Our 510th Production
Directed by Sarah Labov
November 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 2017
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Meet Lucy: an independent young woman loving her freedom, her options, and men — many men! But as advice pours in from her desperate neighbor and oh-so-helpful mother Mitzi, she finds that free love in the late ‘80’s is sporting a price tag. Can this “Fast Girl” choose between her wild lifestyle and her ex-boyfriend, who may be the one true love she seeks?
A special Autumn Open House performance of Fast Girls will be held on Sunday, November 5 at 4 pm. This event is perfect for first-time attendees to the theater and friends. Members of Old Academy Players will share a brief history of the theatre and its famous members Grace Kelly and Robert Prosky. The event is $20 per person and includes light refreshments pre-show beginning at 3 pm and a post-show 10-minute question and answer session with the actors.
Ginger Agnew’s review at B Sharp Productions: “FAST GIRLS Features Fast-Paced Funny Gags and Genuine Heart”
Hugh Hunter’s review at the Chestnut Hill Local:
“Sex and romance played for laughs in ‘Fast Girls’ ”
Meet the Cast
Eric Rupp as Sidney Epstein
Eric is thrilled to be performing in his seventh show at Old Academy Players. He was last seen on this stage in the 2016 One Act Bonanza. Eric has been performing consistently throughout the Philadelphia area for the past six years. Recent performances include Epic Proportions at Village Players of Hatboro (DeWitt), Dead Man’s Cellphone at Spotlight Theatre (Dwight), Dead Man’s Cellphone at Forge Theater (Gordon), and Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Walnut Street Theatre (understudying Ira). Eric is an Equity Membership Candidate, and he received his BFA in Acting from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He is thankful to Sarah for the opportunity to be a part of an amazing production. For Natalie, for always.
Jennifer Sivers/Roberts as Abigail McBride
This is Jennifer’s second time appearing on the OA stage, she appeared in last season’s Morning’s at Seven. Acting since the age of five, she has appeared in numerous productions in five states. Favorite roles include Birdie in Shooting Stars, Wanda in The Enchanted Pig, and Myra in A Bad Year for Tomatoes. In Xenia, Ohio she was honored to serve as Artistic Director for the Xenia Area Community Theater (X*ACT). She is Head of Children’s Services at the Upper Dublin Public Library, where you can find her performing in marionette shows. In the late 1980’s Jennifer was listening to hair bands and reading about paranormal activity. A special thank you to my husband, Michael for his help on and off the stage.
Maggie Cummings as Lucy Lewis
Maggie (EMC) recently returned back home to the Philadelphia area after 11 years in New York City. A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, she has studied with the Atlantic Theatre Company in NYC and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. She originated the role of Katrina Van Tassel Off-Broadway in Hollow: The Musical, worked locally with The Walnut St and Montgomery Theaters, and developed/performed two one woman shows: (Sorta) Love Songs and Christmasaholics Anonymous performed both in NYC and Philadelphia. Maggie is excited to come back to her home theatre community after being away for so long. For David.
Susan Lonker as Mitzi Lewis
Susan is happy to be a part of show that will hopefully make audiences laugh out loud, and has come to know and love Mitzi Lewis. She has thoroughly enjoyed every OA production in which she has performed, with some favorite roles being Alfred Lunt’s domineering Mother, Hattie Sederholm, in Ten Chimneys, Sylvie, the pregnant Trivial Pursuit player in The Odd Couple, Felicia Dantine, the séance–giving real estate agent in I Hate Hamlet, Dr. Linda Robertson, doing time in a leopard motif prison cell in DelVal Divas, Sister Amnesia, the country music singing Nun in Nunsense, and Domina the assertive Roman wife in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Susan served as Fundraising Chair for OA, and encourages audience members to attend and enjoy future events and programs. She is proud to be a part of OA’s community of dedicated, talented and special people. She sends love to her sister, Lynn, even though she won’t run lines with her!
Tom England as Joe Malone
Tom is an actor, playwright, and producer in Philadelphia since 2012. Tom has since received training from Philadelphia Improv Theater and PlayPenn Education, and was fortunate enough to be able to play a guitar with Bruce Springsteen in his song, Working on The Highway, during one of his concerts. Tom would like to thank Sarah, Terri, Michelle, and the incredibly talented ensemble of Fast Girls for welcoming him with open arms to the Old Academy Players! Recent projects: UNITED (World Premiere — 2017 Philadelphia Fringe), Mr. Lockhardt (2017 Take Ten Festival NYC – nominated — Best Play), The Ride (2016 Campus Movie Fest – award – Jury Award), Curtains (La Salle University), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (La Salle University), The Last Liquidation (2015 Campus Movie Fest – award – Jury Award), Almost, Maine (La Salle University), The Drowsy Chaperone (La Salle University).
Sarah Labov (Director)
Christopher McCollum (In Memoriam 1966–2017)
We would like to remember Chris, who signed on with Terri Bateman as co-producer of Fast Girls but died suddenly in September.
Terri, who directed him 38 years ago when he was a student at Roxborough High and became his best friend, writes: “His love of and joy of theater, and everyday life, is the spirit that lives within me to keep moving forward at this difficult time. Christopher will be forever in my heart and mind. We all know he is looking down on this production with love and pride for the cast and production team. Also, a special thanks to Chris’s family and friends, who continue to support the theater through their generosity.”
The entire Old Academy community is very sad at his loss and will sorely miss his enthusiasm and good nature. This production and the rest of the season is dedicated to his memory.
Michelle Moscicki (Producer)
Michelle has been enjoying working with Sarah Labov and Terri Bateman to get Lucy’s apartment just right for you. She has been a member for over 14 years after transitioning from audience member and then OA volunteer. She has acted in many productions and is now writing her first play. Thank you my theater family, as always, for your support and mentorship. Love to my mother and sister. Special memories of my friend, Christopher McCollum that his spirit and energy continue to inspire me and all his theater family.
Terri Bateman (Producer)
Terri is back in the Producer chair after directing Men Are Dogs last Spring. Terri has been involved in theater since high school. North Light Players roles include: Maude Dunlop in The Music Man, Penny Sycamore in You Can’t Take It With You, Abby Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, Ethel Rodgers in Ten Little Indians, Delilah in Father of the Bride, and Edith Northrup in Lemonade. Old Academy roles include: Sister Non-Public (remember the puppet?) in Nunsense, which she also stage managed and choreographed, Sandra in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Karen in Hogwash!, Victoria/Evelyn in Exit Date, Mrs. Trotsky in All in the Timing (producer), Fannie Green in the world premiere production of Seniors of the Sahara, Carmella Delgado in Minor Demons (producer), the peasant woman in Incorruptible, Flora in The Rose Tattoo (producer), Penny Sycamore in You Can’t Take It With You, and Angela Bruno in Bermuda Avenue Triangle (producer). She also played Louise in An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf and was a firefly in In the Jar and a mental patient/head nurse in The Interview. Terri was in Nancy Frick’s original play, Waiting for the Fat Lady to Sing. She played Anna in Waiting to be King. She also produced Boeing, Boeing. Terri played Karen in the original one-act Planet Radio in the Old Academy Players Summer One-Act Bonanza and was Nina in Looking. She has been an instructor in Movement for the last 7 years in the Children’s Art Program at OA. She has been in several Fringe Festival original shows since 2006. Terri would like to give a special acknowledgement to her dearest friend, Christopher McCollum, who was to co-produce Fast Girls with her, but died suddenly in September. His love of and joy of theater, and everyday life, is the spirit that lives within her to keep moving forward at this difficult time. Christopher will be forever in her heart and mind. We all know he is looking down on this production with love and pride for the cast and production team. Also, a special thanks to Chris’s family and friends, who continue to support the theater through their generosity.