Eleven years ago, Italian American actor and Brooklyn native Ronnie Marmo (General Hospital, Deuces Wild ), with nothing but 68 cents in his pocket and a dream of creating a positive, artistic, and supportive environment for actors, founded the 68 Cent Crew Theatre Company in Los Angeles, California. The mission, to create “a community dedicated to assisting actors, writers, directors and producers in the realization of their creative and professional identity.”

Since its inception, 68 has produced over fifty successful shows and festivals including, Lenny Bruce Is Back, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, The Knights of Mary Phagan, as well as 13 by John Patrick Shanley Collection, as a festival, in its entirety. Lauded as one of the top 99 seat theaters in Los Angeles, Theatre 68 has earned a reputation for first-rate productions and has fostered hundreds of talented artists through the years.

A native New Yorker raised in New Jersey, Marmo soon felt compelled to bring Theatre 68 back home, and so, in August of 2011, the New York chapter of the 68 Cent Crew Theatre Company was formed. Now the resident company of the Arthur Seelen Theatre at the Tony award winning Drama Book Shop, the New York chapter is committed to the same standard of excellence and heart as their western family.

It is with great pleasure that this enthusiastic and talented group presents, Home Brewed, the premiere production of 68 NYC; a collection of One Act Plays written, directed and produced solely by members of the company. The plays are a total of six, 4 comedies and 2 dramas (Benson, Old Wife tale).

Italian American actress, writer, producer and director Lucia Grillo, is the director of Old Wife Tale and she shares with i-Italy a few thoughts on the drama she has worked on. “The play is beautifully written.

I was impressed by the largeness of the character Betty, a young woman with stage IV cancer, the love and devotion of Howard, Betty's husband, the courage and equally largeness of character of Patricia, who matches Betty's strength with her own yet unique strength and the idea presented in the play of letting go before one's ‘time.’

I approached it, with my brilliant cast slowly, making sure we were aware of each moment and subtlety in the writing and in this situation the characters face.” Grillo, who auditioned for the company and was immediately asked to join, was contacted by Marmo directly who asked her if she's be interested in directing. She picked a drama, “a story that will have the audience thinking about true love, the unpredictability of life and not owning those we love,” she adds.

The plays are:

Benson

Written by Josiah Laubenstein, Directed by Natalie Roy. Characters: Benson played by Mark Perrone and Smitty played by George Kolombos.

A man struggling with suicidal thoughts finds help very close to home, through the unspoken love of his son.

Get Back

Written by Alan Braunstein, Directed by Mary Webb. Characters: Jack played by Cameron Moir, Woman played by Dipti Mehta and Assistant/Priest played by Christine Suero.

Lost in limbo and longing for loved ones, Jack needs to act quickly or lose to a devilish woman.
Between heaven, hell, repentance, and family, can Jack win back his soul?

Guess Who's Coming to Breakfast

Written by Eddie Jackson, Directed by Tygar Hicks. Characters: Father played by Tommy Colavito, Mother played by Mary Webb, Son played by Ed Cara, Girl Scout played by Lauren Ashleigh, Milkman #1 played by Christine Suero and Milkman #2 played by Delaney Smeal.

A seemingly perfect nuclear family shows their true colors when a visit from an unexpected stranger spins their world around.

Old Wife Tale

Written by Suzanne Mernyk, Directed by Lucia Grillo. Characters: Betty played by Tygar Hicks,
Patricia played by Hadas Nuriel, Howard played by James Sayess and Tyler Rackliffe.

A dying wife meets the new woman who has captured her husband's heart.

Family Picnic

Written By Mary Webb, Directed By Cat Cabral. Characters: Judy played by Suzanne Mernyk, Shelley played by Natalie Roy and Anna played by Chiara Montalto.

With praises to Jesus, self-help books, and freshly baked pie, Anna learns life with her sister-in-laws is no picnic.

Rounding Third

Written By Natalie Roy, Directed By Filipa Rodrigues. Characters: Frankie played by Alan Braunstein, Kimmy played by Leticia Castillo and Receptionist played by Christine Suero.

A couple struggling with sexual dysfunction seek help at a sex therapy office and find remedy in the most unexpected place.

Home Brewed runs March 29th thru April 27th, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
All performances will be held at the Arthur Seelen Theatre at The Drama Book Shop Theatre Space, 250 West 40th Street #1, New York, New York, 10018 (on 40th street between Broadway and 8th). Tickets are $15 online and over the phone, $20 cash only at the door. Running time is 75 minutes with no intermission.