The COVID Wife
By Suzanne Nepi
Developed by Benchmark Theatre
(World Premiere Production)
Directed by Benchmark Theatre Artistic Director Neil Truglio

November 11 - December 10, 2022
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm
Sunday Matinees @ 2pm

Industry Night Performance - Monday, Nov. 21st at 8pm
(No performances Nov. 24 - 27 due to the Thanksgiving weekend.)
(No show on Friday, December 2nd due to the First Friday Celebration in the 40West Arts District)

In October of 2020, local actress Suzanne Nepi made national news when her husband, Mark, was hospitalized with serious complications due to COVID-19.
Separated for 3 weeks with her husband in an ICU bed and hooked up to a ventilator, Suzanne had to confront and overcome her
own history in order to gain the strength to help her husband fight for his life. This is her true story.

A letter from the Playwright, Suzanne Nepi:

As a first time playwright, these are new lands for me. To try and write our story, with all the brutal honesty, was a challenge I’ve never dreamed of when contemplating dipping my toes in the playwright pond. But we were asked by a great many, still to this day, to tell our saga on a larger platform, that it needed to be seen by many more, because of its journey. Because it’s many things, most importantly, hopefully, it’s inspiring. 

That was what has driven me this entire 18 months, to give audiences hope. Never has that been more desperately needed than now. So we hope that you take away some goodness, for your heart. 

I cannot begin to thank all the people who helped me, helped Mark and I, in so many different ways. But I must at least first and foremost thank my heroic husband, Mark. Thank you for your generosity in letting your story, our story, be told. It’s an intensely intimate tale, and I know it can trigger emotions, but you have been nothing but encouraging, courageous, and understanding. And I truly hope that you feel some pride that your story has in the past, present, and future, given others inspiration. I am in awe of you everyday especially when I know everyday isn’t always easy. I love you, you are the definition of BADASS.  #NEPISTRONG

Thank you to our beautiful children, Mary and Peter. I know this might be difficult for you as well, but I’m so grateful for your support and encouragement. I love you immensely. 

Thank you to my muses: Jeff Neuman, Tracy Shaeffer, Carol Bloom, Celeste Drinkard, Lisa Reese, Nazie Nelson, and my big brother, Bill Connors. You all have helped me in one way or another make this happen, but I’m so grateful for your encouragement.

To Mark’s medical team at Littleton Adventist Hospital ICU, you all know what and how we feel. We will never be able to thank you enough... but I hope The Covid Wife shines an even brighter light on your sacrifices, on your selfless care, on your life saving care. We are family, we love you all. And we say THANK YOU.  And special thanks to our guy JAMAL, one of many incredible RN’s on Mark’s team, who also served as medical consultant to this playwright. 

Thank you all for coming, we hope you feel the love. 

The Covid wife

By Suzanne Nepi

CAST

ACTOR #1 - Suzanne Nepi*

Suzanne is delighted to return to what is becoming her theatre family, Benchmark Theatre. She was previously seen here in 1984, and last January in Our American Cousin. Both also directed by the very talented Neil Truglio. Suzanne has appeared in many theaters all over the Denver metro area including Miners Alley, Aurora Fox, Cherry Creek Theatre, Town Hall, Vintage, Firehouse, Edge, PACE, And Toto Too, as well as understudied at Arvada Center’s Black Box.  But this one is obviously special and she is extremely grateful for this opportunity, at Benchmark, and with this devoted team. Many many THANK YOU’S Neil, Haley, Marc Stith, Andrew, Lauren, Chantelle and the wonderful rest of our Covid Wife team. This would not have been possible without you all, and Nepi loves you. A lot. And Neil, I chose right, thank you, for all of it. Whew! 

ACTOR #2 - Tanis Joaquin Gonzales

Tanis is currently in his Senior year at the University of Colorado Boulder obtaining his undergraduate BFA Acting degree. He is a local actor, singer, musician, teacher, and human rights activist right here in Denver, Colorado. He has just closed Puerto Rican Nocturne in association with IDEAs Stages. He is Mexican, Apache, and Greek.

*Mrs. Nepi is sponsored by Pamela Lacy.

CREATIVE TEAM

Director - Neil Truglio

Assistant Director - Andrew Horn

Scenic, Light & Sound Design - Benchmark Theatre

Costume Design - Chantelle Frazier

PRODUCTION TEAM

Production Stage Manager - Lauren Hergenreter

Scenic Carpenters - Neil Truglio & Andrew Horn

Master Electrician - Andrew Horn

Production Photography - Michael Ensminger Photography

Program Design - Marc Stith

Producer & Front of House Management - Haley Johnson

Front of House Volunteers - Andrew Horn, Heidi Markley, Cody Nunno, Kate Poling, Linda Quartner, Pat Salas & Gloria Shanstrom

BENCHMARK EXECUTIVE TEAM

Executive Director - Haley Johnson

Artistic Director - Neil Truglio

Strategic & Marketing Director - Marc Stith

SPECIAL THANKS

40West Arts District, Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, Colorado Theatre Guild, Lakewood BID, Littleton Adventist Hospital, Miners Alley Playhouse, The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District; Beck, Brit & Chantelle, Christian Edris, Brenda Gurule, Jack Johnson, Diana & Mike Kinsey, Pamela Lacy, Marcus & Mason, Bill Marino, Jonathan Scott McKean, Mark Nepi, Jamal Noshahi, Joseph & Mary Pirozzoli, Tom Quinn and Anne Trujillo