MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS - Digital Program

mar 17 - apr 9

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Art Imitates Life

WHAT WE DO IN OUR STUDIOS, OUR REHEARSAL ROOMS, AND ON OUR STAGES SERVES AS REHEARSAL FOR WHAT WE DO IN OUR HOMES, OUR STREETS, AND EVEN OUR HEARTS.

webster.edu/conservatory

REVOLT. SHE SAID. REVOLT AGAIN.

Sargent Conservatory of Theatre

Webster University. 2021. Director Joanna Battles. Left to right, top: Elizabeth Atkins ’22, Ashley Schwach ’24, Giac Noelle ’23, Carmen Retzer ’23, Chloe Berek ’22. Bottom: Evie Bennett ’22, Maya Love ’23

MARCH 17 - APRIL 9

THE REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS

130 Edgar Road

St. Louis, MO 63119

ADMINISTRATION

314-968-7340

BOX OFFICE

314-968-4925

4 LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

7 WELCOME

8 PRODUCTION

10 DIRECTOR'S NOTE

12 DRAMATURGY

15 BIOGRAPHIES

32 LEADERSHIP

45 ABOUT THE REP

56 HONOR ROLL

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, the League of St. Louis Theatres, and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre. It operates independently of, but under a mutually beneficial agreement with, Webster University. The Rep 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. The Rep hires directors and choreographers who are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and stagehands who are members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Scenic artists employed by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis are members of United Scenic Artists, Local 829, AFL-CIO. The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT Theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE. Financial assistance for this theatre has been provided in part by the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis; the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission; and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

OUR LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is important for us here at The Rep to acknowledge that the land beneath us owes its vitality to generations who have come before us in the spirit of making erased and silenced histories visible. We acknowledge that we are standing on the ancestral and occupied lands of many Native tribes that stewarded and cared for this land for centuries. The Illini, Osage, and Missouria tribes are just a few of the peoples that we pay our respects to. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration and settlement that bring us together here today and join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public in-person and virtual events.

WHY DO WE DO THIS

We honor and pay respects to the people that cultivated the land and then were forcibly removed from it. Our society is increasingly becoming more aware of the complexities of colonization, and those complexities come with us as we gather into spaces like The Rep. Acknowledging the land honors Indigenous communities, but more broadly it acknowledges he histories that brought us where we are today as a community. We are often fascinated by architectural history of a building; this gives us the opportunity to go further than a building and think about the history of a people that existed before buildings were erected. In addition to honoring donors and sponsors for financial gifts that they freely give, we believe it is critically important to honor those who lived and worked the land centuries before we arrived and still live here today.

About 80,000 people living in Missouri are a part of the Indigenous community. A land acknowledgment is a great starting point in honoring their history and legacy, and to make space for them in their own home.

Age of Armor: Treasures from the Higgins

Closes

May 14

Monet/Mitchell: Painting the French Landscape

March 25–June 25

Action/Abstraction Redefined: Modern Native Art, 1940s–1970s

Opens

June 24

The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century Opens

August 26

A world of

art within reach

Connect with us!

@stlartmuseum | slam.org

Pompeo della Cesa; Field Armor from a Garniture (detail), about 1595; steel, iron, brass, gold, silver, leather, fabric; weight: 47 pounds 15 ounces; Worcester Art Museum, The John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection 2014.112; Image © 2021 Worcester Art Museum, all rights reserved

Claude Monet, French, 1840–1926; Wisteria (detail), 1919-20; oil on canvas; 39 3/8 x 118 1/8 inches; Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris 2023.100; © Musee Marmottan Monet, Academie des beaux-arts, Paris

Henry “Hank” Delano Gobin, (Kwi Tlum Kadim), Tulalip/Snohomish, 1941–2013; Northwest Design (detail), 1966; casein, tissue paper, ink pen on paper; 18 x 22 inches; Institute of American Indian Arts / Museum of Contemporary Native Arts Collection (SNH-6), Honors Collection; © Henry "Hank" Delano Gobin

Jean-Michel Basquiat, American, 1960–1988; With Strings Two (detail), 1983; acrylic, and oilstick on canvas; 96 x 60 inches; The Broad Art Foundation, Los Angeles; © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Licensed by Artestar, New York

Armory Collection at the Worcester Art Museum

March 21 - April 2

April 12 - May 7

May 9-21

ST. LOUIS TEEN TALENT COMPETITION FINAL

April 8

BLUEY’S BIG PLAY • June 17-18

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND

July 22

KANSAS: 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR • July 29

BILL MAHER

October 7

For more information: FabulousFox.com MetroTix.com

314-534- 1111

Dear Rep Family,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our production of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Before we witness the brilliant detective skills of the inimitable Hercule Poirot, I wanted to take a moment to thank you, our patrons, for your continued support of The Rep. Our 2022-2023 season has been filled with the same world-class drama, thrills and laughs you’ve come to expect from The Rep. A joyful mix of classic works by theatrical icons like Noel Coward and Stephen Sondheim, and new plays from powerhouse voices of our generation like Dominique Morrisseau. As always, A Christmas Carol brought us together over the holidays and The Snowy Day, in collaboration with our friends at StoneLion Puppet Theatre allowed us to bring The Rep’s signature magic to Forest Park for yet another year. The Imaginary Theatre Company returns this Spring to spark joy, delight and imagination in the minds of young theatre goers all over the St. Louis area. Lastly, we’ve been delighted to bring back our Steve Woolf Studio Series, which I hope you all will join us at The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center for Rajiv Joseph’s

Gruesome Playground Injuries directed by our very own Becks Redman.

When we programmed Murder On the Orient Express, I was excited to put my twist on this beloved classic mystery and share it with all of you. It has been said many times over that St. Lousians love Christie’s work and what better way than to invite you to climb aboard the legendary, opulent Orient Express as we all anxiously wait to see whodunnit! I’d also like to offer a very special thank you to The Cheshire Hotel, Lemp Mansion, and Lifetime Media for helping us bring this magical world to life.

Have your tickets ready, keep your hands and arms inside the ride, sit back, and keep your eyes peeled, lest the murderer strike again…

All Aboard!

Hana S. Sharif

AUGUSTIN FAMILY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

THE REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS

augustin family artistic director

Hana S. Sharif

AGATHA CHRISTIE'S

written by agatha christie

adapted by ken ludwig

directed by hana s. sharif

managing director

Danny Williams

set Designer

Tim Mackabee

projection designer

Costume Designer

Fabio Toblini

Michael Salvatore Commendatore

Associate Projections Designer

chet miller

Fight Consultant

Michael Pierce

Lighting Designer

Jason Lynch

Associate Lighting Designer

Jonah Schnell

Assistant Director

Raiyon Hunter

Intimacy Consultants

Will Bonfiglio & Rachel Tibbetts

Production Stage Manager

Emilee Buchheit*

composer/sound designer

Charles Coes & Nathan A. Roberts

Associate sound Designer

Michael Costagliola

dialect coach

Joshua David Robinson

Video Consultant

Lifetime Media

assistant stage manager

Lorraine Fiore*

SEASON CO-SPONSOR

casting director

JZ Casting

Production Assistant Cecile Entz

THE REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Agatha Christie's Murder On The Orient Express

adapated by Ken Ludwig

was originally staged by McCarter Theater Center, Princeton, NJ

Emily Mann, Artistic Director, Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director. The production subsequently transferred to Hartford Stage, Harford, CT Darko Tresnjak, Artistic Director, Michael Stotts, Managing Director

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY KEN LUDWIG

CAST

Countess Andrenyi Janie Brookshire*

Hector Macqueen Cameron Jamarr Davis*

Hercule Poirot Armando Durán*

Helen Hubbard Ellen Harvey*

Colonel Arbuthnot Christopher Hickey*

Mary Debenham Margaret Ivey*

Monsieur Bouc Jamil A.C. Mangan*

Samuel Ratchet Joel Moses*

Princess Dragomiroff Gayton Scott*

Princess Dragomiroff Understudy, Helen Hubbard Understudy Jodi Stockton

Michel the Conductor/Head Waiter Michael Thanh Tran

Greta Ohlsson Fatima Wardak*

WEBSTER ENSEMBLE

ensemble Luka Cruz

ensemble Kyleigh Grimsbo

ensemble Aria Maholchic

ensemble Colby Willis

CAST OF FILM

father Nicholas Freed

mother Mary Heyl

nanny Carmen Retzer

daisy armstrong Imi Schneider

This production runs for 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission.

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

"Agatha Christie's Murder On The Orient Express" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

bringing Agatha Christie back to the Rep's stage

“The impossible cannot have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances.”

— Agatha Christie

With every project I direct, my process always begins with finding my own way into the story. What images linger in my mind? What questions keep repeating themselves over and over in my head? What is the mystery I’m trying to solve? And between the mystery and suspense and the sweeping romance of the 1930s there at my fingertips, I became drawn to the rich, deft storytelling of the film noir genre as my entrypoint into Agatha Christie’s iconic tale. Audiences may remember from our production of The 39 Steps in our 2021-2022 season that I am a proud Alfred Hitchcock aficionado and admirer. When approaching this piece, the cinematic universe he pioneered proved once again to be a rich well of inspiration. The story takes off, like a speeding train, with the fragments of a horrific crime that sets our story into motion. It was incredibly gratifying to have this phenomenal design team to collaborate with on innovative ways to bring the audience along for the ride. The opportunity to experiment with many different mediums and create a truly boundless theatrical landscape is one of the most thrilling things about being a

director. Much like the world-renowned Belgian detective, it was a delight to investigate the countless ways this story frames itself over time– the past, the present and the future–and how all three are intrinsically connected: indeed one catalytic event can influence untold others in the most unexpected ways.

Thanks to this incredible company of artists meeting my vision with their own and bringing their best and wildest ideas to the table. We hope to give audiences delight in this experience of unraveling the mystery with a healthy dose of suspense and excitement.

It’s important to note, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is much more than a whodunnit mystery. The story’s protagonist, Detective Hercule Poriot, is our gateway into the mystery and the murder isn’t the only thing he’s solving. Though we hope audiences will leave the theatre spellbound, we are also witnessing a man grapple with large ideas like right versus wrong. Is vengeance a tool for healing or can it only yield more harm? During rehearsals, we consistently returned to the question “what is just, and what is justice?” And as with all great art, it is my genuine hope that audiences will leave the theater debating these ideas themselves.

All Aboard!

Hana S. Sharif Director & Augustin Family Artistic Director of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

THE ORIENT EXPRESS

“Veuillez faire attention aux marches, soyez prudent et bon voyage. [Please pay attention to the steps, be careful, and have a safe trip.]”

— Michel the Conductor

One of the abiding features of Murder on the Orient Express is the train itself. Trapping the characters on a snowbound train, preventing escape for both victim and murderer(s), is what gives this particular story its extra helping of tension.

The Orient Express began running on June 5, 1883 as a route linking Paris and Istanbul offering luxury accommodations and dining. According to existing records, the train included two baggage cars, a restaurant, and four sleeping coaches with 56 beds total. The first menu, dated October 10, 1882, featured oysters, soup with Italian pasta, turbot with green sauce, chicken “à la chasseur”, fillet of beef with “château” potatoes, “chaud-froid” of game animals, lettuce, chocolate pudding, and a buffet of desserts. The actual route changed over time to accommodate logistical and geopolitical needs. Service was suspended during World War I (1914–1918) but resumed shortly after the end of the war on November 11, 1918. By 1919 the new Simplon Tunnel drew the route south to Milan, Venice, OpenStage Theatre & Company: Murder on the Orient Express and Trieste, creating the Simplon Orient Express, which quickly became the most reliable and significant rail route between Paris and Istanbul.

The heyday of the Orient Express was the 1930s, when royalty, diplomats, and celebrities relied on the route. In fact, the popularity of the Orient Express was such that three different services ran: the original Orient Express, the

Simplon Orient Express, and the Arlberg Orient Express [see map]. Despite this popularity, regular service on the line remained the exclusive province of the extremely wealthy, since the cost of a ticket alone (before meals) would be valued at over $3,000 US today. The outbreak of World War II (1939–1945) again stopped service, and when a German company attempted to resume services during the war, Yugoslav Partisans sabotaged the track. Even after the route resumed running in the 1950s and 60s, geopolitical strife and the closing of the Iron Curtain cut off many of its eastern destinations. Having run its route for over a century, the last iteration of the Orient Express was removed from service on December 14, 2009, a victim of high-speed rail systems and air travel. The legacy of the Orient Express lives on, however, in literature, television, film, and even video games. The route has not only been immortalized in Agatha Christie’s novel but also appears in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897), Anita Loos’ Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1925), Ian Fleming’s From Russia, with Love (1957), among other works and is a staple setting for mysteries in film and television, including Get Smart, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Doctor Who, and even

an episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While the original Orient Express is now defunct, parts of it are still in service. These days, the privately-owned Venice

Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) offers luxury service to major European cities and the chance to ride and dine in some of the cars from the original train.

A Guide to Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express by Ken Ludwig written and compiled by Corinne Wieben for OpenStage Theatre & Company

CAST

JANIE BROOKSHIRE (Countess Andrenyi)

Previously at The Rep: Angel Street.

Broadway: The Philanthropist (Roundabout).

Off-Broadway: The Mound Builders (Signature Theatre), Days to Come, Mary Broome, Wife to James Whelan (all for Mint Theatre Co.), Man and Superman (Irish Repertory Theatre), The Misanthrope (Pearl Theatre Co), MsTRIAL (New World Stages). Regional: The Wanderers (World Premiere, Old Globe), Othello (Folger Shakespeare Theatre), Disgraced (Milwaukee Rep), A Delicate Ship (World Premiere, Cincinnati Playhouse), Cry It Out, Intimate Apparel, Dial "M" for Murder (all for Dorset Theatre Festival), The Illusion, Romeo and Juliet; Crimes of the Heart, Doubt, Amadeus (all for PlayMakers Repertory Company). TV/Film: The upcoming Jonah Nolan series Fallout, Blue Bloods, Forever, Louie, The Good Wife, and the multi-laureled independent films A Shot Through the Wall and So Good To See You (Sundance Film Festival, opposite Sienna Miller). Janie is the co-creator and co-host of the podcast art.fully.grounded. Training: UNC Chapel Hill’s Professional Actor Training Program, MFA.

CAMERON JAMARR DAVIS (Hector Maqueen, Colonel Arbuthnot Understudy) is filled with gratitude making his first appearance on The Rep stage. A St. Louis native and proud member of Actors Equity/SAG-AFTRA, Cameron is a local teaching artist, director and filmmaker. Most recently he appeared as Jimmy Hewlett in The African Company Presents Richard lll at the St. Louis Black Rep, and also as Directing Fellow at St. Louis Shakespeare Festival for their 2022 season. Regional: Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, The Hangar Theater, The Los Angeles Celebration Theater, among others. Film/TV: Fenced Off, A Star is Born, Space Jam 2, The Last Ship, Ballers, Jane The Virgin, Blackish, The L Word, Young & The Restless, among others. Training: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), BFA in Dramatic Performance.

ARMANDO DURÁN (Hercule Poirot) has been a member of the acting company at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for over twenty years, where his roles have included Mark Antony in Anthony and Cleopatra, Don Quixote in Don Quixote, Garcia Lorca in Lorca In A Green Dress, Julius Caesar in Julius

Caesar, and Eddie Carbone in A View From The Bridge. He has appeared in productions at Seattle Repertory Theater, Yale Repertory Theater, the Guthrie Theater, the Folger Theater, the Clarence Brown Theater, The Old Globe, and South Coast Repertory. His numerous audiobook titles include Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving, and Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

ELLEN HARVEY (Helen Hubbard) Broadway: Present Laughter (Miss Erikson w/ Kevin Kline), How To Succeed in Business… (Miss Jones w/ Daniel Radcliffe), Phantom Of The Opera (Madame Giry), The Music Man, Thou Shalt Not. Shakespeare In The Park: Into The Woods. National

Tours: Mary Poppins (Miss Andrew), Disney’s High School Musical (Ms.Darbus), Mamma Mia, (Tanya), Sunset Boulevard. Ellen just originated the role of Mrs. Wiley in Ken Ludwig’s newest play, Lend Me A Soprano at the Alley Theatre. Regional Favorites: Knoxville (AuntHannah, Asolo Rep), Company (Joanne, Barrington Stage, BTCA award), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett, KC Rep), Animal Crackers (Mrs. Rittenhouse, Williamstown), Last Night of Ballyhoo (Boo Levy, Bay Street Theater), Pericles (Dionyza, Two River Theatre), Sister Act (Mother Superior, NSMT), Little Mermaid (Ursula, NCT) plus Gypsy and Into

The Woods at the MUNY. TV: WeCrashed, House of Cards, Blacklist, Gotham, Younger, Partners. Catherine Braithwaite in Red Dead Redemption II. Visit: ellenharvey.net Social: @ellenharveynyc

CHRISTOPHER HICKEY (Colonel Arbuthnot) i s delighted to return to The Rep. Previously at The Rep: Macbeth (Ross); The Comedy of Errors (Balthasar/Nell). A proud member of Actors’ Equity, Christopher began his professional career at Historyonics, the (dearly departed) theater-inresidence of the Missouri Historical Society, where he was a company member for eight seasons. He has also worked locally with New Jewish Theatre, Variety Theater, Insight Theatre, Mustard Seed Theatre, St. Louis Actors’ Studio and Ozark Actors Theatre, among others. Recent credits include the world premiere of The Good Ship Saint Louis (Upstream Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare Festival St. Louis) and Canfield Drive (St. Louis Black Repertory Company & National Black Theatre Festival). Special thanks to Hana and the Rep team – and to the audiences who continue to support the arts in St. Louis.

MARGARET IVEY (Mary Debenham, Countess

Andrenyi Understudy) is happy to be making her debut at The Rep! Off-Broadway: The Misanthrope (Molière in the Park), Measure for Measure (Epic Theatre Ensemble), and Season 10 of The Fire This Time Festival. Favorite Regional: Perdita in The Winter’s Tale (Alley Theatre), Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre (Cincinnati Playhouse and Milwaukee Rep), Zoe in The Niceties and Nahlis in The Wedding Gift (Contemporary American Theatre Festival), and Annabella/Pamela/Margaret in The 39 Steps (Merrimack Repertory Theatre). TV/Film: The Blacklist, Different Flowers, Madam Secretary, and Prodigal Son. Training: University of Southern California, the British American Drama Academy, and the American Theatre Wing’s SpringboardNYC Program. Margaret loves encouraging student artists as an actor/director with Theatre For A New Audience's New Voices Project and a teaching artist with Epic Theatre Ensemble. Visit: margaretivey.com

JAMIL A.C. MANGAN (Monsieur Bouc, Hercule

Poirot Understudy) is elated to be making his debut at The Rep! NYC: Classic Stage Company: (Sergeant) Mother Courage Cherry

Lane Theater (Dad) CROOKED PARTS; Teatro Sea (Bear)

PROTECT THE POETS Regional: Troy in Fences

(Playhouse on Park), Bernard in Free Rider at Alabama Shakespeare Company, Othello in Othello at Perseverance Theater, Master Page in Merry Wives of Windsor at Orlando Shakespeare Theater, MLK in Mountaintop at TheaterWorks Hartford, Harmond in Radio Golf at Everyman Theater, Luna Stage Company: (MLK) MAN IN ROOM 306. TV: Blue Bloods (CBS), Manifest (NBC), Good Cop (Netflix), Gotham (FOX). Social: @JamilActs

JOEL MOSES (Samuel Ratchet, Monsieur Bouc

Understudy) is an actor who is happy to call St. Louis home, and is proud to be making his debut at The Rep! St. Louis Theatre: The Christians (West End Players), Bronte Sister House Party (SATE), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (New Jewish Theatre), The Zoo Story, and The Dumb Waiter (St. Louis Actors’ Studio). He spent several years with the Organic Theater Company in Chicago where favorite performances include Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Emilie: la Marquise du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight, The Diviners, and King Ubu. Other Chicago Theatre: work with First Folio Theatre, Assassination Theater, 16th Street Theater, Theatre Y, and Stage 773. Training: Northern Illinois University, MFA in Acting, and abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre.

GAYTON SCOTT (Princess Dragomiroff )

Broadway: Gypsy (starring Bernadette Peters, director Sam Mendes), The Women (starring Cynthia Nixon), Present Laughter (starring

Frank Langella). Off Broadway: Abigail's Party, Bunty

Berman Presents (both at The New Group directed by Scott Elliott), Side Street (Theater Lab), Indiscretions (Phoenix Theatre director Jonathan Silverstein), The Tudor (Prospect Theater). First National Tours: The Lincoln Theatre Center production of My Fair Lady (director Barlett Sher), An American in Paris (director Christopher Wheeldon). Regional: Cincinnatti Playhouse, Baltimore Center Stage, Pioneer Theater, Barrington Stage, Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Williamstown, and Long Wharf among others. Film/TV: PS I Love You, Forbidden Love, Law & Order:CI, As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Great Performances on PBS. Gayton studied acting with the late William Esper.

JODI STOCKTON (Princess Dragomiroff

Understudy, Helen Hubbard Understudy) The Rep debut. Jodi has been performing for over 40 years in Central Indiana and St. Louis area companies including the Indianapolis Opera, Myers Dinner Theatre, R-S Theatrics, West End Players Guild and many community theaters. Favorite Theatre: Nellie

in South Pacific, Kate in Kiss Me Kate, Sister Amnesia in Nunsense, Marian in The Music Man, and Nancy in Oliver! Jodi can also be seen on film in commercials and movies, including her recent role as Grace in the movie The Gift of Grace, currently on Amazon Prime.

MICHAEL THANH TRAN (Michel the Conductor & Head Waiter)is thrilled to be returning to The Rep having previously performed in Pride & Prejudice. Theatre: Three Seasons with St. Louis Shakespeare Festival: King Lear w/ Andre De Shields, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer’s Night Stroll. Seedfolks (Metro Theatre Company), Charley’s Aunt and Our Town (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre), Othello and As You Like it (Hoosier Shakespeare Festival), La Traviata (Opera Theatre of St. Louis), Aida (The Muny). Workshops: Tolstoy’s Resurrection and Homes (Confluence New Play Festival), madaling sabihin (Envisage New Play Festival), Thousand Natural Shocks (STLSF). Training: Webster Conservatory, BFA. Michael recently earned his Intimacy Captain Certificate (2022) through Intimacy Coordinators of Color with Ann James. Much love to Hana, Becks, The

Rep and The Rep’s Marketing Team for their love, grace and support. Tôi là hy vọng và

Visit: michaelthanhtran.com Social: @michael.thanh.tran

FATIMA WARDAK (Greta Ohlsson) Rep debut!

Fatima is an Afghan-American actor, writer and activist based in NYC. Theatre: Selling

Kabul, A Thousand Splendid Suns (Seattle Repertory Theatre), Dance Nation (Unicorn Theatre, Kansas City). Fatima has also worked at The 5th Avenue Theatre, ACT Seattle, with Optika Moderna at La Jolla Playhouse, California Shakespeare Theater, Corrib Theater, Western Summer Theater, and more.

Fatima is a proud daughter of refugees.

WEBSTER ENSEMBLE

LUKA CRUZ (Hector Macqueen Understudy, Michel & Head Waiter Understudy) is excited to be making his professional debut in St. Louis as a part of the ensemble of Murder on the Orient Express. You may have seen him in past productions at the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts, where Luka is in his third year as an acting Major at Webster University. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Luka is loving St. Louis and all the amazing opportunities to work and learn.

KYLEIGH GRIMSBO (Greta Ohlsson Understudy)

is thrilled to share her first professional performance in St. Louis with The Rep. She is also extremely grateful to have worked with several theaters in her hometown of Duluth, Minnesota, such as the Norshor Theater, Rubber Chicken Theater, Renegade Theater Company, and Zenith City Horror. Theatre: Don John in Much Ado About Nothing, Janet Weiss in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and most recently, Kate in Seminar. Training: Third-year acting student at the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. Kyleigh is thankful every day for the opportunity to learn. Social: @kgrimsbo

ARIA

MAHOLCHIC

(Mary Debenham Understudy)

recently appeared as Martha Cratchit in The Rep’s production of A Christmas Carol and is very happy to be back. A junior musical theatre major at Webster’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts, Aria appeared last spring as Julien in Molierre’s Learned Ladies, directed by Rebekah Scallet. She grew up in upstate NY, where she performed in numerous musicals and operas at the Glimmerglass festival, most notably playing Athena in The Odyssey, directed by Francesca Zambello. Aria would like to thank Hana, Becks, and everyone at The Rep for giving her this opportunity and her family, friends, and teachers for always believing in her.

COLBY WILLIS (Samuel Ratchet Understudy)

Theatre: Leonard in Seminar, The Squip in Be More Chill, Haemon in Burial At Thebes, and as part the ensemble of Sondheim On Sondheim. This is his first time being a part of a professional company and he could not be more ready and excited for the experience. Training: Junior BFA Acting major at the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University.

DIRECTION & DESIGN

HANA S. SHARIF (Director) has directed acclaimed productions of A Christmas Carol (4 STL CC nominations, STL A List award), Pride & Prejudice (5 STLCC nominations), Porgy & Bess, The Who & The What (3 SFBA Critic Circle nominations), Fun Home, Sense and Sensibility, The Christians, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Pride and Prejudice (DCArts: Best Director/Best New Play), The Whipping Man, Gem of the Ocean (six CCC nominations), Gee’s Bend (CCC Award Best Ensemble, two nominations), Next Stop Africa, Cassie, The Drum, IFdentity, Pretty Fire, Patient 463, I, Marcus Garvey, Quicksand, Hospice, The Blacker The Berry and Cassie. Her plays include All the Women I Used to Be, The Rise and Fall of Day and The Sprott Cycle Trilogy (1880, 1964, 2010).

TIM MACKABEE (Set Designer) Previously at The Rep: A Christmas Carol (2021 & 2022), Angels in America: Parts One and Two. Broadway: The Elephant Man and Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth. He designed the West End production of The Elephant Man. Off-Broadway: Heathers The Musical, Seared (Outer Critics Circle Award, MCC Theatre), Guards at the Taj (Lortel Award), Describe the

Night, The Penitent, Our New Girl (Atlantic), Darling Grenadine, The Last Match (Roundabout), Vietgone, Important Hats of the Twentieth Century (MTC), Luce (LCT) and Gigantic (Vineyard). Regional: Ford’s Theatre, Seattle Rep, The Old Globe, Baltimore Center Stage, Denver Center, Portland Center Stage, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theatre Center, Yale Repertory Theatre, Syracuse Stage, South Coast Repertory, Arden Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, The Muny and Williamstown.

TV: Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo (HBO), Gotham, Smash, The Today Show and Football Night in America.

Training: North Carolina School of the Arts, Yale School of Drama. Visit: timothymackabeedesign.com

Social: @timmackabeedesign

FABIO TOBLINI (Costume Designer) Broadway: Romeo and Juliet, Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Off-Broadway: Original productions of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Batboy the Musical, The Divine Sister, Pip’s Island. Recent credits:

Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Ballet

Arizona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Chicago

Shakespeare Theater, Sherlock’s Last Case at Huntington Theater. Other Theatre: Oregon Shakespeare Theater, The Old Globe theater, American Players Theater,

Hartford Stage, Guthrie Theater, Alley Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Ford’s Theatre and Studio Theatre. Opera: Santa Fe Opera, Wexford Opera Festival (IE), St Louis Opera Theater, Nationale Reisopera (NL), Landestheater (AU), Gotham Chamber Opera and Portland Opera. Awards: 2018

Craig Noel Award, 2015 Craig Noel Award nomination, 2015 Connecticut Critics Circle Award nomination, 2012 and 2016 Connecticut Critics Circle Award ; 2008 Irene

Sharaff Young Master Award; 2001 Lucille Lortel

Nomination. Visit: fabiotoblini.com

JASON LYNCH (Lighting Designer) is a Chicagobased lighting designer for live performance and returns to The Rep, where previous design credits include the world premiere of Feeding Beatrice. Off-Broadway: You Are Here: An Evening with Solea Pfeiffer (Audible Theatre/Minetta Lane Theatre).

Regional: Alley Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Baltimore

Center Stage, Barrington Stage Company, Berkeley

Repertory Theatre, City Theatre Company, Chicago

Shakespeare Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Denver

Center for the Performing Arts, Geva Theatre Center, Goodman Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company, Long

Wharf Theatre, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre

Company, Trinity Repertory Company, Victory Gardens Theater, among others. Jason was the recipient of the 2022 Equity Jeff Award for his work on Choir Boy at Steppenwolf and the 2019 Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award, which recognizes emerging theatrical designers within the Chicago area. Lynch is represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE and The Gersh Agency. Visit: jasondlynch.com

Social: @jasonlynch.design

CHARLES COES (Sound Designer & Composition)

Theatre: Pride and Prejudice and A Christmas Carol (St. Louis Rep), Golden Shield (MTC), Letters of Suresh (2ST), Evita (Bucks County Playhouse) The Tempest, Cymbeline Much Ado About Nothing

(HVSF), Sing Street (NYTW); Jitney (Mark Taper Forum, Music Hall of Detroit, Arena Stage); Miss You Like Hell, Fun Home, Soul, The Christians, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Baltimore Center Stage); The Good Book (Berkeley Rep); The Belle of Amherst, Third, (Two River Theater); Natural Shocks (WP Theater); The Way the Mountain Moved, Sense and Sensibility (OSF) Little Black Shadows, The Tempest (South Coast Rep); Animal Farm

(Milwaukee Rep); Robber Bridegroom (Roundabout); Sense and Sensibility (Dallas Theater Center, The Guthrie); Tokyo FishStory (The Old Globe). He has been the associate on more than 25 Broadway shows including Almost Famous, To Kill a Mockingbird, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Junk. He has toured the world with the Homer’s Coat production of An Iliad.

NATHAN A. ROBERTS (Sound Designer & Composition) is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, instrument-maker and sound designer who specializes in creating original music and soundscapes for plays, often live on stage. Previously at The Rep: Pride and Prejudice and Puss in Boots. Off Broadway: Golden Shield at Manhattan Theatre Club; Letters of Suresh at Second Stage; Natural Shocks at WP Theater, The Servant of Two Masters at TFANA, Julius Caesar and Macbeth at The Acting Company, and Crane Story, Dramatis Personae at The Playwrights Realm. Regional: The Way the Mountain Moved and Sense and Sensibility at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Miss You Like Hell, Fun Home, The Christians, and Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Baltimore Center Stage, Animal Farm at Milwaukee Rep, Sense and Sensibility at Dallas Theater Center/Guthrie Theater, Tokyo Fish Story at The Old Globe, Assassins, Accidental

Death of an Anarchist and The Servant of Two Masters at Yale Repertory Theater, Twelfth Night and The Tempest at Hartford Stage and It’s a Wonderful Life at Long Wharf Theatre. Training: MFA from Yale School of Drama. Faculty: Lecturer in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies, Yale University.

MICHAEL SALVATORE COMMENDATORE

(Projection Designer) Originally from Rhode Island, Michael currently lives in Chicago, IL with his amazing wife, Katie, and their lovable cats, Sebastian and JJ. Michael travels around the country designing for theatre, opera, dance, installations and more. He blends his love for film and theatre by designing projections at places like the Arizona Opera, The Great Northern Festival, Spoleto Festival, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Public Theatre, Music Theatre Wichita, Portland Stage, Yale Repertory Theatre, DePaul University, Colgate University, Williams College, SUNY Stonybrook, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Emerald City Theatre, Vancouver Fringe Festival, and more. He also has had the opportunity to work on shows at Juilliard, Carnegie Hall, Miami Ballet, Houston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and The

Lincoln Center Theater. He also received a Jeff award for Best Projection Design in Chicago for his work in It Came

From Outer Space the Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Training: Yale School of Drama, MFA in Design.

Visit: michaelcommendatore.com

JONAH SCHNELL (Associate Lighting Designer)

is very excited to be returning The Rep. Jonah is a NYC based Lighting Designer but a St. Louis native. Attending Rep shows as a child inspired Jonah to become a theater artist.

Previously at The Rep: Jonah served as an Asst. Lighting Designer; A Christmas Carol, Angels in America Pt.1 & 2, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Heisenberg. Jonah’s Associate/Assistant Design work can been seen at; The Santa Fe Opera, Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Trinity Repertory Company, Berkeley

Repertory Company, The Old Globe, Victory Gardens Theater, and Geva Theatre Center.

Visit: jonahschnell.com.

MICHAEL COSTAGLIOLA (Associate Sound Designer)

is a New York-based sound designer and composer.

Previously at The Rep: (with Charles Coes and Nathan Roberts) Pride & Prejudice, A Christmas Carol. His work

has been heard in New York in productions by The Public, New York Theatre Workshop, La MaMa, Page 73, and Ars Nova among others, as well as regionally at Two River Theater, Yale Rep, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and at various other theaters across the U.S. and abroad. Training: AB in Music from Brown University, MFA in Sound Design from Yale School of Drama. Visit: michaelcostagliola.com

CHET MILLER (Associate Projection Designer) is a new media technologist, specializing in large scale video playback systems. As a video programmer, selected projects include: Lehman Trilogy (Broadway), Madonna Finally Enough Love (Concert), Madonna Madame X (International Tour),The Flying Dutchman (Met Opera), Drop Kick Murphy Streamin Outta Fenway (Live Stream), We Live in Cairo (ART).

RAIYON HUNTER (Assistant Director)

is an actress, director, producer, and arts administrator from New Orleans, Louisiana. She is currently employed at the Alliance Theatre as a Spelman Leadership Fellow and has worked on a multitude of shows in various capacities ranging from Casting Associate to Director on

productions such as Do You Love the Dark, Darlin Cory, Bina’s Six Apples, and Good Bad People. She has a passion and deep desire to create community and opportunities for BIPOC Women through theater. She is a proud member of Women of Color in the Arts and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Raiyon would like to dedicate her work on this production to Arissa Jones and Jamal Baker.

JOSHUA DAVID ROBINSON (Dialect Coach) most recent voice and dialect clients include Death of a Salesman on Broadway starring Sharon D Clarke and Wendel Pierce, and ongoing work with the multiple companies of the Broadway musical Book of Mormon. Their voice work has been featured in scripted podcasts for Amazon and animated shows for Disney. They have taught BFA and MFA students at a number of universities and training programs, including The Juilliard School, The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Joshua is based in Brooklyn New York, where they also work as an actor and voice artist in addition to their work as a vocal coach. They are always working to use the art of storytelling as a means to engage with his community and as a vehicle for social change. Love and Light.

MICHAEL PIERCE (Fighting consultant)

is pleased to be back working with The Rep, having previously choreographed The 39 Steps and The Thanksgiving Play. Michael has been fight directing in St. Louis since 2016 and is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors. Michael is also the founder of Slings and Arrows, a professional training organization for actors and artists.

Visit: slingsandarrows@gmail.com.

RACHEL TIBBETTS (Intimacy

Consultant) is Artistic Director for Prison Performing Arts and co-producer of the Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble (SATE). She received her B.A. in Theatre from Oklahoma State University, and is a graduate of the Community Arts Training Institute sponsored by the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission. Rachel works in the community as an actor, director, and teaching artist. She also works as an intimacy director and consultant, in partnership with Will Bonfiglio. Rachel is one of the 2023 Saint Louis Visionary Award honorees.

WILL BONFIGLIO (Intimacy Consultant) is a theatre artist located in St. Louis, MO. In addition to acting, directing, and producing on area stages, he works in partnership with Rachel Tibbetts in intimacy direction and consultation. They have recently worked with Webster University's Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts and John Burroughs School and have studied with a variety of organizations, including Heartland Intimacy Design & Training, Intimacy Directors & Coordinators, and Theatrical Intimacy Education.

JZ CASTING (Casting Director) Partners Geoff Josselson, CSA and Katja Zarolinski, CSA are New York-based casting directors, handling productions for Broadway, Off-Broadway and major New York and regional theatre companies, as well as film and television. Previous and Current work: Productions for Arena Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Baltimore Center Stage, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Cape Playhouse, Cleveland Play House, Denver Center, Kennedy Center Merrimack Rep, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Studio Theatre, Theaterworks Hartford, and the Weston Playhouse. Visit: jjz-casting.com

EMILEE BUCHHEIT (Production Stage Manager)

is very excited to be returning to The Rep for her twelfth season! Previously at the Rep: House of Joy, and The 39 Steps. Theatre: Stage Manager at Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Variety Theatre,The New Jewish Theatre, The Foolish Theatre Company (NY), and Little Theatre on the Square. Training: Emilee is a proud graduate of the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University with a degree in Stage Management.

LORRAINE FIORE (Assistant Stage Manager)

is a proud Equity Stage Managerwith a BFA and MFA from Webster University.

Lorraine is extremely excited to get back to making theatre magic! Some of Lorraine’s favorite Rep credits include Peter and the Starcatcher, To Kill a Mockingbird, Evita, A Christmas Carol, Oslo, Follies and Pride and Prejudice. In addition to being an ASM at The Rep, she also serves as the Stage Management Department Head and an Assistant Stage Manager at The Muny.

CECILE

“CECE”

ENTZ (Production Assistant) is thrilled to be a part of this thrilling production. They started their stage management journey at Chaffey Community College in California and eventually transferred their way to The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University where they will be graduating this May. Cece has done shows like Hedwig and the Angry Inch (PSM), Amélie (ASM), and Seminar (PSM). They would like to thank their late Grandfather who introduced them to Hercule Poirot as a child and helped create a lifetime appreciation for these timeless murder mystery stories.

AGATHA CHRISTIE (Author) is known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English with another billion in foreign languages. She is the most widely published author of all time and, in many languages, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. She is the author of 66 crime novels, 150 short story collections, over 20 plays, and six novels written under the name Mary Westmacott. Her work includes Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and the genre-defining And Then There Were None.

Agatha Christie’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was written towards the end of the First World War, in which she served in the VAD. In it she created Hercule Poirot, the little Belgian detective who was destined to become the most popular detective in crime fiction since Sherlock Holmes. It was published by Bodley Head in 1920.

In 1926, after averaging a book a year, Agatha Christie wrote her first masterpiece. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was the first of her books to be published by Collins and marked the beginning of an authorpublisher relationship that lasted for 50 years and well over 70 books. Ackroyd was also the first of Agatha

Christie’s books to be dramatized – under the title Alibi–and to have a successful run in London’s West End.

By 1930, Agatha had introduced a new character to act as detective. When she created Miss Marple, Agatha did not expect her to become Poirot’s rival, but with The Murder at the Vicarage, Miss Marple’s first fulllength outing, it appeared she had produced another popular and enduring character.

The Mousetrap, her most successful play of all, opened in 1952 and is the longest-running play in history.

Agatha Christie was made a dame in 1971. She died in 1976.

Agatha Christie Limited (ACL) has been managing the literary and media rights to Agatha Christie's works around the world since 1955, working with the best talents in film, television, publishing, stage and on digital platforms to ensure that Christie’s work continues to reach new audiences in innovative ways and to the highest standard. The company is managed by Christie’s great grandson James Prichard. Visit: agathachristie.com for more information.

KEN LUDWIG (Adaptor) has had six shows on Broadway, seven in London's West End, and many of his works have become a standard part of the American repertoire. His 28 plays and musicals have been performed in over 30 countries in more than 20 languages and are produced throughout the United States every night of the year.

Lend Me a Tenor won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century by The Washington Post. Crazy For You was on Broadway for five years and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical.

In addition, he has won the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, and the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theater. His plays have starred, among others, Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Tony Shaloub, Joan Collins and Hal Holbrook.

His stage version of Murder on the Orient Express was written expressly at the request of the Agatha Christie Estate, and his latest play, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, won the 2020 Charles MacArthur Award for Best New Play of the Year and is optioned for Broadway.

His book How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare, published by Penguin Random House, won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year, and his essays are published in the Yale Review.

He is a graduate of Harvard and Cambridge and is a frequent guest speaker for groups as varied as The Oxford-Cambridge Society, The Jane Austen Society of North America, The Folger Shakespeare Library, and The Baker Street Irregulars. Visit: kenludwig.com.

HANA S. SHARIF (Augustin Family Artistic Director) has enjoyed a multi-faceted theatre career, including roles as an artistic leader, director, playwright and producer with a specialty in strategic and cross-functional leadership. She served for five years as Associate Artistic Director at Baltimore Center Stage, where she oversaw the day-to-day execution of all of the mainstage and studio productions, and was the architect of the innovative CS Digital program: a platform that pushes the boundaries of traditional theatre and looks at the nexus point between art and technology. Her other achievements at Baltimore Center Stage include prototyping the Mobile Unit, strengthening community engagement, producing multiple world and regional premieres and helping to guide the theatre through a multi-million dollar building renovation and rebranding effort. In 2012, Hana served as the inaugural Program Manager of the ArtsEmerson Ambassador Program and launched ArtsEmerson Artist-InResidency program featuring playwright Daniel Beaty. In addition to her work at ArtsEmerson, Hana leveraged her regional theatre experience to freelance produce for smaller theatre companies, looking to expand and restructure their administrative teams. Hana served as developmental producer and program manager for

Progress Theatre in Houston, where she consulted with the Artistic Director on redefining the artistic vision and subsequent recasting of the ensemble company and lead strategic organizational planning focused on LORT market entry. During her decade-long tenure at Hartford Stage, Hana served as the Associate Artistic Director, Director of New Play Development, and Artistic Producer. Hana launched the new play development program, expanded the community engagement and civic discourse initiatives, and developed and produced Tony, Grammy, Pulitzer and Obie Award-winning shows. From 1997–2003, Hana served as the co-founder and Artistic Director of Nasir Productions, a theatre dedicated to underrepresented voices to challenge traditional structure. Her guest lecturer credits include Spelman College, Sewanee University, UT Austin, UCSD, Prairie View A&M, Emerson College, Maggie Flanigan Studio, Towson University, UMD, UConn, UMass and University of Hartford, among others. Additionally, Hana has directed acclaimed productions of Porgy & Bess, The Who & The What, Fun Home, Sense and Sensibility, The Christians, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Pride and Prejudice (DCArts: Best Director/Best New Play), The Whipping Man, Gem of the Ocean (six CCC nominations), Gee’s Bend (CCC Award Best Ensemble, two nominations), Next Stop Africa, Cassie, The Drum and IFdentity. Her plays include All the

Women I Used to Be, The Rise and Fall of Day and The Sprott Cycle Trilogy. Hana holds a BA from Spelman College and an MFA from the University of Houston. She is the recipient of the 2009–10 Aetna New Voices Fellowship, EMC Arts Working Open Fellowship, Theatre Communications Group (TCG) New Generations Fellowship, and is a founding member of The Black Theatre Commons (BTC). She serves on the board of directors for the TCG, BTC, and the Sprott Foundation.

DANNY WILLIAMS (Managing Director)

became

The Rep’s Managing Director in January 2022. An experienced arts administrator, Danny has expertise in nonprofit accounting, senior management and organizational development. Prior to joining The Rep, Danny worked at The Public Theater in New York, where he has served in various roles since 2006. Most recently, as Senior Director, Finance and Administration, he managed the daily and strategic financial operations of this $50 million nonprofit organization, successfully launched an organization-wide intranet, partnered with the development team to achieve fundraising goals, and collaborated on long-term financial planning and analysis, including cash investment strategies,

budget analysis and project management. Noteworthy and favorite productions include Broadway productions of Fun Home, Eclipsed, Hamilton and Hair along with Off-Broadway productions of Here Lies Love, Into the Woods, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, White Noise and Rock Bottom. Williams has also held roles with Musical Theatre International, Warren Miller Performing Arts Center and Manhattan Theatre Club and has served as an adjunct professor in the performing arts management master of fine arts program at Brooklyn College. He earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing and theater from Fairfield University and spent a semester abroad studying at Regents University in the United Kingdom.

Stanton Nash, Private Lives

Photography By Jon Gitchoff

BECKS REDMAN (Associate Artistic Director & Director of New Work) is the current Associate Artistic Director & Director of New Workat

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, where she has line produced the Mainstage and Studio productions for the past four seasons. Prior to her time at The Rep, Becks held producing and casting positions in the Artistic departments at Actors Theatre of Louisville and Baltimore Center Stage. She is thrilled to be making her Steve Woolf Studio directing debut with GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES later this season. Becks received her BFA from The University of the Arts and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

Paul Aguirre , A Christmas Carol

Photography By T. Charles Erickson

REGGIE D. WHITE (Associate Artistic Director) is an award-winning multi-hyphenate artist, educator, and arts advocate whose international career spans almost 2 decades. As an actor, he made his Broadway debut in Matthew López's Tony Awardwinning epic, The Inheritance. Earlier this year he starred as Bayard Rustin in Bayard Rustin: Inside Ashland at People's Light (written and directed by Steve H. Broadnax III) Other Regional and Off-Broadway: I andYou (59E59), Hundred Days (New York Theatre Workshop), The Luckiest (La Jolla Playhouse), Macbeth In Stride (American Repertory Theatre at Harvard University) and the world premiere of Flood In the Valley, a bi-lingual musical that toured China in 2018. His directing credits include Atlantic Theater Company, The Public, Bay Street Theater, The Williams Project, and PlayGroundSF. Earlier this year, Reggie co-conceived Lessons in Survival: 1971, based on the iconic conversation between Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin at Vineyard Theatre (NYT Critic’s Pick). He also co-conceived and appeared in the digital anthology series of the same title (NYT Best Theatre of 2020). His play, In Case You Haven’t Heard premiered last spring at Bay Street Theatre, and is currently co-writing a play with Lauren Gunderson (America’s Most-Produced Living Playwright).

LEADERSHIP

Reggie is a resident artist at Vineyard Theatre, a founding member of the mutli-generational theatre collective, The Commissary, and a founding company member with The Williams Project, a living-wage theatre company. As an educator, Reggie has taught, delivered, and developed arts curricula across the country for artists of all ages. Since 2015, has has been a member of the faculty at Atlantic Acting School (an NYU Partner Studio), where he served as its Artistic Director from 2018-2022. Reggie is a recipient of the Colman Domingo Award, The TCG Fox Fellowship, the TBA Titan Award, the RHE Artistic Fellowship and an NCAAP Theatre Award nominee.

Visit: www.reggiedwhite.com.

Celeste M. Cooper , Confederates

Photography By Liz Lauren

Congratulations to the Leading Leadies on the milestone of raising $1M!

Founded in 2008, the Leading Ladies is a passionate group devoted to celebrating and elevating women in theatre– from actors to playwrights and stage managers to stitchers.

Each season at The Rep, the Leading Ladies provide underwriting support to productions and programs that center and provide opportunities for women. Over the course of 15 seasons, we have supported more than ten productions, a myriad Learning and Community Engagement (L.A.C.E.) programs and two full seasons of shows!

This season, the Leading Ladies continue to raise funds in support of underwriting the productions of all five women directors: Lavina Jadhwani, Meredith McDonough, Hana S. Sharif, Elizabeth Carter and Becks Redman.

Thank you to all of the generous Leading Ladies, past and present, whose support helped reach this phenomenal milestone! Your generous contributions helps to ensure a vibrant future for the next generation of women theatre makers at The Rep and across the nation.

Laakan McHardy, A Christmas Carol

Photography By T.Charle Erickson

Alegra Batara & Peterson Townsend, A Christmas Carol

Photography By T.Charle Erickson

Tatiana Williams & Tiffany Oglesby, Confederates

Photography By Liz Lauren

Phoenix Best, Side By Side By Sondheim

Photography By Phillip Hamer

Stanton Nash, Kerry Warren, Carman Lacivita , Private Lives

Photography By John Gitchoff

Amelia Pedlow, Private Lives

Photography By John Gitchoff

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT

Gwen Middeke*

the todd organization

SECRETARY

Judi Scissors*

community volunteer

MEMBERS:

Wendi Alper-Pressman

lathrop & gage, llp

Margaret Augustin*

community volunteer

Patrick Aydt

merrill lynch | vice president

Lauren Smith Blair

VICE PRESIDENT

Brian Clevinger* prolog ventures

TREASURER

Ven Houts*

ernst & young

VICE PRESIDENT

Susan Stith* cigna

VICE PRESIDENT,

VOLUNTEERS

Ann Harris Straw*

community volunteer

Gwen Middeke*

the todd organization of st. louis | partner

Ronald L. Roberts ridge graves, llc | managing partner

Lauren Sagel

community volunteer

u.s. bancorp community development corporation | vice president

Dedric A. Carter*

washington university | vice chancellor for operations and technology transfer

Brian Clevinger* prolog ventures | managing director

Brandon Evans*

ernst & young | partner

Frank Hamsher*

skyline public strategies, inc. | principal

Laurie Hiler

cgb enterprise inc. | project manager

Gina Hoagland

collaborative strategies, inc. chairman and principal

Ven Houts*

ernst & young | community volunteer

Dan Jay*

christner architects | principal of counsel

Pat Schutte*

community volunteer

Judi Scissors*

community volunteer

Ann Cady Scott*

community volunteer

Susan Stith*

cigna | vp dei, civic affairs & foundation

Ann Harris Straw* community volunteer / vice president, volunteers

Elizabeth J. Stroble webster university | chancellor

Susan D. Tuteur

community volunteer

*executive committee

VOLUNTEER BOARD

One of the most treasured and dedicated resources, The Rep’s Volunteer Board provides amazing support each season with donations of time, talent and skill throughout all facets of the organization. We are so grateful to the Volunteer Board for their continued dedication as integral members of The Rep family. If you are interested in serving on The Rep Volunteer Board, please contact call the Development Department at (314) 687-4030.

PRESIDENT

Ann Harris Straw

SECRETARY

Ann Bronsing

MEMBERS:

Trish Alexandre

Susan Barley

Ann Bronsing

Michaeleen Cradock

Dorothy Diehl

TREASURER

Carol Schreiner

VICE PRESIDENT

Trish Alexandre

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Laurie Hiler

Denise Eschenbrenner

Karen Fairbank

Glenda Hares

Vicki Helling

Laurie Hiler

Marcia King

Margie Knapp

Linda Lowry

Barbara Mennell

Karen Miller

Shirley Raitzsch

Colleen Ritchie

Rocky Rosen

Helen Sandifer

Cindy Schnabel

Carol Schreiner

Ann Harris Straw

Linda Vandivort

Lynn Yearwood

Hana S. Sharif

Augustin Family Artistic Director

Danny Williams

Managing Director

ARTISTIC

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

& DIRECTOR OF NEW WORK

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

learning & COMMUNITY engagement

DIRECTOR OF LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

LEARNING PROGRAMS MANAGER

TEACHING AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

TEACHING ARTIST

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

GENERAL MANAGER

COMPANY MANAGER

SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT

ATTORNEY

DEVELOPMENT

MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

MARKETING DIRECTOR

MARKETING MANAGER

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

MARKETING ASSOCIATE

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Becks Redman

Reggie D. White

Adena Varner

Brian Coats

Britney Daniels

Brea Rollston

Claire Himstedt

Clifford Hannon

Michael Ward

Bailey Pashia

Alex Ray

Sara Robertson, Polsinelli PC

Tasha Kaminsky

Rob Kapeller

Ashton Beck

Mike De Pope

Cameron Wulfert

Michael Thanh Tran

Delores Eddington

PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION

STAGE MANAGERS

PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE

scenic

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

ASSOCIATE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

CHARGE SCENIC ARTIST

SCENIC ARTISTS

SCENIC SHOP FOREMAN

SCENIC CARPENTERS

PROPERTIES MANAGER

PROPS CARPENTER

costumes

COSTUME SHOP MANAGER

ASSOCIATE COSTUME SHOP MANAGER

HEAD DRAPER

DRAPER

FIRST HANDS

WIG AND MAKEUP SUPERVISOR

lighting

LIGHTING AND PROJECTIONS SUPERVISOR

MAINSTAGE HEAD ELECTRICIAN

ELECTRICIAN

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

SENIOR MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION

ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

AUDIENCE SERVICES

DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE SERVICES

BOX OFFICE MANAGER

ASSISTANT BOX OFFICE MANAGER

DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR

BOX OFFICE ASSOCIATES

BOX OFFICE REPRESENTATIVES

LEAD HOUSE MANAGER

ASSOCIATE HOUSE MANAGER

ASSISTANT HOUSE MANAGERS

Michael T. Sondag

Laura Wandersee

Suzanne Bodenstein

Marsha Whitler

Ricki Marking-Camuto

Kristy Kannapell

Lin Joyce

Dan Ladd

Michael Dorn

Christian Hoffman

Taylor Kelly

Carl Wickman

Brittni Brown

LaTonya Shepherd

Deanna Danger

Hope Harbour

Jessica Barnes

Mia Vitelli

Mo Moellering

sound

MAINSTAGE SOUND ENGINEER

SOUND ENGINEER

crew

WARDROBE SUPERVISOR

IATSE

Catherine Campbell

Emilee Buchheit

Lorraine Fiore

Shannon B. Sturgis

Jacob Cange

Michael Strickland

Emilie WeilbacherMcMullan

Scott Loebl

Stephen Pollihan, James Van Well

Dave McCarthy

Dan Roach, Jr.

Danny McCarthy

Eric William Barnes

Ralph Wilke

Kristie Osi

Erica Jo Lloyd

Robert Trump

Elizabeth Eisloeffel

Sandra Kabuye

Michelle Bentley

Dennis Bensie

Michael Jarvis

Connor Meers

Casey Morris III

Joshua Riggs

Sean Wilhite

Calyn Roth

Jacob Goodwin

A2 Dany Rodriguez

WARDROBE

WIG TECHNICIAN

DECK CREW

PROJECTIONS SUPERVISOR

PROJECTIONS PROGRAMMER

SPOT OPERATOR

Anahi Jimenez

Genevieve Rose

Lillian Cooper

CB Brown

Abby Schmidt

Kayla Holloman

Virginia Parkinson

Ethan Dunne Stewart

Demarcion Little

Devin Kinch

Parker Langarvdt

Carmen Del Vecchio

Allana (Shell) Le

Bella Chauny

The Rep produces work in three spaces from September through April, all sharing the same high production values and commitment to presenting exciting live professional theatre.

MAINSTAGE

The work presented in the Mainstage series is eclectic, ranging from modern to classics to musicals, and benefits from the large space afforded by the Browning and Berges Theatres. Performances are given in both the Virginia Jackson Browning Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center and the Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA.

STEVE WOOLF STUDIO SERIES

Longtime Rep Artistic Director Steve Woolf was a champion of producing innovative and provocative plays in an intimate setting. The Rep continues his legacy with the STEVE WOOLF STUDIO SERIES and invites you to a stunning new location to experience this exciting work. The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (KPAC) is St. Louis’ newest performance space and houses the beautiful Strauss Black Box Theatre. This season enjoy:

Gruesome Playground Injuries | by

Rajiv Joseph

Doug and Kayleen meet as eight-yearolds in the school infirmary. (He tried to ride his bike off the roof. She has a stomachache that her mother blames on “bad thoughts.”) Their lives intersect for the next three decades as they return to each other, alternately revealing and concealing their injuries — both physical and psychological — as they struggle with attraction, vulnerability and love. Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph creates a hilarious and heartbreaking love story that the Washington Post calls, “Mystical, arresting and quirkily amusing.”

By Rajiv Joseph

HOUSE POLICIES

Late Seating: Latecomers will be seated at an appropriate moment in the performance.

Electronic Devices: Please silence all electronic devices while in the theatre. Inclement Weather

Policy: In the event of inclement weather, please check our website, social media pages, or call the Box Office for current information.

If a cancellation occurs, please call the Box Office starting the day after the inclement weather occurred to exchange your seats for another performance of the same production.

TICKET EXCHANGE POLICY

Exchanges are an exclusive subscriber benefit. Exchanges may be made within the run of each production. Tickets may be exchanged up to two hours prior to show time.

If you choose to exchange into a higher-priced area, you will be charged the difference. No refunds are made for exchanges to lower-priced tickets.

WAYS TO SAVE

For parties of 10 people or more, please contact us at (314) 968-9489 or email groupsales@repstl.org to discuss group sales discounts.

For seniors, students, military, first responders or educators please visit repstl.org/events/ways-to-save or call (314) 968-4925 for additional information.

SUBSCRIBER DISCOUNTS

Subscribers can save two ways on additional ticket purchases. Advance purchases receive a 10% discount. Last-minute purchases (beginning48hourspriortoa show) are discounted 50%! Prior sales are excluded.

Please note: there are no refunds or exchanges on single ticket purchases.

YOUR BENEFITS

• Free Parking

• 100% Flexibility

• Special Discounts

• Exclusive Communications

• Early access to upcoming promotions and events

• Subscription Pass Boost

ACCESSIBILITY

Hearing: Free assistive listening devices using an FM system are available at Audience Services prior to all performances.

Open Captioning: We offer open captioning, an electronic text display which shows what the actors are saying or singing, at the last Sunday show for all Mainstage performances.

Vision: The Rep partners with MindsEye to offer live audio description for the final Thursday performance of each all productions.

Mobility: The Rep offers services for patrons who utilize mobility aids in all of our theatre spaces. Please discuss seating requirements with the Box Office when purchasing tickets or visit Audience Services when you arrive at the theatre.

American Sign Language: We offer ASL interpreted performances on the final Saturday matinee for all shows this season. Interpreters will be placed inside the theatre and sign what actors are saying and expressing for the audience.

Masking: We offer masking-required performances for audience members with health conditions that put them at high risk for airborne illness. One-time use surgical masks will be available for patrons who need them. For details on masking requirements, visit repstl.org/safety.

CALENDAR

preview asl interpreted opening audio described open captioning masked performance

LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

ITC

The Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC) focuses on theatre for young people and their families. Through the use of literature, folk tales, fairy tales and new adaptations of classic works, ITC is committed to bringing the very finest in theatre to youth where they live and learn. For more information visit repstl.org/itc

STUDY GUIDE/CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Digital study guides include information on the play and production, as well as activities and worksheets that educators can modify to meet the needs of their students.

INTERVIEWS WITH THE ARTISTS

Hear from the actors who bring ITC to life as they discuss their work on the shows and their artistry.

SHOW INFORMATION: James and the Giant Peach

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Essence Tyler, Puss In Boots

Photo by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

STUDENT MATINEES

The Rep’s student matinee program is designed to cultivate a love for theatre in young audiences. Schools pay $10 per ticket and bring eager students to the theatre for a performance and post-show discussion with cast members. Teachers receive a free, multi-disciplinary Study Guide containing information about the play, the playwright and the production, as well as useful background articles and suggested classroom activities. For more information visit repstl.org/student

STORY 2 STAGE

The Rep’s new Story 2 Stage program unlocks the power of storytelling by way of mining lived experiences, imaginations and aspirations. Through our 9-session residency program, schools receive an innovative, worldbuilding curriculum, designed for learners of all ages that leads youth and community members to create their own 10-minute plays. At the end of the residency, students may submit their work to the Story 2 Stage Festival for a chance to have their play professionally produced. Additionally, all Missouri students may submit a play to the festival for consideration. For more information about our residencies and festivals at story2stage.org

REPRESENT STL

This free conversation series takes a creative approach to building community through dialogue. Throughout the year, The Rep hosts thought-provoking public forums intended to provide a safe space for the free exchange of ideas, explore the intersectionality of art and civic life with experts and thought leaders and rigorously yet artfully discuss the issues that matter most to our community, all while actively discovering the subtle truths that unite our human experiences.

For more information, visit repstl.org/representstl

THE SNOWY DAY: A GLOWY SNOWY EXPERIENCE

The Rep is proud to present the 3rd annual The Snowy Day: A Glowy Snowy Experience from January 6 - January 9 2023! This wintertime drive-through spectacle is filled with giant, illuminated puppets, glow-in-the-dark scenery and a podcast that tells the story of a young boy playing outside with his friends during the season’s first snow. This free, family-friendly experience is based on the beloved children’s book, TheSnowyDay, by Ezra Jack Keats,. For more information, visit repstl.org/snow

Produced in partnership with StoneLion Puppet Theatre and the Missouri History Museum

CAMP REP

Each summer, The Rep is pleased to offer Camp Rep for youth in 2nd through 8th grade. Campers receive engaging instruction from some of the region’s leading teaching artists in Broadway Dance, Acting, Music, Creative Storytelling, Puppetry and more. This 2-week artistic immersion culminates in a creative showcase for families and friends. For more information, visit repstl.org/camp

Camp Rep 2022

Photography By John Gitchoff

Thoughtful design that matters.

The Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC) focuses on theatre for young people and their families. Through the use of literature, folk tales, fairy tales and new adaptations of classic works– ITC is committed to bringing the very finest in theatre to youth where they live and learn.

2022-2023 SEASON ITC PROGRAMS

TOURING FEB 1 - MAR 31, 2023

THIS YEAR WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING YOU TWO BELOVED ADAPTATIONS OF CLASSIC CHILDREN’S LITERATURE– WITH THEMES OF FRIENDSHIP, BRAVERY, ADVENTURE, AND WHIMSY THAT ARE PERFECT FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8.

BOTH PERFORMANCES HAVE AN ESTIMATED RUNTIME OF 60 MINUTES.

GIAC NOELLE Actor 1 MO MOELLERING actor 2 CHRISTINA YANCY actor 3

DANIEL MCRATH actor 4 JANNA LINAE actor 5 THOMAS PATRICK RILEY actor 6

director adena varner

director adam flores

Costume Designer Kristie Chiyere Osi

Set Designer SCOTT LOEBL

Musical Director Jermaine Manor

Production Stage Manager Britteny Henry

Choreographer Michael Baxter

MYSTERY GAME BECOME A DETECTIVE AND WIN A PRIZE

Four Games, five clues, one Grand Prize! Grand Prize

2-Night stay at The Chesire Hotel

TO START YOU JOURNEY AS THE REP'S DETECTIVE JUST SCAN THE QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE.

Find part of the secret code in our printed program on page 77.

The Cheshire Hotel is the perfect destination after an incredible evening. Enjoy the hotels luxurious accom modations and services, complimentary breakfast, and superb dining and cocktail experience at one of our fine restaurants.

The Leading Ladies are honored to continue their legacy of playing a major role in benefiting The Rep each season. We are grateful to the following donors, who pledged their support for the 2022-2023 season. We invite you to join our amazing group of Leading Ladies!

LYNN NOTTAGE

$10,000+ Anonymous

Ann P. Augustin & Margaret Augustin

JULIE TAYMOR

$7,500-9,999

IDINA MENZEL

$5,000-7,499

Juanita H. Hinshaw

SUZAN-LORI PARKS

$2,500-4,999

Pamela Wing Dern

Hannah Langsam

Pat Schutte

Judi Scissors

MARIANNE ELLIOTT

$1,000-$2,499

Crystal Beuerlein

Suzan Kelsey

Brooks

Dotti Fischer

Nancy Kranzberg

Judith Weiss Levy

Jane M. Robert

Ann Scheuer

Lois Schultz

Ann Scott

Diane Sher

Susan Tuteur

Helen D. Ziercher

PAULA VOGEL

$500-$999

Trish Abbene

Wendi Alper-Pressman

Christy Beckmann

Pamela Belloli

Cindy Belmont

Terri Ciccolella

Samantha Davidson

Barbara Gervais

Carolyn Gold

Peggy Holly

Sara Kessler

David Kodner

Personal Jewelers

Merritt McCarthy

Elizabeth Meteer

Karen Miller

Lucy Schreiber

Lisa Easton Silverberg

Ann H. Straw

Susan Warshaw

Mei Chen Welland

Kathleen Wood

Lynn Yearwood

ANIKA NONI ROSE

$250-$499

Bette L. Bude

Elaine Coe

Dorothy Diehl

Joan D. Dougherty

Roberta S. Frank

Laura Greenberg

Julie & David Hohman

Joanne Iskiwitch

Susan Kilo

Susan Knight

Sylvia Manewith

Judith Smart

Terry L. Thornton

Linda Vandivort

PHILLIPA SOO

$100-$249

Trish Alexandre

Penny Bari

Nancy Berg

Ilene Brooks

Kelley Ciampoli

Myra Crandall

Rose Mary Dieckhaus

Michelle Drabin

Denise Eschenbrenner

Karen L. Fairbank

Ann Franke

Judy Garfinkel

Shirley Haake

Glenda Hares

Mary Beth Hennessy

Linda Hensley

Jan Hermann

Carolyn Hileman

Laurie Hiler

Jeane Jae

Mx. Rob Kapeller

Margie Knapp

Suzanne Levin

Michelle Lommel

Dorothy Lovelace

Linda Lowry

Sally Rice Markland

Monica McFee

Susan Miller

Suzie Nall

Susan A. Oefelein

Marilyn Raphael

Lynn Rawlings

Marcia Roentz

Melanie Ryterski

Carol Schreiner

Janice Seele

Arlene Spector

Trish Williams

Lisa Zarin

Gifts received 6/1/2021 – 3/2/2023

For more information or to join Leading Ladies, please contact the Development Department at (314) 687-4030.

by Agatha Christie

SUPPORT THE ARTS

why your donation matters

ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE

Your gift empowers a wide spectrum of artists, from local artisans and craftspeople to our administrative and leadership teams, to dream and innovate in new ways to continue to bring magic to our stages.

LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Your gift brings the power of live theatre to thousands of youth each year. These young learners gain an understanding of the literary value and the making of theatre while simultaneously developing skills in communication, teamwork and leadership.

REEMERGING TOGETHER

Your gift to The Rep helps overcome the financial challenges of the past two years and secures the longevity of our theatre for decades to come.

BENEFITS OF BEING A DONOR

Benefits are based on giving levels. Please visit www.repstl.org for more details and full benefits for all giving levels available.

Photo by Jon Gitchoff

Dive deeper into your theatrical journey with Rep Reads, our monthly play reading and discussion group (minimum gift of $100 or more).

Celebrate the season with us at the Annual Spotlight Society End-of-Season Celebration (minimum gift of $1,500 or more).

Join in exclusive conversations with our Augustin Family Artistic Director, Hana S. Sharif and other artists in deep conversation around the artistry of productions and the impact of our work on the local community as part of our Artistic Director's Circle (minimum gift of $20,000 or more).

HOW TO MAKE YOUR GIFT:

ONLINE

Visit repstl.org/support

PHONE

Call the Development Department at (314) 687-4030.

MAIL

Send a check to The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Attn: Development Department, 130 Edgar Road, St. Louis, MO 63119

CORPORATE & FOUNDATION PARTNERS

As a nonprofit organization, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis relies upon the support of corporate and foundation partners. The Rep gratefully acknowledges the following corporations and foundations whose generous support helps us to create the highest caliber of professional theatre for St. Louis, engage the next generation of theatregoers and provide opportunities for diverse artists. For information about how your business or organization can support The Rep, contact the Development Department at (314) 687-4030.

Emily Marso & Miriam A. Laube, House of Joy

Photography By Eric Woosley

$100,000+

The Berges Family Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Schnuck Markets, Inc.

The Shubert Foundation Inc.

$50,000-$99,999

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

$25,000-$49,999

Edward Jones

Mary Ranken Jordan and Ettie A. Jordan Charitable Foundation

PNC Arts Alive

$10,000-$24,999

Louis D. Beaumont

Fund No. 1 of the St. Louis Community Foundation

The Trio Foundation of St. Louis

$5,000 - $9,999

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Edward Chase Garvey Memorial Foundation

Dewitt and Caroline Van Evera Foundation

$2,500 - $4,999 Graybar Foundation

Sign of the Arrow/St. Louis Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi

$1,000 - $2,499

Joy Waltke Fisher Fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation

Lathrop & Gage LLP

UNDER $1000

Actor's Equity Foundation Commerce Bancshares Foundation

The Spotlight Society is an organization of donors who provide outstanding annual support to The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. In appreciation, donors enjoy a host of special benefits, including Circle Drive parking, an invitation to the Spotlight Society Cabaret Dinner and much more. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis gratefully acknowledges members of the Spotlight Society for their commitment to sustaining and promoting the highest quality professional theatre at The Rep.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $20,000+

Anonymous 

James G. & Elizabeth Mannen Berges 

Juanita H.

Hinshaw

Ven & Cynthia

Houts 

Gwen & Paul

Middeke

Jane & Bruce

Robert 

Pat & Ken Schutte 

Ann Cady Scott 

Susan & Peter

Tuteur 

$10,000-$19,999

Ted & Robbie Beaty 

A. Brenner 

Dr. Stuart Kornfeld 

SPOTLIGHT IMPRESARIO

$7,500-$9,999

SPOTLIGHT BENEFACTOR $5,000-$7,499

Barbara & Ernest Adelman✠

Joseph & Lauren Allen

David & Melanie Alpers 

SPOTLIGHT ANGEL

Susan Barley 

Kathy Berg 

Leona Lee Bohm* 

Vicki & Brian Clevinger ✠

Steve & Linda Finerty 

Anne Carol Goldberg & Ronald Levin ✠

Sally Johnston 

Mr. Howard Landon

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence

Langsam 

Mark & Patty Mantovani ✠

Cindy Maritz ✠

Karen Miller 

Stephanie A. Schnuck 

Terry & Sally Schnuck ✠

SPOTLIGHT SUSTAINER

$2,500-$4,999

Trish & Michael Abbene 

ATA Truesdale LP 

Patrick Aydt

Costas & Assimo Azariadis 

P.E. Belloli & Dave Shimek 

Mark D. Bernstein ✠

Sam C. Bertolet & Helen D. Ziercher 

Lauren Smith Blair

Mrs. H. Pharr Brightman ✠

Patty & Kent Chapin ✠

Elaine Coe ✠

Dr. Kevin & Lisa Coleman 

Michael Dern ✠

Larry Essmann 

Brandon & Lucy Evans

Judith Gall ✠

Dan & Chris Goodenberger 

Lee & Gina Hoagland 

Joanne & Joel Iskiwitch ✠

Dr. Theresa & Zulfikar

Jeevanjee 

Nancy & Kenneth Kranzberg ✠

Kent A. Lewis 

McCallum Family Charitable Fund 

Andrew & Lori O'Brien 

Mike & Barb Quinn 

Freda & Harry Rich ✠

Ann Scheuer

Mary Schoolman 

Judi Scissors & Sam Broh 

Janice & Steve Seele 

Amy & Ben Smith 

Dr. John Sopuch 

Bill & Jarona Stevens 

Gretchen Straub 

Mike & Barbara Willock 

Lynn & Darrell Yearwood 

SPOTLIGHT PATRON

$1,500-$2,499

Mary Jo Abrahamson

Wendi Alper-Pressman & Norman Pressman 

Ann P. Augustin 

Margaret Augustin

Darla & Brad Baker

Nancy Berg

Holly & Marc Bernstein

Catherine S. Bollinger 

Michael & Arlue Briggs ✠

Sara Burke

Eileen Clarke & William Dodd 

Elizabeth & Don Cobin

Bob & Becky Courtney 

The Preeti Dalawari & John

Vandover Charitable Fund

Dr. Debbie A. Depew 

Pamela Wing Dern ✠

Jim Donnelly & Tracey Temanson 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry

Dubinsky

Rosemary & Robert Emnett 

Richard Engelsmann & Diane Buhr Engelsmann 

Mr. & Mrs. Greg Evans 

Sam & Marilyn Fox

Foundation ✠

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Fromm 

Mr. & Mrs. David P. Gast 

Ed & Julie Glotzbach 

E.L. Green ✠

Laura & Ted Greenberg 

Frank Hamsher

Reginald & Stephanie Harwell

Kathleen Locklar Heimann

Margaret & Michael Heinz 

Bill & Linda Hentchel

Brad & Phyllis Hershey 

Laurie Hiler 

Marian & Maurice Hirsch 

Mark & Peggy Holly 

Sam and Pat Hopmeier

Charitable Fund at Youthbridge Community Fund 

Mike Isaacson & Joe Ortmeyer 

Daniel G. Jay & Mary Ann Lazarus 

Jeanne & Aron Katzman 

Mr. & Mrs.

Ronald Kessler 

Sally Lemkemeier ✠

Judith Weiss Levy ✠

C. Arden Mennell 

Barbara & Lee Meyer

Mrs. Rena Murphy ✠

Ellen Nahlik, Simons

Family Charitable Trust

Kim & Rick Nast 

Mr. & Mrs.

Raymond W. Peters 

Colleen Ritchie 

Paul & Cindy Schnabel 

Steve & Marlene

Schumm 

Margot Schwab

Julian & Helen Seeherman, The Seeherman Charitable Fund 

Joan & Paul Shaver 

Lisa & Allan Silverberg ✠

Dr. Raymond Slavin 

Ann & Jack Straw ✠

Paul & Beth Stroble 

Deane* & Fancine

Thompson 

Joan Tiemann 

Selden Y. Trimble, In Memory of Joyce

Price Trimble 

Lynne & Jim Turley

Bill & Linda Welborn 

B. Craig Weldon & Terri Monk 

Mei Chen Welland 

Susan & Stuart Zimmerman 

LIFETIME GIVING LEVELS

$250,000+

$100,000 - $249,999

✠$50,000 - $99,999

$25,000 - $49,999

$10,000 - $24,999

*In memoriam

Gifts received 6/1/2021 – 3/2/2023

For more information or to join our Spotlight Society, please contact the Development Department at (314) 687-4030

Phoenix Best , Side By Side By Sondheim

Photography By Phillip Hamer

Throughout our 56 years, The Rep has worked to make theatre accessible to all. From providing free and lowcost educational programs to young people to bringing locally-produced theatre to life for the people of St. Louis, the support of The Rep Backers has a crucial impact each season. Every year we look to people like you - individuals who value the amazing, unexpected art of theatre—to lend a hand and bring our mission to life!

PLAYWRIGHT BACKER

$1,000-$1,499 Anonymous 

Bill Aitken

Gordon Alloway

Kyle B. Baxter & Alan J. Ratchford

Donald & Marilyn Blum 

Mike & Sue Darcy

The Dunagan Foundation

Kirk & Alice

Fritsch 

Robert & Donna Heider

Cheryl & Keith Kowalczyk

Laurence & Silvia

Madeo

Laura & David

Margolis

Dr. James A. Morrell 

Mike Ness & Jenny Voelker

Joseph & Sammy Ruwitch

Mrs. Peter Sargent 

Joel & Barbara Schwartz

Christine Secorsky & Greg Sacho

Mary Strauss ✠

Beverly Wagner 

Hoyt W. Wallace 

PRODUCER BACKER

$600-$999 Anonymous

Dr. E-P. Barrette

Drs. Nanci & James Bobrow

Ms. Doris Drewry & Mr. Baker

Cunningham

Bill & Jane Doub

Heather & Len Essig

Jane B. Evans

Terry & Marjorie

Franc, Franc

Family Fund of the St. Louis

Community Foundation 

Margaret & Larry Harris

Dot & Steve

Larsen 

Jeanne Lewi

John Muller 

Betty A. O'Dea

Drs. Bill & Betsy

Powderly

Dr. & Mrs. Lester T.

Reese

Jim & Diane

Relleke

Susan & Albert

Schlueter

Donna & Howard Smith

Stuart & Cindy Sweet

Mat Turner

Paul & Linda

Vandivort 

David P. Weiss

DIRECTOR BACKER

$300-$599 Anonymous (2)

Sally & Ken

Anderson

Susan Frelick

Appleton & Robert O.

Appleton, Jr.

Rick & Liz Aurbach

Carolyn & Lynn Barnett

Beverly & Philip Barron

Carolyn Becker

Hui Hua & Keith Bernstein

June R. Bierman

Joyce & David Bishop

Kevin Blansit

Ruth Blundell 

Lary & Lynn Bozzay 

Suzan Kelsey Brooks 

DeAnne & Gordon Brown

Joseph Brown

John & Kathy Brugere

John Carr & Kay Kaiser

Evelyn & Louis Cohen

Bernie L. Corn & Michael Danzer

Kathianne & David Crane

Jay & Marsha Delano

Dorothy Diehl

Mr. & Mrs. William Eckert

Dorsey & Sondra* Ellis

William Enyart

Sara Epstein

Karen Fairbank

Keith & Ann Fischer

David R. Ganz

Jerome & Catherine Gidlow 

Terry & Judy Gooding

Patricia D. & Gary L. Gray

Barbara Harris 

Bernice Heavilin

Dr. & Mrs. Jay Henis

Dr. Michael & Carolyn Hesterberg

Anne W. Hetlage

Mary Jo Hunter & Gary Miller

Dennis Johnson 

Mr. & Mrs. Jim Kaiser

Mr. Ernest H. Key

Susan & Jack Kissinger

Susan Knight

Fran & Roger Koch

Christine & Jon Krueger

Joan Krueger & Brian

Betker

Dr. James Laing & Dr. Margaret Weck

Nancy LeMaster

JoAnne Levy & Jim Thomeczek

Dr. & Mrs.

Frederick C. Lewis, Jr. 

Jerri & Bill Livingston

Kay & Gerry Love

Linda Lowry

Cindy & Gregg Lueder

Dr. Robert Lynch & Dr. Ellen Wood

Joseph Martinich & Vicki Sauter 

Dr. & Mrs.

Jerald A. Maslanko

Patrick & Rosanne Mathis

Melissa J. McClain

David & Ginny McDonald

John & Lucy Morris

Nancy & Jim Murphy

Adrienne & David Piston

Harriet & Philip Polster

Mr. & Mrs. Maury B. Poscover

Elizabeth Pribor

Marilyn & Bob Raphael

Drs. Robert & Sheryl Ream

Dr. and Mrs. Leon Robinson

Tom & Kathy Ryan

Lauren & Darryl Sagel

Thomas & Marilyn Schultz

Bradley & Kay Shaw

John & Nancy Solodar 

Bart & Meg Solon

Gary Stansbery

Laura Stanton

Mr. & Mrs. R. Stover

Tracy & Elizabeth Strevey

Greg & Brenda Teakert

Drs. Samer & Joni

Thanavaro

James Tobin & Virginia

Heagney

Glen & Libby Travers

John & Dea Vallina

Linda & F. Dale Whitten

Miriam Wilhelm & Eric Friedman

Jim Wilson

Melissa Wohlwend

STAR BACKER

$175-$299

Anonymous (4)

Joseph & Trish Alexandre

Ken & Heather Amidon

Ira & Janice Bernstein

Jennifer Billhartz

Richard M. Blaha

Marian & John Bleeke

Kenneth & Ann Bohm

Wendy & Les Borowsky

Betty Bowersox & Phil Powell

Bob & Kay Boyd

Linda & Jack Bryant

Carol Carlson

Sal & Terri Ciccolella 

Gwen Clopton

Lois F. Crampton

Mary K. Cullen & Daniel

Goldberg

Conrad Damsgaard

Adrienne Davis

Robert & Jan Dawson

Theodore & Deborah Dearing

Diane DiTucci

Mike Doherty & Kathy Kane

Jerome & Renee Epplin

Ernst Radiology Clinic

Denise & James

Eschenbrenner

Dr. & Mrs. Elliott Farberman

Barb & Tom Feiner

Jeffrey & Veronica Fernhoff

Dr. Lewis C. Fischbein

Gary & Christy Fox

Agnes & Dave Garino

Holly Garrett

Darla Gavin

Dr. & Mrs. Edward Geltman

Mrs. Joseph F. Gleason

Mark & Chris Greenberg

William Grivna

Dr. Brenda Grossman & Dr. Steven Brody

Claire Halpern & Michael

Greenfield

Glenda Hares

Pauline Hawkins

Drs. Craig & Abby

Hollander

Michael & Heidi Hope

Ms. Sydney Jumper

Rob Kapeller

Sheila & Ken Kleinman

Margie & Steve Knapp

Joanne Kohn 

Dr. & Mrs. Ren Kozikowski

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Krieger

Jim & Mary Lou Krueger

Paul & Martha LaFata

Joseph Lane

Shannon Lay

Dr. Edward & Joelyn Knopf Levy

Dr. & Mrs. Robert L. Lewis

Jerry & Mary Jo Liberstein

Lonnie Link

Michael & Mary Alice Long

Gloria & Roy Luber

Eleanor Mandel

Neil & Ricki Marglous

Ricki Marking-Camuto

Dan Marshall

Sharon & Stan McCaslin

Gary & Gale McKiddy

Stacey & Pat McMackin

James McMillan

Susan & Bruce Miller 

Dr. Mary Ann Morley

James H. Myles

Lynn Petruska

Joel & Sue Picus

Tim & Jodi Pierce

Sue Rapp

Dr. Gary Ratkin & Marilyn Ratkin 

Susan & John Rava 

John & Lynn Rawlings

Terry & Karen Reeves

Pam & Michael Richards

Judith M. Roach

Jenny Levis Sadow

Margaret S. Sant'Ambrogio

Rick & Dottie Schainker

Carol Schreiner

Kathy & Doug Schroeder

Dawn Schuessler

Lois & Walter Schultz 

Cady & Kevin Seabaugh

Dr. & Mrs. L. Smith

Lee & Diana Speicher

Lucie & Steve Springmeyer

Susan & Drexel Stith

Susan Sundermeyer

Jack Walbran

Dr. & Mrs. Stephen

Waltman

Jeffrey Webb

Margaret Wehrenberg

Paul & K. Wentzien

James White &

Cindy Payant

Vicky Riback Wilson

Bert & Bobbe Wunderlich

Catherine Taylor Yank

PERFORMER BACKER

$100-$174

Nancy Albrecht

Nacy Albright

Don Aulph

Dr. Patricia Martens Balke

Ruth Ellen & Jay Barr

Nancy Bengtson

Deborah Bloom

Kathy Borges

Mitchell & Kathryn Botney

Susan & Robert Bowman

Tim & Marianne Brady

Don Brinkman

Ann Bronsing

Dr. Robert Buzzell

Christina Carr

Gabrielle Carrera

Clare L. Chapman

Ann Coleman

Ms. Ann Corrigan

Kathryn DeVoto

Diana S. Dickes

Robert & Jamie Driver

Debbie Fishwick

Toni Gacka

Laura Geiser

Marianne Gillis

Jesse Goldner & Judy Cromwell

Brian Gonner & Jennifer Arp

Fran Grebel

Suzy & Richard Grote

Peggy Grotpeter

Myron & Carol Gruber

Judy & Scott Guerrero

John & Vicki Hardy

Colleen Heelan

Vicki & Larry Helling

Joyce & Robert Hillebrand

C. Norman Jones & Barbara Fraser

Jessica Kennedy

Gerry Kettenbach

Lynn & Mark Kloss

Elizabeth Kochlin

Nikki & Aaron Krawitz

Lance Loewenstein

Todd London & Karen Hartman

Tim & Jan Long

Carl & Lynn Lyss

Dorothy & James McCalpin

John P. McGuire

Barbara B. Mennell

Frederic J. Mohr

Jeanne Most & Nicholas Davidson

Mike & Pat Mueth

JoAnn Mulcahy

Charles E. & Susan Niesen

Kristin Pantanella

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Poelker

Donald Prahlow

Carl & Marsha Ramey

Alan Redszus

Rep-aholic

Lisa Roberts

Melanie Ryterski

Drs. Phil & Mary

Schenkenberg

Diane & Bill Schwab

Benjamin Schwartz

Brenda & David Skillman

Rachel Slaugh

Michael & Frances Slusher

Dr. Cary & Helen Stolar

Russ & B. Vanderbeek

Patricia & Richard Walters

Richard & Mary Weinstock

Patricia Wells

Ellen White

Jean M. Wood

Kenneth Yancheck

Sandra Young

LIFETIME GIVING LEVELS

 $250,000+

 $100,000 - $249,999

✠ $50,000 - $99,999

 $25,000 - $49,999

 $10,000 - $24,999

*In memoriam

Gifts received 6/1/2021 – 3/2/2023

For more information or to become a Backer, please contact the Development Department at (314) 687-4030. OPEN Tuesday – Saturday

314.962.5757 bigskycafe.net 47 South Old Orchard 63119

GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES (APR 14-MAY 7)

By Rajiv Joseph

Directed By Becks Redman

MAINSTAGE

Doug and Kayleen meet as eight-year-olds in the school infirmary. (He tried to ride his bike off the roof. She has a stomachache that her mother blames on “bad thoughts.") Their lives intersect for the next three decades as they return to each other, alternately revealing and concealing their injuries — both physical and psychological — as they struggle with attraction, vulnerability and love.

Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph creates a hilarious and heartbreaking love story that the Washington Post calls, “Mystical, arresting and quirkily amusing.”

For tickets visit repstl.org

COMING SOON

look out for the rep's 23/24 season announcement.

THE DRAMA. THE THRILLS.

THE LAUGHS. THE REP.