An LA Times Critics’ Choice, The 6th Act presented a world premiere comedy, a heartfelt love letter to all things 99-seat theatre, The $5 Shakespeare Company, written by Matthew Leavitt (The Boomerang Effect) and directed by Joel Zwick (Director of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, George Gershwin Alone, and over 650 episodes of television). 

"Leavitt’s script is SHARP, with a fluid and nuanced plot... The characters are PIERCINGLY VIBRANT, their connections to one another messy and tension-filled...

The actors SHINE individually and as an ensemble with a pulsating chemistry... 
Joel Zwick’s direction is seamless...

THE $5 SHAKESPEARE COMPANY proves to be cleverly self-referential, bursting with humor that pulls the audience into the world of theater actors. It’s a love letter to Shakespeare and to theater lovers."
- LA TIMES (CRITICS’ CHOICE)

"It’s BRILLIANT. Funny, poignant, life-like, bitingly ironic, sarcastically heartbreaking, full of satire so perfect it must be true.
Just so good!...

The wonderful people at The 6th Act have outdone themselves yet again!  I strongly urge you to see this show. I insist in fact... you will absolutely love it!" 
- NOHO ARTS DISTRICT

“WOW! As smart and sassy as it is laugh-out-loud hilarious!… Razor-sharp perfection by ten of the most talented actors in town…

As entertaining and invigorating as L.A. theater gets!” 
- STAGE SCENE LA

"The script beautifully captures the frustrations of actors who have been on the grind for years, while the backstage drama he’s created is both comical and painful. The humor and angst are everywhere." 
- STAGE RAW

"THE $5 SHAKESPEARE COMPANY hits it out of the park in lovingly parodying the world of 99-seat theatre in its entertaining, high octane show!"
- THE TOLUCAN TIMES

"Leavitt’s unfettered love of theatre shines…a must for lovers of the local scene. Don’t miss it!”
- ON STAGE LOS ANGELES

“THE $5 SHAKESPEARE COMPANY is an uproarious but also tender study of ten actors looking for a place to call home in the theatrical blizzard that is Los Angeles." 
- LA SPLASH

In his first new play since the hit comedy The Boomerang Effect, award-winning playwright Matthew Leavitt earnestly and hilariously exposes the trials and tribulations of doing intimate theatre in LA. Through a fictional down-and-out Shakespeare company in Hollywood, this play examines the significance (and insignificance) of doing intimate theatre for little-to-no pay, when there are more people on stage than in the audience, in a town obsessed with film and television. Can art have meaning if it fails to connect to an audience, and likewise can our lives have meaning if we fail to connect with each other?

ENSEMBLE BIOS

JOEL ZWICK (Director)

With the 6thAct: Debut. Mr. Zwick directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Recent films include Fat Albertand Elvis Has Left the Building. Mr. Zwick directed the Broadway production of George Gershwin Aloneat The Helen Hayes Theatre. He and Hershey Felder have also collaborated on Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven As I Knew Himand Maestro. Mr. Zwick began his theatrical career at La Mama E.T.C., as director of the La Mama Plexus. He has directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Broadway touring companies. Previous New York productions have included Dance With Me (Tony nomination), Shenandoah (Broadway national tour), Oklahoma (national tour) and Cold Storage (American Place Theater). He acted in the original New York production of MacBird. He directed Esther (Promenade Theater, NY), Merry-Go-Round (Chicago and Las Vegas), Last Chance Saloon and Woycek (West End, London). Currently, Mr. Zwick is recognized as one of Hollywood’s most prolific director of episodic television, having the direction of over 650 episodes to his credit. Mr. Zwick has taught drama at Yale University, Brooklyn College, Queens College, Wheaton College, and the University of Southern California. He is a graduate (B.A., M.A.) of Brooklyn College.

KENAJUAN BENTLEY (Randall)

With The 6thAct: Debut. Kenajuan was last seen at Dallas Theatre Center as Brucie in Sweat. Seattle Repertory Theatre: Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Other Theatre credits include Martin Luther King in All The Wayand The Great Society, Wolf in Two Trains Running, Osembenga in Ruined.Regional Theatre: Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Public Theatre, Hartford Stage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Theatre DC. Film and T.V. credits include 68 Whiskey(CBS All Access), Station 19(ABC), Scandal (ABC TELEVISION), Law & Order (NBC), Doll and EM (HBO), Famous in Love (Freeform), Grimm (NBC), The Young And The Restless (CBS) and How To Get Away With Murder (ABC Television). He holds an M.F.A. from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. from Western Michigan University.

EMERSON COLLINS (Everett)

With the 6thAct: Debut. Emerson is best known for four seasons of BRAVO’s The People’s Couch and RENT on FOX (Steve/“Will I?”). He produced and starred in the films A Very Sordid Wedding and Southern Baptist Sissies (Best Actor, Red Dirt International Film Festival) as well as Sordid Lives: The Series for LOGO. He won the Desert Theatre League Award for the regional premiere of Buyer & Cellar with Coyote Stageworks, and later Laguna Playhouse. He directed Del Shores' one man play and film Six Characters in Search of a Play, now streaming on BroadwayHD. 

www.emersoncollins.com

CAROLINA ESPIRO (Elena)

With The 6thAct: Debut. Born in Santiago, Chile and raised in Southern California, Carolina graduated with a BFA in Theatre Performance from Chapman University. She recurs in the new hit series FBIand has appeared on such shows as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Young and The Restlessand the sitcom Saint Georgestarring George Lopez. Before her TV career she performed on stage in shows at the critically acclaimed Fountain Theater, Elephant Theatre Company as well as toured with the HereandNow Theatre Company. She is so grateful to her beloved and wise husband for convincing her to return to the stage. She is honored to be a member of such a talented ensemble and incredible family. 'Go Five Dollar Shakes!’

LUKE McCLURE (Louis)

With The 6th Act: An Evening of Betrayal(Cassio, Emilia, Waiter), Hamlet(Hamlet Act III, Laertes) and Barfly Shakespeare(Hal). L.A. credits include Boxing Lessonsby John Bunzel (New American Theater), Yellow by Del Shores, The Boomerang Effect by Matthew Leavitt,Enronby Lucy Prebble (West coast premiere), Henry IV Part 1 (Little Fish Theatre), Pericles (Porters of Hellsgate). Film/TV credits include: Nip/Tuck, Castle, All Together Now, Southern Baptist Sissies, Sleep With Me, This is My Year and more. Luke received his BA in Drama and Film from the University of Kent and his MA at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London. He is the co-founder of Obviam Entertainment and has written and produced several short films. 

www.lukemcclure.com

CINDY NGUYEN (Camille)

At The 6th Act: Hamlet (The New American Theatre). Other theatre: Diana of Dobson’s (Antaeus); Cymbeline, King John, Pericles (The Porters of Hellsgate); That Pretty Pretty or the Rape Play, Love & Information, If You Can Get to Buffalo (Son of Semele Ensemble). TV/Film: For the People (ABC), Dear White People (Netflix), A Cinderella Christmas. Training: BFA, Chapman University. 

ANDY ROBINSON (Chester)

With The 6thAct: Debut. As an actor and director Andy has done all kinds of work on stage, film and TV for over 50 years. He trained for Shakespeare at LAMDA in London; apprenticed in regional reps; did backbends and flips with Joel Zwick at La Mama Plexus, which led to off and on Broadway; moved to LA for film and TV work and found solace in its theatrical community (especially at Mark Taper, Antaeus, and Matrix Theatre); created and directed the MFA Actor-training Program at USC (Professor Emeritus); and wrote the published memoir STEPPING INTO THE LIGHT that tries to make sense of it all. Proudest achievement? His 50 years of marriage to Irene and the family they made together.