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COFFEE & FOOLS

Genre: Comedy, Drama
by Ethan Downing
Brian, a young, aspiring writer, and the resident poster boy for Romantics 'R Us, struggles with post collegiate life as his ex-girlfriend suddenly reinserts herself in his life when his roommate and best friend, Nicole, bursts into their living room and unceremoniously delivers the news that she "saw Debbie." Brian immediately becomes consumed by the thought of Debbie being in the same state, the same city, possibly even the same neighborhood as him again, and peppers Nicole with every question that comes to mind: "How'd she look?...What was she wearing?...A jacket?...What type of jacket?...A hat?...What color?...Does she still drink hazelnut butterscotch coffee?"

Like all tortured writers, Brian decides to brew in his anxiety for several days while Nicole dutifully plays the role of a good friend who is there to catch you when you hit bottom - a friend who is also willing to use your fall down to rock bottom as her own personal entertainment. After waffling over his options, Brian decides to face his inner demon, which just so happens to be an aging hipster named Spencer who is engaged to his ex-girlfriend. Spencer, who insists everyone calls him "Spence," wears a leather fedora, lives his life by a gold-leafed book of clichéd Chinese proverbs, and staunchly conforms to non-conformity while writing lyrical non fiction essays about things like poison ivy. Spencer is the anti-Brian, and like anyone who has ever met an ex's new crush, Brian can't believe that they are in the same league.

Debbie's resurfacing forces Brian to ask a question that has been plaguing him since the end of their relationship; a question that could potentially end the angst that has been fueling his career if he asks, but risks losing who he has always been if he does not; a question that anyone who has had a relationship go South has asked themselves hundreds of thousands of times: "Can people change?"


About the Company: American Theatre of Actors

The American Theatre of Actors was founded in 1976 by James Jennings, who continues as its President and Artistic Director. It is a repertory theatre company consisting of 50 actors, 20 playwrights and 10 directors. Its purpose is to promote the development of new playwrights, directors and actors and provide them a creative atmosphere in which to work without the pressures of commerical theatre. The plays are dramas and comedies dealing with the social and ethical problems of contemporary society. Over 800 new works have been presented and more than 8000 actors have worked at ATA, including Dennis Quaid, Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, Dan Lauria, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin O'Connor, Kevin Spacey, William Fichtner and Edie Falco.



Open:06/11/08
Close:06/15/08
  
Schedule: Wednesday, June 11th - Saturday, June 14th: 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 15th: 3:00 p.m.
Theater:American Theatre Of Actors
Address:314 West 54th Street
New York, NY 10019  Show Map
Location:(between 8th & 9th Avenues)
Cost:$15.00
To buy tickets Call: at
Company: American Theatre of Actors    Official Web Site: www.appleboxdesign.com/ata/about_ata.htm
Amber Abdella
Amber is delighted to make her New York City debut in Coffee & Fools. Amber recently graduated with her BFA in Theater from the University at Buffalo, where her performances include The Good Woman of Setzuan (Shen Te/Shui Ta), The Hot L Baltimore (Girl), The Winter's Tale (Hermione), and Two Gentlemen of Verona (Silvia). She would like to thank her parents, professors, and friends for being so supportive of her move to the big city, and their unyielding encouragement every step of the way.
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 Jared Morgenstern

Actor - Jared Morgenstern: A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts Jared has had a number of wonderful opportunities in NY including starring in Porn and Happiness: You Can't Have Both at the Gene Siskel Theater, Daguerreotypes and The Shadow Pier in the Midtown International Theater Festival, Save my Brother at the Roy Arias Theater, he recently completed a run as Malcolm in Macbeth with the New Perspective Theater Company, and Coffee and Fools at the American Theater of Actors. His films credits include co-starring in the feature length film Special Needs. He can be reached at Jaredmorgenstern1@gmail.com

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Leigh Poulos
Leigh graduated with a BFA in Acting from Tisch School of Arts at NYU and attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. She has performed in Death of a Salesman (Jenny/Miss Forsythe) and new works, such as Limbo (Georgia), Jacob Romano (Beth), and Props (Denise).
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Saba
Born in the South of France, Saba attended the Conservatory of Dance, Music and Drama in Cannes. In France, Saba danced with Rosella Hightower Company and was acting at the Nice Theater while directing a Cabaret. In 1996 he was spotted by the Martha Graham Company and was invited to New York to perform. After five years with Graham, he decided to created Saba Dance Theater and won the Bessie Award for best performance in 2004. After retiring from the Dance world in 2005, Saba went back to acting full time and has worked essentially in movies. He is a guest actor at the School of Visual Arts and has recently created Cloudy Sky Films. With his production company he is directing a series of short movies called "Dance and Songs for Camera." www.Sabatier-Curial.com
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