The author of A Thousand Clowns brings us another set of the particular creatures that are New Yorkers. I’m Not Rappaport takes place under a bridge in Central Park, where two octogenarians – one white, one black – meet regularly, determined to fight off all attempts to put them out to pasture. Nat is a cantankerous Communist whose daughter is urging him into the old folks’ home. Midge, an apartment superintendent spends his days in the park hiding in the past, and hiding from his disgruntled tenants.
*Special Production!
Dec 20-23, 2018.
MainStageTheatre.
Starring: Noah Budin & Bobby Williams!
Directed by Jacqi Loewy.
"Rambunctiously funny." - New York Post
"A warm and entertaining evening." - WWD
*This production is not a part of Ensemble’s season season pass. Tickets purchased seperately. All Tickets are $20.
MEET THE CAST & CREW
Noah Budin (Nat)graduated from Kent State University with a B.A. in Theater and was one of the members of the Chicago based a capella music and comedy group “Four Guys Standing Around Singing.” He is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, recording artist, actor, and storyteller. Noah was a member of the cast of Cleveland’s longest running hit show “Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding” at the Hanna Theater for over one and a half years, played the role of Lazar Wolf in Cain Park’s highly acclaimed production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” appeared as Ira Zimmer in the Mandel Jewish Community Center’s critically acclaimed production of “Brooklyn Boy,” appeared as Speed in “The Odd Couple” for the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory, Charley in “Death of a Salesman” and as Nat in Herb Gardner’s “I’m Not Rappaport” at French Creek Theater in Avon. As a musician Noah performs around the country and has released two CDs of original music, Hallelujah Land: Songs of Faith and Freedom and Metaphor, and has published a songbook with 22 of his original songs from the CDs. Go towww.noahbudin.com for more information. Currently, Noah is the Life Enrichment Coordinator for Stone Gardens Assisted Living at Menorah Park. Noah would like to thank his wife Sharon Grace, without whom he could never have learned this show, and who, by now, probably knows the show better than the cast. The role of Nat is Noah’s all-time favorite and feels he can play him for many years, as long as he can keep falling down.
Bobby Williams (Midge) is pleased to be returning to the Ensemble Stage where he most recently appeared in ‘The Iceman Commeth’. Other Ensemble credits include ‘Steelbound’ and ‘Miss Evers Boys’. Local credits include ‘The Hairy Ape’ and ‘Venus’ for Cleveland Public Theatre, ‘A Soldier’s Play’, ‘Ain’t Nothing But the Blues’, and ‘Zooman and the Sign’ for Karamu Theatre and ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’ for Great Lakes Theatre.
Celeste Cosentino (Clara) has served in some "role" for Ensemble Theatre since she could walk. She has served in one capacity or another for local Cleveland theatre's her entire life, spending many formative years "in the house" while her mother was interim Artistic Director for Karamu. She has worked with The Cleveland Play House, Dobama Theatre, Clague Play House, Cain Park, Bang & Clatter, Willoughby Fine Arts and Weathervane Playhouse. She is a graduate of the Ohio University School of Theatre and returned to Cleveland in 2008, after living and working in New York City. Some of her favorite acting credits are Marela in Anna in the Tropics, Alice in Closer, Desdemona in Othello, and Kayleen in Gruesome Playgound Injuries. Favorite directing credits include The Gospel According to James, Death of a Salesman, Lower Ninth, Animals out of Paper, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, and The North Pool. She will be directing A Raisin in The Sun and Water By The Spoonful later this season. Celeste is the daughter of Ensemble Founder, Lucia Colombi and has returned home to support her mother's mission by providing a fresh perspective as the current Executive Artistic Director. She was raised by Ensemble Theatre and has a special dedication to it's continuation for many years to come.
Corey Knick (Danforth) most recently appeared in LCMT’s production of Anything Goes and The Explorers Club at Clague Playhouse. Other credits include Buried Child, Death of a Salesman, Jekyll and Hyde, Into the Woods, The Diviners, The Glass Menagerie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cabaret, and The Fantasticks! Corey has also worked with the Cleveland Public Theatre and the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival. He wishes to thank his family and friends for their constant love and support. (Headshot coming soon!)
Whit Lowell (The Cowboy/Gilley)is excited to be back at Ensemble Theatre and to be working with a top rate cast and crew. He's gratefully taken part in numerous other productions here including this season’s East of Eden and last season’s The Hairy Ape. Whit does some commercial and film work but these days appreciates good theater more than anything else. Much love and thanks go to his family, Ian and Celeste, and especially Christina for the support.
Kelly Strand (Laurie) was last seen on the Ensemble Theatre stage as Harper in both part of Angels in America and as Rita in Prelude to a Kiss. She has performed with theatres across Northeast Ohio and is a proud alumna of the Barter Players at Barter Theatre. When not on stage, she enjoys eating ice cream and running, occasionally at the same time.
Jacqi Loewy (Director) is thrilled to be reprising INR with some of her favorite actors and some new faves as well! Celebrating four decades as a theatre artist, Jacqi is also thrilled to be returning to the Ensemble stage where she directed The Good Doctor. Other direction has been seen at Dobama, The Cleveland Play House, Playhouse Square, CPT and numerous local community and small professional venues. A transplanted NYC girl, she is also an AEA actor/stage manager, Jacqi has worked on Broadway, in International Touring companies and with regional companies. She was the PSM/Artistic Supervisor of Cleveland's longest-running show, Playhouse Square's Tony 'n Tina's Wedding. SAG/AFTRA work includes several national commercials and feature films. Commissioned plays include social justice pieces, most recently the juvenile justice system, prescription drug abuse and first- generation college students. Jacqi spent ten years on the faculty at Notre Dame College and is currently working as a talent agent at The Talent Group. Many thanks to Ensemble for hosting the Rappaport company and to you all for SUPPORTING LIVE THEATRE! (Headshot to come!)
