production biographies
ARYE GROSS (Mr. Abramowitz) Theater credits – Broadway: Brooklyn Boy by Donald Margulies (MTC). Regional: Circle Mirror Transformation, Our Mother’s Brief Affair, Brooklyn Boy, Let’s Play Two (South Coast Repertory), The Square (MTF Asian Theatre Workshop), M. Butterfly (East/West Players), Room Service (Pasadena Playhouse), Three Sisters (LATC), Rose of the Rancho and Bandito! (El Teatro Campesino), La Bete (Stages Theatre at The Ford). Arye frequently works with The Antaeus
Company, where he is a member of the Ensemble. Film and TV include: Grey Gardens, Minority Report, Big Eden, Harvest, The Riches, the soon to be released Commencement (playing opposite his frequent collaborator Marin Hinkle) and the recurring role of Sidney Perlmutter, M.E., on ABC’s Castle. Arye is very proud to have appeared with James Earl Jones in the TV Movie Confessions: Two Faces of Evil, directed by the late Gil Cates.
ANNABELLE GURWITCH (Mrs. Abramowitz) Stage credits include the title role in Murray Mednick’s Joe and Betty, for which she was included in the New York Times Top Ten Performances of 2002 and the Los Angeles Times Top Ten of 2001, the 20th Anniversary production of Uncommon Women and Others Off Broadway at Second Stage and Our Lady of 121st Street and Sixteen Wounded at L.A. Theatre Works. Television credits include seven seasons of Dinner and Movie, Dexter, Boston Legal, Medium and Seinfeld. Films: Melvin Goes to Dinner, Shaggy Dog and her documentary Fired!, which premiered as a Showtime Comedy Special. A former NPR
commentator, she’s authored two books, Fired! (S&S) and You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up (Random House), cowritten with her husband Jeff Kahn. Tomato the play is currently receiving its second national tour. Autumn Leaves, an e-book single from her forthcoming comedic memoir is currently available exclusively at the new literary site www.zolabooks.com.
RACHEL HIRSHEE (Ensemble) Having recently graduated from UCLA’s Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program in the School of Theater, Film and Television, Rachel is delighted to be making her Geffen Playhouse debut. Favorite performances include: Cabaret (UCLA), Classic Jazz with a Twist (Catalina Jazz Club) and the Ovation nominated NeverWonderLand (BoomKat Dance Theatre). Besides performing, Rachel can also be found teaching musical theater to kids at Fifth Row Center in Manhattan Beach. A huge thank you to her family, friends, teachers and especially her parents and wonderful boyfriend for their unending love and encouragement.
SEQUOIA HOUSTON (Ensemble) Sequoia is truly excited to make her Geffen Playhouse debut in Coney Island Christmas. A classically trained actress, she has graced the stage in an array of theatrical productions, from classic pieces such as The Colored Museum, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Black Nativity to independent productions like Traumnovela, Love Don’t Live Here Anymore and Torn: The Willie Lynch Letter. Her film credits include Fire From Below, Fat Planet and Legend of Love, among several other projects. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association’s EMC program. She dedicates this performance to her mother, Tonya Houston, who has always been a guiding light and encouraged her to follow her dreams.
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coney island christmas
he headed south and studied theater at Cal State Fullerton, where he received his B.A. Favorite roles there include: Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Swiss Cheese in Mother Courage. He was last seen on stage in Courage Theatre Company’s production of Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Television: Desperate Housewives. Also an accomplished singer/songwriter, Joe’s music will be featured in the upcoming indie film The Fortune Theory (Blackboard Pictures) and his self-titled EP can be found on iTunes.