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Explore the smaller stages of NYC before Off-Broadway week comes to an end
"The people who really love theater are always looking to see what's new, what's brand new, what new ideas are coming out. You can't find that at Broadway because it's too expensive to produce a risky show on Broadway," said Al Tapper of AMT Theater.
BETTINGER'S LUGGAGE CAST LIVE ON WPIX - PIX11 MORNING NEWS
ANCHORS DAN MANNARINO AND HAZEL SANCHEZ INTERVIEWED
RICHARD MACDONALD, LOU BETTINGER, AND CONNOR CHASE STEWART, GEORGE BETTINGER, BE PREPARED TO BE ENTERTAINED!
Offering two-for-one tickets to 31 Off-Broadway shows. Don't miss out on Bettinger's Luggage!
**Use promo code OBW23 for the deal**
Bettinger's Luggage
September 19 - October 26 2023
Set on the Lower East Side in the early 1970s, "Bettinger's Luggage" is the heartwarming story of a Jewish family and their diverse group of neighbors struggling to find success, love and happiness. This melting pot of characters may come from all parts of the world but together they share a common dream: to find a home for themselves and their loved ones.
The Jewish patriarch Lou Bettinger runs a profitable luggage shop which he eventually plans to leave to his son George. To one side of the shop is Moe, owner of an Italian luncheonette. On the other is O'Brien, an Irish immigrant who runs a hardware store. Both of them regale Lou with constant advice on how to handle George, who has no intentions of running a luggage shop. Meanwhile Angel, the hard working, loyal Puerto Rican assistant to Lou who actually DOES want to own the shop one day, dreams of taking it to new heights. Languages, cultures and ambitions collide on Delancey Street in Al Tapper's heartwarming and poignant tale of "Bettinger's Luggage".
AL Tapper
PLAYWRIGHT
“With antisemitism on the rise around the globe, I was inspired to write Bettinger’s Luggage and normalize the story of one New York City Jewish family, portraying a story that is relatable to all of us—no matter the race, ethnicity or religion,” says Tapper. “We all struggle with family duty and responsibility and finding our own path in the world, so I wanted to write a story that reminds us of what connects us together and the shared human experience.”
Steven Ditmyer
DIRECTOR
Steven is an International Director, Actor and Acting Coach who studied with Sanford Meisner, Uta Hagen and Zoe Caldwell. He is a scholarship graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York where he later was invited to train as a teacher of the Meisner Technique.
"Bettinger's Luggage offers us an intimate glimpse into New York City in the 1970's. I am excited to explore the multi-ethnic and intergenerational lives of its shop owners, customers and tenants whose lives created the heart and soul of the Lower East Side" - Steven Ditmyer
Mateo Del Campo
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Mateo Del Campo grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since graduating high school, he has created half a dozen short passion
projects and attended film schools in Copenhagen and Paris. He is currently living in New York to expand his knowledge and experience of the New York theater industry.
Cast
Cast in alphabetical order
Betsy Beutler as Lydia / Ensemble
Sean Church-Gonzalez as Angel
Alex Dmitriev as Papa / Ensemble
Kevin Duffy as O’Brien / Ensemble
Fred Frabotta as Heshie
Ivan Goris as Jose / Ensemble
Richard MacDonald as Lou
Lori Marcus as Bessie
Ellie M. Plourde as Young Bessie / Ensemble
Marc Romeo as Moe / Ensemble
Hillel Rosenshine as Young Lou / Ensemble
Katherine Schaber as Lisa / Ensemble
Connor Chase Stewart as George
JJ Wilks as Numerous Roles
Meet the Bettinger's Luggage Cast
Richard MacDonald
as Lou Bettinger
Richard, actor, and playwright is grateful to be part of Bettinger’s Luggage. Other theater, Bill Roger’s Dangerous to Dance With, Dream Up Festival; Thomas Jefferson in Monticello 2020 for Playhouse Creatures, New American Voices. Film “Nun’s Habit” Web Series. Lead in upcoming “Enchanted Evenings”, writer-director, Frosty and the Coyotes and Winter Cantata (two full length plays). Proud member Dramatist Guild, and the Wick Theater Collective. Studies at Atlantic Theater Acting School. Playwriting with Craig Lucas. In a prior life, appearances on MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour, CNN, CNBC, Wall Street Week. Yale BA and Olympic Games 1972.
Connor Chase Stewart
as George Bettinger
Connor Chase Stewart is a NYC based actor. He made his Off-Off Broadway debut in A White Man’s Guide to Rikers Island. He worked with The Living Mural as a monologue busker and Rogue Ensemble where he performed in As You Like It and Titus Andronicus. He was featured in S.I. Shakespearean Theater Company's production of Troilus&Cressida. He appeared in the short film "Man's Fate" at the 48 Hour Film Project. He also recently played Hal in the Harrison Player's production of Picnic. He trained at The London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts, Stella Adler, The Neighborhood Playhouse and HB Studio.
Lori Marcus
as Bessie Bettinger
In addition to starring in the 3 time award winning “To Skin a Cat"; she is SAG Eligible from her principal role in “Gardener of Eden” which had screenings at the Tribeca Film Festival and Cannes.
She played Maggie in "Little Christmas Miracles" listed in Time Out Magazine's Best Christmas Shows in NYC 2021. She just finished playing Gloria in "The Crossroad" at the Secret Theatre One-Act Festival. She is very happy and proud to be part of the Bettinger's Luggage Community!
Sean Church-Gonzalez
as Angel
Sean Church-Gonzalez is an NYC native, Latino actor. He found his passion for acting when he was 6 by watching movies that maybe he shouldn't have seen at such a young age. After graduating from SUNY Purchase, 2019, he starred in a production of Waiting for Antonio, at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 2020. In 2021 he was seen on CBS's FBI, and the YouTube series Answers to Everything. At that point he went back to school to study at the Neighborhood Playhouse, and graduated this past May.
Fred Frabotta as Heshie
performances include: Schultz, Cabaret (National Tour); Tony, Most Happy Fella; Liebkind, The Producers; Doc, West Side Story; Fester, Addams Family; Santa/Greenway, ELF; Doolittle, My Fair Lady; Grandpa Gustafson, Grumpy Old Men; Grandpa Gellman, Caroline Or Change. Editor Daily, The Cradle Will Rock; The Witch, Hansel and Gretel; Pappacoda, A Night in Venice. Master of Music Degree (Vocal Performance) – The Catholic University of
America, Washington, DC. Website: www.fredfrabottaactor.com
Ellie M Plourde as Young Bessie/Ensemble
As a Jewish actor, director and producer, Ellie is ecstatic to return Off-Broadway in show that reminds her of her own roots! She’s worked in regional theater, studio and indie film, commercials, and voice-overs since the age of seven and is a proud SAG-AFTRA member. Recent NYC credits: Mrs. “Winsley/Nurse” in Stop Kiss (Murmuration Theatre), “Midge” in Wedding Blues (Players Theatre). Training: Terry Knickerbocker Studio, University of the Arts. Love to her sweetie, Aaron. www.elliemplourde.com
Hillel Rosenshine as Young Lou/Ensemble
Recent regional and New York theater credits include Bad Jews (Gamm Theatre), The Lifespan of a Fact (Elmwood Playhouse), “The Grandchild Effect” (finalist at Act One One Play Festival), and “The Misanthrope” (staged reading at Rattlestick Theater). Recent film credits include Name to the Face (Winner, Best Mobile Film, Druk International Film Festival) and Good Morning I Love You. B.S. Brown University.
Kevin Duffy as O’Brien/Racist Customer
Recent roles include Warder Van Rensberg in Mandela at the American Theatre of Actors, British twins John and James in Terence Mc Nally’s Love! Valor! Compassion! for P3 Theatre and the Adult Men in Spring Awakening at LA’s Hudson Theatre. Kevin played a Cult Member in Jackson Pace’s new short “A Cult Member Decides Not to Kill Themselves During a Mass Suicide” and has performed at La Mama, BAM and P.S. 122.
Alex Dmitriev as Papa
Bettinger/Ensemble
A member of the Workshop Theater, he was seen in Leegrid Stevens' Mesquite, NV and Alan C. Brindel's Though The Darkness. Primarily a director, he has worked at many regional theaters, in Canada, and in London. In NYC, seven shows for the York Theater Company; at the Abingdon Theatre, Pearl Theater, Irish Rep and most recently A View From The Bridge for Brave New World Rep. He spend pandemic time rereading the Greeks, out of which he wrote The House of Atreus, connected monologues tracing the lineage from Tantalus to Orestes.
JJ Wilks as Pesky Customer/ Paramedic/ Neighbor
Recent stage credits include: Aida (Metropolitan Opera), I and You (Bristol Riverside Theatre), The Courtroom (Waterwell), Summer and Smoke (Voice Theatre), The Book Club Play (Bristol Valley Theater), Twelfth Night (Shakespeare on the Sound). High School: Went to acting school. College: Went to acting school again. Love and thanks to his family and Dr. Taylor Alison Swift. Instagram: @thejjwilks
Betsy Beutler as Lydia / Ensemble
BETSY BEUTLER (Bite-ler)-Is thrilled to be working with this amazing cast and crew! Her work in film and television include Scrubs, You're the Worst, Legit, Inside Game, SVU, The Black Donnellys and more. While she cant write bios, she can out-crotchet anyone's grandmother. Betsy would love to thank everyone involved in this production, and extends a special thank you to Bobby Moresco and the Actor's Gym! And shout-out to her mom and step-dad.
Marc Romeo as Moe Ensemble
Marc Romeo's Stage credits include productions at Lincoln Center, Classic Stage Co., Ensemble Studio Theatre and Seraphim Theater Co., as well as many theaters throughout NYC. He most recently appeared in the Act One Festival at the Secret Theatre where he won Best Actor. TV/Film credits include 100 Centre Street with Sidney Lumet, Law and Order and the Indie films Virgil Bliss, The Break Up Artist, The Pepper Project and the soon to be released Black Eyed Susan. He is a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre and Bobby Moresco's The Actors Gym. Thank you to everyone at AMT
Katherine Schaber as Lisa / Ensemble
Katherine Schaber is delighted to be making her Off-Broadway debut with AMT. Having recently graduated with a BFA in Acting from The School of Theatre at Boston University, theatrical credits include: “Cornflake Pie” (The Wild Project NYC), “Othello” (Actors’ Shakespeare Project), “Beasts” and “Incels and Other Myths” (Boston Playwrights’ Theatre). Recent film credits include: “Friend of the Year” (NYU). Upcoming: “Incels and Other Myths” (New York Theatre Festival). www.katherineschaber.com
Ivan Goris as Jose / Ensemble
Ivan is a well seasoned talent shining as bright as he can in this fast paced industry. Ivan is American-Dominican Actor and Writer / Producer born and raised in Manhattan's Lower East Side with a strong connection to his Latino community. Ivan has graced the stages all over NYC. His film and television credits include, HBO’s VINYL, Tim Blake Nelson’s ANESTHESIA, Spike Lee’s SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT and CBS MADAM SECRETARY. Ivan is also a Co-founder of B.I.P (Barrio Independent productions) you can follow him on his only social media page on Instagram @Ivan_Goris537_
Creative Team
Prop Director / AMT Theater Technical/Production Manager
Tamara Flannagan
Tamara is grateful to be a part of this exciting new work, directed by her husband, Steven. A multi-hyphenate theater artist, Tamara studied and received scholarships for acting training at Circle In The Square Theater School and for Technical Theater at Florida Atlantic University. She is incredibly excited to work with her friend and mentor, Bill Olson, on this project.
Scenic Designer
William Olsen
Bill s a current Floridian who is originally from NYC. Born and raised here, he returned after college to work in Manhattan for various theatrical companies. He has spent his entire career working in the theater as a designer, director and actor. Along with his professional experience he also spent more than ten years teaching theatre for two separate programs. He is extremely pleased to have been invited to design this production by Tamara, one of his former students who thirty years later is now a staff member of AMT. Finally, he is very grateful for the unending support of his partner, John.
Sound Designer
Ryan Marsh
Ryan Marsh (he/him) is a lighting and sound designer who’s work spans across theater, concerts, opera, and dance. Originally from Oceanside, CA, his designs have been seen on both coasts and internationally. Some favorite designs include: On The Right Track (AMT Theater, Off-Broadway), Peter Pan (McCoy Rigby Entertainment); 42nd Street, Cinderella, Into The Woods: In Concert (Moonlight Stage Productions); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Cloud 9, Bus Riley’s Back In Town (NYU); Cowgirls (Columbia University). Ryan received B.A. in Lighting, Sound, and Projection Design from UCLA and a MFA in Lighting Design from NYU. @ryanmarshdesign
Original Music Composer
David Wolfson
David Wolfson (incidental music) is enjoying an eclectic career, having composed opera, musical theatre, touring children’s musicals, and incidental music for plays; choral music, band music, orchestral music, chamber music, and art songs; comedy songs, cabaret songs and one memorable score for an amusement park big-headed-costumed-character show. Most recently, his Fortune’s Children was the first opera to be performed live over Zoom. He has been music director, arranger and orchestrator for several of Al Tapper’s musicals. For more information: www.davidwolfsonmusic.net.
Costume Designer
Gina Ruiz
Gina has worked on internationally-acclaimed films that have been featured at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW and Toronto International Film Festivals. She is a member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829 IATSE and the Costume Designers Guild Local 892 IATSE. Theater work holds a special place in her heart as the audience plays such a vital role in the overall collaborative experience.
Lighting Designer
Aiden Bezark
An NYC-based lighting designer who specializes in musical theater. A graduate of the Lighting Design and Technology program at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Recent credits: premiere production of WALKING WITH BUBBLES, A MUSICAL ABOUT STAR WARS, NEWSICAL, NAKED BOYS SINGING - all AMT Theater; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, premiere production of MISTRESSES: A New American Play (Assistant Lighting Design) at Theatre Row, premiere production of KEEPER OF THE REALM at The Carnegie and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS produced by The Carnegie at Covington Plaza Amphitheater, the Cincinnati Ballet’s THE NUTCRACKER and SWAN LAKE (Assistant Lighting Design) at Cincinnati’s Music Hall. @aidenbezark
Fight Director
Ray Rodriguez
Recent credits: HOW TO MELT ICE (NPTC/Boundless) GRACCHUS (opera/Delphic Forge) FUKT (Tank Theater) EL COQUÍI ESPECTACULAR AND THE BOTTLE OF DOOM! (Julia de Burgos) JIHAD (NPTC) DRACULA (13th Street Repertory Theater), GEEK! (Vampire Cowboys Theater), STRAWBERRY AND CHOCOLATE (777 Theater), BOISE (Rattlesnake Theater), COMIC POTENTIAL, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, GEN T, THE BASSETT TABLE, SubUrbia (Adelphi University). Film credits: RENFIELD (stunts, 2023 Universal Pictures) WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA (stunts) THE CRIMSON MASK (stunt coordinator), ST. GEORGE’S UNIVERSITY commercials (stunt coordinator). Currently on faculty teaching stage combat, movement and acting technique classes at Adelphi University and NCC. He has previously taught at The Strasberg Institute, New York Film Academy, Harlem School of the Arts, NYU, Five Towns College & University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Combat Inc (Facebook: @CombatInc).
Graphic Artist
Cristine Cirker
As a graphic artist, Christine has designed print and web for over 25 years for magazines, periodicals, theatre companies and independent artists. In addition, she produces and directs in NYC and regionally. Vice-President of The League of Professional Theatre Women. Graduate of the University of Michigan.
Dialect Coach
Sarah Van Auken
Sarah Van Auken’s skills and training combine art and science. Sarah is a speech-language pathologist, actor, playwright, dialect/accent, and voice and speech coach. She holds a BFA in acting from The University of the Arts, and an MS in communication sciences and disorders from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her background in the arts and love for the human experience imbue her work as an SLP with compassion, openness, understanding, connection, and creativity. In addition, her education and clinical experience in speech-language pathology
allow her to utilize her deep understanding of cognitive-linguistic skills and anatomy and physiology to effectively teach voice and dialect/accent skills to actors and singers.
Production Team
Production Stage Manager
Mia Qin
Mengyuan "Mia" Qin 秦梦圆 is a New York based stage manager. She was born and raised in Beijing, China. She explores interpersonal relationships, human nature, and leadership in the practice of stage management. Her recent credits include Broadway: Shucked. Off-Broadway/NYC: It's A Free Country (Connelly Theatre); Somewhere I Can Scream (The Player’s Theatre); Two Takes: The Peony Pavilion (Frederick Loewe Theatre ); NYC Free (Little Island NYC); etc. M.F.A.: Columbia University in Stage Management. Love to Han and her family.
Stage Manager
Alma Del Campo
Watch this space
AMT Theater Artistic Director
Tony Sportiello
Tony Sportiello is thrilled to be presenting "Bettinger's Luggage" at AMT. This is the eighth show he has done with playwright Al Tapper and the third here at AMT. He would like to thank the entire cast and crew of the show and the staff at AMT for making this such an enjoyable experience.
AMT Theater General Manager
Sharon Osowski
Sharon is happy to be teaming up with Al once again. Their previous managing partnerships included Algonquin Theatre Productions where she managed, along with, Joan Pelzer, shows such as LOL and the musical, Sessions. Prior to that she co-founded Liquid Productions and produced several off-off Broadway shows such as RSVP, It’s A Girl Thing and The Lunch. She was also co-founder of the YOLO Theatre Company where she produced and performed in Trust, Age of Pie and An Evening of Georges Feydeau One-Acts. While living in Indiana, Sharon co-managed the Round Barn Theater in Nappanee, where she produced and performed in musical reviews featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichal and Cole Porter, a year round production of Plain and Fancy by Joseph Stein & Albert Hague and various children’s shows.
AMT Theater Executive Producer & Marketing Director
Joan Pelzer
Joan Pelzer is an entrepreneur, #thinkertainer, marketer, host, producer and actor. She splits her time as the Executive Producer and Marketing Director for AMT Theater, President and CEO of a digital marketing agency, Joan Pelzer Social, Executive Producer of radio show The Arthur Power Hour, and Vice President of The New York Association, a United Nations NGO. In partnership with the U.S. Embassy Morocco and American Voices, Joan conducted marketing and production workshops and training for professional Moroccan theater troupes, producers, and students throughout Morocco and in NYC. Joan holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from Fordham University GBA, and a BA in Communications from State University of New York at Oswego.
AMT Theater Development Director/Choreographer
Zoë Reeve
Zoë Reeve is a multi-disciplinary artist focusing on the body within site specific places and how the body interprets history and health in relation to the space it is in. Her themes include heritage, women’s health and displacement/notions of belonging. Zoë is trained in ballet, physical theatre, Korean Traditional dance, Butoh and choreography. While completing her Masters in Choreography at Rhodes University she choreographed/produced/performed in the critically acclaimed Outside&Beside Herself at the South African National Arts Festival. Since then she has performed in South Korea, England and the USA.
Wardrobe Supervisor
Hannah Shevlin
Hannah is highly versatile within the costume world being a part of both Local 829 United Scenic Artists and Local 764 IATSE. She is inspired by the meaningful characteristics that bring design to life. In dressing the actors, Hannah finds reflections of herself in the process. A creative visionaire with a drive for success.
PRESS
With its liberal use of Yiddishisms, combined with fast-paced, pithy dialogue stuffed full of 1970s pop culture references, “Bettinger’s Luggage,” now running at Midtown’s AMT Theater taps into a powerful nostalgia of a bygone New York.
Tony and Al understand the value of connection, and so in a show about families who better than the talented husband and wife team of Director Steven Ditmyer and Prop Master/Technical Director Tamara Flannagan to work together on this project? SPLASH sat down with the creative duo to find out more about their experience.
Kevin McCullough and Cristyne Nicholas talk Bettinger's Luggage, a new play by Al Tapper playing at the AMT Theater, and get in some laughs with the New York Comedy Festival.
An alternate title for Albert M. Tapper’s Clifford Odets-esque Bettinger’s Luggage might be The Flood.
"My own inspiration for the piece was my desire to write a play about my father, but emotionally couldn't quite nail it. Using different characters from a different locale enabled me to put the words of my father in someone else's mouth," says playwright Al Tapper.
Based on a true story, Lou Bettinger runs a notable luggage shop, a staple in the community, which he inherited from his father and which he plans to pass on to his son, George. The only problem is George wants nothing to do with the shop...
SPECIAL THANK YOU
