Cone Man Running Productions
*winner of Houston Press' 2017 Mastermind award*
Season Twelve (2023-2024)
We begin with the timeless classic, Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie. Directed by Judge Christine Weems, this thrilling courtroom drama will captivate audiences at Studio 101, Spring Street Studios from July 28 to August 12. Adding an intriguing twist, the cast exclusively features Houston area lawyers, providing an authentic and immersive experience.
YOU HAVE BEEN SUMMONED FOR JURY SERVICE...
Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. The stakes are high. Will Leonard survive the shocking witness testimony? Will he and his lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts be able to convince the jury - and you - of his innocence and escape the hangman’s noose?
Join us for the intensity and drama of Agatha Christie's gripping story of justice, passion and betrayal presented here performed entirely by members of the Houston legal community.
Directed by Christine Weems
Assistant Directed by Derek Whitmire
CAST:
Greta - Sepi Zimmer
Carter - Marcus Fifer
Mrs. Mayhew - Patrice McKinney
Leonard Vole - Noe Gonzalez
Sir Wilfred Robarts - John Raley
Inspector Hearne - Kenneth Royce Barrett
Police Officer - Se-Young Kim
Romaine Heilger - Nata Cornelio
Justice Wainwright - Elizabeth Ray
Mr. Myers - Mark Gonzalez
Court Clerk - Cole Nowell
Dr. Wyatt - Cawlyn Robinson
Janet MacKenzie - Abigail Anastasio (1st weekend)/Hilary Unger
(last two weekends)
Mr. Clegg - Mathew Mendoza
Woman - Alexandra Foulkes Grafton
'Witness for the Prosecution' © 1953 Agatha ChristieLimited All rights reserved. 'AGATHA CHRISTIE' and the Agatha ChristieSignature Mark are trademarks of Agatha Christie Ltd.. All rights reserved. Therights to this play are controlled by Agatha Christie Ltd.. For further informationabout this play, others by Agatha Christie and about other stage adaptations ofher stories, please visit: http://www.agathachristie.com
Next on the lineup is The Greatest Play in the History of the World, a masterful creation by Ian Kershaw. Under the visionary direction of Whitney Zangarine, CMR favorite Kacie Adams takes the lead in a production that promises to transport audiences on a mesmerizing journey from September 8 to September 23. Prepare to be enchanted by a captivating story that weaves together themes of love, loss, and the power of human connection.
U.S. Premiere of
The Greatest Play in the History of the World
By Ian Kershaw
Directed by Whitney Zangarine
Starring Kacie Adams
Stage managed by Ashley Galan
The Greatest Play in the History of the World is a love story, set in space and in time. One actress, Kacie Adams, asks profound questions with deepest sincerity whilst simultaneously balancing the human quest for meaningful connections.
It's also about shoes.
In October, CMR presents The Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl, a poignant and introspective exploration of human emotions. Directed byKatherine Rinaldi and Ruth McCleskey, this theatrical gem will grace the stage from October 6 to October 21. With a talented ensemble cast and a thought-provoking narrative, The Melancholy Play is sure to leave a lasting impression on every theatergoer.
MELANCHOLY PLAY
by Sarah Ruhl
A contemporary farce
directed by Katherine Rinaldi and Ruth S McCleskey
Stage managed by Rachna Khare
Tilly’s melancholy is of an exquisite quality. She turns her melancholy into a sexy thing, and every stranger she meets falls in love with her. One day, inexplicably, Tilly becomes happy, and wreaks havoc on the lives of her paramours...
Cast: Autumn Clack, Ty K. Fisher, Grace Ojionuka,
Sandra Peck Ramsey, Sammi Sicinski,
and Christopher Szeto-Joe
Light Designer: Aaron Garrett
Costume Designer: Katherine Rinaldi
Music Designer: Sandra Peck Ramsey
Props Designer: Ruth McCleskey
Set Designers: Katherine Rinaldi & Ruth McCleskey
“Melancholy Play” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Starting November 2023, The World Premiere of Surviving the Night by Matt Elliott and Debra Schultz takes on a genre not normally seen onstage—Horror. Ben, an aspiring filmmaker, is meeting his girlfriend Sydney’s parents for the first time just before Christmas. He’s on edge right from the beginning, but if he only knew that wouldn’t be scariest part of the evening. Providing moral support and encouragement is sister Michelle and her girlfriend Joy and neighbor Charlie. None of that will be enough to stop Ben’s world from crashing down and mirroring events from his favorite films.
The World Premiere of
Surviving the Night
by Matt Elliott and Debra Schultz
The World Premiere of Surviving the Night by Matt Elliott and Debra Schultz takes on a genre not normally seen onstage—Horror. Ben, an aspiring filmmaker, is meeting his girlfriend Sydney’s parents for the first time just before Christmas. He’s on edge right from the beginning, but if he only knew that wouldn’t be scariest part of the evening. Providing moral support and encouragement is sister Michelle and her girlfriend Joy and neighbor Charlie. None of that will be enough to stop Ben’s world from crashing down and mirroring events from his favorite films.
Ben... Terrance Simon
Michelle... Joy Culbreath
Joy... Adina Opalek
Charlie... Christopher Krause
Sydney... Scout Sustala
Mr. White... Timothy Eggert
Mrs. White... Kelly Swinehart Wehrer
Johnny/Sweeper... Sam Martinez
Director... Debra Schultz
Assistant Director... Matt Elliott
Set and Sound design... Debra Schultz
Lighting Design... Jennifer Portillo
Property Lead, Run Crew... Pedro Balcazar
PERFORMANCES:
Thursday, November 30, 2023 7:30 - Saturday, December 16, 2023
Devin is at her wit’s end and everyday as a mother, wife, and disgruntled employee has become an exercise in fleeting patience and sanity. And then, the thunder stopped. Devin’s ever present ambient auditory app featuring calming storms, her salvation, isn’t delivering the goods and Devin’s unraveling times perfectly with the arrival of the (literal) storm of the century which will challenge her sense of family, self, and survival.
The End of the World is a glimpse into how a broken family weighs the life altering decisions they never imagined having to make.
Starring
Adina Opalek
Brian Kondrach
Andrea Torres
Katherine Rinaldi
Alison Coriell
Aaron Garrett
Cindy Lou Parker
Autumn Clack
Musical score by Sandra Peck Ramsey
Light Design by Aaron Garrett
Set Design by Ruth McCleskey & Katherine Rinaldi
Costume Design by Katherine Rinaldi
Stage Managed by Rachna Khare
Performances February 9, 2024 - February 24, 2024
Rounding out the season in May/June 2024 is an all-female play presented in collaboration with Boiling Point Players. Celebrating the immense talent and creativity of women in Houston theater, this production promises to challenge stereotypes and break new ground. Stay tuned for more details on this ground breaking and empowering performance.
In July 2024, prepare to be captivated by War of the Words Live!, a riveting performance that brings past audio plays to life on stage.Cone Man Running continued to bring new works into the world through their podcast, War of the Worlds, during the pandemic. Don't miss the opportunity to witness talented performers breathe life into some fan favorites. This unique production is bound to captivate and enthrall audiences.