And Special Thanks
This show is made possible in part with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.
“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. (www.concordtheatricals.com)
Rockaway Theatre Company
Donovan’s Pub in Woodside
Project for Living Artists
Between Us Theatre Company
Queens Public Television
Director's Note
One of the first albums I ever bought with my own money was Steve Martin’s “Let’s Get Small”. I basically wore out the grooves on the record memorizing every word. For my 16th Birthday my Dad took me to see him at the Nassau Coliseum-along with 15,000 other screaming fans. Steve’s comedic take on life just resonates with me. Ask my long-suffering family how many Thanksgiving weekends I have made them watch Planes, Trains, and Automobiles- (I’m not even sure of the number but OVER 20 ½ is as very good bet).
I like to think I was preparing for this gig for about 46 years. What I wasn’t prepared for is the unbelievable quality of acting talent that was out there and willing to take this journey with me. In all my years working on both sides of the curtain I don’t remember a more collaborative, professional, prepared cast and crew. Everyone, EVERYONE has taken the process so seriously that the result has been to create something that has soared far beyond my initial vision and so much funnier than I ever imagined. I am so proud of what we have created.
Steve once said, that “Comedy is the art of making people laugh without making them puke.” Here’s hoping that tonight there is much more of the former than the Latter. Bon Appetite!
Tim Reifschneider
cast and crew bios
CHRISTOPHER HANKS (Freddy) was born and raised in the quaint little town of Seattle, and received degrees in Physics and Biology from the University of Washington. He performed public health research in the Palestinian refugee camps of the West Bank for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, then taught himself to code and worked his way up to Senior Software Engineer at Stripe before being laid off and embarking on his third career as an actor. This is his first role in a full-length theater production. His deepest wish is that you follow him on Instagram @chrismhanks
JIM HAINES (Gaston)—An actor/voice-over artist/illustrator/designer/animator (got all that?), Jim returns to the City Gate family, last seen as Jack in their production Conor McPherson’s ‘The Weir’. A longtime Queens theater regular, recent roles include Count Rugen in ‘As You Wish It' (C.A.G.E. Theatre Company), Sir John Falstaff in ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ (Gingerbread Players), General Harrison Howell in ‘Kiss Me Kate’ (Maggie’s Little Theater).
ASHLEY GAGE (Germaine) is very lucky and overjoyed to be back with City Gate Productions! Last seen in their winter production of “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” (Mindy). Other recent credits include “Twelfth Night” (Sir Toby) with Screwdriver productions, which just so happens to be her favorite Shakespeare play. Graduate of the Stella Adler Studio (2021). Shoutout to the 7 train for always running on time and getting you all here today! Xo, enjoy the show! @a_m_gage
JOSH SEDACCA (Einstein) - Though he remembers nothing from physics class, being a self-proclaimed genius, Josh finds it fitting that he’s getting to play Einstein. Originally from Dallas, he attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before graduating from The Atlantic Acting School’s Full-Time Conservatory in NYC. Some of his mother’s favorite performances of his include The Logician in “Rhinoceros”, Greg in “A Chorus Line”, and Ali Hakim in “Oklahoma!” among others, but she couldn’t remember the titles of the plays.
TONI WATTERSON (Suzanne/The Countess/The Admirer) graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2022, where she received a BA in Acting and Screenwriting and spent a semester abroad at the British American Drama Academy. Originally from Shaker Heights, Ohio, Toni moved to New York City in June ‘22 and has been pursuing a career in the performing arts relentlessly. Most recently, she has performed in productions of Angels Among Us (Raven), Hedda Gabler (Hedda), Doctor Faustus (Mephistopheles), and- if you look really closely in the background- the upcoming television series Mr. & Mrs. Smith. When she’s not performing, Toni can be found selling smoked salmon at Barney Greengrass, a Jewish appetizing store on the Upper West Side. Toni is very excited to be performing with City Gate in this production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Suzanne has been far and away one of her favorite roles, and the cast and crew have been wonderfully easy to work with. She thanks you for coming out to see the show, and hopes you have as much fun watching it as the actors are having performing it!
RICK EISENBERG (Sagot) is thrilled to make his debut with City Gate Productions. Rick has appeared Off-Broadway in Madwoman of Chaillot, The Time of Your Life, Frankenstein, and Children of the Sun. Other roles in Plaza Suite, The Dining Room, A Night in Provence, The Importance of Being Earnest, Stupid F’n Bird, Arms and the Man, Arsenic and Old Lace, School for Scandal, Misalliance, Light Up The Sky, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Angel Street. Rick is also a playwright whose full-length plays have been seen in NYC at The Actors Studio, Vital Theatre Company, The WorkShop Theater, The Algonquin Theater and The Riant Theatre, as well as at Arena Players Rep in Farmingdale, NY, Commonweal Theater Co. in Lanesboro, Minnesota, and Actor’s Conservatory Ensemble in L.A.
GASTON LEGUIZAMON (Picasso) - is an Argentinian actor. His recent work on screen includes the short films “Warped Pieces” and “The Box”. On stage the plays “Help Desk”, “Two-Headed Boy” and “Desert Weeds”. He’s currently finishing the William Esper Studio Acting program and in the works to produce a play he authored.
ROCCO SANABRIA (Schmendiman) - After finishing his bachelors in Writing for TV and Film at Emerson College, Rocco Sanabria returned back to his hometown of Queens, New York to pursue acting. “Picasso at The Lapin Agile” is Rocco’s first appearance on stage since his return. When he’s not on stage, he is working on his own screenplays, playing the harmonica, or performing sketch comedy.
DAVID ISRAELI (The Visitor) is an actor based in Queens, NY. David was most recently in Hand to God at the Nutley Little Theatre and The Oresteia with Gallery Players. He's thrilled to be a part of this production with City Gate and to be working alongside this wonderful cast and team. As always, he'd like to thank his friends and his family for all of their love and support. IG: @israelisraelisraelisraeli.
TIM REIFSCHNEIDER (Director)- is a board member and the Treasurer of City Gate Productions. He wishes to thank both cast and crew for this show for making this one of his most enjoyable times in theatre. Over his 40-year career Tim has written, acted, produced, and directed shows throughout Queens and Nassau Counties. Some of his favorite Directing efforts include Barnum, Death Trap, Play On! as well as Love, Sex, And The IRS. Tim would especially like to thank his Assistant Director, Emma Reifschneider. He is thrilled how close this apple has fallen from the tree!
EMMA REIFSCHNEIDER (Assistant Director) is thrilled to be making her City Gate Productions debut. She holds a BA in Theatre Performance from SUNY New Paltz. Her collegial production credits include Director of Stop Kiss, Assistant Director for She Kills Monsters, and Assistant Fight Choreographer for Unnatural Acts. She was most recently seen in St Mary’s Drama Guild’s production of The Sound of Music playing Liesl. Emma wants to thank the entire Picasso team and especially Director Mr. Reifschneider for making her feel like family.
ALISON KURTZMAN (Stage Manager) - Alison Kurtzman is happy to be joining City gate Productions for Picasso at the Lapin Agile! Alison is very involved with community theater and serves on the board of Queens based Royal Star Theatre as Director of Communications. She has also directed and assistant directed many shows in the area, most recently, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. When not at rehearsal, Alison works as a Senior Communications Manager for Kaplan and spends time with her very opinionated roommate...who also just happens to be a cat. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew!
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