The Playground
a one-woman show with voices

August 28, 2024
7:00pm
Wellfleet Preservation Hall, Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Co-produced by: Helltown Players and Cotuit Center for the Arts
Presented by: Wellfleet Preservation Hall

The Playground is approximately 100 minutes in duration.
There will be no intermission.
Please silence personal devices before the show begins.
No recording of any kind is permitted during the show.

The Playground

Written & Directed by Jim Dalglish

Starring:

Anna Botsford as Joan

Featuring:

Zack Johnson as Will
Michael Becrelis as Billy
Sara Bleything as Ashley
Shepard Potash as Cyrus
Natalia Molina Marín as Gracia
Janet Geist Moore as the Anthropology Professor
Samantha McMahon as Britney #1
Missy Potash as Britney #2
Susanna Creel as Britney #3
Eli Woods as Boorish Man at Party
Sawyer Potash as Roger
Kristen Winn as Roger’s Mother
Fiona Botsford as Little Girl
Karin Henderson as Professor’s Daughter #1
Kelly Rowen as Professor’s Daughter #2
Emma Engelsen as Professor’s Daughter #3
Luz Adriana Marín as Gracia’s Mother

Creative Team:

Eli Woods composed and performed the original music score

Jim Dalglish recorded, filmed, designed, and edited the projections and audio recordings

Production Team:

Elliott Sicard - Stage Manager / Technical Director / Board Operator

Special Thanks…

Katherine & Demetrius Becrelis
Missy & Sam Potash
Anna, Chris & Fiona Botsford
Rob Phelps
The Playwrights Workshop - Margaret Van Sant, Lynda Sturner, Meryl Cohn, Ian Ryan, John Dennis Anderson, Lee Rosco, Ira Brodsky, Susan Lumenello, Candace Perry, Pamela Quirinale, Matt Senie, Maureen Condon, Gloria Craig, Betsy Mangan, Constance Wilkinson, Jim Marlow, and John Shuman
Justin Alton & Truro Public Library
Helltown Players Trustees - Lynda Sturner, Ian Ryan, Fermin Rojas, Meryl Cohn, Margaret Van Sant, John Dennis Anderson, and Gary Garrison (Trustee Emeritus)
David Kuehn - Executive Director of Cotuit Center for the Arts
Tamara Harper - Programming Director Wellfleet Preservation Hall

Dedication…

The play is dedicated to Julie Balamut for her advice and wisdom concerning grace and living a compassionate and empathetic life.

Playwright’s Note…

The inspiration for writing “The Playground” is complicated. I began thinking about writing this play during my lunch hours while I lived in NYC. My job at the time was to help create software that helped hedge fund traders network with experts in order to make decisions that would not violate SEC regulations. During my mid-day break – I was the only employee to take lunch at my company – I would walk through Central Park and pass the 72nd St. Playground. I was always struck by the obvious hierarchy of the women, nannies, and children who gathered there during the day. I thought at the time it would make a terrific setting for a new play.

Anna Botsford
During a break from rehearsals for my play “Unsafe,” Anna Botsford (who played the role of Lisa brilliantly) happened to mention that she had once worked as a nannie for an extremely wealthy New York family and that the 72nd St. Playground was where she took her charges. She had some amazing stories of the ways of the wealthy and their strange approaches to raising their children. Her memories would come in handy later to help flavor the piece. Thanks, Anna! You are extraordinary in my play.

Wicked Aunt Judy
As a white, middle-class gay man, what personal experiences of the ways and manners of the wealthy elite do I have to draw upon? While living in New York, my “Wicked” Aunt Judy often invited Rob and me to a bunch of glittering fundraisers, galas, and social events where we would never have received entrée without her help. We were able to “party” in this rarified world for a few hours at a time. When Rob and I returned to our apartment in Hells Kitchen after an outing, we would compare notes and be amazed, intrigued, repulsed, and thoroughly entertained by our experiences. These memories of New York’s high society would prove to be useful.

Wednesday Martin
A few years back Wednesday Martin wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times that caught my eye. Her tale describing her transition from anthropologist to hanger-on of a wealthy clique of mothers who gathered at the playground provided more fodder for my creative impulses. Trained as an ethnographer myself, I was intrigued by her story and felt that it confirmed many of my own insight into the lives of wealthy white women of the Upper East Side.

The Gospels
For the past few years I have been conceptualizing a set of plays that would explore the concepts of guilt, forgiveness, grace, and redemption. In each of the plays, the primary character makes a decision that has a tumultuous impact on the lives of those around them. I have decided to call the set of plays “The Gospels.” The names of the primary characters in each of the plays are Matthew, Mark, Lucia, and Joan. Joan appears in “The Playground.”

The Playground
I would, of course, need a story for “The Playground” on which to hang all these themes, ideas, and character details. To inform my play, I returned to my Catholic upbringing – with insight about grace from my Cousin Julie. My goal was to write a thought-provoking play that would entertain, intrigue, inform, inspire, shock, horrify, sadden, and inspire. And because it is a Jim Dalglish play, a provocative and challenging piece of theatre. I hope I have succeeded.

Show Sponsors…

Cape Cod 5
Mass Cultural Council

Bios…
(in alphebetical order by last name:)

Michael Becrelis (Billy)
After a brief stint in the baby modeling world, Michael is making his acting debut in this production of “The Playground.” He is excited to be working with his musical theater instructor from Steeple Street Music Academy, Zack Johnson! He’ll also be participating in a youth musical theater camp this summer with Zack. He loves to sing and is a big fan of Spider-Man. In September, Michael will be 6 years old and attending full-time Kindergarten.

Sara Bleything Sneed (Ashley)
A resident of Cape Cod, MA Sara has been seen on many local stages. She comes to Cape Cod via Kansas City Kansas and is a classically trained lyric coloratura. Sara received her Bachelors of Music in vocal performance at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. Some of Sara‘s favorite roles include; Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd,” Cassie in “A Chorus Line,” Guinevere in “Camelot,” Lady of the Lake in “Spamalot,” lieutenant commander Jo Galloway in “A Few Good Men,” Aldonza in “The Man of La Mancha,” Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins,” The Witch in “Into the Woods,” Amalia in “She Loves Me” and many more. Sara has also recently performed around Cape Cod in a Linda Ronstadt tribute concert, “Silver Threads” as well as Cotuit Center for the Arts’ “Women Rock” concert as producer and lead vocalist. Most recently, you would have seen Sara performing in various venues around Cape Cod as she explores her solo artistry in classic Rock and Roll, Folk, and Blues music.

Anna Botsford (Joan)
Anna was most recently seen at Cotuit Center for the Arts as Corrie Bratter in “Barefoot in the Park.” Before that she performed the one-woman show “Grounded” (2021 & 2017, Winner: Best Actress - Broadway World). Other CCftA Credits include: “Wait Until Dark,” “A Talented Woman,” “Unsafe” (IRNE Nomination), “Bark Park,” “Boston Marriage,” “The 39 Steps,” and “Much Ado about Nothing” among others. Other Cape area credits include “Bedside Manners” at BCC, “Church” at Harbor Stage Company and “The Lear Project” at CCTC. Anna is a graduate of the Emerson College Theatre Education Program and is a former company member of Theatre Espresso in Boston. She is the IB level Theatre teacher and STAGE Director at the Sturgis Charter Public School West Campus. Anna is a founding member of the ASA Performance Ensemble of Cape Cod - https://www.asatheatre.org. For Chris and Fiona, always.

Fiona Botsford (Little Girl)
Fiona Botsford is a second grader at Centerville Elementary School and is an avid gymnast. This is her first production and she is excited to be “working” with her mom. She will be performing in “Dragons Love Tacos” this summer on the outdoor stage!

Susanna Creel (Britney #3)
Susanna is a performing arts major at CCCC. You may have recently seen her as Alice Murphy in “Bright Star” at the Tilden Arts Center. Past performances include Angela in “Stage Kiss” (APA), Mary Hatch-Bailey in “It's A Wonderful Life: radio play” (ETC), Jaqueline in “Don't Dress For Dinner” (CDG), Wednesday Addams (CDG), and Emily Webb in “Our Town” (ETC) which she received an EMACT DASH nomination for Lead Performer Female Identifying Role. She would like to say a big thank you to the dynamic group of people she gets to share this piece of art with.

Jim Dalglish

Jim Dalglish (Playwright / Director / Production Designer)
Jim is a playwright, director, filmmaker, and producer with more than 30 plays and films to his credit. These works have been produced and screened around the world and have won awards in New York, Boston, London, and Dublin. A few of his plays have been anthologized in best play collections. Jim has directed more than two dozen theatrical productions, six of which he also independently produced. Jim has been fortunate to have premiered 7 of his plays at CCftA: “Bark Park,” “Unsafe,” “Dark Tales Told on a Cold Autumn Night,” “Lines in the Sand,” “A Talented Woman” (Co-written with Lynda Sturner,) “Teacher of the Year” (a feature-length film,) and “The Playground.” He has been employed by a variety of theaters in New England as a managing director, marketing director, and box office manager. Jim has a master’s degree in creative writing/ playwriting from Brown University. His thesis advisor was Paula Vogel. He works as the Director of User Experience Research & Strategy at OHO Interactive, where his clients include Harvard University, Yale University, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, CIEE, and others. Jim is also the Founder/President of Helltown Players, the Cape’s newest theatre collaborative. When he isn’t busy writing, directing, or producing plays and films, he and his husband Rob Phelps enjoy sailing Delphina – their 17-foot O’Day Daysailer – along the sheltered harbors of New England.

Emma Engelsen

Emma Engelsen (Professor’s Daughter)
Emma is very grateful be combining her passions for comedy and theatre with Helltown Players! She just wrapped up “Stage Kiss” at APA, playing Millicent/Laurie, and she will also be appearing in “The Sound of Music” later on this year. Emerson College class of ‘23, receiving BA in Media Arts Production. She pursued a minor in Comedy, performing in various stand-up, sketch and improv comedy shows. Other regional credits: Violet in “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” (Eventide), Actor in the “23.5 Hour Play Festival” (Cape Playhouse), 2 season as an actor with Cape Cod Pirate Adventures, and “Twain by the Tale” (Eventide). Emma would like to thank everyone involved with Helltown for the warm, fiery welcome, and a big thank you to her friends and family for their support!

Janet Geist Moore (The Anthropology Professor)
Janet recently played Big Mama in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at Cotuit Center for the Arts, the Mother Superior in “Agnes of God” with the Sandwich Arts Alliance, and Kate Keller in “All My Sons” at the Eventide Theatre Company. This summer she will play the Nurse in “Romeo and Juliet” with the Cape Cod Shakespeare Festival in Chatham. She has appeared on stage in NYC at various theaters including the Roundabout Theatre Company, The Classic Stage Company, and the Riverside Shakespeare Company, regional theaters including Shakespeare Dallas, Milwaukee Rep, The Gorilla Theatre, St. Pete and The Monomoy Theatre. Various media including WBAI Radio’s SciFi Series: “James Scott - When Worlds Need Heroes.” Audio: “Robot City”. On TV: “As the World Turns,” “The Cosby Show,” and “Cosby.” Film: “New Jack City,” “Heaven Help Us,” and “Malcolm X.” When not onstage, Janet is an Executive Assistant at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Zack Johnson (William)
Zack is originally from Hudson, MA. He holds a Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory, and a Master of Music and Master of Musical Arts in Opera from Yale University. Zack washed ashore on the Cape a few years ago with his family. Recently on the cape Zack was seen (and heard) as a Voice Actor in Amy Brenneman's “Overcome” at Cotuit Center for the Arts and as Mr. Wormwood their production of "Matilda". He also played Victor Frankenstein in CCTC/HJT's "Young Frankenstein," Bobby in Sondheim's "Company" with Eventide Theatre Company, Dennis in "Rock of Ages" with Barnstable Comedy Club, Man 2 in "The World Goes Round" with Cotuit Center for the Arts, and the Teen Angel in "Grease" also with Cotuit. Next up for Zack is Elephant Gerald in CCTC/HJT’s production of “Elephant and Piggie’s: We Are in a Play!” as well as Brad in “Rocky Horror Picture Show” with Provincetown Theatre.

Natalia Molina Marín

Natalia Molina Marín (Gracia)
Natalia is a performing arts major at Cape Cod Community College and she plans to transfer to a four year school to finish her degree. She played the role of Lucy (understudy) in the show “Nothing is the End of the World (except for the end of the world)” and she was a backstage manager at the same time. Natalia finished a Stage Manager internship this past January at KCACTF, and most recently worked in the spring musical “Bright Star” as Stage Manager. Learning about lighting, sound effects and stage organization was a very rich experience for her. Acting is her #1 goal, but she has been captivated by the “dark side” as well, so she now wants to pursue a dual major in the performing arts world. She thanks her family for the support and her professors for everything they taught her so far.

Samantha McMahon (Britney #1)
Samantha McMahon is an actor from Cape Cod and is thrilled to be a part of “The Playground.” She has been seen in various shows across the Cape and South Shore. Recent productions include “Phyro-Giants!”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and “Chicago”. She has acted in several award winning short films. Currently she is a high school Theater and English teacher here on Cape Cod.

Missy Potash (Britney #2)
Missy Potash studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and The Edge Dance Studio, in LA. Since then, she has showcased her talent across various mediums, including film and radio. Some of her favorite film credits, are Angie in “Unicorn City,” the title character in “An Evening with My Comatose Mother” and the short film “Pictures,” by Jumping The Green Productions, which has received over 6 million views on YouTube. And her radio show, “The Live Request Show with DJ Missy-Miss,” broke records in ratings for a consecutive 3 years. A veteran on the stage, some of her favorite roles have been: She, in “Stage Kiss,” Blanche in APA's “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Echo in “Eleemosynary” at Cotuit, Meg in “Crimes of The Heart,” Sally Bowles in “Cabaret” and Corrie Bratter in The Neil Simon Festival's production of “Barefoot in the Park.” Look for her this December in the one woman show, “Dreamsville” by Sue Lumenello, at Cotuit. She is excited to portray one of the Britney's in the world premier of “The Playground,” and thanks her husband and 3 boys for their love and support.

Sawyer Potash (Roger)
”The Playground” marks Sawyer's first theatrical production. He is excited to work alongside his mom and little brother Shepard and thanks Jim Dalglish for this opportunity. He is 7 years old and in 1st grade at Barnstable West Barnstable Elementary, and loves Spiderman and Dinosaurs. His favorite thing to do is to play make-believe, which lends itself well in the theatrical world.

Shepard Potash (Cyrus)
Shepard had his debut into acting, with The Academy of Performing Arts production of “Annie” this past March/April. He played the son of a wealthy NYC socialite in the musical number “NYC.” He is excited and thanks Jim Dalglish for the opportunity to portray the role of Cyrus! Look for him next as the Baby Hyena in APA's summer children's show, “The Lion King, Jr.” He is 5 years old and very excited to start Kindergarten this fall and finally be a big boy like his big brother.

Elliott Sicard

Elliott Sicard (Stage Manager / Technical Director / Board Operator)
Elliott Sicard has been an actor at Cotuit Center for the Arts for many years. Past shows include: “Bark Park,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “Mary Poppins,” “One Man, Two Guvnors,” “Constellations,” “Unsafe,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Sonya, Vonia, Masha, Spike,” and “Two Rooms.” Since returning from teaching English in Thailand, Elliott has primarily been tech directing and stage managing shows such as “Matt & Ben” and “Legally Blonde.” He is excited to be collaborating with Jim and Anna once again, even if it’s behind the scenes this time.

Kristen Winn

Kristen Winn (Roger’s Mother)
Kristen is a former teacher and school administrator from San Diego, California. She has only recently discovered the acting bug. Her first role ever was as Truvy in “Steel Magnolias” at the Chatham Drama Guild in 2022 and she has been hooked ever since. Since her debut, she has played Kay Mosten in “Agatha Christie's Murder on the Nile” and Suzanne in “Don’t Dress for Dinner.” Last summer she went behind the scenes as the stage manager and assistant to the director in “Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap” at the CDG. You can catch her this June as Wilma in “Lovers and Other Strangers” (CDG). Kristen’s favorite thing about community theater is the friendships she has made with her cast mates. She retired after teaching for 20 years and moved to the Cape five years ago to be closer to her family.

Eli Woods (Soundscape / Boorish Man at Party)
Having fallen in love with 50s radio dramas and The Firesign Theatre at TOO young an age, Eli Woods produces and creates AV content and media, from Cape Cod (EliWProd.com). His creative work for companies like McGraw-Hill and Scholastic often entail harnessing spontaneity in pedagogical contexts. His bread and butter voice acting and musical compositions buttress campaigns for scientists, publishers, Dr. Pepper, Axe Sport Gel, Experian, Kleenex, Frito Lay and other mishmash; while his experimental pieces take inspiration from his improv theatre endeavors and lean towards abstract self-scored audio plays etc.

A Note About the Score from Composer Eli Woods…

“Playwright Jim Dalglish and I both lived in NYC at about the same time (but may not have actually crossed paths.) Like married composer Alban Berg, who surreptitiously musically coded "AB" and "HF" — to honor himself entwined with his mistress Hanna Fuchs, daughter of an Austrian glove maker — into the pitches of his 1928 Lyric Suite, I wove numerically / musically the local Manhattan playground cross streets into The Playground score.” - Eli Woods

About Helltown Players…

Helltown Players is a collaborative of dramatists and theatre enthusiasts from the Outer Cape whose mission is to produce new plays written by Cape Cod playwrights.

Helltown Players was founded in the Spring of 2023 by eight playwrights and theatre enthusiasts with Outer Cape connections who wished to support local, home-grown theatre. These eight playwrights are the trustees of the organization.

Helltown Players is a registered non-profit corporation with the State of Massachusetts. Helltown Players is a registered tax-exempt non-profit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRS).

Helltown Players Trustees…

Jim Dalglish - Founder/President/Trustee
Ian Ryan - Secretary/Treasurer/Trustee
John Dennis Anderson - Trustee
Meryl Cohn - Trustee
Gary Garrison - Trustee Emeritus
Fermin Rojas - Trustee
Lynda Sturner - Trustee
Margaret Van Sant - Trustee

Helltown Players Benefactors…

Helltown Players thanks the following individuals and organizations for their support. We would not succeed as an organization without you!

Scott Allegretti
Jerry Birdwell
Barbara Boone
Jadah Carroll
Kevin Chandler
Maureen Condon
John Greiner-Ferris
Jarice Hanson
Elizabeth Hogan
Wendy Levine
Jane Macdonald
Delane & Richard Moser
Pamela Painter
Judith Partelow
Rob Phelps
Carl Pritzkat
Laurence Ramin
Patrick Riviere
Mike Syers
Victor Stein
Karen von Bismark
Wenifred Watson

The Jaqueline I. Kroschwitz Fund

The Playground Playbill

The Playgrounda one-woman show with voices