The Haverton Howler

A New Retro Comedy by Ashley Snow

Clifford Haverton’s family grocery store is going under fast— until a spark of inspiration from his wife, Ginny, changes everything. Together, they invent a fictional creature in hopes the rumors will bring new attention to their failing business.

What begins as a harmless marketing plan quickly spirals into a county-wide hunt for The Haverton Howler. Soon, a reporter, filmmaker, activist, and conspiracy theorist appear in their small 1966 town, ready to capture the creature and their dreams.

But as the lines blur between fact and fiction, Clifford has to make a decision: keep the story going or reveal the truth.

Fast, funny, and filled with heart, The Haverton Howler is a tale about community, purpose, and the lengths we go to find it.

  • Premiering Fall 2025 at Cumberland Theatre

  • Developed in partnership with Page to Stage

A silly, shaggy monster looks around a retro grocery shelf, promoting The Haverton Howler, a new retro comedy being presented at Cumberland Theatre.

Meet the Cast

Western Maryland actor, Marty Jellison.

Marty Jellison

Northern Virginia actress, Chelsea Williamson.

Chelsea Williamson

DMV actress, Cristen Stephansky.

Cristen Stephansky

Central Maryland actress, Morganne Chu.

Morganne Chu

DC based actor, Jeffrey Charles Fleming.

Jeffrey Charles Fleming

Western Virginia actor, Keith Shifflett.

D. Keith Shifflett

West Virginia based actor, Connor McCabe.

Connor McCabe

Western Maryland actress, Emily Snyder.

Emily Snyder

Western Maryland actor, Brendon Eric McCabe.

Brendon Eric McCabe

ENJOY THE SHOW?

Thanks for being a part of CT’s Page to Stage live reading and audience talk-back!

Now that you’ve had time to reflect on the show, feel free to share your feedback, ideas, and thoughts about The Haverton Howler.

Page to Stage

  • Where the story begins.
    Writers and actors come together to bring the early draft to life, reading through scenes, testing dialogue, and exploring character dynamics. This collaborative workshop weekend helps shape the heart of the story and spark new creative ideas.

    Completed April 12 & 13, 2025

  • Be part of the process.
    Actors present a staged reading of the play for a live audience, giving the playwright a chance to hear how the story flows in real time — and how it lands with real people. Audience members are invited to share feedback during a talkback session that directly influences revisions and growth.

    Completed May 21, 2025

  • From voices to full lives.
    With the story in place, the cast dives deeper into the emotional arcs, relationships, and motivations that make each character feel fully human. This phase is about nuance — building layers of performance that resonate on stage and form true human connection with the story and the audience.

    Virtually, Summer + Fall 2025

  • Lights up.
    With a finalized script, rehearsals begin for a fully staged production — complete with costumes, lighting, set, and sound. This final phase invites audiences to see the full transformation from page to stage and experience the world that’s been created from the ground up.

    Performances November 1 & 2, at Cumberland Theatre