Author Archives: backalleynh

Meet the Stage Beauty Cast: Samantha Smith

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Samantha Smith will portray both Miss Frayne and Mistress Revels in Compleat Female Stage Beauty

Samantha is a local stage manager and actor who is excited to be performing with Back Alley Productions for the first time. She likes sarcasm, bad puns, good puns, and her very needy (but affectionate) cat. She also loves to travel, drink coffee, have fun, and be happy. And speaking of fun, that is what Stage Beauty has been, just a real joy to work on! Creating two different characters with separate dialects and attitudes is a treat, and let’s be real – who doesn’t love playing dress up? Seriously, these costumes are incredible. Sam has promised not to complain when it is June at the Players’ Ring and she’s wearing a corset and a bunch of skirts. She hopes people come out to enjoy this entertaining script and have a good time this June, because she will be!

Meet the Stage Beauty Cast: Molly Dowd Sullivan

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Molly Dowd Sullivan will portray Lady Aurelia Meresvale in Compleat Female Stage Beauty.

Molly holds a BA in Theatre and English from UVM and an MSc in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh.  Favorite roles include Antigone in Antigone at the Players’ Ring, Phyona Darkblack in Dorks in Dungeons, and Eddie in Decision Height, also with Back Alley Productions at the Players’ Ring.  Check out Molly’s nerdy art at Rageofthenerd.com.  She would like to thank Joi for this opportunity and for her willingness to converse intellectually about serial killers.

Meet the Stage Beauty Cast: Constance Witman

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Constance Witman as Elizabeth Barry and Dan Beaulieu as John Wilmot in The Libertine 2010

Constance Witman returns as Elizabeth Barry

Constance is a New York trained actress. She just finished starring as Solange in The Maids at the Players’ Ring by her production company, Fearon Productions. Constance will be producing and starring in Extremities, as well as directing Mercy Seat and performing as Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate all at the Players’ Ring this coming season. She is honored to make a cameo as Elizabeth Barry, a role she played in The Libertine with Back Alley Productions in 2010. Some of her favorite roles include Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Seacoast Repertory Theater, Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at the Players’ Ring, the mother in a small indie film called Frenemy or singing in a PDP production. Some other favorites are Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Anna in Closer, Suzy in Wait Until Dark, and Vivian Bearing in Wit, All at the Players’ Ring. She has been nominated several times and is the winner of a Spotlight Award for her portrayal of Blanche Dubois in Streetcar Named Desire. Constance also played a teacher in the PSA Stand Up and Step Forward by 03801 Productions, which won 3 Silver Telly Awards and 3 New England Emmys. She would like to thank her family and her greatest love, Gege Witman.

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Decision Height at the Players’ Ring

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Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

May 6 – 22 Back Alley Productions is pleased to present the New England premier of Decision Height by Meredith Dayna Levy at the Players’ Ring Theatre, 105 Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH. Show times are 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays and 3 pm matinees on Sundays. Tickets are $15 with discounts for students, seniors and Players’ Ring members. To make your reservations please call 603-436-8123 or purchase your tickets here.

From the winner of the 2013 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, comes a story about friendship and the complex, though essential, role of women in wartime. Virginia Hascall has left her home and fiancee to become a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP). As the war rages on, it is through triumph and tragedy the she and her sisters in flight suits learn the strength of sisterhood and awaken to a deeper sense of purpose as they discover exactly why it is that they fly. Decision Height offers a look into an under recognized subset of American Heroines. Directed by Joi Smith and featuring a cast of nine vibrant female characters to include seacoast favorites Danica Carlson, Kolby Hume, Molly Dowd Sullivan, Sarah Shanahan, Meghan Morash, Grady Savage, Michelle Blouin Wright, Erica Skoglund and introducing Olivia Tobin.

Meet the Decision Height Cast: Michelle Blouin Wright

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Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Michelle Blouin Wright as Ziggie Lewis

Q – Before you started working on this production, what was your perspective on the role of women during WWII?

I believe that women during that time played a significant role in equality in our society today. They bridged the gap in the work force, served in uniform as well as keeping matters at home going smoothly while men were called to duty. I think they paved the road to where we are today.

Q – What kind of job do you think you would have had during WWII?

Without a doubt I would have run the kitchen! My focus would have been creating a comforting environment and serving some comfort food around the clock for everyone.

Q – What or who do you draw on for inspiration for your role?

I actually draw from my own life experiences. Having spent several years in the military, those moments of camaraderie, structure and passion for why we are there resurfaced quickly.

Q – What woman in your life influences you the most and why?

My mom has been one of my biggest influences. She always encouraged me to work hard, follow my dreams and stand up for what I believe in. Even though she is no longer with us, I embrace her words of wisdom every day.

Q – What do you hope our audience gains from seeing Decision Height?

I hope the audience will have full hearts watching what these amazing women went through and their journey during that time.

Decision Height will be at the Players’ Ring  May 6 – 22, get your tickets now!