Andy Warhol’s Tomato by Vince Melocchi
LOCATION
The Road on Lankershim – THEATRE
5108 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(Street parking or paid lot parking at 5125 Lankershim Blvd)
Andy Warhol’s Tomato
By Vince Melocchi
Directed by Scott Alan Smith
CAST
MARIO “BONES” BONINO – Vince Melocchi*
ANDY WARHOL – Derek Chariton
*Appears courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association
SYNOPSIS
When a teenage Andy Warhol finds himself in the basement of a working class bar, he gets inspiration, guidance and friendship from a surprising source. Andy Warhol’s Tomato is a work of fiction based on historical facts in the iconic artist’s life.
TICKETS
No reservations or advance tickets. Admission is by donation ($15 suggested).
MEET YOUR PLAYWRIGHT
VINCE MELOCCHI is happy to be back and a part of the Road Summer Playwrights Festival. In the past few years, his plays THINK OF ME (Directed by Scott Alan Smith), WELCOME TO SANTA, NICE THINGS (directed by Elina de Santos), and BURIED IN THE NIGHT have been a part of the festival. Full length plays: LIONS (directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos, Ovation nomination best playwright), JULIA (L.A Weekly Award nomination best playwright), BURIED IN THE NIGHT (2016 O’Neill Conference semi-finalist), THE PACT(2017 O’Neill Conference semi-finalist), WELCOME TO SANTA, NICE THINGS and FIGURES. Published work: LIONS (Samuel French), “The Best Men’s Stage Monologues and Scenes – 2010 ( Kraus and Smith), “Exceptional Monologues 2 for Men and Women (Samuel French), JULIA (Stage Rights Theatrical publishers). His plays have had productions, readings and/or developmental workshops at Pacific Resident Theatre, New York’s Off Broadway 59E59 Theatre, Rogue Machine Theatre, The Blank Theatre, The Road Theatre, Williamstown Summer Theatre Festival, Penn State University, Last Frontier Theatre Conference and the Towne Street Theatre in Los Angeles. He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America.
MEET YOUR DIRECTOR
SCOTT ALAN SMITH (Director) Serves as the Associate Artistic Director of the award-winning Road Theatre Company and has been the Founding Festival Director of the theater’s annual Summer Playwrights Festival since he started it in 2010. At The Road he has directed: The Lyons (Ovation Recommended), Melissa Arctic (LA Times Critic’s Pick), Sovereign Body, That Good Night Lady(4 Ovation nominations including best play and 5 LA Weekly Award nominations including best director), New York Mets (ADA nominated), So Nice to See You (1 Dramalogue award), The Petoskey Stones. At Pepperdine he has directed Hedda Gabler, The Yellow Boat, Almost, Maine, These Shining Lives, Three Days of Rain, Bus Stop, Proof (with Michael O’Neill), The Roads to Home. Other directing credits: Bus Stop (Interplayers Theater – People’s Choice Award), Tabak (The Met), The Adding Machine, Lynette at 3AM, Mr. Happiness, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Bringin’ Home the Girl.
Scott is co-author of King of the Moon which ran Off-Off Broadway, in Los Angeles at the Groundlings Theater and HBO Workspace. He co-wrote and produced the film version which was made for FOX Searchlab and premiered at the 2004 Tribeca Film Festival. He directed Ed Harris at Disney Hall, and Heart…Beat for the Boston Court’s Music at the Court series. Acting credits include over 100 television and film projects including Big Little Lies, Lethal Weapon and the film Backseat with Christian Bale.
He is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Pepperdine University and also teaches at CSUN and UCLA. He directed Twelve Angry Jurors at El Camino College this past fall and will direct Our Town this coming fall. He holds an MFA from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Member of: Television Academy, SAG-AFTRA, AEA, SDC, Actor’s Studio Playwrights/Directors Unit, and Director’s Lab West (’05).
An Interview with Playwright Vince Melocchi
1: What is the name of your play?
Andy Warhol’s Tomato
2: What was your first job in the theatre?
Acting in a community theatre production of “The Sound of Music”.
3: Do you ever model characters after real life people?
Always. Just look at the title of this play!
4: As an artist, what subjects tend to draw your interest?
The working class of America.
5: Do you have other passions aside from playwriting?
Ice Hockey. I’m an avid Pittsburgh Penguins fan.
6: Are you currently working on any new projects?
Yes. I’ve a new play “THE PACT”, I’m developing with director Guillermo Cienfuegos.
7: Here’s a fun question! What is your favorite dessert?
Little Debbie Cakes. Especially Swiss Rolls.
8: Any acknowledgements or words of encouragement?
My director Scott Alan Smith. The Actors Studio Playwright/directors unit in Hollywood. Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice,Guillermo Cienfuegos, my Warhol expert Timothy Burak, and The Road Theatre for including my play in the SPF9.
9: Describe your play in 3 words!
Inspiration, guidance, friendship.