MATTHEW LEAVEITT ( DIRECTOR)
Matthew Leavitt is an award-winning playwright, director, librettist, and co-artistic director of The 6th Act. Selected directing credits include Hamlet (winner of Best Director of a Play’ Stage Scene LA Award), Legally Brunette (World Premiere – The Garry Marshall Theatre in Los Angeles, 54 Below in NYC), Sonnets From Suburbia (World Premiere – Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 59E59 in NYC, Hollywood ndependent Theatre Festival), Double Play (World Premiere – Stephanie Feury Theatre), The Scorpion and the Frog: a time killer (World Premiere – Hollywood Fringe Festival), Barfly Shakespeare (The 6th Act), Twelfth Night (Village Green Productions), The Taming of the Shrew (Village Green Productions), Arrival (Sci Fest LA) and Goes The Weasel (Ammunition Theatre Company). Playwriting credits include The $5 Shakespeare Company (LA Times Critics’ Choice) and The Boomerang Effect (published by Concord Theatricals), which has enjoyed numerous productions throughout the US and UK. His new play Sukkot recently premiered at The Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles. He has been commissioned twice by LA Opera to write the librettos for two new operas, Orpheus and The Wreck of the Miranda (both collaborations with classical and film composer Nathan Wang). For more information visit www.the6thact.com.
MADGE WOODS (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER)
Madge Woods is a woman who loves to help her friends. Over the years, that is precisely what she has done in myriad ways, supporting some with artistic endeavors—one-person shows, musicals, and publishing endeavors; Madge has been instrumental in supporting her friends in getting nonprofits off the ground (and beyond); and she supports folks in ways to numerous to list. Madge is delighted to have the opportunity to produce a play written by her friend Dennis Danziger. Months ago, Dennis invited Madge to hear a reading of The Brothers Abelson, a casual affair. The moment the reading began, Madge was hooked. She laughed, she cried, she gasped. Later that night, unable to sleep, she decided The Brothers Abelson Since 1946 needed to be on stage because she wanted everyone to have an opportunity to see it. This is the first full-length production Madge has produced—though likely not the last. She knows that everyone can identify with a family struggling, and she promises you all a moving and memorable evening with The Abelson Family.
SAMI KOLKO ( PRODUCER)
Sami has a diverse background spanning film, television, and theatre. This year, three of her short films were showcased at prestigious festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival, LA Shorts International Film Festival, and HollyShorts. In 2018, she produced the critically acclaimed production of Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies, a poignant drama that delves into the emotional complexities of war journalism. She is currently in pre-production on two feature films, further expanding her creative portfolio. Sami is thrilled to return to the theatre world as part of the team producing the world premiere of The Brothers Abelson since 1946 by Dennis Danziger.
