PhotosBlowup Dolls, Green Day and Platters of Drugsl An Exclusive Backstage Look at New York-Bound These Paper Bullets!Geffen Playhouse presents the West Coast premiere of These Paper Bullets! A Modish Ripoff of William Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing," with original songs Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. Cast member Tony Manna takes us backstage at the California production, which will next move to New York's Atlantic Theater.
By
Matthew Blank
October 02, 2015
A co-production with Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company, the production will be performed in New York following the Geffen engagement. The musical was commissioned by Yale Repertory Theatre, where it premiered in 2014.
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Blowup Dolls, Green Day and Platters of Drugsl An Exclusive Backstage Look at New York-Bound Musical These Paper Bullets!
Blowup Dolls, Green Day and Platters of Drugsl An Exclusive Backstage Look at New York-Bound Musical These Paper Bullets!
Geffen Playhouse presents the West Coast premiere of These Paper Bullets! A Modish Ripoff of William Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing," with original songs Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. Cast member Tony Manna takes us backstage at the California production, which will next move to New York's Atlantic Theater.
42 PHOTOS
First day of school for the Geffen Playhouse/Atlantic Theater co-production of These Paper Bullets!
Anthony Manna
Despite their best efforts, these ladies were cut during previews. Show business can be cruel.
Anthony Manna
Rehearsing something as massive as These Paper Bullets requires a lot…it’s both a huge theatrical event and a big ol’ rock concert.
Anthony Manna
On a break in the rehearsal room are Nick Ullett, Kate Blumberg, Chris Geary, and Keira Naughton. Lucas Papaelias is in the background.
Anthony Manna
The party doesn’t start until Greg Stuhr and I (Tony Manna, on the right…nice to meet you) arrive and make it weird.
From L to R, Keira Naughton, Nicole Parker, and Ariana Venturi rest during a break on stage.
Anthony Manna
Adam O’Byrne is clearly not impressed with Keira Naughton’s push-up abilities. Nicole Parker and Ariana Venturi also pictured.
Anthony Manna
Why are there so many &@#*%& lamps in here?!?
Anthony Manna
Mics, mics, mics…check, check, one, two…
Anthony Manna
Brilliant Assistant Stage Manager Bree Sherry speaks with Greg Stuhr on the first evening of tech rehearsals.
Anthony Manna
Kate Blumberg looking fabulous as Paulina Noble, as Brad Heberlee looks on.
Anthony Manna
The dashing Brad Heberlee as Mr. Urges.
Anthony Manna
The boys of Scotland Yard, from L to R, Brad Heberlee (as Mr. Urges), Greg Stuhr (as Mr. Berry), and Tony Manna (as Mr. Cake).
Anthony Manna
The bandstand, where the magic happens!
Anthony Manna
The Quartos first appearance! From L to R, Damon Daunno (as Claude), Lucas Papaelias (as Balth), and Justin Kirk (as Ben). In the background, behind Damon, is James Barry (as Pedro).
Anthony Manna
Don Best (played by Adam O’Byrne) takes a load off in the green room.
Anthony Manna
Bea (played by Nicole Parker) and understudy extraordinaire Sam Trueman chatting it up in the green room.
Anthony Manna
Mr. Cake (played by Tony Manna) and lunatic Quartos fan Belinda Bailey (played by Keira Naughton) take a selfie.
Anthony Manna
How darling is James Barry?
Anthony Manna
Mr. Cake (Tony Manna) has no idea he’s taking a selfie with criminal mastermind Don Best (Adam O’Byrne).
Anthony Manna
The show was so hot in tech we literally set the place on fire! Here we all are outside after accidentally tripping the fire alarm.
Anthony Manna
Yay for the Los Angeles Fire Department!
Anthony Manna
Thank you for coming to save us, fine sir!
Anthony Manna
The boys of Scotland Yard (Brad Heberlee, Tony Manna, and Greg Stuhr) reading the only theatre website worth a damn.
Anthony Manna
The lovely and talented Nicole Parker getting a quick costume adjustment from costume designer Jessica Ford.
Anthony Manna
Damon Daunno (as Claude) and Kate Blumberg (as Frida) having the most serious conversation in the history of the spoken word during a break at rehearsal.
Anthony Manna
The wickedly talented Lucas Papaelias, during sound check…in his natural element.
Anthony Manna
Nicole Parker (as Bea), Kate Blumberg (as Frida), and Brad Heberlee (as a “Photographer”) hold on stage as costume designer Jessica Ford works in the background.
Anthony Manna
I try and learn something new everyday.
Anthony Manna
Playwright Rolin Jones, ladies and gentlemen. (photo credit James Barry)
Anthony Manna
Damon Daunno (as Claude) at rest. He can sing and play guitar real good.
Anthony Manna
Snap a photo with the Quartos!
Anthony Manna
Her Majesty the Queen.
Anthony Manna
I hear “Teenagers’ Weekly” has done some top notch reporting on the fiscal crisis in Greece.
Anthony Manna
A peek at the plethora of costumes in the men’s dressing room.
Anthony Manna
The estimable Greg Stuhr chats with the equally estimable Nick Ullett during a spacing rehearsal.
Anthony Manna
Playwright Rolin Jones giving Damon Daunno some notes.
Anthony Manna
Production Assistant Brad Zipser, with fire in his eyes!
Anthony Manna
On a break in the beautiful Geffen Playhouse courtyard with Ariana Venturi, Adam O’Byrne, Chris Geary, and Keira Naughton.
Anthony Manna
In tech rehearsal the day before opening with Keira Naughton, Kate Blumberg, and Chris Geary.
These Paper Bullets! is written by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Emmy Award nominated-writer Rolin Jones ("Friday Night Lights," "Boardwalk Empire") with songs by Grammy Award winner Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. Jackson Gay directs.
The cast features James Barry as Pedro, Kate Blumberg as Paulina/Frida, Damon Daunno as Claude, Chris Geary as Anton/Mr. Crumpet/Queen & Others, Brad Heberlee as Mr. Urges, Justin Kirk as Ben, Tony Manna as Mr. Cake, Rod McLachlan as Boris, Kiera Naughton as Ulcie, Adam O’Byrne as Don Best, Lucas Papaelias as Balth, Nicole Parker as Beatrice, Greg Stuhr as Mr. Berry, Ariana Venturi as Higgy and Nick Ullett as Leo.
"Meet the Quartos. Ben, Claude, Balth, and Pedro," press notes state. "Their fans worship them. Scotland Yard fears them. And their former drummer will stop at nothing to destroy them. Can these fab four from Liverpool find true love in London and cut an album in seven nights?"
The production also has scenic design by Michael Yeargan, costume design by Jessica Ford, lighting design by Paul Whitaker, sound design and incidental music by Broken Chord, choreography by Kevin Williamson, fight choreography by Mike Rossmy and music direction by Julie McBride. The dialect coach is Paul Wager, the production stage manager is Rob Chikar, and the assistant stage manager is Bree Sherry.
Tickets are priced $32 to $82 and are available in-person at the Geffen Playhouse box office, via phone at (310) 208-5454 or online at Geffenplayhouse.com. Fees may apply.
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