Autistic License (2009)
by Stacey Dinner-Levin
for The Illusion Theater
directed by Peter Moore
Starring Damon Brook, Michelle Cassioppi, Ivory Doublette, Ari Hoptman, Michael Paul Levin, Amy McDonald, John Middleton, and Karen Weber.
An honest and thought-provoking account of a family dealing with an autistic child.
I played the Father.

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

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.
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.

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 (@ 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.

Autistic License (2007)
by Stacey Dinner-Levin
for the Illusion Theater
directed by Peter Moore
Starring Camille D'Ambrose, Damon Brook, Lynnea Doublette, Allen Hamilton, Ari Hoptman, Michael Paul Levin, Amy McDonald, and Sally-Ann Wright.
(see above)

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 (@ 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.

The 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 (@ 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 (@ 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)
by James Vculek
for Partizan Players (Minnesota Fringe Festival)
directed by James Vculek
Starring James Cada, Alex Cole, Ari Hoptman, and Catherine Johnson.
The death of a famous poet brings together a famous writer and a would-be writer for a tribute. But who is who?

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 Bearon 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 (@ 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 (@ 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.
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 (Heart of the Beast Theatre)
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 (@ 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)
(@ Cedar-Riverside People's Center / Pioneer Place on Fifth)
directed by Zach Curtis (2002)/ Tim Perfect (2003)
Starring Alex Cole, Mikki Daniels, Randall 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 (@ 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.
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 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
(@ 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 (@ 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.

As understudy:

Bush is Bad: The Musical (2007)
by Joshua Rosenblum
for Can't Wait Til '08 Productions (@ The Old Arizona Theater)
directed by Michael Erickson
Starring Bonni Allen, Phil Callen, Ross Young / Bonni Allen, Bill Scharpen, and Ross Young.
A musical account of the presidency of George Bush.
I served as emcee (January) and understudy (August). Went on, too.

As playwright:

Five Fifths of The Wizard of Oz (2007)
For The Minnesota Fringe Festival
Starring Leslie Ball, Zach Curtis, Ari Hoptman, Jerry Marzullo, Elisabeth Miller, Jennifer Peterson, Carolyn Pool, and Amy Salloway.
The first fifth of the script of The Wizard of Oz, re-written as a daytime talk show.

Is This Seat Taken? (2007)
for Thirst
Starring Adena Brumer and Phil Callen
A strange woman makes life miserable for a man enjoying a simple meal.

Five Fifths of Casablanca (2006)
for The Minnesota Fringe Festival
Starring Leslie Ball, Jeremy Bergerson, Zach Curtis, Ari Hoptman, Jerry Marzullo, Mark Mattison, and Bill Stiteler,
The second fifth of the script of Casablanca, re-written as a Martin Scorsese gangster movie.

The President, Once Removed (2005)
for Fifty Foot Penguin Theater
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Michael Booth, Brian Columbus, Carson Lee, Bob Malos, Peter Moore, Dann Peterson, Jim Pounds. With Stan Peal, Laura Depta Peal, and David Tufford (voices).
The story of the strange political and personal machinations of the little-remembered assassination of President James A. Garfield.

The Quick and the Red (2003)
for Fifty Foot Penguin Theater (@ Cedar-Riverside People's Center)
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Matthew G. Anderson, Aaron Bennett, Ellen Apel, Benjamin Chadwick, Don Eitel, Tina Frederickson, Randall Funk, Mark Mattison, Mike Postle, David Schlosser, Edwin Strout, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
Young advertising executive Don Webber finds himself involved with Communists and creatures from the Beyond in this spoof of 1950s film and television.

I Married Odin (2002/2003)
for Fifty Foot Penguin Theater (@ Cedar-Riverside People's Center)
directed by Zach Curtis
Starring Matthew G. Anderson, Benjamin Chadwick, Don Eitel, Tina Frederickson, Randall Funk, Mark Mattison, Jeff Nelson, Stacia Rice, David Pust, David Schlosser, Edwin Strout, and Karen Wiese-Thompson / Matthew G. Anderson, Ellen Apel, Aaron Bennett, Benjamin Chadwick, Brian Columbus, Don Eitel, Tina Frederickson, Randall Funk, Mark Mattison, Mike Postle, David Schlosser, Edwin Strout, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
Intrigue, wrath, and lots of yucks combine in this tale of how the Norse goddess Freya punishes her husband Odin for his numerous extramarital activities by helping to turn his beloved Goths into Christians.

Solo comedy shows:

Numerous performances of sketches, stories, and bad poetry under the blanket titles of Dial M for Comedy and 86% Funny. The titles listed below were ones with content more or less specific to those shows.

Delaware, and Other Lies (2004)
Minnesota Fringe Festival

Dial M for Comedy (2001)
Bryant-Lake Bowl

Uncle Ed's Toucan World (2000)
Acadia Cabaret Theater

Dang! The Ari Hoptman All-Request Show (2000)
Minnesota Fringe Festival

Kill the Mimes! Kill the Mimes! (2000)
Bryant-Lake Bowl

Death Valley Jamboree (1999)
Acadia and Bryant-Lake Bowl

Y2K and the Seven Dwarves (1999)
Bryant-Lake Bowl
Minnesota Fringe Festival

Wanted: Felon (1997)
Bryant-Lake Bowl

The Hunchback of North Detroit (1996)
Bryant-Lake Bowl

As co-author:

Sister Stories - "So this Duck Walks Into a Psychiatrist's Office"
by Ari Hoptman (lyrics) and George Maurer (music)
for Nautilus Music Theater
directed by Ben Krywosz
Starring Christina Baldwin and Jennifer Baldwin Peden.
The third in a series of four short operettas/musicals involving sisters. A rubber duck tries to understand his feelings toward two sisters who have been fighting over him (and everything else) for decades. Originally presented in 2003 as an independent work by Nautilus Music Theater with the Baldwin sisters and pianist Mindy Eschedor.

Film:

A Serious Man (2009)
Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
for Focus Features
Starring Adam Arkin, Fyvush Finkel, Amy Landecker, Sari Lennick, Fred Melamed, Michael Stuhlbarg, Michael Tezla, Aaron Wolff, et al.
I played Prof. Arlen Finkle, head of the tenure committee.

Two Harbors (2003)
Written and directed by James Vculek
for Partizan Players
Starring Charles Brin, Alex Cole, Catherine Johnson Justice, Richard Ooms, et al.
I played the fella wanting to buy the Spock action figure.

Newton's Diease (2006)
Written and directed by Jason Page
for 4Track Films
Starring John Agurkis, Kevin Albert, Zhauna Franks, Ari Hoptman, Steve Lattery, and Richard Ooms.
I played Mr. Hungus, pharmaceutical salesman extraordinaire.

As writer-director (short subject film):

The Story of Verner's Law
Directed by Ari Hoptman and Perry Bennett
Starring Ron Akehurst, Brechtje Beuker, Ari Hoptman, Jennifer Hoyer, Frank Thompson, and Karen Wiese-Thompson.
A live-action/animated short about how ol' Mr. Karl Verner finally solved that thorny problem of Early Germanic intervocalic stop consonants.

As dialect coach:

"I Am a Camera," by John van Druten
directed by Matt Sciple for Theatre in the Round Players

As host:

Balls Cabaret, Bush is Bad showcase (2007), Minnesota Fringe Festival Benefit (1999-2000), Lyn-Lake Fair, various fundraisers, An Evening of English Music Hall (chairman).