Main Stage Show
Ripcord
By David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Phil Johnson
Starring Eileen Bowman & Sam Ginn
In Ripcord, what begins as a simple roommate standoff quickly turns into an all-out war of wills! Don’t miss this sharply funny, high-stakes comedy by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire that keeps the surprises coming and the audience laughing all the way through to the bittersweet ending.
Enjoy a wild ride of ever-escalating schemes and emotional curveballs, as stubborn, sharp-tongued Abby squares off against relentlessly cheerful Marilyn. As their standoff spins further out of control, the laughs get bigger, the risks get higher, and something unexpected begins to take shape beneath it all.
Ripcord is a fast, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt comedy about unlikely friendship, stubborn pride, and what it takes to truly shake someone out of their shell.
October 8 - November 1, 2026
Scripps Ranch Theatre
9783 Avenue of Nations
San Diego, 92131
Cast
Creatives
Phil Johnson
Director
Phil Johnson is the Artistic Director and proud co-founder of The Roustabouts Theatre Co. As an actor/writer, his solo show,
A Jewish Joke
(co-written with Marni Freedman) ran locally, regionally, as well as Off-Broadway in March 2019. His other shows include
Roosevelt: Charge the Bear, Withering Heights, She-Rantulas from Outer Space in 3D!, and
The Hound of the Baskervilles. Phil played in
Les Misérables on Broadway and on tour, in the Canadian production of
Sunset Boulevard, and in the 1st National Co. of
Miss Saigon. He is a two-time winner of the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Award for acting. He regularly performs at local theatres including North Coast Rep, The Old Globe, Diversionary Theatre, Lambs, and Cygnet Theatre. Local directing credits include SD Playwrights Project and Scripps Ranch Theatre. He teaches and produces a Solo Show Workshop and Celebration of New Writers readings for writers/performers that are part of The Roustabouts season.
philjohnson.net
David Lindsay-Abaire
Playwright
David Lindsay-Abaire is a Pulitzer Prize–winning American playwright, screenwriter, and lyricist known for blending dark humor with emotional depth. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Rabbit Hole, and his work often explores themes of loss, resilience, and human connection. In addition to writing plays such as Ripcord and Good People, he has contributed to film and musical theater, including the book and lyrics for Shrek the Musical and screenwriting credits for major motion pictures.





