By Miles Pawski
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The Edge of the World by Miles Pawski will have its world premiere at the Potrero Stage in San Francisco in June 2017. This timely and profoundly moving play tells the story of undocumented Irish immigrants trapped in a cycle of violence and poverty.
Donnie, Marzi, and their teenage son, Tommy Duggan narrowly avoid deportation, fleeing from Ohio to a largely abandoned campground in the small town of Lebanon, Oregon. There, they meet fellow "runners" Lido and his 17-year old daughter, Celia. Lido and Celia have been living at the campground for months--Lido creating trouble wherever he goes, and Celia struggling to avoid it as she searches for meaning in her American Indian ancestry.
Tommy and Celia begin to form an uneasy bond, as their parents' lives become entangled in a robbery scheme. As their story progresses, the characters are thrust into a downward cycle of violence and lies. Tommy and Celia must join together to try to overcome this cycle to see if they can build a different future for themselves.
Directed by Robert Paine
Cast (in order of appearance)
| Sophie Blackburn | as Marzipan "Marzi" Duggan |
| Garth Petal** | as Lido Franks |
| Matt Monaco | as Donnie Duggan |
| Lucas Hernandez | as Tommy Duggan |
| Jamella Cross | as Celia Franks |
| **Courtesy Actor's Equity The Edge of the World is an Equity-approved project | |
Stage Manager - Gary Quinn | |
| Publicity - Gary Carr - Rising Moon Marketing and Public Relations | |
| Graphic Design - Edna Cabcabin Moran | |
Robert Paine (Director) is the Artistic Director and founding member of Virago Theatre Co. Robert wrote and directed An Original Christmas Carol for the Altarena Playhouse, Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus for the 2001 San Francisco Fringe, and Alice for Alameda Children’s Theatre. He directed Orphans, The Death of Ayn Rand, Zombie Vixens from Hell – The Musical, Mankind’s Last Hope, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly and Crooked for Virago. As an actor, he’s performed with Portland Center Stage, Tygres Heart Shakespeare Co., Shakespeare in the Parks, San Jose Stage Co., Shakespeare at Stinson, Stark Raving Theatre, 450 Geary and others. He performed in Italy with Shakespeare et Firenze as Banquo in Macbeth and Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Other roles include Richard in The Lady’s Not for Burning and Roger in the world premiere of The Hermit Bird. | |
Miles Pawski (Playwright) is the author of several plays, including Sway, Parole, Blue Bloody Murder, A Santa Story, Plan B, and Heartbeat. His novels include Where the Worm Dies Not and Meglin, both in the fantasy-horror genre. | |
Gary Quinn (Stage Manager) is the technical director and stage manager for Virago Theatre. Mr. Quinn taught theater arts (practical technical theater and design) for fifteen years at Skyline High School. Skyline is Oakland's magnet school for the performing arts. While there, Mr. Quinn supervised the renovation of the Rawley T. Farnsworth Theater with Tom Hanks' support. | |
Sophi Blackburn (Marzi Duggan) is a theatre, on-camera voice actor and model in the Bay Area. She is currently in her last semester of nursing school and plans to go into emergency medicine. Sophie is beyond thrilled to be working with such a talented cast and crew in her first production with Virago. www.sophie-blackburn.com. | |
Garth Petal (Lido Franks) has appeared in numerous plays throughout the Bay Area as well as film, commercial work and voice-over. Memorable work includes the title role in director Anna Biller's cult classic THE HYPNOTIST, Captain Walton in 2009's critically lauded THE CREATURE, Petruchio in Virago Theatre Co's own production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and many others. Garth is a member of Actors Equity. | |
Matt Monaco (Donnie Duggan) is a San Francisco-based actor. Past productions include ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST and GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS. | |
Lucas Hernandez (Tommy Duggan) just finished his fourth year studying Theater & Dance at California State University in the East Bay. He has recently been seen performing in CABARET, PANGARAP and CSU FERGUSON. He also does a lot of work performing with the improv comedy group he co-founded, East Bay Improv. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support and dedication to his education. | |
Jamella Cross (Celia Franks) is an artist who loves working in the theatrical community. Creating with others is something she is very passionate about and she believes unity and togetherness is what makes a piece of art grow stronger. She has worked with theatre companies such as Magic Theatre (SOJOURNERS), Bay Area Children's Theater (PIPPI LONGSTOCKING, GOODNIGHT GOODNIGHT CONSTRUCTION SITE, THE DAY CRAYONS QUIT), TheatreFirst (STOP KISS), Berkeley Playhouse (HAIRSPRAY), Free Theatre (HENRY IV), Virago Theatre Company (CROOKED), and Aurora Theatre (SAFEHOUSE) which are all located thoughout the Bay Area. She really hopes you enjoy the show! | |