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Grantors

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Donors

Mill Mountain Theatre would like to thank the generous gifts from our Donors. We would not be here without you!

Donors

Standing Ovations 2022
Gifts of $5,000 and more

The Honorable and Mrs. G. Steven Agee *

Avis Construction Company, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Jason E. Bingham *

Boxley Materials Company

Carilion Clinic

Ceres Foundation Inc.

Roanoke Arts Commission

Commonwealth of Virginia, Rebuild Virginia CARES grant

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia

Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc.

Freedom First Federal Credit Union

The Sam & Marion Golden Helping Hand Foundation, Inc.

The Huntly Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Shields Jarrett *

Jewell Machinery

The Louise R. Lester Foundation

W. E. McGuire Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Kathryn B McQuade Foundation *

Pinnacle Financial Partners

Roanoke Women's Foundation

The Honorable and Mrs. Frank W. Rogers, III *

Skyline National Bank

Edgar Thurman Foundation For Children

U.S. Small Business Administration, Pandemic Economic Stimulus grants

Virginia Commission for the Arts

Producers 2022
Gifts of $2,500 to $4,999

Brandon Oaks Retirement Community

Center in the Square

Davenport & Company LLC

Mrs. Anne G. Downing

Ms. Sarah Copenhaver and Mr. G. Franklin Flippin, Esq.

Mr. & Mrs. W. Heywood Fralin Sr.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Garbee *

Gentry Locke Attorneys

The Glebe

Dr. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia Ph.D. *

Mr. & Mrs. G. John Levin, Jr.

Member One Federal Credit Union

Mr. & Mrs. G. Marshall Mundy

Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op

The Roanoke Star

Marsh & McLennan Agency

Truist Bank

Mrs. Mary Meade G. Winn

Leading Roles 2022
Gifts of $500 to $999

Ms. Cathy Acri

Reverend and Mrs. George C. Anderson *

Mr. & Mrs. D. James Bailey III

Mr. and Mrs. W. Chan Bolling *

Mr. and Mrs. J. Keith Bown

Ms. Dorothy S. Clifton and Dr. Lou Singer

Connexions Professional Services

Mr. & Mrs. Grimes W. Creasy

Dr. and Mrs. Antonio T. Donato

Dr. and Mrs. F. Joseph Duckwall

First Citizens Bank

The Honorable and Mrs. Robert W. Goodlatte

Mr. and Mrs. Will Griffeth

Mrs. Robert Jaeger

Dr. and Mrs. David A. Kinsler

Laurence Kufel *

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Lee

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Long

Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds G. Lynch lll *

Dr. Elizabeth Rice Martin and Mr. Eddie Martin *

Mast General Store, Inc.

Dr. and Mrs. G. A. McClellan

Mr. and Mrs. Phillip McKeage *

Mr. and Mrs. Robert McMican

Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Meidlinger

Ms. Donna L. Mitchell

The Newbern Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Nordt, III *

Mr. & Mrs. J. Lee Osborne *

P1 Technologies, Inc.

Capt. and Mrs. Gary S. Powers *

Mrs. B. J. Preas *

Dr. Randall R. Rhea

Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Timmermann

Mr. and Mrs. Raphael M. Traen

Ms. Vicki Turner

Ms. Yvette Van Hise

Mr. and Mrs. Joe H. Vaughn

Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Vietmeier

Wabtec Graham-White

Mr. and Mrs. Byron L. Yost

Scene Stealers 2022
Gifts of $1 to $249

Ms. Kailey Absher

Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Akers

Mr. and Mrs. David K. Allen *

AmazonSmile Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Don H. Andree

Mr. and Mrs. Briggs W. Andrews

Ms. Sharon Angle

Mr. Andrew S. Arbury, III

Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Ashwell

Anne T. Avis

Ms. Brenda Ayers

Ms. Bettie Baber

E R Bane Trust

Mr. & Mrs. D. Stan Barnhill

Dr. and Mrs. Vincent T. Basile

Ms. Ashleigh Bayer

Mrs. Ruth G. Babylon

Ms. Kathy Bibb

Ms. Mary H. Bivens

Mr. Norman Blanchard

Ms. Joellen K. Bland

Ms. Cynthia Blevins

Ms. Leanna Blevins

Dr. and Mrs. John Bouldin

Ms. Nancy A. Bourne

Mr. Alexander Bowman, Jr.

Ms. Amanda Bozack

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Bradshaw Jr.

Ms. Michelle Brandt

Ms. Henriette B. Brooks

Ms. Stephanie Bryant

Ms. HelenRuth Burch

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bush

Mr. Andrew Callahan

Capt. Anne Cannon

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Carlin

Mr. Zachary Carney

Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Carroll

Mr. and Mrs. Reed Carter

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cates

Ms. Gloria Cauley

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Celin

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Cheadle

Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Childress

Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Clemmer, Jr.

Mr. William Colbert

Carl E. Coleman Family Trust

Mr. and Mrs. W. Patton Coles, IV *

Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Conner

Mrs. Mary Ann Conrad

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas C. Conte

Mr. John Cornthwait

Mr. and Mrs. James G. Cosby

Frankie Courtemanche

Mr. & Mrs. Grimes W. Creasy

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Cribbs

Mr. Mark Culbreth

Mr. and Mrs. Declan F. Daly

Mr. & Mrs. H. Lawrence Davidson

Ms. Michelle Davis

Ms. Elizabeth G. Deisher

Kelly Derrick

Ms. Stacy Deyerle

Mrs. Barbara M. Dickinson

Dr. Elizabeth H. Duckworth & Mr. John M. Duckworth

Ms. Jeanne M. Duddy

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Dunkenberger, Sr.

Ms. Kathy Dupont

Ms. Patricia Ebbett

Mr. Charles L. Echols Jr.

Ms. Melvina Edwards

Ms. Christina Englehart

Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. English

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Ewart, Jr.

Ms. Kelly T. Farber

Ms. Emily Farmer

Ms. Janet Faulkner

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory W. Feldmann *

Ms. Victoria Ferris

Mr. Eric E. Fitzpatrick

Mr. and Mrs. Juergen F. Fleck

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Francis, Jr.

Ms. Gail Godsey

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Goldstein

Mr. Mark Goodes

Dr. James J. Gooding

Mr. Glen Graye

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Greear

Dr. and Mrs. Frank Guilfoyle

Mr. James E. Hall, Jr.

Dr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Harter

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Harvey

Dr. & Mrs. J. Bruce Hauser

Ms. Katherine Havener

Mr. and Mrs. Walker B. Healy Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Hess

Ms. Jessica Hilbish

Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Hill, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Hite, III

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Hoff

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Holdgreve

Macel Holloway

Ms. Donna B Horak

Mr. Chris Howard

HHHUNT Homes Richmond

Ms. Carin Hunt

Dr. and Mrs. Alvin J. Hurt

IBM International Foundation

Mr Richard L Ikenberry

Mr. and Mrs. John Jackson

Mr. Edward F. Jennings Jr.

Ms. Sarah Jernigan-Tompkins

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jewell

Marcia and Lewis Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Pegram Johnson, III

Drs. James and Janet Johnson

Ms. Erma L. Jones

Mr. Pedro Martin Jose Juan

Mrs. Ann M. Journell

Mrs. J. Robert Justice

Mr. and Mrs. William K. Keesee

Mr. Matthew Kelley

Mr. and Mrs. Herman D. Kemp, Jr.

Ms. Victoria Kessler

Mr. Joshua Kier

Mr. and Mrs. Rich Kirchhoff

Ms. Shoshana Knapp

Mr. and Mrs. Alton L. Knighton, Jr.

Kroger

Dr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Kunkle

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kurshan

Mrs. Susan P. Lancaster

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. Laughon

Mr. Terry Lauver

Mr. and Dr. Todd A. Leeson

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony F. Lefkowicz

Ms. Zoe Manoukian

Ms. Tara A. Marciniak

Ms. Jane Markson

Mr. Gene H. Marrano

Mr. Robert Martin

Ms. Lee B. McBride and Ms. Katherine M. Rakes

Mr. Norman Foggin and Mrs. Kathryn McCathern

Debra McClure

Dr. and Mrs. Maston R. McCorkle, Jr.

Mr. W. D. McCoy

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas McLaughlin

Mr. and Mrs. John G. McLeod

Ms. Amber McLoney

Mr. and Mrs. John D. McMillen

Ms. Bette McNamara

Ms. Melissa Merritt

Mr. Thomas Mesner and Ms. Jeanne Larsen

Mr. and Mrs. David Moledor

Ms. Connie Jo Montz

Ms. Pamela Morgan

Leslie J. Morrissett and Rebecca F. Morrissett

Ms Katherine Mortara

Mr. Marcus B. Moses

Mr. and Mrs. Allan Mower

Ms. Suzana Muller

Ms. Bethany Murphy

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Myers

Richard Nance

Ms. Jacquelyn Nasca

Ms. Carmen Neal

Ms. Rhonda Neely

Theresa Ruth Neilsen-Steinhardt

Network For Good

Mr. and Mrs. John Nicklo

Dr. and Mrs. James R. Niederlehner

Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Nordt, Sr.

Mr. & Mrs. George W. Norton

Ms. Rachel Nunez

Amanda O'dell

Mrs. Phyllis A. Olin

The Rev. and Dr. David Olson

Mr. Patrick J. O'Reilly

Dr. and Mrs. Ronald B. Overstreet

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Padis

Ms Melissa Palmer

Mr. & Mrs. John C. Parrott, II

Mr. Jeffrey Pasciak

Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Pasternak

Dr. and Mrs. John W. Pendleton

Mrs. Ashley Pennington-Tripp

Ms. Joan K. Petrus

Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Pooley

Mr. and Mrs. John Powell

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pratt

Dianne & Nick Prout

Mr. Mauricio Ramos

Jacqueline Rearick

Dr. and Mrs. Wayne G. Reilly

Mr. Ian Ridgway

Mr. William Riedy

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Rigsby

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Robertson

Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Rottkamp

Mr. Carl Milton Rowan

Mr. James Royalty

Mrs. Charles B. Ryan

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Sailer

Mr. Connor Savage

Ms. Sharon Schwind

Ms. P. Annie Seago

Ms. Sally A. Seagraves

James C. Sears, Ed.D.

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick N. Shaffner *

Ms. Katherine Shaver

Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Shelor

Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Silverman

Mrs. Gene H. Smallwood

Ms. Diane T. Smith

John H. Smithey, Jr.

Ms. Mary J. Snedegar

Ms. Ann Marie Soltis

Ms. Melanie Starks

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce C. Stockburger, Esq.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur P. Strickland

Mr. Robert Stutes

Ms. Leila Summo

Ms. Angela Swain

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Swanson

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Symonds

Ms. Anne T. Tiffany

Mr. and Mrs. David Todd

Ms. Ann Penny Tully

Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Vernon

Mrs. and Mr. Jane I. Wallace

Mr. Jason Walsh

Mr. & Mrs. J. Robert Walton

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy R. Ward

Mr. and Mrs. Lilburn E. Ward, III

Ms. Tiffany Waters

Ms. Maureen Watson

Hugh and Jaye Harvey Wellons

Ms. Virginia West

Ms. Judy West

Mr. Roy Westmoreland

Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Whaley

Mr. and Mrs. Damon W. White

Mr. and Mrs. James Whitney

Mrs. Pamela H. Wiegandt

Ms. Deborah Wilhelm

Ms. Kimberly Williamson

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Willis

Mr. and Mrs. J. David Wine

Ms. Edna Wood

Ms. Savannah Woodruff

Mr. Trenten Woods

Mrs. Lee H. Woody

Ms. Vella Wright

Mr. and Mrs. Keith F. Young

VIPs 2022
Gifts of $250 to $499

Mr. and Mrs. Carlton W. Alcorn

Mrs. Lynn D. Avis

Ms. Hazel Bernard

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Brailsford

Ms. Helen A. Burnett

Mr. and Mrs. Russel M. Danstrom

The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. David Dixon, III

Mr. Paul A. Economy and Mr. Randy Craver

Mrs. Lauren Ellerman *

Mrs. Marianne E. Gandee *

Dr. and Mrs. Charles D. Gilliland

Dr. & Mrs. J. Bruce Hagadorn

Donna Hancock

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Janoschka *

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Jernigan Jr.

Robyn and David Johnsen

Mr. and Mrs. James F. Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Keely

Mr. Talfourd H. Kemper

Anna and Tom Lawson

Mr. and Mrs. Kirk A. Ludwig

Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Machado

Ms. Martha L. Martin

Dr. Suzan R. and Dr. John R. Merten

Paul and Robert Metz

Mr. Bob Mills

Ms. Leisa Mundy

The Muse Family Foundation *

Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Nash

Dr. and Dr. Michael S. Nussbaum

Mr. and Mrs. Mike O'Brochta

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis J. Pillis

Mr. Dale Rakes

Ms. Mary L. Sailer

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Shaver

Mr. and Mrs. James D. Sheahan

Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Shelor

Janet M. Siems

Dr. and Mrs. Bertram Spetzler

Dr. and Mrs. Brian A. Torre

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Whittle

Mr. & Mrs. W. Lee Wilhelm, III

Mr. Adam Williams

Mr. and Mrs. Scott W. Winter

Meet Our Donors

Tributes

Mill Mountain Theatre is honored to acknowledge gifts made in tribute or memory of special friends. To make such a gift please contact John Levin at (540) 342-5761 or development@millmountain.org.

Tributes

In honor of Nancy Agee and on her birthday by Dr. Nathaniel L. Bishop

In special commemoration of Ginger Poole Avis and Jack Avis being honored at the 2022 Multiple Sclerosis Society Dinner of Champions by current and former presidents of Mill Mountain Theatre’s Board of Directors including: David Allen, Nancy Gray, Macel Janoschka, John Jessee, Cynthia Lawrence and Will Trinkle, and by Ginny Jarrett

In honor of Ginger Poole Avis by Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas C. Conte, by Ms. Melvina Edwards, by Nancy Gray and by Macel and Stephen Janoschka

In honor of Jack Avis by Ginger Poole Avis

In memory of Jim Ayers by James C. Sears, Ed D

In memory of Willeyne McCune Clemens, Dorothy Meyer Hannaford and Sam Zulis by Nancy Ruth Patterson

In memory of Tracy D’Souza by Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Rottkamp

In memory of Becky Gilbert by Paul and Robert Metz

In honor of Mary Hubbard by Macel and Stephen Janoschka

In honor of Randall Hubbard by Macel and Stephen Janoschka

In memory of Timothy A. Kelly by Talfourd H. Kemper; by Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Lunsford, II; by Mr. W. D. McCoy; by Mr. and Mrs. John G. McLeod; by Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Nordt, III; by Mr. and Mrs. William N. Powell, and by Mr. and Mrs. James A. Robertson

In honor of the MMT Team by Ms. Edna Wood

In honor of Tuillo Brenna O’Reilly by Mr. Patrick J. O’Reilly

In honor of Nancy Ruth Patterson by Mr. and Mrs. Walker B. Healy, Jr.

In honor of B.J. Preas by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Cheadle

In memory of Charles Ruff, Jr. by Mr. and Mrs. Gregory W. Feldmann

In honor of Maury Lee Strauss by Ms. Lesleigh B. Strauss

In memory of Crystal Lynn Van Hise by Mrs. Yvette Van Hise

In honor of Susan Williams by Mr. Adam Williams

Our Tributes

Performers

Michael Havens

*

Electric Guitar

Evin Bowman

*

Bass

Yul Carrión

*

Ensemble

Ted Cespedes

*

Elbi Cespedes

*

Ted

Sarah Colt

*

Linda

Emma Lou DeLaney

*

Danny/Ensemble

Corry Ethridge

*

Ensemble

Rory Grant

*

Charlie Winslow

Angela Joy

*

Ensemble

Erin Kei

*

Ensemble

Maya Kitayama

*

Ensemble

Morgana Mauney

*

Ensemble

Andrew Mauney

*

Jim

Caitlin McAvoy

*

Lila

Melissa Perry

*

Ensemble

Mychal Phillips

*

Louise

Jack Swank

*

Charlie Winslow

Imani Youngblood

*

Linda

Setting

1940s Connecticut
There will be one 15-minute intermission

Songs & Scenes

Act I
"Overture"
Orchestra
"Steppin' Out with My Baby / I'll Capture Her Heart”
Jim, Ted, Lila, and Ensemble
"The Little Things in Life"
Jim
"Blue Skies"
Jim and Ensemble
"Marching Along With Time"
Linda and Jim
"Heat Waves"
Ted, Lila, and Ensemble
"It's a Lovely Day Today"
Jim, Lila, and Louise
"Plenty to Be Thankful For"
Ted, Lila, and Ensemble
"Plenty to Be Thankful For" (reprise)
Linda and Charlie
"Marching Along With Time" (reprise)
Linda
"Nothing More to Say"
Linda
"Shaking the Blues Away"
Louise, Jim, and Ensemble
"White Christmas"
Jim and Linda
"Holiday Inn / Happy Holiday"
Jim, Louise, and Ensemble
"Let's Start the New Year Right"
Linda, Jim, Ted, and Ensemble
Act II
"You're Easy to Dance With"
Ted and Ensemble Women
"Let's Take an Old-Fashioned Walk"
Jim and Linda
"Be Careful, It's My Heart"
Jim and Linda
"Cheek to Cheek"
Ted, Linda, and Ensemble
"Easter Parade"
Ted, Jim, Linda, and Ensemble
"Song of Freedom"
Linda, Ted, and Jim
"Let's Say It With Firecrackers"
Jim, Ted, Linda, and Ensemble
"Nothing More to Say" (reprise)
Linda
"White Christmas" (reprise)
Ted, Linda
"Finale"
Full Company

Production Staff

Producing Artistic Director
Ginger Poole
Director & Choreographer
Kristen Brooks Sandler
Director of Production
Matt Shields
Music Director
Christopher D. Littlefield
Production Stage Manager
Peppy Biddy*
Associate Choreographer/Assistant Dance Captain
‍Angela Joy
Assistant Stage Manager
Erin Alexis Markham*
Assistant Music Director‍
Seth Davis‍
Scenic Designer
Jimmy Ray Ward
Lighting Designer
Bill Webb
Costume Designer
Marissa Danielle Duricko
Sound Designer
Savannah Woodruff
Associate Costume Designer
Cassie Laymon
Costume Construction
Teresa Baxter
Wardrobe
Sydney Poole
Assistant Costumer
Susan Adams
Volunteers
Brenda Ayers‍ Bernadette Bascom‍ Poe Burton‍ Jeanne Duddy‍ Donna Horak‍ Serena Jamison‍ Terry Moran
Deck Chief
Drew Callahan
Crew
Nico Eagan‍ Ava Giannini‍ Andrew Pronko‍ Henry Stevens‍‍ Trenten Wood
Production Photography
Ian Ridgway Richard Maddox

Venue Staff

School Administration Staff

Producing Artistic Director
Ginger Poole
Director of Development
John Levin
Business Manager
Larry Kufel
Director of Education
Victoria Buck
Production Manager/Props/Scenic Designer
Matt Shields
Creative Director of Public Relations
Ian Ridgway
Resident Musical Director
Seth Davis
ATD/Lighting & Sound Supervisor
Savannah Woodruff
Education Associate & Community Engagement Coordinator
Francesca Reilly
Teaching Artist
Josh Polk
Spot Operators‍
Drew Callahan Trenten Woods

Musicians

No items found.

Board of Directors

President

Macel H. Janoschka

Vice President

J. Lee E. Osborne

Treasurer

Lori D. Cauley

Secretary

Nathaniel L. Bishop

Board Members

David K. Allen Lauren Ellerman Linda Garbee Nancy O. Gray Dr. Robyn Hakanson Laurence E. Kufel Dr. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia Cynthia Lawrence William L. Lee Reynolds Lynch III Dr. Elizabeth Rice Martin Laura McKeage Nancy Ruth Patterson Gary S. Powers Doris Rogers Edward M. Smith Judy Tenzer Will Trinkle Maxwell Huddleston Wiegard

Student Advisory Board

Credits

Lighting equipment from PRG Lighting, sound equipment from Sound Associates, rehearsed at The Public Theater’s Rehearsal Studios. Developed as part of Irons in the Fire at Fault Line Theatre in New York City.

Special Thanks

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

Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an International organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org

United Scenic Artists ● Local USA 829 of the I.A.T.S.E represents the Designers & Scenic Artists for the American Theatre

ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers (IATSE Local 18032), represents the Press Agents, Company Managers, and Theatre Managers employed on this production.

Scholarships

Mill Mountain Theatre is honored to offer two scholarships for students in the Conservatory programs providing life skills and training in theatre disciplines. Both are supported by donations from friends who share beliefs about growing our future talent.

The John T. “Jack” Avis Scholarship was established by MMT’s Board of Directors to recognize the service of a director and president who served MMT from 2004 to 2017. The award goes to a student of any age who demonstrates leadership.

– Elise LeGault, 2022 Recipient –

The John Sailer Scholarship Fund is in memory of a scenic and lighting designer whose creativity impacted productions at many theatres, including MMT, for decades. The award was created by his family to enable students interested in technical aspects of theatrical productions to attend MMT classes.

– Taylor Berenbaum, 2022 Recipient –

For information about donations to MMT’s scholarship funds, please contact John Levin at 540-342-5761 or development@millmountain.org

Cast
Creatives

Meet the Cast

Michael Havens

*

Electric Guitar
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Mike Havens was born and raised in Roanoke, VA and has been involved in music and playing guitar since the age of 12.  He received his Bachelors’ degree in classical guitar performance from Radford University and was awarded a full scholarship for study towards a Masters’ degree at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.  In 2001, he taught guitar studies at local colleges and universities including, Radford University, Emory and Henry College, Sweet Briar College, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, and Lynchburg College.  In 2008, he was offered, and continues, a full-time position teaching guitar and electronic music at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, VA.  Mike performs regularly as an acoustic and classical guitar soloist, is a member of the classical guitar and flute duo Con Eleganza, as a guest guitarist for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and is the guitar and bassist for Roanoke’s Mill Mountain Theater.

Evin Bowman

*

Bass
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Evin first began playing music with his middle school orchestra when he was 12 years old. A few years later, as a high school freshman, he made the leap to guitar. Now at 22, with a decade of experience under his belt, he has performed guitar with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, as well as guitar and bass for a multitude of Mill Mountain Theater shows. Notable performances include: A Chorus Line, Spring Awakening, Mama Mia, The Sound of Music, and Next to Normal.

Yul Carrión

*

Ensemble
(
Jim Hardy Cover
)
(
Jim Hardy Cover
)
Pronouns:
He/Him

Yul Carrión is very excited to be making his Mill Mountain Theatre debut! He is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and Florida School of the Arts. He most recently worked as a dancer/stilt walker for the CP Street Squad at Cedar Point amusement park where he learned to stilt walk and juggle bowling pins. Other recent credits include A Chorus Line (Don Kerr), West Side Story (Pepe), Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are In A Play” (Elephant Gerald/DC), and Bring It On (Randall). He is very grateful for all the wonderful love and support from all his loved ones that allow him to pursue his passion for performing.

Elbi Cespedes

*

Ted
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

SAG-AFTRA actor from NYC who’s thrilled to be making his debut with Mill Mountain Theatre in this beautiful classic! Most recently he played Sonny in In The Heights (Arts Center of Coastal Carolinas) in Hilton Head Island, SC, Paco in Miss Abigail’s Guide…(Emerald Coast Theatre Company) in Miramar Beach, Florida and led the world premiere of a new musical titled FOCUS in Boise Idaho! Much love to his mom, dad, brother Christian and sister Angelinna for always supporting and guiding him. Enjoy the show!!!

Ted Cespedes

*

(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Elbi Cespedes (Ted) is a SAG-AFTRA actor from NYC who’s thrilled to be making his debut with Mill Mountain Theatre Company in this beautiful classic! Most recently he played Sonny in In The Heights (Arts Center of Coastal Carolinas) in Hilton Head Island, SC, Paco in Miss Abigail’s Guide…(Emerald Coast Theatre Company) in Miramar Beach, Florida and led a world premiere musical FOCUS in Boise Idaho! You could follow him at his website ElbiCespedes.com or on Instagram @elbito322. Much love to his mom, dad, brother Christian and sister Angelinna for always supporting and guiding him. Enjoy the show!!!

Sarah Colt

*

Linda
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Sarah is beyond grateful to be joining this beautiful cast! Recent Regional: SSF’s Sweet Charity and Love’s Labour’s Lost, South Pacific (Broadway Plaza), Beauty and the Beast (Moonlight Amphitheater), Matilda (Weathervane Theatre) Cats (Post Playhouse), A Christmas Carol (WestChester Broadway), and more. She holds a BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College, and is represented by FSE Talent. Endless gratitude to Kristen and the entire team here at MMT for welcoming me into this wonderful family. Enjoy the show! IG: @sarahthecolt

Emma Lou DeLaney

*

Danny/Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Emma Lou DeLaney is so excited to be back in Roanoke for the Holidays! You may have seen her on the Trinkle MainStage in Mamma Mia! (Ali), The Sound of Music (Sister Margaretta), or the Music of the 60s Concert! Other performing credits include: Nickel Mines (Swing/Dance Captain), Spring Awakening (Ilse), and Sweet Smell of Success (Dance Captain). She has worked as a creative at theatres from Michigan to Sacramento to Carnegie Hall, and her most recent adventure was completing her Masters in Education! Love to the MMT team, my pet goldfish, Kevin, Jim and Mom! UC Irvine, BFA.


Corry Ethridge

*

Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
He/Him

Corry J. Ethridge is so excited to join the Mill Mountain family! Corry is a North Carolina native based in New York City. He has performed with Royal Caribbean, in NY Fashion Week, and for Broadway Bares. Select regional credits include Newsies, Matilda, Mamma Mia!, Bye, Bye, Birdie, and most recently playing Don in A Chorus Line.

Rory Grant

*

Charlie Winslow
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Rory Grant is thrilled to be appearing in his first Trinkle MainStage show at MMT. Rory, a 5th grader at Bonsack Elementary, was most recently seen in Peter & Wendy as John Darling (MMT), in Peter Pan, Jr. as Michael Darling (VCT) and as the Munchkin Mayor in The Wizard of Oz (Attic Productions). Some activities he enjoys outside of theatre are yo-yoing, video games, golf and reading. He would like to thank MMT for this opportunity and his parents for their continuing support of his love of acting. Rory would also like to thank YOU for coming to the show and supporting live theatre!

Angela Joy

*

Ensemble
(
Assistant Dance Captain
)
(
Assistant Dance Captain
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Angela Joy loves story-telling through movement. Thank you to gracious creative wizard Kristen Brooks Sandler for the opportunity to join “swing nation." Special thanks to Christina, who recommended I prep for swinging by mimicking strangers walking down the street. It didn’t help at all but it was a really fun way to pass the time. Soli Deo Gloria. @joybecause

Erin Kei

*

Ensemble
(
Dance Captain
)
(
Dance Captain
)
Pronouns:

Erin (She/Her) is so happy to return to Mill Mountain for this Holiday season! She was last seen in Legally Blonde as Vivienne Kensington. National Tours: Elf! The Musical. Regional: Maltz Jupiter, Asolo Rep, Dallas Theater Center, Syracuse Stage, Casa Mañana, Phoenix Theatre. TV/Film/Commercial: The Path (Hulu), Olay Whips, Sc7nario (BroadwayHD). Alongside acting, Erin is the Associate Artistic Director of the NY-based dance company, Thistle Dance. Huge thank you to Kristen, Ginger, Mill Mountain, super swing Angela, as well as her friends and family for their unwavering support of her dreams. Happy holidays! #blm #proudaapiactor @thistle_dance


Maya Kitayama

*

Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her/hers

Maya Kitayama (she/her) is a performer based in NYC. Credits include Beauty and the Beast (Drury Lane), Can-Can (Porchlight Music Theater), and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Scranton Shakes). Maya has been privileged to dance and collaborate with Thistle Dance on a number of projects, including their most recent workshop of Sinderella. Maya graduated with a BFA in Dance & Political Science from Fordham University and is currently represented by LDC Artist Representation.

Andrew Mauney

*

Jim
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Andrew Mauney is so excited to be back at MMT after last being seen as Callahan/Kyle in Legally Blonde last fall. Stage: South Pacific Ntl Tour (Billis u/s), Hairspray (Corny & Link), Soul Mates (Workshops, FST World Premier, & Celebrity Cruises), My Fair Lady (ArtsHHI). Several New York writing and directing credits. TV/Film: “The Blacklist”, “When They See Us”, “Trouble With Women”. Love to God, Morgana, and family/friends. Peace and Love! More at www.andrewmauney.com Phil 4:13

Morgana Mauney

*

Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Morgana Mauney (Ensemble) is excited to make her MMT debut as well as performing with her husband, Andrew Mauney. Stage: Sweet Charity, Joseph (Potiphar’s wife), Awaited (principal dancer), Christmas on Broadway, and Le Grande Cirque. Morgana is a principal dancer and founding member of Thistle Dance Company. A huge thanks to Andrew and family. Always spread kindness.

Caitlin McAvoy

*

Lila
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Caitlin is overjoyed to be stepping out with her MMT family this holiday season! Past MMT credits include Graziella in "West Side Story" and Bebe in "A Chorus Line." In keeping with the spirit of the season, you can catch Caitlin on Hallmark's "A Holiday Spectacular" and Fox's "A Greenbrier Christmas!"

Caitlin dedicates this performance to her family and her Guy who are the strongest of faith, silliest of spirit and turn even the boldest of dreams into tomorrow’s plans. With you it’s always “a lovely day for saying it’s a lovely day.”

Stars, The Agency

Melissa Perry

*

Ensemble
(
Lila Cover
)
(
Lila Cover
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Melissa Perry, (ENSEMBLE / LILA COVER), is thrilled to be returning to MMT! Favorite credits include 42nd Street (The Rev Theatre Co.), Saturday Night Fever, Matilda (Engeman Theater), Mamma Mia! (Mill Mountain Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (The Palace NH), A Chorus Line (Compass Rose Theater), The Producers (Kavinoky Theatre). She holds degrees in both Music Theatre & Dance. Melissa thanks family and friends for their love and support. Special thanks to Kristen, Ginger and everyone at the MMT! 

Mychal Phillips

*

Louise
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Mychal Phillips (Louise) is thrilled to be making her Mill Mountain debut! Favorite credits include Erma in Anything Goes (National Tour, Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, Westchester Broadway Theatre), Paulette in Legally Blonde (International Tour), Lina Lamont in Singin’ In the Rain (Theatre By the Sea), Gabrielle in Cinderella (North Shore Music Theatre), Deb in Elf (Gateway Playhouse), and Meg in Brigadoon (The Wick Theatre). Thanks to The Collective, and to the wonderful team at Mill Mountain for having me. Endless love to Mario, Mom & Dad, G & J, A & Z, and C & J.

Jack Swank

*

Charlie Winslow
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Jack Swank is a 6th grader at Hidden Valley Middle School. Jack most recently played Peter Pan in Mill Mountain Theatre’s production of Peter and Wendy. His favorite roll to date was Flick, in A Christmas Story. He has also acted in several Virginia Children’s Theatre productions. He was the Munchkin Mayor in Oz: A Staged Concert, Iago in Aladdin Jr., Flounder in Songs of the Past, and Bob the Builder in The Velveteen Rabbit. Jack starred in his first film in 2021, Omega and Sparks, a Grandin Film Lab Production and a short film award winner. In his spare time, he enjoys playing classic rock songs on his guitar. He also loves to play baseball and spending time at the lake, wake surfing, kneeboarding, and fishing. Jack would like to thank Mill Mountain Theatre for giving him this opportunity.

Imani Youngblood

*

Linda
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Imani Youngblood (she/her) is excited to make her Mill Mountain debut and has traveled across the States and Asia to pursue her passion as a performer and creator. She attended St. John’s University for Dramatic Arts, Film and TV and then graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Through the Academy, Imani also joined their 2017/2018 Company. Academy credits include To Wong Foo (Miss Rachel Tensions, World Premiere); Stupid F*cking Bird (Nina); Hamlet (Horatio); and Kentucky (Hiro). Other stage credits include Hood (Gamble Gold, Asolo Rep), Twelfth Night (Feste, The Flea), Romeo & Juliet (Juliet, Lady Shakes Theatre Company); Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon, EPIC Players); , Shakespeare in Love (Viola, Opera House Arts); Desdemona: a play about a handkerchief (Bianca, Opera House Arts); Step Show: The Musical (Meghan, Bickford Theatre) and Lysistrata Jones (Myhrrine, Ophelia Theatre Group).

Meet the Team

Ginger Poole

*

Producing Artistic Director
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Ginger Poole is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and an Associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union. She has studied, taught, choreographed, and performed throughout the U.S. She has worked in GA, HI, FL, MS, SC and VA with, Theatre in the Square, The Alliance City Series, Theatre Gael, Synchronicity Performance Group-GA, Mill Mountain Theatre-VA and SC Children’s Theatre. Originally from Atlanta, she has worked with the N.F.L. and The Atlanta Falcons as their director and choreographer and The Atlanta Opera. Prior to coming to Mill Mountain Theatre, she was based out of North Carolina where she has worked with Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, in over 25 productions. She was a part of the Education program at Flat Rock Playhouse for 5 years where she taught for their Apprentice Companies and their Conservatory Program in Acting, Dance, and Musical Theatre. Ginger has taught at The University of Southern Mississippi, Western Carolina University, William Carey College, Mississippi University for Women, and currently teaches at Hollins University. With Ginger’s strong background in dance she finds herself not only acting and dancing on stage but also directing the choreography and classroom skills for her students. Ginger holds her M.F.A. in Acting Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and continues to teach acting and dance.  She has worked with students that range in age from kindergarten through professionals.

Ginger has worked in commercials, voice-overs, film, stage, and the classroom, and was profiled in the book FIRESTARTERS as “the actor”.

Ginger serves on the following Board of Directors: South Eastern Theatre Conference (SETC Secretary, Second Term), Junior League of the Roanoke Valley (Past President and Current Nominating Committee, Second Term), Burton Performing Arts Advisory Board, The Roanoke City Public Schools Education Foundation, and she has served on the Review Panel for theVirginia Commission for the Arts. She was the recipient of the DePaul’s Women of Achievement Award in the Arts in 2013 and was named the 2016 Kendig Award recipient for Individual Artist. Ginger is also a guest host with WSLS, the NBC affiliate, Daytime Blue Ridge television show, and is the host of the new Mill Mountain Theatre Podcast, Meet Me at Mill Mountain. She is very proud to be a member of the Mill Mountain Theatre team and looks forward to its continued growth, success, and artistic influence in the region.

Kristen Brooks Sandler

*

Director/Choreographer
(
)
Pronouns:

Kristen is an award-winning director/choreographer whose work can be seen on screen and on stage. Purple-haired & proudly queer, she is committed to physical storytelling, believing in movement as the universal language that bridges the gap between audience and artistry. Her dance company, Thistle Dance, blooms at the intersection of theater and concert dance and employs narrative in tandem with an avant-garde aesthetic to refocus our histories and lore for artists and audiences alike.



Peppy Biddy

*

Production Stage Manager
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Erin Alexis Markham

*

Assistant Stage Manager
(
)
Pronouns:
She/her

Erin Markham is a Roanoke native with a lifelong passion for the theatre and music. She graduated summa cum laude from Radford University with a B.S. in Theatre and an emphasis in stage management. Along with stage managing several productions and student projects at RU, Erin worked as a House Manager, Box Office Assistant, and an Assistant to the Chair. In previous summers, Erin has worked with the Christiansburg Dance Academy, the Virginia Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities, and Mill Mountain Theatre’s Education tour of Curious George: The Golden Meatball. Her most recent work includes Assistant Stage Manager for Mill Mountain Theatre’s productions of Bright Star, Jersey Boys, Holiday Inn, The Diary of Anne Frank and Fun Home. Erin hopes this show gives you all the warm fuzzies (without the swollen tongue!)

Christopher D. Littlefield

*

Music Director/Conductor
(
)
Pronouns:

Christopher Littlefield has worked on Broadway: Spongebob (vocal coach, rehearsal pianist). Off-Broadway: Under the Bodhi Tree (music director, conductor), Shout! (keyboard), Naked Boys Singing (piano). Nat’l Tours: The Addams Family, 9 to 5 (associate conductor, keyboard). Film: Leonard Soloway’s Broadway (music supervisor, composer, arranger, pianist). Television: My Time – Oprah Winfrey Network (music director, arranger, pianist). Studio Recordings: Glory Days- Original Broadway cast, Nikkie Renée Daniels- “Home,” Scott Alan- “What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up” (piano, keyboard), Melissa Maricich- “Incandescent” (producer, music supervisor, pianist, arranger, orchestrator).

Marissa Anthony-Duricko

*

Costume Designer
(
)
Pronouns:

Marissa Anthony-Duricko is a costume designer, actor, director, and once-upon-a-time stage manager who has worked extensively in New York City, across the U.S., and Ireland. Born to a stage director mother, Marissa grew up in rehearsal rooms, costume shops, and the magic of darkened theatres. She received her formal training at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, the Chautauqua Institute’s Conservatory Theater Company, and University College Cork in Ireland. 

As an actor, Marissa has appeared numerous times Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway. Her regional credits include performances at the Delta Tennessee Williams Festival (Clarksdale, MS) the Last Frontier Theatre Conference (Valdez, AK,) and in the inaugural acting company of the Voices at the River Playwright Festival at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, to name a few. She has stage managed Off-Broadway at the Chelsea Playhouse and the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre in New York City. A transplant to Ireland for a few years, she earned two national Irish Student Drama Association nominations. One for Best Actress as Callie in Stop Kiss and the other for Best Costume Design for The Big Boy. Her directing credits include Tennessee Williams��� Camino Real, Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive, and the Irish premiere of Lanford Wilson’s Book of Days. Recent costume design credits include Urinetown, Little Women, and Sweet Charity. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2001.

The role of which Marissa is, and will ever be, most proud is that of mother to Onofrio and Davin.

Matt Shields

*

Technical Director & Props Designer
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Matt Shields is a native of Virginia. Having grown up in Loudoun County, he first moved to the region in 2013 to attend school at Radford University where he graduated with a BS in theatre. After working for a few other companies, Matt is happy to call MMT his artistic home. In the past few years Matt has served in a variety of jobs around Mill Mountain, including Props Master, Costumes Manager, Teaching Artist, Scenic Designer, and Company Manager. Matt is very happy to now be serving MMT as the Production Manager and is grateful to MMT for all the faith they have put in him over the years.

J.T. Fauber

*

Percussion
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

J.T. has been playing drums at Mill Mountain since 2008. His favorite show was My Son Pinocchio which included his wife Rachel on piano and both kids, Kyle and Caroline, on stage. Early in his career J.T. performed in the country show at Kings Dominion and on the La Boheme cruise ship. Currently he plays with The Boogie Kings, a ragtime / dixieland group that has been together since 1986. He also plays with the 1st Baptist Roanoke orchestra, The Winds of the Blue Ridge, and the Let's Dance big band. J.T. is the owner of Sun Tan City and Buff City Soap, both supporters of Mill Mountain Theatre.

Savannah Woodruff

*

Lead Electrician & Sound Engineer
(
)
Pronouns:
she/they

Savannah Woodruff was born and raised in Southern Pines, North Carolina, where she was encouraged to become involved in technical theatre in high school. Savannah is a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and received a BFA in Technical Production. Prior to joining the Mill Mountain Theatre staff, she worked as a member of Weston Playhouse Theatre Company’s Intern Company. Savannah is grateful for the support of her family (and especially her cats) in her endeavors, and is thrilled to be able to continue working and growing with Mill Mountain Theatre.

Teresa Hedrick

*

Woodwinds
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Teresa is excited to be marking her 53rd show in the Mill Mountain Theatre pit! Other theatre work includes Hollins University Theatre Department and Columbia, South Carolina's Town Theatre and Workshop Theatre where her very first show was Sweeney Todd. Teresa has been playing woodwinds since age 12, and was a member of the Dennis Reaser Orchestra, Roanoke Jazz Orchestra, founder of Star City Swing for the Salem Jazz Festival, and is in the Sway Katz Big Band. She performs regularly for area churches and special occasions, and has performed extensively around Southwest VA including concerts with Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Shirley Jones and Maureen McGovern. Teresa teaches woodwinds at Hollins University and Roanoke College, and taught at Bluefield University from 2009-2019. She also teaches woodwinds and her husband Steve teaches brass at Hedrick Music Studios. They own Hedrick Music, Inc., which publishes the Band Fundamentals Book Series.

Seth Davis

*

Assistant Music Director/Conductor/Keys
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Seth Davis is a Georgia native who is very excited to be back onstage with this lovely group of performers. Seth is a music director and musician in both the musical theater and classical music realms, in addition to being a teacher, clinician, and coach for performers and musicians of all ages. Regional credits include Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Spring Awakening, See What I Wanna See (Actor’s Express), Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical(Georgia Shakespeare), Time Between Us, A Diva’s Christmas, Hair (Serenbe Playhouse) and The Andrews Brothers (Stage Door Players). Seth has also served as musical director for Georgia Tech and Oglethorpe University in addition to teaching at The Alliance Theatre, Aurora Theatre and judging many regional music and theater festival competitions. Much love to the entire MMT family, and always, Travis.

Media

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2021 National Touring Cast

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Fortunato

Italian
|
104 Kirk Ave SW

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, Fortunato is the region's only traditional Italian kitchen & Neapolitan style pizzeria.

Fortunato

Italian
|
104 Kirk Ave SW

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, Fortunato is the region's only traditional Italian kitchen & Neapolitan style pizzeria.

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Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Martin's

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio. ‍

Martin's

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

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The Pine Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

From the snack n' share options and hearth flatbreads to the farmland offerings and signature items, The Pine Room features American Rustic cuisine that presents simplistic, sustainable, and high-quality ingredients in an inviting presentation.

The Pine Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

From the snack n' share options and hearth flatbreads to the farmland offerings and signature items, The Pine Room features American Rustic cuisine that presents simplistic, sustainable, and high-quality ingredients in an inviting presentation.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

The Regency Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

The Regency Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Awful Arthur's‍

Seafood
|
108 Campbell Ave SE

Modern tavern offering varied seafood, bar bites & a raw bar plus sports on TV & live music.

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Seafood
|
108 Campbell Ave SE

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Gastropub
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107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

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107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

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Barbecue
|
19 Salem Ave SE

The smoked meat is made with care and passion in a stick burner smoker and indoor wood burning smoker.

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Barbecue
|
19 Salem Ave SE

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Hamburger
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210B Market St SE

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

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Nawab Indian Cuisine

Indian
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118A Campbell Ave SE

Indian classics & all-you-can-eat buffet lunches, served in a low-key traditional dining room.

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Indian
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118A Campbell Ave SE

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Japanese
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214 Market St SE

Casual Japanese restaurant offering a large sushi menu, plus maki, traditional entrees & bento.

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214 Market St SE

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Sidecar

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Sidecar

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European
|
411 1st St SW

The food menu features traditional European foods like handmade sausages in traditional German, Polish, and English styles, as well as Belgian hand-cut fries, mussels, steak frites, and Polish pierogies.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European
|
411 1st St SW

The food menu features traditional European foods like handmade sausages in traditional German, Polish, and English styles, as well as Belgian hand-cut fries, mussels, steak frites, and Polish pierogies.

Marquee Deal!

‍Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Twisted Track Brewpub

Pub
|
523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

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Pub
|
523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Benny Marconi's

Pizza
|
120 Campbell Ave SE

Serving huge slices of pizza in downtown Roanoke, VA. Established in 2012.

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120 Campbell Ave SE

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American
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102 Market St SE

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102 Market St SE

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American
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32 Market Square SE

Quirky, independent eatery offering updated comfort food, a full bar, a patio & live music nightly.

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32 Market Square SE

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Texas Tavern

American
|
114 Church Ave SW

Family-owned since 1930, this 24/7 diner offers breakfast, burgers, sandwiches & its popular chili.

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American
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114 Church Ave SW

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While You Wait

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A Curiously Beta GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS — Review
Juan A. Ramirez
April 1, 2025

To stage David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross in 2025, starring Bill Burr, Kieran Culkin and Bob Odenkirk, would appear to be a huge win for the meninist movement. Your brother’s favorite TV stars cursing up a storm as real estate agents engaging in all sorts of chicanery to stay at the top of their food chain? The Palace Theater fills itself. And yet, for all its promised brazenness, this latest production of the 1983 play (its third revival in twenty years) is a curiously cucked rendering of a piece which requires all-cylinders machismo to fire off.

Director Patrick Marber presents a cleaner, more low-key take on the material. His is not the livewire sleazefest which has allowed actors like Al Pacino, Joe Mantegna and Bobby Cannavale to find poetry in peacocking. The pace here is set by their successor, Culkin, who deploys his shtick of frazzled, hair-tousled stammering into a sales asset, luring marks into his trap the way a conspiracy video turns raised eyebrows into slow surrender. As with this production, it’s a quieter tactic that works – it gets the play through to the end of the story successfully – but is not one delivering anything other than what’s immediately onstage.

Say what you will about Mamet (the less, the better, at this point), but his material works so long as it is allowed to dive as far deep into the mud to find some sort of insight into the brokenness of bravado. The cursing, the backstabbing, the nastiness should all spell out, in bold and all caps, the grossness of his characters’ worlds. Paradoxically, that sleaze also tempers the effect of their worst behaviors; here it’s casual racism. Grotesqueness tuned down and an overarchingly inoffensive relatability allowed to prevail, their extended forays into bigotry come off as just edgy humor from lovable rogues instead of the words of the damned.

Burr commands that middle ground, a natural with the acidic rhythm of Mamet’s language, but has too few scenes to display it. (Same with Michael McKean, in a less showy role.) And though he fares better in the second act, Odenkirk stumbles into his aging, pathetically unlucky salesman, never capturing the character’s life-or-death desperation the way it was immortalized, if sideways, in The Simpsons’ collar-tugging Gil Gunderson (himself based on Jack Lemmon’s film portrayal).

Not much is at stake for these alleged sharks, who glide through the lofty waters of Scott Pask’s two sets. Having to blow out this small piece to fit this massive theater, the ornate Chinese restaurant of the first act and the office of the second reflect comfort, not the cesspool that could breed the Darwinism their actions involve. Polished, starry, and with nothing to say, this Glengarry sells a McMansion, neither a scam nor a Palace.

Glengarry Glen Ross is in performance through June 28, 2025 at the Palace Theatre on West 47th Street in New York City. For tickets and more information, visit here.

Jessica Hecht on Her Adaptation of Brecht’s Mother
Juan A. Ramirez
March 31, 2025

After 2020, as pandemic restrictions were beginning to loosen up, Jessica Hecht was looking to create a piece about, as she puts it, “what it is to be a mother, and also somebody who is political in spirit but doesn’t find her voice until later in her life.” Walking around the Strand bookshop, she stumbled upon a play she’d first encountered in high school, where she never fully grasped its meaning: Bertolt Brecht’s The Mother. The experimental 1932 work, one of his “learning plays,” follows an illiterate, working class mother who finds herself at the center of a revolutionary struggle thanks to her son, whose radical thinking worries, then galvanizes, her.

The play’s theme, newly rediscovered, resonated with Hecht. Having worked with refugee communities around the world with her Campfire Project program since 2017, it brought her back to the mothers she met at a Greek refugee camp, at the height of the Syrian civil war, who were desperate to help build a future for their children.

This weekend, as part of Baryshnikov Arts’ 20th Anniversary season, Hecht will debut A Mother, an adaptation of Brecht’s work co-conceived with, and written by, Neena Beber. Featuring original songs and choreography, the play sets the action in 1979 Miami. It was an era she remembers well from frequent visits to her grandparents down South, when she was discovering love and disco months before the police murder of a Black man ignited dayslong riots. Also starring in it, the piece honors Brecht’s didactic, distancing effect by weaving several threads: the play’s narrative; Hecht’s personal history, alongside that of her family, who migrated to the U.S. around the time the work was written; and scenes surrounding its original Berlin production.

Theatrely caught up with Hecht a few days before the work’s premiere.

What’s your relationship with Miami?

My grandparents were working-class Jews from the Bronx and moved to Miami Beach, like a lot of people did in the ‘60s and ‘70s. I had very formative times with them going down to these apartments in the ‘70s, which were largely [inhabited by] old Jewish people who had survived the Holocaust and now lived in these apartments up and down Ocean Avenue, before that area became hipper than hip. Back then, it was really all Jewish, Black, and Latino communities. So we set the play in 1979 and 1980, when I am both being completely turned on to the idea of being in the theater and spending these weeks in Miami Beach, where I had my first crush. It all goes down in Miami in the era of disco and the city really exploding. It was a fabulous time; clubbing and Versace and all these people coming down there to explore this whole other side of the city. I really remember the collision of those two worlds.

Most of those people were in the last twenty years of their lives and a lot of them lived out the rest of their lives in isolation. People stopped coming and it became very dangerous for a short period of time because, during the Mariel boatlift, Castro let out all of these people from jails and mental hospitals, in addition to any Cubans who wanted to leave. So these elderly people were panicked to leave their apartments at night. And that wasn't all completely true, some of it was just fear. It's terrible, as I think about it, because you realize all the bullshit that our government is putting out about these immigrant groups that is completely untrue. It's interesting how these seeds get planted and create this idea in the collective consciousness that these immigrant groups coming in are the product of countries trying to get uncomfortable populations out. That is absolutely not what's going on now, but it was sort of what was going on in Miami at that moment.

It's always interesting, and can be emotionally fraught, to look back at the things that were happening around you when you were young. Did anything stand out in your research?

We placed it in 1979-1980 because this very seminal event occurred in Miami at that time. It was the murder of a Black man, Arthur Lee McDuffie, by a group of Miami-Dade police officers that became a real media explosion, and then later sparked very serious riots in Liberty City, a Black enclave in Miami. There are riots in the play, and moments in which you feel the presence of thug-like police officers who come in and totally trash this old woman's home. These riots, during that winter that I was there, were very, very affecting. I mean, I vaguely remember this case, but then when Neena brought it up... I watch these videos, and there's actually a famous reggae song about the Liberty City riots because the whole city was burning. It was like the Rodney King or the George Floyd events, but before we had this real awareness. Arthur Lee McDuffie was a Marine and he was just pulled off his motorcycle and brutally beaten to death. That actual event colors the piece. And McDuffie’s mother – now we've now seen mothers repeatedly pleading, in the media, for an end to this violence. This was certainly not the first of this kind of murder, probably the millionth, but in many ways it was the first to be so well covered by the media. 

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Jessica Hecht | Photo: Deborah Lopez

Tell me a little bit about conceiving A Mother.

I went to the Strand looking for something I could perhaps collaborate on with Neena Beber, who I’ve worked with for many years. We’d have these Zoom sessions where we would talk about how we could adapt this. Our very first idea was to have three different mothers, one from Latin America, one from the Middle East, and one American. We’d do improvs around how this could manifest, and I started telling stories about my own family and my grandmother's history, who was a very defining character in my life. We did that for months, and then the Orchard Project got involved, then Baryshnikov Arts. These improvs kept going, where we would record ourselves talking about our own experiences, and then we would read the play with six actors, and then we'd go back to talking again. We'd do these recordings to see how the play actually affected us, how it lived in us. Then Neena cobbled together a script based on these improvs and these investigations.

Had you thought of including movement into the piece before Baryshnikov became involved?

I did synchronized swimming and modern dance for a bit when I was a teenager. It kept coming up during development and I said I don't want to manifest any kind of quote-unquote dance, but we should have some way we move which allows us to engage with the audience in a physical way. So I asked Misha Baryshnikov and his wife Lisa if they had any suggestions, because I was in a production of The Cherry Orchard with him which had movement at that time. Watching him work on a play was so inspiring because, although it's not dance, there's this way in which he creates a character through movement which is so defining. Lisa wasn’t available but suggested their daughter, Shura, because she works a lot in the theater and she's an incredible choreographer. There is some disco choreography, synchronized swimming on land and some teen theater camp choreographies that live in the piece.

How are you finding a physicality in this? When I think of Brecht, I think of intellectualism.

It's so wonderful because we're finding all of this physicality by placing it in Miami Beach. I have these women of that era that I knew so well, who were in their 70s, but were in this warm, club-like environment. So they had a kind of renewal of their femininity, albeit in the form of an elderly person, but a little sexy. What's very interesting is that Brecht’s actual style was not as stiff as people think. We have this remarkable recording of the Berliner Ensemble production of The Mother in 1934 that my friends showed me. My friend Solveig Schumann, who’s the daughter of the person who created the Bread and Puppet Theater, is married to Sebastian Brecht, Bertolt’s grandson. So the grandchildren of these bohemian icons married, and that's how I got a lot of information about the Berliner Ensemble and these early productions. The style is much more natural than you would ever imagine. The bodies, the physicality is a bit formal at times, but the quality of the emotion, not that they are emotional in a contemporary sense, or like you’d seen in an Arthur Miller or Tennessee Williams play, but they are extremely accessible storytellers. They're very simple in their production style, and very gentle. There is a kind of emotion because they use the language to tell these stories, so you hear the mother character often saying to her son, “Please don't have your friends come here in the middle of the night. I'm so worried that the police will come. Please, please my son, please listen to me.” If you just do it simply, you're sort of recognizing that the plaintiveness is coming from this real understanding of this old world fear, and the clarity of their journeys. Of course, we're talking about language that's translated, but I promise you, he wrote in a much more emotionally compelling way than we realize.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

A Mother is in performance through April 13, 2025 at Baryshnikov Arts Center on West 37th Street in New York City. For tickets and more information, visit here.

A Powerhouse Sarah Snook Takes On THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY — Review
Joey Sims
March 28, 2025

Back in 2021, a shutdown-era digital adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray skilfully transplanted Oscar Wilde’s classic into our present-day maelstrom of internet virality and social media fame. Utilizing “content” streams and straight-to-camera monologues, Henry Filloux-Bennett’s take (presented by the UK’s Barn Theatre, among others) tied-in Instagram, filters and Snapchat to witty effect, finding a clear—if perhaps unsubtle—contemporary resonance to Wilde’s satire on our beauty-obsessed society. 

One senses, in Kip Williams’ new solo iteration of Dorian Gray, now on Broadway following an acclaimed run on London’s West End, a natural hesitation to hit the nail so squarely on the head. Not that Williams shies away from technology—his production makes heavy use of video projections and live camera feeds, a style the Australian director has dubbed “cine-theater.” But all that modern tech collides, here, with fabulous period costumes and Wilde’s florid prose, preserved in Williams’ adaptation. 

For a time, that deliberate clash is delightfully overwhelming to the senses. But as Williams’ elaborate staging careens towards Dorian’s tragic end, you may find yourself more exhausted than moved; always impressed, but never quite transported. 

Certainly this Dorian Gray is an astonishing technical achievement. A powerhouse Sarah Snook, fresh off HBO’s mega-hit Succession, plays all the parts in the 2-hour, intermission-less spin on Wilde’s novel, a horror-infused fantasy of eternal beauty’s curse. Snook achieves that feat by performing opposite many pre-recorded versions of herself, projected on a multitude of screens that glide above and around the stage. Snook herself is also trailed by a hard-working camera crew, her own transformative work sharing the same screens with her pre-filmed selves. 

It’s all expertly choreographed, and the interactions between live-Snook and her video selves are remarkably seamless. (The video work is by David Bergman.) But Williams’ cine-style quickly grows distancing and repetitive. Too often, Snook herself is out of view, available only by video; a few times she even leaves the stage entirely, leaving us alone with a recording. These choices suck the “liveness” out of the event. That distance is further heightened by the soap opera crispness of the video itself—the quality is distractingly crisp, to the point where I wanted to grab a remote and turn off motion smoothing.

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Snook | Photo: Marc Brenner

One solution to the “liveness” problem is showing your audience the work, an approach favored by digital theater artist Joshua William Gelb for a recent in-person staging of The 7th Voyage of Egon Tichy. Williams hits on that magic only in certain scenes, including a years-spanning  sequence of Bacchanalia that brings the video operators into the party (a fun idea that, sadly, the production only deploys once). 

Wilde’s source text is perhaps distancing by its nature. Do we need to feel empathy for Dorian? That arguably requires viewing him as a tragic cipher, robbed of personhood by a society uninterested in his inner self. That was the perspective taken up by Filloux-Bennett’s 2021 take, which cast Gray as a victim of social media’s power to destroy. 

Again, one can see why Williams shied away from such an on-the-nose reading. But the production’s overall hesitance leaves its perspective on our modern toys in an uncertain place, more confused than nuanced. When Snook snaps a selfie and starts playing with filters, the final result (projected above her) just looks wacky, reminiscent of Jim Carrey’s huge-chinned look in The Mask. Snook toggles back and forth between this clownish caricature and her own face, as though some point was being made—I confess that it eluded me. 

It’s hard not to hold Dorian Gray up against Andrew Scott’s Vanya, another West End import now running downtown at the Lucille Lortel. With simple staging and no fancy effects, that solo staging draws out the clear and beating heart of Chekhov’s text through a single, lonely body on stage. Of course, the demands are different, as Wilde’s novel demands some camp fabulousness—and in this regard, Williams’ team does indeed provide. Marg Horwell’s mini-sets (quickly wheeled in and out) are brightly colored delights, while her innumerable costumes are all delightfully ostentatious creations. 

Yet Snook, though tremendously bawdy and having a great time, does not find a legible Dorian to center Williams’ breathless staging. There is a brief moment, near the play’s conclusion, when live-Snook finally gets the stage to herself. As she speaks to us directly and without adornments and Dorian confesses his fear and deep self-loathing, a bit of humanity does start to seep in. 

Yet all too quickly, the screens slide back onto stage, taking over again for a bravura finale. The show’s conclusion is an astonishing technical display by Snook, the camera crew and the magicians backstage. But as we’re busy being awed, it’s easy to forget what story is even being told. 

The Picture of Dorian Gray is now in performance at the Music Box Theatre on West 45th Street in New York City. For tickets and more information, visit here.

Theatrely News
EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon
Theatrely News
READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT
Theatrely News
"Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes"
EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon
By: Maia Penzer
14 July 2023

Finally, summer has arrived, which can only mean one thing: it's time for camp! Theater Camp, that is. Theatrely has a sneak peak at the new film which hits select theaters today. 

The new original comedy starring Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon we guarantee will have you laughing non-stop. The AdirondACTS, a run-down theater camp in upstate New York, is attended by theater-loving children who must work hard to keep their beloved theater camp afloat after the founder, Joan, falls into a coma. 

The film stars Ben Platt and Molly Gordon as Amos Klobuchar and Rebecca-Diane, respectively, as well as Noah Galvin as Glenn Wintrop, Jimmy Tatro as Troy Rubinsky, Patti Harrison as Caroline Krauss, Nathan Lee Graham as Clive DeWitt, Ayo Edebiri as Janet Walch, Owen Thiele as Gigi Charbonier, Caroline Aaron as Rita Cohen, Amy Sedaris as Joan Rubinsky, and Alan Kim as Alan Park. 

Theater Camp was directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman and written by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman & Ben Platt. Music is by James McAlister and Mark Sonnenblick. On January 21, 2023, Theater Camp had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

You can purchase tickets to the new film from our friends at Hollywood.com here.

READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT
By: Kobi Kassal
29 May 2023

Actor Sean Hayes is what we in the biz call booked and blessed. On top of his Tony-nominated performance as Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar, Hayes has partnered with Todd Milliner and Carlyn Greenwald for the release of their new YA novel Time Out

Heralded by many as Heartstopper meets Friday Night Lights, Time Out follows hometown basketball hero Barclay Elliot who decides to use a pep rally to come out to his school. When the response is not what he had hoped and the hostility continually growing, he turns to his best friend Amy who brings him to her voting rights group at school. There he finds Christopher and… you will just have to grab a copy and find out what happens next. Luckily for you, Time Out hits shelves on May 30 and to hold you over until then we have a special except from the book just for Theatrely:

The good thing about not being on the team the past two weeks has been that I’ve had time to start picking up shifts again at Beau’s diner and save up a little for college now that my scholarship dreams are over.

     The bad part is it’s the perfect place to see how my actions at the pep rally have rotted the townspeople’s brains too.

     During Amy’s very intense musical theater phase in middle school, her parents took her to New York City. And of course she came back home buzzing about Broadway and how beautiful the piss smell was and everything artsy people say about New York. But she also vividly described some diner she waited three hours to get into where the waitstaff would all perform songs for the customers as a way to practice for auditions. The regulars would have favorite staff members and stan them the way Amy stans all her emo musicians.

     Working at Beau’s used to feel kind of like that, like I was part of a performance team I didn’t know I signed up for. The job started off pretty basic over the summer—I wanted to save up for basketball supplies, and Amy worked there and said it was boring ever since her e-girl coworker friend graduated. But I couldn’t get through a single lunch rush table without someone calling me over and wanting the inside scoop on the Wildcats and how we were preparing for the home opener, wanting me to sign an article in the paper or take a photo. Every friendly face just made the resolve grow inside me. People love and support the Wildcats; they would do the same for me.

     Yeah, right.

     Now just like school, customers have been glaring at me, making comments about letting everyone down, about being selfish, about my actions being “unfortunate,” and the tips have been essentially nonexistent. The Wildcats have been obliterated in half their games since I quit, carrying a 2–3 record when last year we were 5–0, and the comments make my feet feel like lead weights I have to drag through every shift.

     Today is no different. It’s Thursday, the usual dinner rush at Beau’s, and I try to stay focused on the stress of balancing seven milkshakes on one platter. A group of regulars, some construction workers, keep loudly wondering why I won’t come back to the team while I refuse proper eye contact.

     One of the guys looks up at me as I drop the bill off. “So, what’s the deal? Does being queer keep ya from physically being able to play?”

     They all snicker as they pull out crumpled bills. I stuff my hands into my pockets, holding my tongue.

     When they leave, I hold my breath as I take their bill.

     Sure enough, no tip.

     “What the fuck?” I mutter under my breath.

     “Language,” Amy says as she glides past me, imitating the way Richard says it to her every shift, and adds, “even though they are dicks.” At least Amy’s been ranting about it every free chance she gets. It was one thing when the student body was being shitty about me leaving the team, but the town being like this is even more infuriating. She doesn’t understand how these fully grown adults can really care that much about high school basketball and thinks they need a new fucking hobby. I finally agree with her.

     [She’s wearing red lipstick to go with her raccoon-adjacent eyeliner as she rushes off to prepare milkshakes for a pack of middle schoolers. I catch her mid–death glare as all three of the kids rotate in their chairs, making the old things squeal. My anger fades a bit as I can’t help but chuckle; Amy’s pissed-off reaction to Richard telling her to smile more was said raccoon makeup, and her tolerance for buffoonery has been at a negative five to start and declining fast.

     I rest my arms on the counter and try not to look as exhausted as I feel.

     “Excuse me!” an old lady screeches, making me jump.

     Amy covers up a laugh as I head to the old lady and her husband’s table. They’ve got finished plates, full waters. Not sure what the problem is. Or I do, which is worse.

     “Yes?” I say trying to suppress my annoyance.

     “Could you be bothered to serve us?”

     Only five more hours on shift. I have a break in three minutes. I’ll be with Devin at Georgia Tech tomorrow. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” I say, so careful to keep my words even, but I can feel my hands balling into fists. “What would you—?”

     And suddenly Amy swoops in, dropping two mugs of coffee down. “Sorry about that, you two,” she says, her voice extra high. “The machine was conking out on us, but it’s fine now.”

     Once the coffee is down, she hooks onto a chunk of my shirt, steering us back to the bar.

     “Thanks,” I mutter, embarrassed to have forgotten something so basic. Again.

     “Just keep it together, man,” she says. “Maybe you’d be better off with that creepy night shift where all the truckers and serial killers come in.”

     Honestly, at least the serial killers wouldn’t care about my jump shot.

     It’s a few minutes before my break, but clearly I need it. “I’ll be in the back room.”

     Right before I can head that way though, someone straight-up bursts into the diner and rushes over to me at the bar. It’s a middle-aged dad type, sunburned skin, beer belly, and stained T-shirt.

     “Pickup order?” I ask.

     “You should be ashamed,” he sneers at me. He has a really strong Southern accent, but it’s not Georgian. “Think you’re so high and mighty, that nothing’ll ever affect you? My kid’ll never go to college because of you and your lifestyle. Fuck you, Barclay Ell—”

     And before this man can finish cursing my name, Pat of all people runs in, wide-eyed in humiliation. “Jesus, Dad, please don’t—”

      I pin my gaze on him, remembering how he cowered on the bench as Ostrowski went off, how he didn’t even try to approach me. “Don’t even bother,” I snap.

     I shove a to-go bag into his dad’s arms, relieved it’s prepaid, and storm off to the break room.]

     Amy finds me head in my arms a minute or two later. I look up, rubbing my eyes. “Please spare me the pity.”

     She snorts and hands me a milkshake. Mint chocolate chip. “Wouldn’t dare.” She takes a seat and rolls her shoulders and neck, cracks sounding through the tiny room. “Do you want a distraction or a shoulder to cry on?”

For more information, and to purchase your copy of Time Out, click here.

Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes
By: Kaitlyn Riggio
5 July 2022

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in the United States in March 2020, Broadway veteran stage manager Richard Hester watched the nation’s anxiety unfold on social media.

“No one knew what the virus was going to do,” Hester said. Some people were “losing their minds in abject terror, and then there were some people who were completely denying the whole thing.”

For Hester, the reaction at times felt like something out of a movie. “It was like the Black Plague,” he said. “Some people thought it was going to be like that Monty Python sketch: ‘bring out your dead, bring out your dead.’”

While Hester was also unsure about how the virus would unfold, he felt that his “job as a stage manager is to naturally defuse drama.” Hester brought this approach off the stage and onto social media in the wake of the pandemic.

“I just sort of synthesized everything that was happening into what I thought was a manageable bite, so people could get it,” Hester said. This became a daily exercise for a year. Over two years after the beginning of the pandemic, Hester’s accounts are compiled in the book, Hold Please: Stage Managing A Pandemic. Released earlier this year, the book documents the events of the past two years, filtering national events and day-to-day occurrences through a stage manager’s eyes and storytelling.

When Hester started this project, he had no intention of writing a book. He was originally writing every day because there was nothing else to do. “I am somebody who needs a job or needs a structure,” Hester said.

Surprised to find that people began expecting his daily posts, he began publishing his daily writing to his followers through a Substack newsletter. As his following grew, Hester had to get used to writing for an audience. “I started second guessing myself a lot of the time,” Hester said. “It just sort of put a weird pressure on it.”

Hester said he got especially nervous before publishing posts in which he wrote about more personal topics. For example, some of his posts focused on his experiences growing up in South Africa while others centered on potentially divisive topics, such as the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Despite some of this discomfort, Hester’s more personal posts were often the ones that got the most response. The experience offered him a writing lesson. “I stopped worrying about the audience and just wrote what I wanted to write about,” Hester said. “All of that pressure that I think as artists we put on ourselves, I got used to it.”

One of Hester’s favorite anecdotes featured in the book centers on a woman who dances in Washington Square Park on a canvas, rain or shine. He said he was “mesmerized by her,” which inspired him to write about her. “It was literally snowing and she was barefoot on her canvas dancing, and that seems to me just a spectacularly beautiful metaphor for everything that we all try and do, and she was living that to the fullest.”

During the creation of Hold Please, Hester got the unique opportunity to reflect in-depth on the first year of the pandemic by looking back at his accounts. He realized that post people would not remember the details of the lockdown; people would “remember it as a gap in their lives, but they weren’t going to remember it beat by beat.”

“Reliving each of those moments made me realize just how full a year it was, even though none of us were doing anything outside,” he adds. “We were all on our couches.” Readers will use the book as a way to relive moments of the pandemic’s first year “without having to wallow in the misery of it,” he hopes.

“I talk about the misery of it, but that’s not the focus of what I wrote... it was about hope and moving forward,” Hester said. “In these times when everything is so difficult, we will figure out a way to get through and we will move forward.”

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