Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 2023 - Christmas Carol / Late Night Catechism

2023 – 24 SEASON FIRST FINANCIAL BANK presents

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

By CHARLES DICKENS Adapted by BLAKE ROBISON

Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre

@cincyplay @cincinnatip

Season presented by SCHUELER GROUP and THE VONTZ FAMILY

LATE NITE CATECHISM

By VICKI QUADE & MARIPAT DONOVAN

Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre

INDEX 7

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

8 10

Cast Information Bringing an All-New Production to the Stage Artist Biographies

12

31

LATE NITE CATECHISM

32 34

By the Numbers Artist Biographies

ALSO INSIDE 4 28 38 51 54

A Note from Blake Coming Next Patron Information Board of Trustees Staff Listing

PHOTOS OF ANDREW MAY AS SCROOGE (ABOVE AND ON THE COVER) AND BLAKE ROBISON (PAGE 4) BY TONY ARRASMITH/ARRASMITH AND ASSOCIATES.

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FROM THE PRODUCERS OF

PUBLISHER IVY BAYER

ART DIRECTOR JESSICA DUNHAM

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A NOTE FROM BLAKE I LOVE A CHRISTMAS CAROL. IT CENTERS US AS A COMMUNITY. It reminds us of what’s important in life. Charles Dickens’ holiday classic is a parable about a person at odds with humanity. He has carved out a life of loneliness and revels in his miserly existence. Then, miraculously, he has a chance to make amends and reconnect with the world. A timeless message, to be sure, but perhaps an especially timely one in our current social environment.

I love seeing families come to the theatre together at this time of year. Thank you for making us a part of your holiday celebration! Everyone at the Playhouse is thrilled to bring this all-new production of A Christmas Carol to life in spectacular fashion with a fresh script and new designs made especially for Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre.

In the Rosenthal Shelterhouse, we have a comedy running through the holidays. Late Nite Catechism is the longest-running show in Chicago theatre history. It has entertained millions of people across the country and around the world with its charming performer, incisive wit and playful audience participation.

Like previous presentations by The Second City and the Reduced Shakespeare Company, it is a lovingly irreverent evening of stand-up comedy and improvisational theatre. Whether you grew up Catholic or not, this heartfelt romp guarantees you an evening of fun!

Finally, please stay tuned after the holidays for our world premiere production of Dracula in February. Created by Vanessa Severo (Frida…A Self Portrait) and our own Associate Artistic Director, Joanie Schultz, this highly theatrical re-telling breathes new life and new blood into the most famous vampire story of all time.

On behalf of the Playhouse Family, I wish you and your family all the joy of the season!

Cheers!

Blake Robison Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director

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CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK Blake Robison Abby Marcus

OSBORN FAMILY PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MANAGING DIRECTOR PRESENTS

A CHRISTMAS CAROL BY

CHARLES DICKENS BLAKE ROBISON

ADAPTED AND DIRECTED BY

Wilson Chin Bill Black Jaymi Lee Smith Matthew M. Nielson Betsy Rosen Daniel Tristan Cupp Casey Sams Stephen Goers Bridget Leak

SET DESIGNER COSTUME DESIGNER LIGHTING DESIGNER SOUND DESIGNER/COMPOSER PUPPETRY DIRECTOR PUPPET DESIGN AND FABRICATION CHOREOGRAPHER/INTIMACY COORDINATOR MUSIC DIRECTOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

NOV. 24 — DEC. 30, 2023 MOE AND JACK’S PLACE — THE ROUSE THEATRE Additional Support Provided by

The Harold C. Schott Foundation Design Sponsor

Artist Sponsor - Tiny Tim

Artist Sponsor - Ghosts

Honorary Producer

Barbara M. Weyand Supported by a generous endowment from Barbara Fitch and the Stona Fitch Family

Season presented by

Rouse Theatre Season Design Sponsor

Additional support provided by

A CHRISTMAS CAROL CAST Ebenezer Scrooge Mrs. Fezziwig Solicitor, Belle’s Husband, Fred Guest, Businessman Solicitor, Topper, Businessman Mr. Fezziwig, Ghost of Christmas Present Fezziwig Guest, Refugee, Charwoman Bob Cratchit Belle, Mrs. Dilber Tiny Tim Fred Martha Cratchit, Schoolboy, Fezziwig Guest, Belle’s Child Mrs. Cratchit, Fezziwig Guest Fezziwig Guest, Fred Guest Ghost of Christmas Past, Debtor Wife, Niece Jacob Marley, Miner, Old Joe Dick Wilkins, Miner, Businessman Fezziwig Guest, Refugee, Debtor Husband Fan, Want, Young Girl Young Scrooge, Undertaker Peter Cratchit, Schoolboy, Fezziwig Guest, Belle’s Child Fezziwig Guest, Rose, Poulteress Belinda Cratchit, Schoolboy, Fezziwig Guest, Belle’s Child Boy Scrooge, Ignorance, Turkey Boy Stage Manager Second Stage Managers Assistant Stage Manager Youth Actor Coordinator

Andrew May* Burgess Byrd* Kevin Cristaldi* R. Ward Duffy* Kenneth Early* Annie Fitzpatrick* Ryan Wesley Gilreath* Shonita Joshi* Zane Kramer Taha Mandviwala* Grace Manning Kelly Mengelkoch* Dina Monk Maggie Lou Rader* Jefferson A. Russell* Aaron Schilling Rory Sheridan Seava Sierra King Zach Stone* Oscar Syroney Tess Talbot Claire VanderMolen Robert Zahniser

Brooke Redler* Brandon T. Holmes*, Andrea L. Shell* Shelby Scaffidi* Madison Stone Time: 1843 – Present, Past and Future Location: England

A CHRISTMAS CAROL WILL BE PERFORMED WITH AN INTERMISSION.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL UNDERSTUDIES Ebenezer Scrooge R. Ward Duffy* Solicitor, Topper, Businessman, Belle’s Husband, Fezziwig Guest, Dick Wilkins, Miner, Refugee, Debtor Husband Jared Earland Jacob Marley, Miner, Old Joe, Mr. Fezziwig, Ghost of Christmas Present Sean P. Mette Ghost of Christmas Past, Mrs. Fezziwig, Niece Dina Monk Belle, Mrs. Dilber, Fezziwig Guest, Rose, Poulteress, Fred Guest, Debtor Wife Yodeet Nymberg Belinda Cratchit, Schoolboy, Fezziwig Guest, Belle’s Child, Fan, Want, Young Girl Lila Rogers Fred, Young Scrooge, Undertaker Aaron Schilling Bob Cratchit Rory Sheridan Martha Cratchit, Schoolboy, Fezziwig Guest, Belle’s Child Seava Sierra King Boy Scrooge, Ignorance, Turkey Boy, Peter Cratchit, Schoolboy, Fezziwig Guest, Belle’s Child Kent Sokolis Mrs. Cratchit, Refugee, Charwoman Tess Talbot Tiny Tim Claire VanderMolen PLEASE NOTE: Lila Rogers will perform the roles of Belinda Cratchit and others for the matinee performances on Dec. 2, 16 and 30 and will perform the roles of Fan, Want and Young Girl for the matinee performances on Dec. 9 and 23.

Kent Sokolis will perform the roles of Boy Scrooge, Ignorance and Turkey Boy for the matinee performances on Dec. 2, 16 and 30 and will perform the roles of Peter Cratchit and others for the matinee performances on Dec. 9 and 23.

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

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

MEDIA SPONSORS A Christmas Carol

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL BRINGING AN ALL-NEW PRODUCTION TO THE STAGE: A Q&A WITH BLAKE ROBISON

BY TATIANA GODFREY

Maggie Lou Rader (Ghost of Christmas Past), Andrew May (Scrooge) and Blake Robison (Playwright/Director) in rehearsal for A Christmas Carol with (background) Dina Monk (Fezziwig Guest) and Kenneth Early (Mr. Fezziwig).

Since 1991, audiences across Greater Cincinnati have been attending A Christmas Carol at the Playhouse. For many, seeing A Christmas Carol has become a beloved holiday family tradition, reminding them about the many lessons inherent to the holiday season.

This year, the Playhouse is excited to present a brand-new adaptation of this classic Dickens morality tale. The script is new; the director is new; the Scrooge is new; the set and costumes are new; the theatre is new!

In the brand new, state-of-the-art Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre, special effects and theatrical staging can now be executed that were not possible in the old facility.

Scenery can fly in and out, rise from below, and audiences are physically closer to the action.

This new adaptation is written and directed by Playhouse Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison. He began writing the script over a year ago, committed to writing a faithful adaptation that remains and becomes a new part of audiences’ holiday traditions.

Blake sat down with us to talk about the Playhouse’s new Carol.

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For you, what is A Christmas Carol about?

I think it’s about redemption, and the joy of the season, and finding peace and purpose in the service of others. That’s my answer. I think Dickens’ answer is in Fred’s speech in the first counting house scene.

There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say, Christmas among them.

I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they were fellow-passengers on life’s great journey, and not another race of creatures to look down upon. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

I think that’s Dickens’ answer right there.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL What did this adaptation process look like for you?

of the story, but the previous adapter chose to leave those out for whatever reason.

You know, I’ve seen a lot of A Christmas Carols at many different theatres, not just the one that the Playhouse has done for so many years. And I hadn’t gone back and read the novella in a very long time. So, of course, I started there. The idea was not to take Howard Dallin’s version and nip and tuck it. It was to go back to the source material and start fresh. Obviously, the story is still the story. The characters are there. Much of the dialogue is the same, because nearly every adaptation of A Christmas Carol starts with Dickens. The lines that you remember, the famous lines, the ones that you look forward to as an audience member, exist in most every adaptation because they come straight from Dickens. And that is certainly the case here.

Another interesting part of the adaptation process is that some of the Dickens novel is written with dialogue, so you’re using the dialogue that Dickens himself imagined would come out of these characters’ mouths. And in other scenes, Dickens simply describes the action. So as the adapter, you have to create the dialogue. A good example of that is the Cratchit scene. When we first meet the Cratchit family, they’re having Christmas dinner. If you go back to the Dickens novel and read that, there’s very little actual dialogue.

Mostly, it’s in novel form; he’s describing things without assigning actual lines to characters.

So as an adapter, that’s a fun challenge, figuring out how to bring that to life in a theatrical context. We tell stories through dialogue.

That said, every adaptation has some variances that reflect the taste and interest of the adapter and the director. So, in the version that we are premiering this season at the Playhouse, there are some tiny little scenes, that I think are lovely and meaningful and moving, that were not in the previous adaptation.

They’re part of the Dickens novel. They’re part

What do you hope audiences take away from the production?

Fun. Joy. Family connection and appreciation for the things that make us human. A reminder of the better parts of the human soul and spirit.

A Christmas Carol Scenic Design by Wilson Chin.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL ANDREW MAY EBENEZER SCROOGE Andrew is very happy to be back at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, where he was last seen in productions of Murder on the Orient Express and Circle Mirror Transformation. Other credits include the Broadway national tour of War Horse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Pearl Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater (six seasons), Great Lakes Theatre (nine seasons), Utah Shakespeare Festival (three seasons), Idaho Shakespeare Festival (five seasons), Studio Theatre DC, Barrington Stage Company, Goodman Theatre, Cleveland Play House (six seasons), City Theater Company (four seasons); and many more. Film and television credits include Striking Distance, Big Love, 227, Duet, Babe Ruth and What She Doesn’t Know. He would like to dedicate his performance to Dr. Lezlie Cross whose love and support means everything to him. XOX!

BURGESS BYRD (SHE/THEY) - MRS. FEZZIWIG Burgess is delighted to be returning to the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, last seen as Headmistress Francis in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play in the 2021-2022 season. Select regional credits include Cynthia in Sweat and Faye Davison in Skeleton Crew (Ensemble Theatre); Lilli-Anne in Barbeque (Human Race Theatre); Lena Younger in Raisin in the Sun and Mrs. Prism in Importance of Being Earnest (Cincinnati Shakespeare Company); Miss Leah in Flying West (Falcon Theatre); Washing Machine in Caroline or Change (New Stage Collective); and the one-person solo performances as Charlayne Woodard in Pretty Fire and Neat (Know Theatre of Cincinnati). As a guest artist, Burgess played Shylock in Merchant of Venice (The University of Texas at Austin) and Rose in Fences (University of Wisconsin – Madison). Film Credits include Inconceivable, Bones and All and the upcoming film, Challengers.

KEVIN CRISTALDI (HE/HIM) - SOLICITOR/BELLE’S HUSBAND/ FRED GUEST/ BUSINESSMAN Kevin is pleased to return to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, where he last appeared in The West End, and played the evil Bob Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird.

New York credits include (A)loft Modulation (the american vicarious), A Peregrine Falls (Loading Dock Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Masterworks Theater Company), A Dish for the Gods (Lion Theatre), Message to Michael (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater) and The Dirty Talk (Center Stage). Regional credits include When I Come to Die (Kansas City Repertory Theatre), The Exonerated (Florida Studio Theatre), Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Schoolhouse Theater), An Actor’s Carol (Cape May Stage), The Dumb Waiter (Hudson Theatre Works), Eddie Legs (Lillian Theatre, Los Angeles), The Miser (Hartford Stage), The Importance of Being Earnest (Two River Theater), Hamlet (Arden Theatre Company) and The Last Station (Vermont Stage).

On television, he has appeared in Succession, The Blacklist, Numbers, Medium, The Unit, Gilmore Girls, Criminal Minds and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Visit www.KevinCristaldi.com.

R. WARD DUFFY (HE/HIM) - SOLICITOR/TOPPER/BUSINESSMAN/ UNDERSTUDY-SCROOGE Ward is overjoyed to be returning to the Playhouse for his ninth production, having previously appeared in Alias Grace, To Kill a Mockingbird, Speaking in Tongues, Othello, The Understudy, A Flea in Her Ear, The Caine Mutiny Court Martial and A Christmas Carol (1994 – Yikes!). In New York, he has appeared at Manhattan The12 | 2023–2024

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT As a step toward honoring the truth and achieving healing and reconciliation with those Indigenous peoples who were affected most by the Doctrine of Discovery* and broken treaties, we acknowledge the traditional Shawnee and Myaamia (Miami) lands on which we now stand, and on which the city of Cincinnati was built. *The Doctrine of Discovery is a principle of international law dating back to the late 15th century that specifically sanctioned and

promoted the conquest, colonization and exploitation of non-Christian territories and peoples. Hundreds of years of decisions and laws continuing right up to our own time can ultimately be traced back to the Doctrine of Discovery — laws that invalidate or ignore the rights, sovereignty and humanity of Indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL atre Club, Lincoln Center, New Dramatists and Cherry Lane Theatre, among others. Most recently, Ward has appeared in the world premiere of Kathryn Chetkovich’s The Formula and The Tempest (Santa Cruz Shakespeare); and TheaterSquared’s world premiere of Linda Bloodworth-Thomasons’ play Designing Women. Other regional credits include the world premieres of Love (Marin Theatre Company); When Tang Met Laika (Denver Center Theater); productions for the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; Portland Center Stage; Hartford TheaterWorks; George Street Playhouse; Kansas City, Indiana, Asolo and Merrimack Repertory Theatres; and The Old Globe. On television, he plays Deputy Director John Van Leer on FBI and FBI: International. Other credits include Madame Secretary, Blindspot, Blue Bloods, Shades of Blue and Law & Order (Criminal Intent and SVU). He lives in New York city with his wife, actress Henny Russell, and their dog, Bailey.

KENNETH EARLY - MR. FEZZIWIG/GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT Kenneth is honored to be a part of the cast of A Christmas Carol here at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. He has been seen in Playhouse productions including Once On This Island, Misery, To Kill a Mockingbird and Jitney. Some of his other regional credits include Who All Over There, Pipeline, Red Velvet, The Whipping Man, Grey Gardens, Dancing Princesses and Alice in Wonderland (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati); Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and Of Mice and Men (Cincinnati Shakespeare Company).

ANNIE FITZPATRICK (SHE/HER) - FEZZIWIG GUEST/REFUGEE/ CHARWOMAN Annie is delighted to return to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park after appearing in Alias Grace, A Prayer for Owen Meany, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, Hank Williams: Lost Highway and seven seasons of A Christmas Carol. She was a founding member of The New Group Theater Company in New York City and toured both nationally and internationally with Murder a La Carte. Regionally, Annie has performed at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Geva Theatre Center, Florida Stage, Florida Studio Theatre, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Porthouse Theatre and The Human Race Theatre Company. Television and film credits include Chicago P.D., Army Wives, Those Who Kill, Fun Size, Milk Money, Broken Hearts, The Old Man and The Gun, Dark Waters, White Noise and the upcoming films Mr. Manhattan and Hauntology.

RYAN WESLEY GILREATH - BOB CRATCHIT Ryan is grateful to be returning to the Playhouse as Bob Cratchit for the exciting new telling of this fantastic story. His television and film credits include Bike Riders (with Austin Butler); Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (Netflix); Forrest Mars in The Food That Built America; Jack Miller in TURN; Robert Oppenheimer in American Genius; Charles “Doc” Robinson in Gold Fever and the pilot Guilty (FOX). Theatre credits include Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (Maytag Virgin, Riptide, Tribes, Other Desert Cities, Next Fall, 33 Variations and Mary’s Wedding), The Human Race Theatre Company, Seven Angels Theatre and Florida Repertory Theatre. He recently completed writing the feature horror film Sourland, as well The Toys That Built America and The Food That Built America (History Channel). Big thanks to family, friends, Blake and the Playhouse family. Ryan hopes this story ignites love and caring throughout the year. Happy holidays! He can be found (sometimes) on Instagram @Wildwesleyjames.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL SHONITA JOSHI (SHE/HER) - BELLE/MRS. DILBER Shonita is a South-Asian actor, born and brought up in Pune, India. Prior to moving to the United States, she worked for four years in Bollywood and two years at Google before realizing that her love for theatre is more than just a hobby — it’s a necessity. She has degrees in banking, finance and journalism.

She graduated from Stella Adler School of Acting New York City in 2019. Some of her recent credits include playing Susan in Wait Until Dark (Chenango River Theatre); Grand Horizons (Peterborough Players, NH); Origin Story (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); Queen (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati); and Antony & Cleopatra, Pericles, Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night (Hip to Hip Theater Company’s Shakespeare in the Park, NYC). Shonita will be seen next at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in 2024. She is passionate about the environment, recycling and politics, and is a proud vegetarian and a certified dog trainer. She wishes everyone safe and happy holidays with love and empathy in the new year! Drop her a hello at www.shonitajoshi.com or on her Instagram @shonitajoshi.

ZANE KRAMER (HE/HIM) - TINY TIM Zane is excited to make his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. He is currently a second grader at Terrace Park Elementary. His previous theatre credits include Sven in Frozen, Rooster in Annie and Pongo in 101 Dalmatians (Performing Arts Inc. in Anderson, Ohio). Zane is also a swimmer, soccer player and LEGO lover. He would like to dedicate his performance to his family and friends who have been supportive in helping him achieve his acting dreams. Follow him on Instagram @thezanekramer.

TAHA MANDVIWALA (HE/HIM) - FRED Taha is delighted to return for this new chapter of A Christmas Carol at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park! He is a BA theatre graduate from the University of Kentucky, and he was a member of the 2016-17 Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company at the Playhouse. Taha recently made his Broadway debut in Life of Pi in New York City. Regional credits include Murder on the Orient Express and past seasons of A Christmas Carol (Cincinnati Playhouse); Tiny Beautiful Things (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati); The Taming of the Shrew and Witness for the Prosecution (Great Lakes Theater and Idaho Shakespeare Festival); and Romeo & Juliet and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival).

Taha also enjoys his time as a personal trainer for his coaching business, Koalaty Movement, and is passionate in bringing parkour into the arts community. Be sure to follow him on Instagram @manlykoala or visit tahamandviwala.com for more!

GRACE MANNING (SHE/HER) - MARTHA CRATCHIT/SCHOOLBOY/ FEZZIWIG GUEST/BELLE’S CHILD Grace is thrilled to be making her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut in A Christmas Carol. She is a seventh grader who loves singing, dancing, reading, traveling and musicals/theatre. Her previous play credits include Charlotte in Cinderella, Brigitta in Sound of Music, Shawanda in Elf the Musical Jr, the youth ensemble of The Wiz Jr and Joseph in the Technicolor Dreamcoat. She would like to thank the cast, crew and production team for this exciting and fun opportunity. Grace would also like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL KELLY MENGELKOCH (SHE/HER) - MRS. CRATCHIT/FEZZIWIG GUEST Kelly is so happy to return to share this wonderful holiday story! As a resident ensemble member at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, she has recently performed in The Importance of Being Earnest and The Rewards of Being Frank (which was a co-production with New York Classical Theatre, off-Broadway at the A.R.T. theatre in New York City). Recently, she has been seen in Let the Right One In (University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music) and This Is Tom Jones! (The Human Race Theatre Company). Locally, she has also worked with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, New Stage Collective and Xavier University. Her film credits include Dark Waters, Perception, Old Man and the Gun, A Kind of Murder, Healing River and C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America. Visit her website at kellymengelkoch.com.

DINA MONK (SHE/HER) - FEZZIWIG GUEST/FRED GUEST Dina is thrilled to return to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for another festive season, after appearing as Mrs. Fezziwig in Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig’s Holiday Party last season. Chicago credits include Private Lives (Raven Theatre), Jane Austen’s Emma and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (First Folio Theatre), The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story (Oak Park Festival Theatre) and Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse). Regional credits include As You Like It: Books in Brooks (Montana Shakes!) and The Winter’s Tale and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival).

You can also see her in the IMAX film Dinosaur Discoveries: A Holographic Adventure playing at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She received her BFA in Acting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and completed the Midsummer in Oxford program with the British American Drama Academy in association with Yale School of Drama. Dina is represented by Heyman Talent Agency. She thanks her family and friends for their love and support, especially Mary, Maggie, David and Lakmal, who made this possible. You can visit dinamonk.com for updates.

MAGGIE LOU RADER (SHE/HER) - GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST/ DEBTOR WIFE Maggie is thrilled to make her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut! After growing up in the red dirt of Oklahoma, she attended William Jewell College, Oxford University and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. She has performed regionally and internationally with The Human Race Theatre Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, The Kitchen Theatre Company, The Old Rep Theatre, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Some of her favorite memories on stage have been playing Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, June in Alabaster, The Pilot in Grounded, Lizzie in Maytag Virgin and Marie Antoinette in The Revolutionists. She is also a national award-winning playwright, and her epic plays about epic women have been seen on stages from coast to coast. You can follow her shenanigans as an actor and writer by visiting www.maggielourader.com. Maggie sends love to her folks, Justin Lee and their three sweet little fur babies Anne Perkins, Leslie Knope and Ollie.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL JEFFERSON A. RUSSELL (HE/HIM) - JACOB MARLEY/MINER/ OLD JOE Jefferson is pleased to be returning to Cincinnati for the holidays. Previous Playhouse credits include Jitney, Shakespeare in Love and Two Trains Running (a co-production with Milwaukee Rep). Regional credits include Everyman Theatre (Resident Company member), The Lion in Winter, Sense and Sensibility, The Skin of Our Teeth, Flyin’ West, Pipeline, Murder on the Orient Express, Gem of the Ocean and Blues for an Alabama Sky. Additional credits include Shakespeare in Love (Baltimore Center Stage); Fences and Ragtime (Ford’s Theatre); Father Comes Home from the Wars, Two Trains Running, Ironbound, Fahrenheit 451 (Round House Theatre); as well as productions at Arena Players, American Players Theatre, Hangar Theatre, Signature Theatre, Marin Theatre, Olney Theatre, Pioneer Theatre, Rep Stage, Folger Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Goodman Theatre and Gulfshore Playhouse. Voicework includes Circle Round and Who, When, Wow Podcasts. National Tours include Harlem and Color Me Dark at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Jefferson earned a BA from Hampton University in Sociology and Criminal Justice, an MFA from George Washington University Academy of Classical Acting. He is a former Baltimore police officer and a founding member of Galvanize, a network for Artists of Color.

AARON SCHILLING (HE/HIM) - DICK WILKINS/MINER/ BUSINESSMAN Aaron is thrilled to be back at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park after performing in last year’s production of Murder on the Orient Express. Originally from Northern Kentucky, he has spent the last few years performing in the Atlanta area. Regional credits include Titanic, Ragtime, The Seagull, Shenandoah and Sleepy Hollow (Serenbe Playhouse); Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Journey’s End (Atlanta Shakespeare Company); The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley (Theatrical Outfit); and La Cage Aux Folles (Out Front Theatre Company).

He was most recently seen in Cincinnati Landmark Production’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Incline Theater. Aaron received his BFA in Performing Arts at Western Kentucky University and spent a year touring with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company. Endless love and gratitude to my incredible family, friends and my future wife, HB, and thank you to everyone out there supporting live theatre.

RORY SHERIDAN (HE/HIM) - FEZZIWIG GUEST/REFUGEE/DEBTOR HUSBAND Rory is pleased as punch to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut.

Local credits include Brighton Beach Memoirs (The Human Race Theatre Company), Neverwhere (Know Theatre of Cincinnati), A Few Good Men (Cincinnati Landmark Productions), Cabaret (Warsaw Federal Incline Theater), The Pillowman (Falcon Theater) and Saint Joan (Diogenes Theatre Company). Other credits include Heimwehen (FFT in Düsseldorf, Germany), Death of Nations (Performance Space 122), The Conveniences of Modern Living (New York City International Fringe Festival) and The Prince Hamlet (WhyNot Theatre in Toronto). He is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and New York Law School. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife, Alice, and two cats. Follow him on instagram @rorysnake, @hellisemptycomic or @machocatcomics.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL SEAVA SIERRA KING - FAN/WANT/YOUNG GIRL Seava is thrilled to make her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. She is currently a seventh grader at Villa Madonna Academy. Her credits include Young Don and Youth Ensemble in Singing in the Rain (The Carnegie), Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Jr. (Northern Kentucky University’s MainStage) and Melody in Musicville (The Carnegie). Seava acts, dances, sings and plays piano. She has appeared in television commercials, print ads and runway modeling. Seava would like to thank her team: Mama, Daddy, Grandma, Jonnie-Lynn, Mrs. Slater and Chelsea, for her current success.

ZACH STONE (HE/THEY) - YOUNG SCROOGE/UNDERTAKER Zach is thrilled to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut! He is an actor, director and teaching artist based out of Louisville, KY. Recent credits include Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (three witches shakespeare); various characters in North by Night: More Heroes of the Underground Railroad, Black History Hall of Fame and Rosa Parks & Friends (Bright Star Touring Theatre); and Yank in The Hairy Ape (Bootstraps Louisville). Zach holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Louisville. He currently works as an Administrative Associate at Commonwealth Theatre Center, where he also teaches conservatory classes and outreach programming. Zach would like to thank his family, friends, mentors, cat and most importantly, their partner Caisey for their constant support. They would also love it if you followed them on Instagram @zstoneactor. Enjoy the show!

OSCAR SYRONEY (HE/HIM) - PETER CRATCHIT/SCHOOLBOY/ FEZZIWIG GUEST/BELLE’S CHILD Oscar is thrilled to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and professional debut in this new production of A Christmas Carol. He has previously enjoyed summer camps at the Playhouse and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, where he played Prospero in The Tempest, Mal in The Addams Family and Cedric in Puffs.

Oscar also played Donkey in his school production of Shrek the Musical Jr. He is an eighth grader at Walnut Hills High School and, in his free time, loves gaming, listening to music and watching movies. He dedicates his performance to his sister, dad, mom and dog, Sophie.

TESS TALBOT (SHE/HER) - FEZZIWIG GUEST/ROSE/POULTERESS Tess is thrilled to be back at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, where she was last seen in 2019 on the Rosenthal Shelterhouse stage in Alias Grace. Tess has over a decade of professional Cincinnati theatre experience and holds credits with Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. You can see Tess on film in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile and Inconceivable (Netflix); Wildfire (Amazon Prime); Kindling (Infinite Abyss Productions); and Remington (finalist in the FilmQuest Festival). She has a BFA in Acting from Wright State University. Tess sends love to her family both biological and theatrical.

18 | 2023–2024

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL CLAIRE VANDERMOLEN (SHE/HER) - BELINDA CRATCHIT/ SCHOOLBOY/FEZZIWIG GUEST/BELLE’S CHILD Claire is thrilled to be a part of A Christmas Carol at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She is currently in third grade at Hyde Park School. Her previous play credits include Daisy Armstrong (voiceover) in Murder on the Orient Express (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Violet Beauregarde in Willy Wonka Jr (Hyde Park School) and Brave Girl/Pirate in Peter Pan Jr (Performing Arts Inc.). Claire’s dream is to one day move to New York City and act on Broadway. She would like to dedicate her performance to her mom and dad.

ROBERT ZAHNISER (HE/HIM) - BOY SCROOGE/ IGNORANCE/TURKEY BOY Robert is excited for his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. He attends sixth grade at Beechwood Elementary. His previous credits include Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man Kids, Dot in The Claw: A New Children’s Musical and Horton the Elephant in Seussical the Musical Kids – all at Moss Performing Arts Academy.

Robert also competes with the dance and theatre festival teams at Moss. He thanks his mom and dad, as well as his friends and teachers at Moss.

JARED EARLAND (HE/HIM) - UNDERSTUDY Jared is pleased to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. He is a Cincinnati native and alumnus of the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Intern Company. Recently, you might have seen him in Sleeping Giant (Know Theatre of Cincinnati) or in Living Dead (Cincinnati Shakespeare Company). Jared’s other local appearances include Twelfth Night (Cincinnati Shakespeare Summer Park Tour); Dickless and Puffs (Know Theatre); Saint Joan (Diogenes Theater Company); Proof (The Carnegie); Macbeth (InBocca Performance); Red Speedo and The Lion in Winter (Falcon Theater); and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Southbank Shakespeare). In 2017, Jared had the pleasure of playing a supporting role in the Emilio Estevez film The Public. When not on-stage, he works fulltime as the Lighting Supervisor and Scenic Associate at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

SEAN P. METTE (HE/HIM) - UNDERSTUDY Sean is so joyful to return to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for another holiday season! He is a Cincinnati based actor, puppeteer and writer. In 2021, Sean was the understudy for 12 different roles in the previous version of the Playhouse’s production of A Christmas Carol. He started his professional performing career as a touring puppeteer for Madcap Puppets. Since then, he has performed and worked with many organizations such as the Know Theatre of Cincinnati, the Carnegie, CET Public Television and OTRimprov, where he is one of the founding members. When Sean is not writing original plays based on obscure historical events, he creates and performs original puppet shows. His show, Unintentional Significance: A Puppet Show about Everything and Nothing, won top awards at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival and was selected as the 2022 Young-Howze Theatre Journal’s “Show of the Year.” To learn more about Sean and to view Unintentional Significance, please visit Sean’s website at seanpmette.com or follow him on Instagram @theseanmette.

20 | 2023–2024

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL YODEET NYMBERG (SHE/HER) - UNDERSTUDY Yodeet is pleased to be making her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. Her previous professional work includes Medusa in You at Cincinnati LAB Theater. She is a current junior at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, receiving her BFA in Acting. Her university credits include Lysistrata + The Trojan Woman, as well playing a Somebody in Everybody. Voice over credits include Nina in WGC’s current podcast series Small Victories available on all streaming platforms. Yodeet dedicates her contribution to this show to her wonderful father, who has taken her to see A Christmas Carol at the Playhouse every year growing up.

LILA ROGERS - UNDERSTUDY Lila is thrilled to be spending the Christmas season at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park! She has performed the role of Gretl in The Sound of Music with multiple theatre groups including The Carnegie, Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra, Xavier University; and Gretl/Marta swing with The Marriott Theater in Chicago.

Her favorite role to date was Tootie in Meet Me in St. Louis with The Dayton Playhouse. Lila loves singing and playing tennis and wants to be a music teacher for cats and dogs when she grows up.

KENT SOKOLIS - UNDERSTUDY Kent is a seventh grader at St. Dominic School. Some of his most recent roles include Les in Newsies (St. Xavier High School), Nemo in Finding Nemo JR. and Scuttle in The Little Mermaid JR. over the summer, and Turkey Boy in the 2022 production of A Christmas Carol (Covedale Center for the Performing Arts). He is ecstatic to make his debut at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park! Kent is grateful for the support of his friends and family (especially his mom and dad, since it’s too far to walk!). Merry Christmas!

BLAKE ROBISON (HE/HIM) - PLAYWRIGHT/DIRECTOR Blake is the Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Now in his 12th season, he was honored to inaugurate our new theatre facility last spring by directing A Chorus Line. His Playhouse directing includes the world premieres of Karen Zacarías’ Shane and her hugely popular comedy Native Gardens, Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace, Stephen King’s Misery, Shakespeare in Love, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Peter and the Starcatcher, Pride and Prejudice, Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, The Last Wide Open, 4000 Miles, The Book Club Play, Abigail/1702 and Mad River Rising. Regional credits include productions at the Guthrie Theater, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Utah Shakespeare Festival, PlayMaker’s Repertory Company, Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Round House Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, National Shakespeare Company and Vermont Stage.

Internationally, he directed the Tennessee Williams classic Summer and Smoke at English Theatre Berlin and has worked several times at the renowned Avignon Festival in France. Blake served on the Board of the Theatre Communications Group for six years. He was named a finalist for the 2019 Zelda Fichandler Award from the SDC Foundation honoring extraordinary work in the regional theatre.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL WILSON CHIN (HE/HIM) - SET DESIGNER Wilson is excited to be back at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park after designing Sherlock Holmes, Seven Spots on the Sun and Abigail/1702. Broadway credits include Cost of Living, Pass Over (Drama Desk and Lortel Award nominations) and Next Fall. Off-Broadway credits include A Bright New Boise and Sunset Baby (Signature Theatre), The Thanksgiving Play (Playwrights Horizons), Jonah (Roundabout Theatre Company), Space Dogs (MCC Theater, Lortel Award nomination), Teenage Dick (Ma-Yi Theatre Company and Public Theater) and This Land Was Made (Vineyard Theatre). Opera credits include Turandot (Washington National Opera), Lucia di Lammermoor (Lyric Opera of Chicago) and Eine Florentinische Tragödie/Gianni Schicchi (Canadian Opera, Dora Award winner). Film and television credits include Pass Over (directed by Spike Lee) and Game Theory with Bomani Jones (HBO). He is a member of Local USA 829 where he serves as Eastern Region Board member. Follow him on Instagram @wilsonchindesign.

BILL BLACK - COSTUME DESIGNER Bill is happy to be back at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for this production of A Christmas Carol, having previously designed costumes for The Thanksgiving Play, Summerland, Native Gardens, Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical, Pride and Prejudice and The Three Musketeers in previous seasons. He was the resident designer at the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee, for more than 40 years. Around the country, his work has been seen regularly at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center Theatre Company, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Pioneer Theatre Company and Skylight Music Theatre, as well as more than 30 consecutive seasons at Utah Shakespeare Festival, where he is the senior designer. Bill is professor emeritus of theatre at the University of Tennessee and a member of USA Local 829. www.billblackcostumes.com.

JAYMI LEE SMITH (SHE/HER) - LIGHTING DESIGNER Jaymi is pleased to be returning to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park where she previously designed A Chorus Line (2023), Steel Magnolias (2022), Alias Grace (2019) and Treasure Island (2018). She has been designing around the country for the last 30 years at theaters such as Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Dallas Theater Center, South Coast Repertory, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Alley Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Court Theatre, The Pasadena Playhouse, Hartford Stage, Alliance Theatre, Getty Villa Theater, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Lookingglass Theatre Company. Her work also has been seen in China, Italy, Spain, Scotland and Ireland. She is currently a professor of Lighting Design and the Associate Dean for Student Success at the University of California Irvine.

Her website is jaymismith.com.

MATTHEW M. NIELSON (HE/HIM) - SOUND DESIGNER/ COMPOSER Matthew made his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut in 2012 with The Three Musketeers and has since returned for Abigail/1702, The Book Club Play, 4000 Miles, Sherlock Holmes, Peter and the Starcatcher, Sex with Strangers, Mad River Rising, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Summerland, Treasure Island, Misery, The Last 2023–2024 | 23

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Wide Open, Two Trains Running, Shane and Clyde’s. Off-Broadway credits include The Public Theater/ NYSF, Lincoln Center Theater and 59E59 Theaters. Regional credits include Guthrie Theater, Denver Center Theatre Company, Portland Center Stage, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arena Stage, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Ford’s Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, Barrington Stage, Round House Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, Theater Alliance, Olney Theatre and Contemporary American Theater Festival. Film and television credits include Death in Time, Elbow Grease, Blue, Epix Drive-In, From Hell to Here and Too Like the Lightning. Matthew is the creator of the audio drama series Troublesome Gap. He has won several awards for his work in the Washington, DC area, regionally and in film. He is currently enrolled in the Songwriting and Music Production program with the Berklee College of Music Online. Samples can be heard online at CuriousMusic.com.

BETSY ROSEN (SHE/HER) - PUPPETRY DIRECTOR Betsy is delighted to return to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, where she previously performed in A Christmas Carol, Hank Williams: Lost Highway and Brighton Beach Memoirs as a part of her 2012-2013 intern year. Since then, she has returned as Puppetry Director for Rooted and Peter and the Starcatcher. Betsy recently made her Broadway debut in Life of Pi, playing Richard Parker and serving as the show’s Puppet Captain. Other New York appearances include Argus (Lincoln Center Theatre) and 9000 Paper Balloons (HERE Arts). Betsy toured Australia with Dead Puppet Society’s Laser Beak Man, which culminated in a run at the Sydney Opera House. Regional credits include The Studio Theatre, Round House Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Folger Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company and Imagination Stage (Helen Hayes Award). Digital media credits include the children’s series The Smack Dab in the Middle of the Day Show. Betsy is a proud graduate of University of Maryland College Park and is a member of PlayGround NY. CASEY SAMS (SHE/HER) - CHOREOGRAPHER/INTIMACY COORDINATOR Casey is happy to be returning to Cincinnati! She serves on the faculty at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Casey regularly directs, choreographs and intimacy choreographs for the Clarence Brown Theatre, a regional theatre located on the University of Tennessee campus. She has had the great good fortune to work at such theatres as the Playhouse (Peter and the Starcatcher and Alias Grace), PlayMakers Repertory, Round House Theatre, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Virginia Stage Company, Vermont Stage, The Utah Shakespeare Festival, Great River Shakespeare Festival, North Carolina Stage and Knoxville Opera. Her graduate and undergraduate degrees are from Penn State.

Casey is a certified Laban Movement Analyst from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, and she is a member of the inaugural class of Education Advocates with Theatrical Intimacy Educators. This will be the 10th version of A Christmas Carol that Casey has contributed to – she loves seeing all the ways people find to tell this deeply human story.

BRIDGET LEAK (SHE/HER) - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Bridget is thrilled to be back at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park where she has previously directed Actually, two Off the Hill productions and is currently a Resident Artist with her theatre company, Queen City Flash. In Cincinnati, she has directed Maytag Virgin and Queen (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati) and most re-

24 | 2023–2024

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL cently Everybody at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. She was featured in American Theatre magazine and had her work highlighted in Teaching Theatre magazine, a publication of the Educational Theatre Association. Previous honors include People’s Liberty Grant Recipient, Cincinnati Art Ambassador Fellowship, SDC Denham Fellow, Lincoln Center Directors Lab alum, Artist in Residence at Robert Wilson’s The Watermill Center, Directing Fellow at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, a Sir Gielgud Fellowship finalist and a SDCF Observer (Cleveland Play House and Round House Theatre). Queen City Flash produces two podcasts Zoinks! and Have Monster, Will Travel –available wherever you listen. Bridget has her MFA in Directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University and is a member of SDC. She calls East Price Hill home with her husband, playwright and composer Trey Tatum, small human Wilder, puppies “Pocket” and “Lint” and her bees. Visit bridgetleak.com #ADirectorsLife

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

BRANDON T. HOLMES (HE/HIM) - SECOND STAGE MANAGER Brandon is thrilled to return to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for a fifth season.

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

Brandon is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Thank you to his family and his husband, A.J., for their continued love and support.

ANDREA L. SHELL (SHE/HER) - SECOND STAGE MANAGER See bio on page 35.

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

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF Dialect Coach Julia Guichard Assistant Lighting Designer Jimmy Balistreri Scenic Artists Regan Densmore, Payton Epperson, Ali Flanagan, Taylor Helms Props Artisans Anna Catton, Felicia Linville Props Run Crew Scout Grass, Holly Mills, Erin Speno-Stout Wardrobe Carolyn Fast, Abby Powers Lead Electrician Nicole Iannaccone Cutter/Drapers Kathie Brookfield, Cindy Witherspoon Stitchers Ronnie Chamberlain, Campbell Childers, Bunnie Dolezal, Erin Donnelly, Joe Kovacs, Codi Rasor, Catherine Schmeal, Shelby Smith, Clara Cavins-Wolford, River Wray First Hand Joy Galbraith, Krissy Sneshkoff Craftsperson Melanie Mortimore

With thanks to the costume shop of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis for their generous assistance with costume construction.

2023–2024 | 27

COMING NEXT

presents

DRACULA

By VANESSA SEVERO In Collaboration With JOANIE SCHULTZ Directed by JOANIE SCHULTZ and VANESSA SEVERO MOE AND JACK’S PLACE – THE ROUSE THEATRE FEB. 3 – MARCH 3, 2024 Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale comes back to life in this evocative world premiere where everyone has a secret…and those secrets are deadly. Tensions rise and temptation lures the characters into double lives as they unmask one man, Count Dracula. Pulsing with humor, humanity and blood-curdling thrills, this bold and highly theatrical re-telling breathes new life and new blood into the most famous vampire story of all time.

28 | 2023–2024

COMING NEXT

Johnson Investment Counsel and Clark Schaefer Hackett present

STEW

By ZORA HOWARD Directed By STORI AYERS ROSENTHAL SHELTERHOUSE THEATRE MARCH 2 – APRIL 7, 2024 Three generations of Black women gather in Mama’s kitchen to cook an important meal — and things are about to boil over. As they take turns preparing a stew, closely held details of their lives rise slowly to the surface. Stew tells a captivating, funny and intimate story about the relationship between mothers, daughters and the realities that bind them together.

MARKETING VISUALS ON BOTH PAGES BY TONY ARRASMITH/ARRASMITH AND ASSOCIATE

2023–2024 | 29

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK Blake Robison Abby Marcus

OSBORN FAMILY PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MANAGING DIRECTOR

ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS INC. PRESENTS

LATE NITE CATECHISM BY

VICKI QUADE & MARIPAT DONOVAN FEATURING

BETH WARD Marc Silvia Jennifer Rhodus Marly Wooster Andrea L. Shell*

DIRECTOR SET DESIGNER LIGHTING DESIGNER STAGE MANAGER

NOV. 4 – DEC. 17, 2023 ROSENTHAL SHELTERHOUSE THEATRE LATE NITE CATECHISM WILL BE PERFORMED WITH AN INTERMISSION.

Honorary Producer

Artist Sponsor

Charles and Joann Mead

Season presented by

The Vontz Family Additional support provided by

Late Nite Catechism was originally conceived and produced at the Live Bait Theatre in Chicago by Nancy Burkholder, David Csicsko, Maripat Donovan, Pamela Gecan and Vicki Quade, with original staging by Nancy Burkholder. *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

LATE NITE CATECHISM LATE NITE CATECHISM BY THE NUMBERS On May 28, 1993, Late Nite Catechism premiered at the Live Bait Theatre in Chicago. Since then, the show has been exponentially successful. Let’s break down some of the numbers:

8

SEQUELS, including holiday specials for Christmas, Easter and Halloween

6 YEARS

OFF-BROADWAY

at St. Luke’s Theatre

30 YEARS OF

PERFORMANCES

in Chicago—that’s longer than The Lion King has been running in NYC

410 CITIES

AND 6 COUNTRIES

experienced the show so far, including every U.S. state as well as cities in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Malaysia and Australia

100 WOMEN have played “Sister”

10 MILLION audience members worldwide

$2 MILLION 40,000 PERFORMANCES and counting 32 | 2023–2024

collected to aid religious sisters with their retirement

LATE NITE CATECHISM BETH WARD - SISTER Beth is thrilled to be joining the ranks of the Sorrowful Sisters of the Weeping Nun. A graduate of Salve Regina with a degree in Education, she spent 18 years in public schools and lived to tell the tale. Her resume includes seven years as a producer for WJAR-TV Providence, R.I. Theater has always been in her DNA. Performances include The Glass Menagerie (as Amanda); The Birds (as Messenger); You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (as Sally), The Sound of Music; Oliver and Funny Girl. Beth is the third of nine children in an Irish Catholic family from Newport, R.I. where she once saw John F. Kennedy at the Newport Country Club. She writes screenplays “on spec” and is looking forward to a deal from Netflix.

MARIPAT DONOVAN - PLAYWRIGHT Maripat originated the role of Sister in Late Nite Catechism and has toured internationally, receiving rave reviews for her work in Chicago, Boston, Providence, R.I., New York, Toronto, Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland, Ore., London, U.K and Dublin. She has worked in Chicago theatre for more than 20 years, winning Joseph Jefferson citations for her work in Portrait of a Shiksa and The Good Times are Killing Me. For her work in Late Nite Catechism, she was nominated for the coveted Outer Critics Circle Award in New York for “Outstanding Solo Performances”. She won the Drama Critics Circle Award for “Best Solo Performance” in Los Angeles.

VICKI QUADE - PLAYWRIGHT Vicki is a Chicago writer, poet and editor. In addition to Late Nite Catechism, she and Maripat Donovan have finished a sequel, and also wrote Room for Advancement, which had its world premiere in 1994. Vicki’s comedy, Mr. Nanny, finished a successful nine-month run in 1998. Her newest piece, a musical, Lost in Wonderland, has had staged readings.

ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS INC. - PRODUCER Entertainment Events Inc. (EEI) is based in New York City. EEI has made its mark on the theatrical touring industry by offering a variety of new and exciting plays and musicals to an ever-growing list of professional presenting organizations throughout the country. In addition, EEI has performed over 1500 fundraising events for schools, church groups, and private parties. Since 1999, EEI has produced Late Nite Catechism: The Series; Maybe Baby; It’s You; The Yiddish Are Coming, The Yiddish Are Coming!; Shout! The Mod Musical; Tony N Tina’s Wedding; Defending the Caveman; We’re Still Hot! The Musical; and are former producers of Jeanie Linders’ Menopause the Musical. EEI is now proud to present Late Nite Catechism; Sister Strikes Again!: Late Nite Catechism 2; ’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3; Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold; Sister’s Easter Catechism: Will My Bunny Go To Heaven?; Sister’s Back to School Catechism; Sister’s Summer School Catechism, Girls Night: The Musical; Twas a Girls Night Before Christmas; and Sex N’ The City: A (super unauthorized) Musical Parody.

President Producing Partner Chief Operating Officer Director of Operations Director of Production Legal Insurance

34 | 2023–2024

Tim Flaherty Robert Dragotta Sonya Flaherty Jen Kules Diana Conte Bomser & Studnicky, LLP Dewitt Stern Group, Inc

LATE NITE CATECHISM JENNIFER RHODUS (SHE/HER) - SET DESIGNER Jennifer is excited to be making her regional theatre debut with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Her local credits include Casper: The Friendly Musical; Elf The Musical JR.; Mary Poppins; Santa Claus The Musical; Garfield, The Musical with Cattitude; The Cat in the Hat; The Velveteen Rabbit and Rapunzel’s Hairy Fairytale (The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati), The Pirates of Penzance and Lets Cook Up an Opera (Cincinnati Opera); In the Next Room (The Carnegie); Hello Dolly!; Les Misérables; Spamalot; and Frozen Jr. (Indian Hill High School). She has assistant designed for David A. Centers at the Cincinnati Opera, Victoria Theatre (Dayton, Ohio) and The Loft Theatre (Dayton).

Jennifer is also pleased to be returning for her third season as Charge Scenic Artist for the Playhouse.

She has been a Scenic Artist for 15 years, working for the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, being the Scenic Charge for over 50 of these productions. Her favorites include Tosca, The Little Mermaid, Shrek the Musical and Galileo Galilei. She earned her BFA in Theatre Design and Production at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She would like to thank her wife Alicia for all her love and support!

MARLY WOOSTER (SHE/HER) - LIGHTING DESIGNER Marly is thrilled to be designing for the first time “on the hill” for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park where she previously designed for the Off the Grid productions 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Children of the Corn Maze. Marly has designed lighting across the Midwest including King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing, Q Gents, Twelfth Night, Richard II, Hamlet and Peter and the Starcatcher (Illinois Shakespeare Festival); Mr. Burns, Head Over Heels and POTUS (The Contemporary Theatre in Columbus, Ohio); Stellaluna (Madison Children’s Theatre); and many other productions. She received an MFA in Lighting Design from Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. and a BA in Theatre from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Marly is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She would like to thank her family for their unending support.

ANDREA L. SHELL (SHE/HER) - STAGE MANAGER Andrea is excited to be celebrating her 23rd season with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, having worked on more than 100 productions, including 23 world premieres. Favorite Playhouse credits include A Christmas Carol (2006-2021); A Chorus Line; Murder on the Orient Express; School Girls Or, The African Mean Girls Play; Rooted; Alias Grace; The Last Wide Open; Treasure Island; Mr. Joy; Jane Eyre; Bad Dates; The Revolutionists; I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti; Merrily We Roll Along; As You Like It; The Understudy; Blackbird; Durango; Around the World in 80 Days; Altar Boyz; Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming; Reckless; Ace; The Clean House; A Picasso; One; Abracadabra (2002-2007); The Bible … (abridged); and Dark Paradise. She has also stage managed at Dallas Theater Center, The Old Globe, Cincinnati Ballet, Alliance Theatre, The Second City and Ingenuity Festival of Cleveland. Additionally, Andrea heads Playhouse’s stage management department as the Production Stage Manager, serves as a member of Xavier University’s Theatre Program’s adjunct faculty, and is a contributor for Dramatics.org, writing backstage articles for their online content. Andrea is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. She would like to thank her family, friends, Dylan and Scott for their unending support.

2023–2024 | 35

LATE NITE CATECHISM ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF Payton Epperson Aaron Stephenson Sabrina Mack Jessica Drayton

Scenic Artist Live Sound Coordinator Takeover Dresser Lead Electrician

IT’S MORE FUN WITH A GROUP! Bring your group of eight or more to the Playhouse and enjoy great benefits like discounted tickets, private receptions, personalized service and more.

Call Audience Engagement Manager Piper N. Davis at 513-977-2002, or email piper.davis@cincyplay.com, to book your group today!

The cast of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

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

Proud supporters of

Playhouse In The Park

MEDIA SPONSOR Late Nite Catechism

600 Vine Street, Suite 2000 bm1bmm-ঞķ ƓƔƑƏƑ ƔƐƒŊѵƑƐŊƑƕƒƒ ƐƖƐƖb1ĺ1ol BALTIMORE • BIRMINGHAM • CINCINNATI • HOUSTON NEW YORK • PHILADELPHIA • SAN FRANCISCO • VERO BEACH

36 | 2023–2024 Playhouse.indd 1

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PATRON INFORMATION Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park ADDRESS: 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati, OH 45202 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: 513-345-2242 WEBSITE: cincyplay.com BOX OFFICE: 513-421-3888 OH, KY, IN TOLL-FREE: 800-582-3208 PATRONS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD-OF-HEARING, DEAF BLIND OR SPEECH DISABLED: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services ACCESSIBILITY WITH DIGNITY PROGRAM The Playhouse is pleased to offer a variety of services to patrons with special needs. Funding for this program is made possible by Bartlett Wealth Management.

Audio Described and Signed Performances Live audio description for patrons who are sight-impaired and signed performances for those with hearing impairments are offered for designated performances in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre.

For the schedule, visit cincyplay.com. Signers and audio describers for the season are Dawn Caudill, Mark DeWitt, Montez Greer and Mike Snyder.

Hearing Enhancement Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre and the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre both have a hearing loop system which works with existing T-Coil or Telecoil enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants.

For assistance, please see a member of our house staff.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LATECOMERS AND READMITTANCE Latecomers are seated at the discretion of the house manager, which may be as late as intermission. Latecomers may be denied admission depending on the demands or structure of a particular production. Please allow yourself adequate time to arrive, park and be seated.

Should you need to leave the theatre during a performance, readmittance and seating will be at the discretion of the house manager so as not to disturb the audience and actors.

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

Accessible parking for those with disabilities is located in the Playhouse parking garage.

Parking for persons with disabilities is limited and must be reserved and paid for in advance.

All vehicles using these spaces must display a valid disability placard.

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

This policy applies to all employees, patrons and visitors to the facility.

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

SMOKING/VAPING Smoking/vaping is prohibited in the entire theatre complex.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park acknowledges the following partner companies, foundations, and their employees who generously participate in the annual ArtsWave Campaign at the $100,000+ level. altafiber Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation Cincinnati Business Courier Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center The Cincinnati Insurance Companies Cincinnati Reds Duke Energy The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation The Enquirer | Cincinnati.com Fifth Third Bank and Fifth Third Foundation GE Aerospace Great American Insurance Group Greater Cincinnati Foundation The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee The Kroger Co. Messer Construction Co. P&G PNC U.S. Bank Western & Southern Financial Group

2023–2024 | 39

ANNUAL GIFTS This list includes all gifts given to the Playhouse from August 20, 2022 to September 20, 2023, not including Endowment and Capital Campaign gifts.

AUDIENCE Anonymous ArtsWave The Charles H. Dater Foundation First Financial Bank Linda and Gary Greenberg* Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation Ms. Karlee L. Hilliard Kerry Automotive L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation Ohio Arts Council Ohio Department of Development The Rosenthal Family Foundation Moe and Jack Rouse The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation The Harold C. Schott Foundation The Schueler Group The Shubert Foundation Margaret and Albert Vontz III*

Jack and Marilyn Osborn* Dianne and J. David Rosenberg Margo and Sam Ross Betsy and Jerry Shroat Skidmore Sales & Distributing Co., Inc. The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation The Vista Foundation

PLAYWRIGHT The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati The Louise Taft Semple Foundation U.S. Bank

SET DESIGNER AAA Allied Group & Provident Travel AmerisourceBergen Gerald and Ricki Ayer Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel Jan Bartel Ron Bates and Randy Lasley Mark and Lindsay Bibler Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blatt Ruth and Tom Bobenread James P. Conway, Jr. and Richard D. Robertson The Crawford Family Foundation Richard and Teddie Curry The Dunagan Foundation, Inc. Elizabeth George Mrs. Victoria Buyniski Gluckman and Dr. Jack Gluckman Clifford Goosmann and Andrea Wilson Richard and Renita Homan Jewish Federation of Cincinnati Patti and Tom Keckeis* David M. and Bet Koeninger Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Kremzar Mr. and Mrs. Stephen S. Lett Craig and Anne Maier Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Manteuffel David and Judith Morgan Dean and Catherine Moulas Sara Phillips Prudential - Matching Fund Rob and Gretchen Reifsnyder Mrs. Deborah White Richardson The Roehr Agency Mark and Rosemary Schlachter John and Jennifer Stein Robert D. Temple and Sue E. Auerbach Lawrence and Maureen Vignola The Maxwell C. Weaver Foundation Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

PRODUCER Mrs. L.L. Browning, Jr. Chemed Foundation Frost Brown Todd Mrs. Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig Johnson Investment Counsel Terry Lemmerman The Markley Family Millstone Fund Ohio Emergency Management Agency John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust Digi and Mike Schueler Jennifer and Woody Taft Ellen and Ray van der Horst Randolph Wadsworth Barbara and Irwin Weinberg Fund* Barbara M. Weyand DIRECTOR David and Elaine Billmire Clark Schaefer Hackett Sarah and Tommy Evans The Geiler Company Jeb and Nirvani Head Susan Ingmire Diane and Carl Iseman John and Susie Lame Jamie and Jenny Leonard Barbara and Kim McCracken Kevin and Frances McMurray Charles and Joann Mead Becky Miars Diane and Dave Moccia Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty

40 | 2023–2024

STAGE MANAGER Atkins & Pearce Inc. Tom and MC Brennan Richard Ernst Fred and Patti Heldman* Mark and Karen Kremzar Ms. Danute M. Miskinis Richard Goettle, Inc. Susan Whitman

COSTUME DESIGNER Anonymous 1919 Investment Counsel Gordon Allen and Linda Baas Douglas Brauch Susan Brenner and Steven Mombach Mr. and Mrs. Ryan L. Brown Jackie and Gary Bryson Jeff and Gay Bullock Ron Bunt and Wei Sun David and Sara Butler Janet and Bruce Byrnes Robert S. Castellini Denise and Martin Chambers Kelly M. Dehan Scott X. Deters Peter Draugelis Elise Eaton Allen Fund * Peggy L. Golden and Kerry J. Klumpe Carl and Joyce Greber Bernita McCann Hightower Linda R. Holthaus Ellen and Garrett Jackson* Marvin Kolodzik Mariner Wealth Advisors Carolyn Ott Martin Mr. Roy A. Mitchell Tom and Linda Palmer Betty L. Prince Mitch and Karen Rashkin Bill and Diane Rumpke, Jr. Rick Slack Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith Sandra and Henry Spitz Joseph B. Steiner Thembi Speaks LLC Mr. and Mrs. Scott Tieke Barbara and Daman Turner Richard and Jill Warman WesBanco Julia Wesselkamper and Julian Johnson Jo Ann Wieghaus Anthony and Sally Woodward Susan and Don Zaunbrecher LIGHTING DESIGNER Anonymous (6) 25th Hour Susie Ackermann Nancy Aichholz Liz and Hank Alexander Louise Allen and Tom Gougeon Americana Arts Foundation William P. Anderson Foundation Thomas and Susan Anthony Eric and Brenda Armstrong Family Fund* Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Banks Mandy Bartel Marianne Beard Mary Ann and Doug Bell Judith and Louis Belli John Berninger Kenneth W. and Dawn H. Bertsche

Space reservation is happening now!

THE CURTAIN IS RISING

Support the local arts community as it takes the stage this fall and reach an engaged, affluent audience.

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ANNUAL GIFTS Ed and Debbie Birck Randal S. Bloch Sandra Bolek Mr. and Mrs. Ken Borisch Joyce Borkin Thomas J. Breed Bob and Dawn Brewster David and Marybeth Brothers Dr. Jane Brown and Mr. Paul Beck John and Peg Bruggeman Bonnie and Dick Buten Terri and John Byczkowski Susana Chamlee Larry and Julie Chandler James Cissell Burton and Susan Closson Mr. Rick Coffey Leland M. and Carol C. Cole Tiffany Coleman Kathy Collins and Joe Giglia Pearl J. Compaan, M.D. Marjorie Compton The Cord Foundation Kassy and Jeff Corken Amelia Crutcher Susan Cummings Anne Dagenbach Judy S. Dalambakis Carol DeGreg Florence and Tom DeWitt Michael and Kathleen Doherty Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Dorward Timothy Douglas Emilie and David Dressler Fund* Marilyn Duke Allison and Rick Edwards Joyce Elkus Eric and Judy Ellis Lissy Fabe and Chris Taylor Louis A. and Lisa K. Fender Grayson and Sarah Fitzhugh Mary and Bob Fitzpatrick Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Foster Paul and Nancy Gaffney Richard and Kathleen Glaser Tom Gougeon Greater Cincinnati Foundation Barbara Hahn Ham and Ellie Hamilton Richard D. Hannan Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hartman Louise Head Carolyn Heck Betsy and Dave Hendy Jane E. Henney, M.D. and J. Robert Graham, M.D. Judy Tondi Herd Hixson Architecture, Engineering, Interiors Noel and Karen Hofmann Barbara J. Howard Carolyn and Michael Hoyt Marty Humes Pat Humphrey Drs. Linda and Gordon Huntress Maite Iraolagoitia Patti and Keith James Jarrell Media Solutions Johnson & Johnson - Matching Fund Sylvia Johnson Wendy and Jeff Johnson Laurie F. Johnston James and Brenda Jones Arlene Katz

42 | 2023–2024

Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Keenan Barbara and Larry Kellar* Arleene Keller Judith and Ken Kenniston Beverly Kinney and Edward Cloughessy Margo and Elliott Kirstein Kathleen B. and Michael C. Krug* Randolph and Patricia Krumm Jo Ann and George Kurz Mr. and Mrs. John LaMacchia Dr. John Larkin Patricia and Glenn Larsen Lynn P. Larson Susan J. Lauf Dr. Carol P Leslie Donna Lilley Whitney and Phillip Long Kay Lynch and Chuck Beckman David Martin Nancy C. Martin Ms. Margaret E. Mathile Elizabeth Mayfield* McDonald Family Foundation Selena McKean Samuel Moore, Jr. Burton D. Morgan Foundation Linda Muth New Riff Distilling Karen Neyer Jeannie Niebuhr Michael Nordlund and Lisa Lee Marilyn Z. Ott Ana Silvia Ouro Judy and Thomas Oxman Melissa and John Panzeca Marcia Philipps Phillips Family Fund* Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pierce Ed and Jill Plageman Mr. and Mrs. Don Popelar Jane Portman Jenny and David Powell Stuart and Ildiko Pray Prolink Leo and Sarah Pulte Gerald D. Rape Jeff and Lori Raser Ms. Carol Reubel Mr. and Mrs. Gates T. Richards Ridgeway Foundation Ellen Rieveschl Charles Scott Riley III Foundation Buffie Rixey Mary Ellen Roberts Blake Robison and Connan Morrissey Jolene E. Rockwood Cathie Rothfuss Karina Rothzeid Jim Rubenstein and Bernadette Unger Julia and Matthew Pentecost KJ Sanchez David Savage Martha and Lee Schimberg Pat and Paul Schlecht Michael and Jeanne Schmerler Mary D. Schweitzer P. Robert Schwetschenau MD Carol Serrone Kathy Shell and Joetta Prost Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Simon Debbie Renick Sims

Elizabeth C. B. and Paul G. Sittenfeld Gerald and Sarah Skidmore Laura Skidmore Skyline Chili Nancy Sparks Tom and Dee Stegman* Elizabeth A. Stone* Dr. Susan R. Strick Tom and Keri Tami Eddie Taylor, Jr. Rebecca and Garry Terrell Towne Properties Susie Tweddell Doug and Molly Tyger Nancy A. Virgulak Daniel G. Walker and Lisa Capurro Mrs. Paul H. Ward Warren County Foundation Larry Weber Kate Wehby Judy Wells Carol and Rich Wilson Joan Wood ACTOR Anonymous (6) Ms. Kathryn Allred Al-Lamadani Sherri D. Allen Janice Amatulli Vic and Dee Angel James Anthony and Sarah Corathers Susan Awadalla Molly R. Barber Megan Beck Becky Beckstedt Thelma Bergman Cynthia Beseler Mr. and Mrs. Michael Besl Bren Blaine and Barbara Carr Jane and Gary Booth Mark Bowen Linda D. Brink Barbara and Neal Bronson Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Bullock Jack and Marti Butz Jane and Frank Caccamo Carol Campbell Nancy B. Carrothers Mr. Anthony G. Carter and Family Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ault Carter Melanie M. Chavez Fran Christensen Mary Ellen Cody Cynthia Cole Loretta and David Cook Robin Cotton and Cindi Fitton Mrs. Martha S. Crafts Jean and John Croxton Mark Dauner Deborah Davis Nancy and Mark Dawes Michelle de la Vega Debora Del Valle Jan Denton Carol Deyhle Ellen Dick Kathryn Dierckes Nancy Steman Dierckes Thomas Donnelly William G. Dorward III Dr. and Mrs. Michael Farrell

2024 EVENTS

CALENDAR FEBRUARY Breakfast for Dinner

PaRtY WiTh Us

MARCH Best New Restaurants

APRIL Savor

JUNE Girls' Night Out Pride Party

JULY Posh Picnic

AUGUST On The Rocks

SEPTEMBER Slice Night

OCTOBER (SFBU $JODJOOBUJ #BLF 0Ɗ

NOVEMBER Savor

cincinnatimagazine.com/ourevents

ANNUAL GIFTS Michael Federle Mr. Robert C. Fee Matthew Feldman and Julie Baker Mr. Kenneth Fischer Ted and Susan Fischer Mary Anne Frey Sharon Freyhof Lynne Friedlander and Jay Crawford Dr. Richard E. Friedman Gene Fugate Daniel P. Goetz and Pattie Messmer Jim and Elaine Goldschmidt Dr. and Mrs. Glenn S. Gollobin Madeleine Gordon Gradison Foundation Carl and Margo Hall Joyce and Jim Hamberg Mrs. Anne P. Heldman* Helene Herbert Mark and Deanna Hollon Amy Hughes Ms. Jamie Humes Ms. Kristin Humes Jennifer Jackson Anne Jaroszewicz Clare Jaymes Jewish Home of Cincinnati Mark and Sarah Johnson Lisa Kagan Mr. and Mrs. Thomas T. Keating Dr. Robert Keith and Kathleen Thornton-Keith Barbara and Mike Kelly Rosalynd Kendall David and Janice Klocke Heather Krombholz Mr. Edward Lanzit David and Linda Latham Nancy Lippincott Sherwin Little Sally A. Lloyd Mr. and Mrs. Damon Lynch, Jr. Jackie Mack Mark K. Mandell-Brown MD Len and Sherie Marek Ward and Ellen Maresca Laurel Markley Bradley Mathis Susan Matz Ms. Evelyn Banzhaf McCord Stacy McIntosh Stephanie McNeill Hope Earls McSwigan Kathy Merchant Richard and Rhoda Meyer Richard I. Michelman and Karen E. Meyer Mr. and Mrs. David A. Millett Mary G. Moran Nora E. Moushey Scott and Barb Muhlhauser Nottinghill Investment Advisers, Ltd. Kelly O’Neill and Sue Aley Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Oppelt Kit and Jack Overbeck Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Pardekooper Carl Parrott and Molly Katz Fund* Jenny Partridge Joanie and Richard Paulsen Kathy and Bob Pellegrino Debbie Pendl Alice W. Perlman Jeff and Diane Pfaff MaryAnn Pietromonaco

44 | 2023–2024

Philip J. Poon Nancy and Bruce Prewitt Phil and Susan Price Michelle Ramsey Ms. Sherri Remaklus Margie Rennie Carol Holland Rentschler Danielle and Kenneth Revelson Jeff and Joyce Rich Dr. Jeri B. Ricketts Drs. Jay and Janalee Rissover Pete and Debbie Rizzo Gigi Robison Priya and David Rolfes Mr. Richard H. Russell James Sanitato Mark and Jan Sass Susan M. B. Schertzer Roger and Glenda Schorr* Carol Schroeder Michael E. Schroer and Carey Kruer Ms. Connie Sheets Shelly S. Sherman Sue Showers Ivan and Karen Silverman Mary Lee and Louie Sirkin Susan and David Smith Steelcase Foundation - Matching Fund Stephanie and Joseph Stitt Carol Striker Glenda Suttman Drs. Jan and Larry Tepe Carlos and Roberta Teran Amy and Bill Thaman Gretchen Thomas Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson J. Dwight Thompson Catharina Toltzis Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. George Trebbi Valerie and Mike Trentman James and Susan Troutt Judy and David Van Ginkel Liz and Dave Wallingford Sarah Warrington Dr. and Mrs. Nelson B. Watts Dr. and Mrs. Barry W. Webb Dr. Alan Weinstein Jane Welling Donald R. and Patricia R. Welti Philip and Cathy Wenger Brendan and Julie White In memory of Dwayne Whitehead George and Kathy Wilkinson Chris and Diane Williams Robert L. and Judy A. Wilson, Jr. Susan and Dean Windgassen Daniel and Jessica Woo Mark Woolsey Dr. Julie Workman Marsha and Robert Wuerdeman John M. Yacher Linda Elam Young David and Cynthia Zink STAGEHAND Anonymous (9) Ms. Susan Adick Lisa Allgood Elizabeth C. Armitage Camilla Baker Mr. and Mrs. Jack Baldwin Barbara and Roderick Barr*

Mike and Maria Barrett Kate and Bill Baumann Wayne and Barbara Beimesch Miss Martha L. Bell Doug and Judy Betz Bradley R. Bevington The Blackley Family Katy Bodenburg Dr. Samuel Brewer and Dr. Carole Stokes-Brewer Helena and Randy Brooks Julie Broadwell Dr. Daniel T. Brown, DDS and Mr. Mark Haggard Michael Brown Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey T Bruestle Angie and Robert Buechner Nancy and Thomas Bunnell Mark and Diane Bunte Conni Carlson and John Reynolds Chris and Jim Cartledge Gary Chandler Julie and John Cohen The Contemporary Arts Center Charles Cook Mr. and Mrs. Roy Cotcamp Mr. and Mrs. Richard D’Augustine Mr. Frank Davis Jeffrey and Sharon DeRossette Sally Dessauer Mr. and Mrs. Dave Distel Robert Dunn John and Liz Dye Howard Elliott Delores J. Erby Dr. and Mrs. William Faulkner Barbara Ann Feldmann Bill Ferring Karen Finan James K. and Susan A. Fitton Joy and Bill Fotsch John and Susan Frank Mr. and Mrs. James A Fraser Sharon and Dennis Geiger General Electric Robert Gilmore Frank and Karen Girolami Gary and Catherine Gochoel Mrs. Sharon Gorman Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Greengus Margaret E. Hagar and Richard A. Byam Mary and Phil Hagner Jan C. Hall Jeff Hanna and Peggy Eberhard Jim and Sally Harper Bertie Hertz David and Elizabeth Himes Dale Hodges and David F. Logan Richard and Marcia Holmes Mark Holtgrefe Noel and Angela Horne Dr. Carol Hubbard Don and Frani Jones Kyle and Sue Jones Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Kelly Msgr. Kurt Kemo Tom and Judith Kinman Mr. and Mrs. Larry E. Kissel Mr. and Mrs. John Kmet Lisa Knochelmann Mark and Elisabeth Kuhlman Michael and Paula Kunka Bill and Evie Landrigan Shawna K. Langworthy

ANNUAL GIFTS Kathy and Tom Liguzinski Jim Lippert and Carrie ShortLippert Thomas W. Loring, Jr. William and Linda Lunceford Thomas and Jean Macejko Dave and Lee MacKenzie Mr. and Mrs. Barry Malinowski Charles and Jennifer Margolis David Mason Raymond and Madelynn Matlock Ron Matson and Dan Young Mr. and Mrs. David J. McAdams, in honor of Vickie and Bruce Ellis David and Diane McClain Mr. Christopher McFarland Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. McGraw Jeff and Debbie McNaul Jerome Merski Timothy C. Miller Joel Monteith and Barbara MustoeMonteith Mr. Jerry Morgan Linda B. Myers Andrew J. Nuckols Bruce and Neda Nutley Diane and Mike O’Brian

Neil J. O’Connor J. Brett Offenberger and Douglas Duckett Carol and Robert Olson Ms. Chrissy Parten Mr. and Mrs. Donald Peairs Janet Phillips David Piatt Fund* Dan and Janet Pieschel Les and Molly Polasky Traci Punch-Alexander and David Alexander Michael and Nelda Purdon Ruth Quinn Jennifer Ramage Sue Richmond Sylvia Robison Linda Roomann and William Slutz Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Rottinghaus Richard and Barbara Ruddy Josie Russo Michael and Christine Ryan Karen Schilling Michael and Kathie Schwartz William and Sandra Selvey Sandy and Hal Shevers Robin and Murray Sinclaire

Robert and Linda Singer Brian Skale Jack and Barbara Smith Martha and John Spiess Robert L. and Christine J. Steiner* Richard and Carol Stevie Joe and Gladys Stolz Kendra L. Struthers Stuart and Terry Susskind Dr. Alan and Shelley Tarshis Beverly Thomas* Robert and Marcia Togneri Marty C. Tomb Torey and Tom Torre Ann Marie Tracey and Daniel Buckley Dr. and Mrs. Galen R. Warren Gary and Rayma Waters Donna Welsch Mauri J Willis Rev. Anne Warrington Wilson Mrs. Joan R. Wilson *Denotes a fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Event Series Coming Soon We welcome people of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexualities, gender identities, ages, abilities, backgrounds, countries of origin and other non-majority communities. This commitment will be reflected in our programming, audience, outreach and all connected with the Playhouse — management, staff, Board of Trustees, volunteers and vendors.

2023–2024 | 45

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS As of September 25, 2023

$50,000+ ANONYMOUS

ROBERT AND ADELE SCHIFF FAMILY FOUNDATION

THE HAROLD C. SCHOTT FOUNDATION

$20,000 – $49,999 LOUISE TAFT SEMPLE FOUNDATION

$10,000 – $19,999

NELLIE LEAMAN TAFT FOUNDATION

$5,000 – $9,999 MAXWELL C. WEAVER FOUNDATION

$1,000 – $4,999

EMERGENCY SUPPORT The Playhouse would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the governments and institutions that provided critical support during the COVID-19 crisis: U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OHIO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

46 | 2023–2024

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

Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison interviews Clyde’s Director and Board Member Timothy Douglas at an Artistic Director’s Circle Dinner in 2023

WE’D LIKE TO THANK THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE FOR THEIR GENEROSITY! Anonymous Ricki and Gerald Ayer Ron Bates and Randy Lasley Mark and Lindsay Bibler David and Elaine Billmire Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blatt Ruth and Tom Bobenread Tom and MC Brennan Mrs. L.L. Browning, Jr. James P. Conway, Jr. and Richard D. Robertson The Crawford Family Foundation Richard and Teddie Curry Nancy and Mark Dawes Richard and List Ernst Sarah and Tom Evans Elizabeth George Linda and Gary Greenberg* Jeb and Nirvani Head Brian and Helen Heekin Fred and Patti Heldman* Mrs. Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig Ms. Karlee L. Hilliard Richard and Renita Homan Susan Ingmire and Lynn Hailey Diane and Carl Iseman

Patti and Tom Keckeis* Bet and Dave Koeninger Mark and Karen Kremzar Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Kremzar John and Susie Lame Family* Terry Lemmerman Mr. and Mrs. James C. Leonard Jacqueline M. Mack and Dr. Edward B. Silberstein Craig and Anne Maier Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Manteuffel The Markley Family Barbara and Kim McCracken Kevin and Frances McMurray Charles and Joann Mead Leon and Barb Meyer Becky Miars Ms. Danute M. Miskinis Diane and Dave Moccia David and Judith Morgan Dean and Catherine Moulas Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty Jack and Marilyn Osborn* Sara Phillips Jenny and David Powell Danielle and Kenneth Revelson Mrs. Deborah White Richardson

Amy and John Rosenberg Dianne and J. David Rosenberg Margo and Sam Ross Moe and Jack Rouse Digi and Mike Schueler Betsy and Jerry Shroat John and Jennifer Stein Jennifer and Woody Taft Robert D. Temple and Sue E. Auerbach Marty C. Tomb Ellen and Ray van der Horst Lawrence and Maureen Vignola Margaret and Albert Vontz III* Randolph Wadsworth Barbara and Irwin Weinberg Fund* Barbara M. Weyand Mark and Susan Whitman Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis * Denotes a fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation List as of August 25, 2023

Stay tuned for two exclusive “behind the scenes” events, specially curated for members of the Artistic Director’s Circle!

For more information, please contact Mary Kay Koehler at 513-977-2026 or email at marykay.koehler@cincyplay.com.

2023–2024 | 47

THE MORSE JOHNSON SOCIETY Thanks to your vision and commitment to the Playhouse, we can continue to produce extraordinary theatre for Playhouse audiences of tomorrow. We are grateful to you for including the Playhouse in your estate plans. This list recognizes members of the Morse Johnson Society as of October 15, 2023.

Anonymous Romola N. Allen Henrietta Barlag Roderick and Barbara Barr Peggy Barrett Martha L. Bell Mr. Neil Billman David and Elaine Billmire Thomas J. Breed Charlin Briggs Rosemarie Brown John and Peg Bruggeman Susan and Burton Closson Carol C. Cole Richard and Teddie Curry Guy and Cathy DeDiemar Kelly M. Dehan and Richard J. Staudigel Jackie Dieckman and Mike Camery Mrs. James M. Edwards Barbara Fitch In memory of Phyllis A. Followell, my heart Allison Gerrety Victoria Buyniski Gluckman Madeleine H. (Mady) Gordon J. Frederick and Cynthia Gossman Linda and Gary Greenberg Jan and Herman Groshoff Mary Hainline Cheryl Harden-Love Mrs. Robert J. Hasl Robert and Judith Heaton Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig Karlee L. Hilliard Susan M. Ingmire Andrew MacAoidh Jergens Judith E. Johnson M. J. Johnson

Jan and Jay Kalagayan Winifred B. Kessler David and Janice Klocke Mike and Marilyn Kremzar Randolph and Patricia Krumm Ms. Abby E. Langdon Minor and Dan LeBlond Terry Lemmerman Mary V. Lierl Barbara Lyons Jacqueline M. Mack James A. Markley, Jr. David L. Martin David Mason Ron Matson and Daniel Young Barbara and Kim McCracken Charles and Joann Mead Becky Miars Lauren and James Miller David and Diane Moccia William J. and Mary G. Moran Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty Ronald and Debi Nash Richard and Julia Okenfuss Charlotte and Robert Otto Carolyn Parker Charlie and Tara Pease Jenny and David Powell Betty L. Prince Pamela Reising Ellen Rieveschl Richard Rosenthal Jack and Moe Rouse Robert and Dell Ann Sathe Mark and Rosemary Schlachter Carol J. Schroeder Digi France Schueler John L. Shields Jerry and Betsy Shroat

Ann M. Simsic Mrs. Paul G. Sittenfeld Adrienne Angst Smith Louise W. Spiegel Francis and Susan Stanton Nancy M. Steman Sidney Thomas Diane D. Todd Marty C. Tomb Ellen and Ray van der Horst Margaret and Albert Vontz III Daniel G. Walker JoAnn and Paul Ward Dr. and Mrs. Nelson B. Watts Jim and Jo Ann Weber Irwin and Barbara Weinberg Barbara M. Weyand Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis Susan and Don Zaunbrecher POSTHUMOUSLY REMEMBERED Anonymous Helen and Charles Abramovitz Mrs. Thomas Adler Robert H. Allen Karen H. Bell Frank and Rosemary Bloom Peter Briggs Jack G. Brown Leland M. Cole Eva Jane Romaine Coombe John V. Crable John F. Curley Anne Elkins Didrichsen Mrs. Elizabeth Easley James M. Edwards

Have you included Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in your estate plans?

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

48 | 2023–2024

Felix and Weta Mae Elkins Margaret M. Embshoff Jerome A. Fey and Robert J. Schlafle Stona Fitch William A. and Susan S. Friedlander Oliver M. Gale Charles and Caroline Goering Peter Hainline Carlyn G. Hamilton Dr. Robert J. Hasl Mrs. Morse Johnson Stanley M. Kaplan, M.D. Keith Lemmerman Ron Lyons Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Morelli Jack and Marilyn Osborn Maurice E. Oshry George Rieveschl Launcey Roder Lois Rosenthal Gene F. Santoro Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Schiff, Sr. Karl and Roberta Schlachter Mary Louise Schroth Marsha Shields Paul G. Sittenfeld Rick Steiner Jane K. Steinfirst Thurza R. Sternberg Charles and Sue Straus Charles L. and Joan Thomas, Jr. Lynda A. Thomas Dr. Thomas Todd Howard Tomb Albert Vontz, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Dick Waite Gladys C. Warshauer Monte Witte

RECOGNITION GIFTS We are grateful to the following friends who have chosen to honor a loved one through a donation to the Playhouse. The following recognition gifts have been received from August 20, 2022, through September 27, 2023.

IN HONOR OF JIM CONWAY Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis IN HONOR OF ANNIE FITZPATRICK Blake Robison and Connan Morrissey

IN HONOR OF NIRVANI HEAD Richard D. Hannan Family Foundation IN HONOR OF BLAKE ROBISON Anonymous

IN HONOR OF LINDA GREENBERG Linda and Tom Senter

IN HONOR OF MOE AND JACK ROUSE Daniel Hoffheimer J. David and Dianne Rosenberg IN HONOR OF RONNA AND JIM WILLIS Joyce Elkus

MEMORIAL GIFTS We are grateful to the following friends who have chosen to remember a loved one through a memorial gift to the Playhouse. The following memorial gifts have been received from August 20, 2022, through September 27, 2023.

IN MEMORY OF RENEE ALPER Gregory Alper IN MEMORY OF MARTHA GARRISON ANNESS Tommy and Sarah Evans IN MEMORY OF KAREN BELL Edward Lanzit IN MEMORY OF KIM BLACKLEY The Blackley Family IN MEMORY OF BRUCE E. COYLE Rebecca J. Graham IN MEMORY OF NADINE ELWERS Anonymous Charles Cook Leo and Lisa Cronin IN MEMORY OF PAUL FORSTE David and Marilyn Beran Stephen Bondurant IN MEMORY OF SUSAN FRIEDLANDER Michael and Mary McGraw IN MEMORY OF GAIL FRIEDMAN Dr. Dick Friedman IN MEMORY OF RICHARD AND JEANNE HANNAN Richard D. Hannan Family Foundation

50 | 2023–2024

IN MEMORY OF JUDGE ROBERT S. MARX Daniel Hoffheimer IN MEMORY OF W. ERNST MINOR Burton and Susan Closson IN MEMORY OF JACK OSBORN David and Marilyn Beran Mary Anne Brennan JW Carter Family The Contemporary Arts Center Meredythe and Clayton Daley Barbara J. Fitch Dawn and Chris Hock Linda Holthaus and Richard Zinicola Susan Ingmire and Lynn Hailey Peggy and William Jackson Carl Kalnow Kohnen Interior Design ‘Meg Kohnen’ Dr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Luttmer Timothy C. Miller Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty Tolli Pugh Richard Rosenthal Kathy Schultz Ed and Ronda Smith Ms. Patricia Smitson and Dr. Walter Smitson Carol Turner Winslow Turner Upson Nancy VandenBerg Ellen and Ray van der Horst Judith Verhave Larry and Maureen Vignola Diane and Gary West Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis

IN MEMORY OF MARILYN OSBORN Gail Bain David and Marilyn Beran Meredythe and Clayton Daley Barbara J. Fitch Jan Hall Susan Ingmire and Lynn Hailey James O. Newman Timothy and Eileen Oppelt Susan and Dan Pfau Tolli Pugh Ken and Susan Schlachter J. Dwight and Deanna G. Thompson Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis Mark Woolsey Ellen and Ray van der Horst IN MEMORY OF BARBARA RIPPETOE Anonymous Barbara Barclay Bob and Karen (Burr Durgin) Bernaski Toni, Nestor, Dana (Burckhart) and Eric Bojarczuk Michele Foss Candice Hall Barbara Martin IN MEMORY OF EDWARD SCOTT TIEKE Sally Wentworth Tieke IN MEMORY OF LYNDA THOMAS Sherie Marek Laurence Weber

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS Digi France Schueler President

James C. Leonard Vice President

Stephen Lett Secretary

Dean A. Moulas Treasurer

Ellen G. van der Horst Chair

TRUSTEES Ronald T. Bates David A. Billmire, M.D. Douglas Brauch MC Brennan Julie A. Broadwell Ron Bunt Robert S. Castellini James P. Conway, Jr. Virginia Copley Deborah Davis Scott X. Deters Timothy Douglas

Peter A. Draugelis Judy Ellis Elizabeth George Linda Greenberg Bernita McCann Hightower Susan Ingmire Diane S. Jordan Thomas M. Keckeis Bet Koeninger Terry Lemmerman James C. Leonard Stephen Lett

Jacqueline M. Mack Kevin N. McMurray Danute Miskinis Roy A. Mitchell Samuel Moore, Jr. Dean A. Moulas Patti Myers Sara Phillips Audra Rance Robert Reifsnyder Debbie White Richardson Margo K. Ross

KJ Sanchez Austin Schiff Digi France Schueler Jerry Shroat Woody Taft Ellen G. van der Horst Al Vontz, III Julia Wesselkamper Barbara M. Weyand Susan Whitman Ronna Willis Susan B. Zaunbrecher

EMERITUS Otto M. Budig, Jr. Chuck Carothers David Herriman

Andrew MacAoidh Jergens Morse Johnson Lois Rosenthal

Jack Rouse Howard Tomb Albert Vontz, Jr.

WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL

Fiona illustration courtesy of Loren Long.

FIONA: THE MUSICAL

book by Zina Camblin music & lyrics by David Kisor

NOW – DEC 29

SEASON FUNDER

www.ensemblecincinnati.org

OPERATING SUPPORT

2023–2024 | 51

2023-24 LEADING LADIES When amazing women come together, great things happen!

Thank you to these 2023-24 season Leading Ladies. This list recognizes members as of October 17, 2023.

PROGRAM CO-CHAIRS Amelia Crutcher Danute Miskinis

Digi France Schueler Laura R. Turton Susie Tweddell Maureen Vignola

GRANDE DAMES Amelia Crutcher Kelly M. Dehan Vickie Buyniski Gluckman Linda Greenberg Karlee L. Hilliard Laurie F. Johnston Kelly Lyle Danute Miskinis Linda Muth Rosemary Schlachter Nancy Sparks

STARLETS Anonymous Nancy Aichholz Sherri D. Allen Janice Amatulli Susan S. Anthony Elizabeth C. Armitage Susan Awadalla Molly R. Barber Jan Bartel Mandy Bartel Marianne Beard Megan Beck Becky Beckstedt Mary Ann Bell Cheryl L. Borland Linda D. Brink Carol Campbell Nancy B. Carrothers Susana Chamlee Melanie M. Chavez Fran Christensen Mary Ellen Cody Cynthia Cole Jean Crawford Judy S. Dalambakis Carol DeGreg Debora Del Valle Kathryn Dierckes Nancy Steman Dierckes Bethany Doverspike Kay Eby Joyce Elkus Mary Ann Frey Nancy Gaffney Barbara Hahn

DIVAS Janet G. Banks Randal S. Bloch Jacklyn Bryson Marjorie Compton Susan Cummings Marilyn Duke Louise Head Marty Humes Susan Ingmire Judy Kenniston Margo Kirstein Selena McKean Patti Myers Karen Neyer Marcia Philipps Jenny Powell Betty Prince Debbie White Richardson Cathie Rothfuss Moe Rouse Diane Rumpke

Margo Hall Nirvani Head Carolyn Heck Betsy Hendy Helene Herbert Judy Tondi Herd Linda R. Holthaus Kim Howland Pat Humphrey Dr. Linda Huntress Diane Iseman Anne Jaroszewicz Clare Jaymes Sarah Raup Johnson Lisa Kagan Arlene Katz Heather Krombholz Patricia Krumm Trish Larsen Lynn P. Larson Terry Lemmerman Donna Lilley Nancy Lippincott Sally A. Lloyd Laurel Markley Carolyn Ott Martin Nancy C. Martin Kathy McCord Stacy McIntosh Joann Mead Kathy Merchant Audrey E. K. Miller Sarah Mizelle Miller Mary G. Moran Jeannie Niebuhr Niki Pappas Jenny Partridge Debbie Pendl MaryAnn Pietromonaco Jane Portman Ildiko Pray

Audra Rance Sherri Adams Remaklus Margie Rennie Carol Holland Rentschler Carol Reubel Danielle Revelson Debbie White Richardson Dr. Jeri B. Ricketts Buffie Rixey Mary Ellen Roberts Gigi Robison Karina Rothzeid KJ Sanchez Jeanne Tiber Schmerler Carol Serrone Shelly S. Sherman Sue Showers Debbie Renick Sims Laura Skidmore Martha Steier Lib Stone Dr. Susan R. Strick Glenda Suttman Dee Talley Gretchen Thomas Catharina Toltzis Ph.D. Lynn Tumen Ellen G. van der Horst Nancy A. Virgulak Carol Walkner Sarah Warrington Kate Wehby Judy Wells Ronna K. Willis Laani Wuest Linda Elam Young Sue Zimmerman Bold indicates Steering Committee Members

JOIN US FOR LADIES’ NIGHT OUT! You don’t have to be a Playhouse subscriber to join Leading Ladies – just be a woman who loves theatre and wants to learn more!

For more information, contact Director of Donor Relations Kendra Struthers at kendra.struthers@cincyplay.com or 513-977-2024, or visit cincyplay.com/support/leadingladies.

See what happens when amazing women come together!

52 | 2023–2024

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CORPORATE PARTNERS

RED CARPET DONORS

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

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

$1,000 - $3,499 Hixson Architecture, Engineering, Interiors Prolink Skyline Chili Towne Properties For more information about joining these individuals and organizations in support of the Playhouse, call Mary Kay Koehler, Interim Director of Development, at 513-977-2026.

Richard Goettle, Inc. (2) Jennifer and Woody Taft

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates The Blind Lemon and Eddie Sheppard Emerge Managed Solutions, LLC Gray Photo Imaging Mt. Adams Bar and Grill Optic Lizard Productions WARM 98 WCPO-TV WGRR-RM WOSL-FM, 100.3 R&B WVXU-FM WXIX-TV, Fox 19 WUBE-FM

Seasons Greetings!

Conveniently located in Amelia, Ohio for over 45 years – Owned & Operated by the Verbarg Family Women 1912 Ohio Pike • Amelia, OH 45102 513-797-5000 • facebook.com/Verbargs www.verbargsfurniture.com

2023–2024 | 53

ADMINISTRATIVE AND PRODUCTION STAFF DIRECTORS

ARTISTIC

Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison Managing Director Abby Marcus

Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz Literary Manager Tatiana Godfrey Associate Artists Wendy C. Goldberg, Karen Zacarías

ADMINISTRATION Executive Assistant/Board Liaison Stefanie Meyer Associate Producer Suann Pollock Company Manager A.J. Ford Assistant Company Manager/Management Associate

Remy Elton-Alexander

Director of HR, Equity and Inclusion Dawn Mundy Payroll/HR Specialist Madalaina Welton Finance Associate Brian Anderson Office Administrator Kathy Durnell

OPERATIONS Director of Operations Bridget Siedlecki IT Applications Specialist Scott Youger Facilities Manager Brian Smith

DEVELOPMENT Interim Director of Development Mary Kay Koehler Director of Donor Relations Kendra L. Struthers, CFRE Major Gifts Officer Lynn Smith, CFRE Grants Manager Kimberly Passaro Individual Giving Assistant Jennifer Radisch Development Assistant Douglas Fries

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS Director of Marketing and Communications Kathy Neus Audience Engagement Manager Piper N. Davis Multimedia Designer Sean Martin Digital Marketing Associate Victoria Forbes Marketing Data and Website Manager Jacob Krismanick Content Marketing Associate Deja A. Shanks Marketing Intern Tessa D’Errico Photographer Mikki Schaffner PATRON SERVICES STAFF Patron Services Director Don Wong Assistant Patron Services Manager Julia Hasl Miller House Managers Amanda Adams, Joellyn Goos, Kayden Hauke Patron Services Staff Tommy Berninger, Loic Bertrand,

Katie Collier, Olivia Cremisio, Laurel Dobrozsi, Victoria Forbes, Jenny French, Ariana HoobermanPiñeiro, Chase Johnson, Michelle LaMantia, Ethan Mann, Whitney Menser, Cyrus Newitt, Lucy Obermeyer, Sarah O’Haver, James Racster, Addie Renne, Theresa Richmond, Christine Richtsfeld, Thomas Richtsfeld, Charlie Rusk, Patricia Schlabendorff, Chuck Smith, Jacqueline Smith, LaCheryl Steele, Natasha Wells, Monica WilliamsMitchell, Kendall Young

Bar Manager Darren Cox Bartenders Kathy Burr, Clint Collins, Justin Eckstein, Julia

Migliara, Lisa Porter, John Simpson, Barb Santel, Niki Sherwood, Kathleen Thorman

54 | 2023–2024

EDUCATION/ENGAGEMENT Education Director Ariana Moses Artistic Engagement Manager Katie Baskerville Education Associate Nathaniel Niemi Education and Engagement Coordinator Ariana

Hooberman-Piñeiro

STAGE MANAGEMENT Production Stage Manager Andrea L. Shell Stage Managers Brooke Redler, Brandon T. Holmes Artistic Engagement Stage Manager Erin Speno-Stout PRODUCTION Director of Production Joshua Escajeda Technical Director Sam Thompson House Audio/Projection Supervisor Aaron Stephenson Assistant Production Manager Valerie Perez Assistant Technical Director Jo Ruhl Scene Shop Administrative Assistant MaLeah Mitchell

SCENERY Staff Carpenters Bryan Bridewell, Timothy Fowler, Brad

Kordenbrock, Michael Lyons, Brandon Smith

Charge Scenic Artist Jennifer Rhodus Assistant Scenic Artist Alex Kuntz Rouse Run Crew Christopher Albaugh

PROPERTIES Properties Manager Liz Lyons Assistant Properties Manager Katie Kim Properties Bill Coates, Jeff Fowee, Alicia Rhodus Rosenthal Shelterhouse Properties Running Crew Lead

Debra Hildebrand

Rouse Theatre Properties Running Crew Lead Grant Wendt

COSTUMES/WARDROBE Costume Shop Manager Gordon DeVinney Cutter/Draper Justin Collings Wig and Makeup Artist Amy Whitaker First Hand Bridget Kline Costume Design/Administrative Assistant Heather Sampanis Lead Rouse Wardrobe Karla Knochelmann Rosenthal Shelterhouse Wardrobe Julie Hudson Wardrobe Assistant Grace Hazlett

LIGHTING/SOUND Lead Electrician Nick Ligon

Rouse Light Board Programmer Julie Cowger Rosenthal Shelterhouse Light Board Operator Jonathan

Armstrong

Rosenthal Shelterhouse Sound Engineer Samuel Sadler Rouse Theatre Audio Engineer M. Adam Jacob

EMERITI Managing Director Emeritus Buzz Ward

INVEST ENGAGE INNOVATE LEAD

Grantee Spotlight: OHIO DESIGNER CRAFTSMEN Guest artist Michael Kline presents a demonstration at the 2023 Functional Ceramics Workshop. Held at the Wayne Center for the Arts, this annual event is presented by Ohio Designer Craftsmen.

Image credit: Matt Neff

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

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

2023-2024

the

NUTCRACKER DECEMBER 14-24, 2023 MUSIC HALL

TICKETS $ START AT

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for more information!

OR VISIT CBALLET.ORG DANIEL BALDWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY: AARON M. CONWAY