Barrington Native in CT Rep's AN ABSOLUTE TURKEY

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) opens its 2016-17 season with Georges Feydeau’s "An Absolute Turkey", adapted from "Le Dindon" by Nicki Frei and Peter Hall. Paul Mullins will direct. Barrington, RI native and graduate of Barrington High School, Jeff DeSisto stars as Vatelin. Performances will be held in the Harriet S. Jorgenson Theatre from December 1st through December 10th, 2016. For tickets and information please visit crt.uconn.edu or call (860) 486-2113.

Jeff DeSisto is a third year graduate student in the UCONN MFA Acting program. As a student in the department, he receives conservatory style training that prepares young actors for careers in film, television and theatre. Students take classes in voice, movement, acting, and camera work. DeSisto’s credits include: CRT: "King Lear" (Oswald), "Spamalot" (French Taunter/Historian), "Twelfth Night" (Sebastian), and "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" (Flute). 2nd Story Theatre: "Tuesdays with Morrie" (Mitch), "Becky’s New Car" (Chris), "Le Dindon..." (Soldignac), "Seven Keys to Baldpate" (Lou Max), and "Saint Joan" (Captain La Hire).

DeSisto says, “The atmosphere of "An Absolute Turkey" is like being on a live studio audience sitcom. It has been non-stop fun bringing Vatelin to life. A wimpy, oblivious man whose life crumbles as the woman he had a quick affair with on his month long trip to Zurich bursts into his home and brings chaos into his happy-go-lucky life. Georges Feydeau is a master of farce and one of the great lesser known comedy writers of the 19th Century. It is a privilege to bring his words to life to the Storrs/UCONN community. This show will bring some much needed levity into the lives of all those who come to see it.”

The supreme master of farce, Georges Feydeau, displays all his comic genius as a man lusts after his friend’s wife, which triggers a riotous revenge plot and a dizzying spell of side-splitting complications. When this translation opened at the Globe Theatre in 1993, The Daily Express observed, “The witty, highly risqué translation sets the tone for an evening of frenzied Bacchanalian exuberance… [that is] enough to make you weep with laughter.”

Brooks Brantly, a UConn MFA Acting alum, returns to the CRT stage to star as Redillon. Brantly was last seen playing the role of W.W. in the Off-Broadway production of “Fly” at New Victory Theatre. He is the first recipient of the Kenny Leon directing fellowship and was a member of the Guthrie Experience Acting Program. Past credits include: National Theatre of London/Networks: “Warhorse” -1st National Tour (Sgt Fine), Roundabout Theatre-off Broadway: “Significant Other” (us. Will), Center Stage: “Gleam” (Tea Cake), Capital Rep: “Superior Donuts” (Franco Wicks)” and Connecticut Rep: “Othello” (Othello).

John Leonard Thompson plays Gerome. Thompson has done many plays on (most recently, “Butley”) and off-Broadway (“Love”, “Janis”, “Sin”, and shows with the Mint Theatre and the Negro Ensemble Company), internationally, on tour (“Angels in America” and “The Graduate”),and at many theatres across the United States including Hartford Stage, ATL, Seattle Rep, Old Globe, Arena Stage and Berkeley Rep. On film his work includes: “Guarding Tess”, “Killer” and “Empty Chairs”; on television, “Person of Interest”, “The Good Wife”, “Elementary”, “The Blacklist”, “Zero Hour”, “All My Children”, “Law & Order”, “Third Watch”, “Sesame Street”, “Summer Switch”, “The Shady Hill Kidnapping” and “A Woman Named Jackie.”

Along with DeSisto, MFA Actors Bryce Wood (Pontagnac), and Natalia Cuevas (Lucienne) lead the ensemble of performers from UConn’s Professional Actor Training Program.

The supreme master of farce, Georges Feydeau, displays all his comic genius as a man lusts after his friend’s wife, which triggers a riotous revenge plot and a dizzying spell of side-splitting complications. When this translation opened at the Globe Theatre in 1993, The Daily Express observed, “The witty, highly risqué translation sets the tone for an evening of frenzied Bacchanalian exuberance… [that is] enough to make you weep with laughter.”

Director Paul Mullins returns to CRT for his seventh production, having previously staged the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, “Much Ado About Nothing” and the world premiere comedy “I’m Connecticut”. Talking about comedy, Mullins said, “Any farce that I have ever done, and Feydeu farce is the gold standard of farce, makes for a lot of fun in the rehearsal room. To figure out how we can act this ridiculous, slam this many doors and fall over this much furniture is a wonderful way to spend several hours a day!”

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

The creative team includes: Paul Mullins (Director), Abigail Copeland (Scenic Design), Danielle Verkennes (Lighting Design), Heather Lesieur (Costume Design), Abigail Golec (Sound Design), Greg Webster (Fight Choreography), Colleen Conroy (Voice & Text Coach), Greg Maine (Technical Director) and Tom Kosis (Stage Manager).

The cast includes: MFA Actors: Michael Bobenhausen, Alrene Bozich, Darren Brown, Natalia Cuevas, Jeff DeSisto, Curtis Longfellow, Emile Saba, Meredith Saran, Bryce Wood. BFA Actors: Mikaila Baca-Dorion, Shavana Clarke, Kent Coleman, Sarah Jensen, Carly Polistina, Scott Redmond, Jenn Sapozhnikov, Ben Senkowski. And BA Theatre Studies: Max Helfand.

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION

Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Select matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Single tickets are available now. Single tickets range from $7 to $30. All student tickets are only $7.

Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. For additional ticket information or to charge tickets by phone, call 860.486.2113. All sales are final; no refunds. Play selections and performance dates are subject to change.

Please call the box office at 860.486.2113 for tickets and additional information or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.

The Harriet S. Jorgenson Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT.