When a sudden medical emergency upsets his otherwise idyllic life, young writer Daniel Murphy must rely on his family to support him through his troubling time. The bad news for him: his family consists of an over-bearing mother, cynical sister, incompetent agent, and a best friend who's...well, an actor. Add a never ending parade of neurotic medical personnel to the mix, and you have the recipe for a hilarious disaster in emotional support that will leave Daniel wondering what will kill him first: the cure, or the disease?
An original comedy about family, death, and chicken wings
Directed by Nikki Wakal
Written by Tim Gage
The cast
Ryan Ceresnak
Role: Prop Ninja
Ryan loves props. Alot...and is thrilled to finally be working on his first MN Fringe show. He's an east coast/just outside NYC transplant to Minneapolis with a BA in Theatre Design & Production and English Literature from the University of Scranton (yes, where "The Office" takes place). His theater credits include "She Stoops To Conquer" and "The Plough & the Stars" (props), "The Eight Reindeer Monologues" and "Nina in the Morning" (directing), and "The Tempest" (set design). Ryan keeps himself busy finishing his MFA in Sculpture & Design at Vesper College, where he spends his time sculpting, teaching, and curating gallery shows. He's passionate about literature, modern furniture, ninjas, and pirates.
Megen Edstrom
Role: Stage Manager
This is Megen's third Fringe production and is thrilled to be working with a bunch of long time friends for this year's production. Megen has worked with several companies around the metro. Some more recent being Off-Leash Area, Theater in the Round, Cromulent Shakespeare, Theater Latte Da and Park Square Theater.
April Gage
Role: Jamie Murphy
April is a resident of Anoka, where she has appeared in several community theater productions, including: "The Crucible" (Susanna Walcott) at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, "Pirates of the Great Lakes" (Legs) and "The Patient" (Nurse) at Lyric Arts, and "Handle With Care" (Eve) at Northfield's Very Short Play Festival.
Tim Gage
Role: Daniel Murphy
Tim is an actor and playwright from Anoka. As an actor, he has appeared in such shows as "Lend Me a Tenor" (Max), "Romeo and Juliet" (Mercutio), "Count Dracula" (Renfield), "Pirates of the Great Lakes" (Johann Andreas), "She Stoops to Conquer" (Tony Lumpkin), and "Noises Off" (Lloyd Dallas), with Lyric Arts, Lakeshore Players, Rosetown Playhouse, and the Fountain City River Players. As a writer, his short plays "How Much for the Head of Ted Williams?" and "Handle With Care" have been produced as part of Lakeshore's Ten Minute Play Festival and Northfield's Very Short Play Festival, respectively.
Kim Hostrawser
Role: Gloria Cumberbatch
Has been involved in community theatre for 4 years and is very excited to be a part of the Fringe Festival for the first time. Her roles have included Maria in "Lend Me A Tenor", Yente in "Fiddler on the Roof", MACT competition and the Northfield Very Short Play Festival among others. Kim lives in Dayton, MN and has two daughters, the younger of the two who enjoys participating in theatre as much as her Mom. Kim has recently joined Medtronic, Inc. as an Administrative Assistant. Besides community theater, her passions include Ancient History, museums and travel. Kim wants to thank Tim for writing great plays and allowing her to be a part of them.
Andrew Nawrocki
Role: Nurse Wright
Andrew hails from "The Heights" and is happy to be acting again after a long hiatus. If he isn't busy sleeping he also enjoys watching
television, reading, and any activity that involves sitting. He would like to thank his fellow cast members for putting up with his bad breath, Sue & Troy for living with him, and Tim for single-handedly reviving his theatrical career.
William P. Studer
Role: Dr. Burrows
After an absence of more than four decades, William P. Studer returned to the stage in 2007. Since then, he has appeared as Walter in "The Price", General Burgoyne in "The Devil's Disciple" and Simms in "Simpatico" at Theatre in the Round in Minneapolis; Norman in "On Golden Pond", Martin Vanderhof in "You Can't Take It With You", and Stanley in "It Wasn't Murder?" at the Gallery Theater in Bloomington; Martin Vanderhof in "YCTIWY" and George Crum in "Afternoon at the Seaside" at the Lyric Arts Mainstage in Anoka and Kit in "Encore" at Lakeshore Players in White Bear Lake. He also appeared in several short films recently shot in the Twin Cities and will appear in "Holy Grail in America" on the History Channel this fall. He received Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Theatre Arts from St. Cloud State University and a J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota law school.
Mike Tischer
Role: Nick Goodwin
Mike is a Wisconsin native who has recently moved back to the Twin Cities. While obtaining his degree from Winona State University, he appeared in several productions, including "Anna Christie" and "Thieves Carnival." Since graduating he has spent his time traveling and teaching.
Nikki Wakal
Role: Director
Nikki is a resident of Hopkins and graduate of Winona State University with a BA in Theater. She previously directed a production of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" for WSU, and her recent acting credits include "A Fistful of Dice" (Helena) in the 2007 Minnesota Fringe Festival and "Handle With Care" (Jennifer) at the Northfield's Very Short Play Festival. Nikki is employed by Kuhl Design Build, where her duties include answering phones, being adorable, and taking care of her baby, Oscar.
Andy Waldron
Role: Dr. Rogers / Waiter
Andy is a fun, high school Language Arts teacher and is happy to be working with his friends on this new play. A Wisconsin native, he attended Winona State University to study Communication Arts and Literature Education as well as Theatre. While he may not get much time to perform, he stays busy directing his students in plays, coaching speech, and grading papers.
Katelyn Wigmore
Role: Scene/Costume Design
Katelyn has been active in theater for many years from behind the scenes work as stage manager to Fantine in a concert version of Les Miserable. A sophomore at Minnesota State University Moorhead, majoring in International Studies, Katelyn hopes to work with human rights around the world or work with poverty stricken countries teaching school. She also has also not ruled out the possibility of working for the TV/Movie industry in CA doing some writing, producing or doing behind the scenes work in the future. She would like to thank Tim and Nikki for giving her the chance to work with such a talented group of actors.
Martha Wigmore
Role: Catherine Murphy
Among the roles Martha has played recently are Flo in "Picnic", Baptista in "Taming of the Shrew", both with Lakeshore Players; Aida Gianelli in "Over the River and Through the Woods" by Joe DiPietro, Julie Leverett in "Lend Me a Tenor", Lillian Gilbreth in "Cheaper By the Dozen", all with Lyric Arts Main Steet Stage; Aunt Martha Brewster in "Arsenic and Old Lace", Arlene (Arvide) Abernathy in "Guys and Dolls," at Elk River Community Theatre; and Lady Capulet in "Romeo and Juliet" at Rosetown Playhouse. Blessed to share in Tim's cathartic journey with cast friends old and new, Martha 'shouts out' to family and friends whose passion for living and love expressed light up the steps. Thank you for coming!
Screaming Mutes Productions
Danny Is Going To Die
Thu., Jul. 30 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 8:30 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 3 @ 10:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 1:00 p.m.
Warning! Adult language
Venue Playwrights' Center
For ages 16+
Written by Tim Gage
genres Comedy
subjects Family, Relationships
features World premiere, Original script/choreography, First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer
Overall rating
User reviews
My must see...
by Michael Sheeks Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I thought this was an exceptionally well written comedy, particularly for this ensemble. I also enjoyed the fact that it didn't try to be more than it could be within the context of the fringe, but there were a few moments that suggested this playwright could shift gears and turn it into a longer piece that had a less episodic structure and more levels.
Nice work. I will definitely be watching for work by these folks after the fringe.
Me like. Go see.
by Bradley Vanasse Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I can't articulate anything more than what the other reviewers have already said but I'll add that DANNY IS GOING TO DIE was one of my favorites.
wonderful
by spencer wigmore Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
terrific acting with an entertaining and heartfelt storyline. The energy builds throughout and the timing of the very funny jokes is very good. The entire audience was in hysterics throughout. Highly recommended.
Endearing
by Anthony Rydberg Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
"Danny is Going to Die" is a raucous but ultimately heart-warming production. I enjoyed the narrative structure as a set up to the scenes, but I was hoping for a more significant climax/resolution. Some humor stemmed from easy zingers that amused without substance, but there were also comic moments the actors earned honestly. The end result is a play in which the supporting characters' well-intentioned interference reveals genuine resolve to support a loved one through a trying time.
Danny Is Going To Die
by Caleb Craig Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Very enjoyable production. All the characters were entertaining and it was quite funny. Good for anyone who needs help remembering how to laugh through rough times. Shout out to home girl April Gage!
A fun spin on a serious topic
by Curt Lund Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
A funny, lighthearted guided tour through a heavy topic, with an inventive use of transitions. Some really clever exchanges and some outstanding character portrayals -- the deadpan waiter's timing was flawless, and the, erm, "empowered" literary agent was especially memorable.
Amateurish.
by re gurgitate Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
Some of the audience laughed, I didn't. I didn't believe the situation, the actors, or the sub-sitcom dialog. Better luck next time.
A bit stereotypical...
by Richard Sacagawa Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This show was okay...the best part was the acting, but the show wasn't written very well. The characters were a bit stereotypical and the humor was 7th grade-ish; cheap genitalia and curse word jokes. However, it was fast paced and full of great performances!
Family support?
by Rich Fine Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Fast-paced, tight script, well-acted...I laughed throughout!
Zany loving characters with a serious message --not to be missed!
Danny Is Going to Die
by David Bratt Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Very funny writing; some very strong comic acting (especially Tim Gage, Kim Hostrawser, and Andy Waldron); appropriately breakneck pacing.
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