Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 2023 - Ring of Fire / Sanctuary City

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2023 – 24 SEASON @cincyplay
@cincinnati
Season presented by SCHUELER GROUP and THE VONTZ FAMILY
Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre Moe and Jack’s Place –The Rouse Theatre
RING
THE MARKLEY FAMILY presents
OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH
Created by RICHARD MALTBY, JR.
SANCTUARY
Conceived by WILLIAM MEADE
CITY
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BOX OFFICE: 513-421-3888

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4 | 2022–2023 INDEX FROM THE PRODUCERS OF PUBLISHER IVY BAYER ART DIRECTOR JESSICA DUNHAM cincinnatimagazine.com 513-421-4300 advertise@cincinnatimagazine.com
@cincyplay ALSO INSIDE 6 A Note from Blake 20 Patron Information 24 Coming Next 46 Board of Trustees 47 Staff Listing 27 SANCTUARY CITY 28 Cast Information 30 About the Playwright 32 Timeline of Current Events in the Play 34 Artist Biographies 9 RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH 10 Cast Information 12 Song List 14 The Life and Times of Johnny Cash 16 Artist Biographies
SANCTUARY CITY MARKETING VISUAL FEATURING AMIRA DANAN AND JORDAN ANTHONY ARREDONDO BY TONY ARRASMITH/ARRASMITH AND ASSOCIATES.
W HERE WILL THE ARTS TAKE YOU N EXT ? V I S IT ART S IN O HI O . COM @OHIOARTSCOU N CIL | # A RTSOHIO | O A C . O HI O . GOV
State and federal dollars through the Ohio Arts Council supported your arts experience today.

WELCOME BACK TO YOUR PLAYHOUSE!

This past spring was a whirlwind of events and excitement as we brought our once-in-a-generation project to a close, opened our all-new facility and produced five diverse productions between March and June. Now, we’re looking forward to the first full season in our new home with a lineup of shows that exemplifies the best of American theatre and takes advantage of all the enhanced theatre technology our new, state-of-the-art facility provides.

In Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre, we’re thrilled to kick off the new season with the Johnny Cash musical Ring of Fire. This production is a new version of the musical, directed by Playhouse favorite Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Secret Garden and Cabaret) with musical direction by Leenya Rideout, who performed in our Tony Award-winning production of Company. Together, they have assembled a crackerjack team of actor-musicians to tell the story of Johnny’s life through story and song. His career spanned decades, and this production will give you a taste of Johnny in each era of his spellbinding life.

We open the Rosenthal Shelterhouse season with a new, contemporary play by one of today’s hottest playwrights, Martyna Majok. Sanctuary City grabbed the headlines and impressed all the critics when it premiered in New York in 2021. This portrait of two young immigrants trying to find their way in a world full of obstacles speaks to the current moment. Director Kareem Fahmy makes his Playhouse debut in this drama that critics have said is “a work of majestic beauty that rips your heart out” (TheaterMania) and that it “transcends politics as only the best and most humane art can” (New York Stage Review). Sanctuary City is the type of play that is just perfect in our intimate Rosenthal Shelterhouse.

These two shows are only the beginning of a season that promises to inspire, entertain, celebrate our differences and lift up our shared humanity.

I’ll see you at the theatre! Cheers!

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A NOTE FROM BLAKE

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.

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.

U.S. Bank strives to make a positive impact in the community. That’s why we support community events that bring us together for the greater good. When we work together, anything is possible.

U.S. Bank is proud to support Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Member FDIC. ©2023 U.S. Bank 1016501 7/23
Building a community of possible.
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OSBORN FAMILY PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Blake Robison

MANAGING DIRECTOR Abby Marcus

THE MARKLEY FAMILY, IN MEMORY OF JAMES AND NORETTA MARKLEY, PRESENTS

RING OF FIRE

THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

CREATED BY RICHARD MALTBY, JR. CONCEIVED BY WILLIAM MEADE

ADAPTED FROM THE BROADWAY PRODUCTION BY RICHARD MALTBY, JR. AND JASON EDWARDS ORCHESTRATIONS BY STEVEN BISHOP AND JEFF LISENBY ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS BY DAVID ABBINANTI

DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER Marcia Milgrom Dodge

MUSIC DIRECTOR Leenya Rideout

SET DESIGNER Chen-Wei Liao

COSTUME DESIGNER Lauren T. Roark

LIGHTING DESIGNER Matthew Richards

SOUND DESIGNER David Bullard

CASTING DIRECTOR Stephanie Klapper, CSA

AUG. 26 — OCT. 1, 2023

MOE AND JACK’S PLACE — THE ROUSE THEATRE

Production Sponsor

Honorary Producer Terry Lemmerman

Season presented by

Rouse Theatre Season Design Sponsor

support provided
Ring of Fire was originally produced on Broadway by William Meade, CTM Productions, Bob Cuillo,
Productions, and
B. Freydberg Ring of Fire (Cast of 5) is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide,1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com
Additional
by
GFour
James
CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK

RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

CAST

(In alphabetical order)

Alex Canty*

Matt Cusack*

Allison Ann Kelly*

Leenya Rideout* David Rowen*

Stage Manager Andrea L. Shell*

Production Assistant Madison Stone

RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH WILL BE PERFORMED WITH AN INTERMISSION.

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

Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash

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RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

SONG LIST

ACT ONE OPENING

COUNTRY BOY

(John R. Cash) © House of Cash, Inc.

STRAIGHT A'S IN LOVE

(John R. Cash) © 1958 (Renewed) Chappell & Co. (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

FIVE FEET HIGH AND RISING

(John R. Cash) © 1959 (Renewed) Chappell & Co., Inc. (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

DADDY SANG BASS

(John R. Cash and Carl L. Perkins) © Universal Cedarwood Publishing.

FLESH AND BLOOD

© Song of Cash, Inc. / House of Cash, Inc.

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

Traditional Hymn

CRY, CRY, CRY

(John R. Cash) © House of Cash, Inc. (BMI) admin. by Bug.

I STILL MISS SOMEONE

(John R. Cash, Roy Cash Jr.) © 1958 (Renewed) Unichappell Music Inc. (BMI) All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

GET RHYTHM

(John R. Cash) © House of Cash, Inc.

ANGEL BAND

(John R. Cash) © Song of Cash, Inc.

FLUSHED FROM THE BATHROOM OF YOUR HEART

(Jack H. Clement) © Universal Songs of Polygram, Inc.

IF I WERE A CARPENTER

(James Timothy Hardin) © Allen Stanton Productions.

I WALK THE LINE

(John R. Cash) © House of Cash, Inc.

JACKSON

(Jerry Leiber & Billy Edd Wheeler) © Bexhill Music Corp., Sony/ATV Tunes, LLC.

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RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

ACT TWO

I'VE BEEN EVERYWHERE

(Geoff Mack) © 1962 (Renewed) Belinda Music (Australia) Pty. Ltd. (APRA) All Rights Administered By Unichappell Music Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

SUNDAY MORNIN’ COMIN’ DOWN

(Written by Kris Kristofferson) Published by Combine Music Corp.

ALL OVER AGAIN

(John R. Cash) © 1958 (Renewed) Chappell & Co., Inc. (ASCAP) All Rights Administered By Chappell & Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

GOING TO MEMPHIS

(John R. Cash) © 1960 (Renewed) Unichappell Music Inc. (BMI) All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

FOLSOM PRISON BLUES

(John R. Cash) © House of Cash, Inc.

MAN IN BLACK

(John R. Cash) © Song of Cash, Inc.

RING OF FIRE

(Written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore) Used by Permission of Painted Desert Music Corp. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright secured.

WAITING ON THE FAR-SIDE BANKS OF JORDAN

(Terry Smith) © 1975 (Renewed) Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

(Written by Kris Kristofferson) Published by Resaca Music Publishing Co.

(John R. Cash) © House of Cash, Inc.

RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHNNY CASH

February 26, 1932: J.R. Cash is born to Ray and Carrie Rivers Cash in Kingsland, Arkansas.

May 12, 1944: J.R.’s older brother, Jack, dies after a table-saw accident.

May 19, 1950: J.R. Cash graduates from Dyess High School in Dyess, Arkansas.

July 7, 1950: J.R. Cash enlists in the U.S. Air Force. He takes the name John R. Cash because he is not permitted to use initials as a first name.

August 7, 1954: John Cash marries Vivian Liberto. They have four daughters during their 12-year marriage.

October 17, 1954: John R. Cash and the Tennessee Two sign a record deal with Sam Phillips at Sun Records. Phillips renames John, “Johnny Cash.”

May 21, 1955: Johnny Cash releases the single “Hey, Porter” with Sun Records.

July 7, 1956: Backstage during his first performance at the Grand Ole Opry, Johnny Cash and June Carter meet for the first time.

July 9, 1958: Johnny Cash leaves Sun Records and announces his new contract with Columbia Records.

February 8, 1959: Johnny Cash plays on The Ed Sullivan Show.

January 1, 1960: Johnny Cash’s first appearance at San Quentin State Prison.

April 19, 1963: The single “Ring of Fire” is released.

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Sun Records

RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

March 5, 1964: Johnny Cash’s first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

January 13, 1968: Johnny Cash plays Folsom State Prison.

March 1, 1968: Johnny Cash marries June Carter.

June 7, 1969: The premiere of The Johnny Cash Show

December 5, 1969: Johnny Cash plays Madison Square Garden.

December 19, 1973: Johnny Cash’s first appearance on Sesame Street.

December 6, 1976: Johnny Cash premieres the first of several television holiday specials.

April 17, 1982: Johnny Cash plays Saturday Night Live as host and musical guest.

June 28, 1989: Johnny Cash wins the Aggie Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Guild of America.

January 15, 1992: Johnny Cash is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

February 25, 1992: Johnny Cash wins the GRAMMY Legend Award.

January 5, 1997: Johnny Cash lends his dulcet tones to an episode of The Simpsons

October 1, 1997: Johnny Cash releases his book Cash: The Autobiography

April 22, 2002: Johnny Cash is awarded the National Medal of Arts.

May 15, 2003: June Carter Cash passes away at age 73.

September 12, 2003: Johnny Cash passes away at the age of 71.

November 5, 2003: Johnny Cash wins Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards for American IV: The Man Comes Around.

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RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

ALEX CANTY (HE/HIM)

Alex is so ecstatic to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut! This cast, crew and creative team are dynamite, and he cannot wait to share this incredible show with all of you! Credits include Million Dollar Quartet (national tour), Stand By Your Man (national tour) and Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda (directed by Patti LuPone). Alex earned a BA from James Madison University. Love and thanks to Sam, Snow, Mom, Dad and Ben. Special thanks to Barry Katz at Dulcina Eisen Associates. You can follow Alex on social media @cantylones and visit alexcanty.com. And as a son of a cancer survivor, please consider making a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Let's fight to end it! Visit www.bcrf.org.

MATT CUSACK (HE/HIM)

Matt is excited to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. He is an actor, musician, composer, arranger, music director/supervisor and music/audio producer. His Broadway credits include One Man, Two Guvnors (Associate Music Director) and Bandstand. Off-Broadway, he was a part of Roundabout Theatre’s revival of The Robber Bridegroom. Matt has also been a part of numerous national tours and regional theatre productions. His favorite credits include John Doyle’s Sweeney Todd, Million Dollar Quartet, The Buddy Holly Story (Music Director), and Ring of Fire (Music Director). On television, he can be seen on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and heard in The Reading League’s Reading Buddies where he serves as composer and sound designer. Visit mattcusackmusic.com.

ALLISON ANN KELLY (SHE/HER)

Allison is thrilled to be making her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut! Her off-Broadway credits include Monstress. Regional credits include The Other Josh Cohen, American Idiot, Ring of Fire, Airness, Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America and Little Orphan Danny (New York Stage and Film); and The Hello Girls. Television credits include The Helpsters (Apple TV+) and The 75th Annual Tony Awards (ensemble vocalist). Allison tours nationally as June Carter with Darlin’ Companion: Johnny and June Carter Cash and with the show she created -- Americana Women: Celebrating the Icons of Country and Folk. Her original music can be found through her band, Southpaw Green, on all streaming services. Allison is a Wright State grad! You can follow her on social media @akplaysmusic and @southpawgreenmusic.

LEENYA RIDEOUT (SHE/HER) - MUSIC DIRECTOR

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park credits include Merrily We Roll Along, Company and Avenue X. Her Broadway credits include War Horse, Cyrano de Bergerac, Company and Cabaret. Other New York credits include writing and performing Wild Abandon (Irish Repertory Theatre), as well as appearances in Before We’re Gone (13th Street Repertory); Fire and Air and As You Like It (Classic Stage Company); Taming of the Shrew (The Public Theatre) and Cowgirls (Minetta Lane Theatre). Regionally, Leenya has appeared in such productions as Into the Woods (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival), August Rush (Paramount Theatre), That Face (Baltimore Center Stage), Camelot and Secret Garden (Capital Repertory Theatre), Fairfield (Cleveland Play House), Man of La Mancha (Milwaukee Repertory Theater), On Golden Pond (Casa Mañana Theatre), cowriter of Holidays with the Chalks (Alliance Theatre), Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Hangar Theater), and Ring of Fire (Deutsches Theatre). On television, she has appeared in Law & Order: SVU, Bull and Nashville Star. Her film credits include

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Love, Repeat; Loser; and Mona Lisa Smile. Leenya is a proud recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Colorado. The soundtrack to Wild Abandon is available online. Love to Ted. Visit www.leenya.com.

DAVID ROWEN (HE/HIM)

David is a Helen Hayes Award-nominated actor and musician based in New York City. He is excited to be debuting at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. David’s New York credits include Carnegie Hall, Prospect Theatre Company, and the off-Broadway production of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds. His regional credits include Ford's Theatre, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Adirondack Theatre Festival, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Theatre SilCo, Patchogue Theatre, et. al. On television, David was seen on FX's Fosse/ Verdon. His YouTube channel showcases music videos featuring his arrangements and covers of pop and Broadway songs. With over 15K subscribers and over 4M views, his work has been praised by Playbill, Broadway.com, BroadwayWorld, and composer/lyricist, Stephen Schwartz. David freelances as a musician, producer and interior designer. He performs with Bachelors of Broadway, The Boy Band Project and the award-winning a cappella trio, Iris, and he has been a soloist for symphonies nationwide. David holds a Bachelor of Music from James Madison University. Follow David on social media @davidrowen_ and visit www.davidrowen.net.

MARCIA MILGROM DODGE (SHE/HER) - DIRECTOR/ CHOREOGRAPHER

Marcia is a Tony, Drama Desk and Astaire Award-nominated director and choreographer for her “stirring and lovingly staged” Broadway-Kennedy Center revival of Ragtime (winner of the Helen Hayes Award for “Outstanding Director”). For the Playhouse, Marcia directed Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Secret Garden and Cabaret. Most recently, Marcia was the American Show Director for Tokyo Disneyland’s 40th Anniversary Parade Harmony in Color! For television, she appears as herself in Disney+ Encore! (Episode 1: “Annie” and Episode 12 “Ragtime”), choreographed The Muppets in an Emmy-winning episode of Sesame Street (“The Tango Festival”) and choreographed Elmo and The Noodle Family in Elmo’s Wild West video, delighting children of all ages. Marcia’s bold new approaches to classic plays and musicals, plus a few world premiere musicals, have been seen worldwide from major regional theatres throughout the US and Canada; to Fredericia, Denmark; Seoul, South Korea; to Blackpool, England; and even Muskat, Oman. She is also a wife to Tony, mother to Natasha and a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC.) You can follow her on Instagram @marciamilgromdodge.

CHEN-WEI LIAO (SHE/HER) - SET DESIGNER

Chen-Wei is making her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut. She is a New York City based scenic designer originating from Taipei, Taiwan. She has diverse experiences in theatre, film and exhibition both in Taiwan and the US. Growing up in a bilingual and multicultural environment, she is interested in observing and creating the dynamics between people, stories and space. Chen-Wei likes to read anything about psychology, neuron science, social studies and animal behavior studies. One of her daily meditation topics is the relativity between Freedom, Rights and Responsibility. She is a proud alumnus of National Taiwan University and Carnegie Mellon University. Select New York City credits include The New York Times Critic’s Picks’ A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing

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(Irish Repertory Theatre); the world premiere of Islands of Contentment (produced by The Tank and Hypokrit Theatre Company); The Skin of Our Teeth and The Importance of Being Earnest (Phoenix Festival, in the beautiful town of Nyack in upstate New York). Regional credits include Jersey Boys (Maltz Jupiter Theatre); Murder on the Orient Express (Cape Playhouse) and more.

LAUREN T. ROARK (SHE/HER) - COSTUME DESIGNER

Lauren is thrilled to be returning to the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park after previously designing Million Dollar Quartet (2018) and Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing (2016). Select regional credits include the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Lauren holds an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She is the head of graduate costume design in the Department of Theatre at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the resident costume designer for the Clarence Brown Theatre. Lauren is a proud member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829. Visit www.laurentroark.com.

MATTHEW RICHARDS - LIGHTING DESIGNER

Matthew is pleased to return to Cincinnati Playhouse in The Park after previously lighting Abigail 1702, 4000 Miles, The Secret Garden and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. New York credits include the Broadway production of Ann (starring Holland Taylor); Rock and Roll Man (New World Stages); Is God Is (Soho Rep) The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey and The Curvy Widow (Westside Arts Theatre); The Killer, Tamburlaine and Measure for Measure (Theatre For a New Audience); The Atlantic Theater; Brooklyn Academy of Music; MCC Theater; Playwrights Horizons; Play Company; Primary Stages; and Second Stage Theater. Regional credits include Actors Theater of Louisville, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theater Center, Ford’s Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, Hartford Stage, The Huntington, La Jolla Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre; Old Globe, Shakespeare Theatre, Westport Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Yale Repertory Theatre.

DAVID BULLARD (HE/HIM) - SOUND DESIGNER

David is thrilled to be making his return to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, with his most recent credit being A Chorus Line. Sound design credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), The Secret Garden (Cincinnati Playhouse, Baltimore Center Stage), Harvey Milk (Opera Theatre St. Louis), War of the Worlds (Los Angeles Philharmonic /The Industry), Savage Winter (Brooklyn Academy of Music), Noon to Midnight (Los Angeles Philharmonic), One Night Only: A Night with Al Pacino(international tour), Ainadamar (Frost School of Music), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Cleveland Play House), Three Tales (Los Angeles Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall), NETworks presents: Anything Goes (national tour), Men’s Lives (Bay Street Theatre), Amadeus (Old Globe, Critics Circle Nomination), On Golden Pond (national tour) and The Unexpected Man (New York and Los Angeles, Drama Desk and Lortel nominations). Resident Designer (New York Philharmonic), concert work for Steve Reich and The Metropolitan Opera.

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RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

STEPHANIE KLAPPER, CSA (SHE/HER) - CASTING DIRECTOR

Stephanie is overjoyed to continue her 12th season of collaboration with Blake Robison and the fantastic team that comprises Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Recent shows she has cast for the Playhouse include Shane; Origin Story; A Chorus Line; Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Rooted; Steel Magnolias; School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play; Need Your Love; The West End; Destiny of Desire; Once on This Island; Alias Grace and many others. Her award-winning work is frequently seen on Broadway, off-Broadway, regionally, on concert stages, film, television and streaming media. She is dedicated to continuing to expand and champion diversity, equity and inclusion in the business. Connecting creative, caring people to each other to make extraordinary things happen is amongst Stephanie’s greatest joys. She is a member of the Board of Casting Society Cares and a mentor with Fordham High School for the Arts and NYU Tisch School of the Arts Women’s Mentorship.

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.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF

Guitar Tech Charles Alley

Scenic Artists Payton Epperson, Taylor Helms

Costume Design Assistant Alex Heder

Additional Stitcher Erin Donnelly

Casting Assistants

Emma Balk, Hershey Vazquez-Millner

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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.

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.

20 | 2023–2024 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, re-admittance 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.

2023–2024 | 21
INFORMATION
PATRON
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When amazing women come together, great things happen!

Thank you to these 2023-24 season Leading Ladies. This list recognizes members as of July 25, 2023.

PROGRAM

CO-CHAIRS

Amelia Crutcher

Danute Miskinis

GRANDE DAMES

Amelia Crutcher

Kelly M. Dehan

Vickie Buyniski Gluckman

Linda Greenberg

Karlee Hilliard

Laurie F. Johnston

Danute Miskinis

Linda Muth

Nancy Sparks

DIVAS

Susan Cummings

Marilyn Duke

Louise Head

Nirvani Head

Marty Humes

Karen Neyer

Marcia Philipps

Moe Rouse

Digi France Schueler

Susie Tweddell

STARLETS

Mary Ann Bell

Linda D. Brink

Nancy B. Carrothers

Fran Christensen

Cynthia Cole

Jean Crawford

Judy S. Dalambakis

Debora Del Valle

Kathryn Dierckes

Nancy Steman Dierckes

Helene Herbert

Judy Tondi Herd

Linda R. Holthaus

Pat Humphrey

Diane Iseman

Anne Jaroszewicz

Sarah Raup Johnson

Heather Krombholz

Trish Larsen

Lynn P. Larson

Terry Lemmerman

Nancy Lippincott

Mary G. Moran

MaryAnn Pietromonaco

Margie Rennie

Carol Holland Rentschler

Debbie White Richardson

Dr. Jeri B. Ricketts

Mary Ellen Roberts

Gigi Robison

Jeanne Tiber Schmerler

Shelly S. Sherman

Glenda Suttman

Catharina Toltzis Ph.D.

Ronna K. Willis

Linda Elam Young

Sue Zimmerman

Bold indicates Steering Committee Members

22 | 2023–2024
2023-24 LEADING LADIES
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! Your Leading Ladies membership gives you a backstage pass to four exciting events. Meet the incredible professionals who bring world-class theatre to life, and attend the dress rehearsal of Dracula — sponsored by the Leading Ladies! See what happens when amazing women come together! For more information, contact Director of Donor Relations Kendra Struthers at kendra.stuthers@cincyplay.com or 513-977-2024 , or visit cincyplay.com/support/leadingladies.
513.287.6100 | 800.341.1810 www.bahl-gaynor.com Personal Wealth Managment For more than 30 years, offering peace of mind to generations of families. Bahl & Gaynor is proud to sponsor Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash THE CURTAIN IS RISING Support the local arts community as it takes the stage this fall and reach an engaged, affluent audience. 2020/2021 SeriesMagazine DoYouWant Build Snowman? FrozenAronoff January PRODUCTIONOF 2021 ShelterhouseRosenthal @cincyplay @cincinnatiplayhouse Marx Seasonpresentedby HEIDELBERGDISTRIBUTING SeasonSponsorof Work: ROSENTHALFAMILYFOUNDATION PRESENTS CINCINNATI,OHIO MARCH25-JUNE19,2022 CINCINNATI OPERA CINDERELLA FEBRUARY17-27,2022 MUSICSPRINGERAUDITORIUM HALL Space reservation is happening now! To advertise: advertise@cincinnatimagazine.com

CLYDE’S

Directed by TIMOTHY DOUGLAS

MOE AND JACK’S PLACE – THE ROUSE THEATRE

OCT. 14 – NOV. 5, 2023

Every sandwich has a story at Clyde’s, a truck-stop operated by a group of people recently released from prison. Under the no-nonsense authority of Clyde — an ex-con herself whose searing remarks can really leave a burn — the small kitchen crew finds redemption and purpose through the art of sandwich-making. These vividly drawn characters share their stories and learn to express themselves creatively as they attempt to reclaim their lives in a world that’s set up for them to fail. Can an artistic twist on a grilled cheese elicit feelings of hope? Can assembling the perfect sandwich awaken a spiritual experience? In this witty and inspiring dramedy from two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage, they absolutely can.

24 | 2023–2024 COMING NEXT
Moe & Jack Rouse and Randolph Wadsworth present

LATE NITE CATECHISM

ROSENTHAL SHELTERHOUSE THEATRE

NOV. 4 – DEC. 17, 2023

One of the longest running shows in Chicago and U.S. theatre history, this one-nun comedy is part catechism class, part stand-up routine. A playful and compassionate send-up of Catholic culture, the audience becomes Sister’s class in this uproarious piece of interactive theatre. Sister is filling in for Father Murphy, who doesn’t want to miss his poker night, and she’s going to teach the class the way she wants. She goes on to weave stories into a hilarious tapestry that laughs at the quirks of the church while simultaneously embracing them. The Hollywood Reporter said it’s “a laugh-filled evening for all cultures, classes and religions.”

2023–2024 | 25 COMING NEXT

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK

OSBORN FAMILY PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Blake Robison

MANAGING DIRECTOR Abby Marcus

SANCTUARY CITY

DIRECTOR Kareem Fahmy

SET DESIGNER Alexander Woodward

COSTUME DESIGNER Gordon DeVinney

LIGHTING DESIGNER Heather Gilbert

SOUND DESIGNER/COMPOSER Megumi Katayama

CASTING DIRECTOR Katie Galetti

SEPT. 16 – OCT. 22, 2023

ROSENTHAL SHELTERHOUSE THEATRE

Production Sponsor

Digi & Mike Schueler

Design Sponsor John & Jennifer Stein

Season presented by The Vontz Family

Additional support provided by

SANCTUARY CITY had its world premiere at New York Theatre Workshop, Jim Nicola, Artistic Director, Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director, 2020

SANCTUARY CITY was developed, in part, at the 2018 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab

SANCTUARY CITY is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com

SANCTUARY CITY

CAST

(In speaking order)

G Amira Danan*

B Jordan Anthony Arredondo*

Henry Debo Balogun*

Stage Manager Brooke Redler*

Production Assistant Corey Cagle

Time: 2001-2006

Setting: Newark and thereabouts.

SANCTUARY CITY WILL BE PERFORMED WITHO UT AN INTERMISSION.

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 SPONSOR Sanctuary City

28 | 2023–2024

SANCTUARY CITY

PLAYWRIGHT PROFILE: MARTYNA MAJOK

There’s a lot from the life of playwright Martyna Majok (pronounced “My-Oak”) that ends up in her plays. Born in Poland, her mother moved them both to the U.S. The two settled in New Jersey, where Majok’s mother found work cleaning houses. Majok’s stepfather was an abusive figure. When Majok was in her sophomore year in high school, her mother secretly passed the naturalization test, becoming a U.S. citizen, and took out a restraining order against the abusive stepfather. It was as an undergraduate at the University of Chicago that Majok began writing about her experiences. “I do feel like I draw from personal truths. They’re never, like, journalistic, ‘This is what happened.' But emotional, personal truths—things that I’ve experienced and have questions about,” Majok said in an interview with American Theatre. After studying playwrighting at Yale and Julliard, Majok struggled to make money as a writer. However, continuing to follow her personal truths has eventually led to a wildly successful, thriving career.

Her first breakthrough play, Ironbound, was originally produced at the Round House Theatre as part of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival in 2015. This dark comedy is about a Polish immigrant who works cleaning houses. Based on Majok’s mother’s experience as an immigrant in the U.S., Majok said of her play in American Theatre, “I was pulled to write Ironbound the way I did, with a working-class immigrant woman as an intelligent and capable but flawed core of a story, because centerstage wasn’t afforded these types of characters in the stories I had access to growing up—in the latchkey-kid TV that I watched.”

Majok followed her work on Ironbound with Cost of Living, which would go on to win the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This play, also set in New Jersey, is about two characters with disabilities and the people that care for them. It premiered at the Williamstown Theatre

Festival in 2016. Five years after a successful off-Broadway run, Cost of Living became Majok’s first play to be produced on Broadway.

On the heels of Cost of Living came Sanctuary City. Majok said of writing the piece, “I couldn’t sleep and ended up thinking about certain people that I grew up with who were undocumented. I got up at 3 in the morning and started writing things down and realized, I think I’m writing the play.” A sanctuary city is community with a policy, written or unwritten, that discourages local law enforcement from reporting the immigration status of individuals unless it involves investigation of a serious crime. But in Majok’s Sanctuary City, sanctuary is found in a person, not a place. The characters B and G are undocumented immigrants relying on each other to navigate their way through high school.

Although Majok is writing from her personal experiences, audiences across the United States have fallen in love with her plays. As she offered in American Theatre, “In writing about the specificity of a certain experience, it has brought people from very different perspectives into understanding the universality of it. And that can be cool, to have an audience member be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t think that I was going to connect to this at all. But we’re more alike than we are different.’”

30 | 2023–2024

SNAPSHOT TIMELINE OF THE PLAY: 2001-2006

2001

• George W. Bush is inaugurated.

• The first Harry Potter movie is released.

• Rudy Giuliani is the Time person of the year.

• “All for You” by Janet Jackson is the longest running single.

• The iPod is released.

• The Baltimore Ravens are the Super Bowl Champions.

• Christopher Walken tap dances his way through a Fatboy Slim music video.

• September 11th — Four coordinated terrorist attacks on U. S. soil.

• The action of Sanctuary City begins.

• President George W. Bush gives his “Axis of Evil” speech.

• The XIX Winter Olympics are held in Salt Lake City,

• Halle Berry becomes the first Black actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.

• Former CFO for Enron Corp is indicted on 78 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and obstruc-

The Eminem Show is the biggest-selling album of the year—selling 7.6 million copies.

• George Bush creates the Department of Homeland

• Two Snipers in Washington DC area kill 10 people and injure three more.

• The Sanyo SCP-5300 becomes the very first cell phone to have a built-in camera to be released in the U.S.

2003

• The Human Genome Project is completed during April. Scientists from around the world successfully finished sequencing about 99 percent of the human genome.

• The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster kills all seven of its crew members.

• United States invades Iraq due to an imminent threat from weapons of mass destruction.

• Americans rename “French Fries” to “Freedom Fries” in protest to France’s stance on Iraq.

• A white tiger attacks Roy Horn of the duo “Siegfried & Roy” leaving him partially paralyzed.

• Saddam Hussein, former President of Iraq, is captured in Tikrit by the U.S. 4th Infantry Division.

• Voters recall Governor Gray Davis from office and elect Arnold Schwarzenegger to succeed him as governor of California.

• Apple launches iTunes, selling 10 million songs within four months of launch.

32 | 2023–2024
SANCTUARY CITY

2004

• Gay marriages begin in Massachusetts, the first state in the country to legalize such unions.

• Martha Stewart is sentenced to five months in prison in July after being found guilty on four counts of obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators.

• NASA announces it detects signs that water had once covered a small crater on Mars.

• Senate Intelligence Committee reports that intelligence on Iraq’s weapons programs was “overstated” and flawed.

• Mel Gibson garners intense buzz for his film The Passion of the Christ

• Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake create a scandal when Timberlake rips the bodice of Jackson’s costume during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII.

• George W. Bush is reelected president, defeating John Kerry.

2005

• Major League Baseball adopts steroid-testing program that will suspend first-time offenders for 10 days and randomly tests players year-round.

• Iraqis vote in the country’s first free election in a half-century.

• Dan Rather anchors his final “CBS Evening News.”

• Pope John Paul II dies.

• Country sweetheart Carrie Underwood wins American Idol

• Hurricane Katrina hits Florida with 80 mph winds and heads into the Gulf of Mexico.

• At a live-TV benefit concert, rapper Kanye West goes off-script to sharply criticize Bush.

• Blond, blue-eyed British actor Daniel Craig is named as new James Bond.

2006

• Twitter is launched.

• The Top Song is “Irreplaceable” by Beyonce.

• Steve Irwin, TV’s Crocodile Hunter, is killed by a freak stingray accident.

• The first Youtuber is Peter Oakley, known as Geriatric1927. He is the most subscribed YouTube account.

• Pluto is demoted and reclassified as a dwarf planet.

• Dick Cheney accidentally shoots his friend Harry Whittington in the face.

• Facebook opens to anyone over 13 with a valid e-mail address.

2023–2024 | 33 SANCTUARY CITY
Barber Shop located in Ninth Ward, New Orleans, Louisiana, damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

JORDAN ANTHONY ARREDONDO (HE/HIM) - B

Jordan is thrilled to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut! His regional credits include A Christmas Carol at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. His Chicago credits include Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Marriott Theatre); Grease (Drury Lane Theatre); Sweat, Hand to God and Fun Home (Paramount Theatre); Day of Absence (Congo Square Theatre Company); The Venetians (Kane Repertory Theatre and Oak Park Festival Theater); Much Ado About Nothing (Oak Park Festival Theater); Laura and the Sea (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble); First Love is the Revolution (Steep Theatre); American Jornalero, Romeo and Juliet (Teatro Vista); and Waiting for Godot (Tympanic Theatre). His television and film credits include Chicago Fire, Killing Eleanor, Party Favors and An Offering Jordan graduated with his BFA from the University of Illinois Chicago. All the love to his family, Aja and the wonderful Gray Talent fam! You can check out what he’s up to on Instagram @jordanayeee.

DEBO BALOGUN (HE/HIM) - HENRY

Debo is thrilled to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut in this beautifully, moving story. As a Chicago-based actor, he has appeared in Villette and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Lookingglass Theatre Company); Measure for Measure (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); graveyard shift (Goodman Theatre); Light Falls, Red Rex and Zürich (Steep Theatre Company); Mary’s Wedding (First Folio Theatre); Moon Man Walk (Definition Theatre Company) and You Can’t Take It With You and The Fair Maid of the West (Oak Park Festival Theatre). Regionally, he has worked at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, N.J. On television, you can catch him recurring in Power Book IV: Force on STARZ, as well as in roles on Fargo (FX), Single Drunk Female (Freeform), neXt (FOX) and Chicago Med (NBC). Film credits include The Christmas Pitch and Black Pill. Debo is a proud ensemble member of Steep Theatre Company. He is represented by Gray Talent Group.

AMIRA DANAN (SHE/HER) - G

Amira is pleased to be returning to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park after working on the world premiere of Nathan Alan Davis’ Origin Story last season. Chicago credits include A Christmas Carol and Bernhardt/ Hamlet (Goodman Theatre); Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse); and A Doll’s House (Raven Theatre). International touring credits include Little Shop of Horrors. Her regional credits include the world premiere of Ever in the Glades (John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts) and School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (TheatreSquared). Television credits include Chicago Fire, 61st Street and 4400. Amira earned her BA from Northwestern University and is proudly represented by Gray Talent Group. You can find her on Instagram @amiradanan.

MARTYNA MAJOK - PLAYWRIGHT

Martyna Majok was born in Bytom, Poland and raised in Jersey and Chicago. She was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play, Cost of Living. Other plays include Sanctuary City, Queens, and Ironbound, which have been produced across American and international stages. Awards include The Academy of Arts and Letters’ Benjamin Hadley Danks Award for Exceptional Playwriting, The Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding New Play, The Greenfield Prize, as the first female recipient in drama, The Champions of Change Award from the NYC Mayor’s Office, The

34 | 2023–2024
SANCTUARY CITY

Francesca Primus Prize, two Jane Chambers Playwriting Awards, The Lanford Wilson Prize, The Lilly Award's Stacey Mindich Prize, Helen Merrill Emerging Playwright Award, Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play from The Helen Hayes Awards, Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award, ANPF Women's Invitational Prize, David Calicchio Prize, Global Age Project Prize, NYTW 2050 Fellowship, NNPN Smith Prize for Political Playwriting, and Merage Foundation Fellowship for The American Dream. Martyna studied at Yale School of Drama, Juilliard, University of Chicago, and Jersey public schools. She was a 2012-2013 NNPN playwright-in-residence, the 2015-2016 PoNY Fellow at the Lark Play Development Center, and a 2018-2019 Hodder Fellow at Princeton University. Martyna is currently writing a musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby, with music by Florence Welch and Thomas Bartlett, and developing TV and film for HBO, Plan B, and Pastel.

KAREEM FAHMY (HE/HIM) - DIRECTOR

Kareem is a Canadian-born director of Egyptian descent and was named a Rising Leader of Color by Theatre Communications Group. Regional directing credits include Writers Theatre, Pioneer Theatre Company, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Portland Stage, Crossroads Theatre, Premiere Stages and more. In New York, he has developed new plays with New York Theatre Workshop, The Atlantic Theater Company, MCC Theater, The New Group, Soho Repertory Theater and more. Kareem is also an award-winning playwright. His plays Dodi & Diana, American Fast and A Distinct Society have been produced off-Broadway and at theatres nationwide. Fellowships and residencies include Sundance Theatre Lab, The Old Globe (Classical Directing Fellow), Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Phil Killian Directing Fellow), The Eugene O’Neill Theater (National Directors Fellow), Second Stage Theater (Van Lier Directing Fellow), Soho Rep (Writer/Director Lab), Lincoln Center Theater (Directors Lab) and New York Theatre Workshop (Directing Fellow/Usual Suspect). Kareem earned an MFA in Theatre Directing from Columbia University. Visit www.kareemfahmy.com.

ALEXANDER WOODWARD (HE/HIM) - SET DESIGNER

Alexander is a New York based multi-hyphenate, designer, organizer and artist focused in scenic and costume design for live performance in theatre, opera and dance with credits all over, including the world and Broadway premiere of The Sound Inside and the world premiere of the ballet version of Their Eyes Were Watching God. They are thrilled to make their Cincinnati Playhouse debut! In addition to their design work, Alexander is a co-founder of “In The Wings a Design/Tech Showcase” for young artists at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and serves as the area head of the BFA and MFA Design/Tech program at the University of Connecticut. As a designer and educator, Alexander is an avid proponent for advancing arts advocacy, exploring all aspects of our medium as a form for social change and a tool to shape the environment around us. In recent years, Alexander has served on the executive board for Wingspace, a nonprofit organization that promotes conversation on design, our community, and furthers activism within the industry. Alexander earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama and is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. You can follow Alexander on Instagram @alexanderwoodwarddesign and visit alexanderwoodward.com.

2023–2024 | 35
SANCTUARY CITY

GORDON DeVINNEY (HE/HIM) - COSTUME DESIGNER

As Costume Shop Manager at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Gordon has designed numerous Playhouse productions including Rooted (2022), The Last Wide Open (2019), Be Here Now (2018), Disgraced (2016), Mothers and Sons (2016), Low Down Dirty Blues (2015), Circle Mirror Transformation (2015), Chapatti (2015), The North Pool (2014), The Book Club Play (2013), Hank Williams: Lost Highway (2012), Always ... Patsy Cline (2011, League of Cincinnati Theatres Award), The Pavilion (2011), The Piano Teacher (2011), The Understudy (2010), Victoria Musica (2009), Marry Me a Little (2009), Love Song (2008), Murderers (2007), Reckless (2007), This Wonderful Life (2006), The Clean House (2006), A Picasso (2004), Sing Hallelujah! (2004), Hiding Behind Comets (2004), Proof (2003), God’s Man in Texas (2001), Shakespeare’s R&J (2000), Wit (2000), The Woman in Black (1998), Coyote on a Fence (1998), Nixon’s Nixon (1997) and The Turn of the Screw (1997). His design for Nixon’s Nixon appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Toronto and on London’s West End. His Playhouse designs for God of Carnage, Sleuth, God’s Man in Texas, Doubt, The Woman in Black and Nixon’s Nixon appeared at numerous regional theatres across the country. Recently Gordon designed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later for Xavier University.

HEATHER GILBERT (SHE/HER) - LIGHTING DESIGNER

Heather is a Chicago-based lighting designer. Her Broadway designs include Parade (Drama Desk Nomination and Tony Nomination) and The Sound Inside (Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Recognition and Tony Award Nomination). Regional work includes Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Center Theatre Group, The Muny, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Steep Theatre among others. Heather is the Head of Lighting Design at Columbia College Chicago.

MEGUMI KATAYAMA - SOUND DESIGNER/COMPOSER

Megumi is a New York based sound designer. Her most recent Playhouse credit was Rooted. Her New York off-Broadway credits include The Light in the Piazza (Encores!); Regretfully, So the Birds Are (Playwrights Horizons); The Nosebleed (LCT3 at Lincoln Center); For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf (Public Theater); The Life (co-design, Encores!); The Gett (Rattlestick Theater); Romeo and Juliet (National Asian-American Theater Company); Signature Theatre, and Ping Chong and Company. Megumi’s regional credits include Cambodian Rock Band (co-design, Alley Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Arena Stage); Good Bones and Pass Over (Studio Theater); 72 Miles to Go… (Alley Theatre); Sister Act (Geva Theatre Center); Pride and Prejudice (Long Wharf Theatre); El Huracán (Yale Rep Theatre); Living & Breathing (Two River Theatre); and productions at Everyman Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Denver Center, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Center Theater Group, Virginia Stage Company, Dorset Theatre Festival, Chautauqua Theater Company, Skylight Music Theatre and more. Megumi earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. Member of IATSE USA 829.

36 | 2023–2024
SANCTUARY CITY

KATIE GALETTI (SHE/HER) - CASTING DIRECTOR

Katie is the Artistic Producer and Casting Director at Writers Theatre in Glencoe, Ill. She also serves as the casting director and consultant at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company in Chicago and is a freelance casting director for Oak Park Festival and Cincinnati Playhouse. In addition to her casting work, Katie produces events of multiple genres including opera, digital, experiential and film. She has worked with Little Cinema Digital, 13Exp and HERE Arts & Culture Consulting as a producer. She is the founder and artistic director of Janus Concert Series and is a founding member of the Chicago Opera Collective. Outside of theater, Katie is a volunteer with Resilience Chicago as a Sexual Assault Crisis Advocate and a classically trained vocalist. More information can be found at www.katiegaletti.com

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 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.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF

Assistant Director Serena Collins

Intimacy Coordinator Torie Wiggins

Assistant Lighting Designer Jessica Ann Drayton

Fight Choreographer Erin Ward-McCarty

Dialect Coach D’Arcy Smith

2023–2024 | 37
SANCTUARY CITY

ANNUAL GIFTS

Thank you for your support! This list includes all gifts given to the Playhouse for the 2022-23 season, not including Endowment and Capital Campaign gifts.

AUDIENCE

ArtsWave

City of Cincinnati

The Charles H. Dater Foundation

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Ms. Karlee L. Hilliard

Terry Lemmerman

The Markley Family

L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation

Ohio Arts Council

Ohio Emergency Management Agency

Jack and Marilyn Osborn*

The Rosenthal Family Foundation

The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation

The Schueler Group

Digi and Mike Schueler

Betsy and Jerry Shroat

The Shubert Foundation

Marty C. Tomb

Ellen and Ray van der Horst

Barbara M. Weyand

PLAYWRIGHT

Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation

Moe and Jack Rouse

U.S. Bank

Margaret and Albert Vontz III*

PRODUCER

Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel

Mrs. L.L. Browning, Jr.

Chemed Foundation

Clark Schaefer Hackett

First Financial Bank

Linda and Gary Greenberg*

Johnson Investment Counsel

Millstone Fund

Jenny and David Powell

John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust

The Louise Taft Semple Foundation

Randolph Wadsworth

Barbara and Irwin Weinberg Fund*

DIRECTOR

Jack G. and Rosemarie Brown

Constellation Insurance, Inc.

Corporex Companies Inc.

Sarah and Tommy Evans

Frost Brown Todd LLC

The Geiler Company

John and Susie Lame

Charles and Joann Mead

Leon and Barb Meyer

Becky Miars

Dianne and J. David Rosenberg

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

The Vista Foundation

STAGE MANAGER

Atkins & Pearce Inc.

Jeb and Nirvani Head

Homewood Suites by HiltonCincinnati Midtown in Oakley Station

Mark and Karen Kremzar

Ms. Danute M. Miskinis

David and Judith Morgan

Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty

Jennifer and Woody Taft

Susan Whitman

SET DESIGNER

1919 Investment Counsel

AAA Allied Group & Provident Travel

AmerisourceBergen

Gerald and Ricki Ayer

Ron Bates and Randy Lasley

BHDP Architecture

Mark and Lindsay Bibler

David and Elaine Billmire

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blatt

Ruth and Tom Bobenread

Terri and John Byczkowski

James P. Conway, Jr. and Richard D. Robertson

The Crawford Family Foundation

Nancy and Mark Dawes

The Dunagan Foundation, Inc.

Elizabeth George

Richard and Renita Homan

Susan Ingmire

Diane and Carl Iseman

Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Patti and Tom Keckeis*

KeyBank

David M. and Bet Koeninger

Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Kremzar

Jamie and Jenny Leonard

Macy's

Craig and Anne Maier

Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Manteuffel

Barbara and Kim McCracken

Kevin and Frances McMurray

Diane and Dave Moccia

Dean and Catherine Moulas

Sara Phillips

Mrs. Deborah White Richardson

The Roehr Agency

Amy and John Rosenberg

Margo and Sam Ross

Mark and Rosemary Schlachter

Elizabeth C. B. and Paul G. Sittenfeld

Skidmore Sales & Distributing Co., Inc.

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

COSTUME DESIGNER

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Banks

Jan Bartel

Bartlett Wealth Management

Douglas Brauch

Susan Brenner and Steven Mombach

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan L. Brown

David and Sara Butler

Janet and Bruce Byrnes

Robert S. Castellini

Kelly M. Dehan

Scott X. Deters

Peter Draugelis

Elise Eaton Allen Fund *

Richard Ernst

Peggy L. Golden and Kerry J. Klumpe

Clifford Goosmann and Andrea Wilson

Patti Heldman

Bernita McCann Hightower

Linda R. Holthaus

Marty Humes

Ellen and Garrett Jackson*

Marvin Kolodzik

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen S. Lett

Mariner Wealth Advisors

Carolyn Ott Martin

Mr. Roy A. Mitchell

Tom and Linda Palmer

Stuart and Ildiko Pray

Prudential - Matching Fund

Rob and Gretchen Reifsnyder

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith

Sandra and Henry Spitz

Joseph B. Steiner

Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation

Thembi Speaks LLC

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

Liz and Hank Alexander

Gordon Allen and Linda Baas

Louise Allen and Tom Gougeon

Americana Arts Foundation

William P. Anderson Foundation

Thomas and Susan Anthony

Eric and Brenda Armstrong Family Fund*

Mary Ann and Doug Bell

Judith and Louis Belli

John Berninger

Kenneth W. and Dawn H. Bertsche

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

38 | 2023–2024

John and Peg Bruggeman

Jackie and Gary Bryson

Jeff and Gay Bullock

Ron Bunt and Wei Sun

Eric Burgmann and Linda Vaccariello

Bonnie and Dick Buten

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

Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Collins

Pearl J. Compaan, M.D.

Marjorie Compton

The Cord Foundation

Kassy and Jeff Corken

Susan Cummings

Anne Dagenbach

Judy S. Dalambakis

Florence and Tom DeWitt

Michael and Kathleen Doherty

Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Dorward

Emilie and David Dressler Fund*

Allison and Rick Edwards

Ms. Joyce Elkus

Eric and Judy Ellis

Lissy Fabe and Chris Taylor

Dr. and Mrs. William Faulkner

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

Graeter's Ice Cream Co.

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Carl and Joyce Greber

Ham and Ellie Hamilton

Richard D. Hannan Family Foundation

Janice Hartman

Louise Head

Betsy and Dave Hendy

Jane E. Henney, M.D. and J. Robert Graham, M.D.

Hixson Architecture, Engineering, Interiors

Noel and Karen Hofmann

Barbara J. Howard

Carolyn and Michael Hoyt

Huntington Bank

Maite Iraolagoitia

Patti and Keith James

Jarrell Media Solutions

Wendy and Jeff Johnson

James and Brenda Jones

Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Keenan

Barbara and Larry Kellar*

Arleene Keller

Judith and Ken Kenniston

Beverly Kinney and Edward Cloughessy

Margo Kirstein

Kathleen B. and Michael C. Krug*

Jo Ann and George Kurz

Dr. John Larkin

Lynn P. Larson

Susan J. Lauf

Dr. Carol P Leslie

Donna Lilley

Whitney and Phillip Long

Kay Lynch and Chuck Beckman

David Martin

Elizabeth Mayfield*

McDonald Family Foundation

Samuel Moore, Jr.

Burton D. Morgan Foundation

New Riff Distilling

Karen Neyer

Michael Nordlund and Lisa Lee

Marilyn Z. Ott

Ana Silvia Ouro

Judy and Thomas Oxman

Melissa and John Panzeca

Phillips Family Fund*

Anne Pierce

Ed and Jill Plageman

Betty L. Prince

Prolink

Leo and Sally Pulte

Gerald D. Rape

Jeff and Lori Raser

Mitch and Karen Rashkin

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

Jim Rubenstein and Bernadette Unger

Bill and Diane Rumpke, Jr.

Julia Russell

KJ Sanchez

David Savage

Martha and Lee Schimberg

Pat and Paul Schlecht

Mary D. Schweitzer

P. Robert Schwetschenau MD

Carol Serrone

Kathy Shell and Joetta Prost

Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Simon

Gerald and Sarah Skidmore

Skyline Chili, Inc.

Tom and Dee Stegman*

Dr. Susan R. Strick

The Summit Hotel

Tom and Keri Tami

Eddie Taylor, Jr.

Rebecca Terrell

Kathy Thornton

Towne Properties

Daniel G. Walker and Lisa Capurro

Mrs. Paul H. Ward

Warren County Foundation

Larry Weber

Ms. Judy Wells

Carol and Rich Wilson

Joan Wood

ACTOR

Anonymous (5)

Nancy Aichholz

Ms. Kathryn Allred Al-Lamadani

Sherri D. Allen

Janice Amatulli

Vic and Dee Angel

James Anthony and Sarah Corathers

Molly R. Barber

Mandy Bartel

Marianne M. Beard

Thelma Bergman

Cynthia Beseler

Stephanie Besl

Bren Blaine and Barbara Carr

Jane and Gary Booth

Mark Bowen

Tom Brennan

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

Susana Chamlee

Cynthia Cole

Loretta and David Cook

Robin Cotton and Cindi Fitton

Mrs. Martha S. Crafts

Jean and John Croxton

Amelia Crutcher

Mark Dauner

Michelle de la Vega

Carol DeGreg

Debora Del Valle

Jan Denton

Susan M. Deye

Carol Deyhle

Ellen Dick

Kathryn Dierckes

Thomas Donnelly

William G. Dorward III

Timothy Douglas

Bethany Doverspike

Dr. and Mrs. Michael Farrell

Michael Federle

Mr. Robert C. Fee

Matthew Feldman and Julie Baker

Mr. Kenneth Fischer

Susan Fischer

Ora Forusz

Mary Anne Frey

Sharon Freyhof

Lynne Friedlander and Jay Crawford

Dick and Gail Friedman

Gene Fugate

Daniel P. Goetz and Pattie Messmer

Jim and Elaine Goldschmidt

Nancy Gollobin

Madeleine Gordon

Gradison Foundation

Barbara Hahn

Margo Hall

Joyce and Jim Hamberg

Carolyn Heck

Mrs. Anne P. Heldman*

Helene Herbert

Judy Tondi Herd

Mark and Deanna Hollon

Dr. Carol Hubbard

Amy Hughes

Ms. Jamie Humes

Kristin Humes

Pat Humphrey

Drs. Linda and Gordon Huntress

Jennifer Jackson

Clare Jaymes

Jewish Home of Cincinnati

Sylvia Johnson

Lisa Kagan

Arlene Katz

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas T. Keating

Barbara and Mike Kelly

Rosalynd Kendall

David and Janice Klocke

Heather Krombholz

Mr. Edward Lanzit

Patricia and Glenn Larsen

David and Linda Latham

Nancy Lippincott

2023–2024 | 39 ANNUAL GIFTS

ANNUAL GIFTS

Sherwin Little

Sally A. Lloyd

Mr. and Mrs. Damon Lynch, Jr.

Jacqueline M. Mack and Dr. Edward B. Silberstein

Mark K. Mandell-Brown MD

Len and Sherie Marek

Ward and Ellen Maresca

Laurel Markley

Nancy C. Martin

Bradley Mathis

Susan Matz

Evi Banzhaf McCord

Kathryn McCord

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

Joyce and William Mullins

Jeannie Niebuhr

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*

Joanie and Richard Paulsen

Kathy and Bob Pellegrino

Alice W. Perlman

Jeff and Diane Pfaff

Philip J. Poon

Jane Portman

Nancy and Bruce Prewitt

Phil and Susan Price

Michelle Ramsey

Sherri Adams Remaklus

Margie Rennie

Danielle and Kenneth Revelson

Jeff and Joyce Rich

Ms. Ruth Richardson

Drs. Jay and Janalee Rissover

Pete and Debbie Rizzo

Priya and David Rolfes

Karina Rothzeid

Mr. Richard H. Russell

James Sanitato

Mark and Jan Sass

Susan M. B. Schertzer

Michael and Jeanne Schmerler

Timothy and Jeannie Schoonover

Roger and Glenda Schorr*

Carol Schroeder

Ms. Connie Sheets

Shelly S. Sherman

Sue Showers

Ivan and Karen Silverman

Debbie Renick Sims

Mary Lee and Louie Sirkin

Laura Skidmore

Adrienne Angst Smith

Susan and David Smith

Elizabeth Snell

Steelcase Foundation - Matching Fund

Stephanie and Joseph Stitt

Elizabeth A. Stone*

Carol Striker

Glenda Suttman

Jan H. Tepe

Carlos and Roberta Teran

Amy and Bill Thaman

Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson

J. Dwight Thompson

Sally Tieke

Barb and Tom Tobias

Catharina Toltzis Ph.D.

Linda Trebbi

Valerie and Mike Trentman

Dionn Tron

James and Susan Troutt

Laura R. Turton

Judy and David Van Ginkel

Nancy A. Virgulak

Liz and Dave Wallingford

Dr. and Mrs. Barry W. Webb

Kate Wehby

Dr. Alan Weinstein

Jane Welling

Donald R. and Patricia R. Welti

Brendan and Julie White

In memory of Dwayne Whitehead

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

Traci Punch-Alexander and David Alexander

Lisa Allgood

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

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

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

Delores J. Erby

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

Johnson & Johnson - Matching Fund

Mark and Sarah Johnson

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

Randolph and Patricia Krumm

Mark and Elisabeth Kuhlman

Michael and Paula Kunka

Bill and Evie Landrigan

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 Elli

David and Diane McClain

Mr. Christopher McFarland

Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. McGraw

Jeff and Debbie McNaul

Jerome Merski

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

Michael and Nelda Purdon

Ruth Quinn

Jennifer Ramage

Sue Richmond

40 | 2023–2024

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 E. Schroer and Carey Kruer

Michael and Kathie Schwartz

William and Sandra Selvey

Sandy and Hal Shevers

Robin and Murray Sinclaire

Robert and Linda Singer

Brian Skale

Martha and John Spiess

Robert L. and Christine J. Steiner*

Richard and Carol Stevie

Joe and Gladys Stolz

Stuart and Terry Susskind

Kendra L. Struthers

Dr. Alan and Shelley Tarshis

Beverly Thomas*

Robert and Marcia Togneri

Torey and Tom Torre

Ann Marie Tracey and Daniel Buckley

Dr. and Mrs. Galen R. Warren

Gary and Rayma Waters

Philip and Cathy Wenger

Mauri J Willis

Mrs. Joan R. Wilson

*Denotes a fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

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 | 41 ANNUAL GIFTS
CURATED EVENTS AND ROOFTOP DINING DESIGNED TO ENGAGE, ENLIGHTEN, AND INSPIRE, THE SUMMIT HOTEL PROMISES A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY FROM EVERYDAY TO EXTRAORDINARY. WWW.THESUMMITHOTEL.COM T (513) 527-9900

CORPORATE PARTNERS

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!

$1,000 - $2,499

Graeter’s Ice Cream Co.

Hixson Architecture, Engineering, Interiors

Huntington Bank

Jarrell Media Solutions

New Riff Distilling

ProLink Staffing

Skyline Chili

The Summit Hotel

Towne Properties

For more information about joining these organizations in support of the Playhouse, call Mary Kay Koehler, Interim Director of Development, at 513-977-2026.

RED CARPET DONORS

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.

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

WVXU-FM

WXIX-TV, Fox 19

WUBE-FM

42 | 2023–2024 COMMUNITY SUPPORT
www.ensemblecincinnati.org OPERATING SUPPORT SEASON FUNDER by
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME REGIONAL PREMIERE DRAMEDY WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL SEPT 9 –OCT 1
FIONA: THE MUSICAL NOV 29 –DEC 29
book by Zina Camblin music & lyrics by David Kisor

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS

$50,000+

$20,000 – $49,999

$10,000 – $19,999

$5,000 – $9,999

$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:

of July 28, 2023
As
U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ROBERT AND ADELE SCHIFF FAMILY FOUNDATION OHIO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY LOUISE TAFT SEMPLE FOUNDATION
2023–2024 | 43
NELLIE LEAMAN TAFT FOUNDATION

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 June 20, 2022, through July 20, 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 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 June 20, 2022, through July 20, 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

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 CAROLYN RUSSO

Peri and Dave Russo

IN MEMORY OF LYNDA THOMAS

Sherie Marek

Laurence Weber

2023–2024 | 45

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 M. 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

Jack Osborn

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.

THE MORSE JOHNSON SOCIETY OF PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK

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 July 7, 2023.

Anonymous

Romola N. Allen

Henrietta Barlag

Roderick and Barbara Barr

Peggy Barrett

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

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

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

Jack Osborn

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

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

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

If you would like to make the Playhouse part of your legacy, let’s start a conversation! Call Major Gifts

Officer Lynn Smith, CFRE at 513-977-2067.

46 | 2023–2024

ADMINISTRATIVE AND PRODUCTION STAFF

DIRECTORS

Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison

Managing Director Abby Marcus

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

Finance Manager Chad Stewart

Finance Associate Brian Anderson

Office Administrator Kathy Durnell

OPERATIONS

Director of Operations Bridget Siedlecki

IT Applications Specialist Scott Youger

Facilities Manager Brian Smith

Facilities Assistant Myron Monroe

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 Doug 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

Patron Services Director Don Wong

Assistant Patron Services Manager Julia Hasl Miller

Box Office and Parking Staff Amanda Adams, Katie Collier, Olivia Cremisio, Victoria Forbes, Jenny French, Chase Johnson, Lucy Obermeyer, Sarah O’Haver, Theresa Richmond, Christine Richtsfeld, Thomas Richtsfeld, Chuck Smith, LaCheryl Steele, Shazia Thompson, Monica Williams-Mitchell

House Managers Amanda Adams, Joellyn Goos, Kayden Hauke

House Staff Sara Bergen, Olivia Cremisio, Michelle LaMantia, Whitney Menser, Cyrus Newitt, James Racster, Addie Renne, Jacqueline Smith, Monica Williams-Mitchell

Bar Manager Darren Cox

Bartenders Clint Collins, Justin Eckstein, Julia Migliara, Lisa Porter, John Simpson, Barb Santel, Niki Sherwood, Kathleen Thorman

ARTISTIC

Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz

Literary Manager Tatiana Godfrey

Associate Artists Wendy C. Goldberg, Karen Zacarías

EDUCATION/ENGAGEMENT

Education Director Ariana Moses

Artistic Engagement Manager Katie Baskerville

Education and Engagement Coordinator Ariana Hooberman-Piñeiro

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Production Stage Manager Andrea L. Shell

Stage Managers Brooke Redler, Brandon T. Holmes

Artistic Engagment 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

Scene Shop Administrative Assistant MaLeah Mitchell

SCENERY

Staff Carpenters Bryan Bridewell, Timothy Fowler, Michael Lyons, Daniel Bradburn, Brad Kordenbrock

Charge Scenic Artist Jennifer Rhodus

Assistant Scenic Artist Alex Kuntz

Rouse Run Crew Christopher Albaugh, Matthew Brown

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

COSTUMES/WARDROBE

Costume Shop Manager Gordon DeVinney

Cutter/Draper Justin Collings

Wig Master/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 Kyle Himsworth

Production Electrician Julie Cowger

Rosenthal Shelterhouse Light Board Operator Justin Chandler

Rosenthal Shelterhouse Sound Engineer Samuel Sadler

Rouse Theatre Audio Engineer M. Adam Jacob

EMERITI

Managing Director Emeritus Buzz Ward

2022–2023 | 47

THE GREAT CINCINNATI BAKE- OFF

Professional and amateur bakers compete throughout the week, and you’re invited to join us as we announce the winners in a sweet and savory celebration of baked goodness!

Wednesday, October 18th

6-9 pm

MadTree Brewing 3301 Madison Rd.

A Portion of the Proceeds Benefit

Presenting Sponsor

Cincinnati Magazine Presents Purchase
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