-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
NEW FEATHERS PRODUCTIONS
ANNOUNCES FINALE ON JANUARY 30TH WITH THE PREMIERE OF
“BEYOND” BY DAVE DROXLER
A New Sci-Fi Play with Heart
HUSBAND AND WIFE THEATER TEAM DAVE DROXLER AND CHELSEY SHANNON COLLABORATE ON A NEW FULL-LENGTH PLAY TO
PREMIERE WITH NEW FEATHERS PRODUCTIONS
Show Starts at 4 pm with a Pre-Show Reception at 2:30 pm
TICKETS start at $20 MORE INFO AT: www.bucks.edu/tickets
NEWTOWN, PA (1/5/22) - New Feathers Productions (NFP) announces their much-anticipated full-length production for Sunday, January 30th featuring DAVE DROXLER’S uniquely mystical yet relatable premiere of BEYOND at the Zlock Performing Arts Center, Newtown, PA. With direction by wife and collaborator CHELSEY SHANNON, BEYOND is a limited, one-night-only theatrical engagement. The CAST will include SHERRY ANDERSON, FREDI BERNSTEIN, MEGHAN MALLOY, and HAYDEN SAUNIER.
BEYOND will be professionally produced and directed live in the theatrical reading format by New Feathers Productions (NFP). BEYOND tells the story of Marie, an elderly woman who befriends a mysterious Creature that suddenly arrives at her home. The Creature slowly brings forth lost memories of the relationship Marie had with her daughter. What she learns through these memories reveals a deeper truth. This story, told in nonlinear time, explores a mother/daughter relationship, as well as the many facets of how one's reality can be perceived… and what may actually lie beyond.
When asking Chelsey Shannon about working with husband Dave Droxler, she states: “Dave and I have been collaborating and inspiring each other for almost 20 years in our arts career (and personal life). But when we began working together in a more formal artistic partnership, I knew it was just the beginning. Dave is the best kind of creator - brilliant, confident and dedicated, while also possessing an open spirit to mold a piece of theater in a way that serves the show and an audience above all. Working with him on a project is so EASY. It's also lots and lots of laughs. He will always be the first person I want to work with and the last person I say goodnight to."
BEYOND is the finale part of an exclusive, new works theatrical monthly series at the Zlock Performing Arts Center in Newtown, PA.
Producer John Augustine states: “Dave Droxler is a bright, dynamic voice. Whether he is writing with his comedic style or his more serious voice, he always has an offbeat view of the world that asks us to question our reality. He dares us to see ourselves and consider how we see others. His work is always thoughtful, always full of heart…and always a good time. Dave Droxler’s work makes us feel a little less alone in the world.”
NFP strives to take playwrights, performers, and audience members alike through the latest theatrical work development process, thinking, style, and approach. NFP provides a safe forum for playwrights to have their work publically seen, heard, and responded to by supportive, early-adopting audiences to prepare such new theatrical work for larger audiences and opportunities. NFP and the Zlock PAC highlights talent from the vibrancy and voice of Philadelphia, New York, and surrounding areas.
New Feathers performances offers two primary ticketing options, General Admission for $20 and a 4 pm with a VIP Pre-Show Reception with reserved theater seats for $30. The Pre-Show Reception includes alcohol, non-alcohol beverages and light-fare. Special discounts include Seniors (65+), Bucks Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Active Military, Veterans, and Bucks County Arts & Cultural Council Members. In addition, current students receive free admission with valid IDs. Tickets and more info at: www.bucks.edu/tickets
PLAYWRIGHT’S BIO:
Dave Droxler premiered his one-man show Robin and Me: My Little Spark Of Madness as part of Abingdon Theatre’s One Night Only Series at Lucille Lortel. Dave’s play, Walken On Sunshine, premiered at FringeNYC, winning the “TheaterMania Audience Favorite Award” and “Outstanding Excellence in Acting” for Dave’s performance. Other select New York Theater acting credits include Candide, directed by Hal Prince and choreographed by Pat Birch (NYC Opera), the Drama Desk nominated production The Man Who Laughs (Stolen Chair Theater), Sweetee, directed by Pat Birch (Signature Theatre), and the NYTimes Critics pick Honky (Urban Stages). Dave voices Kiko on Nick Jr’s “Santiago Of The Seas”, Polly and Frisky on Apple TV’s “Get Rolling with Oits”, and numerous other characters for Nick Jr’s “Sunny Day”, PBS’s “Alma’s Way” and upcoming shows for HBO Max, Sesame, and Noggin. Other TV/Film credits include "How to Get Away With Murder" and “Limitless”. www.davedroxler.com
DIRECTOR’S BIO:
Chelsey Shannon has worked in the arts as a producer, performer, consultant and non-profit Director. Her most prominent leadership role has been Co-Founder/ Director of The New York Children's Theater Festival in New York City, a non-profit which supports artists as they develop new theater for young audiences. As Festival Director, she produced/curated the festival including more than 15 full scale TYA productions over 5 years. As a producer, Chelsey has worked on numerous theater projects including: Executive Producer Walken on Sunshine (By: Dave Droxler), New York International Fringe Festival; Associate Producer Character (by: Dave Droxler), Prospect Theater. She also worked as a Producing Associate with Gables Grove Productions: Re-Usable the Musical (The Bronx Zoo); Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line live entertainment. As a consultant, Chelsey has worked with The 14th St Y, The PlayGround Experiment, C Squared Entertainment, The Amazing Max, 3C Consulting, To and Fro Productions, Proud Image Theater Company, Harridan Productions and many individual artists and Non-profits. She holds a BFA in Theater from Point Park University and is a member of AEA.
CAST BIOS:
Sherry Anderson originated roles in “Death by Chocolate” and “Peoplespeak” at 59E59 theatre, “Kent, CT” at the Zipper and “Generation X”, “Insatiable” and “Scab Writes a Song” at HOME all written by longtime friend John Augustine. She originated Naomi in “Naomi in the Living Room” by Christopher Durang. Together with John and Chris she has done multiple variations of a nightclub act called “Chris Durang and Dawne” at the Criterion Center, Carolines Comedy Club and the Triad (which won a 1996 Bistro award). She has appeared on Broadway and in the National Tour of “Beauty and the Beast“, playing Madame de la Grande Bouche. Her TV credits include “Law and Order” and “Law and Order SVU”.
Fredi Bernstein: TV: Love Life, The Other Two (HBO Max), Monsterland (Hulu). Film: Annunciation, A Morning in March. Theater: Olivia in Adaptive Radiation, Jessica in The Merchant of Venice, Julia in The Hard Problem, and a sold-out show at Joe’s Pub as Patrina in Birthday Sax. Recently recorded a lead role on the album for the original musical, I AM. Fredi is also a writer, creator and producer. Producing credits include the podcast Time Spent with Meredith Baker with Tall One Small One Productions and Assoc. Producer on the film The Sanctity of Liz. Zlock Performing Arts Center
Meghan Malloy is delighted to work with New Feathers Productions. As a playwright, her one-act Love Baker was recently included in Women of a Certain Age: Not Writing About Menopause. Meghan holds a BFA in Acting from Point Park Conservatory. Acting credits include Fugard’s My Children! My Africa! (Wilma, Barrymore nomination), Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Actors Theater of Phoenix) and Shanley’s Doubt (Pittsburgh Irish & Classical). Meghan has taught acting classes ranging from kids’ musical theatre to adult scene study to global dialects. Many thanks to Dave, Chelsey, John and Mandee for the opportunity to explore the role of Maya. This performance is dedicated to my beautiful Grandmother Kathleen, who is living through the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. www.meghanmalloy.org
Hayden Saunier is an actor and writer who has appeared with the Guthrie Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Arden, Interact, People’s Light, ACT II, George Street Playhouse and the Westbeth Theatre Center. Among her film and television credits are The Sixth Sense, Philadelphia Diary, House of Cards, Mindhunter, Do No Harm, and the voice of a broken-down stove for Ikea. She is the author of five books of poetry and her work has won numerous awards, including the Pablo Neruda Prize and the Gell Poetry Award. (more at www.haydensaunier.com)
About New Feathers: New Feathers Productions is a professionally produced, ever-expanding playwright and performance reading series exclusively devoted to new theatrical works. NFP purposefully presents an edgy, industry-inside view to the creative development process with skilled performers, playwrights, and directors. NFP founded by Mandee K. Hammerstein in 2017, aims to deliver a delightful and memorable mix of emotion-flexing, brain-teasing comedy, frank thought, and post-conversation dialog while immersing participants in the experimental, theatrical process. From its wildly-celebrated inception in 2017 at the famed Raven Resort through to the James A. Michener Art Museum and now newly nested at the Zlock Performing Arts Center, NFP promises to showcase the latest theatrical works by Award-winning playwrights and emerging talent throughout the region. With inimitable content, NFP strives to positively impact, inspire, and bond audiences and artists alike. For the latest NFP updates, please visit the New Feathers Facebook page at Facebook/NewFeathersProductions or email: NewFeathersProductions@gmail.com.
About the ZLOCK Performing Arts Center: The Kevin and Sima Zlock Performing Arts Center hosts musical and theatrical performances, business conferences, and educational events throughout the year. The Zlock Performing Arts Center offers exceptional staging, lighting, and acoustics in an intimate 339-seat theater. The venue is located on the Bucks County Community College Newtown Campus, just 45-minutes north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Built in 1971 and upgraded in 2000, the Zlock Performing Arts Center is also available for rent on a limited basis to external for-profit and non-profit groups and organizations.
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Playwright, Director and Cast Photos Attached – contributed