A World Premiere by Bruce Graham Directed by Matt Pfeiffer
January 14 - March 6
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10/14/15 11:46 AM
ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS
By BRUCE GRAHAM Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
BRIAN SIDNEY BEMBRIDGE+
ALISON ROBERTS
Lighting Designer
Sound/Video Designer
THOM WEAVER+
JORGE COUSINEAU
Stage Manager
Assistant Director
ALEC E. FERRELL*
DAN O’NEIL
Directed by MATT PFEIFFER^ January 14 - March 6, 2016 Arcadia Stage
Production Sponsor: Honorary Producers: Fred and Emily Anton This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support for the production provided by Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation Special thanks to the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting Arden Theatre Company. Applause, please, for our Media Partner: Funnyman is produced as part of a rolling world premiere agreement between Northlight Theatre in Skokie, IL and Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia, PA.
Arden Theatre Company receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. + Member of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829
^
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the U.S.
Celebrating Life Fox Chase Bank
proud sponsor oF:
Funnyman by Bruce Graham
Arden Theatre Company brings to life the greatest stories by the greatest storytellers. Funnyman by Bruce Graham marks the fourth play written by this Barrymore Award-winning playwright produced at the Arden and the second sponsored by Fox Chase Bank. The Fox Chase Bank Charitable Foundation is delighted to sponsor Graham’s Funnyman and salutes Arden Theatre Company for their commitment to artistic and educational excellence and dedication to the local communities.
www.foxchasebank.com 1-866-369-2427
CELEBRATING OUR PARTNERSHIP: ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY AND FOX CHASE BANK PROUD PRODUCTION SPONSOR Funnyman * Under the Skin * Incorruptible * A Raisin in the Sun * Wittenberg * Something Intangible * Ghost-Writer Tulipomania * Romeo and Juliet ©2015 Fox Chase Bank. All rights reserved.
A Message From Our Production Sponsor “I want it!� That was my immediate response to Terry Nolen when he told me that the Arden Theatre Company would be producing a new play by Bruce Graham as part of the 2015/2016 season. Terry understood. Fox Chase Bank would step up to be the production sponsor. It continues a 9 year partnership between the bank and the Arden that dates back to the launch of Wittenberg during the 2007/2008 season. We are simply tickled to have the opportunity to partner with the Arden Theatre as production sponsor for Funnyman. And we are thrilled to see a new work by Bruce launch on the Arden stage under the talented direction of Matt Pfeiffer. Fox Chase Bank was privileged to serve as the production sponsor in 2009 for the world premiere of Something Intangible, also written by Bruce and launched at the Arden Theatre, that went on to win seven Barrymore Awards that year.
Thomas M. Petro
Funnyman is the 43rd world premiere to come to life on the Arden stage and the 6th world premiere to be sponsored by Fox Chase Bank. We are privileged to share this story with you and we hope that you will be so captivated to want to share the Arden Theatre with others. Whether this is your first Arden experience or you are an Arden regular, a great story needs to be shared with others. Pass it on. Cheers! Thomas M. Petro Chief Executive Officer Fox Chase Bank and Fox Chase Bank Charitable Foundation
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WELCOME from the Producing Artistic Director
Terrence J. Nolen
When we started the Arden back in 1988, Bruce Graham was the only person I knew who called himself a “Philadelphia playwright.” Back then, if you wanted to be a playwright, you moved to New York or LA. Not Bruce. He was – and still is – deeply connected to his Philadelphia roots. And Philadelphia theatres and audiences have returned the love. Just this year, there have been four other plays by Bruce Graham produced in this region: Theatre Exile premiered Bruce’s play Rizzo; People’s Light produced Stella and Lou; Act II Playhouse revived According to Goldman; and, later this spring, Trenton’s Passage Theatre will present Bruce’s White Guy on a Bus.
As this theatre community has grown over the years, more “Philadelphia playwrights” emerged, including Michael Hollinger, Thomas Gibbons (whose work has been championed locally by Interact Theatre) and Quiara Alegría Hudes – playwrights whose work is produced both locally and at leading theatres across the country. And now there is a new generation of Philadelphia playwrights. Dozens of them. In fact, supported by Philadelphia playwright organizations such as The Foundry, PlayPenn, and Orbiter 3, there is a Philadelphia playwright movement. Funnyman marks the Arden’s fourth play by Bruce Graham, having produced Coyote on a Fence (1999), Dex and Julie Sittin’ in a Tree (2007) and Something Intangible (2009). Funnyman is actually part of a trilogy, along with Something Intangible (the play inspired by Walt and Roy Disney), about show business throughout the 20th century and how it reflects and shapes an ever-changing world. The third play of the trilogy is entitled Flickering Images and is set in Hollywood during the antiCommunism era of the late 1940’s. Though he still has plenty of opportunity to write for television and film, Bruce remains a Philadelphia playwright at heart. Writing for the theatre is his passion and his calling. New plays are risky. Developing new plays is expensive, with longer rehearsals periods to allow time for writers to refine their work. Most importantly, new plays require the right audience: people who are willing to take a chance on the untested; people who are excited to be part of something new. Funnyman marks our 43rd world premiere production. Thank you for embracing the adventure of new work – and for supporting Philadelphia playwrights.
P.S. We are currently finalizing plans for the 16/17 season. We will let you know as soon as details are confirmed, but we do hope that you will take a “leap of faith” and commit to joining us next year (which will include some of the Arden’s most cherished collaborators). Details are on the ad to your left or in your stagebill insert. Thank you for taking the leap. Thank you for being part of the Arden.
A BRAND NEW LIVE MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE SERIES Join us in our 100-seat Studio Theatre at the Hamilton Family Arts Center for a night of songs with your favorite Arden performers!
JOILET HARRIS February 14-16, 2016
Joilet Harris is a Philadelphia treasure who Arden audiences will recognize from her roles in Caroline, or Change, Tulipomania, and A Raisin in the Sun. Tickets and more information at ardentheatre.org
GERMANTOWN
K
FRIENDS
through
SCHOOL
LIFE
IT’S NOT TOO SOON TO THINK SPRING! OPEN HOUSE: APRIL 19, 2016 3 1 W E S T C O U L T E R S T R E E T, P H I L A D E L P H I A, P A 1 9 1 4 4 215.951.2345
W W W. G E R M A N T O W N F R I E N D S . O R G
An Interview with Funnyman Playwright Bruce Graham This interview with Bruce Graham is reprinted with permission from Northlight Theatre, where Funnyman - as part of a rolling world premiere agreement with the Arden - was produced this fall. The interview was conducted by Northlight Theatre Assistant Dramaturg Jake Hoover and edited by Northlight Theatre Dramaturgy Consultant Lauren Shouse JH: Why tell Chick Sherman’s story? BG: I’ve always been fascinated by the mind of the comedian, and it also bothered me that comedy is never taken seriously; because if comedy Bruce Graham is done right, it looks easy, and everyone thinks you just walked into the room and did it. These guys would work days and days and days on thirty seconds of film or a bit on Broadway... And even if you look at the Academy Awards and stuff like this, they’re never taken seriously. Then you get comedians like Red Buttons or Ed Wynn who do dramatic roles, and then, all of a sudden, everyone goes ‘Oh my God, they can act,’ because it’s ‘drama.’ Comedy has always gotten the short shrift and that’s always bothered me. To me, [Funnyman] is about the changing style, and adapting to “The Follies ain’t there anymore.” Comedy goes out of style faster than anything else, performance-wise. And so Chick Sherman gets to an age, and it’s like ‘What do you do?’ JH: What makes this transition from Broadway Revue to 1950s Avant-Garde so important? BG: A lot of it was World War II. In the Depression, people said “We want comedy. We want musicals. We want Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.You know, our life sucks.” And then as that began winding down, and things were starting to get ugly in Europe, suddenly screwball comedies went out. Millions of jaded, cynical people came back from that war. World War II really had such an impact on this country and its audience, and its young people. And Broadway also felt this impact. In the late 40s you have All My Sons, you have Glass Menagerie – and these plays would not have played in the 30s. The audiences wanted them because they’d been through hell, and they didn’t want to be patted on the head. And comedians either adapted, or they didn’t. Bert Lahr never adapted to television or film. His style just didn’t work. Buster Keaton was reduced to being a gag-man for other people’s movies. Here’s one of the most innovative filmmakers of the 20s, I mean, this guy was amazing, but things go out of style. Comedians have to know what their style of comedy is. JH: How long have you been interested in this era and its comics? BG: It’s always been kind of a passion of mine – the whole comedic genre. And so I’ve been literally studying this stuff since I was a kid. I was in fifth or sixth grade – I had a little cassette tape recorder I got for Christmas. In Philly, KYW would show the old Paramount comics, and Paramount had W.C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, all these people. I would get up every Saturday morning at seven o’clock and tape the movies on cassette, and then I would listen to them during the course of the week. I had it all memorized; I can still do every song from a Marx Brothers movie. And then, the next week I would do the whole thing all over again with W.C. Fields. That’s weird, for a sixth-grader, okay? That’s a little odd. JH: What was your experience like as a stand-up comic? BG: You have to know who you are before you grow up to be a comedian. And that reflects in your material, your performance, and how you dress. I would say my comedy is like a combination of Woody Allen and George Carlin. And I was an actor, and I wanted to write plays, so I was writing plays in high school. But I was always writing comedy sketches – we had a little, crude TV station in my high school, and they let me go in and just tape stuff. I went to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. My first party I went to with some upperclassmen who were from my neighborhood who were showing me around, they said, ”You gotta meet this guy Billy Elmer.” So I went to another party that night, and I run into this guy and he’s going “I’m with the standup group. My name’s Billy Elmer.” “Ah! I’m supposed to meet you!” And, bang, we sat there and ad-libbed a routine together, just sitting there.
HONORARY PRODUCERS
Fred and Emily Anton
Frederick W. Anton, III, is Chairman of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association. He has been a supporter of the Arden since 1990 when the Arden created St. Stephen’s Alley at 10th and Ludlow Streets, next door to PMA’s headquarters in the former Federal Reserve Bank Building at 925 Chestnut Street. During that time, he founded and hosted the Arden’s Leadership Night, an annual advocacy event that introduced leaders of this region to the Arden’s plays and programming. These Leadership events played a key role in broadening the Arden’s base of supporters, as well as introducing new board members and key supporters. During those St. Stephen’s Alley years, Mr. Anton and PMA generously donated use of a building on Ludlow Street that served as the Arden’s rehearsal space and set and costume shops. In addition, Mr. Anton played a leadership role in the Arden’s move to our current facility in Old City. PMA’s Paul Luber used his real estate expertise and spent a considerable amount of time and energy working on the conversion of this building. For the transformative contributions to the Arden, in 2011 Mr. Anton was selected by the Arden Board of Directors to be one of the inaugural members of the Cornerstone Society, an honorary group of individuals who have moved the organization forward in a significant way. Mr. Anton acknowledges the role F. Otto Haas — the man for whom our mainstage theatre is named — played in his life and career. “Otto was my mentor. He was Chairman of the Board of PMA when I first became President. Otto and I worked together on political action for the betterment of Pennsylvania. We also shared a mutual interest in the arts — first with the Walnut Street Theatre and then for Arden Theatre Company.” Fred and Emily Anton are enthusiastic supporters of the Arden, having served as the Honorary Producers since the 2007/08 season, and like the Arden, have a great passion for great stories by great storytellers. They are thrilled to support the work of Bruce Graham, one of Philadelphia’s leading playwrights, and Funnyman – the Arden’s 43rd world premiere production. We thank Fred and Emily Anton for their ongoing extraordinary support of the Arden. Their tremendous generosity helps to make possible our work on the stage, in the classroom and in the community.
Cast of Characters Chick Sherman............................................................................... Carl N. Wallnau* Milt (Junior) Karp............................................................................... Kenny Morris* Katherine Sherman............................................................................Emilie Krause* Matthew Baroni...................................................................... Charlie DelMarcelle* Nathan Wise...................................................................................... Brian Cowden* Victor La Plant, Director................................................................Keith Conallen*
The Place New York City The Time 1959
UNDERSTUDIES: Brittany Brewer (Katherine Sherman), Patrick Murray (Nathan Wise), Jeff Hunsicker (Matthew Baroni), Patrick Ressler (Victor La Plant, Director)
Arden Theatre Company is a professional company employing members of Actors’ Equity Association. *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the U.S. Please check houseboards for any program changes. Taking pictures and/or making visual or sound recordings is expressly forbidden. Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org
DIRECTOR’S Notes They say dying is easy and comedy is hard. Well having spent the better part of my life working in the theater, I can attest that statement is true. With drama, you can’t always register how the moment to moment action of the play resonates with an audience. Everyone takes their own journey and hears different things in the play. It’s ephemeral. But with comedy, if there’s Matt Pfeiffer not a laugh, you feel like you failed. If the audience doesn’t walk out crying tears of laughter, you failed. It is indeed a do or die enterprise. And worse, even if you do it exceedingly well, audiences often take for granted just how hard it is to pull off. And yet real students of the form, real lovers of comedy, know just how much skill and wisdom goes into making someone laugh. Fortunately for us, Bruce Graham is one of those people. Funnyman is Bruce’s exploration of the conundrum, what happens if you can make the world laugh, but can’t bring joy into your own life. There is a cost to the craftsmen who makes the joke. Some say that comics are some of the saddest people you’ll ever meet. Great playwrights have explored this dynamic for ages. But I think Shakespeare observed it best, in is play Twelfth Night. Here’s Viola talking about Feste the fool: This fellow is wise enough to play the fool; And to do that well craves a kind of wit: He must observe their mood on whom he jests, The quality of persons, and the time, And, like the haggard, cheque at every feather That comes before his eye.This is a practise As full of labour as a wise man’s art. Thanks so much for being here.
Who’s Who KEITH CONALLEN (Victor La Plant, Director) Arden debut. Regional: Lights Rise on Grace,The Long Christmas Ride Home, Kid Simple (Azuka Theatre); Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Hamlet, Don Juan Comes Home from Iraq, Under the Whaleback, Curse of the Starving Class (The Wilma Theater); Red Speedo, Gruesome Playground Injuries,The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Theatre Exile); Ghosts (People’s Light); The Santaland Diaries, Slip/Shot, Run Mourner Run, Jump/Cut (Flashpoint). Thanks to Matt, Bruce, the Arden team, cast and crew. BRIAN COWDEN (Nathan Wise) Arden: Rudge in History Boys. Regional: Stan Drago in Down Past Passyunk (Interact Theatre Company);Vincent in Vincent in Brixton, Oliver Nash in Eclectic Society (Walnut Street Theatre); Tom Sawyer in Huckleberry Finn (People’s Light); Tim in Whiskey Neat (Azuka Theatre). Huge thanks to Matt, Bruce, Alec, Terry, and this amazing cast and crew. Ég elska fjölskylduna mína. CHARLIE DELMARCELLE (Matthew Baroni) Arden: Baloo in The Jungle Book; The Gander in Charlotte’s Web; Little Charles in August: Osage County. Regional: Tom in Hooked, Bob in Midsummer: A Play with Songs (Inis Nua Theatre Company); Narrator/Mysterious Man in Into the Woods, Charlotte in I Am My Own Wife (Theatre Horizon); Ensemble in A Child’s Christmas in Wales (Lantern Theater Company); Petruchio in Taming of the Shrew (Delaware Shakespeare Festival); MC in Buddy:The Buddy Holly Story (Walnut Street Theatre). Training: MFA in Acting from Temple University. Charlie is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at West Chester University. Special thanks to: Bruce, Matt, Alec, and this incredibly supportive cast and crew. EMILIE KRAUSE (Katherine Sherman) Arden: Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Leslie in Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Fern in Charlotte’s Web. Regional: Mia in The Adults, Riley in 27 (New Paradise Laboratories); Martha in Children’s Hour (EgoPo Classic Theater); Honey in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf (Theatre Exile); Lauren in Circle Mirror Transformation (Theatre Horizon); Dora in Our Class (Wilma Theater); Millie/Pauline in Legacy of Light, Irene in Dividing the Estate (People’s Light) Training: BA from Temple University. Emilie is a company member with New Paradise Laboratories. Special thanks to: Bruce, Matt, the cast, and the Arden family. Upcoming: O Monsters (New Paradise Laboratories). KENNY MORRIS (Milt (Junior) Karp) Broadway: Hairspray; Les Misérables,The Tenth Man (Lincoln Center Theatre); Jacques Brel... (Broadway/Kennedy Center). National/International Tours: Kinky Boots; Sunset Boulevard; Joseph...Dreamcoat; Doubles; Hairspray; Jolson; Sessue (Tokyo). Off-Broadway: Soul Doctor (NY Theatre Workshop); A New Brain (Lincoln Center Theatre). Regional: Caroline, or Change (Guthrie Theatre Tony Kushner Festival); Any Given Monday (Delaware Theatre Company); Cabaret; City of Angels; Rags; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom;Will Rogers Follies;Visiting Mr. Green. Film/TV: The Knick (dir. Steven Soderbergh); Law & Order:Criminal Intent;Third Watch; Bright Lights, Big City; Radio Days; Big; Nous York. Kenny dedicates this performance to his grandmother, Ettie, with all his love. CARL N. WALLNAU (Chick Sherman) Arden debut. Broadway: 1st National Tour of Titanic. Regional: The Foreigner, Henry V, Lend Me A Tenor (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival); Storyville (York Musical Theatre NYC); Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Twelfth Night (Bristol Riverside Theatre); Deathtrap (Centenary Stage); Laughter on the 23rd Floor (1812 Productions); Around the World in 80 Days (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina); I Hate Hamlet (Orlando Shakespeare Festival). Carl is married to his favorite actress, Colleen Smith Wallnau, for whom he wrote the play Mary Todd-A Woman Apart. He is currently Artistic Director at Centenary Stage Company where he has directed over 60 productions. BRUCE GRAHAM (Playwright) Burkie, Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar & Grille, Moon Over the Brewery, Minor Demons, Belmont Avenue Social Club, Desperate Affection, Coyote on a Fence, According to Goldman, Something
Who’s Who Intangible (Barrymore Award Best New Play) Any Given Monday (Barrymore winner for Best New Play), The Outgoing Tide (Joseph Jefferson Award, Best New Play) Stella and Lou, North of the Boulevard,White Guy on the Bus (Jeff Nominee, Best New Play). Fully Accessible and The Happy F!@#$%G Blind Guy have been published in Best Ten Minute Plays of 2013 and 2014. Bruce is also the co-author of the book, The Collaborative Playwright. MATT PFEIFFER (Director) Arden directing: A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Whipping Man and Romeo and Juliet. Recent directing credits: the world premieres of Down Past Passyunk (Interact Theatre Company) and To the Moon (1812 Productions) and the Los Angeles premiere of Completeness. Other credits: Two River Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Lantern Theater Company, University of the Arts, and 17 seasons with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Matt is a Philly born actor and director who serves as the Associate Artistic Director of Theatre Exile. He is an eleventime Barrymore nominee and winner, for his direction of The Whale. He’s also a recipient of the F. Otto Haas Award. Thanks to the entire Arden crew and an amazing group of collaborators. Love to Kim. BRIAN SIDNEY BEMBRIDGE (Scenic Designer) Arden: Metamorphoses, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Cat in the Hat, Beauty and the Beast, Go Dog Go, Hard Times. Off-Broadway: The Public Theater, Second Stage Theatre, The Flea, Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre, Kids With Guns, Theatre at St. Clements. International: Theatre Royal Stratford East, Town Hall Theatre Company, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre and Platform Hip Hop Festival. Regional: Over 30 theatres, including: The Guthrie Theater and Children’s Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, TimeLine Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre, The Second City, Court Theatre, Northlight Theatre. www.briansidneybembridge.com ALISON ROBERTS (Costume Designer) Arden: Under the Skin,Water by the Spoonful, Stick Fly, A Raisin in the Sun, Next to Normal,The Whipping Man, August: Osage County, Superior Donuts, A Moon for the Misbegotten, Blue Door, Rabbit Hole,The History Boys, and My Name is Asher Lev. Regional: Cock, North of the Boulevard,The English Bride, Gruesome Playground Injuries, and the Lieutenant of Inishmore (Theatre Exile); How I Learned to Drive (Theatre Horizon); Run, Mourner, Run (Flashpoint); Any Given Monday (Act II Playhouse); Intimate Exchanges (1812 Productions). Education: BA in Theatre Arts from Rowan University, MFA in Costume Design and Technology from Illinois State University. THOM WEAVER (Lighting Designer) Arden: 21 productions including Metamorphoses and Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates this season. Philadelphia: The Wilma Theater, People’s Light, Univeristy of the Arts, Lantern Theater Company, Delaware Theatre Company, InterAct Theatre Company, Azuka Theatre, EgoPo Classic Theater, Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, 1812 Productions, Headlong Dance Theatre, Theatre Exile, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival. Regional: Shakespeare Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Chicago Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Theatre J, Two River, California Shakespeare Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Signature Theater Company, Lincoln Center Festival, Spoleto, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, and Yale Rep, among others. JORGE COUSINEAU (Sound/Video Designer) Arden: Equivocation, Passion, Under the Skin, La Bête, Incorruptible, Three Sisters, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Parade, A Little Night Music, Next to Normal. Regional: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Seed Folk (Children’s Theatre Company); When Tang met Laika (The Denver Center for the Performing Arts); Opus (Primary Stages); Language Room, Scorched (The Wilma Theater); The Mountaintop, Grey Gardens,The Happiness Lecture (Philadelphia Theatre Company). DAN O’NEIL (Assistant Director) Arden directing: Fix Your Face-APA Class 21 Showcase. Regional: assistant director of both To the Moon and This is the Week That Is (1812 Productions); producer of School Play (Public Citizens for Children and Youth’s statewide tour); director of Merrily We Roll Along (Villanova University); director of Completeness, Love/Stories-or But You Will Get Used to It, and Afterplay (Round Table Theatre); assistant director of Spring Awakening and Kimberly Akimbo (Theatre Horizon); director of Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (Second Sight Theatre). Thanks so much to Matt Pfeiffer for everything. www.danielhoneil.com
Who’s Who ALEC E. FERRELL (Stage Manager) Past Arden credits include: Metamorphoses, Passion, Macbeth, La Bête, Incorruptible,Three Sisters, Parade, A Raisin in the Sun, Next to Normal, August: Osage County, A Moon for the Misbegotten, Ghost-Writer (World Premiere), Blue Door, Rabbit Hole, My Name is Asher Lev (World Premiere). Other Work with Theatre Horizon, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, PTC@Play, PlayPenn. Proud Member of AEA, SMA. Love and thanks to the family. TERRENCE J. NOLEN (Producing Artistic Director) is co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of Arden Theatre Company. Favorite Arden productions include all-Philadelphia casts of August: Osage County; Death of a Salesman; The Grapes of Wrath and Hedda Gabler and such musicals as Next to Normal; Sweeney Todd; Pacific Overtures; Violet; and Caroline, or Change. Terry directed the inaugural production of Arden Children’s Theatre, Charlotte’s Web. He has directed sixteen world-premiere plays. Terry has been nominated for 24 and awarded 6 Barrymore Awards for his directing work at the Arden. He directed Michael Hollinger’s Opus at Primary Stages in New York and was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Director. His short film The Personal Touch was nominated for an Emmy Award. AMY L. MURPHY (Managing Director) A Philadelphia native, Amy co-founded the Arden in 1988 with Terrence J. Nolen and Aaron Posner. She is especially proud of the Arden Professional Apprentice program and its contribution to the Philadelphia cultural community. A graduate of Susquehanna University, Amy received the university’s first-ever Young Alumni Achievement Award. She completed the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders-Arts. Amy serves on the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Theatre Philadelphia. She has served on panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, the New Jersey State Arts Council, Theatre Communications Group and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. She has also served on the Executive Committee of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and the Local Advisory Council of the Non Profit Finance Fund. Amy was named a Hepburn Fellow 2008-9 by the Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center at Bryn Mawr College. ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers–on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community. We stage five productions each season as part of our mainstage series and two productions through Arden Children’s Theatre, the city’s first resident professional children’s theatre program. We create and produce new work through the Independence Foundation New Play Showcase. The Arden Professional Apprenticeship program trains future theatre leaders, and Arden Drama School classes teach children and teens about the craft of making plays. Our in-school arts education program, Arden For All, makes our work available to the entire community through subsidized tickets and books for economically disadvantaged young people, and our Arden Arts Education Fund provides scholarships for Arden Drama School classes and camps. The Arden has received eleven Philadelphia Magazine “Best of Philly” Awards, the Arts & Business Council’s Arts Excellence Award, six City Paper “Reader’s Choice” Awards, four Philadelphia Inquirer “Theatre Company of the Year” citations, 63 awards and 307 nominations from the Theatre Philadelphia’s Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, and was named “Best Theatre Company” by Philadelphia Weekly in 2009. Arden Theatre Company, a professional, nonprofit 501(c)(3) theatre company, is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the League of Resident Theatres, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Old City Arts Association. The Arden participates in The Barrymore Awards, a program of Theatre Philadelphia. Arden Theatre Company wishes to thank: East End Salon, Northlight Theatre
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Lahr and E.G. Marshall as Estragon and Vladimir in Godot on Broadway (1956).
“THE DRAMATIC WHATZIT”: BERT LAHR IN WAITING FOR GODOT The famous comic and actor Bert Lahr serves as direct inspiration for Chick Sherman in Funnyman. At the time Bert Lahr was approached to appear in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot in 1955, he was already a 45-year veteran of burlesque and vaudeville, the toast of Broadway comedy, and a household name for his appearance as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Lahr’s sudden jump from the widely popular “low-comedy” to the avant-garde intellectualism of Samuel Beckett was a great surprise to his adoring fans, Broadway society, and to Lahr himself.
Though Lahr was one of the great stars of the 1920s and 30s, he found it harder to find fulfilling work through the following decades as shows such as Oklahoma and Annie Get Your Gun became the Broadway norm.Yet when he received the script for Godot, he was engrossed. Lahr was tapped to play the lead, Estragon, a vagrant waiting with his companion for the mysterious Godot. Despite Lahr’s relative lack of formal schooling (or, perhaps, because of it) he would find himself increasingly drawn to the character and his plight. The play itself arrived at a time when Lahr’s life began to stagnate – both professionally and personally. Despite successes in DuBarry Was a Lady (1939), Burlesque (1946) and Two on the Aisle (1951), stage roles came in fits and spurts. At home, he remained distant from his second wife, Mildred, and his two children. With Godot came the excitement and trepidation that usually accompanies such a shift in one’s career – and for Lahr, another chance to cause a small revolution onstage. The American premiere of Godot took place at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, Florida – with comedian Tom Ewell as Vladimir, and directed by Alan Schneider (who would go on to famously direct the plays of Beckett, Pinter, and Albee). This first production was marked with difficulty – namely the strained working relationship between Schneider and Lahr. Lahr attempted script changes to include his old vaudeville bits, while Schneider adhered closely to the text and restrained Lahr’s comic instincts. Lahr found the process quite stressful, and frequently doubted his ability to play a role in a play he freely admitted he didn’t understand. Due in part to the backstage tensions and marketing mishaps (it was billed in Miami as the “laugh sensation of two continents”), the Miami run would become infamous for the “mink-clad” audience walking out at intermission. Godot remained in Miami for two weeks before its ignominious closing. When the production moved to Broadway, few things carried over from the Miami production: Schneider was replaced by Austrian director Herbert Berghof, who took greater advantage of Lahr’s comedic intuition; dramatic actor E.G. Marshall took over as Vladimir; and Myerberg re-tooled his marketing to appeal more to the intellectual strata of New York society – warding off more casual theatre-goers. Lahr thrived in the new environment, arriving promptly and putting his experience, humor and soul into his character. Though it only ran for ten weeks, the Broadway debut of Godot received great acclaim from critics and audiences, with Lahr’s Estragon earning further praise. Famed theatre critic Kenneth Tynan referred to Lahr’s turn in Godot as “one of the noblest performances I have ever seen” and said, “Without him … Mr. Beckett’s play would be admirable; with him, it is transfigured.” Even after appearing in countless performances, earning a Tony Award for Foxy (1960), and winning the hearts of a nation as the Cowardly Lion, it was his participation in Waiting for Godot that Bert Lahr would be most proud of for the rest of his life. Reprinted with permission from Northlight Theatre
Corporate, Foundation & Government Support $100,000 & above The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation Hamilton Family Foundation Independence Foundation Anne M. and Philip H. Glatfelter Family Foundation The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage The Pew Charitable Trusts Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program William Penn Foundation Wyncote Foundation $50,000 to $99,999 Comcast NBC10 Telemundo62 The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Shubert Foundation $15,000 to $49,999 ACE Group Arcadia Foundation Boeing Corporation Campbell Soup Foundation Fox Chase Bank The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Harmelin Media Hirsig Family Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation Lincoln Financial Foundation National Endowment for the Arts PECO Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Matching Gift Partners ACE Charitable Foundation Archie D. and Bertha H. Walker Foundation Aon Foundation AXA Financial Boeing Brandywine Realty Trust Cigna Foundation DCR Environmental Services Inc. Dilworth Paxson LLP Ebay Inc. Foundation Endo Pharmaceauticals Exxonmobil Foundation Exelon Foundation Federated Department Stores
The Philadelphia Foundation’s Fund for Children The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, and philly.com+ Target $7,500 to $14,999 Anonymous Philadelphia Cultural Fund Samuel S. Fels Fund Susquehanna Bank The Wells Fargo Foundation Zeldin Family Foundation $2,500 to $7,499 Caroline J.S. Sanders Charitable Trust II Catherine R. and Anthony A. Clifton Foundation The Charlotte Cushman Foundation Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Christopher Ludwick Foundation Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Civic Foundation Corinne R. and Henry Bower Memorial Trust Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation Enterprise Holdings Foundation Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Haley Foundation Jenkintown Building Services+ Leo Niessen, Jr. Charitable Trust First Horizon National Corporation First Tennessee Foundation Gannett Foundation GE Foundation GlaxosmithKline Google IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs Independence Foundation Johnson and Johnson Matching Gifts Program Macy’s Foundation Merck Partnership for Giving Merrill Lynch National Football League National Philanthropic Trust
Louis N. Cassett Foundation Paul E. Kelly Foundation Rosenlund Family Foundation Subaru of America Foundation The Victory Foundation Universal Health Services, Inc. Wines ‘Til Sold Out+ The Whimsie Fund $750 to $2,499 Actors’ Equity Foundation Alex J. Ettl Foundation Arronson Foundation The Asplundh Foundation Bluestone Foundation Drumcliff Foundation The Elder Family Foundation Graboyes Commercial Window Company The Hassel Foundation Hatboro Beverages+ Lagunitas Brewing Co.+ Philadelphia Convention and Visitor’s Bureau+ Rittenhouse Foundation Savills Studley+ Union Benevolent Association Visit Philadelphia+ Wellin Family Foundation in memory of Keith S. Wellin $749 & under AmazonSmile Café Excellence+ William Goldman Foundation +denotes gifts of services or goods
PECO Energy Company, an exelon Company Penn Virginia Corporation Pfizer Foundation The Philadelphia Foundation PNC Foundation Quaker Chemical Corporation Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Saint-Gobain Corporation Foundation Sap America INC Subaru of America Foundation United Way The Vanguard Group Foundation William Penn Foundation
Looking for a business tax break in 2015? Receive a tax credit through the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit Program by supporting the Arden’s education outreach program! Eligiblity info: Mimi Meserve at 215.922.8900 x126 or mmeserve@ardentheatre.org or visit www.ardentheatre.org/support/eitc.html
Special thanks to EITC contributors ACE Group, Comcast NBC 10 Telemundo, PECO, Susquehanna Bank, Harmelin Media, and Universal Health Services, Inc.
Sassafras Grove
($10,000 and above)
Mr. Frederick W Anton, III Nicole and Jorge Cousineau+ Nancy and Bob Elfant The CHG Charitable Trust Hirsig Family Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation Ted and Stevie Wolf
Cherry Grove
($5,000-$9,999)
Michael A. Donato and Edward C. Spelman Peter S. and Deirdre Dooner Joseph and Marie Field Elizabeth Gemmill Linda and David Glickstein Charles and Mindy Goldberg Rose Frank and Ramona Gwynn N. Peter and Alta Hamilton Ann Marie and Terry Horner Seymour Millstein Kristen Phillips and Matt Schreck Suzanne F. Roberts Cultural Development Fund Monica and Philip Rosenthal, and the Rosenthal Family Foundation Lee and Chris van de Velde Anonymous
Filbert Grove
($2,500-$4,999)
Hank Adamczyk and Iris Melendez John Alchin and Hal Marryatt Sally and Michael Bailin Tom and Carol Beam Sheila Bell
Sandy and Mickey Bernstein Susan Lavine Coleman and John Coleman Anne M. Congdon Paul Dennhardt+ Robert M. Dever Ann E. Diebold Deb Dorsey and Mike Green Stephen Falchek and John Offidani, III Ellen and Tim Foster Sandi Foxx-Jones James and Carolyn Hessinger Drs. Paula and Thomas J. Humphries Marti Keegan Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation Peter J. and Sandra Klugman William A. Loeb Drs. Robin and Saifuddin Mama Barbara and Don Matheson Alice Milrod and Tony Krol Tom Petro and Kristine Messner Terrence J. Nolen and Amy L. Murphy Dr. Harvey Spector M.D and Mrs. Naomi Spector+ Anonymous Ellen Schwartz and Jeremy Siegel Keith and Jim Straw Harvey Swedloff Eileen Heisman and Martin Tuzman June and Steve Wolfson Family Foundation Ellen Yin+
Mulberry Grove
($1,000-$2,499)
Rebecca and John Adams Maureen Alexander and Kathryn Doyle Jim and Janet Averill Sally and Michael Bailin
A R D E N T H E AT RE CO M PAN Y invites you to save the date for our biennial
GR ANFA L LO O N
The Sylvan Society recognizes individuals who support the Arden’s work by making annual gifts of $1,000 or more. The special generosity of our members enables the Arden to tell great stories by having the resources to achieve the highest level of artistic quality. **denotes deceased supporters
* denotes gifts made through the United Way
Rhonda Ball Sheryl and Allen Bar Ivy Bayard David and Sandy Beswick John Bitman Regina Blaszczyk and Lee O’Neill Louis Bluver Jean Bodine DeDe and Tony Brown Nancy Burd and Mel Nasielski Bob and Cheryl Carfagno Christopher Carver^ Rayenne Chen Barbara Cobb Marta Dabezies Charles and Susan Davidson Joy De Jesus and Jamie Reynolds Carol and Bruce Caswell Doris Demers Mark and Tobey Dichter Shafiq Ebrahim Steven Engelmyer and Lisa Wershaw The Carolyn N. and Joseph M. Evans Jr. Fund Wally and Jane Evans Shannon and Ted Farmer in honor of Raina Farmer Jill Fisch and John Gassenheimer Jeanne Fisher and Robert F. Lang Michael and Rawan Friel David and Christina Fryman The George and Elizabeth Gephart Charitable Fund
+denotes gifts of services or goods
Terry Graboyes Marcy Gringlas and Joel Greenberg David and MaryJane Hackney Ann and Glenn Haig^ Shaina and Nathaniel P. Hamilton Jr. Joanne and Jon Harmelin Hether and Don Smith Karen and Mark Hite Caroline R. Kemmerer Kount Kit Holly Kinser Josephine Klein Kenneth and Eve Klothen Sharon and Joel Koppelman David Lerman and Shelley Wallock Winnie and Eric Lien Tina Manco Gloria and Dan Mariano Lee Marks and Lisl Zach Jacqueline and David Massari Andrea Mengel and George Ritter Madeline Miller and Gordon Leggett Andrea Missias and Robert Manning Jerome Napson in honor of Annie Richardson Marjorie Neff and Daniel Winterstein Michael Norris and Matt Varrato Dorothy Novick and Peter Kenney Paul Coff and Susan Odessey
^^in support of Arden for All
^includes a matching gift
Edward and Alexis Pappas Scott J. Parker Dr. Joel and Bobbie Porter Ilene and Coleman Poses Laura and Douglas Pratt Karen and David Pressel Kurt and Mary-Ann Reiss Fund Franklyn and Cintra Rodgers via the F.L. Rodgers Family Fund Sidney Rosenblatt Mike Salmanson and Tobi Zemsky Susan and Steven M. Shubert Laura and Ron Siena in honor of Nancy and Bob Elfant Hether and Don Smith Barbara and Mike Soroker Kathleen Stephenson Debra and Bill Stewart via the William Stewart Foundation Adelaide Sugarman and Marshall Greenberg Anonymous Anne Cook and Russ Troyer Sally Walker and Tom Gilmore Archie D. and Bertha H. Walker Foundation Hope Yursa Anonymous (2) To join or for more information, please contact Lauren Hughes, Development Director at 215.922.8900 x149 or lhughes@ardentheatre.org.
a gala fundraising event
Fr i d ay, J u n e 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 The Filmore Philadelphia Honoring Joanne Harmelin For more information or to learn about corporate sponsorship, contact Lauren Hughes at 215.922.8900 x149 or lhughes@ardentheatre.org.
Thank You to Our Supporters $500-$999 Carol and Bennett Aaron Howard Aaronson Stan and Lisa Altman Judy Auritt Klein Carol Baker and Mark Stein Maureen Barret and Mike Templeton Lynda and Murray Battleman Linda and Larry Bruck Marc and Margie Cohen Warren and Kaye Crown Michele and Ray Decker Djerassi Foundation George and Dona Garrettson Mark Garvin in memory of Ginny Charles Gear and Ann Lee Morgan Jeanne Geskes William and Virginia Gormley Betty and Gary Grunder Glenna Huls Barbara and Jerry Kaplan Barbara and Leonard Klinghoffer George F. Koch Jr. and Santo DiDonato Bernadette Koller Mary Ellen Krober Peter and Ruth Laibson Drs. Frank B. and Sally Mallory Mary Louise and Gerald Martin Norman and Cynthia Martin in memory of Richard Repetto Donald Martin in memory of Richard Repetto Gloria McNutt Sally Mercer Wendy Parsons Cynthia and Samuel Plum Dulcie Pomerantz Romm Paul Rabe and Cheryl Gunter Robin Reisman Kreischer Miller Irwin C. and Carole M. Saft
Marilyn C. Sanborne and Richard J. Labowski, MD Jim Klein and Adeline Schultz Karen and Robert Sharrar James Shew Mary Beth Simon in memory of Robert R. and Kathleen K. Sine, and Rita Borsari Gayle and David Smith James L. Smith Marilyn and Dean R. Staats Eric Tamulonis and Deirdre Gibson Stephen and Kathy Thompson Paul Toy April Tvarok Helene and William Van Hoeven Edna and Stephen Vasso Tom and Patricia Vernon Julie D. Williams Nancy Wingo in honor of Peter and Alta Hamilton Thomas and Jackie Zemaitis Blanka Zizka Joseph and Renee Zuritsky National Football League Anonymous $250-$499 Alan Reinach and Dana Perlman Alice Reyes and David Glancey Joy Rickabaugh John and Claire Rodgers Bernard and Camille Rosenberg Daniel and Faye Ross John and Melanie Rowley Adelle Rubin Jane Scaccetti Karen Schermerhorn and Evan Seymour Harold and Sharon Schwalm Antoinette Seymour Joseph and Louise Shaffer
Elaine Sherman and Robert Cohan Jim and Cathy Shippen Roy and Lee Shubert Caroline Simon Germantown Friends School Larry Smoose and Linda Lee Stanton and SaraKay Smullens Wayne Snover Nicholas A. Spennato and Charlotte S. Roede Robert Stewart and Barbara BarnettStewart Robert W Tafel Jr Lewis and Hella Volgenau Emily and Charles Wagner Michael Walraven and Mary Lou Starling Donna and Andrew Wechsler Marlene Weinberg Vivian Weinblatt Fred and Arleen Weinstein Joann White and William Beckett Theresa and Peter Williams M. Jane Williams Mr. and Mrs. Harry Woodcock Tom Woodward Carol and Jeff Yetter Benjamin Zuckerman and Marian Robinson $125-$249 Barbara Abrahams Emely Aiken Janet and Roger Alwang Dr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Andrews Jennifer and Stephen Arms Sally and Morris Barron Joseph and Lisa Becker Bikki Bevelhymer Jane Biberman Doris and Aaron Bitman Thomas and Ann Blackburn
The Legacy Society Arden Theatre Company would like to recognize the following supporters who have included the Arden in their wills or estate plans. Their planned gift provides support which will help sustain the Arden’s work for decades to come. Anonymous Peggy Anderson Stanley D. Baurys** Jane Berryman Lou Bluver Mary P. Burr Pearl Carpel Larry S. Friedman and Dean H. Rishel Ellis K. Ginsberg**
Peter Gistelinck and Kim Bloom James and Suzanne Hill Mary Ellen Krober William A. Loeb Donald J. Martin and Richard Repetto Madeline Portnoy Dr. Harry Rosenthal Marilyn and Dean Staats Grace Gonglewski and Eric Schoefer
*denotes deceased supporter
We hope you will consider including the Arden in your will or estate plans. To be recognized as a member of the Legacy Society or with questions regarding planned giving, please contact Lauren Hughes, Development Director at 215.922.8900 ext. 149.
Thank You to Our Supporters Dr. Benjamin and Libby Blank Allen Bonner Marcia Bower Joseph and Mary Lou Breidenstine Eadie and Allan Brooks Ann and David Brownlee Michael P. Buckley Deirdre Julia Callahan Leah Chaplin and Eileen Gildea Scott and Nelly Childress Monica Choi Mary Chomitz Rick Greenstein and Claudia Tesoro Rhoda Coben Steve and Helene Cohen Dr. Marie Conn Molli and Joe Conti in honor of Holly Kinser John Cooke Mary Ann and Jacob Dailey F. Mitchell Dana Joseph and Helen D’Angelo Daniel Devlin Mr. and Mrs. Stuart and Diana Donaldson Ellen and Max Dooneief Michael Dotsey Ruby and Angela Dowd Paul and Mary Lynn Ellis Dr. Bary and Beth Evans William and Anne Ewing Norma Fabian Adam N. Foxx Dr. John and Elaine Frank Judy Frank Fran Freedman and Jon Blum Ellen and David Freeman Paula Freilich Larry S. Friedman and Dean H. Rishel Greg Gephart Grace Gonglewski and Eric Schoefer Robin Greene Marsha Gross and Paul Siegel Richard Willis and Linda Hartnett Virginia Hedden Ruth Herd Terry Hirshorn Kerry Huntsman Jackie Jefferson Timothy and Carol Johnson Sandra Karlson Robert and Ellen Baxter Kavash Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and Ruth Keating Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Barbara Kieran Lorraine and David Kilmer Caren and Brian Kirschner Steven Knepper Marilyn Kutler and Ira Silberman David Ladov Marion Laffey-Ferry in memory of Richard Repetto
Joyce Laskin Linda L. Lenard Ruth Lesser Alan and Susan Levin Bob and Lynn Levitt Craig and Stephanie Lewis Susan and Philip Lipkin Laurel and Robert Lipshutz F. Joseph Loeper in honor of Holly Kinser Barbara and Bob Maerten Lynn and Joe Manko Milton and Renee Margulies Michelle McFarlane Cheryl Meyer Marianne T. Miller Sandra and Martin Miller Paul and Lee Miller Judith Montgomery Martha Moore Kenneth and Susan Myers Etta and Chuck Nissman Marcia Paullin John and Judith Peakes Ann and Andrew Perch Donald and Carol Plank The Pollack Tzedakah Fund of the Jewish Communal Fund Nancy Post Janet Poth Jennifer Potts John and Margaret Preg Catherine A. Pullen Ms. Aneira Puttaswamy Leslie Rescorla and Thomas Achenbach Rachel Reynolds Gary and Robin Risler Elizabeth R. and William H. Rivers, Jr. Maxine Rosen Kenneth and Shelley Rosenberg Jerry and Bernice Rubenstein Joan Ryder and Robert Ludwig Ruth and Marvin Sachs Joan and Bill Saidel Gerald Satlow and Beth Zatuchni Debbie Schrager Polly Shaffer Lenore and Bernard Sherman John and Maryann Shivers Susan and Charles Shubin James Akerberg and Larry Simmons Bob and Harriet Singer Carleene and David Slowik Lucinda Smith in honor of Holly Kinser Usha Srinivasan Roy and Corinne Stahl R. John and Susan Stedman Rita and Neil Stevens Daniel Szyld and Kathleen Ross Richard and Anne Tax Marion and Richard Taxin
Lorraine Toji Lisa Trucksess John Urofsky Constance Villiers William Vogel in memory of Richard Repetto Debbie and Tom Walker Tom and Beth Warms Thomas Watkins Jeannine and David Webber Oscar Weber Sharon Weil-Chalker Leslie and Ellen Welson Bertram and Lorle Wolfson Barbara Wright Anonymous (3) $75-$124 David Ardrey Kay and Scott Armstrong Alan and Sandy Ault Dr. and Mrs. Stuart and Elaine Baer Sylva Baker Dr. Donald Bakove and Margaret G. McLaughlin Yvonne Bartman Carolyn and George Bassett Flora Becker Barbara Bell Timothy Berger David and Nancy Bergman Constance and Richard W. Berman Charlotte Biddle Jocelyn Block Judith Borie Hazel Bowers Frank Boyer Charles Brennan Beth Brennan in honor of Holly Kinser Rosemary Brody in honor of Holly Kinser Carol Buettger Charlotte E. Cady Ms. Anne Campbell Barbara Carmine Lucy Carroll and Robert Mccaffrey William and Lillian Cassel Alice A. Chittenden Sandra and Jean-Marc Choukroun Barbara Ciesla Robert and Sandy Clay Bauer Rabbi and Mrs. Henry Cohen Sue Cohen Judy Cohen Judith Cohen Janet and Richard Conn Janet Cook Barbara Cooke Elizabeth Cornman S Gerald Corso in memory of Richard Repetto B. Karen Coyne
Thank You to Our Supporters Karen Cuzzolino Michael and Robin Daum Emily L. Davis Robert and Bonnie DeAngelo Rita and Grace Denbo Miriam and Samuel Diamond Colleen Donofrio Beverly Dubin Donald and Geraldine Duclow John Dulik and Sandra Folzer John and Lois S. Durso Sheila Dyan and Charles Gaglia W. Wallace and Joanne C. Dyer Dan and Nina Edelman Linda V. Ellsworth Debbie and Jerry Epstein Wendy Epstein and James Steiker Cindy and Fred Farlino Anne and Steven Fassler Dr. and Mrs. Mark Feitelson Milton and Charlotte Feldman Annette Field John and Nancy Fischer Pamela Fisk Margaret Forgione eBay inc. Foundation Allyson J. Frank Judy and Richard Franken Ms. Mary Frantz Jim and Fran Frazer Helene and Michael Freidman Brenda Furtak Doug and Jean Gessl Steven and Susan Glauser Peggy Glover Joan Gmitter Harvey and Mary Goldstein Marylyn Goutmann Diane Graboyes Larry and Ann Green Marianne and Donald Green Carole Green Adele and Bertram Greenspun Priscilla Grosick Robert and Lisbeth Grossman Michael Hairston in memory of Richard Repetto Marcia Halbert Ona and Stephen Hamilton Jessica Dunn Hamilton Gail Hauptfuhrer Beverly Hayden and James Taylor Angela and Michael Hennessey Colin D. Hennessy and Dr. Jeremy S. Cohen Susan W Herron Lynn Hewitt Tom and Wendy Hibberd Daniel and Monica Hilferty Morton and Lois Hoffman Lorna Hoopes-Hardt Donna and Bill Hower Thomas Hurster and Jacqueline
Salmon Irv and Janet Hurwitz Peter and Barbara Hutcheon Richard Izard and Helen Angelina Dr. and Mrs. William and Nancy Jantsch Robert C Jones The Julian Family Komal Kapoor and Lowell Fox Macy’s Inc Marjorie Epps Kennedy Margarita and Peter Kind Richard and Marcia Klafter Joanne and Alex Klein Jerry and Deena Koffler Thomas and Anne Kohn Ellen Kopeland Vicki Kramer Melvin and Rhoda S. Kreiner James Kronzer Barry and Janet Kushner Neil Kutner in honor of Sheila Kutner Anne Silvers Lee Lisa Lee Drs. Bob and Joyce Leonetti Maria Lewis Norman and Sylvia Lieberman Barbara and Richard Linde Karen Lisker Linda and Dan Litwin Leroy and Ruth Loewenstern Pat and Bob Lynam Donald and Nancy Maclay Cirel and Howard Magen Theodore and Rowena Mann Bob and Sue Ann Marburg Linda and David Marder Mary and Jack Markov Peter and Louise Marshall Kelly Russ Mast Irwin Matusow and Barbara Rudnick Rosalie Matzkin Kenneth and Margery Maurer Linda McAleer and Maitlon Russell Pam and Joe McCormick John McCormick and Ken Schmitt Alice McCreary and David Epler M. McDonald John and Rhoda McFadden Anne McHugh Tom and Helen McNutt Jeffrey Meadows Arthur and Sallie Melvin Jeff and Maxine Morgan David and Laurel Mosteller John and Margo Nafziger Michelle Niedermeier in honor of Holly Kinser Andrew Norton Frances Novack Matt and Judy Ochs Betsy Oliphant Linda Osler
Stanton S. Oswald Sandra and John Packel Richard Pariseau Robert Peck Elisa Peduto in honor of Holly Kinser Ellen and Clifford Pemberton Mary and F. Laurence Pethick Claire and Lud Pisapia Jason Pizzi Stephen Platt and Robin Schaufler Lois and Paul Plotnick Bruce and Lynne Podrat Jeff and Elizabeth Podraza Dr. and Mrs. A. Richard Polis Madeline and Mickey Portnoy Margaret and Nicholas Potalivo Shirley Preston Mary Pugh in memory of Richard Repetto William and Linda Putnam Erat Linda Quam Barbara Quinn Abi and Craig Reed Eleanor and Joseph Reinhardt Patrick Ressler Karen and Jon Richter Clifford Ridley and Betsey Hansell Lorraine Riesenbach Linda Robinson, Ph.D. and Peter Krill Michael Rogers in memory of Richard Repetto J. Randall Rosensteel Alan Rothenberg and Enid Krasner Joan Rozanski Bernard and Barbara Ruekgauer Diane Rurode and Jim Lord Mitchell Russell Bill and Denise Ryan Roberta Sampson Karyn Scher Ruth Ann Schlesinger Carl W. and Mary Ellen Schneider Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Deborah Schultz Carleton Schwager Mary Ellen and Bob Scott Hideko Secrest Karen and Bob Serenbetz Nancy Seweryn Kathy and Richard Sexton Thomas and Janice Showler Neil and Cheryl Shusterman Judith Skillings Jay Snyderman Paula Solomon Barbara and Steven Speece Margaret R. Spencer Phillip and Karen Spiker in honor or Courtney Spiker Martin Daniel and Judith Steiker Ruth and David Steinman Joel and Barbara Stewart
Thank You to Our Supporters
the
Corinne Stone Paul Stone Cecilia Tannenbaum John Tarves Joseph Terry Letty D. Thall Marian Tracey William and Mary Tsiouris Ian Wachstein and Michele Zeldner Sharon and Paul Waimberg Beth Brooks and Robert Waterston Jenny and Bill Webb Robert Weinberg
Shelly and Fred Weiner Helen and Harry Weinheimer Elizabeth Weinreb Thomas and Dawn Weiss Constance West Harold and Janet Whaling James Wilson Peter and Nancy Wood Sam and Kuna Yankell Rebecca and James Zug James Zug Anonymous (7)
the
Sylvan
* Denotes gift made through the United Way ** Denotes a deceased supporter + Denotes gift of goods or services ^ Includes a matching gift
Sy
List represents gifts made between September 1, 2014 and November 12, 2015.
Sylvan SylvanSocie the Sylvan Society the the
Grounding the Present, Nurturing the Future Members of the Sylvan Society play a significant role in helping the Arden tell great stories that enrich the lives of the region’s adults and children. An annual fund gift of $1,000 or greater provides the Arden with the resources needed to achieve the highest level of artistic quality.
Join the Arden’s Sylvan Society family and enjoy invitations to
Sylvan Society
Sylvan exclusive events including opening night festivities, backstage tours
Grounding Present, Nurturing and special “insider” events with the access to Arden artists. the
Future
the Please join us as a Sylvan Society member.
Members of the Sylvan Society play a significant role in helping the Arden tell great stories that enrich the lives of the region’s adults and children. Contact Lauren Hughes at 215.922.8900 x149 or lhughes@ardentheatre.org. Contact Lauren Hughes at 215.922.8900 x149 or lhughes@ardentheatre.org.
Board and Committee Members 2015/16 Board of Directors Brian Abernathy, President Nancy Burd, Vice President Holly Kinser, Vice President Michael A. Donato, Treasurer Nancy Hirsig, Secretary Rhonda Ball Rayenne Chen Joy L. De Jesús Nancy Elfant Robert Elfant Steven Engelmyer Jeanne Fisher David Fryman Elizabeth H. Gemmill Darrel German Albert M. Greenfield, III N. Peter Hamilton Joanne Harmelin Eileen Heisman Richard L. Maimon Dr. Saifuddin T. Mama John J. McCawley Amy L. Murphy Terrence J. Nolen Kristen Phillips Charles H. Rose H. Hetherington Smith Lee van de Velde Steve Wolfson Diane Dalto Woosnam Ellen Yin The Cornerstone Society Frederick W. Anton, III Gerard J. Conway, Sr. Carole Haas Gravagno Aaron Posner
Board Executive Committee Brian Abernathy, chair Nancy Burd Michael A. Donato Nancy Elfant N. Peter Hamilton Nancy Hirsig Holly Kinser Charles H. Rose H. Hetherington Smith Lee van de Velde Board Development Committee Robert Elfant, chair Brian Abernathy Joy L. De Jesús Michael Donato N. Peter Hamilton Eileen Heisman Holly Kinser Lee van de Velde Diane Dalto Woosnam Personnel Committee David Fryman, chair Elizabeth H. Gemmill Albert M. Greenfield, III Charles H. Rose
Engagement Committee Nancy Elfant, co-chair Lee van de Velde, co-chair Rhonda Ball Nancy Burd Anne Cook Robert Elfant Jeanne Fisher Nancy Hirsig Holly Kinser Steve Wolfson Facilities Committee H. Hetherington Smith, chair Mike Green James Kronzer Richard L. Maimon John J. McCawley Chris van de Velde Finance Committee Michael A. Donato, chair Nancy Burd Ellen P. Foster Elizabeth H. Gemmill Kristen Phillips Harvey Swedloff Steve Wolfson
Is Proud to Support
the Arden Theatre
525 RIGHTERS FERRY ROAD, BALA CYNWYD, PA 19004 610.668.7900 | WWW.HARMELIN.COM
Strategic Planning Committee Brian Abernathy, chair Joy L. De Jesús Michael A. Donato Nancy Elfant Ellen P. Foster David Fryman Lee van de Velde The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation Teen Council Maria Bangura Dylan Caligiuri Olivia Charendoff Aiden Cole Dalia Cousineau Aiden Dooley Gia Genovese Andrew Goren Anna Goula Jamara Griffin Cait McCuen Meghan Moore Kieran O’Connor Eli Russell Regina Sullivan
Artistic
Producing Artistic Director............................................................................................................. Terrence J. Nolen Associate Artistic Director.............................................................................................................. Matthew Decker Commissioned Playwrights............................. Greg Banks, James Ijames, Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk Casting Associate..................................................................................................................................... Jonathan Silver Artistic Intern................................................................................................................................................ Percia Verlin
Administrative Management
Managing Director ................................................................................................................................ Amy L. Murphy General Manager......................................................................................................................................... John Grassey Director of Finance and Administration.............................................................................Courtney Spiker Martin Associate General Manager...............................................................................................................Mary Beth Simon General Management Assistant.................................................................................................................Regina Haigh Arden Professional Apprentices...........................Brittany Brewer, Nicole Metas, Alison Pajonk, Ethan Polson, Patrick Ressler, JD Stokely, Kevin White
Marketing
Director of Marketing and Communications...................................................................................... Stephen Rapp Art Director.................................................................................................................................................Kristy Giballa Marketing Manager..................................................................................................................................... Maura Roche Publicist................................................................................................................................................Christine Kozsuch Group Sales Manager.................................................................................................................................Gilberto Vega Video Intern................................................................................................................................................ Tristan Horan Marketing Intern.............................................................................................................................Brendan Kortenhaus
Development
Development Director...........................................................................................................................Lauren Hughes Development Manager............................................................................................................................. Mimi Meserve Development Assistant................................................................................................................................. Will Freske
Education
Director of Drama School................................................................................................................. Amanda Morton Director of Education Outreach.................................................................................................................. José Avilés Arden Teaching Artists.............................Madison Auch, Kala Moses Baxter, Terry Brennan, Kathryn Brunner, Rachel Camp, Taysha Canales, Peter Andrew Danzig, Matt Decker, Mike Dees, Tara Demmy, Bryant Edwards, Eliana Fabiyi, Tom Fosnocht, Will Freske, Terrell Green, T.J. Harris, Alex Keiper, Anthony Martinez-Briggs, Matthew Mastronardi, Emily Mattison, Christina May, Amanda Morton, Bi Jean Ngo, Daniel Park, Cindy Paul, Sam Pedings, Jenna Pinchbeck, Maura Roche, Jenn Rose, Katie Sink, Jenna Stelmok, Jensen Titus, Harry Watermeier
Front of House
Box Office Manager.................................................................................................................................. Corey Masson Assistant Box Office Manager.................................................................................................................. Tara Bankard House Manager................................................................................................................................................ Kaitlyn Ide Front of House Assistants............................................................................................ Galen Blanzaco, Ryann Carey, Sarah Dugan, Bryant Edwards, Matt Falance, Katie Frazer, Chelsea Gaskins, TJ Harris, Gabe Henninger, Amanda Robinson, Eva Rodriguez, Jack Tamburri
Production
Staff
Production Manager............................................................................................................................ Courtney Riggar Technical Director.................................................................................................................................. Glenn Perlman Associate Production Manager...................................................................................................... Jessica Day West Master Carpenter/Shop Foreman.......................................................................................................... Justin Romeo Master Electrician............................................................................................................................... Martin Stutzman Costume Supervisor............................................................................................................................... Alison Roberts Properties Master.............................................................................................................................. Christopher Haig Charge Scenic Artist...................................................................................................................... Kristina Chadwick Stage Managers................................................................................ Alec E. Ferrell, Kate Nelson, Katie Ringwood Assistant Director..................................................................................................................................... Daniel O’Neil Assistant to the Stage Manager................................................................................................................Ethan Polson Assistant Costume Designer........................................................................................................... Natalia de la Rosa Audio Engineer.............................................................................................................................................Daniel Kontz Wardrobe Supervisor...............................................................................................................................Rebecca Rose Electricians.................................................................................................................. Michael Lambui, Amanda Jenson Light Board Programmers...............................................................................................Lucas Nguyen, Jeremy Jason Stitchers...........................................................................................................................Rufus Cottman, Kayla Speedy Scenic Construction Intern.........................................................................................Paula Leite, Roderick McLeod Costume Intern............................................................................................................ Marley Boone, Katherine King Props Intern............................................................................................................. Scott McMaster, Susannah Holub Audio Intern.....................................................................................................................................................Erin Cleary
Billy Bustamante
2015/16 Dining Partners
When dining in Old City, we recommend these restaurants that support the Arden! All offer a special discount to Arden patrons. Please ask your server for details. 2ND STORY BREWING
NICK’S ROAST BEEF BAR AND GRILLE
117 Chestnut St.• 267.314.5770 www.2ndstorybrewing.com
16 S. 2nd Street • 215.928.9411 www.nicksroastbeefbarandgrille.com
BISTRO 7
PINOT BOUTIQUE
7 N. 3rd Street • 215.931.1560 www.bistro7restaurant.com
CAMPO’S
214 Market Street • 215.923.1000 www.camposdeli.com
CHLÖE
232 Arch Street • 215.629.2337 www.chloebyob.com
CONTINENTAL
138 Market Street • 215.923.6069 www.continentalmartinibar.com
CUBA LIBRE
10 S. 2nd Street • 215.627.0666 www.cubalibrerestaurant.com
227 Market Street • 215.627.WINE www.pinotboutique.com
THE PLOUGH & THE STARS 123 Chestnut Street • 215.733.0300 www.ploughstars.com
POSITANO COAST BY ALDO LAMBERTI
212 Walnut Street 2nd Floor • 215.238.0499 www.positanocoast.net
RACE STREET CAFÉ
208 Race Street • 215.627.6181 www.racestreetcafe.net
SWISS HAUS
313 Market Street • 267.457.3262 www.swisshausbakery.com
FORK
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THE HARD PROBLEM
Tom Stoppard directed by Blanka Zizka January 6 – February 6, 2016 by
“A rich, ideas-packed work that offers a defense of goodness whatever its ultimate source.” – The Guardian
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AN OCTOROON
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins directed by Joanna Settle March 16 – April 10, 2016 by
Sarah Gliko aS hilary Photo by
Matt SaunderS
JuStin Jain, JaMeS iJaMeS, ed Swidey Photo by
Matt SaunderS
This spring, the Arden presents August Wilson’s Two Trains Running on the F. Otto Haas Stage, directed by acclaimed director Raelle Myrick-Hodges. Raelle sat down with Arden Associate Artistic Director Matthew Decker to discuss the upcoming production, working with Johnnie Hobbs, Jr., her time as an Arden Apprentice, and her love for Philly theatre. MATTHEW DECKER: Welcome home. Tell me about your Philly roots, and what you’re up to currently. RAELLE MYRICK-HODGES: Philly is my artistic home. I came to Philly in 1998 to be an apprentice at the Arden Theatre Company. I guess if you ask me what my roots are, it would have to be working at the Arden. During that time, I discovered dance (Headlong, Myra Byzell’s work) and learned about (now what is commonplace) ‘devised theater’ (Pig Iron Theater). It’s my home because even after exiting to go to work other places, the artists and patrons in Philly literally would root for me no matter where I was in the world. Currently, I am the Curator of Performing Arts for the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans. Having been there for two years, I had given the organization two years without me directing. Those two years are up! Although, I will continue to work as a curator, I am returning to my true love of directing with Two Trains Running at the Arden. I am also founder of a new ensemble called ELEPHANT ROOM which will premiere work in 2017. This summer, I will get a chance to work with Cal Shakespeare in California*. Oh, and, not joking, there’s also a short film I’m directing this summer. But, first, [I’m working on] getting Two Trains Running to be a great show. *(to direct another August Wilson play, Fences) MD: What draws you to Two Trains Running? RMH: This will be my first August Wilson play. When I initially read it, I was wary of the play so many male characters with only one female voice depicted. Yet, I had never read a work that reminded me so much of my conversations with African-American men in my own family. I wanted to do this play because I wanted to have more conversations with my father about this time period (he would have been Wolf’s age in 1969, when the play takes place). Black men discussing themselves with no outside commentary is very rare. It is what makes Wilson such an important writing artist - he gave space to the black community without comment by mainstream society. August Wilson seemed more punk rock than I had expected. I wanted to play in his world.
MD: As a director, what does to it mean to you to helm an August Wilson play? RMH: I’m a black director, yet have never been given the opportunity to work on August Wilson. I am also not [the type of] director that is usually selected for his work, as I am no expert on Wilson. But, I am excited to be a ‘newcomer’ to his plays. I believe both white and black directors can easily be caught in the construct of “what is black” by American society - as if there is only one insight to the African American community. I am excited to direct his work because I am not socially, philosophically, or emotionally as traditionally strapped to [any prior] perceptions of Wilson’s work. I just want to tell the story - and do it using the language of the playwright rather than the perception of our society around being black. It could not be more timely to be presenting Two Trains Running. With white officers putting their knees in the backs of bikini wearing teenage girls in Texas to the extensive accounted deaths of humans incarcerated and beaten - what is protest? What is complicity? What is support? [All of these] will become real questions that must be answered when working on this play. Because it ISN’T 1969 - but, 2016. Change is here. Deal with it. I believe the play presents these issues eloquently, without fear and with such striking humor. MD: The great Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. will be playing Memphis in the production. Have you and Johnnie ever worked together before? What excites you about him as a performer? RMH: I have never had the opportunity to work with Mr. Hobbs. What excites me? Have you SEEN Johnnie Hobbs on stage??? Honestly: He is a master at understanding history while simultaneously sharing its contemporary nature. Watching him, work doesn’t feel dated. MD: You are the first Arden Professional Apprentice to direct on the Arden Mainstage. Tell me what the Apprentice experience was like for you. RMH: Well, I was an apprentice the season the [F. Otto Haas Theatre] opened with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. On one of the beams high above the audience it says, “McKenna and Raelle – TLA”. My experience is that the apprentices of that year Maya, Nora, Mark, and McKenna are STILL some of the most important humans in my development as an artist and person. WHY? Because it was a crazy year, hauling trees up those stairs for Molly’s Delicious...wow. Memories. I like to say it was one of the hardest years of my life. Very hard because of the early days, late nights, [learning scenic] carpentry. With my dyslexia it was harder to get in the groove administratively for grant writing and press releases. I can’t lie...this apprenticeship [felt] like the absolute most difficult ‘internship’ in the country. However, literally not a day goes by in my career as a curator, director, or artist where I don’t utilize a skill that I learned as an apprentice. From prioritizing a crisis to discussions with press, to building one’s own company, I learned these skills in the program. Every bit of logistical and practical needs around putting up a production that I learned has made me a better director to theaters because I understand the entirety of the organization. Administration is its own artistry. I learned that as an apprentice. I cannot believe that Terry and Amy have given me this opportunity. This is easily one of the most important plays I will get to direct. My learning and sharing get to come full circle. I am so grateful for that.
Onstage March 10 – April 10 www.ardentheatre.org
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