Dream Big World Theatre, Inc., Presents

CRACKED OPEN
Written and Directed by GAIL DRIEGEL

With

PAMELA BOB, JOYIA D. BRADLEY, RUBEN CABALLERO, PAUL CASTREE, BLAIRE DIMISA
SCOTT HARRISON, MADELINE GRACE JONES, LISA PELIKAN, KATHERINE REIS
BART SHATTO and JENNE VATH

Lighting Desing: YANG YU
Costume Design: AC GOTTLIEB, JAMES NGUYEN
Sound Desing: BILL TOLES
Prop Design: MIKAILA BACA-DORION
Casting Director: JAMIBETH MARGOLIS, CSA
Assistant Director: MARI TOMPKINS
Press Representative: JT PUBLIC RELATIONS
Advertising/Marketing: RED RUSUBG NARJETUBG
Production Manager: BILL TOLES
General Manager: FORM THEATRICALS
Production Stage Manager: SUZANNE APICELLA
Fight Director: JUDI LEWIS OCKLET

Theatre 4 @ Theatre Row
410 West 42nd Street (between Ninth & Tenth Avenues)
May 6th – June 28th, Opening Night – 05/20/25

In Gail Kreigel’s CRACKED OPEN mental health is examined from all perspectives – who we are as human beings, how we interact with community associates, the roles we play as family members, and how we create a space in society for these individuals. Quite an accomplishment for a 95-minute presentation.

When 17-year-old Matilda (Katherine Reis) suddenly develops mental illness, the effects are far reaching. Mother Mae (Pamela Bob) combines denial with optimism; Father Billy (Ruben Caballero) attempts to hide the dilemma from his cohorts; Uncle Michael (Paul Castree), with problems of his own, provides a space for the troubled child; and younger sister (Blaire Dimissa) looks for someone to blame. The cast is impressive with a mere 11 people portraying a total of 32 characters. Kreigel fills CRACKED OPEN with drama made tolerable by interspersed humor, and as director she maintains a brisk pace. And in the end love, understanding, and family are the winners. A more fitting contribution to Mental Health Awareness Month cannot be found!

- Laurie Lawson -