Gaslight House (2022)

(Dr. Ben Soloway)

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.

(Amanda Soloway) 

Amy was born and raised in Indiana. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her creative dreams. Soon after she joined Academy Award-winner Bobby Moresco's Actor's Gym, where she has been an active member for over 20 years. 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 LA 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.

(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.

(Uncle Lucky) 

Robert Mangiardi has most recently been seen in the role of “The Actor” in the all English production of The Woman In Black that ran at the McKittrick in NYC before shutting down due to the pandemic. This is Robert’s second role in a Howard Skora play, the first being the world premiere of Damaged Furniture which was also produced at The Whitefire Theatre. Robert has also recently written and acted in Academy Award winning writer and director Bobby Moresco’s original productions of Working 2017 and Working 2019 which both Robbie and Howard Skora contributed writing to. Robbie has done two rolls twice - Pug in Patty McCarthy Gliniewicz’s The Birches and “Spuch” in Tommy Lee Carter’s Hellz Kithchen Ablaze. A veteran of TV, films and the theater, Robert is thrilled to be in the World Premiere of Gaslight House, to get back on stage with such a great cast and the musings of gifted playwright Howard Skora. Robert’s motto: “Stay creative whether you’re being paid or not.”  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.” His music website is: robbiemangiardimusic.com. He is currently represented theatrically by Taher Abunadi at Engage Artist Agency and Walter Tabayoyong at Altamero Management. Robert is also the proud owner with his wife, Sunny, of the very popular Bangkok Spa Massage Studio in Studio City.  

(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. 

 (Gwen Soloway)

Nadya Ginsburg’s career as an actress, comedian, and writer encompasses NYC and LA stage, network television, and feature film. Best known for her impressions of Madonna and Cher, she has been featured in The New York Times, London's Q Magazine, The New Yorker, The Village Voice, and In Style Magazine. She has written for the comedy legends Joan Rivers and Roseanne and appeared as a Comedy Judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. If seen on TV, it’s usually as a pregnant slut from the Five Towns, notably as 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. Nadya is infinitely delighted to have the opportunity to be in her second play by Howard Skora and feels blessed to get to play with her brilliant band of looney-tune castmates. 

Writer/Director

Howard Skora is a Los Angeles based playwright and screenwriter. Gaslight House is his 3rd comedy to have a world premiere at the Whitefire Theatre. 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

Bryan is the recipient of the 2016 Valley Theatre Award for Artistic Director Achievement, is now in his 18th year as Producing Artistic Director of the Whitefire Theatre celebrating its 40th anniversary season. Bryan is one of the most prolific theatre producers in Los Angeles. He has produced over 1000 solo shows and hundreds of regular plays including numerous world premieres. Directing credits include the 35th anniversary production of Sam Shepard's Buried Child, Billie!..backstage with Lady Day, Firehouse, The Bellflower Sessions, and Stella's Last JDate. He is currently developing theatre projects with Academy Award winner Bobby Moresco as well as launching multiple world premieres. He also produces the largest solo theatre festival on the West Coast called Solofest where over 80 shows premiere in 90 days now in its 12th year. He also founded the famous Itchey Foot Cabaret in downtown LA in the 1980’s as well as having been a member of the famed South Coast Repertory playing Young Scrooge for nine years and when they won the Tony for Best Regional theatre in 1985. Numerous film and TV credits as an actor include “24”, “Sons of Anarchy”, “The Mentalist”, and “American Horror Story” opposite Jessica Lange. 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.

Stage Manager

Mitch Rosander is an LA based light and sound designer, actor, and director. Mitch is a long standing Board member of the Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood, as well as a resident light/sound technician here at the Whitefire Theatre. He would like to extend many thanks to the cast and crew, Bryan Rasmussen, and special thanks to Howard Skora for having him along on this wonderfully wild ride. Enjoy the show!