“The Big Voice: God or Merman” 2006-07 (Closed May 13, 2007)
Producers Murphy Cross, Paul Kreppel and Edmund Gaynes premiered the new musical The Big Voice: God or Merman — which began performances Nov. 25, 2006 at The Actors Temple Theatre — with co-stars and co-creators Jim Brochu and Steve Schalchlin. The Big Voice: God or Merman? played its final performance May 13, 2007 at The Actors Temple Theatre after 125 performances.
“There’s no business like show business–especially for two guys who meet in the Bermuda Triangle, fall in love, work in the theater…and live to tell about it! This high-energy, razzle-dazzle show chronicles the lives of a Baptist from Arkansas and a Catholic from Brooklyn who find eternal salvation in the temple of musical theatre.”
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Broadway and film actress Neva Small (“Chava” in the film version of “Fiddler on the Roof”) starred in a musical show that whimsically traced the highlights of her life and career, offering some comfortable memories and more than a few surprises.
A devoted wife and mother, Neva shares the challenges and rewards of balancing a life in music with real life. The result is an entertainment that offers some comfortable memories and more than a few surprises, all delivered with the intimacy and joy of a seasoned performer. Musical Direction by Don Rebic Special Material by Jay Kerr Directed by Pamela Hall. It played Actors Temple Theatre from August 16, 2007 through September 30, 2007 .
The J.A.P Show ( Closed Oct. 15, 2007)
About the show: These four brassy and ballsy female comics give nachus to their female predecessors, demonstrating through their own zany stories and stand-up why the Jewish female comics of yore are treasured pioneers. Written by Kahaney and directed by Dan Fields, The J.A.P. Show includes vintage film and video clips of the original queens of comedy.
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BABALU-CY: The Art of Desi Arnaz” [Closed Nov. 16, 2008]
BABALU-CY: The Art of Desi Arnaz”- the popular new musical starred Greg Purnhagen as Desi Arnaz, and resumed performances at The Actors Temple Theatre on Saturday, November 1st, 2008 . The musical, subtitled “The Art of Desi Arnaz,” began previews on August 23rd, 2008 and opened official on September 8, 2008. It CLOSED on November 16, 2008.
Directed and choreographed by Gene Castle, “BABALU-CY: The Art of Desi Arnaz” featured Emily Anne Smith as Lucy plus a seven piece Latin band under the direction of Roy Dunlap with musical arrangements by David Cook. [CLOSED]
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Don’t Leave it All to the Children (Nov. 22, 2009)
A new musical comedy revue, “DON’T LEAVE IT ALL TO YOUR CHILDREN!”, written and directed by SAUL ILSON, Musical numbers staged by Rudy Tronto and starring Barbara Minkus (“Picon Pie”), Marcia Rodd (“The Last of the Red Hot Lovers”), Steve Rossi (of Allen & Rossi) and Ronnie Schell (Gomer Pyle) made its New York debut on Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 at the Actors Temple Theatre. and closed on November 22, 2009
Hebrew School Dropout, Or: How I Converted from Judaism to Catholicism and Back to Judaism AND Lost Those Stubborn Last 10 Pounds! ( Closed June 17, 2010)
“Hebrew School Dropout, Or: How I Converted from Judaism to Catholicism and Back to Judaism AND Lost Those Stubborn Last 10 Pounds! “began previews at Actors Temple Theatre on April 24, 2010 and opened officially on May 19, 2010. It closed June 17, 2010
In April of 2010, Emmy Award winner Dave Konig brought his new show Hebrew School Dropout, …. to the Actors Temple Theatre, a biographical piece that was a journey of faith in which Konig explored being a Jew who doesn’t fit in.
On Broadway, Konig appeared in Grease. On television, he hosted the late-night HBO comedy series Hardcore TV, wrote, produced, and starred in the talk show parody The Dave Konig Show on USA Network, and won his Emmys for his Konig Underground segments on Metro (NY) TV’s Subway Q & A.
“All American Girls” ( Closed October 28, 2010)
Layon Gray’s “All American Girls” premiered Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple Theatre on
August 29, 2010 at Actors Temple Theatre and CLOSED October 28, 2010 . 
About The Play: “It is about a fictional World War II-era baseball team of young African-American women, the Red Diamonds, assembled for a Chicago exhibition game against a team of white women, the Rockford Peaches.”
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“Zero Hour” 2010-11 (Closed Jan. 9, 2011)
Starting June 12, 2010, Kurt Peterson and Edmund Gaynes, who produced in association with The Peccadillo Theater Company, transferred Jim Brochu’s Zero Hour to the Actors Temple Theater where it continued its Off-Broadway run (Wednesdays at 3 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.) Brochu’s tribute to the late stage legend Zero Mostel premiered Off-Broadway on November 14, 2009 at Theatre at Saint Clement’s, transferred to DR2 Theatre Feb. 23, 2010 and continued its Off-Broadway run at the Actors Temple Theatre as of June 12, 2010 ( where it played until January 9, 2011).
“Zero Hour is set in theatre legend Zero Mostel’s painting studio on West 28th Street, a naïve reporter attempts to interview the famously volatile artist, prompting an explosion of memory, humor, outrage and juicy backstage lore. Mostel is remembered for his comedic genius and his definitive roles, but in the 1950′s he was equally known for his place on the infamous Hollywood blacklist. Directed by three time Oscar-nominated film star Piper Laurie, Jim Brochu’s striking portrayal brings all of Mostel’s swagger, ferocity, intelligence and fantastic wit back to the stage in this volcanic tour-de-force.”
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Sam’s Romance ( 2011)
Sam’s Romance, a new play by award winning playwright Paul Manual Kane, opened June 5, 2011 at Actors Temple Theatre and closed July 31, 2011. It was described as “an edgy comedy about connections. He’s Jewish, She’s Black, He’s 50, She’s 20, It’s 1953.
An edgy comedy about connections. People who make the wrong connection. People who don’t connect no matter how they try. And, people who never connect but go on living with great expectations of connecting. People who make the wrong connection. People who don’t connect no matter how they try. And people who never connect but go on living with great expectations of connecting. The production featured a set and lighting design by Josh Iacovelli; the cast that included Oni Brown, Lee Anne Hutchison, Ed Kershen, Todd Licea and Neva Small.
“Diary of a Catholic School Dropout” (2010-11) – Closed July 2011
Layon Gray’s “Diary of a Catholic School Drop Out” Is an Abstract Choreo-play with motown music, dance, poetry, and lost love.
It premiered Off-Broadway at Actors Temple Theatre on November 17, 2010 and CLOSED July 2011.
About the Play: “In two hours, at the age of 23, Alice Williams will be executed for the murder of her father. With little time on her side, she searches her soul for inner peace as her mind wanders back down the road that put her in this current predicament. This “choreoplay” by author/director Layon Gray sets out to memorialize a group of female reform school students.”
David Roberts, Clinton Faulkner
Cowboy Creative Team
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