Ulysses of Scranton
ABOUT THE SHOW
An ensemble of actors rehearse their new production of James Joyce’s Ulysses, but as they progress through the infamously “impossible to adapt” work, they find the line between text and real life starts to dissolve.
A theatrical remix of Joyce’s classic novel in which the voices and humour of Scranton, Pennsylvania in 2026 blend with the Dublin of the early 20th-century – the play keeps the heartbeat of the original while layering in contemporary stories to produce a fast-paced, funny and emotionally direct work.
Knowledge of the original book is not essential for enjoyment!
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
July 24 & 25 at 7:30 PM: Sanctuary Theater, Scranton, PA
August 7-16, 18-23, and 26-19 at 11:00 AM: Bedlam Theatre, Edinburgh, UK
SELECTED PRESS CLIPPINGS: Broadway World, Western People, WVIA, NEPA Scene, Mayo News, Scranton Times-Tribune #1, Scranton Times Tribune #2, Scranton Times Tribune #3
PRODUCTION STILLS
CAST
WERNER J. CHRISTENSEN is proud to be in his second Scranton Fringe production. Most recently, he appeared as Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie.
Werner graduated with a degree in Communications and Theater from The University of South Dakota and a M. A. in Education from Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. By day, he is an HR manager for an ophthalmic service provider, but 28 years since his first show and you can’t keep him off the stage.
He has performed locally with The Music Box Dinner Playhouse, Gaslight Theatre Company, Imagine NEPA Performing Arts Center, Milford Theater, and Linn McDonald School of Dance.
Thank you to my husband, Joe, for your support; and to our audiences for supporting local arts in NEPA!
SIMONE DANIEL asked Chat GPT to write this bio for her but was met with “I’m sorry, I don’t know who Simone Daniel is”. Well, A.I…she is a Brooklyn-based writer and director whose theater works have premiered in several cities across the U.S. as well as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
An enthusiastic believer in ensemble-based work, Simone has supported, nurtured, and developed a large body of work for several young companies such as The The New Vintage Ensemble, Scranton Fringe Festival, Scranton Shakespeare Festival and more. Features of her work include extreme focus on character, immersive elements and a strong aesthetic.
She is a prolific costume designer and has years of experience in various departments in film and television. She is passionate about arts education for learners at all levels and greatly enjoys every opportunity to teach.
She recently earned her masters degree in Creative Non-Fiction at Wilkes University. She hopes people perceive her as a combination of Isabella Rossellini and Gandalf the Grey, but appreciates that it’s probably more of a Bea Arthur/C-3PO kind of situation. Now could a computer write that?
COLIN HOLMES is a proud native and resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania. For the past decade, he has served as the Director of Drama and Musical Theatre at Scranton Preparatory School. — most recently, Colin directed a production of Newsies with a cast of 72 and a crew of 55.
To date he has taught 2000+ students in the classroom, directed 500+ young actors in dozens of productions, and mentored over 50 artists who have gone on to work professionally acting, writing, directing, designing, composing, and choreographing in film, television, music, digital media, and of course, live theatre.
In addition to teaching and directing, Colin continues to act professionally. He has worked on various film, television, and theatre projects.
Favorite roles include The Baker in Into the Woods and Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
KIMMIE LEFF has been in and part of plays that you’ve heard of and/or seen and some that you’ve never heard of but none of those matter because THIS play that you’ve chosen to become a part of is about HOLDING TO THE NOW. Being fully present in this moment. Something that seems impossible in these crazy times but we’ve given ourselves the gift of escape for an hour and embarking on our own shared Odyssey and I think that’s pretty spiffy.
Why don’t you practice now by finishing up reading the bios and then get to know someone in your vicinity that you did not come to this theatre with? Make a new friend. If that doesn’t resonate then here are some charities/organizations to check out on your phone and maybe make a donation to.
Either way, new friend or tax write off, it’s a feel good moment.
Scranton Fringe (Forever Team Lizz!)
MANDY PENNINGTON is a writer, marketer, teacher, and actor with a passion for storytelling and an MFA in creative writing from the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Wilkes University. She is also a founding member of the New Vintage Ensemble.
Selected acting credits include the internationally-acclaimed production of Ulysses of Scranton (Scranton Fringe, Ballina Arts Center), 1984 (Scranton Fringe), Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Scranton Fringe), Hamlet (NVE), Our Town (NVE), Pride & Prejudice (NVE), Angels in America (LTWB), August: Osage County (LTWB), The Pallbearers (Gaslight Theater Co.), A Charlie Brown Christmas (Gaslight Theater Co.), James and the Giant Peach (Ovation Playhouse), Annie (Ovation Playhouse) and Pippin (Ovation Playhouse).
Her solo play, Girl Walks Into a Movie Theatre, has been produced in both Pennsylvania and New York.
Follow @mandybpenn or www.mandybpenn.com for updates (including the release of her memoir, GATEWAYS, in 2027 through Vine Leaves Press). HUGE thanks to her husband, Brent, as well as her family and friends for all of their support!
CREW
CONOR KELLY O’BRIEN (writer/director) is an award-winning theatre-maker, writer, and nonprofit leader whose original works have been performed across the U.S. and the United Kingdom. NYC stage credits include performances at 59E59 Theatres, The Cell, Under St. Marks, and The Actors Company Theatre. Conor is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Scranton Fringe Festival and serves Marywood University as its Civic & Cultural Development Coordinator.
Conor is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America, the New Vintage Ensemble, and a Pennsylvania state-rostered teaching artist. His nonprofit work has included collaborations with the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, The Center For The Living City, AFA Gallery, and others. Conor teaches theatre at Marywood University and currently directs their fall play and spring musical. He is currently pursuing an MFA at Wilkes University’s Maslow Creative Writing Program.
JESSICA CADDEN OSBORNE (choreographer) is a professional actress, dancer, director, producer, and choreographer from Northeastern Pennsylvania. Jessica graduated with a BFA in Jazz and Theatre Dance Performance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. In NYC, Jessica received her acting training from Terry Schreiber Studios. An Actors’ Equity member since 2011, Jessica has performed in many regional theatres throughout the United States, and found a home at Radio City Music Hall from 2008-2015 as a Radio City Rockette. Ms. Osborne also spent five years as a cast member in the avant-garde, off-Broadway show Fuerza Bruta.
A SAG-AFTRA member since 2012, Jessica has enjoyed working on both short and feature films, in both leading and supporting roles. Jessica enjoys teaching as a Rostered Artist in the state of PA, educating youth and older adults in an array of dance styles, in addition to teaching well-being practices and self-expression through movement. Jessica is co-owner of Motion Arts LLC, a film production company dedicated to creating responsible art through truthful stories that contribute to society. Motion Arts’ feature film Hold Her Hand will shoot in the Fall of 2025 in both Sligo, Ireland, and Scranton, PA.