Christopher Durang

The IRC’s Mission is to bring classic absurdist theatre to an international audience in the Philadelphia region. These rarely-produced, renowned plays explore and illuminate the human purpose and meaning, promoting reflection about the human condition in a contemporary world. Our dedicated group of artists invites you to explore with us these questions and share the word with friends; since 2006, a loyal IRC audience has been built largely through word of mouth.

PRODUCTIONS 2019 Dream Girl by Elmer Rice Betty’s Summer Vacation by Christopher Durang Come Back, Little Sheba by William Inge 2018 Time Remembered (Leocadia) by Jean Anouilh The Eccentricities of a Nightingale by Tennessee Williams 2017 The Enchanted by Jean Giraudoux Into the Absurd: Reading of The Witnesses by Tadeusz Różewicz Into the Absurd: Reading of A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur by Tennessee Williams The Bald Soprano by Eugène Ionesco 2016 The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol Into the Absurd: Reading of The American Dream by Edward Albee Into the Absurd: Readings of The Radio Plays of Beckett and Pinter The Chairs by Eugène Ionesco 2015 Misalliance by George Bernard Shaw Exit the King by Eugène Ionesco All in the Timing by David Ives 2014 Ondine by Jean Giraudoux Rhinoceros by Eugène Ionesco A Streetcar Named Durang by Christopher Durang 2013 Paradise Park by Charles L. Mee The Castle by Franz Kafka 2012 Marriage: An Utterly Improbable Occurrence by Nikolai Gogol Ivona, Princess of Burgundia by Witold Gombrowicz 2011 The Empire Builders by Boris Vian The Arsonists (The Firebugs) by Max Frisch 2010 The Gnädiges Fraulien by Tennessee Williams The Madwoman of Chaillot by Jean Giraudoux 2009 The Lesson by Eugène Ionesco The Chairs by Eugène Ionesco 2008 Oh! For the Love of Love!: Durang, Beckett & Ionesco A Streetcar Named Durang: The Parodies of Christopher Durang 2007 Victims of Duty by Eugène Ionesco

Four of a Kind: Pinter, Durang, Beckett & Ionesco 2006 Three One Acts: Albee, Beckett & Ionesco June 2019 Over 70% of our funding from our $100K annual budget comes Welcome! from audience and individual supporters. Every penny of your donation is placed in service of these adventures, which you clearly A colleague first introduced me to Betty’s Summer Vacation 10 see expressed on this stage – the set, costumes and lighting and the years ago. At that time, four years into the IRC’s existence, we were characters and crew working within this small theater budget to busy mining the European absurdist writers and developing our make this happen. Your contributions have a huge impact on this aesthetic, so Betty was placed on our short list. Over the three tiny theater company and over the years have enabled us to expand years since the election, when it felt like the world changed our programming as the region’s purveyors of absurdist style. So overnight, we have been searching for plays that illustrate the thank you. We tip our handmade hats to you. exasperation, the sense of annihilation, the discontent and the overall exhaustion we have come to know. Betty’s place on the short list quickly jumped to the top spot.

Since its inception in 2006, the IRC has tested, explored and fashioned a way of working -- a unique business model as quirky as the artistic statement is. Captured beautifully in the film Phantom Tina Brock Thread, I was reminded of the beauty of the labor-intensive hand Producing Artistic Director crafted process -- cutting and sewing to specifics, adding feathers, The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy sequins and flourishes, simplifying, cutting and trimming as the creation progresses. Working over a longer period allows the needed breathing room, providing a luxury of time necessary to explore the aspects that bring us joy, and the breath that renders SPECIAL THANKS the whole process meaningful and instructive. The return on investment is the joy of working and growing with spirited artists -- Victor Keen and Jeanne Ruddy performers, designers and audience who appreciate that Greg Campbell handcrafted feel of the work that comes from many hours devoted Erica Hoelscher to a labor of love. There simply isn’t enough money in the world Robin Rodriguez that can sustain that experience or feeling, and that alone makes it Peggy Mecham all worthwhile. I am indebted to the designers and performers on Marcia Ferguson this show who certainly gave this production tenfold more in sweat Kyle Amick and Kathyrn McCumber, Walnut Street Theatre equity than the paychecks they earned. Christopher Durang: thank Ben Doranz you for your many years of creating plays about our absurd Avista Custom Theatrical Services existence that feature delicious highly-charged characters we all Gerald Kolpan - The Philo Project recognize and love to see in a room together. Brandi Burgess and The Bearded Ladies/Beard Cave

Mark your calendars for Fringe 2019 in September, when we present William Inge’s Come Back, Little Sheba at the evocative Bethany Mission Gallery. Continuing in 2020, we’ll interpret works by Caryl Churchill, Enda Walsh and Tennessee Williams as we explore the absurdity lurking beneath and on the surface of our everyday lives, exploring how ridiculous, beautiful and intertwined our relationships are in an anxiety-ridden world.

(continued on inside back cover) CONTRIBUTORS

Water Wings Betty’s Summer Vacation $1.00 - $49.99 by

Oleg Brovender Gianna-Lozzi Wolf Christopher Durang Timothy P. Carey William Mulherin Donald Carter Lee Saldinger Directed by Sandra Chaff Lois Shestack Tina Brock Joy Gorson Jamie Shuster Jimmy Guckin Diane Zilka Jeanette Hartunian Michael Zuckerman Scenic Design Dirk Durossette E Ashley Izard Costume Design Millie Hiibel

The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium Lighting Design Board of Directors Joshua L. Schulman Tina Brock Norman Ellman Sound Design Melissa Feliciani Adrianno Shaplin

Erica Hoelscher Stage Manager/Board Operator Bob Schmidt Madison Caudullo Artistic Advisory Board Andrew J. Carroll Set Construction Marcia Ferguson Stage Rats, LLC: Peggy Mecham Technical Director Amanda Schoonover Tom Fusco Advisory Committee Set Construction/Scenic Painting Ben Doranz Andrew Robinson & Jessica Rottkamp Susan Feagin (Ex Officio) Gail Furman Properties Greg Nanni Tina Brock & Mark Williams

Robin Rodriguez Ways and Means Coordinator Larry Wilkins (Ex Officio) Bob Schmidt

Photoshop Magic Bill Brock

Photography PO Box 63872 Johanna Austin / AustinArt.org Philadelphia, PA 19147

www.IdiopathicRidiculopathyConsortium.org Betty’s Summer Vacation is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. CONTRIBUTORS Betty’s Summer Vacation by Life Bouy $100.00 - $249.99 Christopher Durang Eliud Alvarado Rodriguez Michael Lynch Mary Ashley Peggy Mecham Herman and Madeline Axelrod Bill and Vikki Monaghan Cast of Characters Harry F. Bambrick Jane Moore Betty……………………………..…...... Kirsten Quinn Robert and Donna Castle James Perretta Trudy…………………………………………………………Amanda Schoonover * John and Alberta Chiaravalloti James Pritchett & Frances White Keith…………………………………………………………………Anthony Crosby John and Theresa D'Alonzo Kathleen Quinn Mrs. Seizmagraff…….……………………………………….……..…Tina Brock Elizabeth Denton Philip Reeves

Buck………………………..…………………………………….………..Chris Fluck Donald & Geraldine Duclow Christopher and Jennifer Rule Neil and Mercedez Durkin Carla Sarett Mr. Vanislaw……..……………………………………………………….Bill Rahill James Frazier Anita Schmukler Voice One.……………………………………………………………Josh Hitchens Gail Furman Gary Swisher Voice Two…..………………………………………………………Kassy Bradford Andrew and Myrna Gentsch Albert Them & Jane Rutledge Voice Three…………………………………………………..………Carlos Forbes Michael Golden & Shelley Green Stephen and Mrs. Johnne Tint Mary L. Goldman & Debbie Weiner Robert J. Wallner Running time is approximately 85 minutes, Anna Goldstein David and Renee Weisband with no intermission. Margaret Harris David Wierz Roberta Kangilaski Colin Wolfe and Debbie Aguruso Marta Kiesling Ekaterina Zalenskaya

Betty’s Summer Vacation is made possible, in part, by generous support Michael and Barbara Lefkoe Susan Zawislak

from Wyncote Foundation; The Philadelphia Cultural Fund; The Charlotte Cushman Foundation; The Virginia Brown Martin Fund of The Philadelphia Life Jacket Foundation; The Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program of the $50.00 - $99.99

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, funded by the Commonwealth of Charles & Donna Barksdale Fred Jackes & Judy Adamson Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, with support also provided by PECO and administered regionally by the Greater Philadelphia Nancy Berenson Justine Kalas Reeves Cultural Alliance; Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, and by the Alan and Ronnie Bronstein Fred & Carol Kueppers generosity of you, our loyal and growing audience -- over 70% of our annual Cynthia D'Ambrosio & John Ianacone Denise La Marra & Mark Wilhelm budget is generated through ticket sales and individual donations. Thomas and Deborah Davis Joan Lapayowker Jesse Delaney Moe and Sandy Lebo Marcia Ferguson Ruth Levikoff Restrooms are located on this floor, Mary Frantz Nadine Lomakin at the end of the hallway. Gertrude D. Furman Margaret Lonzetta Stephen Geraci Brett Mapp and Morgan Hugo Roseann Gill Bob and Nancy Megley The IRC is a proud participant in the Barrymore Awards for Robert Gorchov Antonio Merenda Excellence in Theatre, a program of Theatre Philadelphia Julia Baylor Harton Kirsten Quinn & Ari Bank www.theatrephiladelphia.org Jean R. Haskell Ismail & Sara Rabinovic Thomas and Maureen Herninko Nanette Steffenhagen *Member Actors Equity Association Charlotte Humenuk Bertram and Lynne Strieb A. Ron Hunter Kathy Treftz

CAST CONTRIBUTORS Kassy Bradford (Voice Two) is ecstatic to be Hovercraft returning to The IRC after last season’s Eccentricities $1000.00 & above of a Nightingale. She is a proud member of Plays and

Wyncote Foundation Players’ resident theater company, Once More Tina Brock Theatre. As well as acting, Kassy has stage managed Victor Keen and Jeanne Ruddy and costumed productions with The Irish Heritage The Philadelphia Cultural Fund Theatre including By the Bog of Cats and Da. She’d The Philo Project like to thank Peggy Mecham and Tina Brock for the Anonymous constant inspiration and amazing opportunities. The Charlotte Cushman Foundation Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Tina Brock (Mrs. Seizmagraff, Director, IRC The Virginia Brown Martin Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation Producing Artistic Director) is a co-founder of Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium. Since 1991, PECO Tina has directed and produced 50+ stage Andy Lamas & Ginny Vanderslice productions in Philadelphia, and has appeared as a Bob Schmidt performer on stage and in regional and national Erica Hoelscher commercials, television and film in the Barton & Jessica McBride Philadelphia/New York markets, including hoisting The William Penn Foundation Matching Gift Program the fundraising flag at local PBS affiliate WHYY- Ed and Anne Koper Wagner TV12/91FM. 2018 Barrymore Award, Supporting Mary Ashley Performance, By the Bog of Cats, Irish Heritage Theater. For IRC: The Todd B. and Barabara C. Hilsee Foundation Broad Street Review: Best Philadelphia-area Theater of 2018: The Steven Peitzman Eccentricities of a Nightingale; Philadelphia Theatre Critic’s Awards Askold Zagars & Marie Feehan 2018: Honorable Mention, Supporting Actress, Time Remembered; Philadelphia Theatre Critic’s Awards 2017: Honorable Mention: Actress, The Bald Soprano; Supporting Actress, By the Bog of Cats. Rescue Team 2016: Honorable Mention, Actress, Director – Ionesco’s The Chairs. $500.00 - $999.99 Phindie Best of 2016: Honorable Mention: Ionesco’s The Chairs: Pat and Stacey Bishop Stephen Platt & Robin Schaufler Direction, Female Performance, Best Production. DC Metro Arts Best Benjamin Doranz Robin and Joseph Rodriguez of 2016: Direction, Ionesco’s The Chairs; Performance, Ionesco’s The Norman and Carolyn Ellman Judith Wooldridge Chairs. Many thanks to Christopher Durang for his brilliance, Betty Andy Lamas & Ginny Vanderslice designers, cast and crew, and to the IRC staff and board, who keep the light shining at IRC central. For Liam. Life Guard $250.00 - $499.99 Anthony Crosby (Keith) is a Barrymore nominated theatre artist and a founding company Philip Alperson & Mary Hawkesworth Jeanne George member of Die-Cast. Recent credits include Ilium Fred Allen Barfoot Mark Mendenhall Was (Troy Foundry Theatre & Die-Cast) and Three Louis Bluver Michael Nailor Sisters (Hedgerow Theatre). anthony-crosby.com Noel Carroll & Sally Banes Phyllis Priester Stephen Duskin & Jennifer Berke Levin Marc Scheiner Susan Feagin Bob and Pat Schmidt Chris Fluck (Buck) is totally stoked to be returning to the IRC where he last appeared in A Street Car Named Durang. A graduate of Northampton Community College and Temple University, Chris has worked as a professional actor in Philadelphia for 15 years. Selected theatre credits include: Goodlack in Fair Maid of the West Part One (Philadelphia Artists Collective); Ariel in The Pillowman and Sam in Grace (Luna Theatre Company). When he’s not on stage he can be found teaching Hot Yoga throughout the Philadelphia region. Chris would like to thank Tina and the rest of the amazing cast and crew of Betty for an awesome, radical blast of a time! Love to Sara, Evan, family, friends and students. Ari Benjamin Bank is an educator, an activist, an Carlos Forbes (Voice Three) is thrilled to be altruist, a dog-walker extraordinaire, and an returning to the IRC stage for this production after previously performing in last season's Eccentricities independent candidate running for President of the of a Nightingale. He is a graduate of the Community United States of America. In Ari's world, all people are College of Philadelphia and will attend Temple equal, and everyone should be provided high-quality University this Fall where he'll study Theatre. When education, affordable healthcare, and good job not performing on stage, Carlos can be found working behind the scenes running lights/sound or opportunities for upward mobility. stage managing. He has been most recently seen Strong social programs to performing in Wet, or Isabella the Pirate Queen provide food, clothing, housing, Enters the Horse Latitudes with Once More Theatre. Other recent performance credits include The Women of Ireland (Irish Heritage heat, and clean water are essential. Theatre), Every(one) (OMT), and R.U.R/The Insect Play (OMT). The protection and welfare of Thank you to the IRC for this wonderful opportunity, to the talented animals is also one of his cast for their inspiring work, and much love to his family and friends. Catch him in the IRC’s September show Come Back, Little Sheba. missions; in fact, Ari seriously considers having a pig as his running Josh Hitchens (Voice One) is a Philadelphia mate, or a sea mammal, or maybe an elephant. Ari is based director, actor, playwright, and poet. Favorite directing credits include Mercury Fur (BrainSpunk someone who shows true compassion and concern for Theater), Hedda Gabler (Physick House), And Then every person he meets, and if elected President, he will There Were None (Allens Lane), and the 20th listen closely to the American people, listen to what they anniversary production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (ReTheater). He has performed his acclaimed want, to what they need, and then work his ass off to play The Confession of Jeffrey Dahmer in sold out make it happen, until his spaceship picks him up to runs at Jersey Fringe and Philly Theatre Week, and the travel back to his home planet. show also received its Canadian premiere in 2018 in a co-production by Theatre Outre and Theatre BSMT. Josh's other solo plays include the autobiographical Ghost Stories as well as adaptations www.facebook.com/2020ari of Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol,

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. H e has been the Creative Director at the historic Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion COMING SOON FROM THE IRC: since 2010, and is also the artistic director of Going Dark Theatre, which is dedicated to bringing contemporary and classic works of horror to the ______stage. This fall, Josh will be appearing in the David Lynch inspired Red Lodge Montana for Philly Fringe, directing Oscar Wilde's Salome at the The Into the Absurd Reading Series Returns! Maxwell Mansion, and co-directing the Philly premiere of Dave Malloy's musical Ghost Quartet for Going Dark. Many thanks to Tina Monday, October 28 at 7:00 pm and this incredible cast, and love always to Jacob. joshhitchens.weebly.com L’Etage Cabaret Kirsten Quinn (Betty) is thrilled to be back ______working with The IRC after having appeared in Rhinoceros, The Castle, The Arsonists, The Empire Happy Holidays from The Raw Onion Builders, and Madwoman of Chaillot along with several staged readings and The Onion. Kirsten holds December 2019 an M.F.A. from the University of Pittsburgh (Acting) L’Etage Cabaret and is an Associate Professor of Theatre at CCP. In addition to her work with the IRC, she has also ______performed in plays at the Wilma, the Lantern, The Irish Heritage Theatre, Isis Productions, The PAC, Ego Po Classic, Seagull Productions, InterAct, The Eagle Theatre, The Eternal Spiral The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium’s Project (founder), Center City Theatre Works, Walking Fish, New City 2020 Season: Stage, Montgomery Theatre, The Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Luna Theatre, Dan Hodge's Independence Shakespeare, and many others. Kirsten recently won the Phindie Critics' Award for Best Actor (Female) Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill for Molly Sweeney (2016-2017 Season). She was nominated along with the rest of the Ensemble for a Barrymore Award for Ego Po's The February 2020 Seagull (The show won best overall production of the year). Thank you Bethany Mission Gallery to Tina and this amazing team. Love to Mom, T, Lauren, Fran, Rich, family and friends and special love to the greatest husband in the world, ~ Ari Ben. Next up...Woman and Scarecrow with IHT. The New Electric Ballroom by Enda Walsh Bill Rahill (Mr. Vanislaw) is delighted to be June 2020 making his debut with The IRC. Favorite roles include Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 3 'Kinley' in Iron Age Theatre Company's production of Tunnel, performed at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ (written and directed by Randall Wise and Johns Two Character Play by Tennessee Williams Doyle); 'Shep' in Maroons: the Anthracite Gridiron, which was written by his good friend Ray Saraceni; September 2020 and 'Erie' in South Camden Theatre Company's Philadelphia Fringe Festival production of Hughie by Eugene O'Neil in NYC. Bill was also a member of the 2007 Barrymore-winning Bethany Mission Gallery ensemble of Theatre Exile's Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet and directed by Matt Pfeiffer. More recently, Bill was a Barrymore nominee for Best Supporting Actor in Interact Theatre's production of Down AUTHOR Past Passyunk by A. Zell Williams, also directed by Matt Pfeifer. Love to Rajai and Kathryn. In memory of my mother, Marie, my brother Christopher Ferdinand Durang is Tom, and my love, Sharon. an American playwright known for

works of outrageous and often absurd Amanda Schoonover (Trudy) is a proud comedy, whose plays include: A History member of the Artistic Advisory Board here at the of the American Film (Tony nomination, IRC! She is a two-time Barrymore Award recipient Best Book of a Musical, 1978), The and 9 time nominee as well as being a Jilline Ringle Actor’s Nightmare, Sister Mary Solo Performance Program Artist in Residence at Ignatius Explains It All For You (Obie 1812 Productions and an F. Otto Haas Emerging award, Off Broadway, 1981-83), Beyond Artist Finalist. Regional: Arden; Exile; Azuka; Therapy (on Broadway in 1982, with People's Light; Theatre Horizon; Bristol Riverside; Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow), Baby Pig Iron; Luna; Lantern, Juniper, The Eagle Theatre, with the Bathwater (Playwrights EgoPo and Simpatico. Some of her favorite roles Horizons, 1983), The Marriage of Bette include Dottie in Killer Joe by Tracy Letts at Exile, Minnie in The and Boo (Public Theatre, 1985; Obie Terrible Girls by Jacqueline Goldfinger at Azuka and Phaedra in award, Dramatists Guild Hull Warriner Phaedra’s Love by Sarah Kane at Svaha. Film/Television: Do No Harm Award), Laughing Wild (Playwrights Horizons, 1987), (NBC opposite Phylicia Rashad) and M. Night Shyamalan's Glass. Durang/Durang (an evening of six plays at Manhattan Theatre Club, When not performing, Amanda and photographer Kate Raines are often 1994, including the Tennessee Williams’ parody, For Whom the stirring up trouble with their photo series that celebrates the bodies of Southern Belle Tolls), Sex and Longing (Lincoln Center Theatre older women using dark fantasy imagery. She appeared on Cosmo and production at the Cort Theatre, 1996, starring Sigourney Weaver), Jezebel when their project garnered national notoriety. Look for her Betty's Summer Vacation (1999) Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas this fall in Red Lodge, Montana: a love letter to film maker David Lynch. Binge (2002) Miss Witherspoon (2005), and Why Torture Is Wrong, Follow her on Instagram @amandabethschoonover and the People Who Love Them (2009). Most recently, his play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won the Tony Award for Best Play in CREW 2013.

Madison Caudullo (Stage Manager, Board Operator) is a Philadelphia-based actor, improviser, and manager of mischief with a Follow the Ridiculopathy… join Our Mailing List! B.A. in Theatre Arts from Arcadia University. Upcoming: Lotta, Knock 'Em Dead (Raw Street Productions). Recent credits include: Laurel, Mirror Mirror, Susan, [title of show], CB's Sister, Dog Sees God, Dana, Right Behind (Raw Street Productions), Petite, Midway, and Cathy, a brief theory of the cosmos (Arcadia University). Thanks to Tina, Bob, cast, and production team for their hard work and dedication. Visit Us At:

Dirk Durossette (Scenic Design) Off -Broadway scene designs www.IdiopathicRidiculopathyConsortium.org

Come Back, Millie Hiibel (Costume Design) is a Philadelphia based costume designer for dance, theater, opera and film. She is thrilled to be part of this team, working on this crazy play. Other collaborations include: (NYC) New Victory Theater, Village Theatre. (Regional) Philadelphia Little Sheba Theater Company, Arden Theatre Company, The Wilma Theater, Cape by May Playhouse, The Playhouse Square, Bristol Riverside, Enchantment Theatre Company, Delaware Theater Company, Lantern Theater William Inge Company and many more. Millie has been twice nominated for Philadelphia’s Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theater, and was a 2007 F. Otto Haas finalist. She has also received multiple grants including the prestigious Independence Foundation Fellowship to study traditional puppet design and performance in Prague. In addition to freelance design, Millie is the costume director for Opera Philadelphia as well as adjunct professor at University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University.

Bob Schmidt (IRC Ways and Means Coordinator) is a co- founder of The IRC, and has appeared in many productions since the company's inception in 2006. Many thanks to the cast and crew for their time, talent and dedication, and to you for supporting The IRC!

Joshua L. Schulman (Lighting Design) was the 2008 winner of the Barrymore Award for his lighting of Art at Delaware Theatre Company. He was also a 2009 Barrymore Award nominee for his lighting of Rock ‘N’ Roll at the Wilma Theatre. Regionally Joshua has designed at People’s Light and Theatre, Wilma Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company. Joshua was also the lighting The Philadelphia Fringe Festival director for the Hidden City Festival in 2009. Other companies that Joshua has worked for include Azuka Theatre, InterAct Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, Flashpoint Theatre Company, Media Theatre September 3-22, 2019 Company, Theatre West Virginia, Seven Stages (Atlanta), Rebecca Davis Dance Company, in addition to many others. Joshua was also the programmer for both the relighting of Boat House Row along the The Bethany Mission Gallery Schuylkill River as well as the Cira Centre. Joshua lives in South Philadelphia with his wife, Karen and their son, Elijah. Education: MFA Tickets: LittleSheba.bpt.me Boston University, BA Washington College. www.jlsld.com

Adriano Shaplin (Sound Design) is a Barrymore award-winning

sound designer. He has designed sound for Annie Wilson (At Home with the Humorless Bastard, Lovertits), Applied Mechanics (We Are Bandits, Some Other Meddle), Quintessence Theater Group (The Wild Duck, Saint Joan), Berserker Residents (It’s So Learning), Chris Davis Full Moon Rallye 68

(Bortle 8), Mary Tuomanen (Hello! Sadness!), Orbiter 3 (I Am Not My Motherland, Breathe/Smoke), and many others. T o learn more about his work visit adrianoshaplin.com. Scavenger Hunt

Stage Rats L.L.C. (Set Construction) is a regional production company that brings professionals and students together to build and load in quality sets. Based out of Rowan University in Southern New Jersey we have produced sets for Gloucester County Community College (NJ), Ego Po Theater (PA), Luna Theater(PA), Tems’t Toss’d Productions (NY) Gloucester County Institute of Technology (NJ), and the Rowan University Opera Company (NJ). The Rats Crew includes Tom Fusco, Owner and Technical Director, Andrew Robinson, Set Design/Scene Painter and Jessica Rottkamp, Technical Director/Master Carpenter. www.stagerats.com

Mark Williams (Properties) is a local Props Master in the Philadelphia area, and IRC veteran. This will be Mark's 10th show with the company. He would like to thank all his friends in The IRC, and those who support the show. Saturday, July 20, 2019

______12:30 pm

Actors' Equity Association (AEA) was founded in Part scavenger hunt, part walking tour of the city: 1913 as the first of the American actor unions. Equity’s mission is to advance, promote and foster the art of live feed your curiosity, get in your daily steps, theatre as an essential component of our society. Today, and help raise funds for the IRC! Equity represents more than 40,000 actors, singers, dancers and stage managers working in hundreds of theatres across the United Proceeds from the event will support the IRC’s upcoming States. Equity members are dedicated to working in the theatre as a production of William Inge’s Come Back, Little Sheba profession, upholding the highest artistic standards. at The Bethany Mission Gallery, September 3 -22,

Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide for The 2019 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. range of benefits including health and pension plans for its members. Through its agreement with Equity, this theatre has Tickets and More Info: committed to the fair treatment of the actors and stage managers https://fullmoonrallye68.bpt.me employed in this production.

AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an Presented by Ed Wagner/www.ClubEdventures.com

international organization of performing arts unions. For more

information, visit www.actorsequity.org Adriano Shaplin (Sound Design) is a Barrymore award-winning

(Bortle 8), Mary Tuomanen (Hello! Sadness!), Orbiter 3 (I Am Not My Motherland, Breathe/Smoke), and many others. T o learn more about his work visit adrianoshaplin.com. Scavenger Hunt

______12:30 pm

AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an Presented by Ed Wagner/www.ClubEdventures.com

international organization of performing arts unions. For more

information, visit www.actorsequity.org Luna Theater, Theater Horizon, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater, Mum Puppet Theatre, Portland Opera (Maine), The Wilma Theater, The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium Temple Theaters, Temple Opera Theater, University of the Arts, Drexel presents University, Lawrence University (Wisconsin), Peabody Institute (Baltimore), West Chester University, Villanova University, The University of Memphis. M.F.A Temple University.

for Best Supporting Actor in Interact Theatre's production of Down AUTHOR Past Passyunk by A. Zell Williams, also directed by Matt Pfeifer. Love to Rajai and Kathryn. In memory of my mother, Marie, my brother Christopher Ferdinand Durang is Tom, and my love, Sharon. an American playwright known for

Dirk Durossette (Scenic Design) Off -Broadway scene designs www.IdiopathicRidiculopathyConsortium.org

include: The Outgoing Tide and Any Given Monday. He has designed Facebook: for Amaryllis Theater Company, Azuka Theater (Barrymore Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium Nomination-Skin and Bone), Act II Playhouse, Enchantment Theater Company, Theater Exile, 1812 Productions, Delaware Theatre Twitter: Company, EgoPo, Freedom Theater, Flashpoint Theater, InterAct IRCTheaterCo Theater Company, Lantern Theater (Barrymore Nomination-Skylight), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. H e has been the Creative Director at the historic Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion COMING SOON FROM THE IRC: since 2010, and is also the artistic director of Going Dark Theatre, which is dedicated to bringing contemporary and classic works of horror to the ______stage. This fall, Josh will be appearing in the David Lynch inspired Red Lodge Montana for Philly Fringe, directing Oscar Wilde's Salome at the The Into the Absurd Reading Series Returns! Maxwell Mansion, and co-directing the Philly premiere of Dave Malloy's musical Ghost Quartet for Going Dark. Many thanks to Tina Monday, October 28 at 7:00 pm and this incredible cast, and love always to Jacob. joshhitchens.weebly.com L’Etage Cabaret Kirsten Quinn (Betty) is thrilled to be back ______working with The IRC after having appeared in Rhinoceros, The Castle, The Arsonists, The Empire Happy Holidays from The Raw Onion Builders, and Madwoman of Chaillot along with several staged readings and The Onion. Kirsten holds December 2019 an M.F.A. from the University of Pittsburgh (Acting) L’Etage Cabaret and is an Associate Professor of Theatre at CCP. In addition to her work with the IRC, she has also ______performed in plays at the Wilma, the Lantern, The Irish Heritage Theatre, Isis Productions, The PAC, Ego Po Classic, Seagull Productions, InterAct, The Eagle Theatre, The Eternal Spiral The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium’s Project (founder), Center City Theatre Works, Walking Fish, New City 2020 Season: Stage, Montgomery Theatre, The Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Luna Theatre, Dan Hodge's Independence Shakespeare, and many others. Kirsten recently won the Phindie Critics' Award for Best Actor (Female) Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill for Molly Sweeney (2016-2017 Season). She was nominated along with the rest of the Ensemble for a Barrymore Award for Ego Po's The February 2020 Seagull (The show won best overall production of the year). Thank you Bethany Mission Gallery to Tina and this amazing team. Love to Mom, T, Lauren, Fran, Rich, family and friends and special love to the greatest husband in the world, ~ Ari Ben. Next up...Woman and Scarecrow with IHT. The New Electric Ballroom by Enda Walsh Bill Rahill (Mr. Vanislaw) is delighted to be June 2020 making his debut with The IRC. Favorite roles include Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 3 'Kinley' in Iron Age Theatre Company's production of Tunnel, performed at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ (written and directed by Randall Wise and Johns Two Character Play by Tennessee Williams Doyle); 'Shep' in Maroons: the Anthracite Gridiron, which was written by his good friend Ray Saraceni; September 2020 and 'Erie' in South Camden Theatre Company's Philadelphia Fringe Festival production of Hughie by Eugene O'Neil in NYC. Bill was also a member of the 2007 Barrymore-winning Bethany Mission Gallery ensemble of Theatre Exile's Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet and directed by Matt Pfeiffer. More recently, Bill was a Barrymore nominee Chris Fluck (Buck) is totally stoked to be returning to the IRC where he last appeared in A Street Car Named Durang. A graduate of Northampton Community College and Temple University, Chris has worked as a professional actor in Philadelphia for 15 years. Selected theatre credits include: Goodlack in Fair Maid of the West Part One (Philadelphia Artists Collective); Ariel in The Pillowman and Sam in Grace (Luna Theatre Company). When he’s not on stage he can be found teaching Hot Yoga throughout the Philadelphia region. Chris would like to thank Tina and the rest of the amazing cast and crew of Betty for an awesome, radical blast of a time! Love to Sara, Evan, family, friends and students. Ari Benjamin Bank is an educator, an activist, an Carlos Forbes (Voice Three) is thrilled to be altruist, a dog-walker extraordinaire, and an returning to the IRC stage for this production after previously performing in last season's Eccentricities independent candidate running for President of the of a Nightingale. He is a graduate of the Community United States of America. In Ari's world, all people are College of Philadelphia and will attend Temple equal, and everyone should be provided high-quality University this Fall where he'll study Theatre. When education, affordable healthcare, and good job not performing on stage, Carlos can be found working behind the scenes running lights/sound or opportunities for upward mobility. stage managing. He has been most recently seen Strong social programs to performing in Wet, or Isabella the Pirate Queen provide food, clothing, housing, Enters the Horse Latitudes with Once More Theatre. Other recent performance credits include The Women of Ireland (Irish Heritage heat, and clean water are essential. Theatre), Every(one) (OMT), and R.U.R/The Insect Play (OMT). The protection and welfare of Thank you to the IRC for this wonderful opportunity, to the talented animals is also one of his cast for their inspiring work, and much love to his family and friends. Catch him in the IRC’s September show Come Back, Little Sheba. missions; in fact, Ari seriously considers having a pig as his running Josh Hitchens (Voice One) is a Philadelphia mate, or a sea mammal, or maybe an elephant. Ari is based director, actor, playwright, and poet. Favorite directing credits include Mercury Fur (BrainSpunk someone who shows true compassion and concern for Theater), Hedda Gabler (Physick House), And Then every person he meets, and if elected President, he will There Were None (Allens Lane), and the 20th listen closely to the American people, listen to what they anniversary production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (ReTheater). He has performed his acclaimed want, to what they need, and then work his ass off to play The Confession of Jeffrey Dahmer in sold out make it happen, until his spaceship picks him up to runs at Jersey Fringe and Philly Theatre Week, and the travel back to his home planet. show also received its Canadian premiere in 2018 in a co-production by Theatre Outre and Theatre BSMT. Josh's other solo plays include the autobiographical Ghost Stories as well as adaptations www.facebook.com/2020ari of Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol,

Betty’s Summer Vacation is made possible, in part, by generous support Michael and Barbara Lefkoe Susan Zawislak

Water Wings Betty’s Summer Vacation $1.00 - $49.99 by

The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium Lighting Design Board of Directors Joshua L. Schulman Tina Brock Norman Ellman Sound Design Melissa Feliciani Adrianno Shaplin

Robin Rodriguez Ways and Means Coordinator Larry Wilkins (Ex Officio) Bob Schmidt

Photoshop Magic Bill Brock

Photography PO Box 63872 Johanna Austin / AustinArt.org Philadelphia, PA 19147

www.IdiopathicRidiculopathyConsortium.org Betty’s Summer Vacation is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. June 2019 Over 70% of our funding from our $100K annual budget comes Welcome! from audience and individual supporters. Every penny of your donation is placed in service of these adventures, which you clearly A colleague first introduced me to Betty’s Summer Vacation 10 see expressed on this stage – the set, costumes and lighting and the years ago. At that time, four years into the IRC’s existence, we were characters and crew working within this small theater budget to busy mining the European absurdist writers and developing our make this happen. Your contributions have a huge impact on this aesthetic, so Betty was placed on our short list. Over the three tiny theater company and over the years have enabled us to expand years since the election, when it felt like the world changed our programming as the region’s purveyors of absurdist style. So overnight, we have been searching for plays that illustrate the thank you. We tip our handmade hats to you. exasperation, the sense of annihilation, the discontent and the overall exhaustion we have come to know. Betty’s place on the short list quickly jumped to the top spot.

(continued on inside back cover) The IRC’s Mission is to bring classic absurdist theatre to an international audience in the Philadelphia region. These rarely-produced, renowned plays explore and illuminate the human purpose and meaning, promoting reflection about the human condition in a contemporary world. Our dedicated group of artists invites you to explore with us these questions and share the word with friends; since 2006, a loyal IRC audience has been built largely through word of mouth.

Four of a Kind: Pinter, Durang, Beckett & Ionesco 2006 Three One Acts: Albee, Beckett & Ionesco