On July 23, 2008, PureJem Pictures LLC produced a casual and fun screenplay reading event at Chashama, a theatre/art gallery space located at 217 East 42nd Street in New York City. Attended by film/distribution companies, designers, industry professionals and investors, the reading was performed by professional actors and supported by a crew who donated their time to make the event a success.
This project has continued to attract energetic, talented and generous support by everyone from actors to directors and production assistants to camera men who overwhelmingly support the script and its message.
Cast:
Wayne Clark (Mr. Lodge) Born in Beautiful Downtown Burbank, CA, Wayne performed in the World Famous Lamplighters Gilbert & Sullivan Theatre Company of San Francisco. Suddenly, he was thrust into the awaiting arms of Fate and was cast as the “Adult Patrick” in the National Company of AUNTIE MAME starring Virginia Mayo. Fame beckoned him and in no time he was whisked away to New York City to perform alongside Carol Channing in the original production of HELLO DOLLY. As a producer, he has nurtured five Off-Broadway musicals written by his life partner, Ronnie Britton, into long-running classics. He is most honored and thankful to help bring this wonderful project to life!
Lauren “CoCo” Cohen (Melinda, multiple roles) In LA, Lauren served as Head of Musical Development for her award-winning theatre company, Neurotic Young Urbanites (a gaggle of fellow NYU grads) for the past ten years. Her musical collaborations with writing partner, Lauren Bowles, Curtis Moore and Amanda Green garnered critical acclaim. You may have seen her in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, THE HITCHER, LEGALLY BLONDE II or SECRETARY. On the small screen: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, MONK, ER, HOUSE. But if you are 7-12 years old, you know her as Yolanda on THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK & CODY. Whee!
Patricia Dell (Mrs. Evelyn Lodge) has a career that has taken her throughout the US performing in concert, recital, opera, musical theater and cabaret. She studied with Marni Nixon and Regine Crespin in NYC as well as Gerard Souzay in France. With the Center for Contemporary Opera (NYC), she created the roles of Mrs. Stevenson in the world premiere of Jack Beeson's SORRY, WRONG NUMBER (released on CD, Albany Records) and Doll in the NY premiere of Daron Hagen’s VERA OF LAS VEGAS. Musical theater: Mame Dennis (MAME) Dorothy Brock (42nd STREET), Ruth Stein (MILK AND HONEY), Desiree (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC), and Anna (THE KING AND I), and recently Madame Florence Foster Jenkins in SOUVENIR. Debut CD: “Sing Happy! The Musical Genius of Kander and Ebb” (CDBaby.com). She is currently on the voice faculty at the Tisch School of the Arts, NY Univ/member AEA/ www.patriciadell.com
David Drumgold (Felina, Fred) College in London for Fashion Design and Costume History; singer for commercials and backup vocals for young pop-artists; formed band with remnants of the band The Undertone; toured with Chris Rea and Thomas Dolby; recorded on John Peel's album showcasing new talent; commercial modeling/runway shows in Paris, London Milan, Florence, Tokyo; TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JULIE NEW-MAR, STONEWALL, DRUNKS; DAVID DRUMGOLD: LIVE Western Europe tour ending at Edinburgh Festival (Perrier Award); four summer residences at Club Q, Ibiza; SEX IN THE CITY; HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADAME ALBERTA at Cherry Lane Theatre.
Tom Gualtieri (Paul, multiple roles) is a playwright, lyricist, director and actor. Film: FADE TO WHITE, RUBBERNECK, BLINDING GOLDFISH, THAT’S ALL SHE WROTE. Theatre: HAY FEVER (Joanne Woodward) SOUTH PACIFIC (Marin Mazzie, Rob Marshall), RIGHT YOU ARE (Tony Randall, Penny Fuller) PRIVATES ON PARADE, DRAGAPELLA!, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, THE RIVALS, CLOUD 9, NAKED BOYS SINGING (Orig NY Cast). Most recently appeared in BAIT (Best Actor, National Gay & Lesbian Theatre Fest). Also wrote and performs THAT PLAY, a solo Macbeth.
Jem Jender aka James O'Connor-Taylor (KK Summerset/Steve) is President & Founder of PureJem Pictures LLC. MORE THAN A WOMAN marks Jem’s first screenplay. He co-wrote the book for the musical hit DIVA DIARIES. As a performer Jem danced with the Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo and has done too many film, television and guest appearances globally to fit into 50 words or less. Check out www.jemjender.com.
James Palacio (Ginger) is a Native NYer with an extensive theatre/ dance background who in 1988 was the 15th elected Empress of The Imperial Court of NY. He appeared in the last 5 seasons of HBO’s hit series OZ (role of resident transvestite). He was featured in the film STONEWALL (role of blond bombshell); as an L.A. Show Girl in TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERY-THING, JULIE NEWMAR and in the publications Lets Play Dress Up and Persona. As a model, he has strutted his stuff in fashion shows (Ultra Pink Jr. Sportswear, Guess Jeans, Cotler Jeans, Goya Products, MTV). He enjoyed dancing in the hit off-off Broadway show PENNY ARCADES BITCH! DYKE! FAGHAG! WHORE! “Life is what you make of it, make mine a double!!”
Greg Ryan (Mr. York, multiple roles) recently reenlisted in the acting world. Greg has been doing print work and industrials, recent work has been for Velocity Delivery Systems and the Pepsi Bottling Group. Greg is a member of AEA and AFTRA, contact number 917-453-0723. Cheers to Jem and MTAW.
Kirsten Sinclair (Misty Black, multiple roles) Bouncing between BirdCliff's production of A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM as Hermia, reporter extraordinaire Kathy Carmicheal on ONE LIFE TO LIVE and writing for Marvel Comic's The Fantastic Four often leave Kirsten questioning not only where she is but "Hey what century is this?" Her training from The Lee Strasberg Institute makes her quick on her feet though and most say she makes a very convincing girl...
Alex Valente (Teddy) was raised in NYC and is a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, CT. He has performed in numerous NYC locales such as The Sanford Meisner Theatre, The American Globe Theatre, The Producer’s Club and others. Alex currently plays the role of Mitch the Barista regularly on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. He has also performed in many independent films as well as appearing regularly as Jerry the Bartender on AS THE WORLD TURNS and in skits on THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN. Alex trained at the Maggie Flanigan Studio in NY and currently studies with Susan Giosa at The Santa Monica Playhouse in LA. See more at www.alexvalente.com.
Michael Ziegfeld (Madame, Charles) co-starred in THE TEN with Winona Ryder where he played duel roles & 27 DRESSES opposite Katherine Heigl. In 17 year comedy career, he opened for James Brown, The Pointer Sisters, Wynonna Judd, seen on Comedy Central & THE TONIGHT SHOW, held an audience with Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, headlined from Las Vegas to Monte Carlo and voted "Act of the Year" by Atlantic City Magazine. An extensive voiceover career (Coca Cola, Disney, TV Funhouse) and puppetry career (Jim Henson, Pixar, MTV) have lead to his Off-Broad-way, one-man show, ZIEGFELD’S FOLLY: MY RISE TO THE MIDDLE OF SHOW BUSINESS. www.MichaelZiegfeld.com
Risa Shoup and Darryl Hell of Chashama, Michael Heinl, John Mercurio, Marlo Hunter, Oswaldo Muniz, Philip Kohl, Ben Feldman, Arnold J. Civins, CPA partner at Citrin Cooperman & Company, Stephen Wagner, Erin Weisburger