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Welcome to "On The Way To O'Neill's: JFK In Ireland", an alternate history play.

 

 

Latest News:

Shortly we will be listing the finalized info about our upcoming reading in New York City.   If you would like to be notified by email just click on the link at the bottom of the page and let us know.
As a fitting followup to St. Patrick's Day
"On The Way To O'Neill's: JFK In Ireland"  was presented as a staged reading in Tampa March 21st, 22nd and 23rd at the Shimberg Theatre in
the David A.Straz Center For The Performing Arts  (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - the largest performing arts complex south of Kennedy Center).
 
The reading was a co-production between JobsiteTheater (the resident company at the Straz center) and Silver Meteor Gallery, a long time presenter of theatre in the Tampa area.  Off-
Broadway author/director James B. Rayfield provided an insightful directoral touch and the play benefited from sterling performances by Sandra Lynne Locher, Roxanne Fay, Richard DiPietra and Allen Esses.
Special thanks has to go to Michael Murphy, owner of Silver Meteor Gallery, a dream of a producer and someone to watch in the future.  He gives 1000%, and it shows up in his work.
Here is a link to an interview that includes Michael, James and David on WMNF Radio in Tampa.  At the site click on "Archives" then navigate to March 19 for the audio. (The interview begins about 15 minutes into the program.)
After the readings, audience members
(who we did not know) wrote comments on Jobsite's Facebook page.
Here are a sampling:
"Thought provoking..." "Highly encourage all to see it..."  "Very good play...."
 

We're pleased to add that "O'Neill's" had a wonderful run at the Midtown International Theatre Festival Reading Series this past summer in New York. 

We had a wonderful cast -  including a bunch of Broadway veterans.

                                                                     
Robert McNamara was played by William Parry.  Bill is a Sondheim favorite, he's the only person to create roles in four Sondheim premieres: Sunday In The Park With George, Passion, Assassins and last year's Road Show.
                      
Maureen Silliman was Madeleine Albright - she has been on Broadway in
Shenandoah, Is There Life After High School and I Remember Mama.  She has
numerous distinctions, including winning both the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award and Dramalogue Award - a distinguished actor.
                                
David Foubert played Bill DeShields.  New York audiences have recently seen David in The Acting Company's Moby Dick - Rehearsed, The Three Musketeers and Macbeth. 
                
Our director was Charles Weldon.  In addition to Broadway experience as an actor (The River Niger) Charles is also the Artistic Director of the legendary Negro Ensemble Company, which produced such actors as Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson. (You can see
Charles in the A&E Biography of Samuel L. Jackson.)
                                              
They were joined by Off-Broadway actress and lead in the current  VH1
television series Tough Love Natasha Malinsky.                                                            
David Beckett  read JFK, and he considered it an honor to be in such distinguished company.

 

 

The previous November "O'Neill's" was chosen to be the culminating performance on the the "We ARE the people" reading series, presented by the Roy Arias Theatre Center, 300 W. 43rd St. in Manhattan. 

The series was a two week-end pre-election marathon of marvelous new pieces; sixteen in all.  This was our second reading in New York, (see below) both of which followed the initial public reading in Hollywood.  O'Neill's is gaining steam! 

The entire event was a great success, and we felt especially gratified by the comment of Herb Donaldson, Artistic Director of the series: "This piece is beautiful, and I'm grateful that you two have been generous to allow us the reading".

More about We ARE The People may be found at:

http://10pages.tripod.com/wearethepeople/


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Renowned writer Andrew Greeley has endorsed "O'Neill's"!   Author of over 50 bestsellers (translated into 12 languages) and nationally noted for his contribution to Irish-American fiction, Fr. Greeley declared:

"Fascinating play!...I hope it gets performed on Broadway where it belongs."


In addition to teaching at the University of Chicago and University of Arizona, Fr. Greeley is also an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Ireland in Dublin.  His website is agreeley.com  We are most grateful for his comments.

Also, recently "O'Neill's" was featured on the Ten Grand Production's  "Cold Cut's" Reading Series Of New Work in New York City.

The reading was extremely successful, with some wonderful comments and discussion afterward.   We felt very much a part of the Ten Grand "family".

Of course, this followed a terrific reading at The Actor's Co-op in Hollywood directed by Henry Polic II.
Both readings have been excellent steps in the process and it is clear the the next level is that of full production.
We'll post any information about that right here on the website.
 
Meanwhile, we'd like to share some
comments we've received from other theatre professionals who have had a chance to read the script.

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Stephanie Barton-Farcas of the Off-Off Broadway's "Nicu's Spoon" Theatre Company lamented not being able to do an immediate full production because of a two year backup just in readings with these words:


"It is a GREAT text, seriously... I do suggest that when you send to NY companies you should say we recommend it to them as a reference if needed."
 
S. Barton-Farcas
Artistic Director
Nicu's Spoon
www.spoontheater.org

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Tom Ferriter, Artistic Director of New
NewYork's Stageplays Theatre Company, which specializes in play development
commented:


"the dialogue is certainly accomplished, the story is engaging, and the dramatic structure is solid.I encourage
you in continued pursuit of a production...I believe that the concept for the play as alternative history would be of interest to theatre-going audiences,and, in that sense, the play has a built in marketability beyond the literal drawing power of John F. Kennedy."

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Jason Hewitt, Managing Director of NYC's Ten Grand Productions
called the script:
 
"Stirring and provocative -- keeps the audience in the throes of
mystery and rekindles a national spirit that's been missing for a while."
 


This award winning play is on the cutting edge of recent
works inspired by alternate history, including books by such authors as Dario Fo, Philip Roth, Michael Crichton and Len Deighton.

The play opens in 1999. JFK has returned to Ireland following the death of John, Jr. An encounter with a female reporter leads him to a confrontation with unexorcised demons from the past. Meanwhile, ghosts from the Cold War return to threaten international peace.

 

 

 

The central character in the play is 82 year old JFK.  Above is a forensic artist's rendering of how Kennedy would have appeared as an octogenarian.  This has served as the model for Makeup Artist Megan Flagg's design for "O'Neill's" Special Effects makeup.

Here's a bit more about Megan:

Megan Flagg has been a make-up artist for the better part of a decade.. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Boston College, she continued her education and received certifications in Make-up Artistry and Theatrical Make-up. Megan and her husband, Jon, relocated to California to pursue her career in special effects make-up. Megan interned with legendary make-up artist Rob Burman, and at Emmy winner Steve Johnson’s Edge FX. She spent most of the past two years working for Academy Award-nominated make-up artist Christien Tinsley and is currently on staff at two-time Oscar winning Captive Audience Productions

We are fortunate to have Megan as part of the "O'Neill's" team.

We have good news for those of you who have wondered about Henry Polic II, who directed last Fall's very successful reading at the Actor's Co-Op in Hollywood.  Henry did marvelous work in "Sister Act" the musical at Pasadena Playhouse and in Atlanta's Alliance Theatre.  We are confident it will make its way to Broadway, and we wish Henry continued success.  He is a good friend of "O'Neill's".

 

David Beckett

 David's credits include television (Boston Legal, Young & The Restless, American Family) film (Timecop II, Yard Sale), National Broadway tours (Anything Goes), Off-Broadway Theatre (Hound Of The Baskerville's, Places Everyone) as well as many Regional Theatre credits and appearances in numerous national and local commercials.

David was last seen by L.A. theatre goers in "Slaves Of Starbucks". L.A. Weekly commented: "David Beckett delivers first-rate lunacy in his superb one-man performance".

It was a satire of Kennedy's inaugural address in "Starbucks" that provided the inspiration for "On The Way To O'Neill's: JFK In Ireland".  (One critic declared: "Beckett also offers an amazing impression of JFK") The project began with the simple question: "What if?"   

For more info you are invited to visit David's homepage at davidbeckett.com

Ann G. Bauer has a theatre degree from Arizona State University. After teaching drama for three years she moved to California and worked with the Old Globe,
while continuing to act and direct regionally.
A turning point in her career was working with Steve Marshall (Writer/Producer: "WKRP In Cincinnati", Executive Producer: "Growing Pains") who encouraged her to turn her talents to writing. Since then Ann has written professionally in a wide variety of genres (including television and radio). She also teaches writing on the college level. "O'Neill's"
is her first full-length stage play.

For those of you wishing a fuller synopsis, here it is:

    On The Way To O’Neill’s: JFK In Ireland

Synopsis

 

 

 Late Fall 1999, a cottage in Wexford, Ireland.  At the opening, an 82 year old JFK wakes from a nap and a nightmare in which he relives John, Jr.’s tragic crash.  (Kennedy survived Dallas, although gravely injured.   Mrs. Kennedy did not.)

 

Mrs. Byrnes, his housekeeper, has left him a cassette tape given to her by a woman in the market.  The voice sounds like that of an Irish Jackie.  It is a reporter named Gemma O’Leary.  Kennedy calls her to politely refuse any interview request and discovers himself agreeing to answer questions sent in by school children.  As the questions become more probing, he invites her to come over for lunch on the following Tuesday to continue.

 

Meanwhile, Robert McNamara and Madeline Albright call to inform him of a dangerous development in Chechnya.  Victor Khrushchev, a son of Nikita’s from a previously unknown 2nd marriage, has been fighting with the Chechen rebels against a Russian government he feels betrayed his father.  Now Victor has disappeared with arms; intent on righting old wrongs done to his father.

 

As Act II opens Gemma arrives for lunch.  The school children’s questions at first touch on Kennedy family history, relationships, scandals, etc.  

  

But soon very personal issues for both President and reporter are laid bare.  Unexpected revelations are made on each side.  The mutual self-disclosure results in a growing closeness between Gemma and JFK.  This prompts him to finally reveal his real reason for coming to Ireland.   Gemma’s response then confronts him with a life-changing decision.

 

Albright calls with the latest CIA transcripts of Khrushchev’s communications.

JFK recognizes code words used only between Nikita and himself that pinpoint

Victor’s destination.  He, then, agrees to Albright’s request to go to Washington for more in-depth consultations.

 

Before leaving, Kennedy reveals to Gemma his initial reason for calling her.

It is inextricably bound up in her own name.

Should you have any questions or comments please call (818) 640-5881, or click on the link below to email us.

 

On The Way To O'Neill's: JFK In Ireland