Damaged Furniture (2018)
Awards/nominations
Best Play
Nominee - 2019 Valley Theater Awards
Best Writer of an Original Play - Howard Skora
Nominee - 2019 Valley Theater Awards
Featured Actress in a Play - Jessica Pohly
Nominee - 2019 Ovation Awards
Best Productions in an Intimate Space
Ninth Annual Eddon Awards - The Best of LA Theatre for 2018
Best Ensemble Cast
Ninth Annual Eddon Awards - The Best of LA Theatre for 2018
"Best of Shows" on Better Lemons in 2018
Reviews
Broadway World - Recommended
NoHo Arts District - Highly Recommended
Stage Raw Top Ten - Recommended
"What makes the play a big success is its blatant, over-the-top, outrageous comedy that will not quit. The acting from the five-member ensemble is nothing short of brilliant under Jim Fall's slick and insightful direction...of Skora's fluid dialogue." Don Grigware - Broadway World
Stage Raw Top Ten - Recommended
NoHo Arts District - Highly Recommended
Stage Raw Top Ten - Recommended
"The show boasts quick-witted, funny dialogue and vivid multi-dimensional characters. Surprisingly wise and funny. - Paul Birchall - Stage Raw
NoHo Arts District - Highly Recommended
NoHo Arts District - Highly Recommended
NoHo Arts District - Highly Recommended
"This is a brilliant, laugh-out-loud comedy with gorgeously awful characters to love. Of course, every single actor is fantastic...But the writing is the star here. Howard Skora has invented quite a kooky and ridiculous lot...The humor is loud and frank and beautifully wrought by these impressive actors, their perfect timing and their delicious characters. Bravo to the director Jim Fall for giving the words...the room they needed to be this good." Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros - NoHo Arts District
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
NoHo Arts District - Highly Recommended
"Skora and director Jim Fall are a tested team who paired for 2015’s “Miserable With an Ocean View,” a sellout comedy that ran for five months at the Whitefire Theatre. Skora, whose roots are in stand-up, said that his play is about “toxic masculinity…fathers and sons wanting to connect yet not being able to.” His entertainment explores serious themes in the guise of a fast-paced comic romp."
Tolucan Times
Los Angeles Times
Tolucan Times
"Damaged Furniture offers a rip-roaring, adult look at expectations and challenges through the prism of a family from hell." Mary Mallory - Tolucan Times
Curtian Up
Los Angeles Times
Tolucan Times
"A play as well performed and profoundly written as Howard Skoras newest, Damaged Furniture, deserves the highest of accolades. Rarely have I seen a family dramedy with characters this sharp or dialogue this funny." - Bonnie Priever - Curtain Up
"...Beyond Brilliant. Howard Skora's latest production, "Damaged Furniture," showcases his sublime sense of humor..." Kevin M. Thomas - ReelKev
"One of the funniest comedies you will ever see. I guarantee a laugh a minute." Carol Kaufman Segal - Carol's Culture Corner
Cast
Alex Skuby
Peggy Maltby Etra
Alex Skuby
(Doug)
Born in Neptune, New Jersey, Alex started working in theater, television, film, and voiceovers in 1996 in Chicago. 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's TV cre
(Doug)
Born in Neptune, New Jersey, Alex started working in theater, television, film, and voiceovers in 1996 in Chicago. 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's TV credits include "Fear the Walking Dead", "Snowfall", "The Fosters", "Santa Clarita Diet" & "The King of Queens" to name a few. Alex can also be seen in the upcoming feature film "My Babysitter the Superhero" being released on all streaming services this year! He also has a hit comedy podcast titled "Zen AF Podcast" with weekly episodes. Alex was also in Howard Skora's Miserable With an Ocean View and Damaged Furniture.
Mo Collins
Peggy Maltby Etra
Alex Skuby
(Aunt Laurie)
After landing Mad TV in 1998, Mo built her credits up with hit shows such as ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, and PARKS AND RECREATION as scandal-wrangler Joan Callamezzo and Gyna in 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN. Currently, Mo can be seen as Susan on LADY DYNAMITE and the animated show F IS FOR FAMILY on Netflix where she e
(Aunt Laurie)
After landing Mad TV in 1998, Mo built her credits up with hit shows such as ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, and PARKS AND RECREATION as scandal-wrangler Joan Callamezzo and Gyna in 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN. Currently, Mo can be seen as Susan on LADY DYNAMITE and the animated show F IS FOR FAMILY on Netflix where she earned her first Emmy nomination in 2017. Mo is an avid animal advocate, and enjoys doing stand-up for even more shits and giggles. She recently joined the cast of the newest season of AMC’s FEAR THE WALKING DEAD where she plays Sarah.
Peggy Maltby Etra
Peggy Maltby Etra
Peggy Maltby Etra
(Irene)
Peggy is thrilled to be a part of this production and this cast. Her Credits included SEINFELD and BOSTON LEGAL. Her film, THE LAST CHAMPION, will be released latter in 2018. She received her theatrical training at PCPA and ACT. Peggy was a performing member of the Groundlings and is a current performing member of Puppet Up.
Robbie Mangiardi
Robbie Mangiardi
Robbie Mangiardi
(Phil)
Robert has most recently been seen in the role of Pug in Patty McCarthy Gliniewicz’s THE BIRCHES last year at The Lounge Theater in Hollywood. He also was part of Bobby Morocco’s Working 2017 production as a writer director, songwriter and actor at The Whitefire. A veteran of TV, films and the theater, Robert is thrilled to be in t
(Phil)
Robert has most recently been seen in the role of Pug in Patty McCarthy Gliniewicz’s THE BIRCHES last year at The Lounge Theater in Hollywood. He also was part of Bobby Morocco’s Working 2017 production as a writer director, songwriter and actor at The Whitefire. A veteran of TV, films and the theater, Robert is thrilled to be in the World Premiere of DAMAGED FURNITURE. His motto: “Stay creative whether you’re being paid or not.
Jessica Pohly
Robbie Mangiardi
Robbie Mangiardi
(Gina)
Jessica is thrilled to part of this amazing cast in DAMAGED FURNITURE. You can catch her every Sunday at The Groundlings Theater where she performs as a member of The Sunday Company...or if this was your one night out catch her from your couch in Netflix’s PEE WEE’S BIG HOLIDAY and Amazon’s second season of GOLIATH currently in release.
And the Voice of...
Drew Droege
(Jo - The Agent)
Drew most recently starred Off-Broadway in his solo show, BRIGHT COLORS AND BOLD PATTERNS. Other theatre credits include DIE MOMMIE DIE!, UMPO: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, TROOP BEVERLY HILLS, THE GOLDEN GIRLZ, THE HOMECOMING QUEEN’S GOT A MUSICAL, MISERABLE WITH AN OCEAN VIEW, and The Groundlings. His TV credits include COCK
(Jo - The Agent)
Drew most recently starred Off-Broadway in his solo show, BRIGHT COLORS AND BOLD PATTERNS. Other theatre credits include DIE MOMMIE DIE!, UMPO: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, TROOP BEVERLY HILLS, THE GOLDEN GIRLZ, THE HOMECOMING QUEEN’S GOT A MUSICAL, MISERABLE WITH AN OCEAN VIEW, and The Groundlings. His TV credits include COCKTAILS & CLASSICS, MOTHER MAY I DANCE WITH MARY JANE’S FIST?, LIFE IN PIECES, IDIOTSITTER, TRANSPARENT, BOB’S BURGERS, and DRUNK HISTORY.
Production team
Howard Skora
Bryan Rasmussen
Howard Skora
Playwright
Howard Skora is a Los Angeles based playwright and screenwriter. His first play, Miserable With an Ocean View, directed by Jim Fall, had its world premiere in 2015, featured Oscar-Nominee Patty McCormack and was named "Most Promising New Play" by Don Grigware in his annual Broadway World Eddon Awards. Howard's second play, Dama
Playwright
Howard Skora is a Los Angeles based playwright and screenwriter. His first play, Miserable With an Ocean View, directed by Jim Fall, had its world premiere in 2015, featured Oscar-Nominee Patty McCormack and was named "Most Promising New Play" by Don Grigware in his annual Broadway World Eddon Awards. Howard's second play, Damaged Furniture, also directed by Fall, had its world premiere in 2018 and ran for six months. Damaged Furniture garnered 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. Howie 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 develops most of his work in The Actor's Gym run by Bobby Moresco (Academy-Award winner for “Crash”.) He feels honored to world premiere his 3rd play at the Whitefire
Jim Fall
Bryan Rasmussen
Howard Skora
Director
Jim Fall’s feature film credits include: TRICK which premiered at Sundance, Disney’s THE LIZZIE McGUIRE MOVIE starring Hilary Duff, which opened at number two below X-MEN 2 its opening week. Jim also directed the A&E feature WEDDING WARS, starring John Stamos and James Brolin, HOLIDAY ENGAGEMENT, starring Shelley Long, Bonnie Som
Director
Jim Fall’s feature film credits include: TRICK which premiered at Sundance, Disney’s THE LIZZIE McGUIRE MOVIE starring Hilary Duff, which opened at number two below X-MEN 2 its opening week. Jim also directed the A&E feature WEDDING WARS, starring John Stamos and James Brolin, HOLIDAY ENGAGEMENT, starring Shelley Long, Bonnie Somerville, and Jordan Bridges, HOLLY’S HOLIDAY (Lifetime) starring Claire Coffee and Ryan McPartlin, and KRISTIN’S CHRISTMAS PAST (Lifetime) starring Shiri Appleby, Elizabeth Mitchell. All three Christmas films continue to be shown in rotation on TV these past five Christmas seasons. Jim is currently developing a sequel to TRICK that he’s planning to shoot in 2019.
On stage, Jim recently directed the world premieres of PRIMAL SCREAM, The Musical, music by David Foster, book and lyrics by Arthur Janov, at the Smother’s Theater, Pepperdine University, Howard Skora’s comedy MISERABLE WITH AN OCEAN VIEW at the Whitefire Theater, Mark Saltzman’s musical about Lorenz Hart; FALLING FOR MAKE BELIEVE at the Colony Theater, and Gary Lennon’s THE INTERLOPERS at the Bootleg Theater.
Bryan Rasmussen
Bryan Rasmussen
Bryan Rasmussen
Producer
This play was developed at the Whitefire Theater thanks to Bryan Rasmussen and the amazing artists at The Actor’s Gym, run by Bobby Moresco (Academy-Award winner for “Crash”) which is a weekly workshop at The Whitefire. This play is Howard Skora's second collaboration with The Whitefire and Bryan. We are so grateful to our Los An
Producer
This play was developed at the Whitefire Theater thanks to Bryan Rasmussen and the amazing artists at The Actor’s Gym, run by Bobby Moresco (Academy-Award winner for “Crash”) which is a weekly workshop at The Whitefire. This play is Howard Skora's second collaboration with The Whitefire and Bryan. We are so grateful to our Los Angeles base which supports the development of original work...and gives us a home to present it.
Celebrities who love Damaged Furniture
