The Davinci Code - GCRC - May 2-10, 2026 by Gallo Center for the Arts

ABOUT DIGITAL PROGRAMS

The Gallo Center has adopted the use of digital programs meant to be viewed on cell phones or other computer devices. This change has important public health, environmental and economic benefits: reducing close contacts between patrons and ushers, cutting our use of paper, and eliminating substantial printing costs. View the program only before shows begin or during intermissions. Please be considerate of other patrons and artists on stage by not viewing it during performances. Patrons who do not observe this courtesy and create distractions may be asked to leave. Thank you!

WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

The Gallo Center for the Arts is a non-profit performing arts center with a deep commitment to enriching the people and communities of California’s vast San Joaquin Valley. From the scintillating performances of its wonderful resident companies, to the great variety of world-class entertainment presented by the Center each season, to robust arts education programs for the region’s youth, this is where the magic happens.

From the beginning, the Center’s mission has been clearly defined: to provide an inspirational civic gathering place where regional, national, and international cultural activities illuminate, educate, and entertain. Since revenue from ticket sales and facility rentals only covers a portion of the costs associated with fulfilling this mission, the Center is dependent on the generous annual financial support from donors and program sponsors within our community.

LEARN MORE AT GALLOARTS.ORG/SUPPORTUS.

ABOUT THE CENTER

HOW TO BUY TICKETS

In Person: 1000 I Street, downtown Modesto

Online: 24/7/365 at GalloArts.org

By Phone: (209) 338-2100

TICKET OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Friday: 10 am – 6 pm, Saturday: Noon – 6 pm Closed Sundays

Ticket Office opens two hours prior to all events

EMAIL LIST

GENERAL INFORMATION

The mission of the Gallo Center for the Arts is to enrich the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley by providing an inspirational civic gathering place where regional, national and international cultural activities illuminate, educate and entertain. The Gallo Center for the Arts celebrates the diversity of the San Joaquin Valley by offering an array of affordable cultural opportunities designed to appeal, and be accessible, to all.

The Center opened in September, 2007 and consists of the 440-seat Foster Family Theater, the 1,248-seat Mary Stuart Rogers Theater, the Marie Damrell Gallo Grand Lobby and a plaza serving both theaters, and the Modesto Rotary Music Garden.

As a regional non-profit performing arts center, the Gallo Center for the Arts presents internationally recognized touring artists in all disciplines, and also is home to four resident companies: Central West Ballet, Modesto Performing Arts, Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Opera Modesto. The Gallo Center for the Arts is a unique public/private partnership. Construction was funded jointly by the County of Stanislaus, which owns the facility, and contributions from more than 4,000 individuals and businesses given to a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which today operates the Center.

PATRON EVENT INFORMATION

• Emergency exits are indicated by green exit signs located above each exit. For your safety, please check for the location of the exit nearest to your seat.

• The Gallo Center for the Arts is accessible to disabled patrons. Wheelchair seating is available in both theaters. Portable wireless listening devices are available at the Coat Check room at no charge. Please inform the Ticket Office of any special needs when ordering tickets.

• Food and beverages are not allowed in the theaters. (with the exception of bottled water and beverages served in theater cups.)

• Smoking is prohibited inside the building and within 20 feet of all entrances.

• Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the Gallo Center for the Arts’ house managers.

• The use of recording equipment and the taking of photographs in Gallo Center for the Arts theaters is strictly forbidden. The Gallo Center for the Arts reserves the right to confiscate any such equipment and/or require offending customers to exit the premises.

• As a courtesy to artists and to your fellow patrons,

please turn off or silence any mobile device on your person. No texting, please!

• Restrooms are located on all three levels of the Center.

• Lost items will be held in the Coat Check room on the main level until the end of the performance. Thereafter, please contact Ticket Office at (209) 338-2100.

• All patrons MUST have a ticket to enter a performance regardless of age.

• Out of courtesy to other patrons, the Gallo Center for the Arts requests that no infants or toddlers attend any performance.

Groups qualify for discounts up to 15% on ticket prices to the many exciting performances offered by the Gallo Center for the Arts and its resident companies.

Secure your group reservation today for just 10% down of your total price!

EMPLOYEE PARTIES/REWARDS CHURCH OUTINGS CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

BUS TOURS

CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT

SENIOR CENTER OUTINGS

HOLIDAY, ANNIVERSARY & BIRTHDAY PARTIES

…AND MORE!

ONE CALL DOES IT ALL!

Our group sales manager, Jesica Sanchez, is at your service. Call her at (209) 338-5064, or send an email to jsanchez@galloarts.org.

MAY 2-10, 2026 PRESENTED

THE DA VINCI CODE

Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel

Based on the Novel by Dan Brown

Directed by Ryan Foy

The stage adaptation of The Da Vinci Code was commissioned by Simon Friend and first produced at the Bromley Churchill Theatre on January 10th, 2022 before touring the United Kingdom. American Premiere Production

Produced by Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, ME, Bradford T. Kenney, Executive Artistic Director, Deborah Warren, Managing Director

NOTE TO AUDIENCE: The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is a violation of United States

There will be one 15 minute intermission

SPECIAL THANKS

Ann Endsley

CSU Stanislaus Theatre Department

SaveMart Cares Foundation

Rossini Formal Wear

Opera Modesto

CAST

Robert Langdon ……………............………………… Joseph T. Hypes

Sophie Neveu ………………......................……………… Megan Brown

Sir Leigh Teabing ……………............………………… David Hambley

Silas …………………...............................................…………… Alex Casas

Jacque Saunière ……………............………………… Vance Whitaker

Remy …………………................................…………… Michael Esquibel

Fache …………………................................…………… Carol Vandegrift

Sandrine/Marie ……………..................………………… Elda Carmona

Vernet …………………..................................…………… Mary Pieczarka Collet …………….................................………………… A’driana Abbate

Philip ………………...................................……………… Stephen Mason

Church Volunteer …………………..............…………… Gabby Stokes

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director …………………………….........…………………..………….. Ryan Foy

Stage Manager .................................................... Jewel Whitaker

Technical Director ........................................ Dustin Venicombe

Costume Design ..................................................... Noelle Souza

Projection Design ....................................................... Jacob True

Sound Design ....................................................... John Gromada

Prop & Makeup Specialist ………………………… Vance Whitaker

Crew Chief ….............................................................. Jared Caudill

Head Electrician .................................................... Iris Rodriguez

Head Audio ................................................... Veronica Caballero

Head Video ................................................................ Josh Reeder

Deck Audio .............................................................. Justin Walker

Video Operator ........................................................... Jeff Truong

GALLO CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Director of Produced Theatre & Special Programming ............................................... Ryan Foy

Special Programming and Events Manager .............................................. Jewel Whitaker

Technical Manager of Produced Theatre ………….............…… Dustin Venicombe

Director of Production & Technical Operations ………………………......… Jeremiah Lewis

Assistant Director of Production & Technical Operations ……...................………… Thomas Garcia

Chief Executive Officer ………………....………………. Chad Hilligus

Alex Casas

Megan Brown

David Hambley

Joseph T. Hypes

Vance Whitaker

Michael Esquibel

Carol Vandegrift

Mary Pieczarka

Elda Carmona

A’driana Abbate

Stephen Mason

Gabby Stokes

CAST BIOS

Joseph T. Hypes (Robert Langdon) is excited to be back at the Gallo Center, where previous credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Inherit the Wind, The Exonerated, and Greater Tuna with his twin brother, Rob. A Mercedbased actor, director, and producer, Joseph works primarily with Phoenix Creative Collective and has appeared as Jack Torrance in The Shining, the Creature in Frankenstein, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, Prior Walter in Angels in America, and Katurian in The Pillowman. By day, he helps raise money to fight hunger through his work with the Merced County Food Bank. When not onstage, Joseph is often in the director’s chair, with favorite directing credits including Next to Normal, Sweeney Todd, Murder on the Orient Express, POTUS, We Are the Tigers, And Then There Were None, and Let the Right One In. He lovingly dedicates this performance, as always, to Gizmo — his enduring creative muse.

Megan Brown (Sophie Neveu) A Modesto local, Megan received her BFA in acting at UC Santa Barabara in 2022. She is grateful to be working once more with GCRC and is thrilled to share the stage with such an inspiring and spirited cast. Recent stage credits include Sweat, Born Yesterday, Twelve Angry Jurors, and Three Sisters. Megan is thankful for the continuous support of her friends, family, and partner as she pursues her passion for performing. Enjoy the show!

David Hambley (Sir Leigh Teabing) is a math instructor at UC Merced. He is a longtime performer in Modesto and Merced, principally with the Gallo Center Repertory Theater, Prospect Theater Project, Merced Shakespearefest, Playhouse Merced and Phoenix Creative Collective. Some of his favorite roles over the last 30 years are Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind, Niels Bohr in Copenhagen, Captain Bluntschli in Arms and the Man, Walter Burns in Front Page, Nixon in Frost/Nixon, Orsino in Twelfth Night (twice), and title roles in Romeo and Juliet and Titus Andronicus.

A’driana Abbate (Collet) is incredibly excited to be making her Gallo Center Repertory Company debut. She has been an actor for many years, with most of her work consisting of live theatre in Southern California. She enjoys playing a diverse range of characters with some of her favorite roles being The Witch in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet: A Modern Musical and Judy Turner in A Chorus Line. She was last seen as Prudy in Blood is Thicker than Wine - A Murder by Merlot for the Mystery House Performers’ Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. She wants to thank her family and friends for all of their love, support and encouragement in living out her dreams!

Elda Carmona (Sandrine/Marie) is thrilled to be performing at the Gallo Center for the Arts. She has performed in various venues in dramas and comedies over the years and is grateful to her family, immediate/extended/near/far, for their love and support. But her favorite role of all is being “Gaga” to her four beautiful grandchildren.

Alex Casas (Silas) is excited to return to the GCRC stage. For the last four years, Alex has been performing consistently in the Central Valley, most recently as Nick Dahner in Rancho Mirage (Prospect Theatre Project). Some of his favorite past roles are R.P. McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (MJC), Jason in Sweat (Sankofa/ Gallo Repertory), Garry Lejeune in Noises Off (MJC), and Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire (MJC). Aside from theatre, Alex loves sports, fitness, movie nights, and spending time with his wife and dog. Alex is looking forward to continuing to develop in the field, and thanks everyone for supporting the show.

Michael Esquibel (Remy) is thrilled to be a part of the cast of The Da Vinci Code. His last Gallo Center Repertory Company production was Into the Woods, playing the role of the Steward. Other past GCRC roles include Twisted Tales of Edgar Allen Poe in The Black Cat as the husband, the prosecuting attorney, Mr. Gilmer, in To Kill a Mockingbird; the mailman, Charlie Martin, in On Golden Pond and the Sheriff and other supporting roles in Holes. Several years ago, he was also seen at Playhouse Merced as Dr. Madden in Next to Normal and as Rod in Avenue Q. Michael would like to thank his amazing wife and his three wonderful children for their ongoing support while I get to “play.”

Stephen Mason (Phillip) started theatre in middle school, playing Harold Hill in The Music Man. He graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance from California State University Chico in May of 2025. At CSU Chico, he performed as Dr. Fine & Dr. Madden and understudied Dan in Next To Normal and as Mr. Laurence in Little Women. He currently works in Front of House at the Gallo Center while pursuing dreams of becoming a theatre and film performer!

Mary Pieczarka (Vernet) This marks Mary’s fifth role with GCRC. She was last seen as part of the Ensemble in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time directed by Roberta Inscho. Other roles on GCRC’s stage include Juror Twelve in 12 Angry Jurors and Mrs. Higgins in George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalian, done in collaboration with Prospect Theater Project. Mary’s favorite roles, aside from Mrs. Higgins with GCRC, have included: Miss Brooks in Our Miss Brooks for PTP’s Radio Cavalcade, Ana in The Clean House and Gina Presson in Heroes of the Fourth Turning, both roles for Prospect Theater Project.

Gabby Stokes (Church Volunteer) is excited to make her debut performance with Gallo Center Repertory Company in this exciting show of The Da Vinci Code. She has previously performed as a featured dancer in Doctor Faustus with MercedShakes and as a featured dancer in In the Green with Homecoming Troupe. She currently attends and takes classes at the Modesto Junior College majoring in theater and dance. She would like to thank the cast and crew for this amazing opportunity to work with all of them and a big shout out to her family for all their love and support.

Carol Vandegrift (Fache) This is Carol’s first production with GCRC. Raised in Maryland, she earned her B.A. in Theater Arts for Acting in southern Virginia, then spent 13 years acting in Los Angeles. She is now a proud part of the Merced theater community, having recently been Stage Manager for Phoenix Creative Collective’s We Are The Tigers and Accessible Arts Merced’s Cabaret. Her recent roles with Phoenix include Jean in POTUS and Rogers in And Then There Were None. Special thanks to Ryan and Joe, and to her sister Noelle for twisting her arm to move here.

Vance Whitaker (Saunière) is an actor, makeup artist, and special effects fabricator who has worked in the Modesto area for over 40 years. He has acted in numerous productions over his carrier such as Pellinore in CSUS’s production of Camelot, Mr. Laurence in GCRC’s production of Little Women, The Toymaker in MPA’s production of Babes in Toyland, and most recently building and puppeteering Milky White in GCRC’s production of Into the Woods

Ryan Foy

Jewel Whitaker

Dustin Venicombe

John Gromada

Noelle Souza

Jacob True

Duncan Abel

Rachel Wagstaff

Dan Brown

CREATIVE TEAM

Ryan Foy (Director) is the Director of Produced Theatre and Special Programming for the Gallo Center for the Arts, and in that role serves as artistic leadership for the Gallo Center Repertory Company. Originally from Denver, CO, Ryan graduated from the University of Michigan Musical Theatre program and studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney, Australia. His early theatrical career was spent in New York City, appearing onstage in numerous national/ international tours and regional productions across America, Australia, and Asia, including performances at Radio City Music Hall and the New York International Fringe Festival. For GCRC, he has directed Winter Wonderettes and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and also appeared as The Baker in this season’s Into the Woods. Ryan’s theatrical experience extends beyond the stage, with work in company management, Broadway marketing, and theatrical design and production. As a passionate local community member, Ryan is also a founder of the Modesto Children’s Museum and serves on the Stanislaus Art Council board.

Jewel Whitaker (Stage Manager) has been Gallo Center Repertory Company’s Stage manager since 2021. Shows include All is Calm, To Kill a Mockingbird, 12 Angry Jurors, Boeing Boeing, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Into the Woods. She stage managed YES Company’s productions of Oklahoma! and Mamma Mia! She recently directed Dial M for Murder, and also stage managed and co-directed (along with Jim Johnson and Wes Page) Twisted Tales of Edgar Allan Poe An active part of Modesto’s performing arts community, Jewel has performed with Prospect Theater Projects’ Radio Cavalcade since its inception, with Center Stage Conservatory in 2019, and with Opera Modesto in their 2022 World Concert. Jewel is also the Special Programming and Events Manager for the Gallo Center for the Arts, overseeing all Rentals and Resident Companies and their partnerships with the center.

Dustin Venicombe (Technical Director) has been the lighting designer for GCRC since its conception; working on almost every show presented at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Known as a creative problem solver and cool dude, Dustin has been working in technical theater since the age of twelve with YES Company (1996-2002). As an active part of the local performing arts community, he has had the pleasure of working with Central West Ballet, Opera Modesto, Sankofa Theatre Company, Modesto Performing Arts, and Prospect Theater Project, as well as several Modesto area high school drama programs. Dustin

brings his dedication and attention to detail to this new chapter of life and is excited to learn and hone his skills as the Technical Manager for GCRC.

John Gromada (Sound Designer) is a multi-award winning, pioneering sound designer and composer, with a career spanning more than three decades. He has composed scores for 40+ critically acclaimed Broadway productions and hundreds off- Broadway and at major regional theatres across the nation and abroad. Highly sought as a collaborator for sound designs that combine original music, abstract sound, and found music to support detailed narratives, Gromada was nominated for a Tony Award for his score and sound design for The Trip to Bountiful, starring Cicely Tyson. Recipient of three Drama Desk Awards, the Obie, Lortel and Henry Hewes Awards, and an NEA Opera Music Theatre fellowship. Film and TV credits include original scores for feature films and television series. Producer of audio dramas for radio, theatres and commercial audio content producers.

Noelle Souza (Costume Designer) is delighted to be back working with her friends at GCRC! For the stage, she has recently designed Into the Woods, Curious Incident, Dial M for Murder, Spelling Bee, Boeing Boeing, 1984, Born Yesterday, 12 Angry Jurors, Winter Wonderettes, and Murder on the Orient Express for GCRC, Rough Crossing and Mother of the Maid for Prospect Theatre Project, and Oklahoma!, The Addams Family, Annie, YES Co’s 30th Anniversary Concert Spectacular, and Singin’ in the Rain for YES Company. For television, she has worked as the Costume Designer, Props Master, and Scenic Designer for over 40 national commercials for the brand, Grocery Outlet. Ms. Souza holds a degree from the University of San Diego and is passionate about sharing “costume magic” and storytelling through clothing. You can find more information about her work on her website: www.noellesouza.com.

Jacob True (Projections Designer) is a Modesto native who is always trying to find new ways to engage with the arts community at large. Currently, he runs the Central Valley Film Project, a community driven video production company. He was also the executive producer of the Central Valley Film Anthology, a heartland grant project that enabled countless artists to engage with creative filmmaking. Jacob would like to thank his wife, family, and friends for their constant support of his work.

Duncan Abel (Co-Playwright) is a writer of plays, radio plays and short stories. He lectured in Creative Writing at the University of Hertfordshire from 2014 to 2015. Duncan was shortlisted for the 2010 Luke Bitmead Award for his novel The Way Home. He also wrote, with co-writer Rachel Wagstaff, a monologue for Sing London, based on the life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, performed by Hugh Bonneville, recorded in 2014. He has written for BBC Radio 4 and his co-adaptation of The Girl on the Train transferred to the West End following a successful UK tour in 2019.

Rachel Wagstaff (Co-Playwright) wrote the book for the multi-award winning musical Flowers for Mrs Harris (Best Musical, UK Theatre Awards 2016), which transferred to Chichester Festival Theatre, directed by Daniel Evans, in September 2018 after a run at the Sheffield Crucible. Her critically acclaimed adaptation of Birdsong opened in the West End, directed by Trevor Nunn, and enjoyed four UK tours with the Original Theatre Company and Birdsong Productions.

With Duncan Abel, she adapted Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train, which had a record-breaking UK tour and West End run in 2019 and her new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d toured the UK produced by the Wales Millennium Centre and Wiltshire Creative.

For radio, Rachel adapted Sebastian Faulks’ novel The Girl at the Lion d’Or for a five part series for Woman’s Hour on Radio Four, transmitted in 2009. Her Afternoon Play When I Lost You, also co-written with Duncan Abel, was transmitted on Radio Four in July 2013.

Moonshadow, the musical she co-wrote with Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), opened at the Royal Albert Hall in 2010, and then was produced at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne in June 2012. That Girl was produced by DryWrite at the Soho Theatre in June 2012. Rachel also wrote the book for the original musical Only the Brave, which opened at the Wales Millennium Centre in March 2016, with music composed by Matthew Brind.

Dan Brown (Author) is the author of eight #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, which has become one of the bestselling books of all time. His Robert Langdon thrillers— including The Lost Symbol, Angels & Demons, Inferno, Origin, and the recently published Secret of Secrets—have captivated readers worldwide and continue to spark intellectual debate, dialogue, and conjecture. Brown’s novels are published in 56 languages around the world with over 250 million copies in print.

In 2005, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine, whose editors credited him with “keeping the publishing industry afloat; renewed interest in Leonardo da Vinci and early Christian history; spiking tourism to Paris and Rome; a growing membership in secret societies; the ire of Cardinals in Rome; eight books denying the claims of the novel and seven guides to read along with it; a flood of historical thrillers; and a major motion picture franchise.”

The son of a mathematics teacher and a church organist, Brown was raised on a prep school campus where he developed a fascination with the paradoxical interplay between science and religion. These themes eventually formed the backdrop for his books. He is a graduate of Amherst College and Phillips Exeter Academy, where he later returned to teach English before focusing his attention full time to writing. He lives in New England.

JULY 23-26, 2026

Are you at risk for heart disease?

At Central Valley Doctors Health System, you can count on us for comprehensive heart care. We offer a full range of services, including cardiology, diagnostic testing and minimally invasive surgery options, plus experience performing over 22,000 open-heart surgeries.

Advanced heart care in the Central Valley. Take our

CENTER CIRCLES

*Charter

Gallo Center

for the a r t s

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ginger Johnson, Chair of the Board

Marie D. Gallo, President Emerita† June Rogers, Director Emerita

Christina Gomez, Immediate Past Chair

Mel Bradley, Chair Elect

Sarah Grover

Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D. Jeff

Todd Aaronson

Angelica Anguiano

Rebeca Baeza

Victor Barraza

John C. Bellizzi

Jennifer Coehlo

Stacey Filippi

Robert Fores

Lou Friedman

Julian Gallo

Diane

Stephanie

Ann M. Veneman

Geoff Wong

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mani Grewal Emma Grover

Irene Angelo†

Lilly Banisadre

Carl Boyett†

Joan Cardoza

Sheila Carroll

Suzanne Casazza

Paul Draper

Ron Emerzian

Ann Endsley

Kenni Friedman

Jaime Jimenez

Brian Kline

Kevin Luttenegger

Johann Ramirez

Catherine Rhee

Rosalee Rush

Robert Soria

John Schneider

Kate Trompetter

Philip Trompetter, Ph.D. Aaron Valencia

Colleen F. Van Egmond

Julie Vander Wall

Sue Zwahlen

FOUNDING TRUSTEES

Kate

Barry Highiet†

Jeanne

M.D.

Tony Mistlin†

M.D.

Schrimp

Fred A. Silva

Ray Simon

Delmar R. Tonge, M.D.†

Tom Van Groningen, Ph.D.

Doug Vilas

Carol Whiteside†

Jeremiah Williams

Alice Yip

Memoriam