The Colonial Players, Inc.

2022 09 art logo

Written by Jean Baptise Poquelin de Moliere
Translated into English Verse by Ricard Wilbur
Directed by Beth Terranova
Performance Dates:
September 8 - 30, 2023
Run time: 2h 15m
(including intermission)

When piety disguises cunning, there’s danger in the air… While the ostensibly pious vagabond, Tartuffe, is exploiting the homeowners who graciously took him in, the only one who can see through his false piety is the housekeeper Dorine. He has magnificent success in winning the respect and devotion of the head of the house, but then tries to marry his daughter and seduce his wife and scrounge the deed to the property… Will his duplicity be exposed and punished? The author has mercilessly examined the evil that men can commit in the guise of religious fervor and the dangers that imperil those who would believe only what they choose to believe despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary. A sparkling version of one of the great comedies of the French Theater. As current today, as it was centuries ago, this classic comedic tale is an excellent play for the modern era.

To download the production postcard for Tartuffe to share with your friends, visit the Downloads page of our website and look under the Production Postcard heading. A PDF of the production playbill is also available in the same location.

About the Director

Tartuffe is Beth’s 57th venture with The Colonial Players. For CP, Beth previously directed Shiloh Rules, Sherlock’s Last Case, 1776, She Loves Me!; One Act Festival favorites Star Crossed, Scene Change, and Fin and Euba; and the highly acclaimed courtroom drama Hauptmann, for which she received a Washington Area Theater Community Honors (WATCH) award for Outstanding Director. Beth has numerous other backstage credits at CP. She is a frequent Costume Designer for CP shows, most recently for Putting It Together. Other backstage positions include Stage Manager, Producer, and Set Designer. Her favorite on-stage roles at CP include Williamina Fleming in Silent Sky, Aunt March in Little Women, and Ellen van Oss in Two Rooms, which earned her a WATCH nomination for featured actress. Beth is currently the Artistic Director for The Colonial Players and is the long-time editor of the "News and Cues" newsletter. Happily retired from government service, these days you might also catch Beth in colonial garb leading historic and ghost tours around Annapolis…when she isn’t doing “things” for the theater.

Director's Notes

I am so honored to be directing the opening show of The Colonial Players’ historic 75th Season! I remember seeing a production of Tartuffe quite a number of years ago and thinking "fun show". But it was in rereading it for the Executive Production meeting in January of this year that I was really struck by the absolute relevance to current events of today. Moliere wrote the play as a satire on religious hypocrisy, and audiences should have no trouble recognizing that theme and relating it to its modern-day equivalent. But they may also notice a much broader relevance to other social tropes and characters we see every day on our televisions and social media sites.

Giving this classic story new life has been fun-filled and rewarding. Going into a rehearsal, no matter how anxious I was feeling about behind-the-scenes issues, I always left laughing and encouraged. For that, I am so thankful to my brilliant cast and staff for their help and support. And I am especially grateful to my “sounding boards”: the very patient Connie Robinson, who has taken on multiple roles in getting this show on the stage, and my wonderful Play Consultant and Co-producer, Scott Nichols, who has gone above and beyond in ensuring the success of "Tartuffe". Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated volunteers, I believe we have given The Colonial Players a most worthy Season 75 opener!

— BETH TERRANOVA

The Cast

Austin Bennett (Damis) - Austin is thrilled to make his debut at The Colonial Players as Damis in Tartuffe. His favorite past roles include John The Baptist in Godspell, Adam in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), and Laurie in Little Women The Musical. After taking a long break from theater, Austin is delighted to return to the stage once more.

Jane Carrigan (Flipote) - Jane studied theater many years ago at the University of Maryland. Life happened in the intervening years and she spent a productive career with the Federal Government. She is now back to her previous love with her commitment to The Colonial Players.

Michael J. Galizia (Orgon) - Michael is ecstatic to be making his company debut with The Colonial Players of Annapolis. Michael enthusiastically does Operas, Musicals, and Plays. He has been nominated three times for WATCH awards with 2nd Star (Judd Fry/Oklahoma), RLT (Multiple roles/Laramie Project), VLOC (Private Willis/Iolanthe). He portrayed Cervantes in a 2nd Star production of Man of LaMancha which won a Ruby Griffith Award. He also won a Po’okela award (Gerrard Carriere/Maury Yeston’s Phantom of the Opera) with Diamond Head Theater. In addition to those companies Michael has performed with Annapolis Opera, Forgotten Opera, Greenbelt Arts Center, Rude Mechanicals, Riverbend Opera Company, Loudon Lyric Opera, Connecticut Opera, San Francisco Opera and Hawaii Opera, and many others. Michael studied Opera Performance at the Hartt School of Music and Manhattan School of Music. Michael would like to thank the Cast, Crew, and Staff of The Colonial Players of Annapolis for providing a great environment to explore Moliere’s Tartuffe. Special thanks to the amazing Director, Beth Terranova who warmly welcomed Michael into the cast and worked so hard to put “it all” together in a very collaborative and creative environment. Michael has a very full spectrum of other interests such as gardening and exercise. He is a lifelong and very passionate Aquarist. Michael is a Cantor at St. Bernadette’s in Severna Park. Michael would also like to thank his family, Debbie and Caliban for their love and support which is he is profoundly and perpetually grateful for.

Hannah Geib (Mariane) - Hannah is thrilled to be returning to the stage in her first ever Colonial Players production! Hannah last appeared onstage in 2016 as a cast member in the premiere performance of We Got It! at Building Better People Productions in Annapolis. Prior to that, she was a member of the Compass Rose Theater's Young Actor's Studio and performed in student productions such as In Wonderland (Mad Hatter), The Devil and Daniel Webster (Daniel Webster), and The Diviners (Buddy). She would like to thank her family and Nicholas for their encouragement and support (without which she would never have auditioned!), as well as the entire cast and crew for accepting her into The Colonial Players family and bringing this show to life!

Carrie Gross Brady (Elmire) - Carrie saw and enjoyed Tartuffe as a kid, and is so excited to be part of this cast. Always dramatic, Carrie found her niche in the St. Mary’s High School drama club 25 years ago, enjoyed acting and tech through high school and the summers of her college years, and then went on a long hiatus, costuming a few shows here and there until finding her way to The Colonial Players as a costume designer for 2015’s Sherlock’s Last Case. Serving as costume designer for several shows at CP (such as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Silent Sky, and The White Rose, among others), she returned to the stage as Lucy Gale in Shiloh Rules in 2017. Since then she has been in two radio dramas with Greenbelt Arts Center (Dracula and Candy Matson: Jack Frost) and stepped in as an emergency replacement for Reverend Hale in St. Mary’s High School Theatre’s production of The Crucible. Carrie is immensely grateful for the support and encouragement of her friends and family, especially her husband Alex, and especially thankful to Beth, who has given Carrie some of her best opportunities at The Colonial Players."

John Halmi (Tartuffe) - John is excited to return for his sixth production at The Colonial Players, where he has had the privilege of performing in Arsenic and Old Lace, Bat Boy, Shipwrecked, Company, and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Locally, he has also performed with Live Arts Maryland, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, and Standing O Productions. His other performance credits include productions with the acclaimed Encores! Series at New York’s City Center, Carnegie Hall, the Shaftesbury Theatre on London’s West End, Goodspeed Opera House and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. John is a proud graduate of The University of Michigan’s musical theater program. When not on stage, John is a mathematics teacher specialist for Anne Arundel County Public Schools. He would like to send special thanks to his family and friends for always cheering him on, and especially his husband, Dave, for his incredible support and love.

Tyler Heroux (Police Officer) - Tyler has previously been in shows at The Colonial Players as an actor for both Silent Sky and The White Rose. He recently choreographed the fight work for last season's production of Ravenscroft, and is excited to work with them again for Tartuffe!

Scott Sanders (M. Loyale) - Scott is pleased to be appearing on The Colonial Players stage again, and to be doing a completely different style of show than in the past. He last appeared for CP in The Lost Boy as Sean O'Rourke. He has appeared in other shows throughout the area since 2018, most recently as featured Ensemble and Pilate understudy in Jesus Christ Superstar (Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church). He has also begun working on the production side of shows, most recently as a production assistant for RENT (Heritage Players). Thank you to Beth for trusting me with this role and giving me a chance to expand my theater experience.

Ashley Simon (Dorine) - Ashley is delighted to return for her 6th production with The Colonial Players as the theatre celebrates its Diamond Anniversary. It is a privilege to contribute to the theater's long and impressive legacy. As always, Ashley is thankful for the opportunity to perform with an incredibly talented cast and dedicated production team. Ashley most recently played Vera in the theatre’s 2021 production of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. Other credits include Ginger in Book of Days, Ranger Wilson in Shiloh Rules, and Cassandra in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Ashley has a tremendous team of cheerleaders, including family and friends, who support her with steadfast love and encouragement. Thank you! Ashley would especially like to thank her loving husband, Edward, for his unwavering support and daughter, Clara, for being a ham sandwich!

John Sines (Valère) - "What is commonest, cheapest, nearest, easiest, is Me, Me going in for my chances, spending for vast returns, Adorning myself to bestow myself on the first that will take me, Not asking the sky to come down to my good will, Scattering it freely forever."
- W.W.

Jason Vaughan (Cléante) - Jason is delighted to be part of the amazing cast and crew of Tartuffe. Previous roles at CP include Howard in Moon Over Buffalo, Nicky in Bell, Book, and Candle, and most recently in winter 2020 as Boyd Middleton in Book of Days. Jason has also appeared on stage with Dignity Players of Annapolis (Last Days of Judas Iscariot) and Baltimore’s Spotlighters (The Man Who Came to Dinner). During the day he works for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and also serves on the board of the Maryland Federation of Art. Jason thanks Scott for all his love and support (and help learning lines).

Meg Venton (Mme Pernelle) - Meg is delighted to be back on the boards at CP, getting to play around with all these talented people, and grateful for this beautifully run, well-appointed theater with its' incredible history. Past roles at CP were Cecelia in Shiloh Rules, Rose in The Children, and the State Senator in Love, Loss and What I Wore. Thanks to Jack and Percy, and my lovely friends, for their support!

The Production Staff

Kimberly Barker (Properties Designer) Kimberly has a degree in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory and University. She was most recently seen on stage as Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music at 2nd Star Productions. She also has Directed and Music Directed several musicals, most recently directing Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. at Central Middle School, and Little Women, the Broadway Musical with her company Barker Studios360. Kimberly teaches private voice lessons in her home studio and with AACPS APEX Arts at Broadneck High School, and she serves on the Worship Team at Mariners Church, Annapolis, and on the board for the Creative and Performing Arts of South County. Kimberly would like to thank Beth for the opportunity to serve as Properties Designer for Tartuffe. To the cast: Break Legs!

Miranda Evans (Sound Designer) Miranda is a rising junior at Severna Park High School. She participated in and enjoyed the workshops for light, set, and sound this summer. She’s excited to be a part of her first show at CP and wants to thank everyone involved. She would also like to thank her family and her mentor, Wes Bedsworth, for always supporting her.

Lauren Hood (Stage Manager) Lauren is from a small town in New Hampshire, where she grew up performing in school plays and community theater with her friends and neighbors. She learned to appreciate the magic made backstage while attending St. Michael’s College in Burlington, VT. There, she volunteered as a soundboard operator, set builder, and assistant stage manager. Lauren recently moved to Annapolis, and this is her first show with The Colonial Players.

Rebecca Kotraba (Hair & Make Up Designer) Rebecca is an actress, director, and producer that also loves the process of makeup and hair design. The challenge of creating a natural look for 1660’s France for Tartuffe required historical research and creativity to accomplish. She is grateful to the director, production team, and the actors for their collaboration. Outside theater Rebecca is a teacher and mom. Enjoy the show.

Scott Nichols (Play Consultant / Co-Producer) Scott is honored to be working with Beth again, having been her Play Consultant previously for Sherlock’s Last Case. Scott also directed It’s a Wonderful Life, Boeing Boeing and Rocket Man at The Colonial Players. He has also appeared on stage as Babby Bobby in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Sheriff Reynolds in Batboy, Wigs in Enter the Guardsman, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, Birdy in Terra Nova, and various roles in Under Milkwood. He was also in the two-person show, Stones in His Pockets and in Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde at Dignity Players. He has performed at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre as Linus in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and as Little Mary Sunshine in Chicago. Other favorite roles include Phillip in The Lion in Winter, Don in Butterflies Are Free, and various roles in Jacques Brel. Scott would especially like to thank his husband Jason for always being there to provide love, patience, and support.

Constance Robinson (Set Decorator) Since 2003 Connie has volunteered as a public relations consultant, graphic designer, box office assistant, properties designer and set decorator for The Colonial Players. She serves on the current Marketing committee, and has collected props or decorated sets for over TWENTY-SIX productions at The Colonial Players, and other local theaters. She is proud to have received three WATCH nominations for Properties Designing. Connie enjoys her volunteer hours because of the friendly, dedicated people she works with. Here background includes working as an Administrative Assistant for companies in Baltimore and Annapolis, MD, and in Los Angeles, CA. She worked as a free-lance illustrator while her children were growing up, and then received her BA in Visual Arts/Graphic Design from UMBC. For six years she was a floral designer for Frazier’s Pottery in Annapolis. Connie worked for the Titan Corporation as a Graphic Designer and Tech Manual Writer for seven years prior to retiring in 2006. She publishes a monthly newsletter as a member of the Annapolis Watercolor Club, and volunteers as the Properties Consultant/Prop Room Manager for The Colonial Players. It was a pleasure working again with Director, Beth Terranova, for Tartuffe — this time as her Set Decorator and Painter. I could not have accomplished my role without the help of Edd Miller.

Linda Swann (Costume Designer) Linda is happy to be back working in one of her favourite eras with some of her favourite people. Her work was last seen here for The Book of Will but you may have caught her work at 2nd Star's Something Rotten or at RMT for Into the Woods recently, though she is no stranger to costuming for a variety of theater companies around the area. When not playing with live Barbie dolls, she spends her time encouraging young minds to grow in the AACPS system. She'd like to thank God for this opportunity, Beth for trusting her, and the cast and crew for their infinite patience. Enjoy the show.

Jo-Anne Taylor (Lighting Designer) After assisting Dianne Trickey-Rokenbrod with lighting for Putting It Together last season, Jo-Anne is excited to make her debut as lighting designer for Tartuffe. Having recently moved to Annapolis from Western New York State, Jo-Anne has enjoyed discovering The Colonial Players theater and the unique challenges in lighting 360 degrees. Thank you, Beth for this opportunity. Special thanks to Dianne Trickey-Rokenbrod for her help with this production. As always, her assistance was invaluable.