THE GEEZE AND ME! Rag Lady Productions Brings Music and Humor to the Truth about Aging…

What if there was a musical – simultaneously serious and hilarious, that explores the wild ride of life’s later years, addressing the good, the bad and the ugly of aging? Rag Lady Productions’ THE GEEZE AND ME is a musical production about the aging process, upsides and down. The World Premiere of The Geeze And Me will be presented in San Diego, March 31 – April 29 at The Tenth Avenue Arts Center. With Original Music by Hedges Capers and Book written by Hedges Capers and Nancy Locke Capers. Produced and Directed by Nancy Locke Capers. Musical Direction by Will (B.J.) Robinson of KPBS’s Spectrum, Choreography by Joanne Lovejoy, Sound and Video by Joe Huppert, Costume Design by Max Cadillac,  Lighting Design by Cynthia Bloodgood, Script Consultant Dilip Jeste, M.D., in consultation with UCSD Center for Healthy Aging, PR/Media by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, Casting by Samuel Warren & Associates, Invisible People portrait by Neil Shigley, with Brendan Hill as Assistant Director and Beonica Bullard as Stage Manager.

THE GEEZE & ME is a funny, irreverent, and poignant show about surviving aging. This timely show features a comedic troupe of eccentric players who team up to wrangle aspects of aging from an expert. An eclectic blend of songs ranging from pop to blues to corner street doo-wop, accompanied by electric choreography and state of the art projections. The perils and benefits of growing older are reflected in the concerns of this diverse group of people. Think “Hair,” after it’s gone…THIS IS THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF BEWARE OF US!

THE GEEZE & ME PRODUCTION / CREATIVE TEAM

HEDGES CAPERS – (Music and Book; Playing David, Soap-boxer and Beat Poet)  Capitol Records recording artist, singer/songwriter with 8 albums as “Hedge & Donna” in the late 60’s, early 70’s. A&M staff songwriter. Actor- Title role in “The Legend of Hillbilly John.” Hundreds of clubs and concerts internationally including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, National Arts Center. Every television variety show of the late 60’s (Smothers Brothers, Mike Douglas, the Tonight Show and more.)  He later became a Marriage and Family Clinical Counselor, a behavioral consultant and patent holder in the corporate sphere.

Quote from Hedges Capers: “Have you ever done what you wanted in life? If you have, hats off to you. If not, best get busy…living the gift.”  – Hedges Capers

NANCY LOCKE CAPERS (Producer, Director, Co-wrote Book) a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, SAG, CAMFT.  After 25 years in the film industry as an actress in film (Pretty Woman & 23 film projects), TV, commercials, and theater, as well as theatre producer & director, screenwriter (having one co-written script produced by an independent film company and another bought by Paramount Studios and in development for 2 yrs.)  Capers returned to school and passed the boards to become a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in La Jolla for almost two decades.   She also worked as a behavioral consultant in the corporate sphere, both domestically and abroad.

Quote from Nancy Locke  Capers: “We both have performing, script writing, show biz backgrounds, so it’s a delight to be able to create a meaningful/hilarious project about aging which we’re both experiencing.  Can’t wait to open the show!”- Nancy Capers

WILL (BJ) ROBINSON (Musical Director) is a musician, educator, composer, director, and performer, BJ has worked with the vocal dept. of Southwestern College since 2009; is host of KPBS Spectrum (airing every Saturday at 5:30PM), a program about arts and culture in San Diego; serves as baritone soloist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hillcrest since 2010 and as an instructor/music director for J*Company Youth Theater since 2012. Composed original scores for San Diego-based short films (Mustang Love, The Fad and Furriest: A Documentary) with Cane Toad Productions, starred in short film Meetchu In Machu Picchu: A Musical Journey, by Larry Zieger. The voice of a character in the soundtrack to Dinner for God, a novel & CD by Rayme Sciaroni. In addition to having a private vocal studio, BJ is a vocal instructor at Francis Parker School and a frequent guest performer with the music ministry at the University of San Diego.

JOANNE LOVEJOY (Choreographer) Dancer, teacher, choreographer. As a teen Joanne performed along side the Bright Side Singers in Bob Hope’s USO shows in California; singer and dancer for Cabaret Review” produced by On The Town Productions, numerous productions with the Rhythm-Aire Players, including Rhythm is our Business and Final Encore. She choreographed Annie and Little Shop of Horrors at the Lyceum. For the past twelve years she has been on the teaching staff at several local dance studios including S.D. Danceworks and Culture Shock Dance Center. Please see more at: https://www.metrodancesd.com/joanne-lovejoy/.

JOE HUPPERT (Sound and Video Designer) Previously at San Diego Repertory Theater, The Oldest Boy (Craig Noel Award). Other local video designs include This Wonderful Life for North Coast Rep, Glengarry Glen Ross for La Jolla Playhouse and The Elephant Man with Backyard Renaissance. As sound designer, shows include Blueprints to Freedom, Peter and the Starcatchers (La Jolla Playhouse); Scott Joplin, Extraordinary Chambers, Yellow Face, Stick Fly, Kita Y Fernanda, 26 Miles (Mo’Olelo); Urinetown, Over the Tavern, King O’ The Moon (Mercury Theater); Mr. Burns (UCSD).

MAX CADILLAC (Costume Designer) Working on such an exciting new show brings Max the greatest joy. He recently finished costuming for 9 to 5: The Musical at San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) as well as their holiday classic White Christmas. Working closely with Janet Pitcher, he has also costumed My Fair Lady at The Welk Resort, and looks forward to continue working with Janet. Max loves all aspects of costuming and fashion, including recently modeling for San Diego Opera.  Performing throughout his home town of San Diego at Cygnet, SDMT, Moonlight, and The Welk Resort, Max is thrilled to play Lillias Pastia in San Diego Opera’s upcoming The Tragedy of Carmen, March 10-12. BFA, Musical Theatre (AMDA). A big OLD thank you to the cast and crew, his incredible geezer parents, and of course Susan Farese for making this happen.

CYNTHIA BLOODGOOD (Lighting Designer) Freelance Designer and Technician, Technical Theatre Teacher at La Jolla Country Day School, Technical Director San Diego Junior Theatre. BA from BYU, 1999.

DILIP JESTE, M.D. (Script Consultant) is a geriatric neuropsychiatrist, who specializes in successful aging, neurobiology of wisdom as well as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in older adults. He is the Senior Associate Dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and Director, UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging, Estelle and Edgar Levi Chair in Aging, and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry & Neurosciences.  In consultation with UCSD Center for Healthy Aging. Watch his excellent TED Talk: http://tedmed.com/talks/show?id=526815. Quote from Dilip Jeste: “It’s wonderful to see our Research turned into art.”- Dilip Jeste, M.D.

DANIELLE K. GLORIOSO (Script Consultant) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been a member of the UC San Diego Division of Geriatric Psychiatry since 2001. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging.

SUSAN J. FARESE (PR, Media/Press) Owner, SJF Communications in San Diego. RN, MSN, SAG-AFTRA. Provides personalized Marketing/PR/Social Media/Writing/Photography/Video Services/Coaching/Legal Nurse Consulting.  www.sjfcommunications.com.  Susan Farese also lives in Carmel Valley.

SAMUEL WARREN (Casting) Samuel Warren International Casting Services Member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, a Casting Society of America Member and affiliated with the Better Business Bureau http://www.samuelwarren.com/

NEIL SHIGLEY (Artist) Fox television story on Neil’s portrait of a homeless man won a 2013 Emmy. His most recent work consists of large-scale portraits of homeless people near his studio in San Diego. His work has been exhibited internationally. We are honored that he will be doing a portrait of our Homeless woman which will be on display in theatre lobby. http://neilshigley.com/

BRENDAN A. HILL (Assistant Director) BFA in Dramatic Writing from Purchase College, SUNY. Company Manager at Food for Thought Productions/Cause Celebre for 6 yrs., plays produced at Ensemble Studio Theatre, NYC, semi-finalist for the O’Neill Natl. Playwrights Conference and Clubbed Thumb’s Biennial Commission. Three plays produced in Paris. Eight years in NYC theatre community receiving readings, workshops and small productions from 2012 – 2016. 

BEONICA BULLARD (Stage Manager) is completing her BFA at San Diego State University in General Theater. As a stage manager, she has worked with the SDSU School of Theater, Television, and Film on shows such as Julius Caesar, Into The Woods and The BFG. Also worked with Intrepid Shakespeare Company, Quality of Life, Comic-Con and the Plays By Young Writers Festival 2015 & 2016. 

THE GEEZE & ME CAST 

DEVLIN  (KAY) Recently appearing in Sunday in the Park with George after years of extensive stage work and cabaret/concerts. Appeared in Into the Woods, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, Women Behind Bars, A Christmas Carol, and The Devlin Show. Devlin will be performing in The Spitfire Grill at North Coast Repertory Theatre in May, 2017. For more: http://www.ma4sd.com/service/devlin/.

HEDGES CAPERS  (DAVID, SOAPBOXER and BEAT POET)  formerly of Hedge & Donna  in the late 60s, Hedges performed in Carnegie Hall, the Greek Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, on the Smothers Brothers Show and many others.  Starring in The Legend of Hillbilly John, he returns to the stage as co-author of the book and writer of all music and lyrics.

KENT BRISBY (BOB) Kent focuses mainly on original work, appearing in 2015 in The Pitch starring Paul Rodriguez and the upcoming Three Kings/Tres Reyes this holiday season. Toured nationally, appeared on more than a dozen local stages as an actor. As a playwright and director he has many more local credits, including projects at the Old Globe and San Diego Zoo. He currently serves as Artistic Director for Asian Story Theater, as well as Radio Theater for KPBS, AirStage and Radio Lunch. (Just down the street he is a co-author and director of a new play Halo-Halo at the Lyceum Space through April 9. Bring your GEEZE & ME ticket stub for discount admission).  KLBrisby.com. 

BYRON LaDUE (HOWARD) Byron LaDue is a veteran performer at many San Diego area theatres, including recent productions as Paul Gauguin in Prick (San Diego Fringe Festival), Gauguin in The Musical Paul Gauguin (Asian Story Theatre), and Willum in The Nerd, (Coronado Playhouse). Byron also has notable credits at The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Rep,  and the former Starlight Theatre, Gaslamp Quarter Theatre, Hahn Cosmopolitan Theatre and Marquis Theatre. Byron has a BA in Drama from San Diego State University.  Extensive improv experience. Winner of the Best Actor Atlas Award as Big Harp in Robber Bridegroom and Winner, Comedy Festival  as Duke Ladoo in The Piparoos Live at the Globe. 

GABRIELA NELSON  (SHERRY)  Considerable stage, screen and recording artist who has worked nationally and internationally. She’s a former 80’s icon (NBC TV series regular of KIDD VIDEO). Recent San Diego appearances include SD Rep, 10th Ave Arts, La Jolla Playhouse, Black Box Theatre, The Horton Grand and Spreckels. Gabby also writes for the Latin Performing Arts Community. 

JESSE MacKINNON (DWIGHT)  Jesse is the recipient of the San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Award and The San Diego Playbill Award for Outstanding Performance in a Drama as Eddie Carbone in A View From The Bridge (Renaissance Theatre). Other regional credits include: Jules in Sunday in the Park With George (ION Theatre); Roy Cohn in Angels In America (ION Theatre); Henry Peabody in Tobacco Road (La Jolla Playhouse); MacDuff in MacBeth (Intrepid Shakespeare); Polymester in Hecuba, (6th@Penn), Renee Gallimard in M. Butterfly (Diversionary); Horace Vandergelder Hello Dolly (Lambs Players); Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol (North Coast Rep); Henri Fontannes The Magic Fire (Moonlight at the Avo); Pharoah in Aida (Starlight); Emil De Becq in South Pacific (Lambs Players); Pop in Pajama Game (Starlight); Pat Denning in 42^ndStreet (Welk Theatre) and  Major Ed Lansdale in Dooley at Diversionary Theatre. 

LORRAINE DEVON WILKE (HELEN) Writer, photographer, singer/songwriter, actress – a true “Renaissance woman” who brings the sum total of her eclectic career to everything she does, whether indie films (To Cross the Rubicon), original music (Somewhere On the Way), or her Huffington Post Column.. Most recently she’s put her energies into fiction: her debut novel, After The Sucker Punch, and short story, “She Tumbled Down,” were 2014 publishing successes; 2015 saw the launch of her latest novel, Hysterical Love, and her current book, A Nice White Girl, is hoping for a 2017 release. Details and info can be found www.Lorrainedevonwilke.com.

LOLLY BOROFF (MRS. DINGLER)  Actress/writer/director, Lolly is the daughter of the late George Boroff of The Circle Theatre, and niece of Academy Award winning actress Shelley Winters. Her acting credits include the original Broadway cast of The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds, films Blue Thunder and Star 80, and TV’s I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant, 1000 Ways To Die, and America’s Court With Judge Ross; has appeared on stage in All My Sons, The Dixie Swim Club and The Vagina Monologues; recently directed A Long Way To Midnight, at the Lyceum Theatre. Wrote, directed and produced her first film, Think Tank. She has appeared in several commercials, and loves performing improv and stand-up.

SUSAN BENNINGHOFF  (MIRANDA) Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Susan is currently director of the legendary San Diego playwrights development group, Scripteasers  as well as musical and stage work including the Phoenix Performing Arts Center.

KIERA MERSKY (BOBBI & MARGO) Having worked in live shows (Universal Studios), theatre productions as a dancer and actress and in commercials, Kiera received her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Temple University.

LAUREN PRESKI (MARGRET) Natl. Assn of Singing Teachers – 2nd place, NC, Back to the 80s – Moronga Casino, Last Chance Romance, Property of the Dallas Cowboys, Don Giovanni, Legoland – live shows, Six Flags, America – Wonder Woman.

ERIN VANDERHYDE (HOMELESS) Presently at San Diego State University (SDSU) Erin is pursuing her Bachelors of Arts Degree in General Theatre. Entertainer at Legoland. Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights (SDSU), Hairspray, Godspell, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Legally Blonde, Footloose and Ragtime at Young Actors Theatre (YAT). Associates Degree in Music, Grossmont College.

SUSIE SINGER CARTER (SCIENCE & GINGER) As well as an acting history, Sue has also had success as a writer and is a talented singer as well. Also playing Ginger, here’s more about Sue:  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802053/ Sue has recently completed shooting a short film she wrote and directed, My Mom and The Girl, with Valerie Harper and Liz Torres.

SCOTTY BILLION (UNDERTAKER) Scott became involved in music at a young age. He sings vocals in Madman SD, a cover band for Ozzy Osbourne. He is making his acting debut in THE GEEZE & ME.

THE GEEZE & ME is thrilled to give back! Over 50% of proceeds from ticket sales of The Geeze & Me will be donated to the following charities: Path, A New Path; UCSD Center for Healthy Aging, The Unbattle Project and  The Center LGBT Senior Services.

What audience patrons of THE GEEZE & ME staged readings are saying:

“So life-affirming. Even just seeing a reading was fantastic. Look forward to seeing it mounted!”

“…the story, writing, and music are stunning.”

“…intimate dialectic you achieved between characters/story/music is amazing. So well done!  Really smart.”

“…your inclusion of socio-scientific-political realities re: aging and society are never forced, always brief, and work. This is very hard to do. But you did it.”

“I’m in awe of the music/lyrics…”

Methusalah said, “It’s the best musical I’ve seen in 800 years!”

General Admission tickets are $30: http://www.sdartstix.com/the-geeze-and-me/ or www.thegeezeandme.com. For Group Discount rate ($20 for 10 or more) contact thegeezeandme@yahoo.com or call 858-232-9696. 

SCHEDULE: Previews/Pay what you can with a cast talkback following the preview performances March 29 & 30th. Performances: March 31 – April 29, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees  at 2:00 p.m. 

LOCATION: The Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 10th Ave, San Diego 92101

For press info, interviews, photos or press comps, please contact: Susan J. Farese,

SJF Communications: 408-398-5940, sjfcommunications@gmail.com or thegeezeandme@yahoo.com.  LIKE The Geeze & Me on Facebook; FOLLOW The Geeze & Me on TWITTER,  FOLLOW The Geeze & Me on Instagram