WHEN SHAKESPEARE’S LADIES MEET
Performances: September 17-18, 2017
Venue: MuCCC (Rochester, NY)
Six of the Bard’s best-known leading ladies join forces in this loving comic homage to Shakespeare’s work. Portia, Ophelia, Desdemona, Katharine and Cleopatra come to Juliet’s home to give the young Capulet some advice on love, but Juliet isn’t afraid to give back some advice of her own.
HUMAN POLITICS
Performances: September 16 & 21, 2017
Venue: School of the Arts (Rochester, NY)
This anthology show presents two original one-acts written by Justin Rielly, inspired by today’s political climate. “Assumptions” looks at two neighbors who witness a new family moving in, and how each of them have strong differing opinions on who this family is; “Resilient (January 20, 2017)” shows what happens when a mother and daughter’s bond is severely tested due to their differences – especially when the mother voted for a certain man who became president.
SORROWS AND SONS
Staged Reading: July 13, 2017
Venue: MuCCC (Rochester, NY)
Stephen Metcalfe’s trio of one-act plays dealing with the Vietnam War and the impact it leaves on the home lives of several individuals including a college student, a truck driver and a restaurant owner was presented as part of MuCCC’s week of programming on the Vietnam War – in collaboration with WXXI.
THIS IS HAPPENING
Performances: May 12-13, 2017
Venue: Dreamer’s Corner at Village Gate (Rochester, NY)
This is a collection of original plays written by Justin Rielly and presented by the theater organization DVC (Dream Visualize Create), led by director Mario Savastano; Wilson Magnet students and graduates took part in this staged reading event.
FIVE SHORTIES AND A FAKE AD
Performance: March 2, 2017
Venue: MuCCC (Rochester, NY)
This event featured one-acts written over several years, including “Percy from Up Above,” a sequel to the 2015 Everyone’s Theatre Company one-act “Haddie and Percy.” Andrew Cowen, Katie Guy, Sandra Lowe-Dusel, Amanda McFaul, Kiyomi Oliver, Jeremy Sarachan and Mike Tedone formed the ensemble for this intimate evening of readings.
THE TAMING
Charity Reading: January 19, 2017
Venue: MuCCC (Rochester, NY)
This charity reading of Lauren Gunderson’s play was a benefit for the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley. It was directed by Jacqueline Moe, who also appeared with Kayleigh Barclay, Amanda McFaul and Katharine Sanford.
KIND SOULS CHASING (WORKSHOP TWO)
Performance: October 9, 2016
Venue: MuCCC (Rochester, NY)
This second workshop was presented with Matthew Wegman (Matt Bennett) and Jessica Kaufman (Ophelia Jacobs) starring in the production, with stage narration provided by Stephen Cena.
THE GUYS
Performances: September 16 & 18, 2016 (Fringe); October 28, 2016 (Black Sheep); November 19, 2016 (TANYS)
Venues: MuCCC (Rochester, NY); Black Sheep Theatre (Rochester, NY); Finger Lakes Community College (TANYS, Auburn, NY)
Set in post-9/11 New York, an editor is asked to help a fire captain write eulogies for some of the men he lost during the World Trade Center attacks. As they remember the firefighters who sacrificed their lives to save others, they both come to terms with their own personal feelings on the attacks – and the resolve to carry on living during one of America’s darkest hours.
David Woodworth and Gretchen Woodworth starred in this acclaimed production, presented first during the 2016 Rochester Fringe Festival; it was later presented through Limelight Productions for the 2016 TANYS Festival. It received three TANYS adjudication awards for Excellence in Acting (both David and Gretchen Woodworth) and Excellence in Directing (Justin Rielly).
GHOST LIGHT
Performances: March 3-5, 2016
Venue: MuCCC (Rochester, NY)
A theater director is in mourning over the loss of an actress killed during a performance of Chekhov’s The Seagull – and she has now become the theater’s ghost as a result. When the director decides to give up the building to a returning actor, the ghost is determined to stop him…
Label founder Justin Rielly wrote this original play and premiered it after its initial reading in June 2015, with Jacqueline Moe directing; Stephen Cena, Colleen DiVincenzo, James Lockhart and Laura Thompson starred in Aspie Works’ first full production of original material.
SWIMMING TO CAMBODIA
Performances: September 21, 2015 (Fringe); December 18-19, 2015 (encore)
Venue: MuCCC (Rochester, NY)
In 1984, actor Spalding Gray starred in the Vietnam War-set drama The Killing Fields, and his experiences filming in Thailand and living in Manhattan proved to be the catalyst for his defining work as a monologist.
Presented with the blessing of Gray’s estate, Swimming to Cambodia featured Aspie Works performer Justin Rielly on stage, and was Aspie Works’ event at the 2015 Rochester Fringe Festival – and returned for an encore run at the MuCCC in December, which included a post-show Q&A with Gray’s widow, Kathleen Russo.
THE WRITER’S FAIRYTALE
Staged Reading: August 23, 2015
Venue: Village Gate, Rochester, NY
What happens when a writer is asked to put together a kids’ show, and she comes up with the idea of describing the five points of a story with a fairy tale setting?
This informal staged reading was the official debut of the collaborative duo Kindred Soles, formed by Aspie Works founder Justin Rielly and Geva Comedy Improv artist Danielle Erway.
GHOST LIGHT (VERSION ONE)
Staged Reading: June 19, 2015
Venue: MuCCC, Rochester, NY
Theater director Max Campbell lives in the same building where he staged his greatest work. When a politician threatens to tear it down in the name of jobs, Max must confront the waves of change – along with the theater’s resident ghost, an actress with a personal connection.
Aspie Works founder Justin Rielly wrote and directed the premiere reading of his newest play, as part of the week-long New Plays, New Voices Fest.
VIVIEN LEIGH: THE LAST PRESS CONFERENCE
Performances: June 4-7, 2015
Venue: Geva Theatre Center, Rochester, NY
In this one-woman show, esteemed British actress Vivien Leigh takes the stage to give her incredible life story, from her triumphant Hollywood debut as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind to her pursuit and eventual marriage to acting icon Laurence Olivier, to her deteriorating mental state and use of ECT therapy to deal with the pain.
Marcy Savastano starred in the title role of this co-production of Screen Plays and Aspie Works. David Henderson directed, with Screen Plays founder Karen Tuccio producing. Justin Rielly served as associate producer.
PRACTICING GODOT
Staged Reading: May 16, 2015
Venue: MuCCC, Rochester, NY
Two women are set to appear in an all-female version of the immortal play Waiting for Godot, yet their different acting backgrounds lead them at odds with each other. A diva leading lady and a neurotic stage manager soon find themselves involved.
This original homage written and directed by Justin Rielly featured Lauren Leone Baker, Danielle Erway, Shana Krisiloff, Sandra Lowe-Dusel and Jacqueline Moe.
THE RAPE OF LUCRECE
Staged Reading: April 24, 2015
Venue: Rochester Brainery, Rochester, NY
In ancient Rome, a royal noblewoman finds herself under attack by the emperor’s son – and the consequences from the assault lead to a turning point in the history of the Roman Empire.
Aspie Works founder Justin Rielly produced and directed this staged reading of Shakespeare’s immortal poem, which featured an all-female ensemble cast including Lauren Leone Baker, Fiona Criddle, Nancy Fancher, Susanna Guarino, Cassandra Lamantia, Jacqueline Moe and Haven Shea.
Proceeds benefited RESTORE, an organization dedicated to helping survivors and families affected by rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.
COME TALK TO ME
Staged Reading: November 23, 2014
Venue: MuCCC, Rochester, NY
During a stormy day, a counselor’s secretary finds out her boss is late and her patients have canceled – except for one, a young bookseller suffering from a broken heart. Then there is the secretary herself, coming back to work after a harrowing family crisis…
This “pay-what-you-will” workshop production of Justin Rielly’s one-act drama was an encore presentation of a play first presented in the summer of 2013 at MuCCC. Natalie Walton and Jonathan Griffiths starred.
THE FEVER
Performances: September 25 & 27, 2014
Venue: MuCCC, Rochester, NY
Wallace Shawn’s one-person play follows an entitled traveler who recounts their visit to a Third World country undergoing social and personal crises, and undergoes a human crisis of their own.
This show was presented during the 2014 Rochester Fringe Festival, with Roger Gans starring in the lead role.
REVIEW (courtesy of the NY Theater Guide)
“Rochester Fringe Review: ‘The Fever’ at MuCCC” (Marisa Caruso, 10/2/14)
http://nytheatreguide.com/2014/10/rochester-fringe-review-the-fever-at-muccc/
A DIFFERENT NORMAL
Workshop Performance: June 18, 2014
Venue: MuCCC, Rochester, NY
A young woman is ordered to attend the regular monthly meeting of the Aspie Pack, a group of young adults with Asperger’s syndrome. When she recognizes one of her co-workers in the group, a night of personal revelations will take place.
This show was presented as part of the week-long MuCCC Fest, and was a “pay-what-you-will” event. It was preceded by a dance segment, “Passing,” conceived and performed by Laurie MacFarlane.
REVIEWS
“A thought-provoking piece…a dramatic presentation that both entertains and informs the audience.”
– Don Bartalo, actor-director and stage narrator
“Very significant.”
– John Borek, director of artist development, MuCCC and executive producer
“A fantastic play”
– Stephen Robb, actor (Love in the Style of Will)
“Great…I was into it the whole time.”
– Lynne Sanchez-Fries, actor
“The show was moving, well written and magnificently performed.”
– Stephanie Siuda, artistic director, Out of Pocket Productions
LOVE IN THE STYLE OF WILL
Dress Rehearsals: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 & Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Performance: Friday, February 14, 2014
Venue: MuCCC, Rochester, NY
This unique theatrical showcase presented sonnets and scenes from Shakespeare’s plays with love-related themes. Selected plays included As You Like It, Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew and The Tempest.
Justin Rielly developed this project, and co-produced with Geneseo theater alumni Melyssa Hall (Gruesome Playground Injuries at the 2nd annual Rochester Fringe Festival) & Katherine Royal (who is presenting her play The Weekends at MuCCC’s New Play Festival).
This show was a “pay-what-you-can” presentation, with proceeds going to the MuCCC.
SEX AND DEATH TO THE AGE 14
Staged Reading: January 12, 2014
Venue: MuCCC, Rochester, NY
In 1979, actor Spalding Gray presented his first solo monologue called Sex and Death to the Age 14, a reminiscence about his childhood days in a Christian Science family in Rhode Island. This show paved the way for greater classic monologues including Swimming to Cambodia and Gray’s Anatomy.
After performing Interviewing the Audience at the second Rochester Fringe Festival, Justin Rielly returns to Gray’s repertoire for this staged reading of the monologist’s first significant one-man show – being performed on the tenth anniversary of his sudden passing.
KIND SOULS CHASING
Staged Reading: January 10, 2014
Dress Rehearsal: January 9, 2014
Venue: MuCCC, Rochester, NY
This show follows the friendship of a playwright and an actress, from their early days in high school to their re-connection through a local theater group.
REVIEW
“This was a wonderful show, bravely written and superbly played. I have such respect for all involved!”
– Jeff Moon, actor and president of Penfield Players
INTERVIEWING THE AUDIENCE
Full Performance: September 21, 2013
Dress Rehearsal: September 14, 2013
Venue: MuCCC, Rochester, NY (9/14, 9/21)
Justin Rielly performed this unique discussion piece created by actor-monologist Spalding Gray, in which regular people talked about their lives.
TRIVIA
– This show was performed during the second annual Rochester Fringe Festival.
REVIEW
“Fringe Fest 2013 Reviews” – Rochester City Newspaper (9/22/13); special thanks to Rebecca Rafferty