PTC19-29 Play Brawl Program_Virtual_Final

Here’s to producing
challenging, entertaining,
and imaginative work.
Comcast NBCUniversal and Rhonda & David L. Cohen
are proud to support the Philadelphia Theatre Company,
and we wish this year’s Play Brawl contenders the best of luck!
COMCASTCORPORATION.COM

MARCH 13, 2020
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 6:00PM
ROUND 3!

When it comes to supporting the arts
in our city, we all have a part to play.
Tonight we honor all those
who help the show go on.
www.ballardspahr.com

YOU CHOOSE THE CHAMPION!
Follow these easy instructions to register:
Text Playbrawl20 to 76278.
1. Reply to the text message you receive with your
first & last name.
2. Reply to the text message you receive with your
email address.
3. Click on the blue link you receive to
access the event site.
You can also visit playbrawl20.givesmart.com and
click Register to complete the form.
Tip: Pre-register your credit card for easy check out.
Powered by

We are pleased to
continue our support
of PTC and this year’s
Play Brawl.
Michael J. Heller
Executive Chairman & CEO
(215) 665-4141 | mheller@cozen.com
Vincent R. McGuinness
President & Managing Partner
(215) 665-2097 | vmcguinness@cozen.com
E. Gerald Riesenbach
Senior Counsel
(215) 665-4159 | griesenbach@cozen.com
750 attorneys | 30 offices
© 2020 Cozen O’Connor

THANK YOU TO OUR PLAY BRAWL SPONSORS
RINGSIDE HONORARY HOST COMMITTEE
David L. Cohen
Chair
Stephen J.
Blazick
David & Nancy
Colman
Julia & Gene
Ericksen
Sally Katz
& David Price
Geoffrey & Susan
Kahn
Carl Levin
& Hans Kriefall
Dale Penneys Levy
& Richard Levy
Sue Manix
& Glenn Gundersen
Joe & Robin
Meterchick
Stephen J.
McConnell
Jerry & Cookie
Riesenbach
Wachtell, Lipton,
Rosen & Katz
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Kristin & John
Bair
Dennis Bianchi
& Jan Shaeffer
Buchanan Ingersoll
& Rooney PC
Buckley
Law
Susan Dornstein
& Gary Deutsch
Stephanie B.
Fineman, Esq.
Holly & Greg
Flanagan
Teresa Gavigan
& Larry Besnoff
John
Hanamirian
Geoffrey & Susan
Kahn
Stephen
Kastenberg
The Laurel
Rittenhouse Square
Jerry & Cookie
Riesenbach
Don
Rosenblit
Elliot
Schwartz
Shel & Karen
Thompson
As of 3/2/20

A MESSAGE FROM OUR LEADERSHIP
Dear Friends,
The world has changed since Play Brawl was originally scheduled.
We want to acknowledge the pain and tumult that we are witnessing right across the country
and right here in Philadelphia. We support the Black community and acknowledge the long
history of systemic racism and trauma that is the root cause of injustice.
We are moving forward with Play Brawl because it is our biggest fundraising event of the year
and the single best way to support Philadelphia Theatre Company’s work. Our top priority
is ensuring that PTC has the resources to come back strong so we can continue to support
our artistic community. We hope this opportunity to gather, even virtually, might provide our
audiences and our artists the strength and resolve necessary to do the work that will make PTC
and Philadelphia even better. Tonight is a night to remind ourselves of art’s power to heal
us and to enable us to learn from each other.
Philadelphia Theatre Company will emerge from this crisis stable and strong. We are
committed to our mission and to the people we serve.
So, thank you for coming to our third annual (and now virtual) Play Brawl! We’re grateful to
Comcast NBCUniversal, Rhonda and David L. Cohen, Ballard Spahr, Cozen O’Connor, The
Daniel B. and Florence E. Green Foundation, Tony La Russa, and Victor Keen and Jeanne
Ruddy Keen for once again sponsoring this one-of-a-kind event.
We love highlighting the work we do AND hosting a competition that puts the fun back in
fundraising.

We owe so much gratitude to our Contenders, Referees and guest stars who have poured their
own creative energies into making tonight unforgettable. Imagine yourselves in their shoes
and show these amazing Phil-ebrities some love for putting themselves out there tonight in
support of the arts. Just use the mobile app to vote with your tax-deductible dollars! It’s
only $1 a vote! More than just crowning tonight’s winner, every vote ensures another
winning season of plays and musicals at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.
We know you’ve been in front of screens A LOT these days, and we promise to move things
along. So please, sit back, make sure those TVs, tablets, and/or phones are turned on and
LET’S GET READY TO RUMMMMMMMBLLLLLLLLLLLLE!
Thank you!
Paige Price
Producing Artistic Director
Emily Zeck
Managing Director
P.S. A special thanks to those who jumped in and joined our first ever Ringside Honorary Host
Committee this year! David L. Cohen, Stephen J. Blazick, David & Nancy Colman, Julia
& Gene Ericksen, Sally Katz & David Price, Geoffrey & Susan Kahn, Carl Levin & Hans
Kriefall, Dale & Richard Levy, Sue Manix & Glenn Gundersen, Joe & Robin Meterchick,
Stephen J. McConnell, and Jerry & Cookie Riesenbach: Thanks for being in our corner!

PHILADELPHIA THEATRE COMPANY
at the
Paige Price
Producing Artistic Director
MARCH 13, 2020
Emily Zeck
Managing Director
starring
MINDY DOUGHERTY BAIADA JONATHAN LOVITZ SULAIMAN RAHMAN
GARRETT SNIDER MICHAEL TURNER
BETH MALONE
with
ERIN O’HEARN
J. HERNANDEZ
JESSICA LILI KAHLIL WYATT TYLER MOUNT
Ringside Refs
JUWAN CRAWLEY
SANDY RUSTIN
GRAHAM STEVENS
Scenic Design
COLIN MCILVAINE
Hosted by
SHAINA HUMPHRIES & PAIGE PRICE
Lighting Design
NICK KARGEL
Sound Design
CHRISTOPHER COLUCCI
Projection Design
COLIN RIEBEL

The number
ONE address
in Philadelphia.
ONE Liberty Place proudly supports Philadelphia Theatre Company.
BOMA AWARD WINNER
BEST BUILDING BEST TENANT EXPERIENCE BEST AMENITY
CLEANEST BUILDING
BEST INFRASTRUCTURE
BEST INTERIOR
& EXTERIOR SPACES
BEST FAÇADE
BEST LOBBY
BEST SUSTAINABILITY
PRACTICES
William J. Hirschfeld, CCIM
+1 215 963 4025
bill.hirschfeld@cushwake.com
1650 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
www.onelibertyplace.com

BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
LEADERSHIP
David L. Cohen, Chairman
Gary A. Deutsch, Vice Chair*
John M. Hanamirian, Treasurer
Julia Ericksen, Ph.D., Secretary
Kristin Bair
Dennis Bianchi
Kia Buckner, CPA, CGMA
David L. Colman, AIA*
Stephanie B. Fineman, Esq.*
Holly Flanagan
Teresa Gavigan*
Glenn Gundersen*
Regina Hairston
Geoffrey A. Kahn
Sally Katz
Victor F. Keen
Daphne Klausner
Zac Kline
John Kuester III
Stephen J. McConnell
Paige Price,
Producing Artistic Director
E. Gerald Riesenbach, Esq.*
Carol Saline
Elliot Schwartz
Emily Zeck, Managing Director
Artistic Advisory Board
Daryl Roth
Harold Wolpert
Members Emeritus
Sara Garonzik
Executive Producing
Director Emeritus
Joanne Harmelin
Don Rosenblit
Chairman Emeritus
Sheldon L. Thompson
Bettyruth Walter, Ph.D.
Tracey Weiss, Ph.D.
* Members of Event Committee
as of February 13, 2020

Every day, the arts
inspire us all.
©2020 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC
CON PDF 0618-0106

We proudly support the
Philadelphia Theatre Company
950 attorneys | 27 offices nationwide
Stephanie B. Fineman, Esq.
Board Member
215.918.3545 | sfineman@foxrothschild.com
TO ALL OF THIS YEAR’S
BRAWLERS, IF YOU DON’T
LAND A KNOCK OUT...
She’s Coming for You!
CONGRATULATIONS TO
OUR FAVORITE CONTENDER,
PHILADELPHIA
THEATER COMPANY.
Sally Katz & David Price

A BRILLIANT PAST
Philadelphia Theatre Company, much like our namesa
And we’re just g
Philadelphia Theatre Company has brought more than 150 new shows to Philadelphia over the last 45 years.
Do you know how many of them were world premieres? A staggering 38!
From Richard Thomas’ ferocious turn in Citizen Tom Paine
(1986-87) to Kathleen Turner’s brassy portrayal of Molly Ivins
in Red Hot Patriot (2009-10), bringing the freshest work and
best talent to audiences has been in our DNA for more than
four decades.
Audra McDonald? This star of stage and screen has more
Tony wins as an actor (six) than anyone else. Ever. Well, we
introduced her talent to the world in our 1995 world premiere
production of Terrence McNally’s Master Class on Philadelphia
Theatre Company’s stage.
Audra McDonald & Zoe Caldwell
Master Class moved to Broadway, ran for nearly 600
performances, won the Tony Award for Best Play, and earned
trophies for both McDonald (Best Featured Actress) and her
co-star, the late, legendary Zoe Caldwell (Best Actress).
Looking at where we’ve been, we know where we want to go.
Found, Juwan Crawley, Alysha Deslorieux, and
F. Michael Haynie, photo by Mark Garvin
Nerds, Ensemble, photo by Paola Nogueras
Red Hot Patriot: The Kick Ass Wit of Molly
Ivins, Kathleen Turner, photo by Mark Garvin

& A PROMISING FUTURE
ke city, has shaped the American theatre landscape.
etting started.
Zoe Caldwell’s passing last month brought to mind her unforgettable take on Maria Callas a quarter
century ago right here at Philadelphia Theatre Company.
As we remember her, let’s recall the words she spoke near the end of the play:
“There is no being at center stage as if by magic. There is always an entrance first, just as there is always
an exit after. Art is about those transitions. There is only discipline, technique, and Mut.”
Zoe Caldwell
1933 - 2020
If art is about transitions, then we at Philadelphia Theatre Company have lived our art these past few
years. Now, as we near the half century mark as Philadelphia’s leading producer of American theatre,
we are ready to make another entrance.
“Discipline. Technique. Mut.” (That’s “courage” in German, for those of you wondering.)
We’ve spent the last few years demonstrating that we’ve got those in spades. Now, we’re emerging with new plans.
Watch for world premieres and world-class talent. We’re looking for the next McNally, forging deep relationships with
playwrights and directors. Discovering the next McDonald. Producing the next play with a legacy like Master Class.
It’s in these periods of uncertainty about the future that creativity thrives. We stand on the precipice of a new era in
American theatremaking.
Our promise is that you’ll witness the dawn of that new era right here.
Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ali Stroker
and Will Blum, photo by Marc Garvin
Master Class, Audra McDonald, Zoe Caldwell,
and David Loud, photo by Joan Marcus
The Scottsboro Boys, Ensemble, photo by Mark Garvin

To Paige, Emily and the
PTC Team:
Congratulations on the
“knockout” success of this
season!
Kristin & John Bair
THANKS TO ALL THE
CONTENDERS FOR
BRAWLING FOR PTC.
BREAK A LEG!
-STEPHANIE FINEMAN
We are proud to support
Philadelphia Theatre
Company and its talented
cast of characters.
Geoff and
Susan Kahn
Proud to be a supporter of
this theater company which
challenges us, entertains
us and provides us with
transformative theater.
Thank you Paige, Emily and
staff for a terrific season.
Teresa Gavigan & Larry Besnoff

Knock ’em out...
...but with courage
and grace.
GOOD LUCK, MICHAEL!
champ

SHAINA HUMPHRIES
CO-HOST
Shaina Humphries joined the FOX 29 News team in
February, 2019, as co-anchor of The FOX 29 News
broadcasts weeknights at Five, Six, Ten and 11pm.
Originally from suburban Chicago, Shaina comes to
Philadelphia after spending several years as an anchor
and reporter at KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa. She began
her career in 2012, after earning a master’s degree from
Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She earned a bachelor’s degree in
broadcast journalism from the University of Illinois.
While working for KCCI, Shaina experienced the excitement and chaos of covering four
major election cycles in Iowa. She enjoyed the interesting and sometimes bizarre nature of
Iowa’s political landscape; as well as the access to candidates provided by the state’s first-inthe-nation
caucuses.
In 2017, Shaina led KCCI’s yearlong State of Addiction initiative, reporting almost exclusively on
Iowa’s opioid addiction epidemic, in addition to her role as the station’s 9pm anchor. During
that time, she told dozens of stories about addiction, recovery and the complicated role of
opioids in modern medicine. She hosted an Emmy-nominated 90-minute primetime special
featuring families affected by opioid addiction, medical and healthcare professionals, local and
federal law enforcement and emergency responders. She is most proud of these stories for the
awareness they helped create in the community and the relationships formed in the process.
More recently, Shaina was honored to receive an Upper Midwest Emmy Award for her work
on a roundtable discussion about the early impact of the #MeToo movement.
When she’s not working, Shaina enjoys being active and getting outside. She picked up a love
for biking in Iowa, especially while pedaling across the state each summer on RAGBRAI,
(The Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa); and she once dabbled in
running, completing the Chicago marathon before promptly retiring from the sport. She loves
to travel and has a bucket list a mile long. She also loves her adopted Boston Terrier, Ellie.

THECLAYSTUDIO.ORG
The clay’s the thing.
CONGRATS TO PTC!
-GENE & JULIA ERICKSEN
Bravo, Philadelphia Theatre Company!
d.PhilaTheatreCo.2020.indd 1
1/28/20 2:49 PM
Proud to support
Philadelphia
Theatre Company
& Play Brawl
Philadelphia | 15 Offices Nationwide
BIPC.com

CONTRIBUTORS
Kristin & John Bair
Sidney & Joyce Gamburg
Rosalyn Ominsky
Bob & Linda Pulsinelli
Candace & Gerald Schlief
Bernard & Marilyn Weidenaar
IN HONOR OF OF
CAROL SALINE
Howard & Vesna Sacks
IN HONOR OF OF
JONATHAN LOVITZ
Bruce Pesckoe
AUCTION DONORS
Gerry Allen & Sandra Fernandes
Kristin Bair & Kevin Hammonds
Dennis Bianchi & Jan Shaeffer
Kia Buckner
Rhonda & David L. Cohen
David & Nancy Colman
Comcast NBC Universal
Di Bruno Bros
Jacqueline Doyle &
Renaissance Healing Arts
(Auction Donors cont.)
Gary Deutsch & Susan Dornstein
Julia Ericksen
Holly & Greg Flanagan
Teresa Gavigan & Larry Besnoff
Jack Hayes
Danielle Joh
Daphne Klausner & Ron Litman
Ann Karlen &
Third Wheel Cheese Co.
Zac Kline
FJ Leto & JuiceDr.
John McFadden & Lisa Kabnick
Josh Mondry & Skico
Kathy Orr & WTXF-FOX 29
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Ballet
PTC Crew
Carol Saline & Paul Rathblott
Harper Seldin & John Kuester III
Elliot Schwartz
Terrain
Jimmy Yeager & Jimmy’s, An
American Restaurant & Bar
SPECIAL THANKS
Center City Film and Video
Kelly Ryan Stage 3 Productions
Erik Flaten
Di Bruno Bros
Jered McLenigan
Sabrina Profitt
Michaela Shuchman
Ben Tilley
Seth Reich
Rob Tucker
Kyle Fennie
Marc Kudisch
Maddy Mackarey
Sol Madariaga
Tyler Mount
Alan Menken

McGlinchey Stafford
is pleased to support
Play Brawl and the
Philadelphia Theatre
Company.
Congrats to PTC on another
knockout season!
-Elliot Schwartz
AL CA FL LA MA MS
NY OH TN TX DC
mcglinchey.com
37 years as a PTC board member.
It must be love.
Don Rosenblit

PTC STAFF
LEADERSHIP
Producing Artistic Director: Paige Price
Managing Director: Emily Zeck
ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION
Artistic Associate: Allison Fifield
Literary Intern: Angel Chasco
Production Manager: Matt Davis
Production Electrician: Terry Smith
Head Carpenter: Thomas Cristaldi
Sound Supervisor: Waylon Ferrell
Lighting Supervisor: Ben Tilley
Assistant Lighting Supervisor: Jeremy Hugo
Wardrobe Supervisor: Danielle Joh
Wardrobe Assistant: Sabrina Reichert
Assistant Audio Supervisor: Robin Clenard
Assistant Carpenter: Patrick Dougherty
House Assistant: Mitch Miller
Assistant Production Manager: Caroline Vana
MARKETING
Director of Marketing: Shawn Stone
Public Relations: Kory Aversa and Carrie Gorn
of Aversa PR & Events LLC
Graphic Design: The MyersRoberts Collective
Creative Content Intern: Alexa Perillo
DEVELOPMENT
Director of Development: Christopher Kramaric
Associate Director of Development: Jessica Pasquariello
Development Intern: Gregory Drapkin
SUZANNE ROBERTS THEATRE & AUDIENCE SERVICES
Rentals Manager: Vince Karlen
Box Office Manager: James Specht
Tessitura Manager: Amy Wilson
Audience Services Supervisor: Lauren Davenport
Audience Services Associates:
Sol Madariaga, Eunice Akinola, Linnea Bond,
Mia Dalia, Emily Wanamaker
Front of House Staff:
Angel Chasco, Allison Fifield, Ale Hedlund,
Tom Irvin, William Le Dent, Zachary Miller,
Bella Saltzer, David Hagelgans, Xander Rioh,
Meg Trelease, Abby Weissman, Sol Madariaga,
Rohin Verma
BUSINESS & ADMINISTRATION
General Manager: Margo Moskowitz
Manager of Board & Administrative Services: Sharon Kling

IN HONOR OF
DONALD
STANLEY WILF
&
NEW PLAYS
-DR. PETER ARGER

PROUDLY SUPPORTS PHILADELPHIA THEATER COMPANY
Our expertly curated menus and experienced team will help you create an
unforgettable event in your home, your workplace, with one of our premier venue
partners, or our stunning new event space BANCA at 600 Spring Garden.
WEDDINGS • CELEBRATIONS • CORPORATE GATHERINGS • FUNDRAISERS
DiBruno.com/Catering | 215.665.1659 | Catering@DiBruno.com