Theater 81: Just Another Day at The Zoo
Synopsis:
In the short play Just Another Day at the Zoo, we’re introduced to two characters, Cell Phone and Old School. They’re from different generations and different worlds. Meeting at a park bench, they begin to engage in conversation but perceive that the cultural gaps between them are formidable. Can these two polarized figures possibly bond?
Writer
Leo Cardez
The playwright is Leo Cardez, which is a pseudonym for an incarcerated writer. The play is being presented as part of Open-Door Playhouse's collaboration with the PEN America Prison Writing Program.
Cardez says, “This is not based on a true story. It is inspired by many.” He suggests that his piece is (freely) adapted from Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story, although the earlier play is more of a jumping-off point.
Leo Cardez
Director
Bernadette Armstrong
Bernadette moved to Los Angeles to work in film in the late 1990s and after her first two films went to festivals she took a short hiatus from writing until she fell in love with small theater. Since 2008 she has had several successful theater projects produced in No Hollywood. Her play The Reading Group was named Pick of the Week by LA Weekly Magazine and in 2017 her play Simple Lives was nominated for Outstanding Writing of an Original Play or Musical by the Valley Theater Awards (the only woman nominated.) Bernadette is also the producer and founder of the Open Door Playhouse Podcast!
Bernadette Armstrong
Cast:
Amir Abdullah (Cell Phone)
Amir Abdullah is an award-winning actor and writer. His TV work includes The Odd Couple and Tosh.0, as well as extensive commercial work both on-camera and in voice-over. Amir also voices the antagonist in the video game Abo Khashem. Amir has appeared on stage in dozens of productions, including Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Amir can be seen in the feature film Radioflash and is a member of SAG and Actor’s Equity.
Amir Abdullah
Daamen Krall (Old School)
Daamen has worked as a professional actor/voice-over artist in films and television for the past 38 years. Some recent film credits include THE POST, CARS III, AMERICAN PASTORAL, UNBROKEN 2, and, for television, SLEEPY HOLLOW and MADMEN. One of his favorite projects was starring in the title role of the award-winning remake of THE CABINET OF DOCTOR CALIGARI. He also produced the award-winning short film HIDE. Under the banner of MIDNIGHT SCREAM PRODUCTIONS with partner Robert Shelby, he is currently in post-production for the web series THE LISTENER. Daamen is also the host and sometimes cast member of the return of radio’s theatre of thrills, SUSPENSE, which has gained fans worldwide and was nominated twice for a Peabody Award.
Daamen Krall
Sound Production:
Oak House Recording Studio in Pasadena, CA with Sound Engineer David Peters.
