Choir Boy Playwise by Philadelphia Theatre Company

P L A Y W I S E W I N T E R

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Illustrated by Dora Cuenca (@dora_cuenca)

BY TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Worth the wait. Hello, intrepid theatregoers!

Here’s to creative voices being heard.

If you are reading this Playwise in the theatre, congratulations and thank you. We truly understand what it took for you to be here on the heels of yet another wave of this pandemic. I mean, “Omicron”? You can’t make this stuff up. Somehow, we’ve all taught ourselves how to manage expectations, how to be more ‘in the moment,’ to ‘go with the flow.’ We’ve withstood delays, cancellations and stuttering progress. We’ve gotten used to flashing our vaccine credentials like we belong to some kind of club. And now, finally, you’re here to see Tarell Alvin McCraney’s singular Choir Boy.

Comcast NBCUniversal is proud to support the Philadelphia Theatre Company.

I wish to acknowledge the creative team, cast, the board, our crew, the shop who built the show, our specialty consultants, our covid experts - let’s even give a shout out to Pfizer, Moderna and J&J! But truly, special thanks and appreciation to the PTC staff, who daily face the uncertainty and changing realities of making theatre right now. Everything is different. In a field where collaboration and energy are so crucial to the success of any project, it is doubly hard to create the alchemy that happens naturally when you work in the same space. Largely on Zoom still, our staff has worked hard to stay motivated, to think about who we are serving and to hold each other up, and for that I am truly grateful. We’re all tired of seeing only half of everyone’s face. But it’s kind of remarkable what we can get used to when taking a few precautions means that we can experience art together, I would venture that it is worth it. We hope you enjoy Jeffrey L. Page’s production of Choir Boy - it will sing like no other you’ve seen, with brand new musical arrangements for PTC by Crystal Monee Hall. Thank you for supporting live theatre. We’re so glad you’re here. Paige Price Producing Artistic Director

C O M C A STC O R P O R AT I O N .C O M

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

As Resident Artist, I am delighted to be making my directorial debut at the Philadelphia Theatre Company with Tarell Alvin McCraney's Choir Boy and a truly inspiring group of people. McCraney's play captures the awestricken tension between the tangible and the invisible and what happens when the remarkable is burdened by the assumptions of mundane conditions. This production by the woman-led Philadelphia Theatre Company, a historically predominately white institution, is noteworthy. Mainly, this observance of the diversity of black men is another subtle acknowledgment that the world is undoubtedly being made anew. In doing so, we, the inhabitants of this complex world, are redefining customs and ways of understanding each other. The play proposes the radical statement that black men's moments of tenderness, growth and theoretical analysis should be considered. Between "to be feared or to be respected," it appears no other space is provided for the black man.

Choir Boy is a play about black men. It reminds us to honor the cognitive dissonance between the celebrated and the unseen. It is also noteworthy that there is poetic gravity in re-navigating the world in this play, which centers black men. But what is his place in the world, and how does he navigate this new normal? We must pause to acknowledge this moment in time: the coming together of a story about black men finding space in the world and how this narrative might influence more significant change. Most of all, we must prepare for the next step. Take that leap of love, of faith, of trust, and believe!

Jeffrey L. Page Director, Choreographer, and Resident Artist

ARTIST BEHIND THE ART Dora is a Costa Rican multidisciplinary artist currently based in New Jersey/ Philadelphia. Her work is guided by curiosity, a love for nature and the everyday motherhood experience. She works mainly as a muralist, digital fine artist and surface designer. In her art she blends the abstract and figurative to paint the way things feel rather than the way they look. Her process and final pieces cultivate, transform and transfer energy through color and shape. She is passionate about encouraging others to pursue their own creative practices so they can experience firsthand the gifts of creating something where there was nothing before. She has brought color to the city through the walls of Mission Taqueria, Freedom Apothecary, The Fashion District, Allen Street Grill, The Heid, Mural Arts and private residencies through Philadelphia and Costa Rica. LEARN MORE AT DORACUENCA.COM OR ON INSTAGRAM @DORA_CUENCA ABOUT THE SHOW ARTWORK: "I took keywords and concepts from the Director's own words and allowed a dot to explore those throughout the page. The dots journey as a continuous line in my work serves as visual storytelling. The color forms in the background are carefully picked and placed to carry specific energy and meaning throughout. The story isn't just seen but felt just as on the stage."

We know what art can do — how it can change perspectives, and even change lives. That’s why the PNC Foundation developed PNC Arts Alive, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative that supports the arts in local communities. Through this initiative, we continue to challenge visual and performing arts organizations to put forth their best, most original thinking while expanding audience participation and engagement. Because when art thrives, everybody benefits. To learn more, go to pncartsalive.com

CCRD PDF 0616-0101

CHOIR BOY Paige Price Producing Artistic Director

Emily Zeck Managing Director

This play will be performed without intermission. Photos may be taken in the theatre before the performance, during intermission, and following the performance. If you share photos, please credit the designers and tag @philatheatreco. Taking photos, video, and/or audio recording during the performance is strictly prohibited. Please remember to silence your mobile devices.

CAST (in order of appearance) Headmaster Marrow.........................................................................Akeem Davis* Pharus Jonathan Young......................................................................Justen Ross* Bobby Marrow..............................................................................Jeremy Cousar* Junior Davis......................................................................................Tristan André*

TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY W

Anthony Justin "AJ" James............................................Jamaal Fields-Green* David Heard.......................................................................................Dana Orange* Mr. Pendleton......................................................................................PJ Benjamin*

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Stage Manager...........................................................................Alison Hassman* Assistant Stage Manager...................................................................Jamel Baker*

PRODUCTION SUPPORT Composer & Musical Director Crystal Monee Hall

Scenic & Lighting Design Christopher Ash

Technical Supervisor Nick Kargel

Costume Design Millie Hiibel

Stage Manager Alison Hassman

Sound Design Daniel Ison

Casting Bass/Valle

You Want What? Productions INC.

Props Supervisor........................................................................Shannon O’ Brien Assistant Music Director.........................................................................Rob Tucker Assistant to the Director......................................................................Angel Chasco Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer & Intimacy Consultant......................................................Noelle Diane Johnson

ARTISTS HEAL™ LLC

DIRECTED & CHOREOGRAPHED BY

JEFFREY L. PAGE

COVID Compliance Officers........................................Alda Bjorns, Bill LeDent Dance Captain.................................................................................Tristan André* Associate Lighting Designer...................................Isabella "Izzie" Gill-Gomez Scenic Assistant...........................................................................Noelani Montas Scene Shop.............................................................................Scenery First, Inc.

THANK YOU TO OUR HONORARY SPONSORS *Members of Actors’ Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Glenn Gundersen & Susan Manix Margie & Jeffrey Honickman

“CHOIR BOY is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.” CHOIR BOY received a world premiere co-production by The English Stage Company and Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) at Royal Court Theatre in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs on September 4, 2012. CHOIR BOY was originally commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director, Barry Grove, Executive Producer, Daniel Sullivan, Acting Artistic Director) 2007-08 Season with support from Time Warner Inc.

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, an independent national labor union. PTC is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American Theatre, and is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT). The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT Theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829, of the IATSE. Production employees are represented by The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, ITS Territories and Canada, Local 8. Philadelphia Theatre Company is a proud member of the Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (GPCA), The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and Theatre Philadelphia.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We recognize and acknowledge that the Suzanne Roberts Theatre stands on the Indigenous territory known as “Lenapehoking,” the traditional homelands of the Lenape, also called Lenni-Lenape or Delaware Indians. These are the people who, during the 1680s, negotiated with William Penn to facilitate the founding of the colony of Pennsylvania. The Lenape diaspora includes five federally recognized nations in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Ontario. Pennsylvania is one of only a few Eastern states that does not recognize any native tribes. We Are The Seeds is one of many local organizations you can support: wearetheseeds.org. You can also learn more by visiting The Lenape Nation of PA Cultural Center in Easton, PA: lenape-nation.org/cultural-center.

SPECIAL THANKS Rob Kaplowitz Our Volunteer Ushers Scenery First

WHO’S WHO? CAST BIOS Akeem Davis | Headmaster Akeem Davis, from Miami, Fl, is a graduate of The Florida State University. Regional credits include Arden Theatre Company: A Doll’s House, Gem of the Ocean ; Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: The Arsonists ; Folger Theatre: District Merchants, King John ; Theatre Horizon: Lobby Hero, In The Blood ; InterAct Theatre: Marcus/Emma ; Theatre Exile: Buzzer; Simpatico Theatre Project: The Brothers Size. A Helen Hayes and Barrymore Award nominated actor, as well as recipient of the Haas Award for Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist, Akeem is a proud man of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Love to Tay. For Ash.

Justen Ross | Pharus is a black queer multi-hyphenate artist from Atlanta, Georgia. Actor, writer, and musician are few of many roles this ambitious soul takes on. He is a 2021 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University’s BFA program and a 2021 Princess Grace Award recipient. Selected by Warner Bros. Studio to be a part of The Actors in Training Casting Initiative, Ross is making waves at a rapid pace. The young talent creates online content for a 100K+ following in his spare time. In the long run, he sees himself teaching young people the transformative power of performing arts from an afro-diasporic lens.

Dora Cuenca Alani Jackson Gregory Geffrard Additional support for Choir Boy provided by

Bettyruth Walter Bill Hooker & Mark Eicher Berger

A special thank you to those Individuals, Foundations, and Government Agencies that made relief funds available to Philadelphia Theatre Company and other cultural organizations during pandemic related shutdowns.

Covid-19 Arts Aid PHL Free 2 Be Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation

Jeremy Cousar | Bobby was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina where he was exposed to art at an early age (thanks mom & dad). Jeremy is a proud graduate of The University of the Arts where he received his BFA in Musical Theater and his Minor in Music Business. Some of his recent work includes a casino residency (Motorcity Live). In addition to serving onstage, he also has a deep passion for philanthropy and uses his platform to help others find their purpose. You can find Jeremy on all social media platforms @Jeremycousar.

Jamaal Fields-Green | AJ is an actor/singer/writer/director from New City, New York. Graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Hartt School in 2018. He is very excited to be making his return to the stage since closing the Chicago company of Hamilton as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in 2020. Also known as J. Hasan (Hasan is his middle name), he creates and performs his own music which is available on all streaming platforms. Aside from that, he owns his own production company/label DAYDRMR. He is forever thankful to his family, friends and team. TV Credits: Freeform’s “That Thing About Harry” and “Chicago PD.”

The National Endowment for the Arts Covid-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

WHO’S WHO? CAST BIOS

Tristan André | Junior Brother. Sun. Black memory cultural worker. Lover of his community. You are that community. Tristan, an alum of the MFA Professional Actor Training Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, is a Southern multi-hyphenate artist whose credits include PlayMakers Repertory Company's Life of Galileo, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Leaving Eden, Twelfth Night and The Crucible, and DC's Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of James Baldwin's The Amen Corner. Tristan is an art and social justice practitioner who works as a Teaching Artist with DreamYard Organization throughout the South Bronx. He has also collaborated with other social justice organizations throughout the Southeast region such as Marian C. Jackson Center in Chapel Hill, NC, and Durham's Black August in the Park Tristan is represented by About Artists Agency. Peace, love, and respect to all.

Dana Orange | David is very excited to be making his PTC debut in this great show. Previous credits include Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Shrek the Musical, Sister Act (Walnut Street Theatre), To Kill a Mockingbird (Millbrook Playhouse), Actually (Philly Fringe), In The Heights (Park Playhouse), Ragtime (Eagle Theatre), Evita (Resident Theatre Company)… Much thanks to PTC, Jeffrey, this incredible cast and crew, as well as my amazing support system, who show me an abundance of love each and every day!

PJ Benjamin | Mr. Pendleton Celebrating his 51st year as a union actor. A veteran of over 100 productions with long runs on Broadway and on tour as The Wizard in Wicked, Mr. Cellophane in Chicago, Leading Player in Pippin and Arnold in Torch Song Trilogy. Other Broadway: Sophisticated Ladies ; Charlie and Algernon ; The Pajama Game and Sarava. Favorite plays: All My Sons ; Long Day's Journey Into Night and The Last Romance. TV: Fosse/Verdon; FBI Most Wanted; Law and Order SVU; Madame Secretary; The Good Wife; and Person Of Interest. Voice of the Dodo Birds in Ice Age. PJ and wife, actress Louisa Flaningam, own the historic Captain Timothy Hill House Museum on Chincoteague Island, Virginia.

WHO’S WHO? CREATIVE BIOS

Tarell Alvin McCraney | Playwright is an acclaimed writer. His script IN MOONLIGHT BLACK BOYS LOOK BLUE is the basis for the Oscar-winning film MOONLIGHT directed by Barry Jenkins, for which McCraney and Jenkins won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. McCraney is currently working on the second season of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s critically-acclaimed, Michael B. Jordan and Oprah Winfrey executive produced drama series, DAVID MAKES MAN, for which the first season received a Peabody Award, Critic’s Choice Award, and Gotham Award while also maintaining 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. He also wrote the film HIGH FLYING BIRD which premiered on Netflix directed by Steven Soderbergh. McCraney’s plays include Ms. Blakk For President (co-written with Tina Landau), The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy, Head of Passes, Wig Out! , and Choir Boy which was nominated for four Tony Awards, winning two. McCraney is the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, the Whiting Award, Steinberg Playwright Award, the Evening Standard Award, the New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award, the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Windham Campbell Award, and a USA Artist Award. He is currently Chair of Playwriting at Yale School of Drama and a member of Teo Castellanos/D-Projects. Jeffrey L. Page | Director & Choreographer is an Emmy Award-nominated director and choreographer, and spearheaded the 2015 and 2018 Tokyo productions of the musical Memphis, which received four Yomiuri Award nominations, including Best Musical. The first African American to be named the Marcus Institute Fellow for Opera Directing at The Juilliard School, Mr. Page won an MTV Video Music Award for his work with Beyoncé, on whose creative team he worked for more than 12 years. His work was featured on Beyoncé’s “The Formation World Tour,” in her historic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival performance, and in two of her HBO specials. Mr. Page was the associate creative director for Mariah Carey’s “Sweet, Sweet Fantasy European Tour,” and has been a featured choreographer on Fox Television’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” He currently is the creative director for singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan, most recently working with her on the 2020 BET Soul Train Music Awards. Mr. Page was in the original, award-winning Broadway cast of Fela! He choreographed the Broadway musical Violet starring Sutton Foster (Roundabout Theatre Company). Page was acknowledged by the Berkshire Theatre Awards for his work at Barrington Stage Company’s Company and Broadway Bounty Hunter. In 2016, he established Movin’ Legacy as an Indianapolis-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the ethnology and documentation of contemporary and traditional dance from Africa and the African diaspora. Jeffrey received an MFA degree in Dramatic Direction Columbia University in New York City, and serves as a lecturer at Harvard University and guest faculty in the Opera Department at The Juilliard School. In 2019 he was awarded the Chuck Davis Emerging Choreographer Fellowship from the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Currently, as co-director and choreographer, he is working with Diane Paulus and the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard University to mount the Broadway revival of 1776. @socialhandle | www.website.com Crystal Monee Hall | Composer & Music Director is a singer/songwriter, composer, vocal arranger and producer and music director based in New York City. Her varied career has included roles on Broadway ( RENT and Kristen Chenoweth’s For the Girls ), sold out tours with Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead) and Dave Schools (Widespread Panic), and guest appearance on the CW’s "Walker" and HBO’s "High Maintenance." She has released three original albums, with work from her most recent EP "If You Breathe” called 'riveting' by Billboard Magazine. Composing, arranging, directing, performance and vocal production credits include: Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic), Walker (CW network), A Beautiful Noise 14

WHO’S WHO? CREATIVE BIOS

(Gospel Arrangement, Biden/ Harris Campaign), Ben Platt: Live From Radio City Music Hall, Donkey Hodie (PBS Kids), Nature Cat (PBS Kids), Alma’s Way (PBS Kids), Fearless (Mandy Gonzalez’ Album), Black Ink Crew (VH1), Broadway Inspirational Voices, Craig David's "All We Needed," (official song of the BBC's 2016 Children In Need campaign), Cynthia Erivo (PBS Special), Mickey Hart Band, Kristen Chenoweth ( For the Girls, Broadway), After the Storm (Ahrens and Flaherty), Quilters (NYU Tisch New School on Broadway), Sister Act (NYU Tisch New School on Broadway), Thomas Rhett, Renee Elise Goldsberry, John Legend, Patti Austin, Oleta Adams, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Kesha (Grammys 2018), Roy Ayers, Scott Alan, Shayna Steele, Jason Mraz, Spencer Day, Mandy Gonzalez, Ledisi, Kanye West, The Last Internationale. Find our more about Crystal at crystalmoneehall.com, and follow her on social media @crystalmonee. Christopher Ash | Scenic & Lighting Design Philadelphia-based Designer and Filmmaker. Previous PTC productions include The Garbologists, Sweat, Having Our Say, and Rizzo. Christopher Ash’s work has been seen in 13 countries and been recognized for 15 awards. Equally at home designing projections, scenery or lighting for theatre, opera, and dance as well as direction and cinematography for film. Broadway credits include, Sunday in the Park with George, Saint Joan, Network, The Prince of Broadway, The Crucible, and On The Town. His opera designs have been seen at The Met, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Canadian Opera, and Houston Grand Opera, and Christopher holds an MFA in design from the Yale School of Drama. Millie Hiibel | Costume Design is thrilled to be back at PTC where she designed the costumes for Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo. Recent: (Opera Philadelphia) TakTakShoo, Soldier Songs, We Need to Talk, Denis & Katya. (Music Theatre Wales and Opéra national de Montpellier) Denis & Katya, (Opera Maine) Elixir of Love, Magic Flute, Marriage of Figaro, La Traviata, (NYC) I Love You Because (Village Theatre), The Little Prince (New Victory Theater). Regional theater: Philadelphia Theatre Company, Delaware Theater Company, Arden Theatre Company, The Wilma Theater, Lantern Theater Company, The Playhouse Square, Bristol Riverside, Enchantment Theatre Company, and many more. (Dance collaborations) Pam Tanowitz, Jessica Lang, Camille A. Brown, Kate Watson-Wallace and Chienying Wang. She also is a stylist for photo shoots and commercials and has designed costumes for many historical films including the Emmy Award winning History Making Productions. Millie has been twice nominated for Philadelphia’s Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theater, and was a 2007 F. Otto Haas finalist. Millie is the costume director for Opera Philadelphia as well as a part-time lecturer at University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University, and visiting lecturer at Temple University. Daniel Ison | Sound Design is excited to be working on his second show at PTC. Off Broadway: Associate Sound Designer Hot Wing King (Signature Theatre). Broadway: Associate Sound Designer: Skeleton Crew (Manhattan Theatre Club) Regional: The Garbologists (PTC), Gem of the Ocean, Streetcar Named Desire (Arden Theatre);Wilde Tales, Frankenstein, Julius Caesar, Aesop's Fables (Quintessence); Box Clever, Our Few and Evil Days (Inis Nua); The Audience Disturbs Marcel (Tiny Dynamite); Collected Stories (Act II Playhouse); Ready Steady Yeti (Azuka Theatre); Othello, All My Sons (Curio Theatre); Tartuffe (Mauckingbird). Film/Television: Howard (Zorinah Juan). Education: BA Music Composition (Eastern University). Awards: Barrymore Winner Sound Design, Gem of the Ocean. Barrymore Nominee Sound Design, Untitled. Barrymore Nominee Original Music, Art of Swimming.

Rob Tucker | Assistant Music Director is an actor, musician, and educator in the Philadelphia region. Favorite music direction credits include: Mary Poppins, Godspell, Putting It Together, Chicago, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, This Is the Week That Is, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Working. Rob’s onstage credits include Twelfth Night, Peter and the Starcatcher, I Left My Heart…, The Winter’s Tale, Racine’s Britannicus, The Light Princess, Sweeney Todd, Pacific Overtures, Big Red Sun, and Field Hockey Hot. He is currently a visiting assistant professor and coordinator of the musical theatre minor program at the University of the Arts. Alison Hassman | Stage Manager is thrilled to return to PTC. New York: Hamilton, The Nutcracker (New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, A Gentleman and his Ladies (Roundabout, with Alan Cumming), Cherry Lane, Westside Theatre, 59E59, the York, 24 Hour Play Company. Regional: McCarter, Two River, Delaware Theater Company, six seasons with Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Theater Horizon, Trinity Rep, Bucks County Playhouse, Bristol Riverside, Premiere Stages. Love to MDT. Thanks to CW and AS. Be safe. Jamel Baker | Assistant Stage Manager is excited to be working with PTC on this amazing project! Jamel Baker is a freelance stage manager and has worked with many companies throughout the city including Tribe of Fools (also a company member), Simpatico, Azuka, Passage Theatre and more. Jamel holds a BFA from Millersville University. Noelle Diane Johnson | Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer & Intimacy Consultant (she/her/hers) is an Actor, Director, Stage Manager, Artist, and Artist Advocate based in Philadelphia, PA. She is thrilled to be returning to Philadelphia Theatre Company as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer and Intimacy Consultant for Choir Boy. Credits: Philadelphia Theatre Company ( The Garbologist); Wilma Theatre ( Fat Ham, filmed regional premiere, Minor Character, The Cherry Orchard, Fairview); Theatre Horizon (A New Brain, Grand Concourse, The Agitators, Art Houses series, TJ Loves Sally 4Ever); The Lantern Theater Company ( Fabulation); Simpatico Theatre Company (Cry It Out); Theatre in the X ( The Beast of Nubia), FringeArts ( The Underground Railroad Game); and Playbill (one in two), among many others. Noelle currently serves as a Board member for Director’s Gathering and is also the Founder & Owner of ARTISTS HEAL™, a company designed to create healing and care spaces for collaborative art-making while centering and providing resources for marginalized artists and vulnerable communities. Noelle believes in servant leadership and offers programming to promote self-liberated, inclusive, and equitable spaces designed for healing and expansion through decolonized artistic practice and process. Follow Noelle’s work at noelledianejohnson.com | artistsheal.org | IG: @noelledianejohnson/@artistsheal. Nick Kargel (You Want What? Productions) | Technical Supervisor is the proprietor of You Want What? Productions INC, providing set design, construction and production management for theatre and events. Production Management highlights include THE GARBOLOGISTS at PTC, DOT (Vineyard Theatre off-Broadway) and a 50,000-square-foot immersive PETER PAN in Beijing, China. Theatrical clients of note include Theatre Aspen, Central City Opera and Beth Morrison Productions. Corporate projects of note include work for HP, Verizon, Marriott, lululemon, Denver Zoo, Grandoozy music festival and Clusterfest. Bass/Valle Casting | Casting Harriet Bass (she/her/hers) and Gama Valle (él/him/his)Bass/ Valle Casting, fka Harriet Bass Casting, is a leading NYC boutique casting office. To know more about their upcoming projects and casting philosophy please visit www.bassvallecasting.com.

GENERAL INFORMATION Box Office Hours During Productions Monday-Sunday 12pm-30 min after curtain

Facility Rentals Vince Karlen, Rental Manager 215.985.1400 x104, or vkarlen@philatheatreco.org

Audio Described Performance Wednesday, March 9 @ 1:00pm For audience members who are blind or have low vision. Through provided assisted listening devices, a trained audio describer fills in the visual details and action on stage while it is performed live.

Group Sales For groups of 10 or more please email groupsales@philatheatreco.org

Assisted Listening Devices Assisted listening headsets that wirelessly deliver all dialogue, music, and sound from the show at a personally adjustable volume are available for free at every PTC performance through the House Manager. Open Caption Performance Saturday, March 12 @ 2:00pm For audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing. A large LED captioning screen, positioned beside the stage, scrolls text of the lyrics/dialogue in tandem with the lyrics/dialogue of the performance. American Sign Language Performance Thursday, March 10th @ 7:00pm For audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing. PTC offers American Sign Language Interpretation by certified interpreters (from Hands UP) for select performances. ASL-designated seat locations are on the right orchestra side of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Please make any requests known at the time of booking.

Volunteer or House Management Opportunities Allison Fifield, Artistic Programs & Events Manager 215.985.1400 x106, or afifield@philatheatreco.org Parking & Public Transportation The Theatre is easily accessible by SEPTA‘s Route 40 (Lombard-Conshohocken) bus and Broad Street Line Subway (Walnut/Locust or Lombard/ South stations), as well as PATCO (15th/16th Street station).On-site parking is available at the LAZ lot, as well as at nearby garages along Broad Street. PTC Subscribers can pick up $2-off parking vouchers for the Interpark at the Box Office. Restrooms, Elevator, Water Fountains RESTROOMS are located on the orchestra level of the theatre and are ADA compliant. The ELEVATOR is located to the left of the concession stand which may be used to reach the mezzanine level. WATER FOUNTAINS are located outside the restrooms. Lost & Found If you have lost or found an item, please see the Box Office or House Manager. PTC is not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings.

Photography The use of photographic/recording devices is strictly prohibited. Please note: The audience may be photographed by PTC staff for archival and publicity purposes. If you prefer that your likeness not appear in PTC materials, please notify a House Manager. 17

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Artists Circle $5,000-$9,999 David & Hallee Adelman John Alchin Christopher Ash (In-kind) Tracy & Rick Burke Michael & Emily Cavanagh Fifield Family James Fifield Stephanie B. Fineman, Esq John Hanamirian Peter & Molly Kiriacoulacos John Kuester & Harper Seldin Wendy Macdonald

Matthew Massaua Stephen McConnell Vibhat Nair & Jing Wang Elliot Schwartz Wendy Macdonald Richard W. Vague Robert Victor & Alexandra Edsall Dave & Ellen Watson $2,500-$4,999 Susanna Lachs Adler & Dean Adler Dr. Peter H. Arger Joseph & Laura Atkinson Arthur & Janice Block Lina Hartocollis & Larry Ceisler Mark & Iris Coblitz Jane & Joe Goldblum Rachel & Drew Katz Lawrence & Mary Kent Leonard & Susan Klehr Dale Penneys Levy & Richard Levy Helen & David Pudlin Dave & Marcia Scott Manny & Kellie Stamatakis Nevin Steinberg & Paige Price Joseph Torsella Tom Wirtshafter & Carol Marks $1,000-$2,499 Mark & Judi Aronchick Kristin Bair David & Loraine Breidinger Craig Carnaroli Susan & Walter Cohen Michael & Ellen Singer Coleman John & Carol Culhane Kristine Dankenbrink Bill & Sally Dordelman Bob Eatroff Mr. & Mrs. Steve G. Filton Henry & Sheila Gladstone

Norman Goldberger Jane Greenspan Ric & Mindee Harris Steve & Ellen Harris Marcien Jenckes & Sabrina Cellarosi Stephen & Judith Kastenberg Mary & Justin Klein Richard & Michele Kunis Richard Labowskie & Marilyn Sanborne David Lerman & Shelley Wallock Charisse R. Lillie Michael Mallee Arthur Meckler & Donna Cooper Susan & James Meyer Ralph Muller Bernadine Munley, Esq. Jennifer Newcomb-Khoury & Andrew Newcomb Celestino & Annette Pennoni Bob & Linda Pulsinelli Alan Ritterband Don Rosenblit Patricia Saddier Carol Saline & Paul Rathblott Lawrence & Rita Salva Paulette Singleton George Smith Beth Burrel & David Sorensen Mark Stewart Barbara & Robert Tiffany Bettyruth Walter, PH. D. Stephen & Rosalyn Weinstein Tony Werner F. John White, II S. Christopher Scott & Dalila Wilson-Scott June & Stephen Wolfson

Performer’s Circle $500-$999 Anonymous Ann Auerbach Greg & Debbi Butz James Colberg & Kathleen Stephenson Dr. Sharon Dailey Karen Daroff Matthew Dickman John H. Erickson & Harry I. Zaleznik S. David Fineman Bill Hooker & Mark Eicher Berger Phyllis & Howard Fischer Alice L. George Margaret Green Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Kleinman Julie Laine William Loeb Mr. Jerome Napson Neal & Sheila Schneider Leslye Silver Richard Speizman & Faith Horowitz Wayne Spilove Stanley & Velma Tilley Lisa Washington Bernie & Marilyn Weidenaar $250-$499 Dr. Victor & Arlene Adlin Anonymous Louis Bluver Edward Chew Dave & Jacqueline Faust Charles Gaglia & Sheila Dyan Paul D. Green Thomas Hickey Peter Intermaggio Anne & Craig Jorgensen Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Katz Martha & Martin Lazar Malcolm & Brenda Lazin David S. Miller Elizabeth Montserat Ellen Mordas Barbara Plumeri Joel & Roberta Porter Janet Perry & David Richman Dan & Barbara Rottenberg Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Sager

Ned & Nancy Scharff Bob & Didi Scott Carolyn L. Whitaker $100-$249 Drs. Ronald & Marcia Abraham Linda Ahmed Anonymous (2) Ina Asher Cecily Banks Rochelle & Herbert Bass Mark & Linda Baum Cari Feiler Bender & Rodd Bender Robert & Ilene Blain Allen Bonner & Carol Buettger Elaine Axelman & Jere Eisenstat Stanton Brown David & Ann Brownlee Janice Burley Jack Butler John & Teresa Cavenagh Judy Cohen Suzanne & Norman Cohn George Condos Mrs. Sharon A. Dennison Santo DiDonato Jack Durell & Myrna Marcus Mr. & Mrs. H. Robert Fiebach Elliot Footer Sidney & Joyce Gamburg Mark Garvin Joan Gmitter Rick & Diane Graboyes Phillip Graneto & Janice Breen Marshal & Tamar Granor Ms. Susan Grater Susan V. Greene Neil Hamburg, Esq. Sharon Harris Ms. Gail Hauptfuhrer Peggy Hawkins Bob Hedley & Harriet Power Madeleine Henderson Nick Hislop John E. Holohan Aud & Bill Holtzman Steve & Lynda Hopkins David Howe Mr. David Ingram & Ms. Melanye D. Finister Marlene & Bernard Jacobs

Mr. Gary King Margaret Klein Robert & Dona Krall Rebecca M. Landes David Lennard Joe & Virginia Leonard Joyce Leonetti Michael Levitan Emiko Levy Renee Liss Ricky Liss Diane Rurode & James Lord Jack Lovewell Shirley Malitz Judith Mann Geri Masessa Mr. Michael K. McClure Dr. Alan M. Mendelsohn & Ms. Mindy S. Shapiro Seymour Millstein & John Cornell Richard E. Mitchell Ellen Murphy Mr. James R. Murray Jr. Linda L. Osler Bohdan Pazuniak Cara Petonic F. Jerome & Joan Purcell Mr. & Mrs. Michael Rathmill Joyce & Tim Ratner Mariana Reyes Renee Rollin Ellyn Rosenfeld Dr. Martin Rubel & Mrs. Suzanne Goldstein-Rubel D'Arcy & Tamás Rudnay Ms. Ann E. Schilling Jennifer Schranz, M.D. Michael Shaw Tom Sherman & Nancy Middlebrook Robert & Rita Siegle Morton Simon & Claudia Pine-Simon Anne C. Singer Ms. Janet Golup Mr. & Ms. Paul Stark Brad & Rona Stern Anne Taylor Mr. Blair Thompson Judy Trailer Deborah McColloch & Charles Valentine 21

Marlyn Vogel Carl & Terri Weiner Bill Goldberg James Weygandt Howard Wiener Gregg Wolff Ele Wood Kuna & Sam Yankell Barrie & Gene Zenone

Gifts in memory/honor

Sustaining Supporters

In memory of Donald Stanley Wilf Dr. Peter Arger

Sara Allen Thomas Cristaldi Allison & Bill LeDent Bernard and Joyce Gelman Mr. Daniel T. Lee Jeanette Leff Paul O'Gorman Ms. Jacqueline Pearlman Mariana Reyes Robert & Rita Siegle Nevin Steinberg & Paige Price Shawn Stone The Summer Club Amy Wilson

In honor of Graham Mark Garvin In honor of Paige Price Leslye Silver In honor of Margo Moskowitz & Ben Tilley Stanley & Velma Tilley

CORPORATE SPONSORS SEASON SPONSORS

New Voices Sponsor

HONORARY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

FOUNDATION & GOVERNMENT FUNDERS Foundations Actors’ Equity Foundation, Inc. Charlotte Cushman Foundation Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Civic Foundation Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation Frederic R. Coudert Foundation Independence Foundation The Katz Family Foundation The Lida Foundation Lyrasis Performing Arts Readiness Emergency Planning Grant Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. The Saramar Charitable Fund Shubert Foundation Suzanne Roberts Cultural Development Fund Virginia Brown Martin Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation The William Penn Foundation Government PTC receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

10Tix Presenting Sponsor

HONORARY PRODUCERS

CORPORATE PARTNERS

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld | The Essential Foundation Davis Polk & Wardell | Kline & Specter

GIFTS IN-KIND

Center City Film & Video

OTHER CORPORATE GIFTS OR MATCHING GIFTS

2021-22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ABOUT SUZANNE ROBERTS / THE SUZANNE ROBERTS THEATRE Suzanne Roberts (1921-2020) Philadelphia Theatre Company is honored to name its home after Suzanne Roberts-actress, playwright, director, educator, producer, and philanthropist. For over 40 years, Suzanne was a leading champion of the Philadelphia theater community. Suzanne engaged as an artist in meaningful public service with projects as diverse as performing in dramas to inspiring the purchase of war bonds during World War II to national appearances in plays discouraging racism and alcoholism. She performed on many stages in plays from Shakespeare to A.R. Gurney and in a variety of media including radio and television. Suzanne is known to audiences as the creator and host of Emmy Award-Winning Seeking Solutions with Suzanne. One of her lifelong passions was using theater to improve the lives of young people. Through the Suzanne Roberts Cultural Development Fund, she supported the outreach work of theater and dance companies in sharing their creativity with school children and young adults. (Photo by Alan Kole.) The Suzanne Roberts Theatre, designed by Kieran Timberlake Associates, is owned and operated by Philadelphia Theatre Company. The space is contemporary, elegant, and urbane, and features a 160’ double-height glass facade on the Avenue of the Arts. The interior is defined by a uniquely warm and sculptural, 365-seat main stage auditorium with a spacious and contemporary mezzanine and a planned 100-seat, flexible second stage for new play development, intimate performances, and educational programming. Our stage house significantly enhances our ability to respond to the most imaginative visions of our creative teams with its spacious wings, soaring fly gallery, and trapped stage. The Theatre offers a full range of public amenities with an on-site box office, public restrooms, a concession stand, and multiple lobbies designed for patron comfort and engagement. A grand staircase leads from the main floor to the mezzanine lobby. The Theatre’s contemporary design makes it one of the country’s most accessible performing arts venues and supports one of PTC’s core values to ensure that our artistry is accessible to everyone in our community.

LEADERSHIP

Gary A. Deutsch, Chair John M. Hanamirian, Treasurer Julia Ericksen, Ph.D., Secretary Kristin Bair Dennis Bianchi Kia Buckner, CPA, CGMA David L. Colman, AIA Stephanie B. Fineman, Esq. Holly Flanagan Teresa Gavigan Glenn Gundersen Regina Hairston

Geoffrey A. Kahn Sally Katz Daphne Klausner John Kuester III Matthew Massaua Stephen J. McConnell Vibhat Nair, PhD Dr. Donna-Marie Peters Paige Price, Producing Artistic Director E. Gerald Riesenbach, Esq. Ryan Schrader Elliot Schwartz Emily Zeck, Managing Director

ARTISTIC ADVISORY BOARD

Daryl Roth Harold Wolpert MEMBERS EMERITUS

Sara Garonzik, Executive Producing Director Emeritus Don Rosenblit, President Emeritus Carol Saline Sheldon L. Thompson

As of October 18, 2021

Proud Partner of P H I LA D E LP HI A T HE AT R E CO MPA N Y at the

Changing The Way You Think About Construction | bittenbenderconstruction.com

PHILADELPHIA THEATRE COMPANY STAFF LEADERSHIP

Producing Artistic Director Paige Price Managing Director Emily Zeck ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION

Resident Artist Jeffrey Page Artistic Programs & Events Manager Allison Fifield Artistic Assistant Angel Chasco Literary Intern Miguel Ortega Interim Associate Production Manager Katie Chance Head Carpenter ( Choir Boy) Mitch Miller Head Carpenter Thomas Cristaldi Sound Supervisor Waylon Ferrell Lighting Supervisor Ben Tilley Props Supervisor Shannon O’Brien Wardrobe Supervisor Danielle Joh Assistant Carpenter Patrick Dougherty Assistant Lighting Supervisor Jeremy Hugo Assistant Audio Supervisor Robin Clenard Wardrobe Assistant Sabrina Reichert House Assistant ( Choir Boy) Tim Hunter

SUZANNE ROBERTS THEATRE AND AUDIENCE SERVICES

Rental Manager Vince Karlen Tessitura Manager Amy Wilson Co-Manager of Audience Services Lauren Davenport Co-Manager of Audience Services Jonathan Wallace Audience Services Associates Salvador Placensia Front of House Staff Angel Chasco Tom Irvin Lisa M Johnson Nickolette Jones William LeDent Javier Mojica Miguel Ortega Bella Saltzer Abby Weissman Custodians KZach Services BUSINESS & ADMINISTRATION

General Manager Margo Moskowitz Management Associate Matt Demetrides

MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT

Director of Marketing Jessica Ragusa Marketing Assistant Dana Liu Public Relations Kory Aversa and Carrie Gorn of Aversa PR & Events LLC Graphic Design The MyersRoberts Collective Director of Development Nathan Schultz Associate Director of Development Jessica Pasquariello Development Assistant Alison Hopkins

Take Center Stage

With the company providing safety and security for more than 80 years