Some of these plays contain mature themes and adult language.

A Message from the Board of Directors

In the fall of 2019, Valley Players put out the call for script submissions from female playwrights across the country. We read the many submissions of unproduced original work and chose the most bold and innovative plays especially for our audience. In conjunction with the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, we had hoped to present Ladies’ Briefs – a collection of brand new short plays by female writers – in autumn of 2020. COVID closed that down for us. It was then our plan to have the plays ready to go when California opened back up in June of 2021. Sadly, COVID has kept the Lincoln from reopening, so instead of producing the plays, we spent our time looking for an available (and affordable!) venue. We are grateful to Lucky Penny Productions for making some room for us in their busy schedule. And so, without further ado, we are so pleased to be able to finally offer you these funny, touching, shiny new gems. Enjoy the show!

—Debbie Gargalikis Baumann, Patte Giusti Quinn, June Alane Reif, Lu Kenmonth, Karen Chadbourne, Richard Pallaziol and Daryl Roberts

Ladies’ Briefs — Ten brand-new plays written by women

At Least You Have Barry by Ellen Davis Sullivan
A Meals-on-Wheels driver tries to give a lonely shut-in a happy birthday.
Directed by Lu Kenmonth. Featuring Cheryl Fiedler, Rob Barlow and Richard Pallaziol.

Triple Threat by Veronique Autphenne
Tensions run high among a group of drama mamas.
Directed by Carlene Collier Coury. Featuring Randi Storm, Lauren Haugan, Christina Julian and Paige Whitney-White.

Sudden Oak Death by Susan Jackson
A convalescing woman has trouble keeping caregivers.
Directed by Rhonda Bowen. Featuring June Alane Reif and Bonnie Gamble.

Water Music by Arianna Rose
A Ferry. A sloshing water bottle. A theft.
Directed by Lu Kenmonth. Featuring Paige Whitney-White and Rhonda Bowen.

Growing Old WithOUT Grace by Christina Julian
When Bea turns fifty, only her lifelong friends can save her from middle age and herself.
Directed by Christina Julian. Featuring Lauren Haugan, Randi Storm, June Alane Reif and Rebecca Woholan.

~ 15 minute Intermission ~

The Matter With Family by Amy Tofte
Two women of a certain age are in a crisis. Two others step in to help.
Directed by Rhonda Bowen. Featuring Patte Quinn, Bridget Folan, Debbie Gargalikis Baumann and Christina Julian.

Expectations by Jennifer O’Grady
A play about power and women’s lives.
Directed by June Alane Reif. Featuring Lauren Haugan and Richard Pallaziol.

Wearing White After Labor Day (and other acts of terrorism) by Jean Koppen
Jenny and her mother’s usual bickering takes an unexpected turn.
Directed by Debbie Gargalikis Baumann and April Vincak. Featuring Barb Nemko and Bridget Folan.

Meat Like Me by Yael Haskal
A time-worn tapestry of trauma passed from woman to woman over generations.
Directed by Carlene Collier Coury. Featuring Paige Whitney-White, June Alane Reif and Randi Storm.

Double Plotz by Lorraine Midanik
Edith is confronted by her recently deceased husband’s second wife.
Directed by Louise Anderson. Featuring Debbie Gargalikis Baumann and Barb Nemko.

About the Authors

Ellen Davis Sullivan, At Least You Have Barry
Ellen Davis Sullivan is an award-winning writer of fiction, nonfiction and plays. Her plays have been on stage in festivals across the country including The Boston Theatre Marathon, Indie Boots (Chicago), and The Thalia Festival (New York City), and have been published in Ponder Review and anthologies, including The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2016 (Smith & Kraus). Ellen’s essay, The Perfect Height for Kissing won the 2014 Columbia Nonfiction Prize and appeared in Columbia: A Journal of Literature and Art. Her stories are published in journals including Cherry Tree, Clarion and Moment Magazine. Ellen is a member of the Dramatists’ Guild.

Veronique Autphenne, Triple Threat
Veronique Autphenne’s most recent play is an all-female cast murder mystery, Murder in the Kasbah. Veronique’s work has been produced/had stage readings by the Knutsford Little Theatre, UK (2019), Tales from the Nest (2019), Lucky Penny Theatre (2018), and The Little Theatre of Alexandria (2017). She was a reader for the Little Theatre of Alexandria’s National One-Act Competition (2020). She has studied playwriting at The Theatre Lab, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, and The Barrow Group.

Susan Jackson, Sudden Oak Death
Jackson received the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award – for Best Original Play. Her works have been staged- read/produced in New York City, the Bay Area, Eugene O’Neill Foundation, and abroad. Finalist/semi-finalist: Fusion Theatre Company, Creede Repertory Theatre, South Carolina Centre Stage, Little Black Dress Ink Women’s Theatre Festival; Resident Playwright for 3Girls Theatre Co. SAMARITAN–finalist for the Henley Rose Competition-Female Playwrights. 2018-2021: Finalist: 3Girls Theatre Festival. DEATH BE NOT LOUD!–Best of Capital Fringe with Washington Post positive review. Finalist: Red Curtain International Theatre Festival. Published in Smith and Kraus: Best Short Plays and Best Female Monologues

Arianna Rose, Water Music
Arianna Rose is an award-winning playwright and musical theatre writer, produced in 24 states and 7 countries. Miami-Dade 2019-2021 Playwright Development Program with Kia Corthron. 2021 Florida Festival of New Musicals. 2012 MAC Award, Song of the Year. Full-Lengths: Touch the Moon; The Lost Girl; The Equivalent of Sensation. Numerous short-form plays and musicals. NYC’s York Theatre NEO (New Emerging Outstanding Writer). NYU Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writing Workshop, Dramatists Guild, New Play Exchange. www.ariannarose.net

Christina Julian, Growing Old WithOUT Grace
Never content to being pigeonholed into any one art form, Christina, has committed to many as an author, journalist, and most recently playwright. Her words have appeared in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Bohemian and North Bay Biz magazine, where she has worked as a monthly columnist for the past decade. Her essays and fiction have hit the streets at San Francisco’s LitQuake and her debut novel, the Dating Bender, made the “rounds” including an appearance on Good Day Sacramento, but comedy, in all its infinite forms, will always be her jam. Visit her at: christinajulian.com.

Amy Tofte, The Matter With Family
Amy Tofte is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter who won the 2015 Nicholl Fellowship in screenwriting from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She has been in residence at the Autry Museum of the American West, Brush Creek, The Kennedy Center and Yaddo with work produced and developed throughout the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and twice at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild.

Yael Haskel, Meat Like Me
Yael Haskal is a playwright and performer based in New York. Her work has been performed at La MaMa, Dixon Place, IRT, The Tank, the Kraine Theater, and the Midtown International Theatre Festival (NYC); the Ivoryton Playhouse, the Warner Theatre (CT); Theatre Simpson (IN); the InspiraTO Festival (Toronto); and other theatres across the U.S. She is the creator of the comedic webseries Fun Moms!, an ensemble member of the New York Neo-Futurists, and a 2020 Young Playwright in Residence at the Echo Theater Company (LA). www.yaelhaskal.com.

Jean Koppen, Wearing White After Labor Day (and Other Acts of Terrorism)
Jean Koppen’s plays have been produced at Keegan Theatre (D.C.), the Capital Fringe Festival (D.C.), SkyPilot Theatre (LA), Kuma Kahua Theatre (Honolulu), Strangeloop Theater (Chicago) and The Alumnae Theatre (Toronto). Jean’s short play Capsmittment was Active Culture’s 2012 playwriting competition winner and Got a Light? was a finalist in City Theatre’s 2019 National Award for Short Playwriting. Jean’s full-length Unprotected was a Trustus Playwrights’ Festival Finalist and Someplace Better was a Finalist in The Garden script development program. Jean is an alumnae of the Kennedy Center Playwrights Intensive, a founding member of Pipeline Playwrights and a Dramatist Guild member. www.jeankoppen.com.

Jennifer O’Grady, Expectations
Jennifer O’Grady is a playwright and poet whose plays have been produced across the U.S. and internationally. Her full-length plays include Charlotte’s Letters (Rising Artist Award; Henley Rose Award; O’Neill Semifinalist and other honors); Paranormal Love (MTWorks NewBorn Winner; NEWvember Finalist; Pandora’s Box Honorable Mention) and Ellery (Bechdel Group workshop selection). Her short plays have won audience-choice awards and are published in The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2021, 2017 and 2016 (Smith and Kraus), The Best New Ten-Minute Plays 2021 and 2019 (Applause) and other anthologies. Her plays are also included in The Best Women’s Stage Monologues, Best Contemporary Monologues for Women 18-35 and other publications. Also an award-winning poet and the author of two poetry books, she lives with her family just outside New York City. (www.jenniferogrady.net)

Lorraine Midanik, Double Plotz
Lorraine Midanik is very happy to be working again with Valley Players where her play Ordinary Day was produced in 2018. Other produced plays include: Stay with Me (Redwood City Play Fest “Coexist” & Taphouse Theater); Branding (Little Fish Theater, San Pedro & SF Theatre Pub); Call Forwarding (PCSF Playoffs, SF); Cycled (3GirlsTheatre, SF & B8 Theatre, Concord); Recalculating (Playland Productions, SF); Up the Wall ($wampland, SF Fringe); Reciprocity (Unknown Players, SF); Benched (PCSF Playoffs, SF); Shock Value (PCSF Playoffs, SF); Boy Imagined (3Girls Theatre/ReproRights, SF), Freedom of Speech (PianoFight, SF), and, Sparse Pubic Hair (PCSF’s Sheherezade’s Last Tales Festival, SF). Lorraine is a member of the Playwrights Center of San Francisco (PCSF), Playwrights’ Center (Minneapolis); Theatre Bay Area (ATLAS playwright), the Dramatists Guild, and The International Centre for Women Playwrights.

The Cast and Crew – Let’s see who’s in our Briefs!

Louise Anderson (Double Plotz, Director) Napa native Louise Anderson has been involved in live theater for 40 years, and during that time has served in every possible capacity on both sides of the curtain. She has authored many plays, all of which have been produced and is the principle founder of the late, great Dreamweavers Theater. She is honored to have been chosen to direct a Ladies’ Briefs short play for Valley Players.

Keith Baldanza (Master Carpenter/Set Builder) first got his hands dirty building set pieces for the San Jose Repertory Theater oh-so-many moons ago. He was a driving force in the early days of the Dreamweavers Troupe and is proud to have contributed to nearly every Valley Players production since early 2018.

Rob Barlow (At Least You Have Barry, Marvin; Triple Threat, Lloyd) Finally live theater is back and Rob is excited to be part of Valley Players for Ladies’ Briefs. Past favorite roles are The Steward in Into The Woods for Lucky Penny, Father Flynn in Doubt for Upstage Napa Valley and Captain Treville in The Three Musketeers for Napa Valley College. Rob has also appeared in several of the 8X10’s at Lucky Penny and appeared in seasons 1 and 2 of the Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why.

Debbie Gargalikis Baumann (Wearing White After Labor Day (and other acts of terrorism), Director; The Matter With Family, Marsha; Double Plotz, Edith) We are back to the stage! Debbie would like to thank everyone involved in making the development of this Ladies’ Briefs production possible. After more than a year’s hiatus we are super excited. Debbie has been with Valley Players since the idea was just a concept and a dream. Being back to work as director and actor has put a giant smile on her face and hopefully the audience’s! She began her love for theater many years ago. She wishes to thank her husband for all his support and her daughter, April, for her encouragement to keep the faith.

Rhonda Bowen (Sudden Oak Death, Director, The Matter With Family, Director; Water Music, Meredith; Set Piece Designer) Rhonda’s lifetime love of theatre includes all aspects of production on and off stage. She has been involved with and devoted to Valley Players since 2018, appearing on-stage as Gertrude in The Old Friends, Barbara in Farce of Habit, and Pat in Hardball; off-stage designing and building sets with Valley Players’ great team, and aiding and abetting running crew as needed. Recently, in addition to her work with Valley Players, she played Sarah Goodwin in Time Stands Still with Upstage Napa Valley (early 2020), and Barbara Hanesford in Onstage Repertory Theatre’s (Summer 2019) production of The Fitting Room at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez. Thrilled to be part of the re-emergence of live theatre, she is honored to be both directing and acting in Ladies’ Briefs. Rhonda majored in Theatre Arts at Santa Rosa Junior College, studying Acting, Directing, Stage Management and Stagecraft/Design, and interned at Santa Rosa’s Summer Repertory Theatre. She received her B.A. in Architectural Design from University of California at Berkeley.

Carlene Collier Coury (Triple Threat, Director; Meat Like Me, Director) Is thrilled to be working with Valley Players in this series of one-act plays. In addition, she is an award-winning Bay Area director/actress, author, English professor, and animal rights activist. Her many directorial credits include working with Benicia Old Town Theatre: Lost in Yonkers, Moon Over Buffalo, and Born Yesterday; The Masquers Playhouse: The Diary of a Scoundrel, Zoo Story and American Dream; The On-Stage Theatre: The Country Wife and Acting 101 the Rooftop Scene; and Dreamweaver’s: Arsenic and Old Lace and Shadowlands to name a few. Her favorite directorial projects (so far) have included: I Am My Own Wife (MIRA); Zoo Story (The Masquers Playhouse), Kiss of the Spider Woman (BAS), Nunsense (ARTY Award Winner), My Fair Lady (ARTY Award Winner), and Moon Over Buffalo (ARTY Award Winner). Acting credits have ranged from the role of Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf to Tranio in Taming of the Shrew. Carlene currently lives in Vallejo, and she would like to thank her truly supportive fiancé along with her furry “heart on four legs” doggy, Pumpkin, for making her life complete!

Cheryl Fiedler (At Least You Have Barry, Sandy) would like to dedicate her performances to her just departed talented and accomplished cousin, Bruce J. Taub. He was living alone in his Manhattan apartment and an unidentified Meals On Wheels driver alerted the super when the bell went unanswered. Ironic indeed, especially because of the characters in the scene At Least You Have Barry. Bruce was predeceased by his partner of many decades, Edward Gallardo, and cats Tristan and Isolde. He composed over a hundred pieces of music and was the Music Editor at C.F.Peters for 22 years. Sadly, we hadn’t seen each other since the 80s. Bruce was also predeceased by his younger talented (worked all aspects of theatre) brother Craig, of long standing heart issues two years ago. My husband and I had two unforgettable visits with Craig and his wife Olga in NY, after many years. Just 2 weeks later, he passed unexpectedly. For our departed parents, this is for you as well. Both beautiful mothers, first and favorite cousins Anne Halicher Taub and Pearl “Penny” Sarin Fiedler, died of cancer, too young- early fifties and 60. Unusual that our fathers outlived them. Mine, Sidney, made it to 90.5 years and died just before the pandemic. Thank you for reading this. Thank you very much to Lu Kenmonth and Louise Anderson for believing in me. And thanks to Valley Players for this truly unforgettable experience. Hubby Herman “The Mensch” Soon, please know that I couldn’t do very much without your never ending, unfailing support in our lives.

Bridget Folan (The Matter With Family, Janel; Wearing White After Labor Day (and other acts of terrorism), Jenny) is thrilled to be back on stage and proud to be a part of Napa Players, once again. Hopefully you got a chance to see her in Valley Players production of The Tin Woman, that closed the weekend before all theater was shut down! She is a Bay Area native and Napa resident since 1998, when not on stage, you may run into her on your flight to Hawaii or Mexico where she is once again busy as a flight attendant. She would love to extend a warm welcome back to everyone, and hope you enjoy the show and energy of live theater once again!

Bonnie Gamble (Sudden Oak Death, Miriam) has a BA in Dramatic Art from UC Berkeley. Favorite theatrical roles include: Wikiwitch in Anton in Show Business and Grandma in Lost in Yonkers (Valley Players and Dreamweavers), Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act and Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest (Bay Area Stage) and Mrs. Dubose in To Kill a Mockingbird (6th St. Playhouse, Bay Area Stage). In her latest show she played Mary in a devised play titled Devising Women (Left Edge and 6th St. Playhouse – 2020 Women’s Play Festival). She is grateful to Valley Players for this opportunity to tread the boards again after this long closure of our theaters. She would also like to thank her friends and family for their undying support. Her gratitude also extends to the audience and the volunteers who came here today and followed all the guidelines needed for us to perform live and for you all to stay safe.

Lauren Haugan (Triple Threat, Thelma; Growing Old WithOUT Grace, Alex; Expectations, Kate) got bit by the acting bug as a little kid. Often as a 5 year old she’d sing songs and make her S’s whistle to get a laugh. Her mother worked as a special events manager while she was growing up so often she was her mother’s go-to Elf, Fairy, Clown or any other character needed for events. Since landing in California 11 years ago, she’s enjoyed roles in Harvey, Goldfish, Old Friends, Brighton Beach Memoirs and now Ladies’ Briefs! No matter what she does with Valley Players, whether it’s stage managing, acting, or volunteer grunt worker, it’s always fun. She’s thankful to have this opportunity to be a part of Ladies’ Briefs. What a wonderful experience to work with three different amazing women directors and to be able to bring to life plays written by women. Thank you Valley Players!

Christina Julian (Growing Old WithOUT Grace, Director; Triple Threat, Anne; The Matter With Family, Kendra) Christina errs on the side of comedy at all cost, which explains many of her past performances, including God of Carnage, Sylvia, Black Tie, The Dining Room, and most recently, the Valley Players productions, Farce of Habit and Women in Jeopardy. A longtime dream of hers is being actualized in this very production, where she has written and directed the play, Growing Old WithOUT Grace, and will perform in two other “Briefs,” all of which pay homage to women, in all their flawed and fabulous forms. Christina continues to hone her directing chops as a mother to 8-year-old twins, who she tries and often fails, to “direct” out the door, in a timely fashion. Learn more at christinajulian.com.

Lu Kenmonth, Valley Players, Napa Valley, California

Lu Kenmonth (At Least You Have Barry, Director; Water Music, Director) is a 2nd grade teacher at a local performing arts school who has produced and directed seven children’s musical theater productions including Jungle Book, Disney’s Aladdin and Annie. She was actively involved for 13 years at Dreamweaver’s community theater in Napa. Lu has been a board member for Valley Players since its inception in 2017, and has enjoyed working for all their productions at the Lincoln Theater as their lighting and sound technician. She is excited to return to the theater for this production of Ladies’ Briefs. Break a leg everyone!

Paul Marciniak (Set Builder) became involved with Valley Players after their first performance. He has been having a fun time building sets and working behind the scenes as a stage member ever since. He is delighted to work with such a great and talented group. Please come join us: you won’t be disappointed!

Barb Nemko (Wearing White After Labor Day (and other acts of terrorism), Merrill; Double Plotz, Shirley) As much as Barb loves her day job as the Napa County Superintendent of Schools, she equally loves being involved in community theatre. On stage, she’s played roles as diverse as the Swedish psychic in Deathtrap to the busty (false bra) Italian femme fatale in Lend Me a Tenor; Mrs. Strakosh in the Lucky Penny and 6^th Street Theater productions of Funny Girl, and most recently a psychiatrist in Ordinary Day. Two of her favorite roles were Jacqueline in NVC’s La Cage aux Folles, and Charlotte Hay in Dreamweaver’s Moon Over Buffalo. Behind stage, she’s been a judge in New York’s Socially Relevant Film Festival, a board member of the California County Superintendents Association, and serves locally on the boards of the Community Corrections Partnership, and the Napa Valley Education Foundation. She’s excited to be part of this production of original and varied short plays, which she thinks is just the lift we need after 18 months of COVID.

Richard Pallaziol (At Least You Have Barry, Barry; Expectations, Charles; Double Plotz, Eulogist), a proud board member of Valley Players, studied theatre at CSU Long Beach and the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. As actor, director, dancer, and award-winning fight choreographer he has worked in over 400 shows from San Diego to Michigan. He has also lectured on prop construction, period style and Elizabethan textual analysis, and is the author of The Textbook of Theatrical Combat.

Patte Quinn (The Matter With Family, Marcy) Patte has enjoyed performing since the early 90’s. Yep, she has been around for awhile. She can’t say one role has been better than another. Whatever role she gets, she likes to bring life to the character. She is thankful to be able to be back “behind the wheel” again. As part of Valley Players board, we would like to thank Lucky Penny for providing a venue for us to showcase Ladies Briefs.

June Alane Reif (Expectations, Director; Sudden Oak Death, Phyllis; Growing Old WithOUT Grace, Bea; Meat Like Me, Mother) has a B.A. in Theater, Interpretation and Communication from Louisiana State University, furthered her acting studies in San Jose at the San Jose Repertory Theatre and in private classes with Ed Hooks and Barbara Titus. She is also a graduate of Bay Area TheatreSports in San Francisco. She was last seen onstage in the Napa Valley as Mary Forney in Valley Players’ 2019 production of Women in Jeopardy. Her most recent turn as director was for Valley Players’ 2019 production of Hardball. Given that her last stint in theater (not counting Zoom readings) was in March of 2020 as Stage Manager for Valley Players’ The Tin Woman, she can’t begin to express her delight at being able to return to the stage!

Randi Storm (Triple Threat, Elizabeth; Growing Old WithOUT Grace, Roxy; Meat Like Me, Grandmother) has enjoyed being on stage since 1997. She is beyond thrilled to be back acting with Valley Players. This theater troupe is comprised of many incredibly supportive and talented artists. Their mission is to focus on showcasing older women, (which apparently I have become.) After playing such roles as a psychotic serial-killing nun and a psychic cleaning lady, she is looking forward to being a mother of a teenage thespian and a Jewish grandmother.

April Vincak, Valley Players, Napa Valley, California

April Vincak (Wearing White After Labor Day (and other acts of terrorism), Director) is eternally grateful to live theatre for just about everything it stands for…art, expression, and in times like these, a way to keep human connection. I love you all, thank you for just being you.

Paige Whitney-White (Triple Threat, Celeste; Water Music, Lada; Meat Like Me, Daughter) is thrilled to be working with Valley Players once again after taking a forced hiatus due to the pandemic. Some of her favorite performances include Sammy, The Tin Woman, The Vagina Monologues, Martine, Jacqueline and Mrs. Simpkins in Theater on the Fringe’s A Night of One Acts; as well as Steffy Blondell in Bay Area Stage’s You Ought to be in Pictures, and Letta in Death of Salesman. When she’s not onstage she’s a proud mother, nurse and dog owner. She’s also enjoyed competing with a long range rifle to hit a bullseye at 1,000 yards.

Rebecca Wolohan (Stage Manager; Growing Old WithOUT Grace, Waitress) is a recent graduate of Sonoma State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Theatre Studies. She is devoted to the art of making theatre and is pursuing a career in the arts, whether she’s on or off stage. Her most recent project prior to Ladies’ Briefs was stage managing UpStage Napa Valley’s production of Time Stands Still. Rebecca’s other passions include dogs, veganism, and spending time with her family, partner, and beloved pets. She’d like to thank Valley Players for this exciting opportunity.

Additional Crew

John Anderson: Specialty prop Building
Jeff Bristow: Sound and Light Tech
April George: Lighting Design

Thank You!

Thank you, John and Louise Anderson, for helping to procure rehearsal space…

And to Keith Baldanza for providing that space!

Thank you, Jan Sabo, for the scarf featured in Meat Like Me!

Thank you, Skipper Skeoch, for the beautiful costumes for Expectations!

Front of House Volunteers

Lucky Penny Concession Volunteers

Arts Council Napa Valley Community Fund Grant — **This project was partially funded by the Arts Council Napa Valley with a Community Fund Grant.**