By Mike Bencivenga
Directed by Annie Pesch
Talk of the Town is a full-length comedy adapted from James Thurber’s classic novel The Years With Ross. It tells the story of the birth of The New Yorker magazine in the 1920’s and paints a portrait of its eccentric creator and editor, Harold Ross. It also chronicles the rise of James Thurber from the small time Ohio newspaper man he was to the world famous humorist and cartoonist he became. Most of all ‘Talk’ is a loving tribute to the importance of laughter, especially during dark and troubling times.
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Cast
James Thurber – Ryan Shannon
Harold Ross – Jared J. Lefevre
E.B. White – Matt Beisner
Katherine Angell – Carly Laurette Risenhoover-Peterson
Wolcott Gibbs/Bartender – Donny Elkins
Elsie Dick/Helen Wismer/Phoebe – Ally Gozum
Eugene Saxton – Steve Mongelli
About the Playwright
Mike Bencivenga is an award winning writer/director/producer in theater, film and television. His full-length plays include SINGLE BULLET THEORY, COUPLETS, BILLY & RAY, SUMMER ON FIRE, BAD HEARTS, MINUET ON THIRD, WASTED DAYS, COMPROMISED and TALK OF THE TOWN. In 2013 BILLY & RAY won the prestigious W. Keith Hedrick award for best play. It was produced that year at The Falcon Theater under the direction of the legendary Garry Marshall. The show moved to The Vineyard Theater in 2014, again directed by Mr. Marshall, where it enjoyed an extended, sold out run. Also in 2014 Mike’s political comedy, SUMMER ON FIRE, won the Christopher Wolk prize for excellence in playwriting. More recently his play COMPROMISED was a finalist for the 2020 Eugene O’Neill prize and was named Best Play of 2021 by the Playwrights First Group in NYC. Mike’s debut feature film, LOSERS IN LOVE (1993), won best film at the Houston International Film Festival. His next film, HAPPY HOUR (2004) starring Anthony LaPaglia and Eric Stoltz, won the Prism Award and numerous other honors at festivals. Mike is also an Emmy award winning editor/producer at WABC-TV in New York. For more on his career visit: www.MikeBencivenga.com.
PRODUCTION STAFF
Director – Annie Pesch
Stage Manager – Becky Milligan
Sound Design – Fran Pesch
Props – Fran Pesch, Cast
Videographer/Video Editor – Annie Pesch
SPECIAL THANKS
Fran Pesch
Steve Mongelli
Amelia Lefevre
Todd Rohrer
BIOS
Matt Beisner is very excited to be performing in his first zoom performance! He has worked as an actor or director in a variety of productions in the Dayton area for the past 20 years. He also teaches beginning acting and styles of acting at Edison State Community College.
Donny Elkins, a Cincinnati-based actor, received his BFA in Musical Theater from Northern Kentucky University. He appeared in NKU’s Equus and Kiss Me Kate and Stage Right Theatre’s All Shook Up. He enjoys spending time with his family and girlfriend! Donny would like to also bring all the glory to God! Philippians 1:19-30
Ally Gozum’s majoring in Health Sciences and minoring in Theatre at The Ohio State University. She loves to bring words on a page to life. Ally plans to work in healthcare after graduation. She would love to thank her mom, dad, Dean, Katie, Dillon, and Mathew for their love and support.
Jared Lefevre is excited to put his Wright State BFA back to use after a decade practicing law. Favorite past roles include: Panch in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Becky Milligan says, “What’s it like to stage manage a production on zoom? Less heavy lifting than on stage but challenging not to laugh out loud while my mic is live during recording! Thanks to FutureFest, the hilarious cast, and Annie for letting me play!”
Steve Mongelli is returning to the stage after a very long hiatus. Steve enjoyed theatre arts throughout his high school and summer camp career. When not on stage, he spends his time with his family as theatre enthusiasts. Steve has really enjoyed getting back into acting and hopes you enjoy the show.
Annie Pesch is happy to be working on her seventh virtual production. Directing credits include Young at Heart Players and FF. Acting credits include Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cleveland Play House, Urban Stages, American Blues Theater, Chicago Dramatists, and HRTC. Love and thanks to her family. Proud member of AEA. www.anniepesch.com
Carly Laurette Risenhoover-Peterson is excited to be participating in Dayton Playhouse’s FutureFest for a second time- and hopes to safely participate in person someday soon! She has performed locally with Dayton Playhouse, Dayton Theatre Guild, and the former Playhouse South, and studied theatre at the University of Oklahoma.
Ryan Shannon is thrilled to be back “on-stage” with such a talented group. He was most recently seen in The Man Who Killed the Cure at the Dayton Theatre Guild. With the support of his wonderful wife Melanie, Ryan has been preparing for two roles, James Thurber and as a new Dad.
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