INDIE CHI PRODUCTIONS
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THE SNAKE CAN
Written by Kathryn Graf & Directed by Steve Robman
Jane Kaczmarek and Gregory Harrison star in a world premiere comic drama that proves finding love never gets any easier. Playwright Kathryn Graf (Hermetically Sealed) brings us a story of three successful women and the men in their lives as they meet the challenges of modern romance, internet dating and singledom.
PICK OF THE WEEK
CRITIC'S CHOICE
"Insightful play with its refreshing unpredictability... and the raw scenes... in which all six characters express themselves with searing honesty."
- LA WEEKLY (Steven Leigh Morris)
“Kathryn Graf’s wry, insightful dramedy about three longtime girlfriends and their internecine midlife crises surmounts some post-larval structural blips with pertinence, humor and heart."
- LA TIMES (David C. Nichols)
“The Snake Can... knows well how to amusingly provide an intelligent reflection of its intended audience. It should prove to be deservedly popular."
- HOLLYWOOD REPORTER (Myron Meisel)
…sturdy direction…the play is bound to entertain and hit the spot…a satisfying evening of intelligent theater.”“Engrossing from start to finish… the cast is sensational
–BROADWAY WORLD (Don Grigware)
“… it moved me to tears…”
-LA OBSERVED (Iris Schneider)
"...tightly written and efficiently performed by a stellar cast of six"
-CULTURE SPOT LA (Gil Kaan)
"...It’s tricky business to put a fresh spin on this kind of familiar territory, but Graf’s work manages to raise itself above Lifetime movie-of-the-week level with some well-drawn characters, insight, and standout performances."
-BLOG CRITICS (Kurt Gardner)
“There is a softness and poignancy... which gives it a truthfulness... and the terrific acting ensemble does much to enrich the script..."
-- HUFFINGTON POST (Hoyt Hilsman)
“...The writing is crisp, the performances are colorful...The general breadth of insight and girth of fantasy all match the high rate of wit and speed... The rhythm of the opening scene captures both the effervescence of youth and the urgency one feels during encroaching old age."
.-THE EXAMINER (Andrea Kittelson)
“The Snake Can comes as a particularly welcome surprise … and a rewarding New Years 2013 treat.”
-STAGE SCENE LA (Steven Stanley)
“…Graf's keen sensitivity to both women and men at middle-age is stunning.”
- BROADWAY WORLD (Don Grigware)
Arts In LA
"The surprise popping out of this production, like the snake out of the can, is its submerged depth."
- ARTS IN LA (Dany Margolies)
“Kaczmarek is endearing as a lost soul seeking comfort, Sharth shines as a worldly yet vulnerable woman, and Cary is solid as a wayward seeker of her passion. The men in the cast are also excellent. Lancaster hits just the right note as a the bisexual lover, Harrison has great appeal as the jilted husband, and Polis has a hilarious turn as the frightened suitor, as well as a gay ex-lover... a solid premiere under the skillful direction of Steven Robman and a very talented ensemble of actors."
-HUFFINGTON POST (Hoyt Hilsman)
“Steven Robman's sensitive direction (and sensible, unfussy staging) permits the performances to chime with veracity. “
-VOICE PLACES (Pauline Adamek)
"...intimate, insightful, and extremely well written..."
-STAGE HAPPENINGS (Shirle Gottlieb)
MEET THE TEAM
Kathryn Graf’s first full-length play, Hermetically Sealed, garnered extensive critical praise and award nominations in its recent four-month run at The Skylight Theatre. She began writing when she penned and performed Surviving David, a one-woman play chronicling her first year as a young widow (2100 Square Feet, L.A.) (Outstanding Solo Show, NYC Fringe Festival). Her other plays include the one-acts Poor Pretty Birds (Philipstown Depot Theatre, NY) and The Stiff (finalist, 2010 Tennessee Williams One-Act Competition). She is also the author of the award-winning children’s book Always My Dad (Mom’s Choice Award, gold medal). As an actress, Kathy has guest-starred in dozens of television shows including ER, Courthouse, Presidio Med and in a recurring role on the soap, Passions.
“… Kathryn Graf treats the topic respectfully, thoughtfully, and intriguingly, giving what could be a light play enough disturbing undercurrents to satisfy the serious-minded theatergoer.”
– ARTS IN LA (Dany Margolies)
Arts In LA
"...a very funny, very insightful and very touching play... 'The Snake Can' is a play that everyone can relate to, no matter your age or gender.”
-THE EXAMINER (JOAN AND JOHN SCHWARTZ)
“The writing is terrific, very realistic and so witty I found myself writing more than one line down so I could quote it later.”
– LIFEINLA (Jenny Platt)
“This incredibly fun, funny, poignant, and provocative piece, takes you on a romantic romp through the love lives of three middle aged women and the men who move them.”
- STUDIO CITY PATCH
“I found the characters in "Snake Can" real and honest… I genuinely cared about their lives and their struggles… Their stories are familiar and we can relate…they are seasoned with a good bit of candor....If a good play engenders a good discussion, "Snake Can" more than passes the test.”
-LA OBSERVED (Iris Schneider)
Steven Robman has directed at Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, Chelsea Theatre Center, Phoenix Theatre and Jewish Repertory Theatre, as well as at the Guthrie, Arena Stage, Long Wharf, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Yale Rep. In Fall 2012, he will direct Brian Denehy in The Steward of Christendom by Sebastian Barry at the Mark Taper Forum, where he previously staged Babbitt; Says I, Says He; Hoagy, Bix and W.B. Bunkhaus; and Made In America. Other theater work includes the world premieres of Moonlight and Magnolias and High Holidays at the Goodman, as well as Rat in the Skull at Wisdom Bridge Theatre and the revival of Lunching for the Apollo Group. Mr. Robman has directed premieres of plays by Wendy Wasserstein, D.L.Coburn, Fay Weldon, Alan Knee and James Yoshimura. For five summers he served as a staff director at the Eugene O’Neill Center’s National Playwrights Conference. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley and the Yale School of Drama, Mr. Robman has taught acting and directing at Yale University, the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York, U.C.L.A. Extension, and the American Film Institute. For television, Mr. Robman has directed numerous episodes of dramatic and comedy series, movies-of-the- week, and the ABC miniseries The Audrey Hepburn Story. For three seasons he was co-Executive Producer of Party of Five for Fox Television.
"...Robman guides the production with a careful, gentle touch, shepherding the ensemble through the minefield of mid-life romance….”
-HUFFINGTON POST
(Hoyt Hilsman)
“Steven Robman's sensitive direction (and sensible, unfussy staging) permits the performances to chime with veracity. “
-VOICE PLACES (Pauline Adamek)
“Director Steven Robman does a great job…The entire cast is effective and a pleasure to watch as they have developed distinctive characters that the audience can find humor in, while being touched by their imperfections….The humor and sentiment are all present in the story.”
-PROGRESSIVE PULSE (Steve V. Rodriguez)
