The American Century Theater Cast (in order of appearance) presents Bea Schmidt...... Kathryn Cocroft Jim Tennyson...... JB Bissex Dora Ludlow...... Carol McCaffrey Dr. Cook’s Garden Elias Hart...... Robert Lavery Leonard “Doc” Cook...... David Schmidt by Ira Levin Production Staff December 10, 2008 – January 4, 2009 Director...... Ellen Dempsey Stage Manager...... Zoia N. Wiseman Gunston Theatre II Producer...... Karen Currie 2700 South Lang Street Set Designer...... Trena Weiss–Null Lighting Designer...... AnnMarie Castrigno Arlington, Virginia Sound Designer...... Christopher Baine Costumer...... Rip Claassen Director Producer Musical Director Props...... Karen Currie, Ellen Dempsey, Lou George, Jack Marshall Ann Marie Plubell Tom Fuller Rhonda Hill, Trena Weiss–Null, Zoia N. Wiseman Fight Director...... Steve Lada Stage Manager Lighting Designer Technical Director...... Michael Null Rhonda Hill AnnMarie Castrigno Board Operator...... Teneriffe Mapp Electrics...... Ben Welsh Costumer Sound Designer Technical Director Set Construction...... Rick Albani, Jason Beagle, Karen Currie, Tom Fuller, Rip Claassen Bill Gordon Michael Null Bill Gordon, Steven Scott Mazzola, Michael Null, Trena Weiss–Null Program...... Michael Sherman Dr. Cook’s Garden is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Already Read Used Books, Theater J, Rick Albani, Jason Beagle, Setting Deborah Rinn Critzer, Hannah Crowell, Linda Doyal, Lou George, Bill Gordon, Sarah Holt, Doug Kretzlin, Steven Scott Mazzola, Jennifer Moss Kincaid, Greenfield Center, Vermont, Fall 1966 Carol Randolph, Stephanie H. Wiseman, The Arlington County Department of Act I: Late Afternoon Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, Cultural Affairs Division, and all others Act II: Ten Minutes Later whose names were not available as this program went to press. Act III: Half an Hour Later The American Century Theater is funded in part by Arlington County through the Cultural Affairs Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural There will be two 10-minute intermissions. Resources and the Arlington Commission for the Arts; the Virginia Commission for the Arts; numerous foundations; and many generous donors. Period books provided by Already Read Used Books www.alreadyreadusedbooks.com

Supported in part by the Virginia Commission of the Arts and the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Cultural Affairs Division. PLEASE NOTE: Please turn off any cell-phones and other noise making devices. The use of recording equipment and/or the taking of photographs during the performance are strictly prohibited. Artistic Director’s Notes: Dr. Cook’s Garden (1967) by Ira Levin When Ira Levin died last year, his passing was not marked as a great loss logical, unsettling conclusion. It was joined, later on, by others more to the world of literature. He was never a household name, because Levin familiar to you, perhaps―What if they cloned Hitler? What if a family never received his fair share of respect while he was alive, though he procured lovers for its necrophiliac son? What if a housewife was carrying got an abundance of grudging recognition. This was due to his peculiar Satan’s unborn child?―but it is no less memorable. Indeed, though Levin affinity for the form known as the “thriller,” a genre of both novel and managed to thrill millions of readers, play-goers and movie audiences play popular with the public but seldom with serious critics. Levin stands without establishing a strong public memory himself, the calling cards virtually alone in his ability to churn out best-sellers and Broadway hits his stories left in our collective subconscious will be turning up in our with equal success, all while generating sniffs, sneers, and disdain from nightmares for a long, long time. most reviewers.

His success arose from a mastery of his own brand of thriller, a special Jack Marshall, recipe of Gothic horror, Michael Crichton techno-thrills, old-fashioned Artistic Director suspense, and satire, and also from a deep well-spring of versatility. The American Century Theater Attempting adaptations of other author’s works? Levin aced his first attempt, turning Mac Hyman’s novel No Time for Sergeants into a hit Broadway comedy, and, while he was at it, planting the roots for a whole grove of American pop culture: it was this show that launched the career THE AMERICAN CENTURY THEATER of Andy Griffith, paired him with Don Knotts, and inspired the Mayberry BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF spin-off, Gomer Pyle USMC. (Yes, Ira Levin was responsible for Jim Nabors. Oh! The horror!) Thinking of song-writing? Although Levin’s Chair: Wendy Kenney one musical, Drat the Cat!, was a failure, he wrote the lyrics for one of Vice–Chair/Secretary: Steven Scott Mazzola its songs that has become a standard: “He Touched Me.” And questioning Treasurer: Ann Marie Plubell his movies? Every one of his novels and most of his plays were made into Board: Rebecca Christy, Vivian Kallen, Peri Mahaley, movies, usually with Levin collaborating on the screenplays; his first,A Jack Marshall, Loren Platzman Kiss before Dying, has been filmed twice. Inquiring about phrasemakers? Jack Marshall, CEO and Artistic Director “Stepford wife” has become a full-fledge catch phrase, so vivid was his Rhonda Hill, Production and Casting Manager feminist nightmare about chauvinist husbands turning their liberated wives Steven Scott Mazzola, Associate Artistic Director into pie-baking, sexually submissive June Cleaver androids. Jason Beagle, Artistic Associate Rip Claassen, Community Programs/Outreach The Stepford Wives and Rosemary’s Baby, both mega-selling novels and Brian Crane, Database/Communications Manager hit movies, were examples of Levin riding cultural waves with perfection. Deborah Rinn Critzer, Front of House/Volunteer Manager Sometimes he created the wave himself: people forget that Rosemary’s Karen Currie, Group Sales Baby launched the public demand for demonic possession-themed Ellen Dempsey, Artistic Associate/Controller entertainments like The Exorcist and The Omen. On other occasions, Bill Gordon, Web Marketing/Podcasts he sensed that a previous wave still had a kick: Deathtrap, Levin’s 1978 Rebecca Hunger, Director of Operations play that became the fifth longest running play in Broadway history, Tom Fuller, Resident Musical Director/General Counsel was inspired in part by his realization that Anthony Shaffer’s Sleuth Michael Null, Technical Director was frustrating small theaters that found its set and prop requirements Michael Sherman, Graphic Artist & Design daunting. They needed a simpler cat-and-mouse American thriller with Ginny Tarris, Director of Development similar virtues, and Levin supplied it. Trena Weiss–Null, Technical Director

Dr. Cook’s Garden, which played on Broadway briefly in 1967, was one of Robert McElwaine is the Residential Playwright of the times Levin missed his wave: the real-life Dr. Cook, under a different The American Century Theater name, didn’t arrive on the American scene for almost 20 years. But this play is pure Levin in concept―a disturbing “what if?” played out to its THE COMPANY PRODUCTION STAFF

JB BISSEX (Jim Tennyson) has previously appeared as Snug the Joiner in A Midsummer ELLEN DEMPSEY (Director) The American Century Theater: Happy Birthday, Night’s Dream with Shakespeare Dallas and Bishop Crumley in The Sugar Bean Sisters Wanda June, MacBird!, It Had to be You; Assistant Director: That Championship at Watertower Theater in Addison, TX. Other roles include Kenneth in Memory of Two Season, Paradise Lost, Moby Dick Rehearsed; Keegan Theatre: Twelve Angry Men Mondays, Mr. Miller in Love and Intrigue, Joe in Waiting for Lefty, Mr. Morland in and Unquiet Hearts; Elden Street Players: Sweet Charity, The Antigone in Warsaw; Barrie’s Mary Rose, Oberon in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Malvolio Stage Management: Keegan Theatre: Pump Boys and Dinettes, Hamlet, On the Verge, in Twelfth Night, Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, and Violet and A Streetcar Named Desire (US and Ireland). Last seen on stage in TACT’s the title role in Caligula. Hellzappoppin’. Ms. Dempsey is Artistic Associate at The American Century Theater. KATHRYN COCROFT (Bea Schmidt) was last seen at Scena Theatre as Elderly ZOIA N. WISEMAN (Stage Manager) has worked as a professional stage manager Woman in Mountain Language and as several characters in War of the Worlds. She for the past 10 years. DC area credits include The Altruists and The Elephant Man with was last heard as the voice of the 911 operator in After Ashley at Woolley Mammoth Catalyst Theatre and Venue Manager for the Capital Fringe Festival. Other favorite Theatre. In Washington Shakespeare Company’s Bard 37: Canon Cabaret, she read credits include Dark of the Moon, Working, and Rhetorical Jazz. the roles of Emilia in Othello, the Princess of France in Love’s Labour’s Lost, and TRENA WEISS–NULL (Set Design and Construction) most recently completed the Calpurnia in Julius Ceasar. Chicago theater credits include First Witch in Macbeth, set and prop design for The Titans. She has also designed Happy Birthday, Wanda June Tessie in The Lottery, and Lannie in Pick: A Midwest Fable. Kathryn also works in and Cops for TACT and is hard at work on Life with Father. She enjoys her freelance independent films, training films, and commercials. Kathryn trained with Charles design career but is also a director and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Acting-Directing Goldbeck in Washington and with Ted Liss in Chicago. and Masters degrees in both Theatre and Education and has worked in professional, ROBERT LAVERY (Elias Hart) is making his first appearance with The American educational and community theatre for most of her life. Century Theater. Last year, he performed the role of Lucretius in the Washington ANNMARIE CASTRIGNO (Lighting Designer) The American Century Theater: Shakespeare Company’s production of The Rape of Lucrece. Additional performances The Emperor Jones, Cops, Happy Birthday, Wanda June, The Titans. Nominations and include Lt. Col. Johnstone in The Gray Ghost, and Dr. Strauss in the Landless Theater’s awards for Outstanding Lighting Design: Murder Room (Little Theatre of Alexandria, production of Flowers for Algernon. Bob has also appeared as Father in the Landless 2000), Misery (LTA, 2001), Master Class (LTA, 2002), Kiss Me Kate (The Arlington Theatre Company’s production of Godzilla and The Scientist in Theater Du Jour’s There Players, 2003), Evita (Vienna Players, 2004), The Weir (Elden Street Players, 2005) and Is No More Firmament. He recently finished filming the docudrama Stolen Thunder Fiddler on the Roof (TAP, 2006). AnnMarie holds both community and professional and the made-for-television Civil War movie Red Legged Devils, which will be shown credits in lighting and electrics at many DC metro area theaters, including Toby’s on the History Channel later this year. Bob is a member of the Actors’ Center. Dinner Theater in both Columbia and Baltimore, MD. CAROL McCAFFREY (Dora Ludlow) has lived in the Washington, D.C. area for the RIP CLAASSEN (Costumer) has been a local fixture in the Washington theatre scene past seven years. Her credits include the Wicked Witch of the West in Dorothy Meets for many years. Most know him as the Dramaturge at Backstage Inc., Washington’s Alice (Adventure Theatre), Eurydice in Antigone (Forum Theatre), Fanny Magnet theatre supply store. He has taught theatre and acting at The Institute for the Arts for in The Stage Struck Yankee (New Old Theatre), Kate in Old Times (Omaemoda Fairfax County public schools, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and several other local Productions), Amanda in For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls, Susan in Funeral Parlor, theatre programs. Rip has costumed for The American Century Theater and numerous Stepmother in Cinderella, and Muriel in Plaza Suite. Carol has also appeared in short other professional theatre companies, and has directed for Natural Theatricals, as well as films, commercials and industrials. In an earlier life, she worked in Hollywood where several other local venues. Rip founded the Northern Virginia Theatre festival for high she developed screenplays for feature films, including “The Stepfather,” “Without a schools, and provides coaching to theatre students seeking admission to competitive Clue” and “A Summer Story.” She is a Board Member of Actors’ Center. college theatre programs, Governor’s School, roles in community and professional DAVID SCHMIDT (Leonard “Doc” Cook) appeared in New York in Classic Stage theatres and other competitive programs. He also serves as the Artistic Director of Company’s productions of The Tempest, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Teens N Theatre (TNT) a local youth theatre training company. Devils and Measure for Measure. He also appeared in the revival of Harold Pinter’s CHRISTOPHER BAINE (Sound Design) recently designed for Rorschach Theater’s The Homecoming as well as with New York Lyric Opera Company’s The Mikado. Dreamsailors. Other design credits include: Kennedy Center Theatre for Young With commercials and soap opera appearances, David has performed extensively in Audiences, Washington Shakespeare Company, Constellation Theater Company, summer stock in such shows as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Fantasticks, The Subject Theater Alliance, Source Theater Festival, American College Theater Festival, Was Roses, Noah, and Toys in the Attic. Dinner theatres have seen his work in The King University of Maryland, Catholic University, The Essential Theater Company, Doorway and I, South Pacific and as Franklin in 1776. Schmidt recently completed his Masters Arts, Active Cultures, Actors Theater of Charlotte, and Groundup Productions. Also he of Education at the University of Virginia and is currently working toward his Ph.D. was an assistant sound designer for Edward II and Tamburlaine (Shakespeare Theatere For his dissertation, he has created the first high school drama festival in Beijing, China Company), Cabaret, and The Mystery of Irma Vep (Arena Stage). He was an apprentice and a pen pal cultural exchange program. He has designed stage sets for universities, for the national tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Alliance community theatres and dinner theatres and directed more than 135 plays, musicals Theater. He graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts and holds a degree in and revues and is a member of the Actors’ Center. Sound Design and Engineering. STEVE LADA (Fight Director) The American Century Theater: The Eccentricities of a Nightingale. A founding member of the Noble Blades stage combat troupe, Steve has performed at the Maryland Renaissance Festival and in the Washington Opera’s productions of Tristan and Isolde and Caesere. His stage combat has been honored with the Watch Award for Outstanding Achievement in Combat Choreography for Richard III, Veronica’s Room, Romeo & Juliet, Kiss Me Kate and The Miracle Worker. TENERIFFE MAPP (Sound Board Operator) has been performing since age eight and is a member of the National Drama Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NDATT), and a member of the Tobago Drama Guild of T&T since 2002. He has performance credits from both African and Caribbean playwrights, winning the Best Actor award from NDATT’s Secondary School Drama Festival. He has also assisted backstage in many productions. MICHAEL NULL (Technical Director) just finished technical direction for the world premieres of The Titans and the staged reading of Stunt Girl for The American Century Theater. Other jobs for TACT include Sound Design for Cops and Stage Management for Ah, Wilderness! With experience in both professional and community theatre, Michael enjoys all aspects and looks forward to a continued involvement with TACT. KAREN CURRIE (Producer) The American Century Theater: Thicker Than Water (SM); Eccentricities of a Nightingale (Producer), Cops (Props Designer), Drama Under the Influence (SM), The Autumn Garden (SM); Signature Theater: The Happy Time (ASM); Theater J: 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother (ASM); Speed the Plow (SM), Either Or (ASM); WSC: Two-Headed (SM), The Royal Hunt of the Sun (SM), The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore (Production Consutlant), Titus Andronicus (SM); DC Dollies & Rocket Bitch Revue: Nutshell (SM); Open Circle Theater: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (SM); Low Level Panic (SM); The Myth Project (Co- founder/Producer): The Myth Project: Greek; National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts: Twelfth Night (SM), The Real Inspector Hound (SM), Fen (SM), Our Lady of Sandwich (SM); Spellbound Theatreworks (Co-founder/Managing Director/Producer): Twelfth Night, HAIR, The Last Session, A Woman of No Importance, Hear My Song; M.A. in Arts Management, American University. Member Actors’ Equity Association. DONORS THE FEDERAL THEATER FUNDERS ($10 – $99) Jules Abrams Mark Linton Richard & Jean Barton Margaret Lorenz GROUP THEATER GOERS ($5000+) Jim Bertine Gundrun Luchsinger Robert & Sandra McElwaine Virginia Commission for the Arts Janet & David Bond Angus & Sharon MacInnes Arlington Commission for the Arts Ron Brandt Phebe Masson PROVINCETOWN PLAYERS ($2,500 – $4,999) Ann Caracristi Judith McGarvey Bob & Wendy Kenney Kim–Scott Miller Seth W. Carus Margaret Meath Boris & Earlene Cherney Richard Pariseau THEATER GUILDERS ($1,000 – $2,499) Peter Garcia & Diane Clark Sherman & Anastasia Pratt Rebecca & Gene Christy Jack & Eleanor Marshall Ronald Cogan Pearl & Cecil Richardson John Dawson Ann Marie Plubell Sally & Jack Cooper Loretta Rowe Peter Kellogg Sheldon & Marilyn Wallerstein Judy Davis Ryan Schmelz Peri Mahaley Janet Fadden Sharon Schoumacher MERCURY THEATER BACKERS ($500 – $999) Charles Feingersh Henry Shields Donna Feirtag Carole Shifrin Alan & Susan Branigan Bruce Alan Rauscher Renee Fischman Bertha Shostalk Mary McGowan & Steven Cohen David & Willa Siegel Tracy Fisher Linda & William Smith Deborah Rinn Critzer Adam Posen & Jennifer Sosin Cathy Garman Robert L. Spatz Robert DuBois Janet Reingold & Phillip Yasinski James & Maria Gentle Barbara Stearns Jacqueline Manger Annette Zimin Madi Green Sue Swift Constance McAdam Jean Handsberry Kathryn Tatko LIVING THEATER LOVERS ($250 – $499) Angela Hughes Marjorie Townsend Joya Cox Thene Martin & George Mernick Howard & Myrna Kaplan Douglas & Evelyn Watson Dennis Deloria Margaret Mulcahy Charles Kennedy Maura Weiner Gloria Dugan Carl & Undine Nash Dianne Levine Tomas & Kathryn Fuller Bill & Connie Scruggs DONORS–IN–KIND IBM Corporation The Troy Foundation Jason Beagle Steven Scott Mazzola Lou & Jane Kriser Frontis Wiggins Steve Cosby Elizabeth Jenkins McFadden Jim & Marjie Mayer Bonnie Williams Karen Currie Kim–Scott Miller Harriet McGuire Ellen Dempsey Ann Marie Plubell THE PLAYERS ($100 – $249) Ayun Fedorcha Lonny Smith Anonymous Robert Kimmins Rhonda Hill Mariano Vales Deborah Ashford Alicia & John Klaffky Wendy Kenney Ann Paine West Tom & Loretta Beaumont Paul Klingenberg Jack Marshall Sally Beth Berger Nathan & Mary Lynn Kotz Jon Blackman Jo Ursini & Ken Krantz This listing reflects donations received from August 1, 2007 through August 15, 2008 David Bernstein & Deborah Brudno Phil & Pat Larson Marvin & Ellen Cantor Mary Ann Lawler Ellen Dempsey Donald Adams & Ellen Maland Dr. Coralie Farlee Suzy Platt Timothy Farris Robert Schiff The American Century Theater Tracy Fisher Jol & Elizabeth Silversmith extends its thanks to staff members Gabriel Goldberg Alan P. Simon Hilton Lee Graham Pat Spencer Smith Trena Weiss–Null and Michael Null Hal Handerson Jean V. Smith Alan Herman James & Patricia Snyder for their extraordinary Roger & Katharine Hood John & Alison Steadman contribution to the company Elaine Howell George & Kay Wagner Jack Marshall Wendy Kenney Michael Kahn Heathcote W. Wales Vivian & Art Kallen Glenn & Nancy White Artistic Director Board Chairperson Charles Kennedy The American Century Theater’s 2008–2009 Season

Ira Levin’s Dr. Cook’s Garden (1967) Written by Ira Levin, the author of “The Stepford Wives,” this Broadway thriller about another small town that achieves perfection in an unexpected – and deadly – way anticipated an ethical debate that rages today. Directed by Ellen Dempsey. September 9 – October 4, 2008 Howard Lindsay & Russell Crouse’s Life With Father (1939) The longest running play in Broadway history, this is a classic family comedy that has been called “the play every American must see, like the Washington Monument or Niagara Falls.” Directed by Rip Claassen. November 25 – December 7, 2008 and January 8 – 25, 2009 An American Century Christmas (Premiere!) Traces the most memorable dramatic and comic moments from 100 years of Christmas on stage, screen, radio and TV. By the creators of The American Century Theater’s revue, If Only in My Dreams. Directed by Jack Marshall and Tom Fuller. December 10, 2008 – January 4, 2009 Richard Wright and Paul Green’s Native Son (1941) A legendary production by Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater, and a ground-breaking portrayal of the forces that turn a poor black man into a criminal and killer. Often written about, but rarely produced. Directed by Bob Bartlett. April 14 – May 9, 2009 Edward Albee’s Seascape (1975) From one of America’s most provocative playwrights comes this acclaimed comedy exploring relationships across genders, generations and species during an ordinary beach holiday on one extraordinary day. Directed by Steven Scott Mazzola. July 30 – August 22, 2009