By Michael Sloane
Directed by Tim Rezash
DAKIN KNOX, the great-great grandson of a revered American artist, discovers a heretofore hidden work by his ancestor and wants to put it up for auction. The auction house sends AURORA TALMADGE to examine the painting, the prickly world-renown art expert who literally wrote the books (six volumes!) on the artist…and who’s been holding onto a dark secret she’ll be forced to confront. Along with her live-wire assistant MINNIE, the three of them wind up in a pitched battle of wills to figure out not only whether the painting is real or a forgery, but the very nature of what’s art, what’s not…and why we need it.
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Cast
Dakin Knox – Chuck Larkowski
Minerva “Minnie” Hatton – Jenny Westfall
Aurora Talmadge – Jennifer Lockwood
About the Playwright
Michael Sloane began his career as an actor and standup comic before making the leap to screenwriting and directing. His work on the TNT series MOB CITY reunited him with series creator, filmmaker Frank Darabont.
They previously worked together on the Warner Bros. feature film THE MAJESTIC, which Frank directed and Michael wrote (and for which he was named one of Variety’s “Ten Screenwriters to Watch”), and they’re currently developing a new feature, HOG HEAVEN, with Frank attached to direct. Michael’s play, THE RAVINE, produced in association with the Latino Theatre Company, was scheduled to premiere in the Fall of 2020 at L.A.T.C., but COVID had other plans. (They hope to reschedule it in 2022.) His latest play is TALL WOMAN WITH RED FAN.
Production Crew
Set Design – Tim Rezash
Lighting and Sound Design – Richard Lee Waldeck
Properties – Laura Rae
Costume Design – Tina McPhearson and Theresa Kahle
Cast Bios
Charles Larkowski (Dakin) was last on the Playhouse stage in Man of La Mancha, and has been participating in FutureFest since 2006. Especially memorable were his roles in winners Estelle Singerman, Night and Fog, and Of Men and Cars. He is retired from Wright State University, where he taught music history, literature, and analysis for 35 years.
Jenny Westfall (Minnie) is very excited to perform in her first Futurefest! Jenny was last onstage at Dayton Playhouse as Abbie in Brian Sharp’s production, Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall. She also performed as Ann in Faye Sholitan’s The Interview at Fairborn Community Theatre. She previously stage managed several shows at Beavercreek Community Theatre. She is very grateful to the director, cast, and crew for this opportunity! Jenny wants to thank her supportive family and friends, and especially her daughter, Abby.
Jennifer Lockwood (Aurora) is beyond thrilled to be back onstage again! She began her theatre career at the Dayton Playhouse as a Munchkin at the age of 7. She has since worked on and off stage at many area theaters. Some of her favorite roles include Dr. Kelsey in [MISS], Karen in Dinner with Friends, Catherine in Moment from Meanwhile and Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. Her directing highlights include The Diary of Anne Frank, Deathtrap, Inherit the Wind, A Few Good Men, and last season’s Man Who Came to Dinner. Jennifer is a member of the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame and chairs the FutureFest reading committee.
Tim Rezash (Director) has directed two FutureFest shows and three regular season shows for The Dayton Playhouse since returning to Dayton almost six years ago. All three of Tim’s regular season shows (Sister Act, Murder on the Nile, and To Kill A Mockingbird) received Blackburn Awards of Excellence in Directing. As an actor/director, Tim spent almost ten years on or behind the stages in Chicago before his return to Dayton. Tim is a member of the Dayton Playhouse Board of Directors and currently chairs the box office committee.
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