DINGBAT POOH PLAYBILL FINAL DEC 5

Dingbat Theatre Project is a 501(c)3 dedicated to building an inclusive, safe, and accessible arts space that values creativity, compassion, and collaboration. Dingbat will achieve its goals and share its values through the thoughtful DingbatTheatre.org creation of community-based (941) 451-7706 arts programming that uplifts 7288 S Tamiami Trail, and challenges audiences. This Sarasota, FL 34231 programming exists to enrich Dingbat’s audiences and artists t h ro u g h q u a l i t y t h eat r i c a l productions, communitybuilding performances, and engagement events.

THE DINGBATS LUKE MANUAL Producing Artistic Director & Founder GRETCHEN BEAUMIER Technical Director & Co-Artistic Director ASH SCHELLS Production Stage Manager AJ TRINCI Artistic Associate DELANEY EISCHEN Artistic Associate ZOE WHITE Marketing Assistant BRIAN F. FINNERTY Co-Founder

I’M GONNA MARRY YOU, TOBEY MAGUIRE (2025) PHOTO BY ADRIAN VAN STEE PICTURED: JAMIE SAUNDERS

SEUSSICAL - JAN 30-MAR 22 WILDFLOWERS - FEB 21-MAR 21 OKLAHOMA! - MAR 13-29

THE BAKYARD AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

& SPONSORS: DR. JEFFREY HAMBLIN & MARK-ALAN JEFF CIMA TERRY & DEBBIE AUSTIN

PRESENT

ADAPTED BY LUKE MANUAL FROM THE STORIES AND POETRY OF A.A. MILNE FEATURING JASON MOORE ABBY BERENT AJ TRINCI ALYSSA CAROLINE BRITTANY BIANCO RESNICK PHILIP TROYER LIZ PASCOE LAURA GRIEME KEVA SCHELLS MADISON McCAGUE JOAH MARTIN ELISHA KITTINGER JOY BROOME AUTUMN BROOME GRETCHEN BEAUMIER … Scenic, Lighting, & Puppet Designer SARAH DeSMITH … Scenic Painter LAURA GRIEME … Puppet Designer LUKE MANUAL … Director / Scenic & Puppet Designer LIZ PASCOE … Associate Artist ASH SCHELLS … Production Stage Manager ADRIAN VAN STEE … Key Art Photographer AJ TRINCI … Associate Artist & Puppet Designer SPECIAL THANKS Laura Grieme, AJ Trinci, Boris Gonzalez, Michael Beaumier, Christina Orta, DramaKids of Manasota, Historic Asolo Theatre, David & Sonya McFatrich, Sami McFatrich, Liz Pascoe, Jason Moore, Philip Troyer, Joel Broome, Brittany Bianco Resnick, IVMS TheatreStars, Ash Schells

THE CAST In Alphabetical Order Abby Berent Brittany Bianco Resnick Autumn Broome Joy Broome Alyssa Caroline Laura Grieme Elisha Kittinger Joah Martin Madison McCague Jason Moore Liz Pascoe AJ Trinci Keva Schells Philip Troyer

… … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Christopher Robin Eeyore Storyteller Storyteller Piglet Heffalumps & Woozles Storytellers Storyteller Storyteller Winnie-the-Pooh Kanga Owl / Tigger Roo Rabbit

HUNDRED ACRE BAND: Luke Manual Joel Broome Line Frambes Serenna Jones Caitlyn Mercede Turner

… … … … …

Keys / Vocalist Percussion Guitar (Select Dates) Vocalist (Select Dates) Vocalist (Select Dates)

THE SHOW ACT ONE: 50 MINUTES

SCENE ONE: PROLOGUE SCENE TWO: IN WHICH WE ARE INTRODUCED TO WINNIE-THE-POOH AND SOME BEES, AND THE STORIES BEGIN SCENE THREE: IN WHICH POOH GOES VISITING AND GETS INTO A TIGHT PLACE SCENE FOUR: IN WHICH EEYORE LOSES A TAIL AND POOH FINDS ONE SCENE FIVE: IN WHICH KANGA AND BABY ROO COME TO THE FOREST

15-minute intermission ACT TWO: 40 MINUTES

SCENE ONE: IN WHICH A HOUSE IS BUILT AT POOH CORNER FOR EEYORE SCENE TWO: IN WHICH RABBIT HAS A BUSY DAY, AND WE LEARN WHAT CHRISTOPHER ROBIN DOES IN THE MORNINGS SCENE THREE: IN WHICH TIGGER COMES TO THE FOREST AND HAS BREAKFAST SCENE FOUR: IN WHICH IT IS SHOWN THAT TIGGER DOESN’T CLIMB TREES SCENE FIVE: IN WHICH PIGLET DOES A VERY GRAND THING SCENE SIX: IN WHICH EEYORE FINDS THE WOLERY AND OWL MOVES INTO IT

A RETURN TO WONDER WITH WINNIE-THEPOOH & FRIENDS

BY LUKE MANUAL Producing Artistic Director/Founder of Dingbat Theatre Project & Director/Adaptor of Dingbat’s A Winniethe-Pooh Christmas Before we begin our journey through the Hundred Acre Wood, take a breath, shake off the grown-up world for a moment, and imagine a place where stuffed animals talk, hunny pots never stay full for long, and adventures appear the moment you look for them, even in the the most seemingly simplistic of places. That’s the spirit of A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas, a reminder that wonder is never far away if we choose to see it.

We all have a relationship with the Winnie-the-Pooh characters. Whether through the television cartoons, Disney films, the original books, or the countless pieces of merchandise (capitalism!), A.A. Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood friends have lived in our cultural lexicon for 101 years.

Winnie-the-Pooh, known to some as Edward Bear, first appeared in the 1924 poetry anthology When We Were Very Young, written by Alan Alexander Milne: playwright, poet, World War I lieutenant, and World War II captain. He based Christopher Robin on his own son, Christopher Robin Milne, and drew inspiration for the animals of the Hundred Acre Wood from his son’s stuffed toys, as well as the real animals of nearby Ashdown Forest, the landscape that inspired the Wood itself.

“A Pooh Party” Illustrated by E.H. Shepard (1926)

Robin’s adventures: Winnie-the-Pooh in 1926 and The House at Pooh Corner in 1928. Each book contains ten stories filled with Hundred Acre Wood hijinks.

This production features four stories from the first book and six from the second, with much of the dialogue and narration drawn directly from Milne’s prose and poetry.

In adapting these tales for the Dingbat stage, we returned to the origins of these characters: a father telling stories to his son, and a boy’s cherished stuffed friends coming to life. We’ve woven Dingbat’s community-centered storytelling into the piece with a multi-generational cast who helped devise this production. The play’s first act follows a family reconnecting through storytelling and imaginative play.

The second act explores generational storytelling and the bittersweet realities of growing up.

At its core, Dingbat’s A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas is a celebration of community, imagination, and the journey from childhood to adulthood. Thank you for choosing to spend the holidays with us and the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood. We hope our reimagining of these timeless characters brings a smile to your Milne would go on to publish only two face, a tear to your eye, and rekindles collections of stories about Christopher your desire to play.

MEET THE TEAM GRETCHEN BEAUMIER (Lighting & students for filling her world with Scenic Design) [she/they] is the Co- music and laughter.

Artistic Director and Technical AUTUMN BROOME (Storyteller) is a Director for Dingbat Theatre Project. spunky, creative, funny 6 year old Gretchen grew up in Sarasota and has spent her entire life attending Pine View School before a tt e n d i n g v a r i o u s re h e a r s a l s , studying at University of North summer camps and classes. Her Carolina School for the Arts. Since performance debut was when she graduating, she has been on the w a s s t i l l c o o k i n g i n s i d e h e r leadership team at Dingbat Theatre Mamma's belly. She last appeared Project and worked at many area on stage as Tiny Tim, a role she theatre in multiple capacities. She shared with her sister, Joy at Venice recently co-directed productions of Theatre last winter. When she's not I’m Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire on stage she loves to play pranks, and Dingbat’s Hercules, and has swim, and create wonderful games appeared onstage as Peter Pan in with her sisters.

Dingbat’s Peter Pan. Lighting Design: JOY BROOME (Storyteller) is a I ’ m G o n n a M a r r y Yo u , To b e y happy, creative, curious 7 year old.

Maguire, Dingbat’s Hercules, Pippin, She's been attending theatre Speakeasy Alice, Lysistrata, Joseph… summer camps, rehearsals and Dreamcoat, The Wizard of Oz, Rose, performances since she was a baby Tu e s d a y s W i t h M o r r i e , a n d strapped to her mom. She last Forbidden Broadway. Scenic Design: appeared on stage as Tiny Tim, a Pippin, Speakeasy Alice, Lysistrata, role she shared with her sister The Wizard of Oz, It’s a Bird… It’s a Autumn, at Venice Theatre last Plane… It’s Superman, Chicago: A winter. When she's not on stage she Musical Vaudeville, Proof, and Little loves to dance, draw in her journal snd create wonderful games with Shop of Horrors.

ABBY BERENT (Christopher Robin) her sisters.

Abby is a 7th grader at Mona Jain ALYSSA CAROLINE (Piglet) [she/ Middle School in Lakewood Ranch. her] is back for her fifth Dingbat She is thrilled to be back on the production. You might remember Dingbat Stage! You may have seen her from Dingbat productions of her as Theo in Dingbat's Pippin or Urinetown, Lysistrata, Speakeasy onstage acting up with Drama Kids Alice, or Heathers the Musical. of Manasota. She wants to say thank LAURA GRIEME (Heffalumps & you to Dingbat for trusting her with Woozles) [she/her] is appearing in the role of Christopher Robin and for h e r fi ft h D i n g b at p ro d u c t i o n , letting her be a part of this amazing previously performing in Peter Pan, Superman, and Lysistrata. She has cast!

B R I T TA N Y B I A N CO R E S N I C K also performed at The Sarasota (Eeyore) [she/her] is delighted to Players and Manatee Performing Arts return to the Dingbat stage! She was Center in productions of Godspell, most recently seen in Joseph and Rabbit Hole, Steel Magnolias, and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Cabaret. and as Sydney in It’s a Bird… It’s a ELISHA KITTINGER (Storyteller) This Plane… It’s Superman! When she’s is Elisha’s second production at not performing, Brittany teaches Dingbat. Elisha was in the children’s music and theatre, sharing her love chorus for Joseph and the Amazing of storytelling, harmony, and a touch Technicolor Dreamcoat. Elisha goes of whimsy with her students, no to Garden Elementary and loves art honey required. Endless thanks to and music. her husband, David, and to her

LUKE MANUAL (Director/Scenic Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dingbat.)

Design/Adaptor) [they/them] is the Joah wants to thank Luke and the Producing Artistic Director and creative team for allowing him to be Founder of Dingbat Theatre Project. apart of this production. He’d also They are a transplant from Little like to thank his family and friends Rock, AR, where they were born and for always supporting him in raised before studying Marketing achieving his dreams. “Thank you for and Theatre at Mississippi State spending the holidays with us! Enjoy U n i v e r s i t y . T h e y a r e a the show!” multidisciplinary theatre artist with MADISON McCAGUE (Storyteller) experience directing, performing, is 17 years old and is in her senior music directing, teaching, and year of high school, and she is so writing. They have a passion for excited to be a part of Winnie the building community through theatre, Pooh. This will be Madison’s first which led to the founding of production with Dingbat Theatre Dingbat in 2020. Favorite Dingbat Project! Madison has appeared in D i r e c t i n g C r e d i t s : J o s e p h … Something Rotten Jr. As Peter Dreamcoat, The Wizard of Oz, Quince, Frozen Jr. as Olaf, and many S u p e r m a n , Pe t e r Pa n , S h r e k other musicals with her childhood (BwayWorld Best Director), Chicago, theatre group Theatre Stars. During and the regional premieres of The her free time, Madison likes to paint, SpongeBob Musical and I’m Gonna hang out with friends and thrift.

Marry You, Tobey Maguire. They have Madison has been a part of theatre also directed for Venice Theatre, The programs since she was 10 years Sarasota Players, The Loveland old. Theatre and the arts in general Players, & The Basket Cases Theatre are her passion, and she would like Company. As a performer, they have to thank her friends and family for frequently appeared on local stages endlessly supporting her in every for the last eight years, notably possible way! portraying Hedwig in Hedwig and JASON MOORE (Winnie-the-Pooh) the Angry Inch, Audrey II in Little [he/him] A 30+ year veteran of local Shop of Horrors, Jack’s Mother in stages, Jason is excited to be Into the Woods, Mama Morton in making his Dingbat debut! Favorite Chicago, among others. They most past shows include West Side Story recently appeared in Dingbat’s (Baby John), Brigadoon (Harry Hercules, which they co-wrote and Beaton & Jeff), Fiddler on the Roof starred alongside their friend, Austin (Fyedka), Chicago, Ragtime, Les Howeth. Other writing credits Miserables (Combefere), 1776 include adaptations of Peter Pan, The (Rutledge), Into the Woods (Jack), Elves and the Shoemaker, The Call of Assassins (Proprietor), Elf (Buddy), the Wild, and Frost. “Love to and Spelling Bee (Mitch). In his free Gretchen, Mom, Dad, Elle, Sami, the time, Jason is also involved in amazing artists that make Dingbat so dressing up as various characters for special, and you! Thank you for children’s charities. All my love to spending your time with us.”

Allison for her constant support, JOAH MARTIN (Storyteller) is especially the last couple of years. honored to be back at Dingbat! LIZ PASCOE (Kanga) [she/her] is a Joah is a homeschooled 8th grader local performer, director, and who started acting in 2nd grade. expressive arts facilitator. She has Favorite credits include SpongeBob appeared in Dingbat productions of i n T h e S p o n g e B o b M u s i c a l Lysistrata and Peter Pan (Wendy), as (DramaKids), Christian in Fun Home, well as her one-woman show for very Character Actor in Miracle on 34th young audiences, Lady Bugg’s St., Eddie in 13 Jr. (Players), Garden: Tiptoe Through the Tulips.

Munchkin Coroner in The Wizard of S h e ’s t h e D r a m a Te a c h e r a t Oz (Rise Above), and Children’s Mangrove School of Sarasota and Chorus in Joseph and the Amazing works belovedly with Pinky's Players

at Venice Theatre and the participants at The Loveland Creates Program. Learn more about Liz at: Theheartworkstudiowithliz.com Liz is most honored and thrilled to be on stage with her daughters: The Broome Sisters.

AJ TRINCI (Owl/Tigger) [they/them] has enjoyed returning to Sarasota theater after getting their BFA in Musical Theater at FSU. Over the past year they have appeared in The Fantasticks (Mute) at The Manatee Players and Fun Home (Alison) and Cabaret (Fritzie) at The Sarasota Players. They want to thank the whole production team, cast, and crew, their family, and particularly their younger sister for once being easily entertained by stuffed animals with funny voices.

KEVA SCHELLS (Roo) is a student at Island Village Montessori School where she has been active in Theatre Stars since 2019. Her favorite roles include Les in Newsies Jr. and Small Alice in Alice and Wonderland Jr. She is excited to perform in her first Dingbat show!

PHILIP TROYER (Rabbit) [he/him] is excited to be working with Dingbat again. A Sarasota native, you may have seen him previously as Prof.

Sedgewick in It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman. His additional roles include the Wizard / Professor Marvel in The Wizard of Oz, Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, Bernard in Death of a Salesman, Juror #2 in Twelve Angry Jurors, and Howard in Moon Over Buffalo (to name a few).

He thanks his family and his girlfriend for their marvelous encouragement!

SEASON SPONSORS DR. JEFFREY HAMBLIN & MARK-ALAN JEFF CIMA TERRY & DEBBI AUSTIN GRETCHEN BEAUMIER & LUKE MANUAL

Dingbat Theatre Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We are so grateful to our donors and sponsors for the generosity. Our goal is to raise $60,000 in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. If you’d like to donate, visit dingbattheatre.org/donate!

DONORBATS Acknowledging the amazing donors who have supported Dingbat Theatre Project and donated between August 2024 and October 2025 $7.5K+

Dr. Jeffrey Hamblin & Mark-Alan, Osprey Consulting, Gretchen Beaumier & Luke Manual

$5K+

Anonymous, Jeff Cima, OfficeMax, Debbie & Terry Austin

$2.5K+

Terry & Debbi Austin, Florence & Chris Bunten, Gulfcoast Community Foundation, William Johnson, Red Wing Shoes of Bradenton, Alisha Tyler-Lohr & Ethan Vail, Bill & Rose Johnson, Homewell Care Services

$1K+

Buchmeier Family Trust, Samantha Fuller

$500+

Cathi Bell, Brent & Stacy Pinkerton

$250+

Jason Ellis, Anna Lee Ernst, Steve & Nancy Johnson, Mary Howell, Serenna Jones, Shawn Sellitti, Emily Uritz, Susan Talbot, Bill Troetel & Margo Schneeloch, Patrick Mounce, Sarah Conte, Joseph Tricarico, Zachary Tudor, Julie Wells

$100+

Allynid M. Bunten, Daniel Cole, Live Coleman, Ellen Kramer, Donald & Barbara McFatrich, Boyd Parris, Julie Pinkerton, Sue Rupp, Wallace Schroeder, Catherine Seress, Sherrie L. Shirky, Lisa Taylor, Ann Thompson, Suzanne Williams Donald Anderson, Laura Grieme, Erica M. Fults, Cindy Maloney, Linda Mangold, India Miller, Mark Montagna, Dianne Polletta, Emily Rizzo Ashley Averi, Mary Abbruzzese, Theresa Arena, Rebeca Arrigall-Watkins, Max Augsburger, Ariel Blue, Roger J Boulanger, Giovanni Bruschetta, Eric Charping, Jacquelyn Cetola, Chesselica Davidson, Laura Dessauer, Joan Ennis, Beth Girgis, Kathleen Horne, Elizabeth Kamm, Francis M. Kelly, Kim Kollar, Jalex Leissler, Kennedy Lollar, Amanda Martin Nunes, Theodore Medrek, Sherrie McKinley, Susan Murphy, Laura Murray, Gregory Sitnek, David Stein & Hannah Murphy, Gina Sussi, Sudi Van Dien, Julie Wells, Maurie West, Jen Zak

$50+

$5+