Production Program

Written by Jeremy Karen, David Murrell & Gordon Farrell
Based on the book by Jim Fingal and John D’Agata
Directed by Ed Cohen
Season Sponsors: Richard L. & Mary A. Johnson

From The Producing Artistic Director

The past 2 years have been incredibly challenging for everyone and few industries have struggled more than the arts.  But here we are.  Many of us survived and found ways to stay creative.  There was a cost, without question, but to every other arts organization who is still here and still bringing passion and humanity to life through creative expression, Falcon lifts a glass in respect, honor and kinship.

Falcon’s unofficial theme for this season is “Fill the Space” and that has many meanings.  Falcon, as with many other theaters, is still seeing smaller audiences than we did in early 2020 so, yes, we want to make sure we’re filling seats in our theater.  But “Fill the Space” is a much broader goal.  We want to fill our space with the conversations, emotions and connections that audiences and artists share when we meet in a dark theater and travel to a different world for a short time.  Theatre unites people in a way nothing else can…it gives us a glimpse into the minds, hearts and lives of others.  And there has never been a time in history when that has been more important than it is today.

We also want to “Fill the Space” with new ideas.  Theatre is about creativity and Falcon has always been dedicated to encouraging creativity and originality.  Our season this year is what we always strive for…a unique collection of work that offers a vast universe of experiences for our artists and our audiences.

And, of course, we want to “Fill the Space” with you….our dedicated audience of fans who love what we do. So this year, when you come to Falcon, help us not only share with you, our life-long friends, but help us make new friends.  Bring someone with you…maybe even someone who has never experienced the transformative power of a live theatre production.  Together we will ensure that the arts thrive in Newport and that this region continues to grow as a home for working, professional artists.

Together we will fill this space with ideas, friends, innovation and joy.  Welcome to Falcon Theatre.

Sincerely,
Ted Weil
Producing Artistic Director

CAST (in order of appearance)


Emily Penrose — Susan Jung
Jim Fingal — Christopher Wells
John D’Agata — Jay Woffington

PRODUCTION TEAM

Stage Manager — Katie Ruwe
Scenic Design — Ted J. Weil
Lighting Design — Ted J. Weil
Costume Design — Tara Williams
Props Design — Tara Williams
Sound Design — Ed Cohen & Ted J. Weil
Lighting & Sound Execution — Katie Ruwe
Set Construction — Ted J. Weil & Clint Ibele
Set Decor — Tara Williams
Graphic Design — Nikole Friend
Lobby Display — Ted J. Weil
Dramaturg — Julie Carpenter
Production Coordinator — Tara Williams
Marketing Director — Lisa Dirkes
House Staff Coordination — Ted J. Weil
Photography — Kristy Rucker
Box Office — Holly Sauerbrunn

Falcon thanks these organizations for their support:

Cast Biographies

Susan Jung (Emily Penrose): Susan is the Artistic Director and cofounder of The Story Collective as well as the Director and Choreographer for the award winning Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Theatre Department. With over 20 years in the business, she has directed over 60 full length productions, taught musical theater dance and acting for CCM prep, led/taught over 30 musical theater camps, and taught acting, musical theatre, and dance at the Tony award winning Playhouse in the Park. Susan was one of the stage directors for the Christmas show Awaited. She is also a mentor for the Jumpstart Theatre Program (pioneered in Cincinnati)  through EDTA where she works with underserved middle school educators to help them start and maintain a theatre program.  She has won a Theatre Educator Acclaim Award and was an Overture Finalist for Theatre Education as well as several local acting and choreography awards. As a playwright, several of her original plays have been produced in Cincinnati, Arizona, and Utah. Susan maintains her professional acting career with films, regional and national commercials, print ads, and voice-overs while performing regionally with Murder and Merriment and TSC. Susan has also performed professionally with local theatres, TCTC and WFIT, and holds a B.A. in theatre from Northern Kentucky University. Much love to my family. 

Christopher Wells (Jim Fingal): Christopher is thrilled to be making his Falcon Theatre debut!  A Cincinnati native, he received his BFA in Acting from Wright State University as well as a BA in French.  Christopher loves singing and dancing his butt off in musicals but also loves diving into straight plays: contemporary and classic.  He dreams of being in feature films and playing on some of the world’s biggest stages.  He hopes you enjoy this comedic and moving retelling of a true story and he hopes you leave the theatre with something to talk/think/debate about.  Christopher thanks his family and close friends for their constant love and support. Regional Credits: A Christmas Carol, Sister Act, On the Town, Elf: The Musical (Covedale Center for Performing Arts), Carousel, Funny Thing Happened […] (Incline Theatre), Footloose (LaComedia), CLUE: The Musical, Billy Elliott, Matilda, Romance Romance, AIDA: The Musical (Weathervane Playhouse)

Jay Woffington (John D’Agata): Jay is excited to be making his Falcon Theatre debut and to be working under Ed Cohen’s direction again, having appeared in his prior productions as Biff in Death of a Salesman (New Edgecliff), George in Of Mice and Men (Mariemont Players), Willie Conklin/Henry Ford in Ragtime (Cincinnati Music Theater).  Professional: Mitch in Tuesday’s with Morrie (Covedale Center), Illuzio (Stage First), the title role in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Showboat Majestic).  Community: Ross in Visiting Mr. Green (Mariemont Players), Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (Footlighter’s), Eugene in Biloxi Blues (Rising Phoenix).  Directing: Children of Eden, West Side Story (Footlighter’s), both winners of the CEA for Best Community Theater Production.  Producing: Rated P… for Parenthood (Off-Broadway), Beautiful (NYC Fringe Festival).  For seven years, Jay was the Executive Director of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company where he led the design, fundraising and construction of the $17.5 million Otto M. Budig Theater in OTR.  Jay would like to thank his wife Jodi for her unyielding support and his children Wendy, Jack, Brett and Reese for their encouragement.

Production Team Biographies

Katie Ruwe (Stage Manager): Katie Ruwe is pleased to be back at Falcon for this production of Lifespan of a Fact. Born and raised in Cincinnati and a graduate of NKU’s School of the Arts, she has worked throughout the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. At Falcon, she has managed Silent Sky, Ben Butler, The Agitators, and Yankee Tavern. She has stage managed with Queen City Opera on productions of Cenerentotla, Iolanta, Der Freischütz, and Die Valkyrie. She has also managed Spinning Into Butter with American Legacy Theater, 100 Days with the KNOW Theater of Cincinnati, as well as several Fringe Festival shows. She would like to thank her partner for his outstanding support and she hopes you enjoy this show as much as she has enjoyed working on it!

Ed Cohen (Director): Ed returns to Falcon after having directed Marjorie Prime,  The Pillowman, The Beauty Queen of Leenane,  In the Heat of the Night, Down the Road (twice) and Assassins (with his wife, Dee Anne Bryll).  Elsewhere, he has directed regional premieres of  Pride’s Crossing,  Lebensraum,  Sympathetic Magic, Shining City and All the Way ;his work was also seen in several Cincinnati Fringe Festivals, including A Poster of the Cosmos, Mad by Jennifer Dalton and The Hotel Plays by Israel Horovitz (co-directed with Dan Doerger). Ed directed Breaking the Code, The Foreigner,  Encore, Encore, Persona and The Pig Farm for NKU, Recent Tragic Events and In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play) for CCM Drama, The Wild Party for Miami University, Death of a Salesman and Slow Descent From Heaven for New Edgecliff Theatre and Chapter Two and A Few Good Men for The Covedale.  With Dee Anne, Ed co-directed the world amateur premiere of Windy City, along with productions of Assassins and Evita; they also directed Falsettos and Parade for CCM Musical Theatre, Big River, Tenderly:  The Rosemary Clooney Story and Chicago at The Carnegie, Some Enchanted Evening for NKU, The Music Man and Ragtime for Xavier University and Singin’ in the Rain, Annie Get Your Gun, I Do, I Do,  I Love a Piano, Gypsy and The Sound of Music for the Covedale.  Ed has taught Directing  and Playscripts Analysis at NKU and musical theatre acting for CCM’s High School Musical Theatre Intensive Program for 17 years. He and Dee Anne received the Trailblazer Award from the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Acclaim Panel in 2010 for ongoing contributions to area theatre and their productions of Parade and Chicago at the Carnegie were voted  the Best Musicals of 2013 and 2014, respectively, by The League of Cincinnati Theatres. 

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
Holly Sauerbrunn – Grants Writer, Box Office Manager
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)

BENEFACTOR:
Sophia McAllister
Allen Middleton & Gary Daniels
Terry Miller & Dale Hayes

PLAYWRIGHT:
Judy & Lou Belli
Jay & Beth Benson
Ron Cropper
David Derringer
Tracy M. Schoster
Ted J. Weil
Michael & Susan Whitehead

DIRECTOR:
Robert Arlinghaus & Christina Kelley
Robert & Patricia Clary
Denise Dirkes
Clint Ibele
Phil Paradis
Greg Schaper

PRODUCER
In honor of Renee Alper
In memory of Ginny Weil
Steve Bolia & Rob Dorgan
Reg Dyck
Joanne Glaser
Terry Gosdin
Sandra Grinkmeyer & Ernie Franz
Bill & Trish Harris
Patricia Hoffmann
Pam Matsko
Anne Moorman
Holly Sauerbrunn
Mary Ann Smith
Jennifer Warner

DESIGNER:
Crystal Kendrick
Rita Larkin
Tom Lawry
Judy Stober
Anne Wrider

STAGE MANAGER:
In memory of Tom Story
Joseph Collier
Piper N. Davis
Mary Ann Meyer

ACTOR:
Robert & Paula Breslin
Barbara Reaman

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

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