Baby with the Bathwater

by Christopher Durang
Directed by Paul Chakrin
January 23-February 7

Baby with the Bathwater is a dark comedy about two new parents, John and Helen, who start out with the best of intentions, but never quite seem to pull things off. As the play opens, they are looking proudly at their new child, whom they’ve named Daisy on the assumption that it’s a girl. The problem is that they’re not sure, and are too polite to actually check. As the show progresses, things get worse: John keeps referring to the baby as types of food, much to Helen’s dismay (“Don’t call it a baked potato!”); the nanny hired to care for the baby gives it a lethal toy to play with (“Perhaps the warning is only sarcastic,”); and Daisy grows up wearing dresses and believing he is a baked potato. At the end we see Daisy with his new child and wife, determined not to repeat his parents mistakes.

“The play is a dark comedy, almost farcical,” says Dreamwell co-founder Paul Chakrin, who directed the production. “It’s got some serious moments thrown in, followed closely by whole scenes of hilarity.”

The show, which ran from January 23rd through February 7th, 1998, was quite successful, and was attended by nearly as many people as Of Mice and Men, Dreamwell’s first production.

“The cast was wonderful; they really enjoyed doing this play, and it showed,” said Chakrin.

The cast (in order of appearance):

* Kevin Wery – John
* Jennifer Schuchert – Helen
* MaryAnn Cozine – Nanny, Woman in the Park, Principal
* Ali Zimmerman – Cynthia, Woman in the Park, Miss Pringle, Susan
* Derek Cross – Daisy

Intellectual Orgasms

by Matthew Falduto
Directed by Paul Chakrin
April 17-May 2

Dremawell presented Intellectual Orgasms by Matthew Falduto on April 17-18, 24-25, and May 1-2, 1998, at 8:00 PM at 10 S Gilbert St in Iowa City. Intellectual Orgasms is a comedy/drama about Bill, Steve, and Raymond – best friends who tell each other everything. The play focuses on the three and their late night pool games where they discuss their lives amongst themselves over milk shakes and music…but when Steve’s girlfriend tells Bill a terrible secret that he doesn’t tell Steve, the bonds of the friendship are tested and stretched to their breaking point.

Intellectual Orgasms represents Dreamwell’s first production of a locally written work. The author, Matthew Falduto, is one of the co-founders of Dreamwell. “I love the idea of working with an original play, ” says Paul Chakrin, who plays Bill. “To be one of the first people to be involved, to originate a role.” Intellectual Orgasms was previously presented by West Side Players in the spring of 1996. “It was an astounding production,” says Derek Shonrock, who reprises his role as Raymond. The author, Matthew Falduto, is a graduate of the University of Iowa’s English Department, and has also written Law Number One, which was produced in the fall of 1996.

The Cast for Intellectual Orgasms:

* Matthew Falduto — Steve
* Paul Chakrin — Bill
* Derek Shonrock — Raymond
* Sharon Falduto — The Waitress

Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me
by Frank McGuinness
directed by Gerry Roe

Intellectual Orgasms
by Matthew Falduto
Directed by Paul Chakrin

Dremawell presented Intellectual Orgasms by Matthew Falduto on April 17-18, 24-25, and May 1-2, 1998, at 8:00 PM at 10 S Gilbert St in Iowa City. Intellectual Orgasms is a comedy/drama about Bill, Steve, and Raymond – best friends who tell each other everything. The play focuses on the three and their late night pool games where they discuss their lives amongst themselves over milk shakes and music…but when Steve’s girlfriend tells Bill a terrible secret that he doesn’t tell Steve, the bonds of the friendship are tested and stretched to their breaking point.

Intellectual Orgasms represents Dreamwell’s first production of a locally written work. The author, Matthew Falduto, is one of the co-founders of Dreamwell. “I love the idea of working with an original play, ” says Paul Chakrin, who plays Bill. “To be one of the first people to be involved, to originate a role.” Intellectual Orgasms was previously presented by West Side Players in the spring of 1996. “It was an astounding production,” says Derek Shonrock, who reprises his role as Raymond. The author, Matthew Falduto, is a graduate of the University of Iowa’s English Department, and has also written Law Number One, which was produced in the fall of 1996.

The Cast for Intellectual Orgasms:

* Matthew Falduto — Steve
* Paul Chakrin — Bill
* Derek Shonrock — Raymond
* Sharon Falduto — The Waitress

Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me

by Frank McGuinness
directed by Gerry Roe

Cast:
Michael – Matthew Brewbaker
Edward – Matthew Falduto
Adam – Thomas Williams