Gaslight House

The Whitefire Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of “Gaslight House” written and directed by Howard Skora, author of the well-received and award-winning plays “Miserable with an Ocean View” and “Damaged Furniture” produced by Bryan Rasmussen.  

In this quirky dark comedy, a best-selling author and psychiatrist rushes home to institutionalize his twin sister, only to find himself having to unpack the truth from his family of expert gaslighters, all of whom are playing an insane game of lies and deception with each other.

Read the NoHo Arts theatre review>>

The cast features the talents of Alex Skuby, Kit McDonough, Amy Smallman-Winston, Robert Mangiardi, Sara Maraffino and Nadya Ginsburg.

About the CAST

Alex Skuby (Dr.Ben Soloway) Born in Neptune, New Jersey, Alex started working in theater, television, film, and voiceovers in 1996 in Chicago. He moved to Los Angeles in 1998 and has recurred and guest-starred on several hit TV series – both comedy and drama, voiced major commercial campaigns and video games and is still active in the theater world. Alex was also in Howard Skora’s “Miserable with an Ocean View” and “Damaged Furniture.” 

Kit McDonough (Edith Soloway) During the 70s and 80s, Kit guest-starred on “Mash,”“Laverne and Shirley,” “Happy Days,” “The Odd Couple,” “Three’s Company,” “Rhoda,” “Soap,” “Mork and Mindy,” “Magnum P.I.,” a dozen or so pilots and some theatre and films such as “I am Sam” with Sean Penn. Kit took a short 20-year hiatus and is now returning to be part of this ensemble. This is her second time working with Howard Skora. She stepped into the role of Irene in “Damaged Furniture” during the extension.

Amy Smallman-Winston (Amanda Soloway) Amy is also a proud alumnus of The Groundlings Theater, where she honed her improv and sketch comedy skills. Original theatrical works include her one-woman show “Miss Congeniality,” and “Whores,” co-written with Maggie Baird. Her theatre credits include the L.A. premieres of “Blackout,” “Cheyenne,” “American Conspiracy,” “Stella’s Last JDate,” and “Brushes.” In addition to being a mom, wife, and actor, Amy’s other great passion is volunteering for dog rescues.

Robert Mangiardi (Uncle Lucky) Robert Mangiardi was last seen in the all English production of The Woman In Black that ran at the McKittrick in NYC as well as “Damaged Furniture” and Bobby Moresco’s original production of “Working.” Robert also is a singer-songwriter who just this past month broke into the Top Ten on both the Americana Country and Country charts on the Roots Music Reports chart with his EP, “The People You Love.” 

Sara Maraffino (Melody Van Leeuwenhoek) Sara Maraffino is classically trained actor based in Los Angeles with roles spanning across stage, television, and screen. A graduate of Circle in the Square Theatre School and the Ward Studio, Sara brings uncompromising authenticity and honesty to the characters she plays. Her credits include John Patrick Shanley’s “Italian American Reconciliation,” David Mamet’s “Sexual Perversity in Chicago,” Edward Allen Bakers’ Dolores and Terence McNally’s “Frankie & Johnny at the Claire de Lune,” “The Mentalist,” “Pretty Little Liars” just to name a few.                                                                                                   

Nadya Ginsburg (Gwen Soloway) Nadya Ginsburg is best known for her impressions of Madonna and Cher.  She has been a guest star on “2 Broke Girls,” “Partners” on CBS, and most recently in the Ben Stiller produced feature “Friendsgiving.” Nadya tours internationally as a comedian, and right before lockdown her show “Anxious and Dangerous“ had a sold-out run at “The Glory” in London. 

About the Production Team

Howard Skora (Playwright/Director) Howard is a Los Angeles-based playwright and screenwriter. “Gaslight House“ is his third comedy to have its world premiere at the Whitefire Theatre.  His first play, “Miserable with an Ocean View,” directed by Jim Fall had its world premiere in 2015 and ran for five sold-out months thanks to multiple 5-star reviews. His second play, “Damaged Furniture,“ also directed by Jim Fall, ran for six months in 2018 and received an Ovation Nomination for Featured Actress in a Play for Jessica Pohly, as well as Best Play and Best Writer nominations for the 2019 Valley Theater Awards.  Skora studied Screenwriting at UCLA Extension where he received the prestigious Diane Thomas Screenwriting Award for his screenplay, “The Trainer.”  He is also the winner of the 5th Annual Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition and used the $10,000 prize money to complete “Nick Name and The Normals,” his first independent feature-length documentary which premiered in London at The National Film Theatre. Skora has developed most of his writing in The Actor’s Gym at the Whitefire Theatre, run by Bobby Moresco (Academy-Award winner for “Crash”).

Bryan Rasmussen (Producer) Recipient of the 2016 Valley Theatre Award for Artistic Director Achievement, Bryan is in his 18th year as Producing Artistic Director of the Whitefire Theatre which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary Season. One of the most prolific theatre producers in Los Angeles, he has produced over 1000 solo shows and hundreds of full-length plays including numerous world premieres.  He also produces SOLOFEST the largest solo theatre festival on the West Coast where more than 80 shows are performed in 90 days. Bryan also founded the famous Itchey Foot Cabaret in Downtown LA in the 1980s.  He trained at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco after receiving his BA in Theatre from Cal State Long Beach. Bryan is a proud member of the Actors Gym.