The Players America’s Oldest Little Theatre 400 Benefit Street (at the corner of Barker Way) Providence, RI 02903

Director Patricia Hawkridge

Digital Filmmaker/Editor Katherine Reaves

Assistant Director Morgan Salpietro

Producer Connie B. Anderson

Production Manager Rachel Nadeau

Adapted by Patricia Hawkridge from Joan Didion’s one-woman play with special permission of the playwright and ICM Partners

These are the club’s 2706th, 2707th and 2708th performances.

Our One-Hundred-Twelfth Season

w: Playersri.org • e: [email protected] • p: 401.273.0590 THE CAST The Players Circle Woman: Carol Schlink 2020-2021 Season Chorus: Kathleen Moore Ambrosini PLATINUM STARS Eva-Maria Coffey ($1,000+) Holly & Bill Applegate Paula Faber Carole Collins Kristen Ann Gunning Becky Minard & Max Kohlenberg Liz Messier Marcia A. Layden Michelle Savoie The Scone Fund Janette Talento-Ley GOLD STARS ($700 – $999) Nancy & Ralf Carriuolo Time: The Present Matt & Kathy Oliverio BENEFACTORS ($400 – $699) The Year of Magical Thinking is performed Bobby & Patty in two acts with one intermission. Preston Atwood Joseph & Patricia Mundy

SPONSORS ($200 – $399) Ellen Barnes THE PRODUCTION STAFF Steve & Eliza Beringhause Kip & Judith Brott Digital Editor...... Katherine Reaves David & Sue Crossley Original Music Compositions ...... Chris Korangy Druid Partners Technical Support ...... Rachel Nadeau Alma J. Fontana Mimi Freeman Individual Set Decoration ...... Katherine Reaves, Cast, Crew Rose & John Goltman Costumes & Make-up ...... Cast Sanford Gorodetsky Diana Luchka-Ricci Audio & Video Recording ...... Patricia Hawkridge Bonnie Mutter Poster ...... Sharon Carpentier Kathy Riker & Bob DuFresne

Program ...... Susan Fisher PATRONS ($100 – $199) Jeanne General Manager ...... Sharon Carpentier & Barrie Atkinson Ned & Harriet Dwyer Susan Fisher William Gedney Lou Giancola & Pam High Shirley Harrison Special Thanks to: Thomas Harrison Joan Didion & ICM Partners Sharon Hellman Sharon Carpentier, General Manager, The Players Marcia A. Layden Linda and Scott Lebrun Elizabeth Messier & The Players Production Committee Kristin & Brian McGuirk Trisha Carole Collins & The Players Board of Managers & Jim McManus Dr Denis & Elke Moonan, Jr. Alan Hawkridge Andrew Murray John& Linda Rodolewicz Robert & Joanne Schacht Katherine Sheridan Jonathan & Nicole Smith Charles Sweigart W. Grant Willis & Bonnie Galvin (cont’d on next page) The Players Circle DIRECTOR’S NOTE FRIENDS (up to $99) I completely fell in love with this play some years ago and as such, Anonymous it has long been on my short list of plays that have the power, truth, Connelly Akstens substance, grace, and depth of writing that, as a director, I long to Robert & C. Claire Amaral work with. Richard Applebaum I recognize that this play was written to be performed by a singu- Carole Battaglia lar actor. However, when I read it, I hear not only one woman’s jour- Catharine Beattie Karen Besson ney, but at times I hear the story of many women. As a woman who Joan Blomstedt has experienced great loss in her life, I see the connections between Rose Marie & George Bolton the singular experience and the collective experience. This concept Clifford Brown & Marilyn Brownell is something I am both humbled and thrilled to have been given the Deirdre Brown opportunity to explore through the trust, permission, and generosity Kay Ellen Bullard of Joan Didion and ICM Partners. Sheila Christensen In addition, being able to partner with the best digital filmmaker Patrick T. Clark there is, Katherine Reaves, is not only a gift, but a dream come true. Avram & Maxine Cohen This story is being told through a blessed collaboration of Katie’s work Lynne Collinson and mine. Again, trust, permission and generosity abound. Teresa DiMeo Heartfelt gratitude to the women of the cast and crew: Rachel, Nickolas DiTata Morgan, Connie, Carol, Kathleen, Paula, Eva-Marie, Kristen, Marcia, Diane & Jay Egge Michelle, Janette. This is now your story to tell, and I could not have Linda & Tom Foley wished for a gathering of more compassionate, talented, and inspira- Catherine & Elliot Fox tional women to tell it. Richard & Jan Grant We all hope you enjoy this show – this labor of love and remem- Sandra Hardwick brance. Erin Keiser – Pat Hawkridge Peter G. Lamberton Gwenn & Roger Lavoie Dr Christopher Ley & Janette Talento-Ley WHO’S WHO IN THE PRODUCTION Mark Lima & Paul Altieri Lee Mangione Kathleen Moore Ambrosini (Chorus) Kate has been in many shows at The Bethany Mazza Players, including James Joyce’s The Dead; Almost, Maine; Dinner with Friends; Ellen Monaghan and Our Town (also directed by Pat Hawkridge). Before her time in Rhode Is- Amanda O’Bannon land, Kate studied acting in college in New York and at The Actors Studio. She Catherine J. Rose has performed all over, most notably in theaters off-Broadway. She later earned Drs Steven & Lisa Sack her B.A. and M.F.A. and taught acting in university for many years. She is now Peter Schieferdecker a Registered Nurse, but theater still courses through her! Much gratitude to this Joseph Sullivan cast for all the love and support, with special thanks to Pat Hawkridge – our North Star. Connie B. Anderson (Producer) Connie joined The Players approximately five years ago. Since then, she has served on the Membership Committee and UP NEXT the Usher Committee. She was the producer for The Country House and was on the Virtual Stage cast in The Women, which had to be canceled due to the Corona virus. at Barker Playhouse! Eva-Maria Coffey (Chorus) Since joining The Players over 20 years ago, Eva has experienced many facets of theater life: on stage as an ensemble player in Red Maple The Most Happy Fella, Sweeney Todd, Fiddler on the Roof, and Guys and Dolls by David Bunce and behind the scenes in various capacities, especially her favorites: stage man- Directed by Jeff Sullivan aging and props. She is a past Secretary of The Players Board of Managers, has Streaming May 14 – 16 been on the Production and Vice President’s committees, and is currently the theater’s librarian. Paula Faber (Chorus) Paula has been part of the Rhode Island theater com- munity for about 30 years. She has performed in many different venues across the state, including Epic Theatre, Burbage Theatre Company, The Gamm, and Joseph W. Riker, Jr. 2nd Story Theatre, but closest to her heart is her work at WomensWork Theatre Memorial Fund Collaborative, of which she is one of the founding mothers. This is her second 2020-2021 CONTRIBUTORS role at The Players, and she sends a huge thank you to Pat Hawkridge for the Anonymous opportunity to work on this beautiful play with this amazing crew of women. Holly & Bill Applegate Kristen Ann Gunning (Chorus) Kristen is delighted to be working with The Preston Atwood Players. She is beyond grateful to be a part of such a fabulous group of women, Sandra Barber who have lovingly brought this powerful play to fruition. Kristen loves a nice Ellen Barnes hot cup of tea, long conversations, writing, painting, and acting, but most of all, Joan Blomstedt she loves her friends and family. She lives in Kingston with Jonathan, Eli, and Kay Ellen Bullard Ruby, where they enjoy many a good laugh. Nancy & Ralf Carriuolo Erich Dethlefsen Patricia Hawkridge (Director) Pat holds an M.F.A. in Dramatic Arts with a Joan Dillenback concentration in Acting and Speech from The George Washington University. Paula Faber She is the founder/artistic director of La Voce: Theatre That Speaks, as well as a Mimi Freeman Rhode Island Teaching Artist through the RI State Council on the Arts. She is Rose & John Goltman also an adjunct professor, teaching theater and speech courses for Rhode Island Sanford Gorodetsky College and Providence College, where she was recognized with the Provi- Shirley Harrison dence College 2019 Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence Award. As an actress Claire Leatham and director, Pat has worked with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Marcia A. Layden Arts, Horizons Theatre, Silver Spring Stage, and Round House Theatre (all in Barbara Malagraph the Washington, DC area) and OUTLOUD Theatre, Gamm Theatre, NewGate Ann Mottola Theatre, URI Providence Campus Cultural Arts Department, Rhode Island Bonnie Mutter College, and RI Stage Ensemble (RISE), all in Rhode Island. Pat’s previous di- Amanda O’Bannon rectorial credits at The Players includeThe Women (performances canceled due Joseph W. Riker III to the pandemic), Twelve Angry Jurors, Our Town, The Miss Firecracker Contest, Kathy Riker & Bob DuFresne and The Imaginary Invalid. Mary Lou Riker Marcia A. Layden (Chorus) Marcia has been a member of The Players since Ed & Maria Rondeau 1988 and lists this as her second home. She is a Past President and former Katherine Sheridan Charles Sweigart chairperson of the Production Committee and is presently co-chairperson Jean & Gary Zunda of the Publicity/Newsletter Committee. She was seen in Over the River and Through the Woods, Romeo and Juliet, and The Christmas Spirit. She is proud In Memoriam Donations and honored to be part of this stellar cast and to again be working with director Anonymous Pat Hawkridge. Holly & Bill Applegate Rachel Nadeau (Production Manager) Rachel is elated to be back with The Preston Atwood Players, creating theater in the new, virtual performance space. Rachel has Ginny Bray been cast in past Players productions including Eclipsed, Twelve Angry Jurors, Sharon Carpentier and The Women. She has spent a decade in the Rhode Island theater commu- Allan Gilmore nity in various roles on stage and backstage. Currently she is an art educator Joanne Gering and program director at Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (TAPA) Ruth & Scott Gordon in Providence, where she shares her love of the performance arts with young Thomas Harrison aspiring artists. Rachel appreciates this wonderful opportunity to collaborate Rosemary Lightbown in this ensemble work, as it has been a gift during the current shutdown of live David Olsen & Len Flood performances this year. Anne E. Picozzi Ed & Maria Rondeau Katherine Reaves (Digital Filmmaker) Katie is a Rhode Island filmmaker, producing digital films for education, local nonprofits, and small businesses. Funding to support The Players Holding degrees in art history, painting, and art education, she first experi- is provided in part by mented with digital film 18 years ago when pregnant with her daughter, artist a grant from the Rhode Crickett Fisher. Trained as a painter, it is the visual artistry of filmmaking that Island State Council interests her. For seven years at Beacon Charter High School for the Arts, she on the Arts through an taught filmmaking with an emphasis on its ability to convey stories, ideas, and appropriation by the emotions through artful and considered imagery. She lives with her husband, Rhode Island General Assembly, a grant from the National artist and Rhode Island College professor Stephen Fisher, in Warren. Endowment for the Arts, and private funders. Morgan Salpietro (Assistant Director) Morgan is excited to be returning RAISE THE ROOF FUND to The Players after appearing as Katie inAn Enemy of the People earlier this $500+ season. Her previous credits include director of The Laramie Projectand The Anonymous Last Five Years (Salve Regina University), assistant director of Godspell and Holly & Bill Applegate A Chorus Line (Footlights), and Twelfth Night (Salve Regina). Morgan thanks Dennis L. Bouchard Pat Hawkridge and the incredible group of women who are part of The Year of Dr Christopher Ley Magical Thinking for their kindness, commitment to art, and, above all, inspira- & Janette Talento-Ley tion. Enjoy the show! Becky Minard & Max Kohlenberg Bonnie Mutter Michelle Savoie (Chorus) Michelle is delighted to be returning to The Players Matt & Kathy Oliverio for this production of The Year of Magical Thinking. It is such an honor to be up to $500 working with this very talented group of women! Michelle has previously Whitney Cummer performed at Barker Playhouse in Twelve Angry Jurors and has done behind- Susan Fisher the-scenes work here as well. She thanks the director and all the cast for such a Sanford Gorodetsky wonderful experience! Kathy Riker & Bob DuFresne up to $250 Carol Schlink (Woman) Carol has acted in and directed numerous produc- Preston Atwood tions throughout Rhode Island, including The Players Come( Back to the Five Joan Blomsted and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean; The Crucible; Back to Yonkers), Epic Joan Dillenbackt Theatre (The House of Bernarda Alba); 2nd Story Theatre, The Gamm, and oth- Mary Frappier ers. Most recently, she became one of the founding mothers of WomensWork Thomas Harrison Theatre Collaborative The( Last Lists of My Mad Mother), which focuses on Peter G Lamberton women over 40 in all aspects of theater. She is a retired theater educator with Trisha & Jim McManus Mt. Hope High School, Bristol. Her most recent favorite work is as Grandma to John & Linda Rodolewicz Phia, Evie, and Robbie. up to 99 Janette Talento-Ley (Chorus) This is Janette’s second production with The Ellen Barnes Players. She appeared as Aida Gianelli in Over the River and Through the Carole Battaglia Woods. She attended Trinity Rep Conservatory; studied acting at the Herbert John Bergmark Berghof Studio in New York City. Janette’s claim to fame: being cast in the first Dr & Mrs Art Canestrari staged reading for Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Paula Vogel’s And Baby Nancy & Ralf Carriuolo Makes Seven. She auditioned (remotely) for The Year of Magical Thinking while Eva-Maria Coffey battling Covid. Thanks to Pat Hawkridge and this magnificent cast and crew of Sara (Sally) Collette women. What a privilege! Deborah & William Das Michael DeGrandpre Alma J. Fontana Mimi Freeman Rose & John Goltman MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR Meg Gousie OUR 113th SEASON! Richard & Jan Grant Shirley Harrison The Murder Room A Raisin in the Sun Judie Knilans by Jack Sharkey by Lorraine Hansberry Mary Kollar Joyce & Rick LaBanca Directed by Mike Daniels Directed by Jonathan Pitts-Wiley Marcia A. Layden October 8,9,10 & 15,16,17 March 18,19,20 & 25,26,27 Linda Monchik Joseph & Patricia Mundy Native Gardens It Shoulda Been You Joan Murray by Karen Zacharias Music by Barbara Anselmi Amanda O’Bannon Directed by Joan Dillenback Book and Lyrics Susan Orban December 3,4,5 & 10,11,12 by Brian Hargrove Judith Queen Directed by Michael Maio Ed & Maria Rondeau Ripcord Musical Direction Mary D. Sharp by David Lindsay-Abaire by Joseph Carvalho Shelley Trager Jimmy & Harriet Wrenn Directed by Karen Besson May 13,14,15 & 20,21,22 Assistant Director Sharon Carpentier Jean & Gary Zunda January 28,29,30 & February 4,5,6