Mario Cantone, Jeni Verdon Lead Vassar & NY Stage & Film Workshops

Vassar & New York Stage and Film announce complete casting for its two Inside Look play workshops to be offered this season at Powerhouse Theater: Margaret and Craig by David Solomon, directed by Sheryl Kaller (July 1-3) and Handball by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, directed by Cándido Tirado (July 15-17). The cast members will include Mario Cantone (Laugh Whore, Sex and the City, Assassins) and Jeni Verdon (Love Sucks) in Margaret and Craig, and Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominee Rob Morrow (Northern Exposure, Quiz Show, The Exonerated, Numb3rs), Obie® Award winner Danny Hoch (Black Hawk Down, Prison Song, Blue Bloods), John Douglas Thompson (The Emperor Jones, Cyrano de Bergerac), and Victor Rasuk (Raising Victor Vargas, How to Make it in America, ER), among others.

Inside Look Play 2011 semi-staged workshops:

Margaret and Craig
By David Solomon
Directed by Sheryl Kaller
Musical direction by Paul Masse

With Mario Cantone (Laugh Whore, Sex and the City, Assassins) as Craig Russell and Jeni Verdon (the Coast Playhouse's Love Sucks) as Margaret Gibson

July 1-3, Susan Stein Shiva Theater
Tickets: $20

The dazzling, dizzying Craig Russell (Mario Cantone), a 1970s female impersonator battling inner demons on his way to cult stardom. His quest for fame tests and transforms his relationship with the only person who truly knows him, his best friend and beloved confidant, author Margaret Gibson (Jeni Verdon).
Performances: July 1, 2 at 8:00pm; July 3 at 2:00 and 7:00pm

Handball
By Seth Zvi Rosenfeld
Directed by Cándido Tirado

With Reiko Aylesworth (Lights Out, ER, 24) as Laurie, Carlton Byrd (Blue Bloods) as Ra-Ra, Obie® Award winner Danny Hoch (Black Hawk Down, Prison Song, Blue Bloods) as Barry, Jeffrey Joseph (The Wrong MR. Johnson) as Gee, Morgan Lynch (Nova Scotia) as Little Lucy, Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominee Rob Morrow (Northern Exposure, Quiz Show, The Exonerated, Numb3rs) as Christopher, Drama Desk® nominee John Douglas Thompson (The Emperor Jones, Cyrano de Bergerac) as Panama, Felix Solis (The Good Wife) as Orlando, Victor Rasuk (Raising Victor Vargas, How to Make it in America, ER) as Javier.
July 15-17, Susan Stein Shiva Theater
Tickets: $20

A handball court earmarked to become a dog run becomes a battlefield in a quickly gentrifying neighborhood. Set against the backdrop of New York City's scorching summer heat, this report from the front lines of a neighborhood 'in transition' is a fresh and startling story of community, Culture Clash and turbulence around change.
Performances: July 15, 16 at 8:00pm; July 17 at 2:00 and 7:00pm.

Please note that seating in the Susan Stein Shiva Theater for both Inside Look workshops is general admission, and there is no assigned seating. The theater opens 15 minutes before curtain. There is no late seating. The Shiva is intimate and all seat locations are excellent.