“Coney Island Nusery Rhyme”

A Thrilling New Play by Lubomir Rzepka


Premiering for 8 select shows July 12 through July 20th as an Equity Approved Showcase at the NuBox Theatre in NY, NY.

The Incredible True Story

"Coney Island Nursery Rhyme" is a historical fiction set in Connecticut and New York in the 1930’s. Based on a true story, it follows the esteemed incubator-doctor, showman, and unofficial father of Neonatology, Martin A. Couney. In a time where a eugenics-focused medical culture refused to employ incubator technology, Martin A. Couney took it upon himself to save premature babies in his own incubators at a sideshow at Coney Island where funds were used to hire nurses and essentially create an unofficial hospital. We focus on Beatrice Winthrop, a woman from the American gentry who seeks Couney's assistance after giving birth prematurely.

The story is an homage to an important, peculiar, and nearly forgotten part of history. It is a reflection on the nature of truth and trust, and perhaps most  importantly, it is a meditation on what it means to “do the right thing” and how doing the right thing isn’t entirely free of consequence.

MEET THE CAST AND CREW

  • Lubomir Rzepka

    Writer and Director

    Lubomir Rzepka is a writer and musician living in Brooklyn, New York. “Coney Island Nursery Rhyme” is not only Lubomir’s directorial debut but also his first written work to be produced on the stage.

    When not working on theatrical projects Lubomir writes and performs music with his band under the moniker Bleak March.

  • Zachary Speigel

    as Raymond Abbot

    Zachary Speigel is thrilled to be a part of the talented cast of Coney Island Nursery Rhyme. Recent credits: Art Babbitt in Burbank (Off-Broadway), Nephew Fred in A Christmas Carol (National Tour), Dan in Vermont (New York Regional), Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream (New England Regional.)

  • Jessica Noboa*

    as Beatrice Winthrop

    Jessica Noboa is an Actor/Producer based in New York City. Her past work in NYC includes Trade Federation at IRC and Vermont by Third Wing. Her past work from the Los Angeles theater scene include: Flower Duet (Road Theater Co), Mad Forest (Open Fist Theater), Early and Often (Open Fist Theater). Television/Film: ZERO METHOD, NEW AMSTERDAM, BILLIONS, LAW & ORDER: SVU, Midnighters. Zero Method is continuing to make waves in the festival circuit racking up multiple Best TV Pilot awards.

  • Mike Timoney*

    as Martin A. Couney

    THE BARDY BUNCH (Off Broadway & NY Fringe Festival) as Sam the Butcher, Mr. Phillips and Cousin Oliver. Other theater: BEULAH LAND (Bob), PRIVATE LIVES (Elyot), CORPSE! (the Farrant twins), AN IDEAL HUSBAND (Sir Robert) and THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (George). Film, TV and commercial roles with Jane Fonda (THE DOLLMAKER), Bryan Cranston (LAST CHANCE) and Buster Posey (THIS IS SPORTS CENTER). Also: STAR TREK IV, THE COTTON CLUB, THE PEACEMAKER, THE UPSIDE. New York City Opera: LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER broadcast of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and SONDHEIM: A CELEBRATION AT CARNEGIE HALL. Also at NYCO: DEAD MAN WALKING, LA BOHEME, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (with Jeremy Irons), TURANDOT, CANDIDE, CARMEN. Webseries: HE’S WITH ME (Bruce) opposite Debra Jo Rupp and Cady Huffman. Video Game: RED DEAD REDEMPTION II. As Producer: TELECOM ASIA, THE BARDY BUNCH (Mercury Theater, Chicago) and several events at 54 BELOW. Writer/Director of the SAG Short Film HOPE. Proud member of Actors Equity.

    mtimoney1@gmail.com

    Twitter: @mike_timoney

    Instagram: mtimoney1

  • Phyllis Lindy*

    as Candace Lahey

    In 2023, Phyllis was nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Play by “Broadway World”. She had a recurring role in the online sci-fi comedy, “Wormholes,” Astoria Film Festival’s 2022 Best Series Award & 2021 Audience Award winner. Recent productions include The Cake (Della Brady), Bye-bye Birdie (Mae Peterson), A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mame (Auntie Mame), Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike (Sonia) & Diary of Anne Frank (Edith Frank) In 2015, Phyllis was honored with a Best Actress nomination at the Thespis Theater Festival in NYC. A founding member & producer of the Womenkind Festival in NYC, Phyllis created and performed solo-works to celebrate Women’s History Month.

  • Pete Marzilli

    as Lt. Peter Petrovick

    Pete Marzilli is an American performing and visual artist and screenwriter. Of Italian and Irish ancestry, Pete grew up in New England amid a wellspring of cultural material to build his creativity and storytelling abilities. Pete has performed drama and comedy for theater, television and film, creating a range of characters embedded with natural performances, realism, sensitivity and rugged intensity. An artist to the core, Pete has an impressive range of talents, including : painter, illustrator, master carpenter, scenic artist, scenic designer, musician and film director.

    Pete is an avid outdoors-man with a love of hiking, fishing, camping, conservation and photographing nature. You can find Pete on IMbB.

  • Judge Boothby

    as Dr. Charon Fielding

    Judge Boothby (Dr. Charon Fielding) is making his New York stage debut in Coney Island Nursery Rhyme. He studies acting with Bruce McCarty at William Esper Studio. Originally from Southern California, he lives in New York City with his daughter Diana.

  • Amanda Adams

    Director of Design / Stage Manager

    A Brooklyn-based actor and singer-songwriter, with experience in theater and in film.

    Coney Island Nursery Rhyme” will mark Amanda’s debut as a stage manager. When not working on theatrical projects she writes and performs music under her own name.

  • Refilwe Kekana

    Lighting Designer

    A theatre artist based in NYC. They recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Theatre and Performance from Purchase College, where they participated in a variety of student-run productions and clubs, including playing Angel in José Rivera's Marisol, performing in Purchase's show choir, Crescendo, and being music director for such student originals as The Beauty of Risk and Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.

  • Jeste Gloria

    Director of Art and Marketing

    Jeste Gloria is an illustrator and tattoo-artist based in Brooklyn, NY. He operates his own tattoo shop ‘Bad Dog Tattoo NYC’. “Coney Island Nursery Rhyme” will mark his first theatrical venture.

  • Sofi Salazar

    Crew / Backstage

    Ana Sofía Salazar is a Mexican writer, singer and actress residing in NYC. After a career in talent management and Rolling Stone journalist in Mexico City, she graduated from the Professional Conservatory for Musical Theatre at New York Film Academy. Sofía has been in productions such as ‘Chocolate Milk, Por Favor’, ‘Into The Woods’ and ‘The Oliver Experiment’.

Interested in supporting further? Consider donating to our GoFundMe to help bring “Coney Island Nursery Rhyme” to life!