The Company Theatre
presents
TARTUFFE
by molière
translation by jeffrey d. hoeper
directed by brodie mcpherson
june 6–15, 2025
the temple building theatre
this production is made possible by our sponsors:
with generous support from our media sponsor
THE CAST OF TARTUFFE
Tartuffe - Christopher C. Conway
Orgon - Anish Majumdar
Elmire - Kimberly Day
Cleante - Ron Dufort
Dorine - Kiley Sullivan
Damis - Wil Clancy
Mariane - Jennifer Acosta
Valere - Aung Phyo
Mme. Pernelle - Kathryn Borden
Flipote - Ava Taylor
Laurent - Ben Gillooly & Corrina Mullins
M. Loyal - Briar-Rose Murphy
Officer - Alessandro Martellaro
CREATIVE TEAM
Director – Brodie McPherson
Assistant Director – Jess Ruby
Stage Manager – Noah Morris
Assistant Stage Manager –
Production Manager/Technical Supervisor –
Lighting Designer/Technical Assistant –
Properties Master –
Costume Designer –
Fight Captain – Ben Gillooly
Dramaturg – Amy Canfield
Publicity – Susan Murad
Promotional Photos – Sammi Cohen
Production Photos – Ron Heerkens, Jr./Goat Factory Media
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ASL INTERPRETERS
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ASL Consultant: Joseph Fox
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THE COMPANY THEATRE STAFF & BOARD
Artist Director: Carl Del Buono
Technical Director: Brodie McPherson
Board President: Susan Murad
Vice President: Philip Detrick
Treasurer: Doris Ludek
Secretary: Jael Lopez Gifford
Board Members: Sammi Cohen, Christopher C. Conway, Ron Dufort, Meaghan Finlay, Lydia Palmer, Jill Rittinger, Jessica Ruby​​
PLEASE NOTE:
Tartuffe runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.​​
BRODIE DIRECTOR'S NOTE GOES HERE
Photo Credit: Sammi Cohen
Our featured artist: Chris Grooms, glass works
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The Company Theatre is happy to welcome back Chris Grooms as our featured artist. Chris's amazing glass pieces are available for sale in the lobby, with a portion of each sale going to The Company Theatre Fund.
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Chris Grooms, a native of Portland, Oregon, is a professional ASL interpreter. In the mid-1990s, while living in Seattle, he enrolled in a beginner’s stained-glass workshop on a whim. After moving to Rochester, Chris met Valerie O’Hara, a third-generation stained-glass artist, helming the family’s downtown Pike Stained Glass Studios. Brought onboard as an assistant/apprentice, Chris has had the pleasure of working on the restoration of ecclesiastical, stained-glass windows from historic churches throughout the Finger Lakes region. Often, this restoration includes the replacement and recreation of damaged/broken pieces. Chris’ own stained-glass practice, dubbed Silicat Studios, has in recent years evolved to include not only recreations and contemporary interpretations of historic designs he’s encountered, but also the utilization (recycling/upcycling) of damaged and discarded glass fragments in his own contemporary designs. Chris refers to these works, in his own practice, as “Resurrection Glass.” Resurrection #9, among the works for sale currently at the Temple Theatre, was featured in the Small Works juried exhibition recently closed at Main Street Arts in Clifton Springs. Chris appreciates The Company Theatre’s support of local arts and artists, and the chance to display his work in alignment with The Company's mission of "Honoring Tradition Through Innovation." ​​​​​​​​
ABOUT THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Jennifer Acosta (Mariane): Jennifer is thrilled to be working with the Company Theatre again! She graduated with an AOS degree for performing arts in L.A. but is a Rochester native. Since being back home, she's helped in a few shows for the Company as assistant stage manager but this will be her first show that she will be acting in. Jennifer is so excited to be a part of Brodie's super-creative, iconic, fun take on this classic by Molière and feels very grateful for being a part of this show and working with everyone in it. She hopes everyone gets a good laugh!
Kathryn Borden (Mme. Pernelle): Kathryn, a.k.a. Kathryn Grace, is a locally born and raised actor who returned to Rochester theater after a 35-year hiatus taken while raising her children and playing the role of Theater Mom for many years. This is her fourth production with the Company Theatre, following Macbeth (Porter), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Big Mama), and The Man Who Came to Dinner (Harriet)—or “MacMan on a Hot Tin Tuffe.” She has also played with Out of Pocket, Inc. and Blackfriars Theatre. Kathryn is a member of the local jazz trio, LumenEssence, and sings with Lee Wright’s First Inversion. Kathryn fell in love with this cast, this concept, and this play from the moment we all said, “Yes.” Special thanks to Brodie for being brilliant!
William Clancy (Damis): Wil is a software engineer and RIT alumnus raised in Eldersburg, Maryland. This is his debut role with the Company, as well as in the greater Rochester area. He would like to thank his wonderful parents, Tinka and Brian, as well as his dear friends, Bee and Rachel, for their effervescent support of him through all things. He would also like to thank his fellow castmates for inspiring him with their incredible talent, and Tartuffe's production team for bringing him on and reigniting his love for the stage. Now is the envy of all of the dead.
Christopher C. Conway (Tartuffe): Chris hails from rural, deep East Texas. In addition to Rochester, he has appeared on stages in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA. Locally, he has had the great good fortune to have worked with Blackfriars Theatre, Out of Pocket, Inc., JCC’s CenterStage, Rochester Community Players, and the Company Theatre, for which he most recently appeared in Great Expectations. A few favorite past roles: Roy Cohn in Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, Fagin in Oliver!, Moricet in the Feydeau farce 13 Rue de L'Amour, and Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Christopher is a proud member of the Company Theatre Board of Directors.
Kimberly Day (Elmire): Kimberly is beyond thrilled to be working with the Company Theatre for the first time. Most recently, Kimberly appeared in the Blackfriars’ Production of POTUS. She has also appeared in three Out of Pocket, Inc. productions. Her favorite past roles include Harriet in POTUS, Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew, Dorine in Tartuffe, and Queen Gertrude in Hamlet. When she’s not on stage, she can be found in the classroom teaching literature, composition, and theater, directing a high school musical, bartending at Lux, or at home with her husband, two boys, and dogs. Kimberly wishes to thank the endlessly supportive Kurtis, Zack, and Brad—the men in her life; her parents, Cathy and Earl, for their unwavering love and support; and Brodie, Jess, Noah, Carl, and the entire cast and crew of Tartuffe for the opportunity and the laughs.
Ron Dufort (Cléante): Ron is delighted to return to the Company Theatre in this electric production of Molière’s Tartuffe. Previously sen in the Company’s Oedipus Rex (Oedipus), The Man Who Came to Dinner (Ernest Stanley), Spring Awakening (Adult Man), and this season’s Great Expectations (Mr. Joe), he has also had the pleasure of acting with some of the other great companies in the area, including Out of Pocket, Inc., Blackfriars Theatre, and the Open Road Theatre to name just a few. Look for Ron on screen as well in The Essentials (Amazon Prime), the short films Inkwell Hell and Cadenza (currently on the festival circuit), and the new, hilarious, and tender Chicken House, featuring a few beaks familiar to Rochester theatergoers!
Ben Gillooly (Laurent, Fight Captain): Ben is loving being back with the Company for this hilarious production. You may recognize him from previous Company Theatre productions, such as The Man Who Came to Dinner (Bert Jefferson), Romeo & Juliet (Tybalt), and Richard II (Willoughby, Gardener). You also could have spotted him in the Highland Bowl any of the past three summers in Rochester Community Players’ Pericles: Prince of Tyre (First Fisherman, King Simonides, Boult), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Slender), or Antony & Cleopatra (Alexas). A careful eye might even spy him walking around NOTA, where he lives, works, and almost certainly overwaters his houseplants.
Anish Majumdar (Orgon): Anish is a classically trained actor making his return to the stage after many years devoted to raising a family and building a life in Rochester. His past work includes roles in The Fountain, Rescue Heroes, and the Quebecois TV series Pure Laine, as well as voice and stage performances across Canada and the U.S. For the past 15 years, Anish built a global coaching business before choosing to return to the work that never really let go of him: acting. He lives in East Rochester with his wife and three sons, and is thrilled to be joining the Company Theatre for this vibrant production of Tartuffe.
Alessandro Martellaro (Pool Boy, Officer): Alessandro is very happy to be part of the cast of Tartuffe. This is Alessandro's third show with the Company Theatre, having previously been involved with The Man Who Came to Dinner (Richard) and Spring Awakening (Music Director). Some of Alessandro’s other previous credits include Carl Voldman et al. in Survivors (JCC CenterStage), Antonio in Twelfth Night (Rochester Community Players), and various roles in Too Much Light... (Blackfriars Theatre). Enjoy the show!
Corrina Mullins (Laurent): Corrina is stoked to be performing with the Company Theatre again. They cannot express their love and gratitude for this cast and company, especially Ben, with whom they are honored to share not just the stage but a role. Thanks, thanks, and ever thanks.
Briar-Rose Murphy (Chef, M. Loyal): Briar is thrilled to be back with the Company Theatre! You might have seen her previously in the Company Theatre’s Oedipus Rex (Chorus), GCV&M’s Yuletide in the Country (Joy/Guide), or making people laugh with her improv and sketch-writing skills at the Focus Theater and different stand-up open mics around Rochester. When not performing, you can find Briar working as a social media associate, bartending at Geva, or rambling to herself in French as she tries to keep her language skills sharp. Briar would like to thank Brodie, Jess, and Noah for their hard work on this beautifully campy show, and her mother for supporting her theater-kid-turned-theater-adult.
Aung Phyo (Valère): Aung is a local actor here in Rochester. He boasts several prior credits with DVC (Dream/Visualize/Create), but this will be his first production with the Company Theatre; he is so excited to be a part of it!
Kiley Sullivan (Dorine): Kiley is so thrilled to be making her Company Theatre debut in Tartuffe! She is a recent graduate of Nazareth University, having majored in psychology and minored in musical theatre. Previous credits include Dusty (POTUS) and Godspell at Blackfriars Theatre, Ado Annie (Oklahoma) at Webster Theatre Guild, and Rusty (Footloose) at Main Street Players. When not performing, you can find her playing with her dog Foxy or listening to Taylor Swift. She would like to thank Brodie, Jess, Noah, as well as the entire creative team for this incredible opportunity, as well as her castmates for making this experience one of the best! Special thanks to her mom for always supporting her as well as HF for the late nights helping her get off book. You can find her on all social media @kileyjane13
Ava Taylor (Flipote): Ava is thrilled to be making her debut at the Company Theatre in a show as fun and iconic as Tartuffe! She was most recently seen in Webster Theatre Guild’s production of Rock of Ages last fall. Other favorite credits include Footloose (Ariel Moore) at Main Street Players, Godspell (“Bless the Lord”) at Blackfriars Theatre, Rise: A New Musical (Vitka) and The Pirates of Penzance (Kate) at JCC SummerStage. Ava has been nominated for the KCACTF MTI Scholarship and the Irene Ryan Acting Award for her performances at SUNY Brockport in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti) and The Game’s Afoot (Inspector), respectively. She would like to thank her friends and family for their constant love and support, and hopes you enjoy the show! ig: avataaylor
Brodie McPherson (Director): BRODIE BIO GOES HERE
Jess Ruby (Assistant Director): JESS BIO GOES HERE
Noah Morris (Stage Manager): Noah is grateful for the opportunity to return to the Company Theatre for a second consecutive show this season, following his stint as lighting designer for Great Expectations. Noah’s prior stage management credits include productions with a variety of beloved Rochester theater companies, including the Rochester Community Players, Out of Pocket, Blackfriars, and WallByrd, as well as 55 performances of 26 distinct Rochester Fringe Festival shows in half a dozen venues over the years.
This season, a portion of our ticket proceeds for all ASL-interpreted performances will be donated to Rochester Deaf Kitchen to help fight food insecurity within our city's Deaf community. Please join us in supporting this worthy cause!
THANKS TO OUR DONORS:
PREMIERE ($1000+):
Nelson B. Delavan Foundation Part A
Lisa Lipski
Monroe County Mid-Sized Arts Fund
Peter and Elaine Royal
Lydia Palmer**
Rochester Area Community Foundation Arts Vitality Fund
Trillium Health Foundation
Under The Arbor Bridal~
LEADING ($500+):
Anonymous
David and Margaret Burns
Ron Dufort**
Peter Elliott
Sally Milick
David Munnell*
Susan Murad**
Blake and Dr. Sara Blick Nitko~
Katherine Royal
MAJOR ($250+):
Denise Bartalo
Jacquelyn Murad and Joyce Tencza
Jill Rittinger** and Andy Lytwynec
SUPPORTING ($100+):
Frank Barone and Joseph Weber
Robert G. Barone
Donald Brenner
John Burrows
Roberta Gorman
Patrick Kinney
Christopher McCormack
Barbara Murphy
ENTHUSIAST ($50+):
Louis Cinelli
Sally Cohen
Sara Penner
Richard and Cynthia Rittinger
David Runzo
Richard Staropoli
MEMBER ($25+):
Christine Keenan
Lauren MacDonough
Michelle McElduff
Eric McKinley
Francois Piche
FRIENDS OF THE COMPANY THEATRE
Ellen Allen, Jill Brewer, Lucas Brown, Daryl Dear Cubitt, Matthew Dean, Joel Elliot, Sean King, Barbara Lobb, Logan Longbine, Judith Molner, Connie Neer, David Ruffo, George Steele, Michael Steeves, Jim Striegel, Seema Theruvi, Julia Thomas, Brynn Tyszka, Jennifer Whitney
**Current Board Member
* Past Board Member
~ In Kind Donor
Any errors or omissions are purely accidental. Please email info@thecompanytheatreroc.org with corrections.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:​
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And a special thanks to our donors and patrons who have joined us thus far and for the many seasons to come.