Academia Nuts

by Gregg Kreutz

Directed by Jim Mastro

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Other Programming at the Arts Center...

Past GP Seasons....

2006-2007
How the Other Half Loves
The Fantasticks
To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday
Into the Woods
The Road to Mecca

2005-2006
Cemetery Club
Little Shop of Horrors
No Sooner Won Than Wed
Laura
Quilters

2004-2005
1776
A Voice of My Own
The Pirates of Penzance
Run For Your Wife
Pippin

See a list of all previous shows!

Show Times: Friday & Saturday nights @ 8 pm, Sunday afternoons @ 3 pm

September 21-23, 28-30, 2007

academianuts02 Professor Peter Smedfordson lives in a quiet New England college town, in the former home of poet E.R. Lennox whose writings are the subject of his scholarly life's work. Reclusive Peter finds his sedate life is suddenly turned upside down when he is invaded by Tammie, a free spirit from Atlantic City whose luck has run out, by Judith, another Lennox scholar determined to unearth a lost manuscript in his home, and by Stuart, Judith's reprehensible ex-husband who is trying to beat her to the manuscript. Peter is confronted with house breakers, mistaken identities, hide and seek chases and unexpected romance. The discovery of the manuscript and the revelation of its surprising secret provide a hilarious climax to this urbane and quick-witted comedy by the author of the popular farce Bottoms Up!

The Director....

Jim Mastro has been involved in the performing arts since in 1974, starting with a part in a community theater production of The Front Page. He went on to do stand-up comedy and improvisational comedy (with Whoopi Goldberg, before she was discovered) at the Comedy Store in San Diego. He also worked for many years as a professional dancer. Then, for some strange reason, he went to Antarctica. While working there, he formed the McMurdo Players theatrical troupe, established a playhouse, and produced and directed his first play, the one-act comedy The Mice Have Been Drinking Again. The following year he produced, directed, and acted in the three-act comedy Saving Grace, playing the part of Walter Chepple. Next came the one-act comedy Me Too, Then! All three productions played to sold-out houses. Academia Nuts marks Jim's fourth stint as a director. He is honored to be involved with the famous Garrison Players, and especially honored to be working with such a professional and talented cast and crew.


		The Cast....



		Robb Ross (Stewart) recently finished directing and choreographing Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s Cinderella for the Bell Center, Robb has moved from behind the scenes to, once again, onstage. This will be his sixth production with Garrison Players, which began with 1776 in 1997 (in which he reprised his role as South Carolina delegate Edward Rutledge again in 2004). Other GP shows include Greater Tuna, Baby and Murder at Rutherford House. Robb is a stay-at-home dad to his two children, Logan & Alexa during the day and full-time night manager at Duston’s Deli & Bakery. Still finding time for the arts and continuing his 30+ years in theater is a challenge, but he owes much of this to his wife and best friend Patty, as none of this journey would be worth it without her.

			Christine Muehlhausen (Judith) is a freelance writer and owner of CAMword Services in Farmington, NH. She is a multi-award winning actress, cast for the first time at the age of nine as Princess Gladiola in Hyronomous A. Frog, The Frog Prince, and then in the lead role of Annie for her next show. Now, more than 35 years later, she has been in more than a couple hundred performances ranging from musical, drama, comedy, and straight dance. Last seen with GP last winter as Esther in To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday, other recent credits include Chick Boyle in Crimes of the Heart (Best Supporting Actress), Jenny in Company (Best Supporting Actress), primary singer/actress in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, all in Michigan, and most recently as Mildred in Cemetery Club at Village Players in Wolfeboro. "I'm very excited to be back at Garrison Players and completely thrilled to be working with this amazingly talented and fun cast and crew. Many thanks, it's been great fun and an absolute joy."


	Don Briand (Peter Smedfordson) is pleased and honored to kick-off his thirty-second year as a member of the Garrison Players. Favorite roles include John Adams in 1776, Curly in Oklahoma, Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun and Maude in My Fatal Valentine. He was nominated for a "Spotlight Award" for last seasons performance as Waldo Lydecker in Laura. Don has also performed at Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Prescott Park, Hackmatack Theatre and numerous other regional theatre groups. Don is an award-winning radio News Director, and was named the 2005 New Hampshire "Broadcaster of the Year".

			Marjorie Mersereau (Tammi) after a short 25-year hiatus, is pleased to be once again performing with the talented and loving Garrison Players. As the Theater teacher at Dover High School, Marjorie has been blessed to direct some amazingly talented students in wonderful productions, but now is especially excited to be performing on stage. Receiving her theater degree and teaching certification from UNH and her M.Ed. from Lesley, she has enjoyed teaching and directing in the greater seacoast area for 20+ years. Her most recent “pride and joy” was when DHS’s drama club presented Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream - the first Shakespearean production at Dover High in over 38 years. In the past, Marjorie has performed with Prescott Park, The Players Ring, Seacoast Rep, and many other theater groups through out the region. All her roles have been her favorite, so now she can add “Tammi” to her list. Marjorie wishes to thank Jim Riley for his love and support, her brothers- John and Glenn- for giving her the reassurance that “she still has got it,” family, friends, and colleagues for understanding, Jen Vento for the suggestion, the superb cast and crew of this show, Jim Mastro for his patience (and surfing advice), and finally her most ardent fan, and now guardian angel, Gloria. Thanks to all of you for supporting community theater!