Baipás Program

GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE

2021 – 2022

SEASON

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From the Artistic Director I first had the pleasure of working with Julio Monge when he choreographed a revolutionary new 360 degree production of West Side Story in Tokyo.

Our paths crossed again when he was a cultural consultant on the new Steven Spielberg production of the film of West Side Story.

It was then I realized it would be fantastic to convince him to join us here at George Street Playhouse.

Julio brought us this fascinating play by one of the most famous artists in Puerto Rican culture, Jacobo Morales.

We are proud to be presenting the English language premiere of this unusual romance.

Together with his wonderful design team and two remarkable actors, Maggie Bofill and Jorge Luna, Julio brings his unique artistry to this story, which is sure to be a stimulating, thought-provoking and romantic adventure.

David Saint Artistic Director

David Saint, Artistic Director

THE PERFECT VENUE

FOR YOUR NEXT CORPORATE MEETING, RECEPTION OR FUNDRAISER

The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center has beautifully designed, fully ADA-compliant spaces and an expert staff to help successfully stage your next event. Email us: hospitality@nbpac.org.

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2022 SCHEDULE MARCH 1-20

Baipás

MARCH 2

Rutgers Jazz Lab Band

A celebration of female musicians and composers MARCH 4

Rutgers Jazz Ensemble

Afro-Caribbean jazz MARCH 7

Rutgers Visiting Filmmakers Series

Screening and Q&A MARCH 12

ARB’s Mask-erade Gala

MARCH 24-25

Tentacle Tribe

Uncommon dance works with a contemporary twist APRIL 1-3

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

APRIL 15-23

Genesis Festival

APRIL 20

Rutgers Jazz Ensemble

Charles Mingus APRIL 21

Rutgers Visiting Filmmakers Series

Screening and Q&A APRIL 22

Rutgers Jazz Lab Band

Charles Mingus APRIL 26-MAY 21

A Walk on the Moon

APRIL 28-29

BFA Filmmakers Showcases

MAY 3

New Lens Film Festival

JUNE 3-5

Movin’ & Groovin’

JUNE 10-26

Freedom Rider

JUNE 15-26

Sugarbelly

And Other Tales My Father Told Me

Proud to support

George Street Playhouse

Board of Trustees Chairman: James N. Heston* President: Penelope Lattimer, Ph.D.* Treasurer: Ronald Bleich* Secretary: Sharon Karmazin* Wanda J. Blanchett, Ph.D. Camara Epps Lucy Hughes Philip L. Kirstein Adele T. Macula, Ed.D. Dina M. Mastellone C. Sharon Parker Kimberlee Phelan

Norman Politziner Kelly Ryman* David Saint* Jocelyn Schwartzman Nonny Stahlin Janice Stolar Lora Tremayne *Denotes Members of the Executive Committee

Trustees Emeritus Al D’Augusta Cody P. Eckert Kenneth M. Fisher

Peter Goldberg William Hagaman Clarence E. Lockett

Board of Anthony L. Marchetta Alan W. Voorhees George Wolansky

Honorary Board of Trustees James Cahill

Thomas H. Kean Eric Krebs, Founder

Honorary Memoriam Maurice Aaron∆ Dr. Edward Bloustein∆ Robert L. Bramson∆∆ Dora Center∆∆ Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.∆ Milton Goldman∆ John Hila

Betty Wold Johnson∆ Arthur Laurents∆ Richard Sellars∆ Barbara Voorhees∆∆ Edward K. Zuckerman∆ Adelaide M. Zagoren ∆∆ – Denotes Trustee Emeritus ∆ – Denotes Honorary Trustee

George Street Playhouse is pleased to spotlight two members of our Board of Trustees, Wanda J. Blanchett, Ph.D. and C. Sharon Parker, who joined the board in 2020. Their leadership and the leadership of the entire board enables us to remain committed to our mission of enriching lives through world-class theater.

Wanda J. Blanchett, Ph.D. (Trustee) was appointed Dean of the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) in 2014 where she is also a tenured Distinguished Professor.

Previously, Dr. Blanchett served as the Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Rutgers University—New Brunswick. Prior to coming to Rutgers, Dr. Blanchett served as the Kauffman Endowed Chair in Teacher Education and Dean of the School of Education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Blanchett’s research focuses on issues of educational inequity including urban teacher preparation, issues of race, class, culture, and gender, disproportionate representation of students of color in special education, and issues of sexuality for students with disabilities. She has published numerous articles and book chapters as well as co-edited two books. Her research and perspectives on the impact of COVID on all students, and especially, students of color, students with disabilities, and students at the intersection have been shared in interviews on National Public Radio (NPR) and in Rolling Stone Magazine. Now in her 31st year as an educator, Dr. Blanchett is a veteran educator who is committed to Advancing Excellence and Equity in Education.

She is a Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) and has served numerous professional and community service entities in elected and appointed roles.

Trustees

C. Sharon Parker (Trustee) At present, Sharon works as a Business Partner within the Pharmaceutical industry, with 15 years of professional experience that spans Human Resources, Real Estate & Facilities, and Marketing. She champions culture and innovation initiatives within her professional organization.

Passionate about coaching others (professionally and personally), Sharon loves creating positive organizational culture, leading team effectiveness, learning new things and being entrepreneurial. These are aspects that she brings to the table as a Trustee for George Street Playhouse, with the vision of wanting to create a diverse organization that seeks to enrich people’s lives by producing world-class theatre. Sharon is married to her husband, Jonathan Parker, and has a 7 month old son. Sharon earned a BA in Behavioral Science and Psychology, and an MA in Psychological Studies from Seton Hall University.

S AV E T H E D AT E : JUNE 1 , 2022

ANNUAL

la Ga Benefit As special evening in honor of our 2022 Thomas H. Kean Arts Advocacy Award Recipients:

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Jocelyn Schwartzman Lora Tremayne For more: (732) 258-7556 Gala@GeorgeStPlayhouse.org

EDI Values Statement

GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION VALUES STATEMENT

The values of George Street Playhouse embody and celebrate the identities, backgrounds and diverse experiences of our communities.

We espouse to be an organization fully committed to: • Being open to and receptive of new ideas • Being an advocate of diverse populations within our communities • Being collaborative within our organization by giving everyone a voice • Being authentic in our curiosity and seeking opportunities to develop our own lives through learning and celebrating others

B E F O R E & A F T E R T H E C U R TA I N m a ke y o u r a p p e a ra n c e a t T h e He l d r i c h

Begin or complete your evening with dramatic flavors to entertain the senses at Christopher’s Restaurant & Bar. Then, take the elevator home to a spacious guestroom with city views of downtown New Brunswick.

10 Livingston Avenue | theheldrich.com | 732.729.4670

GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE David Saint, Artistic Director Kelly Ryman, Managing Director Presents

Baipás

by Jacobo Morales Directed & Choreographed by Julio Monge Scenic Design by Wilson Chin Costume Design by Harry Nadal Lighting Design by Jason Lyons Projection Design by Caite Hevner Sound Design by Germán Martinez Original Music Composed by Javier Diaz Assistant Director Melissa McCann Production Stage Manager Cheryl Mintz* Production Manager Christopher J. Bailey Casting by McCorkle Casting, Ltd.

March 1 - March 20, 2022 In accordance with Actors’ Equity Association regulations, we remind you that all electronic devices, including cellular phones, watches, and anything else that lights up or makes noise must be turned off during the performance.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.

Made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

George Street Playhouse is a constituent of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and a member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance. The theatre operates under an agreement between LORT and Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States, and is a member of the New Brunswick Cultural Center.

LIKE A GOOD UNDERSTUDY, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED Insuring and supporting the George Street Playhouse since 1974

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CAST in order of appearance

Lorena...............................................................................Maggie Bofill* Antonio..................................................................................Jorge Luna*

Baipás is performed without an intermission

*- denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association

The actors and stage manager employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

The director is a member of The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Inc., an independent national labor union.

The stage technicians of George Street Playhouse are proud members of IATSE Local 21.

The Scenic, Costume, Lighting, Projection and Sound Designers in LORT theatres are represented

by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE. The George Street Playhouse playbill is published five times a year by George Street Playhouse, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation. Please send advertising inquiries to George Street Playhouse, P. O. Box 194, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0194, attn: Playbill Advertising.

COMPANY bios.

Maggie Bofill (Lorena) Actor, playwright.

Founding member of LAByrinth Theater Company, member of Ensemble Studio Theater (EST) and WAW, WomanArtistWriters (Dorset Theater Festival). Proud Cuban American, and thrilled to be at George Street for the first time. Recent: Nationally Televised PBS Short Cuban American Gothic, Performed/Written by Maggie in collaboration with Maria Rodriguez.

STAGE: Bella, The Sound Inside, Theater Works Hartford, Dir. Rob Ruggiero: Nora, A Doll’s House Part Two, The Long Wharf Theatre, Dir. Will Davis: Armida, Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles, St. Louis Rep. Dir: Rebecca Martinez: Blanca in The 24 Hour Plays Viral Monologues, Writer Michael John Garcés: TV AND FILM: High Town, The Path, Smash, Law & Order: SVU. maggiebofill.com, IG: maggiebofillita Jorge Luna (Antonio) George Street Playhouse debut, and it’s a true honor! THEATRE: Constellations (George S. Lindsey Theatre), Hamlet (Jersey City Theater Center), Deathwatch (New Ohio), The Dream Dances (Irondale), SHINKA (Capital Fringe), Starry Messenger (Theatre For The New City), Cymbeline (Chashama), FLORIDITA, My Love (INTAR), Barceloneta, de noche (IATI), The Tempest (BC), The Promise (CBA). FILM: The Week Of (Netflix), planet b234 (Vail), All The Beautiful Things (Sundance), papa y yoyo, The Last Frankenstein, Catching Fireflies, All Is Not Lost, Angelo, Bx3M. TV: Lisey’s Story, Elementary, The Blacklist, Law & Order: SVU, The Code, One Life to Live, Basile. TRAINING: Shakespeare; RADA.

BA Theatre; UPR. MFA Acting; Brooklyn College. www.jorgeluna.net. Keelie, Otto, Mami, Noris, Arturo, los amo.

Jacobo Morales (Playwright) Actor, poet, playwright and filmmaker, born in Puerto Rico. He began his career at the age of fourteen, working as an actor and scriptwriter for radio station WNEL. Since the beginning, Jacobo quickly established a reputation in acting, entering the television field when it started in Puerto Rico in 1954. His programs were widely accepted and occupied first place in audiences. His poetry and some of his theatrical work and screenplays have been published. As a filmmaker he has achieved various international awards.

But the high point for Jacobo came in 1990 when Lo que le pasó a Santiago was nominated for an Academy Award as “Best Foreign Language Film” of 1989, the first Puerto Rican movie to be nominated for an Oscar. “In his movies and in his work as an actor, poet, playwright and filmmaker Jacobo has been consistent in his efforts to maintain a high quality in everything he does.”

Julio Monge (Director & Choreographer) Directing credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch (also producer and translation) at the Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Best Production Award), and West Side Story (co-director) at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (Helpmann Award Best Direction and nomination for Best Choreography). Choreography credits include The Somewhere Project, celebrating Carnegie Hall’s 125th anniversary; Tony Kushner’s translation of Mother Courage and Her Children starring Meryl Streep at the Delacorte Theater, and the musical Radiant Baby, both directed by George C. Wolfe. Also, The Threepenny Opera at Williamstown

COMPANY bios.

Theater Festival starring Betty Buckley; and Jose Rivera’s premiere of References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot starring Rosie Pérez. He was an artistic collaborator in the new film version of West Side Story, written by Tony Kushner and directed by Stephen Spielberg.

Baltimore Center Stage, Zoey’s Perfect Wedding at TheaterWorks (Hartford, CT), Porgy and Bess at Des Moines Metro Opera and The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at ZACH Theatre (Austin, TX).

MFA from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. www.harrynadal.com

Wilson Chin (Scenic Design) Broadway: Pass Over (Lortel Award nomination), Next Fall. Off Broadway: Cost of Living, By the Water (Manhattan Theatre Club); Teenage Dick (Ma-Yi/Public); A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet (DR2); Space Dogs (MCC), Wild Goose Dreams (Public/La Jolla Playhouse); The Thanksgiving Play (Playwrights Horizons); Sakina’s Restaurant (Audible/Minetta Lane); Informed Consent (Primary Stages). Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Eine Florentinische Tragödie/Gianni Schicchi (Canadian Opera Company, Dora Mavor Moore Award). Film/television: Pass Over (dir. Spike Lee), Blindspot (NBC). Eastern Region Board member of Local USA 829.

Instagram: @wilsonchindesign

Jason Lyons (Lighting Design) GSP: Too Heavy for Your Pocket, The Trial of Donna Caine, The Nerd, Act of God. Broadway: Hand to God, On the Town, Bronx Bombers, Let It Be, Bring It On: The Musical, Rock of Ages, The Threepenny Opera, Barefoot in the Park, and Good Vibrations. Recent: Junk (Arena Stage), Clueless, The Musical (The New Group), Oklahoma (TUTS), Sugar In Our Wounds (MTC), Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion (5th Ave), Born For This (Arena Stage), Kings, Dry Powder, Barbecue (The Public Theatre), Familiar, Robin Hood, Red Velvet, Macbeth and Love’s Labor’s Lost (The Old Globe).

Awards: Jeff, Helen Hayes, and Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Lighting Design. jasonlyonsdesign.com

Harry Nadal (Costume Design) Originally from San Juan, PR. New York credits include Lincoln Center Institute, Atlantic Theater Co., Brooklyn Academy of Music, LAByrinth Theater Company, Juilliard, INTAR, HOME for Contemporary Theater and Art, Pregones/PRTT, HERE Arts Center and Theater for the New City among many.

Regional credits include the 2020 world premier of Freedom Ride at Chicago Opera Theater, Seven Guitars and A Raisin in the Sun at Arena Stage (Washington DC), TheaterWorks (Hartford, CT), UrbanArias (Arlington, VA), Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Baltimore Center Stage, Boise Contemporary Theater and People’s Light (Malvern, PA), among others. Upcoming: Folks at Home at

Caite Hevner (Projection Design) Previously at George Street - The Immigrant. Broadway: In Transit; Derren Brown: SECRET; Harry Connick Jr., A Celebration of Cole Porter. New York: Sweatshop Overlord, NYTW; Bella Bella, Manhattan Theatre Club; Collective Rage, MCC; DISCORD, Primary Stages; Ugly Lies the Bone, Roundabout Underground; Parade and The Scarlet Pimpernel, Manhattan Concert Productions/Lincoln Center. Regional: Alabama Shakespeare, Alley, Alliance, Arena, Baltimore Center Stage, Barrington Stage, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theater Center, Everyman, Guthrie, Long Wharf, Maltz Jupiter, McCarter, MUNY, Pasadena Playhouse, Playmaker’s Rep, Seattle 5th Avenue, Syracuse Stage, Westport Country Playhouse, Williamstown. Projection

COMPANY bios.

Coordinator for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’s Broadway Bares since 2018.

Instagram: @caitehevner www.caitedesign.com Germán Martinez (Sound Design) is a NYC based Sound Designer and Audio Engineer. He received his BFA in Production and Design in Theatre, with a concentration in Sound in 2018 from Montclair State University. He currently is the Eastern Representative for the TSDCA (Theatrical Sound Designer and Composers Association). Upcoming work will be featured at: American Repertory Theatre, Two River Theater, Trinity Rep, Dallas Theater Center, and Houston Stages. Germán is motivated to uplift stories that explore the topics of, queer experiences, immigrant and first generation stories, and BIPOC narratives.

He invites any like minded artists to collaborate. You can keep up with his work on Instagram: @GermanTheSoundDesigner Javier Diaz (Composer) is a composer/ percussionist in New York. Originally from Cuba, he has written music for chamber groups, orchestras, popular music groups, and electronic mediums.

Diaz has been commissioned by the Aspen Music Festival, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, NYU, Boston Conservatory, and El Sistema of Venezuelan youth orchestras. Diaz’s music was featured on the 2021 American Symphony Chamber Music Series. As a percussionist, he has performed with the American Symphony, Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, Broadway orchestras, Pedro Martinez, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Patty LaBelle, Lazaro Galarraga, and others. Diaz’s studio/film credits include In The Heights, West Side Story (2021), collaborations with David Sanborn and Marcus Miller, and multiple film soundtracks.

Melissa McCann (Assistant Director) is thrilled to make her assistant directorial debut at George Street Playhouse. Previous credits include Finding Neverland: The Musical (first national tour, swing/dance captain), West Side Story (Carnegie Hall, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Australia), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (MUNY, TUTS), and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to name a few. Huge thanks to Julio and everyone at George Street Playhouse. It’s so wonderful to be back in the theater!

Cheryl Mintz (Production Stage Manager) celebrated 30 seasons at McCarter Theatre Center, 25 as the Resident Production Stage Manager, with 106 productions to her credit.

She has a career long (37 productions) collaboration with director/playwright Emily Mann. With 70+ Operas, Dance and Music events to her credit, Cheryl has enjoyed thirteen collaborations with Maestro Gian Carlo Menotti and Spoleto Festival USA and Italy. Cheryl spent five seasons at Lincoln Center with New York City Opera where she Stage Managed 40 operas and musicals, three tours and three PBS telecasts. Cheryl is a recipient of the 2010 Applause Award and the Award of Excellence at the 2020 New Jersey Theatre Alliance Curtain Call. Cheryl’s pandemic pivot as CoFounder, Partner and Creative Director of princetonVIRTUAL.com resulted in virtual community events and theatrical projects which spanned Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional companies.

Broadway: Six productions. Stage Managers’ Association: Executive Board 18 years. MFA: Yale School of Drama.

Pat McCorkle (C.S.A.), McCorkle Casting LTD (Casting) has accumulated a prolific list of film, television, and theatre credits. Pat is passionate about

COMPANY bios. finding new talent and actively involved with inclusion and diversity in the arts.

Feature films currently in production: Cold Million, After Party, Best Death Ever, Eternal Buzz, Incubation. Recently released Films: Winter House, Potato Dreams, The Mistress, Year by the Sea, Premium Rush. Films: Ghost Town, The Thomas Crown Affair, Die Hard with a Vengeance, School Ties, etc. Television (Over 60 projects): Twisted, Humans for Sesame Street, Hack (CBS), Californication (Emmy Nomination), Max Bickford (CBS), Chappelle’s Show, Strangers with Candy, etc. Broadway: Over 50 productions including; On The Town, Amazing Grace, End of the Rainbow, A Few Good Men, etc.

Off-Broadway: Over 60 productions: Highlights; Our Town (Barrow Street), Freud’s Last Session, Toxic Avenger, Almost Maine, Driving Miss Daisy. Regional Theatre: Guthrie, Barrington Stage, St. Louis Rep, George Street Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public, Connecticut Rep, and multiple hundreds of individual productions. www.mccorklecasting.com Christopher J. Bailey (GSP Production Manager) This season marks Mr. Bailey’s 23rd at George Street Playhouse and 17th as its Production Manager, having previously served the Playhouse as Technical Coordinator and Sound and Lighting Manager. Recently for GSP he was Lighting Designer for past season’s production of The Immigrant. Was also Lighting Designer for GSP’s production of Clever Little Lies, which moved to the Guild Hall Theatre in East Hampton and then off-Broadway to the Westside Theatre. His other designs for GSP includes 6 scenic designs and 9 sound designs for GSP’s Educational Touring productions, 28 lighting designs and 40 sound designs for GSP’s mainstage productions. Also, has designed for: Pearl Theatre, Barrington Stage, Premiere

Stages, Bickford Theatre, Abingdon Theatre, Strand Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Two River Theater, Ashlawn Highland Opera, LKB Dance, Randy James Dance, Rand Theater, The Irish Repertory Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Long Wharf, Delaware Theatre Company, Jacob’s Pillow, and more. Mr. Bailey also teaches Stagecraft at Middlesex County College.

David Saint (Artistic Director) is in his 24th season as Artistic Director of George Street Playhouse. He has directed 43 mainstage productions at GSP, having most recently helmed Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise. Additional productions include Fully Committed and Tiny Beautiful Things for the GSP virtual season, Midwives, and Conscience, in addition to The Trial of Donna Caine, American Hero, American Son, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and An Act of God starring the legendary Kathleen Turner in the 2017-18 season. His time here has been marked by collaborations with such artists as Keith Carradine, Tyne Daly, Rachel Dratch, Sandy Duncan, Boyd Gaines, A.R. Gurney, Uta Hagen, Jack Klugman, Dan Lauria, Kathleen Marshall, Elaine May, Anne Meara, David Hyde Pierce, Chita Rivera, Paul Rudd, Stephen Sondheim, Marlo Thomas, Eli Wallach, and many others including a remarkable partnership with Arthur Laurents. In addition, many new award-winning works have begun their life here during his tenure such as The Toxic Avenger, Proof, The Spitfire Grill, Joe DiPietro’s Clever Little Lies, and It Shoulda Been You. He has directed Final Follies at Primary Stages, Clever Little Lies at Guild Hall in East Hampton, NY and off-Broadway at West Side Theatre, as well as the National tour of West Side Story. In July 2016, he directed a two-night concert performance of West Side Story at the

COMPANY bios. legendary Hollywood Bowl. In Summer 2019, he directed a revolutionary new production of West Side Story for IHI Stage Around in Tokyo and served as Associate Producer for the Academy Award-nominated film version of West Side Story directed by Steven Spielberg.

He also has directed on Broadway, offBroadway and regionally at Playwrights Horizons, Manhattan Theatre Club, Primary Stages, McCarter, Williamstown, Seattle Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, Pittsburg Public, Long Wharf and many others by such writers as Aaron Sorkin, Wendy Wasserstein, Peter Parnell, Jonathan Marc Sherman, Joe DiPietro and Jonathan Larson. He is the recipient of the Alan Schneider Award, Helen Hayes Award, L.A., Drama Critics Award, several Drama-Logue Awards and is the President of The Laurents/Hatcher Foundation.

Kelly Ryman (Managing Director) is celebrating her 21st season with George Street Playhouse, having recently led the company through a transformative chapter in its history—overseeing the planning, construction and operations of the move to its interim home on Rutgers Cook Campus in 2017 as well as the move back downtown as a Founding Resident Company of New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. From 2000

to 2013, as the company’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations, she spearheaded promotional efforts that resulted in the top ten-highest grossing productions in the Playhouse’s history, including the hit musical It Shoulda Been You which moved to Broadway in 2015.

Off-Broadway, Kelly was a member of the marketing team for The Toxic Avenger, which premiered at George Street Playhouse and went on to win the 2009 Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical. Active in the non-profit arts community throughout New Jersey, she was the Central NJ Chair of Jersey Arts Marketers for over a decade. She is a member of the board of the New Jersey Theater Alliance and serves on the Board of Directors of New Brunswick City Center and is an adjunct professor of Arts and Entertainment Business at Mercer County College. Prior to her tenure at George Street Playhouse, Ms. Ryman worked at McCarter Theatre and The Wilma Theater. Kelly was recognized in 2012 by ArtPride NJ with their Leadership Award.

JACOBO Y BLANCA Jacobo Morales & Blanca Silvia Eró

Jacobo Morales’s Baipás is an exploration of soul mates, and the boundless love that can exist between humans...amor sin fronteras. While it is not autobiographical, the playwright’s biography can inform our understanding of the play — he is an intellectual, a humanist, locally rooted yet internationally aware, and a committed companion.

“Doña Blanca is energy, she is active, and she passes it on to me. She is the engine, and she has been all her life.”

Even a cursory glance at Jacobo’s personal narrative provides crystal clear insight into the environment of deep love from which he created Baipás.

Jacobo Morales is an 87-yearold Puerto Rican poet, playwright, filmmaker, and actor. Amongst other awards, he has an Oscar Award nomination for the film Lo que le pasó a Santiago (What happened to Santiago?) (1990), The Audience Award at the Latin American Film Festival in Argentina for the film Linda Sara (1995), and seems to have endless energy for creating art. And that is where his wife Blanca Eró comes into focus.

Jacobo met his wife Blanca Silvia Eró at the age of 15, and for 67 years they have created an art-inspired life in tandem. They are partners in every sense of the word — creatives, collaborators, lovers, parents, and grandparents. Blanca Eró has a robust artistic resume all on her own that includes theatre producer and filmmaker.

“Doña Blanca is energy, she is active, and she passes it on to me. She is the engine, and she has been all her life. We’ve known each other since we were kids and got together as teenagers. She is a collaborator, counselor, critic, blunt, she does not forgive me one,” said the filmmaker jokingly. Amongst their most recent merits, in 2021 the pair were bestowed the title of “Humanists of the Year” by the Puerto Rican Foundation for the Humanities. Jacobo and Blanca were recognized for their contribution of cinema, theatre and poetry in Puerto Rico.

“Our artistic management is a legacy of love for our people,” said Blanca of the achievement. The couple agreed that “an artist must be in constant growth both in the artistic and in the human aspect.”

Jacobo humbly added, “I work to give the best of me. [The affection of the people] is a privilege and I reciprocate it with deep gratitude and a sense of obligation to give my best.”

Compiled by Karen Alvarado

CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT

GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE gratefully acknowledges the following for their annual support: EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS $100,000 and Above

The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation

PRODUCERS $50,000 - $99,999

THANK YOU for your annual support CO-PRODUCERS $20,000 - $49,999 Bank of America Bloomberg E.J. Grassmann Trust NJ Arts and Culture Recovery Fund Union Foundation

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS $10,000 - $19,999

The Hyde and Watson Foundation Investors Foundation PNC Foundation Princeton Area Community Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson III Fund

CONTRIBUTING PARTNER $5,000 - $9,999 The Amboy Foundation Anela Kolohe Foundation The Fred C. Rummel Foundation The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation Schumann Fund for New Jersey The Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation GUARANTORS $2,500 - $4,999 The Provident Bank Foundation

PATRONS $1,000 - $2,499 Fund for the New Jersey Blind

BACKERS $500 - $999

Actors Equity Foundation, Inc. Northfield Bank Foundation

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Current Matching Gift Companies Supporting GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE ATT Bristol-Myers Squibb GE Corporation Goldman Sachs The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey

IBM Corporation Johnson & Johnson Merck Company Merrill Lynch & Co PepsiCo Pfizer

Prudential Foundation Robert Wood Johnson Foundation S&P Global Foundation UBS

INDIVIDUALS PRODUCER’S CIRCLE VISIONARIES $25,000+ James N. Heston Peter Jewell and Fred Eisinger Sharon Karmazin Arthur Roswell

SUSTAINERS $10,000– $24,999 Joan and Robert Campbell Lucy Hughes and Sean Devlin The Honorable Thomas H. Kean Nancy and Duncan MacMillan Ellen Ozur and Stuart Brown Mindy Raso Kirstein and Phil Kirstein

ADVOCATES $5,000 – $7,499 Laura Baron Anne E. Hayden Leonard Littman Lexine and Cuyler Tremayne Lora Tremayne

BENEFACTORS $2,500 – $4,999 Edward S. Atwater, IV Isa Beck Regina Belowsky Lois and Ronald Bleich William Engel Tillie and Bob Kahle Lorraine J. Knapp Laura and Dean Livingston Rita Paszamant Dorothy and Norman Politziner Christine Renz and Noah Levy Adrienne and Andrew Ross Jocelyn Schwartzman Janice and Lewis Stolar Mary Ellen Larson Virgadamo and Bob Virgadamo Vicki and Neil Weisfeld Philip and Rebecca Witt

ANGELS $1,000 – $2,499 Ellen Frede and Steven Barnett Lewis Black Wanda Blanchett Walter Bradhering Christine and Benjamin Bucca Mary and Patrick Callan Kathleen Campbell Jackson Marylou and Al D’Augusta D’Maris and Joseph Dempsey Barbara and Paul Eggermann Barbara and Gerald Essig

Ellen Kennedy and David Feigley Susan Forman Bobbi and Barry Freedman Susan Garruto Julie and Robert Goldstein Marc Gonzer Margaret and Thomas Gorrie Christine Grant and Michael Halpern Dave Greene John and Clara Grosso Margaret Grove In Memory of Ralph and Barbara Voorhees Sharon and Mark Gruber Lorraine and Robert Henry Joyce F. Jonat Charles Larsson Penelope E. Lattimer, Ph.D. Nancy L. Lee Irene and Steven Lieberman Sara Logan Pamela and Andrew Lovasz Adele T. Macula, Ed.D. Anthony Marchetta Barbara Martalus in Memory of Robert J. Martalus, longtime friend of the Playhouse Mark McMahon and Roberto Moreira Elizabeth Otterbein C. Sharon and Jonathan Parker Richard A. Patt Mona and Barry Portnoy Ann and Robert Rafano Kristen Rich and Anthony Camaioni II Kathy and Ken Schurzky Lynn and Barry Sherman Noreen and Patrick Sinko Nonny and Paul Stahlin Renée Troiano Margaret Velden Nancy and Edward Winant Michele and George Wolansky

BACKERS $500 – $999 Marie M. Adair Carol Condon Lynnette Durko Dina and Peter Engler Camara Epps The Ganguly Family Willard Geller Robert Grant Denise and Irwin Hametz Jeffrey Hyman Lynda and John Kazmark Janet Lonney Joan and Richard Barry McCormick Daphne and Steven Mishkin Robert Nolan L. Goldstein and I. Novak Dennis O’Dea Jerome N. Pasichow and Robin Greenberg

THANK YOU for your annual support Mary and Theodore Petti Marcus Peter Porcelli Bethany and Jonathan Rabinowitz Marie and Marshall Rosen Marguerite and Rene Schlag Carole and Stephen Schneider in Honor of Janice Stolar Barbara and Howard Sorkin Jeffrey Venezia Carolyn and Dan Vickery Adam White

PARTNERS $250 – $499 Deborah Alexander Jennifer Allen Jeanne and James F. Barrett, II Stuart Bauer Diane Beni Karen A. Beverly Susan and Alan Blanchette Karen and David Blivaiss Chris Bohjalian Adelaide Brenner Jennifer and Richard Bullock Andrea and James Carroll Theodore Choplick Mark Corso Rick Engler and Brad Caswell Roy Epps Elizabeth Fanning Lyn and David Fasanella Barbara Fisk Barbara and Sheldon Freidenreich James G. Gibson Marlene and Joel Gordon Stacie and Rick Grant Laura L. Graumann Gwendolyn and Michael Greenberg Nancy and Marc Greenberger Evelyn Hartmann Nancy E. Hines Ruby Hope

Karen Horlick Marie Foucher and Daniel Hyman Sherry and Janice Johnson Mark Kasdin Donna and Bud Keller Scott Killian Pat and Roger Klein Sharon and Joseph Kosmo Susanne and Alex Kucsma Kevin Janis and George Kupczak Mary and John Larkin Angela Fevola and Karen Maccaron Carolyn Malcolm Richard McAdams Cheryl and Jeff McBride Mary Ann McLaughlin Bennett Miller Cheryl Mintz and Harris Richter Judith S. Musicant and Hugh Clark Carol Natarelli Randi Neuman Brenda J. Overcash and Thomas West Kim and Chris Riemann Steve Rifkin and Merle Soroco Ellen and Steve Ritz Edwin Robinson Naomi Rose Karen and Henry Ross Sonja Rowe Rita Seplowitz Saltz Karen Satterthwaite Victoria and Michael Shernicoff Rachel Silverstein Sheldon Singer Joanne Stern Bonnie and David Sudol Patrice Sullivan Pannie Trifillis/Kiledjian Stephen M. and Gabriella Vajtay Bonnie and Allan Warton Lynne Weiss Caroline Willard

Includes annual support received through January 31, 2022.

If you notice an error here, please do not hesitate to contact us at development@georgestplayhouse.org so that we may correct it for our next printing.

A contribution to the arts is an investment in the quality of life for all citizens.

As a not-for-profit theatre, we depend on annual support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government to produce world class theater in New Jersey, provide highly acclaimed arts education programming, and make theater accessible to everyone in our community.

C reating our future, together.

artscouncil.nj.gov

(609) 292-6130

1814 - Playbill Ads - Half Size - 2018- 5.5x8.5.indd 1

2/16/18 2:34 PM

Celebrating the arts and the joy they bring to life every day.

Thank you, George Street Playhouse, for sharing your talents with everyone in the community.

Contact our Wealth Director Aquatia Owens to learn more about PNC Wealth Management.

Aquatia Owens 609-497-6602 aquatia.owens@pnc.com

©2019 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 0618-0106

For Your Information GSP is located at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org • Patron Services: 732-246-7717

AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES

We offer audio-described performances for patrons with visual impairment.

Please call the Patron Services, 732-246-7717, for further information. Large print and Braille programs are available upon request. Audiodescribed performances are made possible by support from Fund for the New Jersey Blind, Inc.

CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES

We offer captioned performances for patrons with hearing impairment.

FIRE NOTICE

The exit indicated by the red light and sign nearest to the seat you occupy is the shortest route to the street. In the event of a fire or other emergency, please do not run, WALK TO THE EXIT.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

George Street Playhouse maintains a policy of not cancelling performances due to inclement weather. Please call Patron Services, 732-246-7717, if you have any questions.

LATE SEATING POLICY

George Street Playhouse’s accessible programming is made possible in part by Fund for the New Jersey Blind, Inc.

The theatre is open to the public one halfhour prior to the performance. In consideration of all patrons, latecomers will be seated at the discretion of House Management.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM

RECORDING EQUIPMENT

For patrons who have a hearing impairment, light-weight, comfortable receivers are available from the NBPAC Concierge desk. If any individual requires special assistance or assistive technology, please contact the Patron Services Manager at 732-246-7717 as far in advance of the program as possible.

COVID-19 SAFETY

All patrons are required to wear masks at all times while inside the venue. This includes children who have not been vaccinated.

Due to copyright and union regulations and restrictions, still cameras, video cameras or any type of recording equipment is not permitted at any time in the theatre and will be confiscated.

SMOKING

The NBPAC is a smoke-free environment.

There is no smoking or vaping in the building.

STAFF David Saint, Artistic Director • Kelly Ryman, Managing Director

ARTISTIC General Manager Artistic Associate

SETS Scott Goldman Laiona Michelle

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Chief of Staff Director of Finance Data and Special Projects Manager Business Assistant

Megan Cherry Karen Price Shakera Blakney Lynne Holton

Development Associate

Jacqueline Brendel Marissa Vargas

Project Coordinator

Production Key Art Press Representative

Photographer

Properties Master

Costume Shop Manager

FOR THIS PRODUCTION Assistant Director Associate Set Designer Assistant Lighting Designer Associate Projection Designer Assistant Sound Designer

Matthew Holowienka Dominic Grijalva Holly Garman, HMG Public Relations T. Charles Erickson

Dramaturg Assistant Stage Manager Production Assistant COVID Compliance Officer Master Electrician Dresser/Hair Assistant

Community Outreach & BIPOC Press

Community Outreach

CE/AD/GS Director BIPOC Press Managing Directors

Founder/CEO

REALEMN Productions, LLC Dana Hughes Moorehead & Stelline Howard Richard E. Pelzer II Amanda Haynes Genetta Robinson & Theresa O’Neal Toni Israel

Sales and Patron Services Manager Assistant Patron Services Manager Patron Services Associates

PRODUCTION Production Manager Assistant Production Manager Company Manager

Joleen Addleman Loyd Becky Erlitz Rachel Pollard

Melissa McCann Riw Rakkulchon Nicole Sliwinski Sydney Dye Nikki Belenski Karen Alvarado Qixuan Sun Emily Fincher Jess Jasionski Cheri Snook Ariana Papin

NEW BRUNSWICK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Executive Director Director of Operations NBPAC Patron Services Manager

Merissa Buczny Mark Sharp Victoria Muscio

House Manager/ Assistant Box Office Manager Marketing Manager Assistant House Manager

Keelin Higgins Eric Greenberg Carmen Lopez

Interim Production Manager & Lighting Supervisor

PATRON SERVICES

Shannon White Elizabeth Soglin

COSTUMES

Annie Rutherford Lutz Karen Alvarado

Sara Waugh

Mohamed Haddara Sydney Bryan Chris DuBois Peter Funk Jim Hancocks

PROPERTIES

Wardrobe and Hair Supervisor

Director of Digital Strategy & Communications

Scenic Charge

Assistant Costume Shop Manager

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS Interim Director of Marketing

Nadiyah Dorsey

Resident Teaching Artist/ Interim Education Associate

Carpenters

EDUCATION Director of Education

Assistant Technical Director

Assistant Properties Master

DEVELOPMENT Director of Development

Technical Director

Sound and Video Supervisor

Molly Sullivan Gary Frangione Susan Blumert Allen Neuner

Assistant Sound and

Christopher J. Bailey Cindy Liu Samkit Siyal

Deck Hand

Video Supervisor/ A1 Deck Supervisor

Thomas Williamson Joshua Maywood Joe Parisi Andre Penn

Assistant Lighting Supervisor/ Lighting Console Operator A2

Brian Lenahan Chris Nielsen Tom Ullman

Sponsored by Sharon Karmazin

APRIL 26 - MAY 21

NOW ON-SALE!

Get tickets: www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org or 732-246-7717