author of the play Peter Oswald
produced by Hilary Adams and Margaret Chapman assistant produced by Helen Bard-Sobola and Fred C. Lash
directed by Kathleen Barth assistant directed by Mia Amado and Jenna Dawkins
Every year since Emancipation, the Nacirema Society of Montgomery, Alabama introduces six elegant African-American debutantes to a world of wealth, privilege and social responsibility. This year, at its 100th anniversary, with young love brewing, old flames simmering and national media attention on-hand what would dare to go awry? A sparkling romantic comedy with warmth and wit, Cleage invites you into this glamorous world where folks still dress for dinner and strong-willed grandmothers work behind the scenes. This is one invitation you’d be crazy to refuse!
presents
author of the play Peter Oswald
produced by Hilary Adams and Margaret Chapman
assistant produced by Helen Bard-Sobola and Fred C. Lash directed by Kathleen Barth
assistant directed by Mia Amado and Jenna Dawkins
PRESIDENT Frank D. Shutts II
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
ARTISTIC SUPPORT....................................................................................................................... Beverley Benda
BOX OFFICE Ira Forstater
BUILDING Myke Taister
DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................................. Christopher A. Tomasino
EDUCATION Heather Sanderson
FRONT OF HOUSE Monty Montgomery
MEMBERSHIP Stacey Becker
PRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... Hilary Adams
PUBLIC RELATIONS Fred C. Lash
SEASONAL PLANNING Eleanore Tapscott
TECHNICAL SUPPORT......................................................................................................................... Ken Crowley
Treasurer Christopher A. Tomasino
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.
Licensed by arrangement with The Agency, 24 Pottery Lane, Holland Park, London, W11 4LZ info@theagency.co.uk Any videotaping or other video and/or audio recording of this production is
The exciting drama of British history first cast its grip on my imagination when I was a child. My desire to discover women who forged their own chapters in history inspired me to read books on Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine and, of course, Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. Directing Mary Stuart provided an irresistible opportunity for me to present this intriguing story of two queens, bound by blood yet separated by circumstance, for an American audience.
There was little precedent for female rule during the respective reigns of Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary was the first queen regnant (a queen ruling in her own right) of Scotland, and Elizabeth I was only the second in England. The fact that Mary and Elizabeth were distantly related and ruling separate kingdoms inevitably sparked comparisons between the two queens and prompted questions about a woman’s ability to rule.
While Elizabeth was generally regarded as cautious and cunning, Mary was considered romantic yet reckless. Elizabeth famously decided not to marry, exalting herself as “The Virgin Queen” to keep power and avoid diluting England’s political influence. Mary followed a more traditional path for both a queen and a woman of her time by marrying and giving birth to a son and heir. However, she made unwise decisions when forming marriage alliances, and those poor choices contributed to her downfall and eventual abdication. What Friedrich Schiller depicts, and what I’ve attempted to portray onstage, are two distinctly different queens whose diverging leadership styles and life choices affected the course of their own lives and the nations they ruled.
The biases against female leadership in Schiller’s Mary Stuart feel frighteningly modern. On more than one occasion in the play, Lord Burleigh insinuates a woman’s supposed emotional and irrational tendencies by describing Mary’s “judicious use of tears.” Even Talbot says, rather clumsily in front of Elizabeth, that “women are not strong.” Although the events depicted in Mary Stuart occurred over 400 years ago, this drama presents a fascinating backdrop for our own intolerance toward women in leadership roles today.
Kathleen Barth, DirectorSchiller’s dramatization of the final months of Mary Stuart’s life owes much to the historical record. Mary lived under the supervision of Sir Amias Paulet from 1585 until her death in February 1587. At this point in her life, Mary had not seen her native Scotland nor her son James for 18 years, and her execution by the English was, to many in Elizabeth’s privy council, a foregone conclusion in search of a reason.
Where Schiller departs from history, it’s to give a human face to political and historical forces. In the invention of Mortimer, he gives a face and a name to the dozens of young Catholic men galvanized to save the soul of their country, the woman they believed to be the true queen. Although Mary and Elizabeth never met in person, their confrontation here provides a chance for catharsis not only for the two queens but also for the audience watching these two women—and the ideologies they are made to represent—have a chance to speak face to face.
Every act of retelling history is fundamentally transformative, as the story takes on the timbre and unspoken feelings of the teller. Aristotle warns us that tragedy is not the story of people but of actions, and in straddling the line between history and theater, we risk losing the people at the center of the action. What we see in Schiller’s Mary Stuart is somehow more than the end of one woman’s life, and also exactly that. It is an intimate, entirely human look at the crashing waves of contemporary European politics, not always willingly embodied by these two women. Although we know their stories, Schiller does not allow us to forget that these women lived, that they felt the constant pressure of narratives being built around them already—flattening their choices into stories that are easier to tell, and losing track of the humanity at stake.
Griffin Voltmann, Dramaturg
One queen will win; one must fall. This highly charged political drama is about two mighty royals—Mary Stuart and Queen Elizabeth I—and the power play between two of history’s greatest monarchs. With inspiring, powerful characters and a theme grounded in the struggle of religion, womanhood and statesmanship, this play mirrors and explores many of the same issues present today.
TIME PERIOD AND SETTING
1587; the Castle of Fotheringhay
Palace of Westminster
A Park
Ante-chamber
Mary Stuart is performed in five acts. There will be one 15-minute intermission between Acts 3 and 4.
Act 1: The Castle of Fotheringhay, 1587
Act 2: The Palace of Westminster, 1587
Act 3: A Park, 1587
Act 4: Ante-chamber, Apartment of the Queen, 1587
Act 5: Mary’s Room, Apartment of the Queen, 1587
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.
Dungeon Drury ....................................................................................... Stuart Fischer
Hanna Kennedy ....................................................................................Jessie Roberts
Amias Paulet ............................................................................................. Kirk Lambert
Mary Stuart .............................................................................................Sarah Cusenza
Mortimer ................................................................................................. John Paul Odle
William Cecil, Lord Burleigh ...................................................... John Henderson
Elizabeth I ........................................................................................... Maria Ciarrocchi
Count Aubespine ........................................................................ John Barclay Burns
Count Bellievre ....................................................................................... Richard Fiske
George Talbot ......................................................................................... Paul Donahoe
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester ................................................ Thomas O’Neill
Officer Lee Swanson
O’Kelly ............................................................................................................ Sam Beeson
William Davison .................................................................................... Stuart Fischer
Page ................................................................................................................. Sam Beeson
Melvil ................................................................................................ John Barclay Burns
Kent .............................................................................................................. Richard Fiske
Sheriff ........................................................................................................... Lee Swanson
Crew
Producers Hilary Adams, Margaret Chapman
Assistant Producers .................................................... Helen Bard-Sobola, Fred C. Lash
Director ................................................................................................................. Kathleen Barth
Assistant Directors................................................................. Mia Amado, Jenna Dawkins
Stage Manager ............................................................................................ Dana Maksymova
Assistant Stage Manager Lauren Markovich
Dramaturg ........................................................................................................ Griffin Voltmann
Set Design ....................................................................................................................Matt Liptak
Set Construction .....................................................................................................Julie Fischer
Assisted by Margaret Chapman, Shah Choudhury, Rob Cork, Chris Feldmann, Jim Hutzler, Angela Lambert, Greg Matthes, Jeff Nesmeyer, Bill Pearson, Chris Rescherer, Maureen Roult, Matthew Trowbridge
Set Painting .......................................................................................................... Luana Bossolo
Assisted by Kacie Carlyle, Shannon Doyle, Ronnie Hardcastle, Rebecca Harrison, Gabrielle Hasenstab, Bobbie Herbst, Mary Hutzler, Stephanie Köhler-Backus, Matt Liptak, Patty Lord, Kathy Murphy, Diane Nesmeyer, Susan Prytherch, Sheryl Rakestraw, Wendy Sneff, Paul Volden, Karla Wescott
Set Decoration................................................................................................ Donna Reynolds
Properties Design ................................................................................ Allison Gray-Mendes
Lighting Design ............................................................................................. Matthew Cheney
Lighting Design Mentor Franklin Coleman
Master Electrician Julius Rosenwald Ware II
Assisted by Silas Andrews, Lloyd Bittinger, Pam Leonowich, Donna Reynolds, Marg Soroos
Sound Design ......................................................................................................... Janice Rivera
Assisted by Keith Bell, Manuel Medina, Mary Rutt, Sarah Smith, Matthew Trowbridge
Apprentice–Sound Design Peter Halverson
Costume Design ..................................................... Juliana Cofrancesco, Abbie Mulberg, Carol Pappas, Robin Worthington
Assisted by Lanae Sterrett and Lee Swanson
Wardrobe Coordinator ............................ Mary Beth Smith-Toomey, Margaret Snow
Makeup and Hair Design Robin Maline, Lanae Sterrett
Assisted by Karen Maline
Dialect Coach ........................................................................................................ Hilary Adams
Fight/Intimacy Choreographer ............................................................................ Ian Claar
Rigging ........................................................................................................... Russell M. Wyland
Photographer Matt Liptak
Double Tech Dinner Nancy Adams
Assisted by The Council of The Little Theatre of Alexandria
Audition Coordinators ................................................... Sherry Clarke, Brendan Quinn
Assisted by Beth Adler, Sarah Emmett, Peter Fannon, Robin Gold
Our special thanks to all those people whose names were not available when this program went to press.
Friday, April 21 • American Association of University Women (Alexandria/Mount Vernon Chapters)
Tuesday, April 25 • Mount Vernon Kiwanis
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Council of the Little Theatre of Alexandria, LTA Box Office and Front of House volunteers, LTA Safety Committee
Sam Beeson (O’Kelly/Page) This is Sam’s first production with LTA. He graduated from Concordia University Irvine (CUI) in 2021 with a B.A. in performing arts and recently moved to DC to pursue acting for film and stage, as well as stand-up comedy. Other theatre credits include I and You (L.A. Theater Center), for which he received a national award for Distinguished Performance in a Play; What Are You Thinking? (Sylver Spoon Theater); She Stoops to Conquer (CUI); and All Shook Up (CUI).
John Barclay Burns (Count Aubespine/Melvil) is delighted to be back at LTA for his sixth show over 18 years. Favorite roles include Sébastien in Nude with Violin (LTA), the Headmaster in The History Boys (ESP 2009/DS 2016) and the Genie of the Ring in Aladdin (BP). JBB has played most of the comic baritone roles in Gilbert and Sullivan, most recently King Gama in Princess Ida (VLOC). His last “Scottish” role was Mr. Lundie in Brigadoon (RMT 2019). Alba an-còmhnaidh air thoiseach—Scotland always First.
Sarah Cusenza (Mary Stuart) is delighted to be making her debut at LTA! She was last seen as Dylan Thomas in A Child’s Christmas in Wales at VTC. Selected favorite roles include Ginny in For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (VTC), Lucy in Dracula, a staged reading (4615 Theater Company), White Rabbit and Caterpillar in ALICE (Dodgeball Theater) and Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa (William & Mary). Education: The College of William and Mary. Sarah thanks her husband, Gabriel, for his love and support.
Maria Ciarrocchi (Elizabeth I) is ecstatic to be part of this extraordinary company in one of her dream roles! Before the pandemic, she spent three years originating the role of Suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt in 19 the Musical. Other favorites include Oliver! (LTA), Steel Magnolias (GTP), Chess (KAT), Legally Blonde (LTA) and, most recently, Sister Act (LTA). Maria lives in Alexandria and is COO of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. Love and enormous thanks to the best tribe a girl could ever ask for!
Paul Donahoe (George Talbot) has performed at LTA in Blue Stockings, August: Osage County, The Audience and To Kill a Mockingbird. Other credits include How I Learned to Drive (DS), Defying Gravity and The Giver (ACCT) and Taking Sides (PCP), for which he received a WATCH nomination. His professional credits include two seasons at the McCarter Theater in Princeton and a season at the Intiman Theater in Seattle. Paul received an M.F.A. in acting from Ohio University.
Stuart Fischer (William Davison/Dungeon Drury) is thrilled to finally work at LTA, the 36th group for which he has appeared onstage (and 89th production, excluding readings, overall). Most recently, he played the Caretaker in The Telltale Heart (Goose Creek Players), Captain Scott in Peter and the Starcatcher (PWLT) and Dukes Senior and Frederick in As You Like It (NOVA Nightsky). Stuart, as Will Roper, survived the Tudors in A Man for All Seasons (GAC), but you’ll have to see whether he survives this one.
Richard Fiske (Count Bellievre/Kent) is a retired Navy diver who stumbled into theatre a while back and never quite found his way out. He is quietly pleased and honored to make his fourth appearance at LTA, and most grateful to his wife, Helen, for encouraging him to play. Credits include Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (LTA), Morrie in Tuesdays with Morrie (PWLT), 30-plus other professional and community theatre roles around Washington, and Captain Queeg—but that was in another country long ago...
John Henderson (William Cecil, Lord Burleigh) is excited to return to LTA after previously appearing here in Dial M for Murder (Inspector Hubbard), The Game’s Afoot (William Gillette/Sherlock Holmes) and A Party to Murder (Charles Prince). He has also appeared with the St. Mark’s Players in Moon Over Buffalo (George Hay), Twelve Angry Jurors (Juror 9) and The Philadelphia Story (Uncle Willie). In a previous millennium, he appeared in over 15 productions with the St. Bart’s Players in New York City.
Kirk Lambert (Amias Paulet) is excited to be performing at LTA once again in this magnificent production! Favorite shows include the adaptation of Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation Speaks (FCT), Shoah (FCT), Rumors (LTA), The Haunting of Hill House (LTA), Dracula (LTA), The Audience (LTA) and The Cemetery Club (ACCT). Kirk has also appeared at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap Filene Center, Studio Theatre and Alden Theatre. Kirk would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support.
John Paul Odle (Mortimer) is an Alexandria native and Providence College graduate and is delighted to be under the guiding eye of Kathleen Barth once more at LTA! Previous credits include As You Like It (NOVA Nightsky), Blue Stockings (LTA), Picnic (NOVA Nightsky), The Precious Scars and Gold and Cocaine (LTA One Acts), A Few Good Men (LTA), Bus Stop (ACCT), The Nance (LTA), The Count of Monte Cristo (ACCT) and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (LTA).
Thomas O’Neill (Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester) is thrilled to return to LTA after making his acting debut in the 2020 production of A Christmas Carol. He is looking forward to expanding his theater acting resume and counts A Few Good Men as a personal favorite production.
Jessie Roberts (Hanna Kennedy) earned a master’s degree in theatre from Brandeis University. After performing onstage in San Francisco and New York City, she went over to the “dark side” and became an attorney. Since finding her way back to her second love, theatre, she has been involved in over 50 plays in the Northern Virginia area. (Her husband, Jon, is her first love.) Jessie is pleased to return to LTA, where she directed Ripcord and Design for Murder.
Lee Swanson (Officer/Sheriff) is thrilled to be making their debut with LTA. They have been delighted to return to theatre this year for the first time since college and appeared in Almost, Maine (TAP) in February. Productions they participated in as a young adult in Tennessee and North Carolina included A Midsummer Night’s Dream and I Never Saw Another Butterfly (KTG), Godspell (NSCC) and The Actor’s Nightmare and Dearly Departed (UNC-CH). Lee thanks LTA for this opportunity and their partner, Anna, for all their support.
ACCT – Aldersgate Church Community Theater
ACT – Alliance of Community Theaters
AS – Arena Stage
ASC – Annapolis Shakespeare Company
BCT – Bowie Community Theatre
BST – Baltimore Shakespeare Factory
Cappie – Critics and Awards Program (High School)
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)
FST – First Stage Tysons
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
KTG – Kingsport Theatre Guild
LBTC – Little Butterfly Theatre Company
LMP – Laurel Mill Playhouse
LST – Loudoun Centre Theater
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
NSCC – Northeast State Community College
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
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
UNC-CH – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
VC – Vpstart Crow
VTC – Vienna Theatre Company
WAC – Workhouse Arts Center
WATCH – Washington Area Theatre Community Honors
VLOC – Victorian Lyric Opera Company
ZS – Zemfira Stage
Hilary Adams (Co-Producer/Dialect Coach) is proud to be part of the Mary Stuart team. This is her third turn as dialect coach and fourth as producer (recent credits include Blue Stockings, Design for Murder, Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol and Lettice and Lovage). Working with Kathleen has been a joy, and Hilary counts herself extremely lucky to be working with the finest actors and designers in Northern Virginia. Last but not least, she thanks her husband, Griffin, for his perennial love, support and insight.
Mia Amado (Co-Assistant Director) is excited to be involved in her first main stage production with LTA! Her directing credits include Echoes (Capital Fringe Festival), Sacrifice: A Nightmare in One Act (LTA), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (GMU) and Counter Facts (Who What Where Theatre Collective). Mia was the stage manager for America’s Sexiest Couple (Best Medicine Rep). She has performed with StageCoach Theatre Company, Momentum Collective Inc. and Fractal Theatre Collective. Training: B.F.A. in theatre, George Mason University; Young Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company.
Helen Bard-Sobola (Co-Assistant Producer) is happy to be part of a strong team of producers and cast, learning the ropes! Love to Mike and Ally always and forever. Support local theatre!
Kathleen Barth (Director) is a writer/director based in the DC metro area. Her recent directorial credits include America’s Sexiest Couple (Best Medicine Rep), Women and Guns (Dean Productions Theatre Company, Premiere the Play Podcast) and A Few Good Men (LTA). Kathleen also wrote and directed a short film, The Death of Anne Brontë, that has screened in a variety of online film festivals and across the United States.
Luana Bossolo (Set Painting) has been painting LTA sets for over a decade. Past shows include Rabbit Hole, A Christmas Carol, The Full Monty, Spamalot, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Fabulous Lipitones, The Audience, Harvey, The Fantasticks, Fences and Something Rotten. She has also worked wardrobe and set dressing and produced several LTA shows. She is delighted to be working again with set designer Matt Liptak.
Margaret Chapman (Co-Producer) is happy to be back producing after most recently designing props for Something Rotten (WATCH nomination) (LTA). For the past few years, she has been designing props and producing shows for LTA, St. Mark’s Players and Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade, including Blue Stockings, You Can’t Take it With You, August: Osage County, Sister Act, Evita and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). She also serves as the Vice Director of the LTA Council and as the President of the SMP Board of Directors.
Matthew Cheney (Lighting Design) is excited to be working his first show at LTA. Matthew has previously designed for MVCCT, OLQP and Bishop Ireton, where he received a Cappie for lighting design. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in theater that focused on lighting and media design, and he worked as a programmer for their designers. He is currently the programmer at Roundhouse Theatre and the Writer’s Center in Bethesda. He hopes everyone enjoys the show!
Ian Claar (Fight/Intimacy Choreography) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (NextStop Theatre Company), The Art of Murder (Workhouse Arts Center), Or (Theatre Prometheus), The New Moon and El Capitan (VLOC). Peter and the Starcatcher, Superior Donuts (WATCH Award), Time Stands Still, The Game’s Afoot, Newsies, Cabaret (Reston Players). Key for Two (LTA). Matilda (Levine Music Theatre). Lion King Jr. (Encore Stage & Studio), Peter and the Starcatcher, Clue, She Kills Monsters (DC International School). Member: SAFD Advanced Actor/Combatant, Noble Blades, managing director.
Juliana Cofrancesco and Carol Pappas (Co-Costume Design) designed for Playing Juliet and Casting Othello (PP); Death of a Salesman and Leading Ladies (VTC); The Fantasticks, A Christmas Carol and Key for Two (LTA); Enchanted April (ACCT); Cinderella and Revolutionary Gentleman (IS); Seussical, Putnam County Spelling Bee, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Comic Potential, Footloose, 1776 and Calendar Girls (MCP); and American Idiot (LBTC).
Jenna Dawkins (Co-Assistant Director) is excited to join LTA’s production team. Jenna’s experience has primarily been onstage, but she is also well versed in all things behind the scenes. After a pandemic-long hiatus, she is happy to be back in a theater and is honored to bring the brilliant story of Mary Stuart to life. Outside of LTA, Jenna performs in the Alexandria Choral Society and Pro Coro Alexandria. Thanks to family and friends for their love and support.
Julie Fischer (Set Construction) is honored to work again with Kathleen, the production crew and the skilled volunteers who give their time to construct fantastic sets at LTA. This is her fifth year working on LTA productions, including serving as master carpenter (Wait Until Dark, Rumors) and set designer (Lettice and Lovage, Sister Act, Design for Murder). She would like to thank Jim, Jeff and Dan for the work that they put into the LTA shop and encourage everyone to come play with power tools.
Allison Gray-Mendes (Properties Design) enjoys working on the “dark side” of theatre as a designer, technical director and producer. Mary Stuart is the last in a four-show sprint with TAP and LTA this spring. She would like to thank her mother and Mercedes for always being creative collaborators and her husband, fellow thespian Mark, for always encouraging her to push herself. Thank you also to Hilary and Griffin for being amazing collaborators. Enjoy the show!
Peter Halverson (Apprentice–Sound Design) continues to expand his skills and experience on the LTA A-V Squad, having assisted with lighting and sound in LTA productions including Design for Murder, The Nance, In the Heights and Cantorial. Onstage, he has enjoyed performing in LTA shows such as Rumors, You Can’t Take It with You, The Fabulous Lipitones and Spamalot, as well as various productions in other area theatre groups. Many thanks to Janice for her mentorship, guidance and support!
Fred C. Lash (Co-Assistant Producer) Although no stranger to community theatre stages in Northern Virginia, Fred is quite pleased to be assisting the Mary Stuart production team. Having been associated with LTA since 1989, he has been onstage for 10 productions, served as an assistant director, and is currently on the Board of Governors. Fred is a retired Marine who lives in Springfield with Donna, his “partner” and theatrical critic of nearly 55 years.
Matt Liptak (Set Design/Photographer) Mary Stuart is Liptak’s 13th set design for LTA. Liptak has designed, painted and dressed sets across the DMV for the past seven years. Recent LTA productions include Bright Star (WATCH nominee), Fences, The Revolutionists and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (LTA Award winner). Other notable and award-winning shows include Harvey, Dracula, Steel Magnolias and Last Summer at Bluefish Cove. Liptak thanks everyone who helped bring his design to life and thanks Kieran and Branson for their support.
Dana Maksymova (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be making her LTA debut! Dana recently stage-managed Almost, Maine (TAP) and Unprotected (Pipeline Playwrights). Her favorite credits include The Sound of Music, White Christmas, Peter Pan, Catch Me If You Can and Chicago. She thanks her husband for his endless love and support, and the whole cast and crew for their hard work and for being amazing!
Robin Maline (Co-Makeup and Hair Design) has had the pleasure of designing such shows as Blue Stockings, Something Rotten (WATCH nomination) (LTA), Newsies, Singin’ in the Rain (TAP) and many others in the greater DC area. She has been working as co-chair of Wigs and Makeup at LTA since November 2017. She would like to thank her family for its unending support and Lanae Sterrett for always being by her side with a comb and a clever quip. Enjoy the show!
Abbie Mulberg (Co-Costume Design) is a local seamstress and reenactor who previously served as wardrobe manager for The Washington Revels. Enjoy the show!
Carol Pappas (Co-Costume Design) See Juliana Cofrancesco.
Donna Reynolds (Set Decoration) has been involved in local community theater for over 20 years in a variety of roles. She previously provided set dressing for A Few Good Men and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife (LTA). Most recently, she designed props for Blue Stockings (LTA) and just finished stage managing Silent Sky (ACCT).
Janice Rivera (Sound Design) Sound Design credits include Wait Until Dark, The Haunting of Hill House (WATCH nomination), Dracula (WATCH Award), The Fabulous Lipitones, The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged), Spamalot (WATCH nomination) and Cantorial (WATCH nomination) (LTA); and The Best Worst That Can Happen and Death by Design (ACCT). You may have seen her onstage as Cookie Cusack in Rumors, Carmen in The Nance and Camilla in In the Heights (LTA). Janice is a video editor and producer via her postproduction company, Offbook Productions. https://www.offbookpro.com
Mary Beth Smith-Toomey (Co-Wardrobe Coordinator) is delighted to be working with Margaret on Mary Stuart. Mary Beth last was the Wardrobe Coordinator for West Side Story. Since then she has been on several wardrobe crews, including Bright Star and Something Rotten, among others. When not doing wardrobe, Mary Beth can be found producing shows such as Legally Blonde, The Producers and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. She will be producing A Christmas Carol in December.
Margaret Snow (Co-Wardrobe Coordinator) is highly appreciative to be working the wardrobe operation and to be working with our talented director, cast and crew.
Griffin Voltmann (Dramaturg) is thrilled to have finally found a job where being a know-it-all is paying off. Thank you to the cast and crew for your incredible talent bringing this story to life, and to Hilary for her unending love and support.
Julius Rosenwald Ware II (Master Electrician) is an 82nd ABN veteran and a union electrician with over 35 years of experience working in the DMV and nationally. He is a Sr. Safety manager inspecting Exelon projects for compliance with OSHA and local, and company safety protocols. He has appeared on stage at LTA and other community theaters. Julius is a Rutgers alumnus, a charter member of the 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County, and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc
Robin Worthington (Co-Costume Design) has collaborated with designers for LTA and many local theater productions and costumed films: The Feather: The Agatha Tiegel Hanson Story and Kathleen Barth’s The Death of Anne Brontë. She is thrilled at the opportunity to work again with director Kathleen Barth to design costumes for the queens and their attendants in Mary Stuart with a stellar team of creative seamstresses.
LTA will continue to follow all current health and safety standards set by governmental authorities while the COVID pandemic continues, and we will maintain our full participation in the ALX Promise program sponsored by the Alexandria Health Department and Visit Alexandria. LTA will no longer require proof of COVID vaccination or PCR testing (if not vaccinated) for audience admission to our facility, and we will no longer be holding out every third seat for social distancing. Proof of full vaccination, including boosters, against COVID is required for all cast, crew, volunteers and staff, and for those auditioning at the Little Theatre of Alexandria. Effective February 17, 2023, masking is required only while inside our auditorium on performance evenings/matinees. Masks are strongly encouraged, but optional, in our lobby, Green Room and restrooms. This may change later in the season.
Producers Luana Bossolo and sheri ratick stroud and Director Joanna Henry are pleased to announce auditions for Freaky Friday.
Music Director – Christopher A. Tomasino; Choreographer – Stefan Sittig
Dates: Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14, 2023
Additional info will be posted on thelittletheatre.com under Opportunities. Book by Bridget Carpenter, Music by Tom Kitt, Lyrics by Brian Yorkey. Based on the novel Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers and the Disney Films.
The Producers and Director Mike Donahue are pleased to announce auditions for Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van
Dates: Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, 2023
Additional info will be posted on thelittletheatre.com under Opportunities. Written by Mary Lynn Dobson.
Producers Rachel Alberts and Russell M. Wyland and Director Frank D. Shutts II are pleased to announce auditions for Young Frankenstein
Music Director – Christopher A. Tomasino; Choreographer – Stefan Sittig
Dates: Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13, 2023
Additional info will be posted on thelittletheatre.com under Opportunities. From the book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan; Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks.
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 Lettice and Lovage.
Lloyd Bittinger
Martha Deal
Sara Deshong
Ira Forstater
Gary Gladstone
Sue Gladstone
Michele Greene
Bobbie Herbst
Brittany Huffman
Phil Krzywicki
Hilary Adams
Danna Blais
Dee Brown
John B. Burns
Laverne Chesson
Laura Clarke
Rita Costello
Leslie S. Deneault
Shannon Doyle
Florence Ferraro
Jean Frane
Chas Harris
Rebecca Harrison
Barbara Hayes
Gayle Hightower
Diane Janik
Meredith Ludwig
Melissa Nielson
Steve Percy
Laura Peterson
Page Dreher Schreiner
Alison Tregea
Caterina Vittoria
Jeanne Louise
Glen Macdonald
Dorothy Marshall
Kirt Miller
Meghan Mohon
Sonya Mohon
Madelaine Morgan
Greg Peeples
Ann Rowan
Cindy Savery
Eleanor Schmutz
Ana Shannon
Margaret Snow
Tescia Yonkers
Richard Young
For your own safety, look for your nearest EXIT. In case of emergency, WALK, DO NOT run, to the exit.
In case of an emergency, LTA has three AEDs (automated external defibrillators) They are located as follows: 1. in the lobby, near the Council Green Room 2. in the cast entrance hallway, near backstage door 3. in the Alexandria Academy, on the first floor
Anonymous x 4
Shannon Doyle
Megan Evans
Christopher Feldmann and Laura Beauchamp
Julie Fischer and Mark Lacy
Family
Marian Holmes
Kevin Kuntz
Micheal J. O’Connor
Mrs. Lydia Odle
Karen Shotts
Linda Windsor
Kacie Carlyle
Barbara and John Cohoon
Dr. Patricia Cosler
Chas Harris
Mary Hunstad-O’Konski
James and Catherine Kelley
Jim and Mary Hutzler
Catherine E. Jenkins
Ms. Melissa Neilson and Mr. Edward Yawn
Donna and Mark Samblanet
Howard and Marg Soroos
Ed and Maria Ward
Megan Waterhouse and Andrew Terrell
Patriots
Anonymous x 12
Luana Bossolo
Joe and Elizabeth Carden
Brian and Sandra Darville
Robert Doerschner
Dr. David Doll
Jack Fannon
Anne Fesmire
Barbara Hayes
Lowell and Celia Jacoby
Elizabeth Jay
Judy Kee
Mary McGowan and Steve Cohen
Michael Maibach
James McAtamney
Col. And Mrs. Jules McNeff
Zell Murphy
Jeff and Diane Nesmeyer
Northwest Financial Advisors
Woodrow Paik
Carole and David Preston
Daniel Romasko
Mary Beth Smith-Toomey
Adrian Steel
Jason Stevens
Susan Swain
Chris Tomasino
Harrison and Toni Wadsworth
Alexandrian
Anonymous x 22
Neale Ainsfield and Dr. Donna Sieckmann
Dr. and Mrs. James Alper
Ann Anderson
The Apker Family
Nancy Appleby
Jordan Barber
Cindi and Jay Bartol
John Bartol
Cathy Becker
Alan Boehm
Gregory Bricker
Dale Brown
Dorothy Cass
Justin Cheevers
Gillian Chen
Catherine & David Clagett
Robert Comfort
Paula and Brian Coupe
Ann Daniels
The Rev. Stanley Dubowski
Jeffery Fannon
Sharon and Ron Field
Ira Forstater and Robin Fradkin
James and Maria Gentle
Molly Gimmel
Marcia Gillespie
Bob Gronenberg
Kenneth & Therese Johnston
Vicki L. Kadilak
Janet Kennedy
Janet Kennelly
Jim & Sandy Kirkpatrick
Kathy Kirmayer
In memory of Philip Kopp
Freida L. LaChapelle
Kirk and Gabriela Lambert
Susan & Andre L’Heureux
Jennifer Lyman
Donna and Marty Malarkey
Eileen Malone and Dale Brown
Shirley McKinley
Mila and Monty
Karen Millslagle
Patricia Nicklin
Kathleen Parrish
Kathy and Clarence Parrish
Karen Pilewski
Peter Pennington
Mary Jo Roos
Joan Sable
Robert Schapler
Jacqueline & Ralph Schenkel
Jim and Jean Schlichting
Katherine Schmauss
Brian and Kathy Shankman
Barbara Slavik
Judy Smith
Smithsonian Associates/ Leah Connolly
Wendy Sneff
Roberta Spivey
Maria Steinmann in Honor of Hans Dettmar
Donald Street
Sheri Stroud
Michelle Suberly
Adrienne and Ron Taylor
von Schmidt-Pauli family
Edward Walker and Brenda Kurlansik
David and Lynn Walters
Sandra Welch
David R. Hunt & Kim Wells
Raymond & Sheri Wolfe
Katherine Wood
Richard Young
Minutemen
Anonymous x 18
Catherine Babin
Ann and Ron Bachand
Bertha Braddock
David Bradley
Cheri Brown
Susan Chase
Shannon Clancy
Dr. Daniel Cohen
Heather Dean
Delma Frankel
John George
Amanda Gross
K. Wayne Heil
Shanae Hill
Kelly Houlgate & Sheila Keyes
Anna Laurenzo
Maj. Gen. Patricia Lister
Judith Livingston
Nathan and Kara Macek
Ed Maginnis
Greg and Cynthia Matthes
James McAtamney
Kate McNichols
Martin Mitchell
Amy Morris
Peter Pennington
Katharine Panfil
Pamela Robinson
Kitty Russell
Page Dreher Schreiner
Barbara Slavik
Robert & Maureen Simoniz
Cate Smith
Edye Smith
In Memory of J.J. Stinson
Dixie Strait
Alison Tregea
Anonymous x 82
Lynda Adamson
Mary and Jim Albanese
Dr. Lynda Anderson
Mary Ellen Bayer
Courtney Benton
Corinne Blood
Oleksandr Bondar
Amanda Brino
Joyce Brown
Barbara Browne
Anne Carey
Jacob Cassidy
Nicholas Collins
Deborah Craffen
Armando de Sauce
Catherine Dwan
Edward Eder
Bernadette Fernandez
Hugo Gilbert
Nancy Glynn
Orlando Gonzales
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hearin
Joan Johnson
Shana Knight
Maria Koelbel
Claudia Kostel
Hillary Leyendecker
Joe Lore
Elizabeth Mace
Joann Manzek
Col. Morrill Marston
Felice Matera
Robert Miller
Fran Nadel
Jennifer Nightingale
Stephen Poston
Alton Readen
Laura Reese
Marda Robillard
Leslie Rothstein
Michael Rowan
Eric Schlesinger
Jen Schumacher
Amy Selby
Guy Serle
John Shackleford
Ms. Nancy Siegal
Miranda Sim
Anna Slother
David Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Brynda
Spellman
Wendy Swanson
Deja Taylor
Philip Taylor
Dr. Jacqueline Tibbetts
Mrs. Juniper Thren
Florence Turner
Kimberly Wells
Linda Ysewyn
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.
The
or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the
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.
Rachael Hubbard............................................................................................................................. Director
Margaret Chapman ................................................................................................................ Vice Director
Donna Hauprich .............................................................................................................................Secretary
Lloyd Bittinger* Financial Officer
Frank D. Shutts II ........................................................................... Honorary Member, LTA President
Jay Bartol
Thomas Bethards
Jamie Blake
Kevin Blaum
Luana Bossolo
Lesley Buckles
KC Carlyle
Maria Ciarrocchi
Franklin C. Coleman
Charlotte Corneliusen
David Correia
Rita Costello
Kimberly Crago
Susan R. Devine
Paul Donahoe
Sharon Rochelle Dove*
Joel D. Durgavich
Margaret Evans-Joyce
Peter M. Fannon*
Ira Forstater
Duane Goddard*
Kacie Greenwood
David B. Hale
Ronald Hardcastle
Barbara H. Hayes
Bobbie Herbst
Kira Hogan
Marian Holmes*
Sarah Holt
Algis & Suzanne Kalvaitis
Judith Kee*
Janet Kennelly
Meredith Kirchner
Kirk Lambert
Fred C. Lash
Lois Ligoske
Karen Maline
Zell Murphy II
Patricia B. Nicklin
C. Lynn O’Connell
Micheal J. O’Connor
Eddie Page
Benjamin Robles
Heather Sanderson
Jean Schlichting
Margo Shiffert
Patricia Spencer Smith
Kim Smith-Salmon
Mary Beth Smith-Toomey*
Wendy Sneff
Arthur & Margaret Snow
Howard & Marg Soroos
Christopher C. Tomasino
Jeffery Westlake
Rance R. Willis*
Frank & Carolyn Winters
Russell M. Wyland
Kenneth P. Zabielski
Janice Zucker
* Distinguished Member Rev 3.27.23
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.”
