The Crew:
Sound Design: Ron Collins
Set/Properties Design: Christa Dahman
Lighting Design: Taylor Kokinos
Poster Design: Jon Lyons (frogisis.artstation.com)
Stage Manager: Melissa Minkoff
Fight Choreography: Stephen Montagna
Costume Design: Jen Plants
Director: Doug Reed
Music Tracks: Andrew Rohn, Matthew Sanborn
Program Design: Kristin Scheeler
Scenic Painters: Adrian Beyer, Maria Dahman, Meaghan Heires, Kirsten Widmayer
The Cast:
Commander Wrathfist: Adrian Beyer
Booker Walden: Anthony Cary
Lord Ferocious: Joel Davidson
Aurora: Meaghan Heires
The Narrator: Shivam Patel
Administrator Wright: Amy Rowland
General Skullblood: Sibley
Chloe: Kyla Vaughan
From the playwright:
This is my first full-length playscript. I’ve written hundreds of comedy sketches and political cartoons. I’ve even written out a few screenplays. But this was the first time I put together something like this. I’m not exactly sure why I wrote it. I’ve never seen either Paul Blart movie. But my friends and I were joking about all these legacy sequels. All those unnecessary adventures where we see an old Indiana Jones or an old Captain Picard or an old Kenan and Kel return to Good Burger. I suggested: “What if we did one about Paul Blart?” Once that idea rooted in my head, I couldn’t let it go. This happens to me every so often, an idea that demands to become reality. Frustratingly, this often happens with really, really goofy ideas. So I wrote a 2-page outline, the beats of which were remarkably close to the final script. At that point, I was powerless. I had to write it.
It’s a very silly script about some very silly things. Yet, I love this script dearly. Every artist has the work that best exemplifies them as an artist. For better or worse, this is the most ‘me’ thing I’ve ever written. I know, Paul Blart 3. Listen, you don’t get to pick what inspires you. This script, somehow, is my art.
It’s one thing to write a post-apocalyptic frontier town with bold characters and so, so many props, it’s another thing to bring it to the stage. My thanks to Doug, the cast, and the crew for taking this script and making it whole. It has been an absolute thrill to get to see it come together. Watching the actors add nuance and subtext that I never intended, seeing gorgeous props created from literal garbage. Theatre is a collaborative medium and it’s been an absolute thrill to see all these people equally invested in creating this world.
I hope you enjoy Paul Blart 3: Blart of Darkness.
Alan Talaga
How It Began:
About the People:
Adrian Beyer: Originally from Michigan, Adrian Beyer is internationally renowned for having two fists, both of which are full of wrath. Outside of his theatrical pursuits, he is a first-year Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin in Asian Languages and Cultures. Adrian tried theatre on a whim while in undergrad and fell in love. While in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Adrian directed, acted, wrote, and produced student-written musical theatre with Not Even Really Drama Students (look them up on YouTube and all other social media!). Adrian is overjoyed to continue theatre in Wisconsin and is grateful to the Broom Street Theatre community for creating such a joyful artistic space and welcoming him to Madison with warm arms.
Anthony Cary: Anthony Cary is proud to be in another Broom Street production! As the apocalypse approaches, he is excited to be in such a prescient play about the harsh realities of society and mall cops. This is his first show in Broom Street history where he is not, in some capacity, the antagonist. Thanks for coming to see the show, Madison!
Christa Dahman: Christa Dahman dreams in garbage.
Joel Davidson: Joel has been active in theater for over 50 years. A theater major at Northeastern University in Boston, he acted, stage managed, and built sets. He also was the Production and Stage Manager at Priscilla Beach Theater, a summer stock theater south of Boston. Since moving to Madison in 1979, he became active with Madison Theater Guild and Strollers Theater, and has had the chance to play some wonderful roles. His favorites are: CK Dexterhaven–“The Philadelphia Story”, Bert Cates—“Inherit the Wind”, Alan Felix—“Play it Again, Sam”, Lord Fancourt Babberly—“Charley’s Aunt”, Lyman Wyeth—“Other Desert Cities’, and Tom—“The Glass Menagerie”, among other roles.
He is excited that theater is back, and is delighted to be playing the deliciously nasty role of Magnificent Tyrant Ferocious.
Joel was a fitness instructor for more than 20 years, and believes that doing things you love, be it fitness, theater, gardening, cooking, reading, or whatever keeps your mind and/or body active, is the key to being happy.
Meaghan Heires: (she/her) – Aurora / Scenic painting – Meaghan is grateful that she is not in charge of an entire post apocalyptic village’s agriculture. If she was, we would all surely starve. Meaghan has been active in the Theater community in Madison since 2019. Her first Broom Street performance was in the 50 year anniversary performance of Lysistrata. You may have recently seen her in Escape from Happiness (Bartell), The Little Death (BST), or Happy Landings (BST). When not on stage, Meaghan enjoys painting, yoga, cats, puzzles, and mathematics in no particular order. Well, okay, cats might take the #1 spot. Thank you to this wonderfully talented cast and crew. Thank you, the audience, for supporting the arts so we can continue these wild romps through the Sundered Lands.
Melissa Minkoff: Melissa Minkoff is pleased to serve as stage manager for Paul Blart 3: Blart of Darkness. Previous BST acting credits include the roles of Lampito in BST’s 50th Anniversary Production of Lysistrata, Betsey Hamilton in Hamilton: the Original 1917 Broadway Smash Hit, and Delphyne/Beth/South Wind in Hark! A Lark!. Most recently, she was the stage manager for Our Home States – Midwest Edition. She can sometimes be found wandering around various Madison parks or cycling on the city’s bike paths.
Doug Reed: Doug Reed serves as the Managing Director here at Broom Street Theater. He’s especially grateful to Laura for putting up with all this madness.
Sibley: Sibley is excited to be at Broom St for another wonderful production! You may have noticed them behind the curtain for It’s All Overboard and An Evening of the Absurd (or The Adventures of an Electric Kaleidoscopic Crocodile Named Philip in the World of Funkadelic Wonderment) or marveled at their glorious mustache (RIP) on stage for Hamilton (1917). Many thanks to the multitude of magnificent people who worked together to make this show possible! May we all enjoy a warm pretzel with friends during the end of the world.
Alan Talaga: Alan Talaga is a writer and comedian living in Madison, WI. Paul Blart 3: Blart of Darkness is his first full-length playscript. He has never seen either Paul Blart movie. Alan is grateful to Doug, the cast, and the crew for all of the energy and love they have invested into a very, very silly script. After he finishes up his master’s degree this spring, Alan will finish up his next play script. It will also be very, very silly. Alan also wants to thank his family, friends, and all the kittens of the world for their support.
Kyla Vaughan: Kyla is beyond excited to be in her third production (this year!) at Broom Street. Previously you may have seen her as Ash in “It’s All Overboard” or Alys/Maggie/Pancoast in “The Abortionist.” Chloe is a whole new challenge and one that Kyla has throughly enjoyed. It turns out swinging machetes at people in pretty fun. She’d like to thank all of her amazing friends for all the support they’ve given her, especially those who allowed her to skip girl dinner for over a month.”