Rafael Feldman

A Bed & A Bar’s Blurbs

About me: The Gloria Gifford Conservatory Theatre presents the World Premiere of "A Bed & A Bar."

Written by Carlos Javier Castillo. Directed by Gloria Gifford.

Featuring (In Alphabetical Order)

*NOTE: Play is DOUBLE CAST. See above blog to find your friend’s performance schedule.

CHRISTIAN S. ANDERSON
SHAUN BAKER
PRISCILLA BONNET
KIMBERLY DEMARSE
CHAD DORECK
JOSEPH EID
RAFAEL FELDMAN
MATTY FERRAO
JAKE HEAD
MICHELLE LAFRANCE
ANAISABEL MERCADA

PRESS RELEASE by Philip Sokoloff

When this script was first handed to me, the playwright was described as a Mexican David Mamet. Actually, Carlos Javier Castillo was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But one can discern from where such comparisons originate: Castillo’s characters have a roughness to them; they can be combative, and their language is sometimes assaultive. But Castillo has emerged from a younger generation, thus rendering his characters and his perceptions of them distinctly his own.

The characters are comprised of three young men and two female contemporaries. They’re part of the sales force at a department store. One of the guys has just been promoted. Another has just been discharged from his position.

The local bar with a jukebox is one of the circuit of meeting places that the three guys, Charlie, Christian and Jake, go to where they imbibe strong drink and loosen any inhibitions they may have had in their hunt for women to take to bed. They tend to objectify women and their attitudes are somewhat misogynistic.

Into the bar walk Vicki and Jennifer. Being 21st Century women, they are willing to pursue sexual agendas of their own. Like many women, they’re attracted to bad boys, which is fortunate for the guys. Otherwise, the fellas would never have sex.

One of the three men will be surprised when he is ambushed by true love. Another acquires a new lover with whom he shares uncannily similar dreams. This may or may not be real love, but she will at least have succeeded in pushing him a short distance in the direction of becoming more civilized. The third guy will be alone which, as the audience will observe, is precisely what he deserves.

Castillo is currently preparing another play for production, Atmosphere. Also an actor, he appears in the recent films Grad Night and Terminal Island.

Gloria Gifford directs. Earlier this season, she directed Summer and Smoke and Romantic Comedy. She served as dialogue coach on the new hit film TL. A veteran actress, she has appeared on Broadway (The Merchant), on TV (ER, 8 Simple Rules and much more) and on film (The Others, This Is Spinal Tap).

The roles in A Bed and a Bar are double or triple cast, with all casts being considered equivalent (There is no A cast nor B cast). The ensemble includes (in alphabetical order) Christian S. Anderson, Shaun Baker, Priscilla Bonnet, Stephen Cloud, Kimberly Demarse, Chad Doreck, Joseph Eid, Rafael Feldman, Matty Ferraro, Jake Head, Michelle LaFrance, Anaisabel Mercado and Kaycee Shank.

Receptions will follow the Gala Opening performances on May 19 and 20.