WASABIA
By Wendy Herlich
The Cast
Vivian……………………………………………..……………..….…….Ellen Fiske*
Carla…………………………………………...……………………..Aurelia Shanga
Val………………………………………………………………….……..Amy Griffin*
Di………………………………………………………………….……..…Joelle Zazz
Brody…………………………………………………………..………Michael Covel*
The Production Team
Director …………………………………...………………..……. Zoya Kachadurian
WPS Director …………………………………………...…………...…Mikaela Kafka
Stage Manager .......... ……..………………………….…….…Danielle Constance*
Technical Director .…………………..……………..……………….Daniel Graham
Assistant Technical Directors ............................. Kelly Fitzgerald, Tyler Backer
Light Designer …………..……………………………………………...Ed Matthews
Set Designer …………………………………………………………..…Evan Frank
Costume Designer …………………………………..………….Jolene Richardson
Sound Designer …………..…………………………………………Frederick Philp
Assistant Stage Managers……………………….Maximus Klevence, Eddie Coen
Light Board Op………………………………………………………..Uche Anyanwu
Wardrobe ………………………………………..………………….Maxwell Barbosa
Company Manager……………………………………………………..Damian Vince
Choreography .................................................................................... Amy Griffin Joelle Zazz "States of the Art" music by Neil Levy; arrangement and accompaniment by Matthew Mastronardi
* - Members of Actors’ Equity Association. The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Ellen Fiske
Aurelia Shanga Amy Griffin
Joelle Zazz Michael Covel
A Note from the Playwright...
Several years ago, I read the book Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, which addresses the advancements and limits of modern medicine when it comes to end-of-life care and support. I was hooked from the moment I cracked it open. Gawande illuminates how our culture’s profound discomfort with talking about death is making the difficulty of leaving this world even more painful for so many people.
This book was the first step into a period of deep engagement with the topic. I sat at my grandfather’s bedside at the moment of his death, witnessed my mother-in-law suffer through years of dementia, worked as a hospice volunteer, having the privilege of coming into people’s lives as the “last neighborly friend” they would ever meet. I devoured countless other books, podcasts, and movies on death and the nest of thorny issues that come along with it, including medically assisted dying. Finally (at last, at least!) I found myself writing this play.
Because I’m from a family that finds the opportunity to laugh even during moments of tragedy, I couldn’t imagine any other way. Let’s make jokes, imagine fantastical worlds, argue, hold to our beliefs; as long as we start opening up to discussing our wishes, what we fear, what brings us greatest joy. And after we’ve had the first conversation about our deaths, we have to keep having them. The stakes are too high, and the rewards could be end-of-life-changing.
A Note from the Director...
Medical Science is amazing. We are living healthier, happier and longer. But sometimes longer isn’t better. And sometimes, like Congress, we don’t know when to leave. These are HUGE issues that we are only beginning to have the courage to discuss.
And now to help the discussion comes this wonderful play, WASABIA by Wendy Herlich. This has been my most joyous collaboration with a playwright. Wendy’s dark comedy dives deeply into the issue with wit and fantasy that deftly provokes our thinking about the “What Ifs”, the “What would I want?” and more importantly, “What would I do?”
As a society, we need to embrace the full circle of life, not shy away from it.
I want to thank team Wasabia/Centenary Stage and David Sitler and Carolyn Popp for leading me here. And I dedicate this show to Joyce Krempel, who gracefully wore her dementia like the talented actor she was and to her family who bore the brunt.
Cast Bios
ELLEN FISKE (VIVIAN) Ms. Fiske’s professional career has spanned five decades, beginning as a company member of the NATIONAL LAMPOON RADIO COMEDY HOUR (with John Belushi), playing everything from a Russian mother to elves, and on to her Broadway debut as Gwen Cavendish, the third-generation “Barrymore” in Ellis Rabb’s Tony-winning production of THE ROYAL FAMILY, with Rosemary Harris and Eva LeGallienne. She has played a wide variety of roles, such as Grandma in LOST IN YONKERS, Linda Loman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Carrie Watts in TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, Kate in SYLVIA, Ruth in BLITHE SPIRIT, and Blanche in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, at many noted theaters throughout the U.S. and Europe, including Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Rep, Syracuse Stage, GeVa (at the Edinburgh Festival), Vienna’s English Theatre, and at the New Jersey and Alabama Shakespeare Festivals. For 25 years she was a guest artist at Monomoy Theatre in Chatham, MA, a training ground in professional theatre for BFA and MFA students. She also appeared in numerous commercials and on daytime TV.
AURELIA SHANGA (CARLA) is a junior majoring in Performance Studies at Centenary University. She recently was seen onstage with NEXTStage Rep’s production of THE TEMPEST, her second show of the academic year and her first major role at Centenary. She was also recently in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (the musical). She is grateful for this opportunity and the support of everyone around her.
AMY GRIFFIN (VAL) is a delighted to return to CSC, where she has appeared in THE ENGLISH BRIDE, THE LEARNED LADIES, and SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE JERSEY LILY. Broadway: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (original cast, cast recording); Off-Broadway: THE ENGLISH BRIDE, MR PRESIDENT, INFERTILITY, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, NEWSICAL, and as the Nightingale in the revival of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (w/Jackie Hoffman). First National Tours: Mrs. Mayor in SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL (w/Cathy Rigby) and GRINCH. Other credits include: Greek Chorus in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Critics’ Choice Award); standby for Judy Kuhn in UNKNOWN SOLDIER (Arena Stage); Alison in FUN HOME (New England Premiere, Critics’ Circle Award); Fairfax/Reed/ Scatcherd in JANE EYRE (NYC workshops); Miss Prism in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Savannah Rep), Beggar Woman in SWEENEY TODD (The Rev); and 7(!) flights as PETER PAN (Independent Theatre Award). Love forever to Scott and Nick for being the best husband and son ever, and for always running lines with her. www.Amy-Griffin.com
Cast Bios (Continued)
JOELLE ZAZZ (DI) s an actor who has appeared at over ten Equity theaters across NJ. Last seen in the national tour of the musical “THE LIGHTNING THIEF TYA” in the original cast after working alongside the original writing/composing team. Rep: The Luedtke Agency NYC / JoelleZazz.com
MICHAEL COVEL (BRODY) is Michael Covel is an actor, musician, and teaching artist from Montgomery County Pennsylvania and is thrilled to be making his Centenary Stage debut. Michael has been seen on stage in and around the Philadelphia area and all throughout the north east with his most recent stage work being at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. Michael's other theatre credits include The Walnut Street Theatre, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, People's Light Theatre, The Arden Theatre, Revival Productions, Act II Playhouse, Montgomery Theater, and many more. He sends all the love to his wife Carly and their beautiful baby girl Lydia.
Creative Team & Crew Bios
WENDY HERLICH (PLAYWRIGHT) Originally from Seattle, Wendy Herlich is now based in the Philly area. Her play Wasabia was the recipient of the 2024 Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation Award, and has been developed in readings at Centenary Stage Company, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, and Angels Theatre Company. Other plays include Territory 4; Played in China (Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference Semifinalist); her three-play series: An Evening of Awkward Romance (The Tank), Another Evening of Awkward Romance (Fringe NYC), and Awkward Romance: The Third Evening (Fringe NYC); and FAULTY:HITCH (TBG Arts Center, The Barrow Group Mainstage). Wendy is also a fiction writer; her short story “Silence Is Golden” received special mention in the Pushcart Anthology and was a finalist in the Mississippi Review's annual contest. As an Equity actor and improviser, she has performed regionally and internationally. She is deeply grateful to Neil and Vera for all of their support. Learn more at wendyherlich.com.
ZOYA KACHADURIAN (DIRECTOR) Recently produced and directed a reading at Symphony Space in NYC of Voices from the Silenced by Martha Boesing and Victoria Rue starring Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless, Jane Curtin, Marsha Mason, Amy Irving, Christine Lahti, Rachel Ticotin and Christina Redd. She directed the world premieres of Wasabia by Wendy Herlich at Centenary Stage, and the critically acclaimed Apple Season by EM Lewis At NJ REP.. She also directed a video of her award winning-theatrical production of Georgia and Me, by and with Sarah Ford, and many new works for Manhattan Theatre Source's Estrogenius Festival, and others for EST’s Octoberfest. In Massachusetts she directed The Ride (an original musical), The 39 Steps, King O' the Moon, The Graduate, The Miracle Worker, Stones in his Pockets, An Inspector Calls and Stick Fly (Majestic Theatre in West Springfield); The Cocktail Hour (New Century Theatre) and a critically acclaimed Stones in His Pockets (Stoneham and Gloucester). She is a member of the Lincoln Center and EST Directors' Labs, and LaMama's International Directors' Symposium.. She is a proud member of AEA, DGA and SDC. www.Zoyazk.com
MIKAELA KAFKA (WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS SERIES DIRECTOR) See CSC Season Playbill
DANIELLE CONSTANCE (STAGE MANAGER) A member of Actors’ Equity and The Stage Managers’ Association, she has worked as a stage manager, teaching artist and/or prop designer for: Centenary Stage Co.(15 years!), Writers Theatre of NJ, Vivid Stage, The Bickford , Luna Stage, Passage Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, The NJ Governors’ School, NJ Rep, Shadowland Stages, The Sheen Center & American Theater Group. She teaches stage management here at Centenary and is honored to be married to actor/director/playwright, John Pietrowski.
DANIEL GRAHAM (TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) See CSC Season Playbill
KELLY FITZGERALD (ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) See CSC Season Playbill
TYLER BACKER (ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) is an Emmy Award-winning actor, Paper Mill Playhouse-nominated technical director, and professional musician and producer. Over the past 10 years, Tyler has worked on a wide range of theater productions, primarily for the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge, and the Mount Olive Township School District. He is also the head of Trekker Holdings, bringing together music and lighting to enhance live events across North Jersey.
Creative Team & Crew Bios (Continued)
EDWARD R. F. MATTHEWS (LIGHTING DESIGNER) Has served as the resident lighting designer for CSC for many years. Some of his favorite CSC productions include: Marvin's Room, Voice of the Prairie, The Cripple of Inishmaan, A Christmas Carol, Hitler's Tasters, and The Ladykillers. Ed is retired from higher education but still works part time as a theatre artist and enjoys his time designing the lights for CSC’s wonderful productions.
EVAN FRANK (SET DESIGNER) is a New York based scenic and video designer. He got his start in Chicago where he designed for Black Ensemble Theater, Strawdog Theatre Company, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble and Refuge Theatre Project where he was a company member. Recent work includes the Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s 2022 and 2023 seasons (Wilde Award for MACBETH in ‘23), ROMEO AND JULIET at the Oak Park Festival Theatre and CINDERELLA with the Ocala Civic Theatre. MFA, CMU efrankdesign.com
FREDERICK PHILP (SOUND DESIGNER) is a sound designer and music producer based in the NJ/NYC area. Philp started his career as a local music producer by working with local artists to produce, write, and publish music independently. In 2021, Philp moved to Atlanta, GA and bumped into a theater sound designer, Jeremiah Davison while working on the play, “Heathers: The Musical”. Philp was taken aback since he had never seen a black sound designer in theater before, but found representation in Davison. He was then mentored under Davison’s company, Multiband Studios’ apprenticeship program. There, Philp picked up his talents and skills as a designer in the live events and theater space. In 2023, Philp met and than worked with Nevin Steinberg for Broadway’s, “Sweeney Todd” as an assistant sound designer - which was awarded the Tony Award for Best Sound Design. One year later, Philp was tapped as the sound design fellow for Alicia Keys’ Broadway show, Hell’s Kitchen.
JOLENE MARIE RICHARDSON (COSTUME DESIGNER) is the costume designer and one of the fashion design teachers here at Centenary University. She has been designing professionally for the stage and screen for over 10 years now. Her screen credits include “TERRIFER 3” (Assistant Designer), “THE LAST DRIVE IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS”, “SCARE PACKAGE 2”, and “CANNIBAL MUKBANG”. Her stage credits include KHAN! THE MUSICAL (Off-Broadway), CALLING ALL KATE’S (Adirondack Theatre Festival), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (The Garden Theatre), and many others. Jolene is also a published writer and fashion historian, you can find her written work within the online and print-scape of Fangoria Magazine, and her upcoming lecture schedule can be found through her Instagram. @JoleneMarie_Designs.
MAXIMUS KLEVENCE (ASM) Bio unavailable
EDDIE COEN (ASM) Bio unavailable
UCHE ANYANWU (LIGHT BOARD OP) Bio unavailable
MAXWELL BARBOSA (WARDROBE) Bio unavailable
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