The eighth show in our 2007 "sUBVERsIVE sHORTs" Showcase
 THE
SORT OF HAPPY ENDING TO THE SAD TALE OF MR. ALI ALI
...or...
THE LIGHTER SIDE OF "OUT- SOURCING" TORTURE
by Craig Abernethy
Directed by Kurt "Vile" Schneiderman*
starring:
Kevin Cain as "The Ringmaster"
Dinash Lal as "Mr. Ali Ali"
Anne Kurtis as "Maryam" & others
Joey Bucheker as "Player #1"
Lawrence Rowswell* as "Player #2"
ABOUT THE PLAY.
"...The Tale of Mr. Ali Ali..." is a
wonderfully over-the-top black comedy with a very serious message. Using
elements of Vaudeville, Commedia del'Arte, Bugs Bunny, and even a few tricks
from Bertolt Brecht, this twenty-minute spoof viciously mocks America's
hypocritical use of torture in George W. Bush's War on Terror. With it's
totally unique blend of styles, this play manages to be touching, poignant,
and uproariously funny all at once.
"...The Tale of Mr. Ali Ali..." was first
presented at San Diego’s Sixth at Penn Theatre, it was also included in the
“Cruz the East Theatre Festival” (Mosaic Theater Group in Santa Cruz) and
received a staged reading at the Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at
the University of San Diego.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT.
A native Californian who currently resides in San
Diego, Craig Abernethy is delighted to have
an ambitious and vital company like the Subversive Theatre select “Mr.
Ali Ali” to be part of the “sUBVERsIVE sHORTs.”
Other recent productions of Craig's work include “State
of the Art” at the Intentional Theatre, and “A View Unassisted”
(’06 Fritz Blitz). Craig is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America;
studied at the University of California, Berkeley; worked backstage at the New
York City Shakespeare Festival, and San Francisco Opera; and acted in
productions at The Melrose and ATA in Los Angeles, CA.
For
more information about the playwright and samples of his plays visit
www.craigabernethy.com.
ABOUT THE CAST.
Kevin Cain ("The Ringmaster")
Actor, artist, musician and general all-around bohemian
experimentalist, Kevin is thrilled to have this opportunity to work on a
"subversive" project such as this.
Kevin only recently made his first foray into the world of
acting in the New Phoenix Theatre's production of GILGAMESH earlier
this spring.
This production is Kevin's first time working with
Subversive Theatre.  Dinash Lal
("Mr. Ali Ali")
Dinash studied acting at the University at Buffalo and
graduated in May of 2007. He has also been developing his screen acting
skills and is set to shoot an indy horror film this Summer as well as a short
film, THE LAUNDROMATT, later this year.
This production is Dinash's first time working with
Subversive Theatre. He is excited by this opportunity to combine his
love of theatre and concern for political and social causes all into one
project.
Anne Kurtis ("Maryam" & others)
Anne has performed with Irish Classical Theatre, Studio
Arena Theatre School, Shea's Smith Theatre, Buffalo United Artists, and is a
founding member of the Buffalo Laboratory Theatre. She also performs
stand up comedy all over Western New York.
Anne is thrilled to finally get the opportunity to work
with Subversive Theatre and would like to dedicate this performance to her
right-wing boyfriend. Joey
Bucheker ("Player #1")
Joey Bucheker has
performed through out the country. Credits include... Off-Broadway: TONY
N' TINA'S WEDDING (Joey). Regional: HELLO, DOLLY!,
MAME, CABARET, NAKED BOYS SINGING!, MY WAY, ANYTHING
GOES, WEST SIDE STORY, KISS ME
KATE (Bill), STATE FAIR, CHICAGO, SOUTH PACIFIC, DIE,
MOMMIE, DIE! (Lance) and Benny in the Artie Award Winning cast of SOUTHERN
BAPTIST SISSIES. Joey was honored with a day named in his on honor
and a key to the City of Buffalo.
Joey is pulling double-duty on this project also appearing
in the short "Please Remove This Stuffed Animal From My Head"
by Crystal Jackson. This production marks Joey's first time working with
Subversive Theatre. Lawrence
Rowswell* ("Player #2")
An ever-reliable member of Subversive Theatre, Larry
prides himself on his experience with both traditional theatre -- with the
likes of Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Theater of Youth, Buffalo United
Artists, Irish Classical, and Road Less Traveled Productions -- as well as
more experimental theatres -- like the Blue Garrote Collective, RJK Productions, and Morphine Hearts
Productions.
Other Subversive Theatre credits include ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN
(2004), BURY THE DEAD (2005), WAITING FOR LEFTY
(2006), and -- most recently -- FOUNDATIONS (2007). ABOUT THE DIRECTOR.
Kurt "Vile" Schneiderman*
Subversive Theatre's Founder & Artistic Director,
Kurt is thrilled to see our "sUBVERsIVE sHORTs" Program grow
into an annual event with so many talented artists involved!
A playwright, director, activist, and technician, Kurt
has directed the lion's share of Subversive Theatre's event (including many of
the shorts for "sUBVERsIVE sHORTs 2005").
Kurt sends all his love to Jenny the Splendiferous without whom all of this would be worthless.
* = indicates members of the Subversive Theatre
Collective
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