"Our
2025 SEASON SPONSOR
Lulay's Car Connection
Don Lulay Homes
LP Holdings
Teresa M. Lulay State Farm Insurance
family businesses supporting Pentacle and our community."
Pentacle Theatre is grateful to The Lulay Group for their generous sponsorship, the contribution of a much-needed truck to support our Pentacle community.
Welcome to Black Comedy, a farce played mostly in the dark with the lights full on. If that seems confusing just remember that it’s light when it’s dark and it’s dark when it’s light. The results: people falling down, bumping into each other, bumping into the furniture, getting tangled in everyday tasks – all the things that can make us laugh. Directing this kind of chaos is a challenge, but it has been a fun and enjoyable challenge. I am thankful for the cast and crew who have worked so hard to bring this piece to the Pentacle stage.
As a farce, Black Comedy doesn’t necessarily have a particular message. Or maybe it does. Maybe we can learn a few things from stumbling around in the dark.
Lesson one: stumbling around in the dark is very, very difficult when the lights are on.
Lesson two: laughter is excellent medicine in an often dark world.
Lesson three: take your medicine and try to keep the lights on!
Debbie Neel Director
LOBBY ART EXHIBIT
Be sure to visit this wonderful exhibit in our lobby, featuring the works of local artists from Artists in Action. The art of Pentacle member, David Bliss, is also included.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Pentacle Theatre in Salem is located within the ancestral homelands of the Kalapuya, Yamhill, and Luckiamute people who have lived here since time immemorial. In the 1850s, these tribes were displaced by colonization and were eventually resettled on reservations. We celebrate and honor the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz members, their resilience, and their present and future right to this land.
BLACK COMEDY
CAST
Cast in order of appearance
BRINDSLEY MILLER ............................................................................. Ryan Snyder
CAROL MELKETT ............................................................................. Megan Emerick
MISS FURNIVAL Pamela Bilderbeck
COLONEL MELKETT Robert Barnett
HAROLD GORRINGE .......................................................... Anthony Redelspereger
CLEA ...................................................................................................... Emilie Sass
SCHUPPANZIGH ............................................................................... Steven Marick
GEORG BAMBERGER Antonio Schoaps
TIME & PLACE
9:30 on a Sunday night in 1965
Brindsley’s apartment in South Kensington, London
The show runs approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes with no intermission.
“Black Comedy” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Written by Peter Shaffer
PRODUCTION STAFF
DIRECTOR ........................................................................................... Debbie Neel
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Robynn Hayek
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Chris Benham
STAGE MANAGER Antonio Schoaps
INTIMACY DIRECTOR ............................................................. Kelli Swanson Jaecks
PROPS ......................................................................................... Sharon Usselman
LIGHT/SOUND BOOTH ............................................................................... Rob Sim
SOUND DESIGN ...................................................................................... Liz Rogers
LIGHTING DESIGN Chris Benham
COSTUME DESIGN Shaula Coulson
MAKEUP DESIGN Scott Ramp
HAIR & WIGS ....................................................................................... Eddie Willits
DIALECT COACHES ........................................................... Scott Ramp, Ed Schoaps
STAGE FALLS & FIGHT DIRECTION ............. The Fake Fight Company: Paul Malone
SET CONSTRUCTION ............................ Saul Coria, Maynard DeWitt, Violet Lively, Scott Ramp, Alicia Scherer, Antonio Schoaps, Rob Sim
STRIKE CREW Alicia Scherer, Antonio Schoaps, Rob Sim
PHOTOGRAPHY Vicki Woods
POSTER DESIGN................................................................................. Isaac Mitchell
PROGRAM DESIGN ........................................................................... Carlee Wright
HOUSE MANAGERS ......................................................... Beverly and Mike Freitas
BOARD LIAISON .................................................................................. Jen Killikelly
SPECIAL THANKS
Kendra Collins | Sherry Collins | Cameron Covey Jo Dodge | Karen McCarty | Family of Jim Johnson
Comedy of Tenors Auditions: 1 to 5 p.m. July 19 Show Dates: Oct 3-25
Outlaws, and Other People (That Should be Shot) Auditions: 1 to 5 p.m. August 23 Show Dates: Nov 21-Dec 13
Debbie Neel Director
Debbie has been an active Pentacle member since 1980. Since then, she has appeared in more than 35 shows, including Seascape, Light Up the Sky, The Immigrant, and The Women of Lockerbie. She has also directed nine shows for Pentacle, including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in 2023. Through the years, Debbie has worked on costumes, lights, sound, backstage crew, and various committees. She has also served on the Pentacle Board and is currently the chair of the Pentacle Directors’ Forum. In 2004, Debbie was honored as a Lifetime Member. She would like to thank her husband, Mike, for his continued patience, love, and support.
Robynn Hayek Assistant Director
Robynn is honored to be Assistant Director for Debbie Neel again after they worked together in 2023 on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. Active on stage at Pentacle since moving to Salem in 1997, her most recent role was last year as Mrs. Peacock in Clue: The Play. A few other favorite shows include All My Sons, Misery, Sordid Lives, A View from the Bridge, Deathtrap, and Steel Magnolias. She has also acted at Clackamas Repertory, Verona Studio, San Jose Repertory and Keizer Homegrown Theatre, in favorites Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, ‘Night Mother, Love Letters, Woman Caught Unaware, and Love, Loss and What I Wore. Robynn studied film acting in Portland after retiring from her day job as a state auditor, and feels lucky to have been cast at her age in TV shows Grimm, The Librarians, and American Vandal as well as several indie films, industrial projects, and commercials (most recently for Oregon Lottery and Real ID). As always, Robynn would like to thank her husband, John, for his ongoing support and patience while she is away at rehearsals and meetings. And to the audience member reading this program, thank you supporting our beautiful theatre in the woods. I hope you enjoy the show.
Robert Barnett
Colonel Melkett
Robert (Bob) is thrilled to be back at Pentacle! He was last seen as Colonel Mustard in Clue. Other Pentacle shows include Arthur Birling in An Inspector Calls, Chris Bean (The Director) in The Play That Goes Wrong, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, and Henry in The Fantasticks. Other shows in the Valley include Antigonus in The Winter’s Tale for Struts & Frets Theatre Co. and Gloucester in Majestic Theatre’s Wars of the Roses. Other favorite roles include Atticus Finch, Sherlock Holmes, Ebenezer Scrooge, John Barrymore, William Gillette, Judas, and God. He appears briefly in the Reese Witherspoon film, Wild, and can also be seen on Grimm and Leverage. He has performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Cleveland Play House, and the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, among others. But he is most proud of his wife of 40 years, Laurie, his two daughters, Sheena and Halley, and his grandson, Jayden.
Pamela Bilderbeck
Miss Furnival Pamela has been appearing in Pentacle plays since 2005 but her very first show here was in the chorus of Man of La Mancha way back in 1985. Some favorite roles at Pentacle include Annette in God of Carnage, LaVonda in Sordid Lives, Belinda Blair in Noises Off, and Abby Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace Pamela is pleased as punch to be cast in Black Comedy and delighted to be directed again by Debbie Neel and Robynn Hayek even though rehearsals interrupted gardening season. Remember to plant for pollinators.
NISSAN
Megan Emerick
Carol Melkett
Megan is elated and honored to be a part of her fourth show with Pentacle! She was previously seen as Elaine Harper in Arsenic and Old Lace and Theresa Bedell in Boy Gets Girl. Megan started her love for theatre in middle and high school. She continued performing in college at the University of Idaho, where her favorite role was Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream Megan received her Bachelors in Science studying Medical Science and obtained her Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration and a Masters in Medical Coding. Megan is so grateful to be included in this incredible cast and expresses her thanks to Debbie for this experience. She would like to thank her family: Austin, Kirby, Dawn, Jason, Troy, and Wykes for their endless love and support.
Steven Marik Schuppanzigh
Steven returns to Pentacle after performing in the 2018 production of 1984 as O’Brian and the 2019 production of Fools as the magistrate. He has a long history of working within community theater as an actor and behind the scenes. Steve is very grateful to his supportive wife and family and all the wonderful people that he has had the pleasure of meeting since coming to Pentacle.
Every five years the Pentacle Theatre Governing Board honors as Lifetime Members five people who have been active in Pentacle Theatre for at least 20 years. We also remember fondly those Lifetime Members who are no longer with us.
Lifetime Members
Pamela Abernethy
Dick Bond
Robin Bower
Maggie Dayton
Jo Dodge
Chris Fletcher
Diane Francis
Geri Greeno
Lois Hanson
Ken Hermens
Robert Herzog
Tom Hewitt
Deborah Johansen
Cec Koontz
Dave Leonard
Katie Lindbeck
IN LOVING MEMORY
Wayne Ballantyne
Dean Bartell
Jack Bellamy
Dr. E.B. Bossatti
Edith Bossatti
Benny Bower
Virginia Choate
Ken Collins
David Cristobal
Bill Cross
Phyllis Cross
Dave Davis
Ron Fox
Michael Francis
Rose Ann Hansell
Sue Juba
Mrs. Ray Loter
Marian Milligan
Pauli Long
Nancy Moen
Debbie Neel
Jeff Sanders
Ed Schoaps
Susan Schoaps
Rob Sim
Kathryn Straton
Faye Trupka
Cherie Ulmer
Jeffrey D. Witt
De Zajic
Tony Zandol
Alice Norton
Peg Pink
Bob Putnam
Margaret Ringnalda
Murco Ringnalda
Larry Roach
Dick Schmidt
Pat Schmidt
Helen Shepard
Meryl (Bill) Smith
Larry Stevens
Barbara Sullivan
Tom Ulmer
Claytene Vick
Madison Vick
Stephen Warnock
Rollie Zajic
Anthony Redelsperger
Harold Gorringe
This is Anthony's seventh production since his 2018 return to the Pentacle Theatre stage. He has previously been seen in The Elephant Man, Dracula, Murder on the Orient Express, It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, The Fantasticks, and Arsenic and Old Lace.
Anthony has worked in the film industry as a production assistant, an actor, and still photographer. He is also a musician, singer, voice-over actor and narrator, and a visual artist.
Emilie Park-Sass Clea
Emilie returns to the Pentacle stage after playing Gracie in Yellow (2019), Kaliope in She Kills Monsters (2022), Rachel in Exit Laughing (2023), and being the sound and lights operator for The Play that Goes Wrong (2023) and Arsenic and Old Lace (2025). Other theater-related experience is as the choreographer for Spring Awakening (2024) at Albany Civic Theater.
Emilie works in Community Health for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. She lives in Independence with her husband, Connor, and their two cats, Tourmaline and Bellini. Outside of theater, she loves watching horror movies, drinking coffee, and going on walks.
Bright Lights SOCIETY
Anonymous
Pamela Abernethy & Chris Fletcher
Pamela Bilderbeck
Robin Bower
Laurene & Roger Brousseau
Eden Rose Brown
Cherie & Craig Cline
Susan Elliott
Linda Gilbert
Ron Jaecks
Ed Kramer
MaryKate Lindbeck
Dennis & Linda McIntire
Jackie B. Miller
Jeanne M. Miller
If you have included Pentacle Theatre in your estate plans, we’d like to know and honor you here. Contact 503-485-4300 or email Steven; Executive_Director@PentacleTheatre.org. Honoring the generous individuals who have made a provision
Janet Neuburg
Jackie & Al Pierce
Laurelyn Schellin
Cesie & Tom Delve Scheuermann
John Stuber
Kelli Swanson
Barbara & Bruce Thompson
Jeff Witt
IN MEMORIAM
Virginia Choate
Carol Farber
Lois Harris
Louise Larsen
Larry Roach
Antonio Schoaps
Georg Bamberger
Antonio was born into a theater family and has been a part of Pentacle Theatre all his life. His involvement includes roles in Macbeth and The Addams Family, backstage work in She Kills Monsters and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, stage managing The Play That Goes Wrong and Clue, as well as working on the Pentacle Strike Crew.
When Antonio isn't at Pentacle, he is still making live events happen working for the Elsinore Theatre, The Fake Fight Company and Quinn's AV Club. He'd like to thank his parents for cultivating his interest in this wonderful theater in the woods.
Ryan Snyder Brindsley Miller
Ryan was last seen on stage as Charles Bingley in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (2024). Some of his favorite roles at Pentacle include Colonel Arbuthnot in Mercer Stevens in Pentacle Theatre's production of Boy Gets Girl (2024), Murder On The Orient Express (2020), George Gibbs in Our Town (2011), George Deever in All My Sons (2015), and performing as part of the Ensemble in Chicago (2015). After a several-year hiatus, Ryan is ecstatic to return to the stage. He works at Willamette University and enjoys running a couple of D&D campaigns in his free time. Ryan extends his heartfelt thanks to his family and friends for their unwavering support during this show.
Mid-Valley Theatre Network is an alliance of theatre organizations with the mission of supporting, promoting, and uniting theatre communities in and around the Mid-Willamette Valley
The Night the Lights Went Out…
Light, or a lack of it, plays a significant role in this or any production of Black Comedy, almost giving the impression of being an additional character propelling much of the action. I anticipate that the blackouts that occur during these performances will be intentional, dictated by the plot, but a look at Pentacle history reveals that a little MacGyverlike ingenuity can overcome an unanticipated power outage.
During a 1993 performance of Lend Me a Tenor, a transformer blew and the stage was plunged into darkness. Battery-powered emergency lights kicked in, providing some illumination, but not enough for the audience to clearly see the action on the stage. My favorite, and most likely inaccurate, version of this story is that an enterprising audience member drove his vehicle down the theater path and aimed his headlights through the entry door, illuminating the stage. (Given the structural configuration of the theater, this technique would have required some sort of arrangement of multiple mirrors!). A less entertaining, but more plausible, explanation of events in this “the show must go on” story is that a battery was removed from an attendee’s car and somehow hooked up to power some stage lights. Additional lighting, if I am to believe this version of the story, was provided by audience members who retrieved flashlights from their vehicles and aimed them at the actors on the stage.
This story, regardless of its accuracy, reminds us not only of the importance of lighting (and light board operators) to our productions, but also how some creative strategizing can save what seems like an impossible situation!
Ken Hermens President
VISION STATEMENT
In our continuing quest for excellence, Pentacle Theatre seeks to be a significant cultural resource for the Salem area, while providing our volunteers the opportunity for personal growth and achievement in an atmosphere of mutual respect, support, and enjoyment.
ADVERTISING
Advertise in Pentacle Theatre programs; all proceeds will support the continuation of printed programs. Contact the office for more information. Call 503-485-4300, or email executive_director@pentacletheatre.org for more information.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for upcoming productions are available online at pentacletheatre.org, in person at the box office (197 Liberty St. SE, Salem), or by phone 503-485-4300. Box office hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11am – 5pm.
CONCESSIONS
Concessions are available in the lobby. Wine and beer can be purchased along with an assortment of other beverages and brought with you to enjoy during the show. Food is not permitted in the auditorium. Purchase a souvenir cup and receive $1 off your next drink.
NO LATE SEATING
Once the production begins, the theater doors will be closed for further seating. If you arrive after the doors have been closed, you are welcome to view the production on the monitors in the lobby downstairs.
If you need to leave the theater during the performance, you can view the production on the monitors in the downstairs lobby, and catch up with your party when they exit at the end of the show.
SMOKING
Smoking is allowed only in the designated area outside the lobby.
NO RECORDING DEVICES
Cameras (with or without flash) and recording devices are strictly prohibited. Please turn off cell phones during the performance.
HOW TO REACH US
Pentacle Theatre office: 503-485-4300. Box office hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11am – 5pm. Online at: www.pentacletheatre.org.
MANY, MANY THANKS…
To our ushers. Pentacle Theatre could not be successful without the continued and dedicated help of our community.
PENTACLE THEATRE GOVERNING BOARD
Pentacle Theatre is an established not-forprofit theater company, providing a sevenplay season. A nine-member governing board assisted by committee chairpersons and countless other volunteers run the theater. Membership is open to all.
2025 GOVERNING BOARD AND STAFF
President
Vice
Secretary
Treasurer
Members-at-Large
Executive Director
Technical Director
Box Office Manager
Bookkeeper
Katie Lindbeck
Mat Genuser
Anthony Barghini
Jennifer Killikelly, Fawnia Oblack, Kelli Swanson, Heather Toller, Noah Vanderburgh
Steven Trahan
Chris Benham
Kimberly Houser Taylor
Christie L
Smith
Ticket sales alone do not cover the cost of our productions. Your membership and donations help make this theater possible. Thank you! This list represents gifts between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025.
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Oregon Arts Commission
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Community Foundation
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PRODUCER ($1,000+)
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Management
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Rus McCracken
Dennis McIntire
Patrick Moser
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Steven Wollenburg
DIRECTOR ($500+)
Paul D. Andrews
Nancy Balke, In Loving Memory of Norma J. Gardner
Steven Barlow
Matt Benjamin, in memory of Lyndsey Houser
Penny Blackwell
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Freemanity
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Bob & Marypat Hill Family Fund
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Louise Larsen Fund of Oregon Community Foundation
Jean M. Linck & Forrest A. Colling
Lynelle Littke
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Carol Kay Riedl
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Kathy D. Saviers
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Standard Insurance
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U. S. Bank Foundation
Penelope White
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ($250+)
Edna & Richard Anderson
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Mary Ann Black
Virginia & Alex Bourdeau
Tracie B. Burger
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Kate Bushman
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Jeanne & Bill Dalton
Merry Davidson
Lois & Dale Derouin
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Dean and Beth Vargas Duncan
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Pam & Roger Elliott
Valorie A. Freeman
Pentacle Theatre would not be possible without the support of the following grantors: Fred W. Fields Fund of
Albert & Ginny Furtwangler
Jo Rita Gann
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LEADING ACTOR ($100+)
Sue Abbott
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David R. Ballantyne
Kenn & Nancy Battaile
Debra Baughman
Kristen Behlings
Leora Berger
Marlene Buker
Nanci Chambers
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In Memory of Kay Cogswell
Carol Coley & Ron Boucher
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!
Gretchen Coppedge, in Memory of Dr. Jack Bellamy
Kathy Dalton
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Ryan Hanauska in Memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Hanauska
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In addition to these donors, Pentacle Theatre would like to recognize the many unlisted contributors who have given up to $100; thank you for your support!
Scan above to see our full list of donors
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