January 8 - March 1540 N. 2nd St., Phila., PA 19106

By Aaron Posner, adapted from the novel by Chaim PotokDirected by Aaron Posner

Artistic Consultant Adena Potok

Arden Theatre Companypresents the

WORLD PREMIERE

By AARON POSNER, adapted from the novel by CHAIM POTOK

Arden Theatre Company presents

Directed by AARON POSNER

Arden Theatre Company receives state arts funding support through a grant from the PennsylvaniaCouncil on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the NationalEndowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

This play is the recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award.

Supported in part by an award from The National Endowment for the Arts

This play was developed with the support of PlayPenn, Paul Meshejian, Artistic Director.

My Name is Asher Lev adapted by Aaron Posner from the novel by Chaim Potok was commissioned by Arden Theatre Company.

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the U.S.

January 8 - March 15, 2009

Sound Designer JAMES SUGG

DramaturgMICHELE VOLANSKY

Assistant DirectorADRIENNE MACKEY

Scenic DesignerDAN CONWAY

Costume DesignerALISON ROBERTS

Lighting DesignerTHOM WEAVER

Stage ManagerALEC E. FERRELL*

Media Sponsor:

Artistic ConsultantADENA POTOK

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Applause, please, for our Media Partners:

CastingAMY DUGAS BROWN and STEPHANIE KLAPPER CSA

MY NAME IS ASHER LEV

Honorary ProducersCAROLE HAAS GRAVAGNO

VIRGINIA AND HARVEY KIMMEL ARTS EDUCATION FUND

Welcome.

The Arden’s mission is to tell great stories by great storytellers and, for thepast twenty years, literary adaptations have been a cornerstone of our work.Never was the process of bringing a novel to the stage more exciting than in1999 when Chaim Potok and Aaron Posner worked together to adaptChaim’s classic novel The Chosen. Not only was their play embraced by ouraudiences here in Philadelphia, but The Chosen continues to be produced attheatres across the country. On opening night, Chaim gave Amy and me asigned copy of My Name Is Asher Lev saying,“This should be the next one.”Thus, in 2005, when we launched the Arden’s commissioning program, itseemed fitting that one of our first commissions be to Aaron to adapt thatvery book

A commission is our investment in a new play. Michael Hollinger likens commissioning to plantingseeds (or bulbs in the case of Tulipomania, a new musical we commissioned from Michael and composer Michael Ogborn about the 17th century Dutch tulip bulb craze). With a commission, weinvest in the play and the playwright. I think commissions will play an increasingly important role inthe artistic future of this theatre.

Commissions also provide an opportunity to work with extraordinary new writers and therebyexpand our artistic reach. In addition to Aaron and “the Michaels”, we have commissioned plays fromJordan Harrison and Rogelio Martinez, two up-and-coming playwrights whose work we greatly admire. More seeds.

Our thanks to the Independence Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and to theEdgerton Foundation for their generous investment in this production. New plays can be risky andexpensive. They need workshops (our version of research and development) and sufficient rehearsaltime, which the Edgerton Award specifically supports. Yet bringing a new play to life is the mostexciting work we do here at the Arden. When everything comes together, nothing is more rewarding.

I am grateful that we have an audience who is willing to embrace new work and proud to be part ofa community that is dedicated to the creation of new work. Thank you for being part of this worldpremiere production. With this new play, we are thrilled to return to the world of Chaim Potok andto welcome Aaron back to the Arden. Enjoy.

Terry

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WELCOME FROM THE PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTORp

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Terrence J. Nolen

Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam Heller *

Asher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karl Miller*

Woman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabra Zackman*

UNDERSTUDIESMelissa Kolczynski, Douglas Overtoom, Peter Roccaforte

Arden Theatre Company is a professional company employing members of Actors’ Equity Association.*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the U.S.

Please check houseboards for program changes.Taking pictures and/or making visual or sound recordings is expressly forbidden.

The Arden operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association,the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits,including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an internationalorganization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org

Arden Theatre Company proudly participates in the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre,a program of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

CAST

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I started talking with Chaim Potok almost a decade ago about how his remarkablenovel, My Name Is Asher Lev, might work on stage. We’d just worked together on adapting his novel The Chosen, and I was excited to explore another of his masterworks. Like The Chosen, I find My Name Is Asher Lev to be intelligent, passionate, andmoving. Many think of it as his most emotionally autobiographical novel, and the factthat it is told in the first person and covers more than 20 years makes it a particularchallenge for adaptation.

I am thrilled to be finally bringing this journey to fruition with this production.

As a novelist, Chaim was engaged in exploring core conflicts: Conflicts within a family;within a community; and, very often, within an individual. He was deeply interested in

the way human beings of passion and commitment chart their unique and difficult paths through life. Andbecause his writings are equally rich in heart, mind and spirit, his stories have an extraordinary power tointrigue, illuminate, and inspire. I am sorry you could not all be there for the fascinating conversations ourexplorations have led to in rehearsals. It has been a pleasure and an education simply to get to spend suchsignificant time in Chaim’s unique universe.

I have also been honored to work closely with his wife, Adena Potok, on this adaptation and this production.After Chaim’s death in 2002, Adena and I picked up the conversation Chaim and I had begun about this amazing story, and it has been wonderful to have her be an integral part of the journey of bringing this bookfrom the page to the stage.

I would like to thank and acknowledge several other individuals who have been helpful during the development process as well. In addition to the actors and designers whose name you see elsewhere in theprogram who are part of this iteration, I would also like to thank actors Jesse Bernstein, Kathryn Peterson,David Ingram, Suzanne O’Donnell and Eric Hissom, director Danny Goldstein, Paul Meshejian and his wonderful PlayPenn operation where we did a great workshop, and the many others who have offered helpfulcomments and suggestions. This play operates just a little bit differently than anything I have ever done, and ithas been a fun and fascinating process of discovery.

I would also like the thank the entire extended Arden Theatre family: Terry and Amy, of course; the excellentstaff; the passionate board; the many exceptional artists and technicians; and the ever-generous funders,including my good friends Carole Haas Gravagno and Virginia and Harvey Kimmel, who are honorary co-producers, and the Independence Foundation whose support over many years has been so extraordinary.

I am honored to be among the first playwrights commissioned by the Arden, and it has been wonderful tocome home to the Arden for this production.

Last, but far from least, I would like to dedicate this play and this production to my parents, Michael andSharon Posner, on the occassion of their 50th wedding anniversary. Obviously, I owe them everything, and Iam eternally grateful.

Thank you for being here and being a part of it.

Warmly,

Aaron Posner

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DIRECTOR/ADAPTOR’S NOTES

Aaron Posner

Carole Haas Gravagnoand

Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund

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We are honored to serve as Honorary Producers of My Name Is Asher Lev,adapted and directed by Aaron Posner. We are sure that many of youhave fond memories of The Chosen, which Aaron adapted alongside thelate Chaim Potok to critical and audience acclaim in 1999. All three of ushave a tremendous amount of respect for Aaron’s work, particularly on thatplay, and we are grateful for all the work he has done to help make theArden the theatre it is today.

Carole remembers that after The Chosen opened, she told Aaron that he must do Asher Lev next. Nearly tenyears have gone by, but it has been well worth the wait. Carole had the opportunity to attend a public reading of Asher Lev last year at the Arden. If there had been any lingering doubts about the chance for success (and really, how could there have been?), that reading sealed the deal. Aaron had done it again. He’dadapted a great novel into another great new play that fully conveys Chaim Potok’s original intent. Like hisnovel, the show you are about to see has beautiful language, a stirring main character, and it is, indeed, agreat story.

For Harvey and Virginia, Aaron has always been someone they have admired as a playwright, a director, anda friend. He was one of the first to help them participate in the Philadelphia theatre community. His commitment to his work is unsurpassed. The energy with which he surrounds all of us enriches all our lives.So too shall this production.

My Name Is Asher Lev is a classic coming-of-age tale. It is a story about art, about family, and—like the bestArden stories—about a community. How wonderful that all of us get to see it come to life on stage at theArden, under the direction of Aaron Posner, one of this theatre’s founders and still a lifelong member of ourArden Family Tree.

Enjoy the show!

—Carole Haas Gravagno and Virginia and Harvey Kimmel, Honorary Producers

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

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DAN CONWAY (Scenic Designer) At the Arden, anddirected by Mr. Posner: Franklin’s Apprentice, ThePavillion, and Crime and Punishment. Recent projectsinclude: the premiere of David Adjmi’s Stunning forThe Woolly Mammoth Theatre; the premiere ofMarsha Norman and Jason Robert Brown’s Trumpet ofthe Swan for The Kennedy Center; The Giver for TheASOLO Theatre; Radio Golf for The Studio Theatre; andMacBeth as directed by Mr. Posner and Teller for TheTwo River Theatre and The Folger Theatre.

ALISON ROBERTS (Costume Design) is in her ninthseason as Arden’s Costume Supervisor. She has a BA inTheatre Arts from Rowan University and an MFA inCostume Design and Technology from Illinois StateUniversity. In addition to her staff position, she hasdesigned costumes for The Pavilion, Northeast Local,Proof, Franklin’s Apprentice, The Underpants, Dancing atLughnasa, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Assassins and ThePiano Lesson. She has worked as a freelance artist forcompanies including Theatre Exile, 1812 Productionsand Jeanne Ruddy Dance.

THOM WEAVER (Lighting Designer) now happilymakes his home in Philadelphia. Recent projects: Frogand Toad (Two River), Two Rooms (Lion Theatre, NY),Five Fingers of Funk (Children’s Theatre Company),Twelfth Night (Cal Shakes), Eleanor and Pageant Play(BTF), Aaron Posner and Teller’s Macbeth (Two River,Folger), and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (CENTER-STAGE). Other: Two River Theatre, Syracuse Stage,Berkshire Theatre Festival, Williamstown, DelawareTheatre Company, Spoleto Festival USA, City Theatre,Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Yale Rep, and multiple off-Broadway productions. 2007 AUDELCO Award for KingHedley II (Signature Theatre, NY). Education: CarnegieMellon and Yale.

JAMES SUGG (Sound Designer) is an actor, sounddesigner, composer and 10 year member of Pig IronTheatre Company with whom he has created 10 original works. He has also worked with Seattle Rep,Actors Theater of Louisville, Folger Theater, The Wilma,the Arden, Headlong Dance Theater, Rainpan 43 andLucidity Suitcase Intercontinental amongst many others. His work has been recognized with fourBarrymores for Outstanding Sound Design, an Obie(Hell Meets Henry Halfway) and the F. Otto Haas Awardfor Emerging Theater Artist. He is the composer of themusicals A Murder, A Mystery And A Marriage (an adaptation by Aaron Posner of the short story byMark Twain), James Joyce is Dead and So Is Paris (PigIron), The Sea (an electric chamber opera) and CherryBomb.

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ADAM HELLER (Man) The Arden:Caroline, or Change. Broadway:Caroline, or Change; A Class Act;Victor/Victoria; Falsettos; Les Miserables.Off Broadway: Make Me a Song: TheMusic of William Finn (CD/ Ghostlight);Endgame; The Immigrant; Merrily WeRoll Along; Normal. National tours:

Titanic; Falsettos. Regional: Old Globe; Williamstown;Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration; Alley Theatre;Hartford Stage; Hartford Theaterworks; BarringtonStage; Goodspeed; Coconut Grove Playhouse. TV: TheSopranos (penultimate episode); Law & Order (all); Oz;Queens Supreme. Graduate: NYU/Tisch.

KARL MILLER (Asher) Off-Broadway:Alice in War (SPF ’07), columbinus(New York Theatre Workshop),Regional: The Lieutenant of Inishmore(Signature Theatre), Sometimes a GreatNotion (Portland Center Stage),Passion Play, a cycle (Arena Stage),Hamlet, The Seagull, Arcadia (Rep

Stage), The Tattooed Girl, Passing the Love of Women(Theatre J). He was twice nominated for the HelenHayes Award, Outstanding Lead Actor, and he is a resident company member of Rorschach Theatre inWashington, DC.

GABRA ZACKMAN (Woman)Regional: Love Song (CincinnatiPlayhouse in the Park);Metamorphoses (Hartford Stage,Missouri Rep, Florida Studio Theatre);Measure for Pleasure (FST); Three seasons with The Hudson ValleyShakespeare Festival including All’s

Well…, Twelfth Night, and Cymbeline; Midsummer Night’sDream (Stratford Theatre, CT); and Taming of the Shrew(Georgia Shakespeare, Nebraska Shakespeare). NY: Onthe Verge (John Houseman; Edinburgh); Train Story(Adam Rapp); new plays at Juilliard, Soho Rep, LincolnCenter Studio, Harold Clurman, Premiere Stages, LakeGeorge Theatre Lab and EST. Graduate of Northwesternand MFA from The Shakespeare Theatre’s ACA in DC.TV: Law and Order.

WHO’S WHO

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CHAIM POTOK (Author) (1929 –2002) was born in the Bronx toJewish immigrants from Poland.Potok’s years in an Orthodox house-hold and schooling through collegestood in stark conflict with the worldof literature and art that early captured his imagination. Later he

found in Conservative Judaism, with its emphasis onhistorical evolution of Jewish texts, an intellectualhome where his love of Judaism and of secular culturecould dynamically interact. Upon ordination he servedas a US Army chaplain serving 16 months in Korea inthe mid-50’s with combat medical and engineer battalions. In 1959 Potok and his young family first settled in Philadelphia where he was scholar in residence at Har Zion Temple and pursued a doctoratein philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania. Hewrote The Chosen in Jerusalem, the same year he wrotehis dissertation. In 1967 he became editor-in-chief ofthe Jewish Publication Society of Philadelphia. He taughtwriting at Johns Hopkins University and a popularcourse in philosophy to the Benjamin Franklin HonorsFellows at his alma mater. The Chosen was followed byother famous works such as The Promise, My Name IsAsher Lev and The Gift of Asher Lev. He also wrote playsand children’s literature in addition to non-fiction andshort stories.

AARON POSNER (Director/Playwright) is a co-founder and former Artistic Director of the Arden,and is currently the Artistic Directorof Two River Theater Company in RedBank, New Jersey. He has directedmore than 40 productions at theArden over the last 20+ years. He

received a Barrymore Award for his direction of AMidsummer Nights Dream which opened the F. OttoHaas Theatre in 1998, and one (with Chaim Potok) fortheir adaptation of The Chosen in 1999. Aaron hasworked as a director and playwright at major regionaltheatres including the Folger Shakespeare Theatre,Portland Center Stage, Seattle Rep, Arizona TheatreCompany, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, The AllianceTheatre, and many more. The Chosen, and his musical(with composer James Sugg), A Murder, A Mystery & AMarriage are published by Dramatists Play Service. Hehas won two Helen Hayes Awards, and is an EisenhowerFellow. He is married to actress, teacher, and four-timeBarrymore nominee, Erin Weaver. They live inMiddletown, NJ.

ADENA POTOK (Artistic Consultant) From the time ofher marriage to Chaim Potok in 1958 Adena was hisfirst reader and editor until his death in 2002. Shebrought to this role a broad and intensive Jewish background and a deep love and critical eye for writing.Her professional and communal life has been in thefields of social work, education, and theatre. She ischairperson of the Board of Theatre Ariel, Philadelphia’soldest Jewish theatre, and editor-in-chief of ThePhiladelphia Jewish Voice, a monthly online journal thataddresses the important social political and culturalissues facing the Jewish community. Adena served asartistic consultant to playwright/director Aaron Posnerfor My Name Is Asher Lev.

MICHELE VOLANKSY (Dramaturg) is an assistant professor of drama at Washington College. She servesas the dramaturg for the PlayPenn New PlayDevelopment Conference and has served as guest dramaturg at theaters across the country, in addition toher staff time at Actors Theatre of Louisville (1992-95),Steppenwolf Theatre Company (1995-2000) andPhiladelphia Theatre Company (2000-2004). She is arecipient of the Elliot Hayes Award for Dramaturgy anda past-President of LMDA. She is co-author, with BruceGraham, of The Collaborative Playwright. Volansky is alsoa doctoral candidate at the University of Hull (England),writing about the critics Kenneth Tynan and Frank Rich.

ADRIENNE MACKEY (Assistant Director) is a directorwhose body of work includes The Ballad of Joe Hill atEastern State Penitentiary, Echo (Phily Fringe), Recitatif(Philadelphia Live Arts), and most recently The GiantSquid. She has been awarded the CEC’s New EdgeResidency and the Independence Individual ArtistFellowship. For Mum Puppettheatre she adapted anddirected Master and Margarita and performed in theBarrymore nominated ensemble for Animal Farm.Look for Owning Up to the Corn at the CEC this January.

ALEC E. FERRELL (Stage Manager) is happy to bereturning to the Arden. Previous Arden work includesCandide (Asst. SM) and his Barrymore Award-deniedrole as Backstage Dog in Go, Dog. Go! Alec worked previously at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center andPennsylvania Youth Theatre. Graduate of AlbrightCollege with a B.A. in Theatre. Many thanks to the Ardenfor teaching an intern how to make a life in the theatre.

STEPHANIE KLAPPER (Casting) Klapper Casting’s workhas been seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally,internationally, on television and film, and heard onradio. Currently on Broadway: Horton Foote’s Dividingthe Estate. Selected recent Off-Broadway projectsinclude: A Dangerous Personality; Continuous City; King ofShadows; Frankenstein (the new musical); None of the

WHO’S WHO

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WHO’S WHO

Above; an oak tree. For Primary Stages numerous plays,most recently A Body of Water; Buffalo Gal; SomethingYou Did; and In the Continuum (NY, International andNational Tour), and TACT’s Bedroom Farce. NY Casting forMary Zimmerman’s The Arabian Nights (Berkeley Rep.and Kansas City Rep.) Mirror of the Invisible World(Goodman Theatre); The Blonde, The Brunette and theVengeful Redhead (Cincinnati Playhouse); Old WickedSongs (Vienna English Theatre). Ongoing projects forCapital Repertory Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company,Milwaukee Rep; Roundhouse Theatre; Virginia StageCompany, New Theatre, New York Classical Theatre;Clarence Brown Theatre, and Vermont Stage Company(amongst others). Numerous independent feature films.Ms. Klapper is a member of the Casting Society ofAmerica and the League of Professional TheatreWomen.

TERRENCE J. NOLEN (Producing Artistic Director) is theProducting Artistic Director and co-founder of ArdenTheatre Company. Favorite Arden productions includeall-Philadelphia casts of All My Sons, Death of aSalesman, The Grapes of Wrath and Hedda Gabler andsuch musicals as Sweeney Todd, Pacific Overtures,Falsettos, Violet and Caroline, or Change. Terry directedthe inaugural production of Arden Children's Theatre,Charlotte's Web. He has directed six world-premiereplays by Michael Hollinger, three by Dennis RaymondSmeal, and Michael Ogborn's Baby Case. Terry has beennominated for 19 Barrymore Awards for his directingwork at the Arden and received awards for The Baker’sWife, Sweeney Todd, Opus, Winesburg, Ohio andAssassins. He directed Michael Hollinger’s Opus atPrimary Stages in New York City and was nominated fora Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Director. Hisshort film The Personal Touch was nominated for anEmmy Award.

AMY L. MURPHY (Managing Director) A Philadelphianative, Amy co-founded the Arden in 1988 with TerryNolen and Aaron Posner. She is especially proud of theArden Professional Apprentice program and its contribution to the Philadelphia cultural community.A graduate of Susquehanna University, Amy receivedthe university’s first-ever Young Alumni AchievementAward. She completed the Executive Program forNonprofit Leaders-Arts which is a joint program of theStanford Graduate School of Business Center for SocialInnovation and National Arts Strategies. Amy hasserved on panels for the National Endowment for theArts, the New Jersey State Arts Council and theExecutive Committee of the League of ResidentTheatres (LORT). Amy was named a Hepburn Fellow2008-9 by the Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center atBryn Mawr College.

ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY Founded in 1988, ArdenTheatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life thegreatest stories by the greatest storytellers of all time.We stage five productions each season as part of ourmainstage series and two productions through ArdenChildren’s Theatre, the city’s first resident professionalchildren’s theatre program. We create and producenew work through our new-work development program, the Independence Foundation New PlayShowcase. The Arden Professional Apprenticeship program trains future theatre leaders, and our theatreclasses teach children and teens about the craft of making plays. Our access program, Arden For All,makes our work available to the entire communitythrough subsidized tickets and books for economically disadvantaged young people. We also offer sign language-interpreted, captioned and audio described performances and Pay-What-You-Can final dressrehearsals that benefit other nonprofits. The Ardenhas received six Philadelphia Magazine “Best of Philly”Awards, the Arts & Business Council’s Arts ExcellenceAward, five City Paper “Reader’s Choice” Awards, fourPhiladelphia Inquirer “Theatre Company of the Year”citations, and 44 awards and 211 nominations fromthe Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia’sBarrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. ArdenTheatre Company, a professional, nonprofit 501(c)(3)theatre company, is a member of the TheatreCommunications Group, the League of ResidentTheatres, the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia,Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, PhiladelphiaConvention and Visitors Bureau and Old City ArtsAssociation. The Arden operates under an agreementbetween the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actorsand Stage Managers in the United States. The Scenic,Costume, Lighting and Sound Designers in LORT theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists LocalUSA-829, IATSE.

SPECIAL THANKS• East End Salon • Ricola USA, Inc.• Lynn Rosen and Evan Schwartz and their sons

Cooper and Oren Schwartz (Arden Drama School students)

The Arden would like to extend special thanks to:Suzanne and Bill Becker

for opening their home to our artists.

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INTERVIEW WITH ADENA POTOK

We are fortunate to have Adena Potok, widow of author Chaim Potok, serving as the artistic consultant on ourproduction of My Name Is Asher Lev. Associate Artistic Director Amy Dugas Brown got the chance to sit downwith Adena (along with Arden’s five Professional Apprentices) during rehearsal to chat.

Amy: What was Chaim’s process on My Name Is Asher Lev? Was it an easy birth?

Adena: None of his novels was an easy birth but this one was something that he had been stewing in hismind for a long, long time. Back when he was a kid, about seven or so, in New York City, and this had to be in1936. Times weren’t so great. His family was by this time made uncomfortable financially because of thedepression. They had lost whatever money they had when the bank of North America failed. So, they werepulling themselves up. A man came around to the school yard where the kids where playing. He would standon his heels and look very bedraggled. He asked where the school office was. He was offering drawing lessonsfor, I think, a nickel a kid. Chaim’s family was very happy to get him off the street, because it was polio season.You had to be careful. Through these lessons, he found that he liked to draw.

As he drew more he graduated from line drawing to drawing cartoons and then paints – watercolors and oils.He shared his room with his brother. It smelled of turpentine and oils. It was not welcome. They didn’t knowthat it was poisonous then. And his father said “Enough of this. You are 12 years old getting on 13. You need tostart preparing for your Bar Mitzvah.” So Chaim gave it up and really didn’t do much drawing at all except forone or two (pieces) in the course of years – one when he was at college, and one maybe when he was at theseminary.

I met him as a painter on the basketball court of the camp where we were both division heads and bunk counselors. He had the day off and I had my kids up there for a hot game of dodge ball. And I saw him painting, and I had never seen that aspect of him. So the long and short of this answer is that he gave uppainting and wanted to go back to it. Never did. Then after we were married and I was pregnant with my second child, I found him one day, he had come back from work and he was leaning over the bed painting.Between him and the bed was a canvas board. He had just bought one because he had the urge. That year,our daughter bought him an easel for his birthday. She was three. And then he really began to go back to it.

(l-r) Back row: Maura Roche, Gary Thayer, Katherine Fritz, Hillary Rea, Bobby Bangert. Front row: Amy Dugas Brown, Adena Potok

14

INTERVIEW WITH ADENA POTOK

By the time he had moved back to Philadelphia, he was painting pretty seriously. He went to the MuseumSchool and to the Main Line Center for the Arts, just to get some background. And at one point he wonderedwhat would have been if he hadn’t quit when his father said to. And, so, Asher Lev is born.

Now, the actual writing – he generally used to say that he wrote in his head for two to five years before he puta word down on paper. This one came more quickly, probably because it was just welling up. The actual writ-ing took close to a year and a half to two years.

Amy: What was your role in his artistic process?

Adena: He would come to me with questions. He would go into a (she mimes a trance-like state). I rememberthe first time I interrupted him when he was like this. We were talking, (and he went into this state) and I saidsomething and he didn’t answer, so I said ‘Chaim!’ And he said, ‘Oh! I just lost an idea.’ I never did that again!When he started to write, and when he was ready to show it, I was the one to whom he showed it. He wouldask for my response. He used to call me his first reader and his first editor. That was my job.

Amy: What was his visual art like after he wrote My Name Is Asher Lev?

Adena: I think he really began to paint more vibrantly after that. I remember, he had painted a lot before butreally…his….I never really thought of that before, thank you for the question. The paintings he had donebefore he gave birth to Asher Lev were ok, they were paintings. But afterwards he had touched his own artisticcore. The work he did afterwards was much fuller, much deeper.

Amy: What about his work do you feel like is well suited for theatrical adaptation?

Adena: The conflict. The conflict. He was able, in this book, well, in all his books…He never faced good againstevil. He faced good against another good. And how they fit each other and sometimes toward each other. Thecharacters are deeply committed to what they believe. And they believe it’s their destiny. The characters aredeeply committed to what they believe.

Apprentice Bobby: You mentioned that you were his first reader; do you remember reading every draft of AsherLev? How did it evolve?

Adena: Not specific feedback, but if something was a little unclear or if I thought the sequencing wasunclear…I would general ask him what he meant by things. He was the writer, and I was the commentator. Idon’t think he ever called me his Rashi, Rashi was the most popular commentator on the Bible.

Amy: Do you have a favorite novel of his?

Adena: Probably whenever I read one, that one is my favorite. The one that apparently affected me the mostwas the one around which I dreamt of the characters and that was The Book of Light. I really don’t know why. Ican’t pick one. Who’s your favorite child?

Amy: I know who my most challenging child is! But, no, I can’t pick a favorite. Do you revisit his work often? Nowthat he is gone, do you feel that you can be with him in that way?

Adena: It is a way of being with him. I find that experience very nourishing.

The paintings he had done before he gave birth to Asher Lev were ok,they were paintings. But afterwards he had touched his own artistic

core. The work he did afterwards was much fuller, much deeper.

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$2,500 to $7,499The Addis GroupAllegiance Bank Arronson FoundationAqua Pennsylvania, Inc.Barefoot Wine +Barra Foundation Berwind Brook J. Lenfest Foundation Caroline Alexander Buck

FoundationCaroline J. S. Sanders Charitable

TrustCatering by Design+Civic FoundationDolfinger-McMahon Foundation Eagles Youth Partnership+Larry FarneseAnne M. and Philip H. Glatfelter, III

Family Foundation Graboyes Commercial Window Co.Greater Philadelphia Tourism and

Marketing Corporation The Haley Foundation The Hassel FoundationHatboro Beverages+Independence Blue CrossKarr Barth AssociatesMerck, Inc.National Association of Musical

TheatreNordstrom, Inc.Paul E. Kelly FoundationPhiladelphia Activities FundSamuel S. Fels FundStudley, Inc.Susquehanna BankTierney Communications The Victory FoundationWachovia FoundationWalter J. Miller TrustZipcar Philadelphia+

$749 to $2,499Ballard Spahr Andrews &

Ingersoll, LLPBuchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PCCitizens Bank Foundation Dilworth Paxson, LLPDramatists Guild Fund, Inc.Garfield Refining Co.Albert M. Greenfield Co., Inc.Jenkintown Building Services+Johnson and JohnsonLouis N. Cassett Foundation Manko Gold Katcher and Fox, LLPMaxwell Strawbridge Charitable

Trust

$749 to $2,499 continuedMedia Copy+Park America+Philadelphia Activities FundQuaker Chemical FoundationAnn Shaw FoundationUnion Benevolent Association Walker FoundationWhole Foods Markets+

$749 and underActors' Equity Association

Foundation Bluecoat Gin+Corporate Synergies Eclat Chocolates+Pennsylvania Womens ForumThe Rittenhouse Foundation William Goldman Foundation

+denotes gifts of services or goods

Matching Gift PartnersArchie D. and Bertha H. Walker FoundationAXA FinancialDCR Environmental Services Inc.Dilworth Paxson LLPEndo Pharmaceuticals ExxonMobil FoundationFederated Department Stores Foundation Gannett Foundation GE FoundationGlaxoSmithKlineIBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate

Affairs Independence Foundation Johnson and Johnson Matching Gifts

ProgramMerck Partnership for Giving Merrill Lynch National Philanthropic TrustPenn Virginia CorporationPhiladelphia FoundationPNC FoundationQuaker Chemical Corporation Robert Wood Johnson FoundationSap America, Inc.Subaru of America Foundation United WayThe Vanguard Group FoundationWachovia Foundation Matching Gifts

Program

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Make a donation through yourworkplace United Way program.

Our Donor Choice Number: 14198

Contributions made through the United Way support our

work with children.

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SYLVAN SOCIETY MEMBERS 2008/09

Sassafras Grove ($10,000 and Above)

Mr. Frederick W. Anton, IIIMr. and Mrs. Albert M. Greenfield, IIIPhoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust A,

recommended by Carole Haas Gravagno

Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust A,recommended by John Otto and Dr. Janet Haas

Mr. and Mrs. N. Peter HamiltonHirsig Family Fund of The Philadelphia

FoundationVirginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts

Education Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation

Holly KinserThe Suzanne F. and Ralph J. Roberts

Foundation

Cherry Grove ($5,000-$9,999)

Dorothy DelbuenoMarie and Joseph FieldMatthew and Marie Garfield Ms. Elizabeth GemmillPhoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust B,

recommended by Leonard C. HaasBarbara and Leslie KaplanPeggy and Steve Morgan Charles Rose and Mindy Goldberg RoseMonica Horan and Philip RosenthalHether, Don and Sarah SmithAnonymous Terry and Amanda Foster Spahr,

through the Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation

Rosalyn and Stephen WeinsteinLee and Christopher van de VeldeJune and Steve Wolfson Family

Foundation

Filbert Grove ($2,500-$4,999)

Mrs. Valla AmsterdamSally and Michael BailinCarol and Tom BeamLois G. BrodskyChip CapelliAnne M. CongdonRobert M. DeverAnn DieboldBob and Nancy ElfantTim and Ellen FosterNarinder and Patricia GargBonnie GrahamGlenn Gundersen and Susan ManixPaul KellyJosephine Klein

Winnie and Eric LienWilliam A. LoebLarry and Barbara MagidDrs. Robin and Saifuddin Mama Lewis R. and Sue Ann MarburgGloria and Dan MarianoJean S. MarkovitzJohn J. McCawley*Andrea Mengel and George A. RitterSeymour MillsteinA.C. MissiasAnn and George MorrisEllen and Michael MulroneyAmy L. MurphyRon and Suzanne NaplesTerrence J. NolenMichael Norris and Matt VarratoDiane PalmerThomas Petro and Kristine MessnerDr. and Mrs. Joel PorterAnonymousAnn and Frank Reed, through the Malfer

FoundationKurt and Mary-Ann ReissPhyllis and Martin RosenthalMike Salmanson and Tobi ZemskyMarilyn Sanborne and Richard

LabowskieJane ScaccettiJulianna SchauermanDolly Beechman Schnall and Dr. Nathan

SchnallRichard and Amanda SmootDavid and Daria SpinglerKathleen A. StephensonWilliam K. Stewart FoundationKeith and Jim StrawAdelaide Sugarman and Marshall

GreenbergHarvey B. SwedloffMarguerite V. Rodgers and James H.

TimberlakeEileen Heisman Tuzman and Martin

TuzmanTom and Pat VernonSandy and Michael WaxRichard E. Woosnam and Diane Dalto

WoosnamEllen Yin+*Denotes a gift made through The United Way+Denotes a gift of goods or services

The Sylvan Society recognizes individuals who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more. Theexceptional generosity of these donors enables the Arden to tell great stories by having theresources to achieve the highest level of artistic quality. Sylvan Society benefits bring members closer to our work and deepen their appreciation for the role they play in theArden’s success. To join the Sylvan Society or for more information, please contact Managerof Individual Giving, Angela DuRoss, at 215.922.8900, ext. 25 or aduross@ardentheatre.org.

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AnonymousSally Walker and Tom GilmoreTed and Stevie Wolf

Mulberry Grove ($1,000-$2,499)

Brian Abernathy and Elizabeth IrelandJohn AlchinPeggy AndersonArden Professional Apprentice Class 15Bethany AsplundhJim and Janet AverillSheryl and Allen BarGiséle Sambar BathishIvy BayardSandy and Mickey BernsteinJohn BitmanLouis BluverJean G. BodinePatty BowmanTony Braithwaite+Bernard Brewstein and Ellen RosenthalDeDe and Tony BrownThomas Burke and Rick FountasLaurada ByersJean Canfield*Priscilla and John F. ClementJeffrey Coon+John and Susan ColemanJoy De Jesús and Jamie ReynoldsBen Dibble+Michael A. Donato and Peter R.

SonzogniDeb Dorsey and Mike GreenJaimie and David FieldJeanne Fisher*Oliver M. FordSandi Foxx-JonesRichard Frey+David and Christina FrymanLou and Rhoda FrymanLinda and David GlicksteinThomas GolabekTerry GraboyesMarcy Gringlas and Joel GreenbergChara and John C. HaasDavid and MaryJane HackneyRonna F. and Robert HallMr. and Mrs. Jon HarmelinDon and Lynn Martin HaskinJane and Steve HeumannKaren and Mark Hite Susan Jacobson and Michael GoldenMr. and Mrs. D. Scott and Carol KelleyCaroline KemmererKenneth and Eve KlothenBill and Beth Landman

Arden for All is supportedby a generous gift from

Virginia & Harvey Kimmel

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$500 - $999Rebecca and John AdamsStan and Lisa AltmanRobert and Almut BreazealeJames and Mary D BrownDebbie and Alan CasnoffCarol CaswellBarbara R. CobbEllen DeaconCharlotte and Mickey FeldmanCarole M. Foley*Mary GeiszSusan Kellogg and Dick HoffmanEdith KlausnerKenneth D KoppleRuth and Peter LaibsonFrank and Sally MalloryDonald J. Martin and RichardRepettoStephanie and Michael NaidoffBarbara and Don ParmanMichael and Judy PaulPaul Rabe and Cheryl GunterSherri and Abe ReichFranklyn and Cintra RodgersCarmen and Donna RomeoJerry and Bernice RubensteinPhilip and Susan SchlegelRobert and Karen SharrarKaren and Jon SirlinEric Tamulonis and Deirdre GibsonDr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Vasso

$250-$499Iris Melendez and Henry R.Adamczyk, Jr.Ron and Joyce BayerJoann White and William BeckettRichard and Joan BehrEdward and Myra BellPat and Tom BenderPeter and Lynne BermanBarry and Marilyn BevacquaFrank and Suzanne BinswangerLinda and Alden BlythJoseph and Mary Lou BreidenstineRuth E. BrownMr. Joseph CaseyCaroline CastagnoNelly and Scott ChildressMarc and Margie CohenZoe CoulsonRuth Miller CoxJean and George DowdallSue and Robert EvansAnne Ewers

$125-$249Carol and Bennett AaronEmily AikenAnonymousJanet and Roger AlwangPeggy AmsterdamCharles and Stephanie AndrewsAlan and Sandy AultJoe and Susan BaltakeJudith BarrettSheila Bell and Thomas DoddsSydney and Doris BeshunskyBikki Bevelhymer-ChiangDoris and Aaron BitmanBernard and Pamela BrownsteinRobert J. ButeraJohn and Lucille ByrneBob CarfagnoRhoda and Michael CobenArminta and William B. CollinsDr. W. Robert and Margaret CookMarta DabeziesAngelina and Michael DeAngelisRita and Grace DenboRhonda DickeyEllen DipintoLarry and Pat DixonEllen and Max DooneiefMarie and Peter DoonerLinda V EllsworthPaul and Adele EpsteinPaul and Judith FarberCynthia Heininger and James

FeeneyMark and Rene FeitelsonMs. Joanne E. FieldsEdwina FindleyDrs. Barbara and Len FrankDr. John and Elaine FrankKenneth FrankPaulette and Paul FreemanNancy and Richard GabelDavid K. GiffordMicki and Larry GoldbergGrace Gonglewski and Eric SchoeferBob and Jan GorenJudge Marvin R. and Mrs. Marcia O.HalbertOna and Stephen Hamilton*Mary C. HarbisonSusan HarriesBarbara and Robert HauptfuhrerCharles HeadBetsy and Ted HershbergIsidore and Sharon HoffermanMr. Frank Hollick

Ruth and Andre FerberMalcolm and Martha FickMr. Allan P. FreedmanEllen and David FreemanBuzz and Linda GambleIn memory of Bob GallagherCharles GearTerry GillenMr. and Mrs. Richard and RitaGoldbergBill HendricksonPatricia and Charles KlingBarbara and Leonard KlinghofferMary Ellen KroberJoanne LawsonRichard LeePerry Watts and Samuel LitwinJim and Pat Lockhart CulbertsonTina MancoTed and Ronnie MannGloria McNuttMadeline MillerKeith and Liz MosleyKen and Moira MummaPaul Nutaitis and Robert ClarkLaura Offutt and Steve FukuchiBob and Leila PeckJohn and Pinkie PhilbrickJohn and Margaret PregDan PromisloFaye and Daniel RossAlan RothenbergIrwin C. and Carole M. SaftEllen SchwartzAlex and Stefanie SeldinDr. and Mrs. Eugene ShusterFrank and Catherine SignorelloJames Akerberg and Larry SimmonsJames L. SmithDrs. Richard and Rhonda SoricelliMarilyn and Dean R. StaatsRobert and Sydney StevensAnonymousHella and Lew VolgenauEmily and Charles WagnerMarvin and Diane WaxmanMarlene WeinbergFred and Arleen WeinsteinAllison Wilson and John MaherPaul and Barbara YeagleTom and Jackie Zemaitis

ANNUAL DONORS 2008/09

$125-$249 continuedJohn Houle and Katherine HaydenBrian HusowitzTimothy and Carol JohnsonMr. and Mrs. Tom and Susan KaidenMr. Philip KalodnerLucy KaufmanSteven and Patricia KingLonnie and Howard KleinBernadette KollerJoan Kremer and Jim LutherAlice Milrod and Tony KrolSylvia and Robert LangeJoan and Marc S. LapayowkerRobert and Leslie LaRoccaJeff LarsenLorraine and late Richard LeffMurray and Lonnie LevinRobert and Laurel LipshutzWill and Sandy LockMike and Helene LoebWilliam LutzRobert ManningMary Louise MartinMr. and Mrs. James MatareseLinda McAleer and Maitlon RussellTom McCarthyGeorge and Judy McCarthyPatrick and Judith McCoydEmmett and Patricia McVeyPaul and Lee S MillerMarianne MillerAlan and Susan MillerIlene and Steve MillerMartin and Sandra MillerKathleen MoyerJerome NapsonWilliam O’ConnorAnonymousStanton and Bernice OswaldAnonymousMr. Richard PariseauSydney S. PasternackMs. Sandra PaulJohn and Judith PeakesDouglas and Mary PeckDavid and Sylvia PerelmanDavid and Carolyn PeysterHelen PhillipsRhoda PolakoffLeslie RescorlaJoy RickabaughFrancoise and Louis RollmannDulcie RommJ. Randall RosensteelBernard and Barbara Ruekgauer

Janet RupertMark SandbergMary Ellen and Carl SchneiderWarren and Carole LeeSchwomeyerJane Beechman and Steven SegalWallace M. ShawElaine L. ShermanEllen Schwartz SiegelDavid and Carleene SlowikRichard and Doranne SmithCorinne StahlJohn and Susan StedmanRobert Stewart and BarbaraBarnett-StewartElaine and Sal TagliareniBob and Tina TateMarion and Richard TaxinDoris M. TollJohn UrofskyMalin Van Antwerp*Richard and Fenching WainsteinMichael Walraven and Mary LouStarlingThomas WatkinsBob Weinberg and Eleanor WilnerJim and Suellen WeinerLeslie and Ellen WelsonBertram and Lorle WolfsonHarry and MaryAnn Woodcock

$75-$124Maureen AlexanderJennifer and Brian Allebach andFamilyDr. and Mrs. Anthony J. AndrewsHelen AsterMay and Ethan BallRon BaronRoberta BergConstance and Richard BermanMichael and Rosalyn BernsteinSteve Zettler and Cordelia BiddleThomas H BlackburnMyron and Sharon BlumbergHazel BowersFrank BoyerMichael P. BoyleMr. and Mrs. Thomas and Mary PatBoyleRosemary and Lee BrahinGary BramnickMary and Billy BrooksDavid BrownleeHarold and Camille BuchananCarol Buettger

Karen Marston and Greg BuzanJessica CalterFrancis and Christine CaravellaBarbara CarmineRonald and Christina ChangElissa and Norman ChanskyJennifer CoffeySue CohenJohn CondelloRobert and Frances CorliesCharles J. CoyleJames Crawford and Judith DeanDaniel DagleDaniel DevlinCarole DichterLisa DimeoMargaret Chew Dolan and PeterMaxwellBeverly DotterCatherine DoughertyWilliam and Joan DouglasJudith DrasinDonald and Geraldine DuclowAnonymousAngela DuRossLois S DursoSylvia EgnalMarcia EisenbergLorraine KilmerDebbie and Jerry EpsteinWendy EpsteinJeffrey Farenback-BratemanStephanie and Stanton FelzerMitchell and Pia FenimoreRonald and Barbara FinkLeonard and Leila FinkelsteinJohn FischerDeborah and Martin FishbeinMr. and Mrs. Dan and BethFitzpatrickMs. Judy FrankHelene and Michael FreidmanPaula FreilichMiriam GalsterCaroline Simon and LouisGambacciniStan GibellDavid GlanceyCarrie Glasby and Kathleen KarhnakMs. Joan GmitterMaxwell GorsonanonymousPriscilla GrosickJoyce K HackmanJeanne and Murray HalfondDonald Hargreaves

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ANNUAL DONORS 2008/09

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$75-$124 continuedLinda Fowler HartnettDouglas and Harriet HeathJane HendersonJoseph HerbstSusan W HerronGrace HershmanMarcia and John HiehleDr. Charles K HordisArnold and Esther HornKerry HuntsmanSarah C. JordanBarbara and Charles Kahn, Jr.Kenneth S. KaisermanThomas Lloyd and Jane KampNancy KaneGinny and Len KarabellSandra R KarlsonAnonymousMargaret KellerCynthia KillionGregory KleiberJudy KornfeldJames KronzerFerne KuhnLisa LeeRussell LeibMarlies LevengerJack and Donna Levin

Natalie LevkovichBarbara and Dick LindeDr. Edward Lundy and Debra ReiffWhit MacLaughlin and CatherineSlusarDonald and Nancy MaclayLynn and Joe MankoRonnie and Larry MargelBetty Margolis and Sidney ArensonJoseph A Marrazzo, JrMary MartelloRichard and Julie MayDeborah McKinley and David RichTom and Helen McNuttPat and Gerald MergenSamuel and Cecile MerionDouglas and Fredaricka MoffittDaniel P. MonbourquetteEllen MonseesJeff and Maxine MorganClaire MoyerDr.and Mrs. Stevens MunzerJohn and Shirley NeffBonnie and Eliot NiermanDiane NissenEtta and Chuck NissmanKathy Nolen Edwards

Alan and Caroline NovakCarol L. O’BrienDave and Arline OlimBetsy OliphantBrenda J. OliphantLinda OslerClare and Dwayne OsmanSandra PackelAlice and Albert PackmanMary Jo PauxtisJane G PepperMary and F. Laurence PethickDan and Lisa PliskinLeslie and Curt PontzAaron PosnerNancy PostAvra and Harry PressmanShirley and Charles PrestonLinda QuamRobin RatliffKaren and Mark ReberMary Lou and Pace ReichMary Jo ReillyEleanor ReinhardtKelly Resinger and John BeirneClifford Ridley and Betsey HansellLorraine RiesenbachDr. Elnora Rigik and AndrewBushkoSharon and Mark RobbGeorge and Zara RobertsJohn and Claire RodgersJane A. Rose, CPA/PFSDr. Harry RosenthalEdwin and Sally RosentholDiane RurodeRomayne and David SachsThekla SackstederJoan and Bill SaidelMichael SanyourJohn and Elaine SchaeferMr. and Mrs. A. SchmidtMs. Kim SchmuckiBonnie SchorskeHarold and Sharon SchwalmJeanne C. ScottFrances Sheehan and RickGelmanSusan GreeneBetty and Arthur ShermanMr. and Mrs. J. Thomas ShowlerAnne Shuff and Mike CreechLeslie E. SkiltonJason and Danielle SmereczynskiCorey and Jonne SmithRichard Smith

Arthur P StaddonLeon SteinbergPaul StoneBethy and Vinson StouckSharon and Robert StrochakRuth P. StuessyShirley SwerdloffPaul TateRichard and Anne TaxPamela ThaxterSunny and Len ThomasLinda and Keith ThomsonLisa TruckessThomas and Francine TudorArturo ValenzuelaPam VentrellaMartin and Dorothy VogelClifford and Ann WagnerOscar WeberSusan WeissSamuel and M. Judith WenzelEdward WilkJohn and Donna and Jenna WojcikSam and Kuna YankellAskold ZagarsJoan D. Zeidner*Joseph and Renee Zuritsky

* Denotes gift made through the United Way

+ Denotes gift of goods or services

The list acknowledges donors as ofDecember 18, 2008. If your name has beenomitted or misprinted, please accept ourapologies. Notify us by contacting Manager of Individual Giving AngelaDuRoss at (215) 922-8900, x. 25 oraduross@ardentheatre.org. Although space does not allow us to list supporterswhose gifts are less than $75, we gratefullyacknowledge their contributions.

ANNUAL DONORS 2008/09

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THE NEW LATE NIGHT TRAINS. SEPTA now has late night trains on Friday and Saturday

to and from Center City. Take the R5 to Paoli or Malvern along the Main Line, the R6 to Norristown via Manayunk, and the

R7 to Trenton or NYC via NJT rail. Just remember to stock the fridge.

To learn more visit www.SEPTA.org or call 215.580.7800

ONE MORE HOUROF THE BABYSITTEREATING ALL YOUR FOOD

SEP589_FNL_PlaybillAd_6x8_5.indd 1 9/4/08 5:52:15 PM

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Board of DirectorsDavid Fryman, PresidentN. Peter Hamilton, Vice PresidentAndrea Mengel, Vice PresidentMichael A. Donato, TreasurerNancy Hirsig, Secretary

Brian AbernathyNancy BurdKaren ButlerRegina CanfieldJoy L. De JesúsEllen P. FosterMatthew GarfieldElizabeth H. GemmillCarole Haas GravagnoAlbert M. Greenfield, IIIRonna F. HallJoanne HarmelinLynn Martin Haskin, Ph.D.Steve HeumannSusan G. JacobsonBarbara KaplanVirginia KimmelHolly KinserRichard L. MaimonJohn J. McCawleyAmy L. MurphyTerrence J. NolenAaron PosnerCharles H. RoseH. Hetherington SmithHarvey B. SwedloffJoseph A. Tammaro, Jr.Lee van de VeldeDiane Dalto WoosnamEllen Yin

Board Executive CommitteeDavid Fryman, chairBrian AbernathyJean CanfieldMichael A. DonatoRonna F. HallPeter HamiltonNancy HirsigVirginia KimmelAndrea MengelCharles RoseHether SmithLee van de Velde

Board Development Committee Michael Donato, chairPeter HamiltonLynn HaskinLee van de VeldeDiane Dalto Woosnam

Education Committee Sheryl BarMarla DiamondDr. Dennis W. CreedonDr. Carol DombJohn KingJacqueline MatusowIlene MillerJudy PaulIlene Poses

Facilities Committee Hether Smith, chairRichard MaimonJohn McCawleyMyles PettigrewPaul Thais

Finance Committee Michael Donato, chairNancy BurdEllen FosterElizabeth GemmillSteve HeumannMartin RosenthalEd StavetskiHarvey Swedloff

Personnel CommitteeLee van de Velde, chairDavid Fryman Elizabeth GemmillCharles Rose

Advocacy CommitteeBrian Abernathy, chairDavid GlanceyTerry GillenJulie HawkinsSusan JacobsonHolly Kinser

Institutional Giving CommitteeJean Canfield, chairMichael DonatoDavid FrymanElizabeth GemmillCarole Haas GravagnoJoanne HarmelinJohn McCawleyHether Smith

Strategic Planning CommitteeAndrea Mengel, chairEllen FosterDavid FrymanEllen Yin

Individual Giving CommitteeVirginia Kimmel, chairCharles Rose, chairSheryl BarGiséle BathishJohn BitmanChip CapelliJoy L. De JesúsTerry GraboyesWendy GreenfieldLynn HaskinSteve HeumannNancy HirsigJill KaplanEric and Winnie LienIlene MillerPeggy MorganRichard QuinnSteven SegalHarvey SwedloffRosalyn and Steve WeinsteinDiane Dalto WoosnamEllen Yin

Special Events CommitteeRonna F. Hall, chairGary BramnickTom BurkeKaren ButlerChip CapelliMichael DonatoNancy ElfantCarmel D. FerrandinoEllen FosterSara FureyDavid HackneyMarlo HallJamie JoffeBarbara KaplanJoanne LawsonKelly LeeBarbara LinkBob MarburgPeggy MorganMichael NorrisBetsy OliphantDolly Beechman SchnallBrian SeamanBill Swoope

2008/09 Honorary Producers’ CircleFrederick W. Anton, IIICarole Haas GravagnoBarbara and Leslie KaplanHarvey and Virginia Kimmel

BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

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A HOTBED FOR NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT

It’s a busy time of year in the artistic office for it’s now, in the darkdays of winter, that we plant the seeds that blossom into the showsyou will see on our stages in the next few seasons. We are currentlyhard at work on five new plays. Two of them you will see on ourstages this season – My Name is Asher Lev and Bruce Graham’sSomething Intangible.

Before a show makes its way to you, it spends significant time indevelopment in our Independence Foundation New Play Showcaseprogram. My Name is Asher Lev is our first completed commission;this play was custom-built by Aaron Posner to premiere here at theArden. Something Intangible, while not a commissioned piece, wasworkshopped here at the Arden last season and read aloud in frontof a limited audience. Both scripts spent a couple of weeks in work-shop rehearsals last winter with a full cast of actors, after which weput them on the schedule for this season. This summer, bothreceived the Edgerton Award for New American Plays (asWittenberg did last season), a national award that gives new playsadditional rehearsal time. This extra time incontrovertibly results ina better script, asserts Bruce Graham, adding,“Extra time gives usthe opportunity to explore the play in detail. It gives me the time togo away, rewrite, and come back with better pages. A new play is areal high wire act, and those extra days give us a much neededsafety net.”

So, this season, you will see the fruits of last winter’s labor. And what of this winter’s labor? Well, in mid-December we conducted a one-week workshop of Dennis Raymond Smeal’s Meticulous Gentlemen, aplay that weaves magical realism, knitting and The Nutcracker to explore issues of love, family and identity.Together with actors Ian Merrill Peakes and Russell Leib, director Terry Nolen worked to probe the play’s intricate form and hot button issues. This January, we are conducting a four-day workshop of the musical wecommissioned by Michael Hollinger and Michael Ogborn, currently titled Tulipomania. Mary Martello,Scott Greer and Liz Filios, among others, will help us give voice to this touching and funny comedy about howdreams and desires can dangerously turn into obsession. Finally, we will see the first draft of our children’stheatre commission The Professor and the Flea, by Jordan Harrison. It is our hope that by this spring we willhave scheduled a workshop to work through this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s final tale.

This kind of new play activity is not the national norm. A recent New York Times article touted the exceptionalwork we are doing in new play development. In the article, Todd London, artistic director of New Dramatists inNew York City, asserts,“Word has gotten out that Philadelphia is quite hot in terms of both the work and thesupport for the work.” And that support of the work is key to our constant and consistent focus on new plays.The resources provided by Independence Foundation lets us spend real time on each new script that excitesus. That commitment, in turn, excites and inspires our collaborating artists, which in turn develops strongerPhiladelphia playwrights and extends their reach. Again, in the Times, Polly Carl of the Playwright’s Center inMinneapolis states,“I think the Philadelphia scene has gotten more exciting over the last decade. And I’m hearing of more writers coming out of Philadelphia.”

This kind of coverage in the New York Times, the sacred text of the theatre industry, proves to us that we aredoing something right, both as a theatre and as a community. You, too, are essential to this success, as an audience who embraces new work. We’ve posted this article outside of the theatre for you to take a look atduring intermission or after the show and celebrate what we’ve been able to accomplish together.

We look forward to sharing more new work with you soon.

Amy Dugas Brown

Kelly McCreary in the World Premiere, The DinosaurMusical, 2005/06. Photo by Mark Garvin.

Erika Cuenca in the World Premiere, Opus, 2006.Photo by Mark Garvin.

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Just like some of you, I LOVE doing musicals. I didmusicals all through high school and college andnow it’s what I do professionally. This fall, I starred asCunegonde in the Arden’s production of Candide,and now I’m back to teach you how to really sharpenyour musical theatre skills. I remember my highschool and college musicals so well, so I understandexactly what you want out of a class like this. I know Ican help you work to be the best you can be inwhichever show your school is doing this year. Or, ifyou’re new to musical theatre, I look forward to introducing you to this amazing art. I know we’llhave a lot of fun together all while really developingyour voice and your acting. Check out the classes Iteach online at www.ardentheatre.org

Hope to see you this winter!

All the best,Liz

MUSICAL THEATRE AFTER SCHOOL CLASS -$120Six Mondays: January 5, 12, 19, 26 Feb 2, 9

6 through 8 graders meet from 4:30pm – 6pm9 through 12 graders meet from 6pm – 8pmInstructor: Liz Filios

ONE DAY WORKSHOPS - $30Perform a SongSaturday, January 17 from 1pm – 4pm6 through 12 gradersInstructor: Liz Filios

Musical TheatreSaturday, February 28 from 1pm – 4pm6 through 12 gradersInstructor: Liz Filios

Are you interested in theatre, but don’t want to act orbe on stage? I understand; I am a behind the sceneskind of guy, too. There’s a lot more to theatre thanacting. Designers use sets, lights, props, costumesand sound to tell the story of a play. In my designclass, you’ll learn about building set models, design-ing costumes, constructing props and even explorethe world of lights and sound. Plus, I’ll give you abehind the scenes tour of our theatres and back-stage areas, like the prop and costume shops andmore. If you work backstage at your school and wantto see how the pros do it, I hope you’ll take my class.Or, if you have ever watched a show and wonderedhow something was done (like how an actor cameout of the floor, or how a lighting effect changed themood of a scene, or how the set moved and becamesomething else), I’m the guy who can show you howit all happens.

Best – Jon Ward (aka Jonny Props)

SATURDAY MORNING DESIGN CLASS - $1006 through 12 gradersFive Saturdays: January 24, 31, Feb 7, 14, 21 from10am – 12pmInstructor: Jon Ward

Liz Filios as Cunegonde in Arden Theatre Company’s Production ofCandide. Photo by Mark Garvin.

Jon Ward the rhino that is used in James and the Giant Peach.

To see our full listing of Arden Drama School classes or to register, please visit ardentheatre.org.

FOR TEENS WHO LOVE THEATRE!

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Corporate Office525 Righters Ferry RoadBala Cynwyd, PA 19004P 610.668.7900www.harmelin.com

Joanne Harmelin, CEOMary Meder, President

Harmelin Media is celebrating our 25thanniversary with the singular purpose

of planning and buying the most efficient,effective and innovative media

for our clients.

Proud supporters ofARDENTHEATRE COMPANY

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2009SALONS

Get up close and personal with the Arden’s favorite artists! Salons are a lively,intimate way to get the inside scoop while sharing a glass of wine with the regionshottest theatre professionals. Hosted by Arden’s Associate Artistic Director Amy DugasBrown, nothing is off-limits during these fun-filled, provocative evenings at the Arden.

THE ART OF ADAPTATION Thursday, February 5

How does a beloved novel, such as Chaim Potok's MyName is Asher Lev come to life on the stage? Get theinside perspective from playwright Aaron Posner andartistic consultant Adena Potok on developing a theatrical adaptation.

A CRITIC’S PERSPECTIVE Thursday, April 2

What inspires a critic and what makes them cringe?What are the steps they take from the moment theytake their seat in the theatre to the moment the article goes to press? Join David Anthony Fox (CityPaper) and Howard Shapiro (The Philadelphia Inquirer)for a dynamic and convivial discussion from a critic’spoint of view.

BRUCE GRAHAM Monday, May 11

Bruce Graham, the playwright of Something Intangibleand one of our most popular salon guests, returns foran in-depth discussion. An accomplished playwright(Coyote on a Fence, The Philly Fan, Belmont AvenueSocial Club) and screenwriter (Anastasia, Steal thisMovie), he will share insights into his process and stories ranging from stage to TV set to film screen.

SOMETHING INTANGIBLE Thursday, May 28

Actors Scott Greer and Ian Merrill Peakes, two ofPhiladelphia’s most dynamic actors, often share thestage. How did they work together to create the rolesof these two brothers at odds? How has their onstagerelationship changed as this new work developedfrom a reading to a full production?

THE SEAFARER Thursday, June 11

Conor McPherson’s twisting tale set in Baldoyle,Ireland presents several challenges for the actors. Howdo they balance humor and suspense in this story ofan out-of-work chauffeur and the mysterious strangerwho visits him? How do they inhabit the lives and language of these men? Join us as Bill Zielinski andGreg Wood share their experiences.

Salon dates and times are subject to change.

Saons are held from 6pm - 7:30pm at the Arden.

Reservations are encouraged by calling 215.922.1122.$25 each, buy three or more for $15 each, $10 for students

In addition to the discussion, the ticket price includes a delicious array of hors d’oeuvres generously provided by Whole Foods.

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610.519.4760www.theatre.villanova.edu

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——————Master of Arts in—————

theatr eVillanova’s M.A. program combines both scholarly andpractical approaches to theatre. Learn from faculty and staffinvolved in the region’s professional theatre industry.

Gain knowledge and experience in:

• Acting• Directing• Dramaturgy

• Script Analysis• Theory and Criticism• Playwriting

Villanova Theatre has received 50 nominationsand six Barrymore Awards since 1995!

“THE SHOW MUST GO ON”Save the Date!

Sunday, March 15, 2009A unique fundraiser of fun and games,

to benefit Arden Theatre Company

For questions or more information, contact AngelaDuRoss, Manager of Individual Giving at

215-922-8900 ext. 25 or aduross@ardentheatre.org.

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OLD CITY DINING PARTNERS PLUS

Looking for a great place to eat in Old City? Try one of these fine establishments. Be sureto mention you heard about them from us!

Bookbinder’s125 Walnut St. • 215.925.7027 • www.bookbinders.biz

Old Original Bookbinder's has long been aPhiladelphia landmark. For Joe DiMaggio, Lillian

Russell, Richard Nixon, The Rat Pack, Bob Hope and ahost of other celebrities, Old Original Bookbinder'swas a special place to enjoy seafood, cocktails, and friendship. A complete renovation at the original

location in 2005 ensured success for a new generation of luminaries and locals. Bookbinder'sExecutive Chef, David Cunningham drives famous

classics such as Snapper Soup and StrawberryShortcake to some very modern shores, whileadding such signature dishes as Bouillabaisse,

Seafood Cobb Salad and more.

Campo’s214 Market Street • 215.923.1000

www.phillyhoagie.comA legacy of quality, this classic, deli-style restauranthas been churning out delicious sandwiches since

1947. Order any of the special soups, salads, andsandwiches from this Philadelphia kitchen and you’ll

see why it’s “where the locals go.” –USA Today

Fork and Fork: etc306-308 Market Street • 215.625.9425

www.forkrestaurant.comFork continues to set the standard for New American

bistro dining. The fresh, seasonal cuisine reflectsinternational influences with an original twist. Part of

Fork’s allure is its sophisticated interior, where thedining experience is anything but stuffy and

uncomfortable. Open seven days a week, there isplenty of time before or after the show to enjoy

lunch, dinner, or even just dessert. Come in toFork:etc, our gourmet café for a quick and satisfying

breakfast, lunch, or dinner. A private dining roomand catering are also available. Reservations

are recommended.

Patou312 Market Street • 215.928.2987

www.patourestaurant.comFrom acclaimed French chef/owner Patrice Rames,

Patou offers a menu ranging from casual hearthbaked gourmet pizzas to the most elegant dishesfrom the Cote D’Azur. City Paper Reader’s Choice

Award “Best New Restaurant”. Visit www.patourestaurant.com for all information.

Ristorante Panorama14 N. Front Street • 215.922.7800

www.pennsviewhotel.comFeaturing contemporary authentic Italian cuisine such

as homemade pastas, tender veal and daily seafoodspecialties, Ristorante Panorama is located in the

charming Penn’s View hotel, Front and Market Streets,Philadelphia. The wine program offers over 120 winesby the glass, and has received Sante’ Magazine’s “Wine

Hospitality Award for Fine Dining,” Wine Spectator’s“Best of Award of Excellence,” Philadelphia Magazine’s“Best of Philly,” and Decanter Magazine’s “Best Wine by

the Glass Program in North America.”

Serrano20 S. 2nd Street • 215.928.0770

Serrano has been a fixture in Old City since 1985.With a reputation for serving international fare at

neighborhood prices, it is the perfect place to visit,kick back and enjoy, to bring friends and make

friends. After dinner, move the evening upstairs to theTin Angel, our intimate acoustic café. Tin Angel has

presented an astonishing array of stars from theworld of blues, rock, folk and country and has earneda reputation as the best club of its size in the country.

Triumph Brewing Company117 Chestnut Street • 215.625.0855

www.triumphbrewing.comTriumph Brewing Company is a sophisticated

restaurant & brewery featuring regional American cuisine and hand-crafted freshly brewed beer.

Triumph is located in the heart of Old City.

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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Producing Artistic Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terrence J. NolenManaging Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy L. MurphyAssociate Managing Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda DitskyAssociate Artistic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Dugas BrownArtistic Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin ReadArtistic Intern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elana BoulosLiterary Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis SmealDirector of Marketing and Public Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth YeagleMarketing Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abigael ReedPublic Relations Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janine ZapponeDesign Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristy GiballaEducation Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maureen Mullin FowlerEducation and Group Services Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sally WojcikManager of Individual Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angela DuRossManager of Institutional Giving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt RosenbaumDevelopment Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tina MorrisonGeneral Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer PeckAssociate General Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Beth SimonBusiness Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Courtney SpikerHouse Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas ChoinackyBox Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynn KeilyAssistant Box Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tamesha HawkinsBox Office Assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Choinacky, Carla Emanuele, Shari English, Amanda Grove,

Michael McElroy, Rachel Robbins, Ryane Studivant, Aubrie WilliamsArden Professional Apprentices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bobby Bangert, Katherine Fritz, Hillary Rea, Maura Roche,

Richard Sonne, Gary Thayer Arden Volunteer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jean MarkovitzCasting Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephanie Klapper CSACasting Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer PardillaAssistant to Ms. Klapper and Ms. Pardilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carrie Virginia Lee

PRODUCTION STAFF

Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Courtney RiggarTechnical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn PerlmanAssistant Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Day WestMaster Carpenter/Shop Foreman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will LambrakosProduction Stage Managers . . . . . . . . .Stephanie Cook, Alec Ferrell, John David Flak, Katharine M. Hanley, Elana WolffAssistant to the Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katherine FritzCostume Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alison RobertsWardrobe Intern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asaki KurumaProp Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jon WardMaster Electrician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin StutzmanSound Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Austen BrownCharge Scenic Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristina ChadwickElectricians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Dabezies, Amanda Jenson, Georgia SchlessmanDirecting Intern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Schrager

STAFF

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IntangibleIntangibleThe Seafarer

Don’t miss the rest ofARDEN THEATRE COMPANY’S

2008/09 SEASON

SOMETHING INTANGIBLEApril 9 - May 31World Premiere!By Bruce GrahamDirected by Terrence J. Nolen

It’s Hollywood, 1940. Two brothers – Tony, an extravagant visionary, and Dale, a plain-speaking numbers man – run a studioon the brink of major movie innovation. AsTony labors to create his latest and greatestwork of art, Dale struggles to deliver the ever-escalating funds to realize Tony’s vision.It’s all for one and one for all – but will theykill each other in the process?

Sponsored by Fox Chase Bank

THE SEAFARERMay 14 - June 14By Conor McPhersonDirected by David O’Connor

Broadway’s recent smash hit features a collection of misfits on Christmas Eve inIreland. A group of men, tied loosely togetherby their affiliation with misfortune, spend aboozy night playing poker. As the eveningprogresses, the game playing takes a sinisterturn and the stakes rise higher than anyonecould have expected. Don’t miss this expertcomedy and chilling ghost story that ups theante on anyone running from their past.

Turn your ticket for My Name is Asher Lev into a 3-show subscription!Call or stop by the box office and purchase tickets to both Something Intangible and The Seafarer

and enjoy ticket discounts, parking and dining partner discounts, and easy and convenient ticket exchange privileges.

215.922.1122