I Love You Because (2022)
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I Love You Because A young, uptight greeting card writer's life is changed when he meets a flighty photographer. Along with their eccentric friends and siblings, they learn to love each other not despite their faults, but because of them. Music by Joshua Salzman, Book and Lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, Orchestrations by Larry Hochman, Direction by Mariah Chase, Choreography by Hunter Steele, Stage Managed by Domenic Andolina Featuring: Colten Baker as Austin Bennet, Christina Hernandez as Marcy Fitzwilliams, Javier Peña as Jeff Bennet, Liz Pegg as Diana Bingley, Marianne Orendorff as NYC Woman, Mariah Chase as NYC Woman TheaterWorks @ The Square
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Cast
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Colten Baker (Austin) is elated to be working with some new friends and Duke's Eye for the first time. Though Colten does more writing these days than performing, you may have seen them as Ernst in "Cabaret" at Playhouse on the Square, or in ensembles of other musicals like, "May We All," "Kinky Boots," "Tuck Everlasting," and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," all at Playhouse as well. Additionally Colten has enjoyed playing roles such as The Escapologist in "Matilda the Musical" (POTS), Red Death in Brianna Roche's original play, "Bedtime for Insomniacs," Mister Smee in "Peter Pan" (POTS), as well as Hanschen in "Spring Awakening" and a hoard of other roles at The University of Memphis Theatre. Colten would like to thank you, the audience for choosing to spend your evening at the theatre. "I hope you enjoy!" ~ Colt |
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Mariah Chase (Director, NYC Woman) is a Florida native who relocated to Memphis in 2018 and is thrilled to be directing this talented group of Memphis artists and co-producing with Liz. Mariah is just coming from co-producing and directing for the first ever 24Hour Plays: Memphis and is no stranger to TheatreWorks. Mariah began her theatrical career at age 6 as an actor and later expanded into directing. Some of her favorite past productions include: Agnes of God, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Spring Awakening, Zombie Prom, See Rock City, Kiss Me Kate and SHOUT. Mariah would like to give a special thank you to Liz and Domenic for being partners in crime and her husband Javier for all of his hard work on this show and support in her crazy endeavors. |
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Christina Hernandez (Marcy Fitzwilliams) is so excited to be a part of this amazing cast and crew! Some of her favorite credits include Head Over Heels (Gynecia), Lizzie the Musical (Lizzie, Ostrander Nomination), First Date (Casey), Falsettos (Cordelia), The Phantom of the Opera (Christine Daae, Ostrander Best Leading Actress), The Producers (Ulla), Carrie the Musical (Miss Gardner), Assassins, Kiss Me, Kate!, Collective Rage: A Play in Five Boops, Young Frankenstein, and Jon and Jen (Jen). She'd like to thank Liz and Mariah for letting her be a part of Dukes Eye's first Memphis show. It's been an absolute blast! |
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Marianne Orendorff (NYC Woman) is very excited to be involved with this show! She was most recently seen in "The Addams Family" as Alice Beineke at the Harrell Theatre, "Shockheaded Peter" with New Moon as Mother, and "Spamalot" as The Lady Of The Lake at the Ruffin Theatre. Favorite roles include Tanya in "Mamma Mia" at the Harrell Theatre, Madeleine Leclerc in "Quills" with New Moon Theatre Company, Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing" at Kudzu Playhouse, and Hold-Me-Touch-Me in "The Producers" at the Harrell . Thanks to Mariah for getting her involved in this and Liz for bringing her production company to Memphis! |
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Liz Pegg (Diana Bingley) is thrilled and honored to bring Duke's Eye Productions to Memphis! Liz has produced, directed, and acted in shows all over the country, and she is so excited to get to share one of her favorite shows with you all! A few favorite credits include : Hairspray (Penny), The 25th...Spelling Bee (Schwartzy), & Helvetica (Past Helvetica). To Mariah, Domenic, Javier, Christina, Colten, & Marianne : Thank you for making this dream a reality. You're all amazing & I have so much love and respect for you! Check Liz out at lizpegg.com. |
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Javier Peña (Jeff Bennet) feels awesome about bringing this quirky character and production to life! He most recently appeared at the Harrell Theatre as Gomez in The Addams Family. Other past roles include Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Theatre Memphis - Ostrander nominee), Rudolpho in Matilda (Playhouse on the Square), Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (Andrews Living Arts Studio) and Bobby in Company (West Boca Theatre). He would like to thank God, the entire cast and crew, his talented wife and director Mariah, the rest of his family for their constant love and support and his ever-growing family of friends here in Memphis. |
Crew
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Domenic-Michael Andolina (Stage Manager) is thrilled to create theatre for the community of Memphis with Duke's Eye! He is a high school theatre teacher and special educator by day, a voracious reader of books, viewer of documentaries, minimalist, and playwright by night. Most recently he was co-producer and writer for the first ever "The 24 Hour Plays: Memphis" through Lone Tree Live. Domenic desires to partner with and showcase the talent of Memphis so that each stage is represented by the humanity and diversity we see in our city. A special thanks to Liz and Mariah for welcoming him with open arms! |