Edward Albee's

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

Featuring Laura Gordon, Casey Hoekstra, James Ridge, and Kate Romond

Directed by Keira Fromm

Studio Theatre | January 20th - February 12th, 2023

James Ridge and

Laura Gordon

A must-see masterpiece in its first professional Milwaukee production in over two decades

Selected for the 1963 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, winner of the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play, 1963 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play, and 2013 Tony Award for Best Revival

On the campus of a small New England college, long-married George and Martha invite an opportunistic new professor and his stunningly naïve wife home for a nightcap following a faculty mixer. As the cocktails flow, the young pair find themselves caught in the crossfire of a savage marital war between one of the most legendarily dysfunctional couples ever created. As the combatants attack the self-deceptions they’ve forged for their own survival, the enormous secrets at the foundation of their relationship slowly emerge in this hilarious and harrowing classic that forever changed the face of the American theater.

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? runs approximately two hours and fifty-five minutes with two ten-minute intermissions.

Featuring

Costume Designer
Scenic and Lighting Designer
Properties Designer
Composer and Sound Designer
Fight and Intimacy Choreographer
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager

Laura Gordon, Casey Hoekstra, James Ridge*, and Kate Romond

Amy Horst
Jason Fassl***
Jim Guy
Jeffrey Levin
Christopher Elst
Emily Wright*
Josh Hart

TALKS AND EVENTS

Pay What You Choose Night: Mon, Jan 23 at 7:30pm
ASL Performance: Sun, Feb 12 at 2pm
SIPSTUDIO: Sat, Jan 28 at 7pm pre-show, 5th floor rehearsal hall
Artist Appreciation Night: Sat, Jan 28 at 8pm ALL tickets just $15
TalkBacks: Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9, (post performances)

ASL Interpreted Performance- Sunday, February 12th at 2:00PM.

Please email josie@milwaukeechambertheatre.org to book your seats.

Meet the Cast & Creative Team

Laura Gordon

(Martha) She/Her returns to Milwaukee Chamber Theatre where she directed last season’s THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. A Milwaukee based actor and director, Laura’s acting credits include Prospero in THE TEMPEST (Santa Cruz Shakespeare), Winnie in HAPPY DAYS (Renaissance Theaterworks), the Nurse in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Baltimore Center Stage), and the Stage Manager in OUR TOWN, Margie in GOOD PEOPLE, and Linda Loman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN at Milwaukee Rep where she spent twenty years as a member of the Resident Acting Company. She has directed for American Players Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Indiana Rep, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Rep, Forward Theatre, Next Act Theatre, and Renaissance Theaterworks, among others. A Lunt-Fontanne Fellow, Laura received her MFA in Acting from the University of Iowa and is a member of SDC and Actor’s Equity Association.

James Ridge

(George) He/Him returns to MCT after a thrilling run of INDECENT last season. Other shows with MCT include THE FEW, UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, and DICKENS IN AMERICA. He is a theatre artist living in Spring Green, where he has been a core company member of American Players Theatre for 25 seasons, during which he appeared in CYRANO, EURYDICE, and WAITING FOR GODOT, among others. Locally he has performed with Milwaukee Rep, Next Act, Renaissance Theatreworks, First Stage, Madison Rep, and Forward. He is an avid baker of sourdough bread and passionate coach of high school soccer. Many thanks for supporting live theater!

Casey Hoekstra

(Nick) He/Him is thrilled to be working at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for the first time. In Milwaukee he has appeared at Next Act Theatre (9 CIRCLES, BLOOD AT THE ROOT). He has also been a part of four seasons at American Players Theatre here in Wisconsin (TAMING OF THE SHREW, EXIT THE KING, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, COMEDY OF ERRORS, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE). He has worked at theaters across the country including Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight Theatre, Writers Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Madison, Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis), Indiana Repertory Theater, Mixed Blood Theatre, Montana Shakespeare, and Drury Lane. He holds his BFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota Guthrie program and spends his free time illustrating.

Kate Romond

(Honey) She/Her is thrilled to be making her Milwaukee Chamber Theatre debut. In Milwaukee, she has worked at Milwaukee Repertory Theater (THE CHERRY ORCHARD and THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR). She has also worked with several theater companies in Chicago, including The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theater, The Artistic Home, Red Tape Theater, and Collaboraction. TV BIOGRAPHIES EDWARD ALBEE’S WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? 7 credits include Work in Progress and Masters of Sex (Showtime), and Chicago Med (NBC). Kate graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy (Acting Major) and received her BFA in Acting from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. When she isn’t acting, Kate is a creative producer with 5 by 12 Films.

Keira Fromm

(Director) She/Her is excited to be working with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for the first time. She is a Chicago-based Jeff award nominated director. Favorite recent directing credits include: THE MOORS, A PHOENIX TOO FREQUENT AND A DOLL’S HOUSE (American Players Theatre) THE LAST MATCH (Writers Theatre); TOP GIRLS AND HANG (Remy Bumppo); BULL IN A CHINA SHOP, SIGNIFICANT OTHER, BRIGHT HALF LIFE, AND A KID LIKE JAKE (About Face Theatre), THE COLUMNIST (American Blues Theatre), CHARLES IVES TAKE ME HOME (Strawdog), AND THE HOW AND THE WHY (Timeline Theatre) Keira is an Artistic Associate with About Face Theatre. She received her MFA from DePaul University, her BFA from Boston University, is an alumna of Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, and a member of SDC, the professional director's union. Keira will be directing THE LIAR AT AMERICAN PLAYERS Theatre this upcoming summer. [www.keirafromm.com]

Jason Fassl, Scenic and Lighting Designer***

(Scenic and Lighting Designer) He/Him this production marks Jason’s 15th MCT production, including: THE BROTHERS SIZE, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, and most recently THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. Over the last decade, Mr. Fassl has consumed mass quantities of electricity at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Ballet, American Players Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Peninsula Players, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Skylight Opera Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Next Act Theatre, Forward Theatre Company, and many others. Jason is a member of United Scenic Artists Local #829, the Milwaukee Stagehands IA Local #18 and a UW-Stevens Point Alumnus.

Jeffrey Levin

(Sound Designer) He/Him is a composer, sound designer, and musician based in Chicago, IL. Selected Chicago credits: PHOTOGRAPH 51 (Court Theatre); MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (Drury Lane Theatre); A SHAYNA MAIDEL (TimeLine Theatre Company); GREY HOUSE (A Red Orchid Theatre); THE BROTHERS SIZE (Steppenwolf); and HOOKMAN (Steep Theatre Company). Regional: A RAISIN IN THE SUN (American Players Theatre), THE GREAT LEAP (Asolo Repertory Theatre); and SCAPINO (Gulfshore Playhouse). He is the recipient of the Edes Foundation Prize for Emerging Artists, The Michael Philippi Prize, and several Joseph Jefferson Award Nominations and wins. He holds an MM in music and composition from DePaul University and a BMus in music and composition from Columbia College Chicago.

Christopher Elst

(Fight Director / Intimacy Director) He/They is prominent member of several national theater organizations (Secretary of the Governing Body and Certified Teacher, Society of American Fight Directors; Associate Instructor, Dueling Arts International; Intimacy Director in training, Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, et al.), and an advocate for safe practices in theaters nationwide. Christopher has performed, directed, and designed violence, movement, and intimacy for professional theaters across the country, including Ogunquit Playhouse, Door Shakespeare, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (now The REV), Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theatreworks, Skylight Music Theatre, and The Milwaukee Rep. He thanks his wife, Marcee, for tolerating late nights and joint locks.

Jim Guy

(Properties Designer) He/Him is proud to continue his long association with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre with this production. He has been a Props professional since shortly after he joined the resident company of The Cleveland Play House more than 40 years ago. His work has appeared On and O -Broadway, on tour, in print, on television, in museums, and on the stages of theaters, opera, and ballet companies nationally. He has propped an estimated 600 plays, musicals, and operas. Jim was Properties Director at Milwaukee Repertory Theater for 24 seasons, from 1998 to 2022. As time and temperament allows, he now freelances, teaches – most notably bringing his Firearms Safety for Stage workshop to theaters and colleges around the country-as well as consulting and serving as Membership Chair of the professional Milwaukee Chamber Theatre not-for-profit Prop Masters and educators association, the Society of Props Managers (S*P*M), for which he served as president for 16 years. He was born in a log cabin. He never tells a lie.

Amy Horst

(Costume Designer) She/They Previously at MCT: THE ISLAND, CHAPATTI, FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE, THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL, THE SUM OF US, TALKING HEADS, JOE EGG, THE BIBLE (ABRIDGED), SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), THREE DAYS OF RAIN. Other credits include Next Act Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Kohl’s Wild Theater, Bialystock & Bloom, and Theatre X. It has been an incredible honor to be part of the lineage of this artistic community of theater makers in Milwaukee. Treasure the art and the artists, they’re what’s left of all of us. Thank you for coming to co-create this story.

Emily Wright

(Stage Manager) She/Her is happy to be returning to Milwaukee Chamber Theatre this season! Previous Milwaukee stage management credits include MISERY, WHERE DID WE SIT ON THE BUS?, and MALA (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), NUNSENSE (Milwaukee Repertory Theater), and GIRLS IN THE BOAT and THE MIRACLE WORKER (First Stage Children’s Theater). Emily has also worked at Cain Park, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, and Cleveland Play House. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, attended Denison University, and is currently based in Milwaukee.

Josh Hart

(Assistant Stage Manager) He/Him is delighted be with the Chamber Theatre team once again! After graduating from the University of Chicago, he moved to Milwaukee and worked at Milwaukee Rep for two seasons as the Stage Management Resident and Fellow. Some of his favorite recent shows include HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, PIANO MEN, UNFORGETTABLE, GET HAPPY, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Milwaukee Rep), RAISIN (Skylight Music Theatre), STEW, and MISERY (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre). As always, he sends all his love and gratitude to Amaris, Stephan, Rufio, Zippy, and Billina.

***

*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Thank you to our generous production sponsors

Executive Producers

Marina and Frank Krejci

Susan and Robert Lueger

John Shannon and Jan Serr

Producer

J. Michael Reavis

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Edward Albee's

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

Featuring Costume Designer Scenic and Lighting Designer Properties Designer Composer and Sound Designer Fight and Intimacy Choreographer Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager

Laura Gordon*, Casey Hoekstra*, James Ridge*, and Kate Romond Amy Horst Jason Fassl*** Jim Guy Jeffrey Levin Christopher Elst Emily Wright* Josh Hart

Meet the Cast & Creative Team

Featuring

Costume Designer
Scenic and Lighting Designer
Properties Designer
Composer and Sound Designer
Fight and Intimacy Choreographer
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager

Laura Gordon, Casey Hoekstra, James Ridge*, and Kate Romond

Amy Horst
Jason Fassl***
Jim Guy
Jeffrey Levin
Christopher Elst
Emily Wright*
Josh Hart