The Chosen

ABOUT THE SHOW

How can two directly opposing ideas exist together? Chaim Potok’s classic novel intimately explores such complex and thought-provoking questions in a moving adaptation for the stage. It’s 1940s Brooklyn where two Jewish boys, Reuven and Danny, are both immersed in the religious instruction of their fathers and the traditions of their disparate communities. They live five blocks from each other but are a world apart. However, fate plays its hand, in the strangest of ways, and forges a life-changing friendship as they grow into adulthood. This hugely popular adaptation — often selling out theatres across the U.S. — is a heartfelt exploration of Jewish culture and the human ability to reach out across differences.

ADVISORY

The Chosen is recommended for teenage and adult audiences. As Reuven and Danny navigate adolescence and young adulthood, they and their fathers discuss complex themes and ideas regarding the Jewish faith, world affairs of the 1940s and other mature issues.

VIEW PROGRAM

You can view the Digital Program now online.

Digital Program

RUNNING TIME

This show runs approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, with a 20-minute intermission.

ARTISTS

Eli Mayer

Reuven Malter

Eli Mayer

Off-Broadway credits include Amid Falling Walls (National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene). Regional credits include Mischa in Ride the Cyclone (Arena Stage, McCarter Theatre Center), Footloose (The Muny) and Indian Summer (Bay Street Theater). To my own father, thank you for your guidance, love and wisdom through my years. I hope to someday be as decent and worthy of rest as you. Thank you to family, friends, Aaron Posner and my wonderful manager Rochel. To my brother Daniel, this too is for you. Eli earned a BFA from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. You can follow Eli on Instagram @elimayermaynot.

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Ron Orbach

Reb Saunders

Ron Orbach

Broadway credits include Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Chicago Premiere, National Tour, and ACT, Seattle -also directed); Dance of the Vampires; Never Gonna Dance; Soul Doctor; and Chicago (first Amos Hart, first National Tour, Jeff Award, 1998). Regional highlights include A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Nick Bottom (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Jeff Nom, 2012); Fiddler on the Roof as Tevye (Broadway Sacramento Music Circus); A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum as Pseudolus (Denver Center); Moonlight and Magnolias as David O. Selznick (Goodman Theatre); and Indecent as Otto (Seattle Rep). Television and film highlights include Law & Order (Recurring); Platypus Man (Series Regular); Girls; Clueless (DMV Instructor); and Culprit as Bill (upcoming). Ron is also an acting coach and a director (Los Angeles’ 1996 Ovation Award).

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Hillel Rosenshine

Daniel Saunders

Hillel Rosenshine

Hillel is thrilled to be making his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut! He is originally from New York, where he recently performed in The Misanthrope (Inter- borough Repertory Theater, Rattlestick Theater) and Bettinger’s Luggage (AMT Theater). His regional theatre credits include Bad Jews (The Gamm Theatre) and The Lifespan of a Fact (Elmwood Playhouse). Past film credits include Name to the Face (Best Mobile Film, Druk International Film Festival) and Mighty Real. He holds a BS in Geophysics from Brown University. Visit hillelrosenshine.com.

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Steve Routman

David Malter

Steve Routman

Steve is an award-winning actor that has appeared on Broadway and across the country in more than 35 regional theatres. He has performed Shakespeare, Chekhov, Stoppard, Odets and Moliere, as well as dozens of musicals and come- dies. Film and television work includes Killers of the Flower Moon, The Equalizer, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Inside Llewyn Davis, Fosse/Verdon and The Trial of the Chicago 7. In addition to stage and film work, Steve has made appearances with the New York City Opera, Glimmerglass Festival and New Haven Symphony. Upcoming work includes the film Mothers’ Instinct, starring Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway. Visit www.steveroutman.com.

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Chaim Potok

Playwright

Chaim Potok

Chaim Potok began his career as a novelist in 1967 with the publication of The Chosen. The book was a success, generating a film adaption in 1981 and even a previous musical version for the stage. In 1969, he wrote a sequel, The Promise. Subsequent novels are My Name is Asher Lev, In the Beginning, The Book of Lights, Davita’s Harp, The Gift of Asher Lev, I Am the Clay and his last book, a collection of three novellas called Old Men at Midnight. His body of work also contains many nonfiction publications and several books for children. Other works for theatre include Out of Depths, Sins of the Father and The Play of Lights. He served as editor for both Conservative Judaism and The Jewish Publication Society. In addition to his writing, Potok was an ordained rabbi and held a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. He lived in Merion, Pennsylvania, until his death in 2002.

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Aaron Posner

Adapter/Director

Aaron Posner

Aaron is a theatre director, playwright, teacher, former Artistic Director of two major regional theatres, and a Professor at American University. He was the founding Artistic Director of Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre Company, and the Artistic Director of Two River Theater in Red Bank, N.J. He has directed nearly 200 productions at major regional theatres across the country, including Arena Stage, American Repertory Theater, American Players Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Folger, Ford’s Theatre, Round House Theatre, Seattle Rep, Signature Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Studio Theatre, and many more. As a playwright, his re-imagining of Chekhov’s The Seagull, entitled Stupid F**king Bird, was one of the ten most produced plays in the country in 2015 and has had more than 250 productions worldwide. His other produced and published plays include JQA, Life Sucks, No Sisters, District Merchants, Who Am I This Time? (& Other Conundrums of Love) and My Name Is Asher Lev. He lives outside of D.C. with his wife, actress Erin Weaver, and his amazing daughter, Maisie.

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Daniel Conway

Set Designer

Daniel Conway

Recent projects include The Tempest, directed by Aaron Posner and Teller (American Repertory Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and South Coast Repertory); At Wit’s End and Love in Afghanistan (world premieres, Arena Stage); Harvey and End of The Rainbow (Milwaukee Rep); The Game’s Afoot (Cleveland Play House); Company, Hairspray, Chess and Sunset Boulevard (Signature Theatre); Sabrina Fair (Ford’s Theatre); The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey); and Spoonful of Water and The Aliens (Studio Theatre). Upcoming projects include Penn and Teller on Broadway; Soon, a new musical (Signature Theatre); By the Way Meet Vera Stark (The Juilliard School); Soldier X (world premiere, Here Arts Center); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Arena Stage); and Penny (world premiere, Washington National Opera).

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Helen Q. Huang

Costume Designer

Helen Q. Huang

Helen is an award-winning costume designer whose credits include Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center, Alley Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Seattle Rep, Berkeley Rep, Guthrie Theater, Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, Round House Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Children’s Theatre Company, Classic Stage Company, Disney Entertainment and The Washington Ballet. Awards include Helen Hayes Award, Henry Award, Anderson Hopkins Award and Ivey Award. Helen is a professor of Costume Design at University of Maryland, College Park. Visit helenqhuang.com.

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Noele Stollmack

Lighting Designer

Noele Stollmack

Select design credits include The Chosen, What the Constitution Means to Me, The Heart Sellers, Murder on the Orient Express, Steel Magnolias, The Niceties, The Chinese Lady and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Milwaukee Rep. Noele’s lighting has appeared onstage at Brooklyn Academy of Music, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The Library of Congress Theatre, as well as the opera companies of Santa Fe, Ontario, Houston, Portland, Vancouver, New Orleans, Nashville, Madison and Milwaukee. Regional design for the theatre includes Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Alley Theatre (Houston), Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (Wisconsin), American Players Theatre, Next Act Theatre and Forward Theater. As Lighting Director for Houston Grand Opera, she supervised the lighting and special effects for over 50 productions, along with designing the lighting for such productions as Andrei Serban’s Elektra, Dr. Jonathan Miller’s Der Rosenkavalier, Aida, and the world premieres of Harvey Milk, Desert of Roses and Dracula Diary. Her American Institute Architects award-winning architectural and public space lighting is installed throughout the Midwest. Noele is a Member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829.

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Josh Schmidt

Sound Designer/Original Music

Josh Schmidt

Josh is delighted to make his debut at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Recent credits include The Chosen and Much Ado About Nothing (Milwaukee Rep); The Garbologists (Northlight Theatre); Bug (Steppenwolf); Splash Hatch and Kill-Move-Paradise (NextAct Theatre); Witch and Cost of Living (Renaissance Theaterworks) and more. Broadway credits include Therese Raquin, House of Blue Leaves, Brighton Beach Memoirs and more. Josh has designed over 300 productions for companies including Lincoln Center, Atlantic Theater Company, Roundabout Theatre Company and more (NYC); Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Chicago); Ford’s Theatre (Washington, D.C.); and 20 Seasons at American Players Theatre. Film credits include the upcoming release of The End (Final Cut for Real/Neon).

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Jonathan Hetler

Casting Director

Jonathan Hetler

Jonathan is a producer, director and teaching artist based out of Milwaukee. He currently serves as the Artistic Producer overseeing all casting and special events at Milwaukee Rep. Last season, he casted August Wilson’s Seven Guitars for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Notable directing highlights include Dino! An Evening with Dean Martin (Milwaukee Rep); The Servant of Two Masters (Marquette University); Romeo and Juliet, Venus in Fur, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and Glengarry Glen Ross (Ohio University); Pippin (Ohio Valley Summer Theatre); the world premiere of La Mujer Barbuda (Seabury Quinn Jr. Playwrights’ Festival); and the Associate Director for Titanic and the annual production of A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Rep). He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from Ohio University, and a Master of Business Administration from Regent University. You can follow Jonathan on social media @hetlerj and visit hetlerj.com.

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Brooke Redler

Stage Manager

Brooke Redler

Brooke is pleased to return for her seventh season with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Her off-Broadway credits include Breathing Time, The Faire and From White Plains (production stage manager, Fault Line Theatre). Regional theatre credits include Sanctuary City, Frida...A Self Portrait, Destiny of Desire, Once on This Island, In The Heights, Million Dollar Quartet, Summerland and Native Gardens (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); Hair: Retrospection, Stillwater, The Whipping Man, August: Osage County, Cabaret and five seasons of A Christmas Carol (production stage manager, Kansas City Repertory Theatre); Peter and the Starcatcher and Richard II (Utah Shakespeare Festival); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Center Stage in Baltimore); The Drowsy Chaperone, Is He Dead? and Harry the Great (Creede Repertory Theatre). Assistant stage management credits include Our Town, A Flea in Her Ear, Clay, Jitney and Love, Janis (Kansas City Repertory Theatre); and work at Starlight Theatre, Stages St. Louis and Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. Brooke also has worked in opera, with summers spent at Cincinnati Opera. She also spent two seasons at The Santa Fe Opera; and has assistant stage managed and production stage managed multiple shows at Opera Long Beach.

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Andrea L. Shell

Second Stage Manager

Andrea L. Shell

Andrea is excited to be celebrating her 23rd season with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, having worked on more than 100 productions, including 24 world premieres. Favorite Playhouse credits include A Christmas Carol (2006-2021); Dracula, A Chorus Line; Murder on the Orient Express; School Girls Or, The African Mean Girls Play; Rooted; Alias Grace; The Last Wide Open; Treasure Island; Mr. Joy; Jane Eyre; Bad Dates; The Revolutionists; I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti; Merrily We Roll Along; As You Like It; The Understudy; Blackbird; Durango; Around the World in 80 Days; Altar Boyz; Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming; Reckless; Ace; The Clean House; A Picasso; One; Abracadabra; The Bible … (abridged); and Dark Paradise. She has also stage managed at Dallas Theater Center, The Old Globe, Cincinnati Ballet, Alliance Theatre, The Second City and Ingenuity Festival of Cleveland. Additionally, Andrea heads Playhouse’s stage management department as the Production Stage Manager, serves as a member of Xavier University’s Theatre Program’s adjunct faculty, and is a contributor for Dramatics.org, writing backstage articles for their online content. Andrea is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. She would like to thank her family, friends, Dylan and Scott for their unending support.

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Brandon T. Holmes

Assistant Stage Manager

Brandon T. Holmes

Brandon is thrilled to return to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for a fifth season. Playhouse credits include the world premieres of Shane and The West End as well as productions of Stew, A Christmas Carol, Clyde’s, Steel Magnolias, The Lion and The Chinese Lady. For eight seasons, he was the Production Stage Manager for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati where he managed over 40 productions. Highlights with ETC include Fun Home, The Mountaintop, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Grounded, Violet, Pipeline, The Humans, Skeleton Crew and Hands on a Hardbody. During the summer, he is the Production Stage Manager for The Lexington Theatre Company where he has stage managed productions of Memphis, The Sound of Music, Chicago, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, West Side Story and Newsies. Other regional credits include Hello, Dolly!, The Drowsy Chaperone and Side By Side by Sondheim (LOOK Musical Theatre); Red, White & Broadway, Golden: MTWichita at 50 (Music Theatre Wichita); and workshops with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Cleveland Play House. Brandon is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Thank you to his family and his husband, A.J., for their continued love and support.

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GALLERY

Photo of Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders) and Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders), Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter), (background, left to right) Ron Orbach (Reb Saunders) and Steve Routman (David Malter) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of (left to right) Ron Orbach (Reb Saunders), Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders), Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter) and Steve Routman (David Malter) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders) and Ron Orbach (Reb Saunders) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of Steve Routman (David Malter) and Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of (foreground) Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter) and (background) Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders) and (foreground) Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of (left to right) Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders), Ron Orbach (Reb Saunders) and Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of Steve Routman (David Malter) and Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of Ron Orbach (Reb Saunders) and (foreground) Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter) and Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of (left to right) Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders), Ron Orbach (Reb Saunders), Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter) and Steve Routman (David Malter) by Mikki Schaffner.

Photo of (left to right) Eli Mayer (Reuven Malter), Ron Orbach (Reb Saunders) and Hillel Rosenshine (Danny Saunders) by Mikki Schaffner.

EVENTS

PREVIEW PERFORMANCES

Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.

Thu., Apr. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
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Tue., Apr.16 at 7:30 p.m.
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Wed., Apr. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
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OPENING NIGHT

Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights with a lively post-show cast party.

Thu., Apr. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
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Post-show discussions

Following all performances of The Chosen beginning Friday, April 19, members of the artistic team invite audience members to have in-depth discussion about the themes and ideas represented in the play. These will be facilitated by Playhouse staff who will be joined by an expert on the content of the play. Such experts include Dr. Gary P. Zola, Dr. Jordan Finkin, Dr. Mark Raider and Rabbi Dr. Richard Sarason. These discussions provide an opportunity for patrons to dive deeper into the show’s subject matter and connect with other audience members about their interpretations.
During our 2 p.m. post-show discussion on May 4, The Playhouse and The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center are proud to participate in the NJTF Remembrance Readings program honoring the victims, survivors and lessons of the Holocaust. May the unique power of theater in performance and education overcome the forces of bigotry, Holocaust denial, and serve as an artistic moral compass for future generations. This program is a collaboration between the Association of Holocaust Organizations, Theatre Communications Group and National Jewish Theater Foundation. To learn more about this program visit njtfoundation.org.

ART TALKS

(Formerly Meet the Artists), stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.

Sun., Apr. 21 at 2 p.m.
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Thu., Apr. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
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Tue, May 7 at 7:30 p.m.
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Wed., May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
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PAY WHAT YOU CAN

Pay What You Can performances are an additional way we try to make live theatre accessible to those who otherwise might not be able to attend our shows. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 513-421-3888 or in person beginning at noon, day of the performance only. Tickets are subject to availability.

Wed. Apr. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Wed., May 1 at 1 p.m. (Tickets available for purchase at 11 a.m.)

PAGE TO STAGE BOOK CLUB and TOUR

Monday, April 29
Book Discussion: 6 – 7 p.m.
Optional Tour: 7 – 8 p.m.
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
in Cincinnati Union Terminal
Our production of The Chosen is adapted from the popular novel by Chaim Potok. Join us for an in-depth discussion about the book and how it has been adapted for the stage. Following the book club, you’ll have the option to take a custom, guided tour of The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. Many Holocaust survivors arrived by train at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal to rebuild their lives. This tour experience will immerse visitors in a learning environment that reveals stories of local Holocaust survivors through carefully curated artifacts, rare documents, interactive survivor testimonies and poignant films.

This event is FREE, and reservations are required.

For your convenience, books will be available for sale from Joseph-Beth Booksellers at the Playhouse Box Office during the run of The Chosen. Supply limited.

Mon., Apr. 29
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AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES

Trained volunteers describe the visual elements of the production via a hearing enhancement system, allowing patrons to hear dialogue, music and other sound effects. The description is timed to avoid interfering with dialogue. Before the show and during intermission, show and actor information are shared.

Sat., May 4 at 2 p.m.
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TEEN DAY in collaboration with ish

Pre-Show Panel Discussion for Teens from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Performance of The Chosen at 2 p.m. with a special $20 price for teens
Join us for a panel discussion featuring a diverse group of teens talking about friendship, self-discovery, and navigating the journey of growing up. From history to stereotypes, they’ll explore intersectionality and identity and how we can understand each other better. Doors for the discussion open at noon with refreshment available for the teens.
ish is a Cincinnati-based community engagement organization centering Jewish arts and cultural traditions as a platform for connecting artists with communities to create new experiences, inspire pride in Jewish and intersectional identity, and foster appreciation of Cincinnati history and Jewish peoplehood.

Sun., May 5
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SIGNED ASL PERFORMANCES

Each Rouse Theatre production offers one signed ASL performance during the show's run.

Sun., May 5 at 2 p.m.
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SPONSORS
Presented by
LINDA AND
GARY
GREENBERG

ANDREA AND
DR. EDWARD
HERZIG

Production Sponsor

Honorary Producers
Eddie and Pat
Sheppard

Design and Artist
Sponsors
Diane and Carl
Iseman

Fred and Patti
Heldman

Mark and Rosemary
Schlachter

Season Sponsor

Season Design sponsor

SPONSORS

Presented by

Production Sponsor

Design and Artist Sponsors

Season Sponsor