing her dream of acting. Her theatre credits include the leads in LAUNDRY & BOURBON, FINAL PLACEMENT, ISN'T IT ROMAN-TIC, EDMOND, AFTER THE FALL, THE ODD COUPLE, CHEATERS, and BEST LITTLE WHORE HOUSE IN TEXAS. A partial list of Miss Kahlens' film credits include a supporting role in REFLECTIONS OF A LIFE, opposite "Dallas" star Linda Gray, which is currently running the film festival circuit and continuing to win major awards. Television appearances include THE X FILES, MISS MATCH, MILLENNIUM, DR. QUINN: MEDICINE WOMAN, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210, and most recently HBO's ENTOURAGE, and a recurring principle role on the soap opera, PASSIONS. Miss Kahlens is an avid animal rights supporter and member of IDA - In Defense of Animals. She enjoys scuba diving and is currently working on her second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
CHARLES ANTEBY* (Perelli) - Los Angeles theatre appearances include “First Monday in October” (The Odyssey), “Anybody for Murder?” (Sierra Madre Playhouse), “Moot” (The Working Stage), “The Emissary” (The Working Stage), “Eva Peron and the Fourth Reich” (L.A. Jewish Theatre), and “Ghetto Cabaret” (L.A. Jewish Theatre.” Films include“Forsaken,” “Naked Run,” “Covert,” “ J.A.P.S,” “Clean Exit” and “A Hard Day’s Day.” Visit www.nowcasting.com/charlesanteby for contact information. Once there, click on ‘demo reel’ and enjoy clips of some of Charles‘ film work.
ALTON CLEMENTE (The Kid, Sailor Gibbons) - This is Alton's LA stage debut, after arriving here from NYC 3 months ago. Favorite past credits include Milo in 'The Sunshine Foundation', Brett in 'Carrie and Lil', Jonathan in 'A Winkle in Time', Solyony in 'The Three Sisters', and Orlando in 'As You Like It.' Along with theater, this being LA and all, he also works in film and television. He is a graduate of the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT, and Albright College in Reading, PA. He would like to thank his parents, friends, and mentors for their guidance on the journey, especially the late Dr. Lynn Morrow and Eve Collyer.
SEAN KING (Fighter #1, Thug, Policeman, Photographer) is a native of Portville, New York. Some of his stage credits include: Teahouse of the August Moon, John Loves Mary, and You Can’t Take It with You. He recently produced and co-starred in the award wining short, “In the Name of My Father” which screened at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. I‘d like to thank Bob and Eric for this wonderful opportunity to work with such a talented cast and crew. It’s no wonder Sky Pilot is quickly becoming one of the best theater ensembles in Los Angeles!
DAVE UCHANSKY (Fighter #2, Packy, Job Seeker, Packy and others) is making his SkyPilot Theatre Company debut, his stage credits include Othello, The Knights of Mary Phagan, and Sure Thing ... Look for Dave's upcoming trek to the silver screen in Max Neptune and the Menacing Squid.. a classic sci-fi film with a twist.. check out the website at www.maxneptune.com
STEWART SKELTON* (Max Greeny) - In L.A. since 1990, Stewart is a long-time member of Hollywood’s Theatre of NOTE and a veteran of over 80 productions here and across the country, including Erik Patterson’s RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT, Leon Martell’s FEED THEM DOGS, Grubb Graebner’s LIVES OF THE NEO-MODERN FANG PEOPLE and Murray Mednick’s TAXES. You can catch Stewart on the tube occasionally, most recently MONK and GREY’S ANATOMY. Stewart is also a writer, so gifts of Scotch, cigars and literary representation are much appreciated. Rod Serling was a genius. ANGEL CITY TALENT 818/760-9980 www.nowcasting.com/stewartskelton
SCOTTY SERVIS (Leo “the Lion Hearted” Loomis) hails from New Jersey where he got his start on the stage in Trilogy Repertory company's production of The Crucible as Giles Corey. He then branched out to NYC where he played such memorable characters as Quasimodo in The Hunchback and Marty in Marty. He relocated to Los Angeles three years ago to pursue a career in TV and film.
BROOCKS WILLICH (Golda) is thrilled to be working with SkyPilot Theatre again after performing in last fall's critically ac-claimed HELLCAB. She received great reviews as a Vietnam War Correspondent in DEADLINE. For TWO JEWS AND A HAM, she and her cohorts received last year’s audience award in Eclectic Company Theatre’s one-act festival. In NYC, as a stand-up she played such notable clubs as Caroline’s, Stand-Up NY, Gotham and many others. She was an original member of the company “Chicks with Schticks” and improvised with the groups “Wingnuts” and “Comedy Works”. Other favorite theatre roles in NYC include the title role in Shaw’s ST. JOAN and the role of The Servant in Howard Barker’s JUDITH. She was in the Pilot for Earth Television Network; played opposite James Denton in the short, IN THE WEB, and has been seen in the feature film ACTS OF WORSHIP and on THE WEST WING. She is a graduate of Writers Boot Camp’s two-year program and is currently working on her second feature. She wishes to thank you all for your support of homegrown theatre and its crazy inhabitants!
BENTON JENNINGS* (Doctor, Fighter #3) - Previously seen in SkyPilot's HELLCAB. Other theatre nationally and internationally of over 100 roles includes Shakespeare, Sketch Comedy, Musicals, Children's Theater, Burlesque, Camp Comedy, High Comedy, Comedia de l'art, High Drama, Melodrama, and Comedy Gunfight Shows. Feature film principal roles include IN HER SHOES, MR & MRS SMITH, LAST OF THE MOHICANS, SAN SABA, and lead roles in indies HOW HENRI CAME TO STAY, HIGHWAY TO HELL, and MACON COUNTY WAR. Recent TV roles include HEARTLAND, SCRUBS, THE CALL, DEXTER, WITH-OUT A TRACE, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, STRONG MEDICINE, CHARMED, JAG, sketches on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, and numerous commercials. Training includes LAMDA, TCU, AFI, and Film Actors Lab. Represented by Hervey-Grimes Talent Agency. Infamous trivia: his Dad appeared in the 1966 film MANOS: THE HANDS OF FATE. Benton is a proud member of Actor's Equity, SAG, and AFTRA. Visit www.bentonjennings.com.
TOMMY WILSON-O’BRIEN* (Charlie, Photographer) has spent most of his life in the entertainment industry, from a Rock & Roll Musician to over 20 years in Film, Television and Live Stage Production. Transplanted from Brooklyn, New York, Tommy moved to Los Angeles to attend the UCLA Film & Television Program. Film was a natural segue from Music, through Music Videos. As an Actor, his credits include 19 Films (Entry Level, Severe Visibility, Full Frontal), 7 Television (Fired Up, The Case Against, The Grammys, 6 Commercials (Verizon, MacDonalds, Lysol) & 9 Theatre (Prelude to a Kiss, In the Midst of them, Pressure) Tommy was Writer-Director of the Sketch Comedy Show, "Safe Sex...and other serious things to laugh about" with Comedy Troupe "Damaged Goods" Tommy’s Professional training includes Groundlings and The Second City. Tommy spends the bulk of his time these days Acting, Writing, Producing Indie Films and working with Actors with Disabilities. "You gotta give a little back if you want to keep it." He also Writes freelance Film & Theatre reviews for LA Splash Magazine and the DGA. Tommy would like to thank Dana for who she is.
FRANK STASIO (Morrell, Thug) is a long time member of the Sacred Fools Theater company where he has been seen in many productions. He recently ended a run as John Proctor in the Crucible at the Gallery Theater in Anaheim. Frank would like to thank the talented cast and crew for this great opportunity. And, as always, Frank would like to thank Aaron Williams for his 'Big Break'.
CREW
ERIC JOHNSON* (Director) - A Chicago native, Eric Johnson has performed at theaters around the country, including Steppenwolf, Laguna Playhouse, and the Williamstown Theater Festival. In 2001, he received Chicago's Joseph Jefferson Citation for Supporting Actor for his work in Lebensraum at Trap Door Theater. He recently appeared as Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night at Lodestone Theater, and then as Templeton the Rat in Charlotte's Web at Mainstreet Theater Company. Last Christmas, he directed Skypilot's critically-acclaimed production of Hellcab. He also produced and acted in the short film Exit, Clowny!, which premiered at the LA International Short Film Festival in 2005. Coming up, he will be appearing in the play Twentieth Century, at the Lillian Theater, opening June 29.
CATHERINE DAVIS COX* (Light Designer ) is a Chicago transplant, alma mater Northwestern. At the Odyssey Theatre played the role of Boyana in MARKO THE PRINCE, played Lucy to William Marshall's DRACULA and Jane Eyre in Louis Fantasia's US premiere of WHEN MARY SHELLEY MET CHARLOTTE BRONTE. She is a member of the original cast in the published TO BE LET ALONE by Paul Gillette. She is a co-writer of VICTORIANA which played at the Powerhouse and was an LA Weekly Pick. DEVIL’S ADVOCATE at the Celebration Theatre was another original production which was a Weekly Pick. Catherine appeared with Shay Duffin for Peggy Webber's California Radio Theatre for NPR broadcast and toured as Gracie Allen in a recreation of the Burns and Allen radio shows. Catherine has been in Indie films UNITED WE STAND and THE EMBRACE. Commercial work with director Joe Sedelmaier and Dugan Rossalini. She studied comedy writing with Neil Simon's brother Danny and worked in a master class at Second City. Catherine is a professional singer.
BOB ROKOS (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be working with the SkyPilot Theatre Company. Some of his past credits include Hellcab, People Annihilation or My Liver is Senseless, Quills, Pitchfork Disney, Lebensraum, and Alien Hand, Bob's sound designs have earned him an After Dark Award for Sugar Down, Billie Hoak and a 2001 Jeff Citation for his work on Shattered Globe's Coyote on a Fence. He also com-posed music for the feature film Kwik Stop.
MICHAEL BRAINARD (Set Construction) is an actor and furniture maker. Occasionally, when these two worlds collide, Michael will design and/or build theater and film sets. His set work includes: The Laurelgrove Theater company (’Witness‘, “Necropolis”, And “Choice Words“) The Wooden Leg Theater Company (“He Who Gets Slapped”), Stages Theater of Fullerton (“A Murder Of Crows”, by Michael Brainard), among others. His most recent set design was for Friends and Artists at The Sidewalk Studio Theater, “The White Whore And The Bit Player.“ As an actor, Michael is best known for his roles on “All My Children” and “Santa Barbara,” and is currently a cast member of “American Heiress,“ Wednesday nights on MyNetworkTV. Michael also writes and has had two of his plays produced by Stages Theater of Fullerton. Michael wishes to thank Danuta Tomzynski for her beautiful insight and design.
CHARMAINE COLVIN* (Stage Manager) a San Francisco transplant, has been Stage Managing for over 14 years. She has worked for TheatreWorks, Marin Theatre Company, and 42nd Street Moon, among others. After a brief hiatus, where she spent her time traveling and getting caught up on life (and sleep), she returned to the theatre one year ago with Sky Pilot's production of Hellcab. She was quickly sucked into the whirling vortex of local theatre. She also works in the film industry time and dabbles in voice over as well. She sends a shout out to Gimp and The Nut.
* Members of Actors Equity Association