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It’s 1928 in the Horseshoe slum of Jersey City, NJ and “No Irish Need Apply”.
Hungry to escape his low status, Teddy Devlin aligns himself with the city’s most infamous political boss, Mayor Frank Hague.
While proud to be a part of the machine that empowers the Irish, Teddy struggles to accept the damage that it does to others.
It’s the American way, but is it the right way?
Purchase Tickts
Purchase Tickets...
*Rain Date (if needed): June 18 at 6 PM
**Benefit for MJCH
This is an OUTDOOR EVENT. We offer folding chairs but patrons are welcome to bring their own comfy folding chairs, if they prefer. In the event of rain, the rain date is June 18 @ 6 P.M.
All sales final. No refunds or exchanges.
- Jun 10, 2:00 PMApple Tree House, 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USAIt’s 1928 in the Horseshoe slum of Jersey City, NJ and “No Irish Need Apply”. Hungry to escape his low status, Teddy Devlin aligns himself with the notorious boss mayor, Frank “I’m the law” Hague. It's the American way, but is it the right way?
- Jun 10, 6:00 PMApple Tree House, 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USAIt’s 1928 in the Horseshoe slum of Jersey City, NJ and “No Irish Need Apply”. Hungry to escape his low status, Teddy Devlin aligns himself with the notorious boss mayor, Frank “I’m the law” Hague. It's the American way, but is it the right way?
- Jun 11, 2:00 PMApple Tree House, 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USAIt’s 1928 in the Horseshoe slum of Jersey City, NJ and “No Irish Need Apply”. Hungry to escape his low status, Teddy Devlin aligns himself with the notorious boss mayor, Frank “I’m the law” Hague. It's the American way, but is it the right way?
- Jun 11, 6:00 PMApple Tree House, 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USAIt’s 1928 in the Horseshoe slum of Jersey City, NJ and “No Irish Need Apply”. Hungry to escape his low status, Teddy Devlin aligns himself with the notorious boss mayor, Frank “I’m the law” Hague. It's the American way, but is it the right way?
- Jun 16, 5:00 PMApple Tree House, 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USAPlease join the trustees of the Museum of Jersey City History for a benefit reception and special performance of Horseshoe Empire. Elegant light fare, wine, and beer will be served. Meet the playwright and cast members. All proceeds benefit the MJCH, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
- Jun 17, 2:00 PMApple Tree House, 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USAIt’s 1928 in the Horseshoe slum of Jersey City, NJ and “No Irish Need Apply”. Hungry to escape his low status, Teddy Devlin aligns himself with the notorious boss mayor, Frank “I’m the law” Hague. It's the American way, but is it the right way?
- Jun 17, 6:00 PMApple Tree House, 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USAIt’s 1928 in the Horseshoe slum of Jersey City, NJ and “No Irish Need Apply”. Hungry to escape his low status, Teddy Devlin aligns himself with the notorious boss mayor, Frank “I’m the law” Hague. It's the American way, but is it the right way?
- Jun 18, 2:00 PMApple Tree House, 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USAIt’s 1928 in the Horseshoe slum of Jersey City, NJ and “No Irish Need Apply”. Hungry to escape his low status, Teddy Devlin aligns himself with the notorious boss mayor, Frank “I’m the law” Hague. It's the American way, but is it the right way?
June 10 at 6
June 10 at 2
Jun 11
June 16
June 17
June 18
About
About the Playwright...
Margo’s plays have been presented in London, Milan, NYC, Colorado Springs, San Diego, Abingdon, VA and at various other theatres across the U.S. Her play “Mistress Marlene” is published in Smith & Kraus’ “Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2015” and her play “Mae the Magnificent” received 1st Place (The Standing Ovation Award) in their 2019 anthology. Margo’s full-length, “Let Maisy Rest In Peace” was part of Barter Theatre’s Appalachian Festival of New Plays 2019. Also, Margo was a 1st Prize recipient of the Jerry Kaufman Award for Excellence in Playwriting 2016. More recently, “Blades” was published in Applause Books’ “Best New 10-Minute Plays 2021” and it was presented at The Magnetic Theatre in Asheville NC (2021), at Cornell U (Ithaca) and Watchung Hills Regional High in Warren, NJ (2022).
This production of “Horseshoe Empire” has been supported by public funds from the Jersey City Arts + Culture Fund, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners. Also, from HCCC and Office of Hudson County Commissioner, Yraida Aponte-Lipski, in partnership with Ward 'C' Councilman Richard Boggiano.
Margo is a member of Dramatist Guild, Actors Studio PDU, American Renaissance Theatre Company, LPTW (League of Professional Theatre Women), AEA, SAG/AFTRA www.margohammond.com
Scott Alan Evans
(Director)
is a director, writer, and producer. For 25 years he served as the Executive Artistic Director of the award winning Off Broadway company TACT/The Actors Company Theatre, for whom he unearthed, produced, and/or directed over 200 plays including new works and rare or forgotten classics by great writers. Off-Broadway credits include: Incident At Vichy by Arthur Miller; The Cocktail Party by T.S. Eliot; Children by A.R. Gurney; Long Island Sound by Noël Coward (U.S. premiere); Home by David Storey; The Sea by Edward Bond; Hard Love (New York premiere) by Israeli playwright Motti Lerner; and the first New York City revival of Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang. In 2018 he directed a special world premiere of Salute to the Brave by Noël Coward starring Jennifer Ehle. He conceived, co-wrote and directed The Triangle Factory Project (Dramatists Play Service) about the historic fire in New York City in 1911, and co-wrote and directed Three Wise Guys (Broadway Play Publishing) based on short stories by Damon Runyon. Both plays can be heard on Hear Play Audio Theatre, a podcast he created during the pandemic. Other writing credits include the musicals Goose! Beyond the Nursery (3 Outer Critic Circle Award nominations including Best Off-Broadway Musical), and Charlotte & Shaw (Eugene O’Neil finalist), and more recently an adaptation of Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops To Conquer. For ten years, Evans served as Artistic Director of the American Musicals Project (AMP), an educational program created by The New-York Historical Society in conjunction with the NYC Board of Education.
is a director, writer, and producer. For 25 years he served as the Executive Artistic Director of the award winning Off Broadway company TACT/The Actors Company Theatre, for whom he unearthed, produced, and/or directed over 200 plays including new works and rare or forgotten classics by great writers. Off-Broadway credits include: Incident At Vichy by Arthur Miller; The Cocktail Party by T.S. Eliot; Children by A.R. Gurney; Long Island Sound by Noël Coward (U.S. premiere); Home by David Storey; The Sea by Edward Bond; Hard Love (New York premiere) by Israeli playwright Motti Lerner; and the first New York City revival of Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang. In 2018 he directed a special world premiere of Salute to the Brave by Noël Coward starring Jennifer Ehle. He conceived, co-wrote and directed The Triangle Factory Project (Dramatists Play Service) about the historic fire in New York City in 1911, and co-wrote and directed Three Wise Guys (Broadway Play Publishing) based on short stories by Damon Runyon. Both plays can be heard on Hear Play Audio Theatre, a podcast he created during the pandemic. Other writing credits include the musicals Goose! Beyond the Nursery (3 Outer Critic Circle Award nominations including Best Off-Broadway Musical), and Charlotte & Shaw (Eugene O’Neil finalist), and more recently an adaptation of Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops To Conquer. For ten years, Evans served as Artistic Director of the American Musicals Project (AMP), an educational program created by The New-York Historical Society in conjunction with the NYC Board of Education.
Frank Hankey
(Frank Hague)
is delighted to have been living here in Jersey City since 2002. He appeared last fall as Valter in ARTC’s production of Love, Sex and Real Estate at the Chain Theater. He has worked on Broadway (End of the World) Off-Broadway (The Dining Room, The Cocktail Hour), extensively in regional and summer theaters (Boston, Salt Lake City, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Washington, Mamaronek, Williamstown) and on TV (Trial of Standing Bear). He studied acting at Brandeis University.
is delighted to have been living here in Jersey City since 2002. He appeared last fall as Valter in ARTC’s production of Love, Sex and Real Estate at the Chain Theater. He has worked on Broadway (End of the World) Off-Broadway (The Dining Room, The Cocktail Hour), extensively in regional and summer theaters (Boston, Salt Lake City, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Washington, Mamaronek, Williamstown) and on TV (Trial of Standing Bear). He studied acting at Brandeis University.
Brennan Taylor
(Teddy Devlin)
NYC Theater: Half Moon Bay (Nylon Fusion). Other (partial list): As You Like It (Southwest Shakespeare Company), King Lear (San Diego REP), Romeo & Juliet (NorthCoast Rep), The Rainmaker (NorthCoast Rep). TV: Good Cop (Netflix), Flesh & Bone (Starz), The Blacklist (NBC), Person of Interest (CBS), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Broad City (Comedy Central), Blue Bloods (CBS). Film: Space Cadet (Amazon; dir. Liz Garcia), The Amazing Spider-Man II (Sony; dir. Marc Web). From Portland, OR, lives in Brooklyn with wife Linnea and daughters Sylvie and Lumi.
NYC Theater: Half Moon Bay (Nylon Fusion). Other (partial list): As You Like It (Southwest Shakespeare Company), King Lear (San Diego REP), Romeo & Juliet (NorthCoast Rep), The Rainmaker (NorthCoast Rep). TV: Good Cop (Netflix), Flesh & Bone (Starz), The Blacklist (NBC), Person of Interest (CBS), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Broad City (Comedy Central), Blue Bloods (CBS). Film: Space Cadet (Amazon; dir. Liz Garcia), The Amazing Spider-Man II (Sony; dir. Marc Web). From Portland, OR, lives in Brooklyn with wife Linnea and daughters Sylvie and Lumi.
Kelsea Baker
(Kitty Devlin)
is so excited to be part of Horseshoe Empire, but not more excited than her Irish Catholic Mother. NY Credits include On the Verge, or; The Geography of Yearning (Retro Productions), Urinetown (Fracture Theatre Co.), Three Sisters (Red Monkey Theater Group), Dissecting Civil Rights (The Tank), Against the Wall (Playwrights Realm), Your Colonel (Metropolitan Playhouse). Regional favorites include The Glass Menagerie (Sierra Repertory Theater), Steel Magnolias (Millbrook Playhouse), A Midsummer Night's Dream, Pericles (Valley Shakespeare Festival), Pride and Prejudice (Connecticut Repertory Theatre). Kelsea shot her first feature film The Girl Who Cried Eyes Out in the woods of CT last fall. For G-Daddy, who sailed from Liverpool to Boston in 1925 and married my Grandmother in Paterson, NJ during Frank Hague’s last year in office.
is so excited to be part of Horseshoe Empire, but not more excited than her Irish Catholic Mother. NY Credits include On the Verge, or; The Geography of Yearning (Retro Productions), Urinetown (Fracture Theatre Co.), Three Sisters (Red Monkey Theater Group), Dissecting Civil Rights (The Tank), Against the Wall (Playwrights Realm), Your Colonel (Metropolitan Playhouse). Regional favorites include The Glass Menagerie (Sierra Repertory Theater), Steel Magnolias (Millbrook Playhouse), A Midsummer Night's Dream, Pericles (Valley Shakespeare Festival), Pride and Prejudice (Connecticut Repertory Theatre). Kelsea shot her first feature film The Girl Who Cried Eyes Out in the woods of CT last fall. For G-Daddy, who sailed from Liverpool to Boston in 1925 and married my Grandmother in Paterson, NJ during Frank Hague’s last year in office.
Philip James
(Dutch)
was raised on Staten Island and now lives in Brooklyn with his wife and cat Jazz (Fluffy). Phil has received diverse acting training (HB studio, Bob Krakower, Anthony Grasso, to name a few). In order to broaden his knowledge in the business, he attended Kingsborough Community College majoring in Broadcast Media Management (Dean’s List). Whether it be killing people, stealing their laundry, or being the lovable goofball with an edge, Phil has worked on several network shows (Discovery ID’s Good Cop Bad Cop, ABC’s What Would You Do, and several independent films). Keeping himself available in Manhattan, for the past several years he has been running a lab in the heart of the city as a technician (phlebotomist). So, he pretty much gets paid to stab people (the things an actor will do for a buck).
was raised on Staten Island and now lives in Brooklyn with his wife and cat Jazz (Fluffy). Phil has received diverse acting training (HB studio, Bob Krakower, Anthony Grasso, to name a few). In order to broaden his knowledge in the business, he attended Kingsborough Community College majoring in Broadcast Media Management (Dean’s List). Whether it be killing people, stealing their laundry, or being the lovable goofball with an edge, Phil has worked on several network shows (Discovery ID’s Good Cop Bad Cop, ABC’s What Would You Do, and several independent films). Keeping himself available in Manhattan, for the past several years he has been running a lab in the heart of the city as a technician (phlebotomist). So, he pretty much gets paid to stab people (the things an actor will do for a buck).
Jamie Ragusa
(Sophie Capellupo)
is a dancer turned actor working in TV, film and theatre. She has studied at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, the Lee Strasberg Institute, and with Caroline Thomas of Total Theatre Lab. She holds a BA in Dance and an MA in Communications from Point Park University. Most recently, she played a Guest Star role on the last season of CBS' 'Bull' as well as a leading role in indie film, 'Double Zero.' Jamie has also been seen in various Off Broadway plays in NYC. When not acting, she’s a mom to two rambunctious kids and an Aussiedoodle.
is a dancer turned actor working in TV, film and theatre. She has studied at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, the Lee Strasberg Institute, and with Caroline Thomas of Total Theatre Lab. She holds a BA in Dance and an MA in Communications from Point Park University. Most recently, she played a Guest Star role on the last season of CBS' 'Bull' as well as a leading role in indie film, 'Double Zero.' Jamie has also been seen in various Off Broadway plays in NYC. When not acting, she’s a mom to two rambunctious kids and an Aussiedoodle.
Mark Dessaix
(Monsignor and Hans Becker)
has worked across theatre, film, TV and commercial for close to 20 years in Australia and more recently in the US. Mark is a company member of Headwall Theatre Company. He also works as an audiobook narrator for Spineless Wonders Publishing and has written articles for DNA Magazine, Equity Magazine, and won the 2016 Hothouse Theatre Monologue Competition in the 'new writer' category. He has toured Australia multiple times with the critically acclaimed MonkeyBaa Theatre Company. (New York/US) Acedia, Brick Theatre/Mind The Art Entertainment; Other Desert Cities, Headwall Theatre; One In Four, Headwall Theatre Company. (Australia) The Temperamentals, Hardcore, Next Fall, Julius Caesar, MilkMilkLemonade, Much Ado About Nothing, Measure For Measure, Mary Queen of Scots, Les Miserables, and numerous national tours. Film/TV: Doctor Doctor (nine network), Interceptor (Netflix), Dr Death (Peacock). VO: Little Matsue and Other Tales, Audible. Rep: UIA Talent/Fictious Management.
has worked across theatre, film, TV and commercial for close to 20 years in Australia and more recently in the US. Mark is a company member of Headwall Theatre Company. He also works as an audiobook narrator for Spineless Wonders Publishing and has written articles for DNA Magazine, Equity Magazine, and won the 2016 Hothouse Theatre Monologue Competition in the 'new writer' category. He has toured Australia multiple times with the critically acclaimed MonkeyBaa Theatre Company. (New York/US) Acedia, Brick Theatre/Mind The Art Entertainment; Other Desert Cities, Headwall Theatre; One In Four, Headwall Theatre Company. (Australia) The Temperamentals, Hardcore, Next Fall, Julius Caesar, MilkMilkLemonade, Much Ado About Nothing, Measure For Measure, Mary Queen of Scots, Les Miserables, and numerous national tours. Film/TV: Doctor Doctor (nine network), Interceptor (Netflix), Dr Death (Peacock). VO: Little Matsue and Other Tales, Audible. Rep: UIA Talent/Fictious Management.
Patrick O'Konis
(Murphy, Jeff Burkitt, Frank Golden and Agent Libby)
is super excited to be a part of Horseshoe Empire. Recent productions: Indecent (Wilbury Theater), Stranger Things Experience (NYC), and The Polar Express Train Ride (Whippany, NJ). Upcoming: Escape to Margaritaville (Cumberland Theater). Patrick is a teaching artist at College of the Holy Cross, a graduate of Brooklyn College’s MFA program and loves to walk his dog Grizzly.
www.patrickokonis.com
is super excited to be a part of Horseshoe Empire. Recent productions: Indecent (Wilbury Theater), Stranger Things Experience (NYC), and The Polar Express Train Ride (Whippany, NJ). Upcoming: Escape to Margaritaville (Cumberland Theater). Patrick is a teaching artist at College of the Holy Cross, a graduate of Brooklyn College’s MFA program and loves to walk his dog Grizzly.
www.patrickokonis.com
Jacob is a New York City based Scenic Designer hailing from Bakersfield, California. Jacob's work can be seen across the country including Stars Dinner Theatre, Forestburg Playhouse, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Summer Repertory Theatre, Denizen Theatre and Theatre Row. Jacob received his Masters of Fine Arts from Ohio University in 2018. Recently he was nominated for Best Scenic Design of a Play or Musical (Professional) on BroadwayWorld.com for Over the River and Through the Woods at Cortland Repertory Theatre. He was also a recipient of the 2021 Jack and Anita Hess Faculty Seminar: LGBTQ+ Histories of the Holocaust Honorarium from the National Holocaust Museum in DC. Jacob’s goal is to extend theater to communities across the globe, bringing varied socioeconomic groups the opportunity to come together and share collaborative artistic expression. This goal is what makes the long hours short, the experiences grand, and the friendships
endearing.
endearing.
Marci is thrilled to be working with The Horseshoe Empire team. Not her first rodeo in Jersey City: for the past 6 years, she has worked with the esteemed Speranza Theatre Company as a costume designer, props artisan and actor! She is a full-time employee at The Montfort Academy in Mount Vernon, NY as the Director of Theatre and Creative Media and the Arts Integration Specialist. She is a sought-after instructor for Cabaret and Musical Theatre Technique and a private voice teacher and workshop leader. As a result, her students have gone on to star on Broadway and in professional regional productions. As a jazz vocalist, she has performed with esteemed jazz royalty. Additionally, she produced four Off-Broadway shows in NYC; including a benefit concert featuring new songs from Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Frozen), Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), Brian Crawley (Violet), and Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family) which helped to raise thousands of dollars for BC/EFA. Marci has entertained audiences of over 14,000 at Tavern on the Green for the NYC Marathon multiple times! Her Cabaret Show has been presented in Atlantic City and Foxwoods Resorts, among other NYC and East Coast venues. She continues to perform and record for Composer Philip Springer (Santa Baby, How Little We Know) while being featured on various CDs such as Hot Mama's: Live from New York and The Hopeless Romantic Collection - The Songs of Michael V. Ficocelli. Marci resides in Pomona, NY, with her husband, award-winning composer/lyricist Michael Ficocelli.
Danielle is a Brooklyn native with experience making and procuring props for over forty regional theater productions. Favorites include Nunsense, Little Shop of Horrors, Peter and the Starcatcher and You Can’t Take It With You, all with The St. Bart’s Players of NYC. When she’s not casing dollar and thrift stores for hidden treasures, Danielle works at a foundation that provides programs to help hospitalized children and their families experience joy and hope. She would like to thank Margo for inviting her to join such a talented production team and cast! “Acting is all about big hair and funny props…”—Harold Ramis
Noelle is a theatrical jack of all trades and developmental book editor. She particularly loves working on developing new works on stage and behind the scenes. Noelle founded a nonprofit, Unseen Artists, dedicated to highlighting voices from underrepresented communities and improving diversity, accessibility, and equity in theatre. Find out more at @unseenartistorg
Andrew is a fight director, actor, and advanced actor combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. His fight direction credits include 59E59 St. Theater (Mother Night), Mile Square Theatre (12fth Night, Art), and Miami Acting Company (Man of La Mancha). He has also served as an assistant fight director at Asolo Repertory Theatre (Macbeth; FD Bruce Lecure). As an actor he has performed at Mile Square Theatre in The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 12fth Night, A Year with Frog and Toad, Bunnicula and Core Values. Andrew has also been seen in Scraps (The Flea), Romeo and Juliet (Columbia Stages), Dex!: A Killer Musical (FringeNYC), What We're Up Against, Bull (New Wave Theater Collective), Taming of the Cats (The Brick), O Walter, My Walter (COW Theatre), and 54: The Musical (Emerging Artists Theatre). TV: “Wu-Tang: An American Saga”, “The Food That Built America”, and “Law and Order: SVU”.
Nick is invigorated to be out and about again in Jersey City. Nicholas currently freelances as an audio designer for numerous community theater and professional groups and also mentors audio students at schools and camps throughout Essex and Morris County. Nick has designed many seasons with 4th Wall Theater, Montclair Operetta Club, Gas Lamp Players, Aspire Performing Arts, and NiCori Studios and Productions, to name a few. Nicholas also has his hand in lighting design with Mosaic Dance Theater, InterACT, NJTAP, along with a variety of production work with local high school arts programs. Nicholas is the Technical Director and Auditorium Coordinator at the School Districts of the Chathams Arts Center, handling sets, lights, sounds, stage management and managing the student crew for all Chatham High School events.
Shelly is a third-year Stevens student pursuing a B.A. in Music and Technology. She is becoming increasingly knowledgeable about running sound for both live music events and theatrical productions, and recently accepted an audio intern position at a venue in NYC. Alongside their sound ambitions, Shelly is also the lead guitar player in Hoboken-based band Business Radical.
Ruby joins the team as a first time producer! She has followed the journey of this play from its first iterations back in 2018 and is so proud of how far it has come! Raised in Jersey City herself, Ruby has loved coming back to her roots to support this production and the Museum of Jersey City History. Outside of producing, Ruby runs her own voiceover business and is the mother to two lovely boys and a dog named Skittles.
Cast and Crew...
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