Our 531st Production
Directed by Rob Rosiello
November 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 2022
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Summoned to a convent, Dr. Martha Livingstone, a court-appointed psychiatrist, is charged with assessing the sanity of a novice accused of murdering her newborn. Miriam Ruth, the Mother Superior, determinedly keeps young Agnes from the doctor, further arousing Livingstone’s suspicions. Who killed the infant, and who fathered the tiny victim? Livingstone’s questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love, leading to a dramatic, compelling climax.
Watch the promotional video for Agnes of God! »
Read Stanley Kate’s review »
For those attending performances at Old Academy Players, the wearing of masks while in the building is encouraged but optional.
Meet the Cast
Erin Frances as Sister Agnes
Erin is a senior musical theatre major at Temple University and this is her second production at Old Academy Players — the first being the Summer One-Act Bonanza this past summer. She is extremely grateful to have worked on this piece, especially alongside this wonderful team of artists. Erin is originally from California, but loves Philly and spending time in the city. She would like to thank Rob for giving her this opportunity, and her parents for always supporting her. Erin truly hopes you enjoy and make friends with this show.
Sandra Hartman as Mother Miriam Ruth
Sandra’s Old Academy credits consist of: Dora in A Song I Forgot to Sing (by Rob Rosiello), Violet in Suddenly Last Summer, Lynn Fontanne in Ten Chimneys, and Marabeth in Vernal Rites (by Rob Rosiello). National tours: Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), Carousel (Mrs. Mullin). Off-Broadway: Mamaleh (Frieda). Regional credits include: A Little Night Music (Desiree), The Children’s Hour (Amelia), Carousel (Nettie), Jacques Brel is Alive and Well (Woman 2), The Scarlet Pimpernel (Marguerite). She studied music at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, and lived in Berlin, Germany for seven years, where she was engaged at Theater des Westens, performing extensively in musicals and operettas. Recently, she performed in 3 radio plays with R5 Productions: Priceless, Vernal Rites, and Broken Hollow Banshee. She also works as an opera director. Recent productions include Dialogues of the Carmelites, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Faust with The Delaware Valley Opera Company. Upcoming production: Take my Otherness (a U.S. premiere).
Stephanie Rogers as Dr. Martha Livingstone
Stephanie is thrilled to return to Old Academy Players, having last appeared in our 99th season as Taylor Porter Smith in the world premiere of Vernal Rites by Rob Rosiello. In 2019 she reprised her role as a Stepsister in Roxey Ballet’s Cinderella, and throughout quarantine, Stephanie’s voice acting was featured across several R5 Productions and can be heard on the R5 YouTube channel. Favorite theatre projects include The Laramie Project, Dangerous Liaisons, Rumors, Boeing Boeing, God of Carnage, and Rainmaker. Gratitude to Stephen and her three amazing children, Ava, Stella, and Declan for love, support, and constant encouragement!
Rob Rosiello (Director)
Rob is thrilled to be back at Old Academy Players, last seen on stage as Tilden in Buried Child, and before that as Alfred Lunt in Ten Chimneys. A graduate of Villanova’s master’s program in theatre, Rob’s directing credits include: Lips Together, Teeth Apart, The Children’s Hour, The Laramie Project, Suddenly Last Summer, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, and Love! Valour! Compassion! He has directed several world premiere plays: Mommie Queerest, Die-Nasty, Awake, Our Intoxication, Fast Forward Rewind, and A Song I Forgot to Sing. In February 2023, Rob will direct his play Cold Stun for R5 Productions as a radio theatre adaptation. Rob was a member of the Barrymore Award winning ensemble of Angels in America, teaches theatre and film at Montgomery County Community College, and served as a teaching assistant in playwriting at the Primary Stage Off-Broadway theater in NYC. While living in NYC, he also had the great fortune of producing the national tour for the winner of the first five seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race on behalf of Logo TV and Absolut Vodka.
Annie Hnatko (Producer)
Annie is excited to team up with Steve to produce Agnes of God. This is her first time producing at Old Academy, but has been directing here for several years. She studied music education at West Chester University and opera performance at the Academy of Vocal Arts. She has been active in theater, opera and concert singing for over 30 years. Her favorite roles include The Witch (Into the Woods) and Anna Maurant (Street Scene). She frequently performs with the Pennsylvania Lyric Opera Theater and the Star Players of Philadelphia. She would like to thank her husband and mother for their continued encouragement and the cast for the hard work.
Steve Hnatko (Producer)
Steve is overjoyed to be once again be producing at Old Academy. Steve has produced such OA productions as Godspell, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Fourth Wall, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ordinary Days, and the 2019 Summer One Act Festival. Steve has also produced 42nd Street and Annie for the Philadelphia Recreation Center’s Star Players. He is excited to get back to the theater after the long layoff.
T. Mark Cole (Set Designer)
Mark is a Pennsylvania-based artist known for his traditional landscapes and also works under his abstract art pseudonym, Favi Dubo. He has been a fine arts instructor for over 30 years and spent several summers working for the state of Maine cataloguing historic homes on Mount Desert Island. His passion for architecture led him to co-author two books on the history of Stone Harbor, NJ with Arcadia Publishing. Mark is a member of the Chester County Art Association (CCAA), Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), InLiquid.com, and The National Trust. Recent theatrical design work includes set designs for: Vernal Rites (world premiere); Suddenly Last Summer; A Song I Forgot to Sing (world premiere; Best Set Design nominee, BroadwayWorld.com); Lips Together, Teeth Apart; and Buried Child (Best Set Design nominee, BroadwayWorld.com). Scenic designs include: Next to Normal, Other Desert Cities, The Children’s Hour, The Laramie Project, and The Nutcracker. Mark holds a BFA from West Chester University and has studied fine art throughout Europe.