MITCH KESS (Playwright, Lyricist, Composer)
Mitch’s most recent political, rock musical Saddamn The Musical, was inspired by reports that Saddamn's first novel was being made into a musical in Iraq. A Village Voice Choice and featured in the New York Times, Saddamn The Musical ended its October 2004 run at The Medicine Show Theater with standing room only crowds. A special One Night Only performance was produced by the 92nd Street Y at the Makor. Mitch’s first political, rock musical, The Last American integrates the Native American spirit as a force in the struggle for freedom in the future and was produced by The Public Theater at Joe’s Pub. As a Bass player, Mitch plays in all styles. He has performed extensively as a singer-songwriter and studied guitar with Dave Van Ronk (the Mayor of Greenwich Village). His sketch comedy has been performed by “The Lab Rats.” His underground video Defrost has a cult following and has inspired sequels from other filmmakers. His other plays include Transition and No Oxygen.
ALICE UHL (Writer/Producer/Dramaturge)
Alice began her life in theater earning a Master’s in English Literature and Drama at NYU. Believing “all the world’s a stage,” Alice decided to experience more of it. She has traveled and written about Turkey, Japan, East & Southern Africa, Egypt, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon and Europe. Her producing credits include Saddamn The Musical at The Medicine Show Theater, The Last American at Baby Jupiter and The Universal Mind at Dixon Place. Alice directed The Last American in Concert at Joe’s Pub produced by The Public Theater.
DANIEL LEFKOWITZ (Composer)
The Last American is Daniel Lefkowitz’s second collaboration with Mitch Kess. Their previous work was a musical adaptation of Robert Patrick’s My Cup Ranneth Over.
SUKI WESTON (Dramaturge)
Suki Weston began her life in theatre with Joseph Papp as Assistant to the General Manager of the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival. She was the assistant to the director of the Broadway Production of The Leaf People at the Booth Theater and then toured Europe with the Fernando Arrabel play, The Architect and The Emperor of Assyria directed by Tom O'Horgan. She has traveled the world with Tom ever since and worked on countless productions together. Recently, she directed BELLA; The Life of Bella Abzug and received rave reviews. In 2001-2002 she directed a theater company of teen-agers from Bosnia, who performed original pieces. The project was funded by the International Rescue Committee. In the past three years, Suki has worked with companies from Mongolia, Japan and India.
