Set deep in a Florida swamp, "The Arsonists" is a father-daughter tale of grief, loss and redemption. Inspired by the Greek tragedy "Electra," this play with music is a contemporary American myth that explores the relationship between parent and child in that small space between death and life, the last breath before the awakening and the impact of family on defining oneself.
For an inside look, check out John Moore's interview with playwright Jacqueline Goldfinger for the DCPA Newsletter here.
The Bench at 40W
1560 Teller Street
Lakewood, CO 80214
Thursday, Friday and Saturday Performances at 8:00pm
Sunday Performances at 6:00pm
"In this, its second production...Benchmark has mounted a fine exploration of a fascinating text by a playwright worth following."
-Juliet Whitman, Westword (read full review)
"The pacing and understanding of the story is where Weitz ignites the production. He took this seemingly short and brief play and found the moments that needed to breathe and let this stellar cast hold on to them."
-Avery Anderson, The Nightly Met (read full review)
"Michael Morgan and Rebekah Goldberg as the family unit are devastating in their roles. Michael creates a rough-hewn but loving parent. His agony as the wounded father made everyone in the audience want to comfort him. Rebekah is a new actor to Denver, having recently moved into the theatre community from Florida. Her tough, self-sufficient but devastated daughter provides not only a riveting evening, but a promise of things to come."
-Beki Pineda, GetBoulder.com (read full review)
Meet the Cast
Michael Morgan*
Michael Morgan was most recently seen at the Arvada Center as Virgil in Bus Stop and Tartuffe in Tartuffe. Other credits include: Shag in Equivocation (Colorado Shakespeare Festival); Edward in 10 Myths on the Proper Application of Beauty Products (Buntport Theatre); James in Time Stands Still and Joey in The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Curious Theatre); Tom in This and Bryan in The Few (Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company); and Midas in Metamorphoses and Remnar in Escanaba in da Moonlight (Aurora Fox). Michael was the recipient of the Denver Post's 2011 Ovation Award for Best Supporting Actor as Quango Twistleton in Curious' Homebody/Kabul.
*Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association
Rebakah Goldberg
Rebakah is a Southwest Florida native and recent resident to Denver, Colorado. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Theatre at Florida Gulf Coast University where she trained under professional actors from all over the country. Locally, she has trained at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Some of her favorite credits include: May in Sam Shepherd’s Fool For Love, Abigail in Edward Albee’s Finding the Sun, Mrs. Smith in Eugène Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano, and Mary Shelley in Howard Brenton’s Bloody Poetry. She is humbled to begin to work professionally in the Colorado area alongside such talented actors and grateful to be a part of the Benchmark family. Upcoming engagements include work with The Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company.
Production Team
Director Stephen Weitz
Musical Director Tyler Hughes
Production Stage Manager Katie Espinozaº
Scenic Designer Christopher M. Wallerº
Lighting Designer Neil Truglioº
Costume Designer Jaime Moore-McNear
Properties Designer Andy Bakehouseº
Sound Designer Rachel Rogersº
Additional Music Arranged and Performed By John Hauserº
Master Carpenter Jeff Jesmer
Scenic Builders Rich Munoz & Don Fuller
Master Electrician Kurt Morgan
Promotional Photography Susannah McLeodº, McLeod9Creative
Promotional Video Production John Hauserº
Production Photography Scott Eide
