A virtual performance for one-night only on February 13, 2021
Standing On Ceremony, The Gay Marriage Plays
by Mo Gaffney, Jordan Harrison, Moises Kaufman, Neil LaBute, Wendy MacLeod,
Jose Rivera, Paul Rudnick, and Doug Wright Conceived by Brian Schnipper.
Directed by Mark Sickler. Recorded and edited by Christopher Bellis
“Two little words, and suddenly your whole world changes. An A-list lineup of writers offers unique takes on the moments before, during, and after “I do.” Witty, warm, and occasionally wacky, this collection of short plays are vows to the blessings of equality, the universal challenges of relationships, and the often hilarious power of love.”
$19.99 (includes all fees) for streaming access. TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE >
This is a fundraiser to benefit M&D Playhouse and White Mountains Pride. Please support these two wonderful organizations with the purchase of a ticket for each member of your household who will enjoy this fantastic production! Thanks so much.
Featuring the talents of:
Donnie Baillargeon
Donnie extends his heartfelt gratitude to Mark for this chance to perform with his handsome husband, David, having last had this opportunity back in 2005 at Beatrice Herford’s Vokes Theatre in Wayland. Primarily working as a director now, he has staged productions for Concord Players, Acme Theatre Productions and his home base – Vokes Theatre. His 2018 production of The Nance at Vokes garnered 10 EMACT DASH Awards including Best Production (Play) and Best Director (Play). In 2019 his 2019 production of Fun Home received 14 EMACT DASH Outstanding Achievement Awards including Production (Musical) and Direction (Musical). Donnie also has designed sets for Hovey Players and Vokes Players productions. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Vokes Theatre and EMACT.
David Berti
David is very glad to be a part of this extraordinary event. Thank you, Mark! The year 2021 marks David’s 50th year acting in and around Boston…and yet he’s only 35. He’s worked with many of the area theaters, including Quannapowitt Players, Vokes Players, Hovey Players, Burlington Players and Concord Players. David has also played Mike Thomas in Shear Madness at the Charles Playhouse, and performed for two seasons as a member of the Boston Shakespeare Company. He is the recipient of two DASH Awards, for Best Lead Actor, Musical (The Drowsy Chaperone at Concord Players) and Best Featured Actor, Play (The Nance at Vokes Players). David also directs, and his production of Wings at Vokes Players was awarded a DASH Award for Best Production. David lives in Marlborough with his husband and partner of 30 years, Donnie Baillargeon (again, David is only 35).
Susan Loynd (Hannah – ‘This Flight Tonight’) lives in Fayston Vermont and is excited to join the “Standing on Ceremony” cast and act in this strange new virtual medium. Susan has been an actor and member of the Vermont PRIDE committee at Chandler for several years. She has acted in dramas, comedies and musicals of all sorts and recently began writing and directing. Thank you to Mark for giving me this opportunity to perform with M&D. Enjoy the show!
Ronni Marshak Ronni is delighted to be part of this Zoom production, and to be once again working with Mark Sickler! Favorite roles include Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods with Norton Singers; Mrs. Pascal in The House of Yes (directed by Mark Sickler) and Bubbe in Crossing Delancey, both at Hovey Players in Waltham, MA; Cleo in Most Happy Fella in Avon, MA), and pretty much every G&S contralto. Ronni is also an award-winning director of both musicals and plays in the Greater Boston area. She is proud to be a volunteer with Sharing the Spotlight which produces theatrical productions with special needs young adults and children. She is also a long-time member of Colonial Radio Theater, which produces audio plays. Interesting facts about Ronni: Born in Israel and lived in Turkey for a while, and knows every song Shirley Temple ever sang in a movie!
Ken Martin Ken is the co-founder and past Artistic Director at M&D Playhouse. He started acting in 1981 and has, directed, produced or performed in well over a thousand shows since then, in California, Hawaii and New Hampshire. Most recently, he directed “Constellations” at M&D and appeared on stage last in “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” as Jackson Boudreaux. Favorite roles include Dr. Dysart in “Equus” and Raul in “Extremities.” Ken was recognized by the NHTA in 2019 with a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to live theater in the state of New Hampshire. He also received a Best director award for his production of “August:Osage County” and a Best actor award for his performance as Matt in “Talley’s Folly.” During his tenure at M&D they were recognized by the New England Theatre Conference with a Regional Award for Excellence in American Theater.
Melissa O’Neil
Melissa is a Valley local who is so beyond thrilled to get to do some theatre, it’s pretty silly. This past year has brought big change for her, including leaving the hospitality business after over 15 years to venture into the exciting world of healthcare. She has found a new love for gardening and learning to sew, and still loves to crochet. Apart from that, you’ll most likely find Melissa spending time with her family, which lately has been virtual, but still wonderful. Melissa would like to thank Mark for this wonderful and unique opportunity, M&D for continuing to enrich our lives with theatre no matter what, her family for their constant support and inspiration, and her husband for everything, always.
Sara Ong
Sara is thrilled to be a part of her first show with M&D Playhouse (during a time of remote productions even!) She is new to acting, having previously spent time on stage telling jokes and stories and is super excited and thankful to be a part of Standing On Ceremony. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.
Brendan Paine
Brendan grew up in Quincy, MA and performed in several area community theatre productions, including Cabaret, Les Misérables, Next to Normal and Spring Awakening. Brendan graduated from UMass Boston with a Theatre Arts degree in 2013. In 2016, he made the move to New York City where he has been living ever since. He has been continuing to improve upon his craft and is looking forward to brighter days ahead. He is very grateful to Mark and the M&D Playhouse for this wonderful opportunity!
Judson Pierce
First Production with MD Playhouse. Race, The House of Yes (Hovey Players in Waltham MA); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime(Marblehead Little Theater, 2019 DASH Best Production Nominee); The Farnsworth Invention, Any Given Monday(Burlington Players); ART(Winchester and Braintree 2002 EMACT Best Actor); Moonlight and Magnolias, To Kill a Mockingbird, WIT, The Laramie Project(Arlington Friends of the Drama, 2004 DASH Best Actor Nominee and 2004 Elliot Norton Winner); Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, The Last Night of Ballyhoo(Quannapowitt Players, 2005 EMACT Festival Winner, 2002 EMACT Festival Best Supporting Actor); Picasso at the Lapin Agile(ACME, 2009 DASH Best Actor Nominee); Not Enough Rope, Accomplice, The Guys, (Wellesley Players, EMACT Best Actor Nominee 2003). Education: Vassar College (B.A. Political Science in 1994) and Suffolk University Law School(JD in 1997). Jud lives in Arlington and is an attorney in private practice in Salem. Jud’s favorite roles are being a husband and dad and a Boston sports fanatic. Jud wishes to thank his family for all their love and support, Mark for directing him every 14 years or so, and Ronni for being his mommy again.
Samantha Rosentrater*
Samantha is so happy to take part in Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Shortly before the shutdown, Samantha starred in a new version of ALMOST, MAINE, with playwright and Tony Nominated actor John Cariani at Portland Stage Company, and was part of the National New Play Network’s Rolling World Premiere of MEMOIRS OF A FORGOTTEN MAN. Other recent credits include: HYANNIS (Premiere Stages and Ashland New Play Festival), UGLY LIES THE BONE (Lake Dillon Theatre, Colorado) and ELEMENO PEA (Shadowland Stages, NY). TV/Film: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, ALMOST FAMILY, DEADLY DEVOTION. Samantha is a member of the award-winning, international company, The Lunar Stratagem, based in Hudson, NY, and was nominated for the Barrymore Award for Heidi Schreck’s GRAND CONCOURSE. She holds an MFA in Acting from Wayne State University, where she spent three years in classical repertory at Detroit’s Hilberry Theatre. In 2016, Samantha held her own gay wedding, in New York City, where she resides with her adorable wife. Proud member Actor’s Equity, Sag-Aftra. samrosentrateractor.com IG: samrosentrater
Dustin Teuber
Hailing from Boston, Dustin has performed throughout the metro-Boston area, the NH seacoast, and NYC. Some of his favorite roles include Pride & Prejudice (Mr. Darcy), A Midsummer…(Oberon), Romeo & Juliet (Mercutio), Fat Pig (Carter), Dracula (Dracula), and Oliver! (Bill Sikes). He has worked for such award winning companies including Flat Earth Theater, The Company Theater, Hovey Players, and the Umbrella Annex. Dustin studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. He wishes to thank his fellow cast members and you, the audience for allowing us to continue doing what we love as we navigate this new normal.
Eddie Shields*
Eddie Shields is Actor & Director based in Brooklyn, NY. NYC: Playwrights Horizons, Theater Row, Drilling Theater, Workshop Theater, and Austrian Stage. Regional: Huntington Theater Company, Berkshire Theater Group, SpeakEasy Stage Company, New Rep Theater, Eugene O’neill Center, and more. Eddie is thrilled to be a part of Standing on Ceremony! Proud member of AEA and holds an MFA in Acting from Brandeis University. Eddie-Shields.com
Mishka Yarovoy
Mishka Yarovoy was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico to a family of Russian musicians. Having traveled most of his life, he lived between Russia, Mexico and the U.S. before leaving his family at the age of 14 and permanently settling in New York City to pursue a career in American film and theatre. There he attended Fiorello H. Laguardia’s “Fame School”, interned at various acting studios and participated in off broadway productions. After 2 years at LaGuardia Mishka decided to further his training at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, which he graduated from in 2019. Currently a student a Boston University, he is excited about creating meaningful, important work about things he deeply believes in. Some of his favorite theatrical roles have been Constantin in Aaron Posner’s Stupid F****** Bird and Oedipus in Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex.
*Appears courtesy of AEA. The union of professional Actors and Stage Managers