Playwright

Ray Richmond is a longtime entertainment journalist and student of the political scene. He has written four books, including a 1997 NY Times bestselling compendium about “The Simpsons” entitled “The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family.” His other books include “This is Jeopardy: Celebrating America’s Favorite Quiz Show” (2004), “TV Moms: An Illustrated Guide” (2000) and “My Greatest Day in Show Business” (1999). Ray earned his keep for some 30 years as a leading television critic, columnist, reporter and blogger for a number of print publications including The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, the Los Angeles Daily News and The Orange County Register. In 2009 he launched his own firm, The Ray Richmond Company, where his clients include Deadline Hollywood, Hallmark Entertainment, FX Networks and others. He has also worked as an expert commentator on entertainment at KFWB-AM radio and was host of the acclaimed four-minute weekly commentary TV Talk for the Santa Monica, CA-based NPR member station KCRW-FM. And Ray is a regular moderator at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills and guest lecturer on journalism and communications at numerous colleges including USC, UCLA and Chapman University. TRANSITION is Ray’s first project as a playwright. He hopes that the play’s success doesn’t instantly transform him into a raging sellout. In his spare time, Ray enjoys attacking trolls on Facebook and removing tags from mattresses in direct violation of federal law.

Director

Lee Costello has directed numerous productions in New York, as well as regional theatre. She is a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre and Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA. While living in NY she was a member of The Circle Rep Lab, The Women’s Project and Productions, and was a teaching artist for The Lincoln Center Institute. Her New York credits include Extensions by Murray Schisgal and The Portable Dorothy Parker at Ensemble Studio Theatre, Cowboy Girl at New York Theatre Workshop, Heads at La Mama, The Adventures of She-Man at The Westbank Theatre Bar, and Did I Vote For You?, an original play with music which received a special performance grant from the Franklin Furnace. Lee wrote and directed The NOW Show, (a multimedia send-up of the late night talk shows) which sold out for its entire run at Dixon Place. A short play of Lee’s Hearts, Flowers, and Jell-O, was featured at the 10th anniversary of “The 52nd Street Project” at Lincoln Center. Lee now resides in Los Angeles where her recent production of Waiting For Grace at The Odyssey Theatre was chosen by The Huffington Post as one of the Top Ten theatre productions in Los Angeles. She has also directed for Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA, Theatre of Note, Highways, The Second City, The Hollywood Fringe Festival, The Blank Theatre, and REDCAT at the Disney Concert Hall. Currently she is the Executive Director of Mob Rule, Incorporated, a non-profit community outreach project.

as President Barack Obama

Joshua Wolf Coleman has worked with some of the great luminaries of the stage including Edward Albee, Joseph Chaiken and Anne Bogart. He has worked at The Guthrie Theater, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the La Jolla Playhouse. Joshua has played a myriad of roles including the title role in Macbeth, Norry the drag queen in Eddie Sanchez’ Clean, the Headless Sheep in Sheila Callaghan’s Kate Crackernuts, the title role in the Falcon Theater’s Puddn’head Wilson, and Lysander, Friar Lawrence, Angleo and Iago in Shakespeare’s great works. Joshua’s television work includes “How to Get Away With Murder”, “The West Wing”, “Scandal,” “House,” “Huff,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and Touchstone’s “Hidalgo” as the Lady’s Kurdish rider.

as Donald J. Trump

Harry's theatre credits include: Reefer Madness! – The Musical, Lecturer (Ovation, Garland Awards), Re-Animator – The Musical, Dean Halsey, Paint Your Wagon, Reverend (Geffen Theater). Harry was also a writer/performer at Chicago's Second City. Among his film and TV Credits: Charlie Wilson's War, Race to Witch Mountain, Evan Almighty, Reefer Madness! – The Musical, Scandal, New Girl, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The West Wing. In addition, Harry performs around town with improv groups Bucket O' Snakes, Second City Alumni Players, and The No-Name Players. Harry lives in Sherman Oaks with his wife Sue and daughter Gracie, both of whom he loves very much indeed.

as Randall

Though this is Mr. Alkazian’s first professional show, he is no stranger to the arts. He has 14 years of experience in theatre and has had the  pleasure of previously working with Theatre Planners and Lee Costello, respectively. Mr. Alkazian would like to thank everyone in the show for the hard work and dedication that they have shown, and hopes that you enjoy the show! Other Credits: Production Assistant, Piano for Harpo (2017) Assistant Stage Manager, Waiting for Grace (2016); Blueprint for Paradise (2016); Blood From A Stone (2015).