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As actor: stage
(All cast lists are alphabetical.)


Murder at the Vineyard (2023)
by Charles Fraser
directed by Calyssa Hall
for Frosted Glass Creative (at Rustic Roots Winery)
Starring Randal Berger, Cassidy Hall, Ari Hoptman, Peggy O'Connell, and Dan Stephans.
A Whodunnit concerning the murder of the heir to a wine fortune. I played, of course, one of the suspects.

Hello, I Must Be Going (2017)
written by Garrett Rademacher
directed by Garrett Rademacher
for the Minnesota Fringe Festival (at Theater in the Round)
Starring Michael Border, Deborah Frethem, Ari Hoptman, David Schlosser, and Colleen Thul.
The last days of Groucho Marx, and his troubled relationship with Erin Fleming. I played Mr. Marx, mostly as an older man, but also did improv with the audience as the 1950s-style Groucho.

Five Fifths of Titanic (2016)
written by Ari Hoptman
directed by Matt Sciple
for the Minnesota Fringe Festival (at The Illusion Theater)
Starring Linda Sue Anderson, Adelia Chrysler, Brian Columbus, Jane Froiland, Jane Hammill-Golembeck, Ari Hoptman, Matt Sciple, Bill Stiteler, and Eric Webster. The first fifth of ''Titanic'', re-written as a Woody Allen film.
A fundraiser for the MN Fringe Festival.
I played Jack, the DiCaprio character, a.k.a. Woody.

The Princeton Seventh (2015)
written and directed by James Vculek
for Partizan Players
at the New York City Fringe Festival (at Teatro Latea)
Starring Isy Raveson, Alex Cole, Alayne Hopkins, Ari Hoptman, and Richard Ooms.
The death of a famous poet brings together a famous writer and a would-be writer for a tribute. But who is who?

Hope You Guess My Name (2015)
by Ari Hoptman
directed by Shanan Custer
for the Minnesota Fringe Festival (at TRP)
Starring Katie Adducci, Leslie Ball, Shanan Custer, Ari Hoptman, Steve Lattery, Joshua English Scrimshaw, Eric Webster, and Levi Weinhagen.
Satan is collecting souls in nightclub inhabited by some truly depressed people, but soon his good fortune falls apart in unexpected ways.
(Kind of a . . kind of a draft in a way.)

Prints (2015)
by John Middleton
directed by Zach Curtis
for the Paul Bunyan Playhouse
Starring Leslie Ball, Zach Curtis, Randall J. Funk, Emily Grodzik, Grant Henderson, Ari Hoptman, Peter Simmons, and Melanie Wehrmacher.
A pair of scrappy reporters help figure out the location of kidnapped millionaire William J. Hamm in this comedic-dramatic story of 1930s gangsters (and also J. Edgar Hoover).
I played speakeasy owner Kingsy and the unfortunate Hamm.

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit (2015)
by Nassim Soleimanpour
(no director)
for Arts Nest (at The Phoenix Theater)
Starring Ari Hoptman
A playwright speaks to an audience about conformity and suicide through an actor - a different one for each performance - who doesn't see the script until he or she is onstage.

Prints (2014)
by John Middleton
directed by Craig Johnson
for Torch Theater (at The Theater Garage)
Starring Zach Curtis, Summer Hagen, Casey Hoekstra, Ari Hoptman, Sam Landman, John Middleton, Mo Perry, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
See above.

Words by . . . Ira Gershwin and the Great American Songbook (2013)
by Joseph Vass
directed by David Ellenstein
for Park Square Theater
Christopher J. Bates, Jay Epstein, Jennifer Grimm, Ari Hoptman, Christopher Olson, T. Mychael Rambo, and Joseph Vass.
An evening with the lesser-known Gershwin brother Ira, who talks about his life and his experiences. A crooner, chanteuse, and band bring to life a few dozen of his songs.
I played Ira.

The Harty Boys in The Mystery of the Mall of America . . . of Death! (2013)
written and directed by Joshua English Scrimshaw and Levi Weinhagen
for Comedy Suitcase (Bryant-Lake Bowl, Southern Theater [Horrorfest])
Starring Sulia Altenberg, Leslie Ball, Dan Hetzel, Ari Hoptman, Andy Kraft, Andrew Moy, Joshua English Scrimshaw, and Levi Weinhagen.
The Harty Boys must save the Mall of America, which has been taken over by a narcoleptic clown with a Mary-Tyler-Moore-Show obsession, while at the same time preventing their best friend Becca from going out on a date with a suspected supernatural creature!
I played Philmore, the Harty patriarch.

Lend Me a Tenor (2013)
by Ken Ludwig
directed by Zach Curtis
for Pioneer Place on Fifth
Starring Leslie Ball, Zach Curtis, David Gangler, Sarah Gibson, Grant Henderson, Ari Hoptman, Katherine Kupiecki, and Katherine Tieben.
An opera company is thrown into chaos when its Caruso-like guest star is presumed dead on the evening of his performance.
I played Mr. Saunders, the scheming director of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company.

Dating Your Mom (2013)
by Ian Frazier
for Tinkers-2-Evers-2-Chance at The Minnesota Fringe Festival (t Intermedia Arts)
directed by John Gaspard
Starring Amy Shomshak Gaspard, Ari Hoptman, and Josh Will.
A collection of sketches by New Yorker writer columnist Ian Frazier, including a lawsuit by Wile E. Coyote against the criminally negligent Acme Company and a monologue about how to tell Normal Fell from Jack Klugman, among other famous faces.

Theater People (2013) (web series)
A web series written and directed by Matt Anderson
for MetaSynthesis Films
Starring Linda Sue Anderson, Jane Froiland, Mark Mattison, Jen Rand, Stacia Rice, Edwin Strout, Steve Sweere, Clarence Wethern, Katie Willer, et al.
Casting and rehearsals for an ill-fated production of Romeo and Juliet contrast with a a self-important artiste's production of an Alistair Crowley piece.
I played Gary, an actor who ends up as the friar in "R&J."

Laughter on the 23rd Floor (2012)
by Neil Simon
directed by Zach Curtis
for Park Square
Starring John Catron, Randall J. Funk, Ari Hoptman, Craig Johnson, Michael Paul Levin, Bob Malos, Katherine Tieben, Eric Webster, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
Max Prince, the most popular comedy star on television, is beset with problems both from the network and deep inside his own cluttered mind.
I played the hypochondriac writer Ira Stone.

Arsenic and Old Lace (2012)
by Joseph Kesselring
for Pioneer Place on Fifth
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Leslie Ball, Randall Funk, David Gangler, Nate Hessburg, Michael Lee, Dale Pfeilsticker, Michael David Postle, William Studer, Katherine Tieben, David Tufford, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
Two old ladies spend their time doing sweet things for the community, including quietly murdering lonely old men and burying them in their basement (with services, of course). But are they the craziest in the family?
I played Dr. Einstein, half-crazed plastic surgeon.

The Harty Boys Save X-Mas (2011)
by Joshua English Scrimhaw and Levi Weinhagen
for Comedy Suitcase (at The Bryant Lake Bowl)
directed by Shanan Custer
Starring Sulia Atlenberg, Leslie Ball, Ari Hoptman, Andy Kraft, Joshua English Scrimshaw, Levi Weinhagen, Karen Wiese-Thompson.
The world's most beloved non-copyrighted boy detectives foil a plot to destroy Christmas!
I played Philmore, the Harty patriarch.

Angelina Jolie is a Zionist Whore, or: Plan 9 from Baghdad (2011)
by James Vculek
for Partizan Players (for the Minnesota Fringe Festival [at Intermedia Arts])
directed by James Vculek
Starring Alex Cole, Ari Hoptman, Catherine Johnson Justice, and Josh Will.
Three inept "insurgents" in Iraq manage to capture an American in uniform - but they have definitely chosen the wrong person as their hostage.
I played Samir, the leader of the cell.

The Problem (2011)
by A.R. Gurney
for Berxco Theatrical
at The Minnesota Fringe Festival (at Huge Improv Theater)
directed by John Gaspard
Starring Ari Hoptman and Amy Shomshak
A husband and wife must determine which of their extra-curricular activities inevitably trumps the other's. [Presented in conjunction with Your Mother's Butt by Alan Ball {and thus billed as The Problem with Your Mother's Butt}].

Lend Me a Tenor (2011)
by Ken Ludwig
for The Paul Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Lee Adams, Leslie Ball, Matt Goinz, Ari Hoptman, Ryan Parker Knox, Sigrid Sutter, Katherine Tieben, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
(See above.)

A Midsummer Night's Dream (2011)
by William Shakespeare (adapted by Craig Johnson)
for The Paul Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Zach Curtis, Randall J. Funk, Erik Hoover, Ari Hoptman, Ryan Parker Knox, Jessie Ladig, Susan Nargang, Sigrid Sutter, and Katherine Tieben.
Current and former lovers in Athens are jacked around by the King of the Fairies and his assistant Puck, while a band of "mechanicals" rehearse a play for the duke's wedding day.
I played Egeus, father of one of the lovers, and Quince, the writer/director of "Pyramus and Thisby."

The Foreigner (2011)
by Larry Shue
for Pioneer Place on Fifth
directed by Peter Moore
Starring Zach Curtis, Ari Hoptman, Katherine Kupiecki, Michael Lee, Michael Paul Levin, David Tufford, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
Charlie Baker, a depressed and very shy man, finds solace at a southern fishing lodge by pretending to be a foreigner who speaks no English. Or at least finds solace for a while.
I played Charlie.

Glengarry Glen Ross (2011)
by David Mamet
for Torch Theater (at The Theater Garage)
directed by David Mann
Starring Peter Carlin, Patrick Coyle, James Detmar, Garry Geiken, Terry Hempleman, Ari Hoptman, and John Middleton.
In a small real estate company, the salesmen are constantly pitted against one another by their bosses to close as many deals as possible until the pressure becomes just too great.
I played George Aaronow, the salesman with sort of a conscience.

The Harty Boys Save X-Mas (2010)
by Joshua English Scrimhaw and Levi Weinhagen
for Comedy Suitcase (at The Bryant Lake Bowl)
directed by Shanan Custer
Starring Sulia Atlenberg, Leslie Ball, Ari Hoptman, Matt Rain, Joshua English Scrimshaw, Levi Weinhagen, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
See above.

Autistic License (2007- )
by Stacey Dinner-Levin
for The Illusion Theater
directed by Peter Moore
Starring Damon Brook, Virginia Burke, Michelle Cassioppi, Camille D'Ambrose, Ivory Doublette, Lynnea Doublette, Allen Hamilton, Melinda Kordich, Michael Paul Levin, Amy McDonald, John Middleton, Buffy Sedlachek, Karen Weber, and Sally-Ann Wright (cast members in different productions).
An honest and thought-provoking account of a family dealing with an autistic child.
I played the Father.

'Tis Pity She's a Whore (2010)
by John Ford
for Classical Actors Ensemble (at Walker Community United Methodist Church [!])
directed by Joe Papke
Starring Peter Atchison, Andrew Chambers, Brandon Ewald, Koya Frye, Kate Greenwood Gunter, Steven Herzog, Erik Hoover, Ari Hoptman, Jeff Huset, Foster Johns, Leif Jurgensen, Mark Knutson, Zach Morgan, Jonathan Peterson, Joel Raney, Jen Rand, and Sigrid Sutter.
A Jacobean drama with plenty of anger, revenge, incest, blood, poison, stabbing, and a bit of shtick.
I played Donado, the frustrated uncle of the not-terribly intelligent suitor Bergetto.

The Princeton Seventh (2010)
written and directed by James Vculek
for Partizan Players
at The Minnesota Fringe Festival (at Rarig Thrust Stage)
Starring Alex Cole, Alayne Hopkins, Ari Hoptman, and Richard Ooms. (Jim Cada, alas, had to be replaced because of a medical emergency.)
(See above.)

Picasso at the Lapin Agile (2010)
by Steve Martin
for The Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Mark Fulton, Randall J. Funk, Matthew Goinz, Ari Hoptman, Ryan Parker Knox, Jessie Ladig, Michael Lee, Keith Prusak, and Katherine Tieben.
A fictional meeting of Picasso and Einstein at the non-fictional tavern Lapin Agile in Paris in 1904. Plus at least one more genius.
I played Prof. Einstein.

Biloxi Blues (2010)
(pronounced bi-LUCK-see)
by Neil Simon
for The Paul Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Al Broeffle, Steven Frethem, Aric Furfaro, Emily Heaney, Ari Hoptman, Ramey Nordby, Katherine Tieben, Eric Webster, and Clarence Wethern.
Young Eugene M. Jerome experiences the world outside Brooklyn for the first time at boot camp in Biloxi, Mississippi during World War II.
With the help of hair dye and distance from the audience, I played Arnold Epstein, malcontent and self-appointed conscience to Eugene.

The Harty Boys in The Case of the Limping Platypus (2010)
by Joshua English Scrimshaw and Levi Weinhagen
(at The Bryant-Lake Bowl)
Starring Sulia Altenberg, Leslie Ball, Ari Hoptman, Andy Kraft, Spencer Levin, Arnie Roos, Joshua English Scrimshaw, and Levi Weinhagen.
America's favorite non-copyrighted teen detectives try to find a notorious art thief.
I played the father, detective Philmore Harty.

The Darkest Room in the House (staged reading) (2010)
by Raymond Luczak
for Bridge Productions (at The Lowry Lab Theater)
directed by Brian Columbus
Starring Ari Hoptman, Brigid Kelley, Jim Pounds, Matt Rein, and Cynthia Uhrich.
A husband and father returns from prison and tries to rejoin his family and finds that a priest has more or less taken his place.
I played Father Jim, the "replacement" Daddy.

The Odd Couple (2010)
by Neil Simon
for Pioneer Place on Fifth
directed by Peter Moore
Starring Leslie Ball, Zach Curtis, Ari Hoptman, Michael Paul Levin, Dale Pfeilsticker, Adam Terry, Eric Webster, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
A sports writer with little taste for housework or organization takes in his newly separated friend, only to find he is one of the great control freaks of our times.
I played Felix Ungar.

Sisters of Swing (2009)
by Beth Gilleland and Bob Beverage
for The History Theater
directed by Ron Peluso
choreographed by Jan Puffer
musical direction by Raymond Berg
Starring Ruthie Baker, Shana Berg, Michael Erickson, Stacey Lindell, and Patty Nieman.
The life and times of the Andrews Sisters.
I played all male parts except one. And at least one female part. (Specifically: Vaudeville Man, Mr. Rich, the train conductor, Lou Levy, Bing Crosby, Paul Douglas, the Bierfrau, the jeep driver, John Snagge, the "clacker" man, the soldier in the hospital, Danny Kaye, Carmen Miranda, the Lieutenant, the soldier with the message, Morrie the casino manager, the messenger boy, Maxene's doctor, the TV announcer, Johnny Carson, and the photographer.)

The Harty Boys in The Case of the Limping Platypus (2009)
by Joshua English Scrimshaw and Levi Weinhagen
for the Minnesota Fringe Festival
Starring Sulia Altenberg, Leslie Ball, Ari Hoptman, Andy Kraft, Spencer Levin, Arnie Roos, Joshua English Scrimshaw, and Levi Weinhagen.
(see above)

The Odd Couple (2009)
by Neil Simon
for The Paul Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Peter Moore
Starring Leslie Ball, Mitch Bernston, Al Broeffle, Andrew Browers, Zach Curtis, Ari Hoptman, Dale Pfeilsticker, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
(see above)

Sisters of Swing (2009)
by Beth Gilleland and Bob Beverage
for The Paul Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Zach Curtis
choreographed by Jan Puffer
musical direction by Jake Endres
Starring Erik Bergsven, Ari Hoptman, Kristen Husby, Amber Swenson, and Katherine Tieben.
(see above)

1940s Radio Hour (2008)
by Walton Jones
for 8-Ball Productions (at Hennepin Stages)
directed by Matt Sciple
musical direction by Kevin Hohlstein
choreographed by Shannon Roberg
Starring Jen Burleigh-Bentz, Kathleen Hardy, Dan Haugh, Will Kemperman, Ryan Parker Knox, John Mikkelson, Jim Pounds, C. Ryan Shipley, Edwin Strout, Maria Stukey, and John Trones.
The backstage and on-air goings-on of a B-level radio show at Christmas, 1942.
I played Clifton Feddington, the host and producer of the Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor (2008)
by Neil Simon
for The Paul Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Randall Funk, Ari Hoptman, Michael Paul Levin, Bob Malos, Paul Reyburn, Katherine Tieben, Eric Webster, Clarence Wethern, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
(See above.)

The Foreigner (2008)
for The Paul Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Peter Moore
Starring Nancy Brown-Colligan, Zach Curtis, Caleb Fricke, Joe Galatz, Matthew Goinz, Ari Hoptman, and Karla Reck.
(See above.)

Last of the Red-Hot Lovers (2008)
by Neil Simon
for Pioneer Place on Fifth
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Leslie Ball, Ari Hoptman, Kristen Husby, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
Barney Cashman, approaching middle age, makes three different attempts to have an affair with three different women, with disastrous results.

The Importance of Being Earnest (2008)
by Oscar Wilde
for Pendulum Theater (Pioneer Place on Fifth)
directed by Karla Reck
Starring Jane Froiland, Ari Hoptman, Donna Porfiri, David Schlosser, Jay Terry, Wade Vaughan, Corissa White, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
Numerous romantic misadventures and witticisms aplenty occur when two gentlemen stumble into each other's love lives.
I played the honourable vicar, Dr. Chasuble.

Art (2008)
by Yasmina Reza
for Pioneer Place on Fifth
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Ari Hoptman, Bruce Hyde, and Bob Malos
When a man buys an entirely white painting, it nearly destroys his relationship with his two best friends.
I played Yvan, the wannabe peacemaker.

1940s Radio Hour (2007)
by Walton Jones
for 8-Ball Productions (at Hennepin Stages)
directed by Matt Sciple
musical direction by David Saffert
choreographed by Shannon Roberg
Starring Stephanie Cordell, Buddy Haardt, Dan Haugh, Will Kemperman, John Mikkelson, Jim Pounds, David Saffert, Edwin Strout, Maria Stukey, Jay Terry, John Trones, Ricardo Vasqez, Anna Wakefield, and Corissa White.
(see above)

Little Shop of Horrors (2007)
by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken
for Theatre L'Homme Dieu
directed by Jeffrey Bleam
musical direction by David Saffert
choreographed by David DeBlieck
Starring Hector Chavarria, Brian Goranson, Ari Hoptman, Eric Lummel, Andrea Olthoff, Maria Stuckey, Jay Terry, Anna Wakefield, and Christine Weber.
A "strange and unusual" plant brings both good fortune and destruction to a small florist shop at 1313 Skid Row.
I played Mr. Mushnik, the shop owner.

Last of the Red-Hot Lovers (2007)
by Neil Simon
for The Paul Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Leslie Ball, Ari Hoptman, Kristen Husby, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
(see above)

Born Yesterday (2007)
by Garson Kanin
for The Paul Bunyan Playhouse
directed by Matt Sciple
Starring Eric Bergsven, Sarah Bull, Nancy Brown-Colligan, Zach Curtis, Caleb Fricke, Ari Hoptman, Isaac Heath, Nicholas Johnson, Jessie Ladig, Jamie Ann Lusby, Dale Pfeilsticker, Ernie Rall, and Karla Reck.
A millionaire junk man visiting Washington, DC decides to educate his girlfriend, with very unexpected results.
I played Paul Verrall, the educator.

The Chosen (2007)
by Chaim Potok
for Park Square Theater
directed by Peter Moore
Starring Scott Gilbert, Jim Halloran, Ari Hoptman, Michael Paul Levin, and Michael Tezla.
Two boys from different backgrounds meet and begin to question their life plans.
I played David Malter, father of the non-Hasidic boy.

Funny Business (2006)
by Hollye Levin
for Funneapolis Productions (at Hennepin Stages)
directed by Peter Moore
musical direction by Michael Erickson
choreographed by Shannon Roberg
Starring Bonni Allen, Michael Battle, Michael Erickson, Ari Hoptman, Darien Johnson, Christine Nelson Karki, Carson Lee, Joe Lovitt, Julie Weaver, and Eric Webster.
The life of comics and comedians-to-be at a seedy New York comedy club.
I played struggling long-timer Art Kowski.

1940s Radio Hour (2006)
by Walton Jones
for Theatre L'Homme Dieu
directed by Matt Sciple
musical direction by David Saffert
choreographed by Shannon Roberg
Starring Buddy Haardt, Dan Haugh, Will Kemperman, Adam Lesar, Adia Morris, Ashley Peterson, David Saffert, Edwin Strout, Maria Stukey, Jay Terry, Charles Torrey, John Trones, Ricardo Vasqez, and Corissa White.
(see above)

Man of La Mancha (2006)
by Dale Wasserman, Mitch Leigh, and Joe Darion
for Nautilus Music Theater (at The Southern Theater)
directed by Ben Krywosz
musical direction by Jerry Rubino
Starring David A. Anderson, JP Fitzgibbons, Bradley Greenwald, Ari Hoptman, Mary Keepers, Joel Liestman, Megan McClellan, Ann Michels, Nancy Marvy, George Muellner, Jill Anna Ponasik, Doug Scholz-Carlson, Eric Scharp, Brian Sostek, and Woody Woodward.
A man's delusion that he is a Medieval knight turns out to be of great benefit to himself and those around him.
I had the "small but coveted" role of The Barber.

Don't Drink the Water (2005)
by Woody Allen
for Pigs Eye Theater (at Cedar-Riverside People's Center)
directed by Jay Uhrmann
Starring Aaron Coker, Ryan Grimes, Ari Hoptman, Michael Kelly, Andy Kraft, Jerome Marzullo, Deanne McDonald, Anna Olson, Jen Rand, Wade Vaughn, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
A family vacationing in an un-named Communist country accidentally gets mistaken for spies and finds itself involved in international intrigue.
I played Walter, the irritating father.

The Princeton Seventh (2005)
written and directed by James Vculek
for Partizan Players (Minnesota Fringe Festival)
directed by James Vculek
Starring James Cada, Alex Cole, Ari Hoptman, and Catherine Johnson.
(see above)

The Diary of Anne Frank (2005)
by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
for Theatre L'Homme Dieu
directed by Matt Sciple
Starring Doogin Brown, Emily Grosland, Lacy Habdas, Ari Hoptman, Bruce Hyde, Andrea Olthoff, Dan Perdue, Maggie Bearmon Pistner, Jim Pounds, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
A group of eight people, in hiding from the Nazis, learns to cope with sharing a cramped space amidst both internal and external conflict.
I played Mr. Dussel, the much-disliked dentist.

Sisters of Swing (2005)
by Beth Gilleland and Bob Beverage
for Theatre L'Homme Dieu
directed by Ron Peluso
choreographed by Jan Puffer
musical direction by David Saffert
Starring Bonni Allen, Ruthie Baker, Ari Hoptman, Jennifer Maren, and David Saffert.
(see above)

Two Rooms (2005)
by Lee Blessing
for Theatre in the Round Players
directed by Matt Sciple
Starring Ellen Apel, David Coral, Ari Hoptman, Karen Wiese-Thompson.
A wife and her husband, a hostage in Lebanon, communicate by trying to feel the other's presence in empty rooms.
I played Michael, the unfortunate captive.

Last of the Red-Hot Lovers (2004)
by Neil Simon
for Theatre L'Homme Dieu
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Leslie Ball, Kjersti Brekke, Ari Hoptman, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
(see above)

Picasso at the Lapin Agile (May-June/September, 2004)
by Steve Martin
for Pigs Eye Theatre (at Cedar-Riverside People's Center / Pioneer Place on Fifth)
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Juliana Egley, Don Eitel, Dwight Gunderson, Ari Hoptman, Carson Lee, Tim Perfect, Dale Pfeilsticker, Mike Postle, and Sally Ann Wright / Zach Curtis, Juliana Egley, Don Eitel, Dwight Gunderson, Ari Hoptman, Carson Lee, Tim Perfect, Carolyn Pool, Mike Postle, and Sally Ann Wright.
(see above)

Twelve Angry Men (2003-4)
by Reginald Rose (adapted by Sherman L. Sergel)
for Fifty Foot Penguin Theater (at Cedar-Riverside People's Center / Pioneer Place on Fifth)
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Jeff Altier, Brian Columbus, David Coral, Don Eitel, Ari Hoptman, Bruce Hyde, Bob Malos, Dann Peterson, Dale Pfeilsticker, Jim Pounds, David Schlosser, Edwin Strout, and Charles Torrey. (Yep, thirteen.)
At the conclusion of a murder trial, a single juror tries to convince the other eleven that the case is not as open-and-shut as it seems.
I played Eleven, ze foreigner, and ze judge.

Man of La Mancha (2004; performed reading)
by Dale Wasserman, Mitch Leigh, and Joe Darion
for Nautilus Music Theater
directed by Ben Krywosz
musical direction by Jerry Rubino
Starring Dieter Birnbauer, Jake Endres, JP Fitzgibbons, Bradley Greenwald, Ari Hoptman, Mary Keepers, Tom Larson, Ann Michels, George Muellner, Jonathan Neil, Jill Anna Ponasik, Luverne Seifert, and Woody Woodward.
(see above)

Kurt and Bert: The Last Days of Weimar with Weill and Brecht (2003)
by Prudence Johnson
for Sleeper, Inc. (Southern Theater)
directed by Carolyn Goelzer
musical direction by Gary Rue
choreographed by Brian Sostek
Starring: Diana Grasselli, Ari Hoptman, and Prudence Johnson.
The story of Elisabeth Hauptmann's "collaboration" with Bertolt Brecht during the late 1920s and their interactions with actress Lotte Lenya, composer Kurt Weill, and others of the period.
I played Herr Brecht.

Shtick and Its Relation to the Unconscious (2003)
by James Vculek
for Partizan Players (Minnesota Fringe Festival)
directed by James Vculek
Starring Sam Ahern, Charles Brin, Philip Geller, Kara Greshwalk, Marshall Hambro, Ari Hoptman, Sol Liberman, and Richard Ooms.
Comedian Jackie Witz is having a rough time working the crowd at the Catskills until one Dr. S. Freud shows up to help him out. But is the cure worse than the problem?
I played the unfortunate Mr. Witz.

The Sugar Daddy Project (2003)
by Jamie Kleiman
for 2 Desperate Chicks (Minnesota Fringe Festival)
directed by Jamie Kleiman
Starring Steve Anderson, Nakesha Caldwell, Eli Dwyer, Ari Hoptman, Natalie Kato, Katie Kaufmann, Jamie Kleiman, Chase Korte, Meeni Naqvi, Jaimi Paige, Alison Preston, Xavier Rice, Michael Russinick, Jessica Schoper, and Michelle Schwantes.
A study of various couples who meet through personal ads and mail order offers, and of issues associated with the processing of sugar itself.
I played Bernie, proud Sugar Daddy to a Byelorussian bride. Made of rubber.

A Few Good Men (2003)
by Aaron Sorkin
for Pigs Eye Theatre (at Cedar-Riverside People's Center)
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Brandon Aarowood, Alex Cole, Mark DiPietro, Dwight Gunderson, David Hancox, Ari Hoptman, Ryan Parker Knox, Steve Lattery, Carson Lee, Michael Lee, Mike Postle, Tim Perfect, and Stacia Rice.
Two marines are put on trial for killing a young private. But were they only following orders? And whose orders?
I played the rather pliable Dr. Walter Stone.

Sisters of Swing (2002)
by Beth Gilleland and Bob Beverage
for The Great American History Theatre
directed by Ron Peluso
choreographed by Jan Puffer
musical direction by Raymond Berg and Stephen Houtz.
Starring Christina Baldwin, Raymond Berg, Ari Hoptman, Stephen Houtz, Norah Long, and Jennifer Baldwin Peden.
(see above)

Laughter on the 23rd Floor
by Neil Simon
for Pigs Eye Theater (2002) / Fifty Foot Penguin Theater (2003)
(at Cedar-Riverside People's Center / Pioneer Place on Fifth)
directed by Zach Curtis (2002)/ Tim Perfect (2003)
Starring Alex Cole, Mikki Daniels, Randall J. Funk, Ari Hoptman, Bob Malos, Tim Perfect, David Pust, Stacia Rice, and Edwin Strout / Mikki Daniels, Gary Geiken, Ari Hoptman, Ryan Parker Knox, Bob Malos, Tim Perfect, David Pust, Edwin Strout, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
(see above)

The Frogs (2002; performed reading)
by Stephen Sondheim
for Nautilus Music Theater
directed by Ben Krywosz
musical direction by Eric Jensen
Starring Joe Black, Gary Briggle, Patrick Brooks, Lindsay Bonner, Jake Endres, JP Fitzgibbons, Bradley Greenwald, Ari Hoptman, Sarah Jensvold, Melon Krcil, George Muellner, and Jonathan Neil.
A voyage into the underworld takes Dionysus to a bizarre debate between Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw, who are both mocked relentlessly by a chorus of frogs.
I was Xanthias, loyal sidekick to Dionysus.

Glengarry Glen Ross (2000)
by David Mamet
for The Directors Theater (at The Acadia Cabaret Theater)
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Alex Cole, Marshall Hambro, Ari Hoptman, Bob Malos, Jeff Nelson, Stan Peele, Erik Steen, and Steve Sweere.
See above.
I played James Lingk, the hapless customer.

Casual Encounters (1999)
by Joyce Turiskylie and Raine Hokan
for Hampenstance Theater (Loring Theater)
directed by Joyce Turiskylie
Starring Paul Benton, Matt Ehling, Raine Hokan, Ari Hoptman, Rich Kronfeld, Kathy Lindboe, Frank Randall, Sharon Rush, and Joyce Turiskylie.
Vignettes showing bizarre contacts among serial killers, lounge lizards, postal employees, visual artists, and music historians.
I played several roles, including a soon-to-be-murdered laundromat patron.

Clown Time (1997)
by Craig Hergert
directed by Mark Rosenwinkle
(at The Bryant-Lake Bowl)
Starring Craig Hergert, Ari Hoptman, Mark Rosenwinkle, and Elizabeth Streiff.
A series of sketches about 19th-century authors, reticent girlfriends, and, of course, clown unions.
I played several roles, including an unwilling industrial guinea pig.

Sex Lives of Superheroes (1997)
by Stephen Gregg
for Sell the Cow Theatre (at The Bryant-Lake Bowl)
directed by Sarah Gioia
Starring Kate Eifrig, Ari Hoptman, and Jennifer LaSalle.
A man escapes an awful break-up with his ex-girlfriend and the fear of his relationship with a new girlfriend by entering a fantasy world in which he is respected for his knowledge of comic book characters.

Der gestiefelte Kater (1995)
by Tankerd Dorst
for the University of Minnesota
(performed in German)
directed by Robert Shandley and Karen Juers-Munby
A seemingly innocuous performance of the children's story "Puss in Boots" is marred by numerous problems backstage, onstage, and in the audience.
I played the overly-gregarious audience member Herr Leutner.