September 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at 7:30 PM September 11 at 2:00 PM Aiken Community Theatre presents
Aiken
Community Theatre (ACT) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to entertain, educate, and enrich our community by providing a quality theatre experience. ACT Board
Executive Director – Kyle Seconi Artistic Director – JC Crider Facilities Director – Thurmond Whatley Secretary – Chrissey Morton Treasurer – Jimmy Moore Marketing Director – Dustin Turner Marcia Harris Wendy Dietzel Jim Schroeder Ellen JeffCoryColletteAngieWilliamsGalanMillerHerbstMastromonico Anrenee Tucker Brown Jerry TheatreFrancesWestFieldsOperator: Whitney McDonald ACT Mission
3
Roald Dahl’s
Directed by Marcia Harris
presents
Performed by special arrangement with Musical Theatre International
MATILDA, the musical Book by Dennis Kelly Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin Orchestration and Additional Music by Chris Nightingale
Please be sure to purchase your 70th Season subscription at the box office during box office hours or during intermission tonight.ACT subscribers enjoy a host of benefits including discounted tickets and priority seating.
With gratitude and best wishes, Kyle A. Seconi Executive Director
The smash comedy hit of the London and Broadway stages, this much-revived classic from the playwright of Private Lives offers up fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, re married but haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, the clever and insistent Elvira who is called up by a visiting “happy medium,” one Madame Arcati. As the (worldly and un ) personalities clash, Charles’ current wife, Ruth, is accidentally killed, “passes over,” joins Elvira, and the two “blithe spirits” haunt the hapless Charles into perpetuity.
We thank you for your continued support whether it is a tax deductible financial gift, in kind donation, volunteer time or simply applause.
Welcome to Aiken Community Theatre’s 70th Season! We are so glad you could join us for the first of what promises to be a year full of wonderful productions brought to you by your own talented community.
A note from ACt’s Executive Director
October 21 29
Written by Noel Coward
COMING SOON to ACT
Harris SPECIAL THANKS Parents of the Cast SPCA Thrift Shop Flanigan’s Ice Cream Augusta Players Lionel Smith, Ltd. Ollie’s of Aiken AhhTracerSunshine!Audio
DireCtor’s note
Marcia
Hi, so glad you are here. You are in for a treat. No doubt about it, Matilda is a quirky show full of stunts, music, laughs, and sadness. The cast and crew have worked extremely hard to make our presentation a gift to you - something to enjoy on the surface, but also to grasp the deeper message. Our children are precious, and we need to nurture them.
I am so very pleased that our cast represents such diversity. It is the rainbow of our whole and I am thrilled to see it on our stage. I hope you enjoy!
MATILDA
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey.
6
Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other's lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts and could be the school pupils' saving grace!
The Story
7 mUSIC Act I Miracle…………………………………………………….Kids, Parents, Matilda, Loud……………………………………...........Mrs.ChokeyNaughtyThePathetic…………………………………………………………………………………….MissSchoolAcrobatNaughty………………………………………………………………………………………….MatildaEnsembleStoryI…………………………………………………….…….Acrobat,EscapologistSong………………………………………………………………………………………….KidsHoneyHammer……………………………………………………………………..Trunchbull,KidsReprise……………………………………………………………………………..MatildaChant……………………………………………………………………………………….KidsWormwood, Rudolpho, Ensemble This Little Girl…………………………………………………………………………..Miss Bruce…………………………………………………………………………………………………..KidsHoney There will be a 15-minute intermission between Acts I and II. ACT II All I Know…………………………………………………………….Mr. Wormwood, Michael When I Grow Up…………………………………………………Kids, Miss Honey, Matilda I’m So Clever………………………………………………………………………Mr. Wormwood Acrobat Story IV (I’m Here)………………………………………..Escapologist, Matilda The Smell of Rebellion……………………..Trunchbull, Kids, Matilda, Miss RevoltingMyQuiet………………………………………………………………………………………………MatildaHoneyHouse…………………………………………….………………MissHoney,EscapologistChildren………………………………………………………………………………..Kids Priyatna Paznakomitsa………………………………………………………………………Sergei
The CREW Director………………….……………………………..…Marcia Harris Assistant Director………………………………….…….Wendy Dietzel Choreographer…………………………………………….. Josh Hobbs Music Directors…………………….…Alysa Smith, Catherine Stapleton Set Designer………………………………………….....Duane Berning Set Construction……Duane Berning, Jim Schroeder, Kyle Sanguynet Set Dressing…...Anita Hanna, David Werth, Elisa Barquet Arrambide Frances Ceja, Kyle Sanguynet, Tristan Downey Lighting Designer…………………………………………Chet Longley Light Board Operator……………………………Thurmond Whatley Light Crew………………...David Werth, Paul Hommel, Peter Henry Thurmond Whatley Costumer Designer.....................................................................Wendy Dietzel Costumers…………...…..Beth Greene, Ellen Williams, Renee Brown Sound Designer/Board Operator…………………………Chris Martino Property Designer............................................................................Ella Dietzel Stage Manager..…...…..………………………………….Collette Miller Assistant Stage Manager…………………………………..David Werth Stagehands……………Audrey Ateca, Carol Anne Wright, Dustin Turner Kim Downey, Rachel Hatfield, Taylor Glover
.
Marcia Harris, Director
Marcia graduated as a theatre major from Catawba College in N.C. and began a career as a professional stage manager and actress. She holds a Masters’ Degree in Speech Pathology. Since 1977, she has worked with the Aiken Community Theatre as an actress, stage manager, board member and director. Shows of note include Into the Woods, Les Miserables, Silent Sky, and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
The CAST Matilda Wormwood…………………………………………………………………Riley Sowards Miss Agatha Trunchbull………………………………………………………………….J.C. Crider Miss Honey………………………………………………………………………..Audrey Robertson Mr. Wormwood………………………………………………………………..Marshall Mahoney Mrs. Wormwood………………………………………………………………………Chelsea Glass Michael Wormwood……………………………………………………..Jacob Mastromonico Mrs. Phelps………………………………………………………………………………..Frances Ceja Bruce……………………………………………………………………………….Alex Mastromonico Lavender…………………………………………………………………………………...Olivia Cavero Children’s Entertainer………………………………………………………………..Jamie Turner The Escapologist……………………………………………………………………………Tres Taylor The Acrobat………………………………………………………………………………Tatum Hanna Doc/Rudolpho…..………………………………………………………………..Wesslen Romano Sergei/Cook………………………………………………………………………….Ernesto Barquet Amanda…………………………………………………………………………………….…Sara Wright Nancy………………………………………………………………………………………..Liliana Henry Eric………………………………………………………………………………………………..Josh Dixon Alice/Young Miss Honey……………………………………………………………Kate Sowards Hortensia……………………………………………………………….Katherine Anne Parungao Tommy…………………………………………………………………………………Matthew Nwoga Parents………………………………………….Stephen Sowards, Chioma Udogh-Nwoga Ensemble……………………….Tatiana Bigl, Izzy Braun, Audrey Dietzel, Olive Dixon ……………………..Asher Downey, Paul Hommel, Caroline Seawell, Abigail Turner …………..…………………………………………………………....Luke Williams, Olivia Hughes
Abigail Turner
• Abigail (Ensemble) grew up in the theatre with roles in The Wizard of Oz (The Lullaby League/Poppy), Broadway & Beyond, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Gladys), and Steel Magnolias (Annelle). She is a sophomore at Horse Creek Academy, a visual artist, and plans to earn a PhD in theoretical physics or astrophysics.
Alex Mastromonico
Alex (Bruce) is excited to be in his seventh production at ACT. His most recent shows were participation in Youth Wing Garden Theatre productions and ACT’s A Christmas Story and Seussical the Musical, Jr. He is an 8th grader at Tall Pines STEM Academy and is a member of ACT Youth Wing.
Asher Downey
• Asher (Ensemble) is making his stage debut with ACT. He has performed in productions with TADA School of Performing Arts, and Saratoga Children’s Theatre. Asher is a student at Aiken Intermediate School and takes voice lessons. He enjoys video games and swimming. Asher is thrilled to be a part of this production.
Audrey Dietzel
• Audrey (Ensemble) 14, was in Seussical, the Musical, Jr. (Wickersham Brother). She performed at the ABBE library in The Bear That Wasn’t There and Pete the Cat and the Magic Sunglasses. Audrey is a member of the Youth Wing and she is an eighth grader at Tall Pines STEM Academy where she is Drama Club President.
Audrey Robertson
• Audrey (Miss Honey) 20, lives in Augusta, GA. She has participated in many Aiken Community Theatre productions, most recently, in last season’s opening play, Murder on the Orient Express (Mary Debenham). She was also in Augusta Player’s Cinderella. She is excited to play her childhood hero, Miss Honey.
• Caroline (Ensemble) is a senior currently attending Aiken High School. She has been an ACT regular on and off stage for several years. You may have seen her in The Giver, or more recently, Murder’s in the Heir. She is also one of ACT’s Youth Wing Officers.
Caroline Seawell
Chelsea Glass
• Chelsea (Mrs. Wormwood) is so excited to be sharing the stage with such an amazing cast. She is also thrilled to be playing the stage wife to her real-life husband, Marshall Mahoney.
Chioma Udogu-Nwoga
Dr. Udogu-Nwoga (Ensemble) is thrilled to be welcomed to the ACT family. She is an avid reader and enjoys music of all genres. She hails from Nigeria and lives in Aiken, SC with her husband, Ekechi, and her amazing boys, Matthew, Noel and EJ, who keep her on her toes
.
• Ernesto (Cook, Judge, Sergei) is excited to be on stage after a few years. You may have seen Ernesto Merchant of Venice or The Addams Family. Ernesto is an operations leader at Kimberly-Clark and enjoys music, tennis, the outdoors, and time with his wife, Idalia, and children, Ernesto Jr, Peggy, Eduardo, and Elisa.
Ernesto Barquet
Frances Enid Ceja
Frances (Mrs. Phelps) lives in Aiken with her husband and four dogs. She studied theater at LaGrange College and is happy, thanks to Marcia Harris, to be making her debut on the ACT stage. She thanks her family for encouraging her in her undying passion - theater!
Izzy Braun
Izzy (Ensemble) is 13 and making her main stage debut in Matilda. Most recently, she performed in ACT Garden Theater’s The Frog Princess (Ursula) and the Youth Wing’s Dragon Masters (Rori). Izzy is Vice President of the Tall Pines Drama Club. She enjoys reading and spends most of her free time with friends.
• Jacob (Michael Wormwood) is a junior at USCA majoring in psychology and minoring and music. He was active in Youth Wing and is now a member of the University Theatre Players. He is very excited to be bringing one of his favorite childhood stories to life.
Jacob Mastromonico
• Jamie (Children’s Entertainer, Ensemble) was last seen in Move Over, Mrs. Markham (Linda). Other roles include Mama Morton (Chicago) and Dr. Campbell (Blood Money). Jamie is the Digital Operations Manager for Alison South Marketing. She is married to Dustin and is proudly sharing the stage with her daughter, Abigail.
Jamie Turner
J. C. Crider
• J.C. (Mrs. Trunchbull) serves as Artistic Director for the ACT Board. He was last seen in Of Mice and Men (Lenny) and directed Seussical, the Musical, Jr. for ACT’s Youth Wing. J.C. is married to Julia Crider, is a member of the Silver Bluff Volunteer Fire Department, and a nurse liaison for Walton Rehabilitation Hospital.
Joshua (Eric) is making his stage debut with ACT. He is currently homeschooled and is a 5th grader. His hobbies include playing soccer, riding his bike, listening to music, singing, drawing, reading, and being outside.
Joshua Dixon, Jr.
Kate Sowards
• Kate Sowards (Alice, Young Miss Honey) is making her stage debut in Matilda. She has experience singing in the shower and dancing around the house. Kate is a 2nd grader at St. Mary, Help of Christians School in Aiken. When Kate isn’t on stage she loves gymnastics, dance, and fiercely loving her friends and family.
Katherine Anne Parungao
• Katherine (Hortensia) is making her stage debut with ACT’s Matilda. She is currently a 3rd grade student at St. Mary’s, Help of Christians School. Katherine is also student with Crosby-Miller School of Dance. She loves music and is taking piano lessons. She is happy to be a part of this production.
Liliana Henry
• Liliana (Nancy) is making her ACT debut in Matilda. Liliana has also performed in A Charlie Brown Christmas and Seussical, the Musical Jr. at St Mary, Help of Christians School where she is a 6th grader.
Luke Williams
• Luke (Ensemble) has been performing at ACT for 5 years and is the Youth Wing President. Luke is very excited about the show and his role as a big kid. Luke played Jordan Starkweather in Murders in the Heir, Vlad Vladikoff in Seussical, the Musical, Jr. and Brom Van Brunt in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
• Marshall (Mr. Wormwood) is proud to be back on the stage at ACT, playing husband to his real life wife, Chelsea. You might recognize Marshall from past roles as Michel from Murder on the Orient Express or Phoebas in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He is proud to announce he has indeed learned everything he knows from telly.
Marshall Mahoney
Matthew Nwoga
• Matthew (Ensemble) is making his musical debut. He was born in Aiken, SC to physicians, Chioma and Ekechi Nwoga and is one of three brothers. He enjoys playing video games and sports, dancing and watching movies. He especially enjoys traveling around the world with his family whom he considers his best friends.
• Olive (Ensemble) performed in ACT’s Garden Theatre for their 2022 production of The Frog Princess. She is currently homeschooled and is an 8th grader. Her hobbies include martial arts, playing softball, and writing poems.
Olive Dixon
• Olivia (Lavender) is making her debut with ACT. She recently performed in the Youth Wing production The Frog Princess. Olivia is a 6th grader at St. Mary Help of Christians School. She has danced at Crosby Miller School of Dance for six years and recently completed her first season with Bellini Choir.
Olivia Cavero
• Olivia (Ensemble) is making her stage debut in Matilda. She attends Aiken Elementary School. Olivia enjoys art, music, dance and going to the library. She is excited to be a part of the show and would like to thank her family and friends for their support.
Olivia Hughes
Paul Hommel
Paul (Ensemble) is 18 and was disappointed not to get his dream role of Matilda herself. This is Paul’s second musical, following Seussical, Jr, (Thing 2). Paul is a very active member at ACT. He is an officer in the Youth Wing and directed a show this past summer.
Riley Sowards
• Riley (Matilda Wormwood) is making her ACT stage debut in Matilda. She has recently been in Charlie Brown Christmas and Seussical, the Musical at her school. She sang with the local Kinderchoir when she was younger. She is a 6th grader at St. Mary, Help of Christians School in Aiken.
• Sara (Amanda) 9, has always lived in Aiken, SC. While this is her ACT debut, she is not a stranger to the stage. She has been dancing since she was three years old at Carolina Dance Studio and performing with the Aiken Kinderchoir. She is currently also in the Aiken Bellini Choir.
Sara Wright
Stephen Sowards
• Stephen (Ensemble) is making his stage debut in Matilda. He did some theatre when he was growing up and he is happy to be back after a long absence. He is a Construction Equipment Salesman who enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Tatiana Bigl
• Tatiana (Ensemble) is excited to be making her debut on stage with ACT. She performed recently with the Youth Wing in the Dragon Masters. She has been dancing with Carolina Dance Studio since relocating here in 2020.
• Tatum (The Acrobat, Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing at ACT again. As an active member of the Youth Wing, she performed in Broadway and Beyond. She served as a Dance Captain for The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Tatum competed with Burns Dance Studio for 14 years. She is now pursuing a degree in Psychology.
Tatum Hanna
Tres Taylor
• Tres (Escapologist/Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at ACT! He has recently performed with the Augusta Players in Young Frankenstein, Elf, Something Rotten, and Cinderella. Tres is a senior at USCA where he will receive his BFA in Theatre and a Bachelor’s in Nursing in the spring. He would like to dedicate his performance to his grandfather.
• Wesslen (Doctor, Rudolpho) has previously been a thieving Gypsy in 1482, and a sad blockhead who didn’t understand Christmas. Wess would like to thank everyone for being here. To be able to tell timeless stories and have the audience feel, sing, and laugh with one is the true art.
Wesslyn Romano
Doors open at 6:30. Grab some coffee and sweets. Seating is first come, first served. Open mic begins at 7:00 and the featured entertainment will start by 8:00. We look forward to seeing you! October 7, 2022
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