The Motherf**ker with the Hat
By Stephen Adly Guirgis
May 15 - Jun 22, 2014Low-priced Previews May 15 - May 23, 2014
San Diego Premiere
2011 Tony-nominee for Best New Play
12 Steps. 2 Hearts. 1 Hat.
Set smack in the middle of New York’s mean streets, this Broadway hit is exhilarating, hilarious-and totally irreverent. Recently sprung from prison, Jackie has an AA sponsor and is back with Veronica, the love of his life since eighth grade. The problem is, Veronica can’t shake her drug habit, and she refuses to answer when he asks about “the man hat that ain’t my hat” on their bedside table. But Jackie is a survivor, and if he sometimes loses sight of his goal, he never loses his decency, in this surprising examination of acceptance, loyalty and love.
Contains drugs, violence, nudity, sexual situations and a lot of strong f**king language.
“Tight, smart and splendidly well-made; a tough-minded, unromantically romantic comedy that keeps you laughing, then sends you home thinking.” – Wall Street Journal
Cast
Laurence BrownLaurence Brown
Ralph D.Laurence a San Diego native has been performing for local audiences for the past ten years. He was nominated “Best performance by a male in a lead role” for his portrayal of Booth in TopDog/UnderDog at ion Theatre. Previously at Cygnet Theatre: Fences, The Piano Lesson, Gem of the Ocean. He also has performed in award winning productions such as Devil Dog 6 and A Raisin in the Sun. Laurence can be seen in television shows Monk, iCarly and recent commercial spots including Chevy, Citizens Bank, Hulu Plus, and Buick.
Esteban Andres CruzEsteban Andres Cruz
Cousin JulioEsteban was born in Berwyn and raised in Cicero, Illinois and is thrilled to be making his San Diego stage debut with Cygnet, in Hat. Esteban is a proud company member of Sacred Fools Theater in Los Angeles. Before LA, Mr. Cruz trodded the boards of many a stage in Chicago and the East coast. He is the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of another Guirgis character: Angel Cruz in Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train. Esteban has worked at Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Writers Theater, Strawdog, The Hypocrites, The Factory (ensemble member), Teatro Vista, Piven Theater and ATC, to name a few. Favorite roles include Puck in Britten’s opera version of Midsummer at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Angel in A Train, Angel in Rent (David Cromer, dir.), which the New Yorker called “the most joyful and reckless” performance. Esteban is a graduate of both the School at Steppenwolf and iO (Chicago). He recently made an appearance on the TV show Awkward, which airs late May. Soon to be released is his film The Thin Line. Mr. Cruz was featured as Danny Trejo’s nephew in A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. He is a proud member of AEA. In addition to acting, Esteban is a choreographer, singer, dancer, improviser, writer, director and teacher. Mr. Cruz would like to dedicate this performance to anyone struggling with the disease of addiction and their loved ones and to the memory of Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Steven LoneSteven Lone
JackieRegional: Becoming Cuba (North Coast Repertory Theatre); Zoot Suit, Boom (San Diego Repertory Theatre); Recipe for Disaster, Frida Libre (La Jolla Playhouse); References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, The Listener (Moxie Theatre); The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety (2013 Craig Noel Award Nominee), Blasted, Jack Goes Boating, Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue, All In The Timing, La Gaviota, Punks, The Glass Menagerie, Grapes of Wrath (ion theatre company); Bent, No Exit (Diversionary Theatre); The Vortex (Cygnet Theatre); Gam3rs (10th Ave. Theatre); Marat/Sade, As You Like It (UCSD Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Calaveras Repertory Theatre); Mrs. Warren’s Profession (Pear Ave. Theatre); West Side Story, On The Town (Foothill Theatre).
Laurence Brown
Laurence a San Diego native has been performing for local audiences for the past ten years. He was nominated “Best performance by a male in a lead role” for his portrayal of Booth in TopDog/UnderDog at ion Theatre. Previously at Cygnet Theatre: Fences, The Piano Lesson, Gem of the Ocean. He also has performed in award winning productions such as Devil Dog 6 and A Raisin in the Sun. Laurence can be seen in television shows Monk, iCarly and recent commercial spots including Chevy, Citizens Bank, Hulu Plus, and Buick.
Esteban Andres Cruz
Esteban was born in Berwyn and raised in Cicero, Illinois and is thrilled to be making his San Diego stage debut with Cygnet, in Hat. Esteban is a proud company member of Sacred Fools Theater in Los Angeles. Before LA, Mr. Cruz trodded the boards of many a stage in Chicago and the East coast. He is the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of another Guirgis character: Angel Cruz in Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train. Esteban has worked at Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Writers Theater, Strawdog, The Hypocrites, The Factory (ensemble member), Teatro Vista, Piven Theater and ATC, to name a few. Favorite roles include Puck in Britten’s opera version of Midsummer at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Angel in A Train, Angel in Rent (David Cromer, dir.), which the New Yorker called “the most joyful and reckless” performance. Esteban is a graduate of both the School at Steppenwolf and iO (Chicago). He recently made an appearance on the TV show Awkward, which airs late May. Soon to be released is his film The Thin Line. Mr. Cruz was featured as Danny Trejo’s nephew in A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. He is a proud member of AEA. In addition to acting, Esteban is a choreographer, singer, dancer, improviser, writer, director and teacher. Mr. Cruz would like to dedicate this performance to anyone struggling with the disease of addiction and their loved ones and to the memory of Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Steven Lone
Regional: Becoming Cuba (North Coast Repertory Theatre); Zoot Suit, Boom (San Diego Repertory Theatre); Recipe for Disaster, Frida Libre (La Jolla Playhouse); References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, The Listener (Moxie Theatre); The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety (2013 Craig Noel Award Nominee), Blasted, Jack Goes Boating, Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue, All In The Timing, La Gaviota, Punks, The Glass Menagerie, Grapes of Wrath (ion theatre company); Bent, No Exit (Diversionary Theatre); The Vortex (Cygnet Theatre); Gam3rs (10th Ave. Theatre); Marat/Sade, As You Like It (UCSD Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Calaveras Repertory Theatre); Mrs. Warren’s Profession (Pear Ave. Theatre); West Side Story, On The Town (Foothill Theatre).
Francisco RodriguezFrancisco Rodriguez
UnderstudyAsolo Repertory Theatre credits include: You Can’t Take It With You, Macbeth, Glengarry Glen Ross, Informed Consent, La Bete (U/S), 12 Angry Men (U/S), and Clybourne Park (U/S). Elsewhere: Strip (Mabou Mines), Twelfth Night (Texas State Theater), Of Mice and Men (Sarasota Opera), Ashes, Ashes (University of Texas), and Black Snow (Tutto Theatre). Television credits include National Geographic’s and a range of commercial work including Burger King, Lowes, and The Blue Man Group. Francisco is a recipient of two Cultural Funding Awards from the City of Austin and the winner of Austin’s 2007 ArtSpark Festival. He would like to thank his parents, Maria & Francisco Rodriguez, and his patron, Doug Bradbury.
Sandra RuizSandra Ruiz
VeronicaBorn and raised in San Diego, Sandra Ruiz received her BAs in Theatre and Human Development from UCSD. She has worked in the theatre as an actor, director, playwright, teaching artist and costume designer. She was last seen on stage as Young Dedé and The American Woman in In the Time of the Butterflies at the San Diego Repertory Theatre. She also recently directed the West Coast premiere of Tricks at the 10th Ave. Theatre. A few of her favorite roles include Lupe & Others in Expecting Isabel (Moxie Theatre); Lady Akin in Earthquake Sun (SD Rep.); Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (UCSD); The Doctor in 4.48 Psychosis (Galbriath Hall Theatre); Amparo in Heroes and Saints and her own one woman show Nice Girls Don’t Dance (Centro Cultural de la Raza).
Francisco Rodriguez
Asolo Repertory Theatre credits include: You Can’t Take It With You, Macbeth, Glengarry Glen Ross, Informed Consent, La Bete (U/S), 12 Angry Men (U/S), and Clybourne Park (U/S). Elsewhere: Strip (Mabou Mines), Twelfth Night (Texas State Theater), Of Mice and Men (Sarasota Opera), Ashes, Ashes (University of Texas), and Black Snow (Tutto Theatre). Television credits include National Geographic’s and a range of commercial work including Burger King, Lowes, and The Blue Man Group. Francisco is a recipient of two Cultural Funding Awards from the City of Austin and the winner of Austin’s 2007 ArtSpark Festival. He would like to thank his parents, Maria & Francisco Rodriguez, and his patron, Doug Bradbury.
Sandra Ruiz
Born and raised in San Diego, Sandra Ruiz received her BAs in Theatre and Human Development from UCSD. She has worked in the theatre as an actor, director, playwright, teaching artist and costume designer. She was last seen on stage as Young Dedé and The American Woman in In the Time of the Butterflies at the San Diego Repertory Theatre. She also recently directed the West Coast premiere of Tricks at the 10th Ave. Theatre. A few of her favorite roles include Lupe & Others in Expecting Isabel (Moxie Theatre); Lady Akin in Earthquake Sun (SD Rep.); Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (UCSD); The Doctor in 4.48 Psychosis (Galbriath Hall Theatre); Amparo in Heroes and Saints and her own one woman show Nice Girls Don’t Dance (Centro Cultural de la Raza).
Creative Team
Stephen Adly Guirgis
Co-artistic director and proud member of LAByrinth Theater Company. His plays have been performed on five continents and throughout the United States. Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train, Our Lady of 121st Street, In Arabia We’d All Be Kings, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and The Little Flower of East Orange were all produced by LAByrinth and directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Judas and Little Flower were co-productions with the Public Theater. Other plays include Den of Thieves, Race Religion Politics, Dominica: The Fat Ugly Ho and the upcoming Untitled/St. Paul play. UK and regional premieres at the Donmar Warehouse (Olivier nom.), the Almeida (dir. Rupert Goold), the Arts, the Hampstead, Edinburgh (Fringe First Award) and two Midwest premieres at Steppenwolf. New Dramatists alumnus, MCC Playwrights and Ojai Playwrights member. TV writing credits include NBC’s UC: Undercover, David Milch’s CBS drama Big Apple, NYPD Blue and The Sopranos.
Ryan Heath
Stage Management Credits: Maple and Vine (Cygnet Theatre), Reckless, Antigone (Old Globe/USD MFA Acting), Marry Me a Little, The Divine Sister, Birds of a Feather, The Pride (Diversionary Theatre), References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, Freedom of Speech, A Raisin in the Sun (MOXIE), Merry Wives of Windsor (Livermore Shakespeare Festival), I Hate Hamlet (The Western Stage). Production Assistant Credits: Side Show (La Jolla Playhouse), A Doll’s House (The Old Globe). He has also acted as a Stage Management intern on The Old Globe Shakespeare Festival in the summer of 2011. Ryan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from San Diego State University.
Peter Herman
Cygnet Theatre: Costumes and Wig/Makeup Design for Shakespeare’s R&J, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Wigs/Makeup Design for Spring Awakening, Maple and Vine, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, A Christmas Carol, Gem of the Ocean, Mistakes Were Made, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Parade, A Behanding in Spokane, The Glass Menagerie, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, The Norman Conquests, Private Lives, Sweeney Todd, The Piano Lesson, It’s a Wonderful Life, Noises Off, Bed and Sofa, The History Boys, The Receptionist, A Little Night Music, Fences, The Turn of the Screw, Communicating Doors, Arcadia, The Matchmaker. Elsewhere: Peter has designed hair and wigs for over 300 productions, including the La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Rep, San Diego Opera, Disneyland, and various film and television projects. Film: Costume design for Ready? OK! Peter currently teaches wigs and makeup at SDSU.
Andy Hull
Cygnet Theatre: Gem of the Ocean, The Glass Menagerie, Private Lives, Bed and Sofa, The History Boys. Elsewhere: Hello Dolly (Arrowrock Lyceum Theatre); Hay Fever (Black Hills Playhouse); Into the Woods, The Good Person of Szechwan, Desire Under the Elms (San Diego State University); Night of the Iguana, The Man Who Came to Dinner, A Piece of my Heart (Webster University). Mr. Hull is currently working as an Art Director on Mad Men. He has worked on such shows as Orange is the New Black, Parks and Recreation, and the MTV Video Music Awards.
Jennifer Kozumplik
At Cygnet: Maple and Vine, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Gem of the Ocean, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Our Town, Private Lives, Noises Off. La Jolla Playhouse: Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, His Girl Friday. San Diego Repertory Theatre: A Hammer, a Bell and a Song to Sing, In the Wake, Superior Donuts, Culture Clash in AmeriCCa, Blessing of a Broken Heart, The Who’s Tommy, The Road to Mecca, The Seafarer, Doubt, and Water and Power. ion theatre: Frozen, La Gaviota, Punks. Jennifer received her Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University.
Matt Lescault-Wood
Dying City, It’s A Wonderful Life, The History Boys, Mauritius, Noises Off, Sweeney Todd, Private Lives, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, The Glass Menagerie, A Behanding In Spokane, Dirty Blonde, Man of La Mancha, A Christmas Carol, Assassins, Company (Cygnet); Wit, I Love You Because (North Coast Repertory Theatre); Picasso at the Lapin Agile (USD); Request Programme, Cripple of Inishmaan (ion); Butcher of Baraboo, Dog Act, Expecting Isabel, Eurydice (2010 San Diego Critics Circle Nominee), Eleemosynary, The Crucible, Toughest Girl Alive, Ten Cent Night, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Coming Attractions, Hickorydickory, References To Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, Skinless (Moxie); Sideman (BANG), Richard II, Hamlet, Macbeth (Intrepid), The Break-Up/Break-Down, Ragnarok, Deconstruction of a Drag Queen (Circle Circle dot dot); Seascape (New Village Arts).
Rob Lutfy
Rob was the 2012-13 William R. Kenan, Jr. Directing Fellow at The John F. Kennedy Center. Directing credits include: Clown Play, NYC International Fringe Festival; The Gin Game, Anacostia Playhouse; Big Shoes, Open Dream Ensemble; The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Threshold Repertory; The Sunset Limited, 3M Productions; Time Stands Still, Collaborative Arts; and Two Buildings One Heart, Burning Coal Theatre. He has worked on plays in development at The Kennedy Center, The O’Neill Theatre Center, Marin Theatre Company, Burning Coal Theatre, The Hub Theatre, The Rensing Center, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. He has assisted directors at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Folger Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center and Marin Theatre Company. He is a graduate of the directing program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts school of Drama. www.roblutfy.com.
Shelly Williams
Cygnet Theatre: Gem of the Ocean, Burn This, The Book of Liz, Bed and Sofa, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Elsewhere: Twelfth Night, Touring Production; Alive and Well, Striking 12, The Old Globe; A Thousand Clowns, The Fantasticks, Cabaret, Man of La Mancha, As Bees in Honey Drown, Moon Over Buffalo, North Coast Repertory Theatre; The Good Doctor, Moonlight at The Avo; Pippin, La Jolla Stage Co.; Opal, The Kentucky Cycle Parts 1&2, Triumph of Love (KPBS Patte Award for Theatre Excellence), SDSU; Easter, The Killing of Sister George, Cal. State, Fullerton. As an Assistant Costume Designer at The Old Globe, Ms. Williams has worked on many productions. Some of her favorites include Water by the Spoonful, Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing, The Madness of George III, Taming of the Shrew, and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (13 years). Ms. Williams received a BA in Costume and Make-up Design from Cal. State Fullerton and an MFA in Costume Design from San Diego State University.
R. Craig Wolf
Craig has taught and designed lighting nationwide for both theatre and dance. Credits include designs for New York’s Dance Theatre Workshop, Theatre Artaud in San Francisco, Japan America Center in Los Angeles, SRT in Santa Rosa, and the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. In addition, Craig is resident designer for Native Voices at the Autry and senior designer for Mountain Light Company in Denver, CO. Head of the Design Area and Professor of Stage Design at San Diego State University, Mr. Wolf is the co-author of Scene Design and Stage Lighting, now in its tenth edition. Craig is pleased to be designing for Cygnet Theatre again this season.
Taylor Wycoff
Taylor is delighted to be continuing her work as dramaturg for the Cygnet Theatre. Previous dramaturgical credits include Spring Awakening, Maple and Vine, A Christmas Carol, Playwrights in Process: New Play Festival, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Shakespeare’s R&J, Assassins, Gem of the Ocean (Cygnet); Kita y Fernanda, Yellow Face (Mo’olelo). She has had the privilege of presenting her research at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education Annual Conference and the Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium. She served as a Consensus Organizer for Mo’olelo’s recent productions of 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors and Extraordinary Chambers, teaches for Kids Act and is a graduate of Young Audiences Teaching Artist Institute. Taylor holds a BA in Theatre Arts and International Relations from the University of San Diego and is a member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.
George Ye
Cygnet Credits include: Shakespeare’s R&J, Company, Cabaret, Fences, Gem of the Ocean, Mauritius, Communicating Doors, Bug, Desire Under the Elms. The Old Globe: Water by the Spoonful, Time and the Conways, Double Indemnity, The Rainmaker, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Allegiance, The Recommendation, Anna Christie, August: Osage County, Groundswell, God of Carnage, Somewhere, The Whipping Man, Dancing in the Dark, Rocky Horror Show, Rafta Rafta…, The Price and Whisper House. La Jolla Playhouse: Peter and the Starcatchers, Blood and Gifts, Hands on a Hard Body, Restoration, Tobacco Road. Mo’olelo: Hoodoo Love, Stick Fly, The Bluest Eye (with MOXIE Theatre). He choreographed and performed the opening duel in The King’s Guard with Eric Roberts and Ron Pearlman. He teaches at University of San Diego and San Diego Mesa College and is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors and Actors’ Equity Association. Mr. Yé is also an accomplished director and award-winning sound designer. One of his most notable stunts included a 24-foot-high fall after shooting a live arrow across the stage.
Angelica Ynfante
Previously at Cygnet: Spring Awakening, Maple and Vine, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, Gem of the Ocean, A Christmas Carol, Mistakes Were Made, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde. A Texas State University graduate with a BFA in theatre, she made her way around the U.S. and Mexico for five years working in Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Vermont, New York, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Cancun until she made it to sunny California where she is currently the props mistress with the San Diego Rep. She has also worked with Moxie Theatre.
April 2024