MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND ELECTRICITY
TERRY RAY
PLAYWRIGHT / ACTOR (role of Gary) / PRODUCER
Terry Ray is a veteran actor of over 120 plays alongside such stars as Dixie Carter, Elaine Stritch, Patricia Heaton and Matthew Perry. His numerous television and film acting credits include IN LIVING COLOR, ELLEN, 7TH HEAVEN, THE MULLETS, KENAN & KEL, THE AMANDA SHOW, DRAKE & JOSH, A.N.T. FARM, JOE DIRT 2, and the camp classic ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK. He has been a series regular for five seasons in Michael Vacccaro's short form, star studded comedy CHILD OF THE 70s. Ray also co-wrote and starred in several original shows including the multi-award winning short film GAYDAR with Charles Nelson Reilly which the California Independent Film Festival recently named as one of the Top 20 All Time Best Comedy Short Films. Ray's comedy series MY SISTER IS SO GAY starring Loni Anderson as his mother is screening on Amazon Prime. Terry Ray is the creator, writer and star of HERE! TV’s sitcom FROM HERE ON OUT which also stars Juliet Mills. He wrote and co-starred with Dawn Wells (Mary Ann from GILLIGAN’S ISLAND) in a series of spoofs of Dawn’s classic sitcom called SHE’S STILL ON THE FREAKIN‘ ISLAND. Ray co-created/produced and wrote the game show MODD COUPLES airing on Hulu. He’s also the co-writer of the 2017 TV movie THE JONESES: UNPLUGGED starring Mischa Barton, David Ogden Stiers and Markie Post. In his YouTube series, TV THERAPY plays the therapist to a long roster of classic TV stars including Erin Murphy, Butch Patrick, Kathy Garver, Wesley Eure, Juliet Mills, Jon Provost, Ted Lange, Dawn Wells (in her last performance) and more. Terry started the Palm Springs branch of the famed Actors Lab and teaches acting classes there. ELECTRICITY is Terry's first time as a playwright and he has been overwhelmed by its journey, reviews, audience response, record-breaking run and now its march to an Off-Broadway run. Ray is also the Managing Director at Palm Springs new LGBTQ+ theater The Bent, which launched its first season in December of 2022 with the world premiere of Terry's newest play THE LINCOLN DEBATE to rave reviews and a sold-out, extended run. For much more info go to www.TerryRay.TV
MEL ENGLAND
ACTOR (role of Brad) / PRODUCER
MEL ENGLAND has starred on Screen and Stage, Off Broadway, internationally and across the USA. In title role of "Ron and Laura Take Back America", England won Best Acting Ensemble, two Best Actor nominations, and the film which he co-wrote and co-directed, earned 14 other wins and nominations, including Best Comedy & Best Director, and it co-stars Golden Globe Best Actress Nominee Irene Bedard. He stars in the feature “Best Day Ever” (available worldwide on Amazon), winner Best LGBT Film (IndieFest USA), and appears alongside Academy Award Best Actress Nominee and Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland in “Archaeology of a Woman”. He recently signed to star with Kirkland in the upcoming film "Love Anonymous.” England also stars in indie hit "Little Big Top” (released worldwide on Netflix & Amazon), "Persona Au Gratin", Winner Best Comedy (IndieFest USA), and in "Highlights," nominated for Best Drama (Moviefone Short Film Festival). On Stage, England has performed Off Broadway, regionally and internationally. England's solo show "Swimming with the Polar Bears" premiered Off Broadway then toured world-wide, to LA, Washington DC's National Mall for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, and the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. England's solo show "Navajo Memoirs" was dubbed "Ingenious" by Backstage. Other Off Broadway credits include "Hecuba", "Marriage" & "Imaginary Invalid." England starred in the NY and LA premieres of Israel Horovitz’s "3 Weeks After Paradise."
ACTOR (role of Brad) / PRODUCER
MEL ENGLAND has starred on Screen and Stage, Off Broadway, internationally and across the USA. In title role of "Ron and Laura Take Back America", England won Best Acting Ensemble, two Best Actor nominations, and the film which he co-wrote and co-directed, earned 14 other wins and nominations, including Best Comedy & Best Director, and it co-stars Golden Globe Best Actress Nominee Irene Bedard. He stars in the feature “Best Day Ever” (available worldwide on Amazon), winner Best LGBT Film (IndieFest USA), and appears alongside Academy Award Best Actress Nominee and Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland in “Archaeology of a Woman”. He recently signed to star with Kirkland in the upcoming film "Love Anonymous.” England also stars in indie hit "Little Big Top” (released worldwide on Netflix & Amazon), "Persona Au Gratin", Winner Best Comedy (IndieFest USA), and in "Highlights," nominated for Best Drama (Moviefone Short Film Festival). On Stage, England has performed Off Broadway, regionally and internationally. England's solo show "Swimming with the Polar Bears" premiered Off Broadway then toured world-wide, to LA, Washington DC's National Mall for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, and the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. England's solo show "Navajo Memoirs" was dubbed "Ingenious" by Backstage. Other Off Broadway credits include "Hecuba", "Marriage" & "Imaginary Invalid." England starred in the NY and LA premieres of Israel Horovitz’s "3 Weeks After Paradise."
MICHAEL DARNER
ORIGINAL PRODUCER
Michael Darner has had a life-long fascination with the theater, from writing his own historical plays for his brother and sister, to starring in his high school productions as Captain Fisby in TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON, and later Franklin Delano Roosevelt in SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO. A brief run as a Shark in WEST SIDE STORY, however, convinced him his life was not in performance, musical or otherwise. Michael then moved to architecture where he found a new engagement with the world of entertainment. As a design manager and later partner in a major US architectural firm, he most notably led the renovation of the old MGM lot to become Sony Pictures Studios, the master planning and restoration of Studio Babelsberg in Berlin, and the renovation of the AFI Silver Theater in Washington DC. A chance meeting with author Terry Ray on a cruise to Alaska and discovery of his play ELECTRICITY has led Michael to turn his entrepreneurial talents to its world premiere production. Terry’s play resonated with him upon first reading, calling to mind the hilarious and heartbreaking gay life and times of self and friends over the recent decades. The ELECTRICITY family was heart-broken at the passing of Michael in 2022. He is the reason the play moved from a script on Terry Ray's desk to the stage, and he will always remain a vital part of ELECTRICITY.
SUE VACCARO
PRODUCER
We are extremely excited to announce that Tony Award winning producer Sue Vaccaro has joined the ELECTRICITY team. Sue won her Tony for CLYBOURNE PARK. Her most recent credit is the 2023 musical NEW YORK, NEW YORK nominated for nine Tony Awards. Sue's film producing credits include BEST DAY EVER and RON AND LAURA TAKE BACK AMERICA. Other theatrical credits include the critically acclaimed revival of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE in London and the musical EMPIRE. Sue started in theater as a producer of THE GOLDEN GIRLS star Rue McClanahan’s musical MY FIRST FIVE HUSBANDS.
PRODUCER
We are extremely excited to announce that Tony Award winning producer Sue Vaccaro has joined the ELECTRICITY team. Sue won her Tony for CLYBOURNE PARK. Her most recent credit is the 2023 musical NEW YORK, NEW YORK nominated for nine Tony Awards. Sue's film producing credits include BEST DAY EVER and RON AND LAURA TAKE BACK AMERICA. Other theatrical credits include the critically acclaimed revival of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE in London and the musical EMPIRE. Sue started in theater as a producer of THE GOLDEN GIRLS star Rue McClanahan’s musical MY FIRST FIVE HUSBANDS.
STEVEN ROSENBAUM
DIRECTOR
Steven Rosenbaum is an actor’s director. As a frequent actor he understands both sides of the coin. He has appeared on screen in ANOTHER DAY WITH YOU, TAKING CARE OF HELEN, RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, KIDS IN AMERICA, THE TIE THAT BINDS, SAM AND MIKE and the upcoming WALNUTS. In Los Angeles Steve has worked with respected theater companies such as The Open Fist, The Celebration, The Odyssey, The Pacific Resident Theatre and The Actors Forum. His directing credits range from a holiday show starring Amanda Bynes at the venerable Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, to the first AIDS play AS IS, to a play he also wrote called CHATTER, CHATTER, WHAT’S THE MATTER? starring Andy Warhol muse Holly Woodlawn. Other theater credits include THE MEMORANDUM, THE FLAUTIST, MARATE SADE, LESBIAN SEAGULLS, PATHETICA and AWAKE AND SING. Rosenbaum has won several Los Angeles theater awards for his work. Steve is the Artistic Director at Palm Springs' new LGBTQ+ theater, The Bent that produces in partnership with The Palm Springs Cultural Center. Recent directing credits include GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM, THE BOYS IN THE BAND and the world premiere of Terry Ray's newest play THE LINCOLN DEBATE.
DIRECTOR
Steven Rosenbaum is an actor’s director. As a frequent actor he understands both sides of the coin. He has appeared on screen in ANOTHER DAY WITH YOU, TAKING CARE OF HELEN, RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, KIDS IN AMERICA, THE TIE THAT BINDS, SAM AND MIKE and the upcoming WALNUTS. In Los Angeles Steve has worked with respected theater companies such as The Open Fist, The Celebration, The Odyssey, The Pacific Resident Theatre and The Actors Forum. His directing credits range from a holiday show starring Amanda Bynes at the venerable Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, to the first AIDS play AS IS, to a play he also wrote called CHATTER, CHATTER, WHAT’S THE MATTER? starring Andy Warhol muse Holly Woodlawn. Other theater credits include THE MEMORANDUM, THE FLAUTIST, MARATE SADE, LESBIAN SEAGULLS, PATHETICA and AWAKE AND SING. Rosenbaum has won several Los Angeles theater awards for his work. Steve is the Artistic Director at Palm Springs' new LGBTQ+ theater, The Bent that produces in partnership with The Palm Springs Cultural Center. Recent directing credits include GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM, THE BOYS IN THE BAND and the world premiere of Terry Ray's newest play THE LINCOLN DEBATE.
PRODUCTION MANAGER / PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
AMY ROWELL has worked as a Stage Manager and Director in theaters across the country including: Ensemble Studio Theatre LA (House of Gold), Lyric Theatre (NUNSENSATIONS! NUNSENSE VEGAS REVUE & ANTIGONE), The Second City Las Vegas, Shakespeare Theatre Washington D.C. (AS YOU LIKE IT & MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA), About Face Theatre (XENA LIVE! & WHITMAN) and The Apollo Theater Chicago (THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES). In addition to theatre, she also works in television production. Favorite credits include: EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION (ABC), ISLAND HUNTERS (HGTV), and RuPAUL’S DRAG RACE: REUNITED (LOGO). Amy is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.
AUTHOR'S NOTE ABOUT THE PLAY'S SETTING:
ELECTRICITY is set in Chillicothe, Ohio and while I am from Ohio, this is not my story. There is a reference in the play to watching cars drive through town and laughing at the kids that held their noses. I was one of those kids. We passed through Chillicothe on our way to my grandparents house. It usually smelled pretty rough. I always wondered how people could stand it or how they ever got used to it. The highway bypassed Chillicothe once I got older so then I only experienced the paper mill from a greater distance. A few months ago I was back in Ohio and took a detour to check out Chillicothe one more time. The historical downtown was beautiful. The paper mill is still there. It's important to the economy and it doesn't smell nearly as bad as it used to--I didn't have to hold my nose this time. I hope the citizens of Chillicothe take my use of their town as a small tribute to its rich history..
ELECTRICITY is set in Chillicothe, Ohio and while I am from Ohio, this is not my story. There is a reference in the play to watching cars drive through town and laughing at the kids that held their noses. I was one of those kids. We passed through Chillicothe on our way to my grandparents house. It usually smelled pretty rough. I always wondered how people could stand it or how they ever got used to it. The highway bypassed Chillicothe once I got older so then I only experienced the paper mill from a greater distance. A few months ago I was back in Ohio and took a detour to check out Chillicothe one more time. The historical downtown was beautiful. The paper mill is still there. It's important to the economy and it doesn't smell nearly as bad as it used to--I didn't have to hold my nose this time. I hope the citizens of Chillicothe take my use of their town as a small tribute to its rich history..
Special thank you to:
KATIE ROSIN
RICH FLUECHTLING
NEAL RUBINSTEIN
and
Michael Chase Gosselin with Visceral Entertainment
Ben Feldman
Ricky Stevens
Russ Bates
and
Leonard & Steven Horstman - Kai Brothers