evergreenplayers.org

Heavens: A Nude Beach

A comedy by Jimy Murphy

Directed by Jimy Murphy.

A longtime Evergreen resident, Murphy is probably best known as the former lead singer for the Kamikaze Klones, a new wave band that was popular on the Denver scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These days the band's in semi-retirement, and Murphy makes his living running after-school and summer learning programs for a charter school in Lakewood where he's also taught theater and film. Murphy has long had a family connection to the Players. His mother was a charter member of the group back in the late 1940s. She and other family members have been many Players' shows over the years.

Murphy said he's been working on the script for "Heavens" for about two years. Versions of the play have been done in open readings, but it's never been fully staged until now. Murphy will direct the Players' production.

He said the idea came to him one day on a beach in Hawaii. "It's a play about personal freedom," he said, "about life and death and birth" and all the complications therein.

The setting for the play is a rock outcrop between two beaches, one ordinary and one nude, where all sorts of people -- compatible and otherwise -- cross paths. An ensemble of eight actors plays 24 characters, adding a quick-change element to the play. Chance encounters, of course, lead to surprising, funny and thought-provoking situations. When people are thrown together they often reveal something about themselves. In this case, the characters will bare their souls while remaining appropriately clad in beach attire (this is Evergreen, after all).

Cast

Keith Chamberlain Yahse, Ben, Hiram

Evergreen Players' theatergoers may recognize Keith from his past performances with the group. Credits include Noises Off, Greater Tuna, Lend Me a Tenor, Nightmare, and others. Keith thanks Jimy (and all other directors he has worked with) for truly believing he will learn his lines before opening night.

Cori Docter Miranda, Mommy, Joni

This is Cori’s debut with the Players. She has been “trodding the boards” since 1984 in various south Florida productions. Her most recent “gig” has been home schooling her two daughters while serving as co-owner of the Wildflower Cafe’. She dedicates her “3 face” performance to her naked (under his clothes) husband, Mark.

Brian Dowling Bill, Tom, Bobby, Mike

Brian is thrilled to be working with such a wonderful cast in Jimy Murphy's world premiere show. Brian's last work was a two-man show called The Woman In Black, done by Conifer Stage Door, which he co-starred with James O'Leary. Brian would like to thank Jimy Murphy for the opportunity to be in his show, and to the cast for being a great bunch of people who are a blast to work with.

Carol Hunsaker Celia, Jenny, Wendy

Carol has been performing with the Players since 1976 and is thrilled that she and her husband are a part of this world premiere. She is an insurance specialist in the senior market (anyone over 40), and says that it's great fun playing the role of a 2-year old.

Jim Hunsaker Frank, Chuck, Mort

Jim has been singing and performing with Sound of the Rockies for the past 15 years. He's having a great time frolicking on Jimy Murphy's Beach in Evergreen - though playing the 12 year old isn't much of a stretch.

Paige Larson Ruth, Diana, Theresa

Last seen at Center Stage for the Player's production of "Noises Off", Paige is happy to be back for this brief stint. To Family and friends, thanks for patience and support. To cast and crew, it's a pleasure to share the stage with you.

Carol Meredith Frinta, Christine

Carol is very happy to be performing again after taking a break for several years to devote time to family and career. In years past, she worked with some wonderful people at The Third Eye, Gabriels, Eugenes, Summerstage in St. Louis, and numerous other theatres that few people now remember. Favorite roles include: Freddie in The Club, Desiree in A Little Night Music, Joanne in Company, and Gertrude in the Marowitz Hamlet.

Jimy Murphy Director

Husband, father, writer, director, educator, rock star and ski god. While this is the seventh play Jimy has written or adapted, it is the first written for adult actors and audiences. He is the Director of the 21st Century Learning Program at the Center for Discovery Learning.

Jim O'Leary Freeman, Archie, Cop

Jim O’Leary has acted in shows with the Evergreen Players, Evergreen Chorale, Conifer’s Stage Door Theater, and some other theaters “down the hill” in Denver. His last Players show was the 50th-anniversary murder mystery at the Evergreen Lakehouse, and he most recently appeared in “The Woman in Black” in Conifer.

Production Crew