Table reading of "Wake Me Up" by Amy Wheeler at the LARK

This past week, I had the good fortune of being asked by Lisa Rothe to read in a new play called "Wake Me Up" by Amy Wheeler.  It is an absolutely fascinating story drawn from the playwright's own personal experience.  I played Caleb, a high functioning adolescent with autism:  about eight years old emotionally, but views himself as a grown man.  It was a ball diving in to such a challenging role, especially in such good company, playing with renowned actresses Deirdre Lovejoy (The Wire) and Mary Bacon.   It is an intriguing story, and I look forward to seeing how the script develops.

This is the second time Lisa asked me to participate in the Lark Play Development Center, and both times I have found the experience wholly gratifying.  For an actor, there is nothing quite like being in the room and actively listening and responding to a playwright's words for the first time.  I always imagine what it must have been like for Shakespeare's company of actors reading "The quality of mercy is not strained...." or "Conscience doth make cowards of us all" for the very first time!  The sheer rush of ecstasy!

In other news, the Animals Out of Paper cast and design team are all in place!  We found a tremendously gifted young actor, Maneesh Sasikumar, to play Suresh, and my co-producer Nairoby Otero is pleased to inform the world that the entire design team is comprised of women.  That wasn't intentional...they are just the right people for the job.  Tickets will go on sale in the beginning of January! 

"Animals Out of Paper" is coming to New York in February

Dear Subscribers,

I am pleased to announce my partnership with Nairoby Otero (YOLO! Productions) in producing and acting in Animals Out of Paper by Rajiv Joseph.  (Mr. Joseph was the Pulitzer Prize finalist for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo starring Robin Williams.)  This is a beautiful but relatively unknown play by a major force in the American theater.  It is funny, sweet, witty, even melancholy at times...a real slice of life and a total immersion into three quirky, lovable characters.   We are overjoyed to have the personal support of the playwright himself and are on our way to producing 16 performances in February! 

What makes this production so special is that it will be site specific:  the majority of the play takes place in an origami artist's studio, therefore we have found a charming, open space on the Upper West Side at West Park Church.  We are incorporating live music and captivating origami art cascading from the high ceiling that will enhance this already exquisite piece of theatre.

To transform the unusual space, we have assembled an incomparable design team led by our director Merri Milwe.  (I worked with her years ago on the critically acclaimed On a Bench at 59E59 Theatres, and am thrilled to be working with her again.)  We have a top notch press agent in David Gersten, who has a slew of Broadway and off-Broadway credits.  Indeed, all the folds of this very intricate origami piece are in perfect alignment to make this production an enormous success.

Theatre, as you know, is not without cost, so if you are interested in donating to this special production, please let me know and I will get back to you shortly.

As always, I appreciate your interest in following my career.  See you on opening night!  

Thank you, 

 David Beck

P.S. For those of you who don't know, For Francis won The Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film at the CNKY Film Festival!  Congratulations to Starr Films and all the donors for making it happen.  Onward!

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New pics by bigbadllama

Thanks to Tony Webster (AKA bigbadllama) for a great photo session.  So happy to have headshots with a beard now!  No more teenage roles for me!  Headshots coming soon, but in the meantime, enjoy this classic B&W pic.

"For Francis" is an official selection of the CNKY FF!

Starr Films and I are excited to announce that "For Francis" will be screening in Cincinnati, Ohio November 16th-18th at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati.  If you are in the Cincinnati area, we would love to see you!  We will keep you abreast of more screenings across the country in the coming months!    

Thank you to everyone who attended our screening last night...

and for the great questions at the Q&A!  The cast, Viktor, Susan, and I really enjoyed sharing this short film with all of you...and we know this is just the beginning of this journey with "The Exalted".  We have exciting plans which we will announce in the near future!  Stay tuned. :)