Written by Todd Kreidler
Directed by Piper N. Davis
Production Sponsor: Patrick Thernes
Season Sponsors: Richard L. & Mary A. Johnson
From The Producing Artistic Director
This is a season of coming back: coming back from a long hiatus, coming back from an uncertain world, coming back together as an arts community. Falcon’s first performance for a live audience in over 18 months was one of our Falcon Takes Flight pieces. Railsplitter, by Maurice Manning, is a work of poetry about Abraham Lincoln, a devoted fan of theater. Maurice’s words capture better than I ever could, the feelings I have as we begin our journey of coming back:
“…as dead as words writ on the page.
You have to find the life in them,
that is the pleasure of listening
to a voice on the stage or reading a book.
There’s something alive you bring to life
by being the reader or seeing the show,
and that makes being alive less lonely.
All of this . . . expression . . . has been for you.”
— Maurice Manning, “Railsplitter”
Being away from the theater has deepened my appreciation for how much of my life is consumed by this work. It has deepened my conviction about how essential you, the audience, are to everything we do. Without you, nothing we do has any impact or purpose.There are still many uncertainties in the world and the trajectory of this season is far from guaranteed, but one thing is certain: Falcon Theatre is back. And we’re so grateful to bring you live theater once again.
Sincerely,
Ted Weil
Producing Artistic Director
CAST (in order of appearance)
Matilda Binks — Elizabeth-Leigh Taylor
Hillary St. George — Cat Cook
Christina Drayton — Cathy Roesener
Matt Drayton — Jim Hopkins*
Joanna Drayton — Zoe Rose Davidson
Dr. John Prentice — Ryan-Chavez Richmond
Monsignor Ryan — Terry Gosdin
John Prentice, Sr. — Darryl Hilton
Mary Prentice — Khrys Styles
* Member, Actors Equity
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Managers — Bri Landrum & Jacob Schaub
Scenic & Lighting Design — Ted J. Weil
Costume Design — Tara Williams
Props — Amy Enzweiler & Tara Williams
Sound Design — Ted J. Weil
Hair Design — Lisa Dirkes
Lighting Execution — Jacob Schaub
Sound Execution — Bri Landrum
Dialect Coach — Kate Glasheen
Set Construction — Ted J. Weil, Clint Ibele, Tracy M. Schoster, Tara Williams
Scenic Painting — Mathew Smith, Stephonika Kaye
Set Decor — Tara Williams, Tracy M. Schoster
Lobby Display — Lisa Dirkes, Tara Williams
Dramaturg — Julie Carpenter
Production Coordinator — Tara Williams
Marketing — Lisa Dirkes
House Staff Coordination — Tracy M. Schoster
Photography — Kristy Rucker
Box Office – Holly Sauerbrunn
Street Level Marketing — Rilla Foster
Falcon thanks these organizations for their support:
Special Thanks
Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park
Cast Biographies
Cat Cook (Hillary St. George): Cat received her BA in Dramatic Arts from Coastal Carolina University where favorite roles included Illona Ritter in She Loves Me and Mrs. Prentice in What the Butler Saw. She performed with The Repertory Theatre of America in several productions that toured across the United States. She has remained active in local community and semi-professional theatres in both Cincinnati and Charleston, SC. Favorite roles have included Lisabette in The Know Theatre’s production of Anton in Show Business and the role of Charlotte in A Little Night Music performed at the Spoleto Art’s Festival in Charleston, SC. Cat is immensely excited to be back on stage at Falcon and would like to thank her amazing family and friends for their many years of love and support.
Zoe Rose Davidson (Joanna): Zoe is thrilled to be making her Falcon debut with this production! Zoe was an Acting Apprentice at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and has performed at ETC in Alice in Wonderland and Bob: A Life in 5 Acts. She has also performed locally in Meet Me in St. Louis at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, and Silent Scream at The Carnegie. Most recently, Zoe played Katie in the world premiere of Twitterhated at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. In addition to acting, Zoe is a teaching artist. She is also a dancer with Pones Inc. Many thanks to Piper for her amazing direction and thanks to YOU for supporting live theatre.
Terry Gosdin (Monsignor Ryan): Terry has done more shows than he can count, at more theaters than he can recall, going back more years than he’d care to think about. His most recent roles were in Falcon Theatre’s theater-for-film projects Daisy and Ben Butler. His most recent stage roles were in Falcon’s productions of Marjorie Prime, A Small Fire, and Yankee Tavern. A high school English teacher by day, he holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from an accredited university. He and his partner Tara are proud parents to Caramel, a grumpy and easily agitated Chihuahua. Terry’s life is a quest for the perfect cheeseburger.
Darryl Hilton (John Prentice Sr.): Darryl was last seen in Falcon Theatre’s production of The Exonerated. Past credits include To Kill a Mockingbird, Requiem For a Heavyweight, Jitney, The Piano Lesson, Driving Miss Daisy, Arsenic and Old Lace, Corpus Christi, The Boys Next Door, The Cherry Orchard, and Hellcab.
Jim Hopkins (Matt Drayton): Jim is delighted to make his first appearance at Falcon Theatre. A regular player at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, local audiences will remember his numerous roles throughout the years, including a Vampire Hunter , multiple Midsummers, two English kings, a Ghost, and a whole slew of various fathers, dukes, drunks, and uncles. His most recent roles include the title role in Titus Andronicus, Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and President Lyndon Baines Johnson in All the Way. Mr. Hopkins has also appeared at the Ensemble Theatre in Hands on a Hardbody, and in the Know Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Joseph Zettelmaier’s Manbeast. Mr. Hopkins has also appeared at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival in his original one-man show White Privilege under the direction of the esteemed Torie Wiggins. Mr. Hopkins lives in Covington with his wife Lettie Van Hemert and their dog Delilah and cats Sami, Walter and Oslo. Mr. Hopkins is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.
Ryan-Chavez Richmond (John Prentice): RC is a proud native of Flint, Michigan and an alumnus of Bowling Green State University Favorite past acting roles include Coalhouse Walker Jr. In Ragtime, Benjamin in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, and The Ghost of Christmas Present in Scrooge: The Musical. He spends his days as an elementary music teacher. This performance is dedicated to his grandmother who loves Sidney Poitier.
Cathy Roesener (Christina Drayton): Cathy is delighted to be back on the Falcon stage in this amazing play. She has been involved with local theater since the late 70’s, primarily with Beechmont Players, where she has worked as a Producer or Co-Producer, Stage Manager and Director. She has also worked with Riverstage Community Theater of New Richmond as Director and Stage Manager. Favorite roles are Sr. Aloysius in Doubt and Nat in Rabbit Hole (Falcon Theatre), Connie in The Blue Moon Dancing, and Juror #7 in 12 Angry Jurors (Mariemont Players). She has just finished a stint as VP Shows for Beechmont Players, and has been their ticket chair for over 20 years. Special thanks to Piper for trusting me with this complex role, to Steve for his love and support, and to Joanna, Maria, John, Marisa and Ellery, for being the most wonderful parts of my life.
Khrys Styles (Mary Prentice): This is Khrys’ debut performance with Falcon Theater. Khrys is an award winning stage, commercial and film actor, and has been working in Arts & Entertainment since the age of 5. A graduate of the School for the Creative and Performing Arts, she has a multitude of theatrical credits including: Zooman & the Sign; Jitney; Omnium Gatherum; The Crucible; Blues Alley Cat; I Used to be a Church Girl; What A Woman Wants; Grandmas Hands and she is currently directing and touring Trapped- One couples journey from love to domestic violence as a part of the ‘Healing Thru the Arts’ initiative for her non-profit The K.A.S.S.I.E. Project. Khrys is the owner of ONEBLKWMN Entertainment. In addition to her theatrical credits she is a a syndicated radio personality; music & entertainment television show host, traveling across country to interview A-list celebrities; a published Author; Producer; Philanthropist and Mother.
Elizabeth Leigh Taylor (Matilda Binks): Elizabeth is a Cincinnati native, SCPA graduate, and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. A long-time admirer of live theater, Liz has been involved in productions with several Cincinnati theater companies since 2017. This is her second production with Falcon Theatre after having appeared in Blues For An Alabama Sky.
Production Team Biographies
Piper N. Davis (Director): is delighted to direct the first show of the season! She is an Emmy Award-winning actress, director, cultural director and singer who has performed and toured productions throughout the United States. She has had several stage and screen roles and loves doing voice-over work. Some of her directorial and performance credits include The Edge of Town; Ben Butler; To Be Black; The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats; Richie and Blanche; Family Healing; Kill. Move. Paradise.; Harry and the Thief; Bare; Caroline, or Change; In the Blood and Open the Sky. Piper is a Board member of Falcon Theater, on the WCPO 9 Community Advisory Board, a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Multicultural Awareness Council (MAC), and works at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She is very proud to be a native resident of Cincinnati, where she can both work and play in the city’s vibrant arts scene, surrounded by artists, storytellers and makers of all kinds. Piper is grateful to God for her talents, and she sends much love and joy to Lydia J. Davis (Mommie), her family, friends, and her doggy, Izzy (Grizabella).
Bri Landrum (Stage Manager): Bri is thrilled to be working on her first show with Falcon Theatre! A 2019 graduate from Thomas More University, Bri has loved the opportunity to continue to participate in theatre. Currently Bri is getting her Master’s in Biology from Miami University while also interning at the Cincinnati Zoo. She would like to thank Alexa Glaser for suggesting her for this incredible position, and she hopes you all enjoy the show!
Jake Schaub (Stage Manager): Jake is ecstatic to be working on Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner with such a wonderful team. He is proud of all the work everyone has put into making this show successful. He would like to send his sincerest gratitude to Alexa Glaser for recommending him for this role, and he hopes everyone enjoys this powerful show.
Falcon Theatre Management Board
Piper N. Davis – Diversity & Inclusion Director
Lisa Dirkes – Marketing Director
Terry Gosdin – Play Reading Chair
Clint Ibele – Falcon Takes Flight Director
Allen R. Middleton – Development Director
Holly Sauerbrunn – Grants Writer
Tracy M. Schoster – Patron Manager, Advisory Team
Ted J. Weil – Producing Artistic Director
Tara Williams – Production Coordinator, Grants Manager, Advisory Team
Patrons
ANGEL:
Doug & Carol Burks (Production Sponsors)
Richard L. & Mary A. Johnson (Season Sponsors)
Patrick Thernes (Production Sponsor)
PLAYWRIGHT:
Ted J. Weil
DIRECTOR:
Robert Arlinghaus & Christina Kelley
Allen Middleton & Gary Daniels
Bill & Trish Harris
Greg Schaper
Tracy M. Schoster
Michael & Susan Whitehead
PRODUCER
David & Janet Arno
Bill Hartnett
Designer
Rita Larkin
Jill Morenz
Stage Manager
Danny Davies
Carolyn Leicht
Michele-Marie Merritt
ACTOR:
David Levy
Ben Raanan
Your Support Makes It All Possible!
Falcon has been creating quality theater for our audiences since 1989 and we remain committed to our vision to lead our community through artistic expression and inclusive creativity. Like all arts organizations, we can’t do it without you. Your tax-deductible donation helps us continue to produce affordable theatre while offsetting the cost of creating professional productions. The generosity of patrons continues to allow Falcon Theatre the opportunity to expand its horizons, reaching new audiences, new markets and a new generation of theatre minds. Your gift goes a long way in helping us grow, thrive and continue this success. Click Here to visit our Patron Information page.
Falcon is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and your donations are tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.
Patron Levels:
- Angel $5000+ (Includes 2 five-show Flex Passes)
- Benefactor $1000+ (Includes 1 five-show Flex Passes)
- Playwright $500+
- Director $250+
- Producer $100+
- Designer $50+
- Stage Manager $25+
- Actor Up to $25
Flex Passes
Want To See A Show For Free?
We have Flex Passes on sale to save you money and help you see only the shows you want. A Flex pass is a block of tickets you can use whenever you want at Falcon and it’s a great way to save money and see some great theater.
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