HANDS ON A HARDBODY book by Doug Wright lyrics by Amanda Green music by Trey Anastasio & Amanda Green
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati dedicates our production of Hands on a Hardbody in memory of our beloved friend and steadfast champion Rich Postler.
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D. Lynn Meyers, Producing Artistic Director
HANDS ON A HARDBODY Book by DOUG WRIGHT Lyrics by AMANDA GREEN Music by TREY ANASTASIO & AMANDA GREEN Directed by D. LYNN MEYERS†
June 8 – 30, 2024 Scenic & Lighting Designer BRIAN c . MEHRING
Music Director STEVE GOERS
Sound Designer MATT CALLAHAN Technical Director JACOB DOWELL
Choreographer CHAZ WOLCOTT
Costume Designer CAT SCHMEAL-SWOPE
Properties Curator/Design Assistant SHANNON RAE LUTZ Production Stage Manager MICHELE A. KAY*
Assistant Stage Manager LEXI MULLER*
THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION IS A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW AND AN ACTIONABLE FEDERAL OFFENSE.
HANDS ON A HARDBODY is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
*Member belongs to Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. This theatre operates under an agreement between Actors’ Equity Association, Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States. Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.
†
PREMIERE SPONSORS Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard
TRUCK SPONSORS Rich Postler & Manuel Hernandez
MUSIC SPONSORS
ARTIST SPONSOR
Damon, Holly, & Deej Ragusa
Messer Construction Co.
OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR The Grant & Ross Family in honor of Fred & Sondra Ross
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The arts reveal what matters most. PNC is proud to support Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. The arts make us think, make us feel, and make us wonder. Thank you for helping to make our community a beautiful place.
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©2023 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 1221-018-1951005
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2023–2024 SPONSORS
SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
SEASON FUNDER
OPERATING SUPPORT
FAIRY GODMOTHER SPONSOR
SEASON SUPPORT City of Cincinnati Susan Friedlander Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation Mitchell S. and Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation The Shubert Foundation IN-KIND SUPPORT Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, Interpreter Training Program
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2023–2024 sponsors
SEASON TICKET SPONSOR
EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, & INCLUSION SPONSOR
EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, & INCLUSION SUPPORT Anonymous (3) Arts Midwest William P. Anderson Foundation Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation Hamilton County Mr. & Mrs. David E. Moccia The Daniel & Susan Pfau Foundation Charles Scott Riley III Foundation The John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Trustee Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation The Thaman Family Fund Jennifer Verkamp
Building better lives for our customers, community and each other.
Messer Construction Co. is proud to sponsor Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s
Hands on a Hardbody Musical “Messer’s enduring partnership with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati exemplifies their unwavering commitment to the arts and community enrichment.”
messer.com @messerwearebldg
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CAST & CREW CAST Frank Nugent............................................................................................................ MICHAEL G. BATH* Mike Ferris....................................................................................................................... JAMIE CORDES* Heather Stovall.............................................................................................................. DENISE DEVLIN* JD Drew.................................................................................................................................PHIL FIORINI* Cindy Barnes....................................................................................................... ANNIE FITZPATRICK* Janis Curtis....................................................................................................................DEB G. GIRDLER* Don Curtis/Dr. Stokes...................................................................................................... JIM HOPKINS* Benny Perkins.................................................................................................................. JARED JOPLIN* Greg Wilhote.........................................................................................................ANDREW MALONEY* Ronald McCowan.................................................................................. DEONDRA KAMAU MEANS Chris Alvaro.................................................................................................. PATRICK EARL PHILLIPS* Kelli Mangrum..............................................................................................................BROOKE STEELE* Jesus Peña...............................................................................................................FRANCO VALERGA Norma Valverde...........................................................................................................ALEAH VASSELL* Virginia Drew................................................................................................................. KATE WILFORD*
RUNNING CREW & UNDERSTUDIES 2nd Assistant Stage Manager...................................................................................DANITZA PIPER Light Board Operator & Dance Captain...................................................................... KG RUCKER Sound Board Operator & Kelli Mangrum u/s............................................... HANNAH BEAVEN Sound Mixer........................................................................................................................JO SANBURG Spot Light Operator & Heather Stovall u/s................................................ MADDI O'CONNELL Spot Light Operator.............................................................................................. ALEC SCHNEIDER Running Crew & Greg Wilhote u/s............................................................JORDAN WHITTAKER Wardrobe Crew & Norma Valverde u/s..........................................TaSHAUNA AJOI JENKINS
SETTING The Floyd King Nissan Dealership; Longview, Texas, in 1995.
*Member belongs to Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.
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cast & crew
CAST & CREW PRODUCTION TEAM Assistant Stage Manager............................................................................................... LEXI MULLER* Associate Technical Director..................................................................................... JACK MURPHY Associate Production Manager & Master Electrician................................... CHRIS LIPSTREU Scenic Charge Artist & Production Associate........................................... MELISSA BENNETT Costume Shop Manager.........................................................................HANNAH DRINGENBURG Wardrobe Supervisor......................................................................................................EMILY MISALI Sound Technicians........................................................................NICK KOEHLKE & SAM DEVLIN Intimacy & Movement Choreographer......................................................................... ERIN CARR Carpenter & Load-In Tech...................................................................................... NATHAN NEORR
This production will be performed with one intermission. Approximate running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes.
PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES. NO TEXTING.
1212 Jackson St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 artacademy.edu
cast & crew
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SONG LIST ACT ONE "Human Drama Kind of Thing".............................................................................................Company "If I Had This Truck"...................................................................................................................Company "If She Don't Sleep"....................................................................................Janis Curtis & Don Curtis "My Problem Right There"......................................................................................Ronald McCowan "Alone with Me"........................................................................................... Virginia Drew & JD Drew "Burn That Bridge".............................................................................Heather Stovall & Mike Ferris "I'm Gone"........................................................................................... Kelli Mangrum & Greg Wilhote "Joy of the Lord"..................................................................................Norma Valverde & Company "Stronger".......................................................................................................Chris Alvaro & Company "Hunt with the Big Dogs".....................................................................Benny Perkins & Company
ACT TWO "Hands on a Hardbody"....................................................................... Frank Nugent & Mike Ferris "Born in Laredo".............................................................................................Jesus Peña & Company "Alone with Me (Reprise)"........................................................................................................JD Drew "It's a Fix".......................................................................................................Janis Curtis & Don Curtis "Used to Be".......................................................................... Benny Perkins, JD Drew, & Company "It's a Fix (Reprise)"...................................................................................................... Heather Stovall "God Answered My Prayers"....................................................................................... Benny Perkins "Joy of the Lord (Reprise)".................. Ronald McCowan, Chris Alvaro, & Norma Valverde "Keep Your Hands on It".........................................................................................................Company
ETC ESSENTIALS Dive even deeper into each show with a FREE conversation series that explores our productions’ themes and context with local scholars and community members. These start an hour before show time.
Hands on a Hardbody | JUNE 23, 2024
Admission is FREE, but reservations are recommended! Reserve online or through the ETC Box Office
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Song List
The Citrus Collection
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ABOUT US OUR MISSION Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich, and inspire our audiences. OUR HISTORY From its founding in 1986, ETC has focused on providing an artistic home for local theatre professionals, including serving as a training ground for young artists. Each season, ETC produces a lineup devoted to the newest in contemporary theatre that attracts a diverse audience of 30,000 to more than 220 performances. Our work also includes education and engagement programs centered on introducing the performing arts to students from under-resourced schools and children with disabilities. Combined, our productions and educational programs strive to fulfill ETC’s vision of creating an urban arts district that is accessible to all.
(513) 421–3555 1127 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 www.ensemblecincinnati.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Jeffrey Schloemer, Chair Linda Holthaus, President Kathy Burklow, Vice President Alex Schutte, Vice President Mike Schueler, Treasurer Holly Brians Ragusa, Secretary DIRECTORS Erica Bock Otto M. Budig, Jr. Kwesi Calliste Tom Carothers Kathy DeLaura Charles H. Gerhardt, III Beverly A. Grant Mark Haggard Stephen M. King Anthony McNamara D. Lynn Meyers, ex officio Shekhar Mitra Erica Osborn Maura Schilling Mary Stagaman Ashlee Young DIRECTORS EMERITI Skip Hickenlooper Edward G. Marks FOUNDERS' CIRCLE Ruth D. & John Sawyer Ken & Mary "Murph" Mahler Dr. Charles O. Carothers Mitchell S. Meyers
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. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre. INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING?
Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.
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Contact our team at Cincinnati Magazine for information: advertise@CincinnatiMagazine.com
ABOUT ETC
OUR STAFF LEADERSHIP
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
ARTISTIC
OPERATIONS
D. Lynn Meyers, The Ruth Dennis Sawyer/Mary Taft Mahler Producing Artistic Director & Chief Executive Officer Michael R. Zimmer, CPA, CGMA, Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Brian c. Mehring, Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer Shannon Rae Lutz, Properties Curator, Design Assistant, & Director of Apprentice Programming Melissa Bennett, Scenic Charge Artist & Production Associate Torie Wiggins, Artistic Associate Professional Apprentices: Hannah Beaven • Sam Devlin TaShauna Ajoi Jenkins • Maddi O'Connell Danitza Piper • KG Rucker • Jordan Whittaker
DEVELOPMENT
Jennifer Joplin, Director of Development
EDUCATION
Victoria Aslanides, Director of Education Emily Bush, Education Associate Daniela Nenova, Education Associate Emmy Rice, Education Associate Elexis Selmon, Education Associate
Jocelyn Meyer, Director of Marketing & Communications Amy J. Barbian, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications Rachel Kazee, Digital Marketing Manager Becca Schall, Creative Media Producer
Jared D. Doren, Programming & Events Manager Nick Ligon, Head of Security Anna Sheridan, Administrative Coordinator
PATRON SERVICES
Amy Weinstock, Box Office Manager Patrick Bayne, Lead House Manager Box Office Associates/House Managers: Ezra Burgin • Gabby Casto • David Ludwig Emmy Rice • Sharisse Santos • Becca Schall
PRODUCTION
Jacob Dowell Technical Director Jack Murphy, Associate Technical Director Chris Lipstreu, Associate Production Manager & Master Electrician Hannah Dringenburg, Costume Shop Manager Emily Misali, Wardrobe Supervisor Nathan Neorr, Carpenter & Load-In Tech
STAGE MANAGEMENT
Lexi Muller, Assistant Stage Manager
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati acknowledges that we gather on the unceded and stolen territories of the Hopewell, Adena, Myaamia (Miami), Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee), and Wazhazhe Ma'zha' (Osage) peoples. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it since time immemorial.
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DIRECTOR'S NOTES “If you love something, keep your hands on it.” A few weeks ago, as I listened to the first read-through of Hands on a Hardbody, I realized that this show is a metaphor for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. ETC is the truck. It’s an engine currently roaring and taking us down the road to the future. It is something we can all come together to support, nourish, and yes, love. There is no easy path to tomorrow, but if we have the right vehicle we can get there. A decade ago, OTR was not the neighborhood it is today, but ETC put the pedal to the metal and drove change forward by parking our hearts and art on the 1100 block of Vine Street. Ten years ago, we got a truck into this building with less than an eighth of an inch to spare on either side, but we did it. Now, as we pave the road forward, pulling out of the shadows of the shuttering of our doors and the isolation of our audiences, we must keep going. You are our fuel. Go ahead and hold onto the mission and vision that ETC embodies. We need you to attend and share the word about our work on stage and in the community. “It’s a human drama kind of thing,” this play, this theatre, this moment. Thank you for coming to see this production. Thanks to those who have helped give us the green light for decades. Now together, let’s race on to all that tomorrow holds. HANDS ON! —D. Lynn Meyers
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Director's Notes
FOR THE JOY OF DISCOVERY Materials inspired by Hands on a Hardbody courtesy of The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.
BOOKS
MOVIES
Your Caption Has Been Selected:
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
More Than Anyone Could Possibly Want to Know About the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest by Victoria Belim
Thin Air
by Kellie M. Parker
MUSIC Hands on A Hardbody: Original Broadway Cast Recording by Trey Anastasio
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
Wild Dances
Borrow these and other show-inspired materials online or at your nearest library.
My Queer and Curious Journey to Eurovision by Jamie Day
Cruzita and the Mariacheros by Ashley Jean Granillo
in OTR |
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PLAY IN PROGRESS The cast of Hands on a Hardbody.
Denise Devlin, Aleah Vassell, & Franco Valerga.
Andrew Maloney, Jamie Cordes, & Brooke Steele.
The cast of Hands on a Hardbody.
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Play in Progress
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ThE ULTIMATE TRUCK-A-THON Before becoming a Tony-nominated musical, Hands on a Hardbody was a cult-favorite documentary (and a Quentin Tarantino go-to movie recommendation) about its real namesake 1995 competition in Longview, Texas, where contestants kept one hand on a truck for as long as possible until only one remained, the winner driving home with it. The incredible stories and inherent drama that unfold in the movie caught the attention and inspiration of musical creators Doug Wright, Amanda Green, and Trey Anastasio. Though the musical is a fictionalized version of real events, much of it is taken directly from the documentary, including characters and even lines and song lyrics! Enjoy a spoiler-free guide to some ways this one-of-a-kind musical matches up with real life. Human Drama Kind of Thing Released in 1997, the documentary was directed by recent film student graduate S. R. Bindler, who’d stumbled upon the competition when visiting his hometown of Longview. He saw potential for a movie and planned to film the next one, saying, “If we caught magic, great—if not, I’d have enough material to write a script. We caught magic.” The competition itself was also cleverly called “Hands on a Hardbody,” referring to a specific series of Nissan pickup trucks nicknamed “Hardbodies” for their doublewalled beds. Manufactured from 1985 until 1997, these trucks were known for their durability and utility as well as their unique style. This specific competition in Longview began in 1992, where every year, hopefuls entered their names, and 24 contestants were randomly drawn. Contenders had to keep one gloved hand on the truck at all times, and whoever kept theirs on the longest won it. They had to remain standing, unable to lean or squat, but were given a 5-minute break every hour and a 15-minute break every 6 hours. The 1995 competition lasted for 78 hours, a contest of intense mental and physical endurance and sleep deprivation. As per the documentary’s website, “Capturing several days of lunacy, laughter, struggle and heartbreak, Hands on a Hardbody is more than a documentary about winning a truck. It is a remarkable study of competition, camaraderie, faith, and determination—the ultimate human drama.” Keep Your Hands on It Some characters in the musical are completely fictionalized, but most of the contestants take at least some inspiration from the real-life competitors. Writer Doug Wright revealed that eight stories were borrowed from the film for the musical. The character of Heather shares story points with Angie and Kerri in the documentary, and Greg’s wish to be a stuntman in California is quoted directly from a contender the 1995 film. Several characters are more than just inspired by the real Texans. Kelli Mangrum, JD Drew, Janis Curtis, Benny Perkins, Norma Valverde, and Ronald McCowan were all actual competitors in the 1995 “Hands on a Hardbody” competition, and most of them attended the opening night of the Broadway musical. Many of their plights, strategies, and eventual falls mirror real life. In fact, Benny had actually won the 1992 competition, irking several other contestants (though he had much more empathy towards his fellow contestants in reality than in the musical). Likewise, Norma listened to gospel music
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the ultimate truck-a-thon
on repeat, Ronald ate Snickers and oranges, and Janis’s husband Don encouraged her through reverse psychology while wearing a hand-constructed cardboard hat saying “I love you Janis! Go baby go!” Other plot points and even some dialogue came from the movie too. During the actual competition, Norma would fall into bouts of laughter, sparking others to laugh along with her; JD Drew was the oldest contestant; and Don Curtis bragged about his 20ton home AC unit. Benny’s line about the movie Highlander and how “there can only be one” is pulled directly from his talking head interview as is his confession that only a US Marine could beat him. Likewise, one of the people who inspired Heather said, “I may not have time to take a bath, but I’ll have plenty of time to squirt a bunch of perfume on,” while a younger contestant who inspired Greg shared his embarrassment of driving a Volkswagen Bug in a town full of trucks. Several songs also have their roots in real quotes. Early in the documentary, when explaining what makes this competition so compelling, Benny says, “It’s a human drama thing,” sparking the opening number, and another of his sayings was also deemed lyric worthy: “If you can’t hunt with the big dogs, you get up on the porch with the pups.” Other songs inspired by direct quotes are “My Problem Right There,” “If She Don’t Sleep,” “Joy of the Lord,” and the finale! As the 1995 winner was filmed driving in their new truck, they were asked one thing they learned from the whole thing. Their response? “If you really want something, keep your hands on it.” If I Had This Truck Something else both the documentary and the musical have in common is the emphasis on just how hard this contest is. Having won before, Benny speaks to both the physical and mental challenges involved. Many of the ways characters in the show lose are based on ways their real-life counterparts or other contestants lost. In the 1995 contest, most people who bowed out within the first day did so because of physical issues, such as their backs and feet hurting. Meanwhile, those who lasted longer frequently lost because of lack of sleep with some stepping away due to exhaustion and others making simple mistakes while in a state of delirium. Both the documentary director and the musical creators were captivated by the real people with stakes trying to win this truck and willing to subvert themselves to sleep deprivation and painful physical feats to make it happen. For them, it was much more than a truck. None of them entered their names and showed up for fun—they all came with bills to pay, mouths to feed, jobs to do, and life loads that would be eased with a new vehicle. Over the 78 hours of the contest, the competitors created intense bonds with each other, and many came back after losing to support other contenders. Even Benny said that competing with folks in this tense and taut contest is a lesson in empathy: “You basically learn the values of humanity, the values that you would put on another human being, because you see other people struggling, fighting the same thing you’re fighting, wanting the same thing you’re wanting, and you see them lose. That has value, even losing, because they at least tried. And there’s not many triers in the world today.”
the ultimate truck-a-thon
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CAST MICHAEL G. BATH (Frank Nugent) was last seen at Ensemble Theatre in the world premiere of Fiona: The Musical, The Dancing Princesses, and Tiny Beautiful Things, as well as Crabble in Fly By Night, Eddie in The Legend of Georgia McBride, Ian Smithton in The Other Place, and Adam in Next Fall. He also played Duke Salinus and Dr. Pinch in The Comedy of Errors at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Michael is a graduate of Wilmington College and is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association. Much love to his wife Tricia and dog Misha. JAMIE CORDES (Mike Ferris) is excited to make his debut with Ensemble Theatre! His favorite recent roles include Squire Western in the world premiere of This is Tom Jones!, Light Keeper in the world premiere of Sweet Lousia, Robert in The Bridges of Madison County, Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd, Harold in The Full Monty, Beauregard J. P. Burnside in Mame, Ed in Torch Song Trilogy, and Dan in Next to Normal. Other credits include performances with Short North Stage, Rockwell Productions, Seaside Music Theatre, Ozarks Lyric Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Ohio Light Opera, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and others. Jamie is a resident artist with The Human Race Theatre Company and a senior lecturer in the Wright State University School of Fine and Performing Arts. DENISE DEVLIN (Heather Stovall) (she/her) is thrilled to be returning to the Ensemble Theatre stage after nine years abroad! Her most recent credits include the Australian national tours of Mamma Mia!, Shrek the Musical, and Kinky Boots. Her favorite Cincinnati credits include The Marvelous Wonderettes, Winter Wonderettes, Man of La Mancha, The Elephant Man, and Urinetown. She has been a featured singer onboard Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line and in the Australian regional productions of Rent, High Fidelity, and Merrily We Roll Along. She will soon be calling Chicago home after eleven years in Australia and looks forward to new adventures with her family. PHIL FIORINI (JD Drew) was last seen at Ensemble Theatre in What the Constitution Means to Me, as well as Fly By Night, Violet, Alice in Wonderland (2019), Hands on a Hardbody (2014), and others. He performed in the Broadway national tours of The Lion King (Pumbaa) and Greater Tuna. Some of his Cincinnati credits include A Flea in Her Ear with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and The Realistic Joneses with Clifton Performance Theatre. Some of his Kansas City credits include La Cage Aux Folles and The Legend of Georgia McBride, Kansas Repertory Theatre; Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, New Theatre & Restaurant; Mauritius and Dirty Blonde, Unicorn Theatre; Finian’s Rainbow, Spinning Tree Theatre; Twelfth Night and King Lear, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival; and Inspecting Carol and Little Women, Kansas City Actors Theatre. Phil was seen in the film Dark Waters. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
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Cast
Claire Slemmer, Ginny Hoffman, & Ophelia Kelly Azariah in The Sleeping Beauty, 1990. Photo by Sandy Underwood.
CAST ANNIE FITZPATRICK (Cindy Barnes) (she/her) recently appeared in Morning Sun at Ensemble Theatre, where some of her favorite credits include The Wolves, Luna Gale, Hands on a Hardbody (2014), Next Fall, Rabbit Hole, and String of Pearls. She recently appeared in Steel Magnolias at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Indiana Repertory Theatre. She has worked with various regional theatres including American Stage, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Geva Theatre, Florida Stage, and Florida Studio. Her TV and film credits include Chicago P.D., Those Who Kill, Army Wives, White Noise, Dark Waters, The Old Man and the Gun, Fun Size, Milk Money, and the upcoming films Mr. Manhattan and Hauntology.
DEB G. GIRDLER (Janis Curtis) began her career on the Showboat Majestic, attended University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, and has worked off-Broadway, in regional theatre, and in summer stock for over fifty years. Some of her favorite productions at Ensemble Theatre include Good People, Three Viewings, Three Tall Women, and The Last Session; her favorite roles also include playing the villainess in many ETC holiday productions. Deb is listed in the official scripts of several shows as a cast member of the premiere productions, including the stage version of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Hoodwinked! The Musical, and It Runs in the Family. She can be seen in the films Carol with Cate Blanchett and First Kill with Bruce Willis.
JIM HOPKINS (Don Curtis/Dr. Stokes) (he/him) is very excited to return to Ensemble Theatre for round two of Hands on a Hardbody! He is originally from Nebraska and spent many years performing in the Dallas area but has called Cincinnati home for over fifteen years. Among his many roles at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, he has been Sergeant Rough in the world premiere of Gaslight by Stephen Dietz, LBJ in All the Way, Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Mr. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar, and Lennie in Of Mice and Men. Other past appearances include The Liar and School for Wives, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey; The Manbeast, Know Theatre of Cincinnati; Romeo and Juliet, The Human Race Theatre Company; and Jerry Springer: The Opera, Playhouse on the Square in Memphis. In 2017, Jim wrote and performed White Privilege for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Jim holds an MFA from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Cast
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CAST JARED JOPLIN (Benny Perkins) (he/him) is revved up to return to the Ensemble Theatre stage after appearing with his sister Jen Joplin in The Match Game. As a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, he has worked locally and regionally in New York and Canada. His favorite musical roles include The Sound of Music, The Carnegie; Don’t Cross the Streams, Falcon Theatre; Booty: A Pirate Musical, Cincinnati Fringe Festival; Smoke on the Mountain, The New Theatre STL; and Another Brick in the Wall, Cincinnati Opera, as well as the numerous roles he has performed in his car during his commute on I-75 from Dayton. Jared is thankful to his family, his friends, and his lovely wife Erin. Special thanks to Lynn and Steve for taking a chance! He dedicates this show to Janie (who taught him how to love music) and his best friend of almost thirty years, James (who taught him how to love singing again). JAB and JOP in July, my brother!
ANDREW MALONEY (Greg Wilhote) (he/him) is thrilled to be returning to the Ensemble Theatre stage, where he was last seen as Zander/Pelican/Dance Captain in Fiona: The Musical this past holiday season! His other ETC credits include Radio Singer/Earl in Violet, Man #2/Reggie in First Date, Dormouse in Alice in Wonderland, and many other holiday shows. Internationally, Andrew appeared as Action in the Ecuadorian premiere of West Side Story at the Teatro Nacional Sucre in Quito, Ecuador. He would like to thank Lynn and the entire ETC family for giving him this opportunity, the cast for making this experience so incredible, and his family and friends for their continued love and support! When not on stage, Andrew is a licensed real estate agent. He has a BFA in musical theatre from Northern Kentucky University and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Instagram: @maloneya1
DEONDRA KAMAU MEANS (Ronald McCowan) (he/him) was born and raised in Cincinnati and discovered his love for the arts through music at church and at Cincinnati’s School for the Creative and Performing Arts. There, he got involved with all aspects of the arts— technical theatre, piano, choir, drama, and musical theatre. He completed an internship where he served in many aspects of the work, including acting tour roles, office support, and fundraising, at the St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre. Deondra has owned his own theatre company, Kuumba People of Color Theatre Ensemble, and spent over two decades as The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Resident Playwright. But Deondra has always been interested in arts integration and arts expression, helping to develop social skills and self-esteem in children and highlighting social justice issues.
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Cast
CAST PATRICK EARL PHILLIPS (Chris Alvaro) (he/him) is so grateful to be back at Ensemble Theatre, where he most recently hopped into the understudy role of Jason in Sweat. His favorite ETC credits include Luna Gale, Bloomsday, Fly By Night, This Random World, and Violet. Recent regional credits include Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Wrecking Ball with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and This is Tom Jones! and Around the World in 80 Days with The Human Race Theatre Company. In July, Patrick will be in a production of tick, tick… BOOM! at The Carnegie in Covington. He is also an active student with the Society of American Fight Directors. He would like to thank Lynn, Steve, and his loving family for all their support. www.PatrickEPhillips.com
BROOKE STEELE (Kelli Mangrum) (she/her) was recently seen at Ensemble Theatre in the world premiere of Fiona: The Musical. Some of her favorite ETC credits include Cinderella in Cinderella, Vasilisa in The Frog Princess, Miriam in Fly By Night, Violet in Violet, and Suzy in The Marvelous Wonderettes. Brooke lives in Kennedy Heights with her husband, two daughters, one bunny, and their little black dog.
FRANCO VALERGA (Jesus Peña) (he/him) is thrilled to be making his debut with Ensemble Theatre! Recent credits include the Argentinian production of Dear Evan Hansen as the Evan alternate; 30 Years of Stephen Flaherty at Carnegie Hall in NYC; and Once on This Island with the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He was also a soloist with the American Pops Orchestra at Lincoln Center. Franco is a rising senior at CCM for musical theatre. Gracias a mi familia, a Ro, y mis amigos! Los quiero mucho! Instagram: @francovalerga
LET’S THEATRE TOGETHER @ EnsembleCincy
Cast
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CAST & DIRECTOR ALEAH VASSELL (Norma Valverde) (they/she) is excited to make their Ensemble Theatre debut! She is a Canadian-born, Jamaicanrooted, American singer, actor, and creator. They hold a BFA in musical theatre from Samford University and an MFA in acting from University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Along with being a performer and business owner, Aleah writes musicals, plays, and creates content. Their ten-minute play A Sad Vampire was featured in ETC's Studio Series 10-Minute Connections: Unity this past January. Local theatre work includes The Amen Corner, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; This is Tom Jones!, The Human Race Theatre Company; and The Wiz, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Their favorite roles include Bunny in Detroit '67 and Dionne in Hair at Clarence Brown Theatre, as well as Deloris in Sister Act at Charleston Stage. www.aleahvassell.com
KATE WILFORD (Virginia Drew) (she/her) is delighted to return to this role with this wonderful cast! She was last seen in Ellis Island: The Dream of America with the Cincinnati Pops and Fiona: The Musical with Ensemble Theatre. Some of her favorite ETC credits include Good People, Becky’s New Car, Hands on A Hardbody (2014), and Women of Lockerbie. She has worked at every professional theater here in Cincinnati such as Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Kate has taught theater arts over thirty years and is now working on her yoga teaching certificate. She loves gardening, kayaking, and her talented painter husband Jay. She has been a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association for over forty years and hopes for forty more!
D. LYNN MEYERS (Producing Artistic Director) (she/her) has been with Ensemble Theatre for over twenty-five years, having directed more than a hundred world and regional premieres, including Fun Home, The Wolves, Ripcord, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Hands on a Hardbody, I Am My Own Wife, Next to Normal, Tiny Beautiful Things, and the world premiere of The Dancing Princesses. She began her career as the Associate Artistic Director at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, has directed off-Broadway at the York Theatre, and has directed extensively throughout the US and Canada. As a member of the Casting Society of America, Lynn's recent feature credits include Carol, The Old Man and the Gun, and The Public, in addition to serving as the Location Casting Director for The Shawshank Redemption. Lynn recently directed the world premiere of Fierce for the Cincinnati Opera. She was named a finalist for the Zelda Fichandler National Award in 2011, is a past recipient of the YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award, and received the 2018 Rosa F. and Samuel B. Sachs Fund Prize for her regional arts impact and leadership.
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Cast & Director
CREATIVE TEAM DOUG WRIGHT'S (Playwright) play Quills premiered at Washington, D.C.'s Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in 1995 and subsequently had its debut off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop. Quills garnered the 1995 Kesselring Prize for Best New American Play from the National Arts Club and, for Wright, a 1996 Village Voice Obie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Playwriting. In 2000, Wright wrote the screenplay for the film version of Quills, which starred Geoffrey Rush. Wright’s I Am My Own Wife was produced off-Broadway by Playwrights Horizons in 2003. It transferred to Broadway, where it won the Tony Award for Best Play as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The subject of this one-person play, which starred Jefferson Mays, is the German transvestite Charlotte von Mahlsdorf. In 2006, Wright wrote the book for Grey Gardens. The musical is based on the Maysles brothers’ 1975 film documentary of the same title about Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale (“Big Edie”) and her daughter, Edith Bouvier Beale (“Little Edie”), Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s aunt and cousin. He adapted the Disney film The Little Mermaid for the Broadway musical, which opened in 2007. In 2009, he was commissioned by the La Jolla Playhouse to adapt and direct Creditors by August Strindberg. In another La Jolla commission, he wrote the book for the musical Hands on a Hardbody, with the score by Amanda Green and Trey Anastasio. The musical had a brief run on Broadway in March and April 2013 after premiering at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2012. He teamed up with the musician and lyricist from Grey Gardens to write the musical War Paint, which played on Broadway in 2017, and his comedic play Good Night, Oscar premiered at the Goodman in 2021 and on Broadway in 2023. For television, Wright worked on four pilots for producer Norman Lear and teleplays for Hallmark Entertainment and HBO. In film, Wright’s credits include screenplays for Fine Line Features, Fox Searchlight, and DreamWorks SKG. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and serves on the board of New York Theatre Workshop. He is a recipient of the William L. Bradley Fellowship at Yale University, the Charles MacArthur Fellowship at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, an HBO Fellowship in playwriting, and the Alfred Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University. In 2010 he was named a United States Artists Fellow. Mr. Wright lives in New York City with his partner, songwriter David Clement.
COMING SOON Presented by ETC's 2023-2024 Professional Apprentice Company
JULY 12 – 14
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CREATIVE TEAM AMANDA GREEN (Lyricist & Co-Composer) is a Tony-nominated lyricist and composer. She is the recipient of the 2013 Frederic Loewe Award from the Dramatists Guild (with collaborator Trey Anastasio) for her music for Hands on a Hardbody, one of two musicals she premiered on Broadway in the 2012-2013 season. She also co-wrote the lyrics for Bring It On. For her work on Hands, she was nominated for a Tony Award, Two Drama Desk Awards (music, lyrics), and an Outer Critics Circle Award. She was nominated for a third Drama Desk Award the same year for her lyrics (with Lin-Manuel Miranda) for Bring It On. She wrote the lyrics for Mr. Saturday Night, starring Billy Crystal and with music written by Jason Robert Brown, for which she and Brown received a Tony nomination in 2022. Additional credits include High Fidelity (lyrics) and Stars of David (original songs; 2013; DR2 Theater). Arthur Laurents asked her to write additional lyrics for the revival of Hallelujah Baby (Arena Stage, directed by Mr. Laurents). For the Love of Tiffany: A Wifetime Original Musical (lyricist, co-star; NY Fringe Festival); “Put a Little Love in Your Mouth! The Songs of Amanda Green” (Second Stage Theater, Joe’s Pub); Up the Week Without a Paddle (2001 LADCC Nomination (Best Score), Backstage's Garland Award (Best Score). She is also an award-winning performer (2 MAC Awards, BISTRO Award) who performs her work, along with Broadway stars, in concerts everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Birdland to The Bluebird Café in Nashville. She has acted in musicals on Broadway and regionally, including originating the role of Gary Coleman in Avenue Q at The O’Neill Center. Legendary guitarist Trey Anastasio performs songs he and Amanda have co-written in arena concerts around the country with his bands Phish and TAB. Other Awards include The Jonathan Larson Award and The Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Abe Olman Award. She wrote episodes for the kids television show The Wonder Pets. She is an alumni of the BMI Musical Theater Workshop and received her BA from Brown University. Proud member of the Dramatists Guild.
For more content about this production, including behindthe-scenes photos, videos, interviews, and more, visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org
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Creative Team
CREATIVE TEAM TREY ANASTASIO (Co-Composer) is a composer, guitarist, and vocalist that has forged a multi-faceted career, winning acclaim in rock, classical, and theatrical circles over the past three decades. He is a founding member of Phish, one of today’s most successful and innovative rock bands. In the summer of 2017, Phish completed a residency at the world-renowned Madison Square Garden in New York—an unprecedented 13-night run known as The Baker’s Dozen. Phish’s total number of performances at the famed arena currently sits at 64. Anastasio has received Grammy nominations for his recordings with Phish and for his solo work. He has collaborated with such artists as Dave Matthews, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Toots and the Maytals, B.B. King and The Roots, and—as part of the trio Oysterhead—Les Claypool (Primus) and Stewart Copeland (The Police). He co-wrote the music for the Broadway musical Hands on a Hardbody, which received a Tony nomination for Best Original Score in 2013. In the summer of 2015, Anastasio joined the surviving four members of the Grateful Dead for five stadium shows, which celebrated the band’s 50th anniversary and served as their farewell shows. Anastasio has performed his original compositions with numerous symphonies. The New York Times hailed his Carnegie Hall performance with the New York Philharmonic as “that rarest of rarities, a classical-rock hybrid that might please partisans from both constituencies.” In 2014, he debuted a new piece for guitar and orchestra, entitled Petrichor, on a west coast orchestral tour that concluded with a performance at the Hollywood Bowl, marking his second performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In April 2019, Anastasio released his fourteenth solo album, Ghosts of the Forest, which Rolling Stone said was “built around psychedelic guitar liftoffs, ambitious arrangements, and extremely personal lyrics.” Between Me and My Mind, a film documenting Trey’s creative process, debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and played a sold-out limited run engagement in theaters this past summer.
1125 BAR Series PRESENTS
ETC Cabaret
Join us for a late night 60-minute cabaret of country music performed by ETC favorites! JUNE 29 @ 10:00 PM
TICKETS: $20 per person, reservations required.
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$10 Million by March 27, 2026
* * *
Strengthen the theatre’s core operating budget Pursue ambitious artistic opportunities while building financial resilience Create an endowment as a self-sustaining, nimble resource for the future
Kick-Off Champions Harry & Linda Fath Digi & Mike Schueler
Shekhar & Anu Mitra
Friedlander Family Fund
Ellen & Ray van der Horst
Western & Southern
Ginger Warner
John Barrett
Jacklyn & Gary Bryson
Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati embodies the tenacious qualities that characterize the Greater Cincinnati region: resilience, artistic passion, and pushing the creative envelope. While our neighborhood has blossomed in recent decades and ranks among the top destinations for residents and visitors alike, we are grateful that nearly 40 years ago, our pioneering founders foresaw what a meaningful investment in the arts could have on local communities. In that same spirit, our 40th Anniversary Campaign will set the stage for our 2025–2026 Season and beyond. Gifts to this milestone campaign are not only lasting investments in the future of theatre but are also bold reaffirmations to the vibrancy of our region.
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PRODUCTION TEAM BRIAN c. MEHRING (Scenic & Lighting Designer) (he/him) has designed more than one hundred productions at Ensemble Theatre. His favorite productions include Thom Pain (based on nothing), Next to Normal, 33 Variations, Freud's Last Session, and I Am My Own Wife. Brian’s regional favorites for set design include The Last 5 Years and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Henry IV, Part 1, The Georgia Shakespeare Festival; and I Am My Own Wife, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Peterborough Players, and Florida Studio Theatre.
STEVE GOERS (Music Director) is thrilled to return as music director at Ensemble Theatre, where some of his credits include Fun Home, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, and Grey Gardens as conductor and keyboardist. He is a member of the musical theatre faculty at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music and has worked locally with theatres throughout the region, including Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, The Carnegie, Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and NKU. Steve has composed numerous works for a variety of media including ten feature film scores and twenty internationally produced musicals for young audiences. He has toured the U.S. and Africa with productions of Barnum, Jersey Boys, and Bubbling Brown Sugar and was featured as pianist and session producer on the album Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends Pulling Together, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Children’s Album. When not doing shows, Steve is a keyboardist and vocalist in several local bands including the Clyde Brown Band, the Ultrasonics, Aja: A Tribute to Steely Dan, and Just Strange Brothers. He is a graduate of the DePaul University School of Music and UC-CCM.
CHAZ WOLCOTT (Choreographer) (he/him) is ecstatic to join the Ensemble Theatre family with Hands on a Hardbody! His Broadway choreography credits include Red Bucket Follies, Broadway Backwards, and Gypsy of the Year. He directed and choreographed regionally for Music Theatre Wichita, The Gateway, 3D Theatricals, Westport Country Playhouse, Forestburgh Playhouse, Short North Stage, Millbrook Playhouse, Woodstock Playhouse, and Interlakes Theatre. Chaz has served as an assistant professor of musical theatre at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and at Penn State University. He holds an MFA in theatre from the University of Idaho and earned his BFA in dance from Oklahoma City University. Chaz thanks Lynn and Torie for bringing him on board! Thank YOU for joining us! www.chazwolcott.com
CAT SCHMEAL-SWOPE (Costume Designer) is a costume designer in the Greater Cincinnati area and the costume shop manager at Northern Kentucky University. Various costume design credits include Torch Song and The African Company Presents Richard III, NKU; Looped and Around the World in 80 Days, The Human Race Theatre Company; Little Shop of Horrors, The Carnegie; Daddy Long Legs, CATCO; Othello, The Ohio State University/Royal Shakespeare Company; and True West, Minnesota State University. Cat holds an MFA in theatre design from Ohio State University and a BFA in theatre with an emphasis in costumes from NKU.
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Production Team
PRODUCTION TEAM MATT CALLAHAN (Sound Designer) (he/him) was the Resident Sound Designer for Actors Theatre of Louisville for seven seasons. Some of his recent designs for Ensemble Theatre include Queen, Cinderella, and Pipeline. He was also a co-creator/designer of Rock n’ Roll: The Reunion Tour. He spent two seasons as the Resident Sound Designer at The Eugene O’Neil Center for their National Playwrights Conference. He was formerly the sound engineer for Steppenwolf Theatre, the Assistant Engineer for Blue Man Chicago, and a member of the disbanded Defiant Theatre. He received a Jeff Citation for Red Dragon, a nomination for Fortinbras, and a Kevin Kline nomination for Sherlock Holmes. SHANNON RAE LUTZ (Properties Curator/Design Assistant) (she/her) earned her Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music in 1996 and became the properties curator at Ensemble Theatre. Trained as a performer, she first appeared on ETC’s stage during the 1988-1989 New Works Festival. In 1991, she was granted an ETC internship. Now the director of apprentice programming, she is honored to guide ETC’s Professional Apprentice Company. Shannon would like to thank D. Lynn Meyers, Ruth Sawyer, and the Cincinnati theatre community and patrons for their generous, supportive, and tenacious spirit. JACOB DOWELL (Technical Director) (he/him) is thrilled to be in his second season at Ensemble Theatre, this time as technical director. Jacob is a graduate of Morehead State University where he received a BA in theatre. Some previous technical direction credits include Kinky Boots, The Who’s Tommy, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Jacob would like to thank his family, friends, and cat (Ronnie) for their continued support. MICHELE A. KAY (Production Stage Manager) (she/her) is delighted to be the stage manager for Hands on a Hardbody with Ensemble Theatre! She has been stage managing for over thirty years across all genres, musicals, plays, opera, and dance in a variety of environments including New York, Chicago, and regionally across the United States. She is an associate professor of stage management at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Most recently, Michele authored the essay Already Calm, I’m the Stage Manager for the book Off Headset: Essays on Stage Management Work, Life, and Career edited by Rafael Jean and Christopher Sadler (Routledge Press, 2022) and co-authored The Dance and Opera Stage Manager’s Toolkit with friend and colleague Sue Fenty (Routledge Press, 2024). Michele is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. LEXI MULLER (Assistant Stage Manager) (she/her) is delighted to be back at Ensemble Theatre, where some of her credits include Fun Home, The Wolves, Skeleton Crew, and Fly By Night. Other regional credits include Sex with Strangers, The House, and 26 Pebbles with The Human Race Theatre Company. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and a graduate of Wright State University, where she received her BFA in stage management. Lexi would like to thank her friends, family, and her extraordinary mother for supporting her every step of the way.
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WAYS HEADER A TO GIVE From playwrights to apprentices, and every role in between, your tax-deductible gift to ETC enables us to enlighten, enliven, enrich, and inspire audiences, as well as create a thriving urban arts community accessible to all through our world and regional premiere productions and award-winning Education, Engagement, and Inclusion programs. Become a member of our Ensemble today!
DONATE TODAY
DONATE BY PHONE
The box office will be happy to accept your gift via cash, check, or credit card during intermission or after the show.
Please call (513) 421–3555 and select option 4 to speak with Jen.
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Send a check made out to Ensemble Theatre with "donation" in the memo line to:
To make your gift online, visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org/ support.
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Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Attn: Development 1127 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
BECOME AN ENSEMBLE SUSTAINING DONOR Join an essential group of donors who contribute on a recurring basis throughout the year, providing a steady and predictable stream of income to support programming and operations. Most choose monthly amounts charged to a credit card, but options can be customized to meet your giving goals and needs. Email development@ensemblecincinnati.org to become a Sustaining Donor today.
GIVE WHILE YOU SHOP Before you fill your shopping cart, whether in person or online, designate ETC as your nonprofit beneficiary through the Kroger Community Rewards program. It's easy: you shop and Kroger donates a portion of your purchase amount directly to ETC!
Register your Kroger Plus Card at www.kroger.com and select ETC–organization BM374.
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ways to give
THE PREMIERE SOCIETY The Premiere Society recognizes the extraordinary individuals, families, and organizations whose generosity makes it possible for ETC to present world-class new works and awardwinning education, engagement, and inclusion programming for our community. The following list includes donors whose gifts were received between May 22, 2023 and May 22, 2024.
PLAYWRIGHTS ($20,000+) Anonymous ArtsWave Gale & Dave Beckett Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard City of Cincinnati The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation The Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation* Harry & Linda Fath Friedlander Family Fund Beverly A. Grant Fund* P&G Fund* LKC Foundation The Mitchell S. & Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation Diane & Dave Moccia Ohio Arts Council Ohio Facilities Construction Commission The Daniel & Susan Pfau Foundation PNC Foundation The Shubert Foundation, Inc. Digi & Mike Schueler The Schueler Group State of Ohio Development Services Agency Dale Uetrecht van der Horst Family Fund* Ginger Warner Western & Southern Financial Fund
PRODUCERS ($10,000-$19,999) Anonymous Burton & Susan Closson John & Gloria Goering Family Gift Fund Linda Holthaus & Richard Zinicola† Betty Huck Millstone Fund Palmer/Graber Family Fund Richard Postler & Manuel Hernandez Robert & Adele Schiff Family Foundation Dudley S. Taft Foundation Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation
DIRECTORS ($5,000-$9,999) Nicholas Apanius John Barrett Annette & Tom Carothers Crosset Family Fund* Kay & Jack Geiger William & Mary Jane James The Andrew Jergens Foundation Kenneth T. & Molly M. Mahler
David & Judith Morgan Fund* Damon & Holly Ragusa Moe & Jack Rouse Corky & Rick Family Foundation Rotary Foundation of Cincinnati Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation Jo Ann Wieghaus
DESIGNERS ($2,500-$4,999) Anonymous (3) William P. Anderson Foundation Arts Midwest Marcia Banker & Jeff Schloemer Denise & Martin Chambers Michael Cioffi & Rachael Rowe Family Foundation Fund* Dan Collopy Ehrsam Family Fund* The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Jane & Chip Gerhardt Johnson Investment Counsel Marilyn P. & Joseph W. Hirschhorn Fund* Stephen King & Lynne Miller Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation Anu & Shekhar Mitra P&G Fund* Adam & Heather Ross Family Fund* Jane Ruwet Hopson & Larry Pytlinski Messer Construction Jackie Reau, Game Day Communications Mary Stagaman & Ron Kull Sprout Insight LLC Robert Keith & Kathleen Thornton Keith
STAGE MANAGERS ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous (3) Americana Arts Foundation Gordon Allen & Linda Baas Robert & Janet Banks Judith & Louis Belli Erica Bock Erin Houlihan & John Bostick Bryson Family Charitable Fund Jeff & Gay Bullock Barbara Carr & Bren Blaine Cissell Family Fund* Philip Clayton Philip K. & Anne Lilly Cone* Margaret & Joseph Conway Meredythe G. & Clayton C. Daley, Jr. Family Fund* Kathy DeLaura & Ron Steinhoff Rick & Allison Edwards John Ellmore
Please bring any errors or omissions to our attention by contacting Jen Joplin: jjoplin@ensemblecincinnati.org or (513) 421-3555 x2107.
* A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation † Sustaining Donor
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STAGE MANAGERS CONT. Fencl Family Fund* Bob & Mary Fitzpatrick Gilman Family Fund* Dr. & Mrs. Richard Glaser Karen Grass Linda Greenberg Fund* HalliNguyen Family Charitable Fund Emily M. Hodges & Charles H. Spencer Farrah Jackson Arleene Keller LaMacchia Family Foundation Minda Matthews-Smith Sophia McAllister Anthony & Emily McNamara Eliot Meyers Jill & Bruce Mitchell Pepper Family Fund* Steven & Carol Reubel Mr. & Mrs. Gates T. Richards Charles Scott Riley III Foundation Jessica Ruebusch Alex & Kim Schutte Marvin & Betsy Schwartz Fund* Robert & Eleanor Shott Philanthropic Fund The Sittenfeld Family Norma Skoog Susan & David Smith Jim & Tammy Stephens Family Charitable Fund Richard & Kathleen Strenk Glenda Suttman Gordon & Mary-Anne Thompson Bob & Sue Trusty Jeffrey VanSluys Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Nancy Stratman Richard Wilson
CAST ($500-$999) Anonymous (2) Wilma & Herbert Beigel Malcolm & Glenda Bernstein Fund* The Elaine & Robert Blatt Fund David A. Brashear Charlotte Brooks Dawn & Doug Bruestle Craft Family Fund David Crotty & Joan von Handorf Mark Dauner† Excelsior Accounting Services LLC PJ Fischesser Rachel & Bernard Foster Sandi Gans† Rita & Dennis Geiger Robert Gerding Donn Goebel & Cathy McLeod† Tana Kirkbride & Amit Gupta Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Highley Daniel Hurley Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Matching Gifts Program Amy Katz & Robert Cohen Pinky & Sam Kocoshis Warren Leight Anita & Ed Marks Carol Miller Meibers Norah & Joe Mock John & Deborah Moffatt Bill & Ruth Morley Patti Myers & Alan Flaherty Ms. Kathleen O'Connell & Dr. H. Kenneth Peterson Whitney Owens & David Eslinger Family Fund
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the premiere society
Alice Perlman Presidential Plaza Associates, LTD Hera G. Reines Stephen & Helen Rindsberg J.R. Rulon† Dick & Chris Russell Jayna & Dan Schimberg Jackie Mack & Ted Silberstein Ken & Kathy Skau Sandra Spataro Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Nancy Stratman Beverly A. Thomas Fund* Maureen & Larry Vignola Vinkolet Winery Ann & Victor Warner Pann & Terry Webb Karen & Barry Webb Jay & Kate Wilford Ronna & James Willis Kathryn Wright Wuerdeman Family Fund* Ashlee Young Nora Zorich & Thomas Filardo Family Fund*
RUNNING CREW ($250-$499) Anonymous (2) Mary Ann Bender Mark Bowen† Ann & Lee Bulger Kwesi Calliste Doreen Canton Brenda & Steve Carter Jo-Ann Casuto Nancy Cisneros Elizabeth Clark Carol C. Cole Rev. Dr. Robert W. Croskery & Beverly Croskery, Ph.D. Barbara Cummins Kelly M. Dehan Paul & Bev Diamond† Rick & Tracy Diehl Jessica Dovel Emilie & David Dressler Fund* Dennis & Catherine Dunwoodie† Keith Faber Barbara Feldmann Larry Freeman Jeffrey G Gibson Family Fund Mrs. Madeleine H. Gordon William Groneman & Maureen Flanagan Charitable Fund Kurt & Joanne Grossman The Gumbleton Family Hamilton County, Ohio Marilyn Harris Sue Harris & Meredith Green Bob & Judy Heaton Lyle & Jennifer Horvath James & Robin Huizenga Kimberly Kennedy Sandra Kohn Leslie Korbee & Michele Mascari Mr. & Mrs. Richard Kovarsky Kroger Community Rewards Program Limestone Fund* Anna Lovekin David Logan & Dale Hodges† Charles & Jennifer Margolis David L. Martin Dr. Ralph R. Meyer Drs. Jacqueline & Steven Miller Family
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS! To join our family of contributors with a donation of any size, please contact Jen Joplin: (513) 421-3555 x2107
Neda & Bruce Nutley Paul & Mary Ann Odegard Brett Offenberger & Douglas Duckett Terry & Jill Parsons Neal Patel & Dr. Avani Modi David M. Piatt Fund* Holly Riffe & Sue Roth† Al Roane† Marianne R. Rowe Ross Royce Susan & Clint Schertzer Maura Schilling Schimberg Family Foundation The McCready-Shore Family Eli E. Shupe, Jr. & Toby Ruben† Siegrist Family Fund Sara & Gunter Storjohann Linda Tache Marty C. Tomb Tom & Torey Torre Anita Trotta Rosalie P. van Nuis Priscilla S. Walford Buzz Ward Jeff Wysel Dr. David & Cynthia Zink
APPRENTICES ($125-$249) Anonymous (7) Marjorie & David Aaron Mary Accorinti Amy Alig Michele & Kevin Cain† Rebecca Campbell Patricia & Robert Clary Lee Crooks & Bill Menrath Charles & Lois Deitschel Igor & Jane Dumbadze Ken Eckert Michael Ehrensberger Jo Anne M. Gibbons & John R. Getz Mrs. Madeleine H. Gordon Leslie Gregg-Jolly Ann Hicks Daniel Hoffheimer Marilyn Hurrell Barbara A. Jennings John Kaine Robert Bloom & Alison Kamine* Judith Kenniston Russell Lascelles & Janet Schultz Sherry & Steve McCamley John McDonagh Dr. & Mrs. Richard A. Meyer Wafa J. Nasser, M.D. Patricia & James Neidhard B & B Otting Nancy L. Phelan David & Deborah Pittinger
Beth Powers Joetta Prost & Kathy Shell Caroline Richards David Roth Maria Saldivar Lynne R. Schmitt Barbara Seiver Mary Lee & Louie Sirkin Matt & Shelly Smith Tim Smith & Penny Poirier Fred & Anne Straus Charitable Fund Robert P. Streicher U.S. Bank Employee Matching Program Howard M. & Nancy S. Weinberg Michael Wheatley Karen Wittenberg† Don & Donna Wymore David Steven Ziegler
TRIBUTE GIFTS In memory of Richard Charles & Rebecca Parker In honor of Suzanne Hasl In memory of James & Noretta Markley In memory of Robert L. & Mary C. Weisenberger†
Ensemble Theatre acknowledges the following Partner Companies, Foundations, and their employees who generously participate in the Annual ArtsWave Community Campaign at the $100,000+ level. Your support helps make our community vibrant and connects people all across our region through the arts. Thank you! P&G Fifth Third Bank and the Fifth Third Foundation GE Aviation Cincinnati Bell Western & Southern Financial Group Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center The Cincinnati Insurance Companies City of Cincinnati Enquirer Media Great American Insurance Group Ohio National Financial Services U.S. Bank The H.B., E.W., and F. R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees Macy's Cincinnati Business Courier The Kroger Co. PNC The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation Duke Energy HORAN Cincinnati Reds
* A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation † Sustaining Donor
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PATRON INFORMATION ETC BOX OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm, and 2 hours prior to curtain. Weekend hours vary. CAMERAS & RECORDING DEVICES Actors’ Equity Association strictly prohibits the use of cameras or recording devices (including camera phones) in the theatre. ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS ETC offers audio-described performances, ASL-interpreted performances, wheelchair accessible seating, large-print programs, Braille programs, assistive listening devices, and sensory sensitivity items such as noisecanceling headphones and fidgets. RELAXED PERFORMANCES Select performances offered for those with sensory sensitivities and developmental disabilities and their families to enjoy the production with lighting and sound adjustments and other accommodations. SALE POLICY Single-ticket purchases are final sale with no refund. If a patron is a no-show for their reserved performance, ETC is under no obligation to reschedule their tickets. LATECOMERS & ADMITTANCE Latecomers are seated at the House Manager’s discretion and may be denied admission depending upon the demands or structure of a particular production. Should you need to leave the theatre during a performance, readmittance is not guaranteed. ETC reserves the right to deny admission and/ or remove any disruptive patrons from the theatre at any time. TAX CREDITS If you cannot attend your performance and cannot reschedule for another date, tickets released prior to performances by calling the ETC box office are fully deductible as a charitable contribution.
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patron information
1127 Vine Street circa 1927 Image courtesy of Fifth Third Bank archives.
PARKING Patrons may park at the Gateway Garage (accessible via 12th Street) or at the surface lot, both conveniently located at the corner of Vine and 12th Streets. Parking is also available at Washington Park Garage and Mercer Commons Garage. CHILDREN Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted to productions unless otherwise advertised. Parents with disruptive children will be asked to leave the theatre. GROUPS & DISCOUNTS Groups of 8 or more can save on single-ticket prices. Student rates, rush discounts, Public Radio Perks Card, AAA, ArtsWave Pass, and educator and military member discounts are available for select shows (please consult your appropriate membership(s) for details and exclusions).
INVEST ENGAGE INNOVATE LEAD
Investing state and federal dollars, the Ohio Arts Council funds and supports quality arts experiences for all Ohioans to strengthen communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Learn more about our grant programs and resources, find your next arts experience, or connect: OAC.OHIO.GOV.
Grantee Spotlight: TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Two Toledo Ballet dancers performing in their April 2023 production of Prokofiev’s Cinderella, accompanied by the Toledo Symphony conducted by Jonathan McPhee. Image Credit: Robert Cummerow
Friends when she needs them most.