PROGRAM 2

Program #2* (3rd Floor)

Last Exit in NY by Luis Reyes Cardenas

Lonesome Dove by Jeryl Brunner

What Happened Was by Walter John Thompson

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

Luis Reyes Cardenas (Director/Playwright/Jake) is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Open Hydrant Theater Company in the Bronx. NY Credits- Fools in Love (Off-Broadway, BAM, Open Hydrant) Balm in Gilead (Barefoot Theatre Company), The Shadow Box, Durang, Durang, Regional- Hair, Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, The Drowsy Chaperone, Tommy. Film- Shakespeare High. Playwright- Visa Decline, Play the Papers for Lupe, Place of Assembly. Ain’t Gonna B EZ, Meryl Streep that Shit, The Invisible Prank. For Rosie.

Andrea Otero Andrea M. Otero joined Open Hydrant in December 2023, making their debut in Footloose The Musical. Since then, she has expanded her theatrical repertoire, appearing as an actor in Balm In Gilead and further honing their craft at RosieLou Acting Studio. A pivotal member of the Open Hydrant family, Andrea now leads the new division of Open Hydrant Films. She is also currently taking on the role of producer for Last Exit In New York, an exciting new production at the Chain Theatre Festival.

Lewis Gurgis (Co-Producer) Lewis Robert Gurgis is a proud member of Open Hydrant Theater Company and Actors’ Equity Association. Open Hydrant credits include Hairspray, Our Lady of 121st Street, In Arabia We’d All Be Kings, and Raft of the Medusa. He received his acting training from Binghamton University (SUNY)

Ben McHugh* (Lucas, Daniel, Justin, Wilbur, Mitch) Ben McHugh has appeared in the Broadway production of Mamma Mia!, the off-Broadway immersive smash Sleep No More and many other theatrical productions across the globe. His short-films Big Bear, Gregory and Riley have won both critical and festival acclaim, garnering many awards including Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Concept and Best Short. www.benmchugh.com

Jeryl Brunner (Justine) A performer and playwright, Jeryl most recently appeared in her play Wipeout at Chain Theatre’s One Act Festival, produced by Anna Strout and Jesse Eisenberg and directed by Sara Thigpen. Other Chain Theatre Festival shows include Catch, directed by Sara Thigpen and Dill, directed by Jesse Eisenberg. Jeryl has done voice overs for books on Audible.com, appeared in Younger and Law & Order and wrote for Anika Larsen for the 24 Hour Plays. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts acting program, Jeryl performs improv throughout New York City. She is developing her full-length play, Love Justine, which was workshopped at The Hundredth Hill. Jeryl also hosts the podcast, When Lightning Strikes!, on the Broadway Podcast Network, produced by Anna Strout. Member of SAG-AFTRA.    

Extra special thanks to the Chain Theatre, Christina Perry, Kirk Gostkowski, Rick Hamilton, Anna Strout, Jesse Eisenberg, Barbara Toy, Hannah Ryan, Ben McHugh, Ellie Handel, Madelyn McHugh, Teddy Gordon, Amy Ziff, Sara Thigpen, Laura Vogel, Krista Detor, Dave Weber and the Hundredth Hill, Elizabeth Perkins, Julie Besonen, Scooter Alpert, Paige Morrow Kimball, Jenica Bergere, Patrick Boll, Jason Kravits, Chris Harcum, Courtney Laine Self, Gray Thurstone, Spencer GTitle of Your Show_Program Infoiles, Ilene Angel, Dina Zuckerberg, Sarah Elizabeth Greer, Zac Kline, Tina Reine, Andrea Kannapell, Denice Nortez, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel, Karen Schaler, Bryan Bantry, Lee Zalben, Ryan Ratelle, Katie Rosin, Bonnie Brodner and Sherry Brodner. 

Amy Ziff* (Mom) In addition to being a pop icon and touring the world with the band BETTY, Amy has appeared in movies and TV, including Showtime's The L-Word, and originating the roles of Mom and Ida on the ABC series Edith Ann. Amy has also written and performed her one-woman shows, Superlatives and Accident in several festivals and theaters across the United States and Canada. She has also co-written an opera about Typhoid Mary, called A Danger to Us All.  Amy is excited to be a part of Lonesome Dove. Learn more at Hellobetty.com. P.S. Love to Kristi, Saylor and Slate.

Hannah Ryan (Director) Broadway Resident Director of Hamilton. Australian Staging Director: An American in Paris. Director: Gypsy, Love,Loss and What I Wore (Theatre Aspen) Spring Awakening (CCM) Confidence and The Speech (Theatre Row) Roe (Post Theatre Co.) All Dressed Up (Redhouse) Riot Song (Joe's Pub) Every Path (La Jolla Playhouse & Moxie Theatre) Sally: A Solo Play (Theatre Aspen & Alabama Shakespeare Festival), et al. Member of SDC, Drama League Director’s Project Fellow & Resident, SDC Foundation Denham Fellow. Adjunct professor at NYU.  Hannahmryan.com  

Ellie Handel (Associate Director) Ellie is a director, actor/stage manager, and educator based in New York City. She was the Assistant Director of the 2nd National Tour of LCT's My Fair Lady and Associate Director of White Rose the Musical at Theatre Row. Select Directing: Emily D - Star-Crossed Employee (The Tank), Aussie Song (Hudson Guild), R&H Cinderella (NYU), and Hyena in Petticoats (NYU). She is an adjunct professor at NYU, member of AEA, and an associate member of SDC. www.elliehandel.com.

Anna Strout (Producer) Anna Strout produces and casts programs, as well as serves as an educator for Voices of a People's History and their many partner organizations from high schools to universities, unions to performing arts centers—and develops new programs, community collaborations, and artist engagement models. Over the years, Anna has consulted on numerous socio-historical documentaries, multi-media DVDs and world music releases, animated and fiction film productions, and museum exhibits. She also is an advisor for The Hundreth Hill artist residency and a volunteer with Middle Way House, an organization that works to end domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking through an empowerment model. Anna produces and books talent for When Lightning Strikes! with host Jeryl Brunner on the Broadway Podcast Network. 

Jesse Eisenberg (Producer) A writer, director, filmmaker and playwright, Jesse Eisenberg is an Academy Award–nominated actor and writer who has appeared in more than 40 films and TV shows. Additionally, he has written plays, essays for the New Yorker and McSweeney's and is a cast member with Theater of War, a performing arts non-profit that presents readings of Sophocles and Philoctetes to communities throughout the United States and Europe. Jesse made his directorial debut with the movie, When You Finish Saving the World, which he also wrote. A Real Pain, which he wrote, directed and stars in, has been listed as one of the ten best films of 2024 by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and the National Board of Review.

Barbara Toy (Producer) Barbara Toy is the director of development for New York Stage and Film. She has extensive fundraising experience for both non-profit arts organizations/social service agencies and commercial enterprises, centering on fund raising for and management of the arts, culture and education. Barbara’s focus is on giving a voice to a new generation of artists: work that is reflective of the diversity of backgrounds and experiences in the New York community. 

*These Actors are appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association. Equity approved showcase. 

Cady McClain is a three-time Emmy© winner for her work on three different daytime serials. Recent stage work includes Off-Broadway as “Joan Plowright” in ORSON’S SHADOW by Austin Pendleton at Theater for the New City and regionally as “Shirley” in SHIRLEY VALENTINE at Cape May Stage. A veteran of film and television she is currently starring in “Beyond the Gates” on CBS and Paramount+.

Austin Pendleton has appeared in over 250 movies and TV shows. Directing accolades include winning an Obie for directing THREE SISTERS by Anton Chekov at Classic Stage Company with Maggie Gullemhaal and a Tony nomination for Best Director for the Broadway production of THE LITTLE FOXES by Lillian Hellman with Elizabeth Taylor. Recently he directed BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY by Stephen Adly Giurgis which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize.

Walter John Thompson is a New York City-based playwright and screenwriter whose work blends dark humor, existential inquiry, and raw emotional honesty. A Columbia University graduate, where he studied with Eduardo Machado and Terry Southern, and a Fordham Law School-trained civil rights attorney, Thompson draws from a life rich with experience and reinvention.

Ryan Tramont’s theater work includes ORSON’S SHADOW (25th Anniversary Off-Broadway revival), PIMM’S MISSION (59E59), 23 KNIVES, ORDER (dir. Austin Pendleton), CRAZY FOR THE DOG (NY Times Critic’s Pick), A LIFE IN THE THEATER, AMERICAN BUFFALO, HURLYBURLY, and 27 Shakespeare plays including the title role in HAMLET and Iago in OTHELLO. TV/Film: “The Hurt Locker” (dir. Kathryn Bigelow), “Narcos,” “Hack.”