Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 2024 - The Chosen / VietGone

2023 – 24 SEASON

LINDA & GARY GREENBERG and ANDREA & DR. EDWARD HERZIG present

THE CHOSEN

Adapted by AARON POSNER and CHAIM POTOK

From the Novel by CHAIM POTOK

Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre

ELLEN AND RAY van der HORST present

@cincyplay

@cincinnatiplayhouse

Season presented by SCHUELER GROUP and THE VONTZ FAMILY

Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre By QUI NGUYEN

(COVER AND ABOVE): PHOTO OF HILLEL ROSENSHINE AND ELI MAYER IN THE CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK/MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER CO-PRODUCTION OF THE CHOSEN . PHOTO FROM MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER BY MARK FROHNA.

HYUNMIN RHEE AND VIET VO IN VIETGONE BY MIKKI SCHAFFNER.

STEW MARKETING VISUAL (ABOVE AND ON THE COVER) AND PHOTO OF BLAKE ROBISON (PAGE 4) BY TONY ARRASMITH/ ARRASMITH AND ASSOCIATES.

BOX OFFICE: 513-421-3888 OH, KY, IN TOLL-FREE: 800-582-3208 PATRONS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD-OF-HEARING, DEAF BLIND OR SPEECH DISABLED: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services STAY CONNECTED!

WEBSITE: cincyplay.com @cincinnatiplayhouse @cincyplay

A NOTE FROM BLAKE

WHEN IT COMES TO STORIES, THERE’S NOTHING I LOVE MORE THAN being swept up in a new place and in a different time. Few other art forms capture such a transformative experience like theatre, which is why I’m so pleased to present two beloved stories onstage to bring our season to a close.

In Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre, we go back in time to 1940s Brooklyn, New York, with an adaptation of The Chosen by Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok. An unlikely friendship emerges between two Jewish boys, and it sets the stage for a riveting character play, enriched by a profound exploration of culture. The story of the boys’ friendship, against the backdrop of a changing America, reflects an optimism that’s hard to come by sometimes. Their conversations around family, faith and community are challenging and full of passion. Yet they never fail to find connections with one another. The Chosen is a story about finding a way to surmount seemingly irreconcilable differences – a message we all need in today’s fractious world.

In the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre, we go back in time again — this time to 1970s America in Qui Nguyen’s romantic comedy Vietgone. This exceptional play has captured the hearts of audiences around the country, and I’m sure you’ll see why in no time. Nguyen’s script delightfully plays with all the rules of theatrical storytelling. It’s based on a true story, and it’s also a little bit fictitious. It’s a rom-com that embraces dialogue, martial arts, and a bit of hip-hop music. Vietgone is full of such wonderful theatrical surprises, and the love story at its core is downright irresistible.

As our 2023-24 season comes to a close, I would be remiss if I didn’t shine the spotlight on you, our Playhouse community. We’re so fortunate to have had such a meaningful season together — the first full season in our new home. I want to send my most heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. You make it possible for us to share stories, create connections and make memories that last a lifetime. Thank you.

It won’t be long before we’re back together for another season that’s full of variety, entertainment and the best of American theatre! Visit cincyplay.com to view the lineup and save your seats now with 2024-25 season tickets.

See you next season!

Blake Robison Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director

Board of Trustees

Walter Solomon, Chairperson • Edward Frankel, Vice Chairperson, Investments • Sandy P. Kaltman, Treasurer

Rachel M. Faust, Secretary • John Stein, Immediate Past Chairperson • Tedd Friedman • Ernesto Levy • Gloria Lipson

Guy Peri • Arna Poupko Fisher • Ronna Schneider • Adam Symson

Brian Jaffee, CEO • 8044 Montgomery Road, Suite 516 • Cincinnati, OH 45236

T: (513) 214-1200 • F: (513) 214-1210 • bjaffee@thejewishfoundation.org • www.thejewishfoundation.org

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK

OSBORN FAMILY PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Blake Robison

MANAGING DIRECTOR Abby Marcus

LINDA & GARY GREENBERG AND ANDREA & DR. EDWARD HERZIG

present

THE CHOSEN

ADAPTED BY AARON POSNER AND CHAIM POTOK

FROM THE NOVEL BY CHAIM POTOK

DIRECTOR Aaron Posner

SET DESIGNER Daniel Conway

COSTUME DESIGNER Helen Q. Huang

LIGHTING DESIGNER Noele Stollmack

SOUND DESIGNER & ORIGINAL MUSIC Josh Schmidt

CASTING DIRECTOR Jonathan Hetler

APRIL 13 — MAY 12, 2024

MOE AND JACK’S PLACE — THE ROUSE THEATRE

CO-PRODUCED WITH Milwaukee Repertory Theater

Mark Clements, Artistic Director; Chad Bauman, Executive Director

Production Sponsor

Artist Sponsors

Mark and Rosemary Schlachter

Fred and Patti Heldman

Design Sponsor

Diane and Carl Iseman

Season Presented By

Additional support provided by

Honorary Producer

Eddie and Pat Sheppard

Rouse Theatre Season Design Sponsor

The Chosen is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

The Chosen was co-produced by the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Terrence J. Nolen, Producing Artistic Director; Amy L. Murphy, Managing Director) and the City Theatre Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Marc Masterson, Artistic Director) on March 11, 1999.

This play was developed in part through a workshop made possible by Frank Gagliano and The Showcase of New Plays at Carnegie-Mellon University

THE CHOSEN

CAST

(In speaking order)

Reuven Malter Eli Mayer*

Daniel Saunders Hillel Rosenshine*

David Malter Steve Routman*

Reb Saunders Ron Orbach*

Stage Manager Brooke Redler*

Second Stage Manager Andrea L. Shell*

Assistant Stage Manager Brandon T. Holmes*

THE CHOSEN WILL BE PERFORMED WITH AN INTERMISSION.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. This production is made possible in part by a generous gift from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF

Assistant Director Audrey Erickson

Voice/Dialect Coach Jill Walmsley Zager

Swing Sarah Ridder

This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States and with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees-Local No. 5.

THE CHOSEN

GLOSSARY – HEBREW AND YIDDISH TERMS

Use the QR code to access an extended glossary of terms and information in The Chosen, including historical figures and cultural references.

Abba Aramaic in origin, it’s equivalent to the term “Papa,” or “Daddy.”

Amalek Amalek was a nation described in the Hebrew Bible as a staunch enemy of the Israelites. The name “Amalek” can refer to the nation’s founder, a grandson of Esau.

Apikorsim A word of disfavor used by the Orthodox to refer to the Modern Orthodox. It refers to a Jew who is lax in observing Jewish law or who does not believe in Judaism.

Baruch hashem Hebrew, “blessed be the name [of the Lord].”

Caftan A black frock coat worn by Hasidic Jews since the European Middle Ages. Chai Hebrew, “life.”

“Du bist der ben David Malter?” Yiddish, “You’re David Malter’s son?”

Eretz Yisroel Literally “Land of Israel,” the concept, favored by some historical Zionists, of a Jewish state the territory of which matched the largest expanse of biblical Israel.

Esav Equivalent to the meaning “rough people.” A reference to Esau in the Bible, the twin brother of Jacob.

Farshtukene Yiddish word that means “smelly” or “contemptible.” It can also be used as an insult to describe someone who has a stinky attitude or body.

Gematriya A study of the numerical structure of the Bible, and its correlation to mathematical and physical constants in our universe. Gematriya is a numerological system by which Hebrew letters correspond to numbers.

In gematriya, each Hebrew letter is represented by a number. One can then calculate the numerical value of a word by adding together the values of each letter in it. In the realm of biblical interpretation, commentators base an argument on numerological equivalence of words.

Goyishkeit Jewish colloquial word referring to the culture of a non-Jew.

Goyim A term used by Jewish people for non-Jewish people.

“Gut nacht, Daniel mine zuhn.”

“Ich bin zayer su frieden, tatte, az hir hut zikh bekent mit mayn fraynt Reuven.”

Yiddish, “Good night, Daniel my son.”

Yiddish, “I am glad you met my friend, Reuven, father.”

La-el Hebrew, “Belonging to God.”

Mayim Hebrew, “water.”

Mein Hertz Yiddish, “My heart.”

Mishna In its broadest sense, the Talmud is a set of books consisting of the Mishna (“repeated study”), the Gemara (“completion”), and certain auxiliary materials. The Mishna is a collection of originally oral laws supplementing scriptural laws.

Momzer A child of a union not sanctioned by Biblical law as interpreted by the rabbis; a child born out of wedlock.

Nu Interjection meaning “so” or “well.”

Olov hasholom Yiddish pronunciation of the Hebrew “Alav Hashalom,” which means “peace be upon him.”

Payos Hebrew, “sidelocks or sideburns.” Payot (plural) are worn by some men and boys in the Orthodox Jewish community based on an interpretation of the Tanakh’s injunction against shaving the “sides” of one’s head. Literally, pe’a means “corner, side, edge.”

Pesach Passover, Pesach in Hebrew, is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the Biblical story of the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt.

Pischer A Yiddish word that has multiple meanings:

• A young, inexperienced, or presumptuous person

• A bed wetter

• A person or thing of no importance

• An inept person at a task or new to a job

• An informal term for a young child, usually male

• An irritating squirt

Prozdor (From the Talmud): R. Akiva says, “This world is like a vestibule (prozdor) before the world to come. Get ready in the vestibule, so you can get into the great hall.” (mAvot 4:16). This saying compares the relationship between this world and the world to come to that between specific parts of a dwelling house.

THE CHOSEN

Reb/Rebbe Rebbe is a Yiddish-German word that connotes a spiritual leader and master of theology in the Hasidic movement.

Ribbono Shel Oylom Hebrew, “Master of the Universe.”

Shabbos (also known as Shabbat)

The Shabbos/Shabbat, Judaism’s day of rest on the seventh day of the week. It begins on Friday at sunset and lasts until sunset on Saturday. It is a time for family and community, and during this time services at the synagogue are well attended. No work is to be done on Shabbos/ Shabbat. This includes tasks such as cooking and driving.

Shmendrick Yiddish, “a stupid person, fool, or nincompoop.”

Shul Yiddish, “synagogue.”

Talmud The oral law of Judaism, based on rabbis’ inter pretations of ambiguous laws in the Torah and on issues concerning a wide variety of topics in Jewish life. The oral law was written down in the first century CE.

Tatte Yiddish, “father.”

Tuchus Yiddish, “rear end.”

Tzaddik A charismatic leader of the Hasidic community, treated with utmost respect by his followers who believe that he has the power to do miracles.

Tzizit Fringes that hang down from the Jewish prayer shawl and are intended to remind Jews of the necessity of observing Jewish law. The Torah states, “When you look upon it [tzizit], you will remem ber to do all the commands of the Lord” (Numbers 37:39). Orthodox Jewish men, such as the Hasidim, wear a prayer shawl under their clothes and leave the fringes visible over the waists of their trousers.

Yeshiva A school to which Orthodox Jews send their male children. Half of the academic day is spent on Jewish subjects, and the other half on secular subjects.

Yevamos A “tractate,” or “treatise,” in the Talmud. The Talmud is composed of over 60 tractates.

Zemiros Songs, specifically religious songs sung on the Sabbath and holidays.

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THE CHOSEN

TIMELINE OF WORLD EVENTS THAT OCCUR DURING THE PLAY

1947

D-Day, Allied Forces land on the beaches of Normandy.

• Paris is liberated from Nazi occupation.

• Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) is elected to an historic fourth term as President of the United States.

1945

• The War Crimes Tribunal is held in Nuremburg.

• Prime Minister of England Winston Churchill gives his “Iron Curtain” speech.

• The Philippines gains independence from the United States.

• V-E Day, Germany surrenders to the Allied Forces.

FDR dies; Truman is instated as President of the United States.

• The U.S. drops nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

• Concentration camps are liberated. The United Nations is created.

Herbert Hoover and FDR

From left to right: President Harry S. Truman, Admiral William D. Leahy, Captain Clark Clifford, Major General Harry Vaughan, and Winston Churchill at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri the day Churchill gave the “Iron Curtain” speech. Credit: Terry Savage.

U.S Army Signal Corps on D-Day

HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE PLAY

• The beginning of the Cold War.

• India and Pakistan gain independence from Great Britain.

• Jackie Robinson first takes the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

• Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier.

1948

• Israel is declared as an independent state.

• The World Health Organization is established.

• First Polaroid camera goes on sale.

Theodor Herzl: The founder of modern Zionism, lived in Europe 1860-1904.

Chaim Weizman: The first president of the modern State of Israel.

Cossacks: A group of Slavic Christian people from Ukraine and Southern Russia, known in the Jewish community for pogroms where they attacked entire Jewish communities.

School of Hillel: Hillel was one of the rabbis quoted in the Talmud. When he disagreed with Shammai, the law usually followed Hillel, so his approach is called the School or House of Hillel.

School of Shammai: Shammai was one of the rabbis quoted in the Talmud. When he disagreed with Hillel, the law usually followed Hillel, so his approach is called the School or House of Shammai.

“Never Again”: Slogan after the Holocaust, that there should never again be a genocide.

Jewish National Fund: A non-profit organization founded in 1901 to buy and develop land in Israel in order to help establish a modern Jewish state.

The Haganah: Military defense organization for the Jewish community from 1920-1948.

The Irgun: A right-wing underground movement founded in 1931. They advocated using force, if necessary, to establish a Jewish State in Israel. It was disbanded after 1948.

May 14, 1948: The date Israel was declared a Modern State and the beginning of the War of Independence.

UN Resolution: On Nov. 29, 1947, the UN passed Resolution 181, calling for Jewish and Arab states side by side in what is today the Modern State of Israel.

Ben Gurion: First prime minister of the State of Israel.

The Holocaust*: The systematic genocide of over six million Jewish people (2/3 of Europe’s Jewish population) by Hitler’s Nazi regime and its collaborators. The Holocaust was an evolving process that took place between 1933 and 1945.

*While The Holocaust is a key world event during this time and in the play, the brevity here cannot do justice to the enormity of the horrors of The Holocaust with the reverence it deserves. To learn more, please visit teachholocaust.org.

Thank you to our co-producer, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, for generously providing resources for this article.

Jackie Robinson

THE CHOSEN

ELI MAYER - REUVEN MALTER

Off-Broadway credits include Amid Falling Walls (National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene). Regional credits include Mischa in Ride the Cyclone (Arena Stage, McCarter Theatre Center), Footloose (The Muny) and Indian Summer (Bay Street Theater). To my own father, thank you for your guidance, love and wisdom through my years. I hope to someday be as decent and worthy of rest as you. Thank you to family, friends, Aaron Posner and my wonderful manager Rochel. To my brother Daniel, this too is for you. Eli earned a BFA from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. You can follow Eli on Instagram @elimayermaynot.

RON ORBACH - REB SAUNDERS

Broadway credits include Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Chicago Premiere, National Tour, and ACT, Seattle -also directed); Dance of the Vampires; Never Gonna Dance; Soul Doctor; and Chicago (first Amos Hart, first National Tour, Jeff Award, 1998). Regional highlights include A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Nick Bottom (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Jeff Nom, 2012); Fiddler on the Roof as Tevye (Broadway Sacramento Music Circus); A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum as Pseudolus (Denver Center); Moonlight and Magnolias as David O. Selznick (Goodman Theatre); and Indecent as Otto (Seattle Rep). Television and film highlights include Law & Order (Recurring); Platypus Man (Series Regular); Girls; Clueless (DMV Instructor); and Culprit as Bill (upcoming). Ron is also an acting coach and a director (Los Angeles’ 1996 Ovation Award).

HILLEL ROSENSHINE (HE/HIM)- DANIEL SAUNDERS

Hillel is thrilled to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut! He is originally from New York, where he recently performed in The Misanthrope (Interborough Repertory Theater, Rattlestick Theater) and Bettinger’s Luggage (AMT Theater). His regional theatre credits include Bad Jews (The Gamm Theatre) and The Lifespan of a Fact (Elmwood Playhouse). Past film credits include Name to the Face (Best Mobile Film, Druk International Film Festival) and Mighty Real He holds a BS in Geophysics from Brown University. Visit hillelrosenshine.com

STEVE ROUTMAN - DAVID MALTER

Steve is an award-winning actor that has appeared on Broadway and across the country in more than 35 regional theatres. He has performed Shakespeare, Chekhov, Stoppard, Odets and Moliere, as well as dozens of musicals and comedies. Film and television work includes Killers of the Flower Moon, The Equalizer, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Inside Llewyn Davis, Fosse/Verdon and The Trial of the Chicago 7. In addition to stage and film work, Steve has made appearances with the New York City Opera, Glimmerglass Festival and New Haven Symphony. Upcoming work includes the film Mothers’ Instinct, starring Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway. Vist www.steveroutman.com.

THE CHOSEN

CHAIM POTOK - PLAYWRIGHT

Chaim Potok began his career as a novelist in 1967 with the publication of The Chosen. The book was a success, generating a film adaption in 1981 and even a previous musical version for the stage. In 1969, he wrote a sequel, The Promise. Subsequent novels are My Name is Asher Lev, In the Beginning, The Book of Lights, Davita’s Harp, The Gift of Asher Lev, I Am the Clay and his last book, a collection of three novellas called Old Men at Midnight. His body of work also contains many nonfiction publications and several books for children. Other works for theatre include Out of Depths, Sins of the Father and The Play of Lights. He served as editor for both Conservative Judaism and The Jewish Publication Society. In addition to his writing, Potok was an ordained rabbi and held a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. He lived in Merion, Pennsylvania, until his death in 2002.

AARON POSNER - ADAPTER/DIRECTOR

Aaron is a theatre director, playwright, teacher, former Artistic Director of two major regional theatres, and a Professor at American University. He was the founding Artistic Director of Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre Company, and the Artistic Director of Two River Theater in Red Bank, N.J. He has directed nearly 200 productions at major regional theatres across the country, including Arena Stage, American Repertory Theater, American Players Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Folger, Ford’s Theatre, Round House Theatre, Seattle Rep, Signature Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Studio Theatre, and many more. As a playwright, his re-imagining of Chekhov’s The Seagull, entitled Stupid F**king Bird, was one of the ten most produced plays in the country in 2015 and has had more than 250 productions worldwide. His other produced and published plays include JQA, Life Sucks, No Sisters, District Merchants, Who Am I This Time? (& Other Conundrums of Love) and My Name Is Asher Lev. He lives outside of D.C. with his wife, actress Erin Weaver, and his amazing daughter, Maisie.

DANIEL CONWAY - SET DESIGNER

Recent projects include The Tempest, directed by Aaron Posner and Teller (American Repertory Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and South Coast Repertory); At Wit’s End and Love in Afghanistan (world premieres, Arena Stage); Harvey and End of The Rainbow (Milwaukee Rep); The Game’s Afoot (Cleveland Play House); Company, Hairspray, Chess and Sunset Boulevard (Signature Theatre); Sabrina Fair (Ford’s Theatre); The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey); and Spoonful of Water and The Aliens (Studio Theatre). Upcoming projects include Penn and Teller on Broadway; Soon, a new musical (Signature Theatre); By the Way Meet Vera Stark (The Juilliard School); Soldier X (world premiere, Here Arts Center); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Arena Stage); and Penny (world premiere, Washington National Opera).

HELEN Q. HUANG (SHE/HER) - COSTUME DESIGNER

Helen is an award-winning costume designer whose credits include Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center, Alley Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Seattle Rep, Berkeley Rep, Guthrie Theater, Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, Round House Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Children’s Theatre Company, Classic Stage Company, Disney Entertainment and The Washington Ballet. Awards include Helen Hayes Award, Henry Award, Anderson Hopkins Award and Ivey Award. Helen is a professor of Costume Design at University of Maryland, College Park. Visit helenqhuang.com.

THE CHOSEN

NOELE STOLLMACK - LIGHTING DESIGNER

Select design credits include The Chosen, What the Constitution Means to Me, The Heart Sellers, Murder on the Orient Express, Steel Magnolias, The Niceties, The Chinese Lady and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Milwaukee Rep. Noele’s lighting has appeared onstage at Brooklyn Academy of Music, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The Library of Congress Theatre, as well as the opera companies of Santa Fe, Ontario, Houston, Portland, Vancouver, New Orleans, Nashville, Madison and Milwaukee. Regional design for the theatre includes Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Alley Theatre (Houston), Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (Wisconsin), American Players Theatre, Next Act Theatre and Forward Theater. As Lighting Director for Houston Grand Opera, she supervised the lighting and special effects for over 50 productions, along with designing the lighting for such productions as Andrei Serban’s Elektra, Dr. Jonathan Miller’s Der Rosenkavalier, Aida, and the world premieres of Harvey Milk, Desert of Roses and Dracula Diary. Her American Institute Architects award-winning architectural and public space lighting is installed throughout the Midwest. Noele is a Member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829.

JOSH SCHMIDT (HE/HIM) - SOUND DESIGNER AND ORIGINAL MUSIC

Josh is delighted to make his debut at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Recent credits include The Chosen and Much Ado About Nothing (Milwaukee Rep); The Garbologists (Northlight Theatre); Bug (Steppenwolf); Splash Hatch and Kill-Move-Paradise (NextAct Theatre); Witch and Cost of Living (Renaissance Theaterworks) and more. Broadway credits include Therese Raquin, House of Blue Leaves, Brighton Beach Memoirs and more. Josh has designed over 300 productions for companies including Lincoln Center, Atlantic Theater Company, Roundabout Theatre Company and more (NYC); Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Chicago); Ford’s Theatre (Washington, D.C.); and 20 Seasons at American Players Theatre. Film credits include the upcoming release of The End (Final Cut for Real/Neon).

JONATHAN HETLER (HE/HIM) - CASTING DIRECTOR

Jonathan is a producer, director and teaching artist based out of Milwaukee. He currently serves as the Artistic Producer overseeing all casting and special events at Milwaukee Rep. Last season, he casted August Wilson’s Seven Guitars for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Notable directing highlights include Dino! An Evening with Dean Martin (Milwaukee Rep); The Servant of Two Masters (Marquette University); Romeo and Juliet, Venus in Fur, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and Glengarry Glen Ross (Ohio University); Pippin (Ohio Valley Summer Theatre); the world premiere of La Mujer Barbuda (Seabury Quinn Jr. Playwrights’ Festival); and the Associate Director for Titanic and the annual production of A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Rep). He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from Ohio University, and a Master of Business Administration from Regent University. You can follow Jonathan on social media @hetlerj and visit hetlerj.com.

THE CHOSEN

BROOKE REDLER (SHE/HER) - STAGE MANAGER

Brooke is pleased to return for her seventh season with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Her off-Broadway credits include Breathing Time, The Faire and From White Plains (production stage manager, Fault Line Theatre). Regional theatre credits include Sanctuary City, Frida...A Self Portrait, Destiny of Desire, Once on This Island, In The Heights, Million Dollar Quartet, Summerland and Native Gardens (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); Hair: Retrospection, Stillwater, The Whipping Man, August: Osage County, Cabaret and five seasons of A Christmas Carol (production stage manager, Kansas City Repertory Theatre); Peter and the Starcatcher and Richard II (Utah Shakespeare Festival); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Center Stage in Baltimore); The Drowsy Chaperone, Is He Dead? and Harry the Great (Creede Repertory Theatre). Assistant stage management credits include Our Town, A Flea in Her Ear, Clay, Jitney and Love, Janis (Kansas City Repertory Theatre); and work at Starlight Theatre, Stages St. Louis and Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. Brooke also has worked in opera, with summers spent at Cincinnati Opera. She also spent two seasons at The Santa Fe Opera; and has assistant stage managed and production stage managed multiple shows at Opera Long Beach.

ANDREA L. SHELL (SHE/HER) - SECOND STAGE MANAGER

See bio on page 40.

BRANDON T. HOLMES (HE/HIM) - ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Brandon is thrilled to return to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for a fifth season. Playhouse credits include the world premieres of Shane and The West End as well as productions of Stew, A Christmas Carol, Clyde’s, Steel Magnolias, The Lion and The Chinese Lady. For eight seasons, he was the Production Stage Manager for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati where he managed over 40 productions. Highlights with ETC include Fun Home, The Mountaintop, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Grounded, Violet, Pipeline, The Humans, Skeleton Crew and Hands on a Hardbody. During the summer, he is the Production Stage Manager for The Lexington Theatre Company where he has stage managed productions of Memphis, The Sound of Music, Chicago, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, West Side Story and Newsies. Other regional credits include Hello, Dolly!, The Drowsy Chaperone and Side By Side by Sondheim (LOOK Musical Theatre); Red, White & Broadway, Golden: MTWichita at 50 (Music Theatre Wichita); and workshops with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Cleveland Play House. Brandon is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Thank you to his family and his husband, A.J., for their continued love and support.

MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER - CO-PRODUCER

One of the first, and largest, regional theaters in the country, Milwaukee Rep has been a strong artistic force for over seven decades. With three unique performance venues we produce worldclass theater that is inclusive, and impactful, ranging from Broadway musicals, Shakespeare, and American Classics to New Works that entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mark Clements and Executive Director Chad Bauman, Milwaukee Rep is proud to be a catalyst for positive change in our community and beyond.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As a step toward honoring the truth and achieving healing and reconciliation with those Indigenous peoples who were affected most by the Doctrine of Discovery* and broken treaties, we acknowledge the traditional Shawnee and Myaamia (Miami) lands on which we now stand, and on which the city of Cincinnati was built.

*The Doctrine of Discovery is a principle of international law dating back to the late 15th century that specifically sanctioned and promoted the conquest, colonization and exploitation of non-Christian territories and peoples. Hundreds of years of decisions and laws continuing right up to our own time can ultimately be traced back to the Doctrine of Discovery — laws that invalidate or ignore the rights, sovereignty and humanity of Indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world. WE WELCOME all races, ethnicities, religions, sexualities, gender identities, ages, abilities, countries of origin, spoken and signed languages. EVERYONE.

Girls’ Night Out

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PATRON INFORMATION

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

ADDRESS: 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati, OH 45202

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: 513-345-2242

WEBSITE: cincyplay.com

BOX OFFICE: 513-421-3888

OH, KY, IN TOLL-FREE: 800-582-3208

PATRONS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD-OF-HEARING, DEAF BLIND OR SPEECH

DISABLED: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services

ACCESSIBILITY WITH DIGNITY PROGRAM

The Playhouse is pleased to offer a variety of services to patrons with special needs. Funding for this program is made possible by Bartlett Wealth Management.

Audio Described and Signed Performances

Live audio description for patrons who are sight-impaired and signed performances for those with hearing impairments are offered for designated performances in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre. For the schedule, visit cincyplay.com. Signers and audio describers for the season are Dawn Caudill, Mark DeWitt, Montez Greer and Mike Snyder.

Hearing Enhancement

Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre and the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre both have a hearing loop system which works with existing T-Coil or Telecoil enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants. For assistance, please see a member of our house staff.

Large Print Program

Large print programs for those with visual impairments are available upon request at every performance.

CAMERAS AND RECORDING DEVICES

Actors’ Equity Association strictly prohibits the use of cameras or recording devices in the theatre during the performance.

CHILDREN

Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted to Playhouse productions unless otherwise advertised. Parents with disruptive children will be asked to leave the theatre.

CONCESSIONS

Al’s Bar serves drinks in two locations – one bar on the main level in the Schueler Lobby and one bar on the upper floor. Casual dining fare and snacks from The Delish Dish are available for purchase on the upper floor.

FACILITY ACCESSIBILITY

Patrons who are mobility-impaired may be dropped off outside the Playhouse’s main entrance. The walk from the top level of the parking garage to the entrance into the Schueler Lobby to the main level of the Rouse Theatre can be made without having to take any stairs. An elevator is available for access to the balcony level and first rows of the Rouse Theatre and the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre. Accessible seating for wheelchairs is subject to availability and should be requested at the time of ticket reservation.

PATRON INFORMATION

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Need the perfect gift? The Playhouse offers gift certificates redeemable for single tickets or subscription packages. Call the Box Office or stop by at intermission for more information.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

Bring your group of eight or more to the Playhouse and receive great benefits and discounts, including special rates for students and seniors. Our popular corporate web discount program allows your employees to book tickets online at a discount whenever they want. Contact the Box Office for more details.

LATECOMERS AND READMITTANCE

Latecomers are seated at the discretion of the house manager, which may be as late as intermission. Latecomers may be denied admission depending on the demands or structure of a particular production. Please allow yourself adequate time to arrive, park and be seated. Should you need to leave the theatre during a performance, readmittance and seating will be at the discretion of the house manager so as not to disturb the audience and actors.

PARKING

The Park Board reminds you that Eden Park officially closes at 10 p.m. As a grace period to the Playhouse, the police will not ticket vehicles until one half hour following the end of a performance. The Playhouse assumes no responsibility for anyone receiving a ticket for illegal parking. Convenient parking is available in the Playhouse garage. Purchase parking in advance to secure a space. Parking can also be purchased from our parking attendant immediately before the performance if available.

Accessible parking for those with disabilities is located in the Playhouse parking garage. Parking for persons with disabilities is limited and must be reserved and paid for in advance. All vehicles using these spaces must display a valid disability placard.

PROHIBITION OF WEAPONS

The Ohio Revised Code (R.C. 2923.126) has established the privilege of carrying a concealed handgun to Ohio citizens who have obtained the proper license. The same law explicitly grants private employers in the state the right to prohibit their employees and visitors from possessing firearms on the employer’s premises. With this notification the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is informing you that it prohibits weapons of any kind on its premises, and reserves the right to search persons, parcels and vehicles on the same. This policy applies to all employees, patrons and visitors to the facility.

RESTROOMS

There are four types of restrooms: women’s, men’s, all-gender and family. One of each type is available on each level. Restrooms are all wheelchair-accessible.

SMOKING/VAPING

Smoking/vaping is prohibited in the entire theatre complex.

THE MORSE JOHNSON SOCIETY

Thanks to your vision and commitment to the Playhouse, we can continue to produce extraordinary theatre for Playhouse audiences of tomorrow. We are grateful to you for including the Playhouse in your estate plans. This list recognizes members of the Morse Johnson Society as of February 21, 2024.

Anonymous

Romola N. Allen

Henrietta Barlag

Roderick and Barbara Barr

Peggy Barrett

Martha L. Bell

Mr. Neil Billman

David and Elaine Billmire

Thomas J. Breed

Charlin Briggs

Rosemarie Brown

John and Peg Bruggeman

Susan and Burton Closson

Carol C. Cole

Richard and Teddie Curry

Guy and Cathy DeDiemar

Kelly M. Dehan and Richard J. Staudigel

Marilyn Derfus

Jackie Dieckman and Mike Camery

Mrs. James M. Edwards

Barbara Fitch

In memory of Phyllis A. Followell, my heart

Allison Gerrety

Victoria Buyniski Gluckman

Madeleine H. (Mady) Gordon

J. Frederick and Cynthia Gossman

Carol and Leonard Green

Linda and Gary Greenberg

Jan and Herman Groshoff

Cheryl Harden Love

Mrs. Robert J. Hasl

Robert and Judith Heaton

Dave and Betsy Hendy

Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig

Karlee L. Hilliard

Susan M. Ingmire

Andrew MacAoidh Jergens

Judith E. Johnson

M. J. Johnson

Jan and Jay Kalagayan

Winifred B. Kessler

David and Janice Klocke

Mike and Marilyn Kremzar

Randolph and Patricia Krumm

Ms. Abby E. Langdon

Minor and Dan LeBlond

Terry Lemmerman

Mary V. Lierl

Barbara Lyons

Jacqueline M. Mack

James A. Markley, Jr.

David L. Martin

David Mason

Ron Matson and Daniel Young

Barbara and Kim McCracken

Charles and Joann Mead

Becky Miars

Lauren and James Miller

David and Diane Moccia

William J. and Mary G. Moran

Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty

Ronald and Debi Nash

Richard and Julia Okenfuss

Charlotte and Robert Otto

Carolyn Parker

Charles and Tara Pease

Jenny and David Powell

Betty L. Prince

Pamela Reising

Ellen Rieveschl

Richard Rosenthal

Jack and Moe Rouse

Robert and Dell Ann Sathe

Mark and Rosemary Schlachter

Carol J. Schroeder

Digi France Schueler

John L. Shields

Jerry and Betsy Shroat

Ann M. Simsic

Mrs. Paul G. Sittenfeld

Adrienne Angst Smith

Louise W. Spiegel

Francis and Susan Stanton

Nancy M. Steman

Sidney Thomas

Diane D. Todd

Marty C. Tomb

Ellen and Ray van der Horst

Margaret and Albert Vontz III

Daniel G. Walker

JoAnn and Paul Ward

Dr. and Mrs. Nelson B. Watts

Jim and Jo Ann Weber

Irwin and Barbara Weinberg

Barbara M. Weyand

Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis

Susan and Don Zaunbrecher

POSTHUMOUSLY

REMEMBERED

Anonymous

Helen and Charles Abramovitz

Mrs. Thomas Adler

Robert H. Allen

Karen H. Bell

Frank and Rosemary Bloom

Peter Briggs

Jack G. Brown

Leland M. Cole

Eva Jane Romaine Coombe

John V. Crable

John F. Curley

Anne Elkins Didrichsen

Mrs. Elizabeth Easley

Have you included Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in your estate plans? We would love to hear from you. Please reach out to Lynn Smith at Lynn.Smith@cincyplay.com or (513) 977-2067 so we can properly recognize you for your gift and welcome you into the Morse Johnson Society.

James M. Edwards

Felix and Weta Mae Elkins

Margaret M. Embshoff

Jerome A. Fey and Robert J. Schlafle

Stona Fitch

William A. and Susan S. Friedlander

Oliver M. Gale

Charles and Caroline Goering

Peter and Mary Hainline

Carlyn G. Hamilton

Dr. Robert J. Hasl

Mrs. Morse Johnson

Stanley M. Kaplan, M.D.

Keith Lemmerman

Ron Lyons

Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Morelli

Jack and Marilyn Osborn

Maurice E. Oshry

George Rieveschl

Launcey Roder

Lois Rosenthal

Gene F. Santoro

Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Schiff, Sr.

Karl and Roberta Schlachter

Mary Louise Schroth

Marsha Shields

Paul G. Sittenfeld

Rick Steiner

Jane K. Steinfirst

Thurza R. Sternberg

Charles and Sue Straus

Charles L. and Joan Thomas, Jr.

Lynda A. Thomas

Dr. Thomas Todd

Howard Tomb

Albert Vontz, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick Waite

Gladys C. Warshauer

Monte Witte

2023-24 LEADING LADIES

When amazing women come together, great things happen! Thank you to these 2023-24 season Leading Ladies. This list recognizes members as of January 21, 2024.

PROGRAM CO-CHAIRS

Amelia Crutcher

Danute Miskinis

GRANDE DAMES

Amelia Crutcher

Kelly M. Dehan

Vickie Buyniski Gluckman

Linda Greenberg

Karlee L. Hilliard

Laurie F. Johnston

Kelly Lyle

Danute Miskinis

Linda Muth

Rosemary Schlachter

Nancy Sparks

DIVAS

Susie Ackermann

Janet G. Banks

Randal S. Bloch

Jacklyn Bryson

Marjorie Compton

Susan Cummings

Marilyn Duke

Brenda Hausterman

Louise Head

Marty Humes

Susan Ingmire

Judy Kenniston

Margo Kirstein

Selena McKean

Patti Myers

Karen Neyer

Marcia Philipps

Jenny Powell

Betty Prince

Debbie White

Richardson

Cathie Rothfuss

Moe Rouse

Diane Rumpke

Digi France Schueler

Laura R. Turton

Susie Tweddell

Maureen Vignola

Jane Welling

STARLETS

Anonymous

Nancy Aichholz

Sherri D. Allen

Janice Amatulli

Susan S. Anthony

Elizabeth C. Armitage

Susan Awadalla

Molly R. Barber

Jan Bartel

Mandy Bartel

Marianne Beard

Megan Beck

Becky Beckstedt

Mary Ann Bell

Stephanie Besl

Cheryl L. Borland

Linda D. Brink

Carol Campbell

Angela Carl

Nancy B. Carrothers

Susana Chamlee

Melanie M. Chavez

Fran Christensen

Mary Ellen Cody

Cynthia Cole

Virginia Copley

Jean Crawford

Judy S. Dalambakis

Carol DeGreg

Debora Del Valle

Kathryn Dierckes

Nancy Steman Dierckes

Bethany Doverspike

Kay Eby

Joyce Elkus

Mary Anne Frey

Nancy Gaffney

Nancy Gollobin

Barbara Gould

Barbara Hahn

Margo Hall

Nirvani Head

Carolyn Heck

Patti Heldman

Betsy Hendy

Helene Herbert

Judy Tondi Herd

Meg Hilmer

Linda R. Holthaus

Kim Howland

Pat Humphrey

Dr. Linda Huntress

Diane Iseman

Anne Jaroszewicz

Clare Jaymes

Sarah Raup Johnson

Diane S. Jordan

Lisa Kagan

Arlene Katz

Heather Krombholz

Patricia Krumm

Trish Larsen

Lynn P. Larson

Terry Lemmerman

Donna Lilley

Nancy Lippincott

Sally A. Lloyd

Laurel Markley

Carolyn Ott Martin

Nancy C. Martin

Kathy McCord

Stacy McIntosh

Joann Mead

Kathy Merchant

Audrey E. K. Miller

Sarah Mizelle Miller

Mary G. Moran

Jeannie Niebuhr

Niki Pappas

Jenny Partridge

Debbie Pendl

MaryAnn Pietromonaco

Jane Portman

Ildiko Pray

Audra Rance

Sherri Adams Remaklus

Margie Rennie

Carol Holland Rentschler

Carol Reubel

Danielle Revelson

Dr. Jeri B. Ricketts

Carole T. Rigaud

Buffie Rixey

Mary Ellen Roberts

Gigi Robison

Karina Rothzeid

Jane Rutherford

KJ Sanchez

Jeanne Tiber Schmerler

Carol Serrone

Shelly S. Sherman

Sue Showers

Debbie Renick Sims

Laura Skidmore

Martha Steier

Lib Stone

Dr. Susan R. Strick

Glenda Suttman

Dee Talley

Gretchen Thomas

Catharina Toltzis Ph.D.

Alicia B. Townsend

Linda Trebbi

Dionn Tron

Lynn Tumen

Ellen G. van der Horst

Nancy A. Virgulak

Carol Walkner

Sarah Warrington

Kate Wehby

Judy Wells

Ronna K. Willis

Laani Wuest

Linda Elam Young

Mary Beth Young

Sue Zimmerman

Bold indicates Steering Committee Members

The Leading Ladies build a welcoming and diverse community of women to support the Playhouse, using a framework of captivating events that incorporate education, entertainment and enjoyment of theatre, with the goal of sponsoring an annual Playhouse production. See what happens when amazing women come together! For more information, contact Director of Donor Relations Kendra Struthers at kendra.struthers@cincyplay.com or 513-977-2024 , or visit cincyplay.com/support/leadingladies.

WELCOME TO THE 2024-25 SEASON

Season presented by SCHUELER GROUP and THE VONTZ FAMILY Rouse Theatre Season Design Sponsor: KERRY AUTOMOTIVE

By FREDERICK KNOTT

Adapted by JEFFREY HATCHER

AUG. 17 – SEPT. 15, 2024

The iconic, plot-twisting thriller about suspicion, deception and murder receives a clever new treatment for the stage.

Sponsored by U.S. BANK

MC & TOM BRENNAN, LINDA & GARY GREENBERG and THE LEMMERMAN FAMILY present

Based on the diary of RUTKA LASKIER, as published in Rutka’s Notebook: A Voice from the Holocaust Music and Lyrics by JOCELYN MACKENZIE and JEREMY LLOYD-STYLES

Book by NEENA BEBER

OCT. 13 – NOV. 10, 2024

A powerful new indie-rock musical and world premiere based on a real diary that a 14-year-old girl hid in the war-torn Jewish Ghetto in 1943 Poland.

MOE & JACK ROUSE and RANDOLPH WADSWORTH present

By EBONI BOOTH

FEB. 1 – 23, 2025

Written with profound affection, this recent off-Broadway hit is an achingly beautiful tale that will restore your faith in others.

presents

By KAREN ZACARÍAS

MARCH 22 – APRIL 20, 2025

A comedy about books and the people who love them. When a book club accepts a provocative new member, long-standing relationships take a hilarious turn.

Sponsored by JOHNSON INVESTMENT COUNSEL and CLARK SCHAEFER HACKETT

SEASON EXTRA! Subscribers get first access to tickets before the general public!

By CHARLES DICKENS • Adapted by BLAKE ROBISON

NOV. 22 – DEC. 29, 2024

The holiday story you love unfolds in spectacular fashion in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre! Charles Dickens’ classic tale of the curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge combines with dazzling set, costume and lighting designs for a magical holiday experience! presents

With season tickets, you’ll save money, guarantee seats for the shows you want to see, get exclusive discounts and priority access to tickets for A Christmas Carol, plus other exclusive benefits. Four show packages start at $126 - $133.

By MELINDA LOPEZ with MAURICE EMMANUEL PARENT

Conceived with MEGAN

SANDBERG-ZAKIAN

SEPT. 7 – OCT. 6, 2024

A writer-performer tells real-life, personal stories about being a struggling actor-turned-urban public school teacher in a deeply felt, hilarious solo performance.

Sponsored by DIGI AND MIKE SCHUELER

By SANAZ TOOSSI

MARCH 1 – 30, 2025

The 2023 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about the human desire to belong as four Iranian adults navigate the mechanics of language with humor and vulnerability.

65TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

OCT. 24 – DEC. 22, 2024

The Second City returns to celebrate its 65th Anniversary with more laughs, more sketches and more improv performed by the next generation of comedy superstars.

Sponsored by SANDY AND DICK MANTEUFFEL

By NOAH HAIDLE

APRIL 19 – MAY 18, 2025

Birthday Candles will warm the soul as it tenderly explores motherhood, family, love, loss and finding your place in the universe.

THIS IS YOUR PLAYHOUSE! Join us for a season full of variety that showcases the best of American theatre to entertain and inspire you. The lineup truly embodies the Playhouse’s mission to bring diverse, engaging works of great artistry to our community and to put Cincinnati’s artistic excellence in the national spotlight.

ELLEN AND RAY van der HORST present

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK

OSBORN FAMILY PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Blake Robison

MANAGING DIRECTOR Abby Marcus

ELLEN & RAY van der HORST present

VIETGONE

BY QUI NGUYEN

ORIGINAL MUSIC BY SHANE RETTIG

DIRECTOR Joanie Schultz

SET DESIGNER Chelsea M. Warren

COSTUME DESIGNER Jessica Wegener Shay

LIGHTING DESIGNER Jennifer Fok

SOUND DESIGNER Shane Rettig

FIGHT DIRECTOR Rod Kinter

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR cara hinh

CASTING DIRECTOR Stephanie Klapper, CSA

APRIL 27 — JUNE 2, 2024

ROSENTHAL SHELTERHOUSE THEATRE

Production Sponsor

Design Sponsor

Additional support provided by

Season Presented By The Vontz Family

VIETGONE was originally commissioned and developed by South Coast Repertory as part of SCR CrossRoads, with funding from the Time Warner Foundation. This play is a recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award. VIETGONE received a world premiere co-production by South Coast Repertory (Marc Masterson, Artistic Director; Paula Tomei, Managing Director) and Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barr y Grove, Executive Producer) at South Coast Repertory on October 4, 2015, and at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Stage I Theatre on October 4, 2016.

“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” by Patsy Bruce and Ed Bruce. Used by Permission of Sony/ATV Tree Publishing. All rights reserved.

VIETGONE

CAST

(In speaking order)

Playwright/Giai/Bobby Julian Remulla*

Quang Hyunmin Rhee*

Tong Rebecca Hirota*

Thu/Huong Olivia Oguma*

Nhan/Khue Viet Vo*

Stage Manager Andrea L. Shell*

Assistant Stage Manager Shelby Scaffidi*

Time: 1975

Location: Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas; Saigon; and a road trip across the western United States.

VIETGONE WILL BE PERFORMED WITH AN INTERMISSION.

This production is made possible in part by a generous gift from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States and with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees-Local No. 5.

MEDIA SPONSOR

Vietgone

Ours is a Behind-the-Scenes Role, But We Still Give It Our All

It’s our privilege to provide IT support to the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. It may not be glamorous, but we stop at nothing to ensure that the Playhouse’s IT is operational — and secure — so that the true stars may shine.

VIETGONE

QUI NGUYEN MAKING NOISE WITH HIS AUTHENTIC ARTISTRY

BY RUSSELL FLORENCE JR.

Throughout his storytelling journey, playwright, screenwriter and director Qui Nguyen is proud to have discovered the value of staying true to self.

When he was 8 years old, Nguyen says he dreamed of three potential career paths that ultimately laid the groundwork for the artist he would become. He wanted to be an actor, a rapper or a martial arts instructor.

“Obviously, as I grew up, I realized I had huge stage fright and can’t be other people than myself, I love rap but I don’t have the tongue dexterity to spit rhymes very fast, and, finally, I’m just too out of shape to be a martial artist,” said Nguyen. “But what I can do is put all the things I love the most in my plays.”

As a playwright, his credits include Vietgone (2015), Poor Yella Rednecks (2019) and Revenge Song (2020) among others. He also co-founded the New York-based Vampire Cowboys, an OBIE Award-winning troupe formed in the early 2000s that specialized in “geek theatre” incorporating action/adventure themes and dark comedy with a comic book aesthetic. She Kills Monsters (2011), one of his most popular works for the troupe, is still a top draw for high schools and colleges.

“All my plays, such as She Kills Monsters and Vietgone, are genre-based,” Nguyen explained. “They are all reflections of what I loved as a kid, regardless of how intricate the stories are or how mature the themes may be. At the end of the day, I just wanted to make something that I, as a 10, 11 or 12-year-old, would have loved seeing such as great comedy, great fights and music I loved to listen to the most, which was hip-hop.”

All three components are pivotal aspects within the entertaining foundation of Vietgone,

the true story of how Nguyen’s parents, Quang and Tong, met in a refugee relocation camp in 1975 Arkansas during the Vietnam War. The play speaks volumes for him because it reveals the essence of his artistry as well as the importance of his grandmother’s imprint.

“This is my origin story not only as a human being but as an artist as well,” Nguyen said. “I don’t think I would’ve become a writer if it wasn’t for my grandmother, who told me when I was very young, maybe 8 or 9, why she told me so many stories. She said when she escaped Vietnam, she left very fast without packing her bags, carrying jewelry or money, or (bringing) photos from home. All she had was her stories. And honestly, I think stories are the only thing anyone has of value.”

Nguyen’s goal is to cover the Vietnamese diaspora as a trilogy. Poor Yella Rednecks, the sequel to Vietgone, will be followed by an

engrossing story of survival centered on his cousin from Vietnam who was adopted by his parents in the late 1980s.

“I grew up with him and I love him – he is my sibling,” Nguyen said. “The first play is about my dad, the second play is about my mom, and the third play is about my brother. And all of them are essentially about my grandmother.”

Outside the realm of theatre, Nguyen, based in both Los Angeles and Cincinnati, has also found success in TV and film. In addition to working for Marvel Studios, his Disney credits include co-writing Raya and the Last Dragon and writing and co-directing Strange World. He is also the recipient of a 2016 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program (Peg+Cat)

Last fall The New York Times noted, “Nguyen’s distinctive style is marked by fluency in various emotional tones and pop-cultural vernaculars.” Ever since Vampire Cowboys became the rare theatre troupe to have a booth at Comic Con, Nguyen has been comfortable allowing himself and his work to exist authentically, reaching cross-generational audiences ready and willing to try something different.

“I’ve built a career around doing things on my own,” Nguyen said. “If you’re not going to be attached to a big institution that has a history and a lot of season ticket holders, you have to make noise. You have to be brighter. You have to be shinier. You have to give people a reason to choose you.”

Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2023 production of Poor Yella Rednecks: Vietgone Part 2 featuring Ben Levin and Maureen Sebastian. Photo by Richard Termine.

The Flea Theater’s 2011 production of She Kills Monsters featuring Margaret Odette, Allison Buck, Megha Nabe, Jack Corcoran and Satomi Blair. Photo by Joan Marcus.

VIETGONE

REBECCA HIROTA (SHE/THEY) - TONG

Whaddup, Cincy! It’s been a sec. Rebecca previously appeared here in Jane Eyre (as Helen Burns, Adele and Mary Rivers). In New York, Rebecca has performed in Poor Yella Rednecks and Vietgone (Manhattan Theatre Club); Romeo and Juliet (Classic Stage Company); Wolf Play (Samuel Beckett Theatre, Samuel French Festival Winner) and Someone Spectacular (Signature Theater). Select regional work includes Guthrie Theater, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Denver Center, City Theatre, Milwaukee Rep (three seasons), Triad Stage, TheatreSquared and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Rebecca has choreographed Bullet Catchers , The Wild Party , Jane Eyre and A Christmas Carol, as well as fight choreographed She Kills Monsters. Television credits include New Amsterdam, Gossip Girl, Law & Order, Elementary and Unforgettable. She received her MFA from Columbia University and BA of Psychology from Boston University. As in all things, she thanks her Hubs, B-man and PLP. You can follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebmhi.

OLIVIA OGUMA - THU/HUONG

Broadway credits include Mamma Mia! , A Christmas Carol , Les Misérables and Disney’s High School Musical (1st National Tour). Off-Broadway credits include Letters of Suresh (Second Stage); Addressless (Rattlestick Theater); Hello, From the Children of Planet Earth (Playwrights Realm); Luce (LCT3); Emotional Creature (Signature Theatre); BFE (Playwrights Horizons); and The Dispute (NAATCO). Regional credits include Brightest Thing in the World (Yale Rep), Miss You Like Hell (La Jolla Playhouse), Emotional Creature (Berkeley Rep), Snow Falling on Cedars (Portland Center Stage), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Philadelphia Theater Company and Paper Mill Playhouse), The Vagina Monologues (Bucks County Playhouse) and Hair (Two River Theater). Film credits include This is Where I Leave You, Strangers with Candy: The Movie, Like Father and Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Flamingo Rising. Television credits include Instinct, FBI, Odd Mom Out, Younger, Law & Order, The Good Wife, The Big C, Great News and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Olivia is the co-creator, writer and host of DisOrientalism, an Asian American variety show which has a residency at Joe’s Pub. She has solo backpacked through 30 countries and is extremely passionate about Cirque Du Soleil. Thank You to EJZ, Molly, Mom and Oliver. In loving memory of my father, Chef Toshio. You can follow Olivia on Instagram @olioguma.

JULIAN REMULLA (HE/HIM) - PLAYWRIGHT/GIAI/BOBBY

Julian is thrilled to be returning to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, after his most recent debut in the world premiere of Dracula . In New York City, he has performed off-Broadway in Julius Caesar at Theatre for a New Audience. Regionally, Julian has been a part of several seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and has had the pleasure of performing at the Denver Center, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theater and the Contemporary American Theater Festival. On television, he has appeared in Law & Order: Organized Crime and Bull . Visit www.julianremulla.com.

HYUNMIN RHEE (HE/HIM) - QUANG

Hyunmin is pleased to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. His off-Broadway credits include Poor Yella Rednecks: Vietgone 2 (Manhattan Theatre Club). Regionally, Hyunmin has played the role of Quang in both the Guthrie Theater’s production of Vietgone and the American Conservatory Theater’s production of Poor Yella Rednecks: Vietgone 2. Other regional credits include Kim’s Convenience (Westport Country Playhouse), Tiger Style! (Theatresquared), Oklahoma!, Snow in Midsummer and The Merry Wives of Windsor (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). Television credits include Helpsters (Apple TV+) and FBI (CBS). He recently filmed an upcoming independent film, The Dutchman Every performance here is dedicated to all those who resonate with this incredible story. Especially to the Asian American community whom this is for. Love to my beautiful wife, Jules and our amazing daughter, RyRy. You can follow him on Instagram @hyunminrhee.

VIET VO (HE/HIM) - NHAN/KHUE

Viet is proud to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut! Off-Broadway credits include Romeo and Bernadette and Fishing for Wives. National tours include Miss Saigon (Limited). Regional credits include Vietgone (Alley Theatre and Guthrie Theater), Gold Mountain (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Miss Saigon (Casa Mañana) and A Christmas Story (The Engeman Theater). Television and film credits include Law & Order: SVU, Cupids (Tribeca Film Festival), The Blacklist (NBC), Tales of the City and Manifest (Netflix) and Lost (ABC). A huge Mahalo nui loa to the cast and crew. Mahalo Nui Loa for their continued work and drive. Cảm ơn to Joanie for your guidance and direction! Cảm ơn, Qui; your world is beautiful, and your words write the dreams. Special shout out to my family for believing in me. And to my Bingsu, I love you. You can follow him on Instagram @vopix.

QUI NGUYEN (HE/HIM)- PLAYWRIGHT

Qui Nguyen is an Emmy-Award winning TV writer, filmmaker, playwright, and co-founder of the pioneering geek theatre company, Vampire Cowboys. Notable plays include Vietgone, Poor Yella Rednecks, Bike Wreck, and the acclaimed Vampire Cowboys productions of She Kills Monsters (recently awarded a 2024 Kennedy Center College Theatre Festival Gold Medallion Award), Revenge Song, Soul Samurai, The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G, Alice in Slasherland, Fight Girl Battle World, and Living Dead in Denmark. For TV/Film, he’s written for Marvel Studios, Netflix, AMC, SYFY, and PBS. He most recently penned Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon (nominated for a 2022 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature) and co-directed and wrote Disney’s Strange World Qui is a proud member of the WGA and a board member of New Dramatists.

JOANIE SCHULTZ (SHE/HER) - DIRECTOR

Joanie serves as Associate Artistic Director for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Prior to coming to Cincinnati, she was a freelance director based in Chicago. Previously at the Playhouse, Joanie directed Dracula, Origin Story and Frida…A Self Portrait. Joanie has directed at theatres across the country, including Everyman Theatre, GEVA Theatre Center, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Studio Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Cleveland Play House, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Philadelphia Theatre Company. Joanie previously served as Artistic Director of WaterTower Theatre in Texas and before that, as Associate Artistic Producer at Victory Gardens

VIETGONE

Theater, as part of the Leadership U One-on-One Fellowship funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation administered through the Theatre Communications Group. She was also a Drama League Fellow, a Goodman Theatre Michael Maggio Director Fellow, an SDSF Denham Fellow and a member of the Lincoln Center Theatre Directors Lab. Joanie holds a MFA from Northwestern University and a BA from Columbia College Chicago in directing. Visit joanieschultz.com.

CHELSEA M. WARREN (SHE/HER) - SET DESIGNER

Chelsea is a multimedia artist with a focus on scenic and puppet design, as well as large scale photography and art installations. Scenic design credits include Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Steep Theatre, Penumbra Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Victory Gardens Theatre, Studio Theatre, Cleveland Play House, City Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Philadelphia Theatre Company. Puppet design credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Jungle Theater, Studio Theatre, Links Hall, Chicago International Puppet Festival and New York State Puppet Festival. She is an ensemble member with Steep Theatre. Chelsea received her MFA from Northwestern University and is an Associate Professor of Scenic Design at Carnegie Mellon University. Visit chelseamwarren.com.

JESSICA WEGENER SHAY - COSTUME DESIGNER

Jessica is pleased to be making her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. She has enjoyed a longtime collaboration with Qui Nguyen and Abby Marcus as the resident costume designer for the Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company. Her other Broadway and New York projects have included The Performers (Broadway); Lewiston/Clarkston (Rattlestick Theater); A Kid Like Jake and All-American (LCT3); Outside People (Vineyard Theatre); Suicide, Incorporated and The Dream of the Burning Boy (Roundabout Underground); Oohrah! (Atlantic Theater); Measure for Measure (The Acting Company); and Next Fall and Armed and Naked in America (Naked Angels). Some of Jessica’s favorite regional projects have been the Vampire Cowboys’ production of Revenge Song (Geffen Playhouse); Love’s Labor’s Lost, Cyrano and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival); and Bad Dates, Underneath the Lintel, and Shipwrecked! (Long Wharf Theatre). Jessica enjoys living in New York’s Hudson Valley and is also a Farmer, a Mom and the Costume Supervisor for Fordham University’s Theatre program.

JENNIFER FOK (SHE/THEY) - LIGHTING DESIGNER

Jennifer is pleased to be making her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. Select credits include Dream Hou$e, Aubergine, Witch and Lumberjacks In Love (TheatreWorks Colorado Springs); Somewhere Over the Border (Geva Theatre); Unholy Wars (Opera Philadelphia and the Spoleto Festival); Disgraced (American Stage); The World is Not Silent (Alley Theatre); I Am My Own Wife and Pride and Prejudice (Long Wharf Theatre); Queen (Penobscot Theatre Company); What We Ask Of Flesh (Inspirit Dance Company); and The Wolves (Flint Repertory Theatre). She is a frequent collaborator with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Theatre At Monmouth. Jennifer has a BFA in Theatre Production and Design from Ithaca College. Visit www.jenniferfok.com and follow her on Instagram @photonfok.

SHANE RETTIG - ORIGINAL MUSIC/SOUND DESIGNER

Shane is a composer, sound designer and music producer. His work has been heard live in theatres, concert halls, dance productions and on internet connected earbuds for over two decades. Recent projects include Revenge Song (Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Geffen Playhouse), Poor Yella Rednecks (Manhattan Theatre Club), In the Cards (Next Chapter Podcasts), Days Go By (Monica Bill Barnes & Co) and Mothers (Playwrights Realm). Other favorites include Vietgone (Manhattan Theatre Club), Rafta, Rafta… (New Group), She Kills Monsters (Flea Theater) and pretty much every Vampire Cowboys production ever. New York credits include The Public, Signature Theatre, Roundabout Theater, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Ma-Yi Theater, Clubbed Thumb, New Georges, New Victory, La MaMa, Soho Rep, Rattlestick Theater and HERE Arts Center. Regional credits include Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arena Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Baltimore Center Stage, Children’s Theatre Company, Dallas Theatre Center, La Jolla, South Coast Rep, Williamstown Theatre, Yale Rep and Prague Quadrennial. Music/co-lyricist for War is F**king Awesome with Qui Nguyen and William Jackson Harper (20132014 Sundance Lab and 2015 Frederick Loewe Grant); and music for The Unknown (2005 New York Musical Theater Festival). Awards and Nominations include Liberace Scholarship, Frederick Loewe Grant, Jonathan Larsen Grant, Drama Desk and Lortel Nominations.

ROD KINTER - FIGHT DIRECTOR

Rod is thrilled to be making his debut at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Broadway credits include The Lightning Thief. Other New York credits include Live from Lincoln Center: Porgy and Bess (New York City Opera). Most recent off-Broadway credits include Between Two Knees (Perelman Performing Arts Center), fight director for nine seasons at The Pearl Theatre Company, The Lucille Lortel Theatre, Lynn Redgrave Theater, Mint Theater, Minetta Lane Theatre, The Acorn, Signature Theatre, and the East 13th Street Theatre. Resident Fight Director for New York City Opera at Lincoln Center from 1995 to 2010. Regional credits include American Repertory Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, The Cleveland Play House, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Rep, McCarter Theatre Center, Dorset Theatre Festival, Gulfshore Playhouse, Barter Theatre, The Cape Playhouse, Shakespeare On the Sound, Glimmerglass Opera, Chautauqua Opera and the Opera Festival of New Jersey. Rod is a member of the SDC and on faculty at AMDA College of the Performing Arts teaching Stage Combat. Visit Rodkinter.com.

cara hinh (THEY/SHE) - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

cara is a queer, fat, Việt theatre maker and a Hoosier who is excited to be back at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park! Select credits include transfer direction of Sanctuary City (Arena Stage and Berkeley Repertory Theatre), Little Women (Perseverance Theatre), Buried Ruins (The Sống Collective), love you long time (already) at Atlantic MixFest. cara has been a Drama League Fellow, member of the ‘20-22 Roundabout Theater Directors Group, a Directing Apprentice at Actors Theatre of Louisville, SDC Observer on Hadestown and a Fellow at Baltimore Center Stage. Visit carahinh.com.

STEPHANIE KLAPPER, CSA (SHE/HER) - CASTING DIRECTOR

Stephanie is overjoyed to continue her 12th season of collaboration with Blake Robison and the fantastic team that comprises Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Recent shows she has cast for the Playhouse include Stew, Clyde’s; Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash; Shane; Origin Story; A Chorus Line; Incident at Our Lady

VIETGONE

of Perpetual Help; Rooted; Steel Magnolias; School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play; Need Your Love; The West End; Destiny of Desire; Once on This Island; Alias Grace; and many others. Her award-winning work is frequently seen on Broadway, off-Broadway, regionally, on concert stages, film, television and streaming media. She is dedicated to continuing to expand and champion diversity, equity and inclusion in the business. Connecting creative, caring people to each other to make extraordinary things happen is amongst Stephanie’s greatest joys. She is a member of the Board of Casting Society Cares and a mentor with Fordham High School for the Arts and NYU Tisch School of the Arts Women’s Mentorship.

ANDREA L. SHELL (SHE/HER) - STAGE MANAGER

Andrea is excited to be celebrating her 23rd season with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, having worked on more than 100 productions, including 24 world premieres. Favorite Playhouse credits include A Christmas Carol (2006-2021); Dracula, A Chorus Line; Murder on the Orient Express; School Girls Or, The African Mean Girls Play; Rooted; Alias Grace; The Last Wide Open; Treasure Island; Mr. Joy; Jane Eyre; Bad Dates; The Revolutionists; I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti; Merrily We Roll Along; As You Like It; The Understudy; Blackbird; Durango; Around the World in 80 Days; Altar Boyz; Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming; Reckless; Ace; The Clean House; A Picasso; One; Abracadabra; The Bible … (abridged); and Dark Paradise. She has also stage managed at Dallas Theater Center, The Old Globe, Cincinnati Ballet, Alliance Theatre, The Second City and Ingenuity Festival of Cleveland. Additionally, Andrea heads Playhouse’s stage management department as the Production Stage Manager, serves as a member of Xavier University’s Theatre Program’s adjunct faculty, and is a contributor for Dramatics.org, writing backstage articles for their online content. Andrea is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. She would like to thank her family, friends, Dylan and Scott for their unending support.

SHELBY SCAFFIDI (SHE/HER) - ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Shelby is so excited to be back on the Stage Management team at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park this season. Shelby’s professional career began in 2021, when she joined the Playhouse as a Stage Management Intern and returned the following season as a Production Assistant. In between shows at the Playhouse, Shelby has worked at The Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Some of her favorite Playhouse credits include Frida... A Self Portrait, Rooted and Origin Story. Shelby received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and credits much of her early career success to her professors and the connections she made while earning her degree.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF

Props Artisan

Intimacy Coordinator

Kate Cummins

Torie Wiggins Voice Coach Andra Velis Simon

Casting Assistants Emma Balk, Hershey Millner

Assistant to the Casting Director Gracie Guichard

Props Run Crew

Dialect Coach

Wardrobe Run Crew

Madison Stone

Joy Lanceta Coronel

Elizabeth Galbraith

LEAVE PLUMBING TO THE PROS.

PROUD SPONSOR OF PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK

ANNUAL GIFTS

This list includes all gifts given to the Playhouse from January 9, 2023 to February 9, 2024, not including Endowment and Capital Campaign gifts.

AUDIENCE ($50,000+)

Anonymous ArtsWave

First Financial Bank

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Kerry Automotive

L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation

Ohio Arts Council

Ohio Department of Development

Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation

The Harold C. Schott Foundation

Digi and Mike Schueler

The Schueler Group

The Shubert Foundation

Margaret and Albert Vontz III*

PLAYWRIGHT

($30,000 - $49,999)

The Charles H. Dater Foundation

Linda and Gary Greenberg*

The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati

The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation

Moe and Jack Rouse

The Louise Taft Semple Foundation

U.S. Bank

PRODUCER

($20,000 - $29,999)

Mrs. L.L. Browning, Jr.

Nancy and Mark Dawes

Mrs. Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig

Johnson Investment Counsel

Terry Lemmerman

The Markley Family

Becky Miars

Millstone Fund

Ohio Emergency Management Agency

The Marilyn J. and Jack D. Osborn Fund*

Roto-Rooter

Julie and Steven J. Shifman

Ellen and Ray van der Horst

Randolph Wadsworth

Barbara and Irwin Weinberg Fund*

Barbara M. Weyand

DIRECTOR

($10,000 - $19,999)

Tom and MC Brennan

Clark Schaefer Hackett

Sarah and Tommy Evans

Frost Brown Todd

The Geiler Company

John and Susie Lame

Jacqueline M. Mack and Dr. Edward B. Silberstein

Craig and Anne Maier

Charles and Joann Mead

Leon and Barb Meyer

Diane and Dave Moccia

Arthur C. Morrissey and Janet M. Hayes

The National Endowment for the Arts

Jenny and David Powell

Richard Goettle, Inc.

Dianne and J. David Rosenberg

William S. Rowe Foundation

Eddie and Pat Sheppard

Betsy and Jerry Shroat

Skidmore Sales & Distributing Co., Inc.

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation

Jennifer and Woody Taft

WesBanco

STAGE MANAGER

($7,500 - $9,999)

Diane and Carl Iseman

Bill and Mary Jane James

Ms. Danute M. Miskinis

Susan Whitman

SET DESIGNER

($5,000 - $7,499)

AmerisourceBergen

Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel

Ron Bates and Randy Lasley

Mark and Lindsay Bibler

David and Elaine Billmire

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blatt

Ruth and Tom Bobenread

Susan Brenner and Steven Mombach

Wayne and Fran Carlisle

James P. Conway, Jr. and Richard D. Robertson, Jr.

Richard and Teddie Curry

Richard and Lisa Ernst

Elizabeth George

Mrs. Victoria Buyniski Gluckman and Dr. Jack Gluckman

Clifford Goosmann and Andrea Wilson

Fred and Patti Heldman*

Susan Ingmire

The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Patti and Tom Keckeis*

Marilyn Kinne

David M. and Bet Koeninger

Mark and Karen Kremzar

Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Kremzar

Jamie and Jenny Leonard

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen S. Lett

Dick and Sandy Manteuffel

Barbara and Kim McCracken

Kevin and Frances McMurray

James A. Miller

David and Judith Morgan

Dean and Catherine Moulas

Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty

Jack and Marilyn Osborn

Prudential - Matching Fund

Mrs. Deborah White Richardson

Amy and John Rosenberg

Margo and Sam Ross

Mark and Rosemary Schlachter

John and Jennifer Stein

Towne Properties

Edward Trach

Lawrence and Maureen Vignola

The Vista Foundation

The Maxwell C. Weaver Foundation

Julia Wesselkamper and Julian Johnson

Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis

The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

Susan and Don Zaunbrecher

COSTUME DESIGNER

($2,500 - $4,999)

Anonymous (2)

1919 Investment Counsel

William P. Anderson Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Banks

Jan Bartel

Ed and Debbie Birck

Douglas Brauch

Thomas J. Breed

John and Peg Bruggeman

Jeff and Gay Bullock

Ron Bunt and Wei Sun

Janet and Bruce Byrnes

Candace Carson

Denise and Martin Chambers

Jack and Virginia Copley

The Crawford Family Foundation

Amelia and Thomas Crutcher

Kelly M. Dehan

Scott X. Deters

Peter Draugelis

Elise Eaton Allen Fund *

Michael and Amy Fitzgibbons

Peggy L. Golden and Kerry J. Klumpe

Carrie and Ken Goldhoff

Bernita McCann Hightower

Linda R. Holthaus

Ellen and Garrett Jackson*

Johnson & Johnson - Matching Fund

Dr. Robert Keith and Kathleen Thornton-Keith

Marvin Kolodzik

Carolyn Ott Martin

David Martin

McKesson

Samuel Moore, Jr.

Tom and Linda Palmer

Stuart and Ildiko Pray

Betty L. Prince

Audra Rance

Rob and Gretchen Reifsnyder

Rick Slack

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith

Sandra and Henry Spitz

Robert D. Temple and Sue E. Auerbach

Thembi Speaks LLC

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Tieke

Barbara and Daman Turner

Water Tower Fine Wines

Jo Ann Wieghaus

Margaret and John H. Wyant

ANNUAL GIFTS

LIGHTING DESIGNER

($1,000 - $2,499)

Anonymous (2)

25th Hour

Susie Ackermann

David and Traci Alexander

Liz and Hank Alexander

Ms. Kathryn Allred Al-Lamadani

Gordon Allen and Linda Baas

Sherri D. Allen

Americana Arts Foundation

Thomas and Susan Anthony

Eric and Brenda Armstrong Family Fund*

Peggy Barrett

Mary Ann and Doug Bell

Judith and Louis Belli

Kit Berger

John Berninger

Kenneth W. and Dawn H. Bertsche

Randal S. Bloch

Sandra Bolek

Mr. and Mrs. Ken Borisch

Charlotte Brooks

David and Marybeth Brothers

Dr. Jane Brown and Mr. Paul Beck

Jackie and Gary Bryson

The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

Eric Burgmann and Linda Vaccariello

Bonnie and Dick Buten

David and Sara Butler

Terri and John Byczkowski

Robert S. Castellini

Larry and Julie Chandler

James Cissell

Philip Clayton

Burton and Susan Closson

Mr. Rick Coffey

Leland M. and Carol C. Cole

Dr. Robert Henry and Deborah Collins

Pearl J. Compaan, M.D.

Marjorie Compton

The Cord Foundation

Kassy and Jeff Corken

Susan Cummings

Anne Dagenbach

Judy S. Dalambakis

Marjorie Davis

Florence and Tom DeWitt

Kathryn Dierckes

DJJ, A Nucor Company

Michael and Kathleen Doherty

Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Dorward

William G. Dorward III

Emilie and David Dressler Fund*

Marilyn Duke

Saralou and Dave Durham

Allison and Rick Edwards

Ms. Joyce Elkus

Eric and Judy Ellis

George Fabe Fund*

Mary and Bob Fitzpatrick

Paul and Nancy Gaffney

Edward Gemperle

Richard and Kathleen Glaser

Donn Goebel and Cathy McLeod

Tom Gougeon

Graeter’s Ice Cream Co.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park acknowledges the following partner companies, foundations, and their employees who generously participate in the annual ArtsWave Campaign at the $100,000+ level.

altafiber

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Cincinnati Business Courier

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

Cincinnati Reds

Duke Energy

The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation

The Enquirer | Cincinnati.com

Fifth Third Bank and Fifth Third Foundation

GE Aerospace

Great American Insurance Group

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee

The Kroger Co.

Messer Construction Co.

P&G

PNC

U.S. Bank

Western & Southern Financial Group

Carl and Joyce Greber

Walter and Karen Hand

Teri and Mike Haught

Brenda Hausterman

Jeb and Nirvani Head

Louise Head

Betsy and Dave Hendy

Jane E. Henney, M.D. and J. Robert Graham, M.D.

Jim and Susan Herman

Grace and Brian Hill

Karlee L. Hilliard

Hixson Architecture, Engineering, Interiors

Noel and Karen Hofmann

Karen and David Hoguet

Barbara J. Howard

Carolyn and Michael Hoyt

Dr. Carol Hubbard

Marty Humes

Pat Humphrey

Maite Iraolagoitia

Sylvia Johnson

Laurie F. Johnston

James and Brenda Jones

Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Keenan

Arleene Keller

Robert A. and Marian K. Kennedy

Charitable Trust

Judith and Ken Kenniston

Beverly Kinney and Edward Cloughessy

Margo Kirstein

Kohnen Interior Design ‘Meg Kohnen’

Kathleen B. and Michael C. Krug*

Randolph and Patricia Krumm

Jo Ann and George Kurz

Mr. and Mrs. John LaMacchia

In memory of Ms. Lisa Jo Lambert

Dr. John Larkin

Lynn P. Larson

Susan J. Lauf

Dr. Carol P Leslie

Donna Lilley

Kelly Lyle

Kay Lynch and Chuck Beckman

Mark K. Mandell-Brown MD

Ms. Margaret E. Mathile

David and Diane McClain

McDonald Family Foundation

Selena McKean

Mark McKillip and Amira Beer

Mr. Roy A. Mitchell

Jim and Eileen Moon

Burton D. Morgan Foundation

Scott and Barb Muhlhauser

Linda Muth

Karen Neyer

Michael Nordlund and Lisa Lee

Marilyn Z. Ott

Ana Silvia Ouro

Kit and Jack Overbeck

Judy and Thomas Oxman

Melissa and John Panzeca

Marcia Philipps

Phillips Family Fund*

Mr. and Mrs. Don Popelar

Prolink

Gerald D. Rape

Jeff and Lori Raser

Mitch and Karen Rashkin

Robert and Connie Reed

Ms. Carol Reubel

Alison and Rob Rice

Mr. and Mrs. Gates T. Richards

Ridgeway Foundation

Buffie Rixey

Mary Ellen Roberts

Blake Robison and Connan

Morrissey

Cathie Rothfuss

Jim Rubenstein and Bernadette Unger

Bill and Diane Rumpke, Jr.

Ann Saluke and Don Yelton

KJ Sanchez

David Savage

Glenn and Kitty Schaaf

Austin Schiff

Pat and Paul Schlecht

Michael and Jeanne Schmerler

Charles and Alice Schneider

Mary D. Schweitzer

P. Robert Schwetschenau MD

Linda and Tom Senter

Kathy Shell and Joetta Prost

Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Simon

Elizabeth C. B. and Paul G.

Sittenfeld

Gerald and Sarah Skidmore

Skyline Chili

Steven Smith

Nancy Sparks

Tom and Dee Stegman*

Steve and Sarah Steinman

ANNUAL GIFTS

Dr. and Mrs. Peter J. Stern

Elizabeth A. Stone*

Dr. Susan R. Strick

Eddie Taylor, Jr.

Carlos and Roberta Teran

Laura R. Turton

Susie Tweddell

Doug and Molly Tyger

JoAnn Ward

Warren County Foundation

Larry Weber

Jane Welling

Judy Wells

Carol and Rich Wilson

Joan Wood

Anthony and Sally Woodward

ACTOR ($500 - $999)

Anonymous (7)

Nancy Aichholz

Janice Amatulli

Elizabeth C. Armitage

Bruce and Helene Ault

Susan Awadalla

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Baldwin

Molly R. Barber

Mandy Bartel

Marianne Beard

Megan Beck

Gale and Dave Beckett

Becky Beckstedt

Thelma Bergman

Stephanie Besl

Jane and Gary Booth

Cheryl L. Borland

HARDBODY

book by Doug Wright lyrics by Amanda Green music by Trey Anastasio & Amanda Green

ANNUAL GIFTS

Mark Bowen

Mitchell Briggs

Linda D. Brink

Barbara and Neal Bronson

Dr. Daniel T. Brown, DDS and Mr.

Mark Haggard

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Bullock

Jack and Marti Butz

Jane and Frank Caccamo

Carol Campbell

Angela Carl

Conni Carlson and John Reynolds

Nancy B. Carrothers

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ault Carter

Chris and Jim Cartledge

Susana Chamlee

Melanie M. Chavez

Christine Christen

Fran Christensen

Mary Ellen Cody

Cynthia Cole

Loretta and David Cook

Robin Cotton and Cindi Fitton

Mrs. Martha S. Crafts

Jean and John Croxton

Mark Dauner

Deborah Davis

Mr. Frank Davis

Michelle de la Vega

Carol DeGreg

Debora Del Valle

Jan Denton

Carol Deyhle

Diamond/Wolf Family

Nancy Steman Dierckes

Thomas Donnelly

Dr. and Mrs. Walter E. Donnelly, Jr.

Timothy Douglas

Bethany Doverspike

Kay and Rich Eby

Michael Federle

Mr. Robert C. Fee

Matthew Feldman and Julie Baker

Mr. Kenneth Fischer

Maureen Flanagan and Will Groneman

Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Foster

Mr. and Mrs. James A Fraser

Mary Anne Frey

Lynne Friedlander and Jay Crawford

Dr. Richard E. Friedman

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Gerber

Jim and Elaine Goldschmidt

Nancy Gollobin

Barbara Gould

Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Greengus

Chris and Janet Gunn

Mary and Phil Hagner

Barbara Hahn

Margo Hall

Ham and Ellie Hamilton

Jeff Hanna and Peggy Eberhard

Jim and Sally Harper

Carolyn Heck

Mrs. Anne P. Heldman*

Helene Herbert

Judy Tondi Herd

Meg Hilmer

Mark and Deanna Hollon

Mr. and Mrs. George Horning

Kim Howland

Joseph Huber and Shelli Smith

Amy Hughes

Dr. Linda Huntress

Nada Huron

Patti and Keith James

Anne Jaroszewicz

Clare Jaymes

Larry and Jan Jeffers

Jewish Home of Cincinnati

Mark and Sarah Johnson

Kyle and Sue Jones

Lisa Kagan

Dr. Toni and Rabbi Ken Kanter

Amy J. Katz

Arlene Katz

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas T. Keating

Peter and Sandy Keiser

Barbara and Mike Kelly

Tom and Judith Kinman

David and Janice Klocke

Lisa Knochelmann

Mary Kay Koehler and Heather Apple

Heather Krombholz

Mark and Elisabeth Kuhlman

Michael and Paula Kunka

Mr. Edward Lanzit

Patricia and Glenn Larsen

David and Linda Latham

Mary Kay Levesay

Nancy Lippincott

Sally A. Lloyd

Mr. and Mrs. Damon Lynch, Jr.

Thomas and Jean Macejko

Dave and Lee MacKenzie

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Malinowski

Len and Sherie Marek

Ward and Ellen Maresca

Laurel Markley

Nancy C. Martin

David Mason

Ron Matson and Dan Young

Minda Matthews-Smith

Susan Matz

Kathy McCord

Stacy McIntosh

Stephanie McNeill

Hope Earls McSwigan

Kathy Merchant

Jerome Merski

Richard I. Michelman and Karen E. Meyer

Audrey Korn Miller

Sarah Mizelle Miller

David and Martha Millett

Jill and Bruce Mitchell

Mary G. Moran

Brian and Katherine More

Stan and Mary Morton

Nora E. Moushey

Joyce and William Mullins

Linda B. Myers

Jeannie Niebuhr

Nottinghill Investment Advisers, Ltd.

Kelly O’Neill and Sue Aley

Niki Pappas

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Pardekooper

Carl Parrott and Molly Katz Fund*

Jenny Partridge

Joanie and Richard Paulsen

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Peairs

Kathy and Bob Pellegrino

Debbie Pendl

Alice W. Perlman

Diane and Jeff Pfaff

MaryAnn Pietromonaco

Ed and Jill Plageman

Philip J. Poon

Jane Portman

Phil and Susan Price

Leo and Sarah Pulte

Michael and Nelda Purdon

Michelle Ramsey

Sherri Adams Remaklus

Margie Rennie

Carol Rentschler

Danielle and Kenneth Revelson

Jeff and Joyce Rich

Dr. Jeri B. Ricketts

Carole T. Rigaud

Gigi Robison

Priya and David Rolfes

Rita Ross

Karina Rothzeid

Mr. Richard H. Russell

Jane M. Rutherford

James Sanitato

Ann Santen*

Mark Sass and Jan Rosenbaum Sass

Martha and Lee Schimberg

Roger and Glenda Schorr*

Carol J. Schroeder

Linda Sears

Carol Serrone

Ms. Connie Sheets

Shelly S. Sherman

John L. Shields

Sue Showers

Ivan and Karen Silverman

Debbie Renick Sims

Mary Lee and Louie Sirkin

Laura Skidmore

Adrienne Angst Smith

Susan and David Smith

Ellen Pease and V. Clark Sole, Jr.

Mary Stagaman and Ron Kull

Steelcase Foundation - Matching Fund

Martha Steier

Stephanie and Joseph Stitt

Gary and Nancy Strassel

Carol Striker

Glenda Suttman

Dee Talley

Tom and Keri Tami

Amy and Bill Thaman

Gretchen Thomas

Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson

J. Dwight Thompson

Morley and Brenda Thompson

Catharina Toltzis Ph.D.

Alicia B. Townsend

Linda Trebbi

Dionn Tron

James and Susan Troutt

Lynn Tumen

Gloria Uziel and Patrick Shea, M.D.

Catherine Valentine

Judy and David Van Ginkel

Nancy A. Virgulak

Geroge and Julia Wadih

Daniel G. Walker and Lisa Capurro

Carol Walkner

Sarah Warrington

LA DOLCE VITA ~ Celebrating Italian Style SPONSORED BY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE

Cincinnati’s premier car show presents iconic classic, vintage, and collector cars and motorcycles in the gardens of Ault Park Sunday, June 9, 2024Benefiting Juvenile Arthritis Tickets & Information: OHIOCONCOURS.COM

Photo by Kessler

Photography

ANNUAL GIFTS

Dr. and Mrs. Nelson B. Watts

Dr. and Mrs. Barry W. Webb

Kate Wehby

Dr. Alan Weinstein

Mary Ann and Ted Weiss

Dr. Donald R. and Patricia R. Welti

Philip and Cathy Wenger

Brendan and Julie White

Robert L. and Judy A. Wilson, Jr.

Susan and Dean Windgassen

Mark Woolsey

Marsha and Robert Wuerdeman

Laani Wuest

John M. Yacher

Linda Elam Young

Mary Beth Young

STAGEHAND($250 - $499)

Anonymous (16)

Henry and Nancy Acciani

Ms. Susan Adick

Drs. Gordon and Dorothy Air

Mr. and Mrs. R. Bruce Anderson

Vic and Dee Angel

Charles W. Ashing, III

Barbara and Roderick Barr*

Polly Bassett

Kate and Bill Baumann

Donald Beck and Lawrence E. Eynon, M.D.

Joseph and Vickie Beer

Wayne and Barbara Beimesch

Miss Martha L. Bell

Bill and Janet Berger

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Blackmer

Katy Bodenburg

Phyllis Bossin and Robert Strauss

Barry and Debbie Brandstetter

Julie Broadwell

Helena and Randy Brooks

Michael Brown

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey T Bruestle

Nancy and Thomas Bunnell

Gary Chandler

Harmon T. Clingner

Julie and John Cohen

The Contemporary Arts Center

Douglas and Sarah Coons

Mark Cooper

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Cotcamp

Marilyn J. Derfus

Jeffrey and Sharon DeRossette

Tim and Tina DuMont

Bob and Kitty Dunn

John and Liz Dye

Leslie R. Dye, M.D.

Mr. Cameron Ehteshami

Howard Elliott

Delores J. Erby

Autumn Farmer

Dr. and Mrs. Michael Farrell

Dr. and Mrs. William Faulkner

Barbara Ann Feldmann

Bill Ferring

James K. and Susan A. Fitton

John and Susan Frank

Edward Freeman

Marc and Mary Ann Gadbois

Sharon and Dennis Geiger

Robert Gilmore

Frank and Karen Girolami

Mr. Robert A. Goering

Daniel P. Goetz and Pattie Messmer

Madeleine Gordon

Mrs. Sharon Gorman

Phillip Griggs

Marla and Gary Gross

Margaret E. Hagar

Timothy and Barbara Haller

Joyce and Jim Hamberg

Charles Hayes and Katherine Kennedy

Gwenn and Mark Heintzelman

Bertie Hertz

Dale Hodges and David F. Logan

Daniel J. Hoffheimer

Patricia L. Holman

Mark Holtgrefe

Noel and Angela Horne

James Lockey and Grace Lemasters

Charlie and Janie James

Don and Frani Jones

Andrew Kaplan

Gayle Keating

Mr. and Mrs. John Kmet

Bill and Evie Landrigan

Shawna K. Langworthy

Kathy and Tom Liguzinski

Sherwin Little

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Livermore

Elia Lopez

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Lukin

William and Linda Lunceford

Ms. Carol MacGregor

Charles and Jennifer Margolis

Suzanne Masterson

Kent Mathias

Bradley Mathis

Raymond and Madelynn Matlock

Mr. and Mrs. David J. McAdams, in honor of Vickie and Bruce Ellis

Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. McGraw

Jeff and Debbie McNaul

Steven and Jacqueline Miller Family Foundation

Timothy C. Miller

John Mitchell

Joel Monteith and Barbara MustoeMonteith

Jeremy and Amy Moore

Terry and Jannelle Moore

Mr. Jerry Morgan

Paul and Kathy Neff

Andrew J. Nuckols

Bruce and Neda Nutley

Diane and Mike O’Brian

Neil J. O’Connor

J. Brett Offenberger and Douglas Duckett

Fred and Leila Oliver

Ms. Chrissy Parten

The Patel-Curran Family

Janet Phillips

David Piatt Fund*

Dan and Janet Pieschel

Les and Molly Polasky

Mr. and Mrs. James Pretz

Jennifer Ramage

Drs. Jay and Janalee Rissover

Pete and Debbie Rizzo

Jolene E. Rockwood

Linda Roomann and William Slutz

Bruce and Tina Ross

Richard and Barbara Ruddy

Henry Saas

Karen Schilling

Bill and Kathy Schnier

Mary Schwaderer

Michael and Kathie Schwartz

William and Sandra Selvey

David and Diane Sherrard

Sandy and Hal Shevers

Robin and Murray Sinclaire

Robert and Linda Singer

Robert Skinner

Jack and Barbara Smith

Roger Smith

Alan and Glynis Smulian

Jennifer Soaper

Martha and John Spiess

Jeff and Michele Starke

Robert L. and Christine J. Steiner*

Richard and Carol Stevie

Gunther and Sara Storjohann

Kendra L. Struthers

Ms. Marie H. Sweeney

Dr. Alan and Shelley Tarshis

George and Linda Toft

Robert and Marcia Togneri

Marty C. Tomb

Torey and Tom Torre

Ann Marie Tracey and Daniel Buckley

Valerie and Mike Trentman

Ms. Marlena Tyre

Judith Verhave

Mr. Steve Voellmecke

Sarella Walton

Gary and Rayma Waters

Ms. Marilyn Weber

Steve Wilken

Chris and Diane Williams

Mauri J. Willis

Rev. Anne Warrington Wilson

Mrs. Joan R. Wilson

Daniel and Jessica Woo

Bob and Sandie Wubbolding

James Young

David and Cynthia Zink

*Denotes a fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

Digi France Schueler President

TRUSTEES

Ronald T. Bates

James C. Leonard Vice President

Stephen Lett Secretary

Peter A. Draugelis

David A. Billmire, M.D.

Douglas Brauch

MC Brennan

Julie A. Broadwell

Ron Bunt

Robert S. Castellini

James P. Conway, Jr.

Virginia Copley

Deborah Davis

Scott X. Deters

Timothy Douglas

EMERITUS

Otto M. Budig, Jr.

Chuck Carothers

David Herriman

Judy Ellis

Elizabeth George

Linda Greenberg

Bernita McCann Hightower

Susan Ingmire

Diane S. Jordan

Thomas M. Keckeis

Bet Koeninger

Terry Lemmerman

James C. Leonard

Stephen Lett

Dean A. Moulas Treasurer

Jacqueline M. Mack

Kevin N. McMurray

Danute Miskinis

Roy A. Mitchell

Samuel Moore, Jr.

Dean A. Moulas

Patti Myers

Sara Phillips

Audra Rance

Robert Reifsnyder

Debbie White

Richardson

Margo K. Ross

Andrew MacAoidh Jergens

Morse Johnson

Lois Rosenthal

Ellen G. van der Horst

Chair

KJ Sanchez

Austin Schiff

Digi France Schueler

Jerry Shroat

Woody Taft

Ellen G. van der Horst

Al Vontz, III

Julia Wesselkamper

Barbara M. Weyand

Susan Whitman

Ronna Willis

Susan B. Zaunbrecher

Jack Rouse

Howard Tomb

Albert Vontz, Jr.

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS

$50,000+

ANONYMOUS

ROBERT AND ADELE SCHIFF FAMILY FOUNDATION

$20,000 – $49,999

THE HAROLD C. SCHOTT FOUNDATION

$10,000 – $19,999

$5,000 – $9,999

As of March 7, 2024

LOUISE TAFT SEMPLE FOUNDATION

NELLIE LEAMAN TAFT FOUNDATION

$1,000 – $4,999

AMERICANA ARTS FOUNDATION

ROBERT A. AND MARIAN K. KENNEDY CHARITABLE TRUST

EMERGENCY SUPPORT

MAXWELL C. WEAVER FOUNDATION

WILLIAM S. ROWE FOUNDATION THE WOHLGEMUTH HERSCHEDE FOUNDATION

WILLIAM P. ANDERSON FOUNDATION THE CORD FOUNDATION

RIDGEWAY FOUNDATION

The Playhouse would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the governments and institutions that provided critical support during the COVID-19 crisis:

U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

OHIO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

Honoring the Playhouse’s most generous friends, the Artistic Director’s Circle is specially designed todeepen your connection by getting you “behind the scenes” with Blake Robison and other members of the Playhouse Artistic team.

Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director Blake

and Board Member Timothy

WE’D LIKE TO THANK THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE FOR THEIR GENEROSITY!

Anonymous

Gerald and Ricki Ayer

Ron Bates and Randy Lasley

Mark and Lindsay Bibler

David and Elaine Billmire

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blatt

Ruth and Tom Bobenread

Tom and MC Brennan

Mrs. L.L. Browning, Jr.

Wayne and Fran Carlisle

James P. Conway, Jr. and Richard D. Robertson

Richard and Teddie Curry

Nancy and Mark Dawes

Richard and Lisa Ernst

Sarah and Tommy Evans

Elizabeth George

Mrs. Victoria Buyniski Gluckman and Dr. Jack Gluckman

The Goldhoff Family

Clifford Goosmann and Andrea Wilson

Linda and Gary Greenberg*

Jeb and Nirvani Head

Brian and Helen Heekin

Fred and Patti Heldman*

Mrs. Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig

Richard and Renita Homan

Susan Ingmire

Diane and Carl Iseman

Bill and Mary Jane James

Patti and Tom Keckeis*

Marilyn Kinne

David M. and Bet Koeninger

Mark and Karen Kremzar

Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Kremzar

John and Susie Lame

Terry Lemmerman

Jamie and Jenny Leonard

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen S. Lett

Jacqueline M. Mack and Dr. Edward B. Silberstein

Craig and Anne Maier

Dick and Sandy Manteuffel

The Markley Family

Barbara and Kim McCracken

Kevin and Frances McMurray

Charles and Joann Mead

Leon and Barb Meyer

Becky Miars

James A. Miller

Ms. Danute M. Miskinis

Diane and Dave Moccia

David and Judith Morgan

Arthur C. Morrissey and Janet M. Hayes

Dean and Catherine Moulas

Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty

Sara Phillips

Danielle and Kenneth Revelson

Mrs. Deborah White Richardson

Amy and John Rosenberg

Dianne and J. David Rosenberg

Margo and Sam Ross

Moe and Jack Rouse

Mark and Rosemary Schlachter

Digi and Mike Schueler

Eddie and Pat Sheppard

Betsy and Jerry Shroat

John and Jennifer Stein

Jennifer and Woody Taft

Robert D. Temple and Sue E. Auerbach

Edward Trach

Ellen and Ray van der Horst

Lawrence and Maureen Vignola

Margaret and Albert Vontz III*

Randolph Wadsworth

Barbara and Irwin Weinberg Fund*

Barbara M. Weyand

Susan Whitman

Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis

Susan and Don Zaunbrecher

*Denotes a fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

List as of February 21, 2024

Robison interviews Clyde’s Director

Douglas at an Artistic Director’s Circle Dinner in 2023

RECOGNITION GIFTS

We are grateful to the following friends who have chosen to honor a loved one through a donation to the Playhouse. The following recognition gifts have been received from January 9, 2023, through February 9, 2024.

IN HONOR OF SARA AND DAVE BUTLER

Germaine Mae Jarvis

IN HONOR OF JIM CONWAY

Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis

IN HONOR OF ANNIE FITZPATRICK

Blake Robison and Connan Morrissey

IN HONOR OF LINDA GREENBERG

Linda and Tom Senter

IN HONOR OF DIANE MCCLAIN

Joseph and Vickie Beer

IN HONOR OF MOE AND JACK ROUSE

Daniel Hoffheimer

J. David and Dianne Rosenberg

IN HONOR OF NANCY RUST

Anonymous

IN HONOR OF SHELBY SCAFFIDI

Jennifer Hall

MEMORIAL GIFTS

IN HONOR OF DIGI SCHUELER

Minda Matthews-Smith

IN HONOR OF RONNA AND JIM WILLIS

Joyce Elkus

We are grateful to the following friends who have chosen to remember a loved one through a memorial gift to the Playhouse. The following memorial gifts have been received from January 9, 2023, through February 9, 2024.

IN MEMORY OF RENEE ALPER

Gregory Alper

IN MEMORY OF MARTHA GARRISON ANNESS

Tommy and Sarah Evans

IN MEMORY OF DONALD AND KATHERINE BEER

David and Diane McClain

IN MEMORY OF KAREN BELL

Edward Lanzit

IN MEMORY OF FRANK BLOOM

Ralph Bloom

IN MEMORY OF JEANNE CLARK

Leslie Clark

IN MEMORY OF BRUCE E. COYLE

Rebecca J. Graham

IN MEMORY OF SUSAN FRIEDLANDER

Michael and Mary McGraw

IN MEMORY OF GAIL FRIEDMAN

Dr. Dick Friedman

IN MEMORY OF RICHARD AND JEANNE HANNAN

Richard D. Hannan Family Foundation

IN MEMORY OF JANET M. JEFFERS

Larry Jeffers

IN MEMORY OF HONEY ANGELL LEE

David and Phyllis Herzig

IN MEMORY OF JUDGE ROBERT S. MARX

Daniel Hoffheimer

IN MEMORY OF W. ERNST MINOR

Burton and Susan Closson

IN MEMORY OF JACK OSBORN

David and Marilyn Beran

Mary Anne Brennan

JW Carter Family

The Contemporary Arts Center

Meredythe and Clayton Daley

Barbara J. Fitch

Dawn and Chris Hock

Linda Holthaus and Richard Zinicola

Susan Ingmire and Lynn Hailey

Peggy and William Jackson

Carl Kalnow

Kohnen Interior Design ‘Meg Kohnen’

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Luttmer

Mellott & Mellott, P.L.L.

Timothy C. Miller

Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty

Tolli Pugh

Richard Rosenthal

Kathy Schultz

Ed and Ronda Smith

Ms. Patricia Smitson and Dr. Walter Smitson

J. Dwight and Deanna G. Thompson

Carol Turner

Winslow Turner Upson

Nancy VandenBerg

Ellen and Ray van der Horst

Judith Verhave

Larry and Maureen Vignola

Diane and Gary West

Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis

IN MEMORY OF MARILYN OSBORN

Gail Bain

David and Marilyn Beran

Meredythe and Clayton Daley

Barbara J. Fitch

Jan Hall

Susan Ingmire and Lynn Hailey

James O. Newman

Timothy and Eileen Oppelt

Susan and Dan Pfau

Tolli Pugh

Ken and Susan Schlachter

J. Dwight and Deanna G. Thompson

Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis

Mark Woolsey

Ellen and Ray van der Horst

IN MEMORY OF MORSE

JOHNSON

Daniel Hoffheimer

IN MEMORY OF BARBARA RIPPETOE

Anonymous (2)

Barbara Barclay

Bob and Karen (Burr Durgin) Bernaski

Toni, Nestor Dana (Burckhart) and Eric Bojarczuk

Michele Foss

Candice Hall

Barbara Martin

IN MEMORY OF REBEKKA SEIGEL

Joseph and Vickie Beer

IN MEMORY OF ELLEN PEASE SOLE

V. Clark Sole, Jr.

IN MEMORY OF EDWARD SCOTT TIEKE

Sally Wentworth Tieke

IN MEMORY OF LYNDA THOMAS

Sherie Marek

Laurence Weber

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

CORPORATE PARTNERS

For companies looking to make a smaller investment in the Playhouse, the Corporate Partner Program is just the ticket. A gift of $1,000 or more is recognized in our show programs, provides invitations to exclusive events, and entitles your employees to receive a 20 percent online ticket discount throughout the season!

$1,000 - $3,499

The David J. Joseph Company Graeter’s Ice Cream Co.

Hixson Architecture, Engineering, Interiors

Prolink

Skyline Chili Towne Properties

For more information about joining these individuals and organizations in support of the Playhouse, call Mary Kay Koehler, Director of Institutional Giving, at 513-977-2026.

RED CARPET DONORS

We are grateful for our Red Carpet Experience donors who treat their guests to an intimate, behind-the-scenes experience that also supports the Playhouse. To book your Red Carpet Experience, contact Mary Kay Koehler at 513-977-2026.

Tom and MC Brennan

Richard Goettle, Inc. (3)

WesBanco

Jennifer and Woody Taft

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS

Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates

The Blind Lemon and Eddie Sheppard

Emerge Managed Solutions, LLC

Gray Photo Imaging

Mt. Adams Bar and Grill

Optic Lizard Productions

WARM 98

WCPO-TV

WGRR-RM

WOSL-FM, 100.3 R&B

WVXU-FM

WXIX-TV, Fox 19

WUBE-FM

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@CINCINNATIMAGAZINE

CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM

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ADMINISTRATIVE AND PRODUCTION STAFF

DIRECTORS

Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison

Managing Director Abby Marcus

ADMINISTRATION

Executive Assistant/Board Liaison Stefanie Meyer

Associate Producer Suann Pollock

Company Manager A.J. Ford

Assistant Company Manager/Management Associate Remy Elton-Alexander

Director of HR, Equity and Inclusion Dawn Mundy Payroll/HR Specialist Madalaina Welton

Finance Manager Michael Davis

Finance Associate Brian Anderson

Office Administrator Kathy Durnell

OPERATIONS

Director of Operations Bridget Siedlecki

IT Applications Specialist Scott Youger

Facilities Manager Brian Smith

DEVELOPMENT

Chief Philanthropy Officer Sneja H. Tomassian

Director of Institutional Giving Mary Kay Koehler

Director of Donor Relations Kendra L. Struthers, CFRE

Major Gifts Officer Lynn Smith, CFRE

Grants Manager Kimberly Passaro

Individual Giving Assistant Jennifer Radisch

Development Assistant Douglas Fries

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

Director of Marketing and Communications Kathy Neus

Audience Engagement Manager Piper N. Davis

Multimedia Designer Sean Martin

Digital Marketing Associate Victoria Forbes

Marketing Data and Website Manager Jacob Krismanick

Content Marketing Associate Deja A. Shanks

Marketing Intern Tessa D’Errico

Photographer Mikki Schaffner

PATRON SERVICES

Patron Services Director Don Wong

Assistant Patron Services Manager Julia Hasl Miller

House Managers Amanda Adams, Joellyn Goos, Kayden Hauke

Patron Services Staff Tommy Berninger, Loic Bertrand, Katie Collier, Olivia Cremisio, Laurel Dobrozsi, Victoria Forbes, Jenny French, Ariana HoobermanPiñeiro, Chase Johnson, Michelle LaMantia, Ethan Mann, Whitney Menser, Cyrus Newitt, Sarah O’Haver, James Racster, Addie Renne, Theresa Richmond, Christine Richtsfeld, Thomas Richtsfeld, Charlie Rusk, Patricia Schlabendorff, Jacqueline Smith, LaCheryl Steele, Monica Williams-Mitchell, Kendall Young

Bar Manager Darren Cox

Bartenders Kathy Burr, Clint Collins, Justin Eckstein, Julia Migliara, Lisa Porter, John Simpson, Barb Santel, Niki Sherwood, Kathleen Thorman

ARTISTIC

Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz

Literary Manager Tatiana Godfrey

Associate Artists Wendy C. Goldberg, Karen Zacarías

EDUCATION/ENGAGEMENT

Education Director Ariana Moses

Artistic Engagement Manager Katie Baskerville

Education Associate Nathaniel Niemi

Education and Engagement Coordinator Ariana Hooberman-Piñeiro

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Production Stage Manager Andrea L. Shell

Stage Managers Brooke Redler, Brandon T. Holmes

Artistic Engagement Stage Manager Erin Speno-Stout

PRODUCTION

Director of Production Joshua Escajeda

Technical Director Sam Thompson

Assistant Production Manager Valerie Perez

Assistant Technical Director Jo Ruhl

Scene Shop Administrative Assistant Charlie Rusk

SCENERY

Staff Carpenters Bryan Bridewell, Timothy Fowler, Brad Kordenbrock, Michael Lyons, Brandon Smith

Charge Scenic Artist Jennifer Rhodus

Assistant Scenic Artist Alex Kuntz

Rouse Run Crew Christopher Albaugh

PROPERTIES

Properties Manager Liz Lyons

Assistant Properties Manager Katie Kim

Properties Jeff Fowee, Alicia Rhodus

Rosenthal Shelterhouse Properties Running Crew Lead Debra Hildebrand

Rouse Theatre Properties Running Crew Lead Grant Wendt

COSTUMES/WARDROBE

Costume Shop Manager Gordon DeVinney

Cutter/Draper Justin Collings

Wig and Makeup Artist Amy Whitaker

First Hand Bridget Kline

Lead Rouse Wardrobe Karla Knochelmann

Rosenthal Shelterhouse Wardrobe Julie Hudson

Wardrobe Assistant Grace Hazlett

LIGHTING/SOUND

House Audio/Projection Supervisor Aaron Stephenson

Lead Electrician Nick Ligon

Rouse Theatre Light Board Operator Samuel Wilson

Rouse Theatre Audio Engineer M. Adam Jacob

Rosenthal Shelterhouse Light Board Operator Jonathan Armstrong

Rosenthal Shelterhouse Sound Engineer Samuel Sadler

EMERITI

Managing Director Emeritus Buzz Ward

Investing state and federal dollars, the Ohio Arts Council funds and supports quality arts experiences for all Ohioans to strengthen communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Learn more about our grant programs and resources, find your next arts experience, or connect: OAC.OHIO.GOV.

Grantee Spotlight: OHIO DESIGNER CRAFTSMEN

Guest artist Michael Kline presents a demonstration at the 2023 Functional Ceramics Workshop. Held at the Wayne Center for the Arts, this annual event is presented by Ohio Designer Craftsmen. Image credit: Matt Neff