A Marine Walks Up to the Pearly Gates
a new play by Joshua Crone
Fringie Award Frontrunner Extended for Fleet Week and the Marine Corps Birthday!
An immersive and profoundly moving theatrical experience. Each scene moves seamlessly from the brutality of the battlefield to the mystery of eternity. The cast delivers a remarkable depth of character in every scene. Not only a great production but also an act of remembrance, one that leaves its audience humbled, reflective, and profoundly grateful.
In time for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, an entertaining, moving, and thought-provoking tribute to military veterans. Lighting and shadow projections specifically designed for the 36-seat black box theater create different environments as the Marines recount their wartime experiences. ‘A Marine Walks Up to the Pearly Gates’ is both haunting and hopeful, and wholly original.
Marine Walks Up to the Pearly Gates
Live Theater, Run Time: 80 mins
Ticket Price: $20/$10*
Extended run: Oct 9, 10, Nov 6, 7 at 8 pm, Nov 9 at 2 pm
From the American Revolution to Afghanistan, casualties of war arrive at the Pearly Gates, each one a ghostly witness to the 250-year history of the U.S. Marine Corps. Will these brave but troubled souls find their way into Heaven, or are they doomed to haunt the perimeter forever? A new play by Joshua Crone, featuring Michael-Eoin Stanney, Max Raab, Giacomo Badalamenti II, Lenny Ramos, Najee Duwon, Alec Stephens III, Patrick Thomas Kasey, Anna Kurtz and Thoeger Hansen.
* Military/veterans use code SEMPERFIFTY for half-price tickets
The cast is rounded out by a talented ensemble of actors from both the Philadelphia and New York areas, whose diverse backgrounds reflect the evolving makeup of the Marine Corps over time, including the inclusion of women, black Marines, Navajo code talkers, and others. A hauntingly poetic portrayal of the memories and burdens these veterans carry, executed with remarkable visual artistry.
Creative Team
Joshua Crone (Writer/Director)
Josh joined the Marines after high school and did “four in the Corps” in the mid-90s, serving as a fenceline guard at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station and a scout swimmer/assault climber with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. He started writing plays at Camp Pendleton while awaiting deployment to Okinawa. After the service, he backpacked around Europe and worked as a carpenter, programmer, fisherman, and English teacher before settling on a career in Polish and German translation. Along the way, he wrote and directed plays and movies in Krakow, Berlin, London, Los Angeles and New York, earned a Masters in philosophy from the Jagiellonian University and studied directing at the Polish National Film School in Lodz. After moving to Philadelphia in 2021 he founded Yellow Bicycle Company and the nonprofit Yellow Bicycle Collective. In 2022 he got a contractor’s license, converted an abandoned escape room into Yellow Bicycle Theater, and started working as a house painter and handyman to keep the lights on. joshuacrone.com
Michael-Eoin Stanney (Patrick Kaine)
Michael-Eoin Stanney is an NYC-based, Meisner trained actor, singer, and stunt performer. He trained at NYU Tisch, LAMDA, and Lir Academy Dublin. Past credits include: Shawn in the upcoming feature SEEDS, Zach in the award-winning short Yuh Filthy Animal, and Hunter in self-produced short Threat. He has also worked in new media projects and you can spot him as a cheering fan in an Xfinity commercial. Michael-Eoin is honored to be a part of this powerful and important production. Fun fact: he is also a certified Sommelier! Michael-Eoin could not be here without his supporting family, loving fiancée, and incredible friends. This performance is dedicated to the many members of his family who have served. @michaeleoinstanney
Thoeger Hansen (Tilman Young, Robert Mullan)
Thoeger is a New York City-based actor and producer. He is a veteran of several Yellow Bicycle Company productions in New York and Philadelphia, first originating the role of Tom Petty in Joshua Crone’s psychedelic comedy The Journey, at The Tank in February 2020, and later reprising the role in the Philly premiere at Yellow Bicycle Theater in October 2023. Other YBC credits include the web series pilot Canceled, the feature film Black Box, and YBT productions Voices in the Valley and An Enemy of the People. Thoeger and director Alice Camarota produced the 80th anniversary run of No Exit in spring 2024 at The NuBox, in NYC, then brought the production to YBT that September, for Philly Fringe. In spring 2025 Thoeger produced and directed the NYC premiere of Crone’s play A House Divided, also at The NuBox. Thoeger was born in Denmark and raised mostly in Hawaii and California. Thanks to Josh for his friendship and steady brilliance, and for continuing to create opportunities for other artists. www.thoeger.com
Anna Kurtz (Jennifer Larkin, Hattie)
Anna Kurtz is a Philly based actress, director and fight director. She completed her MA in Acting at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK. She certified as an Actor Combatant with SAFD and BADC. In addition to her work in this project, you can see her work this fall as director of Pride and Prejudice at Philadelphia Classical School and as Fight Director of Streamers at Lancaster Shakespeare Theatre. Favorite past projects as an actress include Lil’ Bit in How I Learned to Drive (Maryland Entertainment Group) and Margot in Dial ‘M’ for Murder (Washington County Dinner Theatre). She would especially like to thank Jonathan Howell, Ian Rose and Oliver Donahue for their example of artistic service and mentorship in stage combat. A special shout out to her very cool cousin, Carson, who is currently serving in the Marines as an Apache pilot. www.annamariekurtz.com S.D.G.
Giacomo Badalamenti II (Karl Savitzky)
Giacomo Badalamenti II (Karl Savitzky) is a Philadelphia-based actor/singer. Giacomo is making his debut at the Yellow Bicycle Theatre. Giacomo received his training in musical theatre at Saint Joseph’s University. During his time at Saint Joseph’s University Giacomo was fortunate to play George in Sunday in the Park with George, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar and Pippin in Pippin. Professionally, Giacomo was an understudy in the Arden Theatre’s Production of Rent. Giacomo’s incredibly grateful for the support of his family and friends—especially his parents and sisters—for their constant encouragement. Giacomo would like to express his heartfelt gratitude to all who have served in our military.
Lenny Ramos (Roy Hathale)
Lenny Ramos is an actor from Philadelphia with a passion for telling stories that resonate and move audiences. He began training at Walnut Street Theater in 2024, where he honed his craft and discovered a love for exploring a wide range of characters. Since then, Ramos has appeared in short films, a commercial on 6abc for Sling TV. In early 2025, he appeared in his first feature film, Madonna Non Grata, marking a significant milestone in his career. Ramos continues to build a versatile body of work, recognized for his charisma, authenticity, and ability to bring depth and heart to every role. Beyond film and television, he is making his stage debut with the Yellow Bicycle Theater, reflecting his commitment to both screen and stage performance. Thanks to Josh for bringing me on board! And Thank you to all the men and woman who serve to protect this country.
Najee Duwon (Carter Crawford)
Najee DuWon is an actor, singer/songwriter from the Philadelphia area. He attended East Stroudsburg University in 2019, where he studied Theatre and Musical Theatre. He’s starred in various short and feature films over the last 3 years, and has taken the stage at the 2023 Philadelphia Fringe Festival, where he portrayed “Orachrysops,” in the production called “Carnelian.” He is making his debut with the Yellow Bicycle Theater, and he would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers for their continuous support throughout his journey. He dedicates this performance to his Uncle Ed Smith, who served as the Artistic Director at the Jubilee Theater in Fort Worth, Texas, and who initially instilled the love of theatre and performance into him at an early age. This is for him.
Alec Stephens III (Hayward Crawford)
Alec The Third breaks generational curses through speaking, writing, acting, music, and curating and elevating the stories of others on the Bushwick Variety Show Podcast. “By being the greatest version of Me, hopefully I can inspire others to be the greatest version of Them. Then we can become the greatest version of We.” alecstephensiii.com
Patrick Thomas Kasey (Ben Elliott)
Patrick Milligan, professionally, Patrick Thomas Kasey, studied under the teachings of Tony Savant at Playhouse West Philadelphia for 3 plus years. He has three tattoos located on his upper right bicep, lower inner right thigh, and his lower inner left arm. Mr. Kasey is primarily of Irish and Scottish decent. He enjoys basketball, both watching and playing. Patrick Thomas Kasey got bit by the acting bug at age 15, but started to take it seriously at age 23. He enjoys creating his own work with such passion and dedication. A role Patrick Thomas Kasey enjoys playing, is the lovable, goofy, caring, funny kind of guy who shakes up his life in a way nobody expects and for the better. Pat Kasey has a huge family of every bit of 80 plus people on his mom and dad’s side. He has been involved in numerous short films. He is 27. He comes from family past and present with military experience
Jay Michaels (Publicist)
Jay Michaels is a producer/executive with a specialty in communications and promotion. He has been part of the independent theater and film movement since 1977 and was part of Lincoln Center’s tribute to Caffe Cino and the original off-off Broadway movement in 1985. Before founding his boutique promotion & production firm Jay Michaels Global Communications, he worked as an actor (stage and film) and director (off-Broadway) for many years, garnering accolades for helming new plays and musicals and a wildly successful series of Shakespeare plays sporting unique production schemes. Creating visibility for independent theater, film, music, and literature has been the battle-cry of JMGC for more than 20 years. The firm has clients on and off-Broadway, in film and television, across the country and around the world. jaymichaelsarts.com