THE DOWNSIDE RISK

Written by Bill Svanoe, Directed by Blake Bradford

Mike Williams has it all... a wife and two kids, friends that he can depend on, and a great job as a salesman for American National Products. When his company is bought out by the mysterious IGM, things start to unravel. New procedures appear overnight and quotas must be met. Or else. Now Mike is on a racing against the ticking clock to pull in the big ticket before he loses it all.

Bill Svanoe's play has been labeled the "Death of a Salesman for the Computer Age." His plays have appeared all over the US and internationally and are published by Samuel French and Dramatists. This marks the first NYC revival of The Downside Risk.

Open: 09/02/10
Close: 09/11/10

Schedule:
9/2 @8pm, 9/3 @8pm, 9/4 @8pm, 9/5 @2pm, 9/9 @8pm, 9/10 @8pm, 9/11 @8pm

Theater: Wings Theatre
Address: 154 Christopher Street
New York, NY 10014
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Closest subway: 1, 9 to Christopher Street, west on Christopher Street several blocks to theatre

Cost:$20 Regular, $15 Student (with valid ID)
Buy Tickets Online

or Call: Wings Theatre Box Office at 212-627-2961

Company: Zephyer Rep

	Ray Field Ray Field is pleased to be returning to Zephyer Rep after appearing as Harold/Win in The Downside Risk. As an actor he has appeared on A&E, PBS, and in independent films and commercials. As a standup comedian, he has featured in clubs around the country, including Caroline's, Comix, and Gotham here in New York City. He studied with Carole Rosenfeld and Aaron Frankel at HB Studios, and with Billy Merritt and Sean Conroy a the Upright Citizen's Brigade. Under his honest-and-truly name, "Raphael Tennenbaum," he is a noted freelance writer and essayist whose work has been published in Wired, Forbes, Golf Digest, and Newsday.
	David Michael Kirby David Michael Kirby (George Pepper/Halsted) is honored to make his Zephyer Rep/Wings Theatre debut. He is a versatile actor, singer and director who recently returned to New York City to pursue his dream of performing full-time. He is a graduate of the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School, and a member of The Actor's Project NYC. David’s favorite previous roles are as diverse as Papageno in “The Magic Flute,” Schroeder in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” and Sheriff Hartwell in “The Front Page.” He also enjoys concert work and is an occasional soloist with the Choral Society of Durham (NC).
	Matt Klane Matt Klane (Andy Parker) is just coming off a hit run of The Unfortunate Honeymoon of Tony and Steve (as Tony) and has performed in Arcadia and Gay Slave Handbook at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as being a writer and performer for MIND BLEACH. Matt's acting and writing have been recently featured on CNBC, AMC, National Lampoon Network, The New York Times, NBC.com, and Cracked.com. Matt is a fully trained advanced actor-combatant with the SAFD, and has studied as a Fight Director and Choreographer under Swordmaster Joe Travers. He holds a teaching license from New York State, and has taught undergraduate Stage Combat courses in three states. His choreography and stunt work has been seen here in the NYC area for the past eight years across the off- and off-off-Broadway stage, as well as on MSNBC, AMC, NBC.com and NewYorkTimes.com. He's recently produced Chains of Dew, The Cherry Orchard and Dear Brutus, as well as serving as scenic designer for Zephyer Rep.
	Andhy Mendez Andhy Mendez (Johnny Lewis) was born in Havana, Cuba and immigrated to the US when he was five years old. He has been acting since a young age and recently graduated from the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts - The School for Film and Television. He is a member of SAG, film credits include For Love or Country The Life of Arturo Sandoval, and Cuban Blood. Theater credits include Macbeth, I am a Camera, Pullman Car Hiawatha, Between Two Worlds, and Duchess of Malfi. This is his first production at the Wings Theater and he is very happy to be a part of it. He would like to thank his family and mentors.
	Ed Moroney Ed Moroney (Jack Ward) is a New Yorker who had been in exile for over a quarter century. He is pleased to be part of Zephyer Rep’s production of Downside Risk. In his life on various stages he has portrayed: George Bush, Dick Cheney, King Sextimus, Mr. Hassler, Nunzio, George Washington, and several other known and unknowns in like production companies (known and unknown). He has sung: with symphonies, in operas, in community showcases and other venues (and yet hopes to learn how to read music). His film credits are an amalgamated wonder to behold, mostly unaccredited. In all and sundry, some things remain the same: anticipatory terror, restrained panic, painful fun and joy, and awe of the talents of fellow actors. Thanks for the opportunity to continue this journey towards thespian fulfillment.
	Zade O'Blenes Zade O’Blenes (Jenifer/Evie) is a Canadian born actor whom, after getting her start in various stage productions across Canada, decided to head south to study acting at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. She was in several plays while attending NYCDA including Macbeth (Lady M.), I am a Camera (Natalia) The Duchess of Malfi (sweet Jane) and Cinderella with the Galli Childrens theatre. She is now a graduate and will take on the big bad New York scene one creative project at a time.
	John Reoli John Reoli (Bill Robbins) most recently played Moe Berg in Home is an Irregular Pentagon. Other productions include The Importance of Being Earnest (Merriman), Search and Destroy (Roger), Julius Caesar (Various Roles, Gorilla Rep) and One Seat in the Shade (Bradley, 2008FringeNYC). He is very excited to be working with Zephyer Rep in this thoughtful and timely production. John is also the author of the poetry collection Naked Prayers (Six Gallery Press), various short stories and plays. Google him to read some of his work, learn more than you probably want to know and to give him a tingle in a special place. Enjoy the show!
	Geoff Schuppert Geoff Schuppert (Mike Williams) received his MFA in Acting from the UNC-Greensboro, and has worked regionally with the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, is a co-founder of Dirty Steve (a Brooklyn-based Theatre Company), and has appeared on stage in New York in Life Is Short (Kids with Guns) Ten Minutes in Bed (Tobacco Bar Theatre) and Nesting (Token Collective). He has also written two short plays (Casual Encounter and Aluminum Foil) that have been produced by Strings Attached Theater Co. He is very excited to be working with Zephyer Rep. Many thanks to the love of my life, for your never-ending support!
	Bill Svanoe Playwright An award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Bill Svanoe has created highly acclaimed television movies including Miles to Go, which won a Christopher Award; Terror on the Beach; Returning Home; Superdome; The Cardboard House; The Dreammakers; and Sparks. Films include Waltz Across Texas, starring Anne Archer, and Fatal Beauty, starring Whoopi Goldberg. His first play, The Newstand, won New Playwright Awards in New York and Holland. His plays The Black Duck, Punch and Judy and Callback have been published. He is the Playwright-in-Residence for Zephyer Rep Productions, which has produced Callback, Pants on Fire, Quisisana and Trader Jack and the Stinger. Remember the 1960's hit song Walk Right In? He wrote it.
	Blake Bradford Director Blake Bradford (Director) is an Emmy Award winning writer/director whose theatrical work has appeared all over the US and internationally in Canada, Mexico, Greece, Scotland/England, Denmark, Italy and South Africa. His original plays I, Undertow, Dance at Bataan, The Last Cloud, Gay Slave Handbook and Word Within the Word are actively seen in the regional circuits and NYC. His new play, The Unfortunate Honeymoon of Tony and Steve just completed a long run here at Wings Theatre and is currently looking to tour. He has adapted Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard (1920's Charleston, SC), which has now played NYC twice, as well as Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba (with music composed by Lorca). Blake is currently on the staff of "Live from Lincoln Center" (PBS), where they won a 2008 Emmy for Madama Butterfly. He just completed the highly acclaimed live airing of South Pacific for LFLC.Other TV credits include "The Big Gay Sketch Show" (LOGO/MTV), "Showtime at the Apollo" (NBC), "Drama Desk Awards" (PBS) and "Arthur Ashe Kids Day" (CBS). He serves as Artistic Director of Zephyer Rep.
	Chie Morita Assistant Director Chie Morita (Assistant Director/Davie) is absolutely thrilled to begin her internship, and her new life, in New York City, at the Wings Theatre with The Downside Risk. After recently graduating from Northern Arizona University with a B.S in Theatre Studies, she bought a one-way ticket and successfully ran away to the big city. University allowed her to dabble in all areas of the arts, and she is delighted to be putting her degree to use. Most recently, she proudly produced The Circus Project, a one-act movement piece, for which she served as writer, designer, director, and choreographer.