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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 

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.

DONATE HERE

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

1. 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