Graphic courtesy of Donna Cohen

The lives of five lonely people randomly intersect for fleeting moments in a neighborhood bar. The play is about relationships that never develop and opportunities that are lost because of the changing values of contemporary society which make it impossible for us to “only connect.”

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Playwright – Maria Viera Beatty has co- authored two books on film production: Eye of the Storm: Directing Film, Television, and Emerging Media and Lighting for Film and Digital Cinematography. She has authored 20 published articles on film and theater and written full length plays, one acts, and 10-minute plays some of which have been performed and/or read at various festivals. She is a filmmaker who has made numerous documentaries, short films, and TV commercials. She is a member of The Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights (ALAP) and the Dramatist Guild. She received her Ph.D. in Cinema-Television from USC. 

Director – Karen Hauser has directed and acted on stages throughout Kitsap County and Tacoma. Recent directing credits include Going to the Chapel, BCT's Directors Showcase; Lettice and Lovage, Adopt a Sailor, The Lesser-Known Players; A Raven in the Woods, Island Theatre's Ten-Minute Play Festival. She thanks everyone involved in producing this podcast for making it a delightful experience. 

Heather Burger is Kara

Following critical acclaim (from her parents) for her acting debut as the Dew Fairy on the elementary school stage, Heather took a multi-disciplinary approach to finding ways to attract attention to herself—singing, playing the piano, and acting. In the 1990s marriage, a move from Chicago, establishing a new career and a new life took center stage, and held the spotlight for 24 years. Last year, a BPA podcast appearance led to an invitation to play Kara in Only Connect, rekindle her love of performing, and yes, attract attention to herself. 

Evan Lenz is Brad

After an illustrious career-opener in the Kids' News Hour, filmed in his backyard, Evan abruptly took a decades-long hiatus from acting until the summer of 2019, when—just as abruptly and much to the world's surprise—he reappeared on stage on an island outside Seattle. He has now been seen in Island Theatre's Ten-Minute Play Festival, a staged reading of The Realistic Joneses, Ovation's Bye-Bye Birdie, and Jeffrey Brown's Rob and Bob, coming soon to a YouTube channel near you. This is his first performance with The Lesser-Known Players.

Wayne Purves is Matt 

Wayne has performed on stages across Puget Sound including Bainbridge Performing Arts (Mamma Mia!, August: Osage County, Mary Poppins), Irish Play Series (The New Electric Ballroom), inD Theater (The North Plan), Edmonds Driftwood Players (Everything in the Garden), Jewel Box Theater (My Three Angels), Kitsap Forest Theater (The Music Man) and Island Theater’s Ten-Minute Play Festivals. He thanks The Lesser-Known Players, Karen and cast for the fun time throughout and his wife Catherine for her love and ongoing encouragement. 

Alex Sanso is Lisa 

Alex has appeared in several BPA productions over the years, including The Philadelphia Story, Mary Poppins, Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, and The Rocky Horror Show. She’s also enjoyed performing in productions for The Lesser-Known Players, as well as Island Theatre’s Ten Minute-Play Festival. Alex is grateful to have this opportunity to play with this great cast in her first audio-only production. Cheers to always learning something new! 

Tyler Weaver is Slade 

Tyler has been in several productions on the island for The Lesser-Known Players, Island Theatre and Bainbridge Performing Arts, and he also performs with Imagined Reality Improv. He daylights as a lawyer. This his first voice-only performance, and while he has had a lot of fun with it, he is looking forward to seeing everyone in person at the theater again, and hopefully sooner rather than later.

Composer – Jon Brenner is a composer and musician who specializes in both new and old music. His works include music for soloists, chamber ensembles, large ensembles, orchestra, film, television, theatre, and art installations. Instrumentally, Jon plays primarily electric bass, and also plays all keyboard instruments, guitar, percussion, and viola da gamba, among other instruments. Jon holds degrees in Music Composition and Theory from Mills College, and California State University, Fullerton. In addition to music, he enjoys art, cooking (and eating), and making wine with his beloved. Jon is also the resident Music Director for The Lesser-Known Players. He self-publishes his work through klomp music (ASCAP). For more info, visit www.jonbrenner.com. For recordings, please visit jonbrenner.bandcamp.com.