The Brown Paper Box Co.
presents

PROUD AT MARY'S: A June Cabaret
an evening of Pride-based stories and songs

Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14, 2014
Mary's Attic in Andersonville

Following our successful run of William Finn's A New Brain, we're thrilled to announce our next cabaret series: PROUD AT MARY'S: A June Cabaret. Ticketing information for this evening of Pride-based stories and songs can be found at www.brownpaperbox.org. Tickets on sale now!

It's Pride month 2014 and The Brown Paper Box Co. is ready to celebrate! PROUD AT MARY'S emphasizes taking pride in our identities and sharing our personal stories during such a monumental month in Illinois—June 1st being the first day every county in the state will recognize same-sex marriages. PROUD AT MARY’S is a mix of pop songs, show tunes, personal monologues, and stories about being gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, questioning, and straight.

"After the successes of our first two cabarets in Wicker Park, we wanted to bring a brand new show to Andersonville," says Brown Paper Box Co. executive director and show coordinator M. William Panek. "Musical Director Justin Harner and I are working with amazingly gracious past Brown Paper Box Co. participants to form a touching and fun evening of personal insight and killer musical numbers."

The set list is comprised of surprise song selections from Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lippa, Carole King, Stephen Schwartz, and more ... as well as original numbers! Tickets for the 7:30 P.M.  performances on 6/13 and 6/14 are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Additional information is posted at www.BrownPaperBox.org.

The cast includes Jeanne T. Arrigo (Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Eastland, Lookingglass Theatre), Johnny Kyle Cook (A New Brain, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Folk Bound, Duplicity Ensemble), Pamela Mae Davis (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Miss Marx, Strawdog Theatre Company), Megan Ensley (Godspell and 2012's Reefer Madness!, The Brown Paper Box Co.), Justin Harner* (A New Brain and Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, The Brown Paper Box Co.; The Voodoo Chalk Circle, The State Theatre), David Lipschutz* (The Birds [currently u/s], Hell in a Handbag; The Glorious Ones, Illinois Theatre Center), M. William Panek* (A New Brain, Godspell, To Tree, The Brown Paper Box Co.), Stephanie Rohr* (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls and Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co; La Boheme, OperaUpClose), Anna Schutz* (A New Brain, Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, and Reefer Madness!, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Circle Mirror Transformation, Oil Lamp Theatre), Nick Shoda* ( A New Brain and Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Pacific Overtures, Porchlight), and Daniel Spagnuolo* (Godspell and A New Brain, The Brown Paper Box Co.; How to Succeed..., Porchlight).

Justin Harner is the evening's pianist and musical director. M. William Panek serves as the evening's host. Original poster design by Charlie Sheets*

*Denotes Brown Paper Box Co. company member.

Full name? Johnny Kyle Cook

Where you were born/where you were raised?   I was born and raised in Eastern Kentucky.  Louisa, KY, specifically. No, you've never heard of it. 

Your position/role within the A NEW BRAIN family? I play Richard, the nice nurse. 

How would you describe your character?   He's very odd. He's the funny fat friend. Delightfully self-deprecating and unpredictable. At his core though, he is very kind and compassionate. 

In 5 words, how do you describe A NEW BRAIN? brain, sex, eating, sailing, spring

How would you describe Bill's writing? I've loved the show for a very long time. The writing is sometimes all over the place, but that requires you to make very specific choices as an actor.

Fill in the blanks: ____magic_______ + ____emotion_______ = a song.

What was your must-see TV show as a kid?  Tiny Toons (I can still sing the theme song.)

If you could be best friends with any cartoon character in the real world, who would it be?  Arnold from Hey Arnold. That kid was way cool.

Who would play you in the Lifetime movie of your life?  As a child, someone with excellent bangs. Their headshot/resume had better be giving me pristine BANGS!

Special hidden talent?  When I was a kid I would memorize TV commercials.  I still know a lot of them by heart... So... memorization?! (Wow, I'm lame...)

Something you're REALLY bad at? Spelling

Favorite Chicago neighborhood?  Uptown

Current local show you have been recommending to friends?  Into the Woods (and A New Brain, of course)

Most played song on your iPod?  Beyonce - "Ego"

Pop culture guilty pleasure? Beyonce. No guilt; all pleasure. 

Three things you can't live without? My friends, music, and Netflix.

"I'll never understand why… birds can fly, but I can't."

Come see Johnny in William Finn and James Lapine's A NEW BRAIN February 21 - March 9, 2014 at Rivendell Theatre. Ticketing and performance information can be found at The Brown Paper Box Co.'s site.