The Dining Room: Official Performance Guide

SPONSORED BY: JIM AND LINDA MIZEUR

Pelican Marsh Golf Club

Waterfront Residence

High Rise Residence

Baker Senior Center Naples

Vine Room

Beachfront Residence

Welcome to your theatre.

BRYCE ALEXANDER CEO & Executive Artistic Director

Welcome to our 70th Season of TNP Shows. I’m honored you’ve chosen to spend your time with us. This season is a time of transition as we eagerly watch the $20 million dollar renovations on our iconic 5th Avenue South theater take place. Those renovations would not be possible without your support. From your attendance at shows to the endless generosity of major donors committed to the arts in our community, you all play a starring role in what makes The Naples Players your theatre. Thank you for being part of our 70th Season.

TICKETS & SHOW TIMES

SHOW TIMES

Wed. & Thurs. 7:30 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. 8:00 p.m

Sunday 2:00 p.m.

PRICING

Individual Tickets: $49

Subscriber & Educator Tickets: $39

Students: $20

BOX OFFICE (239) 263-7990

Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Will Call: 2 hours before curtain

NOW, NEXT, & LATER

We’re building community by choosing venues around our community - all while our home on 5th Avenue completes major renovations!”

Season ticket subscriptions are ON SALE NOW!

OCT 04 - OCT 22, 2023

Life, laughter, and togetherness told from different families, time periods, and backgrounds around the dinner table.

NOV 01 - NOV 19, 2023

A romantic Christmas comedy and the sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE!

EXTENDED DUE TO DEMAND!

NOV 09 - NOV 26, 2023

Take a step back in time with this jukebox musical comedy full of big dreams and hit songs from the 1950’s and 60’s.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE!

HOLIDAY SPECIAL EVENT!

SPONSORED BY: TRANSCEND CAPITAL ADVISORS

TWO NIGHTS ONLY!

December 8th & 9th, 2023

This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast.

OUTDOORS IN CAMBIER PARK

PRESENTED BY:

SPONSORED BY: GULF COAST INTERNATIONAL PROPERTIES

OUR 2023-2024 SEASON

JAN 10 - JAN 28, 2024

Friendship comes in all shapes and sizes... sometimes even a 6-foot tall rabbit.

M c SPADDEN HALL AT THE NAPLES UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

EXTENDED DUE TO DEMAND!

JAN 18 - FEB 11, 2024

A timeless musical tale of young love and the obstacles it must overcome.

SPONSORED BY: STOCK DEVELOPMENT

BEVERLY HALL AT THE NAPLES UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

EXTENDED DUE TO DEMAND!

FEB 14 - MAR 10, 2024

An uproarious comedy about womanhood, aging, and everything in between!

M c SPADDEN HALL AT THE NAPLES UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

SPONSORED BY: GALLERIE INDIGO

MAR 13 - APR 7, 2024

Mel Brooks’ award-winning, laugh-outloud spectacle will bring down the house in our new Kizzie Theater!

SPONSORED BY: LAKE MICHIGAN CREDIT UNION

THE NAPLES PLAYERS' RENOVATED KIZZIE THEATER

MAY 1 - MAY 26, 2024

Follow along on the opening night of a show that goes from bad to utterly disastrous with non-stop laughter along the way.

SPONSORED BY: GARAGE DOORS OF NAPLES

THE NAPLES PLAYERS' RENOVATED KIZZIE THEATER

TICKETS TODAY:

You may now purchase individual tickets for the remainder of our 70th Season by contacting the TNP Box Office. CALL 239.263.7990 OR

MEET

JODY CAMERON

By Jillian Keith

Since the Army veteran’s return from war over a decade ago, he’s been looking for something that will make him feel fulfilled and healed again. Jody has found it in the most “unlikely of places”: the stage. “Being here (at TNP) is like

being reborn. I did theatre long before I served, and coming back to it has been challenging, freeing, and beautiful. I feel like I’ve found myself and my purpose again.”

“I’ve had to learn how to get over myself, my insecurities, unwelcome thoughts of ‘what if’ and anxieties, and learn how to trust my director and cast mates. I feel free to be myself here and not be judged, and free to explore different aspects of my characters and myself. Every day I’m here I feel like onion layers of myself are being peeled back and I’m feeling more and more secure in putting my demons to rest. It’s cathartic and beautiful how therapeutic it’s been coming off stage and applying everything I’m learning in rehearsals to the rest of my life.”

Jody has lived in Naples for 12 years and moved here from Atlanta. He did theatre throughout middle and high school, but after joining the Army, he left behind that part of himself.

In a play about changing times and change itself, The Dining Room actor Jody Cameron has noticed a massive transformation in himself.

“I remember my wife, Jessica, told me about The Sound of Music auditions and wanted our daughter, Emily, to audition for it. She was cast as Gretl. That was my first time in a theater in over 20 years.”

Despite not performing in The Sound of Music, Jody was drawn to the atmosphere of the community. “As soon as I stepped foot in the green room, I felt welcome. Emily was bouncing all around and with all of her cast mates, and it was great seeing how much they loved her company. The cast and crew sparked up conversations with me instantly and we started playing games together right there in the green room. It made me realize that while I had changed, theatre hadn’t. All the jokes were the same - the personalities were the same. I felt at home for the first time in a while in that green room.”

Since then, Jody has performed in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and soon, The Dining Room. The stage has not only allowed him to rediscover himself, but to develop deeper and more meaningful relationships with his family. “Emily’s older brother, Joseph, is 11, and we jive on all the same things. For the past seven years, I’ve been looking, searching, and praying for something to connect with Emily on. It’s been really hard and challenging. When she got cast in The Sound of Music, and I started going to rehearsal with her, she started to see a side of me that she hadn’t ever seen before. Singing the songs together really brought us together. And then when I was cast in The Hunchback of Notre

Dame, we started singing those songs together. I still remember her screaming from the bottom floor of the house, running up the stairs, jumping up and wrapping her arms and legs around me, and hugging me so tight when she found out I was cast. That soundtrack is both of my kids’ favorite thing to listen to now. I’m grateful we all have this together now.”

Acting out eight or nine characters in one play sounds like quite the feat, but Jody says it’s been the most fun part of the process thus far. “Working with [Director] James Duggan on developing these characters has been great. I love his vision and what he - no pun intended - is bringing to the table. I play ten different

TNP is my dining room table, bringing everybody and every aspect of my life together. It’s in the most unlikely of places that you become reborn as a person, and I’m grateful to have found my place.

– JODY CAMERON

JODY CAMERON

Continued From Page 11

characters in this show, and each character has a different trauma or trigger associated with the dining room being the center of the family unit. I have to pull from ten different areas of my life to bring their stories to life. The audience will be able to find a bit of themselves and their family in every story told. It’s been healing finding parts of myself in these characters too.”

For Jody, TNP has been a place to rediscover and reconnect with himself. “Everyone here is a storyteller - we gravitate towards it, and it brings us closer together. When we leave, we take a piece of the tale with us, and we keep telling the stories; not just verbally, but through our actions in real life. I tried everything to get over my demons - classes with the Veterans Affairs (VA), I was in and out of VA hospitals - but coming here has helped me far more than anything else.”

Thank you, Jody, for your service and powerful story of change.

VOLUNTEERING @ TNP

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?

All of our staff and volunteers love to get new volunteers into the mix! If you’re new to the area, or just new to volunteering at TNP, don’t hesitate to join the fun. Test your skills at the next audition or contact Pamela Larkin Caruso to find out what other opportunities there are backstage and front of house!

PAMELA LARKIN CARUSO

plarkincaruso@naplesplayers.org or (239) 434- 7340, ext. 104

DEPARTMENTS

AND ACTIVITIES FOR FRIENDLY FOLKS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES

PERFORMERS

Come audition for a show! All of our performers are volunteers, with each cast being a mix of veterans, newcomers, and novices.

BACKSTAGE CREW

Fly rail, audio assistant, backstage crew, spotlight operator, board operator...the behind-the-scenes opportunities at TNP are endless!

COSTUME SHOP

Assist with repairs, alterations, sewing, ironing, steaming, buttons, hems...you name it! Costumes for every performance are made on site!

SCENE SHOP

Lend a hand with set construction, demolition, painting, and the occasional prop fabrication. Get your hands dirty and have fun doing it!

USHERS

Greet patrons, scan tickets, work concessions, hand out programs, and escort patrons to their seats. Be the first friendly face patrons see and experience!

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION

2022-2023 SEASON

500+ HOURS

K.C. Allen

Leonard Allen

Braxton Cabrera

Jack R. Cole

Jordan Crawford

250+ HOURS

Evan Abram

Lloyd Adams

Kimberly Albrecht

Santiago A. Alezard

Aleena Arico

Robin Bache Gray

Gwen Bettini

Maximus Bogert

Brian Boland

Rachel Borwein

Giuliana Branche

Maddie Brendel

100+ HOURS

Jean Acker

Mary Kate Adams

Madison Alberts

Gabriela E. Alezard

Romina Alezard

Kourtney Allen

Dot Auchmoody

Pamela Austin

Joel Banow

Kathleen Barney

Veronica Becerra

Emir Bilen

Ted T. Bill

Jack Bosley

Allie Brandt

Joe Byrne

Romeo Callari

Emily Cameron

Karl Chery

Zoe Ciabaton

Juliet Clayton

Grace Condit

Katharine Condit

Shelley Gothard

Nancy Hayer

Jillian Keith

Terry Libby

Elizabeth Marcantonio

Brad W. Brenner

Dede Brownlee

Luke Brownlee

JamieLynn Bucci

Rex Burns

Sherlay Cajuste

Hildegard Carney

William Condit

Christian Dinsmore

Vivienne Engelmann

Jacob Feltman

Joseph Femia

Ed Conrad

James Corliss-Rivero

James Corsica

Jillian Cossetta

Aldo D’Acunzo

Luke Danni

Maxine Danni

F. Scott Davis

Olivia Dooney

James Duggan

Nathan Eichhorn

Louise Eliot

Katie Elkind

Rosemary Erb

Ashley Esteban-Mazaba

Celene Evans Galvan

Ed Ezrine

Adam Fasano

Jake Fattibene

Frankie Federico

Suri Finch

Elizabeth Fincher

Gabriella Flom

Peggy O. Monson

Patricia Puia

Roseann Ruggiero

Judy Scribner

Michael Troop

Daniella Flom

Marcus Fuller

Alex Gonzalez

Alyssa Haney

Lin Hart

Luke Jaconis

Ruth Johnson

Nuran Joseph

Pamela Larkin Caruso

Rachel Lefkow

Joseph Loiacono

Paul LoPresti

Aseem Upadhyay

Lorelai Vega

Nancy Woolf

Madison Mance

Ray Marasco

Elizabeth Mehler

Alex Minarik

Adler Monpremier

Tina Moroni

Gavin Ott

Summer Pliskow

Sabine Rivera

Kelly Rossberg

Jeff Smith

Manda Smith

Ava Foley

Conner Foley

Cooper Foley

Stephanie T. Fowle

Sarah Gamblin

Jenny Gantlett

Jan Gehrman

Jeremy Giovinazzo

Dennis E. Glass

Alexandria Goenner

Bruce Graev

Tammy Harris

Emily Hart

Jeannine Hedberg

Emily R. Hendrick

Cynthia Hile

Alan Jaffe

Naphtailda Jean Charles

Erica Tristen Jones

Kip Jones

Charlene Josselyn

Kayla Julemiste

Scott Kadera

Sandra J. Keeler

Kevin C. Kenneally

Hannah Klein

Karli Knepfler

Ashley Kosten

Ralph G. Krumins

Val Kuffel

Kelsey LaFrenais

Gabrielle Larkin

Joan Laughlin

Stephen Lee

Cassie Letendre

Joseph Logli

Sandy LoPresti

Russel E. Loyet

Susan Lyell

Jennifer Mance

Eduardo Marin

Mary Kate Masterson

Christine Mastrangelo

Debron Keller

McCartney

Harry McCartney

John McKerrow

Yuliana Mercado

Peter Meskin

Dan L. Miller

Sydney Miller

Lucy Mullin

Keegan Novinski

Lisa Nuccio

Patricia Pollok

Bret Poulter

Kelley Price

Ella M. Provinzino

Gia C. Provinzino

Sue Rapanos

Robert Rath

Thomas Rex

Nancy Ribordy

Victoria Rinaldi

Sophia Rissi

Emerson Roschek

Donna Rotella

Anthony Rykowski

Erica Sample

Esther Snyder

Jean P. Snyder

Mary Taylor

Malena Tucker

Mark Vanagas

Ciarán Welch

Bealey Cate White

Edward Zonnevylle

Matthew Schwabauer

Bill Shade

Emily Smith

Suzanne C. Smith

Vanessa Tarabocchia

Annalise Tavares

Aiden Thayer

Norman Toback

Colton Townsend

Kenny Tran

Preslie True

Jesse Vanoy

Lynne Vela

Rudeline Voltaire

Renee Vrehas

Douglas Walck

Jessica Walck

Brianna Wallace

Lindsey Walsh

Tracy Weaver

Jack Weld

Debbie Wesolowski

CELEBRATING OUR DONORS

RECENT DONOR APPRECIATION

Please join us in thanking donors who gave between June 1, 2023 and September 1, 2023.

Emile Assaf

Suzanne Beck

Michael Blair

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The Naples Players observes a fiscal year that runs from May 1 - April 30 of the following year, and includes gifts that support our operating budget. Capital Campaign donors are greatly appreciated, and their gifts are honored in publications specifically related to the progress of the campaign.

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Thank you and enjoy the show!

THE DINING ROOM

BY A.R. GURNEY

THE DINING ROOM was first produced Off-Broadway by Playwrights Horizons in 1982.

DIRECTOR

JAMES DUGGAN

SCENIC DESIGN

MICHAEL SANTOS

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TERRY LIBBY

COSTUME DESIGN

MOLLIE BERMAN

PROPERTIES COORDINATOR

ESTHER SNYDER

STAGE MANAGER

PATRICIA PUIA

LIGHTING DESIGN

JESSICA WINWARD

DRAMATURGS

SOUND DESIGN SEAN McGINLEY

RICKI BAKER & PATRICIA PUIA

EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BRYCE ALEXANDER

NAPLES UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST: Mc SPADDEN HALL

OCTOBER 4 - 22, 2023

SPONSORED BY: JIM & LINDA MIZEUR

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

DREW ATTANASIO PHOTOGRAPHY

THE DINING ROOM IS PRESENTED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH BROADWAY LICENSING, LLC, SERVICING THE DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE COLLECTION. (WWW.DRAMATISTS.COM)

ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

This project is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture and the Florida Council on Arts & Culture (Section 286.25, Florida Statutes).

Art Starts Here

—APRIL

PM

Discover original artwork in the working studios and galleries of the Naples Art District. Engage with the talented artists and buy or commission art directly.

• STUDIO TOURS

• DEMONSTRATIONS

• ART CLASSES

CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

CLIENT, HOWARD, PSYCHIATRIST, TED, PAUL, BEN, CHRIS, JIM, DICK, AND GUEST ..........................................................................JODY CAMERON

SALLY, GIRL, ELLIE, AGGIE, WINKIE, OLD LADY, HELEN, MEG, BERTHA, AND GUEST ............................................................................. JEN HART

AGENT, MOTHER, CAROLYN, SANDRA, DORA, MARGERY, BETH, KATE, CLAIRE, AND RUTH .................................................RUTH JOHNSON

ANNIE, GRACE, PEGGY, NANCY, SARAH, HARRIET, EMILY, ANNIE, AND GUEST . .............................................................................. JENNIFER MANCE

ARTHUR, BOY, ARCHITECT, BILLY, NICK, FRED, TONY, STANDISH, AND GUEST .......................................................................ANDREW SARKOZY

FATHER, MICHAEL, BREWSTER, GRANDFATHER, STUART, GORDON, DAVID, HARVEY, AND HOST ............................................

JOE TOWNSEND

CREW

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER ................................................................................... LORELAI VEGA

BACKSTAGE CREW .................................................................................................... DEVAN ELLIOT

WARDROBE LEAD .................................................................................................. LAUREN TURNER

DRESSER SUBSTITUTE ........................................................................................... ANDREA TANNER

SOUND SUPPORT .............................................................................................. ADLER MONPREMIER

PROPERTIES ..................................................................... TERRY LIBBY, JENNIFER MANCE, MIKE SANTOS, JEAN SNYDER, JOE TOWNSEND, JASON WAGAMAN

COSTUME CONSTRUCTION & CARE ............................................................ GWEN BETTINI, JACK COLE, JOAN LAUGHLIN, SANDY L o PRESTI, JEAN SNYDER

SCENIC CONSTRUCTION & PAINTING ......................................... JAMES DUGGAN, ED EZRINE, JOE FEMIA, SARAH GAMBLIN, JILLIAN KEITH, STEVE LEE, RUSS LOYET, RAY MARASCO, MAXIMUS SCHNORBACH, JANE SHUB, JEFF SMITH, MARY LOU TAYLOR, MICHAEL TROOP, MJ WANN

What’s It All About?

The Dining Room explores the decline of traditional family values and changes in upper-middle-class American households. The dining room is the setting for overlapping vignettes, each introducing us to different characters and moments in time.

The play examines the disintegration of the privileged American class and the loss of the shared spaces that once held families together. Gurney uses the dining room as a metaphor for the traditional family structure, a space where generations gather to eat, talk, and connect. As the play unfolds, we see a shifting cultural landscape and the impact it has on families.

Through interconnected scenes, Gurney reveals how various characters experience changing values, expectations, and conflicts. We experience different generations, time periods, and social classes, and we see firsthand changing attitudes toward tradition, marriage, infidelity, privilege, and the erosion of interpersonal connections.

The Dining Room also looks at the “generation gap” and the disconnect between parents and children. Gurney shows us the stark contrast between an older generation with its traditions and rituals, and the younger generation, fighting against conformity and yearning for personal fulfillment.

We see the dining room as a vanishing world of formality, elegance, and shared meals: a place where families gathered to dine, talk, and create memories. As the play unfolds, the playwright suggests that the room’s decline mirrors the broader decay of family bonds and shared experiences.

The Dining Room is a poignant commentary on changing dynamics in upper-middle-class American households, exploring themes of tradition, class, identity, and the fading importance of shared spaces. It invites us to examine societal shifts and their impact on family relationships, and to reflect on our own experiences and the values we hold dear in an ever-changing world.

ACTS, SCENES & MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT 1

SCENE 1: Never Use It AGENT AND CLIENT

SCENE 2: Dividing ............................................................................................................ ALICE AND SALLY

SCENE 3: Eat Together .......................................................................... FATHER, MOTHER, GIRL, BOY, ANNIE

SCENE 4: Term Paper ................................................................................................ ELLIE AND HOWARD

SCENE 5: Junior Assemblies ................................................................................... GRACE AND CAROLYN

SCENE 6: Do You Have to Go? ................................................................................... MICHAEL AND AGGIE

SCENE 7: Renovation ................................................................................ ARCHITECT AND PSYCHIATRIST

SCENE 8: Winkie’s Birthday ............................................. PEGGY, TED, WINKIE, BILLY, BREWSTER, SANDRA

SCENE 9: Boarding School ........................................................................... GRANDMOTHER, NICK, DORA

SCENE 10: Table Repair ............................................................................................ PAUL AND MARGERY

SCENE 11: Thanksgiving ......................................................... NANCY, STUART, FRED, BEN, BETH, OLD LADY

15-MINUTE INTERMISSION

ACT 2

SCENE 12: Gin ............................................................................................................... SARAH AND HELEN

SCENE 13: Tea .......................................................................................................... KATE, GORDON, CHRIS

SCENE 14: Photo Op ............................................................................................ TONY AND AUNT HARRIET

SCENE 15: Repair Needed .................................................................................................. JIM AND MEG

SCENE 16: The Club ..................................................................... EMILY, DAVID, CLAIRE, BERTHA, STANDISH

SCENE 17: Laying Out the Plan ................................................................................ HARVEY AND DICK

SCENE 18: The Dinner Party ................................................................................. RUTH, ANNIE, GUESTS

WE’RE GROWING IN 2023 BUT WE STILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT

HOLDING

145% increase in student enrollment since 2015

99% of shows sold out in our most recent 2021-2022 season

$2 million left to raise in order to meet our fundraising goal

Everything you see at The Naples Players today is the result of nearly 70 years of dedicated community collaboration and constant growth. We are at a point in our trajectory that demands an exciting evolution.

Last spring we broke ground on an expansion that will provide more seating, more education space, and more opportunities for our community to experience the arts. Help us reach our goal by contributing today.

The highest honor an artistic leader can receive, serving as a lasting tribute to the donor or person whom the donor may wish to honor. This champion of the arts will have their name listed in every playbill, news article, or opportunity where the Artistic Director is listed, as well as annual dinners and invites with the Artistic Director.

FEB 2023

Demolition began in the Ted & Sue Tobye Studio Theater to allow for construction on the Price Studio Theater and the Tanya & Denny Glass Educational Theater.

APR 2023

Demolition began on the remainder of the facility, including Blackburn Hall and the main lobby to allow for construction of the Kizzie Theater and Jay R. Paul Community Atrium.

JUN 2023

The Naples Players builds a temporary home at the Naples United Church of Christ, producing two musicals and four plays at the church before

MAR 2024

The Kizzie Theater and Jay R. Paul Community Atrium open to the public.

MID-2024

The Price Studio Theater and Tanya & Denny Glass Educational Theater open to the public.

HOLDING

JAY R. PAUL COMMUNITY ATRIUM AND PRICE STUDIO THEATER (FORMERLY THE TOBYE STUDIO)

THE TANYA & DENNY GLASS EDUCATIONAL THEATER

THE KIZZIE THEATER (FORMERLY BLACKBURN HALL)

DAVID BYRON AND VICKY C. SMITH MEZZANINE

“Pete” Gurney: Luminary for Our Time

A.R. Gurney, acclaimed theatrical storyteller, brought to life the complexities of human relationships and the delicate dance of society’s conventions. Born November 1, 1930, in Buffalo, NY, Albert Ramsdell Gurney Jr. - nicknamed Petehad a passion for the written word from a young age. Today, he occupies a well-earned place among the great American playwrights of the 20th century.

Gurney’s upbringing in a wealthy, conservative New England family greatly influenced his work, which often explores the complexities of privilege, conformity, and the yearning for genuine connection. He attended the elite St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Williams College in 1952. His privileged background provided a keen understanding of the intricate social dynamics that pervade his plays.

After college graduation, Gurney served as a U.S. Naval officer during the Korean War. Once home, he studied law at Harvard, but the allure of storytelling proved too strong to resist, so Gurney began the journey that cemented his status as a revered playwright.

Gurney’s works, characterized by elegant wit, razor-sharp dialogue, and biting social commentary, won the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. Throughout his career, Gurney wrote more than 50 plays, including the beloved Love Letters and The Cocktail Hour.

His contributions to the American theater earned the Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle awards, and Gurney was a member of the esteemed American Academy of Arts and Letters. His plays have been performed around the world, captivating audiences with their timeless relevance and thought-provoking narratives.

Although Gurney died on June 13, 2017, his legacy extends beyond his written works. He challenged conventions, shattered stereotypes, and invited audiences to question the facades we often hide behind in our daily lives. He captures the essence of human relationships with their triumphs and vulnerabilities, and his light continues to shine bright ly. His words testify to the power of storytelling to illuminate our shared humanity.

Gallerie Indigo is a brand new concept in retail art sales. We offer over 500 curated pieces of affordable, on-trend, framed art that is ready to enhance your home. Everything from large format canvases to smaller framed pieces along with unique accessories for your home.

PRODUCTION HISTORY

The Dining Room has had a rich and varied production history since its premiere in 1981 at New York’s Studio Theatre of Playwrights Horizons. The play’s unique structure and exploration of societal changes within American families have resonated with audiences and theater companies around the world, leading to numerous adaptations and performances over the years. The original production was directed by Melvin Bernhardt with an ensemble cast and received critical acclaim. Its intimate, interconnected vignettes set in a single dining room struck a chord with audiences, leading to a successful Off-Broadway run.

Following its initial success, The Dining Room was performed in regional and community theaters across the country. Its structure and flexible casting options allowed for diverse interpretations and creative staging. And the play’s themes of generational shifts, social class, and changing family dynamics resonated with a wide range of audiences.

In addition to its numerous productions in the United States, The Dining Room has been performed internationally, reaching audiences in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and beyond. Its universal themes and relatable characters have made it accessible and relevant, solidifying its reputation as a truly global work.

Over the years, renowned theater companies have brought The Dining Room to life. Its production history boasts notable adaptations, including a 1991 Broadway revival. This production, featuring a rotating ensemble cast of distinguished actors, earned Tony nominations for Best Revival and Best Featured Actor.

The Dining Room is still staged by theater companies large and small, as well as in educational and community settings. It continues to effectively capture the complexities of family dynamics and societal changes, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences and relationships. Gurney’s skillful blend of humor, pathos, and social commentary has solidified The Dining Room as a modern classic in American theater.

Whether performed in intimate black-box theaters or on grand stages, The Dining Room remains a captivating, thought-provoking work.

CAST BIOS (IN ALPHABETICAL

ORDER)

JODY CAMERON was born in Alabama and raised in Atlanta, Jody has lived in Naples for the last 11 years with his family. He has daydreamed of being a part of TNP. As a child and through high school, where he lettered in drama as a freshman, Jody was always involved in theatre. Fast forward 23 years through a career in the Army, a deployment to Baghdad, and making a family with his wife Jessica. Their daughter Emily recently played Gretl in TNP’s The Sound of Music which rekindled his interest. He is humbled to be back on stage at this point in his life and hopes you enjoy seeing the show as much as he has had preparing for it. Many thanks to his wife Jessica, and children, Joseph and Emily, for all their love and support!

JEN HART is thrilled to be performing again, having majored in Theatre at Santa Clara University many moons ago. Favorite shows include The Good Person of Szechwan, Antigone, Blithe Spirit, West Side Story, and Sweeney Todd . Jen has loved watching her kids perform in KidzAct over the years and is extremely grateful for her amazing husband Jon and four kids - Riley, Blythe, Liam, and Kizzie - for letting her do this. Thank you to TNP!

RUTH JOHNSON is pleased to be making her fourth appearance at TNP after appearing as Grandma Rosie/The Wedding Singer, Marlafaye/The Savannah Sipping Society and Amanda/Southern Comforts. She has performed in over 150 shows across the country and currently celebrates 49 years of acting and directing both professionally and in community theaters. Favorite roles include Marie Dindon/La Cage Aux Folles, Sally Plummer/Follies, Judy Shepherd/The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, and the title role in Mame. Special thanks to James for the role, this fabulous cast/crew for sharing their talents, and my loving family for their support. Nothing beats performing for a live audience, so thank you for being here.

JENNIFER MANCE is originally from Toronto, Canada, and is thrilled to be performing with this fabulous group of actors! She has spent the last two summers as one of our KidzAct instructors and loves sharing her passion for theatre with students. Recently Jennifer was the assistant director for The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, and was last seen on stage in TNP’s By The Way, Meet Vera Stark. After this, you can catch her in The Studio Players’ January production of The Lifespan of A Fact. When she is not working or performing at TNP, she is a busy theatre mom to daughter Madison. Jennifer would like to thank her husband Brett for always being her biggest cheerleader and for living with two drama queens! Enjoy the show!

ANDREW SARKOZY is classically trained in Theatre from the University of South Florida, where he graduated in 2021. Originally from Seattle, Washington, and later San Diego, California, he followed his family to Florida for college in 2017. He would like to express his heartfelt thanks to his parents for their unwavering support, as well as The Naples Players for welcoming him into this outstanding production. Enjoy the show!

JOE TOWNSEND is very happy to return to the The Naples Players stage after a 26year hiatus. His first show with TNP was in their small office on Davis Blvd in 1977 with a review of Promises, Promises and later Pippin. Since then, he was lucky to be in 12 TNP productions performed at Gulfview Middle School and the Kon Tiki Theater, including My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Guy and Dolls, Dames at Sea, Sweet Charity, and Barefoot in the Park. His last show with TNP was The Sound of Music as Captain Von Trapp in 1997. He is looking forward to many more appearances on stage with TNP in their renovated theater on 5th Ave South.

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

MOLLIE BERMAN (Costume Design) is in her fifth season with TNP as Costume Shop Supervisor. After graduating with her MFA from FSU, she joined the creative team for Disney Parks Live Entertainment as well as freelanced as a designer in the Orlando area. Previous TNP design credits include Mary Poppins; Blithe Spirit; The Wedding Singer; Footloose; Yours, Truly; Bye Bye Birdie; and She Loves Me. She has designed for TheatreWorks Florida, Mad Cow Theatre and Florida State University. She has previously worked at Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, Olney Theatre Center and Williamstown Theatre Festival and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. She would like to thank her friends, family, and husband Reece for their unending support and encouragement.

JAMES DUGGAN (Director) has been involved with The Naples Players since 2014. Directing credits include The Game’s Afoot and Boeing, Boeing. Other directorial credits include TNP’s Readers Theatre, Erasure and Playwriting 101. Assistant Directing credits include Kalamazoo and These Shining Lives. James recently performed on stage as Charles in Blithe Spirit. Acting credits include Tim/The Cake, Ricky/Making God Laugh, Bernard/ Don’t Dress For Dinner, Roger and Omar/Maple and Vine, Mr.Hilton/Coney Island Christmas, Ellard/The Foreigner, and Gary/Noises Off. James studied acting at Emerson College, the New Theatre Conservatory in Boston, and Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Massachusetts. He received his BA degree in Communication Arts from Dowling College in Long Island, NY. With over 25 years of theatre experience, some of his favorite roles include: Max/Lend Me A Tenor, Mike Talman/Wait Until Dark, Chris Keller/All My Sons, Charles/Blithe Spirit, Jimmy Zoole/P.S. Your Cat Is Dead, and Tartuffe/Tartuffe. James would like to thank everyone involved in this production and TNP for their continuous support.

TERRY LIBBY (Assistant Director) is very excited to be back at The Naples Players in this new role. She has been involved in many productions here and at other local theaters, most recently playing Martha in TNP’s production of The Game’s Afoot. Other previous credits include: Cassandra/Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Delia/One Slight Hitch, Joveeta/A Doublewide Texas Christmas, and Professor Plum/Clue. A Big THANK YOU to James for this opportunity to develop new and additional theater skills. Terry is most grateful to her family, especially her husband Larry, for their limitless support and love.

SEAN McGINLEY (Sound Design) is excited to be back at The Naples Players. His previous designs at TNP include When We Were Young and Unafraid, The Sound of Music, Blithe Spirit, and The Game’s Afoot. He loves coming back to Naples and all the theatre this small town has to offer. Sean has his degree in Music Industry and Recording Technology from York College of Pennsylvania. He has been doing theatre and sound for most of his life and would not change a thing. His work has been heard recently at Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, Gulfshore Playhouse, The Mac-Haydn Theatre, GableStage, The Penobscot Theatre, Center for the Arts Bonita, and The State Theatre. As always, Sean would like to thank his family and Alivia for their continued support of his dream. For more information on Sean please visit his website: seanmcginleysounddesign.com

PATRICIA PUIA (Stage Manager) is starting her fourth season with The Naples Players. She has worked backstage in a wide range of shows, most recently as an assistant stage manager for The Sound of Music and KidzAct’s Into the Woods JR. Last season, she stage managed By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. She thanks everyone at TNP for giving her so many amazing opportunities to participate.

MICHAEL SANTOS (Scenic Design) has been working in The Naples Players’ Scene Shop for over 18 years now. Originally from Upstate New York, he received his BFA from Cazenovia College. Favorite scenic designs include Guys and Dolls, The Wedding Singer, and Mary Poppins for TNP; and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Disney’s Descendants, and Matilda JR for KidzAct. A big thank you to the volunteers for doing what they do best! And to his wife, Judith, for being everything :-)

ESTHER SNYDER (Properties Coordinator) enjoys the thrill of the thrift shop hunt and searching for weird things online. By day, Esther is TNP’s Executive Assistant. Previous prop credits include Something Rotten!; She Loves Me; The Great Gatsby; Lost in Yonkers; Always a Bridesmaid; Marjorie Prime; Kalamazoo; Rapture, Blister, Burn; Sister Act; The Rocky Horror Show; Catch Me If You Can; A Sleeping Country; Legally Blonde; Noises Off; and Distracted. While this show is food-free, it has definitely provided its own set of challenges! She thanks the many TNP volunteers for their work on this production, whether they be onstage or off. Break a leg, cast – not the glassware, please!

LORELAI VEGA (Assistant Stage Manager) is 17 years old and a dual-enrolled rising senior. She is beyond excited to be a part of this beautiful story alongside such a lovely cast and crew. You may have seen her recently as Liesl in The Sound of Music, Emily in A Christmas Carol, or Portia in Something Rotten! Teen. She would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who made this show possible and she hopes you enjoy the show!

JESSICA WINWARD (Lighting Designer) is excited to be making her design debut at The Naples Players! She has continually worked in the theatre industry since 2016 wearing many hats in various companies and colleges across Rhode Island, including production manager, lighting designer, and stage manager. Jessica graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2019 with a BS in Animal Science and a BFA in Theatre. She is currently an associate at JKM Lighting Design, an architectural design firm based in Naples, FL, while pursuing her MFA in Lighting Design at Carnegie Mellon University.

STAFF & LEADERSHIP

2023-2024 SEASON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PEGGY MONSON President

ALAN JAFFE Executive Vice President

OTTO IMMEL Secretary

ROBIN BACHE GRAY Membership

TERRY LIBBY Facilities

PAT POLLOK Development

BOB UEK Treasurer

TNP STAFF (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

BRYCE ALEXANDER

Executive Artistic Director/CEO

DOT AUCHMOODY

Resident Costume Designer

MOLLIE BERMAN

Costume Shop Supervisor

COLE BUTCHER Production Stage Manager/ Internship Director

PAMELA LARKIN CARUSO Director of Volunteer Advancement

JOHN COOPER Box Office Staff

KENZIE CURRIE

Chief of Staff

NICK DALTON

Director of Education & Enrichment

DOREN DANIS

Chief Financial Officer

JAMES DUGGAN Director of Patron Services

ADAM FASANO

Box Office Staff

DENNY GLASS Immediate Past President

TED BILL

DEDE BROWNLEE

BRUCE GRAEV

ALYSSA HANEY

LUKE JACONIS Box Office Manager

CARL JOHNSON Box Office Staff/ Front of House Associate

JILLIAN KEITH Marketing Coordinator

MAYA KLEINSORGE Education Assistant

MARY ANNE McKERROW

KidzAct Costume Designer

DAN MILLER Assistant House Manager

SUMMER PLISKOW Education Program Coordinator

CRAIG PRICE Director of Community Education & Wellness

DAN RAMIREZ Box Office Staff

CHRIS RILEY Director of Lighting

ELIZABETH W. ROUNTREE, CFRE Director of Advancement

KELLEY PRICE

NANCY RIBORDY

NANCY WOOLF

KAT ZAGEL

BETH PETRUNOFF City Council Liaison

MIKE SANTOS

Resident Scenic Designer & Artist

GAETJENS (SCOTT) SIMEON Accounting Assistant

ESTHER SNYDER

Executive Assistant to the CEO

BRADLEY VAN HOUTEN

Head of Sound

JASON WAGAMAN

Technical Director

CARLY ZEUNER

Company Manager

2023-24 INTERN

TAYLOR MATTHEWS

Full Season Stage Management Intern

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TNP acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of the Calusa and Seminole peoples; and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of all the native people in this region.