| News |
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2007
Press Contact: Lucy Pollak
(818) 887-1499 (not for publication)
lucy@lucypr.com
"MUSTANG SALLY"
New Drama Tackles Controversial Topic
with Insight and Sensitivity.
World Premiere Set for October 13.
SHERMAN OAKS, CA - A new drama by Los Angeles-based playwright Linda Felton Steinbaum
tackles the timely and sensitive topic of female teachers who have sex with their underage
students.
Arturo Castillo directs Sean Vincent Biggins, Michael Blain-Rozgay, Andrea Conte, Sally Conway
and Tish Smiley in the world premiere of Mustang Sally at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman
Oaks October 13 through November 18.
As Mustang Sally begins, the affair between a 13-year old middle school student and his 31-
year old teacher, Kathy, has already been discovered. When Kathy's older sister steps forward
to help her deal with the repercussions, the result is an involving and insightful drama that
provides food for thought about a serious subject.
Felton Steinbaum's work has always stemmed from contemporary social issues. "I write about
what confuses me or makes me angry," she explains. "With Mustang Sally I wanted to explore
what I see as a serious double standard. When a man becomes sexually involved with a young
girl, we want him tarred and feathered. On the other hand, a boy who has sex with an older
woman is 'one lucky guy.' But this kind of thing is just as damaging to our boys. We need to
protect our sons as well as our daughters."
"When I read Linda's script I thought, this is something that needs to be discussed," says
Castillo. "Linda has exhaustively researched her subject, but her play isn't didactic. Everyone
with whom I speak seems to have a different stance on what is 'right' in these cases - the very
type of subject matter that makes for wonderful theater."
After selling an original screenplay to Disney Studios, Linda Felton Steinbaum has concentrated
on playwriting. Her one-act play, Shifting Gears, was produced by the Group Repertory
Theatre, where it garnered an ADA Award nomination and was selected to be performed at the
2004 NoHo Theatre and Arts Festival; it received a second production in 2006 at The Cedar
Lane Stage in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2005, Linda enjoyed a limited engagement at the Group
Repertory Theatre of her wacky full length comedy, New and Improved. Her drama, Fat
Chance, was first produced by J.E.T. Productions-West at the NoHo Actors Studio in North
Hollywood, followed by a production at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Felton Steinbaum's other
plays include A Touch Tone Away and Hail to the Detail. She is a member of the Writer’s Guild
of America, the Dramatists Guild and ALAP.
A graduate of the prestigious Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England,
Arturo Castillo has directed theatrical productions all over Europe, including London, Madrid,
Berlin, Munich, Paris, Prague, Milan and Rome. He was a co-founder and associate artistic
director of Novel Stages in Philadelphia. He served on the Pennsylvania State Arts Council as a
theater panelist as well as on the Arts in Education panel. He has also worked for the New
York State Arts Council and the NEA doing site visits. While in Los Angeles, he has directed
theater and film, including Theresa Rebeck's Loose Knit; Bishop and Fuller's Loveplay; Richard
Devin’s My Mother's Coming; and Wallace Shawn’s one-man tour de force The Fever. Mr.
Castillo co-wrote, produced and directed the independent film f64, and has directed the music
video for the song "Daddy, Daddy" for the band Katoorah Jayne.
A graduate of American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Sean Vincent Biggins
(Tony)'s theater credits include Gremio in The Taming of the Shrew and Sidney in Absurd
Person Singular. Film credits include the lead in the independent feature film Working Stiff.
Michael Blain-Rozgay (Edward) has been seen in Loose Knit; All Male Review (world premiere at
the Jewel Box Theater); Coyote Ugly; A Winter’s Tale, and Who Forgives (U.S. premiere at
Portland, Oregon's Stark Raving Theater). He has also appeared in the Seattle Shakespeare
Festival’s inaugural production of Richard III and in numerous roles in the Seattle Directors and
Seattle Playwrights Festivals.
Andrea Conte (Elizabeth) hails from Florida where she played leading roles in Knish Alley (Palm
Beach Dramaworks); What A Night (The Maltz Theatre); Italian American Reconciliation (The
Atlantic Theatre); Ladies Who Lunch (U.S. premiere, Creative Stage); and, at the Burt
Reynolds Theater Institute, Stiff Cuffs, directed by John D'Aquino; The Owl and the Pussycat,
directed by Burt Reynolds; and Prisoner of Second Avenue, directed by Charles Nelson Reilly.
Sally Conway (Kathy) arrived recently from New York, where she appeared as Alma in Summer
and Smoke; Beatrice in The Servant of Two Masters; Laura in Goblin Market; and Lady Macduff
in Macbeth.
Tish Smiley (Marilyn) has performed in over 35 stage productions including Variations (Chekhov
short stories at the Jewel Box); F.M. (Powerhouse Theatre); and The Crucible, Twelve Angry
Men and A Coupla White Chicks (all for Company of Angels). She has written five full length
plays, including Yard Sale which garnered six Drama-Logue Awards, and directed Linda Felton
Steinbaum's Fat Chance in 2006.
Mustang Sally is presented by Bryan Rasmussen and Whitefire Theatre in association with
Artists Unlimited. Set design is by Christopher Winfield and costume design is by Tina Rose.
Tish Smiley and Rebekah Score produce.
Performances are scheduled Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm, October
13 through November 18. Preview performances take place Thursday, October 11 and Friday,
October 12 at 8 pm. Tickets to all performances are $20.00; except previews which are
$15.00. The Whitefire Theatre is located at 13500 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks (three
blocks east of Woodman, at Sunnyslope). For reservations and information, call Theatermania
at (866) 811-4111 or go to www.theatermania.com.
MORE MORE MORE
DETAILS FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS
"MUSTANG SALLY"
WHAT:
Mustang Sally - This involving new drama tackles the timely and sensitive topic of female
teachers who have sex with their underage students. As Mustang Sally begins, the affair
between a 13-year old middle school student and his 31-year old teacher, Kathy, has already
been discovered. When Kathy's older sister steps forward to help her deal with the
repercussions, the result is an involving and insightful drama that provides food for thought
about a serious subject.
WHO:
Written by Linda Felton Steinbaum
Directed by Arturo Castillo
Featuring Sean Vincent Biggins, Michael Blain-Rozgay, Andrea Conte, Sally Conway, Tish Smiley
WHEN:
Previews October 11 and 12 at 8 pm
Opens for press on Saturday, October 13, continues through November 18
Performance schedule
Fridays at 8 pm: October 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16
Saturdays at 8 pm: October 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17
Sundays at 2:30 pm: October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18
WHERE:
WHITEFIRE THEATRE
13500 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(3 blocks east of Woodman, on the corner of Sunnyslope)
HOW:
(866) 811-4111 or www.theatermania.com
TICKETS:
$20
WEB SITE:
www.MustangSallytheplay.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2007
Press Contact: Lucy Pollak
(818) 887-1499 (not for publication)
lucy@lucypr.com
"MUSTANG SALLY"
New Drama Tackles Controversial Topic
with Insight and Sensitivity.
World Premiere Set for October 13.
SHERMAN OAKS, CA - A new drama by Los Angeles-based playwright Linda Felton Steinbaum
tackles the timely and sensitive topic of female teachers who have sex with their underage
students.
Arturo Castillo directs Sean Vincent Biggins, Michael Blain-Rozgay, Andrea Conte, Sally Conway
and Tish Smiley in the world premiere of Mustang Sally at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman
Oaks October 13 through November 18.
As Mustang Sally begins, the affair between a 13-year old middle school student and his 31-
year old teacher, Kathy, has already been discovered. When Kathy's older sister steps forward
to help her deal with the repercussions, the result is an involving and insightful drama that
provides food for thought about a serious subject.
Felton Steinbaum's work has always stemmed from contemporary social issues. "I write about
what confuses me or makes me angry," she explains. "With Mustang Sally I wanted to explore
what I see as a serious double standard. When a man becomes sexually involved with a young
girl, we want him tarred and feathered. On the other hand, a boy who has sex with an older
woman is 'one lucky guy.' But this kind of thing is just as damaging to our boys. We need to
protect our sons as well as our daughters."
"When I read Linda's script I thought, this is something that needs to be discussed," says
Castillo. "Linda has exhaustively researched her subject, but her play isn't didactic. Everyone
with whom I speak seems to have a different stance on what is 'right' in these cases - the very
type of subject matter that makes for wonderful theater."
After selling an original screenplay to Disney Studios, Linda Felton Steinbaum has concentrated
on playwriting. Her one-act play, Shifting Gears, was produced by the Group Repertory
Theatre, where it garnered an ADA Award nomination and was selected to be performed at the
2004 NoHo Theatre and Arts Festival; it received a second production in 2006 at The Cedar
Lane Stage in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2005, Linda enjoyed a limited engagement at the Group
Repertory Theatre of her wacky full length comedy, New and Improved. Her drama, Fat
Chance, was first produced by J.E.T. Productions-West at the NoHo Actors Studio in North
Hollywood, followed by a production at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Felton Steinbaum's other
plays include A Touch Tone Away and Hail to the Detail. She is a member of the Writer’s Guild
of America, the Dramatists Guild and ALAP.
A graduate of the prestigious Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England,
Arturo Castillo has directed theatrical productions all over Europe, including London, Madrid,
Berlin, Munich, Paris, Prague, Milan and Rome. He was a co-founder and associate artistic
director of Novel Stages in Philadelphia. He served on the Pennsylvania State Arts Council as a
theater panelist as well as on the Arts in Education panel. He has also worked for the New
York State Arts Council and the NEA doing site visits. While in Los Angeles, he has directed
theater and film, including Theresa Rebeck's Loose Knit; Bishop and Fuller's Loveplay; Richard
Devin’s My Mother's Coming; and Wallace Shawn’s one-man tour de force The Fever. Mr.
Castillo co-wrote, produced and directed the independent film f64, and has directed the music
video for the song "Daddy, Daddy" for the band Katoorah Jayne.
A graduate of American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Sean Vincent Biggins
(Tony)'s theater credits include Gremio in The Taming of the Shrew and Sidney in Absurd
Person Singular. Film credits include the lead in the independent feature film Working Stiff.
Michael Blain-Rozgay (Edward) has been seen in Loose Knit; All Male Review (world premiere at
the Jewel Box Theater); Coyote Ugly; A Winter’s Tale, and Who Forgives (U.S. premiere at
Portland, Oregon's Stark Raving Theater). He has also appeared in the Seattle Shakespeare
Festival’s inaugural production of Richard III and in numerous roles in the Seattle Directors and
Seattle Playwrights Festivals.
Andrea Conte (Elizabeth) hails from Florida where she played leading roles in Knish Alley (Palm
Beach Dramaworks); What A Night (The Maltz Theatre); Italian American Reconciliation (The
Atlantic Theatre); Ladies Who Lunch (U.S. premiere, Creative Stage); and, at the Burt
Reynolds Theater Institute, Stiff Cuffs, directed by John D'Aquino; The Owl and the Pussycat,
directed by Burt Reynolds; and Prisoner of Second Avenue, directed by Charles Nelson Reilly.
Sally Conway (Kathy) arrived recently from New York, where she appeared as Alma in Summer
and Smoke; Beatrice in The Servant of Two Masters; Laura in Goblin Market; and Lady Macduff
in Macbeth.
Tish Smiley (Marilyn) has performed in over 35 stage productions including Variations (Chekhov
short stories at the Jewel Box); F.M. (Powerhouse Theatre); and The Crucible, Twelve Angry
Men and A Coupla White Chicks (all for Company of Angels). She has written five full length
plays, including Yard Sale which garnered six Drama-Logue Awards, and directed Linda Felton
Steinbaum's Fat Chance in 2006.
Mustang Sally is presented by Bryan Rasmussen and Whitefire Theatre in association with
Artists Unlimited. Set design is by Christopher Winfield and costume design is by Tina Rose.
Tish Smiley and Rebekah Score produce.
Performances are scheduled Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm, October
13 through November 18. Preview performances take place Thursday, October 11 and Friday,
October 12 at 8 pm. Tickets to all performances are $20.00; except previews which are
$15.00. The Whitefire Theatre is located at 13500 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks (three
blocks east of Woodman, at Sunnyslope). For reservations and information, call Theatermania
at (866) 811-4111 or go to www.theatermania.com.
MORE MORE MORE
DETAILS FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS
"MUSTANG SALLY"
WHAT:
Mustang Sally - This involving new drama tackles the timely and sensitive topic of female
teachers who have sex with their underage students. As Mustang Sally begins, the affair
between a 13-year old middle school student and his 31-year old teacher, Kathy, has already
been discovered. When Kathy's older sister steps forward to help her deal with the
repercussions, the result is an involving and insightful drama that provides food for thought
about a serious subject.
WHO:
Written by Linda Felton Steinbaum
Directed by Arturo Castillo
Featuring Sean Vincent Biggins, Michael Blain-Rozgay, Andrea Conte, Sally Conway, Tish Smiley
WHEN:
Previews October 11 and 12 at 8 pm
Opens for press on Saturday, October 13, continues through November 18
Performance schedule
Fridays at 8 pm: October 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16
Saturdays at 8 pm: October 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17
Sundays at 2:30 pm: October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18
WHERE:
WHITEFIRE THEATRE
13500 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(3 blocks east of Woodman, on the corner of Sunnyslope)
HOW:
(866) 811-4111 or www.theatermania.com
TICKETS:
$20
WEB SITE:
www.MustangSallytheplay.com
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