A Bad Year for Tomatoes Show Program

presents

FRI, APRIL 9, 16  7:00 PM
SAT, APRIL 10, 17, 24  2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

SUN, APRIL 11, 18  2:00 PM
Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum

Thank you
to our Sponsor:

A Note from the Director

Even though A Bad Year for Tomatoes may not be well
known to many audience members, its playwright surely is.
John Patrick is best known for authoring The Curious
Savage and Teahouse of the August Moon; the latter won
both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as a Tony Award for
Drama. The bulk of his career, however, was spent writing
screenplays for Hollywood. However, to theatre-goers, it is
the aforementioned productions for which he is best
remembered. We are hoping you remember this production
for the talented performers bringing it to life for you today.

Jamie Bierchen, Director

CAST & CREW

Crew:

Director ..…………………………………..….....Jamie Bierchen
Stage Manager ………………………....…......Madisen Kilraine
Set Construction ..…...….…..Alan S. Rosenthal, Kirk Johnson
Prop Construction ...….Alan S. Rosenthal, Suzanne Mayberry
Additional Props …………..…...Liz Brawner, Laura Carpenter,

Alicia Jiracek, Alan S. Rosenthal
Brother Leviticus Artwork ………………….………..Eric Weber

Cast:

Myra Marlowe,
Myrtle Durtle, Sister Sadie .…........…….………....Liz Brawner
Tom Lamont .………………………….….….Alan S. Rosenthal
Reba Harper .…..……………………..………..Laura Carpenter
Cora Gump .……………………………....…..…...Alicia Jiracek
Piney .………….………………………….…………..Eric Weber
Willa Mae Wilcox ………………….……..……...Velda Gauthier
Sheriff ………………………………………..….....Danielle Abell

A Bad Year for Tomatoes is presented by special arrangement
with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Jamie Bierchen, Director
Jamie has directed and performed in over 100
shows. He has performed in everything from
dinner theatre to children’s theatre to comedies
to dramas to musicals to opera. He has won
numerous STAR awards through the years; his
latest was for the sold out run of Mamma Mia at St. Petersburg
City Theatre which he directed and choregraphed. He was last
seen on stage as Scrooge in St. Petersburg City Theatre’s
production of A Christmas Carol and last seen on the Tarpon
Arts stage in Mama Won’t Fly.
Madisen Kilraine, Stage Manager
Madisen is beyond grateful to have been given
the opportunity to stage manage this absolutely
hilarious production. It is her first time. She hopes
that everyone enjoys the show just as much as
she did while helping to bring it together. She
especially wants to thank Liz Brawner and Jamie Bierchen for
helping her along the way and always encouraging her. She
participated in shows such as Kiss Me, Kate, The Mikado,
Iolanthe, Charlie’s Aunt, etc. Her father, Tim, has always been
a huge influence on her throughout her life. Singing and acting
is her passion and she hopes to continue pursuing it in the
future!
Liz Brawner as Myra Marlowe, Myrtle Durtle
and Sister Sadie
Liz feels honored to be working with the amazing
group of talented actors you see on this stage.
She has ‘organized the troops’ as stage manager
for several Tarpon Arts productions. But most
recently, she was St. Petersburg City Theatre’s stage manager
for Mamma Mia. On stage, she has appeared at Tarpon Arts as
Olivia St. Cloud in Love, Lies, and the Doctors Dilema, as well
as Madge Geisel in The Game’s Afoot, Maria Morelli in Lend
Me A Tenor and Charlotte Bartholdi in the debut of Libertaire.
Liz’s love of theatre started while growing up in GA & SC. She
now calls FL home, spending time on the beach or in her Jeep
(doors off and top down, of course!).

Alan S. Rosenthal as Tom Lamont
Alan has been involved in musical and theatrical
arts for over 35 years. Some of the productions
Alan has been involved in as an actor are Dark
Dimensions, The Lady Without Substance,
Tidbits of Terror II, Funny Money, and he has
played many characters in several productions of A Christmas
Carol. Alan not only works on the stage, but behind the scenes
as well, including set building and props creation. Alan has
also played in the orchestral pit as the principal Bassoonist in
several musical productions and operas. Alan owns his own
law firm and outside of his professional foray he is an avid
woodworker, musician, martial artist and philanthropist. He
dedicates his performance in this production to his loving
family.
Laura Carpenter as Reba Harper
Laura has had her fair share of helpful neighbors
throughout the 8 states she has lived in. Most
recently her neighbors in Aylesford have
supported her by coming to see her recent roles
as Rosie in Mamma Mia with St. Petersburg City
Theatre and Joan in Love, Lies and the Doctors Dilemma with
Tarpon Arts. Thanks to Jamie and the cast for making each
rehearsal so fun and to Scott and Keslyn for putting up with her
Reba voice at home. After the show, she’d love to hear one of
your stories about your favorite neighbor!
Alicia Jiracek as Cora Gump
Alicia is thrilled to come out of quarantine to be
part of A Bad Year for Tomatoes -- her tenth
production in Tarpon Springs. She has had so
much fun laughing and creating with this talented
cast. The past two years she has been involved
with SAGES, who use “Plays with Purpose” to educate seniors.
She also spent 13 years working in Mystery Dinner Theaters
and plays Mrs. Claus at Busch Gardens at Christmas. She’d
like to thank her friends and family who support her passion for
performing.

Eric Weber as Piney
Eric is so excited to be returning to the Tarpon
Arts stage in a production with so many of his
friends. Eric is honored to be included in a group
of such terrific thespians and sincerely hopes you
enjoy the show as much as they have enjoyed
putting it together.
Velda Gauthier as Willa Mae Wilcox
Velda is a local theatre actress who has received
two STAR Awards from The Theatre Grapevine,
six Michael Awards from St. Petersburg City
Theatre and 3 Cathy Awards from Gulfport
Players. Some of her favorite roles include: Dr.
Martha Livingston in Agnes of God, Fiona in The Sensuous
Senator, both Vernadette and Lexi in Dixie Swim Club, Myrah in
In The Restroom at Rosenbloom’s, Daria Chase in The Game’s
Afoot, Estelle Lapointe in Sherlock Holmes and the Spinsters of
Blackmead, June in A Corset Line (SAGES), Jean Perkins in
Funny Money, Mrs. Dilber in A Christmas Carol, in Mama Won’t
Fly at both Tarpon Arts and the Early Bird Dinner Theatre, and
in Bird of a Feather with Director Patrick Brafford. Velda is
happy to work with this cast, crew and Director Jamie Bierchen.
She sends her love to her babies and the artist.
Danielle Abell as the Sheriff
Danielle received a Theatre Minor from Liberty
University in 2011. While pursuing the Theatre
Minor, she was part of the stage crew for A
Christmas Carol and helped build the stage/set for
Phantom of the Opera. Since then, she has been
on the stage crew for Wedding Secrets and appeared in
Urinetown, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Legally Blonde. She is
currently in pre-production for Final Bow and It’s All Greek films.
In 1995, she received a Drama Club Award for Excellence in
Creative Expression for Land of a Million Wishes. She was last
seen on the Tarpon Arts stage as Dot in The Gift of the Magi.



Volunteers make all the difference!

We are grateful to the following individuals wauhdoiegnivceesth.eir
time to make the arts come alive for our

Fran Arfaras Sara Gibson Diane Porter
Nicole Arfaras Kerr Jeffrey Goodman Peggy Pugh
Carol Atwood-Lyon Trish Gregory Toula Ronningen
Clark Beurlen Michele Henning Ree Rost
Bonnie Bogner Suzan Hollern Ellen Scheible
Sherry Carlson Sandra Holubar Michael Steinberger
Caroline Caswell Susan Housewright Michelle Steinberger
Pat Chapman Margit Hristova Susan Stokely
Bruce Chimento Deborah Kinsley Betty Todino
Marlene Chimento Paul Kinsley Cynthia Ward
Annette DeBroka Debbie Koeppen Debbie Whelan
Faith Del Percio Debbie Macks Eve White
Julie Everett Ginger Matyko Barbara Wood
Patty Farrell Bruce Miller
Nancy Ferguson Marilyn Mueller
Tashina Fisher Debbie Pearn
Lori Gerstein Helen Penny
Stu Gerstein Susan Pisano

We appreciate you!

Thank you for supporting the
arts in Tarpon Springs!

BECOME A MEMBER!

Don’t miss a minute of the fun! Join our Tarpon Arts
family today and receive up to 15% off all ticket

purchases, invites to special members-only events,
give-away drawings at select shows, and more!

Learn more at TarponArts.org/membership, call us at
727.942.5605, or pick up your membership form at the

Ticket Office before you leave!

Thank You to our Current Members!

PLATINUM ($750) Peggy & Terry Johnston
Jerold Kaufer, In Memory Roger & Nina Keller
Ann & Jim Larsen
of Dorothy P. Kaufer Richard & Marion Linkh
Jerold Kaufer, In Memory George & Nancy Miller
Kimen & Charles
of Augusta and Sidney
Kaufer Mitchell
Dr. Stephen & Anna Maria Morales
Mrs. Yolanda Mihalek Rano Mueller
Brian Orlick Gene Musselman
Judy Patton
GOLD ($500) James Petty
Donald John Adams Louis & Paulette
Dee O’Brien
Paul & Frances Petervary Piccininno
Captain & Mrs. J. Basil George & Nancy Pratt
Martha & Larry Schweizer
Read
Dr. Deb Whitehouse PATRON ($75)
Dave & Carolyn Wladaver Betty Abshire
Robert Alderman
SILVER ($250) Mary Lou Argow
Dale & Martha Gray Carol Atwood-Lyon
Mr. & Mrs. Edward John & Lois Balsanek
Barbara & Pat Barry
Hoffman Judith Bartlett
Jerri & Bob Litt Sue Bartlett
Ann Samarkos, Rick & Margaret Becker
Robert & Kim Bennett
The 1910 Inn Barbara Boos
Sherry Branch
BRONZE ($150) Linda Bremer
Jack & Jan Brouhard Ms. Jo Ellen Bryant
Sherry & Arlen Carlson Susan Bucci & George
Don & Tanya Carney
Paul Chapman Springer
Dean Chatlain Gregory Cardinal
Jeffrey & Sharon Frank & Harriet Champi
Brian & Dana Chase
Goodman Pat Coughlin
Ken & Gail Gruebel Patricia Crowley
Robert & Jan Grupp Louisa Cunneen
Rachel Herman & Roy L.

Herman, Jr.

Frank & Theresa Marie Knabbe Howard L. Smith
Cuttone
Michael & Sanne Wilbur & Caralee
Dolores & Kenneth
Dambrosio Kure-Jensen Konrad Smith

William & Mary Esther Kontos Bonnie V. Stanaitis
Darnell
Philip & Lynn Kopala Linda Stanko
Margaret Darraugh
Linda & Tony John LaMantia Karen Thompson-Brown

DeCesare Lauritz & Betty Joe Thomas Thorpe
Carl Demotses
Bertram Devorsetz Larsen Julie Wade
Dr. Patricia Donohue
Timothy & Josephine Patricia & Howard Michael Walbolt

Drawbridge Lorenz Joe & Kathleen Ward
Carol Drummond
Rich Ebert Susan Marino Dr. Lee Weaver
Mary & Mike Eggleston
Mark Finnan & Patricia Mr. Clair McCloy R. Lynn Whitelaw

Ramondetta Shelly & Scott McLarnon Manny & Rita
Dorothy Fitchett
Mel Funk Dieter & Hedvig Meister Widman
Gay & Tom Gagnon
Terry Gedan Gerald Mellon Dr. Tod & Phyllis
Tim & Regina Gibson
Dana & Bjorn Maryann & Carl Mitchell Williams

Gulbrandsen Kathleen Monahan & Edgar Worster
Bonnie Gundeck
Ron & Patricia Haddad James McNeely Dane Woytek
Bob & Janet Helms
Joann Hernandez Charles & Marcia Moore
Michael & Sandra
Bob & Linda Murphy
Holubar
Mark & Kathy Hopkins Ken & Christine
Matthew Iwanski
Joan Jennings Neighbors
Roger & Jean Jester
Lewis & Jo-Ann Jones Steven & Shirley
Rick Kastel
Timothy Keevers Ogle
Karen A Kennedy
Sherri Patterson

Deborah Pearn

Fred Pflueger, Jr.

Patricia Pochurek

John & Nancy Purchase

Joanne Reich

Karen Lee Ritzel

Leora & Richard Roll

Dudley Salley

John Sammel

Lawrence & Marie

Sasso

Lee & Walter Schneider

Paul Schroder

Frank Sevick

Joann Sinatra

Victorian Garden Party
with Dr. Mary Jane Safford

SAT, MAY 1 • 2:00 PM
Safford House Museum

Join us to celebrate May Day at a
Victorian-themed Garden Party with your
hostess, Dr. Mary Jane Safford. Partake
in some cold lemonade, an assortment of
delectable confections, and spend a
memorable afternoon as Dr. Safford
shares stories about her fascinating life.

Knowledge & Nibbles
The History & Mystery

of the Sponge
TUES, MAY 18
10:00 AM & 2:00 PM

Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum

Join us for a fascinating talk on sponges
and the sponge industry. For many years,
the sponge industry was the largest
maritime industry in Florida, and Tarpon
Springs was and still is known as “The
Sponge Capital of the World.”

Steel Magnolias
FRI, JUNE 4,11 • 7:00 PM

SAT, JUNE 5,12,19
2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
SUN, JUNE 6,13 • 2:00 PM
Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum

Welcome to Truvy’s beauty salon where
anyone who is anybody has their hair
done. A group of friends draw on strength
and love while facing mortality – making
them marvelous company in good times
and bad.

727.942.5605 or TarponArts.org