A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY ...
TO THE GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY UNIT AT THE MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER OF NEW YORK CITY
The hysterical, unconventional comedy by Halley Feiffer
A foul-mouthed twenty-something comedian and a middle-aged man embroiled in a nasty divorce are brought together unexpectedly when their cancer-stricken mothers become roommates in the hospital. Together, this unlikely duo must negotiate some of life’s biggest challenges… while making some of the world’s most inappropriate jokes. Can these two very lost people learn to laugh through their pain and lean on each other, when all they really want to do is run away?
Directed by Randy Brenner
Running time: 90 minutes. There will be no intermission.
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DTL Nominations
Outstanding Production – Comedy – Professional
Outstanding Director of a Comedy – Professional, Randy Brenner
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy – Professional, Eric Zak
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy – Professional, Aviva Pressman
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy – Professional, Deborah Harmon and Barbara Niles
DTL Award Winners
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy – Professional, Eric Zak
Love, Laughs, Life and Death: Dezart Performs’ ‘A Funny Thing Happened’ Brings Humor and Emotion to a Hospital Room
Dezart Performs continues its solid line-up of productions... [with] this moving yet laugh-out-loud play.
A Funny Thing Happened…is a full on laugh-out-loud comedy!
Mar 03 2023 - Mar 12 2023
Show TimesFridays and Saturdays: 7:30 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 PM
Pearl McManus Theater
at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club
314 S Cahuilla Road
Downtown Palm Springs, CA 92262
The Cast
Deborah Harmon (Marcie)
Deborah Harmon hails from Chicago beginning her career at the famed Second City. Credits include starring roles in TV: JUST THE TEN OF US, THE TED KNIGHT SHOW and THE PAPER CHASE. Movies: USED CARS opposite Kurt Russell and BACHELOR PARTY opposite Tom Hanks. Recent credits include THIS SIDE OF CRAZY (Palm Canyon Theatre) in addition to previous Dezart Performs productions DANIEL’S HUSBAND (DTL Award for Best Supporting Actress), RABBIT HOLE, PERFECT ARRANGEMENT and THE RECEPTIONIST. Additional DTL Awards include EVERY BRILLIANT THING (Best Director) and MAYTAG VIRGIN (Best Director). Deb dedicates this performance to her Kappa Delta sisters. Love in AOT.
Barbara Niles (Geena)
Barbara Niles is originally from NYC, now residing both in LA and Palm Desert and was first seen in the Desert at CV Rep’s LATER LIFE (Ruth). LA credits include FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Golde), ACTORS NIGHTMARE (Sarah Siddons), BROADS (Myra), BEND IN THE ROAD (Rachel) and LABOR PAINS. NYC Broadway credits: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Mary Magdalene), OY MAMA, AM I IN LOVE (Annie), BRAINCHILD and NOEL. Off Broadway, regional theatre and national tours: GROWN-UPS (Marilyn), BERLIN TO BROADWAY, PRIVATE LIVES (Amanda), TINTYPES, FEIFFER’S PEOPLE, STARTING HERE STARTING NOW, CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE (Grusha), THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN (Molly) and A DAY IN THE DEATH OF JOE EGG (Sheila). On PBS, TAKE CARE,TAKE CARE and Ms. Adelaide in the acclaimed radio show ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY.
Aviva Pressman (Karla)
Aviva Pressman is an LA based actor, singer, clown, comedian, visual artist and medical educator. Favorite credits: RUDOLPH THE MUSICAL (National Tour, Madison Square Garden), THE COMPOSER IS DEAD (Disney Concert Hall), CINDERELLA (Musical Theatre West), AMOS & BORIS (South Coast Repertory), 33 1/3 : HOUSE OF DREAMS (San Diego Repertory), ASTRO BOY AND THE GOD OF COMICS (Sacred Fools) and PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Sacramento Theatre Company). She has an LADCC Award and Craig Noel Nomination, among others. Aviva toured internationally with AMAZON PRIME as a singer and improviser for the show GOOD OMENS and her voice can be heard in anime, commercials, on television, radio and in a toy you might have around the house. Thank you to the team, Brian, and dad. If you like her in this show please make a donation to the American Cancer Society!
Eric Zak (Don)
Eric Zaklukiewicz is a LA based award-winning actor with 20 years of stage experience, most of which until recently dedicated to growing the progressive theatre scene in his home state of Arizona. Notable roles have included regional premieres of HAND TO GOD (Jason/Tyrone), THE ANTIPODES (Danny M2), JERSEY BOYS (Joe Pesci), DOG SEES GOD (CB) and BASH (The Young Man), classics including LOVE LETTERS, plus many new works, late night shows and plays for young audiences. Eric is also a keyboardist, music producer and singer, currently touring with SoCal Pink Floyd stage show CONTINUOUS SIGNAL and creating electronic music under the moniker ONE MORE TIME AGO. His education includes training by renowned teachers at LA’s Playhouse West, Margie Haber Studio, Arizona’s Southwest Shakespeare Conservatory and the Film School at Scottsdale College.
Photo Gallery
