

Advertisement
FARMERS ALLEY THEATRE
presents
by
MARK ST. GERMAIN
Directed by
KATHY MULAY
BECOMING DR. RUTH is presented by special arrangement
with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
World Premiere, June 30,2013, at Barrington Stage Company, Pittsfield MA — Julianne Boyd (Artistic Director); Tristan Wilson (Managing Director).
Originally Produced Off-Broadway by Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson, Rodger Hess, Jamie deRoy, Pat Flicker Addiss, Beam Reach Entertainment/Elyse Mirto, LFI Group. Associate Producers: Matt Jared, Lawrence D. Poster/Merrill A. Stone.
Original projection design by Brian Prather and Daniel Brodie
Setting: Washington Heights, New York
Time: June 9, 1997
There will be a 15 minute intermission.
Follow Us: |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Farmers Alley Theatre Staff
Advertisement
Cast
Creative Team
Crew
Meet the Company

Diane is thrilled to be making her Farmers Alley Theatre debut in the titular role of our production of BECOMING DR. RUTH! Diane’s experience spans four decades with many credits in Stage, Film and Television. In her life long career as a performing artist, Diane Wasnak apprenticed with Master Mime Tony Montanaro, going on to join the San Francisco Pickle Family Circus in 1988 and partnering with Joan Mankin to become “Pino & Queenie Moon,” the first female clown duo featured in American circus. After ten years with the Pickles, Diane was cast in Cirque du Soleil’s production of MYSTERE. On screen, Diane was MoCap stunt double for Jada Pinkett Smith in the The Matrix games. On the theatrical stage Diane received acclaim for her portrayal of Puck in Marin Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and Gower in PERICLES: PRINCE OF TYRE. She portrayed eleven characters in Actor’s Theatre of Louisville’s A TUNA CHRISTMAS, Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger in Athen’s West 33 VARIATIONS, and many others. In 2006 Diane and her dog, Bonzer, made their Broadway debut in BUSKER ALLEY starring Glenn Close. Diane’s work with the Palo Alto Humane Society earned them a Telly Award for their video, IT'S A DOG'S DAY. Diane’s dog Crikey published a book of poetry in 2022 entitled ALL I NEED IS A TYPEWRITER & A SQUEAKY BALL. And Diane’s company, Bonzer Productions produced the fictional podcast, BIZZO'S HOLIDAY SECRET.

As Vice President of the board at Farmers Alley Theatre, Kathy has directed 33 shows at the theatre since its inception in 2008. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with professionals from all over the country while mounting shows on our stage. She also often designs costumes and sets for her productions and is particularly proud of the abstract set design for this production. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Diane Wasnak on this production, whose own life as a mime and circus performer is incredibly interesting. Kathy has been honored with Wilde Award nominations (celebrating theatre in the State of Michigan) for her productions of THE SECRET GARDEN, COLLECTED STORIES, NEXT TO NORMAL, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, and PARADE. Other favorites include BRIGHT STAR, FUN HOME, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, DOGFIGHT, CABARET, and JANE EYRE. She has been honored with the Community Medal of Arts Award for her many years of theatrical direction and her work bringing bringing area premieres to the community. She has directed numerous shows for the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, her most recent being MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. Most of Kathy’s career has been dedicated to educating young theatrical artists as Managing Director of the Civic Summer Theatre for 18 summers as well as teaching and directing students at Loy Norrix and Portage Central High Schools. She has prided herself on challenging those young artists with area premieres of LES MISERABLES, MISS SAIGON, RAGTIME, HAIRSPRAY, THE SECRET GARDEN, ALL SHOOK UP, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Loving memories of husband John Mulay who was always the wind beneath her wings.
Roger is excited to be in his 10th season as Farmers Alley Theatre's Equity Stage Manager. Roger started his theatre journey in second grade and has been traveling that road ever since. Both as an actor and technician, Roger has graced many stages throughout the area, and has been at Farmers Alley since season two. Some of his favorites in recent years are NEXT TO NORMAL, THE PRODUCERS, DOGFIGHT, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: DREAM ON, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MURDER FOR TWO, and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. Roger would like to thank his family and educators who got him hooked on live theatre. There is nothing quite like experiencing a live production with a live audience. Proud member of Actors Equity Association.
Mike is in his second season as Farmers Alley Theatre’s full time technical director. Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Mike has spent the last decade bouncing around various tech and production roles at many theatres in the area including Miller Auditorium, Chenery Auditorium, Farmers Alley Theatre and more. Specializing in taking things apart, but not necessarily putting them back together, Mike is excited to take on unique challenges and opportunities as Farmers Alley’s Technical Director for the 2022-23 season.
Savannah previously served as Prop Designer for THE GREAT LEAP, A SWINGING CHRISTMAS: THE HOLIDAY MUSIC OF TONY BENNETT, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, BRIGHT STAR, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, AVENUE Q, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, A DOLL'S HOUSE PART 2, THE PRODUCERS, LIBERACE!, IT'S ONLY A PLAY, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, and HONKY TONK ANGELS. A Kalamazoo native, Savannah has spent the last few years working as a freelance designer, stage manager and technician throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Prior to her travels she was the Stage Management Associate for the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and Props Designer for Millbrook Playhouse. Savannah is thrilled to be able to call Farmers Alley her forever theatre home and is grateful to all who have helped her along her theatrical journey.
Carter graduated from Western Governers University with a BBA in IT Business Management and currently works full-time as an AV System Engineer for a local casino. His production company, CF Productions, works in the community doing live sound, event production, as well as photography and video services. Carter not only designs and runs sound for Farmers Alley Theater but is also the Technical Director at the Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall.
Steve has been our very talented Wig Master for our productions of A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, BRIGHT STAR, THE REVOLUTIONISTS, LOST IN YONKERS, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED, CAMELOT, FUN HOME, MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: DREAM ON, A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2, BEYOND THE RAINBOW, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, and THE PRODUCERS. Steve’s talent was also on display during our productions of HONKY TONK ANGELS, GYPSY, IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, THE ANDREWS BROTHERS, 1776, and FANCY NANCY. He also been featured on the Farmers Alley stage as an actor in THE SPITFIRE GRILL, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, and 1776. Steve is also a valued volunteer who often serves as our House Manager on show nights. “Thank you to Farmers Alley Theatre for giving me the opportunity to grow in this artistic endeavor.”
Christopher is the technical director for Grand Valley State University and a freelance projection and media designer for the performing arts in West Michigan. He has designed projection and media for Grand Valley State University, Heritage Theatre, Cassell Dance, Mason Street Warehouse, and the Miss Michigan Pageant. He is delighted to be working with Farmers Alley again, having previously done projections for A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.
Cory graduated from Western Michigan University in 2015 with a BFA in lighting design and production. He has toured with JERSEY BOYS and ELF ON THE SHELF as a head electrician. Having been a Production Electrician for two major national tours he now is giving back to the community some of his knowledge in large-format productions.
This marks Nicole's seventh production with Farmers Alley, and her first season as Resident Costumer. Her resume includes a wide variety of film and theatre from the historic outdoor drama THE LOST COLONY, "My Brother, My Brother, and Me," and such iconic shows as THE TOXIC AVENGER, AVENUE Q, THE PRODUCERS, MARAT/SADE, and THE ARABIAN NIGHTS. She received her MFA in Costume Technology from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her BFA in Costume Design From Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She sends a thank you to her mother, her husband Murdoc, her Partner in Mischief, and her furlings for their love and support to keep her sane.
Ricky is an incoming transfer student to Western Michigan University where he intends to study theatre. From Battle Creek, this is his second involvement with Farmer’s Alley Theatre, having been a spotlight operator for A SWINGING CHRISTMAS: THE HOLIDAY MUSIC OF TONY BENNETT this season. He has performed in many various community theatre productions all over SW Michigan throughout the last decade.
Marcia and Tom are long-time supporters of theater in the Kalamazoo area. Natives of Kalamazoo/Portage both were involved with their respective high school’s theater and music programs. They continued to support Portage Northern’s Drama and Music Departments when their children, Jennifer and Adam, were students there. Marcia was the Box Office Manager for 24 years and Tom lent his construction expertise backstage. Marcia was also a familiar face in her role as Assistant to the Directors for the musicals at Mattawan High School for 15 years. Together they have volunteered at Farmers Alley Theater since Season 1 and have assisted with the costumes for all productions since Season 8.
This is David's first season as the Master Electrician for Farmer's Alley after starting as a volunteer last year. He has taken the opportunity here to grow more connected with his late father by doing something they both shared a passion for - helping others tell stories. David's day job is leading a team of systems analysts at Streamline Healthcare Solutions.
Actors' Equity Association (“Equity"), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional 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.
Advertisement
Donors
2022-2023 Supporters
Farmers Alley Theatre profoundly thanks all the following supporters for their generous contributions from 2/24/22 to 2/24/23
VISIONARY | Jacqueline Corak |
Anonymous | Paul and Judy Davidoff |
DeMent and Marquardt | Linda Diller |
Irving S. Gilmore Foundation | Deborah Dingwall |
First National Bank of Michigan Charitable Fund | Douglas and Son Inc. |
Jack and Andy Hopkins | Glen and Greeta Douglass |
David Isaacson | Gayle Finder |
Keyser Insurance | Gay Frew |
Morrison Jewelers | Stephen Friedman |
The Marvin and Rosalie Okun Family Foundation | Beverly Gahan |
Suzanne U D Parish Foundation | John Geisler |
Peregrine | Don Goodling |
Diane S. Robertson | Lori Hatfield |
Shubert Foundation | Catherine Henze |
Margaret (Peg) Small | Ed and Ginnie Hessler |
Tyler Little Foundation | Ralph M. Hodges |
Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation | Tony Holewinski |
Willams Capital Management | Doug and Sue Hoopingarner |
Zhang Financial, Inc. | Katherine Houston |
Judy Imanse | |
EXECUTIVE | Jeanette and Wayne Johnson |
Nancy Ford Charles | Thomas Kaiser |
Bob and Patti Huiskamp | Elizabeth Kellogg |
Kalamazoo Promise | Mary Kinney |
Bill and Jeannette Maxey | Andrew and Pamela Knight |
Mickey McDonald and Timothy Aaron | Sue E. Kovach |
Mary Meagher and John Hock | Blaine and Bobbie Lam |
Kathy Mulay | Ann Lamble |
Art Nemitz | Anne Laurence |
Rose Street Advisors | David and Amy Lehr |
Joshua and Pamela Weiner | Mark Kraai and Linda Lesniak |
Judith Loudin | |
PRODUCER | Brian Smith and Maria Maki |
Tom and Carol Beech | Michael and Mary Ann March |
Dominic and Barbara Court Family Fund for Dramatic Arts | Bob and Barb McCall |
Sam and Shon Field | Michael and Barbara McMann |
Alfred Garcia and Sandra Edwards | Mary Miyagawa |
Linda Harrington | Melissa Napier |
Imperial Beverage | Vicki Nelson |
Kalamazoo Growlers | Kay and Ann Perry |
Dori Kunkle | Doug and Pam Phillips |
Shayne and Kevin Plemmons | Michael and Lisa Phillips |
Jeff K Ross Financial | Don and Jeri Price |
Michael and Laurel Scheidt | Kathleen Rabbers |
Michael and Sharon Seelye | Bonnie and David Riddle |
Jim and Betsy Sell | Rick and Carol Riddle-Wallus |
Southern Michigan Bank and Trust | Jill Rozanoff |
Adam and Allison Weiner | Martha Schinderle |
Weissert and Kakabeeke Retirement and Wealth Management | Tim and Judy Shank |
D. Terry and Sharon Williams | Luanne and Edward St. Peter |
Tim and Janet Thieme | |
DIRECTOR | Mary Tift |
Phil Borozan and Kim Marineau | Bob and Linda Van Dis |
Samuel and Carole Cupps | Jan Versaw |
David and Valerie Flagler | Frances and Von Washington Sr. |
Don Flesche | Theresa Weiss |
Jerrold T. French | Katie Winner-Weitzel and John Weitzel |
Sandra Gagie | Jennifer Westerman |
Carol Haenicke | John and Mary Whyte |
Bob and Becky Kramer | Ron and Ruth Wiser |
Alan and Rhonda Messinger | Maggie and Eric Zahrai |
Maggie Mosby | Tim and Judy Shank |
Charles and Laurel Ofstein | |
Pfizer, Inc. | FAN |
Sandra Sims and Benjamin Maxey | Lisa Abbott and Atis Kleinbergs |
Tim and Tammy Timmons | Sarah Aiello |
Elizabeth Upjohn Mason | Rick Allen |
Martin and Katy Velten | Jollie Allen |
Liz Walker | Robert Allison |
Phyllis Westerman | Micah Arce |
Onur Arugaslan | |
PRINCIPAL | Alice Asmus |
Andrew and Lisa Ambrosio | Tammy Bailey |
Steven and Kathy Barry | Delia M Baker |
Chris Beaver | Cheryl Balmer |
Martha Beverly | Doris Beck |
Gregor and Sandy Blix | Lorie Beckman |
Rena Brooks | Nicholas Behnke |
James and Carol Carter | Rebecca Bigelow |
Christine K. Castle | Scott Bjerke |
Michael Clark | Diane Boley |
Lou and Helen Coleman | Gregg and Carol Bradley |
Robert and Nancy Cretsinger | William Bray |
Carl Doerschler | Melinda Brennan |
Gregory Elfring | Arthur Brill |
James Escamilla and Brenda Longman | Katherine Brinklow |
Gary and Ann Fergemann | Frederick Brown |
Anne Fischell | Cary E Brubaker |
Gary and Stephanie Giguere | Sidney Brush |
Geoffrey and Beverly Grambau | Eileen and Michael Burke |
Daniel Guyette | Nora Bushman |
Al and Kris Hovestadt | Delia Campos |
James and Kathy Justen | Heidi Cavanagh |
Jim Keeler and Merry Ellen Eason | Kyle Centers |
Dave and Deb Keenan | Colleen Centers |
Alice and Mike Kemerling | Jeannie Claus |
Bill and Sue Kovats | Kathryn Cole |
Kay Lennon | Veronica Cunningham |
Paul and Cathy Mejia | Bonnie Dalton |
Bill Pierce and Ann Paulson | Donald Dangler |
Howard and Georgia Potrude | Jim and Mary Ann Dechnik |
Arthur and Janet Riley | Steve and Marlene Denenfeld |
Jane Schley | Frances Denny |
Jacob Schupan | Linda Derfiny |
Ron and Margaret Strezelecki | Ken Dettloff |
Bob and Pat Terwilliger | Amber Dixon |
Dick and Chris Thomas | Danna Downing |
Stephen and Irene Trivers | Jan Drake |
Bo and Mel VanPeenan | Jim Keeler and Merry Ellen Eason |
John and Jean Wiler | Carol Eddy |
Nik Zumburs | Michael Ehlers |
Jeffrey Elliott | |
SUPPORTING | Sarah Engstrom |
Dennis and Susan Hollar | Kitty Fishman |
Cornell and Julie Abod | Rebecca Fonner |
Christine Albertini | Angela Forgey |
Julie Andersen-Zelnis | David Fransen and Jennifer Smith |
Anne Anderson | Joyce Gadola |
Jennifer Arvanigian | Roy Geiger |
Gary and Nancy Ausema | Sharon Gleeson |
David and Sandy Badt | Global Clinical Connections |
Harol Ballen | Dianne Gorsuch |
Sherry Bate | Bobbie and Shel Green |
Robert and Judith Beam | John Griesbach |
Charles and Mary Ann Birch | Gary Griffin |
Harry and Mary Bird | Jessica Gulley |
Donna and James Bishop | Jan Guszynski |
Byrl and Mary Bowman | Monique Haley |
Donald Bremer | Ron and Molly Hamilton |
Bruce and Cheryl Briney | Patrick Hanlin |
Faith A. Burleigh | Mary Ellen Harris |
Mervin and Kay Burtis | Jim Hayes |
Carol Coverly | Jay and Dianne Heckler |
Ted and Stacy Dent | Jeff and Sue Henshaw |
David and Susan Doan | Brad Hershbein |
James and Pat Dolan | Jeanne Hess |
Bob and Mary Doud | Shannon Hill |
Thomas Drinan | James and Kathryn Hillenbrand |
Scott and Kathy Everett | Hal Hobson-Morse |
Molly Fairbanks | William Hokanson |
Lisa Falk | Donald Horner |
Greg and Ann Feldmeier | Phillip Horwich |
John Fink and Zaide Pixley | Mark Hosking |
Marian Fisher | Madeline Isch |
David Ford | Heather Isch |
Pamela Fox Obed | Kathy Jepson |
Robert and Marilyn Geil | Carmen Jonaitis |
Ed and Nan Goldenthal | Tim Judy |
Janet Gover | Michael Jutila |
Robert Poats and Janet Green | Jon and Kitty Kachniewicz |
Bruce and Jeanne Grubb | James Karle |
Dan and Barbara Gustin | Michael Keim |
Tim and Debra Hanna | Deborah and Michael Killarney |
Mary and Jim Heaton | Jim Knapp |
Dennis and Susan Hollar | Barbara Kreuzer |
John and Peggy Hopkins | Erik Krogh |
Robert and Lynn Horton | Asmita Kulkarni |
E. Heather Ingram | Seth Langsam |
Stephen and Kathy Jepson | Kathleen Ledger |
Judy Jolliffe | Jonathon Linsenman |
Linda Kanamueller | Adriane Little |
Joan Khaled | David Lucio |
Martha King | Thomas Lundquist |
Richard and Patricia Kirschner | Kevin Maher |
Susan Knox | Debra Mancuso |
Peter Kobrak | Mary Jane Mapes |
Karen Kruse | Shaun Martin |
Ken and Sue Kuchenreuther | Tiffany McCafferty |
Nelly Kurzmann | Lynda McKinnon |
Kerry Lake and Paul Arkinstall | Craig and Kim Melvin |
Norm and Bonnie Langeland | James and Donna Menchinger |
Wayne and Toni Leblong | Katerina Mikhailova |
Robert and Joyce Leppard | Charles Miller |
Mark and Pam Liberacki | Theresa Mills |
Ken and Paula Manley | Megan Moloney |
Charlene and Peter Marsiglia | Alycia Morelli |
Sue Ann Mater | Michael Morris |
Prudence McCabe | Carol Moshier |
Dennis and Jan McNally | Kenneth Newby |
Lynne Meek | Judith Oliver |
Jamie and Amy Melvin | Travis Olsen |
Ralph and Jeanette Meyer | Pamela Parise |
Robert and Shelagh Miller | Bruce Parmelee |
Julia Minar | Herbert Pearson |
Scott and Heather Moore | Elizabeth Peot |
Charles Nelson | James Perkins |
Eric and Melanie Oudsema | Pamela Phillips |
Mary Oudsema | Will Pierce |
Barbara Page and Roger Prior | Natalia Pinto |
Timothy and Louann Palmer | Douglas Plaut |
Don and Ann Parfet | Eric W Pott |
Emily Parfet | Michael Powell |
Donna Parr | Rolland Preuss |
Martha Poolman | Martha Ream |
Thomas and Linda Powell | Mary Ann Rebert |
Richard and Sherry Ramsdell | Nancy Repp |
Barbara Ray | Stephen Rodia |
Arlene Reitz | Elizabeth Rohs |
Dale and Ethel Resh | Linda Schell |
Thomson Reuters | Laurie Schmidt |
Jim and Diane Rikkers | Diane Schuldt |
Barry and Jane Ross | Samuel Sedlecky |
Edward and Jan Sackley | Pamela Simon |
Ardith Sarkozy | Jayla Smith |
Laurel Hyames Sayre | Barbara Soda |
Janette Schoenherr | Sons of Norway - Askeladden Lodge |
Dan and Sherry Schupan | Kristine Sorensen |
David and Susan Sheldon | Daniel Steffler |
Jim Sholl | Emily Stewart |
Joellen Silberman | Lyda Stillwell |
Jerry and Judy Sivak | Jacob Sumner |
Daniel Smith and Jeanette Greselin | Gary Swartz |
Renee Smith | Jezaniah Tena |
Jochanan and Mabel Stenesh | Samantha Turner |
Baiba Stepe | Vicki Vanas |
Richard Schmiege and Jan Stoner | Joy Veltkamp |
Jon and Jane Streeter | David and Linda Wagner |
Linda Taylor | Nancy Walker |
Jim and Marcie Telfer | Joe and Holly Walls |
John and Linnaea Thomas | Leah Walters |
Grace Tiffnay | Barbara E. Walters |
Jerry Tilmann and Gary Steiner | Judy Walters |
Bill and Susan VanDis | Janet Ward |
Paul and Karen Vellom | John Weaver |
Marilyn Vineyard | Teri Weese |
Wanda Wallis | Cathie Weir |
Pamela West | Bill White |
Donald and Mel White | Jodi Wiersma |
Henry and Ellen Winter | Kelly Wietfeldt |
Frank and Janet Wolf | Jeannie Woelfel |
Christina Woytal | Robert Woleben |
Clarence Worden | |
ENSEMBLE | Raoul and JoAnn Yochim |
Richard and Barbara Baker | Laurie Young |
Terese Banner | Paulo Zagalo-Melo |
Benny DiCarta's, LLC | Laura Zervic |
Steven and Nancy Bielak | Joellen Zimmerman |
Carol Black | |
Marilyn Breu | IN-KIND |
Duane and Betty Brown | Gregg and Carol Bradley |
Phillip and Virginia Caruso | Food Dance Cafe |
Dennis and Carol Chandler | Sarkozy Bakery |
Frank and Shirley Cody | Ty's Joint |
Special Thanks
Stephen Nachamie
Stacy Bartell
Tony Holewinski
Julie Nemitz
Cameron Taylor
Trevor and Jack Stefanik
Zhanna Albertini
Hayden Lane-Davies
Savannah Draper
Judy Sarkozy, Alec Wells, and everyone at Sarkozy Bakery and Café
Becky Klose/Klose2U Photography
Paul Stroili/Touchstone GraphicDesign
Steve Brubaker/Twenty20 Productions
Laurie McDonald/Allegra Creative Marketing Group