ALMOST MADE
Arriving home to eulogize his father, a man faces the haunting memories of their complicated relationship.  Louie, idolized his father throughout his childhood while working in the “family” owned club. Blind to his father's faults until witnessing his tragic downward spiral, a devastated Louie escapes across the country, only to make the same mistakes his father did. Attempting to honor him at his funeral, Louie digs deep hoping to redeem both their lives, while asking the all important question: Can we be our father's son without becoming our fathers?

Louie Liberti (Writer/Performer) was born in the Bronx, raised in Queens, and now lives in Los Angeles. He’s performed in theaters all over Los Angeles with notable roles that include Joe in Clifford Odet’s "Golden Boy," Melvin in Mac Wellman’s "Sincerity Forever," and Guy in Matt Weiss’ "Slow Children." As a member of the now defunct "Hidden Theater Company," he’s performed in plays by David Zabel, Michael Lippman, Shawn Schepps and Jonathan Prince. His film credits include John Stockwell’s "crazy/beautiful" and Steven Widi Ho’s "Soundman." He’s begun his 4th season recurring as Paramedic Bardelli on NBC’s ER. Directorial credits include John Patrick Shanley’s "Woman of Manhattan," Dan Rothenberg’s one-man play "Regretrosexual," as well as the short film "Conversations about Women." He’s also an instructor at the Joanne Baron/DW Brown Studio where he teaches a two year Meisner program.

DW Brown (Director) Has subsequently been involved in over seventy theatrical presentations; from playing the singing shepherd boy at the Tucson Jewish Center, to writing and producing major feature films. First coming to Los Angeles to pursue acting, he starred in films such as "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," his own series, "Jo's Cousin," (a spin-off of The Facts Of Life) and many guest appearances on television shows. While continuing to act in the theater, DW Brown turned his attention to the art of writing and directing. Working with The Ensemble Studio Theater, he developed plays for production, directing his own works as well as those of others. It was one of these plays, "Fleas," which The Los Angeles Times raved: ...trumpets Brown's ear for dialog... He directed, "Porno Stars At Home," that won awards for both leading ladies. DW found that he could best serve his love of acting by becoming an instructor and a coach, and has done so for twenty years at The Joanne Baron/DW Brown Studio in Santa Monica (Joanne is his wife), teaching a training program. He has conducted seminars with actors such as Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Benicio Del Toro and Martin Sheen; and directors such as Sam Raimi, Tom Shadyac, and Martha Coolidge. He has directed over seven hundred scenes and coached major stars and on numerous major films.

Mark Travis (Developed by) is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and a former creative consultant to film director Mark Rydell. His television directing credits include: The Facts of Life; Family Ties; Capitol; and the Emmy-winning PBS dramatic serial, Blind Tom: The Thomas Bethune Story. In 1990 he completed his first film, Going Under, for Warner Bros., which starred Bill Pullman and Ned Beatty. Since 1992, Mark has been sharing his techniques on writing, acting and directing at The Directors Guild, AFI, UCLA-Extension, Hollywood Film Institute, Japan’s Film and Media Lab; London’s Raindance Institute; and Germany’s UW Film seminares and many more. Over the past 20 years Mark has directed over 60 theatre productions in Los Angeles and New York and received over 20 theatres directing awards form Los Angeles Theatre, LA Weekly, and Dramalogue, to mention a few. In 1989 he initiated a process of developing and directing one-person shows that has generated numerous notable productions including Time Flies When You’re Alive, and A Bronx Tale.

Greg Szimonisz develops film and television projects at Dreyfuss/James Productions by day, is a screenwriter by night and produces Louie’s one-man shows on the weekends. He currently has a comedy in development at Fox based State Street Pictures and at press time, is close to setting up a second project at a high profile production company. He is also currently completing a rewrite for a New York based independent producer.

Racquel Lehrman (Producer) is the founder and managing director of Theatre Planners. She received her BFA from NYU-Tisch School of the Arts. After moving to Los Angeles four years ago, she decided to start her own business and now she makes a living doing what she loves. Theatre Planners has been one of the toughest ventures that Racquel has ever committed to, but also one of the most rewarding. Since starting her business she has worked with theatre companies and actors throughout LA doing publicity, consulting and producing.

Myrna Gawryn (Choreographer) has choreographed for film, theater and television, directing movement for dancers, actors and motion capture animation. She co-owned and directed the studio Room to Move in Venice, California and is a three time recipient of a California Arts Council grant, teaching and producing a performance project with men in prison. Most recently she directed a workshop for the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab at the Pasadena Playhouse, and is currently working with O-lan Jones and Overtone Productions on an opera. Myrna’s experience with physical and character driven performance, and her passion for understanding how we move, and what moves us, has brought her to this work with Louie and DW on "Almost Made."

Josh Bradford (Light Designer)

John McDermott (Set Designer)