Florida Repertory Theatre Presents: "Lucky Stiff" - Digital Playbill by Florida Repertory Theatre

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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

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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

LUCKY STIFF

STARRING

LUCKY STIFF

THE CAST

Harry Witherspoon.......................…Sam Sherwood*

Annabel Glick…...Hannah McGinley LeMasters*

Rita La Porta……….............……..Kim Morgan Dean*

Vincent Di Ruzzio…….…….....…Patrick Richwood*

Luigi Gaudi……............................Gerritt VanderMeer*

Landlady & Others…................…Chrissy Albanese*

Solicitor, Emcee, & Others....Nicholas Caycedo*

Dominique & Others..........Jacqueline St. Pierre^

Punk, Bellhop, & Others.….........…..Noah Warford^

Body & Swing…….....................................…..J.J. Gibson^ with Victoria Casella, Keyboard

Mell Csicsila, Percussion

TIME & PLACE:

Late 1970s.

London, Atlantic City, & Monte Carlo

LUCKY STIFF is performed with a 15-minute intermission.

UNDERSTUDIES:

Annabel Glick & Others......Reagan Bakerˆ

Harry Witherspoon & Others......J.J. Gibsonˆ

Rita La Porta & Others......Jillian Hallˆ

Swing......Jameson Stobbeˆ

RUN CREW:

Audio Engineer: Braden Downing

A2: Rose Marana

Light Board Op: Kaida Lavan

Wardrobe: Abbey Hodgson, Isabella Collins

Spot Operators: Reagan Baker, Jameson Stobbe

Crew: Justin Boone, Jillian Hall

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.

book and lyrics by lynn ahrens MUSIC by stephen flaherty

SONG LIST

ACT ONE

“Something Funny’s Going On”…........................….Company

“Mr. Witherspoon’s Friday Night”………….Harry, Landlady, Boarders

“Rita’s Confession”…………………………………………….Rita, Vinnie

“Good to Be Alive”………………......…….Harry, Luigi, Company

“Lucky”……………………………………................…………………...Harry

“Dogs Versus You”…....................…………………Annabel, Harry

“The Phone Call”………………....…….…......……………………..Vinnie

“Monte Carlo”…………………………............……………………..Emcee

“Speaking French”………...……Dominique, Harry, Company

“Times Like This”………………….......……..……………………Annabel

“Monte Carlo (Reprise)”…………….....………………………..Emcee

“Fancy Meeting You Here”………..........………..Rita, Company

“Act I Finale: Good to Be Alive”…....Harry, Luigi, Company

ACT TWO

“Something Funny’s Going On (Reprise)”…........Company

“Him, Them, It, Her?”…………………....……………………..Company

“Nice”…………………………………………....……………..Annabel, Harry

“Harry’s Nightmare: Welcome Back Mr. Witherspoon”........…...........…Company

“A Woman in My Bathroom”………………......………………..Harry

“Nice (Reprise)”……………...........…………………...Harry, Annabel

“Confession #2”....…Luigi, Rita, Harry, Annabel, Company

“Act II Finale: Good to Be Alive”…..............…Harry, Annabel, Company

WHO’S WHO

CHRISSY ALBANESE* (Landlady & Others) is so happy to be returning to Florida Rep for a third season after being seen in A Sherlock Carol and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Off-Broadway: PUFFS at New World Stages. Favorite Regional credits: Austen’s Pride (The REV), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Florida Studio Theatre), Tartuffe (Westport Country Playhouse), Sister Act (Maine State Music Theatre), My Fair Lady (Eliza), The Wizard of Oz (Surflight Theatre), Ogunquit Playhouse, and her solo cabarets called OFF and I Don’t Know Anything. Chrissy is also a muay thai fighter in NY and an Ellen’s Stardust Diner singer. Thank you, Florida Rep and thank you to my loved ones! @chrissy.albanese

NICHOLAS CAYCEDO* (Solicitor, Emcee, & Others/ Dance Captain) is delighted to be making his Florida Rep debut! He is a New York City based actor who has appeared Off-Broadway in The Great Gatsby Immersive Show (Park Central), Good Morning New York (Player’s Theatre), and La Mama Cantata (La MaMa). Regional: John Leguizamo’s Kiss My Aztec (Hartford Stage), America in One Room (Florida Studio Theatre), Tick Tick Boom (Theatre Workshop of Nantucket), The Realness (Hangar Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Creede Rep), In the Heights (Seacoast Rep), I Become A Guitar (Kitchen Theatre). Training: Ithaca College, Walnut Hill School. Nicholas is a native Vermonter and proud member of Actor’s Equity. Thanks, PMA! For my familia, Ryan, & our dog, Lincoln.

KIM MORGAN DEAN* (Rita La Porta) is delighted to return to Florida Rep, where she started her career as an acting intern back in the 2006-2007 season. Since then, Kim has performed in over 20 productions at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA and over 30 productions at Greenbrier Valley Theatre in Lewisburg, WV, including Next to Normal in the summer of 2023. Florida Rep credits include Beguiled Again, Ripcord, and Moon Over Buffalo Other credits include Murder on the Links, Don’t Dress for Dinner (North Coast Rep & Laguna Playhouse); Yankee Tavern (Florida Stage); and Collected Stories (Mosaic Theatre). She is a twotime recipient of the Carbonell Award for Best Supporting Actress. Gratitude to Greg, Jason, & the Rep crew for having me aboard, to TM for love & support, and to YOU for supporting live theatre! www.kimmorgandean.com

J.J. GIBSONˆ (Swing, Body, u/s Harry Witherspoon & others) 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!

HANNAH McGINLEY LEMASTERS* (Annabel Glick) is thrilled to be making her debut on the Florida Rep stage! Originally from Franklin, TN, she has been living and performing in the Orlando area for the past 10 years. Some of her favorite roles include Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), Bella Rose (Desperate Measures), Rona Lisa Peretti (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods). She’d like to thank Jason for the opportunity as well as her husband, family and friends for their constant support, even from afar. Hannah is over the moon to bring her favorite musical to all of you! Hope you enjoy it one iota as much as she does. “It’s good to be alive!” www.hannahmcginley.com

PATRICK RICHWOOD*

(Vincent di Ruzzio) is delighted to be making his Florida Rep debut. Favorite Theatre roles include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Goat in The Robber Bridegroom (Off Broadway), Constantin in The Seagull, Albert in The Body Beautiful (Off Broadway and Cast Recording), Renfield in Dracula, Stephen Stevens in Down South (Off Broadway), Mr. Smee in Peter Pan (National Tour starring Cathy Rigby), Freddy/Phillip in Noises Off, and Ellard Simms in The Foreigner (Helen Hayes Award). Over 100 wacky commercials, 3 Television series and 24 films, including The Princess Diaries, Dear God, Beaches, The Race to Space, Runaway Bride, Streets, Armageddon, The Other Sister, and Soul Surfer have made his face a familiar one. Fun fact: Patrick is most often recognized as Dennis, the Elevator Operator in the Touchstone film, Pretty Woman — and least often as The White Rabbit, a 65-year-old, British bunny (underneath 3 hours of prosthetic makeup) on the Emmy Award-winning Disney series, Adventures in Wonderland.

WHO’S WHO

JACQUELINE

ST. PIERREˆ

(Dominique du Monaco & Others) is a theatre-maker with a passion for acting, directing, and producing. Originally from Winter Springs, Florida, she recently graduated with her B.A. in Theatre from the University of Florida. She is thrilled to join Florida Rep’s artistic community as an acting intern this season! She is infinitely grateful to her mentors, friends, and family for their guidance and love. She thanks YOU for supporting live theatre! Recent performances: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A Christmas Carol, Fahrenheit 451 (Hippodrome Theatre); Proof (JABS Productions); Dust (University of Florida).

SAM SHERWOOD* (Harry

Witherspoon) is glad to be back at Florida Rep after playing Hank Williams in Hank Williams: Lost Highway last season. OffBroadway: Woody Sez (Irish Rep); Fancy: A Country Musical (Developmental lab). Select regional theater credits: Jimmy Ray in Bright Star (Arrow Rock Lyceum); Tully in Escape to Margaritaville (Actors’ Playhouse, Engeman Theatre); Jesus in Godspell (Ivoryton Playhouse); John Denver in Almost Heaven (Riverside Theatre); Woody Guthrie in Woody Sez (TheaterWorks Hartford); Guy in Once (Ivoryton); Pump Boys & Dinettes and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Flat Rock Playhouse); Carl Perkins in Million Dollar Quartet and in the world premiere of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas. Productions of Ring of Fire across the US and Europe. TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

GERRIT VANDERMEER*

(Luigi Gaudi) was seen previously at Florida Rep in Ripcord, Broadway’s Best, To Kill a Mockingbird, and multiple PlayLab appearances including How it Feels to Fall from the Sky, The Circle Game, We Will Not Be Silent, The Pier at the End of the World, Rainbow’s Return, and The Dingdong. National Tour: Harold Hill in The Music Man. Regional Theatre: Gulfshore Playhouse, Trinity Repertory Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Old Globe, Pioneer Theatre Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company (D.C.), Texas Shakespeare Festival, Geva Theatre, Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, The Geffen Playhouse. More than 25 productions at Naples’ TheatreZone. Film and Television: The Good Wife, Law and Order, Ugly Betty, Rescue Me, All My Children, As the World Turns. Professor of Theatre at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music & the Arts since 2012. He is a proud (local!) member of Actor’s Equity Association.

NOAH WARFORDˆ (Punk, Bellhop & Others) 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

REAGAN BAKERˆ (u/s Annabel Glick & others) recently received her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Montevallo and is thrilled to begin her journey here at Florida Rep. She is originally from Mobile, Alabama where she began acting at 10 years old in a production of Annie Jr. Since then, she has had the privilege of bringing many roles to life, some including Sophie in Mamma Mia and Anna in Frozen Jr. She was most recently seen in the University of Montevallo’s production of Pippin Reagan would like to thank everyone here at Florida Rep. for taking a chance of her, and she looks forward to the rest of this magical season.

JILLIAN

HALLˆ (u/s Rita La Porta & others) is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University, where she received her BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance. Originally from the mountains of Southwestern Virginia, Jillian has grown up in the arts and is thrilled to continue to pursue her passion at Florida Rep! Some of her most recent roles include Ocean O’ Connell Rosenberg in Ride the Cyclone (WCU), Geppetto in Pinocchio (Missoula Children’s Theatre), Mrs. White in Clue (WCU), and Grandma Addams in The Addams Family (WCU). She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant love and support!

JAMESON STOBBEˆ (Swing) just graduated from UCF with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Some Theatre UCF credits include Bright Star (Billy Cane), Peter and the Starcatcher (Lord Aster, Co-Fight Choreographer, Fight Captain), and Working (Stonemason Soloist, Asst. Music Director). Some professional credits include Ragtime (Younger Brother), Rock of Ages (Franz Klineman), and Rent (Roger U/S, Ensemble). As an Advanced Actor Combatant, he has 7 recommended passes and 1 basic pass in 8 different weapon disciplines with the SAFD. From acting to singing to stage combat, he’s so excited to continue his theatrical journey with FL Rep. www.jamesonstobbe.com

WHO’S WHO

LYNN AHRENS (Lyricist/Librettist) won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards and received two Grammy nominations for Broadway’s Ragtime. For Twentieth Century Fox’s animated feature film Anastasia, she was nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globes. She and longtime collaborator Stephen Flaherty received the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement, and in 2015 they were inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Broadway: Anastasia; Once On This Island (Olivier Award, Best Musical; Tony nominations, Best Book and Score); Seussical (Grammy nomination); My Favorite Year; Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life; Rocky; Madison Square Garden’s A Christmas Carol; Ragtime (2010 Broadway revival). OffBroadway and regional: Lincoln Center Theater’s Dessa Rose, The Glorious Ones (both Drama Desknominated) and A Man of No Importance (Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Musical); Lucky Stiff; Little Dancer (Kennedy Center world premiere). Film and television credits include A Christmas Carol (NBC-TV); Camp (IFC Films); Schoolhouse Rock (ABC-TV) and others. (Emmy Award and four Emmy nominations). She is a Council member of the Dramatists Guild of America, a co-founder of the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program, and a Lilly Award winner for Lyrics. www.ahrensandflaherty.com

STEPHEN FLAHERTY (Composer) is the composer of the Broadway musicals Ragtime (Tony, Drama Desk, OCC Awards, two Grammy nominations), Seussical (Grammy, Drama Desk nominations), Once on This Island (Tony nomination, Olivier Award, Best Musical) and Rocky Additional Broadway includes Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life (original songs) and Neil Simon’s Proposals (incidental music). Stephen has also written four musicals at Lincoln Center Theatre: The Glorious Ones (OCC, Drama Desk nominations), Dessa Rose (OCC, Drama Desk nominations), A Man of No Importance (OCC, Best Musical, Drama Desk nomination) and My Favorite Year. Other theater includes In Your Arms (Old Globe), Little Dancer (Kennedy Center), Lucky Stiff (Playwrights Horizons) and Loving Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein (Chicago’s Jefferson Award, Best New Musical.) Film includes Anastasia (two Academy Award and two Golden Globe nominations), the documentary After The Storm and Lucky Stiff. Mr. Flaherty’s concert music has premiered at the Hollywood Bowl, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Guggenheim Museum and Symphony Space. This year celebrates Stephen’s 32-year collaboration with lyricist-librettist Lynn Ahrens. Stephen and Lynn are members of the Dramatists Guild Council and co- founders of the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program. In 2015 they were inducted into the Theater Hall Of Fame. AhrensAndFlaherty.com.

JASON PARRISH**† (Director) is now in his 20th Season with Florida Rep as an Ensemble Member and the company’s Associate Artistic Director. His directing credits with Florida Rep include Hank Williams: Lost Highway, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Ring of Fire, Ripcord, Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story, Let’s Fall in Love (which he co-created), the National New Play Network Rolling World premiere of Alabaster, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Million Dollar Quartet, Steel Magnolias, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A Christmas Story, The Fantasticks, and Tru, as well as numerous readings for Florida Rep’s PlayLab Festival of New Works and the Theatre for Young Audience Series. His over 30 appearances with the company include The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, A Sherlock Carol, Driving Miss Daisy, Cabaret, How the Other Half Loves, The Dingdong, 2014’s nationally acclaimed production of Arsenic and Old Lace, and six years in David Sedaris’ oneman-show, The Santaland Diaries. Jason’s work with other theatres includes Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Artis–Naples & the Naples Philharmonic, Actors’ Playhouse (Miami), Riverside Theatre (Vero Beach), Theatre by the Sea & Ocean State Theatre Company (Rhode Island), and guest appearances with the New York Philharmonic’s Young People’s Concert Series. He is a proud member of AEA and SDC. Thanks to supportive family, friends, and colleagues. JasonParrish.net.

KYLE BRAND (Asst. Director/Choreographer) is ecstatic to return to Florida Rep! He’s currently an Atlanta-based director and choreographer, with regional acting credits in Mary Poppins (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Oliver (Pioneer Theatre Co.), Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Matilda (Northern Stage), A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (Hartford Stage Company). As a director, his work includes Side by Side by Sondheim (Northern Stage), Tenderly, Avenue Q, Altar Boyz (Playhouse on Park), Guys and Dolls, Damn Yankees (Monomoy Theatre), and Titanic (The Hartt School). As a choreographer his work includes A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder (Florida Rep), Once, Mamma Mia, Million Dollar Quartet and recently Beauty and the Beast (Northern Stage), Anything Goes, Kiss Me, Kate, Cabaret (Monomoy Theatre), Spamalot, Godspell (New London Barn Playhouse), Escape to Margaritaville (Wagon Wheel), Barnum and Spring Awakening (The Hartt School). He holds his BFA in Music Theatre from the Hartt School and is a proud AEA member.

WHO’S WHO

VICTORIA CASELLA (Musical Director/ Keyboard) is thrilled to be back for her 10th season with Florida Rep! Most recently, she served as musical director for New York City Opera’s Pride Concert, Beehive (Florida Repertory Theatre), Master Class, and The Fantasticks (Bergen County Players). Where the Time Goes, a ‘60s musical she co-wrote and arranged, premiered at Florida Rep’s 2019 PlayLab Festival and was recently performed at the Dramatists Guild (NYC). Other musical direction projects: Night and Day: Love Lost and Found Through the Eyes of Cole Porter (Elmwood Playhouse) - Broadway World Award for Best Musical Direction and Orchestra; Elliot & Me, a new musical about the life and times of famed songwriter Elliot Willensky, (Hudson Theatre Works and streamed for Laguna Playhouse and Sonoma Arts Theatre). At Florida Rep, musical direction/ creative team for Let’s Fall In Love, Night and Day, (Broadway World Best Musical Direction Award) and Fascinatin’ Gershwin, musical direction for Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical, and Spelling Bee. Other credits: The Green Crow Caws (Irish Repertory Theatre, NYC), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Full Monty, Romance Romance, Altar Boyz (Theatre Barn). Acting credits: Susanna in Daredevil (Netflix, Season 2), Mrs. Aaronson in The Gold (NYMF), Marie (understudy) in The Most Happy Fella (Goodspeed).

MELL CSICSILA (Percussion) has supported over 35 national tours including Wicked, Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady, Tina, Anastasia, Mary Poppins, The Producers, Ragtime, and Parade at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square and in theaters across the US. He has been a musician for regional productions at Tuacahn, Pioneer Theater, Arizona Theater Company, Gulfshore Playhouse, and Lyric Opera Cleveland and is experienced in orchestral and contemporary music performing with orchestras and chamber ensembles across the Midwest and backing artists like Johnny Mathis, Aretha Franklin, The Who, The Moody Blues, and Frank Sinatra, Jr. Mell currently lives in his childhood home, a log cabin in the woods of Hinckley, Ohio where he can practice without disturbing the neighbors too much. www.strikingthings.com and IG: @strikingthings.

ASH RAYNE BARRETT (Asst. Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working as the Assistant Stage Manager on Lucky Stiff 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 Preju-

dice, Big Fish, and Romeo and Juliet with her university as well as The Little Mermaid with Nashville Children’s Theater.

ALICIA DIGIORGI* (Stage Manager) has been a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2004 and has stage managed professionally for over 20 years. She began her career in Pittsburgh PA and has had the opportunity to work in Omaha, San Diego, Washington D.C., Baltimore and now Florida. Select AEA stage management credits include working with The Public, City Theatre Company, Bricolage, barebones, The REP, Philips Hamilton Tour, and more!

STEFANIE GENDA***† (Costume Designer) Florida Rep: Ben Butler, 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 Off-Broadway stages. Follow Stefanie on Instagram @stef_withan_f_no_ph

KATIE LOWE (Sound Designer) is happy to return to Florida Repertory Theatre! Previous credits include Oleanna, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Ken Ludwig’s A Comedy of Tenors, The Gin Game, Beehive: The 60s Musical, The Mountaintop, A Sherlock Carol, The Legend of Georgia McBride, The Importance of Being Earnest, Ripcord, And Then There Were None, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Maytag Virgin, Alabaster, Bulletproof Backpack, Every Brilliant Thing, Barefoot in the Park, An Inspector Calls, Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Story, Damascus, Refugee (Sound Designer, Florida Repertory Theatre), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Matilda, Spring Awakening, Disney’s Newsies (Sound Engineer, Florida Repertory Theatre), Cabaret (A2, Florida Repertory Theatre), Million Dollar Quartet (A2, Endstation Theatre Company). Katie would like

WHO’S WHO

to thank her parents, her husband Ben, and her fur babies, Noodle and Truffle, for their endless support and love!

MELISSA A. NATHAN* (Asst. Stage Manager) is thrilled to be doing this show at Florida Rep where she just finished stage managing The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Previous FL Rep shows are Educating Rita and The Miracle Worker. Other credits include Godspell (in a pool), Ragtime, and the world premieres of The Magnificent Seven and The Future is Female (Flint Repertory Theatre), Souvenir and Much Ado About Nothing (Theater at Monmouth), Pictures from Home (Florida Studio Theatre), Which Way to the Stage (Short North Stage), Oliver! and Our Town (Sharon Playhouse), Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America (Riverside Theatre), Airline Highway and Gloria (Swine Palace/LSU), Because of Winn-Dixie and Beauty and the Beast (Alabama Shakespeare Festival). Proud member of Actors Equity Association and the Stage Managers’ Association. In memory of mentor and teacher, Paul Michael Sargent.

TYLER M. PERRY*** (Lighting Designer) is an award-winning designer for theatre, television, and live events. Florida Rep credits include Beehive: The 60s Musical, Ring of Fire, West Side Story, … Gentleman’s Guide…, An Inspector Calls, Cabaret, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He has designed regionally at theatres including Kitchen Theatre Company, Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Northern Stage, Ocean State Theatre Company, and Hope Summer Repertory Theatre. His work on television has earned Telly Awards and an Emmy nomination and can be seen on BravoTV, Amazon Sports Network, NBC, Peacock, ABC, Fox Sports 1, and AOPA Live. Tyler is the Assistant Lighting Designer for 2017 Broadway revival of Miss Saigon, and national tours of

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

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Beautiful: The Carol King Musical. Tyler is the Technical Theatre Director at Riverdale Country School and incoming Director of Production at Kitchen Theatre Company in Ithaca, NY. Tylermperrydesign.com

BERT SCOTT*** (Set Designer) Off-Broadway designs include According to Goldman, Bass for Picasso, The Unexpected Guest, The Cocktail Hour, The Middle Ages,The Rules of Charity, and many others. Regionally, Bert has designed for Stages St. Louis, Theatre West Virginia (where he served for seven seasons as Resident Designer), The Opera Company of Philadelphia, The Mark Twain Playhouse (Branson, MO), Theatre by the Sea and Ocean State Theatre (Rhode Island), North Shore Music Theatre (Boston), The Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando Rep, and Nickelodeon (Slime Time Live! on Norwegian Cruise Lines and several productions of Dora the Explorer Live! in the US and Canada). Bert is an associate professor of theatre and the coordinator of the Theatre Design & Technology BFA program at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.

SPECIAL THANKS

Gary Stroh & Randy Web Cypress Lake Center for the Arts

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

ADVISORY COUNCIL

John Martin

Jeanette Meade

Laurye O’Melia

Fred Weinman

Don Abbott • Liz Abbott • Greg Balestrero • 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 • Martin McLaughlin • Kinfay Moroti • Sharyn Rosenblum • Carly Schwartzel • Chris Verrill

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 Supervisor..............................Gena Gossett

Front of House Associates.....Rick Aschenbrenner, Gerrie Benzing, Ty Burton-Deerhardt, Desiree Fleming, Rebecca Forsythe, Joanne Friedman, LaVeda Holtberg, 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.....Camden Keech/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 Master.................................................Miranda White

Props Artist....................................................Laura Lumetta

2024-2025 INTERN COMPANY

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

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

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

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

Properties.....................................................Roman Fajardo

Contains strong language, adult situations, & brief nudity.

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