Artistic Director Michael Stevenson & Managing Director Keith Riedell Present World Premiere EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT
by Ted Malawer
Directed by Connor Mickiewicz
March 19-April 20, 2025 PERFORMANCE LENGTH:  1 Hour, 40 Minutes, No Intermission
FEATURING:
Richard B. Watson*      Amy Resnick*      Nacho Tambunting*
Scenic Designer Cameron Hoyt		Projections Designer Ethan Hollinger
Lighting Designer Shae Mercer
Sound Designer Ed Lee		Costume Designer Rebecca A. Valentino
Properties Designer Riley Cisneros-Gruenthal		Intimacy Coordinator Nicole Limón
	Stage Manager Melissa Jernigan*
Assistant Stage Manager Yasmine Salmeron
SPONSORED BY:
Feminist Lioness Fund & CapRadio
SEASON WINE SPONSOR:
“Everything Beautiful Happens At Night” Was developed as part of the Martha Headley Cox Virgin Play Festival  At Magic Theatre in San Francisco  Loretta Greco, Artistic Director
*Member Actors' Equity Association

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OUR MISSION

Capital Stage is dedicated to creating transformative, thought-provoking theater experiences that challenge, inspire, and connect.

THINGS TO KNOW

HEALTH & SAFETY:

Visit our COVID-19 Safety Protocols & Procedures Page to stay up to date on our Health & Safety requirements and recommendations. 

VIDEO/PHOTOS:

Recording and photography during the performance are prohibited at Capital Stage by copyright law and union regulations.

CELL PHONES:

Patrons are asked to turn any noise making devices off upon entering the theatre.

LATE SEATING & RE-SEATING:

Due to the design of our theatre, we cannot guarantee seating for late arrivals or for patrons who leave the theatre during the performance. As a courtesy to our artists and our audiences, late arrivals will be seated in a suitable location by our staff if possible and at the appropriate intervals.

REFRESHMENTS:

Only concession items purchased in the Wine & Dessert Bar are allowed in the theatre, patio and lobby areas. Yes, you can bring your drinks and snacks into the theatre!

CHILDREN:

Capital Stage is noted for bringing intimate bold productions to our region and we encourage young adults to experience a live performance. Children age sixteen and up are welcome at Capital Stage unless specifically noted in the production’s description.

WHEELCHAIR SEATING:

Seating locations at Capital Stage for patrons using wheelchairs or with limited mobility are located in the first row. Tickets for these seats may be purchased in person or by calling the Box Office at 916-995-5464. Please call ahead to notify the staff if you required these seats.

RESTROOMS:

Restroom facilities are located in the lounge behind the Wine & Dessert Bar.

INFORMATION:

Brochures and information about upcoming Capital Stage productions and events are available in the box office or by visiting capstage.org.

Capital Stage is a member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Capital Stage is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre.

Capital Stage is a member of the National New Play Network, the country’s alliance of leading nonprofit theaters that champion the development, production and continued life of new plays.

Capital Stage is a member of Blue Star Theatres, offering discounts to Military personnel, Military family members, and Veterans.

SDC is the theatrical union that unites, empowers, and protects professional Stage Directors and Choreographers throughout the United States.

Sponsors

Cast

Creative Team

Special Thanks

Joe Bertolucci, Affordable Heating & Air, Inc.

Donna Chipps

Di Arie Vineyard & Winery

Bob Mandelson

Oak Park Brewing Company

Joaquin Ortiz

UC Davis Dept of Theater & Dance

Production Staff

Artistic Director - MICHAEL STEVENSON

Director - CONNOR MICKIEWICZ

Production & Company Manager - TONY GABRIELSON

Technical Director - CALEB JONES

Lead Carpenter - CONOR WOODS

Carpenter, Painter - SUNNY MACKEY

Lighting Designer & Lead Electrician - SHAE MERCER

Lighting Supervisor - ISAIAH LEEPER

Electricians - ISAIAH LEEPER, SHAE MERCER

Scenic Charge Artist - SAMANTHA McLEAN HAAS

Sound Designer & Engineer - ED LEE

Stage Manager - MELISSA JERNIGAN*

Assistant Stage Manager - YASMINE SALMERON

Scenic Designer - CAMERON HOYT

Projections Designer - ETHAN HOLLINGER

Properties Designer - RILEY CISNEROS-GRUENTHAL

Costume Designer - REBECCA A. VALENTINO

Build Crew - SUNNY MACKEY, CONOR WOODS, CALEB JONES

Painters - SAMANTHA McLEAN HAAS, CALEB JONES, SUNNY MACKEY, CONOR WOODS

Wardrobe/Run Crew - RACHEL LAU-KEE BROWNE^, KATIE HALSTEAD^, ZAARA LITTLE^, JAROD WIGGINS^ 

Intimacy Coordinator - NICOLE C. LIMÓN

Resident Dramaturg - K. KEVYNE BAAR 

Infection Control Manager - ELIJAH PETERS

Graphic Designer, Marketing Manager, Webmaster - MISTY MCDOWELL

Photographer - CHARR CRAIL

^ Capital Stage Apprentice  |  * Member Actors' Equity Association

About The Play

by K. Kevyne Baar, PhD

“I’ve watched children grow up, and that whole drama that’s kind of the precursor to the hell of romance later in life — who is best friends with whom and who likes who when, and this person doesn’t like me now — it’s very painful, and I think that children really like to hear that this is not abnormal, that Frog and Toad go through these dramas every day.” – Adrianne Lobel (daughter of Arnold Lobel author of Frog and Toad)

While living in the not necessarily kind and accepting world of the 1960s and 1970s, the group of children’s book writers that we now know were gay, gave us the gift of warmth and kindness/companionship and love in the stories they chose to tell, especially when they didn’t find these qualities in the world they were navigating.  

Our play, Everything Beautiful Happens at Night, introduces us to middle-aged Ezra, a gay children’s book author of a series called Chipmunk and Squirrel, Nancy, his devoted editor and Jake, the young man he connects with in a bar. It feels like a simple story, but the author has chosen to place it in a challenging and dangerous time for our characters: 1984-1985. Although not mentioned by name in the play, the spector of HIV and AIDS permiates our timeline.

Ezra has writer’s block and Nancy, no matter how hard she tries, is unable to get him past it. All the cajoling in the world just doesn’t seem to work. We also learn that Ezra is basically a loner who, not looking for a long term relationship, seems to satisfy himself with ever so brief encounters and one-night stands. Jake was set up to be just that, yet it is in a series of events that everything ultimately changes. Making their final appearance in our story, Chipmunk and Squirrel show us the true meaning that Ezra is searching for.

In his article, “The Gay History of America’s Classic Children’s Books,” New York Times theater critic Jesse Green reminds us, and in our play Ezra learns, that “Whether frog or toad or hippo or human [chipmunk or squirrel], you could only genuinely engage with others by first becoming fully and openly yourself.” 

Green concludes that, “In short, these books were blueprints for blowing up the closet. But what if the closet is the only place you are safe? When Frog is scared, that’s where he hides; Toad likewise jumps under the covers. (‘They stayed there for a long time, just feeling very brave together.’) How strange Lobel and the others would have found the world their works ushered in: strange and necessary.” 

As we watch this play from our perch in 2025, we remain ever grateful to Capital Stage for another thought-provoking play, and for being able to share it together. We are thankful that AIDS and HIV are no longer what were in the 1980s. We acknowledge those more recent “strange and necessary works” that we are privileged to have on the bookshelves of today’s children. 

About The Playwright

by K. Kevyne Baar, PhD

“I cannot imagine a more fulfilling job than helping to create books for children...my favorite books for young readers are ones that capture the spirit of burgeoning adolescence, whether through humor or sadness or romance or fantastical storytelling—or, better yet, through all of them!” – Ted Malawer

The challenge of writing about our playwright, Ted Malawer, begs the question, which Ted Malawer are we writing about. A graduate of Columbia University with a BA in English and Comparative Literature, he is also a graduate of The Juilliard School where he studied in both the Vocal Arts and Playwriting programs. A Presidential Scholar in the Arts, he received his master’s from Fordham University. And just for the record, he started his career as an opera singer. 

Did I mention that he is a respected literary agent in the area of middle grade and teen fiction who wrote a number of young adult novels himself, including the Mystic City series for Penguin Random House? This part is less surprising as Malawer admits that, “When I was younger, I read anything I could get my hands on. While other kids spent their summers playing baseball, I kept charts of the stories in my ‘to read’ pile from the library and rewarded myself with a gold star when I was finished.” As to the transition to playwrighting, “I think it was just another branch off of storytelling, but less lonely, for me. I wanted to kind of get back in the room with other makers.”

Malawer’s awards list includes having received Lincoln Center’s Lecomte du Nouy Prize and The Kennedy Center’s Blanche and Irving Laurie Award. His theatrical work has been developed and commissioned by The New York Times/T Magazine, The Public Theater, Manhattan Class Company (MCC), which in 2022 presented Only Gold which is co-authored with choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, New York Theatre Workshop, and Atlantic Theater Company, among others.

His television writer-producer credits include shows for Netflix, Hulu, American Rust on Showtime, Law & Order for NBC, Freeform and Disney+, where he developed an original pilot. He adapted the novel Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston into a film for Amazon, and received a Writers Guild of America nomination as supervising producer of the mini-series Halston.  

For this play, Malawer found it important to set it in the 1980s. “For me, I wanted to write about a moment in time that felt particularly dangerous. Obviously this is also the time when people are being confronted with HIV and AIDS. The questions that I explore in the piece circle around the rules that we play by in order to be accepted. And very much at the heart of the piece is figuring out later in life, what's really important to you and what's worth taking a risk for? A really important question is: How do you live a full life when you can't truly be yourself?” 

Meet the Company

Richard B. Watson*

Ezra

Richard B. Watson hails from Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. Most recently closed A CHRISTMAS STORY and A FEW GOOD MEN at Bristol Riverside, Richard was Professor Henry Higgins with Kate Baldwin in MY FAIR LADY here at Music Circus, and Sherlock in SHERLOCK HOLMES & THE WEST END HORROR at Asolo & Pioneer theaters. ADMISSIONS at Capital Stage. NYC: DEVILS DISCIPLE Irish Rep, SERENDIB Ensemble Studio Theater, and VENUS FLYTRAP Active Theater. Film/TV: "The Blacklist"; "FBI Most Wanted"; "PS, I Love You"; "Mozart In The Jungle"; "Law & Order CI"; "Delocated"; and "Art=(Love)²". He was awarded his MFA from the Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy at the George Washington University. Proud union member of Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA www.richardbwatson.com.

Amy Resnick*

Nancy

Amy Resnick is happy to be back at Cap Stage where she appeared in BLACKBERRY WINTER, SWEAT, ADMISSIONS, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and LUNA GALE. Recently, Ms Resnick starred in Josh Harmon's PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC at Boston's Huntington Theater (nominated "Best Actor" by the Boston Critics Circle). She has been involved in many world premieres, such as HOUSE OF YES, LARAMIE PROJECT, WHY WE HAVE A BODY, COLLAPSE, I THINK I LIKE GIRLS. TV/Film includes "Law & Order", "St Elsewhere", "Simon and Simon", "Paper Dolls", "Haiku Tunnel", "Paper Chase", "Picket Fences". B St. Company Member.

Nacho Tambunting*

Jake

Off-Broadway: originated the role of Felix Starro Jr. in FELIX STARRO. Select TV: recurring roles on "Rise" (NBC), "Dickinson" (Apple TV) "Ashley Garcia" (Netflix) and "First Wives Club". Film: "Come Into My Arms" and "Asian Persuasion". Born and raised in Manila, Nacho began his career as a child actor with Repertory Philippines - appearing in over a dozen productions. He later moved to NY to attend NYU Tisch. Many thanks to Josh, Ted, and everyone at HCKR. @nachotambunting

Logan Jacob Germano Heller

U/S Jake

Logan is thrilled to be doing his first show with Capital Stage. He has been with Capital Stage for four years and in the last two years has become the company's Education Manager. Logan grew up here and is so excited to be working back in his hometown. His love of theatre started and grew here in Sacramento. After high school Logan was accepted into the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts in the central coast of California. From there he worked with the Utah Shakespeare Festival where his professional career in acting really began. Logan is also a published freelance makeup artist and has had the pleasure of designing several looks for shows over the years. Eventually, he ended up living in Hawaii where his love of theatre education began. He spent five years working with the Maui Academy of Performing Arts. He taught in several public schools across the island, continued acting and helped restructure their education programs. He made his way back across the ocean to his hometown and couldn't be happier continuing his work in education with Capital Stage.

Ted Malawer

Playwright

Ted Malawer is a playwright and screenwriter from Long Island. His musical ONLY GOLD had its world premiere at MCC Theater (Outer Critics Circle and Off-Broadway Alliance nominations, Outstanding Musical), and his theatrical work has been commissioned and developed by The Public, Atlantic Theater Company, NYTW, Magic Theatre, Pioneer Theater Company, T Magazine and more. For iHeart Podcasts, Ted created the series DOES THIS MURDER MAKE ME LOOK GAY?!, a New York Times recommendation, People’s Pick, and Signal Award winner. He has published five YA novels with Penguin Random House, and has been a writer-producer on several television shows, including Halston for Netflix. His film adaptation of RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE debuted at #1 on Prime Video and received a 2024 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Television Movie. Ted has received awards from Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. He is a graduate of Columbia University and The Juilliard School, where he studied in both the Vocal Arts and Playwriting divisions. Thank you to Michael, Connor, this wonderful cast, and everyone at Capital Stage.

Connor Mickiewicz

Director

Originally from Sacramento, Connor recently moved to Dublin where he received his M.F.A. in Directing at Trinity College. Dublin projects include directing BENT (The Lir) and assistant directing productions of Sean O’Casey’s STARJAZZER (directed by Louise Lowe with ANU Productions) and ARCADIA (The Lir). Prior to Ireland, he was the founding artistic director of New Helvetia Theatre in Sacramento. NHT directing credits include 35MM: A MUSICAL EXHIBITION, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, PASSION, MARRY ME A LITTLE, ORDINARY DAYS, and LITTLE FISH. Acting credits include Dean/Devin (GLORIA) and Baby William (THE BEHAVIOR OF BROADUS) at Capital Stage.

Michael Stevenson

Artistic Director

For Capital Stage, Michael has directed ARCHDUKE, HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, GLORIA, THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT, ADMISSIONS, THE HUMANS, THE OTHER PLACE, SWEAT, THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, LUNA GALE, STUPID F##KING BIRD, HOW TO USE A KNIFE, DISGRACED, MR. BURNS, IDEATION, CLYBOURNE PARK, MAURITIUS, ERRATICA (World Premiere), and LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES. He has directed at regional theaters including: B Street Theater, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Orlando Shakespeare Company, Perseverance Theater Company, and Sacramento Theater Company. As an actor he has appeared at many regional theaters including: 42nd Street Moon, American Conservatory Theater, The Aurora Theater, Bailiwick Repertory Theater, Capital Stage, B Street Theater, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theater. He holds an M.F.A. from the American Conservatory Theater.

Keith Riedell

Managing Director

Keith Riedell is celebrating his 19th year at Capital Stage and brings to the company his varied experiences in the theatre, management, team building, counseling, training and corporate improvement. While at Capital Stage he has grown box office operations and installed online ticketing and donor systems, developed sound accounting and financial policies and systems, led efforts to provide living wages and benefits to the staff and artists, and has been an outspoken voice for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts. Working with the board of directors Mr. Riedell is leading a five-year strategic planning process with Michael Kaiser and the DeVos Institute of Arts Management. The plan, completed in the Summer of 2023 is now in the implementation phase. Along with Artistic Director Michael Stevenson, Keith has worked on capacity building projects with Third Plateau and the University of the Pacific.

Tony Gabrielson

Production & Company Manager

Tony has worked with many theaters and dance companies locally and around the country over the last 15 years as a stage manager, carpenter, painter, and technician. Favorite productions include: DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Barter Theater in Abingdon, VA, ON BORROWED TIME at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ, and developmental workshops of BOTTLESHOCK! THE MUSICAL. He is blessed and beyond grateful to continue working as an artist in our community. Love and thanks to Jessa and Piper - his favorite people.

Caleb Jones

Technical Director

Caleb is proud to be Capital Stage's Technical Director since the 23/24 Season. He is new to Sacramento but has worked at the San Diego REPertory theater and with several theaters within Fresno County. This year serves as his 11th year in the field, and he hopes you enjoy our shows. Lots of love to Clarissa and all of his loved ones.

Melissa Jernigan*

Stage Manager

Melissa most recently worked at Capital Stage on FAIRVIEW, FADE, GEORGIANA & KITTY: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, CLYDE’S, THE HOMBRES, THE CHINESE LADY, THE ROYALE, THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT, PASS OVER, MISS BENNET and HOLD THESE TRUTHS, and has been stage managing at Capital Stage since 2016. Some of her other favorites include VIETGONE, THE NETHER, AN OCTOROON, AND STUPID F##KING BIRD. Other theatrical credits include Production Assisting on Broadway’s LENNON, Off-Broadway: FELA! the Lagos Tour, David Cromer’s OUR TOWN, John Leguizamo: A WORK IN PROGRESS, BEAUTY OF THE FATHER at Manhattan Theatre Club, BREATH & IMAGINATION at Hartford Stage, OUR TOWN starring Helen Hunt at The Broad Theatre in Santa Monica and THE LASSO OF TRUTH at Marin Theatre Company. This past year she was a sub stage manager on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in SF. She is a proud Equity Member. When she’s not inside the stage management booth Melissa enjoys spending time with her Husband and two sons.

Yasmine Salmeron

Assistant Stage Manager

Yasmine is thrilled to be a part of the team at Capital Stage. Recent graduate from the University of California Davis earning a BA in Theatre & Dance and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies. At UC Davis earning credits as ASM for DEATH AND HARRY HOUDINI (The Musical) and ALONE/TOGETHER. In collaboration with directors and designers they have also assisted on SMART PEOPLE, GLORIA, THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, and THE CHINESE LADY. A true jack of many trades - stagehand, wardrobe and makeup assistant, production manager, etc. Yasmine looks forward to fostering community through her passion for theatre and the arts and continuing to master her craft.

Cameron Hoyt

Scenic Designer

Cameron is thrilled to be designing with Capital Stage again. A designer and technical director based in Sacramento, Cameron has primarily worked with Folsom Lake College's theatre department, where he serves as the Shop Foreman. Some of his recent projects include FADE, ANTIGONE, PREDICTOR, 20,000 LEAGUES, and CABARET. He extends his gratitude to the entire Capital Stage company for inviting him to collaborate in creating art together and hopes that you enjoy the show.

Ethan Hollinger

Projections Designer

Ethan Hollinger can now add "international children's book illustrator" to his portfolio here at Capital Stage! An avid writer, artist, musician, and advocate, his lighting, sound, & media designs have spanned theatre, dance, opera, art installations, concerts, and beyond from coast to coast. He continues to tinker with everything that plugs in for the UC Davis Dept. of Theatre & Dance. A few recent projects include SHE KILLS MONSTERS (UCD), FADE (Capital Stage), ONCE (Duluth Playhouse), and STUPID FUCKING BIRD (UMD). BA: NGU, MFA: Illinois State. Special thanks to Chris & Diego who light up his life. Deep Breath. Follow the shenanigans at ethanjhollinger.com & IG: @ethanjhollingerdesigns.

Shae Mercer

Lighting Designer

Shae Mercer is thrilled to be working on EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT as her third professional design, here at Capital Stage. She received her BFA in Theatre Arts from Southern Oregon University in 2022, and has since been paving her way into the Sacramento theatre scene as Capital Stage’s Lead Electrician. Her previous work includes ENGLISH, CRY IT OUT at Capital Stage, HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL at Sacramento Theatre Company, and HEARTS LIKE FISTS at Southern Oregon University.

Rebecca A. Valentino

Costume Designer

Rebecca is delighted to return to Capital Stage where previous productions include FAIRVIEW, CRY IT OUT, AMERICAN FAST, HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, GLORIA, THE WOLVES and THE GREAT LEAP! Rebecca has worked with many local companies including, The Aurora Theatre Company, 42nd Street Moon, Center REPertory Theatre and Solano College Theatre where she also served as the Costume Shop Supervisor from 2005-2012 and Adjunct professor of Costume and Theatre from 2007-2020. In addition she designed costumes for the Short Film GENERATIONS directed by Kourosh Ahari (The Night). She earned a BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MFA from the University of Michigan. Rebecca is currently the Costume Director for the Theatre and Dance Department at UC Davis.

Ed Lee

Sound Designer

Ed is delighted to be part of another season at Capital Stage. He has been involved in almost every production since the company’s aquatic days at the Delta King, from artwork for SPEECH AND DEBATE to appearing in FIRST PERSON SHOOTER. Favorite sound design credits include: MASTER CLASS; SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME; 4000 MILES; MISTAKES WERE MADE; RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN; and UNCANNY VALLEY.

Riley Cisneros-Gruenthal

Properties Designer

Riley Cisneros-Gruenthal is thrilled to be part of the team for EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT, her eighth show with Capital Stage (their work was previously seen in ENGLISH, GEORIGIANA & KITTY: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, THE HEART SELLERS, CLYDES, ARCHDUKE, & CRY IT OUT). Riley graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Oregon University in 2020 with a degree in Theatre Arts. Previous credits include props designer for CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, WAIT UNTIL DARK, and MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Sacramento Theatre Company.

Samantha McLean Haas

Scenic Charge Artist

Samantha has been painting sets for over a decade in the greater Sacramento area. She’s thrilled to be painting for her fifth season with Capital Stage. In addition to Capital Stage, she’s worked at Sacramento City College, Sierra College, University of California Davis, Sacramento Theatre Company, B Street, and Broadway at Music Circus.

Nicole C. Limón

Intimacy Coordinator

Nicole C. Limón is a multidisciplinary theatre artist: an actor/director/dramaturg, and theatre faculty at California State University, Sacramento. She most recently directed: BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK (Celebration Arts,) JUST A PINCH: A UTERUS PLAY (Matriarchy,) EVERYBODY; and DANCE NATION (CSUS,) and WATER BY THE SPOONFUL (Teatro Espejo.) She is also a Theatrical Intimacy Director committed to creating consent-forward spaces for artists, and locally she has consulted and staged intimacy for Capital Stage, B Street Theatre, Teatro Espejo, Celebration Arts, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento Theatre Company. She is founder of Matriarchy Theatre, an associate member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and holds an MFA in Acting from UC Davis. She is currently directing HOUSE OF DESIRES by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz for Sacramento State University. Follow Nicole’s work @matriarchytheatre

K. Kevyne Baar, PhD

Resident Dramaturg

Kevyne is thrilled to be a member of the Capital Stage family as the Resident Dramaturg. Productions include GLORIA, HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, PREDICTOR, ARCHDUKE, and NOW CIRCA THEN. This year Kevyne is also serving in the role of Literary Manager as Capital Stage brings back its popular Playwrights' Revolution. A member of Viola Spolin’s Young Actors’ Company who became an Equity Stage Manager, and then the Field Representative for Actors’ Equity’s Western Regional Office, she returned to school in 2001 to work on a PhD. This led to her being Equity’s archivist at the Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at New York University. Kevyne moved from Brooklyn, NY to Davis, CA in 2015, and in 2019 her book, BROADWAY AND THE BLACKLIST was published.

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA)

Founded in 1913, this union represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence.

Capital Stage Staff

MICHAEL STEVENSON - Artistic Director

KEITH RIEDELL - Managing Director

KIRK BLACKINTON - Development Manager

TONY GABRIELSON - Production & Company Manager

MISTY MCDOWELL - Marketing Manager

LOGAN JACOB GERMANO HELLER – Education & Box Office Manager, U/S Jake

AVERY HERSEK - Audience Services Manager

THEODORE ALEXANDER - House Manager

CALEB JONES - Technical Director

CONOR WOODS - Lead Carpenter

SUNNY MACKEY - Carpenter, Painter

ED LEE - Resident Sound Designer & Engineer

ISAIAH LEEPER - Lighting Supervisor

SHAE MERCER - Lighting Designer & Lead Electrician

CECILIA CASTILLO JUAREZ - Concessions & Box Office Associate 

YASMINE SALMERON - Assistant Stage Manager

K. KEVYNE BAAR - Resident Dramaturg

JAMIE JONES, PETER MOHRMANN, GAIL RUSSELL, JANIS STEVENS – Associate Artists

ELIJAH PETERS - Infection Control Manager, Payroll & Administrative Assistant

2024/25 SEASON APPRENTICE COMPANY - Jarod Wiggins, Rachel Lau-Kee Browne, Zaara Little, Katie Halstead

Capital Stage Board Members

Lori Abbott Moreland
Arts Patron

Chastity E. Benson
California State Association of Counties

Dan Brunner, Treasurer
Arts Patron

Kathryn E. Doi, Board President
Feldesman Leifer LLP

Sherry Hartel Haus
Downey Brand

Beth Hassett
CEO, WEAVE

Stephen C. Jones
Professor and Vice Chair of the CSUS Dept of Theatre and Dance

Leili Khalessi, Board Vice President
California Dept. of Human Resources

Steve Koonce
Arts Patron

Elena Lopez-Gusman
Executive Director, California Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians

Dena Martinez
Talen Agent, Director, Actor

Kristi Quesada Mathisen, Board Secretary
Sacramento Country Day School

Clif McFarland
Attorney

Stephanie Rowe
Professor, Sacramento City College

Vince Sales
Everyday Impact Consulting

Peggy Wheeler
California Hospital Association

Board Emeritus:

Stephanie Gularte, Founding Artistic Director
Capital Stage

Peter Mohrmann, Co-founder
Capital Stage

Jonathan Williams, Co-Founder
Capital Stage

Arlen Orchard
SMUD

Julie Stark
Arts Patron

Donors

Special Thanks to our Donors

Donation Totals from 3/18/24 to 3/18/25

Please alert us to any errors or omissions by contacting Development Manager, Kirk Blackinton at kblackinton@capstage.org.

Founder's Circle: $20,000+

John Abbott & Lori Abbott Moreland
Dan Brunner
Donna Chipps
Drs. John & Lois Crowe
Kathryn Doi
Golden 1 Credit Union
Lesley & Steve Koonce
Sacramento City Office of Arts and Culture
Anita Scuri & James Simon
The Shubert Foundation

Executive Producer: $10,000+

Chastity E. Benson
Rebecca Boyd
Gloriette C. Fong
James McElroy & Ann Gerhardt
Clif McFarland
Leonard Vincent Sales
Art & Sue Scotland
Patricia Wall & David Stavarek

Producer: $6,000+

Walter & Linda Barnes
Marcy Barnett
Susan Edling
Jeffrey Farley & Mike Tentis
Gail Finney
Deborah Franklin & Douglas Mitten
Scott & Linda Lasher
Linda McAtee & Steve Sphar
Howard Slyter & Marge Ginsburg
Marty & Janet Steiner

Director: $3,000+

Susie & Jim Burton
Kathleen Collins
Melissa Conner & Theodore Harris
Theresa Corrigan
Ellen Covairt & Bernard Kalscheuer
Kathy Davenport & Ken Weiss
Steven Debry
Laura Jackson
Dean & Sandi Karagianes
Robert Klass & Katy Globus
Michael Koltnow
Bob Mandelson
Gretchen Peralta
Rani Pettis
Christopher Price
Brian Rickel
Ken Rothaus
Leonard Vince Sales
Peter Saucerman & Susan Twining
Diane Schertz
Tom & Hedda Smithson
Barbara Sommer
Ed Telfeyan & Jeri Paik
Shirlee Tully
Susan Wheeler
Gloria & Don Yost

Lead Actor: $1,200+

Jacob Appelsmith
Peggy Beasley
David Bell & Katherine Newman
Bill Bronston & Lisa Levering
Lyndsay Burch
Margaret L Buss
Tiffany Little Canfield
Ted Cobb
Cindy Dunning
Patty French
Carole Fritz
Curtis Fritz
Brian Galacio
Helen & Glenn Hakanson
Matt Hart
Sherry Haus
Jane Hing
Josh Horowitz & Patti Baggett
Lisa Horst
Stephanie & David Hunt
Barbara Jeffus
Janet Jensen
Dawn & Dave King
Brian & Dorothy Landsberg
Marion Leff
Doron Levitan
Janet Lial
Eugene Masuda
Ed Mills
Peter Mohrmann & David Harris
Gail Pereira
Laurie Nelson Randlett & Jim Randlett
Amy & Jason Rogers
Glenn Rondeau
Stephanie Rowe
Lori Saper
Chuck & Nancy Shulock
Owen Smith
Roger & Barbara Smith
Rae-Nani Stokes & Griff Field
Robert & Michele Van Eyken
Denise Verbeck
Megan Van Voorhis
Buzz Wiesenfeld

Designer: $600+

Chris Abare
Kathleen Anderson
Stephen & Melva Arditti
David & Marsha Baskins
Karen Broido
Les & Peggy Chisholm
Annabel Cooper
Jim & Kathleen Deeringer
Matt Donaldson & Steve Kyriakis
Carol Enns
Nancy Erman
Richard & Barbara Falcon
Lisa Foster
Wiley Fowler
David Fulk & Keith Riedell
Randy Getz
Carol & Steven Goldberg
Stephanie Gularte
Ed Hall & Warren Lindeleaf
Team Hanseth
Beth Hassett
Eileen Heaser
Robert Herne
Laura Kee & Daryl Browne
Charles & Elizabeth Kuehner
Nancy Lee
Elena Lopez-Gusman
Shannon Mahoney & Kirk Blackinton
Dena Martinez & Paul Verke
Kristi Quesada Mathisen & Josh Mathisen
Steven Meinrath & Helen Nusbaum
Mr. Colin A. Miller
Keetha Mills & Phil Nanni
Julie Morandi
Nathan Rangel
Marshall & Maureen Rice
Ann Siprelle
Robert Thompson
Harold & Ilah Turner
Catherine Van Aken
Kim Varner
Chris Wagner
LeRose Weikert
Peggy Wheeler
Karen Willstatter
John Wilson & Susie Monary-Wilson
Carol Wolff Barnes
Claudia Wrazel & Frank Horowitz

Ensemble: $300+

Elaine Alexander
Jean Alford
David Alois & Jacquie Embs
John Angell
Anonymous
Kristine Backus
Robert & Laura Jane Young
Eloise & James Barter
Barbara Black
Sue Blosl
Robert & Jean Bonar
Peter Botto
Margaret & Stephen Brush
Carin & Bob Bryans
Carol Buck & Dennis Beaty
Celia Buckley
Sharon Cammisa & Joseph Orr
Henry Chambers
Idelle & Dan Claypool
Edward Condon
Marcus Crowder & Laura Compton
Gayle Dax-Conroy
Fred Deneke & Jim Eastman
Laura Dirrim
Katherine Downey
Stuart Eldridge
Tracie & Richard Fike
Niva Flor
Muffy & Terry Francke
Cynthia Gerber
Mary Graziose
Linda Gregory
Patricia & James Grieshop
Dennis Gunvalson & Richard Bay
Suzanne Hanrahan
Polly Hasemann
Zheyla Henriksen
Theresa Holden
Mike & Doris Horton
Patrick Hunt
Kim Hunter
Linda Iseri
Samuel Jenkins
Don Johnson & Elizabeth Miller
Shenandoah & Andrew Kehoe
JR Keith
Leili Khalessi
Jolanta Kieturakis
Jane Kirkland
Derry Knight
Sally Knost
Beverly & Ronald Lamb
Dr. John & Rosemary Lamb
Paul & Jane Lammerding
Susie LaPointe
Dan & Stephanie Leahy
John Leonard
David & Ruth Lindgren
John Marinko
Steve & Cheryl Meyer
Ken Nather
Shirley Nelson
Suzanne Ness
Danielle & Dean Newberry
Michele Noufer
Mary O'Byrne
Erin O'neil
Tracey O'Reilly
Frank Pajerski
Steve Patwell
Richard Pearson & Jean Hart
John Peirce
Tina Reynolds
Lowell Richardson & Paula Sugarman
Patti Roberts
Ron Robie
Myrna Rodriguez
Bob & Shirley Rosenberg
Fred & Polly Schack
Michael Scheible
Gerald Sharp
Janet S Shibamoto-Smith
Elaine Silver
Susanne Sommer & George Ramsey
Susan & Ken Taylor
Nina Thomson
Stephanie Tucker
Irene Velasquez
Elaine Verbarg
Peter & Karen Von Elten
Bryan Weare
Martha West
Joan Williams
Jonathan Williams
Richard & Kathryn Williams
Wendy & Mark Zlotlow

Patron: $150+

Meredith Abby
Candace & Doug Adams
John & Kathleen Agnew
Susan Andrews
Ann Arneill
Maria Balakshin
Susan Benson
Brenda Betts
Karen Bleuel
Lydia Bourne
Bruce Bowers
Todd Boyd
Daniel Braunstein
Eve Bressler
Donna Bridges
Marc Brown & Althea Cervantes
Steve Buri
Susan & Richard Carlsen
Marilyn Champa
Steven & Karin Chase
Bernice Chin
Allison Claire
Jay Cohen
Dennis & Susan Cook
Marilyn Cooper
Lyn & Jim Crouch
Anthony & Margie Deriggi
Lily Douglas
Deirdre Downes
Daniel & Diane Durawa
Valerie Durbin
Linda Esten
Rachel Falsetti
Clint Fleener
Jan Fleener
Daphna Fram
Leah E Frey
Anne Geraghty
Sam Goby
Lisa Goodwill
Marina Gunst
Linda Hansen
Mary Hellwig
Sharon Helmar
Beatrice Hildebrand
Suzanne Houlton
Marlys Huez
Patricia Hull
Sumiko Ichikawa & Teruo Mizutani
Chris & Sarah Janus
John Johnson
Jamie Jones
Lial Jones
Jonel Jorgensen & Dennis Lloyd
David & Kathy Kahn
Margaret Kane & Richard Frey
Cat Karell
Mimi Khan
Kay Michelle Khayat
Kellie Kilgore
Pamela Kisor
Joann Kleemann
Peter Klein
Anne Knuut
Renee Larsen
Sandy Lee
Dennis Mangers & Michael Sestak
Geoff Maxey
George Ed McCune
Delta Mello
Briel & Alexandra Melvin
Lynne Meredith
George Meyer
Michele D Mickela
Connor Mickiewicz
Livia Moe
Everett and Julia Moore
Hallie Morrow
Catherine Mulhall & Steve Danielson
Julia Mullen & Charlene Jones
Karen Neuwald
Becky & Bob Norris
Michael Paparian
Kellie Paredes
David Paul
J Paul & Judy Guyer
Barbara Payne
Rani Pettis
Ann Porten
Enid Pritikin
David L. Reed
Margaret Roberts
Nancy Roberts
Randy Roberts
Ramona Robinson
Christine Rodrigues
Carol Rogers & Jon Courtway
Sally Rogers
Patrick Romano
Kurt Rosen
Ruth Rosenberg
Laura Rosenthal
Linda Roth
Deborah Seiler
Adrienne Shapiro
Adrienne Sher
Jean & David Shiomoto
Nancy Silva
Kim Silvers & Sheila Cardno
Harsev Singh
Susan & Ross Siragusa
Chris & Julia Smith
Karen Smith
Neill SooHoo
Michael Stevenson
Harry & Linda Struthers
Patricia Sturdevant
Penelope Taylor
Carrie Thomsen
Rachel Tooker
Patty Torbert & Ken Graber
Mildred Torrance
SHIRLEY TOY
Michael & Barbara Ullman
Devin Valdez
Rebecca Valentino
Christi van Eyken
Roger Paul Villaluz
Ian Wallace
Robin Wallace
Lauren Weil Solomon
Arnold Wolf & Fern Tablin
Mary Worthington
Lydia Zeidner

"The Crew" - Recurring Donors

Chris Abare
John Abbott & Lori Abbott Moreland
Candace & Doug Adams
John Angell
Merle Axelrad
Jose Barbosa
Peggy Beasley
Bill Bronston & Lisa Levering
Margaret & Stephen Brush
Celia Buckley
Margaret L Buss
Ann Byfield
Kathryn & Jim Carlson
Bernice Chin
Les & Peggy Chisholm
Kathleen Collins
Kaoru Cruz
Jennifer Cummings
Daniel DeFoe
Gail & Tom Devitt
Martha & Jim Dickson
Lily Douglas
Katherine Downey
Stuart Eldridge
Ellen Ferguson
Mary Helen Fischer
Sara Floor
Muffy & Terry Francke
Deborah Franklin & Douglas Mitten
David Fulk & Keith Riedell
Mary Graziose
Kathryn Grey
Stephanie Gularte
Suzanne Hanrahan
Courtney & Nate Hans
Dalinda Harman
Josh Horowitz & Patti Baggett
Suzanne Houlton
Stephanie & David Hunt
Kim Hunter & Sherry Reser
Linda Iseri
Eillen Jacobowitz
Anne Jennings
Iris Johnson
Maria Jurado
Dean & Sandi Karagianes
Pamela Kisor
Dr. John & Rosemary Lamb
Sandy Lee
Doron Levitan
Shannon Mahoney & Kirk Blackinton
John Marinko
Kristi & Josh Mathisen
Linda McAtee & Steve Sphar
Carol McCormick
Shelley & James McFarland
Peter Mohrmann & David Harris
Diane & Lisa Moore
Suzanne Ness
Ann OConnell
David Pitman & Rani Pettis
Laurie Nelson Randlett & Jim Randlett
Carol Rogers & Jon Courtway
Sunny Romer
Linda Roth
Donald Rubin
Leonard Vincent Sales
Peter Saucerman
Diane Schertz
Susan Scott
Chris & Julia Smith
Jennifer Sommer
Peggy Stare
Michael Stevenson
Michael Storey
Linda & Scott Taylor
Martha West
John Wilson & Susie Monary-Wilson
Claudia Wrazel & Frank Horowitz

Learn more about "The Crew": capstage.org/play-a-part/donate/