Cheaper By The Dozen

By Christopher Sergel
From the book by Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Performed
July 29-31, Aug 1, 4-8 2009
at
The Boal Barn Playhouse

DirectorSusanna Ritti
Scenic DesignerJillian Warburton
Lighting DesignerSusan L. Polay
Costume DesignerEdna Rentschler
Sound DesignerMichael Blake
Stage ManagerDavid Jesukiewicz
Apprentice CoordinatorWilliam Daniel Daup

About the Show

Lillian Moller Gilbreth and Frank Bunker Gilbreth were industrial engineers. They were among the first in the scientific management field and the very first in motion study.

They had twelve children, and Frank Gilbreth loved to apply his motion study theories and applications on his own family. Later, when it was discovered that he had developed heart problems, this practice became a necessity to him as he did not want his wife to be overburdened in the event of his death.

This play, based on the biography written by his two children, Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey in 1948 and then adapted to film in 1950, is about the Gilbreth family before Frank, Sr. died.

It seems funny to stage this play during the era of reality shows such as Jon and Kate Plus Eight, etc. This story is based on reality as well, but this is a true love story, and on many levels.

Susanna Ritti  

The Cast

Mr. GilbrethLloyd Short
Mrs. GilbrethMargaret Arnold Higgins
ErnestineBess Harbison
FrankRussell Jordan Poole
JackieBenjamin Schiffer
DanAdam Boone
BillArthur Armington
FredJonathan Perini
AnneChristen Buckley
LillianAlexis Lunardi
MarthaSarah Seybert
Mrs. FitzgeraldMelissa Alfonsi
Dr. BurtonJoe Krabil
Joe ScalesTristan Wilson
Miss BrillCathy Tillotson
LarryGabriel Senator
The DogQuinn Lunardi
Produced by special arrangement with
The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois