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Blue Door stagebill

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Arden Theatre Company presents BLUE DOOR by Tanya Barfield through March 21, 2010.
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By Tanya Barfield Directed by Walter Dallas January 14 - March 21
Transcript
Page 1: Blue Door stagebill

By Tanya BarfieldDirected by Walter Dallas

January 14 - March 21

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ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

Blue DoorBy TANYA BARFIELDLyrics by TANYA BARFIELD

Music by LARRY GILLIARD, JR.

Scenic DesignerDANIEL CONWAY

Lighting DesignerTHOM WEAVER

Fight ChoreographerCHARLES CONWELL, SAFD

Vocal CoachRENEE K. ROBINSON-WAY

Costume DesignerALISON ROBERTS

Sound Design & Additional MusicROBERT KAPLOWITZ

DramaturgJACQUELINE E. LAWTON

Assistant DirectorMALIKA OYETIMEIN

Stage ManagerALEC E. FERRELL*

Directed by WALTER DALLAS

January 14 - March 21, 2010Arcadia Stage

Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting Arden Theatre Company.

Applause, please, for our Media Partners:

Arden Theatre Company receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the U.S.

Playwrights Horizons presented the New York Premiere of BLUE DOOR in 2006.BLUE DOOR was commissioned by Playwrights Horizons with funds provided by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Commissioning Program.

BLUE DOOR was first produced by South Coast Repertory.A workshop of BLUE DOOR was presented by New York Stage and Film and The Powerhouse Theatre at Vassar.

BLUE DOOR was developed in part with the assistance of the Sundance Institute Theatre Laboratory.BLUE DOOR is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., in New York.

Arden Theatre Company • 40 N. 2nd Street • Philadelphia, PA 19106 • 215.922.1122 • ardentheatre.org

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WELCOMEfrom the Producing Artistic Director

With this Philadelphia premiere of Tanya Barfield’s Blue Door, I am thrilled to bring back director Walter Dallas and actor Kes Khemnu, who worked together on our 2008 production of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. And I am so pleased to have Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. – one of Philadelphia’s greatest actors – make his Arden debut.

Over the years I have offered many different roles to Johnnie, and he has always turned me down. It seemed like every time we had a perfect role, he had another commitment. I’ve gotten close to Johnnie several times. His wife, Patricia Scott Hobbs, choreographed (magnificently) our production of Caroline, or Change and their son, Johnnie Hobbs, III, was in our production of The Arabian Nights. But the stars aligned on Blue Door, and I couldn’t be happier to have Johnnie appearing as Lewis in this play.

I first saw Johnnie in a production of Two Trains Running that Walter directed at the Philadelphia Drama Guild in 1994. Johnnie and Walter have worked together for over twenty years, creating a body of work at Freedom Theatre and inspiring a new generation of theatre artists at The University of the Arts, where Johnnie is the head of the acting program and Walter served as Chair of the Theatre Department. One of the many students inspired by Johnnie and Walter was Kes Kehmnu: Johnnie was his teacher at Freedom, and, before receiving his MFA from Yale, Kes studied acting at The University of the Arts.

Blue Door is in part an exploration of the role of storytelling in shaping and preserving family legacies. I am honored that artists with such a deep-rooted, shared legacy have come together to bring this story to life.

We are currently working to finalize plans for our 2010/11 season. We are negotiating rights for a musical I have long wanted to direct; developing a new play by a fantastic new playwright that we hope to premiere; holding readings of several classic plays with all-star Philadelphia casts; and looking at several new adaptations of great stories. We will let you know as soon as details are firmed up, but we do hope that you will take a “leap of faith” and commit to joining us next year. Details are on the back cover and in your stagebill insert.

Thank you for being a part of this theatre. Your enthusiasm and support inspires us.

Terrence J. Nolen

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CastLewis ................................................................................................................................... Johnnie Hobbs, Jr.*Simon/Rex/Jesse ........................................................................................................................ Kes Khemnu*

UnderstudiesChristopher Davis and Robert Anu Hubbard

The play occurs between 1851-1995.

Arden Theatre Company is a professional company employing members of Actors’ Equity Association. *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the U.S.

Please check houseboards for program changes. Taking pictures and/or making visual or sound recordings is expressly forbidden.

The Arden operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org

Arden Theatre Company proudly participates in the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, a program of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

BLUE DOOR January 14 - March 21

Sun Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Jan14 15 16 8p 8p 8p

17 19 20 21 22 232p 7p 7p 8p 8p 2&8p

24 26 27 28 29 302*&7p 7p 6:30p 8p* 8p 2&8p

31 Feb2 3 4 5 62&7p 7p 2&6:30p* 8p 8p 2&8p

7 9 10 11 12 132p* 7p 2&6:30p 8p 8p 2&8p

14 16 17 18 19 202p 7p 10a*&6:30p 8p 8p 2&8p^

21 23 24 25 26 272p^ 10a* 6:30p 8p 8p 2&8p

Sun Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

28 Mar2 3 4 5 62&7p 7p 2&6:30p 8p 8p 2&8p

7 9 10 11 12 132p 10a*&7p 6:30p 8p 8p 2&8p

14 16 17 18 19 202p 7p 2&6:30p 8p 8p 2&8p

212p

Recommendedfor9thgradestudentsandolder

[previews] openingnight(SOLDOUT) *post-showdiscussion ^CaptionedandAudioDescribed

[]

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DIRECTOR’SNotes“I don’t know where—who—I don’t know why I am. All these years, I don’t know why I am.” -Lewis, Blue Door

Director Walter Dallas asked a few friends:

“How Do You Know Who You Are?”“Wow... what an amazing question. You only know who you are after there is a serious, and potentially life shattering inner confrontation. This confrontation is a war between the many aspects or ‘people’ you believe yourself to be. I believe that a confrontation of this magnitude results in a victor (or victors) and may actually result in the ‘death’ of many aspects of who you ‘think’ you are. But, it is then and only then that you KNOW who you really are.” -Kash Goins, GoKash Productions

“When you and God are the only beings qualified to define who you are; when you accept and embrace the limitless possibilities that make your life unique and continue to allow yourself permission to change, grow and adapt; ...then, I would say, you know who you are. At that point, you can spend the rest of your life, living up to your own expectations.” - Lisa Summerour, Actor

“One of the many ways in which we know who we are is by what we see and ‘sense’ in the reflection of those who mean most to us; through their words, behavior, and more importantly, by their ‘involuntary’ energy vibration they help us to ascertain our true nature and identity.” -Roscoe Orman, Actor/Writer

“When we put out a call to GOD and the Universe, answers come back in the form of help for our questions. A few years ago, the bottom fell out from under me and my more than two decades of work in radio (which was my passion), disappeared. I couldn’t find an on-air job anywhere in the country. Both of my maternal grandparents (who were both writers) appeared in my dreams and signaled me to write commentary. Next my paternal grandmother (who was a great southern cook) appeared in another dream and I began writing about food and started catering. My point is that GOD and our Ancestors always tell us who we are and will lead us to our callings, if only we would listen closely to their voices.” -Fatimah Ali, Walking in Faith

“I like to think of my identity as a state of becoming someone. Each day someone or something adds to me and who I am becoming. So I know who I am from seeing myself continue to develop...striving and never yielding. Never abandoning my past, that would be foolish, but growing just a bit larger so I can see myself more clearly.” -James Ijames, Actor

Walter Dallas

You’ll notice a photo display in the lobby and on our website. These photos were taken by the director of Blue Door, Walter Dallas. Below is a truncated account of the origin of these beautiful photographs. For Mr. Dallas’ full story, please stop by the easel in the lobby or read more online at ardentheatre.org.

In 1975, I decided to make my first serious attempt at playwriting. I quit my teaching position, sold my car, and moved to Hawaii to condo-sit for a friend who was going to Africa for a year. He had received a grant to create an African study-guide for the Hawaii school system. I finished the play, Willie Lobo, Manchild, shortly before my friend was to leave. The grant included funding for a

Ghana Odyssey by Walter Dallas

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“I feel like I am still answering that question. I don’t always know and that’s why the moments when I do are so striking. I know who I am when my daughter says Mom. I know who I am when I am onstage and I make people laugh. I know who I am when I am doing something that scares me.” -Jen Childs, Artistic Director of 1812 Productions

“I know who I am physically by looking in the mirror everyday. More covert aspects of my life require that I rely on how people react to me. Then there is the family where people can be a little more open to speak their minds, generally within the familial background of love and bonding. There is also the purely spiritual aspect of me that is determined by my relationship with an infinite authority whose shaping of my destiny depends entirely on my faith and relationship with Him. The extent of that relationship helps in determining my overall accountability for my life in relationship with others. That divine authority helps me to shape my personality, and influences who I am, and what I will become in future, both in this life and hereafter.” -Dr. John Djisensu, Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ghana

“You know who you are when there is no conflict between what you do, what you love, and what you believe.” -Lee Edward Colston, Actor/Playwright/Director

“The reflection in the mirror always tells us, and in many ways we always know, but it’s hard to admit we are afraid, weak and terrified in a universe we cannot explain with any more than a mention of an unknowable God.” -Charles Fuller

“It seems that so much of what I am and who I am is actually manifested in others. For example my happiness comes from what my children are and do. My sense of fulfillment comes from seeing others’ lives changed for the better. And most of all I feel that the more I fade in the background and I am able to allow others to shine, to progress, to achieve their goals and find happiness, I find my own freedom and contentment.” -Bente Lillethun, Humanitarian, South East Asia

“Walter’s question is tricky, because he asked HOW do you know who you are? That HOW points to something deeper than a definition, maybe even deeper than reason. My answer is that I do not know how I know myself: every time I pin me down, I slip away.” -Robert Christophe, Actor

“That question is an ongoing quest and is tough to answer. I’m in my 20’s and it’s a beautiful struggle to find out that answer. But at the end of the day I know who I am because of my parents and my grandparents and so on and so on and so forth. My ancestors. Specifically the things I was taught from my family about the people that came before me. I know myself because of them. I know myself because of the experiences I personally have gone through. I know what I should and should not do. What is good for me, what is not and what I like but should not like. I know my limits but I also know that the sky’s the limit because I have tangible examples of success. Success in different forms. And I believe true and pure success comes from knowing who you are.” -Johnnie Hobbs, III

photographer. I knew nothing about photography, but volunteered, bought a modest camera, and read the user guide on the flight from New York to Dakar.

The people in Ghana were the most welcoming people I had met in my life. The two weeks we were to spend there turned into six months! I remember commenting how much I liked a new friend’s shirt. After a while he left “to run some errands.” A short time later, he returned. The shirt had been washed, pressed, and gift-wrapped for me! He literally gave me the shirt off his back.

Ghana seeped into my heart and has never left.

I saw generosity that influenced my writing, my approach to theatre, and to life itself. I’ve gone back many times. A few years ago I was gifted a beautiful mountainside plot of land in Berekuso, a suburb overlooking Accra, by my Yale classmate. It is Berekuso, in the country of the most beautiful people I have ever known, that I have selected as my final resting place when that time comes.

In July 2009 I adopted and began supporting Hillside, a primary school in Accra, the capital. This year, Hillside expanded to include a junior high school that was given my name. My goal was to capture the heartfelt beauty and richly textured emotion and elegance of these wonderful people.

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PlaywrightInterview

BLUE DOOR playwright Tanya Barfield kindly answered questions from production dramaturg Jacqueline E. Lawton. Here are some excerpts – for more of the interview, visit our blog at ardentheatre.org

JEL: In Blue Door, we follow a family through generations from father to son, from Simon all the way to Lewis. What was your impulse to make your central figures men?

TB: I didn’t “decide” on the play when I sat down to write it. If I had, I probably would have chosen to employ African-American women since there are fewer great roles written for women. But, the characters that spoke to me were male and so I wrote them. Perhaps, this is because there are more men in my family; perhaps, this is because my African-American legacy is traced through my father.

JEL: Lewis has an intimate knowledge of math – Did you always know that Lewis’ was a mathematician?

TB: There’s a line Lewis has in the play where he says, “I want to rise above the drudgery of existence and apprehend the eternal verities.” I spoke with a mathematician about the play (in order to verify that all the math was possible and accurate), and I asked, “Does it make sense to you that Lewis is a mathematician?” And he said, “Absolutely!” And I said, “Why?” And he said, “I can’t think of anything else he would be.” And I said, “Because I think the reason it’s interesting to me that Lewis is a mathematician is because not only does he want to get beyond race, he wants to get beyond the self.” I’m talking about the physical body, the drudgery of existence that everyone experiences – not just black people. And he wants to reach a higher plane – perfect symmetry of the world – the master design which is mathematical. And there’s that beauty in math that he’s looking for. So, it’s not only that he uses math to escape himself. He uses math in pursuit of something greater than the self.

JEL: Through this night Lewis is able to truly understand what it is to be a success and what his ancestors have achieved. What message do you feel this play has at a time in America’s history when an African-American is now president of the United States?

TB: I wrote Blue Door two years before most of America had ever heard of Barack Obama. If you had told me at that time that in two years a black man would be President, I would have laughed in your face. It was a dream I could not imagine. Blue Door is about moments in time; moments that are a piece of a legacy. For me, Barack Obama is a piece of the African-American experience. But, more than that, he represents part of the American experience. However cruel the post-slavery years of Jim Crow were, I am also interested in the moment of history in which Simon and Katie felt hope. That is why a moment of hope is the play’s climax – the last monologue in the play.

JEL: What do think it is about this particular play that continues to resonate with audiences? TB: Ultimately, I believe there is universality to Lewis’s story. Storytelling and song has preserved many cultures’ communal identity and history. Oral history is not uniquely African-American. The Odyssey, The Iliad, and the Scandinavian Sagas are only a few famous examples from other cultures. Every culture has a legacy from which it’s birthed. I think it is part of human nature to be pulled by our ancestors, to feel their watchful spirits, to wish we knew their stories, to both scorn and adore them. In times of crisis (when our own self threatens to fragment), we might wonder if our ancestors could answer the basic question of identity. In this vast and complicated universe: who am I? It is only through memory that the soul of an ancestor is kept alive. If we forget our past, do we in some way forget ourselves?

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Tanya Barfield

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Who’s WhoJOHNNIE HOBBS, JR. (Lewis) Blue Door marks the debut of Mr. Hobbs at Arden Theatre Company. Celebrating his 27th year in the fall of ‘09, Mr. Hobbs is a tenured associate professor at the Ira Brind School of Theatre Arts at The University of the Arts. In 1996 Mr. Hobbs was the recipient of the Mary Lou Beitzel Award for Distinguished Teaching. He is also the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Academic Achievement Program and the advisor of the African American Student Union and the African Diaspora Collective. Recent directorial efforts were Cider House Rules Part I as well as Does Your House Have Lions–the poetry of Sonia Sanchez. The Legacy of Love Foundation–Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Philadelphia Chapter)–recently honored Mr. Hobbs for his contribution in Arts & Culture.

Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. is proud of his thirty plus years affiliation with the nationally recognized Freedom Theatre and attributes much of his success to the training and mentoring he received from Freedom Theatre’s co-founders, the late John E. Allen, Jr. and the retired Robert Leslie.

The three-time Barrymore nominee has played key roles in many of Freedom Theatre’s most critically acclaimed productions. Most notably: Black Nativity, Black Picture Show, Simply Heavenly with Melba Moore and Zooman and the Sign with Virginia Capers (Los Angeles Premier). Mr. Hobbs has enjoyed critical success with the works of August Wilson: Fences, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Two Trains Running, and King Hedley II. He has traveled to China and Japan through Philadelphia’s Sister City Program. Noteworthy film and television credits include principal roles in Star Stuff, The In-Crowd, Twelve Monkeys, Snipes, Up Close and Personal, The Wire, Rocky Balboa with Sylvester Stalone and most recently, Cover directed by Bill Duke. Mr. Hobbs also distinguished himself in a tour-de-force performance of Paul Robeson by Phillip Hayes Dean directed by Walter Dallas.

KES KHEMNU (Simon/Rex/Jesse) Characters of the Baconion canon include: Puck, Sir Toby, Othello, Hotspur, Macduff, Mercrutio, Oberon, Petruchio, Don Jon, with various Shakespeare companies in Connecticut and elsewhere. Regional theatre from Rhode Island to Atlanta to Boston to New York to etc with the contemporary works, Alien Garden, The Piano Lesson (Barrymore nominee) Lesson Before Dying, Lobby Hero, Highland Mist (writer), The 11th Year, American Buffalo, amongst others. As a director, Ivanov with the Neptune Rep Co in NY, Othello and Macbeth with Forest Rep in CT, and Spiritual Porn (writer) with the Rooster Theatre Co in Manhattan. TV: Law and Orders, etc

DANIEL CONWAY (Scenic Designer) Recent projects include: Dirty Blonde (Signature Theatre), Radio Golf (The Studio Theatre), Twenty-Six Miles (Two River Theatre in conjunction with Roundhouse Theatre), the premiere of Jason Robert Brown’s Trumpet of the Swan (Kennedy Center), Teddy Roosevelt and the Ghostly Mistletoe (Kennedy Center Family Theatre), the premiere of The Giver, (ASOLO Theatre in Saratoga), Two Gentlemen of Verona, Measure for Measure, Arcadia, and MacBeth (Folger Theatre). Mr. Conway has designed five shows for the Arden including: the premiere of Aaron Posner’s My Name Is Asher Lev, The Pavilion, and Crime and Punishment. A ten-time nominee, Mr. Conway received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Set Design in 2000 and in 2009 for the premiere of David Adjmi’s Stunning (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co).

ALISON ROBERTS (Costume Designer) is in her tenth season as Arden’s Costume Supervisor. She has a BA in Theatre Arts from Rowan University and an MFA in

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Who’s WhoCostume Design and Technology from Illinois State University. In addition to her staff position, she has designed costumes for numerous Arden productions. This season she designed both The History Boys and Rabbit Hole. You can also see her freelance design work with Theatre Exile and Act II Playhouse this season. Many thanks and love to her Arden family and her 4th St family.

THOM WEAVER (Lighting Designer) Previously for the Arden: My Name Is Asher Lev. Designs in the area include: Wilma Theatre Company – Scorched (Barrymore nom), Coming Home, Becky Shaw. People’s Light – Snow White in Follywood. Delaware Theatre Company – It’s a Wonderful Life, All the Great Books, The Diary of Anne Frank. Theatre Exile – American Buffalo (Barrymore nom.). Two River Theatre – 26 Miles (also with Roundhouse), ReENTRY, A Year with Frog and Toad, Macbeth (also with the Folger), Bad Dates. Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival – Complete Works, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other theatre credits include: Cal Shakes, Vital Theater Company, Children’s Theatre Company, CenterStage, Folger Theater, Syracuse Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Signature Theater Company, Berkshire Opera, Urban Stages, Lincoln Center Institute, Lincoln Center Festival, York Theatre, Summer Play Festival, 37 ARTS, Spoleto Festival USA, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, and Yale Rep. He is a member of Wingspace Design Group and a staff member of PlayPENN. Education: Carnegie Mellon and Yale.

ROBERT KAPLOWITZ (Sound Designer) Joins the Arden for his first full Philly production as a new local artist. In NY, he received an OBIE for Sustained Excellence in Sound Design, and critical acclaim for the current Broadway production of Fela! His designs and compositions have been heard at the NYSF/Public Theater, Lincoln Center, NYTW, MTC, Signature, Roundabout, SoHo Rep, PS122, LAByrinth, 2nd Stage, Primary Stages, The Vineyard, MCC, the O’Neill Playwrights Conference, Sundance, PlayPENN, and others; as much as he loves his work, he loves Kittson and Niall even more.

CHARLES CONWELL (Fight Choreographer) is a Professor of Theater at the University of the Arts where he has taught stage combat for 23 years. He is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors.

JACQUELINE E. LAWTON (Dramaturg) completed her MFA in Playwriting from the University of Texas at Austin in May of 2003. Currently, she resides in Washington DC, where she has worked at several theater companies as an actress, dramaturg, playwright and teaching artist. She is thrilled to be working with the Arden, Walter Dallas, and the entire Blue Door cast and production team. She would like to give special thanks to her family and friends.

RENEE K. ROBINSON-WAY (Vocal Coach) has been studying music since the age of 8 and began her vocal studies at the age of 11. She possesses a unique ability to bring the best out in a vocalist and enjoys bringing music to life through others. Renee has worked with many local and world renowned artists and influenced many singers during her 25 years of teaching. She is a performing artist who sings and teaches in almost every genre of music. She has worked on many productions with Walter Dallas and has often been referred to by him as a musical “genius”. After working for the School District of Philadelphia and Freedom Theatre for 13 years, while freelancing, Renee has decided to return to school to pursue her education, aspiring to one day receive her Doctoral Degree in Vocal Music Pedagogy.

TANYA BARFIELD (Playwright) is an African-American playwright and actress whose works have been presented both nationally and internationally with such festivals and companies as the Arena Stage, The Royal Court Theatre, the New York Theatre Workshop, Seattle Repertory Theatre, the Hartford Stage, The Guthrie Lab, and New York Stage Film. Her plays include: 121°

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Who’s WhoWest, Defacing Patriotic Property, Dent, Foul Play, The Houdini Act, Medallion, Of Girl Wolf and Wanting North, Pecan Tan, The Quick, Snapshot, Without Skin or Breathlessness, and The Wolves. She is also the author of the book for a children’s musical entitled Kofi’s Civil War. She is a graduate of the Juilliard School’s Playwriting Program and a recipient of the Helen Merrill Emerging Playwrights Award. Blue Door was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

WALTER DALLAS (Director) is pleased to return to the Arden where he directed The Piano Lesson and was music director for Gee’s Bend. Blue Door reconnects Walter with two of his favorite actors with whom he has worked on over 20 productions, Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. and Kes Khemnu. Walter has long been a creative force on the American theatre scene: while earning his MFA at the Yale School of Drama, he was a director in the cultural wing of the New Haven Black Panther Party and a resident director at Yale University. He created Atlanta’s Proposition Theatre, Berkeley’s Black Ensemble Theatre, the School of Theatre at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, was Associate Artist at the Philadelphia Drama Guild, and was Artistic Director of Freedom Theatre where he wrote, produced and directed numerous world premieres including Lazarus, Unstoned, Cooley High, Black Nativity, and Sparkle. He also directed a record-breaking production of Porgy and Bess for the Philadelphia Opera Company. Walter was lead writer for the award-winning documentary, Standing in the Shadows of Motown whose many international accolades include Best Non-Fiction Film of the Year by the National Society of Film Critics and four Grammy Awards. His work has been seen on television, on and off Broadway, at major theatres across America, and has taken him to Africa, the Caribbean, England, France, Russia and South America. Now living in the DC area, he is Senior Artist-in-Residence at the University of Maryland. Walter’s generous community involvement is global: last year he visited and adopted Hillside, a primary school in Accra, Ghana. In a show of appreciation for his support, Hillside’s new junior high school has been named the Hillside-Walter Dallas Junior High School. He has been invited to become an associate faculty member at the University of Ghana. For his creative work in South Africa, he received The Mover and Shaker Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Promotion of South African Arts and Culture. Founded recently by a young protégé of Walter’s in Accra, the Walter Dallas Children’s Foundation uses creative dramatics to teach young children the value of education, good health, and community service. Also a photographer, Walter often displays his work on Facebook, where it has received positive responses from professional photographers from around the world. In fact, it was on Facebook that Terry Nolen discovered Walter’s photography. The result of that “find” is the Walter Dallas: Blue Door Photography exhibition currently on display in the lobby of the theatre.

MALIKA OYETIMEIN (Assistant Director) is excited to be on the creative team of Blue Door. Ms. Oyetimein is a Director in the Tri-State area and has held occupation as Assistant Director at Delaware Theatre Company (The Piano Lesson), Oregon Shakespeare Festival (A View from the Bridge), and Contemporary Stage Company (The Island, Exits and Entrances). It is truly an honor and pleasure to work with such a wonderful director and talented cast. She would like thank her loved ones for the constant support.

ALEC E. FERRELL (Stage Manager) Past Arden credits include Rabbit Hole, My Name Is Asher Lev, Candide and Go, Dog. Go! Alec has also worked recently with Theatre Horizon, PlayPenn, and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Member AEA, SMA. Many thanks to Cast, Crew and Staff. Love to Amy and the Dibblets.

TERRENCE J. NOLEN (Producing Artistic Director) is co-founder of Arden Theatre Company. Favorite Arden productions include all-Philadelphia casts of All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, The Grapes of Wrath and Hedda Gabler and such musicals as Sweeney Todd, Pacific Overtures, Falsettos, Violet and Caroline, or Change. Terry directed the inaugural production of Arden Children’s Theatre, Charlotte’s Web. He has directed six world-premiere plays by Michael Hollinger, three by

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Who’s Who

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Dennis Raymond Smeal, Michael Ogborn’s Baby Case, and Bruce Graham’s Something Intangible. Terry has been nominated for 23 Barrymore Awards for his directing work at the Arden and received awards for The Baker’s Wife, Sweeney Todd, Opus, Winesburg, Ohio, Assassins and Something Intangible. He directed Michael Hollinger’s Opus at Primary Stages in New York and was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Director. His short film The Personal Touch was nominated for an Emmy Award.

AMY L. MURPHY (Managing Director) A Philadelphia native, Amy co-founded the Arden in 1988 with Terry Nolen and Aaron Posner. She is especially proud of the Arden Professional Apprentice program and its contribution to the Philadelphia cultural community. A graduate of Susquehanna University, Amy received the university’s first-ever Young Alumni Achievement Award. She completed the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders-Arts which is a joint program of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Center for Social Innovation and National Arts Strategies. Amy has served on panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, the New Jersey State Arts Council and the Executive Committee of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT). Amy was named a Hepburn Fellow 2008-9 by the Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center at Bryn Mawr College.

ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life the greatest stories by the greatest storytellers of all time. We stage five productions each season as part of our mainstage series and two productions through Arden Children’s Theatre, the city’s first resident professional children’s theatre program. We create and produce new work through our new-work development program, the Independence Foundation New Play Showcase. The Arden Professional Apprenticeship program trains future theatre leaders, and our theatre classes teach children and teens about the craft of making plays. Our access program, Arden For All, makes our work available to the entire community through subsidized tickets and books for economically disadvantaged young people. We also offer sign language-interpreted, captioned and audio described performances and Pay-What-You-Can final dress rehearsals that benefit other nonprofits. The Arden has received six Philadelphia Magazine “Best of Philly” Awards, the Arts & Business Council’s Arts Excellence Award, five City Paper “Reader’s Choice” Awards, four Philadelphia Inquirer “Theatre Company of the Year” citations, 52 awards and 234 nominations from the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia’s Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, and was named “Best Theatre Company” by Philadelphia Weekly in 2009. Arden Theatre Company, a professional, nonprofit 501(c)(3) theatre company, is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the League of Resident Theatres, the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Old City Arts Association. The Arden operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Sound Designers in LORT theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.

Arden Theatre Company wishes to thank:• East End Salon

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Corporate, Foundation & Government Support$100,000 & aboveHamilton Family Foundation Independence Foundation Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development The Pew Charitable TrustsPhiladelphia Cultural Leadership ProgramThe Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, a program of the Philadelphia Center for Arts and Heritage, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by The University of the ArtsThe Wallace Foundation William Penn Foundation

$50,000 to $99,999The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust National Endowment for the ArtsPennsylvania Council on the ArtsThe Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and philly.com +Shubert Foundation

$15,000 to $49,999Campbell Soup Foundation Comcast Corporation Claneil FoundationEdgerton Foundation New American PlaysEdward M. Story Memorial Fund of the Philadelphia FoundationFox Chase BankHarmelin Media Hirsig Family Foundation of the Philadelphia Foundation Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Kieran Timberlake Associates,LLPLincoln Financial Group Foundation McLean ContributionshipMedical Legal Reproductions+PECOPhiladelphia Cultural FundPhiladelphia FoundationTarget Corporation Virginia Brown Martin Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation

$7,500 to $14,999AnonymousBoeing Corporation Pennsylvania Cultural Management InitiativePNC Charitable TrustTD Bank The Vanguard Group FoundationVerizon

$2,500 to $7,499The 1976 FoundationThe Addis GroupAllegiance Bank Arronson FoundationBarra Foundation Brook J. Lenfest Foundation Caroline Alexander Buck FoundationCaroline J. S. Sanders Charitable Trust IICivic FoundationDolfinger-McMahon Foundation Eagles Youth Partnership+Ethel Sergant Clark Smith Memorial FundAnne M. and Philip H. Glatfelter Family FoundationGreater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation The Haley Foundation The Hassel FoundationHatboro Beverages+IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate AffairsMerck, Inc. Paul E. Kelly FoundationRosenlund Family Foundation Susquehanna Bank The Victory FoundationThe Wachovia Wells Fargo FoundationWalter J. Miller TrustZipcar Philadelphia+

$750 to $2,499Arronson FoundationConnelly FoundationDrumcliff FoundationJenkintown Building Services+Johnson and JohnsonLouis N. Cassett Foundation Maxwell Strawbridge Charitable TrustMedia Copy+Quaker Chemical FoundationRittenhouse FoundationAnn Shaw FoundationStephen Starr Events+Union Benevolent Association Walker FoundationBWF Foundation

$749 and underActors’ Equity Association Foundation Pennsylvania Womens ForumThe Rittenhouse Foundation William Goldman Foundation+denotes gifts of services or goods

Matching Gift PartnersACE Charitable FoundationArchie D. and Bertha H. Walker FoundationAXA FinancialDCR Environmental Services Inc. Dilworth Paxson LLPEndo Pharmaceuticals ExxonMobil FoundationFederated Department Stores Foundation First Tennessee Foundation

Gannett Foundation GE FoundationGlaxoSmithKlineIBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs Independence Foundation Johnson and Johnson Matching Gifts ProgramMerck Partnership for Giving Merrill Lynch National Philanthropic Trust

Penn Virginia CorporationPhiladelphia FoundationPNC FoundationQuaker Chemical Corporation Robert Wood Johnson FoundationSap America, Inc. Subaru of America Foundation United WayThe Vanguard Group FoundationWachovia Foundation Matching Gifts Program

Is your business looking for a tax break in 2010?Receive a tax credit through the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit Program by supporting the Arden!EITC funds directly support our educational outreach program, Arden for All.To find out if your business is eligible, visit:www.ardentheatre.org/support/ eitc.html or contact Angela DuRoss, Development Manager at 215-922-8900 x25 or [email protected] thanks to EITC contributors Aqua America, Berwind Corporation, Harmelin Media and Susquehanna Bank

Make a donation through your workplace United Way program.Our Donor Choice Number: 14198

Contributions made through the United Way support our

work with children.

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Sassafras Grove ($10,000 & above)Mr. Frederick W. Anton, IIISally and Michael Bailin^Mr. and Mrs. Albert M. Greenfield, IIIPhoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust A, recommended by Carole Haas GravagnoPhoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust A, recommended by John Otto and Dr. Janet Haas Mr. and Mrs. N. Peter HamiltonHirsig Family Fund of The Philadelphia FoundationVirginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund of the Philadelphia FoundationAnonymous

Cherry Grove ($5,000-$9,999)John Bitman^Joseph and Marie FieldMatthew and Marie Garfield Ms. Elizabeth GemmillPhoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust B, recommended by Leonard C. HaasBarbara and Leslie KaplanJosephine Klein Suzanne F. Roberts Cultural Development Fund Charles Rose and Mindy Goldberg Rose^Monica Horan and Philip RosenthalTerry and Amanda Foster Spahr, through the Betty and Wes Foster Family FoundationAnonymousLee and Christopher van de VeldeRosalyn and Stephen Weinstein

Filbert Grove ($2,500-$4,999)Mrs. Valla AmsterdamCarol and Tom Beam Lois G. BrodskyAnne M. CongdonDorothy DelbuenoAnn DieboldBob and Nancy ElfantTim and Ellen Foster^Narinder and Patricia GargGlenn Gundersen and Susan ManixDavid and MaryJane HackneyRonna and Robert Hall^Drs. Robin and Saifuddin Mama Peggy and Steve Morgan Kurt and Mary-Ann ReissSally Walker and Tom Gilmore^

June and Steve Wolfson Family Foundation

Mulberry Grove ($1,000-$2,499)Brian Abernathy and Elizabeth IrelandJohn AlchinPeggy AndersonBethany AsplundhJim and Janet AverillSheryl and Allen BarGiséle Sambar BathishIvy BayardSandy and Mickey BernsteinReggie Blaszczyk and Lee O’NeillLouis BluverJean G. Bodine Tony Braithwaite+Almut BreazealeBernard Brewstein and Ellen RosenthalDeDe and Tony BrownNancy BurdThomas Burke and Rick FountasLaurada ByersChip Capelli Priscilla and John ClementJohn and Susan ColemanJeffrey Coon+Joy De Jesús and Jamie ReynoldsRobert M. DeverBen Dibble+Tobey and Mark DichterMichael A. Donato and Peter R. SonzogniMarie and Peter DoonerDeb Dorsey and Mike GreenJames R. Fairburn and David A. WickardStephen FalchekJeanne FisherOliver M. FordSandi Foxx-JonesRichard Frey+David and Christina Fryman*Lou and Rhoda Fryman Terry GraboyesBonnie GrahamMarcy Gringlas and Joel GreenbergChara and John C. HaasMr. and Mrs. Jon HarmelinDon and Lynn Martin HaskinJane and Steve HeumannSusan Jacobson and Michael GoldenMr. and Mrs. D. Scott and Carol KelleyCaroline Kemmerer

Holly KinserKenneth and Eve KlothenJoseph Kluger and Susan LewisBill and Beth LandmanWinnie and Eric LienWilliam A. LoebLarry and Mickey MagidRichard Maimon and Susan SegalLewis R. and Sue Ann MarburgGloria and Dan MarianoJean S. MarkovitzJohn and Amy McCawley*Andrea Mengel and George A. RitterJ. Williams Mills III*Seymour MillsteinA.C. MissiasEllen and Michael Mulroney Amy L. Murphy and Terrence J. NolenRon and Suzanne NaplesMichael Norris and Matt VarratoDorothy R. Novick and Peter N. KenneyDiane PalmerThomas Petro and Kristine MessnerDr. and Mrs. Joel PorterAaron Posner and Erin WeaverAnn and Frank Reed, through the Malfer FoundationPhyllis and Martin RosenthalJulianna SchauermanDolly Beechman Schnall and Dr. Nathan Schnall, in loving memory of Laurie BeechmanHether, Don and Sarah SmithRichard and Amanda SmootKathleen A. StephensonWilliam K. Stewart FoundationKeith and Jim StrawAdelaide Sugarman and Marshall GreenbergHarvey B. SwedloffJustin ThomasMarguerite V. Rodgers and James H. TimberlakeEileen Heisman Tuzman and Martin TuzmanThomas and Patricia VernonSandy and Michael WaxRichard E. Woosnam and Diane Dalto WoosnamMIke Salmanson and Tobi ZemskyEllen Yin+* denotes gifts made through the United Way +denotes gifts of services or goods ^includes a matching gift

The Sylvan Society recognizes individuals who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more. The exceptional generosity of these donors enables the Arden to tell great stories by having the resources to achieve the highest level of artistic quality. Sylvan Society benefits bring members closer to our work and deepen their appreciation for the role they play in the Arden’s success. To join or for more information, please contact Development Manager, Angela DuRoss, at 215.922.8900, x25 or [email protected].

ARDEN FOR ALL is supported by a generous gift from Virginia and Harvey Kimmel GRAN

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Thank You to our Supporters$500 - $999Iris Melendez and Henry R. Adamczyk, Jr.Stan and Lisa AltmanRon and Joyce BayerBarry and Marilyn BevacquaRuth E. BrownDebbie and Alan CasnoffCarol CaswellChristina Clay MDBarbara R. CobbJim and Pat Lockhart CulbertsonCarole M. Foley*Hartley Family Charitable FundEdith KlausnerAlan and Elaine KlawansKenneth D KoppleMary Ellen KroberMike and Helene LoebMrs. Grace MadeiraDonald J. Martin and Richard RepettoAnn and George MorrisDan PromisloWhitney Quesenbery and John ChesterPaul Rabe and Cheryl GunterFranklyn and Cintra RodgersJerry and Bernice RubensteinMarilyn Sanborne and Richard Labowskie*Eva and Marvin Schlanger Family FoundationPhilip and Susan SchlegelRobert and Karen SharrarKaren and Jon SirlinHarold and Emily StarrDorothy Tomassini

$250-$499Howard AaronsonRichard and Joan BehrPat and Tom BenderPeter and Lynne BermanMr. and Mrs. J. Robert and Marilyn BirnhakBob CarfagnoMr. Joseph CaseyCaroline CastagnoEdwin G. Close, IIDr. W. Robert and Margaret CookRuth Miller CoxDr. and Mrs. Bruce DennistonShafiq EbrahimMr. and Mrs. Farenback-BratemanIn memory of Bob GallagherCharles GearBob and Jan GorenSusan GreeneBarbara and Robert HauptfuhrerCharles HeadDouglas and Harriet HeathBetsy and Ted HershbergJim and Carolyn HessingerDavid and Beth Medoway Kagan

Barbara and Jerry KaplanBarbara and Leonard KlinghofferMarilyn and David KrautClara and Jorge LaBrakeBarbara Patterson LobbWill and Sandy LockRobert ManningGeorge and Judy McCarthyGloria McNuttRobert MullinPaul Nutaitis and Robert ClarkSusan Odessey and Paul CoffLaura Offutt and Steve FukuchiAlice and Albert PackmanBarbara and Don ParmanDouglas and Mary PeckJohn and Pinkie PhilbrickMary Jo ReillyJoy RickabaughRuth and Marvin SachsIrwin C. and Carole M. SaftHarold and Sharon SchwalmEllen SchwartzDr. and Mrs. Eugene ShusterFrank and Catherine SignorelloJames Akerberg and Larry SimmonsJames L. SmithMarilyn and Dean R. StaatsElaine and Sal TagliareniDr. and Mrs. Stephen G. VassoHella and Lew VolgenauMichael Walraven and Mary Lou StarlingFred and Arleen WeinsteinMrs. Thomas A. WilliamsNancy Wingo, in honor of Peter and Alta HamiltonMr. and Mrs. Harry W. WoodcockPaul and Barbara YeagleTom and Jackie ZemaitisMichael Zuckerman

$125-$249Carol and Bennett AaronRon AbramsJanet and Roger AlwangAnonymousCharles and Stephanie AndrewsAlan and Sandy AultRobert Bauer and Sandy Clay BauerSusan Becker and Aaron RubinJoann White and William BeckettSheila Bell and Thomas DoddsDoris and Aaron BitmanCraig H. Boddorff*Ms. Reid BodekLily and Newman BortnickMr. and Mrs. Thomas and Mary Pat BoyleTony BraithwaiteJoseph and Mary Lou BreidenstineEadie and Allan Brooks

SAVE THE DATEARDEN THEATRE COMPANY

GRANFALLOON Fri, June 11 • 7pm–12am

Comcast Center1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard,

Philadelphia

Honoree: N. Peter Hamilton

Honorary Co-Chairs: Rhonda and David Cohen

Co-Chairs: Lee and Christopher

van de Velde

Join us at the top of the Comcast Center in Ralph’s

Café for dinner, silent auction and a rousing cabaret. Then

make your way to the Comcast lobby for dessert and dancing

to the rocking sounds of LeRoy Hawkes and the Hipnotics.

For more information or to learn about corporate

sponsorship, contact Angela DuRoss at

215-922-8900 ext. 25 or [email protected].

GRAN

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Thank You to our Supporters

16

$125-$249 continuedBernard and Pamela BrownsteinSheryl RoserMs. Charlotte E. CadyNelly and Scott ChildressMr. and Mrs. Fred and Karen ClarkJennifer CoffeyJohn CondelloSandra and James CorryCharles J. CoyleBillie CoyneMary Ann DaileyDaniel DevlinLarry and Pat DixonMichael DotseyAnonymousLinda V. EllsworthPaul and Adele EpsteinPaul and Judith FarberCynthia Heininger and James FeeneyLarry and Maureen Mullin FowlerPaulette and Paul FreemanBrenda FreitagChaim GalfandDavid K. GiffordTim and Carol GoldenRobert and Patti GoodmanRoseanne and David GrantCarl and Helene GumermanDona and Curt HaltiwangerStephen Hamilton*Brian HannaMary C. HarbisonBill HendricksonMr. Frank HollickSarah C. JordanMr. and Mrs. Charles KahnPhyllis KauffmanLucy KaufmanMargaret KellerSusan Kellogg and Dick HoffmanRobert KleinWalter Kraft and Deborah HungJoan Kremer and Jim LutherJoan and Marc S. LapayowkerMr. and Mrs. Bob and Mary LawlerRichard LeeLorraine and late Richard LeffJack and Donna LevinMr. and Mrs. Craig and Stephanie LewisRobert and Laurel LipshutzKaren LiskerPerry Watts and Samuel LitwinLynn and Joe MankoTed and Ronnie MannMary Louise MartinFaith J McDowellAlan and Susan MillerPaul and Lee S. MillerEllen MonseesKeith and Liz Mosley

Kathleen MoyerJerome NapsonMary Ann NaultyEtta and Chuck NissmanKathy Nolen EdwardsCarol L. O’BrienWilliam O’ConnorAnonymous (2)Mr. Richard PariseauJohn and Judith PeakesBob and Leila PeckMary and F. Laurence PethickHelen PhillipsLisa TruckessRhoda PolakoffNancy PostJohn and Margaret PregAnonymousEleanor ReinhardtTeresa Reyes and John HogeneschFred RizzoGraham and Betsy RobbSusan RockDulcie RommJane A. Rose, CPA/PFS, CFPFaye and Daniel RossBernard and Barbara RuekgauerWilliam F. RyanJoan Ryder and Robert LudwigThekla SackstederJoan and Bill SaidelLucille SchlackMr. and Mrs. A. SchmidtBonnie SchorskeMs. Adeline R SchultzWarren and Carole Lee SchwomeyerLeslie E. SkiltonPhillip and Karen SpikerCeleste and Robert StarankovicRobert Stewart and Barbara Barnett- StewartRuth P. StuessyKen Sugarman and Robin Goldfaden in honor of M.Greenberg and A.SAnonymousBob and Tina TateJoel TempleJohn UrofskyMalin Van AntwerpRichard and Fenching WainsteinSusan WaltherRossana JaffeMarvin and Betty WeissAnonymousChristine WinkelvossSally Wojcik and Will LambrakosBertram and Lorle WolfsonAnonymous

$75-$124David ActonGeorge AhernAnonymousNan AldersonMr. and Mrs. Brian AllebachDr. and Mrs. Anthony J. AndrewsLauren and Joshua AverillRita AxelrodMay and Ethan BallSylvia BeckLisa BeckerPeninah BerdugoDavid and Nancy BergmanSteve Zettler and Cordelia BiddlePhilip and Elaine BobroveMs. Rose Marie BockmanFrank BoyerMichael P. BoyleMartha BrandriffCharles BrennanMichael P. BuckleyCarol BuettgerRobert J ButeraKaren Marston and Greg BuzanRegina ByrneJohn T. CallariBarbara CarmineHoward CellRonald and Christina ChangLeah ChaplinMary ChomitzAnnemarie Clarke and David BuchSharyn F ClausonRhoda and Michael CobenSue CohenMs. Judy CohenArminta and William B. CollinsCarol CoplandRobert and Frances CorliesZoe CoulsonJames Crawford and Judith DeanEmily and Bob CroninKimberly L. Crown*Daniel DagleRoseann Muziani DealRita and Grace DenboCarole and Marc DichterEllen DipintoEllen and Max DooneiefSonya DoreBeverly DotterAngela DuRossLois S DursoMarcia EisenbergJane EisnerDebbie and Jerry EpsteinWally and Jane EvansWilliam EwingMark and Rene FeitelsonAllan Fellner

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Thank You to our SupportersRuth and Andre FerberMalcolm and Martha FickJonathan and Catherine Fiebach Fund of the Jewish FederationJohn FischerDeborah and Martin FishbeinMarjorie FitermanHolly and Greg FlanaganCamille Focarino and Joseph DimaioDrs. Barbara and Len FrankMr. and Mrs. Kenneth FrankDr. John and Elaine FrankPaula FreilichPaula FuchsbergJoel Gardner and Holly PhelpsJohn GeronimoStan GibellDavid GlanceyPeggy GloverMs. Joan GmitterJoan and Marvin GoldbergMr. and Mrs. Richard and Rita GoldbergDr. and Mrs. William GoldfarbKelley A. Grady*Priscilla GrosickDonald HargreavesLinda Fowler HartnettGail HauptfuhrerBeverly HaydenRon HermanSusan W HerronHeidi HertfelderDaniel and Monica HilfertyIsidore and Sharon HoffermanDr. David HoltzPatricia and David HoltzArnold and Esther HornKathleen JacobsAram and Jackie JerrehianGary and Debbie Johnson-McNuttDonald and Lorraine JonesThomas Lloyd and Jane KampDonald and Mary KaneSandra R KarlsonAlex and Joanne KarrasScott and Margie KasnerIra and Linda KatzSheila KesslerToni and Herb KestenbaumCynthia KillionJohn and Cheryl KirbyPatricia and Charles KlingBernadette KollerJoel KoppelmanJames KronzerStephen and Helene KunkelPeter and Peshe KuriloffAnne B. LadensonJohn and Joanne LawsonSonya Lawrence*Robert Lazar

Lisa LeeNatalie LevkovichEdward LichtenbergDaniel and Linda LitwinMelissa Lore*Virigina LoweAnonymousDonald and Nancy MaclayTodd and Susan MaklerNina and John MantioneLolly MarchantRonnie and Larry MargelMilton and Renee MarguliesJean S. MarkovitzDr. Arlen Marks and David SmithIrwin Matusow and Barbara RudnickDr. Rosalie G. MatzkinRichard and Gretchen McCann Kirsten McCoyDr. Donald Bakove and Margaret G. McLaughlinCeleste McMenaminTom and Helen McNuttRita Merkin and Morris ChomitzCheryl MeyerMartin and Sandra MillerDouglas and Fredaricka MoffittDaniel P. MonbourquetteLisa and Stephen MoranoJeff and Maxine MorganClaire MoyerCarmen MucciKenneth and Susan MyersMr. and Mrs. Gene NichollsBonnie and Eliot NiermanCarol Ann and Thomas O’LearyBrenda J. OliphantGerald O’NeillLinda OslerClare and Dwayne OsmanStanton and Bernice OswaldSandra PackelSydney S. PasternackDonald PlankLinda QuamEllen SchlenkerGeorge and Zara RobertsLinda Robinson, Ph.D. and Peter KrillClaire RoccoFrancoise and Louis RollmannChad and Jennifer RosenbergKenneth and Shelley RosenbergDr. and Mrs. Randy RosenbergDr. Harry RosenthalEdwin and Sally RosentholDavid and Athena RuhlJanet RupertDiane RurodeJanet S. SaltzmanRita and Herbert SalzmanJohn Sands

James and Anne SauveRuth Ann SchlesingerMs. Kim SchmuckiCarl W. and Mary Ellen SchneiderJeanne C. ScottRobert and Karen SerenbetzMr. and Mrs. J. Thomas ShowlerAnne Shuff and Mike CreechMel and Susanne ShusterAbigail and Richard SimkusBob and Harriet SingerDavid and Carleene SlowikBruce and Penny SmithRichard and Doranne SmithAnonymousMargaret R. SpencerPaula SpielbergCorinne StahlLeon SteinbergRita StevensPaul StoneBethy and Vinson StouckSharon and Robert StrochakSally SwitzerRichard and Anne TaxMarion and Richard TaxinLinda and Keith ThomsonThe Tobias FamilyCathy J. Toner*Linda and Ken Traver-NeeldPeter TrentacosteMailin Van Antwerp*Kathe VillanovaClifford and Ann WagnerMr. John WaldieBeth Brooks and Bob WatersonEdward WilkTheresa WilliamsLydia WindermanSam and Kuna YankellCarol YetterDiane and Gilbert YoungMr. and Mrs. Howard Yusem*Askold Zagars Francis A. ZampielloJohn and Donna ZappacostaCarlos Ziegler and Elizabeth HassonJoan D. Zeidner*

* Denotes gift made through the United Way+ Denotes gift of goods or services

This list acknowledges donors as of December 18, 2009. If your name has been omitted or misprinted, please accept our apologies. Notify us by contacting Development Assistant Bobby Bangert at 215.922.8900 x46 or [email protected]. Although space does not allow us to list supporters whose gifts are less than $75, we gratefully acknowledge their contributions.

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WhyISupporttheArden

The Hamilton Family Foundation, longtime supporters of our work with kids, has challenged us and you can help! We must raise $50,000 in new or increased gifts by June 30! If we reach our goal, the Hamilton Family Foundation will match our efforts with a gift of $50,000 in support of Arden Children’s Theatre and Arden for All, our education outreach program. Providing access to theatre and in-school programming for kids in our region is an essential part of our mission. Make a gift today and help us to reach our challenge!

To make a gift, contact Angela DuRoss, Development Manager at 215-922-8900 ext. 25 or go online: www.ardentheatre.org/support.

for a challenging year

We had always been avid theatergoers. Although both of us grew up in very different areas (Roz in suburban Milwaukee and Steve in Brooklyn), our families actively attended the theater in our respective communities. When we married in the early 1980s we looked for theater opportunities that met our need for innovation as well as updated presentations of the great theatrical standards. For several years we regularly attended performances at the People’s Light and Theatre Company in Malvern, and noticed in their playbills that many of the directors and performers whose work we really enjoyed also appeared at something called the “Arden” in Philadelphia. At the time, the Arden was located in St. Stephen’s Alley, a very short walk from work, so we decided to see what this group was offering.

From the moment we attended our first performance, we were delighted by the shows presented in this small, intimate setting - one which drew us in as participants. After learning more about this troupe, its founders

(Terry/Amy/Aaron), and their vision for the Arden we became subscribers. The Arden founders dreamed of moving to their own space in a larger facility designed so that it would allow them to produce a much wider range of shows without losing the sense of personal contact and audience involvement. When we were asked to contribute to the capital campaign to purchase and renovate the 2nd Street site it was easy to recognize this was really an opportunity to step up to the plate and concretely express our love for something we really enjoyed. We joined the Sylvan Society and have remained active contributors to the Arden ever since.

We continue to support the Arden because we love their work and their commitment to artistic excellence, innovative education, and personal connections with their audiences and community partnerships. Each year we look forward to a new season with this wonderful regional theatre.

Rosalyn and Stephen WeinsteinArden subscribers and Sylvan Society members

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Board and Committee Members

Board of DirectorsDavid Fryman, PresidentN. Peter Hamilton, Vice PresidentAndrea Mengel, Vice PresidentMichael A. Donato, TreasurerNancy Hirsig, Secretary

Brian AbernathyNancy BurdJoy L. De JesúsEllen P. FosterMatthew GarfieldElizabeth H. GemmillDarrel A. GermanCarole Haas GravagnoAlbert M. Greenfield, IIIRonna F. HallJoanne HarmelinLynn Martin Haskin, Ph.D.Steve HeumannSusan G. Jacobson Barbara KaplanVirginia KimmelHolly KinserRichard L. MaimonJohn J. McCawleyAmy L. MurphyTerrence J. NolenAaron PosnerCharles H. RoseH. Hetherington SmithHarvey B. SwedloffLee van de VeldeDiane Dalto WoosnamEllen Yin

Board Executive CommitteeDavid Fryman, chairBrian AbernathyMichael A. DonatoRonna F. HallPeter HamiltonNancy HirsigVirginia KimmelAndrea MengelCharles RoseHether SmithLee van de Velde

Board Development Committee Michael DonatoPeter HamiltonLynn HaskinLee van de VeldeDiane Dalto Woosnam

Facilities Committee Hether Smith, chairRichard MaimonJohn McCawleyMyles PettengillPaul Thais

Finance Committee Michael Donato, chairNancy BurdEllen FosterElizabeth GemmillSteve HeumannMartin RosenthalHarvey Swedloff

Advocacy CommitteeBrian Abernathy, chair David GlanceyTerry Gillen Julie HawkinsSusan Jacobson Holly Kinser

Institutional Giving CommitteeMichael DonatoDavid FrymanElizabeth GemmillCarole Haas GravagnoJoanne HarmelinJohn McCawleyHether Smith

Individual Giving CommitteeVirginia Kimmel, chairCharles Rose, chairSheryl BarGiséle BathishJohn BitmanChip CapelliJoy L. De JesúsTerry GraboyesWendy GreenfieldLynn HaskinSteve HeumannNancy HirsigJill KaplanEric and Winnie LienPeggy MorganRichard QuinnSteven SegalHarvey SwedloffRosalyn and Steve WeinsteinDiane Dalto WoosnamEllen Yin

Education Committee Sheryl BarMarla DiamondDr. Dennis W. CreedonDr. Carol DombJohn KingJacqueline MatusowIlene MillerJudy PaulIlene Poses

Personnel CommitteeLee van de Velde, chairDavid Fryman Elizabeth GemmillCharles Rose

Young Friends CommitteeBrian AbernathyGenvieve GoldsteinBetsy OliphantBrian Seaman

Special Events CommitteeRonna F. Hall, chairGary BramnickTom BurkeKaren ButlerChip CapelliMichael DonatoNancy ElfantCarmel D. FerrandinoEllen FosterSara FureyDavid HackneyMarlo HallJamie JoffeBarbara KaplanJoanne LawsonKelly LeeBarbara LinkBob MarburgPeggy MorganMichael NorrisBetsy OliphantDolly Beechman SchnallBrian SeamanBill Swoope

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Staff

Administrative Staff

Producing Artistic Director ............................................................................................................ Terrence J. NolenManaging Director ............................................................................................................................... Amy L. MurphyAssociate Artistic Director ................................................................................................................... Edward SobelAssociate Producer .......................................................................................................................... Matthew DeckerArtistic Assistant .............................................................................................................................................Erin ReadExecutive Assistant ........................................................................................................................ Christopher HinesLiterary Manager .......................................................................................................................................Dennis SmealDirector of Marketing and Public Relations ............................................................................................ Beth YeagleMarketing Analyst ..................................................................................................................................... Abigael ReedMarketing Associate ..........................................................................................................................Leigh GoldenbergDesign Manager .........................................................................................................................................Kristy GiballaEducation Director .................................................................................................................Maureen Mullin FowlerGroup Sales Associate ................................................................................................................................ Nanci CopeDevelopment Manager ......................................................................................................................... Angela DuRossManager of Institutional Giving ................................................................................................................... Matt OcksDevelopment Assistant ........................................................................................................................ Bobby BangertGeneral Manager ....................................................................................................................................... Jennifer PeckAssociate General Manager .............................................................................................................Mary Beth SimonBusiness Manager ...................................................................................................................Courtney Spiker MartinBox Office Manager ........................................................................................................................................Lynn KeilyAssistant Box Office Manager ..............................................................................................................Corey MassonHouse Manager............................................................................................................................... Thomas ChoinackyBox Office Assistants .............................................................Michael Durkin, Carla Emanuele, Elisabeth Kersey,

Michael McElroy, Fred Ott, Maura Roche, Richard Sonne, Ryane Studivant

Arden Professional Apprentices ...................................Kristyn Hegner, Michael Hollinshead, Brittany Howard, Alan Johnson-McNutt, Mark Kennedy, Meredith Sonnen

Arden Drama School Faculty.....................Bobby Bangert, Kala Moses Baxter, Matt Decker, Carla Emanuele, Liz Filios, Steve Gravelle, Jefferson Haynes, Millie Hiibel, Michael McElroy, Hillary Rea,

Alison Roberts, Alexis Simpson, Scott Sheppard, Vanda Thomas, Anneliese Van ArsdaleArden Volunteer .................................................................................................................................... Jean MarkovitzArtistic Intern ........................................................................................................................................... James YandoliMarketing Intern ..............................................................................................................................Meghan McKeown

Production Staff

Production Manager .......................................................................................................................... Courtney RiggarTechnical Director ................................................................................................................................ Glenn PerlmanAssociate Production Manager ..................................................................................................... Jessica Day WestMaster Carpenter/Shop Foreman .................................................................................................... Will LambrakosProduction Stage Managers ............................................ Stephanie Cook, Alec E. Ferrell, Katharine M. HanleyAssistant to the Stage Manager...................................................................................................... Meredith SonnenAssistant Set Designer ..................................................................................................................... Carissa HuizengaAssistant Lighting Designer ............................................................................................................ Charles DabeziesCostume Supervisor ............................................................................................................................ Alison RobertsProperties Master ........................................................................................................................... Meredith McEwenMaster Electrician ............................................................................................................................. Martin StutzmanCharge Scenic Artist ..................................................................................................................... Kristina ChadwickAudio Engineer ...................................................................................................................................... Austen BrownElectricians .................................................................................................. Charles Dabezies, Georgia Schlessman

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2009

/10

Din

ing

Par

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sBISTRO ROMANO 120 Lombard St. • 215.925.8880 • www.bistroromano.comThis Historic Landmark, nestled in an 18th century granary, will stimulate your senses with an ambiance of candlelight and casual elegance while creating an unforgettable dining experience. Wine Spectator Award for our wine list! Voted a “Best of Philly” Restaurant, guests enjoy Bistro Romano’s acclaimed Regional Italian Cuisine and rave of the award-winning Caesar Salad prepared tableside and the romantic underground wine cellar for two. Please call for Wine Cellar and Mystery Theatre reservations. We are now celebrating our 21st year!

CAMPO’S 214 Market St. • 215.923.1000 • www.phillyhoagie.comA legacy of quality, this classic, deli-style restaurant has been churning out delicious sandwiches since 1947. Order any of the special soups, salads, and sandwiches from this Philadelphia kitchen and you’ll see why it’s “where the locals go.” –USA Today

COSI 325 Chestnut Street • 215.399.0214 • www.getcosi.comFrom our hand-tossed Signature Salad to our Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Sandwich served on warm flatbread, to the comfortable, urbane and contemporary atmosphere - Così is simply good taste. But we’re not just about sandwiches. Our distinctive menu offerings also include a wide variety of salads tossed to order, pizzas, soups, bagels, unique gourmet beverages and desserts. Something for everyone to enjoy - any time of day. Rated #1 in Fast Casual Restaurants by Parents Magazine.

FORK and FORK:ETC 306 Market St. • 215.625.9425 • www.forkrestaurant.comFork continues to set the standard for New American bistro dining. Chef Terence Feury’s fresh, seasonal cuisine reflects his passion for artisanal and local foods from home made pastas to house smoked pork chops. Part of Fork’s allure is its sophisticated beautiful interior, where the dining experience is anything but stuffy and uncomfortable. Open seven days a week, there is plenty of time before or after the show to enjoy lunch, dinner, or even just dessert. Come in to Fork:etc, our gourmet café for a quick and satisfying breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Our private dining room and catering services are also available for any party. Reservations are recommended.

FRANKLIN FOUNTAIN 116 Market St. • 215.627.1899 • franklinfountainphilly.blogspot.comThe Franklin Fountain is an old-fashioned 1920’s soda fountain and ice cream parlor that brings back magical memories of Americana through service of Sundaes, sodas and splits. Bowtie wearing soda jerks serve customers in an authentically replicated interior with real glassware and charm.

GIGI RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 319 Market St. • 215-574-8880 • www.gigiphilly.comFine dining food in a fun dining atmosphere. A local gem in Old City where everyone feels at home. A new American menu with an international flare.

RISTORANTE PANORAMA 14 N. Front St. • 215.922.7800 • www.pennsviewhotel.comFeaturing contemporary authentic Italian cuisine such as homemade pastas, tender veal and daily seafood specialties, Ristorante Panorama is located in the charming Penn’s View hotel, Front and Market Streets, Philadelphia. The wine program offers over 120 wines by the glass, and has received Sante’ Magazine’s “Wine Hospitality Award for Fine Dining,” Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence,” Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly,” and Decanter Magazine’s “Best Wine by the Glass Program in North America.”

SERRANO 20 S. 2nd St. • 215.928.0770 • www.tinangel.comSerrano has been a fixture in Olde City since 1985 and is everything a neighborhood restaurant should be. With a reputation for serving international fare at neighborhood prices, it is the perfect place to visit, kick back and enjoy; to bring friends and make friends. Comfort. Warmth. Home. After dinner, move the evening upstairs to the Tin Angel, our intimate acoustic café. From opening night, Tin Angel has presented an astonishing array of stars from the world of blues, rock, folk and country and has earned a reputation as the best club of its size in the country.

TRIUMPH BREWING COMPANY 117 Chestnut St. • 215.625.0855 • www.triumphbrewing.comTriumph Brewing Company is a sophisticated restaurant & brewery featuring regional American cuisine and hand-crafted freshly brewed beer. Triumph is located in the heart of Old City.

When dining in Old City, we recommend these restaurants that support the Arden! All offer a special 10% discount to Arden patrons. Please ask your server for details.

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Arden Theatre Company is committed to making our work accessible for everyone as part of our Arden for All program. We offer accessible seating, large print programs and assisted listening devices at every performance. We provide audio description for visually impaired patrons at two performances during each production’s run.

Audio description is the addition of narration that conveys the settings, costumes, body language, and sight gags in a visual presentation or performance to help blind or visually impaired audience members understand important visual elements. VSA of Pennsylvania provide free equipment rental for our audio described performances. For our deaf and hard of hearing audiences, we offer open captioning twice during the run of each show.

In 2002, the Arden was named a Keystone of Accessibility by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and in the fall of 2009, we were named a Cultural Access Honoree by Art-Reach. Art-Reach and the Arden both recognize the power of the arts in improving the lives of people with disabilities or economic disadvantages.

The Arden has partnered with Art-Reach and Hands Up Productions, an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting service exclusively for the arts. This partnership resulted in an ASL interpreted performance of Our Town during our 2007/08 season and a shadow interpreted performance of A Year with Frog and Toad last season.

Shadow interpreting means that instead of standing off to the side of the stage, the ASL interpreters move with the actors and blend into the show. Our first shadow interpreted performance of A Year with Frog and Toad was so successful that we added another with the encouragement of audiences and at the recommendation of our cast. One of our audience members who is deaf commented:

“I enjoyed the performance immensely and it was a very rich experience for me. Why I said that is because I’m profoundly deaf and I felt included as an audience member witnessing this brilliant show. The cast of A Year with Frog and Toad incorporated some sign language into their songs and it was an absolute delight to see!”

The Arden will present a captioned and audio described performance of Blue Door on Saturday, February 20 at 8pm and Sunday, February 21 at 2pm.

Accessibility at the ArdenBy Jennifer Peck, General Manager

Sally Wojcik gives a sensory tour to audiences at the fully accessible performance of A Year with Frog and Toad sponsored by Art-Reach.

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BY: Evan, you played the precocious student Dakin in The History Boys earlier this season with Frank X in the role of Hector. Now, you’re both returning…this time you’re Romeo and Frank X is your father, Lord Montague. Tell me about that.

EJ: I’m thrilled to return. Any actor would be privileged to work with Frank twice in one season. Plus, the Arden sets the standard for great storytelling in Philadelphia and this is the quintessential story about love. In The History Boys, Hector taught his students to question authority and Dakin certainly questioned authority. Romeo – much like Dakin – is obsessed with pushing the boundaries of what’s currently acceptable. He defies his father - and his entire family – for this unbelievable girl. He goes for what he wants. And what he wants is undoubtedly Juliet.

BY: Have you set eyes on your Juliet at this point (Dec 8, 2009)?

EJ: Oh yeah. Mahira came to Philadelphia [from New York] to read for this part. We both got in one room with the director Matt Pfeifer and it all clicked. She is amazing. She’s so smart, so raw and wonderfully connected in how she understands her character. Plus she’s lovely. Just a stunning person inside and out. I can’t wait to work with her.

BY: Have you done classical theatre before?

EJ: Many times. I’ve actually played Romeo before – but this time around having a female Juliet will be new.

BY: Excuse me?

EJ: I was Romeo in Joe Calarco’s all male adaptation of Romeo and Juliet at Mauckingbird Theatre Company in 2008. Some other great roles I’ve had were Lysander in Midsummer Night’s Dream and Lysimacus in Pericles.

BY: Tell me what you’re most looking forward to in this production.

EJ: This show is great for adults but I love doing it for kids. It’s about being yourself and standing up and fighting for who and what you love – even if it’s totally against the rules. Romeo and Juliet are rebels. I love them.

BY: Thanks, Evan. Mahira, tell me a little about yourself.

MK: I was born in Calcutta, India and moved to the US to attend Juilliard. I’m really looking forward to coming to Philly– it will be my debut performance at the Arden – and I’m so honored that Terry Nolen thought of me for this part.

BY: You have an interesting history with Terry…can you tell me about it?

MK: Terry cast me in the role of Grace in Michael Hollinger’s Opus for the production at Primary Stages in New York City during the summer of 2007.

BY: Opus was such a great success here at the Arden when we presented its world premiere in 2006. How did it go in New York?

MK: Well, it was nominated for three Lucille Lortel Awards [New York’s off Broadway Awards for Excellence] and it’s the first play I’ve ever done where I sat in rehearsals completely enthralled.

BY: What do you look forward to about Romeo and Juliet?

MK: Having the audience connect – I hope! – to that intoxicating feeling of falling head over heels in love. The highs are just so high. Love is such a powerful emotion and one that is completely liberating. Plus, I’ve got to mention that Evan is very sexy.

Meet RomeoandJulietEvan Jonigkeit and Mahira Kakkar will star as the impetuous lovers in Romeo and Juliet later this season at the Arden. Beth Yeagle, Arden’s Director of Marketing and PR, talked with Evan and Mahira about their upcoming roles.

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WINTER SEMESTER 2009/10Theatre classes for kids and teens

ardentheatre.org•215.922.1122

KIDS’ CREW (Grades K-5)One Day Workshops Saturdays, 1pm - 4pm: $30IMPROV (Grades K-2) - February 6 ACTING (Grades 3-5) - February 20 COSTUME DESIGN (Grades 3-5) - March 6

Show Time Workshop_ Grades K-5. $40 per class IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE: ACTING Mon, May 3, 4 - 6:30 pm

Play-in-a-Day 10am - 3pm. Grades 1-5. $50 a class, 3 for $125. January 18 (MLK Day) January 23 March 6

Spring Break Camp Grades K-5. Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm. $300.March 29 - April 2, 2010

TEEN COMPANY (Grades 6-12)Saturday Classes Five week Winter Semester: $100. Grades 6 - 12.January 16,23,30, February 6,1310am - 12pm: ACTING: Improv DESIGN: Aesop’s Fables 1 - 3pm: COSTUME DESIGN: Alice in Wonderland

One Day Workshops Saturdays, 1 - 4pm: Grades 6 - 12. $30 per class.ACTING - January 16 MUSICAL THEATRE - January 30IMPROV - February 6 AUDITION - February 27 SHAKESPEARE - March 6

Spring Break One Day Workshop ROMEO AND JULIET Wednesday, March 31 10am - 6pm (2pm performance of Romeo and Juliet)$80 includes theatre ticketAn intensive full day Shakespeare workshop taught by Evan Jonigkeit (Romeo). Class covers speaking and performing the text and learning stage combat - all on our mainstage. The day culminates with viewing the Arden’s Romeo and Juliet.

Directed by Matt PfeiferStarring Evan Jonigkeit

and Mahira Kakkar

Krista Apple as Lady MontagueShawn Fagan as Mercutio

Melayne Finister as Lady CapuletScott Greer as Lord Capulet

James Ijames as BenvolioSean Lally as Tybalt

Anthony Lawton as Friar LaurenceMatt Lorenz as Paris

Suzanne O’Donnell as NurseBrian Anthony Wilson as Prince

Frank X as Lord Montague

Romeo and Julieton the Haas stage

February 25 through April 4Get tickets today!

Recommended for people in 8th grade and older

Production Sponsor:

Page 26: Blue Door stagebill

The three men involved in Blue Door - Walter Dallas, Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. and Kes Khemnu- have almost twenty years of history between them. For this article, I had the pleasure of sitting down with them and learning about their past endeavors.

Friends as well as colleagues, their collaboration began in the early 1990’s when Walter was named the Artistic Director at Freedom Theatre in Philadelphia. Freedom was where Johnnie Hobbs began his celebrated career as an actor, working on multiple productions at the theatre. The first collaboration with Walter Dallas was a production called Black Picture Show in 1994, which garnered Johnnie a Barrymore award nomination. This was just the beginning of a long partnership between the actor and the director, working on at least fifteen productions together.

Dallas credits the immediate trust between the two that’s fostered their great partnership. “Johnnie is a receptive actor who takes direction beautifully and is willing to try new things. He is fun to be around, always receptive to new ideas, and has a sharp sense of humor. But after it’s all said and done, the trust factor that he and I share is my favorite thing about Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. as an actor.”

“Walter is a very insightful, clever and provocative director who always asks interesting questions,” says Hobbs. “He creates a challenging, creative environment. And above all, he is great storyteller.”

Johnnie and Walter told many stories together at the Freedom Theatre, as well as at the sadly defunct Philadelphia Drama Guild. Highlights of their collaborations include productions of August Wilson’s Two Trains Running and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at the Philadelphia Drama Guild and Sty of the Blind Pig by Phillip Hayes Dean at Freedom.

Another collaborative highlight was a play called Spunk at the Philadelphia Drama Guild, where the two first worked together with a young, exciting actor named Kes Khemnu.

“Kes is a director’s dream,” says Dallas, ”His energetic ability to trust my suggestions, embrace them, and then take them to a level of brilliant execution that always surpasses the original idea.”

Hobbs adds, “I loved working with him from the start. Kes is a very creative, whimsical and intelligent actor.” Dallas continues, “He just gets it while jokingly bringing fun and factoring his sharp creative prowess into the creative equation.”

The three gentlemen’s lives interlace further with their affiliation with the University of the Arts, where Kes attended as an undergraduate. Walter Dallas taught at the college for ten years and created the School of Theatre. Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. has been teaching for twenty-seven years as an Associate Professor of Theatre, and is the current head of the acting program.

Though all were at the university at the same time, Hobbs or Dallas never formally taught Khemnu. The way he talks, he didn’t spend much time in the classroom at all. “I was usually found wondering the

CONNECTIONS THROUGH COLLABORATIONBy Matthew Decker, Associate Producer

Three Fishermen in Ghana by Walter Dallas

Cast and Crew of THE PIANO LESSON at the Arden (2008)

Page 27: Blue Door stagebill

hallways,” Khemnu says with a grin. (Perhaps he fared better while getting his Masters at Yale University – which is where, coincidentally, Walter also holds his M.F.A.)

Following Kes’ time at University of the Arts, other projects together emerged, most notably various incarnations of the annual Black Nativty at the Freedom Theatre, which was directed by Walter and featured Johnnie, Zooman and the Sign at the Walt Whitman Art Center featuring Johnnie and Kes, and Arden’s The Piano Lesson, directed by Walter and featuring Kes in 2008.

The three have not worked together in almost fifteen years, so it seems kismet that Blue Door has provided that opportunity. It’s fitting that a play about a man who is discovering his past should bring together three colleagues who are so closely linked.

Dallas shares that sentiment, “When I was in Accra, Ghana last summer, I took a photograph of three fishermen working together in an effort to pull in a net full of fish from the sea. The three generations of this family (son, father and grandfather) remind me of my connection with Johnnie and Kes.”

That connection is palpable when in the presence of the three gentlemen. You can feel their deep affinity for one another. They are aware of that bond, and hope that it will help bring Blue Door to life.

Dallas adds, “Each of us brings years of experience, a dynamically shared relationship and extremely unique perspectives to the creative challenge of [presenting Blue Door]. By joining forces, we can create an ultimately rich history, and the possibility of powerful, living theatre about [fathers and sons].”

We are lucky to have this rich, beautiful partnership working at the Arden, as well as in the Philadelphia theatre community. I look forward to future stories they tell together.

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Visit Our Other Locations Princeton NJ (609) 924-7855New Hope PA (215) 862-8300

An Arden Theatre Company Dining Partner

Triumph Brewing Company117 Chestnut StreetOld City . Philadelphia(215) 625-0855 . triumphbrewing.com

5 minutes from the theatre at 2nd and ChestnutHappy Hour Monday through Friday . 5 to 7pm

•Eight house-brewed drafts•Monthly Brewer’s Reserve Barrel Tappings•Live music•Private parties

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STEPHEN STARR EVENTS

R E - I N V E N T T H E E V E N T

WWW.STARREVENTS.COM

Page 30: Blue Door stagebill

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Adapted by Jody DavidsonDirected by Whit MacLaughlin

Book copyright © 1985 Laura NumeroffIllustration copyright © 1985 Felicia Bond Used by permission of HarperCollins Publishers

April 14 - June 6Most enjoyed by families with children ages 5+

ARDENCHILDREN’STHEATRE

2009/10SEASONARDENTHEATRECOMPANY

Stop by the box office, call 215.922.1122, or visit ardentheatre.org.

DON’T MISS the rest of the

Directed by Matt Pfeiffer FEB 25 - APR 11

Music and Lyrics byStephen Sondheim

Book by James LapineDirected by Terrence J. Nolen

MAY 27 - JULY 4

Convert your Blue Door ticket into a 3-show subscription, to see Romeo and Juliet and Sunday in the Park with George! You’ll save money compared to buying individual show tickets, enjoy easy

exchange privileges, parking and dining discounts, plus behind-the-scenes opportunities.

Production Sponsor:

Production Sponsor:

Page 32: Blue Door stagebill

LeapofFaith 2010/2011 seasonEvertakenaleapoffaith?We’reinvitingyoutonow.

Joinusforallfiveplaysofnextseason–withoutknowinganytitles–

andlockintothelowestpriceswe’lloffer.

Worldpremiereplays.Largescalemusicals.Literaryadaptations.Celebrationsofcommunity.

Greatstoriesbygreatstorytellers.

Pleasejoinus.

LeapofFaithisavailablenowthroughMarch21

Checkouttheinsertinyourstagebill,stopbythesubscriptiontable,calltheboxofficeat215.922.1122orvisitusonlineatardentheatre.org

L to R: Caroline, or Change (2007), My Name Is Asher Lev (2009), Wittenberg (2008), Our Town (2008), Assassins (2007), Candide (2008), Opus (2006), The Piano Lesson (2008)


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