The Happiest Man on Earth

by Mark St. Germain, playwright of CATF’s Scott and Hem in the Garden of Allah

Directed by Ron Lagomarsino, director of CATF’s Chester Bailey

Kenneth Tigar as Eddie

This true, triumphant story brings the extraordinary journey of Eddie Jaku to life. He endured innumerable harrowing experiences while navigating and evading multiple Nazi concentration camps. Eddie’s story is one of unimaginable grief and tragic loss, yet it is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul. Defying all odds, he declared himself “The Happiest Man on Earth,” as evidenced by his resilience and determination to find light even in the darkest circumstances.

Based on the memoir of the same name by Eddie Jaku.

Commission by and World Premiere presented at Barrington Stage, Pittsfield, MA, May 2023. Alan Paul, Artistic Director; Branden Huldeen, Artistic Producer.

Kenneth Tigar as Eddie.

Photo by Daniel Rader.

Content Information

This play contains mature themes and language, and contains haze.

Sensory Information

This show is a 2.5 out of 5 on the Sensory Scale. Sensory elements include actor and audience interaction, sound effects, and lights. For detailed information, please either visit or call the Box Office at 681-240-2283.

SHEPHERDSTOWN OPERA HOUSE
131 W German Street, Shepherdstown, WV
Run Time: 85 Minutes

Read Happiest’s Contemporary Companion

Shepherdstown Opera House’s Social Story

CAST

Eddie
Kenneth Tigar*

PRODUCTION TEAM

Scenic Design
James Noone**

Costume Design
Johanna Pan**

Lighting Design
Harold F. Burgess II**

Sound Design
Brendan Aanes**

Stage Manager
Lori M. Doyle*

*Actors’ Equity Association
**United Scenic Artists
***Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

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LEARN ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

READ AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK

Kenneth Tigar in Happiest Man on Earth by Mark St. Germain. Photography credit: Seth Freeman.

How to Purchase Single Tickets

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Do you qualify for Student, Military (active and retired), or West Virginia Weekday Resident discounts? Call the Box Office at 681-240-2283 to place your order.

After clicking ‘Purchase Tickets Now’ below you’ll be taken to the ticketing page.
From there, select the date and time of your performance. Click “Book Now.”
On the next screen, select your tickets and click “Continue.”
Select your ticket type (Regular or Senior) and click “Continue.” If you would like to change your seats, click “Change My Seats” to take you back to your performance date and click on your new seats.
To add to your order, click “Continue Browsing.” If you’re taking advantage of a REP PASS discount, your savings will automatically be applied once you have met the REP PASS criteria.
Click “Checkout” once you have added all of the performances to your cart. On the next screen, you’ll be asked to enter your email. If you have a CATF account, you’ll be asked to enter your password. Forgot your password? Just click “Send me a link to login” to generate an email with a link to your CATF account.
If you haven’t created a CATF account, follow the steps to create your password.
Follow the steps to add your contact and other information to complete your online order.
Questions? Call the Box Office at 681-240-2283 ext. 1 or email [email protected] and we will be glad to assist!

How to Purchase Rep Passes

Click here to purchase a Rep Pass or click here to learn more. Once you have added your Rep Pass to your Cart, click the red “Continue Browsing” button and add your performances to your Cart. Please make sure your selected ticket type matches the Rep Pass that is in your cart (for example, for a Senior Rep Pass, your selected ticket type should also be Senior.) You can also select your performances at a later time online or through the Box Office.

Select the type and number of Rep Passes you would like to purchase below. Then, click on the gray “continue” button.
Once your Rep Pass is in the cart, you can select your performances now or at a later time. If you would like to select your performances later, click the red “Checkout” button and follow the prompts to complete the purchase process.
If you would like to select your performances now, click on the red “Continue Browsing” button. On the next screen, select a show and scroll down to select your performance.
Select your seats. Click “Continue.” On this next screen, you’ll put in the type of ticket (Regular or Senior). Click the “Continue” button again.
Repeat steps three through five until you have selected performance times for all of the shows.
Click the red “Checkout” button and follow the prompts to complete the purchase process.