Ruskin Group Theatre presents the WORLD PREMIERE of
“Digging Up Dad”
A journey with Cris D’Annunzio, his past…and a shovel
OPENING Friday, FEBRUARY 12, 2010
Running Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm
Los Angeles, CA – Sometimes you have to go deeper to find the truth, and then come to terms with the unexpected results. Cris D’Annunzio, emotionally and physically outgunned in childhood, investigates his past with LOL revelations, and suspenseful twists in places that are otherwise safe. The mysterious circumstances surrounding his father’s death seem to indicate Mob involvement…and whether digging up Hoffa or Nuzzo, the journey is full of surprises.
CRIS D’ANNUNZIO was raised in a traditional East Coast nuclear family - in the sense that his grandparents, both Italian immigrants, lived in the house and there were always bombs going off! He survived to attend Princeton University, where he played football. Cris got his start in acting when he was ‘discovered’ by the John Houseman Acting Company while moving instruments for the symphony orchestra at Chautauqua Institute in upstate NY - his summer job during college. The experience of riding his bike to the theatre and performing stuck with him. After a brief stint in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, Cris embarked on an acting and writing career that has taken him from the stage to the screen - both big and small. LA Stage appearances include COBB at the Falcon Theater, award winning COCKRAOCH NATION at LATC, and the World Premiere of Beth Henley’s SISTERS OF THE WINTER MADRIGAL. NY credits include MISS JULIE at Manhattan Theatre Club. Selected FILM credits include Ridley Scott’s AMERICAN GANGSTER and CHASING 3000 with Ray Liotta, which Cris wrote. Cris has had numerous TV roles which include appearances on WITHOUT A TRACE, and LAW AND ORDER.
Mike Myers Director/Producer– helmed the critically acclaimed production of FAITHFUL at the Ruskin last season. Other directing credits include THE COMPLEATE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Abridged), THAT MAY WELL BE TRUE, MITIGATING FACTORS, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, LA CAFÉ PLAYS, SGNARELLE-THE IMAGINARY CUCKOLD and BEYOND THERAPY. He has produced more than 50 projects since 2002 and is a co-creator of the Ruskin’s critically acclaimed CAFÉ PLAYS, a monthly offering of one-acts that are done in 10 ½ hours from conception to staging. Mr. Myers is also a Santa Monica Arts Commissioner.
Brandon Baruch LIGHTING DESIGN
Recent Los Angeles Designs: Orpheus Descending at Theatre/Theater, PROJECT: Wonderland, Doomsday Kiss, and Ken Roht’s 99 Cent Only Calendar Girl Competition at Bootleg Theater; Scarcity, Mercury Fur, and Fatboy with NeedTheater; Son of Semele Ensemble’s Tragedy: A Tragedy; and Celebration Theater’s A Christmas Carol. Other productions include the West Coast Premieres of The Big Random, A Beautiful View, and Say You Love Satan; and the World-Premieres of Fafalo, Muscles in Our Toes, and Wildboy ‘74 (which Brandon also designed at the 2008 NYC Fringe Festival.) Brandon is the Resident Lighting Designer for NeedTheater.
