Backing Tra
A R D E N T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y P R E S E N T S
R. Eric Thomas
Backing Track R. Eric Thomas
Backing Track Production Sponsor:
MAR 3 - APR 10 On the Arcadia Stage Charitable Fund
2022/23 Lock in the lowest prices for next season's shows! Must order by April 10! Join us for 5 plays next season – without knowing any titles – and lock into the lowest prices we offer. World premiere plays. Large scale musicals. Literary adaptations. Celebrations of community. Great stories by great storytellers.
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Photos by Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios unless otherwise noted. Gem of the Ocean (2019). A Streetcar Named Desire (2020). Every Brilliant Thing (2018). 74 Seconds... To Judgment (2019). Ragtime (2019). An Iliad (2019) Photo: Jillian Keys. My General Tubman (2019). A Doll’s House, Part 2 (2019) Photo: Mark Garvin. Once (2018).
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WELCOME From the Producing Artistic Director It was 1988, and we were trying to raise money for what we hoped would be a new theatre company. I was at a cocktail party, and when I approached Jerry about our plans for the Arden, he responded, “I’ll give you three thousand dollars if you leave me alone.” We met the next day, he gave me a check, and then agreed to be on our Board. And then agreed to Chair the Board. I am proud to say that we most definitely didn’t leave him alone, and he remains one of the most important and influential people in the history of this theatre. Jerry Conway was one of the many members of the Arden community whom we lost over the past two years and without him, we all wouldn't be sitting here today. One of the many costs of the past two years are the milestones we've struggled to truly mark. Birthdays, graduations, holidays; new homes purchased and friends who've moved on. We ache to be together at such moments. To hug. To connect. Yet, in fits and starts, we somehow found ways to create true moments of connection. We celebrated on Zoom, had drive-by birthday parades, and gathered for front lawn family gatherings. Taysha Canales and Akeem Davis (who just appeared as Eunice Hubbell and Mitch in Streetcar) got married in this very theatre in 2020, streaming the ceremony to some of their wedding guests down the block at the Hamilton Family Arts Center. Connection and celebration indeed! Likewise, R. Eric Thomas and the artists involved in this premiere of Backing Track have creatively and courageously found ways to move forward, to create new work despite what sometimes seemed to be insurmountable odds. Backing Track is a play about loss and renewal; about the families we inherit and those we create. I am deeply moved that Eric has remain committed to premiering this play when artists and audiences could gather together in the same space. Our mission is to tell great stories by great storytellers and supporting the creation of new stories for the stage is the most important thing we do. We will continue to also tell the story of those who helped make the Arden the theatre it is today – the stories of Jerry Conway, Al Hirsig, Walter Dallas, Mindy Goldberg Rose, Eleanore Segal, Shirley Thomas, Robert Christophe. All beloved members of the Arden family and just a few of the many we’ve lost these past two years. With this new play, we look to the future and honor all those who have – each in their own way – made such an incredible impact. We miss them; we celebrate them; we are so grateful. And let's remember how extraordinary it is that we get to do it together.
P.S. Next season is our 35th Anniversary. Please be part of it!
ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS
BACKING TRACK by R. ERIC THOMAS Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
CHRIS HAIG
ASAKI KURUMA
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
NATALIE ROBIN+
JORDAN MCCREE
Projection Designer
Stage Manager
TAJ RAUCH
KATE NELSON*
Associate Director
ALEXANDRA ESPINOZA Directed by REBECCA WRIGHT
Honorary Producers:
David and Christina Fryman
Production Sponsor: Charitable Fund
Backing Track was commissioned and developed under the auspices of the Arden’s Independence Foundation New Play Showcase, a program dedicated to the creation of new plays and musicals. Arden Theatre Company receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. + Member of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829
* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the U.S.
Director's Note Backing Track is a play about falling in love while grieving, about finding community in ways you did not expect to, about being where you are, and learning to love it. This is a 2022 World Premiere of a play set in 2018. 2018…a different world: different president, different social landscape, different songs on the top of the charts, and none of us with any idea of what was coming just over the horizon. If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that we are interconnected, and that our survival depends on us embracing and honoring that interconnectedness. The characters of Backing Track are coming of age: they are coming into connection in the face of great loss, and in the face of great personal change. They are trying to figure out how to be a neighbor, a parent, a partner, a son, a daughter, a friend. Even though they don’t know it yet, they are forming their pod. How many of us have felt gratitude for a new friend in the past few years? Have felt lucky to know someone we know, to have come into their orbit, to be able to support them, and accept their support? How many of us have come to see our neighborhoods in new ways? Have come into a new relationship with our work, with our jobs, with our family units, with the land we stand on? Each of the characters in Backing Track undergoes a journey with one of these questions, and each of them fails along the way. Sometimes vulnerability gets met with stubbornness. Sometimes the pursuit of connection gets met with a pursuit of individual gain—be this in matters of the heart, or in the complex dynamics of gentrification. But these very failures embody the essential optimism of this play. Our imperfections do not render us unworthy of connection. People do find and care for each other, even in this deeply troubled world. For all its eccentricities, Mel’s house in Backing Track is a safe space where BIPOC people are able to be their fullest, most human, most flawed, most triumphant selves in the presence of misunderstanding and difference, creating the building blocks of solidarity and interconnectedness. None of these characters are soloists. They learn to listen to the music that accompanies their own particular chorus. Backing Track offers us a series of invitations: to know your neighbors, to care for your family, to tend your connections, and to accept the care of those around you. It invites us into the world of human magic that happens when these invitations are accepted. It doesn’t mean we won’t suffer the loss of loved ones, the frustration of youthful hopes, the reordering of our life’s plans. But it could mean that we meet those challenges in a more humane world, held by our communities, celebrating our interconnectedness.
A Message
From our Production Sponsor and Honorary Producers
Production Sponsor Fox Chase Bank Charitable Fund is proud to join the Arden in its mission of telling great stories by great storytellers. Throughout our long partnership we have been particularly drawn to supporting courageous, bold, new plays. Charitable Fund
We are thrilled to sponsor the World Premiere of Backing Track by acclaimed satirist R. Eric Thomas. The play explores what it means to begin again after an unexpected loss. Backing Track is an Arden Theatre Company commissioned new work. We are honored to be Production Sponsor of Backing Track and to play a small part is supporting innovative new theater work in Philadelphia. Tom Petro Chairman Fox Chase Bank Charitable Fund
Honorary Producers Welcome to Backing Track! Equally if not more important, welcome back to live performances following the Arden’s pandemic slumber. We hope you had a chance to see the Arden’s soulful A Streetcar Named Desire. It was the kind of captivating theater we’ve come to expect after attending over a hundred productions here. But the moment that will stay with us from that February 2022 performance came before the curtain rose. What moved us the most was walking into the lobby and being greeted with a Stagebill and a hug by Managing Director Amy Murphy. Either Amy or Producing Artistic Director Terry Nolen attended every single performance of Streetcar, to personally thank the Arden’s loyal supporters for sticking with them the past two difficult years. Yet we are the ones that owe thanks to Amy, Terry, and the rest of the Arden’s staff and artists for persevering. Now on to Backing Track, the latest in a long line of Arden world premieres. Investing in new work takes time, risk, and resources. But commissioning new work and new voices are integral to the Arden’s mission. And as we have seen, the results are often nothing short of sensational. R. Eric Thomas’ self-described “play on falling in love while grieving, gentrification and karaoke” is no exception. Enjoy the show. It’s wonderful to see you back in your seat. Christina and David Fryman
Playwright's Note You know what? Society really took a wrong turn when we lost mixtapes. We’ve gotten some decent substitutes on our tumble from grace–burning a CD and designing custom cover art, making a playlist and giving it a deeply evocative name… um, what else? Thumb drives? Sure. But there’s nothing like the mixtape. The urgency of rushing to hit “record” just as a song was coming on the radio, or the beautiful DIY synergy of using a dual tape deck to record off of an existing tape. Yes, it was a rudimentary process but also it was a gesture so full of art, so full of love, so full of the echoes of other feelings. We have new forms of passing along music and the complete thought that is a list of songs, but as a culture we really peaked with the mixtape. Think of this play in whatever way makes you happy–a karaoke-infused cabaret, a memory play, a call to a late night radio show requesting that song that will change everything–but I’d offer that perhaps the first way to think about Backing Track is as a mixtape brought to life on stage. Each act is a side, each scene is a track. Do you remember stressing out about song choice, song placement, the way they flowed one to another? That’s making a play. I don’t think I went into this process actively trying to recreate the mixtape experience that I used to have so often. But there were so many moments during the development of Backing Track that felt like hitting “record” on a track that is a love note, or a track that will get the party started, or one of those tracks that’s like “look, this is crazy, but you’re going to love it.” Every track on a mixtape feels like holding your heart out to someone else, hoping that they’ll accept it. And that’s making a play, too. The thing about a mixtape is that making it is usually a solitary act. But the extraordinary truth about making a play, even a mixtape play, is that it's the product of dozens of hands and minds and hearts. This tracklist has been compiled, little by little, over the last three years by some of the most incredible artists, designers, creators, and administrators that I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. And now we’re all here together. The only thing that was missing was you. Thanks for pressing “play”.
R. Eric Thomas
Cast of Characters René.......................................................................................Joseph Ahmed Mel....................................................................................Melanye Finister* Abraham........................................................................................Carl Hsu* Jessica..................................................................................Danielle Leneé* Esther........................................................................................Bi Jean Ngo* Avery...............................................................................Brenson Thomas* UNDERSTUDIES Katrina Hall (Mel), Frank Jimenez (René), Dana Liu (Esther), Keith Livingston (Avery), Donovan Lockett (Jessica) Arden Theatre Company is a professional company employing members of Actors’ Equity Association. *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Please check houseboards for any program changes. Taking pictures and/or making visual or sound recordings is expressly forbidden. Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org
JOSEPH AHMED (René) Arden debut! Regional: QvK (Philadelphia Artists’ Collective); The Snow Queen (Enchantment Theatre Company); Fishtown: A Hipster Noir, Antihero (Tribe of Fools); An Homage to Whatshername, A Door in the Desert (Almanac Dance Circus Theatre). Education: BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University (2013). Joseph is a Co-founder and worker-owner of the interactive performance company Obvious Agency and was a 2020-21 Mini-Resident with Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists developing his solo performance Half Magic. Connect at josephahmed.com. Tremendously excited to be joining this fabulous team! MELANYE FINISTER (Mel) Arden: Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummers Night's Dream (F. Otto Haas Stage inaugural production). Regional: Is God Is, There, Dionysus Was Such a Nice Man, When the Rain Stops Falling, Don Juan Comes Home From Iraq (Wilma Theater); Shakespeare In Love, The Diary of Anne Frank, Skeleton Crew, The Matchmaker, Project Dawn, All My Sons, Fences (People’s Light); The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial Of Miz Martha Washington, Run Mourner Run (Flashpoint Theatre Company); Third (Philadelphia Theatre Company). Education: BFA, Carnegie Mellon University. Melanye is a Company member at People's Light and Wilma Hothouse. She is a board member of New Normal Rep and a 2018 Ten Chimneys Lunt Fontanne Fellow. CARL HSU (Abraham) Arden debut! Regional: Kayama in Pacific Overtures (Lyric Stage Company of Boston); Bun Foo in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ogunquit Playhouse, Engeman Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House and Riverside Theatre); Ito in Mame (North Shore Music Theatre, Riverside Theatre); Ensemble in The King and I (Dutch Apple and Broadway Palm); John in Anything Goes (North Shore Music Theatre). Education: MFA in Musical Theatre from Boston Conservatory; American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Who's Who DANIELLE LENEÉ (Jessica) Arden: My General Tubman, Gem of the Ocean. OffBroadway: Shatique in White Guy on a Bus (59E59ST). Regional: Miep in Diary of Anne Frank (People’s Light); Aisha in Mrs. Harrison (Azuka Theatre); Shatique in White Guy on a Bus (Delaware Theatre Company); Shatique in White Guy on a Bus (Passage Theatre); Rosalind in As You Like It, Helicanus/Ensemble in Pericles, Adriana in Comedy of Errors (Delaware Shakespeare); Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Syracuse Stage); A Knee That Can Bend (Orbiter 3); Milk Like Sugar (Simpatico Theatre). Education: BFA – Acting from Syracuse University. Much love to my cast and crew. Special thanks to my supportive friends and loving family. Grandmer, this is for you, always. BI JEAN NGO (Esther) Arden: Water by the Spoonful, Threepenny Opera, The Borrowers, Peter Pan. Regional: The Chinese Lady, Eureka Day,The Great Leap, Sensitive Guys, Caught, & more (InterAct Theatre Company); Sin Eaters, Babel, Among the Dead (Theatre Exile); The Tempest, 36 Views (Lantern Theater Company); As You Like It, Pericles, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing (Delaware Shakespeare); The Way I Walk, The Women & Comedy Project, In Search of the Kitchen Gods (1812 Productions); An Infinite Ache (Theatre Horizon). Film: Law Abiding Citizen. Training: MFA, Actors’ Studio Drama School; Boston University; Suzuki Company of Toga; Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski; Dell’Arte International; Shakespeare & Co. Love to David & Archie. BRENSON THOMAS (Avery) Arden debut! Regional: Performer/Writer for This is the Week That Is 2020 (1812 Productions); Musician for There (Wilma Theater); Performer/Creator for The Appointment (Lightning Rod Special; FringeArts/Next Door at NYTW); Also worked with Theatre Exile, Theatre Horizon, Azuka Theatre, and 11th Hour Theatre Company. Education: MFA in Theatre, Sarah Lawrence College. Brenson has an upcoming commission of How We Return, a play he wrote with Cardinal Stage in Bloomington, IN. He most recently wrote on season 2 of Emmy Award Winner Lena Waithe’s Twenties on BET. Social media: @brenthomas112. Huge gratitude to Becky, Eric, Zandra, and Jonny. Love to my family, and Kevin…And Beyoncé. R. ERIC THOMAS (Playwright) R. Eric Thomas, a national bestselling author and playwright, won the 2016 Barrymore Award for Best New Play and the 2018 Dramatist Guild Lanford Wilson Award, was a finalist for the 2017 Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award and two 2021 Lambda Literary Awards. He was on the writing staff for the Peabody Award-winning series Dickinson (AppleTV+) and Better Things (FX) and has been commissioned or produced on stage by Baltimore Center Stage, Everyman Theater, Arden Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, Simpatico Theatre, Azuka Theatre, Single Carrot Theatre, About Face Theatre, City Theatre Miami, Act II Playhouse and more. He is also the author of three books, HERE FOR IT, a memoirin-essays that was a Read with Jenna book club pick featured on Today, RECLAIMING HER TIME, a biography of Rep. Maxine Waters co-authored with Helena Andrews-Dyer, and KINGS OF B’MORE, a YA novel out in Spring 2022. He is an alumnus of The Foundry, the Lambda Literary Fellowship, and the Ingram New Works Fellowship. Website: Rericthomas.com New Play Exchange: newplayexchange.org/users/892/r-eric-thomas REBECCA WRIGHT (Director; she/her) Arden: An Iliad; Indecent. Regional: Perfect Day (Headlong); Whisper's Gone (Theatre Exile); This Is On Record, FEED,We Are Bandits,Vainglorious (Applied Mechanics); The Wild Duck, Saint Joan,The Metamorphosis (Quintessence Theatre Group); The Gap (Azuka Theatre); Close Music for Bodies (Michael Kiley); Articles of Faith (Cynthia Hopkins); Peaceable Kingdom (Orbiter 3); Marcus/ Emma (InterAct Theatre Company); At Home With the Humorless Bastard (Annie Wilson); Sarah Flood in Salem Mass (The Flea Theater); Sophie Gets the Horns (The Riot Group). Rebecca is the Artistic Director of Applied Mechanics, a radical theater collective with whom she has created over a dozen original
Who's Who REBECCA WRIGHT (cont.) immersive works. She is currently working with Applied Mechanics on OTHER ORBITS, a serial science fiction epic unfolding in various performance forms over two years. Thank you to Eric for entrusting me with this play. ALEXANDRA ESPINOZA (Associate Director) Arden: Understudy for Gem of the Ocean. Regional: Director - Wine in the Wilderness (Philadelphia Artists' Collective - 2022, upcoming); Rachel (Quintessence Theatre Group); Dramaturg - Is God Is (Wilma Theater); Performance - Eureka Day (Interact Theatre Company); Boycott Esther (Azuka Theatre); Peaceable Kingdom (Orbiter 3); Playwright - Commissioned by Shakespeare in Clark Park for Peril’s Island and Villanova Theatre for exxx…stasis, exxx…hale.... Other full-length plays developed with Teatro del Sol, Azuka Theatre, Theatre Exile, Seven Devils New Play Foundry, and Great Plains Theatre Conference. Education: MA in Theatre,Villanova University. Alexandra is the Education Associate at the Wilma Theater and a 2020 Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grantee for their self-produced and community empowered virtual performance experience BlackBestFriend. AlexandraEspinozaPlay.com CHRIS HAIG (Scenic Designer) A proud graduate of the University of the Arts, Chris has worked professionally as a set and props designer in Philly for 20 years. Currently, he is enjoying his 10th season as Props Supervisor at Arden Theatre Company. He has designed sets and/or props for the Arden, Theatre Horizon, InterAct Theatre Company, 1812 Productions, Inis Nua Theatre Company, 11th Hour, Shakespeare in Clark Park, Tribe of Fools, Delaware Theatre Company, Mazeppa Productions, Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company, Delaware Shakespeare Festival, Plays & Players, University of the Arts and Simpatico Theater, including the world premiere production of R. Eric Thomas’ Time Is On Our Side for which he received a Barrymore nomination for Best Scenic Design. Later this season, his set design for Athena will finally be seen at Theatre Horizon having been delayed by the pandemic. To see more of his work please visit chrishaigdesigns.com. ASAKI KURUMA (Costume Designer) Arden debut! Regional: Pericles (Shakespeare in Clark Park); Man of God (InterAct Theatre Company); Boycott Esther (Azuka Theatre); Las Mujeres (Power Street Theatre); Romeo & Juliet (Lantern Theater Company); Tiger Style! (Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists); Romeo & Juliet, Complete History of America, Abridged, Measure for Measure (Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company); Marisol (Arcadia University); Kissing the Witches (Ursinus College); The Scar Test, A Midsummer Nights Dream (Villanova Theatre). Education: MA - Villanova University. Asaki is also a Resident Artist at Power Street Theatre powerstreettheatre.com. Special thanks to my friends and family who support me every day. NATALIE ROBIN (Lighting Designer; she/her) Arden debut! Natalie is a Philadelphia-based lighting designer, educator and organizer whose design work focuses on new American plays and musicals, contemporary dance and site-specific performance. Recent collaborations include: The Sorceress (National Yiddish TheatreFolksbiene); Dionysus Was Such a Nice Man (Wilma Theater); Rachel, Awake and Sing (Quintessence Theater Group); White, The Monomyth (choreographed by Michelle Boulé); The undergird (choreographed by Meg Foley); The Seagull (Opera House Arts). Education: BA - Columbia University; MFA - NYU/Tisch. Natalie is the Program Director of Theater Design & Technology at Ira Brind School of Theater Arts at the University of the Arts; Secretary/Treasurer of the Eastern Region of United Scenic Artists /IATSE Local 829; Associate Artist (Target Margin Theater); and Production Manager (Applied Mechanics). JORDAN MCCREE (Sound Designer) Arden: My General Tubman, An Iliad; Regional: Peril’s Island (Shakespeare In Clark Park); Citizen (New Light Theatre); Fat Ham, Romeo and Juliet (Wilma Theater); Communitas: 5 Years Later (Almanac Dance Circus Theatre); Red Bike (Simpatico Theatre); Hands Up: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments (Flashpoint Theatre); Ruined (Philadelphia Theatre Company). Education: University of the Arts (2013). Jordan is a member of the hip hop collective ILL DOOTS. ILL DOOTS’ music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal,Youtube, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and more! Join the
Who's Who JORDAN MCCREE (cont.) #ILLMOVEMENT. #ILOVELIVING. ILLDOOTS.com TAJ RAUCH (Projection Designer) Arden debut! Taj Rauch is a Philadelphia based artist and entrepreneur. His body of work consists of existential commentaries on nihilistic worlds through film, installation, writing and choreography. His notable past works include Code Blue, Is God Is (Wilma Theater); Flu Shot (video piece created in collaboration with Nyeree Boyadjian); Acedia (play premiered in the UArts Season); Proxy (installation); Kigo (film).You can find out more about him through his website, tajrauch.com. KATE NELSON (Stage Manager) Arden: A Streetcar Named Desire, The Snow Queen,Treasure Island, Charlotte’s Web, Snow White, Peter Pan,The Light Princess, A Year with Frog and Toad,The Secret Garden,Two Trains Running, Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates,The Jungle Book, Under the Skin, Great Expectations, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Parade, Ghost-Writer. Select Regional: Becky Shaw; I Love You,You’re Perfect, Now Change (Montgomery Theater); Cinderella, Six Characters in Search of an Author (People’s Light). TERRENCE J. NOLEN (Producing Artistic Director) is Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of Arden Theatre Company. Favorite Arden productions include all-Philadelphia casts of August: Osage County, Death of a Salesman, The Grapes of Wrath, and Hedda Gabler; and such musicals as Next to Normal, Sweeney Todd, Pacific Overtures, Violet, and Caroline, or Change. Terry directed the inaugural production of Arden Children’s Theatre, Charlotte’s Web. He has directed seven world-premiere plays by Michael Hollinger, three by Dennis Raymond Smeal, three by Michael Ogborn, two by Rogelio Martinez, and Bruce Graham’s Something Intangible. Terry has been nominated for 27 Barrymore Awards for his directing work at the Arden and received awards for The Baker’s Wife; Sweeney Todd; Opus;Winesburg, Ohio; Assassins; Something Intangible; and Fun Home. He directed Michael Hollinger’s Opus at Primary Stages in New York and was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Director. His short film The Personal Touch was nominated for an Emmy Award. AMY L. MURPHY (Managing Director) A Philadelphia native, Amy co-founded the Arden in 1988 with Terrence J. Nolen and Aaron Posner. She is especially proud of the Arden Professional Apprentice program and its contribution to the Philadelphia cultural community. She completed the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders-Arts. Amy has served on the Board of the Cultural Alliance and Theatre Philadelphia. She has served on panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, the New Jersey State Arts Council, Theatre Communications Group and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. Amy was named a Hepburn Fellow 2008-9 by the Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center at Bryn Mawr College. ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers–on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community. We create and produce new work through the Independence Foundation New Play Showcase. The Arden Professional Apprenticeship program trains future theatre leaders, and Arden Drama School classes teach children and teens about the craft of making plays. Our access program, Arden For All, makes our work available to the entire ommunity through subsidized tickets and books for economically disadvantaged young people, and our Arden Arts Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for Arden Drama School classes and camps. The Arden has received twelve Philadelphia Magazine “Best of Philly” Awards, the Arts & Business Council’s Arts Excellence Award, six City Paper “Reader’s Choice” Awards, four Philadelphia Inquirer “Theatre Company of the Year” citations, 77 awards and 418 nominations from the Theatre Philadelphia’s Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, and was named “Best Theatre Company” by Philadelphia Weekly in 2009. Arden Theatre Company, a professional, nonprofit 501(c)(3) theatre company, is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the League of Resident Theatres, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Old City Arts Association. Arden Theatre Company wishes to thank Sam Tower of Macramé by Monday.
RESTAURANT & BAR LUNCH • DINNER • WEEKEND BRUNCH
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Corporate, Foundation & Government Support $100,000 & above Anne M. and Philip H. Glatfelter, III Family Foundation Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Independence Foundation PA Department of Community and Economic Development Rosenthal Family Foundation William Penn Foundation
$50,000 to $99,999 Anton Charitable Trust, in memory of Frederick W. Anton, III The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation The Philadelphia Foundation Shubert Foundation
$15,000 to $49,999 Arcadia Foundation The CHG Charitable Trust Comcast Corporation Connelly Foundation The COVID-19 Arts Aid PHL Fund Fox Chase Bank Charitable Fund The Philadelphia Foundation Fund for Children The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Harmelin Media Horner Family Foundation Lincoln Financial Foundation The McLean Contributionship National Endowment for the Arts PECO Pennsylvania Council on the Arts PNC Charitable Trusts Wolfson Family Foundation Zeldin Family Foundation
$7,500 to $14,999 Philadelphia Cultural Fund Philadelphia Insurance Companies TD Bank TD Charitable Foundation
The Sylvia W. and Randle M. Kauders Foundation The Suzanne Roberts Cultural Development Fund Subaru of America Foundation Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania
$2,500 to $7,499 BB&T Now Truist The Charlotte Cushman Foundation Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Christopher Ludwick Foundation Civic Foundation Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund The Haley Foundation The Huron Foundation Independence Foundation, in honor of Dr. Andrea Mengel The Janet Yaseen Foundation The Lida Foundation Louis N. Cassett Foundation The Paul E. Kelly Foundation Caroline Frederica Holdship Charity, PNC Charitable Trust The Wells Fargo Foundation Wellin Family Foundation, in memory of Keith S. Wellin The Whimsie Fund
$1,000 to $2,499 Alex J. Ettl Foundation Archie D. and Bertha H. Walker Foundation Beneserv Brown and Brown of Pennsylvania Elfant Wissahickon Realtors Elfant Pontz Properties Elliott-Lewis Corporation The Hassel Foundation Jenkintown Building Services Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia The Rittenhouse Foundation Siebert Family Foundation Spector Charitable Trust
Stable Road Foundation TCF – The Community’s Foundation Virginia Brown Martin Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation
Up to $1,000 Actors’ Equity Foundation AmazonSmile Cumberland Advisors Judith and Edwin Gerber Family Foundation The Manny and Ruthy Cohen Foundation William Goldman Foundation Wynnstay Foundation Weavers Way Co-op+
Matching Gift Partners AXA Foundation Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Inc. Bright Fund Foundation Charities Aid Foundation of America Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Exelon Corporation ExxonMobil Foundation GE Foundation IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs Independence Foundation JP Morgan Chase & Company Johnson & Johnson Lincoln Financial Foundation Merck Foundation Network for Good PECO Pfizer Foundation The Philadelphia Foundation Vanguard Chariable United Way YourCause + Denotes a gift of goods or services This list represents gifts made through January 31, 2022
The Sylvan Society recognizes individuals who support the Arden’s work by making annual gifts of $1,000 or more. The special generosity of our members enables the Arden to tell great stories by having the resources to achieve the highest level of artistic quality. *This list represents gifts made through January 31, 2022*
Chestnut Grove ($25,000 and above)
John R. Alchin and Hal Marryatt Lois G. Brodsky Karl Carter Nancy and Bob Elfant Michael Grove The CHG Charitable Trust Alta and N. Peter Hamilton Robert and Risa Lavizzo-Mourey Ted Robb* The Rosenberg Family Education Fund Monica and Philip Rosenthal Lee and Chris van de Velde June and Steve Wolfson
Sassafras Grove ($10,000 - $24,999)
Christina and David Fryman Elizabeth Gemmill Linda and David Glickstein, The Lida Foundation Ruth Herd* Peggy Morgan The Suzanne Roberts Cultural Development Fund Nancy Wingo
Cherry Grove ($5,000 - $9,999)
Anonymous Brett and Nan Altman Sandy and David Beswick John Bledsoe
Ann E. Diebold Deb Dorsey and Mike Green Stephen Falchek and John Offidani, III Joseph and Marie Field Jim and Carolyn Hessinger Terry and Ann Marie Horner Winifred Anderson and Eric Lien Robin and Saifuddin Mama John and Amy McCawley^ The Ann B. McNamee Family Theatre Fund Tom Petro and Kris Messner Ceth and Sam Plum Steven Prusky Sharon and Irv Shapiro Hether and Don Smith Rosalyn and Stephen Weinstein
Filbert Grove ($2,500-$4,999)
Anonymous Bob and Cheryl Carfagno Anne Cook and Russ Troyer John and Fern Culhane Joe and Carolyn Evans Paul and Judy Farber Shannon and Ted Farmer Jeanne B. Fisher and Robert F. Lang Richard Harris Dr.Valerie Harrison Eileen Heisman and Marty Tuzman Edward Hillis Holly Kinser Kenneth and Eve Klothen Peter J. and Sandra Klugman
Marilyn and David Kraut William A. Loeb Michael MacFarland Barbara and Don Matheson Rosalyn K Robinson and Warren B English John and Claire Rodgers Charles Rose and Dr. Mindy Goldberg Rose* Dennis Raymond Smeal Keith and Jim Straw Harvey B Swedloff Eric Tamulonis and Deirdre Gibson+
Mulberry Grove ($1,000-$2,499)
Anonymous (6) Hank Adamczyk and Iris Melendez Becky and John Adams George Ahern The Amato Family Jim and Janet Averill Rhonda Ball Sheryl and Allen Bar Sheila Bell Max and Elyse Berger Linda and Mark Bernstein John and Amy Bitman Louis Bluver Jean Bodine Viola W. Bostic Tom and Mary Pat Boyle DeDe and Tony Brown Dennis Buckley Nancy Burd and Mel Nasielski
Sylvan Society cont... Russ Carlson Christopher and Jeffrey Carver Rayenne Chen Cordelia Clement Marc and Margie Cohen Gregory Coleman Joy De Jesús and James Reynolds Ellen Deacon Robert M. Dever Tobey and Mark Dichter Michael A. and Edward C. Donato Laura Drake Samuel Duplessis and Daniel Krewson Jonathan and Nancy Ellsworth Wally and Jane Evans Mr. and Mrs. Farenback-Brateman Elizabeth Fernández-Vina Jill Fisch and John Gassenheimer Carole M. Foley Dieter and Sara W. Forster Ellen and Tim Foster Fran Freedman and Jon Blum Terry Graboyes Kate Groark-Shields Gary R. Grob* David C. and MaryJane Hackney Ann and Glenn Haig Ellen and Steve Harris Don and Lynn Haskin Janis Hawes and Patrick Cunningham
THE
Mark and Linda Hite Lois Hoffman Mike and Shannon Stellato Barbara and Leslie Kaplan Jill Hyman Kaplan and Elliot Kaplan Carol Kelley Steven Knepper B. Koller Deborah R. Kravetz and Bill Robling Patricia Lahn Janice Madden Richard Maimon and Susan Segal Rhonda McKitten and Aaron Krauss Lee Marks and Lisl Zach Mary Ellen Marzullo Linda McAleer Robert and Joan McLaughlin Peter McQuaid Seymour Millstein A.C. Missias Leslie and Michael Molder Amy Murphy and Terry Nolen Marge Neff and Dan Winterstein Mary Ivy and Roger Noone Michael Norris and Matt Varrato Dorothy Novick and Peter Kenney Susan Odessey Barbara Oldenhoff Alexis and Ed Pappas Joel and Bobbie Porter
Laura and Douglas Pratt *Karen and David Pressel Daniel Promislo Joy Rickabaugh Franklyn and Cintra Rodgers Jane A. Rose, CPA/PFS Amy and Mitch Russell Mike Salmanson and Tobi Zemsky Kim and Ross Schmucki Ellen Schwartz and Jeremy Siegel Kathleen Sernak Genvieve and Clete Shields Roy and Lee Shubert Laura and Ron Siena Paulette Singleton George R. Smith The Spector Charitable Trust Rudy Sprinkle and Andrea Barsevick William K. Stewart Sr. Foundation Adelaide Sugarman and Marshall Greenberg Stephen and Kathy Thompson Robert and Lisa Trucksess Charles Arnao and Rosemary Watt^ Richard and Diane Woosnam Hope Yursa * Denotes a deceased supporter + Denotes a gift of goods or services ^ Includes a matching gift This list represents gifts made through January 31, 2022
LEGACY SOCIETY
Arden Theatre Company would like to recognize the following supporters who have included the Arden in their wills or estate plans. Their planned gift provides support which will help sustain the Arden’s work for decades to come.
Anonymous Ms. Peggy Anderson* Stanley Baurys* Ivy Bayard* Jane Berryman Louis Bluver Mary P. Burr Pearl M. Carpel* Larry S. Friedman* and Dean H. Rishel
Ellis Ginsberg* Peter Gistelinck and Kim Bloom Grace Gonglewski and Eric Schoefer Gary R. Grob* David C. and Mary Jane Hackney Jim and Carolyn Hessinger Suzanne and James Hill Mary Ellen Krober William Loeb
Donald Martin and Richard Repetto* Peggy Morgan Tom Petro and Kris Messner Kristen Phillips and Matt Schreck Renee E. Polsky* Madeline Portnoy Irene M. Reiter* Dr. Harry Rosenthal Marilyn and Dean Staats
We hope you will consider including the Arden in your will or estate plans. To be recognized as a member of the Legacy Society or with questions regarding planned giving, please contact Jonathan V. Edmondson, Development Manager, at 215.922.8900 x143.
Thank You to Our Supporters $500-$999
David and Deborah Lesher
Fern and Bob Billet
Anonymous (2)
John and Martha Lubell
Barbara Bisgaier
Sally and Michael Bailin
Melissa Lukach
Linda and Alden Blyth
Shelly Beck
Terry Ann Marek, in Honor of
Tiffany Borsch
Richard and Joan Behr
Ian, Caleb and Leo Edwards
Bob and George Bremner
Charlotte H. Biddle
Barbara McClearly
Michael P. Buckley and Mason Barnett
Beth Burrell and David Sorensen
Kathleen Nelson and John Kromer
Susan Burrows
Mimi Butler-Lebair,
Don and Barbara Parman
Chip Capelli,
in Honor of Anne Marie Kuzma
Sandy Portnoy
in Honor of Amy Murphy
Janet Ginzberg and John Caskey
Paul Rabe and Cheryl Gunter
James Caplan
Carol and Bruce Caswell
Kurt and Mary-Ann Reiss
Caroline M. Castagno
James Crawford and Judith Dean
E. Graham and Elizabeth Robb,
Margaret and Phillip Cavanaugh
in Honor of Lee van de Velde
Leah Chaplin and Eileen Gildea
Andy and Irene Crichton Warren D. and Kaye L. Crown Jonathan Eells Carol Eicher John Erickson and Harry Zaleznik Lou and Rhoda Fryman,
Daniel and Faye Ross, The Ross Family Foundation Dan Rothermel and Michael Hairston
Joan and Joel Chinitz Diane and Patrick Close Ruth and Stanley Cohen Helene and Stephen Cohen
Geoffrey Schmidt
David Cohen
in Honor of David and Christina
Sarah Sexton
Michael and Ellen Singer Coleman
Fryman's Anniversary
Ellen and Michael Silberman
Carol Cook
Paula Fuchsberg
Kathy and Don Smith
Carol Copland
Judith and Edwin Gerber
Marilyn and Dean Staats
Rick De Oliveira and
Grace Gonglewski and Eric Schoefer
Rita and Neil Stevens
Anne Halkedis
Susan and Robert Tafel
Nancy DeLucia
Rhoda Harrison
William Thomas
Kathy and Eric Dobrzynski
Charles W. Head Jr. and
April J. Tvarok
Stuart and Diana Donaldson
John A. Faggotti
Mary Anne Casey
Lewis and Hella Volgenau
W. Wallace and Joanne Dyer
Robert Helmig
Paul and Linda Weinberg
Sally and Stewart Eisenberg
Diane and Dorothy Hofer
Thomas and Dawn Weiss
Paul and Mary Lynn Ellis
Glenn Holsten
Mindy and Judith Widman
Norma A. Fabian
Mary and Howard Hurtig
Tom and Jackie Zemaitis
Gerald Faich
Gwynne L. Isaacs
Susan Zimmerman
Cheryl and Steven Feil
Karl Janowitz and Amy Goldman
John and Nancy Fischer
Bruce Kamich
$250-$499
Bill and Carol Fisher
Barbara and Jerry Kaplan
Anonymous (3)
Carol Fixman and Stephen Kobrin
Lynn Karasik
Carol and Bennett Aaron
Robin Foldesy
David Karr
Kim and David Adler
Buzz and Linda Gamble
Margie and Scott Kasner
Estelle Alexander
Dan Gannon
Sid King
Naomi Anafi
Joseph and Jane Goldblum
Anne and Tom Kohn
Ellen Baxter and Robert Kavash
Carol Goodrich
Edward and Kathryn Lee
Pat and Tom Bender
Paul D. Green
David Lerman and Shelley Wallock
Sara and Bruce Berger
Yoni Greenbaum
Thank You to Our Supporters Betty and Gary Grunder
Andrew and Lynn Lees
Ilene and Coleman Poses
Trudy and Paul Gulterman
Bea and Norm Leopold
Enrique Posner
John Hager
Natalie Levkovich
Janet and John Poth
Regina Haigh
Edward Lundy and Debra Reiff
Ms. Aneira Puttaswamy
Mary and William Hangley
Theresa Mader and David Suter
Gail and Jerry Raznov
Carol Hauptfuhrer
Cirel and Howard Magen
Alan Reinach and Dana Perlman
Dr. Gregory and Diane Hillyard
Jane Maimon and Steven Glazer
Ruby Remley
Cindy Hirsch
Margaret McGovern
Phyllis and Marvin Robinson
Hollie and James Holt
Missy and Bob McQuiston
Claire Rocco
Michael J. Hozik and Margaret L. Rea
Cheryl and Gerald Meyer
Dan Rocha
Dave F. Huting
Susan and Alan Miller
Edward Rock
Philip and Marge Kalodner
Jackie Morrill and Mike Donahue
Robert L. Roessler
James and Karen Kantor
Peggy Morrison
John Rogers
Phyllis Kauffman
Pamela Nelson
Adelle Rubin
Douglas and Ruth Keating
Jillian Nichols
Barbara Ryalls
Susan Kellogg and Dick Hoffman
Frederick G. Ott
E. Ruth Sachs
Kate Kidder
Jacqueline Parker
Lawrence and Phyllis Sager
Lorraine Kilmer
Marcia Paullin
David and Margie Saland
Holly and John Kleimo
Claire and Lud Pisapia
Ronna Schuller
Mary Ellen Krober
Alisha Plakis
Polly Shaffer
123 Chestnut Street Entrance on 2nd Philadelphia WWW.PLOUGHSTARS.COM
The Plough & The Stars
Before or After the Show Arden guests receive 10% off their meal!
Thank You to Our Supporters Karen and Robert Sharrar
Bob and Ellen Willoughby
Beatrice Blasdel
Elaine Sherman and Robert Cohan
Judith Wood
Allen G. Bonner
M. Celeste Simon and Brian Keith
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Woodcock
Iris and Michael Boshes
Richard and Amanda Smoot
Sue and Eric Woolf
Robert Bowersox
Mary Ann Stover and Amy Steerman
John Woolsey
Michael P. Boyle
Peter and Diane Tryhane
Judith Bradley
Carol Usonis
$125-$249
Amy Brantz and Edward Bedrick
Helene and Bill Van Hoeven
Anonymous (5)
Ramona Broomer
Tom and Patricia Vernon
Lawrence and Patricia Abramson
Ann and David Brownlee
Meg von Mehren
Michael and Carol Albert
Carol Buettger
Susan and Tom Walther
Wendy Ankrom
Dr. Stephen Bulova and
Donna and Andrew Wechsler
John and Marilyn Anthony
Marlene Weinberg
Judy Barbush
Janice Burgh
Vivian Weinblatt
Cathy Baum
Caryl Carpenter
Elizabeth Weinreb
Susan Becker and Aaron Rubin
Denise and Philip Chapline
Abigail Wolf and Jonathan Weiss
Raquel Benabe-Lane
Dr. Lawyer and Mrs. Rosette
Joan and Dane Wells
Mr. David Berch
Jessica Welsh
Timothy Berger and Sarah Mooers
John and Mary Ann Collett
Julie D. Williams
Jay and Nancy Berkowitz
John and Ellen Condello
Eleanor W. Bulova
Chapman
PRE-THEATER
MENU
$35 | 3 course dinner | 4 - 7 pm
located on 2nd and Market Sts
Thank You to Our Supporters Janet and Richard Conn
Don Henry
Lorraine and Bruce McMahon
Ms. Elizabeth Cooper
Betsy and Ted Hershberg
Arthur Melnick and
Sara and Alan Crimm
Sharon Herzog
Mary Ann and Jacob Dailey
Terry Hirshorn
Adrienne Mendell
Frank and Barbara Davide
Jamie Hoffman
Joann Mitchell
Bill Davis and Lisa Handler
Michael Hollinger and
Judith Nagle
Vic and Eva Dawson
Megan Bellwoar
Bernadette Manning
Shelley K. Rosenberg and
Kelly and Steve DeAngelis
Lynda Hubbell
Rhonda Dickey
Christine Hunter
Bonnie and Eliot Nierman
Lisa and Paul Dougherty
Dave Ingram
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald O'Neill
Lucille Schlack Drake
Kenneth Foster and Mary Jenkins
Linda Osler
John Dulik and Sandra Folzer
Peter and Nora Hunt-Johnson
John Otterson
Sheila Dyan and Charles A. Gaglia, Jr.
Dr. Rhonda Karp
Evan Paszamant
Robert Earle
Linda Katz
Michael and Judy Paul
Steven Elliott
Lucy Kaufman and Matt Lockwood
Steven Peitzman
Susan and Bruce Endy
Howard Kaufold
Jeff and Elizabeth Podraza
William and Anne Ewing
Barbara Keeler
Jennifer Pogoriler
Bonnie and Martin Finkel
Michael Kenis
Ms. Irene Pomerantz
Amy Finkelstein
Stephen Kieran
Sharon Powell
Peter and Alexis Flack
Caren and Brian Kirschner
Alice Reyes
Rebecca Freedman
Alan and Elaine Klawans
Mr. and Mrs. David and
Allan P. Freedman and
David Klein
Amy Rappaport
H. Gerald Nanos
Diane Richman
Ken, Eva, and Aaron Klein
Mary Robb
Paulette Freeman
Valerie Koscelnik
Dr. Daniel Rosenbaum
Brenda Freitag and Chet Tuthill
Vicki and Doni Kramer
Shelley Rosenberg
Douglas Frenkel and
Kevin Kramer
Richard and Anne Rosenberg
Janet Kroll
Willa Rosenbloom
Philip Friedman
Marlene Weinstein
Andy Kurovsky and Rich LaVerghetta
John and Melanie Rowley
Steven Fukuchi and Laura Offutt
Marilyn Kutler
Bernard and Barbara Ruekgauer
Brenda Furtak
Judy Lalli
Joan Ryder and Robert Ludwig
Julie and Tom Gennaro
Susan Levering
Jill and Kerry Schuman
Diane and Fredric Graboyes
Todd Levin
Mark and Nancy Schure
Ellen Greco
Susan Levinson
Craig and Bonnie Sheetz
Carole Green
Lisa Linder and Richard Grossman
Carleene and David Slowik
Nancy Green
Laurel and Robert Lipshutz
Jonne and Corey Smith
Susan Greene and Kathy Sheridan
Kathleen Mahan
Christina Smith
Gladys Greenfield
Ed Mahlman and Moya Kinnealey
Wayne Snover and Janet Tebbel
Esther Gushner
The Mantione Family
Stephanie Snyder
Marcia Halbert
Randi Marrazzo
Stacy and Jeffrey Sori
Emma Halpert
Ken and Margery Maurer
Barbara and Steven Speece
Richard Willis and Linda Hartnett
Alice McCreary and David Epler
Usha Srinivasan
Gerry Hebert and Gail Seligman
John McGinty
James Steiker
Thank You to Our Supporters Tasha Stonorov and Michael Churchill Jo Ann Tancer
Stanton and Jill Braid
Krissy Fraelich and Nick Hunchak
Nathan Brownback, in Honor of
Fred Frankel
Bob and Sharon Brownback
Robert Fry and Randi Chud
Matthew Tinker
Linda Burkett
Heather Furlin
The Tobias Family
Jeannine and David Webber
Miriam Galster
Oxford Cohen, P.C.
Joan Burnes
Ofelia Garcia
David and Terry Vaughan
Michael and Amy Butchko
Joel R. Gardner and Holly A. Phelps
Mark Wade
Barbara Caldwell
Charles Geffen
Leanne Waldie
Sarah Campbell
Eileen and William Gemmell
Tom and Beth Warms
Ryann Carey
Gwen and Alvin Gilens
Susan Wetherill
Barbara Carmine
Kristen Gillette,
Emelie Wilkes
Lorene Cary
Linsey Will
Florisa Cascarina
Mary Glackin
Doris Williams
Judy Chance
Sheila Gladstone
Jewel Williamson-Burns
Sandra and Jean-Marc Choukroun
Patti Goodman
Jim and Jean Wilson
Rhoda Coben
Bob and Jan Goren
Barrie and Eugene Zenone
Ellen and Warren Cohen
Jody Graff
in Honor of Amy Murphy
Rick and Carol Collier
Madison Green
$75-$124
Bess Collier
Ellen Greenlee
Debra Abraham
Donna Cordner and Brent Groce
Adele Aron Greenspun
Donald M. Ackerman and
Joan Cullen
Ms. Grace E. Grillet
Helen Newbold
Barbara Gross, in Honor of
Gail Chapman Stuart M Adair, in Honor of Amy and Terry
Lauren Daniel
Molly and Claudia Weiner
Todd Darr
Jan Haig
April Alford
Sandy Dempsey
Nancy S. Halpern
Marsha Yankelev and
Mary Anne Diamond
Sue Harasink
Nancy L. Dilcher
Nancy Hartenstine
Roxie and John Ash
Michael Eisenbud
Gerald R. and Ellen R. DiPinto
Palmer and Judith Hartl
Theresa Baraldi
Eric Dolbeck
Susan Havens-Lang
Gregory Batker
Carol Dudnick
Beverly Hayden
Michael and Heather Baxter
James E. Dyer, Jr.
Sue and Doug Heckrotte
Richard and Eileen Bazelon
Jonathan and Ella Edwards
Stacey Helmers
Dawn Bazemore
Jason and Jennifer Ellsworth-Aults
Madeleine and Phil Henderson
Marilyn Becker
Beverly Emanuel
Wendy and Steve Hess
Marcia Benner
Elisabeth Erlbaum
John Heward
Michele Bennett
Cari Feiler Bender and Rodd Bender
Daniel and Monica Hilferty
Connie and Dick Berman
Herbert Feinstein
Ellen Hollin
Ian and Ryane Beutler
Ruth S. Ferber
Paul Howard
Jocelyn Block
Sara Finkelstein
Chris Hoyler and Bob Jackson
Jan Boswinkel
Amy Fisher
John and Carol Hutelmyer
Hazel Bowers
Joan and Aron Fisher
Dr. and Mrs. William Jantsch
Marian Bradley
Pamela Fisk
Sandra Jarratt
Thank You to Our Supporters Drs. Anthony and Estelle Chun
Melvin and Rhoda S. Kreiner
Mary and Jack Markov
Rebecca Goland-Van Ryn
Joan and Paul Krzywicki
Katie Marlowe
Jane Kamp
Stuart Lacy
Audrey Martin
Diana Kanoff
Tim and Lauren Lambie-Hanson
Lawrence Massaro
George Karr
William Lashner
Suzanne Matlock
Bruce Katcher
Martin and Hannah Laufe
George and Judy McCarthy
Chris and Bridget Kelleher
Marla and Stew Leftow
Richard McCourt
Lynn Kelley
Ann Lesch
M. McDonald
Frances and Paul Kende
Ruth Lesser
Faith and Arthur McDowell
Marjorie Epps Kennedy
Elyssa Kane and Jeffrey Levine
Michelle McFarlane
Julie Kernis
Michael L. Levitan
Todd McGuire and Michele Poacelli
Robert and Susan Kettell
Jared Lieberman
Barbara McIntyre
Julia Kharlip
Victoria Lipoff
Tom and Geri McKernan
Jeanne Kiefner
Suzanne B. Logeman
Elizabeth McMullen
Cindy Killion
Jennifer Lowman
Sandra and Martin Miller
David Kim
Ann Ludwig
Nancy Miller
Rachel Kipnes
Sandy and Richard Malkin
Carol and Otto Mills
Ellen Kopeland
Brenda and Richard Mandel
Joseph and Jane Miluski
Christine Kozsuch
Linda and David Marder
Jill Minick
We are humbled by the outstanding support of our Arden Family these past two years. Because of you we are able to be here today, to once again share great stories by great storytellers on our stages. Visit our webpage to see the full list of those who have supported us over the last two years to make our return to live theatre possible:
ardentheatre.org/support/ thankyou
YOU make the magic of live theatre happen!
Thank You to Our Supporters Laraine Mocenigo
Barbara and Anthony Rooklin
Helen Sugland
Steve Montgomery
Maxine Rosen
Pat and Elaine Sweeney
Hedda and David Morton
Myra Rosenberg and Larry Glass
Daniel Szyld and Kathleen Ross
Brad Moss and Laurie Gottlieb
Caryn and Leon Rosenberg
Elyce Teitelman
Ursula Muehllehner
Carol Rosenfeld
Letty Thall
Gibbs Murray
J. Randall Rosensteel
Marianna Thomas
Ken and Sue Myers
Hal and Sue Rosenthal
William Thompson
Helen Nadel
Richard Ross
Mladenka Tomasevic
Karen, David, Eli and Sophie Nathan
Marjorie A. Roth
Bill and Heli Tomford, in Honor of
Claiborne Newlin
Dr. and Mrs. Martin Rubel
Julie Miller Vick's Birthday
Frances Novack
Diane Rurode and Jim Lord
Barb Trotto
Janet and Dennis Novack
Rose Russell
Howard Unterberger
Vicki Nussbaum
Marjorie and Alexander Russell
Cynthia L.Vena
Bobi Nevin and Edward Olwell
Cindy and Steve Ruzansky
David Voellinger
Dr. Douglas Overtoom
Robin Sampson
Timothy and Victoria Wadas
Frank and Suzan Paiva
Julianna Schauerman
Emily and Charles Wagner
Jane G. Pepper
Marvel Shmiefsky
Carolyn Walter
Matthew Pettigrew
Gail Scott and Thomas D. Quinlan
Mary Ellen and William Wasson
Dulcie Pomerantz Romm
Hideko Secrest
Bob Weinberg and Eleanor Wilner
Dr. Tom and Candace Pratt
Warner Session
Shelly and Fred Weiner
Lisa Pressley
Elana Sessler
Marsha Weinraub and Stuart Schmidt
Frank and Patricia Preston
Kathy and Richard Sexton
Ken and Susan Weiss
Hon. Lillian Harris Ransom
Joseph and Louise Shaffer
Constance West
Timothy and Joyce Ratner, in Honor
Barbara Shapiro
Gwendolyn Wiley
Laurel and Jeffrey Silber
Megan Williams
Abi and Craig Reed
Celestine Silverman
Lydia and Gary Winderman
Ernest Repice
Stephen J. Small
Arnold Wolf
Jessica Richardson
Patricia Smerz
Betsy Wollensack
Clifford Ridley and Betsey Hansell
Patricia Smialkowski
Nancy and Peter Wood
Courtney Riggar
Erica Smith
Linda Yarlott
Stephen Ringel and
The Snyder Family
of The Dedicated Performers
Marilyn Weinstein Cynthia Robertson, in Honor of Harvey Swedloff
Margaret R. Spencer Nicholas Stanley Konnie Stark
Adam Rom
Barbara and Robert Stewart
Lou and Laura Romano
Marie Strahan
Jan Rood-Ojalvo
Gaynor Strickler
* Denotes a deceased supporter + Denotes a gift of goods or services ^ Includes a matching gift This list represents gifts made through January 31, 2022
To join the Sylvan Society or for more information on how you can support the Arden, please contact Jonathan V. Edmondson, Development Manager, at 215.922.8900 x143 or jedmondson@ardentheatre.org
Gifts In Memory of... TRENT ALFORD Caryn and Leon Rosenberg DEBORAH BAMBINO Claiborne Newlin BARBARA BROCK KIDDER Stephen Ringel and Marilyn Weinstein JOHN AND PATRICIA BROTHERTON Anonymous PATRICIA BROWN Joan Cullen JOE CROSLEY Claire and Lud Pisapia ERNEST CUFF Ellen Deacon JUDITH ANN DEVICARIS Oxfor Cohen, P.C. Cynthia Robertson MARJORIE DICKEY Rhonda Dickey TERESITA FERNÁNDEZ-VINA Elizabeth Fernández-Vina DR. MINDY GOLDBERG ROSE Anonymous Susan Avjian Debby Baratz Ron and Joyce Bayer Stephen and Judy Bleyer James Caplan Hope and David Danoff Barbara Fierstein Amy Fisher Charles Geffen Patti Goodman Alan Greenberg Elissa Harris Ellen Hollin David Karr
Karr Barth Associates Patricia Lahn John McGinty Lawrence Pauker Ernest Repice Nancy Rikoon Lou and Laura Romano Jan Rood-Ojalvo Carol Rosenfeld Susan Rush Jo Ann Tancer Peter and Diane Tryhane Howard Unterberger Paul and Linda Weinberg Lauren Wysmuller ALBERT M. GREENFIELD, III Judy Chance ELKAN M. KATZ Linda Katz DR. STEPHEN KAY Dr. Rhonda Karp JOHN KOSCELNIK Valerie Koscelnik KATHLEEN M. KICHULA Adam Rom SHEILA KUTNER Myra Rosenberg and Larry Glass MARGUERITE MCCUTCHEON Celestine Silverman WESLEY MONTGOMERY Anne Halkedis GERD MUEHLLEHNER Ursula Muehllehner GEORGE AND DOLORES OTTINGER Stephen and Kathy Thompson PATRICIA PASZAMANT Evan Paszamant
HARRY PORTER SR. Anonymous RICHARD REPETTO Dan Rothermel and Michael Hairston ANNIE RICHARDSON Anonymous J. COOPER ROBB Anonymous (2) Michael Beer Nancy Burd and Mel Nasielski Anonymous Accessibility Office, Bucks County Community College Karl Carter Learning Resources, Bucks County Community College Claire and Hudnall Christopher Sharon Clothier Kathleen and Michael Cokenakes John and Mary Ann Collett Anne Cook and Russ Troyer Michael A. and Edward C. Donato Bob and Nancy Elfant Christian Fascione Valley Veterinary Clinic, Buckingham John and Pat Fiorella Elizabeth H. Gemmill Victoria and Duncan Grant Jamie Hanes Mary and William Hangley Lynn P. Harrington Palmer and Judith Hartl Terry and Ann Marie Horner Bob Kaufman Patricia A Korp Monica and John Kuna Ellie Lloyd Wingate and Janet Lloyd Deborah and Peter Luquer Howard and Cirel Magen Patrick and Linda McCann Amy L. Murphy and Terrence J. Nolen Cynthia and Samuel Plum E. Graham Robb and Betsy Robb Mary L. Robb Ted Robb Joan C. Roberts Linda and Hays Rockwell
Gifts In Memory of... (cont.) Franklyn and Cintra Rodgers Sidney and Ruth Rosenblatt Prudence L. Rosenthal Kim and Ross Schmucki Brian Foster and Ernie Sesskin Don Perelman and Elise Singer Dr. and Mrs. Kaighn Smith Holly and Willard Terry Lee and Chris van de Velde M.M. van de Velde Fred Weinstein June and Steve Wolfson MAITLON T. RUSSELL Linda McAleer ELEANOR SEGAL Anonymous Debra Abraham Judy Burton Michael and Amy Butchko Janet Ginzberg and John Caskey
Donna Cooper Maurine P. Dooley Adrienne Dunsing Cari Feiler Bender and Rodd Bender Marcia Halbert Dorothy Hoffman Audrey Isdaner Debra Kahn Phyllis Kaufman Neil Klinger Josh Landay Susan Levering Josh Levy and Heidi Segall Levy Sandra Ludwig Louis Magagna Jane Maimon and Steven Glazer Judith Nathan Karen, David, Eli and Sophie Nathan Vicki Nussbaum Jacqueline Parker Pledgeling Foundation Jacob and Deanna Salzmann
Mary Ann Stover and Amy Steerman Lisa Syken Joanne Taubenberger Tina Trent Paul and Marilyn Weintraub Matthew Whitehorn THE REV. ROB’T C. SMITH Lorene Cary DESMOND STARR Frank and Barabara Davide EVIE SWIERCZYNSKI Lisa and Paul Dougherty PEARL MAE WATSON Barbara and Anthony Rooklin Maxine Rosen MARY WOOD Carol Usonis
Board and Committee Members Board of Directors H. Hetherington Smith Robert Elfant, President Lee van de Velde Nancy Burd,Vice President Steve Wolfson Rhonda Ball,Vice President Diane Dalto Woosnam Michael A. Donato, Treasurer. Ellen Yin Rayenne Chen, Secretary Anne Cook Board Executive Joy L. De Jesús Committee Nancy Elfant Robert Elfant, Chair Elizabeth A. Fernandez-Vina Rhonda Ball Elizabeth H. Gemmill Nancy Burd Peter Hamilton Rayenne Chen Joanne Harmelin Anne Cook Richard Harris Joy L. De Jesús Dr.Valerie I. Harrison Michael Donato Nancy Hirsig Holly Kinser Ann Marie Horner Richard L. Maimon Holly Kinser Lee van de Velde Michael S. MacFarland, SVP Richard L. Maimon Finance Committee Dr. Saifuddin T. Mama Michael A. Donato, chair John J. McCawley, P.E. Nancy Burd Amy L. Murphy Ellen P. Foster Terrence J. Nolen Anne Marie Horner Hon. Rosalyn Robinson Daniel Krewson Charles H. Rose Harvey Swedloff Monica Rosenthal Steve Wolfson
Board Development Committee
Rayenne Chen, Chair Robert Elfant Joy De Jesus Holly Kinser Saifuddin T. Mama Lee van de Velde Diane Dalto Woosnam Personnel Committee
Rhonda Ball, Chair Michael Donato Elizabeth H. Gemmill Richard Harris Michael S. MacFarland Charles H. Rose
Engagement Committee
Lee van de Velde, Chair Anne Cook, Chair Elizabeth Fernandez-Vina Nancy Elfant David Hackney Camille Rosenberg Hope Yursa
Facilities Committee
Richard L. Maimon, chair Mike Green James Kronzer John J. McCawley H. Hetherington Smith Chris van de Velde Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force
José Avilés Nancy Burd Rayenne Chen Anne Cook Joy L. De Jesús Jonathan V. Edmondson Robert Elfant Kash Goins Richard Harris Zuhairah McGill Amy L. Murphy Bi Jean Ngo Terrence J. Nolen Hon. Rosalyn Robinson Clayton Tejada Orelí Uzdavinis
S AV E T H E D AT E
ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY’S 2022
GRANFALLOON A Gala Fundraising Event
Lo rene C ar y
HONORI NG
Recipient of the M a s t e r S t o r y t e l l e r Aw a rd
Bob Elfant
For His Leadership and Service
FR I D AY, J U N E 10, 2022
TH E LIB ERT Y VIEW a t INDEPENDENCE V I S I T O R CENT ER ARDENTHEATRE. ORG /GRANFALLOON
Artistic Administrative Management
Managing Director............................................................................................................................................ Amy L. Murphy General Manager..................................................................................................................................................Clayton Tejada Business Manager.......................................................................................................................................................Paola Cruz Audience Services Manager..................................................................................................................................Katie Frazer Operations Manager.............................................................................................................................................Bebe Maritsis
Marketing
Director of Marketing and Communications.................................................................................................Stephen Rapp Art Director...........................................................................................................................................................Kristy Giballa Marketing Associate.........................................................................................................................................Andressa Royer Publicist...................................................................................................................................................................Bryan Buttler
Development
Development Manager.........................................................................................................................Jonathan V. Edmondson Manager of Individual Giving.......................................................................................................................Orelí B. Uzdavinis Development Associate..................................................................................................................................Christina Buono Development Assistant....................................................................................................................................Abby Weissman
Education
Director of Education Outreach............................................................................................................................José Avilés Education Associates............................................................................................................Elizabeth Crino, Joshua Thorps Box Office Manager...........................................................................................................................................Jason Blacketer Assistant Box Office Manager.......................................................................................................................Chelsey Gaskins House Manager..........................................................................................................................................Elizabeth Rudderow Front of House Assistants............................................Amanda Adams, Jacquelynne Conyers-Jordan, Becky Fleckner, Adiah Hicks, Mads Klemm, Glynnis Nadel, Jessica Stahl, Abby Weissman,Victoria Zdunkiewicz
Production
Producing Artistic Director.......................................................................................................................Terrence J. Nolen Associate Artistic Director..............................................................................................................................Jonathan Silver Artistic Assistant...................................................................................................................................................Nick Hatcher Commissioned Playwrights..........................................................................................................Lorene Cary, Kash Goins, Robi Hager, James Ijames, R. Eric Thomas
Front of House
Staff
Director of Production....................................................................................................................................Matthew Given Technical Director..........................................................................................................................................Matt Groeneveld Scenic Charge Artist..................................................................................................................Kristina Chadwick McGrath Electrics Supervisor.........................................................................................................................................Martin Stutzman Audio Engineer.....................................................................................................................................................John Kolbinski Costume Supervisor.........................................................................................................................................Amanda Todaro Properties Supervisor................................................................................................................................................Chris Haig Stage Managers............................................................................................................................Alec E. Ferrell, Kate Nelson Assistant to the Stage Manager.........................................................................................................................Jess McPhillips Assistant to the Stage Manager Sub.................................................................................................................Abigail Sturgis Assistant Lighting Designer..................................................................................................................................Bless Rudisill Wardrobe Supervisor.................................................................................................................................................Ryn Smith COVID-19 Safety Manager.........................................................................................................................Tanner Richardett Electricians.................................................................................Isabella Gill, Corinne Mastrella Presti, Juliana Perciavalle Stitcher....................................................................................................................................................................Sarah Mitchell Props Artisans.........................................................................................................................Scott McMaster, Lindsey Silver Carpenters............................................................. Matthew Doherty, Micah Greenleaf, Scott McMaster, Elijah Moore
2022 DINING PARTNERS
Restaurants in Old City are open and ready to welcome you back! We recommend these restaurants that support the Arden.
CAMPO’S
PANORAMA
CUBA LIBRE*
THE PLOUGH & THE STARS*
FORK*
POSITANO COAST BY ALDO LAMBERTI
214 Market Street • 215.923.1000 www.camposdeli.com
10 S. 2nd Street • 215.627.0666 www.cubalibrerestaurant.com 306 Market Street • 215.625.9425 www.forkrestaurant.com
14 N. Front Street • 215.922.7800 www.PanoramaWineBar.com
123 Chestnut Street • 215.733.0300 www.ploughstars.com
212 Walnut Street 2nd Floor • 215.238.0499 www.positanocoast.net
THE FRANKLIN FOUNTAIN* 116 Market Street • 215.627.1899 www.franklinfountain.com
RACE STREET CAFÉ
HIGH STREET PHILLY
ROYAL BOUCHERIE*
KHYBER PASS PUB
SHANE CONFECTIONERY*
OUI*
SOUTH STREET PHILLY BAGELS
101 S. 9th Street • 215.625.0988 www.highstreetonmarket.com
56 S. 2nd Street • 215.238.5888 www.khyberpasspub.com
160 N 3rd Street • 215.922.1269 www.ouipastries.com
208 Race Street • 215.627.6181 www.racestreetcafe.net 52 S. 2nd Street • 215.606.6313 www.royalboucherie.com
110 Market Street • 215.922.1048 www.shanecandies.com
613 S. 3rd Street • 215.627.6277 www.southstphillybagel.com
VISTA PERU
20 S. 2nd Street • 215.398.5046 www.vistaperuphilly.com Restaurants with * offer a 10% discount to Arden patrons. Please ask your server for details.
For complete restaurant descriptions visit: ardentheatre.org/dining
GROUP
For over 20 years, the
has been helping the arts community invest in itself, because art matters.
The Kelly Group is proud to announce our Support the Arts 2022 initiative, donating to local performing arts organizations for every closing.
James Sugg
Trish Kelly
Benjamin Camp
Kelly Group Agent Actor and Sound Designer
Kelly Group Founder
Kelly Group Team Leader Actor and Producer
Whether you’re on-stage or in the audience, choose the REALTOR s who support the arts community. ®
(215) 687-4471 kellygroup@elfantwissahickon.com
kellygrouprealestate.com
GROUP