home    buy tickets      donate online    join lists     auditions     contact us     directions
The Chance Theater Home Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orange County Premiere!

Never In My Lifetime
by Shirley Gee
Directed by Jocelyn A. Brown

Back Stage West Critic's Pick

May 6 - Jun. 11
Sat. 4pm; Sun. 6pm

$25 General, $22 Seniors/Students
$40 Dinner and Show

Runtime: approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes with one intermission

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES:
May 7 at 6pm: $40 OPENING GALA performance.
May 6 at 4pm: $20 PREVIEW performance

*Every Sunday: Post performance TALKBACKS with cast and designers

Synopsis

This story of forbidden love set against the backdrop of the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland will draw you into a world of loss and the search for something precious. Fighting to keep love alive against fear, terrorism, and loyalty to their friends and countries, one lover is forced to make a tragic choice in which no one can win. Experience ordinary people justifying and coping with conflict, playing witness to the human capacity of destroying what is loved.
Designers
Performers
Crew

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Shirley Gee (Playwright)

 The work of English playwright Shirley Gee has been widely recognized for, and is distinguished by, its naturalness and lyricism.  Ms. Gee received the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 1984 for Never In My Lifetime, which had its American premiere at the Hartman Theater Company in 1987.   Having debuted as a radio broadcast play, Never In My Lifetime was honored as one of the "Best Radio Plays of 1983" receiving the BBC Giles Cooper Award.  The play was first produced on the London stage in 1984.  Since then, this meaningful, uncompromising piece has been internationally performed.  Never In My Lifetime was also bestowed the Samuel Beckett Award.  In this play, provocative themes and a new style of dramaturgy are achieved by Ms. Gee, creatively dealing with emotional and physical traumas and urgent issues of politics and war, in a most candid manner. [top]

 
  Jocelyn A. Brown (Director)

 Jocelyn's directing favorites have been Big Love, The Cherry Orchard (nominated for Best Direction by the OC Weekly), The Fantasticks, and assisting with Lee Miller: The Angel and the Fiend. Previous Chance acting favorites include portraying Cathy in The Last 5 Years (OC Register and SqueezeOC.com Pick of the Week), Nancy in Closer Than Ever (LA Times Critic's Pick), Ann in Goodnight Children Everywhere (Best Female Lead 2004 by OC Weekly), and Woman in Bash. Jocelyn earned a double major in Theatre and Biology at UCSD, pursued further theatre directing studies at UEA in England and SCR, and currently teaches at Mission Viejo High School. After more than five years with The Chance, she is still thoroughly fulfilled and challenged working alongside artists of such vision, integrity, talent, and drive. Thanks to Casey, Masako, and Karen for their exceptional dedication, my production team and cast, and Kirk for his love. [top] 		 
  Masako Tobaru (Set Designer/Prop Master)

Masako is so honored to be a part of this production and this company. Last year, Masako designed lighting for The Eight: Reindeer Monologues (OC Weekly Theater Award Nominee - Best Production), A Christmas Story, Closer Than Ever (LA Times Critic's Pick), and The Rover, and just closed The Last Five Years. She graduated from Concordia University, Irvine with a major in Theater and Communications. Masako would like to thank her family for their support, her friends for their understanding, and The Chance Theater staff for making her a part of this amazing journey. And a special thanks to Oanh for being an amazing mentor and inspiration. [top] 		 
  James Jones III (Lighting Designer)

James is very excited at this opportunity to work with The Chance Theater again. He graduated from UCLA's School of Theater specializing in Lighting Design. A lover of lighting since the age of 13, James' short career ranges from small 99 seat houses, to churches, to large concert halls, with credits including: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Cinderella Stories, and the original stage musical Keep Movin' On. James previously worked at The Chance in last season's The World Goes 'Round and The Laramie Project. James also served as an Assistant Lighting Designer on the award-winning original musical, Ephraim's Song, produced by Cedric the Entertainer and Bruce Willis. James is so grateful to The Chance company for yet another opportunity to improve his craft and hopes to continue with The Chance in the future. [top] 		 
  Casey Long (Sound Designer)

Casey has been seen onstage and behind-the-scenes for numerous productions here at The Chance. Previous lighting design credits include Yeomen of the Guard, The Lord of the Screen, The Cherry Orchard, The Illusion and First Chance Fest 2003. Previous sound design credits include First Chance Fest 2003 and Saving The World. He would like to thank his cast for their dedication, Jocelyn for her leadership, and The Chance for following their mission. A special thanks to Alex for all her love and support. [top] 		 
    Alia Amaya (Costume Designer)

This is Alia’s fourth show at The Chance Theater. She works in the Fullerton Civic Light Opera costume shop. Credits include Cabaret, The Music Man, A Trip to Bountifule, The Foreigner, Nanny 911, Grease, Miss Saigon, Annie Get Your Gun, Tin Pan Alley Rag, George M, FIG: R.O. (retro opera), and with their eyes: September 11th - The View from a High School at Ground Zero currently playing at The Chance. [top] 		 
  Glenda Morgan Brown (Dialect Coach)

Glenda began her dialect coaching career by assisting actors in shows she was directing, and then shows directed by her husband, David Colwell, and it grew from there. Some of the shows she has coached are Hay Fever, Don't Dress For Dinner, Dangerous Obsession, and Shadowlands (all Standard British); The Sum of Us (Australian); Taking Sides (German); and Dracula, requiring no less than seven different accents! Glenda's previous work with The Chance includes Cabaret, One Flea Spare, and the challenging Porcelain, requiring seven distinct British Isles sounds. Glenda is also a professional actress, seen recently as the Vice President's wife on "Commander in Chief," and co-stars on "Close to Home," "The West Wing" and an upcoming episode of "Boston Legal." She's happy to be back with The Chance Theater "family." [top] 		 
  Martin Noyes (Fight Director)

Some other shows Martin has Fight Directed: Grapes of Wrath, Tom Jones, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Measure for Measure, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Romeo and Juliet, Beauty and The Beast, Zastrossi, The Elephant Man, Richard III, Big Love, Cabaret, A Christmas Story and Hot 'N' Throbbing. Martin received his B.F.A. from Southern Oregon University, and his M.F.A. form the University of Alabama and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival both in Theatre with emphasis on Acting. [top] 		 
  Bob Simpson (Dramaturg)

Bob has been thrilled and honored to contribute his own love and knowledge of Irish history to this production. Bob has been studying Irish history for nearly ten years, with a focus on the Easter Rising of 1916 and the IRA bombing campaigns of the 1970s. He humbly thanks The Chance Theater for bringing him in on this project which lies so close to his heart. [top] 		 
  Karen Webster (Stage Manager)

 No stranger to The Chance stage, this is actually Karen's first experience as Stage Manager, and she thanks Jocelyn for giving her the opportunity, Tanae and Masako for their extra time in training, and the entire cast and crew for their talent, hard work, and patience! As a Company Member, Karen is proud to call the Chance "home", and has fallen in love with its people and its vision.  Past Chance Theater acting credits include Little Women, Trail of Tears, Spring's Awakening, Midsummer Night's Dream, Love's Hollow, The Cherry Orchard, The Diary of Anne Frank, A Christmas Story, and Hot 'N' Throbbing. She balances her commitment to The Chance with a full time dental hygiene practice in Irvine. [top] 		 
  Darren C. Buckels (Light Board Operator)

The boards will be humming! Darren is glad to be part of this production with The Chance. Some of the shows you might have seen Darren recently in included, Closer then Ever and Grand Night for Singing at The Chance Theater Repertory Company. Some of his favorite roles include "John Wilkes Booth" in Assassins, "Sid Sorokin" in Pajama Game, "Anthony" in Sweeney Todd, "Guido Contini" in Nine and "El Gallo" in The Fantasticks. Darren would like to thank his family and friends for their support and special thanks to his wife, Victoria and to his daughter Alana Rae. If you would like to get in touch with Darren please contact him at Dcbuckels@yahoo.com. [top] 		 
  Courtney Hayes (Tessie)

 Courtney is pleased to have her Orange County debut with The Chance Theater, and to do so with such a powerful show. Regional Theatre: Metamorphoses - Regional Premiere (Myhrra, etc.- 10 Best Of, Marlowe, and Ovation Awards, including Best Drama and Best Play of the Year, 2004), Independence (Sherry - Best Season by a Director, 2005), Fuddy Meers (Heidi), The Patriot Act: Starring Hoot and Annie (Hoot), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Moth), Dance of Angels who burn their own wings - National Premiere (Angel 5), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Beatrice), My Fair Lady (Chorus), Getting Out (Arlene). Directing: No Exit (2003). BFA in Theatre Performance - University of Colorado, Boulder, 2003. Company member in both Bread and Butter and Imagination Makers Theatre Companies, which toured Elementary schools. Courtney is the co-founder of Performers Wellness Group, LLC, a nutritional company that sells whole food nutrition to actors, dancers, musicians, and athletes (www.firstshake.com/2972). [top] 		 
  Heather Howe (Wife)

Heather is very proud to be working again with director Jocelyn Brown. Some past credits at CTRC include Vixen in The Eight: Reindeer Monologues (OC Weekly 2006 award winner for "Best Ensemble"), and Darcy Snelgrave in One Flea Spare (2005 Back Stage West Critic's Pick and OC Register Top Ten Productions of 2005). Heather has worked as adaptor on FIG:RO Retro Opera, directed Minghella's Hang Up at the second First Chance Fest, designed costumes for the 2005 production of The Eight, Beckett's Come and Go, Krapp's Last Tape,  and Act Without Words 2. She also designed costumes for the new works in The First Chance Fest. Heather would like to thank Jocelyn for this opportunity and her family for the continuing love and support. [top] 		 
  John M. Jurcheck (Tom)

A native of the Golden State, John is thrilled to return to the California stage after more than ten years, and blessed to have his "second debut" here at the Chance. Regional Premieres: Take Me Out (Shane - 3 Denver Ovation Awards 2005), Metamorphoses (Phaeton, etc. - 5 Denver Ovation Awards inc. Best Drama and Best Play 2004). Colorado Shakespeare Festival: Queen Margaret (Simpcox, King Edward IV - World Premiere), Macbeth (Witch), Richard III (Bishop Ely, Soldier), Two Gentleman of Verona (Putti, Eglamour). Regional: Waiting for Godot (Vladimir), The Cripple of Inishmaan (BabbyBobby), Arcadia (Septimus), Fuddy Meers (Millet), Wonderful Town (Chick Clark), Chekov's The Bear (Luka). John was a co-writer and ensemble member of On Your Feet Productions' Meet Me at the Playground; co-created Five Things Productions and is one half of the vaudeville team "Cheese and Crackers"; and is a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CSN). BFA in Theatre Performance - University of Colorado, Boulder, 2003. [top] 		 
  Annie Mezzacappa (Mother)

Annie is pleased to be performing in this meaningful play. Working with everyone involved under Jocelyn's inspiring directorial guidance has been a rewarding creative journey.  She is honored to be a Chance Theater Staff and Company Member and was recently seen on stage in The Laramie Project (Amanda Gronich - OC Register 2005 Noteworthy Ensemble Cast; SqueezeOC.com - Pick of the Week), Big Love (Bella/Eleanor), and The Diary of Anne Frank (Mrs. Frank - Back Stage West Critic's Pick and OC Register 2005 Noteworthy Ensemble Cast).  Annie is also an attorney and freelance writer, and she thanks her wonderful family and friends for their ongoing love and support. [top] 		 
  Bob Simpson (Charlie)

Bob was most recently seen as Jamie in The Chance Theater production of The Last Five Years. Before his involvement at The Chance, Bob appeared in the hit musical, Blake.da Musical, which was nominated for three Ovation Awards and won the 2005 Ovation Award for Best World Premiere Musical. Other roles include Monselet in Red Noses, Boniface in Hotel Paradiso, Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice, and Queen Ethelia in The Trouble with Being Evil. Bob also appeared in The Nutcracker at the Alex Theater last year, but he's not really sure why since he can't really dance. In addition to receiving his Bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin, he has also trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the British American Drama Academy. He would like to thank his family, this amazing cast and crew, and Jocelyn A. Brown for her vision and humor. [top] 		 
  Katherine Wewers (Maire)

 Katherine spent the majority of her childhood in Columbus, Ohio where she was very active in sports and music.  Her knowledge of performance as a child consisted of piano recitals, choral performances, and "doing voices" for her family to hear.  She did not acknowledge her love for being on stage until following her studies at Indiana University in Bloomington (GO HOOSIERS!).  Just weeks after graduation she headed West and ended up in San Francisco.  There she found what she'd been meant to do all her life the night of her very first acting class.  To continue her newfound dream, she moved to L.A. where she trained at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. A special thanks to her family and friends (most notably her parents for always pushing her to follow her heart; their unconditional love and support means so much).
[top]