Is He Dead? - May /June 2024

presents

Mark Twain’s

DEAD

IS HE “This play is pure Mark Twain – uproariously alive, with guffaws and a barrage of side splitters!”

– John Simon, Bloomberg News

a new comedy by Mark Twain

as adapted by David Ives

produced by Eleanore Tapscott directed by Joey Pierce

MAY 18 – JUN. 8, 2024 www.thelittletheatre.com

Coming in July

CELEBR ATING 90 YEARS 1934-2024

presents

book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro music and lyrics by David Bryan based on a concept by George W. George produced by Eleanore Tapscott & Jennifer Thomas directed by Rikki Howie Lacewell music direction by Scott Richards choreography by Stefan Sittig

Tony Award Winner for Best Musical!

Set in the turbulent south in the 1950s, Memphis is the story of Huey Calhoun, a white radio DJ whose love of good music transcends race lines and airwaves. When ‘race music’ reaches the center of the radio dial and Huey falls in love with a beautiful black singer, tempers explode. “Some of the best soul, rock n’ roll, and rhythm and blues in a single production,” reported the New York Times.

JUL. 20 – AUG. 10, 2024 ––––––––– BOX OFFICE –––––––––

703-683-0496 www.thelittletheatre.com

Memphis is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036 www.theatricalrights.com

presents

Mark Twain’s

IS HE DEAD Produced by special arrangements with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com) Original Broadway production produced by Bob Boyett, Roger Berlind, Daryl Roth, Jane Bergere, E. Morten/P. Robbins, J. O’Boyle/R. Stevens, Roy Miller, Sonia Friedman Productions/ Ambassador Theatre Group, Tim Levy in association with Shelley Fisher Fishkin

PRESIDENT Frank D. Shutts II BOARD OF GOVERNORS ARTISTIC SUPPORT.............................................................................................. Beverley Benda BOX OFFICE............................................................................................................. Lloyd Bittinger BUILDING.................................................................................................................... Myke Taister DEVELOPMENT................................................................................................ Russell M. Wyland EDUCATION..................................................................................................... Heather Sanderson FRONT OF HOUSE....................................................................................................... Genie Baskir MEMBERSHIP............................................................................................................. Kadira Coley PRODUCTION..................................................................................................... Rachael Hubbard PUBLIC RELATIONS..................................................................................................... Fred C. Lash SEASONAL PLANNING..................................................................................... Eleanore Tapscott TECHNICAL SUPPORT................................................................................................ Ken Crowley Treasurer...................................................................................................................................................... David Hale Secretary to the Board....................................................................................................................Lynn O’Connell Executive Secretary.................................................................................................................................Jamie Blake Archivist...................................................................................................................................... Charles Dragonette Business Manager..................................................................................................................... Kim Smith-Salmon Box Office Manager........................................................................................................................Jeffery Westlake Legal Counsel.............................................................................................................. Brian T. Goldstein, Esquire

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Public Performances: Wed.–Sat. at 8:00 p.m. and Sun. at 3:00 p.m.

Any videotaping or other video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

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Director’s Notes It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but is it worth a thousand dollars? If a banana taped to a gallery wall can sell for $120,000 and eventually be donated to the Guggenheim Museum, are the leftovers from my lunch also art and, therefore, worth a small fortune?

At its core, Is He Dead? is a play about art and artifice; is something, or someone, valuable because of their intrinsic qualities or is their worth based on what others believe? What brings more to the world: something that is authentic and honest and bares one’s soul or something that is palatable, bright and commercially viable? This question plagues many artists, including the original author of our production, Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain.

That’s right—that Mark Twain. You are not alone if you didn’t know that the famous American humorist took a swing at playwriting. While Twain is known as a master of fiction, satire, social commentary and the classic one-liner, his theatrical aspirations are barely spoken of. That’s mainly because, although he wrote plays throughout his career, he was basically a flop as a dramatist. In 1898, Twain was set to bring Is He Dead? to the stage, but a string of bad luck and bad timing canceled the production. The manuscript went into obscurity before eventually finding its way to the back of an archive at UC Berkeley. There, Twain scholar Shelley Fisher Fishkin found the show and set out to bring it back to the stage.

After publishing the manuscript in 2003 and working with contemporary playwright David Ives to adapt the production, Fishkin finally saw Is He Dead? on stage in 2007, when it hit Broadway. The colorful characters and light humor garnered the show favorable reviews and earned a Tony nomination for actor David Pittu.

The questions remain, though. Is it any good? Is it valuable? Is it art? And if it is good, is it because of our reverence for Mark Twain as an American literary master? Is it because the theme of authenticity versus deceit hits even harder in the modern world of social media? Could it be because the Little Theatre of Alexandria team did such a wonderful job that the production shines despite itself? I cannot answer any of these questions for you, which is one of the beautiful things about art. It is completely up to your interpretation.

Thank you for coming, and enjoy the show!

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Joey Pierce, Director

FUTURE AUDITION AT THE LITTLE THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA

The Explorers Club Producers Carol Strachan and Alan Wray and Director Adam Konowe are pleased to announce auditions for The Explorers Club Audition Dates: Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23, 2024 Callbacks: Tuesday, June 25, 2024 Performance Dates: August 31 – September 21, 2024 Additional information will be posted on www.thelittletheatre.com under Auditions.

The Explorers Club, a play by Nell Benjamin, is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection (www.dramatists.com).

Celebrating Many Years Creating Graphics for The Little Theatre of Alexandria Simmons Design creates promotional materials that help your company grow. 703-965-3910

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LTA600

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHORITY’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. 3

SYNOPSIS Jean-François Millet, a painter, is in love with Marie Leroux but in debt to a villainous picture-dealer, Bastien André. André forecloses on Millet, threatening debtor’s prison unless Marie marries him. Millet realizes that the only way he can pay his debts and keep Marie from marrying André is to die, as it is only dead painters who achieve fame and fortune. Millet fakes his death and prospers, all while passing himself off as his own sister, the Widow Tillou.

Jean-François Millet (October 4, 1814-January 20, 1875) was a French painter and one of the founders of the Barbizon school in rural France. He is noted for his scenes of peasant farmers. He can be categorized as part of the movement termed naturalism, but also as part of the movement of realism.

TIME PERIOD AND SETTING 1846, Paris, France Act 1: The studio of artist Jean-François Millet.

Act 2: The Widow’s palatial drawing-room.

There will be one 15-minute intermission.

PERFORMANCE PARTNERS IN THE ARTS May 21, 2024 – Board of Lady Managers of INOVA Alexandria Hospital May 28, 2024 – Springfield Rotary ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thank you to Space of Her Own (SOHO) for collaborating on set painting.

SOHO empowers girls from under-resourced communities through visual arts, carpentry, life skills lessons and creative one-to-one mentoring. Learn more at spaceofherown.org.

Thank you to The Art League for partnering to create the exhibit of local artists during the run of the play. Learn more at https://www.theartleague.org/. Special thanks to Pat Nicklin for representing and coordinating for LTA. For your own safety, look for your nearest EXIT. In case of emergency, WALK, DO NOT run, to the exit.

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Cast (in order of appearance) Agamemnon Buckner (“Chicago”).......................................... Brendan Chaney Hans von Bismarck (“Dutchy”)...................................... Hanlon Smith-Dorsey Marie Leroux..............................................................................................Sarah Keisler Cecile Leroux................................................................................ Alayna Theunissen Papa Leroux................................................................................................Leo Mairena Jean-François Millet/Widow Tillou.................................. Lanny Warkentien Bastien André............................................................................................Kirk Lambert Madame Bathilde/Emperor of Russia................................Jacquel R. Tomlin Madame Caron/Sultan of Turkey.................................................. Anne Shively Phelim O’Shaughnessy................................................................Zachary Litwiller Basil Thorpe/Reporter/Charlie/King of France.................... Justin Beland Understudy for Millet/Tillou (May 22, 31, June 5).............. Justin von Stein Understudy for Madame Bathilde/Emperor of Russia (May 22, June 1, 5)..........................................................................................Beverly Gholston

LTA COVID Health and Safety Standards Effective immediately, our performances, like all other programs in our theater, are MASK OPTIONAL in all of our public spaces, including our auditorium. This decision was made upon the recommendation of our Safety Committee. Though masking is now optional in our facility, we support and encourage those who feel the need to continue to mask to do so. If you have any symptoms of a respiratory illness, please continue to mask to protect others.

Patrons with an active case of COVID should reschedule their tickets.

Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where the value of masking for some members of our community is recognized and mask-wearing is welcomed.

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The Art of Real Estate Where every transaction is a masterpiece.

François Millet’s “The Gleaners”

Home… Anywhere in the World.

703.967.8884 | mclyne@mac.com | www.maureenclyne.com 310 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | Office: 703.518.8300 Coldwell Banker Realty owned and operated by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC.

Crew Producer............................................................................................. Eleanore Tapscott Director.............................................................................................................Joey Pierce Stage Managers...................................... Melissa Dunlap , Micheal J. O’Connor, Assistant Stage Managers..........................Madison Couper, Kate Schnieder Fight Choreography............................................................................... Michael Page Set Design.......................................................................................................Matt Liptak Set Construction....................................................Shah Choudhury, Julie Fischer Assisted by Mike Beavin, Margaret Chapman, Madison Couper, Rick Crispino, Michael deBlois, Shannon Doyle, Chris Feldmann, Jim Hutzler, Suzette Manduley, Greg Matthes, Jeff Nesmeyer, Tom O’Reilly, Josh Reilly, Rick Schiller, Matthew Trowbridge Set Painting.....................................................................Luana Bossolo, Matt Liptak Assisted by Paul Donahoe, Shannon Doyle, Bobbie Herbst, Mary Hutzler, Patty Lord, Joyce McCue, Kathy Murphy, Diane Nesmeyer Set Dressing............................................................................... Allison Gray-Mendes Properties Design.......................................................................Margaret Chapman Assisted by Helen Bard-Sobola, Bobbie Herbst, Phyllis Johnson, Meredith Ludwig, Christine Tankersley Lighting Design..................................................................................... Adam Konowe Master Electricians...................................Pam Leonowich, Kim Smith-Salmon Assisted by Beth Adler, Silas Andrews, Lloyd Bittinger, Robert Brown, Audrey Crowell, Mike Jeansonne, Lee Perna, Donna Reynolds, Sherry Singer, Marg Soroos, Leslie Teitel Sound Design...............................................................Crystina McShay, Alan Wray Assisted by Michael Beavin, Robert Brown, Janice Rivera Costume Design............................................................ Jean Schlichting, Kit Sibley Wardrobe Coordinator............................................................Robin Worthington Assisted by Beth Adler, Alisa Beyninson, Caroline Jeudy, Margaret Snow Makeup and Hair Design.................................................................... Sue Pinkman Assisted by Fiona Stevens Rigging.............................................................................................. Russell M. Wyland 8

Photographers......................................................Brian Knapp, Matthew Randall Promotion Videos..............................................................................Melissa Dunlap Social Media Coordinator.........................................................Alyssa Mutterperl Double Tech Dinner............................................................................ Luana Bossolo Assisted by Rita Costello, Paul Donohoe, Stu Fischer, Zell Murphy Opening Night Reception......................................................Monty Montgomery Audition Coordinators............................................Anne Shively, Janice Zucker Assisted by Beth Adler, Robin Gold, Barbara Hayes, Patricia Spencer Smith Our special thanks to all those people whose names were not available when this program went to press.

GIVE THE GIFT THAT ALWAYS FITS! Celebrate the Season with Gift Cards to The Little Theatre of Alexandria starting at $25.

LTA Gift Cards are Now Available Online!

Visit www.thelittletheatre.com for the Gift Card link.

For more information, contact the LTA Box Office at 703.683.0496

ACVA

Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association invites you to visit www.artseventsalexandria.com to view the arts calendar and schedule of events.

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Meet the Cast (in alphabetical order) Justin Beland (Basil Thorpe/Reporter/Charlie/King of France) is thrilled to be back on the LTA stage after appearing in last year’s production of A Christmas Carol as Dickens, Fezziwig and the Ghost of Christmas Present. He thanks his wife for holding down the fort while he plays in the wonderful sandbox that is Is He Dead?.

Brendan Chaney (Agamemnon Buckner “Chicago”) has had the acting bug as long as he can remember. By the end of his college freshman year, he was on an acting scholarship. He is happy to be back with LTA. He has starred in Taking Sides with Port City Players and A Fox on the Fairway, Wait Until Dark and Design for Murder with LTA. Beverly Gholston (Understudy for Madame Bathilde/Emperor of Russia) is excited to be making her LTA debut in Is He Dead?.

She has appeared in local community and church projects as well as the web series Am I My Brother’s Keeper? (Ruth Solomon). Since retiring, she has been enjoying exploring the performance landscape.

Sarah Keisler (Marie Leroux) is thrilled to be part of her first production at LTA. This production is Sarah’s return to the theater after four long years! She is a government contractor at the State Department, a tour guide, a lover of musicals, a dancer, a cat enthusiast and a graduate of Georgetown University. Lots of love to her real-life Millet, Jordan, and her mom, dad, brother and cats, Peach and Pearl.

Kirk Lambert (Bastien André) is excited to reunite with former castmates, crew, and designers in this hilarious production.

Favorite shows include Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van (LTA), Mary Stuart (LTA), SHOAH (FCT), Rumors (LTA), The Haunting of Hill House (LTA), Dracula (LTA), and La Bohème (Kennedy Center). Kirk has also appeared at Wolf Trap and the Studio Theatre. Hold on to your seats— this is going to be a fun ride!

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Meet the Cast Zachary Litwiller (Phelim O’Shaughnessy) is excited to make his return to the stage and his LTA debut in Is He Dead?. He appeared in several shows throughout his high school and undergraduate career, though he has not performed since 2006. Zach is grateful to join the LTA community and once again pursue one of his passions.

Leo Mairena (Papa Leroux) is excited to be in his first production at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. He has not acted regularly since high school, but he was okay then and is slightly better now. The years in between were spent doing stand-up comedy and playing bass in a punk band, neither of which you’ve heard, nor would you care to.

At this point, he would like to remind you there are no refunds.

Anne Shively (Madame Caron/Sultan of Turkey) is thrilled to be making her debut with LTA. Past credits include Puffs and The Laramie Project (SP), and Shoah (CRT). She provides behindthe-scenes support to LTA and other local theater groups. Anne is delighted to be working, and laughing, with such a talented cast and crew. She thanks her husband, Steve, for putting up with her theatrical endeavors.

Hanlon Smith-Dorsey (Hans von Bismarck “Dutchy”) is an actor and dancer who most recently appeared in Table Manners (NNT). Prior to that, he graced the stage in numerous productions in Philadelphia, New York City and Chicago. He holds a B.A. in Theater from Bard College and an M.F.A. in Acting from DePaul University.

Justin von Stein (Understudy for Millet/Tillou) is very happy to be with this LTA crew and cast and hopes you enjoy the show.

Alayna Theunissen (Cecile Leroux) is delighted to be making her LTA debut in Is He Dead? this spring. Favorite roles include the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet (Emerson Shakespeare Society), Gloria in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Emerson Stage) and Marilla Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables (Thomas Edison High School). Many thanks to all the volunteers who made this show possible and who help community theatre thrive.

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2024/2025 THE LITTLE SEASON THEATRE •••••••••••••••• JUL. 20 – AUG. 10, 2024 ••••••••••••••••

This hit musical is loosely based on the story of Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s. A mixture of soul, blues, jazz, and rock ‘n roll, surrounded by racial tension and rivalries.

•••••••••••••••• AUG. 31 – SEP. 21, 2024 •••••••••••••••

Set in 19th Century London, this delightful farce depicts the chaos that ensues when a woman tries to gain entry to a fictional club of explorers. Lots of silly gags, tricks, and physical comedy.

••••••••••••••••• OCT. 19 – NOV. 9, 2024 •••••••••••••••

The Broadway musical based on the Gothic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, follows a London-based legal practitioner who investigates a series of strange events involving his friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll and a murderous criminal named Edward Hyde.

•••••••••••••••• FEB. 8 – MAR. 1, 2025 ••••••••••••••••

Roald Dahl’s

THE MUSICAL The delightful musical tale of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.

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Order by Phone | Online | Mail

2024/2025 SEASON

Shakespeare’s

••••••••••••••• MAR. 29 –APR. 19, 2025 •••••••••••••••••

Much Ado AboUT NOTHING A comedy by William Shakespeare, this play revolves around two romantic pairings that emerge when a group of soldiers arrives in town. The play relies on tensions created by a paradoxical use of deception by its characters.

•••••••••••••••••• JUN. 7 – 28, 2025 ••••••••••••••••••

During the performance of a play-within-a-play, a plethora of disasters befall the cast and crew, including doors sticking, props falling, and floors collapsing. Cast members misplace props, forget lines, break character, and experience hilarious situations.

AND OUR HOLIDAY SHOW - DEC. 7 – 21, 2024

Here’s the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

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WWW.THELITTLETHEATRE.COM Box Office: 703.683.0496 | boxoffice@thelittletheatre.com 13

Meet the Cast (continued) Jacquel R. Tomlin (Madame Bathilde/Emperor of Russia) is thrilled to return to LTA! She previously appeared in The Nacirema Society.....(Alpha Campbell Jackson). Recent credits include Stop Kiss (RCP) and Doubt (VTC). She is thankful to her family and friends for their encouragement and support.

Lanny Warkentien (Jean-François Millet/Widow Tillou) is beyond thrilled to be joining LTA and this production. He has previously appeared in this area as Leading Player in Pippin (PWLT) and Malvolio in Twelfth Night (FCT). Involved in theatre his entire life, he currently has the greatest job in the world as a director of theatre at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts at Colgan High School.

Follow us on instagram @littletheatrealex

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•••••••••••••••

2024 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

LTA SUMMER THEATRE CAMPS

Children age 3 through the 10th grade are invited to join us for a memorable summer at our beautiful Old Town theater.

Now in its 16th year, LTA is the premier Alexandria location for performing arts summer camps, featuring Acting; Musical Theater; Shakespeare; Improvisation; Playmaking; and a variety of specialty themed camps.

Camps are full-day, mornings, afternoons and include an optional extended day program.

For online registration, go to

thelittletheatre.com/summer-camps 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314 • 703-683-5778 ext. 2

REGISTER EARLY! A limited number of partial scholarships are made possible through the generosity of The LTA Council

Meet the Crew (in alphabetical order) Luana Bossolo (Co-Set Painter) has been painting LTA sets since 2010 and currently serves as co-chair of the paint department. Recent sets include Mary Stuart and Something Rotten!, for which she received WATCH nominations. She is also the recipient of two LTA Excellence in Set Painting Awards for Something Rotten! and The Full Monty. Luana has also produced and assistant produced several LTA shows, her most recent being Murder on the Orient Express, Freaky Friday and A Fox on the Fairway.

Margaret Chapman (Properties Design) is happy to be back making all the arts and crafts at LTA after most recently designing for ACCT’s The Odd Couple. She has been designing props and producing shows for ACCT, LTA, St. Mark’s Players and Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade, including A Murder is Announced (WATCH Award), Mary Stuart, Blue Stockings, Perfect Arrangement, August: Osage County, Sister Act, Evita and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). She also serves as the Assistant Director of the LTA Council and as President of the SMP Board of Directors.

Shah Choudhury (Co-Set Construction) is delighted to co-build with Julie Fischer and a wonderful group of construction volunteers to bring this beautiful set to you. He has been working on sets at ACCT and LTA for more than six years. Recent sets include Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van; A Christmas Carol; and Annie at LTA and A Murder is Announced and The Odd Couple at ACCT. Shah wants to thank his wife, Leah, for letting him stay out of the house to construct sets and encourage others to play with power tools.

Melissa Dunlap (Co-Stage Manager) Previous stage management credits: The Fabulous Lipitones, Driving Miss Daisy, A Christmas Carol and Freaky Friday, all at LTA. If her name looks familiar, you may have seen her in local productions as Rose in Enchanted April (ACCT), Jean Louise Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (LTA), Sarah in Laughing Stock (LTA), May in Fool for Love (PCP) or Margaret in Silent Sky (ACCT).

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Julie Fischer (Co-Set Construction) is honored to work with the talented production team and to team up again with Shah and with the volunteers who share their time and talents to create sets at LTA. This is her fifth year working at LTA, including as (co-) master carpenter (A Christmas Carol, Wait Until Dark, Mary Stuart, Rumors, Nacirema Society…, Two on the Aisle…) and scenic design (Lettice and Lovage, Sister Act, Design for Murder).

Allison Gray-Mendes (Set Dressing) is a WATCH-nominated property and set dressing designer who has worked with TAP, LTA and SMP. Last season she co-produced her first show, Newsies (TAP), which received the WATCH Award for Outstanding Musical. She sends thanks to her three M’s— Mark, Melody and Mercedes—for their help and inspiration on every project she undertakes. Next up, Allison will be producing Rent (DS) and designing props for Legally Blonde (CFTC). She hopes to see you back in the theatre soon for more magic!

Adam Konowe (Lighting Design) is delighted to make his LTA debut, having lit more than 30 main-stage and one-act productions elsewhere.

When not harnessing the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum purely for entertainment purposes, Adam works as a PR executive, adjunct professor, husband and father; the order of these is highly variable. He learned lighting design as a University of Rochester undergraduate and remains immensely proud of his alma mater.

Pam Leonowich (Co-Master Electrician) has been climbing the light ladders at LTA for over 130 consecutive shows and is proud to follow in her mother’s theatre footsteps. Her mother managed and designed productions for the troops during World War II with the British Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). She is pleased to be teaming with Lighting Designer Adam Konowe and Co-Master Electrician Kim Smith-Salmon. Special thanks to our dedicated light crew.

For your own safety, look for your nearest EXIT. In case of emergency, WALK, DO NOT run, to the exit.

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Meet the Crew (continued) Matt Liptak (Set Design, Co-Set Painter) has designed, painted and dressed sets across the DMV for the last eight years at LTA, TAP, RCP, DS and Workhouse Arts Center. Is He Dead? marks Liptak’s 14th set design at LTA. His scenic design work has been recognized multiple times by both the WATCH and LTA awards. Notable shows include Bright Star, Fences, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Who’s Tommy, The Revolutionists, Dracula, Harvey and Murder on the Orient Express. Liptak thanks Kieran and Branson for their constant love and support.

Crystina McShay (Co-Sound Design) is very excited to work with Alan Wray and the LTA team on Is He Dead?. She is a UX researcher during the day and always looks forward to nurturing her love for theater by volunteering at LTA in the evenings. She thanks everyone for their continued support as she learns more about sound operation and design.

Alyssa Mutterperl (Social Media Coordinator) is a social media professional in the DC area. Select clients—Broadway: Hamilton: An American Musical, Hadestown, Moulin Rouge!, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Be More Chill, Betrayal, Sea Wall/A Life. New York: Edge, The Metropolitan Opera, The Met, Rock of Ages (Off-Broadway), Serhant. Others: BidenHarris campaign, Giant Food, Fresh Direct, Wet Ones, Roscato, European Wax Center. LTA: 2023-2024 season. My love to Noah and Captain.

Micheal J. O’Connor (Co-Stage Manager) stage manages at several local community theatres, most recently Sister Act, Legally Blonde, The Fantasticks, A Christmas Carol and To Kill a Mockingbird for LTA, Playing Juliet, Casting Othello for PP, The Bluest Eye for DS and Leading Ladies for VTC. He can be found backstage or in the tech booth, always in the dark.

Michael Page (Fight Choreography) is very happy to be with this LTA crew and cast and hopes you enjoy the show.

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Joey Pierce (Director) is excited to make his LTA directorial debut. Joey holds a B.A. in Theatre and is an alumnus of the American Theatre Wing’s Springboard NYC program. Joey’s previous directing credits include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Little Shop of Horrors.

He was recently seen in DS’s production of Torch Song and LTA’s Prelude to a Kiss. Special thanks to his lovely husband.

Sue Pinkman (Hair and Makeup Design) has been working with community theatres in the area for over 40 years! She was most recently seen onstage as Madame Armfeldt in RCP’s A Little Night Music (and won the WATCH Award for Hair Design for that same show). Directorial accomplishments include LTA’s Hairspray and RCP’s Annie, Shrek the Musical and The Full Monty. She learned her hair design chops while directing RCP’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Thanks to Eleanor and LTA for including her in this fun project!

Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley (Co-Costume Design) are delighted to costume this very funny farce. They have costumed many shows at LTA, most recently The Nacirema Society, Young Frankenstein and Murder on the Orient Express, and have won and been nominated for a number of WATCH and LTA awards over the years. We would like to thank Eleanore and Joey for inviting us to join in the craziness!

Kim Smith-Salmon (Co-Master Electrician) is excited to be back after an 18-year hiatus from tech theatre. She is thrilled to be working with Designer Adam Konowe (again), co-ME Pam, the entire production staff and the cast. When not working her full-time job as the LTA Business Manager or being the ME, she co-hosts the “Maas-ive Fans Podcast.”

Much love to her husband, Mike; son, Wesley; and mom, Mary Beth. Many thanks to the light crew.

Eleanore Tapscott (Producer) is a NOVA-based actor/director. Recent acting credits include Helen Hubbard, Murder on the Orient Express and Harriet, Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van at LTA, Mrs. Dickson, Intimate Apparel (Maryland Ensemble Theatre), Feste, Twelfth Night (PTB), Mrs. Johnson—WATCH award nomination—A Raisin in the Sun (SP). Directing credits include a staged reading of Antoinette Nwandu’s Pass Over and The Bluest Eye (DS), The Nacirema Society… (LTA), Playing Juliet, Casting Othello (PP) and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (CP).

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Meet the Crew (continued) Robin Worthington (Wardrobe Coordinator) most recently worked as co-wardrobe coordinator on LTA’s Murder on the Orient Express. Co-chair of LTA’s Wardrobe Committee, Robin has been a wardrobe mistress, assisting challenging quick changes behind the scenes for LTA plays, and has collaborated with local costumers to dress actors in many theaters and schools since 2015. She is a closet painter and looks forward to “playing” with les artistes of Is He Dead?.

Alan Wray (Co-Sound Design) is excited to be working with Joey and Eleanore on this production of Is He Dead? as well as having Crystina as his CoDesigner. He most recently designed sound for Rapture, Blister, Burn at SMP. His most recent design for LTA was Young Frankenstein (WATCH nomination).

Additionally for LTA, he has designed The Producers (WATCH Award), Picnic (WATCH nomination) and the chilling Widdershins (LTA Award).

Russell M. Wyland (Rigging) has been a member of LTA since 1990. While he has volunteered in many different departments and served in many different capacities, his first love is rigging ... the art of masking the stage with drapes and making things fly onto the set from above. While he gave up counting a long time ago, he suspects that he has rigged approximately 275 productions.

Theater Abbreviations Used in LTA Playbills

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ACCT – Aldersgate Church Community Theater ACT – Alliance of Community Theaters ACT – Alexandria Children’s Theatre AP – Anacostia Playhouse AS – Arena Stage ASC – Annapolis Shakespeare Company ASGT – Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre BST – Baltimore Shakespeare Factory CC – Creative Cauldron CCP – Chevy Chase Players CFTC – City of Fairfax Theatre Company CPA– Colonial Players of Annapolis CRT – Castaways Repertory Theatre CT – Chalice Theater DTC – Damascus Theatre Company DS – Dominion Stage ES – Encore Stage ESP – Elden Street Players (now NST) FCT – Fauquier Community Theatre FP – Foundry Players (now CCDC) CC – Creative Cauldron FT – Ford’s Theatre GAC – Greenbelt Arts Center

GFP – Great Falls Players (now MCP) GMU – George Mason University GSP – Good Shepherd Players HBP – Hard Bargain Players IS – Infinity Stage KAT – Kensington Arts Theatre KT – Keegan Theatre Company LMP – Laurel Mill Playhouse LTA – The Little Theatre of Alexandria MCP – McLean Community Players MP – Montgomery Playhouse MTA – McLean Theatre Alliance (now MCP) MVCCT – Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre NNS – NOVA Nightsky Theater NST – NextStop Theatre NVP – Northern Virginia Players NVTA – Northern Virginia Theatre Alliance OTC – Olney Theater Center PCP – Port City Playhouse PGLT – Prince George’s Little Theatre PPF – Providence Players of Fairfax PTC – Potomac Theatre Company Inc. PTP – Port Tobacco Players

PWLT – Prince William Little Theatre RCP – Reston Community Players RHT – Round House Theatre RLT – Rockville Little Theatre RMT – Rockville Musical Theatre SCT – Springfield Community Theater SMP – St Mark’s Players SP – Sterling Playmakers SSS – Silver Spring Stage SST – Shoe String Theater ST – Signature Theatre STC – Shakespeare Theatre Company STC – StageCoach Theatre Company TACT – The American Century Theater TAP – The Arlington Players TAT – The Alliance Theatre TBP – The British Players TCP – Tantallon Community Players TTL – The Theatre Lab 2FT – Second Flight Theatre VC – Vpstart Crow VTC – Vienna Theatre Company WAC – Workhouse Arts Center WATCH – Washington Area Theatre Community Honors ZS – Zemfira Stage

The Originators Shelley Fisher Fishkin was determined to bring Twain’s Is He Dead? to the stage from the moment she read the manuscript. A professor of English and director of American Studies at Stanford University, she is the awardwinning author or editor of more than 30 books, including The Oxford Mark Twain; Was Huck Black? Mark Twain and African American Voices; Lightning Out for the Territory: Reflections on Mark Twain and American Culture; and From Fact to Fiction: Journalism and Imaginative Writing in American. She is the past president of the American Studies Association and the Mark Twain Circle of America.

David Ives is probably best known for his evenings of one-acts, collected as All in the Timing (Vintage Books) and Time Flies (Grove Press). His fulllength work to date has been collected in Polish Joke and Other Plays (Grove). He is also the author of two young-adult novels, Monsieur Eek and Scrib. He lives in New York City with his wife, Martha.

Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), published more than 30 books, hundreds of short stories and essays and gave lecture tours around the world. Often regarded as the “father of American literature” for his keen wit and incisive satire, Twain’s works include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Life on the Mississippi, The Prince and the Pauper, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Mark Twain Foundation. Mark Twain died in 1910, leaving his estate to his sole surviving child, Clara. When Clara Clemens Samossoud died in 1962, and further beneficiaries passed away in 1979, the Clemens assets, including various literary rights, passed to the Mark Twain Foundation, a perpetual charitable trust whose purpose is to enable mankind to enjoy the works of Mark Twain forever. The present trustees of the Foundation are JPMorgan Chase Bank and attorney Richard A. Watson.

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The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights and actionable under United States Copyright Law.

Public Relations Staff Publicity...................................... Fred C. Lash Graphics............................ Simmons Design Playbill Editor................ Carol Hutchinson Playbill Coordinator.......... Bobbie Herbst For information concerning Playbill advertising, please call 703-683-5778.

FUTURE AUDITIONS AT THE LITTLE THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA

Jekyll & Hyde (B’Way) The Musical

Book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, Music by Frank Wildhorn Producers Luana Bossolo and sheri ratick stroud and Director Jennifer Hardin are pleased to announce auditions for Jekyll & Hyde (B’Way) Dates and Times - TBA Performance Dates: October 18 – November 9, 2024 Audition dates and additional information will be posted on www.thelittletheatre.com under Auditions.

Jekyll & Hyde (B’Way) is presented through special arrangement with and licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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Thank You! LTA wishes to recognize and thank all of the volunteers who have given their time and talents by helping with house managing, ushering, or working in the box office for our previous production of Murder on the Orient Express.

Box Office Volunteers Clare Bisceglia Lloyd Bittinger Ellen Chinni Lynn Cook Martha Deal Sara Deshong-Rojas Rachel Dixon

Sharon Dove Joan Evans Florence Ferraro Ron Field Ira Forstater Amy Goff Patricia Gonzalez

Bobbie Herbst Brittany Huffman Kate Ives Caterina Lillis Meredith Ludwig Stephen Percy

Page Dreher Schreiner sheri ratick stroud Alison Tregea Steven Wright

Leslie Lynch Glen MacDonald Susan McFadden Karen Maline Suzette Manduley Scout Mohon Madeleine Morgan Cindy Savery

Patricia Skinner Sharon Steeg Jacquel Tomlin Arlene Trudeau Kim Winnard Lia Winnard Tescia Yonkers

Front of House Volunteers Genie Baskir Luana Bossolo Dee Brown Laura Clarke Kadira Coley Rita Costello Linda Davidson Shannon Doyle

Jean Frane Bev Gearing Rowan Gleason Sonya Gleason Amy Halverson Shelby Hinze Rochelle Levy Jeanne Louise

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Nov. – Dec. 2023 – 2024 Donors Patricia C. Cosler Terri McGinnis Patriots Terrence & Ira Forstater and Anonymous Anonymous x 2 Sandee Riley Robin Fradkin Michael & Niki Bennett Michael & Phyllis Bayer Jessie & Jon Roberts Tony Gilbert Christopher Feldmann Luana Bossolo Paul Slagle Molly Gimmel and Laura Beauchamp Dorothy Cass Barbara Slavick Barbara Hayes Barron P. Hall, DVM Rob Doerschner Amy Smith In honor of Marian Holmes Jack and Kelly Fannon Carol Starke Peter Fannon The Hurcke Family Bob Gronenberg Chris Tomasino Kevin Ferrell & Foundation Freida LaChapelle (in memory of) x 3 Anika Mercier The Estate of James A. McAtamney Evelyn Watson Wendy and Doug John Carlos Moctezuma Woodrow Paik Zell Murphy & Kent, Gail, and Micaela and Colonists Mark Wesson Elizabeth Replogle Patrick Jones Micheal J. O’Connor Donna and The Livingston Family Anonymous x 22 In Memory of Mark Samblanet Donna Reynolds Courtney Benton Robert C. Odle, Jr. David and In Memory of Karen Carey Vivienne Stewart Jennifer Schmidt Kenneth E. Stroud Philip and Mila Weiss and Mary Beth Jim & Jean Schlichting Rebecca Carpio Monty Montgomery Smith-Toomey Anne Shively Matt Chase Linda Windsor Adrian Steel Robert Spivey Mike and Terri Chaves Susan Swain In Memory of Kevin Dua Continental Congress Alison Tregea Chris Tomasino Andrew and Geoff and Genie Baskir Jennifer Williams Edward Walker and Diane Durant & William Jacob Burke and Barbara Kurlansik Sullivan Foltz Herbert Bank Sandra Welch Joyce Gillogly Alexandrian Kacie Carlyle Katherine Wood Tal and Darin George Franklin C. Coleman Anonymous x 5 In Memory of Paula Coupe Neal Ainsfield and Minutemen Marian Holmes Doll Family Dr. Donna Sieckman Jasmine Jones Mary Hunstad Anonymous x 11 Dr. and Mrs. Darla King and Peter O’Konski Jim Brown James Alper James and Jennifer Larish Joan Burg Michaela and Catherine Kelley Rafael Lima Elizabeth Dakin Brad Duty Melissa Neilson Greg & Cyndi Matthes Brendan and Lee Dunn Elizabeth Blake and Edward Yawn Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey A. Fabian Barbara Brenman Jeff and Diane Nesmeyer Dennis Seipp Marianne Ferrell Lesley Buckles Donna and Skena Family Justin Hall Mr. and Mrs. Mark Samblanet Rebecca & David Smith In Memory of Joseph Carden Howard and Eric Vincent Marian Holmes Dorothy Cass Marg Soroos Deborah Wasden Lora Katz Cope Family Andrew Terrell and Emily and Scott Yinger Pam Leonowich Megan Waterhouse David Correia Founding Fathers

GIVING KEY Founding Fathers......................................................$1000–Above Continental Congress......................................................$500–999 Patriots..................................................................................$250–499 Alexandrians...................................................................... $100–249 Minutemen ..............................................................................$50–99 Colonists....................................................................................$25–49

Every effort has been made to ensure that this list of contributors is correct and complete as of the date this program went to press. If your name has been omitted or misspelled, please accept our apologies and inform us of the error so that the correction can be made.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution online, visit www.thelittletheatre.com and click on opportunities, then donations. You may also contact the business office at 703-683-5778, ext. 2 and donate by phone.

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CLASSES CAMPS & WORKSHOPS

Join us at LTA, where we offer the best in theater education for adults and children. Online and in-person class options being offered now!

For online registration, go to thelittletheatre.com and click on “CLASSES”

REGISTER EARLY!

...........................................

600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314

703-683-5778 ext. 2

The Little Theatre of Alexandria

600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 • www.thelittletheatre.com • 703-683-5778

The Council of The Little Theatre of Alexandria Rachael Hubbard............................................................................................................................. Director Margaret Chapman.................................................................................................................Vice Director Donna Hauprich..............................................................................................................................Secretary Lloyd Bittinger*................................................................................................................. Financial Officer Frank D. Shutts II............................................................................ Honorary Member, LTA President Beth Adler Jay Bartol Genie Baskir Beverley Benda Thomas Bethards Jamie Blake Luana Bossolo Lesley Buckles Madeline Byrd Paul Caffrey Kacie Carlyle Dorothy Cass Shah Choudhury Franklin C. Coleman Kadira Coley David Correia Rita Costello Kimberly Crago Rachel Dixon Paul Donahoe Sharon Rochelle Dove* Joel D. Durgavich Joan Evans Margaret Evans-Joyce Peter M. Fannon* Christopher Feldmann Stuart Fischer Ira Forstater Barbara Gertzog * Distinguished Member

Gary & Suzan Gladstone Duane Goddard* David B. Hale* Ronald Hardcastle Barbara H. Hayes John Henderson Joanna Henry Bobbie Herbst Katie Beth Hicks Kira Hogan Anne Julian Algis & Suzanne Kalvaitis Judith Kee* Janet Kennelly Meredith Kirchner Roberta Klein Suha Kudsieh Nicole Lamberson Kirk Lambert Fred C. Lash Caterina Vitoria Lillis Karen Maline Arie McSherry Zell Murphy II Diedre Nicholson-Lamb Patricia B. Nicklin C. Lynn O’Connell Micheal J. O’Connor Aracely Ode

Emilie Pade Eddie Page Jayn Rife Angela Roach Benjamin Robles Steven Rosenthal Heather Sanderson Jean Schlichting Margo Shiffert Anne Shively Patricia Skinner Patricia Spencer Smith Kim Smith-Salmon Mary Beth Smith-Toomey* Wendy Sneff Arthur & Margaret Snow Howard & Marg Soroos sheri ratick stroud Myke Taister Alison Tregea Jean Vita Jeffery Westlake Rance R. Willis* Frank & Carolyn Winters Russell M. Wyland* Kenneth P. Zabielski Janice Zucker

Rev 4.23.24

The Council of the Little Theatre of Alexandria is a group of dedicated members who support financial projects for the theatre and provide numerous social events with dinners, receptions, and other member gatherings. The Council promotes and supports volunteerism throughout the theatre to ensure continued success in all areas, i.e., backstage, front of house, box office, etc.; we also provide need-based scholarship funding to support numerous adult and youth educational programs within the theatre.

The Council is proud to sponsor the Shakespeare Garden which has become a community favorite with many stopping in just to relax and “waste my time in it.”