​​DC STATE PLAYERS​
Theatre for the people,
by the people
We have far too many "past shows" to even begin keeping a history, but here are our greatest (if I do say so myself):
Past Shows
​CATS​
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
​
The Broadway Hit as it was originally intended: performed by actual cats! These cats went through rigourous training over the 3-week rehearsal process and came out to purring reviews!!
​
"I think I'M choking on a hairball [because the production is utterly brilliant]!"--Pietro Marks
Voodoo Doll's House
Written by: Julie Roundtree
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
​
Partially inspired by Anton Checkhov's A Doll's House and the recent American Century Theatre's production of Voodoo Macbeth, Julie Roundtree and Tonee Bollocks created one of the most touching love stories of all time. Finally the world was so priviledged to witness the true spiritual nature of the original work, and the eternal struggle of love and lust between Nora and Torvald.
GREASE
Translated from Sophocles by: Chris Griffin
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
​
The DC State Players are known for their dedication to the classics and this was no exception. Chris Griffin meticulously dissected the original work by Sophocles to come out with what some critics described as "a version with more well-rounded characters. Danny Zuko (Bill Aitken) was never more real than in this production."
--Joseph Griffin
Battleship Galaxystar
An original piece by: Gabriel Sweetbottom
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
​
"Gabriel Swee has written a real piece...!" says famed critic Archibald Willicker of this production. Tonee Bollocks masterfully directed this sci-fi epic about the lone human survivors upon the aging Battleship Galaxystar and their struggle to survive against the constant threat of annihilation by the Cyclonites.
The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus
Adapted by Chelsie Lloyd
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
​
This updated, four-person, all female production of Doctor Faustus set in 1969 still stands as the company's shining star. "The director (Tonee Bollocks) truly understood that only women could truly understand what it means to truly be characters like Faustus and Mephistophilis. Irregardless that only four people showed up to the audition, the production was, without question, an unquestionable hit!"--Gabriel Sweetbotttom (DCStatePlayers Magazine)
Red, White, and Blaine
By Corky St. Clair
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
​
​Some people say we do too many musicals, and we're generally inclined to agree with them. But Red, White, and Blaine had a story too compelling to ignore. It told the story of a small town and all if it's accomplishments and pains--it's people and it's animals--it's loves and it's dislikes--and most specifically, it's history.
​
"I've been to at least half of the performances for a reason: It's brilliance bottled and released on stage." --Tonee Bullocks
M**beth
Written by: Bill Aitken
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
​
Shakespeare's words have long been overdue for an over-haul. In this updated version, Bill Aitken and Tonee Bollocks explore the world of the Scottish Play at the New York City Harbor in the mid-1980s with all the cursing and "dirty-talk" the longshoreman of the time were known to have.
​
"We're proud to say that the word 'fuck' is used over 1100 times to help modernize the language. It really helps the audience to understand what the fuck Shakepeare's talking about!"--Tonee Bollocks
Our Town
By Thornton Wilder
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
​
Our production was considered, by all of us at The DC State Players, as the pinnacle of staged perfection! No expense was spared in setting the scene for Thornton Wilder's masterpiece. Slat by slat and brick by brick, the entire town was built on stage. The costumes were hand-sewn in Lebonon and the furniture was hand-crafted by the Amish of Southern Virginia to perfectly match the time period. Even a barn that had been standing in Milford, PA since 1890 was torn down and reconstructed to bring true authenticity to our production.
​
"I've never seen so much [stuff] in a production of Our Town before[!]"--Michael Con
Annie
By several people and adapted by Ally "Tokyo Rose" Jenkins
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
​
​"What does it mean to be Annie if you're 40 year-old man?" --Tonee Bollocks
​
This production of Annie got back to it's roots as a serious drama as written in the comic strip Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray. And for a hint of added Drama and perspective, the role of Annie was played by a middle-aged man and dramatic genious.
​
"I just thought, 'let's bring this back to reality: She's an orphan living on the street, stealing, trying to take care of a dog. Women are too sensible to let themselves get to this point at any age. That's when I brought in Zach and I think it's a decision that's going to be remembered.'"
​Gigli
Adapted by Tonee Bollocks
Directed by Tonee Bollocks
This action thrill ride was presented to the D.C. audience as an homage to the late-great J-Lo. May she rest in piece with Ben forever curled up at her feet.
​
​Ma Rainey's 'White' Bottom
Written by: August Wilson
Directed by: Tonee Bollocks
​
Color-blind August Wilson at it's best! This pet-project of Tonee Bollocks was set in a hard, concrete-like, foundation of anti-prejudism. It shocked D.C. at it's inception, but went on to inter-county recognition.
"August Wilson created racial walls in his plays. I intend to knock them down...like Berlin....yes...like Berlin."
--Tonee Bollocks
​A Clockwork Orange
Adapeted by: Tonee Bollocks
Directed by: Tonee Bollocks
​
Having never seen the original movie or read the book, Tonee Bollocks took it upon himself to break the mold and reimagine this infamous story for the stage in a new light. Based solely on what he had seen in previews, Tony developed a brand new musical with songs from another famous musical.
"I knew they sang Singing in the Rain, so I thought the entire movie was just Singing in the Rain but with people slightly less crazy than Gene Kelly. I was wrong, but I have no regrets. It was a truly remarkable play!"
--Tonee Bollocks
