Jennifer Christa Palmer
t h e a t r i c a l c r e d i t s
This page was last updated on: 1 November, 2011
T h e C o n s t a n t W i f e
Mad Cow Theatre, 105 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL
29 June - 23 July 2006
W. Somerset Maugham's delightful play, set in 1926, illuminates the foibles of British high society's mores with smart and snappy humor. It is the story of Contance Middleton, the ever constant wife, and the events surrounding her husband's affair with her best friend. This production at Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando enjoyed a four week sold out run. The cast featured David Almeida, Elizabeth Dean, Heather Lea Charles, Jay Hopkins, Tommy Keesling, Dena Kology, Peg O'Keef, Jennifer Christa Palmer and Mark Edward Smith.
See show photos below. Photography by Tom Hurst.
T h e R a i n m a k e r
A Romance by N. Richard Nash
Mad Cow Theatre 105 S. Magnolia (between Pine and Church St) Orlando, FL 32802
31 January - 2 March 2008
A spellbinding, heartwarming tale of love and faith set in the drought-ridden plains of Middle America, from the pen of N. Richard Nash. When a handsome and charismatic stranger promises to bring rain and romance to a farm family, he sets in motion a storm that could tear them apart, or bring them together. Starring Don Fowler as Starbuck and Jennifer Christa Palmer* as Lizzie.
*indicates a member of Actor's Equity Association.
See show photos below. Photography by Tom Hurst.
M a j o r B a r b a r a
by George Bernard Shaw
Mad Cow Theatre 105 S. Magnolia Orlando, FL 32802
24 July - 24 August 2008
George Bernard Shaw's masterpiece on the themes of War and God pits a millionaire armaments maker against his Salvation Army daughter in a battle of wits and ideologies that is both wildly funny and frighteningly current. Starring Jennifer Christa Palmer* as Major Barbara Undershaft, Ron Schneider as Andrew Undershaft and Michael Marinaccio as Adolphus Cusins. Supporting cast includes Stephen Lima, Robin Olson, David Knoell, Sarah Jane Fridlich, Jamie Cline, Kate O'Neal, Michael Sapp, Bobbie Bell, Sarah Lockhard, Marty Stonerock and Tommy Keesling.
*indicates a member of Actor's Equity Association.
See show photos below. Photography by Tom Hurst.
S h a k e s p r o v i s a t i o n
Orlando Fringe Festival, 2004
A project created and directed by Christopher Prueitt (holding Will, left), the ensemble created a long form improvisation based on audience suggestions in the style and language of Shakespeare. The actors (who played several roles) wore all black, changing hats to distinguish one character from another. A bare, black stage and minimum lighting changes indicated a change in scene. The actors underwent a three month rehearsal process studying customs & manners, vocabulary, verb conjugation and plot structure. The ensemble was interviewed by Becky Morgan of "The Arts Connection" on WMFE (Orlando's NPR station) which aired on opening night. The audience reaction was huge - with awe and admiration, they belly laughed at the bawdy comedies, delighted in the devious deceptions and audibly gasped during the single tragedy. Shakesprovisation was held at the Temenos Ensemble Theatre.
T h r e e T h i r s t y P i r a t e s
Mayhem Productions
SummerFest at Gaylord Palms Resort
Mayhem Productions opened a brand new swashbuckling pirate show featuring Captain Edward Drummond, Captain William Bonnett, Captain Frances "Drake" Thorpe and Captain James Driskull. Who is the greatest swordsman in the world? It depends on who you ask. Show photos and video below.
A l m o s t , M a i n e
Valentine's Weekend, February 2010
A benefit for OTP (Orlando Theatre Project) and their final show, "Almost, Maine" was directed by Jim Howard and played for three performance in the Goldman Theatre at Orlando Shakes. Scripted as a show for four actors, it starred nineteen - all OTP alumni. The cast included: Linda Landry*, Mark Lanier*, Doug Truelson*, Darby Ballard*, Jennifer Christa Palmer*, Ryan Gigliotti, Beth Cunningham, Eric Pinder*, Allison DeCaro*, David Jachin Kelley*, Krista Lynn Pigott*, Richard Width*, T. Robert Pigott*, S. Elizabeth Block*, David Veitch*, Ame Livingston*, Mark Whitten*, Christine Decker* and Philip Nolen*. Special thanks to Cid Stoll and George Hamrah. See show photos below.
*indicates a member of Actor's Equity Association.
photo by Bruce Ruiz
The 10 second fight between Drake & Edward.
T h e H e i r e s s
by Ruth and Augustus Goetz
Mad Cow Theatre 105 S. Magnolia (between Pine and Church St) Orlando, FL 32802
23 July - 22 August 2010
Based on Henry James' novella Washington Square, this romantic and tragic story of love, betrayal and revenge in 1850s New York first appeared on Broadway in 1947 and has been revived 3 times, winning 3 Tony Awards as well as 4 Academy Awards. Mad Cow's production stars Jennifer Christa Palmer* as Catherine Sloper, Steven Lane* as Morris Townsend, Mark Edward Smith as Dr. Sloper and Karel K. Wright* as Lavinia Penniman. Supporting cast includes Sarah Jane Fridlich, Elizabeth Judith, Marion C. Marsh, Alexander Mrazek and Samantha Faith O'Hare. Directed by Michael Marinaccio and Tim Williams.
*indicates a member of Actor's Equity Association.
Production photos below. Photography by Tom Hurst.
J o e ' s N Y C B a r
Temenos Ensemble Theatre
Orlando Fringe Festival, 2003
A project created and directed by Christian Kelty, the ensemble created a long form improvisation based on characters of bar regulars. In this installment, the regulars drew Gabriel down the rabbit hole into his own mental Wonderland, populated by his family and neuroses. Shown left to right and top to bottom are: Ivan, the bartender (the Rabbit)
Damien, Gabe's brother (the Mad Hatter)
Jenny, Gabe's girlfriend (the Duchess)
Gabriel, bar owner
Lily, a regular (the Cheshire Cat)
Natalia, Gabe's mother (the Queen of Hearts)
Mouse, the bouncer (the Dormouse)
Rex, a TV personality (the Caterpillar)
Nathan, the resident musician (the Mock Turtle)
Review exerpt from Ink 19: Archikulture Digest Number 34: Fringe Festival 2003
"Gabe finds himself at a cross road (as are we all, at times), and needs to choose. His dear departed mother (Jennifer Christa Palmer) arrives, looking like Audrey Hepburn and commanding a surreal game of croquet. This frustrates Gabe, as his family continues to concoct rules designed to alienate him. Yup, I have the same problem, but at least I don't have to play pass the hedgehog." -Carl F. Gauze
Review highlights:
"What's most appealing, though, is the way (director Rob) Anderson and his actors have humanized characters that can be played as stock...Jennifer Christa Palmer makes a vibrant Lizzie -- blunt, vulnerable and bright as a penny."
"A talented cast of seven, led by the inspired performance of Jennifer Christa Palmer as Lizzie, manages to convey all of the love and sympathy that playwright Nash instilled in his characters. The result is a winning production that washes over an audience like a welcome cool rain on a hot summer night." -Al Krulick, Orlando Weekly
"Don't miss the Rainmaker... a story made sweeter at Mad Cow by a raft of fine performances, especially Jennifer Christa Palmer as a Lizzie so spirited, she could probably make rain all by herself." -Orlando Sentinel
Named one of Best of 2008 - Orlando Sentinel Year in Review: Excellence Amid the Pathos (excerpt)
"Cynicism had to take flight in the face of The Rainmaker, Mad Cow's tender comedy about a plain young woman whose vibrancy and vulnerability in the hands of actress Jennifer Christa Palmer, spread love all around herself like rain." -Elizabeth Maupin, Orlando Sentinel 2008 Year in Review
Review highlights:
"Watching Palmer's Catherine turn into a force to be reckoned with is this riveting production's greatest joy ...an irresistible piece of drama...absolute, heart-wrenching and utterly understandable..." -Elizabeth Maupin on Theater
"Jennifer Christa Palmer is brilliant as Catherine." -Josh Garrick, Culture Worth the Miles
A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare
freeFall Theatre 6099 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33710
13 May - 29 May 2011
Shakespeare's most beloved and arguably most perfect comedy performed "in the round". This production at freeFall Theatre in St. Petersburg stars Giles Davies* as Puck, Gene D'Alessandro* as Theseus/Oberon, Roxanne Fay* as Hippolyta/Titania, Jennifer Christa Palmer* as Helena, Jose Rufino* as Demetrius, Jackie Rivera as Hermia, Tavis Doucette as Lysander and Matthew McGee* as Bottom. Supporting cast includes Bonnie Agan, Steve Garland, John Lombardi*, Christopher Rutherford and Dawn Truax. Directed by Eric Davis.
*indicates a member of Actor's Equity Association.
Production photos courtesy of BWL Photography.
Review Highlights:
"Finally a 'Midsummer Night' that's truly dreamy..." - John Fleming, St. Pete Times
"A splendidly accomplished work, postmodern in sensibility, acted to the hilt by a large, professional company... the cast is universally strong... Dream is powerful, first-class Shakespeare." -Creative Loafing Tampa
"It is fiery and dynamic, spirited and engaging... The actors handle the spoken language flawlessly. Each infuses their character with traditional Shakespearian traits while bringing something fresh to the part. Palmer, for instance, gives Helena an elegant clumsiness that complements the Athenian's self depricating nature..." -Tampa Bay News Weekly
Press Details on OTP's "Almost, Maine" - Orlando Sentinel
