written and directed by Gary Graves NOW PLAYING THRU APRIL 7 World Premiere #73: a Gilded Age comedy
Produced in: 2024
In 1876, Bill McGreedy, the former Boss of New York City, languishes in prison on Blackwell’s Island in the East River. Convicted on over 200 counts of fraud and corruption, he fears he may spend the rest of his days in the slammer. When an unexpected offer comes from the Attorney General’s “Special Counsel” Bill sees a chance to regain his freedom and get back in the game. All he has to do is…tell the truth.
“Back in the game”
Boss McGreedy is a SF Chronicle Datebook Pick!
and the SF Bay Area Theater Critics’ Circle says “Go See Boss McGreedy!”
Acting Ensemble:
Brian Herndon* (Townsend/Hunt/Flanangan)
Anna Ishida* (O’Brian Bryant/Aparishio)
Michael Ray Wisely* (Bill “Boss “McGreedy)
Stage Management: Natalia Rivera-Ramos
Costume design: Tammy Berlin
Prop design: Cyndi Lagodzinski
Sound design: Gregory Scharpen
* appear through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Gary Graves is a director and playwright living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1998, he’s been a resident playwright and company co-director at Central Works, developing 73 world premiere productions with the company, many of which were either written and/or directed by him. Some of the plays he has written for the company include Mondragola, The Lion & the Fox, Machiavelli’s The Prince (all part of his cycle of plays on the life of Niccolò Machiavelli), Wonderland, Chekhov’s WARD 6, Palace Wreckers, Edward King, Project Ahab, Lola Montez, Enemy Combatant, The Mysterious Mr. Looney, Misanthrope, Mata Hari, and Pyrate Story. He directed the company’s first collaboratively developed script, Roux, at the Berkeley City Club in 1997. He also leads the Writers Workshop at Central Works and teaches playwriting regularly at the Berkeley Rep School of Theater.
Convicted on over 200 counts of fraud and corruption, Boss McGreedy (Michael Ray Wisely*) fears he may spend the rest of his days in the slammer…in spite of being”held” in the warden’s quarters.
Central Works presents world premiere #73: Boss McGreedy by Gary Graves, Mar 2 – Mar 31 at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley.
Photo by Robbie Sweeny
The attorney general’s special counsel, O’Brian Bryant (Anna Ishida*), offers a proposal to the “Boss” for how to have his sentence remanded.
Central Works presents world premiere #73: Boss McGreedy by Gary Graves, Mar 2 – Mar 31 at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley.
Photo by Robbie Sweeny
After being shipwrecked, Bill “Boss” McGreedy (Michael Ray Wisely*), wakes up in a different prison , and is interrogated by a Portuguese mercenary (Anna Ishida*).
Central Works presents world premiere #73: Boss McGreedy by Gary Graves, Mar 2 – Mar 31 at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley.
Photo by Robbie Sweeny
* all actors appear through the courtesy of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Bill “Boss” McGreedy (Michael Ray Wisely*) and his lawyer, Dudley Townsend (Brian Herndon*), scheme how the Boss can get “back in the game.”
Central Works presents world premiere #73: Boss McGreedy by Gary Graves, Mar 2 – Mar 31 at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley.
More photos HERE
Photo by Robbie Sweeny
“One chief thrill…is how briskly Gary Graves’ world premiere moves” L. Janiak, SF Chronicle Datebook Pick
“Michael Ray Wisely delivers an unforgettable performance” R. Tasleem, BNN Breaking
“Strong performances spark Central Works’…comedic cautionary tale” E. Mendel, Berkeleyside
“It’s the actors, under the playwright’s astute direction, who make the work sing” J. Schiffman, Bay City News
“A powerful piece of theater that everyone will enjoy” R. Gardner, Theatrius
“Gritty, intriguing, and highly entertaining” E. Reynolds, Theatre Eddys
“A very satisfying piece of theater…with three superb performers leading the way.” S.Hogarty, East Bay Times
More photos:
Brian Herndon* as the boatman, Hunt, sings an unsettling song as he rows under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Anna Ishida* as O’Brian Bryant of the New York Special Prosecutor’s office; does she have what it takes to nail Boss McGreedy for his crimes?
Michael Ray Wisely* is a defeated Boss McGreedy…or is he?
l-r: Boss McGreedy (Michael Ray Wisely*) and Hunt (Brian Herndon*) rowing out to sea.
Brian Herndon* as Dudley Townsend , insists on having the last laugh.
* all actors appear through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
