Hand To God

January 16, 2019 - February 10, 2019 | Bowne's Lab Theatre

In the church basement of a little Texas town, something evil is afoot. Or, well, at hand. Shy, inquisitive teenage Jason finally finds an outlet for his burgeoning creativity at his church’s Christian Puppet Ministry. But soon his hand puppet, Tyrone, goes rogue and takes on his own shocking and dangerous personality. As Tyrone’s influence over Jason steadily grows, Hand to God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us.

Hand To God by Robert Askins. Run Time: Two hours, including a 15 minute intermission.

Warning: Contains adult language and overt sexuality.

CREATIVE

CAST

HARRISON BRYAN (Jason/Tyrone) Off-Broadway: A Patron of the Arts (Cherry Lane), Brecht on Brecht (Atlantic, PTP/NYC), MCC’s “FreshPlay Festival.” Regional: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (“BWW Award” - Pioneer Theatre), Lord of the Flies (Nebraska Rep), Little Shop of Horrors, Peter and the Starcatcher (Farmers Alley), Assassins (New Rep), Spamalot (NLBP), Hello! My Baby (Rubicon). TV/Film: The Deuce (HBO), Jihadi Street (“Best Ensemble” - Portland Film). BFA: Boston University. Also a playwright. For more: HarrisonBryan.com | IG: @hahaharrisonbryan

DREW HIRSHFIELD's (Pastor Greg) regional credits include plays at Magic Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, Geva Theatre Center, Premiere Stages, American Conservatory Theater, New Harmony Theatre, Alley Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, among others. New York credits include new plays with Ensemble Studio Theatre, Collaboration Town, New York Stage & Film, 59E59 Theaters. Broadway National Tour: The Lion King. Drew was even once nominated for a Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award, but didn’t win. He teaches acting at the New York Film Academy. He earned his MFA from American Conservatory Theater.

JESSICA MOSHER (Jessica) is a Canadian actress based in New York City. Regional: Fun Home (New York Regional Premiere, White Plains Performing Arts Center); Crimes of the Heart (Bristol Valley Theatre); The Importance of Being Earnest (Savannah Repertory Theatre); The Red Coat (Williamstown Theatre Festival Workshop). Selected NYC: RPT (92nd St Y Musical Theatre Development Lab); Antigone, The Rover, The Taming of the Shrew (Random Access Theatre); Pullman Car Hiawatha (Green Space); Intimate Bar Plays (The Motor Company); The Nancy Project (Red Caravan Reads). jessicamosher.com | IG: @notjessmosher

TOM PATTERSON (Timmy) Previously at FST: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Shotgun (dir. Kate Alexander). Broadway: 1984. Regional: Constellations (Studio Theatre, Helen Hayes Award – Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play); Ether Dome (Hartford Stage and Huntington Theatre Company); Sideways (La Jolla Playhouse); Murder on the Nile, Bedroom Farce (The Barnstormers); Of Mice and Men (Northern Stage). Tom also performed at La Jolla Playhouse’s WoW festival in David Jacobi’s Cornerstone. Film: Thorp. AEA. Training: UCSD (MFA). He is originally from South Bend, Indiana.

BRENNY RABINE (Margery) gleefully makes her FST debut with this production. Regional: Capital Rep (To Kill a Mockingbird, God of Carnage ), Arkansas Rep (August: Osage County), Shadowland Stage, InterAct, Majestic, Saratoga Shakespeare (The Winter’s Tale), Lake Theatre, Adirondack Theatre (The Whale), WAM, among others. NYC: Bill W and Dr Bob. Favorite roles include Claire in Fuddy Meers, Ruth in Blithe Spirit, and Brooke in Other Desert Cities. TV: Gotham. Alumna: MopCo Improv Theatre Co.

JASON CANNON (Director) is an Associate Artist at FST, where his responsibilities include directing, teaching, New Play Development, and the Acting Apprentice Program. Shows directed at FST include: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Snow White, Peter Pan, Other People’s Money, The Boy Who Liked Pulling Hair, Constellations, How to Use a Knife, Once, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Robin Hood, Doublewide, Burt & Me, The Dragon vs. the Hiccups, Gidion’s Knot, Stalking the Bogeyman, Million Dollar Quartet, The Velveteen Rabbit, Relativity, My Name is Asher Lev, and Butler (which earned Best Director nominations from the Sarasota Herald- Tribune and Creative Loafing). His performance as “Ever Montgomery” in Dancing Lessons garnered “Best Actor of 2015” awards from both Sarasota Magazine and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is a seven-time Kevin Kline Award nominee (and one-time winner for Outstanding Leading Actor). He appears regularly with FST Improv. Proud member SDC, AEA, SAG-AFTRA. jasoncannon.biz

SUSAN ANGERMANN (Costume Designer) began designing for Florida Studio Theatre in 1993 for the WRITE A PLAY production of The Emperor’s New Clothes. She has designed for FST’s Mainstage, Stage III, Cabaret, and WRITE A PLAY productions. Among recent productions are Straight White Men, Guitar Girls, Unchained Melodies, Other People’s Money, Murder for Two, Always...Patsy Cline, Honor Killing, Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits, The Exonerated, Stalking the Bogeyman, Yesterday, Older Than Dirt, Piano Men, Chapatti, Robin Hood, and Once.

NICK JONES (Lighting Designer) is making his debut with FST. Having designed in Sarasota and New York, credits span numerous companies and projects such as Asolo Rep, Dog Days Theatre Company, and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Additionally, he serves as a lighting assistant on the New Year’s Eve Times Square Celebration. For a full list of works, visit his website at standbylx.net.

THOMAS KORP (Sound Designer) As FST’s Sound Supervisor, Thom does more than wrangle rogue microphones. Sound design credits include: Straight White Men, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Once, A Chorus Line, Spamalot, Native Gardens, How to Use a Knife, The Columnist, Talley’s Folley, and The West Side Waltz. Mixing Credits: Next to Normal, Smokey Joe’s Café, The World Goes Round, Tango: Buenos Aires, We Will Rock You.

BRUCE PRICE (Scenic Designer) joined the FST staff in 2002 as the Production Stage Manager. In 2004, he was promoted to Production Manager. Over the past 16 years, he has stage managed over 38 productions and overseen the technical aspects of over 100 productions here at FST. During his 30 plus years in theatre, Mr. Price has designed sets, lights, and costumes for dozens of productions. Mr. Price has worked regionally at The Alley Theatre and Stage Repertory Theatre both on stage and backstage, but he has found his home here at FST.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Heidi Rugg, Puppet-Maker.

"As funny as it gets"

Sarasota Magazine

"Brilliant and hilarious"

"Startling"

"Thought-provoking"

"Absolutely fabulous"

INTERVIEWS

For the Love of Tyrone: An Interview with Harrison Bryan | READ

Does Mama Know Best?: An Interview with Brenny Rabine | READ

ARTICLES by FST

Salvation Out of Hand by Jenna Tonsor and Becca Jennings | READ

Roll Over, Pinocchio, Puppets Aren't Just for Kids | READ

Did You Know?: Facts About Hand to God | READ

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

Listen to playwright Robert Askins talk about Hand to God making the Top Ten Most-Produced Plays of 2016. Start about 30 minutes in. | LISTEN

Did you know that Steven Boyer (the first actor to play Jason) built the very first Tyrone hand puppet himself? | WATCH

Catch highlights from the Broadway production of Hand to God | WATCH

Hand To God

CREATIVE

CAST

ARTICLES by FST

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

VIDEOS