M T H A E Y

E

OUT OF THE BOX 9 P

I - S

2 C 5 THEATRICS O , P

2 A 0 L

1 A

presents 9 C T O R

A L I C E R I P L E Y in S '

G U I L D

MUSIC & LYRICS BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM BOOK BY JAMES LAPINE

BOOK E L I S E F O R I E R E D I E DIRECTION A M Y E . J O N E S

@ootbtheatrics Opening Night: May 15, 2019 The Episcopal Actors' Guild 1 East 29th Street Elizabeth Flemming Ethan Paulini Producing Artistic Director Associate Artistic Director present Alice Ripley* in Out of the Box Theatrics' production of

By Elise Forier Edie

Technical Design Dialect Coach Costume Design Frank Hartley Rena Cook Hunter Dowell

Board Operator Wardrobe Supervisor Joshua Christensen Greenberg

Graphic Design General Management Asst. General Management Gabriella Garcia Maggie Snyder Cara Feuer

Press Representative Production Stage Management Ron Lasko Theresa S. Carroll* Directed by AMY E. JONES+

* Actors' Equity OOTB is proud to hire members of + Stage Directors and Association Choreographers Society AUTHOR'S NOTE ELISE FORIER EDIE

People often ask me “how much of this play is true?” The answer is, “All of it.” Also, “None of it.”

All the events in this play happened to somebody. High school students across the country have been forbidden to start Gay and Straight Alliance clubs. The school picture event mentioned in this play really did happen to a child in Florida. Families across the country are being shunned, harassed and threatened by neighbors, and they suffer for allowing their transgender children to freely express their identities. Violence against transgender individuals has been on the rise. Last year set a record for acts of violence against transgender individuals, particularly people of color.

I really did sit in a Presbyterian church on a Sunday morning in 2011 and hear my pastor invoke the Holocaust and liken supporters of the LGBT community to Nazis. I really do have a transgender child, and they really did announce to me the summer before they entered seventh grade, that they would like to go to school as a boy. I really did watch them go to school with my heart in my mouth. I have felt that same fear every day of my life since.

But none of the events in this play really happened. Trisha Lee is not me. Jo is not my kid. Sparkton, is not a real place. None of the people in this play ever existed. Even Pastor Dick, who delivers my former pastor’s sermon pretty much word for word, is nothing like my former pastor. For one thing, that man didn’t have the balls to come to my house and talk to me about why I would never set foot in his church again. None of this ever happened. But all of it is happening right now to someone. And I really do wish we could find a way to talk about it. I really do wish we could unite instead of divide. I really do wish we lived in a world where diverse people, with all their different points of view, could walk and talk together. We all want the same thing. We all want a safe and free world. I believe we can all make that, if we just reach out our hands. WHO'S WHO

ALICE RIPLEY as Trisha Lee

Alice Ripley won critical acclaim and the 2009 long stay at the Imperial as Fantine in Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Les Misérables. She recently starred as Mrs. her portrayal of Diana Goodman in the Pulitzer Bateman in the original Broadway cast of Prize-winning . Alice also American Psycho. TV: , 30 Rock, Blue received Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Bloods, Hee Haw, and Royal Pains. Ripley won nominations for her work in Next to Normal three Best Acting awards for the indie musical Off-Broadway (Second Stage) and a Helen favorite SUGAR!, which recently gained Hayes Award for the production at Arena distribution. Other film: Sing Along, Isn't It Stage in Washington, DC. Ms. Ripley received Delicious, The Adulterer, Bear With Us, Tony and nominations for Temptation, and Muckland. Ripley is an her work as conjoined twin Violet Hilton in the accomplished musician and has written and cult hit . On Broadway, Alice also produced her own music. Recordings created the roles of Janet in The Rocky Horror include Daily Practice Vol 1, Everything's Fine, Show, Molly Ivors in the Tony Award-winning Outtasite, and RIPLEY EP, as well as numerous musical play James Joyce's The Dead, Betty Broadway cast and compilation albums. Ripley Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard, the Specialist's just completed filming her first TEDx talk called Assistant in The Who's Tommy, and "Magic Takes Time". Bathsheba in King David, as well as having a

Alice Ripley’s appearance has been made possible through the financial support of The Off the Wall Charitable Trust (Virginia & Hans H Gruenert).

The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited. WHO'S WHO

AMY E. JONES (Director) returns to OOTB find him scuttling around the Metropolitan after directing Before This New Year by Liana Museum of Art as a tour guide. Frank holds a Sonenclar last year as part of the Building the BA in Theatre Education and Music Business Box series. Most recently, Amy directed and from SUNY Potsdam/Crane School of Music. choreographed The Color Purple at Riverside Center for the Arts and Mamma Mia! at Flat HUNTER DOWELL (Costume Design) is Rock Playhouse. She has also served as thrilled to be designing for OOTB's The Pink director/musical director for Always...Patsy Unicorn! Hunter designed costumes for Cline at Virginia Stage and Ring of Fire at OOTB's Songs for a New World, The Owl and Infinity Stage, Virginia Stage, and Barter the Pussycat, "Master Harold"...and the Boys, Theatre. NYC credits include direction of the and You're A Good Man Charlie Brown. Since developmental readings of new musicals moving to NYC in 2016 Hunter has worked on Youlogy (Charlie Johnson/Ethan Andersen) television shows ( & Rise), the revival and Mock ‘n Roll (Scott Foster/Marcus of Falsettos on Broadway, and designed two Stevens), choreography for Broadway Off-Broadway shows at the St. Luke's Backwards 8 and 9 at the Hirschfeld Theatre Theatre (The Pillars of New York & Two by and Palace Theatre, and musical direction Tennessee). Hunter earned his MFA in for Texas In Paris at the York Theatre Costume Design from Southern Methodist (Audelco Award nomination for Best Musical University in Dallas, TX. Favorite designs Direction). Amy has also acted as dramaturg include The Magic Flute, A Flea in Her Ear, Man for the new musicals Alice, Warsaw, and Junk: of La Mancha (New Hampshire Theatre Award A Rock Opera. She is a member of AEA and Nom), Little Shop of Horrors, Top Girls. You SDC. Many thanks to Liz, Ethan, Charlie, and can see more of his work at HunterDowell.com. everyone at OOTB! RENA COOK (Dialect Coach) is a TEDx speaker, FRANK HARTLEY (Technical Direction, OOTB author, and voice, speech, confidence, and Managing Director) works as a lighting and presentation coach. She's the founder of Vocal sound designer in New York City, Authority, a training consultancy serving moonlighting as a director, actor, production corporate clients – politicians, attorneys, manager, and dog owner. For OOTB he has lit entrepreneurs, CEOs, and sales personnel – Songs For A New World, Nocturne, and Into who want to use their voice in more The Woods. He recently was the AD on commanding and authentic ways. Mommie Dearest working with Christina Crawford and Joe Barros, and is the Theatre Rena has an MA in Voice Studies from London’s Manager at the cell theatre. He oversaw Fight Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. With Love, a 10-year BCEFA benefit in She taught high school drama before residence at Geva Theater, and volunteers transitioning to higher education, where she annually with the non-profit. You can often taught voice, speech, and dialects to actors. WHO'S WHO

She is professor emerita at the University of production. Costuming experience includes Oklahoma. Her dedication to teacher Blue Gate Musicals. Carrie previously served preparation continues as she teaches at the in the Marketing and Development University of Houston on their Summer MA for department at Theatre West Virginia in Drama Teachers Beckley, WV and in the Marketing and PR R ena’s TEDxOU talk is titled “Power without department at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Press: the foundation of authentic Sarasota, FL. Carrie currently serves as the communication.” Marketing Associate at Weathervane Theatre in Whitefield, NH. Also a performer, She has presented workshops throughout the Carrie has performed across the country as and the United Kingdom. Her well as abroad. A huge thank you to you articles and reviews have appeared in reading this playbill and supporting our the Voice and Speech Review, Journal of mission to #changethestage. Carrie holds a Dramatic Theory and Criticism, and Theatre BA in Musical Theatre and Public Relations Journal. She is the author of Empower your from West Virginia Wesleyan College. Voice: For Women in Business, Politics and

Life and Voice and the Young Actor. THERESA S. CARROLL* (Production Stage Manager) is a graduate of Western JOSHUA CHRISTENSEN (Board Operator) Connecticut State University Theatre Arts Josh has been working in theater for years as Management Program. Including her work an actor, writer, and production associate. with OOTB some of her recent credits include Most recently Josh was stage manager for All Our Children ( Manager) at The OOTB's Shoes & Baggage and the sound Sheen Center, NYC, Working (ASM) at ACT of designer on the cell theatre's workshop CT, Eastbound (PSM) at the NY Theatre Barn, production of Katzelmacher, U.S.A. In NYC. Previous credits include: How The addition to his work in the theater, Josh is a Westons Won (PSM) at OOTB, NYC and journalist and radio producer. He has worked Ripcord (PSM) at Seven Angels Theatre, CT, on such programs as NPR's StoryCorps and Evita (ASM) at ACT of CT, Our Town (PSM), currently works at WNYC. Josh earned his Twelfth Night (PSM) and Taming of the Shrew graduate degree at the Craig Newmark (PSM) for Valley Shakespeare Festival, CT and Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY and Under the Lid (ASM) at Theatre Row, NYC. In was named the 2018 Mark of Excellence addition to stage managing Theresa works as National Winner in Radio In-Depth Reporting. an Arts Administrator; producing and Josh is also the creator and host of Out of the company managing productions across CT Box Theatrics' podcast, Out of the Box and NYC while continuing to work as a Stage Conversations. Management mentor.

CARRIE GREENBERG (Wardrobe Supervisor, OOTB Director of Development) is thrilled to RON LASKO (Press Agent) Ron Lasko heads be part of such a special and powerful Spin Cycle in NYC. Current PR clients include

WHO'S WHO

The Flea, the cell, Laurie Beechman Theatre, been in the city for two years now. She is a Theater Breaking Through Barriers, FringeNYC recent college graduate from AMDA: College and the long-running immersive hit Then She and Conservatory of Performing Arts where Fell. He has worked on thousands of she received a BFA in Musical Theater. She’s productions over the last 25 years; always had a love for social media and a highlights include Sarah Kane's Crave starring passion for Instagram and has loved being a Deborah Harry, the first revival of Mae West's part of the OOTB team! Insta: Sex, The Guys with Sigourney Weaver, Samuel gabymariegarcia and make sure to follow D. Hunter’s A Bright New Boise, The Civilians’ ootbtheatrics!!! Gone Missing, Eric Bogosian’s Notes From Underground, Dog Sees God, The Donkey LIZ FLEMMING (OOTB Producing Artistic Show, four world premieres by Mac Wellman Director) After several years touring and and eight world premieres by A.R. Gurney. Info: working in the regional circuit as a www.SpinCycleNYC.com professional actor, Liz shifted focus to make a difference within our theatre community MAGGIE SNYDER (General Management) is taking on inclusivity on the stage with the an artist and producer from upstate New creation of OOTB. With OOTB she has York. She has worked for New York Musical produced three successful seasons of site- Festival (NYMF), Playwrights Horizons, the specific immersive productions. Other OOTB cell theatre and Musical Theatre Festival. She producing credits include Alice at Alice’s currently works at New York City Center. BA starring Alice Ripley, a series of Open Mics, Ithaca College. and several cabarets and special events. Independently she was asked to produce the CARA FEUER (Assistant General new musical Mommie Dearest written by Management) is an actor born and raised in Christina Crawford with music by David Nehls, NYC. She graduated from LaGuardia HS of and Sam’s Room with New York Theater Barn. Performing Arts and completed her studies at Liz also serves as Managing Director at the the Neighborhood Playhouse. Last year, she cell theatre. was in OOTB’s first theatre piece for young audiences, Alice in Alice’s, and was seen as ETHAN PAULINI (OOTB Associate Artistic Jean in August: Osage County in Rhinebeck, Director) is an actor, director, choreographer, NY. She also traveled the 5 boroughs with and educator. He has served as OOTB’s Theatre East’s 5X5, a collection of 10 minute Associate Artistic Director since 2017. Prior plays taking theatre to the community. to that he directed and choreographed the inaugural production of You're a Good GABRIELLA GARCIA (Graphic Design, OOTB Man Charlie, the 2017 season opener “Master Director of Social Media) Gabriella is an actor, Harold”…and the Boys, and last season's Into singer, and social media enthusiast who has the Woods. He created the Building the Box

WHO'S WHO new work series. As an actor, he has Angeles, and in far flung places like extensive New York, National Tour, Regional, Jonesboro, Arkansas and Saskatoon, Television, Film and Commercial credits. He is Saskatchewan. Her newest children’s play, a proud member of Actors' Equity Association “John Henry,” about the African-American folk (AEA), SAG-AFTRA and the Society of hero, premiered at The Growing Stage in Directors and Choreographers (SDC). He Netcong, New Jersey this year. Her newest founded #ethancoaches, a successful Acting short story will be part of the forthcoming and Career Coaching Studio in Manhattan, anthology from Dreaming Robot Press, "The boasting almost 300 clients represented on Young Explorer's Adventure Guide." You can Broadway, National Tours, Regional Theatre, find out more about her work by visiting her Feature Film and Television. He is also the website eliseforieredie.com Artistic Director at Cape Cod Theatre THE EPISCOPAL ACTORS' GUILD (Venue) Company- Home of HJT, Weathervane has provided emergency aid and career Theatre in Whitefield, NH. ethanpaulini.com support to professional performers "of all

faiths, and none." Founded in 1923, EAG is a CHARLIE JOHNSON (OOTB Director of New non-sectarian not-for-profit organization Works) is a director, choreographer, and dedicated to helping performers in need. EAG dramaturg. At OOTB, he line produces the new is also a membership organization that work development programs Building the Box throughout the year hosts play readings, and The Edit. Recently he choreographed musical concerts, and other special events in Urinetown! at The 5th Avenue Theatre/ACT. an effort to raise financial support and Recent direction: Pageant (Sensible Theater community awareness of our mission. For Co.), HeadVoice (New York Musical Festival), more information, please visit us online You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Flat Rock at www.actorsguild.org. Playhouse), and Acts on a Roof (Uptown

Players). He is currently developing Danny K. OUT OF THE BOX THEATRICS (OOTB) was Bernstein’s new musical Far From Canterbury. founded in 2015 by Liz Flemming to celebrate Assisting credits: Michael Arden, David all the unique traits that give actors Armstrong, Sam Buntrock, and Jerry Zucker. character. A New York-based nonprofit Regional credits: , Asolo organization, OOTB is dedicated to producing Repertory Theater, Bay Street Theater, Maltz new and classic works while challenging our Jupiter Theater, and North Carolina Theater. audiences to experience work outside of Education: Elon University. @chipper_charles their expectations. Committed to hiring a diverse company of actors, regardless of ELISE FORIER EDIE (Book) is an award- gender, race, creed, ethnicity, or disability, winning author and playwright based in Los OOTB allows audiences to experience work Angeles. Her scripts have been produced all from a fresh perspective in site-specific over North America, from New York to Los locations. ootbtheatrics.com

WHO'S WHO

Out of the Box Theatrics Advisory Board Out of the Box Theatric s Board of Directors Joe Barros Christopher Sidoli, Chariman Jay Binder Nicholas Alexiou, Treasurer Christina Crawford Liz Flemming, Secretary David Nehls Lil Arb ogast Alice Ripley Ginny Gruenert Hans Gruenert Andrew Parks

Out of the Box Theatrics Staff Subsidized studio Producing Artistic Director...... Liz Flemming space for The Pink Associate Artistic Director...... Ethan Paulini Unicorn is provided Managing Director...... Frank Hartley Director of Development...... Carrie Greenberg by the A.R.T./New York Creative Space Grant, Director of New Works...... Charlie Johnson supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Director of Social Media...... Gabriella Garcia Foundation. OOTB is a proud member of A.R.T./ New York. Development Intern...... Kate Lagana Program Design...... Carrie Greenberg Additional funding for The Pink Unicorn is Logo Design...... Gabriella Garcia provided by Actors' Equity Foundation

OOTB 2019 Mainstage Season By Linda Faigao-Hall Directed by Billy Bustamante Venue: Teatro Latea Dates: September 9- 15th

Inter-generational conflicts erupt over family dreams and legacies during a ballroom dance marathon as a Filipino American family in Queens struggle to keep their financially troubled dance studio from foreclosure. Get Tickets

Book: Sybille Pearson Directed by Ethan Paulini Music: David Shire . Music Directed by William Cody Dry Lyrics: Richard Maltby Jr. Venue: Midtown Loft Dates: December 6- 14th

Three couples work their way towards parenthood under three VERY different sets of circumstances. Get Tickets THANK YOU!

Something that makes OOTB unique is not only its dedication to providing artists and audience members a unique theatre experience, but also creating and promoting local businesses within those unique theatre experiences. We are so grateful to our neighborhood partners. If you're interested in learning more about OOTB sponsorships please email [email protected] NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERS

Episcopal Actors' Guild Mr. Ping Street Food nancy manocherian's Dane Whitlock Beyond Sushi the cell theatre Eddie off the WALL Jefferson Market Library Empire Wine productions Betsy Polivy - Manhattan Teatro Latea The Singing Baker Sideways

OUT OF THE BOX THEATRICS thanks YOU for coming to today's performance. We can't #changethestage without you and we are so grateful for your attendance. If you've enjoyed today's performance please consider making a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation.

PATRONS Join with a monthly donation

Lil Arbogast Carrie Greenberg Alaina Mills Michael Brahce Frank Hartley Siddhartha Nutulapati Amanda Bruton Caitlin Humphreys Ethan Paulini Andrew Buck Charmaine Johnson Kristina Hugel Porter Christopher Christiana Marisa Kirby Sierra Rein Carol A. Christensen Kelly Kirkley Heather Rolff Joshua Christensen Chloe Search Kostman Tina Scariano Diane DiCroce Alicia Krakauer Justin Senense Samantha Disney Amberlee Lynn Jessica Taige Suzanne Dressler Alison Mahoney Ellen White Rick Edinger Mary Malaney Elizabeth Worley James Flemming Angela Rose Masi Ryan Wright Liz Flemming Wendy Steier McNamara Katherine Yacko Gaby Garcia Kenny Metzger Melissa Zimmerman Alie B. Gorrie Susan Miceli THANK YOU!

CONTRIBUTOR CIRCLE Join with a one-time donation

Lil Arbogast Kenneth Karan Kenzie Rich Lisa Baron Kevin Keeshan Brian Charles Marcia Bates Marisa Kirby Rooney Jean Lynn Hillier Beck Alicia Krakauer Babs Rubenstein Melissa Bell David Krakauer Michael Savas April Benson Marilyn Dubow-Krakauer Donna Serviss Heather Boddy Robyne Parrish Lamb Michael Shaieb Ben Boecker Lynn Lawrence Esther Josh Christensen Chelsea LeSage Shimanovich Mary Cohen Amanda Brooke Lerner Maggie Snyder Anne Collins Jana Llyn Ken Sonenclar Samantha Disney Colleen McLaughin R.C. Staab Suzanne Dressler Tamara Michel Cheryl Stern Christopher Falcioni Jenna Miller Mark Stevenson Sara Fitzpatrick David Mitchell Kelly Strandemo Liz Flemming Elaine Mogollon Susan Sullivan Susan Flemming Celena Vera Morgan Amiee Turner Sarah Franco Rachel Mulcahy Elizabeth Ukpe Nancy Gordon Galluzzo Wally Nason Robin Waring Laura Dadap Gilmartin Deborah McFadden Jordan Wertlieb Alison Gorrie Osborne Nikki Viglione Carrie Greenberg John Wayne Parrish Jr. Williams Sharon Greenberg Kurt Perry Kirsten Winkle Linda Faigao-Hall Melissa Pinto Benjamin Wolfe Aaron Hock Christina Ramirez Katherine Yacko Caitlin Humphreys Brian Reager Kyle Yampiro UP NEXT Donated between 5/1/18 and 4/30/19 Mon. May 20 @7:30 PM - the cell theatre

We provide the accompanist. You provide the art! RSVP Here!! All types of talent welcome. $10 cover.