So Now, What?
A Two-Act Drama
Written and Directed By John N. Frank
The Cast
Nurse Evans……………………………………………..Sandra Samargis
Alice…………………………………………………………..Jeanne Scurek
Nurse Strickland……………………………………..Ann Stuart
Dad…………………………………………………………….Phil Troyk
Frankie……………………………………………………….Edward Voci
The Settings
Act 1
A hospital room, 2016
Act 2
The Casafranc home, 2021
A hospital room
Outside the hospital
The Crew
Assistant Director/Stage Manager………………………..Angela Duggins
Graphic Designer…………………………………………………….Jenny Frank
Costume consultant………………………………………………..Carolyn Calzavara
Lighting consultant…………………………………………………Frank Rose
Nursing consultant………………………………………………….Debbie Jefferson, APN-CNP
From the Director
So Now, What? is a very personal story for me.
Like Frankie, I have had two stents inserted into my arteries to keep me alive, the first in 2012, the second in 2017. And like Frankie, I struggled with the loss of my father to heart disease as well as with the massive loss of identity and sense of self-worth that came after retiring from a calling in journalism.
I wrote this play to help everyone struggling with the loss of a loved one, with chronic disease and with issues of self-worth. Hopefully, Frankie’s sometimes rocky journey will help you on your own journey to a better place emotionally.
Our thanks to Northminster Presbyterian Church for inviting us back to perform this play. We thought Covid had put an end to our theater dream, but we are back for this show.
My special thanks also to TW who has helped me on my own emotional journey this past year. Depression is real and requires treatment. If you are depressed, do not hesitate to seek professional help.
And if you struggle with heart disease, Mended Hearts is here to help. Check the national website or our Evanston chapter site for help and information on upcoming meetings.
The cast
So Now, What? is Sandra Samargis’ debut with 2nd Act Players. She has performed onstage at The Second City Theater in Chicago in The Best of the Best, and in Cittiville: The Death of Public Access TV. Most recently, Sandra played the roles of Gertrude in Hamlet, Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, and Hortensio in Taming of the Shrew in “flash-in-the-park Shakespeare” performances held in public parks throughout Chicago.
JEANNE SCUREK (Alice) is thrilled to be working with 2nd Act Players. She just finished playing Marilla Cuthbert in ANNE OF GREENE GABLES with Inkwell Arts at Morton Aboretum. Other favorite roles include Mrs. Van Daan in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK/Metropolis, Argante in SCAPIN/Citadel and Irina in THE SEAGULL/ Dominican University. On-camera work includes a costar role on Showtime’s WORK IN PROGRESS and a recurring, supporting role in the web series, ACT OF FAITH. You can find out more about her at http://www.jeannescurek-actress.com
Ann Stuart (Nurse Strickland) was very active in suburban theater for 20+ years before moving to St. Louis in 2011. Favorite roles include Nellie (South Pacific), Queen Aggravain (Once Upon a Mattress), Cleo (The Most Happy Fella) and Actress II (Spoon River Anthology). She is very thankful for the opportunities that have come her way since her return to Evanston last year.
Phil Troyk (Dad) returns to the 2nd Act Players stage from his favorite past roles including: Sonny in New Year’s Eve at Grandma’s House, Tad in A Matter of Gender, Larry in Intentions, Stanley in A Prayer for the Sandinistas, Dr. Trausant in Now, Then, Again, Art in Triangle, and Attendant in Jose Rivera’s Tape. His theatre training was at Act One Studios and Acting Studios Chicago. For his day job he is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology. He resides with his wife in Morton Grove.
So Now, What? is Edward Voci’s (Frankie’s) debut with 2nd Act Players. He has acted in Lynn Nottage’s Sweat, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, James Baldwin’s Blues for Mr. Charlie, Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Pericles Prince of Tyre, Macbeth, and Midsummer Night’s Dream (Covid interrupted) and several other plays. He made over 100 appearances in fourteen operas at Lyric Opera of Chicago. He currently sits on the Oak Park Festival Theatre Board of Directors.
The Crew
Angela Duggins, assistant director/stage manager
Angela’s directing credits include Rikki Tikki Tavi (PR), The Pillowman (Patchwork Players). Stage Management credits include The 39 Steps and 1776: the Musical (SSDT). She also writes and performs as Ursa Miles. Her book, Passive Aggressive Fables for Adults, is available wherever books are sold.
Please support our sponsors
Coming back from Covid has been financially difficult for the 2nd Act Players, with several of our past sponsors no longer supporting us. So we are extremely grateful for the sponsors who this year continue to support us and the performing arts in Evanston. Please, please support them with your business. Thank you.
Mary Summervillewith Coldwell Banker
With more than 25 years of experience, 1,500+ transactions closed, and totaling $675 million in sales, Mary has built a loyal clientele by demonstrating exceptional market knowledge, outstanding customer service and the utmost integrity.
Andrew Erickson with Edward Jones serves the North Shore from his office in Winnetka. He came to Edward Jones from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor where he owned and managed portfolio risk for his trading company.
2nd Act Players’ Cofounder John N. Frank has worked with him for several years to manage his investments and has been highly satisfied with the results.
HEART Certified Auto Care was launched in 2017 by Brian Moak, who grew up working in the family’s auto repair shops throughout Chicago. HEART is built on more than 90 years of auto repair experience, focusing on over delivering in customer experience with an industry that doesn’t typically offer transparency.
The 2nd Act Players routinely uses Heart to care for its vehicles and has always found them to be highly professional and highly knowledgable about auto health.