The IRC’s Mission is to bring classic absurdist theatre to an international audience in the Philadelphia region. These rarely-produced, renowned plays explore and illuminate the human purpose and meaning, promoting reflection about the human condition in a contemporary world. Our dedicated group of artists invites you to explore with us these questions and share the word with friends; since 2006, a loyal IRC audience has been built largely through word of mouth.

PRODUCTIONS 2019

Dream Girl by Elmer Rice Betty’s Summer Vacation by Christopher Durang

Come Back, Little Sheba by William Inge 2018

Time Remembered (Leocadia) by Jean Anouilh The Eccentricities of a Nightingale by Tennessee Williams

2017 The Enchanted by Jean Giraudoux

Into the Absurd: Reading of The Witnesses by Tadeusz Różewicz Into the Absurd: Reading of A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur by Tennessee Williams

The Bald Soprano by Eugène Ionesco 2016

The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol Into the Absurd: Reading of The American Dream by Edward Albee Into the Absurd: Readings of The Radio Plays of Beckett and Pinter

The Chairs by Eugène Ionesco 2015

Misalliance by George Bernard Shaw Exit the King by Eugène Ionesco All in the Timing by David Ives

2014 Ondine by Jean Giraudoux

Rhinoceros by Eugène Ionesco A Streetcar Named Durang by Christopher Durang

2013 Paradise Park by Charles L. Mee

The Castle by Franz Kafka 2012

Marriage: An Utterly Improbable Occurrence by Nikolai Gogol Ivona, Princess of Burgundia by Witold Gombrowicz

2011 The Empire Builders by Boris Vian

The Arsonists (The Firebugs) by Max Frisch 2010

The Gnädiges Fraulien by Tennessee Williams The Madwoman of Chaillot by Jean Giraudoux

2009 The Lesson by Eugène Ionesco The Chairs by Eugène Ionesco

2008 Oh! For the Love of Love!: Durang, Beckett & Ionesco

A Streetcar Named Durang: The Parodies of Christopher Durang 2007

Victims of Duty by Eugène Ionesco Four of a Kind: Pinter, Durang, Beckett & Ionesco

2006 Three One Acts: Albee, Beckett & Ionesco

June 2019 Welcome! A colleague first introduced me to Betty’s Summer Vacation 10 years ago. At that time, four years into the IRC’s existence, we were busy mining the European absurdist writers and developing our aesthetic, so Betty was placed on our short list. Over the three years since the election, when it felt like the world changed overnight, we have been searching for plays that illustrate the exasperation, the sense of annihilation, the discontent and the overall exhaustion we have come to know. Betty’s place on the short list quickly jumped to the top spot. Since its inception in 2006, the IRC has tested, explored and fashioned a way of working -- a unique business model as quirky as the artistic statement is. Captured beautifully in the film Phantom Thread, I was reminded of the beauty of the labor-intensive hand crafted process -- cutting and sewing to specifics, adding feathers, sequins and flourishes, simplifying, cutting and trimming as the creation progresses. Working over a longer period allows the needed breathing room, providing a luxury of time necessary to explore the aspects that bring us joy, and the breath that renders the whole process meaningful and instructive. The return on investment is the joy of working and growing with spirited artists -- performers, designers and audience who appreciate that handcrafted feel of the work that comes from many hours devoted to a labor of love. There simply isn’t enough money in the world that can sustain that experience or feeling, and that alone makes it all worthwhile. I am indebted to the designers and performers on this show who certainly gave this production tenfold more in sweat equity than the paychecks they earned. Christopher Durang: thank you for your many years of creating plays about our absurd existence that feature delicious highly-charged characters we all recognize and love to see in a room together. Mark your calendars for Fringe 2019 in September, when we present William Inge’s Come Back, Little Sheba at the evocative Bethany Mission Gallery. Continuing in 2020, we’ll interpret works by Caryl Churchill, Enda Walsh and Tennessee Williams as we explore the absurdity lurking beneath and on the surface of our everyday lives, exploring how ridiculous, beautiful and intertwined our relationships are in an anxiety-ridden world.

(continued on inside back cover)

Over 70% of our funding from our $100K annual budget comes from audience and individual supporters. Every penny of your donation is placed in service of these adventures, which you clearly see expressed on this stage – the set, costumes and lighting and the characters and crew working within this small theater budget to make this happen. Your contributions have a huge impact on this tiny theater company and over the years have enabled us to expand our programming as the region’s purveyors of absurdist style. So thank you. We tip our handmade hats to you.

Tina Brock Producing Artistic Director The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy

SPECIAL THANKS

Victor Keen and Jeanne Ruddy

Greg Campbell Erica Hoelscher Robin Rodriguez Peggy Mecham

Marcia Ferguson Kyle Amick and Kathyrn McCumber, Walnut Street Theatre

Ben Doranz Avista Custom Theatrical Services Gerald Kolpan - The Philo Project

Brandi Burgess and The Bearded Ladies/Beard Cave

CONTRIBUTORS

Water Wings $1.00 - $49.99

Oleg Brovender Gianna-Lozzi Wolf Timothy P. Carey William Mulherin Donald Carter Lee Saldinger Sandra Chaff Lois Shestack Joy Gorson Jamie Shuster Jimmy Guckin Diane Zilka Jeanette Hartunian Michael Zuckerman E Ashley Izard

The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium Board of Directors

Tina Brock Norman Ellman Melissa Feliciani Erica Hoelscher

Bob Schmidt

Artistic Advisory Board Andrew J. Carroll Marcia Ferguson Peggy Mecham

Amanda Schoonover

Advisory Committee Ben Doranz

Susan Feagin (Ex Officio) Gail Furman Greg Nanni

Robin Rodriguez Larry Wilkins (Ex Officio)

PO Box 63872 Philadelphia, PA 19147

www.IdiopathicRidiculopathyConsortium.org

Betty’s Summer Vacation by

Christopher Durang

Directed by Tina Brock

Scenic Design

Dirk Durossette

Costume Design Millie Hiibel

Lighting Design Joshua L. Schulman

Sound Design Adrianno Shaplin

Stage Manager/Board Operator Madison Caudullo

Set Construction Stage Rats, LLC: Technical Director

Tom Fusco Set Construction/Scenic Painting

Andrew Robinson & Jessica Rottkamp

Properties Tina Brock & Mark Williams

Ways and Means Coordinator Bob Schmidt

Photoshop Magic Bill Brock

Photography Johanna Austin / AustinArt.org

Betty’s Summer Vacation is presented by

special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.

*

Betty’s Summer Vacation by

Christopher Durang

Cast of Characters

Betty……………………………..…........................................Kirsten Quinn

Trudy…………………………………………………………Amanda Schoonover

Keith…………………………………………………………………Anthony Crosby Mrs. Seizmagraff…….……………………………………….……..…Tina Brock

Buck………………………..…………………………………….………..Chris Fluck

Mr. Vanislaw……..……………………………………………………….Bill Rahill

Voice One.……………………………………………………………Josh Hitchens Voice Two…..………………………………………………………Kassy Bradford Voice Three…………………………………………………..………Carlos Forbes

Running time is approximately 85 minutes, with no intermission.

Betty’s Summer Vacation is made possible, in part, by generous support from Wyncote Foundation; The Philadelphia Cultural Fund; The Charlotte

Cushman Foundation; The Virginia Brown Martin Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation; The Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, funded by the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, with support also provided by PECO and administered regionally by the Greater Philadelphia

Cultural Alliance; Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, and by the generosity of you, our loyal and growing audience -- over 70% of our annual

budget is generated through ticket sales and individual donations.

Restrooms are located on this floor,

at the end of the hallway.

The IRC is a proud participant in the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, a program of Theatre Philadelphia

www.theatrephiladelphia.org

*Member Actors Equity Association

CONTRIBUTORS

Life Bouy $100.00 - $249.99

Eliud Alvarado Rodriguez Michael Lynch Mary Ashley Peggy Mecham Herman and Madeline Axelrod Bill and Vikki Monaghan Harry F. Bambrick Jane Moore Robert and Donna Castle James Perretta John and Alberta Chiaravalloti James Pritchett & Frances White John and Theresa D'Alonzo Kathleen Quinn Elizabeth Denton Philip Reeves Donald & Geraldine Duclow Christopher and Jennifer Rule Neil and Mercedez Durkin Carla Sarett James Frazier Anita Schmukler Gail Furman Gary Swisher Andrew and Myrna Gentsch Albert Them & Jane Rutledge Michael Golden & Shelley Green Stephen and Mrs. Johnne Tint Mary L. Goldman & Debbie Weiner Robert J. Wallner Anna Goldstein David and Renee Weisband Margaret Harris David Wierz Roberta Kangilaski Colin Wolfe and Debbie Aguruso Marta Kiesling Ekaterina Zalenskaya Michael and Barbara Lefkoe Susan Zawislak

Life Jacket $50.00 - $99.99

Charles & Donna Barksdale Fred Jackes & Judy Adamson Nancy Berenson Justine Kalas Reeves Alan and Ronnie Bronstein Fred & Carol Kueppers Cynthia D'Ambrosio & John Ianacone Denise La Marra & Mark Wilhelm Thomas and Deborah Davis Joan Lapayowker Jesse Delaney Moe and Sandy Lebo Marcia Ferguson Ruth Levikoff Mary Frantz Nadine Lomakin Gertrude D. Furman Margaret Lonzetta Stephen Geraci Brett Mapp and Morgan Hugo Roseann Gill Bob and Nancy Megley Robert Gorchov Antonio Merenda Julia Baylor Harton Kirsten Quinn & Ari Bank Jean R. Haskell Ismail & Sara Rabinovic Thomas and Maureen Herninko Nanette Steffenhagen Charlotte Humenuk Bertram and Lynne Strieb A. Ron Hunter Kathy Treftz

CONTRIBUTORS

Hovercraft $1000.00 & above

Wyncote Foundation Tina Brock

Victor Keen and Jeanne Ruddy The Philadelphia Cultural Fund

The Philo Project Anonymous

The Charlotte Cushman Foundation Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

The Virginia Brown Martin Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia

PECO Andy Lamas & Ginny Vanderslice

Bob Schmidt Erica Hoelscher

Barton & Jessica McBride The William Penn Foundation Matching Gift Program

Ed and Anne Koper Wagner Mary Ashley

The Todd B. and Barabara C. Hilsee Foundation Steven Peitzman

Askold Zagars & Marie Feehan

Rescue Team $500.00 - $999.99

Pat and Stacey Bishop Stephen Platt & Robin Schaufler Benjamin Doranz Robin and Joseph Rodriguez Norman and Carolyn Ellman Judith Wooldridge Andy Lamas & Ginny Vanderslice

Life Guard

$250.00 - $499.99

Philip Alperson & Mary Hawkesworth Jeanne George Fred Allen Barfoot Mark Mendenhall Louis Bluver Michael Nailor Noel Carroll & Sally Banes Phyllis Priester Stephen Duskin & Jennifer Berke Levin Marc Scheiner Susan Feagin Bob and Pat Schmidt

CAST

Kassy Bradford (Voice Two) is ecstatic to be returning to The IRC after last season’s Eccentricities of a Nightingale. She is a proud member of Plays and Players’ resident theater company, Once More Theatre. As well as acting, Kassy has stage managed and costumed productions with The Irish Heritage Theatre including By the Bog of Cats and Da. She’d like to thank Peggy Mecham and Tina Brock for the constant inspiration and amazing opportunities.

Tina Brock (Mrs. Seizmagraff, Director, IRC Producing Artistic Director) is a co-founder of The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium. Since 1991, Tina has directed and produced 50+ stage productions in Philadelphia, and has appeared as a performer on stage and in regional and national commercials, television and film in the Philadelphia/New York markets, including hoisting the fundraising flag at local PBS affiliate WHYY-TV12/91FM. 2018 Barrymore Award, Supporting

Performance, By the Bog of Cats, Irish Heritage Theater. For IRC: Broad Street Review: Best Philadelphia-area Theater of 2018: The Eccentricities of a Nightingale; Philadelphia Theatre Critic’s Awards 2018: Honorable Mention, Supporting Actress, Time Remembered; Philadelphia Theatre Critic’s Awards 2017: Honorable Mention: Actress, The Bald Soprano; Supporting Actress, By the Bog of Cats. 2016: Honorable Mention, Actress, Director – Ionesco’s The Chairs. Phindie Best of 2016: Honorable Mention: Ionesco’s The Chairs: Direction, Female Performance, Best Production. DC Metro Arts Best of 2016: Direction, Ionesco’s The Chairs; Performance, Ionesco’s The Chairs. Many thanks to Christopher Durang for his brilliance, Betty designers, cast and crew, and to the IRC staff and board, who keep the light shining at IRC central. For Liam.

Anthony Crosby (Keith) is a Barrymore nominated theatre artist and a founding company member of Die-Cast. Recent credits include Ilium Was (Troy Foundry Theatre & Die-Cast) and Three Sisters (Hedgerow Theatre). anthony-crosby.com

Chris Fluck (Buck) is totally stoked to be returning to the IRC where he last appeared in A Street Car Named Durang. A graduate of Northampton Community College and Temple University, Chris has worked as a professional actor in Philadelphia for 15 years. Selected theatre credits include: Goodlack in Fair Maid of the West Part One (Philadelphia Artists Collective); Ariel in The Pillowman and Sam in Grace (Luna Theatre Company). When he’s not on stage he can be found

teaching Hot Yoga throughout the Philadelphia region. Chris would like to thank Tina and the rest of the amazing cast and crew of Betty for an awesome, radical blast of a time! Love to Sara, Evan, family, friends and students.

Carlos Forbes (Voice Three) is thrilled to be returning to the IRC stage for this production after previously performing in last season's Eccentricities of a Nightingale. He is a graduate of the Community College of Philadelphia and will attend Temple University this Fall where he'll study Theatre. When not performing on stage, Carlos can be found working behind the scenes running lights/sound or stage managing. He has been most recently seen performing in Wet, or Isabella the Pirate Queen

Enters the Horse Latitudes with Once More Theatre. Other recent performance credits include The Women of Ireland (Irish Heritage Theatre), Every(one) (OMT), and R.U.R/The Insect Play (OMT). Thank you to the IRC for this wonderful opportunity, to the talented cast for their inspiring work, and much love to his family and friends. Catch him in the IRC’s September show Come Back, Little Sheba.

Josh Hitchens (Voice One) is a Philadelphia based director, actor, playwright, and poet. Favorite directing credits include Mercury Fur (BrainSpunk Theater), Hedda Gabler (Physick House), And Then There Were None (Allens Lane), and the 20th anniversary production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (ReTheater). He has performed his acclaimed play The Confession of Jeffrey Dahmer in sold out runs at Jersey Fringe and Philly Theatre Week, and the show also received its Canadian premiere in 2018 in a

co-production by Theatre Outre and Theatre BSMT. Josh's other solo plays include the autobiographical Ghost Stories as well as adaptations of Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol,

Ari Benjamin Bank is an educator, an activist, an altruist, a dog-walker extraordinaire, and an independent candidate running for President of the United States of America. In Ari's world, all people are equal, and everyone should be provided high-quality education, affordable healthcare, and good job opportunities for upward mobility. Strong social programs to provide food, clothing, housing, heat, and clean water are essential. The protection and welfare of animals is also one of his missions; in fact, Ari seriously considers having a pig as his running mate, or a sea mammal, or maybe an elephant. Ari is someone who shows true compassion and concern for every person he meets, and if elected President, he will listen closely to the American people, listen to what they want, to what they need, and then work his ass off to make it happen, until his spaceship picks him up to travel back to his home planet.

www.facebook.com/2020ari

COMING SOON FROM THE IRC:

______________________________________________ The Into the Absurd Reading Series Returns!

Monday, October 28 at 7:00 pm L’Etage Cabaret

______________________________________________

Happy Holidays from The Raw Onion

December 2019 L’Etage Cabaret

______________________________________________

The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium’s 2020 Season:

Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill

February 2020 Bethany Mission Gallery

~ The New Electric Ballroom by Enda Walsh

June 2020 Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 3

~ Two Character Play by Tennessee Williams

September 2020 Philadelphia Fringe Festival

Bethany Mission Gallery

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. H e has been the Creative Director at the historic Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion since 2010, and is also the artistic director of Going Dark Theatre, which is dedicated to bringing contemporary and classic works of horror to the stage. This fall, Josh will be appearing in the David Lynch inspired Red Lodge Montana for Philly Fringe, directing Oscar Wilde's Salome at the Maxwell Mansion, and co-directing the Philly premiere of Dave Malloy's musical Ghost Quartet for Going Dark. Many thanks to Tina and this incredible cast, and love always to Jacob. joshhitchens.weebly.com

Kirsten Quinn (Betty) is thrilled to be back working with The IRC after having appeared in Rhinoceros, The Castle, The Arsonists, The Empire Builders, and Madwoman of Chaillot along with several staged readings and The Onion. Kirsten holds an M.F.A. from the University of Pittsburgh (Acting) and is an Associate Professor of Theatre at CCP. In addition to her work with the IRC, she has also performed in plays at the Wilma, the Lantern, The

Irish Heritage Theatre, Isis Productions, The PAC, Ego Po Classic, Seagull Productions, InterAct, The Eagle Theatre, The Eternal Spiral Project (founder), Center City Theatre Works, Walking Fish, New City Stage, Montgomery Theatre, The Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Luna Theatre, Dan Hodge's Independence Shakespeare, and many others. Kirsten recently won the Phindie Critics' Award for Best Actor (Female) for Molly Sweeney (2016-2017 Season). She was nominated along with the rest of the Ensemble for a Barrymore Award for Ego Po's The Seagull (The show won best overall production of the year). Thank you to Tina and this amazing team. Love to Mom, T, Lauren, Fran, Rich, family and friends and special love to the greatest husband in the world, Ari Ben. Next up...Woman and Scarecrow with IHT.

Bill Rahill (Mr. Vanislaw) is delighted to be making his debut with The IRC. Favorite roles include 'Kinley' in Iron Age Theatre Company's pro-duction of Tunnel, performed at Eastern State Penitentiary (written and directed by Randall Wise and Johns Doyle); 'Shep' in Maroons: the Anthracite Gridiron, which was written by his good friend Ray Saraceni; and 'Erie' in South Camden Theatre Company's production of Hughie by Eugene O'Neil in NYC. Bill was also a member of the 2007 Barrymore-winning

ensemble of Theatre Exile's Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet and directed by Matt Pfeiffer. More recently, Bill was a Barrymore nominee

for Best Supporting Actor in Interact Theatre's production of Down Past Passyunk by A. Zell Williams, also directed by Matt Pfeifer. Love to Rajai and Kathryn. In memory of my mother, Marie, my brother Tom, and my love, Sharon.

Amanda Schoonover (Trudy) is a proud member of the Artistic Advisory Board here at the IRC! She is a two-time Barrymore Award recipient and 9 time nominee as well as being a Jilline Ringle Solo Performance Program Artist in Residence at 1812 Productions and an F. Otto Haas Emerging Artist Finalist. Regional: Arden; Exile; Azuka; People's Light; Theatre Horizon; Bristol Riverside; Pig Iron; Luna; Lantern, Juniper, The Eagle Theatre, EgoPo and Simpatico. Some of her favorite roles

include Dottie in Killer Joe by Tracy Letts at Exile, Minnie in The Terrible Girls by Jacqueline Goldfinger at Azuka and Phaedra in Phaedra’s Love by Sarah Kane at Svaha. Film/Television: Do No Harm (NBC opposite Phylicia Rashad) and M. Night Shyamalan's Glass. When not performing, Amanda and photographer Kate Raines are often stirring up trouble with their photo series that celebrates the bodies of older women using dark fantasy imagery. She appeared on Cosmo and Jezebel when their project garnered national notoriety. Look for her this fall in Red Lodge, Montana: a love letter to film maker David Lynch. Follow her on Instagram @amandabethschoonover

CREW

Madison Caudullo (Stage Manager, Board Operator) is a Philadelphia-based actor, improviser, and manager of mischief with a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Arcadia University. Upcoming: Lotta, Knock 'Em Dead (Raw Street Productions). Recent credits include: Laurel, Mirror Mirror, Susan, [title of show], CB's Sister, Dog Sees God, Dana, Right Behind (Raw Street Productions), Petite, Midway, and Cathy, a brief theory of the cosmos (Arcadia University). Thanks to Tina, Bob, cast, and production team for their hard work and dedication. Dirk Durossette (Scenic Design) Off -Broadway scene designs include: The Outgoing Tide and Any Given Monday. He has designed for Amaryllis Theater Company, Azuka Theater (Barrymore Nomination-Skin and Bone), Act II Playhouse, Enchantment Theater Company, Theater Exile, 1812 Productions, Delaware Theatre Company, EgoPo, Freedom Theater, Flashpoint Theater, InterAct Theater Company, Lantern Theater (Barrymore Nomination-Skylight),

AUTHOR

Christopher Ferdinand Durang is an American playwright known for works of outrageous and often absurd comedy, whose plays include: A History of the American Film (Tony nomination, Best Book of a Musical, 1978), The Actor’s Nightmare, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You (Obie award, Off Broadway, 1981-83), Beyond Therapy (on Broadway in 1982, with Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow), Baby with the Bathwater (Playwrights Horizons, 1983), The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Public Theatre, 1985; Obie award, Dramatists Guild Hull Warriner

Award), Laughing Wild (Playwrights Horizons, 1987), Durang/Durang (an evening of six plays at Manhattan Theatre Club, 1994, including the Tennessee Williams’ parody, For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls), Sex and Longing (Lincoln Center Theatre production at the Cort Theatre, 1996, starring Sigourney Weaver), Betty's Summer Vacation (1999) Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge (2002) Miss Witherspoon (2005), and Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them (2009). Most recently, his play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2013.

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The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium

presents

Come Back, Little Sheba

by

William Inge

The Philadelphia Fringe Festival

September 3-22, 2019

The Bethany Mission Gallery

Tickets: LittleSheba.bpt.me

Luna Theater, Theater Horizon, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater, Mum Puppet Theatre, Portland Opera (Maine), The Wilma Theater, Temple Theaters, Temple Opera Theater, University of the Arts, Drexel University, Lawrence University (Wisconsin), Peabody Institute (Baltimore), West Chester University, Villanova University, The University of Memphis. M.F.A Temple University. Millie Hiibel (Costume Design) is a Philadelphia based costume designer for dance, theater, opera and film. She is thrilled to be part of this team, working on this crazy play. Other collaborations include: (NYC) New Victory Theater, Village Theatre. (Regional) Philadelphia Theater Company, Arden Theatre Company, The Wilma Theater, Cape May Playhouse, The Playhouse Square, Bristol Riverside, Enchantment Theatre Company, Delaware Theater Company, Lantern Theater Company and many more. Millie has been twice nominated for Philadelphia’s Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theater, and was a 2007 F. Otto Haas finalist. She has also received multiple grants including the prestigious Independence Foundation Fellowship to study traditional puppet design and performance in Prague. In addition to freelance design, Millie is the costume director for Opera Philadelphia as well as adjunct professor at University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University. Bob Schmidt (IRC Ways and Means Coordinator) is a co-founder of The IRC, and has appeared in many productions since the company's inception in 2006. Many thanks to the cast and crew for their time, talent and dedication, and to you for supporting The IRC! Joshua L. Schulman (Lighting Design) was the 2008 winner of the Barrymore Award for his lighting of Art at Delaware Theatre Company. He was also a 2009 Barrymore Award nominee for his lighting of Rock ‘N’ Roll at the Wilma Theatre. Regionally Joshua has designed at People’s Light and Theatre, Wilma Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company. Joshua was also the lighting director for the Hidden City Festival in 2009. Other companies that Joshua has worked for include Azuka Theatre, InterAct Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, Flashpoint Theatre Company, Media Theatre Company, Theatre West Virginia, Seven Stages (Atlanta), Rebecca Davis Dance Company, in addition to many others. Joshua was also the programmer for both the relighting of Boat House Row along the Schuylkill River as well as the Cira Centre. Joshua lives in South Philadelphia with his wife, Karen and their son, Elijah. Education: MFA Boston University, BA Washington College. www.jlsld.com

Adriano Shaplin (Sound Design) is a Barrymore award-winning sound designer. He has designed sound for Annie Wilson (At Home with the Humorless Bastard, Lovertits), Applied Mechanics (We Are Bandits, Some Other Meddle), Quintessence Theater Group (The Wild Duck, Saint Joan), Berserker Residents (It’s So Learning), Chris Davis (Bortle 8), Mary Tuomanen (Hello! Sadness!), Orbiter 3 (I Am Not My Motherland, Breathe/Smoke), and many others. T o learn more about his work visit adrianoshaplin.com. Stage Rats L.L.C. (Set Construction) is a regional production company that brings professionals and students together to build and load in quality sets. Based out of Rowan University in Southern New Jersey we have produced sets for Gloucester County Community College (NJ), Ego Po Theater (PA), Luna Theater(PA), Tems’t Toss’d Productions (NY) Gloucester County Institute of Technology (NJ), and the Rowan University Opera Company (NJ). The Rats Crew includes Tom Fusco, Owner and Technical Director, Andrew Robinson, Set Design/Scene Painter and Jessica Rottkamp, Technical Director/Master Carpenter. www.stagerats.com Mark Williams (Properties) is a local Props Master in the Philadelphia area, and IRC veteran. This will be Mark's 10th show with the company. He would like to thank all his friends in The IRC, and those who support the show.

________________________________________________________

Actors' Equity Association (AEA) was founded in 1913 as the first of the American actor unions. Equity’s mission is to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Today,

Equity represents more than 40,000 actors, singers, dancers and stage managers working in hundreds of theatres across the United States. Equity members are dedicated to working in the theatre as a profession, upholding the highest artistic standards. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits including health and pension plans for its members. Through its agreement with Equity, this theatre has committed to the fair treatment of the actors and stage managers employed in this production. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. For more information, visit www.actorsequity.org

Full Moon Rallye 68

Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, July 20, 2019 12:30 pm

Part scavenger hunt, part walking tour of the city:

feed your curiosity, get in your daily steps, and help raise funds for the IRC!

Proceeds from the event will support the IRC’s upcoming

production of William Inge’s Come Back, Little Sheba at The Bethany Mission Gallery, September 3 -22,

for The 2019 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

Tickets and More Info: https://fullmoonrallye68.bpt.me

Presented by Ed Wagner/www.ClubEdventures.com

Adriano Shaplin (Sound Design) is a Barrymore award-winning sound designer. He has designed sound for Annie Wilson (At Home with the Humorless Bastard, Lovertits), Applied Mechanics (We Are Bandits, Some Other Meddle), Quintessence Theater Group (The Wild Duck, Saint Joan), Berserker Residents (It’s So Learning), Chris Davis (Bortle 8), Mary Tuomanen (Hello! Sadness!), Orbiter 3 (I Am Not My Motherland, Breathe/Smoke), and many others. T o learn more about his work visit adrianoshaplin.com. Stage Rats L.L.C. (Set Construction) is a regional production company that brings professionals and students together to build and load in quality sets. Based out of Rowan University in Southern New Jersey we have produced sets for Gloucester County Community College (NJ), Ego Po Theater (PA), Luna Theater(PA), Tems’t Toss’d Productions (NY) Gloucester County Institute of Technology (NJ), and the Rowan University Opera Company (NJ). The Rats Crew includes Tom Fusco, Owner and Technical Director, Andrew Robinson, Set Design/Scene Painter and Jessica Rottkamp, Technical Director/Master Carpenter. www.stagerats.com Mark Williams (Properties) is a local Props Master in the Philadelphia area, and IRC veteran. This will be Mark's 10th show with the company. He would like to thank all his friends in The IRC, and those who support the show.

________________________________________________________

Actors' Equity Association (AEA) was founded in 1913 as the first of the American actor unions. Equity’s mission is to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Today,

Equity represents more than 40,000 actors, singers, dancers and stage managers working in hundreds of theatres across the United States. Equity members are dedicated to working in the theatre as a profession, upholding the highest artistic standards. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits including health and pension plans for its members. Through its agreement with Equity, this theatre has committed to the fair treatment of the actors and stage managers employed in this production. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. For more information, visit www.actorsequity.org

Full Moon Rallye 68

Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, July 20, 2019 12:30 pm

Part scavenger hunt, part walking tour of the city:

feed your curiosity, get in your daily steps, and help raise funds for the IRC!

Proceeds from the event will support the IRC’s upcoming

production of William Inge’s Come Back, Little Sheba at The Bethany Mission Gallery, September 3 -22,

for The 2019 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

Tickets and More Info: https://fullmoonrallye68.bpt.me

Presented by Ed Wagner/www.ClubEdventures.com

The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium

presents

Come Back, Little Sheba

by

William Inge

The Philadelphia Fringe Festival

September 3-22, 2019

The Bethany Mission Gallery

Tickets: LittleSheba.bpt.me

Luna Theater, Theater Horizon, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater, Mum Puppet Theatre, Portland Opera (Maine), The Wilma Theater, Temple Theaters, Temple Opera Theater, University of the Arts, Drexel University, Lawrence University (Wisconsin), Peabody Institute (Baltimore), West Chester University, Villanova University, The University of Memphis. M.F.A Temple University. Millie Hiibel (Costume Design) is a Philadelphia based costume designer for dance, theater, opera and film. She is thrilled to be part of this team, working on this crazy play. Other collaborations include: (NYC) New Victory Theater, Village Theatre. (Regional) Philadelphia Theater Company, Arden Theatre Company, The Wilma Theater, Cape May Playhouse, The Playhouse Square, Bristol Riverside, Enchantment Theatre Company, Delaware Theater Company, Lantern Theater Company and many more. Millie has been twice nominated for Philadelphia’s Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theater, and was a 2007 F. Otto Haas finalist. She has also received multiple grants including the prestigious Independence Foundation Fellowship to study traditional puppet design and performance in Prague. In addition to freelance design, Millie is the costume director for Opera Philadelphia as well as adjunct professor at University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University. Bob Schmidt (IRC Ways and Means Coordinator) is a co-founder of The IRC, and has appeared in many productions since the company's inception in 2006. Many thanks to the cast and crew for their time, talent and dedication, and to you for supporting The IRC! Joshua L. Schulman (Lighting Design) was the 2008 winner of the Barrymore Award for his lighting of Art at Delaware Theatre Company. He was also a 2009 Barrymore Award nominee for his lighting of Rock ‘N’ Roll at the Wilma Theatre. Regionally Joshua has designed at People’s Light and Theatre, Wilma Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company. Joshua was also the lighting director for the Hidden City Festival in 2009. Other companies that Joshua has worked for include Azuka Theatre, InterAct Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, Flashpoint Theatre Company, Media Theatre Company, Theatre West Virginia, Seven Stages (Atlanta), Rebecca Davis Dance Company, in addition to many others. Joshua was also the programmer for both the relighting of Boat House Row along the Schuylkill River as well as the Cira Centre. Joshua lives in South Philadelphia with his wife, Karen and their son, Elijah. Education: MFA Boston University, BA Washington College. www.jlsld.com

for Best Supporting Actor in Interact Theatre's production of Down Past Passyunk by A. Zell Williams, also directed by Matt Pfeifer. Love to Rajai and Kathryn. In memory of my mother, Marie, my brother Tom, and my love, Sharon.

Amanda Schoonover (Trudy) is a proud member of the Artistic Advisory Board here at the IRC! She is a two-time Barrymore Award recipient and 9 time nominee as well as being a Jilline Ringle Solo Performance Program Artist in Residence at 1812 Productions and an F. Otto Haas Emerging Artist Finalist. Regional: Arden; Exile; Azuka; People's Light; Theatre Horizon; Bristol Riverside; Pig Iron; Luna; Lantern, Juniper, The Eagle Theatre, EgoPo and Simpatico. Some of her favorite roles

include Dottie in Killer Joe by Tracy Letts at Exile, Minnie in The Terrible Girls by Jacqueline Goldfinger at Azuka and Phaedra in Phaedra’s Love by Sarah Kane at Svaha. Film/Television: Do No Harm (NBC opposite Phylicia Rashad) and M. Night Shyamalan's Glass. When not performing, Amanda and photographer Kate Raines are often stirring up trouble with their photo series that celebrates the bodies of older women using dark fantasy imagery. She appeared on Cosmo and Jezebel when their project garnered national notoriety. Look for her this fall in Red Lodge, Montana: a love letter to film maker David Lynch. Follow her on Instagram @amandabethschoonover

CREW

Madison Caudullo (Stage Manager, Board Operator) is a Philadelphia-based actor, improviser, and manager of mischief with a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Arcadia University. Upcoming: Lotta, Knock 'Em Dead (Raw Street Productions). Recent credits include: Laurel, Mirror Mirror, Susan, [title of show], CB's Sister, Dog Sees God, Dana, Right Behind (Raw Street Productions), Petite, Midway, and Cathy, a brief theory of the cosmos (Arcadia University). Thanks to Tina, Bob, cast, and production team for their hard work and dedication. Dirk Durossette (Scenic Design) Off -Broadway scene designs include: The Outgoing Tide and Any Given Monday. He has designed for Amaryllis Theater Company, Azuka Theater (Barrymore Nomination-Skin and Bone), Act II Playhouse, Enchantment Theater Company, Theater Exile, 1812 Productions, Delaware Theatre Company, EgoPo, Freedom Theater, Flashpoint Theater, InterAct Theater Company, Lantern Theater (Barrymore Nomination-Skylight),

AUTHOR

Christopher Ferdinand Durang is an American playwright known for works of outrageous and often absurd comedy, whose plays include: A History of the American Film (Tony nomination, Best Book of a Musical, 1978), The Actor’s Nightmare, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You (Obie award, Off Broadway, 1981-83), Beyond Therapy (on Broadway in 1982, with Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow), Baby with the Bathwater (Playwrights Horizons, 1983), The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Public Theatre, 1985; Obie award, Dramatists Guild Hull Warriner

Award), Laughing Wild (Playwrights Horizons, 1987), Durang/Durang (an evening of six plays at Manhattan Theatre Club, 1994, including the Tennessee Williams’ parody, For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls), Sex and Longing (Lincoln Center Theatre production at the Cort Theatre, 1996, starring Sigourney Weaver), Betty's Summer Vacation (1999) Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge (2002) Miss Witherspoon (2005), and Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them (2009). Most recently, his play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2013.

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COMING SOON FROM THE IRC:

______________________________________________ The Into the Absurd Reading Series Returns!

Monday, October 28 at 7:00 pm L’Etage Cabaret

______________________________________________

Happy Holidays from The Raw Onion

December 2019 L’Etage Cabaret

______________________________________________

The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium’s 2020 Season:

Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill

February 2020 Bethany Mission Gallery

~ The New Electric Ballroom by Enda Walsh

June 2020 Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 3

~ Two Character Play by Tennessee Williams

September 2020 Philadelphia Fringe Festival

Bethany Mission Gallery

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. H e has been the Creative Director at the historic Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion since 2010, and is also the artistic director of Going Dark Theatre, which is dedicated to bringing contemporary and classic works of horror to the stage. This fall, Josh will be appearing in the David Lynch inspired Red Lodge Montana for Philly Fringe, directing Oscar Wilde's Salome at the Maxwell Mansion, and co-directing the Philly premiere of Dave Malloy's musical Ghost Quartet for Going Dark. Many thanks to Tina and this incredible cast, and love always to Jacob. joshhitchens.weebly.com

Kirsten Quinn (Betty) is thrilled to be back working with The IRC after having appeared in Rhinoceros, The Castle, The Arsonists, The Empire Builders, and Madwoman of Chaillot along with several staged readings and The Onion. Kirsten holds an M.F.A. from the University of Pittsburgh (Acting) and is an Associate Professor of Theatre at CCP. In addition to her work with the IRC, she has also performed in plays at the Wilma, the Lantern, The

Irish Heritage Theatre, Isis Productions, The PAC, Ego Po Classic, Seagull Productions, InterAct, The Eagle Theatre, The Eternal Spiral Project (founder), Center City Theatre Works, Walking Fish, New City Stage, Montgomery Theatre, The Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Luna Theatre, Dan Hodge's Independence Shakespeare, and many others. Kirsten recently won the Phindie Critics' Award for Best Actor (Female) for Molly Sweeney (2016-2017 Season). She was nominated along with the rest of the Ensemble for a Barrymore Award for Ego Po's The Seagull (The show won best overall production of the year). Thank you to Tina and this amazing team. Love to Mom, T, Lauren, Fran, Rich, family and friends and special love to the greatest husband in the world, Ari Ben. Next up...Woman and Scarecrow with IHT.

Bill Rahill (Mr. Vanislaw) is delighted to be making his debut with The IRC. Favorite roles include 'Kinley' in Iron Age Theatre Company's pro-duction of Tunnel, performed at Eastern State Penitentiary (written and directed by Randall Wise and Johns Doyle); 'Shep' in Maroons: the Anthracite Gridiron, which was written by his good friend Ray Saraceni; and 'Erie' in South Camden Theatre Company's production of Hughie by Eugene O'Neil in NYC. Bill was also a member of the 2007 Barrymore-winning

ensemble of Theatre Exile's Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet and directed by Matt Pfeiffer. More recently, Bill was a Barrymore nominee

Chris Fluck (Buck) is totally stoked to be returning to the IRC where he last appeared in A Street Car Named Durang. A graduate of Northampton Community College and Temple University, Chris has worked as a professional actor in Philadelphia for 15 years. Selected theatre credits include: Goodlack in Fair Maid of the West Part One (Philadelphia Artists Collective); Ariel in The Pillowman and Sam in Grace (Luna Theatre Company). When he’s not on stage he can be found

teaching Hot Yoga throughout the Philadelphia region. Chris would like to thank Tina and the rest of the amazing cast and crew of Betty for an awesome, radical blast of a time! Love to Sara, Evan, family, friends and students.

Carlos Forbes (Voice Three) is thrilled to be returning to the IRC stage for this production after previously performing in last season's Eccentricities of a Nightingale. He is a graduate of the Community College of Philadelphia and will attend Temple University this Fall where he'll study Theatre. When not performing on stage, Carlos can be found working behind the scenes running lights/sound or stage managing. He has been most recently seen performing in Wet, or Isabella the Pirate Queen

Enters the Horse Latitudes with Once More Theatre. Other recent performance credits include The Women of Ireland (Irish Heritage Theatre), Every(one) (OMT), and R.U.R/The Insect Play (OMT). Thank you to the IRC for this wonderful opportunity, to the talented cast for their inspiring work, and much love to his family and friends. Catch him in the IRC’s September show Come Back, Little Sheba.

Josh Hitchens (Voice One) is a Philadelphia based director, actor, playwright, and poet. Favorite directing credits include Mercury Fur (BrainSpunk Theater), Hedda Gabler (Physick House), And Then There Were None (Allens Lane), and the 20th anniversary production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (ReTheater). He has performed his acclaimed play The Confession of Jeffrey Dahmer in sold out runs at Jersey Fringe and Philly Theatre Week, and the show also received its Canadian premiere in 2018 in a

co-production by Theatre Outre and Theatre BSMT. Josh's other solo plays include the autobiographical Ghost Stories as well as adaptations of Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol,

Ari Benjamin Bank is an educator, an activist, an altruist, a dog-walker extraordinaire, and an independent candidate running for President of the United States of America. In Ari's world, all people are equal, and everyone should be provided high-quality education, affordable healthcare, and good job opportunities for upward mobility. Strong social programs to provide food, clothing, housing, heat, and clean water are essential. The protection and welfare of animals is also one of his missions; in fact, Ari seriously considers having a pig as his running mate, or a sea mammal, or maybe an elephant. Ari is someone who shows true compassion and concern for every person he meets, and if elected President, he will listen closely to the American people, listen to what they want, to what they need, and then work his ass off to make it happen, until his spaceship picks him up to travel back to his home planet.

www.facebook.com/2020ari

CONTRIBUTORS

Hovercraft $1000.00 & above

Wyncote Foundation Tina Brock

Victor Keen and Jeanne Ruddy The Philadelphia Cultural Fund

The Philo Project Anonymous

The Charlotte Cushman Foundation Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

The Virginia Brown Martin Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia

PECO Andy Lamas & Ginny Vanderslice

Bob Schmidt Erica Hoelscher

Barton & Jessica McBride The William Penn Foundation Matching Gift Program

Ed and Anne Koper Wagner Mary Ashley

The Todd B. and Barabara C. Hilsee Foundation Steven Peitzman

Askold Zagars & Marie Feehan

Rescue Team $500.00 - $999.99

Pat and Stacey Bishop Stephen Platt & Robin Schaufler Benjamin Doranz Robin and Joseph Rodriguez Norman and Carolyn Ellman Judith Wooldridge Andy Lamas & Ginny Vanderslice

Life Guard

$250.00 - $499.99

Philip Alperson & Mary Hawkesworth Jeanne George Fred Allen Barfoot Mark Mendenhall Louis Bluver Michael Nailor Noel Carroll & Sally Banes Phyllis Priester Stephen Duskin & Jennifer Berke Levin Marc Scheiner Susan Feagin Bob and Pat Schmidt

CAST

Kassy Bradford (Voice Two) is ecstatic to be returning to The IRC after last season’s Eccentricities of a Nightingale. She is a proud member of Plays and Players’ resident theater company, Once More Theatre. As well as acting, Kassy has stage managed and costumed productions with The Irish Heritage Theatre including By the Bog of Cats and Da. She’d like to thank Peggy Mecham and Tina Brock for the constant inspiration and amazing opportunities.

Tina Brock (Mrs. Seizmagraff, Director, IRC Producing Artistic Director) is a co-founder of The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium. Since 1991, Tina has directed and produced 50+ stage productions in Philadelphia, and has appeared as a performer on stage and in regional and national commercials, television and film in the Philadelphia/New York markets, including hoisting the fundraising flag at local PBS affiliate WHYY-TV12/91FM. 2018 Barrymore Award, Supporting

Performance, By the Bog of Cats, Irish Heritage Theater. For IRC: Broad Street Review: Best Philadelphia-area Theater of 2018: The Eccentricities of a Nightingale; Philadelphia Theatre Critic’s Awards 2018: Honorable Mention, Supporting Actress, Time Remembered; Philadelphia Theatre Critic’s Awards 2017: Honorable Mention: Actress, The Bald Soprano; Supporting Actress, By the Bog of Cats. 2016: Honorable Mention, Actress, Director – Ionesco’s The Chairs. Phindie Best of 2016: Honorable Mention: Ionesco’s The Chairs: Direction, Female Performance, Best Production. DC Metro Arts Best of 2016: Direction, Ionesco’s The Chairs; Performance, Ionesco’s The Chairs. Many thanks to Christopher Durang for his brilliance, Betty designers, cast and crew, and to the IRC staff and board, who keep the light shining at IRC central. For Liam.

Anthony Crosby (Keith) is a Barrymore nominated theatre artist and a founding company member of Die-Cast. Recent credits include Ilium Was (Troy Foundry Theatre & Die-Cast) and Three Sisters (Hedgerow Theatre). anthony-crosby.com

*

Betty’s Summer Vacation by

Christopher Durang

Cast of Characters

Betty……………………………..…........................................Kirsten Quinn

Trudy…………………………………………………………Amanda Schoonover

Keith…………………………………………………………………Anthony Crosby Mrs. Seizmagraff…….……………………………………….……..…Tina Brock

Buck………………………..…………………………………….………..Chris Fluck

Mr. Vanislaw……..……………………………………………………….Bill Rahill

Voice One.……………………………………………………………Josh Hitchens Voice Two…..………………………………………………………Kassy Bradford Voice Three…………………………………………………..………Carlos Forbes

Running time is approximately 85 minutes, with no intermission.

Betty’s Summer Vacation is made possible, in part, by generous support from Wyncote Foundation; The Philadelphia Cultural Fund; The Charlotte

Cushman Foundation; The Virginia Brown Martin Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation; The Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, funded by the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, with support also provided by PECO and administered regionally by the Greater Philadelphia

Cultural Alliance; Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, and by the generosity of you, our loyal and growing audience -- over 70% of our annual

budget is generated through ticket sales and individual donations.

Restrooms are located on this floor,

at the end of the hallway.

The IRC is a proud participant in the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, a program of Theatre Philadelphia

www.theatrephiladelphia.org

*Member Actors Equity Association

CONTRIBUTORS

Life Bouy $100.00 - $249.99

Eliud Alvarado Rodriguez Michael Lynch Mary Ashley Peggy Mecham Herman and Madeline Axelrod Bill and Vikki Monaghan Harry F. Bambrick Jane Moore Robert and Donna Castle James Perretta John and Alberta Chiaravalloti James Pritchett & Frances White John and Theresa D'Alonzo Kathleen Quinn Elizabeth Denton Philip Reeves Donald & Geraldine Duclow Christopher and Jennifer Rule Neil and Mercedez Durkin Carla Sarett James Frazier Anita Schmukler Gail Furman Gary Swisher Andrew and Myrna Gentsch Albert Them & Jane Rutledge Michael Golden & Shelley Green Stephen and Mrs. Johnne Tint Mary L. Goldman & Debbie Weiner Robert J. Wallner Anna Goldstein David and Renee Weisband Margaret Harris David Wierz Roberta Kangilaski Colin Wolfe and Debbie Aguruso Marta Kiesling Ekaterina Zalenskaya Michael and Barbara Lefkoe Susan Zawislak

Life Jacket $50.00 - $99.99

Charles & Donna Barksdale Fred Jackes & Judy Adamson Nancy Berenson Justine Kalas Reeves Alan and Ronnie Bronstein Fred & Carol Kueppers Cynthia D'Ambrosio & John Ianacone Denise La Marra & Mark Wilhelm Thomas and Deborah Davis Joan Lapayowker Jesse Delaney Moe and Sandy Lebo Marcia Ferguson Ruth Levikoff Mary Frantz Nadine Lomakin Gertrude D. Furman Margaret Lonzetta Stephen Geraci Brett Mapp and Morgan Hugo Roseann Gill Bob and Nancy Megley Robert Gorchov Antonio Merenda Julia Baylor Harton Kirsten Quinn & Ari Bank Jean R. Haskell Ismail & Sara Rabinovic Thomas and Maureen Herninko Nanette Steffenhagen Charlotte Humenuk Bertram and Lynne Strieb A. Ron Hunter Kathy Treftz

CONTRIBUTORS

Water Wings $1.00 - $49.99

Oleg Brovender Gianna-Lozzi Wolf Timothy P. Carey William Mulherin Donald Carter Lee Saldinger Sandra Chaff Lois Shestack Joy Gorson Jamie Shuster Jimmy Guckin Diane Zilka Jeanette Hartunian Michael Zuckerman E Ashley Izard

The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium Board of Directors

Tina Brock Norman Ellman Melissa Feliciani Erica Hoelscher

Bob Schmidt

Artistic Advisory Board Andrew J. Carroll Marcia Ferguson Peggy Mecham

Amanda Schoonover

Advisory Committee Ben Doranz

Susan Feagin (Ex Officio) Gail Furman Greg Nanni

Robin Rodriguez Larry Wilkins (Ex Officio)

PO Box 63872 Philadelphia, PA 19147

www.IdiopathicRidiculopathyConsortium.org

Betty’s Summer Vacation by

Christopher Durang

Directed by Tina Brock

Scenic Design

Dirk Durossette

Costume Design Millie Hiibel

Lighting Design Joshua L. Schulman

Sound Design Adrianno Shaplin

Stage Manager/Board Operator Madison Caudullo

Set Construction Stage Rats, LLC: Technical Director

Tom Fusco Set Construction/Scenic Painting

Andrew Robinson & Jessica Rottkamp

Properties Tina Brock & Mark Williams

Ways and Means Coordinator Bob Schmidt

Photoshop Magic Bill Brock

Photography Johanna Austin / AustinArt.org

Betty’s Summer Vacation is presented by

special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.

June 2019 Welcome! A colleague first introduced me to Betty’s Summer Vacation 10 years ago. At that time, four years into the IRC’s existence, we were busy mining the European absurdist writers and developing our aesthetic, so Betty was placed on our short list. Over the three years since the election, when it felt like the world changed overnight, we have been searching for plays that illustrate the exasperation, the sense of annihilation, the discontent and the overall exhaustion we have come to know. Betty’s place on the short list quickly jumped to the top spot. Since its inception in 2006, the IRC has tested, explored and fashioned a way of working -- a unique business model as quirky as the artistic statement is. Captured beautifully in the film Phantom Thread, I was reminded of the beauty of the labor-intensive hand crafted process -- cutting and sewing to specifics, adding feathers, sequins and flourishes, simplifying, cutting and trimming as the creation progresses. Working over a longer period allows the needed breathing room, providing a luxury of time necessary to explore the aspects that bring us joy, and the breath that renders the whole process meaningful and instructive. The return on investment is the joy of working and growing with spirited artists -- performers, designers and audience who appreciate that handcrafted feel of the work that comes from many hours devoted to a labor of love. There simply isn’t enough money in the world that can sustain that experience or feeling, and that alone makes it all worthwhile. I am indebted to the designers and performers on this show who certainly gave this production tenfold more in sweat equity than the paychecks they earned. Christopher Durang: thank you for your many years of creating plays about our absurd existence that feature delicious highly-charged characters we all recognize and love to see in a room together. Mark your calendars for Fringe 2019 in September, when we present William Inge’s Come Back, Little Sheba at the evocative Bethany Mission Gallery. Continuing in 2020, we’ll interpret works by Caryl Churchill, Enda Walsh and Tennessee Williams as we explore the absurdity lurking beneath and on the surface of our everyday lives, exploring how ridiculous, beautiful and intertwined our relationships are in an anxiety-ridden world.

(continued on inside back cover)

Over 70% of our funding from our $100K annual budget comes from audience and individual supporters. Every penny of your donation is placed in service of these adventures, which you clearly see expressed on this stage – the set, costumes and lighting and the characters and crew working within this small theater budget to make this happen. Your contributions have a huge impact on this tiny theater company and over the years have enabled us to expand our programming as the region’s purveyors of absurdist style. So thank you. We tip our handmade hats to you.

Tina Brock Producing Artistic Director The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy

SPECIAL THANKS

Victor Keen and Jeanne Ruddy

Greg Campbell Erica Hoelscher Robin Rodriguez Peggy Mecham

Marcia Ferguson Kyle Amick and Kathyrn McCumber, Walnut Street Theatre

Ben Doranz Avista Custom Theatrical Services Gerald Kolpan - The Philo Project

Brandi Burgess and The Bearded Ladies/Beard Cave

The IRC’s Mission is to bring classic absurdist theatre to an international audience in the Philadelphia region. These rarely-produced, renowned plays explore and illuminate the human purpose and meaning, promoting reflection about the human condition in a contemporary world. Our dedicated group of artists invites you to explore with us these questions and share the word with friends; since 2006, a loyal IRC audience has been built largely through word of mouth.

PRODUCTIONS 2019

Dream Girl by Elmer Rice Betty’s Summer Vacation by Christopher Durang

Come Back, Little Sheba by William Inge 2018

Time Remembered (Leocadia) by Jean Anouilh The Eccentricities of a Nightingale by Tennessee Williams

2017 The Enchanted by Jean Giraudoux

Into the Absurd: Reading of The Witnesses by Tadeusz Różewicz Into the Absurd: Reading of A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur by Tennessee Williams

The Bald Soprano by Eugène Ionesco 2016

The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol Into the Absurd: Reading of The American Dream by Edward Albee Into the Absurd: Readings of The Radio Plays of Beckett and Pinter

The Chairs by Eugène Ionesco 2015

Misalliance by George Bernard Shaw Exit the King by Eugène Ionesco All in the Timing by David Ives

2014 Ondine by Jean Giraudoux

Rhinoceros by Eugène Ionesco A Streetcar Named Durang by Christopher Durang

2013 Paradise Park by Charles L. Mee

The Castle by Franz Kafka 2012

Marriage: An Utterly Improbable Occurrence by Nikolai Gogol Ivona, Princess of Burgundia by Witold Gombrowicz

2011 The Empire Builders by Boris Vian

The Arsonists (The Firebugs) by Max Frisch 2010

The Gnädiges Fraulien by Tennessee Williams The Madwoman of Chaillot by Jean Giraudoux

2009 The Lesson by Eugène Ionesco The Chairs by Eugène Ionesco

2008 Oh! For the Love of Love!: Durang, Beckett & Ionesco

A Streetcar Named Durang: The Parodies of Christopher Durang 2007

Victims of Duty by Eugène Ionesco Four of a Kind: Pinter, Durang, Beckett & Ionesco

2006 Three One Acts: Albee, Beckett & Ionesco