Andrew Blasenak. Andrew Blasenak is a recent arrival in Philadelphia where he teaches in the theatre department at Villanova University. Before settling here, he has performed with The Maryland Shakespeare Festival (Petruchio, Dr. Caius), The Actors Theatre of Columbus (Orsino, Don Pedro), The American Shakespeare Center, and The Actors’ Shakespeare Company. He holds an MFA in Shakespeare in Performance (Acting) from Mary Baldwin College and a PhD in Theatre History/Literature/Criticism from The Ohio State University.
wart
Steve Wei. Steve Wei (Wart) is thrilled to join Kevin on another beautiful script. Steve previously understudied James Drexel in Kevin’s After Carpathia. Favorites/recent: Kill Will (Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre), “Thuy” Miss Saigon (Broadway Theatre of Pitman), My Fair Lady (BToP), “Sebastian” Twelfth Night, “Brian” et. al, Crazyface (Brainspunk Theatre), “George Deever” All My Sons (Brainspunk). Thanks to Kevin, Jeremy, Andrew & Victor, and Minou.
Victor Espinos (Wart US): "Victor Espinosa was born and raised in Miami, Fl. A new transplant to Philadelphia looking to continue his college career into Theater and Technical Theater, he is very excited to be working again with Kevin on their second production together. He previously took on the role of Assistant Stage Manager for Devine/Intervention. Thank you Kevin and Jeremy for this great opportunity."
Crew Jeremy Haig, Stage Manager and Assistant director
Jeremy Haig hails from Cape Cod, MA and has since moved to Philadelphia to fulfill his college career as a Musical Theater student at Temple University. From a very young age, Jeremy was involved in music and performing arts in many facets, which in the last years has led him to study acting professionally as a member of Elements Theater Company (Orleans, MA) and choreograph and dance with TIDES Dance Company (Chatham, MA) and the Cape Cod Dance Center (Bourne, MA). Jeremy feels blessed by his many incredible experiences, ranging from national percussion championships, to teaching music to kids in the townships of South Africa, and beyond. Jeremy's recent credits include Dance Ensemble in Brigadoon, Hal in Proof, and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as numerous short films, short plays, and workshops. Jeremy is thrilled to be a part of this incredible cast performing his favorite musical and wishes to send a special thanks to Nick, and his family and friends for all their love and support.
cREATIVE
Kevin Stackhouse, Playwright and Director After a long career as an author of books and poetry volumes, Kevin is glad to be returning to his roots as a playwright with Merlin and Wart. Previous dramatic works include "The Shire, 2007, Alterra Theater, "After Carpathian, (2012, Off-Broadeay) and Trading Places: An Operetta, based on the 1984 film starring Eddie Murphy Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Akroyd. Literary credits include "The Epic of Hagia Sophia." Kevin recently returned Off-Broadway as the stage manager to Mimi Imfurst's "Divine/ Intervention," Starring Bobby Goodrich, the costume designer to "Merlin and Wart." This project is an important milestone in Kevin's life, and it involves a topic of great meaning to him. Mental Illness has the most antiquated understanding compared to other illnesses, and with the growing economic uncertainty, there is going to be a rise of mental illness in the country. It is time that those who are voiceless are given their right as American citizens to have a voice. Special love to "the silver."
Bobby Goodrich, Costume Design Bobby "Fabulous" Goodrich is a costume designer and actor based out of Philadelphia. He attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania and apprenticed at the Walnut Street Theatre. He also has an original drag character named Cleo Phatra who performs in clubs all over the east coast. Stage credits include Son/Costumes:Eternal Glamnation (Brat Productions), Chef/Costumes: Let's start a war (Brat Productions) Little Red:Into the Woods (Faux Real Productions), Divine/Costumes: Divine/Intervention (SBG Productions). Bobby has also designed for Opera North (Vanqui, Shakespeare goes to the Opera, Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadows, A Source of Light, Egypt Nights, A Bayou Legend), To the Wall Productions (Debbie does Dallas: the musical, The Rivals:A Drag Comedy, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom), and Isis Productions (Collected Stories, House of Blue Leaves, Landscape of the Body, Accomplice). This past January, Bobby presented a one man/woman show "Not Right for the Part" at the University of Pittsburgh.