GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE 2017 – 2018 Board of Trustees Chairman: James N. Heston* President: Penelope Lattimer, Ph.D.* First Vice President: Lucy Hughes* Treasurer: David Fasanella* Secretary: Sharon Karmazin* Ronald Bleich Ben Sifuentes-Jáuregui, Ph.D. Kenneth M. Fisher Frances C. Stromsland, Ed.D. William R. Hagaman, Jr. Jocelyn Schwartzman Norman Politziner Janice Stolar Kelly Ryman* Lora Tremayne David Saint* Stephen M. Vajtay W. Burton “Tripp” Salisbury Alan W. Voorhees *Denotes Members of the Executive Committee Trustees Emeritus Robert L. Bramson Cody P. Eckert Clarence E. Lockett Al D’Augusta Peter Goldberg Anthony L. Marchetta George Wolansky, Jr. Honorary Board of Trustees Thomas H. Kean Eric Krebs Honorary Memoriam Maurice Aaron∆ Arthur Laurents∆ Dr. Edward Bloustein∆ Richard Sellars∆ Dora Center∆∆ Barbara Voorhees∆∆ Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.∆ Edward K. Zuckerman∆ Milton Goldman∆ Adelaide M. Zagoren John Hila ∆∆ – Denotes Trustee Emeritus ∆ – Denotes Honorary Trustee Investors Bank is proud to support the George Street Playhouse. Edison Plaza Branch 561 US Highway 1 • Edison, NJ Falguni Ahmadi, Branch Manager [email protected] 732.985.1107 • investorsbank.com Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender From the Artistic Director When I first saw Joanna Glass’ beautiful play Trying several years ago in New York starring my friend Fritz Weaver, I was fascinated by this Pygmalion - like story about Judge Francis Biddle and his last assistant, based on Ms. Glass’ own experience working for him. David Saint Looking at the play in 2018, I find the resonance Artistic Director of this “exemplary” Attorney General‘s passionate belief in social justice newly inspiring. In a more personal way, this story of learning from an older, opinionated and sometimes difficult mentor hit home with me regarding my own relationship with my mentor, the extraordinary Arthur Laurents. I’m so pleased to have Jim Jack return to our main stage after the exquisite job he did directing My Name is Asher Lev. I believe he has found two remarkable actors to bring this touching, delicate dance of a duet to life in Philip Goodwin and Carly Zien. Together with their wonderful design team, they have mounted a production which will delight, enchant and ultimately move you as deeply as it does me. Enjoy. David Saint Artistic Director Productions sponsored by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation (from top-left clockwise): Bryan Cranston as Lyndon Baines Johnson in All The Way; Santino Fontana and Tony Shalhoub in a scene from Lincoln Center Theater’s production of Act One; Primary Stage production of Bronx Bombers; and Peter Gallagher, Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Karl, Michael McGrath and Mark Linn-Baker in On the Twentieth Century. THE BLANCHE & IRVING LAURIE F O U N D AT I O N GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE David Saint, Artistic Director Kelly Ryman, Managing Director Presents Trying By Joanna McClelland Glass Directed by Jim Jack Set Design by Jason Simms Costume Design by Esther Arroyo Lighting Design by Christopher J. Bailey Composer/Sound Designer Scott Killian Production Manager Christopher J. Bailey Production Stage Manager Jane Pole* Casting by McCorkle Casting, Ltd. March 13 – April 8, 2018 Trying is sponsored by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation Trying is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. Originally Produced at Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago, Illinois Dennis Zacek, Artistic Director Sandy Shinner, Production Director March 29, 2004 Originally Produced on the New York Stage by Michael Leavitt, Maidstone Productions, Libby Adler Mages, Mari Stuart, Tony D’Angelo, Steve Dahl, Maria Cozzi Sandy Shinner, Production Director October 14, 2004 In accordance with Actors’ Equity Association regulations, we remind you that all electronic devices, including pagers, cellular phones and watches must be turned off during the performance. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. George Street Playhouse is a constituent of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and a member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance. The theatre operates under an agreement between LORT and Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States, and is a member of the New Brunswick Cultural Center. For 110 years, PARKER has been challenging, changing and expanding what it means to grow older in America. We are discovering ways to make aging manageable, relatable and enriching for all. Join us in making aging part of life @Parkerlifeorg. 732-902-4200 www.Parkerlife.org Locations: New Brunswick | Piscataway Somerset | Monroe Township | Highland Park geo st playhouse_11-29-17_5.5x8.5_grayscale.indd 1 12/29/17 12:03 PM CAST in order of appearance Sarah Carly Zien* Judge Biddle Philip Goodwin* *- denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association. For 110 years, PARKER has been challenging, changing Trying is performed with one 15 minute intermission. and expanding what it means to grow older Understudies: Christina Comizio and Rachelle Legrand in America. We are discovering ways to make aging manageable, relatable and enriching for all. Join us in making aging part of life @Parkerlifeorg. The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The director is a member of The Stage The stage technicians of Directors and Choreographers Society, Inc., George Street Playhouse an independent national labor union. are proud members of IATSE Local 21. The Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Sound Designers in LORT theatres are represented by 732-902-4200 United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE. www.Parkerlife.org The George Street Playhouse playbill is published five times a year by George Street Playhouse, Inc., Locations: New Brunswick | Piscataway a not-for-profit corporation. Please send advertising inquiries to George Street Playhouse, P. O. Box 194, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0194, attn: Playbill Advertising. Somerset | Monroe Township | Highland Park geo st playhouse_11-29-17_5.5x8.5_grayscale.indd 1 12/29/17 12:03 PM COMPANY bios. Philip Goodwin school include Viola and Olivia in two (Judge Francis different productions of Twelfth Night, Biddle) Broadway: Lula in Dutchman, and Harper in Angels Tartuffe, The Diary of in America. Film and TV: A Woman, Anne Frank, and The A Part; The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel School for Scandal. Off- (Amazon); Nightcap (PopTV). MFA: Broadway: A Day by Yale School Of Drama. For my elders. the Sea, Mint Theatre; Celebration, Atlantic Theatre; Mud and Drowning, Joanna McClelland Glass (Playwright) Signature Theatre; Grace (with Lynn has had plays produced in many North Redgrave), MCC; and Henry VI (Drama American regional theatres, as well Desk Nomination), Theatre for a as in England, Ireland, Australia, and New Audience; King Lear (with Kevin Germany. Trying was first presented by Kline), Public Theatre. Regional: Two Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago in River Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre 2004 and won Chicago’s prestigious of NJ, Arizona Theatre Company, Jefferson Award for Best New Play. Cleveland Playhouse, Guthrie Theatre, Trying was then produced at The Intiman Theatre, Portland Stage, Promenade Theatre, NYC, in the fall/ Hartford Stage, and as Kenneth Tynan winter of 2004-2005. Ms. Glass has in Tynan, Studio Theatre DC. Film written two novels, Reflections on a and TV: The Pink Panther, The Pink Mountain Summer (published by Alfred Panther 2, Diary of a City Priest, Law & A. Knopf in 1975), and Woman Wanted Order, Law & Order: CI, Hamlet (PBS). (published by St. Martin’s Press in Philip is an Associate Artist at the 1984). She adapted both novels into Shakespeare Theatre Company in screenplays. Kiefer Sutherland starred Washington, D.C., and an alumnus of in and directed a film version of Woman The Acting Company. Wanted — also starring Holly Hunter and Michael Moriarty — in 1998. Carly Zien (Sarah) is thrilled to be making Jim Jack (Director) returns to directing her George Street for GSP’s mainstage a second time, Playhouse debut. following his debut at the helm of Theater: One Slight the critically acclaimed production Hitch (Totem Pole of My Name is Asher Lev in spring Playhouse); Over the 2016. Directing credits for GSP’s River and Through the Woods (Flat Educational Tour and Community- Rock Playhouse); Buzzer (Cincinnati based programs include: Terra Playhouse); and Maggie in Cat on a Incognita, Our Town Now; Gabi Goes Hot Tin Roof (Chautauqua Theater Green!; Austin the Unstoppable; IRL: Company). Favorite roles from in real life; New Kid; Peacemaker; and NEXT AT GSP Order tickets now at www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org or 732-246-7717 by Larry Shue directed by Kevin Cahoon April 24 – May 20 Willum’s birthday party gets a jolt of hilarious excitement when Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-soldier who saved Willum’s life, stops by for a visit. When he realizes that Rick is socially inept and will overstay his welcome with a vengeance, Willum must put together an outrageous plan to rid himself of this wacky GI who came to dinner. A rollicking farce from the author of the award-winning comedy The Foreigner. “The audience almost never stops laughing—handkerchiefs wiping away tears of merriment…” — Variety COMPANY bios. Break the Chains. Additional New York Street Playhouse. Recent credits and regional credits include: The Road; include this season’s An Act of God Where is Home?; The Way It Was; K2 starring the legendary Kathleen Turner; (Drama Logue Award for Outstanding Daddy Long Legs; Nureyev’s Eyes; Nora; Direction); Life and Limb; The Dumb The Fabulous Lipitones; Clever Little Lies Waiter; and The Zoo Story. Jim is the at George Street Playhouse, Guild Hall Director of Education and Outreach for and NYC’s Westside Theatre; One of George Street Playhouse. Jim wishes Your Biggest Fans; Twelve Angry Men; to thank David Saint, Kelly Ryman and The Subject Was Roses; and Come Back, the GSP staff, and Board of Trustees Come Back, Wherever You Are by Arthur for their support.