With Support From

Hello and Welcome to Betsy Ross & Friends: History as It Never Happened!

How much history can you assemble in one room?

We’re pleased to present the first of a series of CFCArts events saluting America’s 250th anniversary. It’s only fitting that Stage 55 leads the way – of all the CFCArts components, our members have been around the longest. Talk about history – we’ve got it!

This production marks another exciting first: Betsy Ross & Friends is the very first show written entirely by Stage 55 members, where our writing team created monologues and scenes both individually and collaboratively.

Today, you’ll meet familiar names in not-quite-so familiar circumstances: I mean, Betsy Ross is talented… but talented enough to co-host a talk show with Fred Rogers and Grandma Moses? Now THAT is history as it never happened.

Every good talk show needs a band, and we have one of the best. Thank you to the talented CFCArts musicians who lend their artistry to help keep the party going.

Additional thanks go to the entire administrative team of CFCArts, who are our biggest fans and continually show us their support.

Here’s to us, America! May our shared history continue to reflect the wonder, beauty, and humor that is the American people.

Enjoy the show!

Christine Hicks
Associate Artistic Director, Stage 55

Hello and Welcome to Betsy Ross & Friends: History as It Never Happened!

How much history can you assemble in one room?

We’re pleased to present the first of a series of CFCArts events saluting America’s 250th anniversary. It’s only fitting that Stage 55 leads the way – of all the CFCArts components, our members have been around the longest. Talk about history – we’ve got it!

This production marks another exciting first: Betsy Ross & Friends is the very first show written entirely by Stage 55 members, where writing team created monologues and scenes both individually and collaboratively.

Today, you’ll meet familiar names in not-quite-so familiar circumstances: I mean, Betsy Ross is talented… but talented enough to co-host a talk show with Fred Rogers and Grandma Moses? Now THAT is history as it never happened.

Every good talk show needs a band, and we have one of the best. Thank you to the talented CFCArts musicians who lend their artistry to help keep the party going.

Additional thanks go to the entire administrative team of CFCArts, who are our biggest fans and continually show us their support.

Here’s to us, America! May our shared history continue to reflect the wonder, beauty, and humor that is the American people.

Enjoy the show!

Christine Hicks
Associate Artistic Director, Stage 55

Hello and welcome to our first show as “Stage 55”!

I have had the privilege of working with this group of amazing human beings for many years, and it is an honor to have my first co-directing experience be with the members of Stage 55.

Whenever I talk about this program, I always tell people that these are the funniest people in Central Florida – and I mean it! Not only are our members hilarious, but they are also incredibly talented writers, singers, and performers. My favorite part of my week is when I’m in rehearsals and working with our members.

I am so grateful to work with Christine Hicks. We’ve worked on numerous productions since A Doll’s House back in early 2019. (I’ve lost count myself!) I have learned so much from her, and I am so appreciative of her guidance and support.

I am also grateful for everyone who works behind the scenes – Justin Muchoney and Sara Myers for their guidance and trust in me with the program, Christy Thompson for being the best Assistant Stage Manager a girl could ask for, and Joshua McKinney and the rest of the tech team for turning a fellowship hall into a beautiful theatre.

Please enjoy our celebration of the United States of America, and may the next 250 years be full of community, passion, and love for one another.

Sara Breitfelder
Program Manager, Stage 55

Hello and welcome to our first show as “Stage 55”!

I have had the privilege of working with this group of amazing human beings for many years, and it is an honor to have my first co-directing experience be with the members of Stage 55.

Whenever I talk about this program, I always tell people that these are the funniest people in Central Florida – and I mean it! Not only are our members hilarious, but they are also incredibly talented writers, singers, and performers. My favorite part of my week is when I’m in rehearsals and working with our members.

I am so grateful to work with Christine Hicks. We’ve worked on numerous productions since A Doll’s House back in early 2019. (I’ve lost count myself!) I have learned so much from her, and I am so appreciative of her guidance and support.

I am also grateful for everyone who works behind the scenes – Justin Muchoney and Sara Myers for their guidance and trust in me with the program, Christy Thompson for being the best Assistant Stage Manager a girl could ask for, and Joshua McKinney and the rest of the tech team for turning a fellowship hall into a beautiful theatre.

Please enjoy our celebration of the United States of America, and may the next 250 years be full of community, passion, and love for one another.

Sara Breitfelder
Program Manager, Stage 55

Navigation

Scenes

Cast

Production Team

Special Thanks

Upcoming Events

The People Behind CFCArts

Sponsors & CFCArts Giving Society

CFCArts Stage 55 presents

Betsy Ross & Friends:
History as It Never Happened

Scene 1 

• Paul Revere Cold Open

Scene 2 

• Welcome to the Betsy Ross & Friends Show!

Scene 3

• Ann Turner Cook

Scene 4

• Shirley Temple Black

Scene 5

• Florida Jeopardy

Scene 6

• Lady Liberty

Scene 7

• Whistler’s Mother

Scene 8

• If It Ain’t Broke, a Woman Fixed It
  

Intermission

Scene 9

• Charles Schulz

Scene 10

• The Delaware Crossing

Scene 11

• Edward R. Murrow and George Washington

Scene 12

• Eleanor Roosevelt

Scene 13

• Great Dates in History

Scene 14

• Finale Song

Betsy Ross & Friends Cast

Stage 55 Cast

Betty, Rower #4, Mae West – Vicki Alley
Charlene, Commercial, Julia Child – Betsy Brantley
Ann Turner Cook – Shirley Brown
Commercial, Eleanor Roosevelt – Paula Burke
Lucille Ball, Commercial – Candy Dawson
Commercial, Alice, Moderator – Sharon Dentler
“Great Dates in History” Host, Audience Cue Card Holder – Maxine Derington
Edith Bunker, Rower #1 – Laura Firtel
Betsy Ross – Florence Galbraith
Rod Serling, Charles Schulz, James Buchanan – Leo Holzenthal*
Grandma Moses – Susan Jackman
Lady Liberty – Arielle Keren
“Florida Jeopardy” Host – Wendy Levine
Shirley Temple Black, Rower #3 – Dawn Marz
Aretha Franklin – Juanita Riley
George Washington – Vaughn Riley
Paul Revere, Commercial – PJ Storm
Sally Ride, Rower #2 – Jenny Summers*
Whistler’s Mother – Jean Witherington
Fred Rogers – Paul Witherington
Commercial, Edward R. Murrow, Carrie Nation – Marilyn Withrow

* Member Ambasssador
Not performing today: Joan Carter

Sam Adams & The Six Pack
(Big Band and Symphony Orchestra)

Band Leader, Keys – Kyle Young
Sax, Flute, Clarinet – Rich Starcher, Greg Boger
Bass – Joel Hanlon

Contributing Writers
(Stage 55)

Betsy Brantley
Paula Burke
Candy Dawson
Sharon Dentler
Maxine Derington
Laura Firtel
Christine Hicks
Leo Holzenthal
Susan Jackman
Jeff Mulligan
Steve Princiotta
Jenny Summers
Keith Walls
Jean Witherington

Production Team

Director – Christine Hicks
Assistant Director, Stage Manager – Sara Breitfelder
Assistant Stage Manager – Christy Ann Thompson
Technical Director – Joshua McKinney
Audio Designer – Kyle Cartee
Audio Assistant – Demetri Rath
Lighting Designer – Cooper Pyle
Teleprompter Operator – Christy Thompson
Stage Hand – Kenzie Smith
Front of House Manager – Rose Purdy
Personnel Manager – Sara Breitfelder
Volunteers –  Sienna Barger, Chris Gillespie, Isaac McGarvey, Slater Tran
Script Writers – Christine Hicks, Stage 55 Members

Special Thanks

Courtney Burns and Orange County Regional History Center
Megan Taylor and First Congregational Church of Winter Park
Randy Parson, Jacob Rivera, and St. John Lutheran Church
Chris Shepard and One Senior Place for community support
Lindsay Taylor, Amy Orr, and Cambridge Planning Group for community support
Amanda Ruiz and FOX 35 Orlando for sharing our story
Julie Gargotta and Spectrum News 13 for sharing our story
Ashleigh Ann Gardner (For the Stage) for headshot, promotional, and production photography

Up Next With CFCArts

CFCArts Board of Directors

Chad Faulkenberry, Chair, Journey Strategic Wealth
Dr. Meghan Brand, Vice Chair, Community Leader
Sara Osborne, Secretary, Orlando Health
Tom Clements, Treasurer, Katmai Government Services and Ouzinkie Native Corporation

Brian Bennett, Supply Chain and Operations Executive
Dr. Glenn Dym, Florida Cardiology, P.A.
Jack Feivou, High Angle Productions
Kris Gault, Samba Safety
Ken Ingraham, Industrial & Organizational Psychology
Dr. Briyanna Jenkins, Seminole State College
Arum Lee Lansel, ALL-in 4 Impact
Andria LaRocco, Baker Barrios Architects
Jason Locker, Orange County Public Schools
Esu Ma’at, Orlando Magic
Jeffrey Moore, University of Central Florida
Mark Morales, Attorney, State of Florida, Dept of Children & Family Services
Dr. Jeffery Redding, University of Central Florida

CFCArts 2025-2026 Member Ambassadors

Marlana Antifit, Big Band
Lauren Blake, Community Choir
Courtney Verna Burns, Community Choir
Courtney Coil, UpBeat! Theatre Troupe
Stephanie A. Daugherty, Community Choir
Chantel Eubanks, Symphony Orchestra
Elaine Evans, Symphony Orchestra
Chris Gillespie, Youth Theatre
Diane Giordano, Community Choir
Leo Holzenthal, Narrators
Ken Ingraham, Symphony Orchestra
Chase Kensington, Youth Theatre
Evelyn Ortiz-Tatarka, Youth Theatre
Rachel Reinhardt, Symphony Orchestra
Jamaal K. Solomon, Community Choir
Jessica Stein, Symphony Orchestra
Jenny Summers, Narrators
David Theisen, Big Band
Judy Thomas, Community Choir
Amanda Vidal, Symphony Orchestra
Keith Walls, Symphony Orchestra
Mackenzie Wood, UpBeat! Theatre Troupe
Kyle Young, Big Band

CFCArts Staff

Erisan Awaya, Community Choir Program Manager
Sara Breitfelder, Stage 55 and UpBeat! Program Manager
Randi Clark, Operations Administrator
Allison Cothran, Instrumental Programs Personnel Manager
Brandon Fender, Community Choir Artistic Director
Christine Hicks, Stage 55 Associate Artistic Director
Olivia Knight, Manager of Marketing & Communications
Christopher Lynch, Social Media Manager
Justin Muchoney, Executive Director, Artistic Director
Sara Myers, Managing Director
Leah Porrata, Youth Theatre Artistic Director
Rose Purdy, Manager of Donor & Patron Services
Ashley Samuels, CFRE, Grants Administrator
Juan Torres, Production Director

Thank You to Our Funding Partners!

Central Florida Community Arts is funded in part by Orange County, Florida through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Central Florida Community Arts is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Central Florida Community Arts is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts.

CFCArts Giving Society Members

This list includes all individual donations from 12/1/24 through 3/25/26. We value your gifts, but sometimes mistakes happen – if your name is not listed the way you’d like to see it or you notice any other errors, please let us know so we can update it!

$10,000 +

Anonymous
Jim and Barbara Caldwell
Tom Clements
Glenn Dym
David Greene
Arne Haak
Carol Ann Pohl
Frank and Winn Merritt Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation

$5,000 – $9,999

Russ and Cindy Airington in honor of Stephanie Daugherty
Steve and Arum Lansel
Jessica and Vance Guthrie
Jane Berg
John and Anne Pucci
Frank Santos

$2,500 – $4,999

David Andrade
Clark Morris
Anette and Randall Boughner
Carlos and Cathy Barrios
Edmund and Barbara Greenwell
Elisabeth Hurckes
Alyssa Noll and Jesse Kreger
Jeff and Mindy Moore
Doug Whitehead
Diane Sandquist
Prof. Stephen Summers

$1,000 – $2,499

Anonymous
Tessa Anodide
Andrew Ayoob
Gary Baumgarten
David and Lynn Berelsman
Caridad Bergnes
Rachel Bond
Nicole Botwinik
Stephen Brannon
George Bridges
Don Chancy
Mike and Susie Cheatham
Dr. Gene Chen
Carolyn Cristena
David and Nancy Deskins
Joseph and Carla DiMaio
Angela Divjak
Mary Beth Eliason
Marcia Enos
Chad Faulkenberry
Brandon Fender
Matthew Frederick
Joshua and Christine Gagliardi
Dr. Matt Gay
Priscilla Greenough
Grant Gribble
Frances Guthrie
Paul Harmon
Laverne Herzog
Eduard Hoffmann
Jay and Kim Hood
Dr. Mimi Hull
Katie Leatherman
Rita Lowndes
Teresa Lucchese
Deborah McCrary
Deborah Mead
Julie Muchoney
Justin Muchoney
Lettie Myers
Jessica Needham
Mark Neidig
Ted and Linnea Nelson
Donna Nickel
Jim and Renee Pancoast
Diane Rinkes
Catherine Scott
Richard Stevenson
Mark Thomason
Hardy Vaughn
Katy Willis
Bickley Wilson

$500 – $999

George and Peggy Albu
Carlos Aquino
Charles and Kimberly Bailes
Tameem Bakkar
Christina Bianchi
Tom Bissell
Ann Black
Alan Blythe
Bryan Blythe
Meghan Brand
Karen Buchan
Ryan Cheek
Marie and David Chivers
Inge & Jay Clay
Vicky Diaz
Brent and Andrea Ellis
Rizwanna Fareeduddin
Jack and An Feivou
Laura Firtel
Alissa Forde
Warren Gordon
Chris and Carolyn Grant
Joanne and David Halloran
Fraser Howe
Erica Huffstodt
Briyanna Jenkins
Gerald Keane
Vicki and Michael Landon
Shelly Lanham
Margaret Lawrence
Travis Lefke
Tim and ToniAnn Lentine
Mary Lo
Jason Locker
Rob and Kate Lott
Lockheed Martin
Andrea Menendez-Aponte
Toby Myers
Aurelia Nugent
Susan Palma
D.W. Perkins
Cindy Price
Robert and Mary Recchia Brown
Jayne Reynolds
Christine Rieck
Maria Rubin
Meredith Sauls
Christopher Scocco
Jeana Smith
Kimberly Soto
Rich and Marcia Starcher
Mark Thomason
Shannon Thompson
Lizzie and Clive Tricker
Haylee Van Dalen
Kay and Mike Van Der Heyden
Peggy Vives-Austin
Larry Winchowky

$250 – $499

Zac Alfson
Marlana Antifit
Natisha Asbell
Nancy Barnette-Rapport
Kenneth Bays
Julie Bilinski
Carmen Bilinski
Sara Brady
Tad Branham
Frances Brann
Michael Slaymaker and George Bridges
Sarah Brooks
Paula Burke
Candi Calhoon
Sandra Carbone
Elizabeth Conklin
Valerie Cronk
Catherine Davey
Sandra and Gerald Dooley
Lisa Doolittle
Joan Dougan
Tom Emling
Terry Ern
Martin Folk
Martin Folk
Susan Forster
Courtenay Gallon
Kris Gault
Tracy Gore
Jennifer Harden
Larry Henrichs
Suzanne and Steve Herin
Chris Jacobi
Claudia Kasen
Martha Kirby
Michelle Klein
Carolyn Litwin
Mark and Kathleen Londergan
Lisa Lopez
Steve Fessler and Randy Lord
Esu Ma’at
Heather Mahoney
Nancy Matherly
MaryDell Mattingly
Sandra Miller
Gary and Carol Moss
Karalyn Moss
Sherry Mulvaney
James Munoz
Ken and Susie Ng
Susan Obara Barack
Daniele Pagenkopf
Brian Paster
Ellen Pensky
Robert Radovich
Rachel Reinhardt
Angie Roman
Richard Sandler
Christi Searls
Richard Smith
Eric and Jennifer Smith Johnson
Pamela Spears
Amber Steckel
Joyce Stefancic
Alexa Stone
Marty Sullivan
Jenny Summers
Kristen van Cauli
Brooke Van de Houten
Keith Walls
Crystal Walls
Hannah Weilminster
Jennifer Whitman
Trudy Wild
Michael and Paula Wilson
Pamela Yarrington
Molly Yusk
Peter and Jen Zanmiller
Ashley Zirkle
William Zoon

$100 – $249

Keith Albright
Rachel Allen
Joao Almeida
Judith Alper
Katrina Anarumo
Danny Aybar
Stephen Bacallao
Candice Bailey
Beverly Bargren
Blake Barisich
Mark Barker
Paula Barnett
Ann Barretta
Cheryl Belfay
Michele Bell
Jana Beougher
Dr. Johan and Janet Bergh
Gregory and Lisa Boger
Joanne Bolemon
Scott Boyce
Ben Brenner
Kellie Brinker
Stephen Brook
Janet Brower
Alexandra Brown
Shayne Budin
Marcia Buie
Dale Burket
Elisabeth Butler
Michael and Kerri Byrd
Joan Carter
Joseph Casalese
Paul Chisholm
Carolyn Christena
Rebecca Clancy
Randi Clark
Kent Cooper
Robert and Melinda Cothran
Allison Cothran
Susan Crowe
Diane Culler
Christina Liu and Micheal Daleiden
Paul and Stephanie Daugherty
Sandra Daum
Josh Davidson
Alan and Susie Davis
Ray Alger and Janet Denniston
Maxine Derington
Megan Derryberry
Melissa Deschamps
Richard Dreggors
Christine Dudding
Mary Edwards
Anna Eskamani
Kalex Espinosa
Christine Fitzgerald
Maria Frasca
Lindsay Fraser
Scott Galbraith
Kathleen Gallagher McIver
John Gehrig
Rick Gibbs
Diane Giordano
Anita Gomer
Scott Greenwood
Keith Gridley
Carisa Groomes
Michael Guidice
Mel Halloran
Christina and Gregory Hammock
Gregg Harkness
Susan Harris
Steve Harvey
Bradford Hewitt
Gail Hill Smith
Danielle Holstine
Leo Holzenthal
Patricia Houlihan
Bonnie Hubbard
Tim and Karen Hurley
Kenneth Ingraham
Barbara Jarvis
Thomas Karastamatis
Vicki Katsarakes
Bethany Kelly
Angela Kirby
Sylvia Kirkendoll
Michelle Klein
Vadim Klochko
Olivia and Micah Knight
Deborah Labonge
Denise Lamwatt
Paul Lartonoix
Laurie Lesher-Lockcuff
Marilyn Logan
Grace M.
Wendy Mammino
Carole and Cory Mayback
Lisa McCoy
Pamela McCoy
Pamela McLaughlin
Scott Meltz
Tommy Mendoza
Danny Meneses
Mimi Michels
Pamela Midboe-Penn
Pamela MIllers
Carolyn Minear
Erin Miner
Geoffrey Moehl
Mark Morales
Deborah Mork
Alan Morris
Heather Mount
Jacqueline Munoz
Bruce and Donna Mylrea
Emler Nagy
Angela Nicholson
Annika, Wesley, and Brad Norris
Dana ONeil
Frederick Otterbein
Nichole and James Oxley
Arty Pagan
Saniele Pagenkopf
Mary Palmer
Barbara Parks
Karen Payton
Emily Peterson
Eddie Pipkin
Michelle Purdy
Yusila Ramirez
Helene Rasmussen
Dr. Jeffery Redding
Victoria Retterath
Karen Ripperger
Wideline Rislin
Bradley Roberts
Arnetta Rodgers
Thomas Roten
Aaron Rowe
Patricia Russell
Mark Sajeski
Daniel and Ashley Samuels
Kathleen Sanborn
Bob and Janet Scott
Robert Scott
Peggy Scott
Daniel Seigler
Linda Selby
Edmund Short
Peter Sieviec
John Sirounis
Marion Skilling
Dede Smith
Bill Smitherman
Alice Southworth
Kim Spradlin
Rebecca Stauber
Dawn Staymates
Eloise Stiglitz
Thomas Swalby
Charyl Tabscott
Nancy Tassos
Mary and Craig Tench
Richard Thurston
Mary Thurston
Kenneth and Jennifer Tyndall
Margie Vicente
Tony Wagoner
Adam Walker
Lisa Walters
Charisse Walton
Jen Weaver
Blake Weber
Madison Weinberg
Elizabeth Welker
Tyler Whipple
Robert White
Charna Wiese
Ariane Williams
Alan Wilson
Daphne Winckler
Thomas Winter
Jean Witherington
Julie Wolf
Linda Wolf
Todd Zimmerman

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