Contact Information
Tyrone Community Players, INC.
P.O. Box 209
Tyrone, PA 16686-0209
Phone: 814 684-ART2 (2782)
Flight of the Lawnchair Man
Meet Jerry Gordan, a 34 year old guy from Passaic, New Jersey who has just been promoted to Snack Bar Manager at Wal-Mart, a situation that thrills his mother but causes Jerry some deep dismay. With the help of his girlfriend, Gracie, and a movie from Net-Flix Jerry has an epiphany...he was born to fly! Through many trials and tribulations, Jerry and Gracie find the way for a dream to take flight, and with it the hopes of a man and woman, a family and an entire community. This highly energetic, positive and uplifting musical will bring a big, silly grin to your face and an uncontrollable tapping to your toes.
With a peppy score that includes a light rock sound, an amusing tango and sincere anthems, the authors paint Jerry as one of those nutty American adventurers who can occasionally make people stop laughing at them by proving their brilliance.
This show was inspired by some real-life "lawnchair men". Lawnchair Larry was the person whom the musical is closely related to. Read more about him at www.markbarry.com.
Here are some links to to other stories of lawnchair men:
- Man Flies 376 Kilometers with Lawn Chair and Helium Party Balloons
- Video - John Fries
- Clusterballoon website
Cast Bios Posted 4/12/2013
CAST
Bill Markley (Jerry) - Having attempted a similar experiment as a child, Bill is elevated (or is that elated?) to be attempting another venture into the sky. This marks the 9th season which Bill has been involved with the Tyrone Community Players. Favorite shows include "Seussical", "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" and "Oliver" with TCP and "Urinetown" and "Beauty and the Beast" with Altoona Community Theater and "Dad of two awesome Daughters" with Markley production. Many thanks to TCP, our patrons and audiences for "keeping the arts alive" - a feat even more spectacular than riding a lawn chair into orbit. Fly Harley, fly.
Lynne Feltenberger (Gracie) - Hello Theater Lovers! I am very excited to be back on the TCP stage and feel blessed to have the opportunity to work with these talented people! I would like to thank the cast and crew for a lovely time. I also thank my family and dedicate this performance to my Aunt Susie who has attended every one of my shows. Thank you so much to everyone for supporting our little theater group. God bless.
Nathan Pownall (Big Jack Preston) - Soaring to new heights and going full throttle Nathan storms the stage as Big Jack in his 12th season with TCP.Since donning the plaid jacket and debuting with the players as Sparky in Forever Plaid he has evolved through Enchanted Evenings, Southern Fried Murders and King's servitude to his most recent portrayal as the brazen and glitzy Sylvia in Ruthless. Big Jack's character hits a little closer to home with his swagger and confidence (and no panty hose!) Nathan dedicates this show to his own "flight crew"... his wife and kids who lovingly keep him grounded!
Alicia Rodriguez (Blair) - Alicia is excited to finally play the Ditz in a show! You last saw her in Nevermore, playing a..., well, she was a lovely lady of the night. And we'll leave it at that. She also graced the stage as Judy Denmark and Ginger DelMarco in this past summer's production of Ruthless!: the Musical. She would like to thank the cast and crew for their hard work, and hopes everybody enjoys the show!
Kathy Fink (Mother Gorman) - Most recently seen in The Cemetery Club as a Jewish widow and in The Spitfire Grill as a busy-body, gossipy post mistress, I am glad to be in a role that is not such a stretch for me. When offered the part of Mother Gorman my first thought was "Play the mother of a 34 yr. old son? Impossible!" Then I realized that my first born, son Michael-to whom I dedicate this performance- will soon be 32. I guess it's NOT that impossible!
Patrick Rice (Mr. Frankel, Da Vinci, Lindbergh) - Would ya be mine? Could ya be mine? Would you be my neighbor...ah ..and Mr. Frankel, and a famous painter..oh and how 'bout an aviator? Patrick returns bringing humor to his many roles in LawnchairMan...this show he is King of the multifaceted performer! etc...etc...etc...
Nancy Sloss (Neighbor, French Boy, AmeliaEarhart) - I would like to dedicate this show to my patio furniture and my beach chair...they have always wanted to fly! (seriously...I've been around TCP so long what else can I put in a bio....thanks to my High School French teacher for showing me the Red Balloon and my apologies to Katherine Hepburn for the struggling impersonation!)
Chris Dear (Neighbor, NASA Official) - So...this is what happened. Into rehearsal walks Paula "Fingers" Pheasant the famed TCP accompanist...behind her is this guy..he sits down..guess what??? He can sing, he's a good sport, he's cute and cuddly..we decided to keep him! Welcome to Chris from the other side of Bellwood! Hope you find your theater home with TCP and wander onto our stage for years to come!
Tiffany Mayhew (Neighbor, TV Reporter, WalmartEmployee) - Tiffany is taking a short break from blogging to join the "neighborhood" in perfect Passaic, New Jersey! (Don't tell her that there really isn't a mall every other mile!) She dedicates this performance to her new house.
Sally Best (Neighbor, FAA Agent) - Sally is thrilled to be back on the TCP stage, having appeared as Mildred in The Cemetery Club. A wandering community theatre thespian, other favorite roles include Marian Paroo in The Music Man, the Baroness in The Sound of Music, and Ilona in She Loves Me. Her most challenging role to date comes in this production (of Lawn Chair Man), because embracing her true "Sallyosity" off-stage includes doing everything possible to stay AWAY from Walmart! Many thanks and much love to Joe for all the support.
Cast and Crew for Flight of the Lawnchair ManPosted 03/04/2013
CAST
| Jerry Gorman...the Lawnchair man | Bill Markley |
|---|---|
| Gracie...Jerry's girlfriend | Lynne Dirkse |
| Mother Gorman | Kathy Fink |
| Big Jack...Airline pilot | Nathan Pownall |
| Blaire...Flight attendant | Alicia Rodriguez |
|
Mr. Frankel...Walmart Boss Leonardo DaVinci Charles Lindberg |
Patrick Rice |
|
Ensemble FAA Official |
Sally Best |
|
Ensemble TV Reporter |
Tiffany Mayhew |
|
Ensemble NASA Official |
Chris Dear |
|
Ensemble French Boy Amelia Earhart |
Nancy Sloss |
CREW
| Director | Karen Mayhew |
|---|---|
| Stage Manager | Nancy Sloss |
Audition Notice Posted 12/18/2012
Auditions for Flight of the Lawnchair Man will be opened to the general public on Sunday and Monday, January 27 and 28, 2013 at 6:30PM in The Building, located at 1019 Logan Ave., Tyrone, PA. Please bring a song to sing. An accompanist will be provided.
Show dates are April 13th and 14th, 2013.
Cast Descriptions:
Jerry Gorman: (tenor/baritone) A dreamer with a strong solo voice. The young man who decides to chase his dream and is followed by a community of dreamers.
Gracie: (soprano/alto) Strong solo voice. Jerry's spunky girlfriend.
Big Jack Preston (tenor/baritone) Self-confident manly man.
Blaire (soprano/alto) Bubbly, ditsy flight attendant.
Mother Gorman (soprano/alto) Jerry's nagging, overprotective mother.
Mr. Frankel Jerry's boss, high strung and often angry
Leonardo DaVinci (tenor) Strong solo voice. A vision of Jerry's.
Charles Lindberg (baritone) Strong solo voice. A vision of Jerry's
Amelia Earhart (mezzo soprano) Strong solo voice. A vision of Jerry's
Other An active, envolved ensemble of neighbors, shoppers, WalMart employees, NASA officials, militia, etc...