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2022-2023 Season Sponsored by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation
Brian Isaac Phillips, Producing Artistic Director Presents:
by Alice Scovell
Directed by Stephen Burdman**
January 27 – February 18, 2023
Cast
Frank: Ademide Akintilo*
Cecily: Tora Alexander*
Ernest: Jeremy Dubin*
Algernon: James Evans*
Gwendolen: Kelly Mengelkoch*
Lady Bracknell: Christine Pedi*
Creative Team
Scenic Design: Samantha Reno
Costume Design: Rainy Edwards
Lighting Design (CSC): Justen N. Locke
Associate Lighting Design (NY Classical): Deborah Constantine+
Sound Designer: Alex Brock
Properties Design: Kara Eble Trusty
Casting Director: Stephanie Klapper
Playwright: Alice Scovell
Voice/Speech Coach: Sarah Summerwell
Production Staff
Production Manager: Kate Bindus
Assistant Stage Manager: Brenna Bishop*
Production Associate: Arran Bowen
Technical Director: Chris Holloway
General Technician: Drew Homan
Wardrobe Supervisor: Emily Kemmerer
Costume Shop Manager: Lindsey Jones
Scenic Associate & Master Electrician: Justen N. Locke
Charge Artist: Samantha Reno
Production Stage Manager: Elizabeth Robinson*
Technical Director: Robert Carlton Stimmel
Properties Supervisor: Kara Eble Trusty
Wig Stylist: Amanda Winters
Produced in Partnership with:
Stephen Burdman, Founding Artistic Director
This World-Premiere production will move from Cincinnati to Off-Broadway in New York City next!
March 3-26, 2023
A.R.T./New York Mezzanine Theatre
502 West 53rd St.
New York, NY 10019
Learn more at nyclassical.com/frank
Design Sponsors:
Tea Sponsor:
Rick and Melissa Eder
There will be one fifteen-minute intermission.
Video or audio recording of this performance is strictly prohibited.
*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
**Member SDC- Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
Moboluwaji Ademide Akintilo (Debut): New York Classical Theatre: The Importance of Being Earnest (Two Ways). Other: Our Country's Good (Connecticut Repertory Theatre); The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey); Beyond The Oak Trees (Crossroads Theatre Company); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare's Globe). TV/Film: “Madame Secretary,” “Law and Order,” “To Us.” Member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and BFA graduate of Rutgers University.
Tora Nogami Alexander (Debut): New York Classical Theatre debut. New York: Twelfth Night (The Acting Company). Regional: The Heart of Robin Hood, Richard II (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival) Tour: 1984, The Odyssey (Aquila Theatre). TV/Film: “Rise.” BA from Fordham University. Thank you to Stephanie Klapper Casting and to my friends, family, and Justin for your continued support! toralexander.com
Jeremy Dubin (22 Seasons): New York Classical Theatre debut. Regional: King Lear, Pride & Prejudice, Romeo & Juliet, Noises Off, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Much Ado About Nothing, Cyrano de Bergerac, One Man Two Guv’nors, The Importance of Being Earnest, Twelfth Night (selected Cincinnati Shakespeare Company); Fortune, Red Velvet (Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati); Neverwhere (Know Theatre); A Flea in Her Ear, Escape from Happiness (Milwaukee Rep). TV/Film: “Hauntology,” “Miles Ahead,” “Strike Team Justice.” MFA from Ohio State University, BS from University of Evansville. Award-winning teaching artist and proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.
James Evans (Debut): New York Classical Theatre debut. New York: The Rat Trap (The Mint Theater Company); The Woman in Black (The McKittrick Hotel); Salty (The Tank). Regional: The Spider’s Web (Bristol Valley Theatre); The Woman in Black (American Conservatory Theater). TV: “The Food That Built America,” “The Booze, Bets and Sex That Built America.” MA from the University of Cambridge and AA from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. jamesevansactor.com.
Kelly Mengelkoch (18 Seasons): New York Classical Theatre debut. Regional: A Christmas Carol (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); Tiny Beautiful Things, Fortune, Red Velvet, This Random World, The Other Place, Tribes (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati); Everything That’s Beautiful, Brother Wolf, Shenandoah (Human Race Theatre Company); King Lear, The Comedy of Errors, Miss Holmes, Macbeth, The Winter’s Tale (recent, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company); Spring Awakening (Tantrum Theatre). TV/Film: “Dark Waters,” “Perception,” “Old Man and The Gun,” “A Kind of Murder,” “C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America.” 18-year member of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Christine Pedi (Debut): New York Classical Theatre debut. Broadway: Chicago, Talk Radio, Little Me. Off-Broadway: Forbidden Broadway, Spamilton, Newsical, Miss Abigails Guide…, Project Shaw, The A Train Plays, Musicals in Mufti—Jerrys Girls, The Mad Show, My Favorite Year (The York Theatre). Regional: Last Days of Summer (George St Playhouse); Breaking Up is Hard to Do (Wick Theatre). TV/Film: “Dr Death” (Peacock); “The Sopranos” (HBO). Radio: Sirius XM Radio host - “On Broadway” channel and voice impressionist on “The Howard Stern Show.”
Stephen Burdman (Director/NY Classical Artistic Director): New York Classical Theatre: Cymbeline, King Lear (2021, 2020 Zoom workshop, 2009); The Importance of Being Earnest (Two Ways, 2019 Best Show TheatreScene.net), Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth (2017, 2008, 2001), The Rivals, The Winter’s Tale (2016, 2004), Measure for Measure, As You Like It (2014, 2005), The Seagull, Malvolio’s Revenge (workshop), A {15-Min!} Christmas Carol, Twelfth Night (2012, 2002), Playing Moliere, Henry V (New York Times Critic’s Pick), The School for Husbands, Much Ado About Nothing (2010, 2003), Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Misalliance, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Comedy of Errors, Mary Stuart, Scapin, The Feigned Courtesans, The Triumph of Love, The Taming of the Shrew, King Ubu, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Producer: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest, The Rover, Richard III, Cymbeline, The Recruiting Officer, All’s Well That Ends Well. Selected productions: Cymbeline (NYU), The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, Waiting for Godot, Hamlet (Outstanding Production 1994 Season, Los Angeles Times), Three Sisters. MFA from the University of California, Irvine and graduate of the National Theater Institute. Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society since 1994. Recipient of 2022 Sidney Berger award from the Shakespeare Theatre Association for outstanding talent and commitment to the works of William Shakespeare. All my love to Adena (my wife) and son, Zeke, who are the guiding stars of my life.
Alice Scovell is delighted to have liberated five of Wilde’s characters— preserved in amber since 1895— to experience the trials and joys of 1902. Although not a longtime playwright, Scovell has been a lifelong writer. Two of her children’s novels— Engraved In Stone and The Spirit of Chatsworth Mansion— have been published, as well as many magazine articles. An ardent theater buff, she was for years the “All Time” Leader of Show-Score reviews. A lawyer by training— but not in practice— the mother of three lives in Manhattan.
Samantha Reno (she/her) (2 Seasons) is excited to be heading into another season at CSC! Recent favorite designs include "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Comedy of Errors," and "Living Dead." In the last year, she has also enjoyed working with the Cincinnati Opera ("Fierce"), the Cincinnati Ballet (Bold Moves Festival), Northern Kentucky University ("Noises Off"), and B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California. The most gratitude and joy to her wonderful, supportive husband and two amazing kids!
Rainy Edwards (she/her) (4 Seasons) is from Llano, Texas, and received her MFA in Costume Design at Florida State University. She has been with the company since 2018. Rainy has had the pleasure of designing many shows here including, The Winter’s Tale, Titus Andronicus, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and All The Way, to name a few. Her work has been seen at Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Triad Stage, and Lexington Children’s Theatre. Rainey is excited to be back and making art with her colleagues and friends. She is forever thankful for the support of Chris and their dog Obi.
Justen N. Locke (he/him) (7 Seasons) is excited to be returning for his 7th season at CSC. He has had the great pleasure of working at CSC and collaborating on many great productions such as Macbeth, The Diary of Anne Frank, 1984, Othello, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, The Elephant Man, and most recently King Lear. Justen excited to be back and looks forward to seeing all the shows that CSC will produce this season and beyond excited to collaborate on them with such as fantastic artistic team.
Alex Brock (Debut) is a sound designer and engineer from Greenfield, Indiana currently based in Brooklyn, New York. This is her first production with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Recent projects include associate design credits for Weightless (WP Theater, NYC), A Charlie Brown Christmas Live! (Tour), Vicksburg (Harlem Stage, NYC) and the upcoming world premiere of Becomes a Woman (Mint Theater, NYC). Her work will also be heard this spring at The Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia and at Cape Fear Regional Theater in Cape Fear, North Carolina for productions of Escape to Margaritaville and Jelly’s Last Jam, respectively. Alex holds an MFA in Sound Design and Technology from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. www.alexbrocksound.com
Kara Eble Trusty (she/her) (3 Seasons) is delighted to be returning to make art with CSC for a second season. A Cincinnati native, she saw her first CSC production at 12 and is amazed that she gets to collaborate with some of the same people that inspired her love of theatre and art at a young age. Kara has worked locally with the Know Theatre of Cincinnati, The Carnegie, and the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. She would like to thank her friends and family, especially her parents Bob and Sue, for their love, support, and encouragement as she continues down this incredible and irrational artistic path.
Stephanie Klapper’s (4 Seasons) award-winning work is frequently seen on Broadway, off-Broadway, regionally, on concert stages, film, television, and streaming media. It is a pleasure to return to CSF and to continue her long creative relationship with Stephen Burdman. Her work is frequently seen at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park where she has been the casting director for the past 11 seasons. She recently cast Candide for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s May Festival. She and her exceptional team are dedicated to continuing to expand and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in the business. Connecting creative, caring people to each other to make extraordinary things happen is amongst Stephanie’s greatest joys. She is passionate about arts education and working with creative teams to develop new work and expand the scope of established work. She is a member of the National Board GOvernores of the Casting Society of America, a Board member of Casting Society Cares and mentor with Fordham High School of the Bronx, and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Women’s mentorship program. Stephanie is a co-host and creator of the podcast Someone’s Thunder.
Staff:
Stephanie Klapper Casting
Casting Director: Stephanie Klapper, CSA
Casting Assistants: Hershey Vazquez-Millner and Emma Balk
Sarah Summerwell is a multi-faceted performer, playwright, and theatre educator originally hailing from the Adirondacks. She has recently been seen in performances at Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Manhattan Rep, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, Richmond Shakes, La MaMa Experimental Theatre, and various cabarets in NYC.
Haven't seen The Importance of Being Earnest? No worries, here's the gist
John Worthing, a carefree young gentleman, is the inventor of a fictitious brother, “Ernest,” whose wicked ways afford John an excuse to leave his country home from time to time and journey to London, where he stays with his close friend and confidant, Algernon Moncrieff. Algernon has a cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax, with whom John is deeply in love. During his London sojourns, John, under the name Ernest, has won Gwendolen’s love, for she strongly desires to marry someone with the confidence-inspiring name of Ernest. But when he asks for Gwendolen’s hand from the formidable Lady Bracknell, John finds he must reveal he is a foundling who was left in a handbag at Victoria Station. This is very disturbing to Lady Bracknell, who insists that he produce at least one parent before she consents to the marriage.
Returning to the country home where he lives with his ward Cecily Cardew and her governess Miss Prism, John finds that Algernon has also arrived under the identity of the nonexistent brother Ernest. Algernon falls madly in love with the beautiful Cecily, who has long been enamored of the mysterious, fascinating brother Ernest.
With the arrival of Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen, chaos erupts. It is discovered that Miss Prism is the absent-minded nurse who twenty years ago misplaced the baby of Lady Bracknell’s brother in Victoria Station. Thus John, whose name is indeed Ernest, is Algernon’s elder brother, and the play ends with the two couples in a joyous embrace.
(Sourced from Utah Shakespeare Festival)
They learn the importance of being Earnest, but one question remains: what are the rewards of being Frank?
Meet the Characters
Stephen Burdman (Director, Debut) founded NY Classical Theatre in 2000 and is the vision behind the creation of Panoramic Theatre. Originally from Los Angeles, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and planned to become a doctor. During college, Stephen auditioned for a production of Hamlet, and discovered his passion for Shakespeare. That experience completely changed the course of his life. Stephen founded NY Classical to give all people the chance to discover classical masterpieces as he did. Stephen has directed nearly half of Shakespeare canon. To date, he has directed 36 productions for NY Classical. Some of his favorites include: Cymbeline (performed by 7 actors), The Importance of Being Earnest (Two-Ways), Romeo & Juliet (6 actors), The Rivals, The Winter’s Tale, Measure for Measure, The Seagull, A {15-Min!} Christmas Carol, Playing Moliere, Henry V (in The Battery and, via ferry boat, Governors Island), Hamlet, King Lear, Misalliance, Mary Stuart, Scapin, and The Triumph of Love. Stephen attended the National Theatre Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and later received an MFA in Theatre Directing from the University of California, Irvine. In 1989, he was selected to participate in the first young theatre artist exchange with the (former) Soviet Union and has been a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society since 1994. Stephen received the 2022 Sidney Berger award from the Shakespeare Theatre Association for outstanding talent and commitment to the works of William Shakespeare. He has also been a panelist with the National Endowment for the Arts,the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. He lives in Central Harlem with his wife, Adena, and son, Zeke
Raised in Newton MA, Alice stayed close to home to attend Harvard and wandered farther afield for NYU Law School and Sullivan & Cromwell. A few years later, Alice kept her pen in hand, but stopped drafting wills. Two of her children’s novels—Engraved In Stone and The Spirit of Chatsworth Mansion—have been published, as well as many magazine articles. An ardent theater buff, Alice was for years the “All Time Leader” of Show-Score reviews. The mother of three, who lives in Manhattan, is delighted to have liberated five of Wilde’s characters—preserved in amber since 1895—to experience the trials and joys of 1902.
The New Play Development Fund aligns with CSC’s mission, purpose, and vision: to, above all, bring Shakespeare and the Classics to life for all – all voices, points of view, experiences, beliefs, and values. By commissioning bold new plays, CSC seeks to the feed the dialogue in our audiences in new and creative ways by enrolling everyone in the creation of new work. This helps continue momentum and growth at the Otto M. Budig Theater, while simultaneously expanding access to the Classics for audiences of all ages.
By investing in the creation of compelling new works, you are championing the stories from new and established artists here in Cincinnati and around the world. Together we are amplifying the voices of emerging playwrights, shining a spotlight on stories not yet told.
WHY GIVE TO OUR NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT FUND
CSC is your home Shakespeare and the Classics, and the only way to keep the theatrical canon vibrant and relevant is to help create the new classics. Believe it or not, Shakespeare wasn’t always a classic. He had to start as a young playwright fighting for his voice to be heard. He honed his craft, and after years of hard work he found a voice that continues to burn bright in the world of theatre.
So, who’s next? At Cincinnati Shakespeare Company we are committed to finding and nurturing new voices. Rather than consistently pulling from the canon, it is our responsibility to contribute to it as well. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce our New Play Development Fund.
Friends of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
We wish to thank the following individuals for their support of the 2022-2023 Season. We are forever grateful. CSC recognizes donors $100 and above in the Donor Roll. This list reflects gifts received July 1, 2022 – January 25, 2023.
We endeavor to recognize correctly all of our supporters. If you see a problem with this list, please accept our apologies and email sara.clark@cincyshakes.com to correct. Thank you.
Alan Abes
Diane Adamec
Christine Adams
Wayne Adams
Stuart and Sarah Aitken
Frank Albi
Dr. Bruce Allen
Lisa Allgood
Americana Arts Foundation
Jeffrey and Karen Anderson
Anonymous (9)
Dr. Paule Asch
William and Caroline Bahlman
Trish and Joe Baker
Mary Baskett
John Batchelor
Dr. Rubin Battino
Tim and Lisa Beckelhimer
David Beckett
Mary Ann Bell
Ms Patricia Beresford
Mr. Fred Berger
Jan Besl
Greg and Juli Bick
David and Madonna Bowman
Chase and Karen Bramwell
Derek D. Brancheau
Daniel and Kendra Braun
M.C. and Tom Brennan
Judith Briggs
Curtis Brown
Jubilee Brown
Vikki Brown
John and Peg Bruggeman
Mr. Otto Budig
Kathleen Cail
Linda Cassidy
Elishia Chamberlain, in memory of Christian Ashlee Morris
Larry and Julie Chandler
Nancy Cisneros
Hon. James Cissel
Lee and Lisa Clapp
Phillip Clayton
Carol C. Cole
Heather Cole
Kathleen Collins
Mr. Willard H. Connor Jr
Dr. Kristen Copeland and Steve Johns
Cindy Crilley
Donald and Victoria Daiker
Jennifer and Vito Damiano
Mr. Mark Dauner
Marjorie E. Davis
Rose Marie Deibel
Emily Detmer-Goebel and Scott Goebel
Michael Dougherty
David and Kelley Downing
Emilie and Dave Dressler
Nikki Drye
Thomas and Dale Due
Marilyn and Rance Duke
Dr. and Mrs. Stewart Dunsker
Christine Dye
Rick and Melissa Eder
Harriet Edwards
Kay and Joe Ellis
Elizabeth End
Steven Skibo and Susan Esler
Chris Farwell
Sarah Faulkner
Tom Fisher
Robert and Mary Fitzpatrick
Allyson Fleischer
Ellen Forte
Michelle Getz
Maria Gomez and Rich Hill
Kim Good
Elizabeth and John Grover
The Gumbleton Family
Mr. Fred Haaser
Laura Leigh Hahn, in honor of Annabelle Magruder
Stew and Linda Hall
Catherine Hamilton Hicks
Emma Harpring
Ms. Sigrun Haude
Mr. Michael Hess
Daniel J. Hoffheimer
Tom and Kathy Hogan
Chris Holloway
Haleigh Hopkins
Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston
Keith and Farrah Jackson
Steve and Janet Jackson
Heidi Jark and Steven Kenat
Brett and Amy Johnson
Andrea Johnson
Nathan Johnson, in honor of Scott B. Johnson
Steve Kane
Mark and Marcy Kanter
Amy Katz
Dr. Robert Keith and Kathleen Thornton
Emily S. Kennedy
Charles Kichler and Nicole Bramesco
Beverly Kinney
Gail and Eric Kirchner
Ms. Linda Klump
The Knuth Family
Bruce and Elizabeth Krone
Chris and Julie Kuhnhein
Stan Ladrick
Robert and Ellie Lamb
Susan Lauf
Jean and Charles Lauterbach
Mr. David Lazarus
Geoff and Shellie Leder
Thomas P. Lee
Cici and Owen Lee
Levy-Wall Family Fund
Chandra Linn
Calvin and Patricia Linnemann
John-Peter Lund
Scott and Monica Mahon
Ms. Sophia McAllister
Mark and Christa McAndrew
Sherry and Steve McCamleu
JoAnn McCaughan
John and Cindy McFerran
Mark E McKillip
Karen McKim
Darcy McMahon
Julia and Michael Meister-Schroeder in honor of Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston
Patrick and Melissa Melugin
Isabel Mendez
Pamela Meyers and Gerald Greenberg
Norah and Joe Mock
Ted Molinari
Ms. Melissa Morelli
Bridee Morris
Kim Morrow
Robert and Andrea Morwood
Jack and Ruta Mueller
Christine and Jason Mulvin
TJ Murphy
Chris Nare and Lori Rappold
David and Lesley Nevers
Jerry Newfarmer and Amy Paul
Drs. Nick Newman and Leila Saxena
Fred and Barbara Norton
Neda and Bruce Nutley
Niamh J. O’Leary
Whitney Owens
Sue Ann and Judge Mark Painter
Kira Palmer
Ms. Taina Pankiewicz
David and Patricia Papoi
David and Cyndie Park
Graham and Karen Paxton
Rick Pender and Joan Kaup
Alice and Burton Perlman
Janet and Tim Peter
Cass and Glenn Plot
Daniel and Carol Points
Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat
Kay Puryear in honor of Joseph B. Puryear
Kathy and Mike Rademacher
Joe Ramsey
Mitchell and Karen Rashkin
Kelly Read
Maddie Regan and Brian Lloyd
Vicky and Rick Reynolds
Mr. Dan Reynolds
Joyce Rich
Gates and Margaret Richards
Catherine Robben
James W. Roberts
Barbara Norris
Patty Rosely
Mr. Louis Ross
Dr. and Mrs. Eric Ruby
Jessica Ruebusch
Kimberly Saliba
Robin Sargent
Jennifer Sauvey
Susan Schapiro
Suzanne M. Schindler
Rosemary and Mark Schlachter
Rich Schultz
Alice Scovell
Don Semler
Stephanie Sepate
Dr. Catherine Shackson
Saira Shahani and Rick Warm
The Shakespeare Society of Zanesville Ohio
McCready-Shore Family Fund
Dr. Edward Silberstein and Jacqueline Mack
David Smith
William David Smith
Carol and Annie Sostok
Carol and Harry Sparks
Dr William Spohn and Dr Margaret Dunn
Ms. Mary Stier
Pete and Ginger Strange
David Stull
Steve Sullivan
Melanie Swick and Matthew Schottelkotte
Sarah Tankersley and Geoff Vickers
Don and Linda Tecklenburg
- Thomas Terwilliger
Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson
Marty Tomb
Robert and Sue Trusty
Jim and Sandy Uhrig
James Vachon
Rosalie P. van Nuis
Levy-Wall Family Fund
Carrie Walsh
Judge Laurence Walter and Ms. Christena Walter
William Watts
Ms. Donna Welch
Jim and George Ann Wesner
Christine Whittaker and Thane Thompson
Ms. Jo Ann Wieghaus
Michael Wilkins
Dr. H. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams
Beverly Williams
Leo Yakutis
George and Nancy Yund
Justin and Marie Zimmerman