A workshop performance of a new play by Adam Kraar.
Directed by Stephen Rourke.
Featuring Jody O’Neil & Kate Paxton.
An idealistic, stagestruck young actress is reluctantly mentored by an intense and volatile former actor-turned-teacher. Over several years of comical clashes, long absences, and poignant re-connections, as they persistently pursue meaning and purpose for their lives, they forge a profound and mutually uplifting relationship.
Adam Kraar writes plays about cross-cultural clashes and connections, including works about American families in Asia, the Civil Rights Movement, and quixotic rebels who challenge societal boundaries. He grew up in India, Thailand, Singapore, and the US.
Affiliated Writer of The Playwrights’ Center and member of Ensemble Studio Theatre. Adam earned an MFA at Columbia University, and teaches playwriting at Primary Stages’ ESPA and The New Group Acting Studio at Long Island University. www.adamkraar.com
Stephen Rourke, Director
Stephen’s work in theatre encompasses acting, directing, designing, dramaturgy, and teaching. He has appeared on Cape Cod stages in Billy Elliot and Shakespeare in Love at Cape Rep; Much Ado About Nothing at Cotuit Center for the Arts; To Kill a Mockingbird, and Our Town at Eventide Theatre Company, where he also directed A Child’s Christmas in Wales and directed and appeared in the online streaming production of Twain by the Tale. For Sailor Beware, he has directed three iterations of Brian Friel’s “Faith Healer”. He thanks his lifelong leading lady, Donna Marie, for supporting and encouraging his many theatrical endeavors.
Jody O’Neil, Actor
Jody O’Neil is pleased to be joined by Kate Paxton in bringing Adam Kraar’s play to the Eventide stage under the direction of longtime Sailor Beware collaborator, Stephen Rouke. Cape Cod theater credits include Dancing at Lughnasa, A Moon for the Misbegotten, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Our Town and Educating Rita at ETC; ‘Art’, God of Carnage, The Maidsand The Verge at Provincetown Theater; Reefer Madness: The Musical at WHAT, and Oleanna at Cotuit Center for the Arts. He created the roles of Sister Etcetera/Older Trevor in the award-winning cabaret musical, Midnight at the Never Get,performed in Provincetown and Off-Broadway. Jody is the Executive Artistic Dir. of Sailor Beware which has produced Brian Frears’ Faith Healer at various venues ( 2023-2025) and is thrilled to bring the production to ETC in March, 2027. In gratitude to Denise Page and Sue Martin for helping to guide this workshop performance to the Gertrude Lawrence stage and especially to our invaluable stage manager, Mary Allen Watson. Jody is repped by Thomas Ybarra at Top Priority Group. SAG-AFTRA, AEA.
Kate is so excited to be making a return to Eventide Theater Company for such a moving and special production. Previous theater credits include Ann in All My Sons, Sophia in Fools, The Dining Room, and Feiffer’s People all at Eventide Theater Company, as well as numerous acting and stage managing credits at the Cape Cod Theatre Company. Kate is honored to be sharing the stage with her friend Jody and would like to thank him as well as Stephen Rourke for this opportunity.
A SAILOR BEWARE Presentation.
