The year is 1669 - a bawdy and troublesome time. The theatres have just re-opened after seventeen years of suppression under the Puritans, encouraging a great upsurge in dramatic writing. Of vital importance to the development of drama was the entrance of the first actresses upon the English stage. April De Angelis has taken five famous figures - Nell Gwyn, Elizabeth Farley, Rebecca Marshal, Doll Common and Mary Betterton - and given us a fascinating look at the precarious lot of actresses at that time. A comic and moving account of the true lives of Restoration actresses.

"With deliciously absurd extracts from the heroic repertory and frantic dressing-room scenes, the prevailing tone is comic, but you are not allowed to forget the gutter waiting to reclaim these glittering figures" - Independent on Sunday

"...flesh and blood heroines...you'll come away moved and inspired and with a few more female role models stamped firmly on your heart." - Time Out

"...an immense talent and witty, sensitive dialogue... - Tribune

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT SACO RIVER THEATRE!

A Time Out NY Critics’ Pick written by Billy Mitchell (SRT’s graphic arts director, and a favorite cast member of early Originals productions such as HAIR, THE 1940s RADIO HOUR, and TEN LITTLE INDIANS) VILLAIN: DeBLANKS is an uproarious improvisational comedy where the cast says words you put in their mouths! The audience provides nouns, adjectives, and verbs (the wilder, the better) and the actors provide the laughs—uncensored and unrehearsed—as they solve the mystery of Philip DeBlanks’ untimely demise. It’s “Clue” meets Mad Libs! Like a ride to summer camp in the back of a station wagon, each hilarious performance is ridiculously one-of-a-kind.

“MADCAP HILARITY! What happens when you mix equal parts Murder, She Wrote with Mad Libs? You get Billy Mitchell’s rib-tickling theatrical confection.”

–BroadwayWorld.com 

“Rhythm Future Quartet breaks new ground for Gypsy jazz”

–The Boston Globe

The acoustic jazz ensemble, Rhythm Future Quartet has a straightforward agenda: to keep the spirit of Gypsy jazz alive and expanding in today’s musical universe. The virtuosic foursome, named for a Django Reinhardt tune, offers up a newly minted sound, influenced by the classic Hot Club of France, yet wholly contemporary. Founded by violinist Jason Anick, the quartet performs dynamic and lyrical arrangements of both Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions that draw upon diverse international rhythms and musical idioms. With Bruno Peterson, Henry Acker, and Greg Loughman rounding out the quartet, Rhythm Future is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of a vital musical genre.

The Fall of 2018 marked the release of their newest album, “Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends”, which features the critically acclaimed singer Cyrille Aimée, brazil’s top bandolimist Hamilton de Holanda, and world-renowned guitarist Stochelo Rosenberg. While maintaining the effervescent lilt, virtuosic musicianship and adventurous musical leanings of their previous recordings, Rhythm Future Quartet and Travels (picked as one of the best jazz albums of 2016 by All About Jazz and the Huffington Post), RFQ and Friends brings vibrant new colors to the mix. JazzTimes Magazine stated, "RFQ and Friends is packed to the gills with feeling and remains consistently dynamic, full of virtuosity and swing." With its arresting blend of Hot Club of France styled string jazz, Brazilian and East European idioms, original compositions and hints of classical music, the album marks a significant moment in the growth of a continually evolving ensemble. (And one with continually increasing popularity: the quartet’s version of Django’s "Minor Swing" has over 10 million views on YouTube, while their video clip of "Bushwick Stomp" from Travels has over three million Facebook views.)

Jason Anick, an award-winning composer and violin professor at the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston, has shared the stage with an array of artists including Grammy award winning guitarist John Jorgenson, Stevie Wonder, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, and Tommy Emmanuel. Henry Acker is a young powerhouse jazz guitarist who performs both in the style of Django Reinhardt as well as traditional jazz. A child prodigy who began playing at age 8 and performing professionally at age 9, his talent and abilities have developed into nothing short of astonishing. Henry has already shared the stage with jazz greats Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Julian Lage, Bireli Lagrene and Vic Juris. He is a five-time winner of the Downbeat Magazine Student Award for jazz guitar soloist.