“OY FATHER”
CAST AND CREW
“OY FATHER”
A true story written by former Catholic priest Bill McBride based on the book that he is in the process of writing about the choices he had to make in leaving the priesthood after falling in love with his wife, Argentinian born Cantor Irene Failenbogen.
Bill McBride’s mother was a comedy writer for the comediennes Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller, also a friend of
the family. When Ms Diller phoned one day, Bill answered and the following conversation ensued:
Phyllis: How are you doing Bill?
Bill: I married a Jewish Cantor and I left the priesthood.
Phyllis: It sounds like a mess.
Bill: Phyllis, it’s the stuff of which great comedy is made.
CAST AND CREW
Irene Failenbogen - The Cantor, as Herself
Irene has been singing professionally since her debut in a critically-acclaimed role in the Argentinian National Theatre production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Dracula”. She has a degree in Body Expression from the National School of Dance in Buenos Aires. Irene has established a career as an Argentinian-Jewish singer-songwriter and continues to perform as Cantor for the New Synagogue of Long Island in Brookville. She has worked with Zalman Mlotik, the famed Yiddish director, and Shifra Lerer (famous for her roles as Woody Allen¹s "Jewish" grandmother) in a production called, "The Argentina Extravaganza" among others. Irene also has produced several CD’s.
Bill McBride - The Priest, as Himself
A native of Wisconsin, Bill McBride tells his story in a style reminiscent of storyteller-humorist Garrison Keillor. He was a member of the Park Place Storytelling Guild in Wisconsin and he also studied acting at NYU and writing with renowned journalist Nat Hentoff. He was a Catholic priest for 16 years. During his priesthood, he co-founded the Jewish-Christian Dialogue and taught Bible and Literature with interfaith legend, Sister Marie Stephen Reges, at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. With Irene, he started the International Arts Mission with a performance of the “Olympic Celebration of the Arts” during the 1996 Olympic Games. He is currently co-director with Irene of the Religious Education Program for the Interfaith Community at the Multi-faith Campus in Brookville.
Michael McBride - as Himself
Michael was recently accepted to the acting program at Purchase College, SUNY. He attended LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and has appeared in various school, youth theater and community productions including “Lost in Yonkers”, “The Sound of Music , as Proteus in “Two Gentlemen of Verona”, the musical and others.
Nathan McBride - as Himself
Nathan is currently attending the Frank Sinatra
School of the Arts High School in N.Y. He has appeared in various school, youth and community theater productions such as Louis in “The King and I”.
Sen Augere, Director/Producer
Holds an MFA in Theater from Sarah Lawrence College, trained in acting at Guildford School of Acting, England completing a Post Graduate Degree and trained in Dance at the renowned Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music an Dance, London (with Bonnie Bird, Stuart Hopps, Clive Elliot) and in NYC with Melissa Hayden, Wilhelm Burmann and the Erick Hawkins studio. She is the Director of Augere Artists and was the Founder/ Director of Calliope Arts where the current play in production, “Oy Father” was previewed; a center offering training in the physical and performing arts with wellness classes, health lectures and an arts forum for emerging playwrights, actors, directors, and dancers. She also served as Artistic Director of Womanstage,NY; a company advancing women in the arts. Sen has worked internationally as a director, actor, choreographer and dancer performing various roles in Ibsen, Chekhov, the Greek classics and others including J.B. Priestly’s “Dangerous Corner”, Caryl Churchill’s “Vinegar Tom”, as Choreographer and Dancer at The Dance Factory in London, Hecuba in “The Trojan Women”, Nora in “A Doll’s House” and many more. Some notable directorial productions include “Dancing at Lughnasa” at Theatre-in-the-Park, NY, the preview of ”Oy Father”, a new musical play currently in production in NYC, ”A Streetcar Named Desire” as a Benefit Performance tor the 9-11 Fund, and (AD) Richard Trent’s film project “The Piano Teacher” Film
Anna Maria Manalo - Violin/Piano
Has worked as a composer in the US, Philippines, Canada and Germany. She earned performance degrees from the University of Wisconsin (BM) and from Hunter College (MA) and studied with such pianists as Abbey Simon, Herbert Stessin and composition with Stanley Wolf, George Tsontakis and Melinda Wagner. She made her N.Y. debut in 1991 at the Philippine Consulate, NY. Current projects include “Music and Microbes” a music and lecture series with her microbiologist husband Dr. Stefan Pukatzki for PAGASA, “Sanatoma” piano duo with concert pianist Satomi Tozawa performing works by women, commissioned works and others. Her memberships include ASCAP, AFM AMTA and Chamber Music America.
Victoria Trentacoste - Dance Soloist
Studied a variety of dance genres including ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. She trained with the Royal Academy under Jeanne P. Kogut for over 14 years and has performed in the Eglevsky Ballet's version of The Nutcracker as an angel, a soldier, and a polichinelle and The Nutcracker with Sacred Heart Academy in a variety of roles that include Spanish, Arabian, and Fritz. Throughout college, Victoria continued to study dance and performed in a Chinese Fan Dance showcase. Victoria continues to explore her love of dance and is honored to be a part of "Oy Father."
“OY FATHER”
by Bill McBride
with
Irene Failenbogen
Bill McBride
and
Michael McBride
Nathan McBride
Musical Score:
Irene Failenbogen
Anna Maria Manalo
Violin/Piano
Jeanne P. Kogut, RAD
Dance Advisor
Victoria Trentacoste:
Dance Soloist
Directed by:
Sen Augere
