EastLine Theatre
in association with the
Babylon Citizens Council
on the Arts presents

A Very Expensive Poison

by Lucy Prebble

based on the Guardian/Faber book
by Luke Harding

December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
BACCA Arts Center,
Lindenhurst

for Marina
There will be one intermission.

A Very Expensive Poison is presented
by arrangement with Knight Hall Agency Ltd
in association with Curtis Brown Group Limited.

Please be aware this play includes depiction of medical care,
illness, violence, and death. A simulated firearm is used.


Marina Elise Hansen
Sasha David Edward Keen
Dimitri Kovtun, et al Boyu Chen
Jon, Vladimir Putin, et al Tom Ciorciari
Sergei, Martin, Anatoly, et al Michael Devereaux
Boris Berezovsky, Walter, et al Carl DiModugno
Mario, Australian Cleaner, et al Taylor Dunn
Emmerson, Dr. Gent, et al Steven Garry
Andrei Luguvoi, et al John McGowan
Nurse Rezan, Cabin Crew, et al Allison Paul
DS Hoar, Galina, Lluba, et al Debbie Starker
DI Hyatt, et al Candace Wilkerson.



Director Nicole Savin
Choreographer Deanna Ibrahim
Stage Manager Michelle Savin
Costume Design Wendy Grimm & Lyn Adler
Lighting Design Remi Watts
Original Music David Edward Keen
Photography Jessica Allers
Videography Paul DeFilippo

Marina Elise Hansen
Sasha David Edward Keen
Dimitri Kovtun, et al Boyu Chen
Jon, Vladimir Putin, et al Tom Ciorciari
Sergei, Martin, Anatoly, et al Michael Devereaux
Boris Berezovsky, Walter, et al Carl DiModugno
Mario, Australian Cleaner, et al Taylor Dunn
Emmerson, Dr. Gent, et al Steven Garry
Andrei Luguvoi, et al John McGowan
Nurse Rezan, Cabin Crew, et al Allison Paul
DS Hoar, Galina, Lluba, et al Debbie Starker
DI Hyatt, et al Candace Wilkerson.

Director Nicole Savin
Stage Manager Michelle Savin
Costume Design Wendy Grimm & Lyn Adler
Lighting Design Remi Watts
Original Music David Edward Keen
Photography Jessica Allers
Videography Paul DeFilippo


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@EastLineTheatre
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This performance is taking place on unceded Native land. Long Island has been and still is home to Indigenous communities including the Lenape, the Shinnecock, the Unkechaug, the Montauketts, and the Matinecock, amongst others. You can find out more about Native American history and culture on Long Island at On This Site.


EastLine Theatre
Nicole Savin,
Artistic Director

Paul DeFilippo,
Associate Artistic Director

The EastLine Theatre Board of Directors is: Larry Meneses (President), Nicholas Ciuffo (Vice President), Matt Rosenberg (Treasurer), Nicole Savin (Secretary), Deanna Ibrahim (Member)

The EastLine Theatre Creative Associates are: Anik Alam, Anna Stacy, Aly Kantor, Anjor Khadilkar, Anthony Noto, David Bullen, Deanna Ibrahim, Jill Linden, John Brautigam, Julianna Frasca, Lynn Adler, Matt Rosenberg, Melanie Lipton, Michelle Osojnak, Nicole Savin, Paul DeFilippo, Sheilah Barksdale, and Remi Watts.

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Your donations keep our programming free and low-cost, while maintaining the level of quality, innovation, and experimentation we strive to make our hallmark. Every dime is spent on artist pay, production supplies, and theatrical magic.

EastLine Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our programming is made possible through your donations. All donations are tax-deductible.

Thank you always for your kindness and generosity.

Boyu Chen, Tom Ciorciari, Michael Devereaux, Carl DiModugno, Taylor Dunn, Steven Garry,
Elise Hansen, David Edward Keen, John McGowan, Allison Paul, Debbie Starker, Candace Wilkerson

Tom Ciorciari (he/him) is thrilled to be returning to the EastLine stage. He has performed extensively in regional theater and independent film. Past EastLine productions include King Lear, Emma, Enemy Of The People, The Guys (also dir.), Anna In The Tropics (also dir.), Indecent, Body Awareness, Prospero (Live!) and God of Vengeance. Upcoming film work includes the features The Proctor and Beautiful, Pam (winner Best Actor, Queens World Film Festival). Tom extends heartfelt thanks to Nicole for having him along for this ride, and to the extraordinarily talented cast heโ€™s honored to share the stage with.

Boyu Chen (any) is an actor from China, now based in New York. While studying in China, he appeared at the prestigious Wuxi Grand Theater, playing Lysander in A Midsummer Nightโ€™s Dream and Avery in Annie Bakerโ€™s The Flick. He is a recent graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, where his work included M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang and Shakespeareโ€™s Measure for Measure, in which he played Duke Vincentio.

Michael Devereaux (he/him) is grateful to be back with EastLine Theatre for another wonderful production! Previous credits include The Hours Are Feminine (Stage Manager), The Lion in Winter (Richard), Harvey (Stage Manager), and The Diary of Anne Frank (Peter). When not in the realm of community theater, he is a Stagehand at the Tilles Center. He also had the honor of working on the Lucille Lortel winning production of Our Class (CSC), as well as multiple other Off-Broadway shows. He would like to thank Nicole and Michelle for being the absolute best, his family and friends for all their love and support, and Miranda!

Carl DiModugno (he/him) has been treading the boards of Long Island theater for over 20 years. Some of his most favored roles include Ebenezer Scrooge with the Caravan Players; Frank in Over the River and Through the Woods at Hampton Theatre Company; Man in Now and Then; and Robert in Proof, both at Clare Rose Playhouse. This production marks his debut at EastLine Theatre. He is honored to be working alongside such a talented and dedicated creative team.

Taylor Dunn (she/her) is excited to be back at EastLine! Previous roles include Nurse Kelly in Harvey, Puck in A Midsummer Nightโ€™s Dream, and Sara in Stop Kiss. Many thanks to the cast and crew for all their wonderful work.

Steven Garry (he/him) This is Stevenโ€™s second stage appearance for EastLine. His first was earlier this year in An Enemy of the People. Prior to that (over 50 YEARS prior ! ) Steven appeared in numerous college theater productions, in shows ranging from King Lear and Measure for Measure to The Bald Soprano and Waiting for Godot. In the intervening years, Steven has appeared in numerous courtrooms where, as is typical, audience reviews have, at times, been mixed. Huge thanks to a great director and cast!

Elise Hansen (she/her) is thrilled to be a part of this production. Recent credits include The Golden Ibburs (New York Theater Festival), Heard Mentality (ATA Sargent Theater), We Connect (Producers Club), and an ever-expanding list of independent short and student films. Thanks for coming out during the holiday season!

David Edward Keen (he/him) studied violin performance and music composition at Purchase College and works as a freelance musician, having played on many stages and recording studios around the world. He makes films independently, including his musical compositions. He will begin a film in spring, 2026, about the Cuban Missile Crisis. This being David’s first theater experience, he is thrilled to immerse in the magical eloquence of the theater with the dedicated, passionate people of EastLine Theatre.

John McGowan (he/him) is thrilled to be joining his debut with EastLine Theatre for this wildly zany, touching and mostly-completely-with-some-comedic-embellishment-true tale. Escaping into some villainous antics has been a fun time! John is a Canadian actor who has resided in the NYC area for approximately 8 years. Some favourite role mentions include Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory OffBway), Gabe Goodman (Next to Normal dir. Long Island’s Evan Pappas) and previously Rudolpho in Modern Classic’s A View From the Bridge, right here at BACCA! @jgowgram

Allison Paul (she/her) is an NYC-based actor who began her professional career at the age of six. She holds a BFA in Performance from Hofstra University and brings a strong passion for storytelling to every role. She was recently seen as Lottie in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage, showcasing her comedic timing and emotional depth. Whether on stage or screen, she is known for her versatility, NYC grit, and commitment to honest, character-driven storytelling.

Debbie Starker (she/her) has performed in virtually every aspect of theater. She has appeared on stage as well as in independent films and commercials and was honored for โ€œOutstanding Contribution to the LI Theater Communityโ€ and featured in a 4-page article/picture spread in Newsday. Favorite acting credits include: Fraulein Schneider/Cabaret, Bloody Mary/South Pacific, Mother Superior/NUNSENSE, Mother Miriam Ruth/Agnes of God, Golde/Fiddler. Favorite directorial credits include: Carousel, Visiting Mr. Green, The Pirates of Penzance, Fame, Pippin, Peter Pan. She is incredibly happy to be a part of the EastLine Theatre family.

Candace Wilkerson (she/her) is thrilled to do her first show with EastLine. Candace studies acting at HB Studio in New York City. Some previous shows include She Kills Monsters (Minstrel Players), An Inspector Calls (Minstrel Players); Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (MCT), Much Ado about Nothing (MCT), The Shadow Box (MCT), Beauty Queen of Leenane (MCT), McB [a/k/a the Scottish
Tragedy] (South Shore Theatre Experience), and The Curious Savage (MCT). Thanks for the amazing opportunity, Nicole!



Next up for EastLine, the closing of our 2025 season: A shocking assassination in the heart of London. In a bizarre mix of high-stakes global politics and radioactive villainy, a man pays with his life. At this time of global crises and a looming new Cold War, this thriller sends us careening through the shadowy world of international espionage from Moscow to Mayfair. From the Emmy-winning writer of Succession. Tickets available now.





Michelle Savin (she/her) is a Long Island-based visual artist. Previous scenic and prop design credits at EastLine include Trouble in Mind, Our Leading Lady, Amadeus, Intimate Apparel, and Indecent. Other previous production credits include work at the Brooklyn Academy of Music as well as Into the Woods, I Remember Mama, and Noises Off. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Michelle is a handler with Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program, where she is teamed with her loyal pup, Sadie. With gratitude to Caitlin, for everything.

Nicole Savin (she/her) is EastLineโ€™s Artistic Director. EastLine directing credits include: Emma, Trouble in Mind, God of VengeanceMen on Boats, The TruthTreasure Island, Pride & Prejudice, and Yentl. She holds a BA (Hons) from Royal Holloway, University of London in Drama and Theatre Studies. She is an Associate Director with Theatre of the Gentle Furies, and on the literary team at The Playwrights Realm. She is proud to serve her hometown on the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts Advisory Committee.



Public funding provided by Suffolk County.


Paint generously provided by Aboff’s Paints of Lindenhurst.


A Very Expensive Poison was first performed at The Old Vic, London on 20 August 2019, presented
by The Old Vic Theatre Company and directed by John Crowley.

โ€œOne of the boldest, bravest theatre companies on Long Island,โ€ according to Fire Island News, the nonprofit EastLine Theatre aims to create theatre in unlikely spaces while re-examining the canon, exploring modern plays, and bringing original works to the attention of the community. EastLine is committed to creating opportunities for women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ people.

EastLine Theatre is a proud member of the Huntington Arts Council and the Alliance of Resident Theatres / New York.



With thanks to
Rian Romeo, Caitlin Dunham, Nicholas & Maureen Savin,
Frank Danko, Aboffโ€™s Paints, Melanie Lipton,
Jason Jenkins, and everyone at BACCA