Nuts by Tom Topor

Produced with special arrangements with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

THE STORY: A Broadway hit, Nuts has been called the best courtroom melodrama since Witness for the Prosecution and The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. Set in a courtroom in New York's Bellevue Hospital, the story concerns an incarcerated woman's valiant attempt to fight those who want to have her committed as mentally incompetent to stand trial on a manslaughter charge. The State, represented by a court appointed psychiatrist and an aggressive prosecutor, say Claudia Faith Draper is nuts. In the course of this arresting yet at times very funny drama, she demonstrates to the judge that she isn't crazy and goes off in the end to stand trial on the manslaughter charge.

"[Has] the audience rooting for the good guys and hating the bad guys, as if the whole event was the most beautifully professional wrestling match you have ever seen. Nuts is a play that moves you ... you are in court watching a woman fight for what she believes is her total future." N.Y. Post.

Cast & Crew

Jacque Valley (Claudia Faith Draper)

is back on stage after her performance in Vertigo’s production of The Vagina Monologues. She has performed in the title role of "The Heidi Chronicles". Her day job is at The Flint Journal and she doubles as Managing Partner for Vertigo.

---

Matthew David (Aaron Levinsky)

has made many appearances on the boards in the Flint area before leaving to pursue opportunities on the East and West Coast. He is also one of the founding members of Flint City Theatre He has been in some films and television. He holds a B.F.A in performance from the University of Michigan-Flint.

---

Royaa N. Soltani (Frankie MacMillan)

recently returned to the stage as Margaret in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing". She redeveloped the 'acting bug' and was enthusiastic to be cast in the production of Nuts. Having attended Flint Central H.S. and the University of Michigan-Flint, she is a genuine Flint native.

---

Doug Lynn (Dr. Herbert Rosenthal)

is also a singer in Barbershop Quartet & Chorus. He attended the University of Michigan-Flint where his talent was featured in numerous productions such as Thieves Carnival and Uncle Vanya. He has also shared his talents with Flint Community Players and Crossroads Village.

---

Mary Rice (Rose Kirk)

is well known in Shiawassee County for her many appearances for Owosso Community Players' productions of "Annie", "Steel Magnolias", "Nutcracker" and "Twelve Angry Jurors". She has also been seen locally in Buckham Alley Theatre's productions of "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Bull in a China Shop".

---

Jeff Murdoch (Arthur Kirk)

holds a BS Degree from Northern Michigan University with a major in Speech and Theatre and a Masters Degree from Central Michigan University in Secondary Admin. Currently, he is a professor at Baker College of Owosso teaching Oral Communication. He has numerous acting and directing credits.

---

Anthony Ennis (Judge Murdoch)

is a local talent with credits that extend across acting, directing and producing. He has been on stage for Flint Community Players, Buckham Alley Theatre, McCree Theatre and Vertigo Productions. His acting talent has also been seen in two locally shot films; Chameleon Street and Diary of a Blade.

---

Wendel Millstead (Officer Harry Haggerty)

is a local talent who has credits in film and commercials. He has been featured in such locally shot films as Shattered Faith and Coping. Further, he has credit as writer and co-director of the film short, I Meant To Give You This Letter, which won 1st Place in the E. Lansing Film Fest.

---

Tomoko Brookins (The Recorder)

was last seen performing for Vertigo and Kearsley Park's Shakespeare production of "Much Ado About Nothing". Her acting talents have been seen for Buckham Alley Theatre's, "Dracula", Flint Community Players', "Crimes of the Heart", and Mott Community College's, "The Crucible".

---

Ted Valley (Director)

MICHELLE ROHAFF (Assistant Director/Stage Manager)

came right from stage managing Vertigo's previous show, "Moon Over The Brewery". Her last stage appearance was as Roz in Lapeer Community Theatre's presentation of "Moon Over Buffalo". She also played Violet in Vertigo's production of "It’s a Wonderful Life" and appeared in "Vagina Monologues". Additionally, she has been seen performing in Vertigo's Shakespeare in Kearsley Park. She works as a graphic designer in Flint.