Art by Robert Shetterly
Reap What You Sow,
Don’t Lose Heart!
Reap What You Sow, Don’t Lose Heart! tells the story of a mother and daughter’s debate about war. Can war ever be just? Jennifer met Sean Golden in an ROTC program at a Jesuit College. He became a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Marines and was killed in Fallujah when their daughter, Ellie, was five. Jennifer, one of the first female fighter pilots in the US Air Force, is now a Major and a drone operator at Creech Air Base in Nevada. When Ellie sees a “die-in” at the front gate, unlike her friends and her mother’s colleagues, who want to kill the deadbeats, she considers the protesters brave, wants to know more, and begins to study history.
What People Are Saying
“A catalyst for some very thoughtful discourse”
“An intimate exploration of the long shadow cast by war”
“It was wonderful!”
“I hope the play will awaken numerous people, in audiences across this country and beyond, to the crucial question: how can we learn to live together without killing one another? And the follow-up: how can we abolish war?”
—Kathy Kelly
Susan Schnall, President of Veterans for Peace, at the Reap! talkback
Our Crew
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Sam Hoffman
Stage Manager
Sam is a graduate of Syracuse University’s Drama department and an NYC based actor and director. As an actor and performer, he’s been involved in a half dozen new works here in the city, including Off Broadway’s Brighter Than the Sun, traveled the country for regional productions, and performed as a vocalist in Europe with Regent Seven Seas. His directing includes theatrical projects in Syracuse and here in the city, as well as a few independent short films. Sam is committed to creating art that reflects the nuance and complexity of our communities.
Our Cast
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Michelle Mallardi
as USAF Major Jennifer Golden
Michelle has appeared on Broadway as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Off-Broadway in Chess, Astronauts, and Internal Combustion. She has toured nationally and internationally with productions of Les Misérables, A Chorus Line (Morales), and West Side Story (Maria). Regionally, Michelle has performed in Footloose, Evita, The Fantasticks, and the East Coast premiere of One Last Ride. In addition to acting, she has directed and choreographed productions in the tri-state area and teaches voice at CW Post and her home studio.
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Grazia Saporito
as Ellie Golden
Grazia is pursuing her BFA in Acting for Theatre, Film, and Television at The Catholic University of America. Recent credits include Crimes of the Heart (Meg), The Winter’s Tale (ensemble), and Girlhood (multiple roles). She recently studied abroad at Rose Bruford College in London, further honing her craft. Grazia extends her gratitude to her mother for her constant support and to her instructors at CUA for their guidance and inspiration.
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Emily Barnovic
as Ellie Golden (Understudy)
Emily is an NYC-based performer passionate about creating meaningful new works. Recent credits include Amazon (by Proxy) (Proxy C), R + Jules (Jules), and The Forgotten Land (Maria). Additional NYC performances include She Loves Me (Ilona) and Sister Act (Nun), while regional credits include The Wedding Singer (Holly), Legally Blonde (Vivienne), and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Drood). Emily holds a BA in Theatre Performance and a minor in Psychology from Wagner College. She dedicates every performance to her mother, Rhonda.
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Olivia Hardin
as USAF Major Jennifer Golden (Understudy)
Originally from Columbia, Tennessee, Olivia discovered her love of performance through gymnastics and pursued training at the University of Texas, the Moscow Art Theatre, and the Actors Studio Drama School in NYC. Favorite past roles include Inez in No Exit, Connie in Snow Angel, and Harper in Angels in America. Olivia has performed in student productions, off-Broadway shows, and films, embracing every character with passion. She believes that when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.