Genre: Comedy Drama Age Advisory: Appropriate for all ages Approxmiate Running Time : TBA Rachel Fitzsimons loves Christmas: Bing Crosby on the radio, giving gifts, the reminders of childhood, the way snow sucks up sound, even the way television stores up all the happy news for Christmas Eve. She's so euphoric, babbling under the covers as Santa's making his rounds, that she's prepared to forgive her remote husband, Tom, for not buying the Christmas present she wants most, a puppy. But he has a more expensive surprise for her, which he remorsefully confesses in the nick of time: he's taken out a contract on her life. Next thing you know, Rachel has accepted a ride and is speeding down the freeway, leaving behind her kids, her clothes, her friends, her name, even her wedding ring, which she throws out the window. “I always wanted to do something reckless, you know? Run away in the middle of the night in your slip and your slippers with some strange man who would ruin your reputation and disappoint your parents terribly and disappoint your friends and just make you really happy. Well,” she burbles, “I think we get these ideas from rock 'n' roll songs.” The plot to Craig Lucas's Reckless is so unlikely that it's downright life-like. Lloyd, the man who picks Rachel up, takes her home to meet his paraplegic deaf-mute girlfriend, Pooty. The purposely loony, coincidence-laden plot of Reckless and its bright comic surface are a mask, however, for the essentially philosophical questions at the heart of the play -- questions about time and identity, how things change and how they stay the same, the randomness of things and yet their interconnectedness. “Things happen for a reason,” Rachel keeps saying in her sensible-mom way, until she is forced to ask, “Or do they?”

Robyn Baylor-Champlin (Pooty, Second Derelict, Woman Patient) – Robyn is making her debut appearance at the Cheltenham Arts Center.  Formerly an entertainment reporter for The Philadelphia Tribune, she switched careers from a correspondent to a working actress in 1995 and has been appearing in community theater productions ever since.  In 1998, she got her first lead in Sylvia as the lovable eponymous pooch at Stagecrafters Theater.  She has also been seen in such plays as All In The Timing, Ravenscroft, I Ain’t Yo Uncle, Thornton Wilder’s The Long Christmas Dinner, The Gas Heart, and Making Porn.   She has also done extra work for major motion pictures like Lebanon, Cover, In Her Shoes, Unbreakable and the television series Hack.  She not only wants to thank her mom Velma, and her sister Adrienne as well as the wonderful cast and crew of Action Arts, she also wishes everyone a very Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!

Nick Ciepiela (Roy, Talk Show Host) – Nick has been an Action Arts regular for several seasons.  He most recently appeared as Coach in this fall’s production of All the Great Books.  Nick is not only acting in this show, but he also assistant directed, and Kristina is certainly grateful for that assistance.

Shelly Cole (First through Sixth Doctors) – Shelly has been with Action Arts since its inception.  She began as the resident director then moved into acting, making costumes and building scenery.  She is very excited to have the opportunity to play multiple characters in a show.  She has not had that chance since Gorey Stories in college where she played over 20 separate roles.  Other favorite roles include: Viola in Twelfth Night, Blitzen in The Eight Reindeer Monologues and Shelby in Steel Magnolias.   Thank you to Kristina for the opportunity and support and to Lydia, her soul sister, just for being you. 

Michael Cosdon (Tom, Tim Timko, First Derelict, Tom Jr.) – After a 2-year hiatus, a return to the stage was mandatory for Mike, who previously had been performing since age 12.  Recent roles include Adam in The Shape of Things, Kenickie in Grease, Ahab in Moby Dick, and Jamie in Beautiful Thing.  He is delighted with Action Arts and the wonderfully talented and fun case who has welcomed his return.  Mike dedicates this performance to his new wife, Genevieve, on whom he will never hire a hitman.

Lydia Goldberg (Rachel) – Lydia is very excited to play such an interesting character as Rachel.  It takes a lot of practice to act so neurotic, well maybe not all that much. Lydia is no stranger to the Action Arts stage.  She was seen most recently last season playing Maria in Twelfth Night.   Lydia also directed last season’s Tuesdays with Morrie.  But her favorite role is wife to fellow Action Arts member, Josh and Momma to Quinn, now 2 years old!   Yo Gabba Gabba!   She is still wondering where her TARDIS is.

Susan Josephs (Trish, Sue, Receptionist) – Susan is thankful to be permitted on stage after a four-year absence.  She lives in East Falls with her husband and daughter and teaches at Philadelphia University. 

Jim Kelsh, Jr. (Lloyd) – Jim Kelsh has been an active actor in regional theaters for 30 years.  He appeared at Action Arts last year in I Hate Hamlet.  A singer as well as an actor he has portrayed Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, Pseudolous in Forum, Top Banana in Sugar Babies, Harry Brock in Born Yesterday, Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit The Wind, among many others.  He has worked for many years with Montgomery Theater and co-starred with the late Jason Miller in the Scranton Public Theater production of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. He also has appeared or directed Sweeney Todd, Six Degrees of Separation, Cabaret, Boy Gets Girl, among many others.  Jim is Manager of Training and Development for Comcast Spotlight and lives in Audubon with his wife Kathy and daughter Megan.   Shout ups to Jim and Jeanne.