The Last Grain of Rice
A new play by Hott Lettis | Directed by Hannah Marie Pederson | Premiering this fall at The Tank
Bill’s Rice, a restaurant that serves only white rice, runs out of rice.
Things are only complicated further when a vengeful reanimated ferret, Lil’ Pip, ropes Lenny and Margaret’s often-ignored daughter, Jaundicia, into his schemes.
When the opportunity arises to sell the space to a chain of tweenage girl’s accessories stores, everyone is forced to confront their dreams and relationships. This is especially true for Lenny, the new owner of Bill’s Rice who longs to reunite with his ex-wife, Margaret, and bring his family back together, despite his exciting new relationship with George, a devoted longtime employee.
Featuring a cast of nine passionate, gross, jazzy, chain-smoking characters, The Last Grain of Rice is one part family-drama satire, one part absurdist comedy, and one part earnest exploration of family, legacy, and how to let go of what’s not serving you anymore. Also, jelly bean jar competitions.
The Upcoming Production
The Last Grain of Rice will be performed in the 98-seat theater at The Tank in Midtown Manhattan as part of their The Tank Presents program on:
9/27 @ 9:30pm
10/1 @ 7pm
10/2 @ 7pm
10/5 @ 3pm
10/6 @ 7pm
We’re currently fundraising and would greatly appreciate your support! Your donation goes directly to the artists working on the production and the materials they need to bring it to life.
CAST (in order of appearance)
Jackson Kienitz (Greasy Rod) is an actor and writer, with a background in new work for theatre and independent film. Recently, Jackson wrote and performed in HONEYDEW NO.2, a satire of the agrochemical industry, directed by Cecilia Thoden van Velzen at the Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow. He is currently playing the leading role Danny in Sinkholes, a surrealist apocalypse film directed by Graham Cooper. He holds a BA in Creative Writing and Drama from Columbia University, and an MFA in Acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Now a tra-la-la, and a step-ball-change. Then a modest curtsy. www.jacksonkienitz.com
Mera Caulfield (Nancy) is a Brooklyn-based comedian/actress who likes doing her own thang. She has been performing and producing comedy shows in Brooklyn for the past 3 years, including her solo show “Everyone Is Tortured But Not Me” at Littlefield. Mera has even hosted Brooklyn’s first ever Evil Laugh Competition at Nighthorse. She is super excited to finally cross over to the theater world with The Last Grain of Rice!
Frank Muni* (George) retired from city service after twenty nine years in law enforcement in 2014. His true passion has always been acting and Frank was finally able to start his acting journey in September of 2018 at Take 2 Actor’s Studio in Huntington Village, Long Island under the teachings of Regina Schneider and Lynn Antunovich. Frank has always said Regina and Lynn are his forever acting mentors. Frank has enjoyed working with the film departments of NYU, Columbia and Pratt and has been cast in numerous films non union and union. His last two for International directors Gabrielle Altobelli in Art of Diversion and Uwe Boll for First Shift. Frank Is also proud to be a member in SAG-AFTRA and AEA.. Frank has performed at the Hudson Guild Theatre as Julie in Runaways. The Gene Frankel Theatre as Willie in Case Closed The Dorian Corey Story and his last theater performance as Uncle Louie in Lost In Yonkers at the Bayway Arts Theatre. Frank is beyond excited to return to the theatre as George in The Last Grain Of Rice. Frank dedicates his performances to his late father Frank Sr, his supportive mother Dorothy, cherished daughter Janina and a special thank you to Ann Modica and Nancy Lorenzo for their patience and love with helping as readers for Frank’s self tape auditions. In ending Frank would just like to say “Look what I would have missed!”
Tom Staggs* (Lenny) has been living and working in and out of NYC for 35 years. Recent credits include The Script in the Closet at La MaMa Etc., Bullet Points at Theatre Row as well as The Addams Family Musical and Urinetown with Blue Hill Troupe. In addition, Tom has performed extensively with Gorilla Rep, Faux Real Theater Company, Blue Coyote and Metropolitan Playhouse. He is looking forward to performing in David Cote’s new one person play, St.Joe in 2025. None of this would be possible without the support of my friend, guide, love and wife, Lynda and our awesome daughter, Katelynn!
Liz Days* (Margaret) is excited to jump back on the comedic stage; it’s where the jazz is! Previous theatre credits include: Boswell (59E59), 13th of Paris (Public Theater, ME), Salome (St Ann’s), and her solo sketch comedy show Flighty Connections (The PIT). She voices several comedic characters on the podcast UmbrellaHolics, and you can see her as Dr. Turner in the dramatic feature film I’ll Be There available on streaming platforms this November (@I’llBeTheretheFilm). Follow her sketches and Wigtober series on instagram @LizDays1.
Grace Maddux (Jaundicia) is going absolutely feral waiting to bear her soul in the Last Grain of Rice as her truest form, a disgruntled eight year old. She feels it is finally her time to really shine, as she gets mistaken for a toddler most days. She has been working primarily in film, shooting movies such as, Echoes of Evil, Beneath the Skin, Not a Good Person, and Alice’s Echo (all coming soon). She’s forever grateful to all the wonderful people in her life that make New York feel like the Carrie Bradshaw dream it truly can be. Now! Enjoy the show, and if you have any pickled limes, Find Me After The Show. I’m Being Serious.
Marcina Manaloto (Periwinkle) (she/her) is an NYU Tisch Drama Graduate. She is a proud trans Filipina American 20something actress, writer, director, model, mover, and video vixen. She’s currently in post-production for her debut short film. She enjoys collecting plushies, learning languages, and seeing everything as a sign. She was last seen in Calico as Sunshine de la Cruz, a part of Frigid New York’s Queerly Festival this past June 2024. Hugs and kisses to Papaloto, Mamaloto, Mayboo, and all my girls in the audience tonight <3 IG: @philocalistdoll
Timothy ‘StoneDancer’ Coleman (Candi DeMule) currently serves as the Director of Education at BronxNet Cable Access, where he is also the Writer, Host and Executive Producer of three television shows. As a songwriter with Sony Music Publishing, Timothy has earned a Grammy nomination for one of his original jazz songs. His Broadway credits include performing as ‘Benny’ in “RENT” and as ‘Jack’ in “Jekyll and Hyde.” With over 20 years of dedicated service to under-resourced communities, Timothy has made significant contributions in the non-profit sector. As an Executive Director, he managed a $20 million budget and created ARTS programming that provided educational opportunities to over 30,000 students.
Alyssa Parkhurst (Lil’ Pip) is an actor and puppeteer based in Brooklyn. Recent credits include The Chairs (From Shakespeare to Gaza, dir. Logan Schulman), Cinderella Samba (Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, dir. Bruce Cannon), We’re Anthropomorphic Lizards! (Fucked up Play Festival, dir. Sarah Groustra), Cockroaches (Breaking & Entering Theater Co., dir. Emma Richmond). She is a graduate of The New School College of Performing Arts class of 2023. Special thanks to Emma and Pickle for all of their puppet help and love! Instagram: @alyssa.parkhurst
Director:
Hannah Marie Pederson (she/her) is a director, actor, and producer whose recent work has been seen at The Chain, The Tank, the Connelly Theater and Art House Productions.
Assistant Director:
Katie Lavelle (she/her) is a director, producer and cabaret performer. Her recent directing work has been seen at Art House Productions, the Connelly and Theatre for The New City. As a cabaret performer, she can be seen regularly at Don’t Tell Mama.
Playwrights:
Hott Lettis is made up of Alison Vincitore (she/her) and Milo O’Connell (she/her). Alison’s past work has been featured in McSweeney’s, The Three Magazine, RememberFest 2020, and as a Second Rounder in the 2022 Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition. Milo’s past work has been performed at Flux Factory on Governors Island, Chaos Computer Collective in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, RememberFest 2020, and at The New School College of Performing Arts, as well as many DIY venues across the East Coast. They both hold a BFA in Dramatic Arts from The New School for Drama. Milo also completed the MA Arts Management and Entrepreneurship program.
Candi DeMule’s Music & Lyrics by Timothy ‘StoneDancer’ Coleman
Lil’ Pip’s Music by Dexter Warren
Lil’ Pip’s Lyrics by Hott Lettis
Props Design Cat Gillespie
Costume Design Sophia Costanzi
Set Design Yiseul LeMieux & Masson LeMieux
Lighting Design Zee Hanna
Sound Design J.D. Amentt
Puppet Design Alyssa Parkhurst
Intimacy Coordinator Katie Lavelle
The Last Grain of Rice is presented by The Tank, a home for emerging artists. thetanknyc.com
Equity-Approved Showcase
*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actors’ Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production
Follow us on Instagram @hottlettis to stay up to date!