Florida Repertory Theatre Presents: "Ben Butler" - Digital Playbill by Florida Repertory Theatre

The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built

Inspired by the past and stunningly reimagined for the future, Seven Seas GranduerTM will exemplify our heritage of perfection with unrivaled space, unparalleled service, exceptional cuisine and transformative experiences that will begin the moment you step aboard. The designs take modern luxury cruising to new aesthetic heights, from all-suite, all-balcony accomodations to transformative dining experiences. Your time on board Seven Seas GrandeurTM will be just as rewarding as your time spend ashore. No matter how large you choose to live on Seven Seas GrandeurTM, the same exceptional standards of design and comfort apply to every suite. Layouts range from 307 to 4,443 square feet (28.5 to 443 (square meters), and all include a furnished private balcony. Seven Seas GrandeurTM will host only 732 guests and 548 crew, providing among the highest spaces ratios and staffto-guest ratios in the industry, along with the highest standards of Regent

The Lighthouse Wealth Management Team FROM L TO R: Bethany Spurlock, Tara Lowman, Judy Lowman, Caleb Lowman, Ben Lane, Glen Rauch, Jessica Luchan, Dawn Salerno

DEAR FRIEND & THEATRE LOVER,

Welcome to the theatre! Whether this is your first visit or your hundred-andfirst, thank you for making the arts – especially Florida Repertory Theatre – a part of your cultural life. Florida Rep celebrates twenty-seven years of exceptional performances, thought-provoking storytelling, and unforgettable moments on its two stages this Season. Patron support over the years has always been the key to our success, and we are deeply grateful for all those who make donations, volunteer, or buy a ticket.

Our 27th Season features nine plays and musicals hand-picked for your enjoyment in our two unique and historic venues. Throughout the Season, you’ll enjoy work from our longtime ensemble of artists, frequent guests, and new faces from New York and around the country.

Our community has come a long way since pandemic shutdowns and a powerful Hurricane that brought wind and water. As Southwest Florida continues to recover, Florida Rep promises an escape from the cares of the world outside. When you come to the theatre, we promise to transport you with a wide variety of comedies, dramas, and musicals.

This season, we’re pleased to offer three musicals again! Forever Plaid is a cult-classic homage to the music of the 1950s; Lucky Stiff is a zany musical farce that brings together a colorful cast of characters on a wild goose chase through the streets of Monte Carlo, and SHOUT! celebrates the powerful women whose voices defined England in the 1960s.

For those who seek thought-provoking and witty banter, mystery, or even something a bit taboo, we have Ben Butler (a Civil War battle of wits), Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (a regional premiere of a brand-new stage adaptation), and Venus in Fur (a steamy and provocative play about power and desire).

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Of course, comedies abound with a one-person tour-de-force in Fully Committed, a heart-lifting romantic comedy in Bloomsday, and a new play about senior citizens misbehaving in Boca! We hope you’ll join us for every laugh, every tear, and every story told on our stages this Season.

As the lights dim, remember that your being here tonight (today) is no small thing. You share a connection to a millennium-old tradition that has its roots in the dawn of civilization. From the Ancient Greek amphitheaters where audiences first heard the words of Aeschylus and Euripides to the Renaissance, when Shakespeare tried new verses, to the Golden Age of American Musical Theatre when Rodgers & Hammerstein gambled on a bold new artform, and even to the mid-twentieth century when Margo Jones and Zelda Fichandler started a regional theatre movement that made companies like Florida Rep possible in our community – you’re connected to it all.

If today we make you laugh, applaud, or sit forward in your seat, know that you carry the same emotion and excitement as those first audiences. Theatre is a rare communal experience, and because you came to the theatre today, you help us to ensure that this sacred art form will continue to spark curiosity, provoke discussion, and lift spirits for another twenty-seven seasons.

Thank you for supporting the arts, and thank you for coming to the theatre!

Greg Longenhagen

Producing Artistic Director

Pictured: The Cast of BEEHIVE • Michael Liebhauser & Kraig Swartz in THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE • Hope Ward & Daniel Morgan Shelley in THE MOUNTAINTOP • The Cast of Ken Ludwig’s A COMEDY OF TENORS

A LETTER FROM

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to welcome you to our 27th season.

Wasn’t last season terrific?! You may think it hard to top, but in true Florida Rep fashion, you know we have a season of great theater planned for you. Our active education department will bring a new series of Theatre for Young Audiences productions for student audiences in schools across Lee County and beyond, offer two Conservatory theatre productions for advanced students, and summer arts intensive camps for students of all ages and skill abilities. We hope you will encourage any young people in your life to participate and we hope you attend some or all of these fabulous educational productions.

This season our Executive Director John Martin will transition into retirement after 23 seasons of dedication to Florida Rep. His departure will be bittersweet but we wish him well and prepare to welcome a new Executive Director, Chris Verrill, recently appointed by our Board of Directors following a nationwide search. We invite you to say hello and welcome him into our Florida Rep family.

This season, we continue to rebuild and renovate our theatre spaces devastated by Hurricane Ian. It is only through the financial support from you - our patrons and donors - that this is possible.

Your ongoing support enables us to continue presenting the Broadway-quality productions you deserve. Ticket sales alone cannot sustain us, so please consider donating today. Your contribution helps secure the future of Florida Rep so it may continue to be a vibrant part of the cultural landscape of Southwest Florida.

In closing, we invite you to sit back and enjoy the show.

Janice Danzig, Chairperson Board of Directors

A LETTER FROM YOUR MAYOR

Dear Florida Repertory Theatre Patrons,

On behalf of the City of Ft Myers, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the 27th season at Florida Rep. I am proud to support Florida Rep and the vital role it plays in enriching our community. The arts are essential to the vibrancy and growth of our city, and this institution has long been a beacon of artistic excellence and community spirit in our downtown river district.

In the words of the legendary actress and theatre director, Stella Adler, “The word theatre comes from the Greeks. It means the seeing place. It is the place people come to see the truth about life and the social situation.” Indeed, Florida Rep serves as the anchor of our city, offering a space where we can gather to laugh, to sing, to be inspired, and to be moved by the powerful stories that unfold on stage.

This incredible season promises to be no different, with a lineup that celebrates the human experience and the richness of our shared culture. But it doesn’t stop there. The Florida Rep Education program, provides professional theatre training, including acting and theatre tech classes, free Shakespeare performances and school tours across Southwest Florida, college-level internships, and theatre appreciation programs. I encourage everyone to take advantage of all of the remarkable offerings at Florida Rep.

As we come together to celebrate the magic of theatre and the talented individuals who bring it to life, I ask you to join me in extending heartfelt congratulations to Executive Director John Martin on his well-deserved retirement after 23 years of dedicated leadership at Florida Rep. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping and elevating our vibrant arts community to new heights. Let’s offer our gratitude to all of Florida Rep’s dedicated leadership team, staff and volunteers, talented acting company, plus award-winning directors, designers, and guest artists. Their unwavering commitment to the arts significantly enriches the cultural fabric of Fort Myers and enhances the quality of life for all residents.

But most importantly, I thank you, the audiences of Florida Rep. Your passionate support and dedication are the cornerstone of this cultural treasure, making it a truly exceptional and cherished part of our city. I’ll see you at the theatre!

Yours in public service,

Kevin B. Anderson Mayor

A LETTER FROM YOUR SENATOR

Dear Florida Repertory Theatre Patrons,

Welcome to the 27th season at the Florida Repertory Theatre! Your presence and patronage are the lifeblood of the Florida Rep, and I’m thrilled to welcome you for what promises to be a remarkable season.

I know that this season will present a diverse array of productions that will captivate, entertain, and inspire you. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, Florida Rep’s carefully curated lineup reflects their commitment to delivering high-quality, thoughtprovoking, and memorable theatrical experiences.

Thank you for being a part of the Florida Repertory Theatre family. Without you, Florida Rep would not be able to reach over 100,000 theater goers and engage with 45,000 young people. Let us celebrate the transformative power of theatre and the joy it brings to our lives during Florida Rep’s 27th season.

Warmest regards,

Senator Jonathan Martin

A LETTER FROM YOUR COUNCILMAN

Dear Friends of Florida Rep,

As a proud member of our City Council, I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to Florida Rep’s 27th Season! Our vibrant community is greatly enriched by the arts, and I firmly believe that supporting the arts is essential to our collective well-being.

In the words of playwright Thornton Wilder, “I regard theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” This sense of shared humanity and community is what drives us to continue supporting the arts. Theatre, in particular, holds a unique and vital place in our hearts and our downtown. It brings us together, fosters creativity, and provides a platform for a wide array of voices and stories. The work done by Florida Rep is exemplary in leading our downtown cultural scene, transforming it into a dynamic and integral part of our city’s identity.

Thank you, audience members, for being part of Ft Myers’ thriving cultural landscape. In every rehearsal, every performance, and every standing ovation, there is a piece of your generosity and enthusiasm. Know that you are an important part of this artistic journey ensuring that Florida Rep remains a mainstay in our community, inspiring generations to come.

Warm regards,

Liston D. Bochette III Ward 4 Fort Myers City Council

AUDIOLOGY

Florida Repertory Theatre’s Performance Accessibility Assistance Program (PAAP) provides both audio-described and signed performances throughout the season. Working with the Associated Interpreters for the Deaf and the Southwest Council for the Blind, this program offers $25 tickets for patrons with vision loss and patrons in the deaf community. All performances are 2 PM Sunday Matinees. All tickets are subject to availability, and it is highly recommended to reserve in advance (limit 2 tickets per production).

For information and tickets:

Box Office 239.332.4488 • Boxoffice@floridarep.org OR Development at 239.219.1541 • Development@FloridaRep.org

Audio Described Performances

Forever Plaid

OCT 20 • ArtStage Studio Theatre

Ben Butler

NOV 3 • Historic Arcade Theatre

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

DEC 8 • Historic Arcade Theatre

Fully Committed

JAN 5 • ArtStage Studio Theatre

Lucky Stiff

JAN 19 • Historic Arcade Theatre

Bloomsday

MAR 2 • Arstage Studio Theatre

Boca

FEB 23 • Historic Arcade Theatre

SHOUT! The Mod Musical

APR 6 • Historic Arcade Theatre

Venus in Fur

May 18 • ArtStage Studio Theatre

Signed Performances

Ben Butler

NOV 10 • Historic Arcade Theatre

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

DEC 15 • Historic Arcade Theatre

Lucky Stiff

JAN 26 • Historic Arcade Theatre

Boca

MAR 2 • Historic Arcade Theatre

SHOUT! The Mod Musical

MAR 30 • Historic Arcade Theatre

After being introduced to award-winning Broadway performances by his parents, Arthur Zupko has been a lifelong theatre lover. Art believes “no child’s life is complete without exposure to theatre.” Art is a 20-year Florida Rep Board of Directors member and has contributed nearly a half million dollars to support education programming. Art truly believes an investment in education at Florida Rep is a positive investment in the future, and he hopes you will join him and donate today.

Art Zupko and the 2024 cast of Disney’s The Lion King, Jr

MONIQUE CALDWELL, Education Director MEGAN JIMENEZ, Asst. Education Director

Florida Rep’s Theatre Conservatory programs offer young artists an introduction to the professional theatre experience and culminate with a public performance in the Historic Arcade Theatre.

B K BY BRIDGET CARPENTER

MUSIC BY TOM KI LYRICS BY BRIAN YORKEY

BASED ON THE B K & DISNEY FILM BY MARY RODGERS

DIRECTED BY MEGAN JIMENEZ LEONARD

MUSIC DIRECTED BY ROSALIND METCALF

CHOREOGRAPHED BY ROBIN DAWN

ENSEMBLE OF ARTISTS

Florida Repertory Theatre is committed to providing a first-class regional theatre for Southwest Florida; to creating, nurturing, and developing a diverse ensemble of theatre professionals who will develop long term relationships working on a wide variety of plays; to helping improve the quality of life in our community through all the arts; and to making the arts, especially theatre, accessible to every segment of our community.

We would like to recognize these core members of our Ensemble of Theatre Professionals. Ensemble Artist Featured in the 2024-2025 Season

Viki Boyleb Actor Since 2010

David Breitbarth Actor Since 2011

Rachel Burttram Actor Since 2002

Mark Chambers Actor Since 2006

Chris Clavellib Actor/Director Since 2000

Michelle Damato Actor Since 2007

Audrey M. Brown Stage Manager Since 2007

Richard Crowellb Set Designer Since 1998

Arthur D’Alessiob Choreographer/ Stage Manager Since 1999

ACTORS & DIRECTORS

Kate Hampton Actor Since 2012

Maureen Heffernanb Director Since 2002

V Craig Heidenreichb Actor/Director Since 2016

Patricia Idlette Actor Since 2008

Greg Longenhagenb Actor/Director Since 1998

William McNultyb Actor Since 2012

DESIGNERS & STAGE MANAGERS

Stefanie Gendab Costume Designer Since 2008

Jim Hunterb Set & Lighting Designer Since 2000

Amy L. Massari Stage Manager Since 2010

Ray Rechtb Set Designer Since 1999

Sara Morseyb Actor Since 2008

Jason Parrishb Actor/Director Since 2005

Brendan Powers Actor Since 2008

Peter Thomasson Actor Since 2004

IN MEMORIAM

Niels Miller Actor & Director 1925-2006

Graham Smith Actor 1955-2020

David M. Upton Set & Lighting Designer Since 2006

Janine Wochnab Stage Manager Since 2005

Robert F. Wolin Set Designer Since 2006

Todd O. Wrenb Lighting Designer Since 2005

PlayL ab 2025 Festival of

SAVE THE DATE

PlayLab is an intensive weekend festival that showcases new plays and new voices in the American Theatre! Join us this spring for an action-packed weekend of readings, panel discussions, networking events, and more!

Be part of the New Play Development process as you watch Florida Rep’s Ensemble Members & guest artists working on a series of NEW plays from established & emerging playwrights!

Playwrights & Titles Coming Soon for 2025! Visit us online for information about tickets, VIP Packages, and Sponsorship opportunities. MAY 1-4, 2025

GRAND SPONSORS: Lee Moore & Dee Whited

Savor a stunning sunrise. Sink the perfect putt. Prioritize wellness. Explore creative passions.

Everything you need to create the retirement that you’ve always imagined awaits at Shell Point® — along with the assurance of Lifecare.

Opportunities from $200,000 to more than $2 million. Schedule a seminar and tour today.

Shell Point is located along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, just minutes from the islands of Sanibel and Captiva.

LEAVE YOUR LEGACY ON THE STAGE

The Mary & Hugh Denison Heirloom Society

if you care deeply about florida repertory theatre and are interested in perpetuating its mission and outreach, consider making a transformative gift through planned or legacy giving.

Be the Director of Your Legacy using any one, or a combination, of the following:

• A simple bequest in your will

• Life income gifts (charitable gift annuity, charitable lead or remainder trusts)

• Contribution to the endowment fund

• Retirement plans, life insurance policies or 401K transfers

• Real estate and individual contributions

Take

a Lead Role—

Join e Mary & Hugh Denison Heirloom Society

When you make a commitment to support the future of the theatre through a pledge of $100,000, or more, within 10 years through an investment of planned giving or through outright gifts, you can be enrolled in our exclusive Heirloom Society and receive special recognition and beneﬁts.

Please consult with your ﬁnancial advisor to determine which options work best for you.

Through a planned gift you can gain personal satisfaction from helping Florida Rep while advancing your ﬁnancial goals, plus enjoy special recognition beneﬁts!

The Mary & Hugh Denison

Heirloom Society

Naomi Bloom

Jack Psiris & Doreen Kostel

Dinah Bloomhall

Darlene M. Arnold

Janet & Bruce Bunch

Berne Davis Hugh & Mary Denison

Doris & Steve Colgate

James & Nancy Garfield Vici & Russ Hamm

Ellie Fox

John Madden

Noreen Raney

Arthur Zupko

Joel Magyar

Linda & Dan Carp

Shelley Wilson & Terry Kelley

Eileen Powers

Jane & Bob Breisch

Maureen Smitt Grabowski

Jim & Mary Lavelle

Lynne Birdt

FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE

RICHARD STRAND

SPONSORED BY TAYLOR CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME

MEDIA SPONSOR: WGCU PUBLIC MEDIA

STARRING

Lieutenant Kelly.................Brandon Haagenson*†

Gen. Ben Butler....Michael Sean McGuinness*†

Shepard Mallory.....................Brandon J. Pierce*†

Major Cary.....................................................Larry Tobias*

TIME & PLACE:

Fort Monroe, Virginia at the beginning of the American Civil War

Act 1

Scene 1: May 23, 1861, roughly 4 o’clock in the afternoon

Scene 2: A few minutes later

Scene 3: Later that night, perhaps 3 o’clock in the morning

Act 2

Scene 4: Late morning, the same day

Scene 5: One day later, afternoon

BEN BUTLER is performed with one 15-minute intermission.

UNDERSTUDIES:

Crew, u/s Butler, Cary......JJ Gibsonˆ

u/s Shepard Mallory.......Robert Richards, Jr.

Crew, u/s Kelly.......Noah Warfordˆ

RUN CREW:

Light Board Op: Gabe Landes

Wardrobe Supervisor: Abbey Hodgson

Audio Engineers: Braden Downing • Raven Moore

Wardrobe Crew: Abbey Hodgson • Brielle Yang ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

†Member of Florida Repertory Theatre’s Ensemble of Theatre Artists. See page 23 for the entire ensemble.

* The Actors & Stage Manager employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BUTLER was born on November 5, 1818, in Deerfield, New Hampshire. The youngest of six children, he was raised in Lowell, Massachusetts where he attended public schools and later earned a scholarship to Phillips Exeter Academy. He graduated from Waterville College (now Colby College) in 1838.

After passing the Massachusetts Bar in 1840, Butler became a successful defense attorney in Lowell. He married Sarah Hildreth on May 16, 1844, and they had four children. Butler’s legal career flourished, and he expanded his practice to Boston. He eventually entered politics, being elected to the Massachusetts legislature in 1859.

With the American Civil War outbreak, he joined the Union Army as a major general. He arrived at Fort Monroe to take command just days before his fateful meeting with Shepard Mallory on May 23, 1861. That meeting would prove to be one of the most significant events of the Civil War as it led to changes in policy and measures that would affect not only the outcome of the war but arguably the entire future of the United States.

CIVIL WAR TIMELINE

February 1861: The first six seceded states met in Montgomery, Alabama to organize the new Confederate States of America with Jefferson Davis declared president.

April 1861: Confederate soldiers fired the first shots on Fort Sumter, marking the start of the Civil War.

Early May 1861: Benjamin Butler was promoted to the rank of major-general in command of the Department of Eastern Virginia, headquartered at Fort Monroe.

July 1861: The first full-scale battle at Bull Run, Virginia

August 1861: Congress enacted the Confiscation Act of 1861, overturning the Fugitive Slave Act, thus allowing the confiscation of slaves used for military purposes against the United States.

April 1862: The Battle of Shiloh (also referred to as Pittsburg Landing) resulted in over 23,000 casualties, more than any battle in American history at that point.

May 9, 1862: President Abraham Lincoln visited Fort Monroe and while there, Union troops (led by the Fort’s new commander, Maj. Gen. John Ellis Wool) regained control of Norfolk, thus ending the Confederate’s naval war on the James River.

June 1862: General Robert E. Lee took command of the Confederate Army.

July-December 1862: Many prominent battles occurred during this time, including the Seven Days Battle, the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, and the Battle of Fredericksburg.

January 1863: President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing over 3.5 million slaves in the rebelling Southern States. However, the order could not be enforced during the Civil War.

July 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg turned the tide of the war in favor of the Union Army.

November 1863: President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, dedicating part of the battlefield as a national cemetery.

April 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox courthouse.

“Dividing the National Map” 1860. Source: Dividing the National Map · Presidential Campaigns: A Cartoon History, 1789-1976 (indiana.edu)

WHO’S WHO

BRANDON

HAAGENSON* (Lieutenant Kelly) is thrilled to be making his Florida Rep debut! His New York credits include The Play that Goes Wrong and Afterglow. Regionally he’s performed in The Play that Goes Wrong (Kennedy Center); Angels in America (Arena Stage); The Merchant of Venice, Our Town (Shakespeare Theatre Company); An American in Paris (Argyle Theatre); Monty Python’s Spamalot (North Carolina Theatre); Gypsy (Chicago Shakespeare). He’s also toured with Disney’s Beauty & the Beast and A Christmas Carol. His television credits include The Other Two (HBOMax), Food That Built America (History Channel). He earned his MFA in Classical Acting from Shakespeare Theater Company in Washington, DC, and also holds a BFA in Musical Theater from Millikin University. All my love to my family for their unending support.

MICHAEL SEAN M c GUINNESS*

(Major

General Benjamin Franklin Butler) is thrilled Florida Rep Debut. National Tour: Dad Barton in Goosebumps (Writer/Director: Rupert Holmes). Off-Broadway: Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest at The Pearl Theatre Company; The Stage Manager in A Wilder Christmas at Peccadillo Theatre Company; Jerry Gold in 2.0 at 59E59. Regional: Ulysses S. Grant in Grant and Twain at PS21; Tolstoy in The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord; Leontes in The Winter’s Tale at Vermont Shakespeare Company; Iago in Othello at Philadelphia Area Repertory Theatre; Malvolio in Twelfth Night at Pig Iron Theatre Company; Keyes in Double Indemnity at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Bracken in Safe House at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis;

Prospero in The Tempest at Vermont Shakespeare Company. TV/Film: Terry Tate Office Linebacker, Law and Order, Frasier, The Blacklist, New Amsterdam, The Good Fight, Ponyboi, The Plot Against America, City on a Hill, Double Header, The Guiding Light, As the World Turns. Education/Training: BFA Acting, New York University; Stella Adler; Giles Foreman.

BRANDON J. PIERCE*

(Shepard Mallory) is thrilled to be performing at Florida Repertory Theatre! Born in the city of Philadelphia, where he has most extensively plied his trade, Brandon has had the pleasure of performing all over the country. Broadway: Birthday Candles (Roundabout Theatre) Off-Broadway: Exit Strategy (Primary Stages) Regional: Fat Ham, Eternal Life Pt.1, Kill Move Paradise (Wilma Theatre); Incendiary (Woolly Mammoth); Ben Butler (North Coast Repertory); Native Son (Playmakers Rep.); Welcome to Fear City (Kansas City Rep); Skeleton Crew (Portland Stage); Sweat (People’s Light); Metamorphoses (Arden Theatre Company). Brandon is a member of the Wilma Theater’s Hothouse Acting Company. Brandon was the recipient of the 2023 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play. Love to Alexandra, Mom, and Dad.

LARRY TOBIAS*

(Major Cary) returns to Florida Rep after appearing in Ring of Fire in 2023. His recent regional credits include work with Portland Stage, Weston Playhouse, Paramount Theater, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Baltimore Centerstage, The Mountain Playhouse. A selection of Larry’s TV and film work includes Nashville, Donnie Brasco, Ball of Wax, The Angel Doll, etc. He lives 12 miles west of the Lincoln Tunnel, in New Jersey, with his wife and their miraculous 6-yearold daughter.

WHO’S WHO

JJ GIBSONˆ (Crew, u/s Ben Butler, Major Cary) hails from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is a fresh graduate from Austin Peay State University, receiving a BFA in Musical Theatre. He was recently seen filling the duties of Assistant Stage Manager/Assistant Music Director for Ramsey Theatre Company’s production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, as well as Officer Lockstock in APSU’s production of Urinetown He is also a writer/composer and had the opportunity to workshop his second original musical, Death is Kind, this past January and has already started work on the next one! He is voraciously excited to be here and be surrounded by such kind, hard-working folks!

NOAH WARFORDˆ (Crew, u/s Lt. Kelly) is thrilled to be amongst such talented artists at Florida Rep! Theatre: Anastasia (Dmitry), Godspell (Jesus), Pippin (Pippin), Bright Star (Billy Cane), Hello, Dolly! (Ambrose Kemper). BFA in Musical Theatre from Ouachita Baptist University. Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. When not performing, Noah can be found outdoors, spending time with his cat, or at the nearest fried chicken restaurant. Huge thanks to Mom, Dad, Holly, and countless others who have made all the difference! noahwarford.com / IG: n_warford

ROBERT

RICHARDS, JR. (u/s Shepard Mallory) is from Boynton Beach, Florida. Received his MFA in Acting from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (UK) / BA in Theatre Performance from USF (Tampa). In England, he enjoyed being in shows like Shakespeare’s As You Like It and McPerson’s The Veil. Previously, he’s been seen around Tampa in shows such as freeFall’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Stage Works’ The Colored Museum, A Raisin in the Sun, and A Few Good Men. Further south, in Miami’s Area Stage

Company’s An Octoroon, MNM Productions Little Shop of Horrors, Palm Beach Dramaworks’ Equus. In Florida’s Southwest region he’s taken part in the 2019 and 2024 PlayLab festival here at Florida Rep. Thankful to God, family, friends, and everyone who has supported him along the way. He looks towards success in the Arts to keep society trekking. KEEP THE ARTS ALIVE!

GREG LONGENHAGEN† (Director/Fight

Choreographer) As a member of the original founding company of Florida Repertory Theatre, Greg Longenhagen is honored to be entering his third decade with the Rep. and delighted to serve as its Producing Artistic Director. An accomplished actor, director, producer, teacher, and coach Greg has enjoyed a career of more than 35 years with professional theatre, radio, television, and film. Since 1998, Greg has worked on 93 productions at Florida Rep either as an actor, director, fight choreographer, or dialect coach. He was last seen on Florida Rep’s stage performing with his wife, Liz in Love Letters. His other acting credits include performances at The Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Florida Stage, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Quantum Theatre, Pirate Playhouse, Trilogy Theatre, Pennsylvania Stage Company, Inner Space Theatre, The Mountain Playhouse, Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, The Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival, Philadelphia Shakespeare, The Pantages Theatre, The Great American Children’s Theatre, Theatre at Hartwood, The Fulton Theatre, Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, Opera Delaware, St Vincent Theatre, Theatre Row Theatre, and Stage Right. Directing credits at Florida Rep include Beehive, The 60s Musical, On Golden Pond, Maytag Virgin, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Barefoot in the Park, PlayLab readings of Split in Three, Where I Dwell, We Will Not Be Silent, and more. Greg served as an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Florida Gulf Coast University and was Chair of the Theatre Program’s Marketing and Recruitment Committee.

WHO’S WHO

Greg also spent two years touring the United States as a noted public speaker conducting workshops on real estate investing. In 2006, he joined Abbott Productions, Inc. ascending from office manager to Vice President of Marketing to President and Chief of Operations. He has been responsible for the production of numerous national advertising campaigns and video projects across numerous businesses. After receiving his B.A. in Speech Communication while at West Chester University where he was a four-time Irene Ryan nominee to the region, the recipient of the Tom Dudash Memorial Award for Children’s Theatre, and The Most Outstanding Student in Speech Communication & Theatre, Greg also served as the Resident Director for Pittsburgh’s “Shakespeare in the Schools” while continuing to work as an actor in New York City. Greg holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and certified with the Society of American Fight Directors at Carnegie Mellon University. He has been a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1993. Born and raised near Allentown, Pennsylvania, Greg’s career in Regional Theatre took him all over the country. In the 1990s, he settled in Southwest Florida, his “ideal community.” It was there he met and fell in love with his amazing wife, Liz Abbott, who grew up on Sanibel Island. Greg and Liz have happily made their home in Fort Myers for 28 years where they are raising their two beautiful children, Liza, a student at Bishop Verot High School, and Jack who attends FSW High School.

ASH RAYNE BARRETT (Asst. Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working as the Assistant Stage Manager on Ben Butler and is spending her first season at Florida Rep as a Stage Management Intern. A recent graduate from Lipscomb University’s theatre program, she’s spent the last several years up in Tennessee and is now excited to be spending time in the Sunshine State. Some of her favorite

stage management credits include Kate Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice, Big Fish, and Romeo and Juliet with her university as well as The Little Mermaid with Nashville Children’s Theater.

CHARLES CLARK (Lighting Designer) is a seasoned lighting designer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Known for his innovative approach and keen eye for detail, Charles has worked on a diverse range of projects, from theatrical productions and concerts to architectural lighting and special events. His work is characterized by a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise, ensuring that each project not only meets but exceeds client expectations. Charles is passionate about using light to transform spaces and create unforgettable experiences. Charles joined Florida Rep in its 25th season and is currently the Director of Production. He is excited to be able to share his talents with the Florida Rep audience.

ARTHUR D’ALESSIO*† (Stage Manager) is excited to be back at Florida Rep after a long hiatus working with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Previous shows as a Stage Manager at Florida Rep include: The Miracle Worker and A Christmas Carol Arthur has been associated with Florida Rep since its very first year (1998) having choreographed Fascinatin’ Gershwin, Dream, Company, A Funny Thing…Forum, Too Marvelous For Words, The Johnny Mercer Songbook and Night and Day… Love Lost and Found Through the Eyes of Cole Porter.

BRADEN DOWNING (Sound Designer) is a Fort Myers native entering her second season at Florida Repertory Theatre where she previously worked on shows such as Forever Plaid, Hank Williams: Lost Highway and Beehive: The 60s Musical. Braden recently provided sound design for Florida Rep’s 2024 education summer camps. She received her B.A. in theatre arts from the University of Mississippi. Braden would like to thank her family and her cat, Lucky, for all their support!

WHO’S WHO

STEFANIE GENDA***† (Costume Designer) Florida Rep: Ken Ludwig’s A Comedy of Tenors, A Sherlock Carol, Ripcord, The Importance of Being Earnest, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Million Dollar Quartet, Cabaret and many more; NYC Theatre Credits: World premiere The Karpovsky Variations (Boomerang Theater Company), Don’t Do This To Us! (The Tank), Marrow (59E59 and Edinburgh Fringe), Complete Works of William Shakespeare…Abridged, Bunnicula (Mile Square Theatre), Bubba (NY Fringe Fest), Satellites, Linger (Premiere Stages, Best Costume Design Broadway World); Regional Theatre Credits: 42nd Street, Lost in Yonkers (Riverside Theatre); Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Tuacahn Center for the Arts); Crossing Swords, Tick, Tick…BOOM! (American Theatre Group); Othello (American Shakespeare Center), “How You Look at It” (Short Film). Broadway: Assistant Costume Designer Company, Ain’t No Mo and Company (First National Tour). Stefanie is also the Assistant Costume Director at Manhattan Theatre Club for both their Broadway and OffBroadway stages. Follow Stefanie on Instagram @stef_withan_f_no_ph

JIM HUNTER***† (Scenic Designer) Ben Butler is Jim’s 28th production with Florida Rep since 2009. His scenic and lighting design have also been seen at such

theatres as the Folger Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Theatre Virginia, Phoenix Theatre, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Florida Stage, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Wall Street Danceworks, Fulton Opera, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, The Lost Colony, the Veggie Tales Live National Tour, as well as others. Jim is on the faculty at the University of South Carolina’s Dept. of Theatre and Dance. He is the Immediate Past President of the National Association of Schools of Theatre and is on the Board of Trustees for the Council of Arts Accrediting Associations. Jim is a member of the national designer’s union, United Scenic Artist, Local 829 in scene and lighting design. www.jimhunterdesigns.com

RICHARD STRAND (Playwright) is the author of The Bug and The Death of Zukasky , both of which premiered at the Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival. More recently he wrote the Civil War play Ben Butler, which premiered at New Jersey Repertory Company and was moved off-Broadway to 59E59 Theaters. He currently lives in California with his wife, Mary Lynn. He retired from Mt. San Antonio College, where he was a professor, technical director, and set designer teaching classes in stagecraft, history of theater, and playwriting.

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA) was founded in 1913 as the first of the American Actor unions. Equity’s mission is to advance, promote and foster the art of theatre as an essential component of our society. Today, Equity represents more than 40,000 actors, singers, dancers and stage managers working in hundreds of theatres across the United States. Equity members are dedicated to working in the theatre as a profession, upholding the highest artistic standards. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits including health and pension plans for its members. Through its agreement with Equity, this theatre has committed to the fair treatment of the actors and stage managers employed in this production. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. For more information, visit www.actorsequity.org.

TICKETS

FLORIDA PROFESSIONAL THEATRES ASSOCIATION (FPTA) is a statewide organization of professional theatre companies and theatre professionals interested in the development and promotion of professional theatre throughout Florida. Florida Repertory Theatre is a proud FPTA member theatre.

Florida Repertory Theatre is a member of THEATRE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP (TCG), the national organization for the American Theatre.

Florida Repertory Theatre is a proud Associate Member of the NATIONAL NEW PLAY NETWORK

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & FLORIDA REP STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Janice Danzig, Chair

Naomi Bloom, Vice Chair

Dinah Bloomhall

Alexandra Bremner

Shavon Chester

Doris Colgate

Fay C. Gronski, Secretary

Arthur M. Zupko, Treasurer

David M. Fritz

Greg Longenhagen

Sunny Lubner

John Martin

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Martin McLaughlin

Jeanette Meade

Laurye O’Melia

Fred Weinman

Don Abbott • Liz Abbott • Suzanne Boy • Marc Collins • Janice Danzig • Don Gurule • Melinda Isley

Jan Klein • Jane Lane • R. Marc Laviolette • Darrel Lieze-Adams • Greg Longenhagen • Donna Lovejoy

Clive Lubner • John Martin, Executive Director Emeritus • Kathleen McClanahan-Gruhl • Jeff McCullers • Kinfay Moroti • Sharyn Rosenblum • Carly Schwartzel

STAFF

ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Executive Director.............................................Chris Verrill

Producing Artistic Director........Greg Longenhagen

Associate Artistic Director.......................Jason Parrish

General Manager..................................Dianne Summers

ADMINISTRATION

Finance Director.................................................Scott Osler

Business Manager............................................Kelly Colton

Company Manager...........................................Joy Brooks

Director of Operations...............................Bobby Logue

Asst. Operations Manager......................Kayla McCurry

Box Office Manager................................Gerrie Benzing

Front of House Associates.....Rick Aschenbrenner, Ty Burton-Deerhardt, Desiree Fleming, Joanne Friedman, Gena Gossett, LaVeda Holtberg, Angel Maldonato, Jennifer Manekin, Lori McKenzie, Basia Mielnik, Lee Slattery, Lorraine Stanek, Lisa Vogell, Sam Wolfe

DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING

Development Director................................Lucy Walters

Development & Grants Manager.........Emily Yorgey

MARKETING

Marketing Director.............................Deborah Jonsson

Digital Media Specialist.....................Joe Dafeldecker

Social Marketing Specialist...............Stephanie Davis

EDUCATION

Education Director.............................Monique Caldwell

Asst. Education Director.....................Megan Leonard

Touring & Outreach Manager............................DJ Kelly

PRODUCTION

Production Manager.................................. Charles Clark

Asst. Production Manager Katie Lowe

Technical Director.................................Annalise Hulbert

Shop Foreman......................................Jeremy Campbell

Head Carpenter..........................................Roberto Mena

Master Electrician..............................................Ben Phillips

Asst. Master Electrician........................Jason Bernardi

Sound Technician..................................Braden Downing

Costume Shop Manager........................Amanda Miller

Asst. Costume Shop Manager....................Lou Walker

Wardrobe Supervisor..........................Abbey Hodgson

Paints Charge..............................Julie Beth McCracken

Scenic Artist........................................................Koi Johnson

Props Manager...........................................Jonathan Willis

2024-2025 INTERN COMPANY

Acting Company........................................Reagan Baker, Jacqueline St. Pierre, Jillian Hall, Justine Gibson, Jameson Stobbe, Noah Warford

Production.........................Justin Boone, Yuki Kondo, Gabriel Landes, Kaida Lavan, Rosalia Marana, Hope McCracken, Raven Moore, Molly Murillo

Stage Management.........................Ash Rayne Barrett, Rey Hankinson, Mallory Williams

Costumes.....................Brielle Yang, Isabella Collins

Properties...........................................................Cal Lockleair

Contains strong language, adult situations, & brief nudity.

FLORIDA REP DONOR BENEFITS

Florida Rep Supporters Make a Difference and Enjoy Exclusive Benefits!

FRIEND’S CIRCLE ($100-999)