Board of DirectorsDavid BassFred DeniSusan Hayden Christine KaplanDylan McDermottCarole MiddletonRachel PollackJohn RuskinBarbara SchroederLinda SullivanMichael Visbal JR WursterKevin Wyrauch

Honorary BoardEd Asner

Judi BarkerPatricia Dougherty

Eve EnslerRita FranciosaRobert Myers

In Memorium Karen Landry

Anthony Franciosa Wendy Brenninkmeijer

Artistic DirectorJohn Ruskin

Managing Director Michael Myers

Gary McNair's A Gamblers Guide to Dying

RUSKIN GROUP THEATRE PRESENTS

DIRECTED BY PAUL LINKE

STARRING MAURY STERLING

PRODUCED BYMICHAEL MYERS

PRODUCTION MANAGERMIKE REILLY

STAGE MANAGERNICOLE MILLAR

ASST. STAGE MANAGERJUSTIN MENDENHALL

PHOTOGRAPHYED KRIEGER

GRAPHIC DESIGNALEXIS STERLING

SET BUILDERRYAN WILSON

LIGHTING DESIGNERMIKE REILLY

COSTUME / SET DESIGNSARAH FIGOTEN WILSON

SOUND DESIGNERCHIP BOLCIK

PUBLICITYJUDITH BORNE

A GAMBLER'S GUIDE TO DYING GLOSSARY

Blue Ribands is a chocolate biscuit produced by Nestlé

Carol Vorderman (born 24 December 1960) is a British media personal-ity, best known for co-hosting the popular game show Countdown for 26 years from 1982 until 2008.

Gorbals is an area on the south bank of the River Clyde in the city of Glasgow, Scotland.

Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th-cen-tury Edinburgh for supposedly spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he died himself on 14 January 1872. The story continues to be well known in Scotland.

Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, 23 miles north-west of Edinburgh and 20 miles north-east of Glasgow.

Haar is a cold sea fog. It usually occurs on the east coast of England or Scotland between April and September, when warm air passes over the cold North Sea.

Haribo is Gummy Candy originally founded in Germany.

Hogmanay (HOG-me-NAY) is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year (Gregorian calen-dar) in the Scottish manner.

Irn-Bru is a Scottish carbonated soft drink, often described as "Scotland's other national drink".

Jackie Bird (born 31 July 1962) is a Scottish journalist and newsreader. She is currently an anchor of BBC Scotland's news programme “Reporting Scotland”.

Jammie Dodgers are a popular British biscuit, made from shortbread with a raspberry or strawberry flavoured jam filling.

Jobby a pile of shit.

John West Foods is a United Kingdom-based seafood marketing com-pany established in 1857, and currently owned by Thai Union Group of Thailand. They are known as a producer of canned (tinned) salmon and tuna, and also supply mackerel, sardine, herring, brisling, anchovies and shellfish.

Motherwell Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club competes in the Scottish Pre-miership.

Tanned is slang for to flog it down or to polish off.

The River Clyde is a river in Scotland. It is the eighth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the second longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire.

The Dogs is slang for Greyhound Racing.

Wembley Stadium (capacity 90,000) is a football stadium in Wembley, London, England. The stadium hosts major football matches including the FA Cup Final and home matches of the England national football team.

Wham Bar is a confectionery bar produced by Tangerine Confectionery and sold in the United Kingdom.

“What are the odds of living an extraordinary life? The story of one boy's grandad who won a fortune betting on the 1966 World Cup, and when diagnosed with cancer, gambled it all on living to see the year 2000. An intergenerational tale of what we live for and what we leave behind.”

-Gary McNair

From Gary:Gary McNair (Playwright) is a writer and performer from Glasgow, Scot-land. He likes you, you're his target audience.He graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with first class honours in 2007 and has since gone on to make several award winning plays for the theatre. His work has been translated and performed across the world. His other plays include Donald Robertson Is Not A Standup Co-median, Born To Run and Crunch.

From his agent:Gary McNair is a playwright, director and performer based in Glasgow.His aim is to make work that will entertain and challenge audiences in equal measures.

After graduating with first class honours in Contemporary Theatre Practice from the RSAMD (now RCS) in 2007 he has produced work with and for many of Scotland's major theatre companies and his work has been trans-lated into several languages and performed around the world.

His most recent work includes A Gambler's Guide to Dying which enjoyed a successful run at the Traverse theatre during the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The show received huge critical acclaim, was the recipient of a Fringe First and the Holden Street Theatre awards and was featured in the BBC's best solo shows of the Fringe. It will begin an international tour in Australia this February.

Of Donald Robertson Is Not A Stand Up Comedian, the Scotsman said "it's difficult to imagine these vital questions about comedy, masculinity, hierarchy and cruelty being handled more skillfully, in such a short span, or with such a sense of self-questioning irony, from a writer and performer who knows his power to make audiences suspend disbelief, and who mis-trusts and challenges that power, every inch of the way."You can follow his infrequent tweets @thegarymcnair Or visit his website at www.garymcnair.co.uk

Paul Linke* (Director) Best known as Artie Grossman, the comic relief on the NBC-TV show “CHiPs”. He starred in MOTEL HELL and co-starred in the film PARENTHOOD.

A former member of the Company Theatre, he co-created The Garden Theatre Festival and co-founded The Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica where he created his first solo show, TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE ALIVE which was later produced as an HBO Showcase production and nominated for a Cable Ace Award.

Mr. Linke, was co-author and director of SAVE IT FOR THE STAGE – The Life of Reilly starring comic legend Charles Nelson Reilly at the Irish Rep, in NYC where it was nominated for a Drama Desk and Outer Critic’s Circle Award. He directed NOBODY DON’T LIKE YOGI starring Ben Gazzara, Off-Broadway at the Lamb’s Theatre.

At his creative home The Ruskin Group Theatre where he played Joe Keller in the critically acclaimed ALL MY SONS, he has developed and directed many solo shows including THE FOUR MAN PLAN, CATERPILLAR SOUP, CAPTURE NOW, THE BACK ROAD HOME, DIABETES: MY STRUGGLES WITH JIM TURNER as well as @HEART and the acclaimed THAT MAY WELL BE TRUE. He also staged the world premiere of THE 60’s at Pacific Resident Theatre. Other directing credits include “…and BABY MAKES TWO”, THE LAW OF RETURN (w/ Shelly Berman), SWING’N WILD, IT AIN’T NOTHIN NICE, YOU’RE DADDY’S A FAG AND YOUR OTHER DADDY’S A FAG TOO, WILDE AND WONDER-FUL (Two Ovation Nominations), “…BUT FIRST, SAMMY SHORE” for which he won the ADA for best direction of an original play.

Special thanks to Cheryl Bry for finding the play at The Edinburgh Festi-val 2015, Ellen Bry for passing it on to me, Maury Sterling for being the consummate professional and for making this process such a joy, and The Ruskin Group Theatre for their continued support of my work.Mr. Linke can be reached at Linkelink1948@aol.com

Maury Sterling* was born and raised in Mill Valley California. He attended UCLA and graduated with a BA in Theatre. He has also studied at Circle in the Square in NY and ACT in San Francisco. He is a founding member of the award winning Buffalo Nights Theatre Co. Theatre credits include Crazy Drunk, J.B., The Madman and the Nun, Firebugs, Modigliani, Out at Sea, Incident at Vichy, Meat, all performed with Buffalo Nights. He has also appeared in Measure for Measure at A Noise Within, Love and Understanding at the Lilian, Fedunn at the Odyssey, and Judgement at Nuremberg at ICT. Shows at the Ruskin Theater in-clude, All My Sons, The Amazing Harold, and Mutiny at Port Chicago. Maury’s Recent Film and TV credits include Veronica Mars, Coherence, Kung Fu Panda 2, A-Team, Smokin’ Aces, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Frolic, Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce, Master’s of Sex, Extant, Homeland, the ABC Pilot Gilded Lily’s, In Plain Sight, Longmire, and numerous others. He is proud to be married to the beautiful Alexis Boozer Sterling and is grateful for her unending support. He would like to thank Gary, Paul, and the Ruskin for this opportunity and would like to dedicate this show to Charlie, Clem, Wally, Ann, Dick, and George, and all of the other "Grands".

John Ruskin (Artistic Director) After graduating from the University of Colo-rado in Boulder, John continued his studies with The Yale School of Drama and The British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England. John then attended The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and studied with Sanford

Meisner and Richard Pinter. John then joined the acting faculty of The Neighbor-hood Playhouse at the request of Sanford Meisner and became his apprentice. Years later, John moved to Los Angeles where he founded his school of acting to continue to teach Meisner’s work and then this professional theatre company.The Ruskin Group Theatre Company provides outreach programs to children in need with the “Healing Through the Arts" program. Presently, we are taking our actors into Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA to work with and entertain the children. John wants to thank everyone who volunteers, comes to support this theatre, and keeps the dream of theatre alive. John is honored to work each day with every one of the amazing artists at the school and theatre. He is most grate-ful to his wife Amy and their son Bodhi and Cooper for their constant love and support.

Michael Myers (Producer/Managing Director) has produced more than 70 projects since 2002. He recently directed the world premiere of Digging Up Dad and the critically acclaimed production of Faithful at RGT. Mike is a co-creator of the Ruskin Group Theatre’s well attended CAFÉ PLAYS, the monthly offering of one-acts that are done in 10 1/2 hours from conception to staging. He served as chair of the Santa Monica Arts Commission since 2010. Mike recently produced the world premiere hit production of Rex Pickett's "Sideways The Play" and “Paradise” A Blue Grass Musical. Sideways will have its west end premiere in May at the St. James theatre. His developed and directed, “Sneaky Ole Time the music of Paul Overstreet” to smash reviews and it is currently in pre-production for a regional run. He would like to thank his parents for their love and continued support. None of what he has done would be possiblewithout them.

Nicole Millar (Stage Manager) Nicole is a graduate of the Meisner two year program at the Ruskin School of Acting and continues her craft in Graduate Master Class. She also studied level one UCB LA (2015) Comedia d’el Arte with Danny Passer (2004). She graduated with a diploma from West London College in “Performing Arts & Media” (1991) England. She then moved to the states to continue her acting career which now, also includes working in Stage Produc-tion. Nicole would like to thank her family here at Ruskin John, Mikey, Mike, Justin and Nancy for their continuos love and support. There is no place like the theatre.

World Premiere productions at the Ruskin Group Theatre include: The World Premiere of; Sneaky Ole Time, By Steve Mazur & Lyrics by Paul Overstreet; The

*denonotes membership to

Face In The Reeds, by Robin Russin; Talhotblonde, by Kathrine Bates; Paradise, a Bluegrass Musical, by Bill Robertson, Tom Sage & Music by Cliff Wagner; Sideway’s, the Play, by Rex Pickett; The Tragedy of the Commons, by Stephen Metcalf; and Come Sundown, by Tony Cronin. The revival of El Grande de Coca-Cola, by Alan Shearman & Ron House; West Coast Premiere productions include: Green Eyes, by Tennessee Williams and The Housing Room, by Conrad Bromberg. Other credits include: Leaving Home, by David French; The Lone-some West, by Martin McDonagh; Siddown...Conversation’s with the Mob, by Sam Kass; and Ovation Award recommended A Memory of Two Monday’s, by Arthur Miller.

It has been a pleasure to work with the talent and vision of director Paul Linke and the incredibly talented Maury Sterling….Enjoy the show!

Sarah Figoten Wilson (Costume & Set Design) Costume design work in-cludes El Grande de Coca Cola Circus (Colony & Skylight Theatres), Sneaky Ole Time (Ruskin Group Theatre), Niagara Falls (Theatre of NOTE), El Grande de Coca Cola (RGT- LA Weekly Nomination), Paradise: a Divine Bluegrass Musical, Cyrano De Bergerac and Mutiny at Port Chicago (NAACP nomination). Direct-ing credits include Mary Poppins (MTOC) She Loves Me (Chance Theater- LA Times Critics’ Pick), The Face in the Reeds (RGT), Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well… (Costa Mesa Playhouse). Asst Dir. on Death of a Salesman and The..Hat at South Coast Repertory & as well as assisting on the pre-Broadway work ses-sions of David Mamet’s China Doll starring Al Pacino. www.sarahfwilson.com

Chip Bolcik* (Sound Design) Chip designed the sound for Sneaky Ole Time at the Ruskin, as well as for Leaving Home. Chip regularly does the sound for the Cafe Plays and he designed the sound for the Ruskin’s recent first annual Christ-mas show. Chip has recorded sound for John Putch’s feature film, Route 30, as well as for his own film, Daughter Knows Best, as well as several other short features he created. Chip has done audio work for multiple radio commercials in New York and LA. In a related field, Chip has shot and edited behind the scenes video for two Universal Pictures feature films. American Pie and Death Race. When he’s not busy being unemployed, Chip also acts and writes.

THANK YOU RGT SUPPORTERS!

Guardians of the Theatre $15,000 and upCarole Middleton, Wendy & Titus Brenninkmeijer,

Robert M. Myers & Linda Sullivan, Patricia Dougherty,Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, Fred Deni, Kevin & Geric Frost,

Chez & Roseanne Di Gregorio, Robert & Susan Ruskin, Christine & Jordan Kaplan, David Bass, Anonymous, Mr. & Mrs Robert L. Cannon

City of Santa Monica

Benefactors $10,000-14,999Deena Bosnak & Family, Glad Foundation, Stable Foundation,

Jennifer Field, Rachel Pollack, RD & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation, Barbara Schroeder

Angels $5,000-9,999Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Dylan McDermott, Monia Joblin,

Donna & Thomas Ruskin, Michael Visbal, Helene Shaw, Kevin Wyrauch, David & Vickie McFarland, Kenneth P. Lombino, Jerry & Cheryl Conatser

Patrons of the Arts $1,000-4,999Dan & Diana Attias, Attias Family Foundation, Eve Ensler, Rita Franciosa & Family, Susan Hayden, Martin

Sosin Foundation, Stanley & Betty Sheinbaum, Patricia Stark, Thomas Prosser, Ryan DeMesa, David & Katie Soroko, Michael Nicklin, Valerie Vanaman, Dann and Karen Florek, Olivia Lua, Jimmy Tang, Maurice La-

marche, Robin Russin, Newman Aaronson & Vanaman, Grace Shen, Sheri Levy, Tony Bill, Aubrey & Amelia Anderson, Alan & Diane Childs, Donna Patrick, Boeing Corporation, Robert R. McGinley, Sheri Levy,

Grace Shen, James "Doc" and Mary Lynn Boilini, Gretchen Holland, Neil Steed, Kathy Whitehurst, Jim & Toni Thompson, AJ and Beth McCall, Marty Garrison, Robert Masterson, Dr Hugh & Colleen Greenway,

Joe Oliva, Michael & Elaina Reilly, Steven & Dana Spett, Kathy & Ed O'Neill

Lovers of The Stage $500-999Billie Bernhard, John Finn, Dante & Marcella Spinotti, Robin & Sarah Russin, Amanda Keidan, Chris Mulkey

& Karen Landry, Rita & Joe Corrigan, William Joseph, Joe Russin, Hugh & Melissa Arian, Christian Jarry, Greg & Teresia Myers, Susan Millman, Steve Clair, Barry Siegal

Great Friends of the Theatre $250-499Judi Barker, Gail Meyer, Howard J. Morris, Todd Simon, Romaine McCoy, Vinny Thadhani, Stephan Mc-Ilvaine, Susan Millmann, Steve Clare, Trinka Soloway, Joe Russin, Dayvin Turchiano, David McWhirter,

RosemarieWolff

Friends of the Theatre $25-249Lee & Juanita Armen, Christina Olson Garcia, Dr. Samuel & Diane Waingrow, Judy Goldstein, Steve Haskell & Michelle Haner, Frederick & Paula Kuhns, Barry Levitt, Marilyn & Donald Gralla, Steven & Nancy Min-del, James Rebhorn, Bob & Robin Eatman, William Rothbard, Samuel M. Surloff, Peter & Kedren Werner, Gwynne & Linda Jassim, Ed Horowitz, David Brooks, Jim Maldonado, Diane Sherry, Sharon Girdner, Stu-art, M. Chanadler, Chris & Susie Piolarski, Judith Bourne, Gina Peterman, Jules Haimovitz, Katie Garland Noble, Ted & Carol Sattler, Ray & Veronica Reisler, Ratna Jones, Amaury Arce, Arthur Toretzky, Vik Chat-tergee, Michael Seplow, Eitan Gonen, Robert Pine, Daniel Taylor, Audrey Hazekamp, Wes Merchant, Raul

Dourado, Aubrey Anderson, Mario Didonato, Charles Sterling, Harutune Hamassian, Happy L Garacochea, Nicole Cannon, Kaylee Quilling, David Comperatore, Louis Erskine, Patricia Stark, David Bosnak, Peter

Krasny, Kevin Hudnell, Amity M Janow, Anna Lobell, Kelly Gullett, Christina Byron, Ann and Virgil Shields, Bernie and Linda Fox, Don Girard, Michelle Hokr, Richard & Jennifer Steets, Asuka Hisa, Chip Bolcik,

Joe Olivia