Taught by professional actor Bob Rusch

Offering Scene Study,

On-Camera Workshops and Personal
Coaching for experienced actors looking
to expand their training.

Contact us at 716-771-6358 or email

ActingStudio716@agmail.com
 SPECIAL THANKS
Albert and Sally Bueno, Mark and Janie Hurley, Chris and Kari Becker, Paul and Bill Bostaph-
Bernadt, Chad and Tanice Speziale, Peter and Sabrina Stokes, Ken and Theresa Habberfield,
John and Marcy Liberti, Matthew LaChiusa and the Compass Performing Arts Center, SkyPilot
Theatre Company of Los Angeles, Morry Schorr, Shelby Janes, Ron Klier, Johnny Clark and
VS. Theatre Company of Los Angeles, all the good “Copper’s” who keep us safe.

HUNT Real Estate ERA

720 Elmwood Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14222

Luigi Rodo
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

CELL: 716-913-5126
FAX: 716-883-0936
Luigi.rodo@huntrealestate.com
threechordbourbon.com www.Luigirodo.com

www.JMHallmark.com

NOBODY OFFERS
MORE DISCOUNTS
THAN FARMERS
■ Coverage you can customize to meet your needs
■ Contact me for a free coverage review
■ Flexible payment options

Jason Barabasz
Your Local Agent
3900 Southwestern Blvd, Orchard Park, NY 14127
JBARABASZ@FARMERSAGENT.COM
http://agents.farmers.com/jbarabasz

Call 716.646.3170 today! flyingbisonbrewing.com

For Home, Auto, Life and Business.
Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insur-ance
companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states. Coverage is not available in all states.
Life Insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th Ave. SE, Ste. 300, Bellevue, WA 98005.
 presents the East Coast Premiere of

Cops and Friends of Cops

by Ron Klier

CAST
To make a donation, please go to (In order of appearance)

www.societyofartisticveterans.com Paul Anthony J. Grande

Dom John Patrick Patti
Emmett Bob Rusch
Sal Dan Morris
Roosevelt Shakora Purks

CREW
Director Drew McCabe
Producers Bob Rusch, John Patrick Patti
Playwright Ron Klier
Stage Manager/Sound Designer Alley Griffin
Box Office Manager Vanessa Chardonnay Shevat
Technical Director Matthew LaChiusa
Stage Combat Choreographer Adam Rath
Set Designers Bob Rusch, Lauren Woods
Graphic Designer Jason Yates
Set Builder Dave Reynolds, Bill Kennedy

SETTING
Big Bill’s Basement Bar, North St. Louis, MO
A recent first Thursday of the month

WARNING: GUN SHOTS ON STAGE USING LIVE BLANKS

 CAST
ANTHONY J. GRANDE (Paul) is excited to be making his debut with First
Look Buffalo Stage Productions. Anthony has assisted in developing
Acting Studio 716 and has experience as a video producer, director, and
as a recently new playwright. His recent stage performances include Eric
in THE BOYS UPSTAIRS by Jason Mitchell,  Sloane in ENTERTAINING MR.
SLOANE by Joe Orton, Louis in ANGELS IN AMERICA by Tony Kushner, and
Will/Tony in SIGNIFICANT OTHER by Joshua Harmon. 
JOHN PATRICK PATTI (Dom) is co-founder
and a producer at First Look Buffalo Stage
Productions. Prior to relocating to Hollywood and working in the world of
Independent Film, John lived in NYC where he trained at the Actor’s Studio,
the Stella Adler Conservatory, and HB Studios. He acted in numerous
Off-Broadway and regional stage productions throughout the Northeast.
Favorite roles include Don Quixote in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Che in EVITA,
Harold Hill in MUSIC MAN, amongst others. In LA, John studied with Milton
Katselas, Jeffrey Tambor, and Joe Santos at the Beverly Hills Playhouse
and is a founding member of The Write Act Repertory Theatre Company
in Hollywood where he acted, produced and served on the Board of Directors for several years. John
was the associate producer, casting director, and an actor in the dark-comedy feature film MANIACTS
which starred fellow Buffalonian, Jeff Fahey. Since returning to Buffalo, John landed roles in recent WNY
films; including the antagonist in the sci-fi thriller PRESCIENT and supporting roles in RAINBOW BRIDGE
MOTEL and MALAISIA. John was nominated for a best acting award at the Buffalo, NY 48 Hour Film
Project 2017 for his portrayal of a vet with PTSD in the film THE NEVER-ENDING WAR.
BOB RUSCH (Emmett) is a producer with and a founder of First Look Buffalo
stage productions. Bob is looking forward to working with the Buffalo
theatre community for many years to come as he plans on developing and
bringing new plays to our community. Favorite stage roles are Mountain
McClintock in REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT by Rod Serling, The Driver
in HELLCAB by Wil Kern, Bernie in SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO by
David Mamet and Partner in DETECTIVE PARTNER HERO VILLAIN by Brett
Neveu. Bob also enjoyed success in TV and film on such shows as SONS
OF ANARCHY, ITS ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, MOM, SWITHCED AT
BIRTH, THE THUNDERMANNS, ER, WILL AND GRACE, SAVING MR. BANKS,
CHRISTMAS IN VERMONT and many more. 
DAN MORRIS (Sal) is excited to join the cast for this premier production;
of both the show, and for this production company. Dan was last seen
on stage in the role of Mushnik in Starring Buffalo’s production of Alan
Mencken’s  LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at The Shea’s 710 theatre, and at
the Kenan Center, in the Carriage House Players production of Neil Simon’s
PRISONERS OF SECOND AVENUE in the role of Harry. Favorite past roles
have included Randall McMurphy in Ken Kesey and Dale Wassermann’s
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, Thenardier in Victor Hugo’s LES
MISERABLES, Thomas Jefferson in Sherman Edwards 1776, and Pontious
Pilate in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Tim Rice.
SHAKORA PURKS (Roosevelt) is incredibly excited to be performing in
First Look Buffalo Stage Production’s maiden voyage. He is a graduate of
SUNY Buffalo State Theater Department, where he earned his Bachelors of
Arts in Performance and Directing. Shakora’s work since graduation has
encompassed commercials, stage, film roles and video production. He is an
active member of Buffalo’s volunteer community, helping to improve WNY
however he can. Some favorite credits include: Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project
submissions; RIDE OF YOUR LIFE (2017; Selection Festival De Cannes
2018), and EYES LIKE MINE (2018). Recent stage productions include: OUR
TOWN, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST, CATCH-22, DAMES AT SEA, THE
LADIES MAN, OKLAHOMA!, and HELLO DOLLY! Shakora’s goal as an artist is to create thought provoking
and entertaining realizations of the characters he portrays. His hope is that you enjoy this show, celebrate
your collective differences and give so freely the compassion and empathy that you seek.
PRODUCTION
DREW MCCABE (Director) - a multiple Artie Award nominee for both direct-
ing and writing, over the past 12 seasons he has directed 48 productions
across WNY. A 2007 graduate of UB where he studied Japanese and Theater,
favorite regional productions under his directorial eye include SHE KILLS
MONSTERS, IT’S ONLY A PLAY, THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES, THE PRIDE, CAN-
NIBAL! THE MUSICAL, ORGAZMO and THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Aside from
theater he’s had a career in animation/comic book analysis and review, as
well as a brief stint fielding with the Brisbane Heat. He would like to thank
his cast and crew for their hard work, his wife Jenny for her love and support,
his family and his emotional support dog Priscilla!
ALLEY GRIFFIN (Stage Manager, Sound Design, Production Board Op.)
is pleased to be part of First Look Buffalo Stage Productions inaugural
show. This endeavor caps off a triptych of performances with mentor Drew
McCabe. Past team collaborations include A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY
CLINE at Shea’s Smith with O’Connell and Co., the wildly successful SHE
KILLS MONSTERS, and last season’s chilling tale of MOTHER JONES IN
HEAVEN AND HELL; both at the Subversive Theatre Collective. This summer
Alley can be found Assistant Directing Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s first
show of the summer, AS YOU LIKE IT. Alley has negotiable rates for stage
management and designs; and is booking into next season. 
Jason Yates
Creative, Design & Editing
http://yates.works