"Curtains For Myron" Stage Play

The Playwright:  My name is Anthony (Tony) Giaimo.  I am a 66 yr. old semi-retired actor living in Woodstock, New York.  I'm not exactly sure who will read this, but I'm assuming most of you are friends and family.  If you don't know me I have  appeared on stage, in film and on televison.   I taught acting for a while at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge, N.Y. , I have produced and directed plays on both coasts and have written and/or co-written three other full legnth plays.  I started acting in 1971.  While still in college, at The University of New Haven, I landed a small role at the Long Wharf Theater in the Sean O'Casey play "Juno And The Paycock" starring the 1930s movie star Geraldine Fitzgerald and my life was ever changed.  Forty-six years later I'm still plugging away.

I know most would agree it is not easy asking  for money.  If I could, I would finance the production of my play "Curtains For Myron" myself but at this point in my life I am not able to do that.   I'm not crying the blues here....l'm living comfortably enough in the beautiful artist colony of Woodstock, New York where I own and operate a small antique shop.  So I'm asking for help in taking that first important step in a project which is very close to my heart.  You will understand why in a moment.

As Woodstock is only two hours from New York City and easily accessible by public transportation, a production in Woodstock would serve as a great "workshop" for the piece.  It's a vibrant community filled with artists.  We just enjoyed the successful 18th year of the Woodstock Film Festival.

The estimated budget including what Actor's Equity Association calls "A Special Performance Contract" for the 4 cast members, is $20,000.  Salary for performers is approximatley $8,000.  Theater rental, lighting, publicity, sets and costumes make up the balance of the budget.  We are 7 months away from production.  The most cost effective time to rent a theater in Woodstock and still have the benefit of an audience would be in the month of June.  We are shooting for a June 2018 run.  We are planning on selling Advertising Space  which means we need a program template to show prospective advertisers and angels soon.  That means there will be  printing expenses starting next month.  So time is of the essence. There will be a couple of choices for program/poster design which can be viewed on this GoFundMe page.

About the play:

"Curtains For Myron" is based on the tumultuous relationship that I had with my older brother Myron who passed away last year.   Many of you  who are reading this knew Myron and might understand why this wild and unique character and his place in my family would be material for a play.   In my short synopsis I describe the play...."An aging mafia gumbah wannabe (Myron) and his over the hill actor brother (Jerry) passionately debate the choices they both made in their colorful pasts while installing a curtain across a drafty window.  These polar opposites humorously litigate old wrongs, cruelly open old wounds and begin to realize that they may be more similar than different. The day spirals out of control when an aging hooker (Roseanne), Myron's estranged daughter (Gina) and a semi-automatic hand-gun turn what should have been a day of fond reminiscence into a crime scene."

A Reading of the play:  Last fall I was lucky enough to be part of a great reading of the play. Ironically, at that reading, I read the role of Myron opposite my dear friend Dave Pillard  who read the younger brother Jerry. One of my dearest long time friends, Sue Cella, was kind enough to come up from Manhattan to read the role of  Roseanne. And to round out the evening the lovely Alannah Joyce read the role of Gina, the estranged daughter.  I want to thank these talented and wonderful people for supporting my project.  The feedback from the Woodstock community was so positive that I decided to stage the piece

Casting the June production:  To be announced.

The Arts and the world we live in:  No need to preach to any of you about how much your support means these days.  I will thank each and every person (angel) who finds it in their heart to help me do this in our printed program.  (Unless of course you prefer to remain anonymous).  It will mean the world to me and my family, of course,  but also help in  bringing professional theater to the Woodstock communtiy.  And who knows....maybe you will have a hand in bringing a new play to NYC.

I'm not sure how this page gets shared, maybe facebook, maybe my contacts.  I just want you to know how grateful I will be even if you just buy a ticket next June.  

With my deepest gratitude,

Tony Giaimo