Sunset Boulevard Playbill 2023 by actofct

ACT OF CONNECTICUT Executive Director

Katie Diamond

Artistic Director

Daniel C. Levine

Producing Director

R. Erin Craig

presents

SUNSET BOULEVARD Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Book and Lyrics by DON BLACK and CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON Based on the Billy Wilder film Scenic Designer DAVID GOLDSTEIN

Costume and Wig Designer KURT ALGER

Lighting Designer CHARLIE MORRISON

Sound Designer MARISA J. BARNES

Projection Designer DANIEL C. LEVINE

Makeup Designer ANGELINA AVALLONE

Casting THE CASTING COLLABORATIVE

Assistant Stage Manager BENJAMIN BLAINE HAWKINS

Production Stage Manager JOHN ATHERLAY

Associate Music Director JEFF COX

JASON STYRES, GREGORY JAFARI VAN ACKER

Music Director BRYAN PERRI Choreographer SARA BRIANS Directed by DANIEL C. LEVINE Orchestrations by David Cullen & Andrew Lloyd Webber Original Production by The Really Useful Group Ltd. The Really Useful Group Ltd. gratefully acknowledges the role of Amy Powers in the lyric development of SUNSET BOULEVARD. SUNSET BOULEVARD is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

MUSICAL NUMBERS Los Angeles 1949 / 1950

ACT I

ACT II

Overture “Let Me Take You Back Six Months” “Let’s Have Lunch” “Betty’s Pitch” “Car Chase” “Surrender” “Once Upon a Time” “With One Look” “Salome” “The Greatest Star of All” “Every Movie’s a Circus” “Girl Meets Boy” “I Started Work” “New Ways to Dream” “The Lady’s Paying” “New Year Tango” “The Perfect Year” “I Had to Get Out” “This Time Next Year” “Auld Lang Syne”

Entr’acte “Sunset Boulevard” “There’s Been a Call” “It Took Her Three Days” “As If We Never Said Goodbye” “Paramount Conversations” “Was That Really Norma Desmond?” “Girl Meets Boy” (reprise) “A Little Suffering” “I Should Have Stayed There” “Too Much in Love to Care” “New Ways to Dream” (reprise) “The Phone Call” “What’s Going On, Joe?” “The Final Scene”

SUNSET BOULEVARD will run approximately 2 hours 30 minutes in length, including a 15 minute intermission. Late seating and/or re-entry to the theater will be at the discretion of management. Please silence your cellphones before the performance begins. The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights and actionable under United States copyright law. For more information, please visit: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists This Production is PG-13. Recommended for ages 13 and up. This production includes the use of theatrical haze and gunshots. Our expert technical team has undergone training to manage these theatrical special effects safely. Please be advised that the simulated gunshots are an important element of the performance, and used in accordance with the artistic direction of the show. We understand that some individuals may be sensitive to loud noises. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to speak with our theater staff.

CAST Norma Desmond ......................................................................................................................... PEARL SUN* Joe Gillis ........................................................................................................................... MICHAEL BURRELL* Betty Schaefer ........................................................................................................................ HELEN J. SHEN* Max Von Mayerling ............................................................................................................ GEORGE XAVIER* Artie Green & others .................................................................................................. PRAGUN BHARDWAJ Myron & others ................................................................................................................... WILLIAM BISHOP Katherine & others ................................................................................................................ CLAIRE FOSSEY Handmaid & others ................................................................................................... JASMINE GOBOURNE Cecil B. DeMille, Finance Man ........................................................................................... GARY HARGER* Joanna & others ................................................................................................. AMANDA HUNTER-FINCH Sheldrake, Finance Man & others ............................................................................... CONOR MCGIFFIN Astrologer & others ............................................................................................................... VAL MORANTO Manfred & others ......................................................................................................................... MAC MYLES John & others ............................................................................................................................ DANIEL PAHL* Temple Virgin & others ........................................................................................................... LIZ SCHMITZ* Mary & others .............................................................................................................................. EMILY SOLO* Sammy & others ......................................................................................................................... WILL STONE* Hog-eye & others ............................................................................................................. ANDREW WINANS Swings VICTORIA MADDEN*, MATTHEW MARVIN* Dance Captain VICTORIA MADDEN* Understudies For Norma Desmond: VAL MORANTO; for Joe Gillis: WILLIAM BISHOP; for Max: GARY HARGER*; for Betty: EMILY SOLO*; for DeMille: CONOR MCGIFFIN; for Artie Green: MAC MYLES; for Sheldrake: DANIEL PAHL*

BAND Conductor / Keyboard 1 .......................................................................................................... BRYAN PERRI Associate Music Director / Keyboard 2 ...................................................................................... JEFF COX Violin .................................................................................................................................... CHAEYOUNG SON Viola ..................................................................................................................................................... KAI HEDIN Cello ................................................................................................................................. CHERYL LABRECQUE Reed 1 .................................................................................................................................................. GARY BLU Reed 2 .................................................................................................................................................. SUE GOFF Trumpet / Flugelhorn ....................................................................................................... RONALD HARTER French Horn ............................................................................................................ MARJORIE CALLAGHAN Bass ..................................................................................................................................... KEVIN CALLAGHAN Drums / Percussion ............................................................................................................. DARCY MACRAE Synthesizer Programmer ............................................................................................. DENNIS J. ARCANO Keyboard 2 Sub ..................................................................................................................... NATHAN PERRY

*Appearing through an agreement between this theatre, ACT of Connecticut, and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

A Note From the Artistic Director, Daniel C. Levine “We didn’t need words. We had faces...” Norma Desmond, Sunset Boulevard Welcome to ACT of CT and to SUNSET BOULEVARD! I have wanted to direct Andrew Lloyd Webber’s SUNSET BOULEVARD for quite some time and am honored to be able to open our theater’s sixth season with this thrilling production. SUNSET BOULEVARD is a show that combines key elements of great musical theater — compelling storytelling, memorable characters, and an evocative score. Commonly found on the top American film lists of all time, the movie of SUNSET BOULEVARD was released in 1950 and won three Academy Awards. Andrew Lloyd Webber musicalized the story, and the show opened on Broadway in 1994 winning seven Tony Awards (including Best Musical). Set in the fading glamour of Hollywood, SUNSET BOULEVARD explores Norma Desmond’s journey from once-beloved celebrity to recluse, living in her mansion, clinging to past glories. She was “the greatest star of all” in early Hollywood when silent films were predominant. However, with the advent of “talkies”, the industry underwent a transformation and Norma’s inability and unwillingness to adapt resulted in her decline. She created a cocoon of delusion and nostalgia, surrounding herself with memories of her past glory. To successfully portray the show’s multi-layered and emotionally charged characters, SUNSET BOULEVARD requires a company of highly skilled and dedicated actors - and our ACT of CT SUNSET BOULEVARD cast of 20 performers is no exception. Additionally, I am proud of our theater’s commitment to live music. I am sure that you will agree that our 11-piece live orchestra adds a tremendous amount to this production. Only live musicians at ACT of CT! Directing this brilliant and talented company has been a real career highlight of mine, and I am excited to be able to share this powerful piece of theater with you today. It is a show that will likely stay with you long after the curtain call. As you may have heard me say before, we consider ourselves lucky to live in a community where the arts are considered vital to a thriving society, and your support fuels our passion and bolsters our commitment of producing outstanding theater. You inspire all of us at ACT of CT to dream bigger and to continue to raise the bar. So, once again, thank you for being a vital part of our theater family. We are profoundly grateful. Still to come this season: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET and KINKY BOOTS! It’s another great season at ACT of CT. Enjoy the show!

Daniel C. Levine Artistic Director, ACT of CT

THE CAST

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Thank you for enriching our community with your talent, passion, and dedication.

Member FDIC

PRODUCTION STAFF

Director ............................................................................................................................. DANIEL C. LEVINE Choreographer ..................................................................................................................... SARA BRIANS• Music Director / Conductor ................................................................................................ BRYAN PERRI Scenic Designer ........................................................................................................ DAVID GOLDSTEIN+ Costume & Wig Designer ...................................................................................................... KURT ALGER Lighting Designer ................................................................................................. CHARLIE MORRISON+ Sound Designer ........................................................................................................... MARISA J. BARNES Projection Designer ...................................................................................................... DANIEL C. LEVINE Associate Music Director / Keyboard 2 .................................................................................. JEFF COX Makeup Designer (Norma Desmond) ........................................................... ANGELINA AVALLONE Projection Consultant ....................................................................................................... CAMILLA TASSI Projection Programmer ........................................................................................... HENRY RODRIGUEZ Technical Director ................................................................................................................. BELLA BYRNE Production Stage Manager ........................................................................................ JOHN ATHERLAY* Assistant Stage Manager .................................................................... BENJAMIN BLAINE HAWKINS* Production Assistants ...................................................... GRACE GRIFFIN, CATHERINE SARACENO Production Assistant / Audio Assistant ..................................................................... PERSEIS GRANT Dance Captain .......................................................................................................... VICTORIA MADDEN* Associate Sound Designer ................................................................................................ JOHN SALUTZ Music Coordinator ..................................................................................................... DENNIS J. ARCANO A1 / Sound Mixer ........................................................................................................... AUDREY LOEWEN A2 / Audio Assistant ................................................................................................ EMERSON WACHNIK Wardrobe Supervisor ....................................................................................................... DAVID CONNEL Resident Wardrobe & Wig Supervisor / Star Dresser ......................................... BECKY FLAHERTY Wig Supervisor ............................................................................................................ BRAXTON COOPER Dresser / Stitcher ............................................................................................................. NICOLE WEAVER Wig Assistant / Dresser .................................................................................................. ANYA NARDONE Costume Rental ....................................................................................................... THE VANITY HOUSE / GOODSPEED MUSICALS COSTUME COLLECTION & RENTAL Set Construction ......................................................................................................................... CIGAR BOX Load-in Crew ................................................ EVAN BRENNER, BELLA BYRNE, MATTHEW GILBERT, CONNOR IMHOFF, HUDSON SCHLUMBERGER Scenic Artists ..................................................................................... ANNIE KLOER, MELANIE NELSON Painters .......................................................................... BRIAN MACKIN, JAMES RICE, ANNIE YOUNG Props Supervisor ............................................................................................................. ELLIE MALLARDI Stage Supervisor / Crew ............................................................................................. CONNOR IMHOFF Head Electrician ................................................................... ADAM LOBELSON / CHROMA DESIGNS Electrician ................................................................................... EVAN BRENNER / CHROMA DESIGNS Lighting Board Operator ........................................................................... HUDSON SCHLUMBERGER Turntable Programmer .................................................................................................... CARRIE PETERS Turntable Operator / Crew .................................................................................... MATTHEW GILBERT Theatrical Firearm Specialist ................................................................................................... RJ ROMEO Casting .......... THE CASTING COLLABORATIVE: ANDREA ZEE, BESS FIFER, RICHARD GLOVER, GREGORY JAFARI VAN ACKER, DALE BROWN, GAMA VALLE, JASON STYRES Special Event Photographer ........................................................................................... DYLAN MILLER Archival Videographer ...................................................................................................... MATT GURREN Poster and Graphic Designer ........................................................................................ BILLY MITCHELL Playbill Designer ........................................................................... RYAN JAMES DESIGN STUDIO, LLC Playbill Printing ................................................................................................................ KENO GRAPHICS Keyboard Programming Rentals by KeyboardTEK Specialty Lighting and Projection Equipment Provided by 4Wall and Chroma Designs Roland SPD SX Sample Pad Provided by Sammy Merendino

•Denotes member of Stage Directors and Choreographer Society, a national theatrical labor union. +Denotes member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, of the I.A.T.S.E. Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

One important addition to the story that the Broadway writers made when adapting the original source material into the musical, was to introduce a new character, the Fakir. Early portions of The Secret Garden, both book and musical, INinclusion THE SECRET GARDENwas meant to pay homage take place in India and the of this character to Indian culture and traditions in a way that the 1911 novel had not.

THE ROLE OF FAKIR

Thank you

ACT of CT

Fakir is defined as a “Middle Eastern or South Asian mendicant holy man or woman”, with the term originating in early Middle Eastern cultures, but over time becoming associated with India as well, owing to established Arabian-Indian trade routes and significant Arab and Persian migration over the centuries to the Indian subcontinent. The portrayal of the Fakir in the original Broadway production was not without controversy, with issues being raised, especially as new versions of the show have been produced, regarding the authenticity of some of the language and movement shown on stage. Vishal Vaidya, the actor who played the Fakir in the recent Los Angeles production of The Secret Garden (an ACT of CT alum, whom early ACT of CT audiences may remember as playing Potiphar in ACT of CT’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Ridgefield Playhouse) was instrumental in identifying and rectifying some of those discrepancies in that production.

You will forever be our star

With the guidance of Vishal Vaidya and Niro Feliciano, who are acting as advisors for this production of The Secret Garden, and Monica Kapoor, who is acting as the production’s Indian movement consultant, this production of The Secret Garden strives to accurately and respectfully showcase the rich cultural traditions of its Indian setting. The role of the Fakir in this production is played by Joseph C. Townsend - a Middle Eastern American actor of Syrian descent based in New York City. Casting Mr. Townsend in the role explores the idea that Syrians (and others settling in India at that time) may have sought out specific traditions. We see the Fakir chanting in Hindi and performing Indian movements, thus representing the meeting and melding, over time, of cultures. Likewise, we see Mary Lennox, the central character in the story, observing the performance of these prayerful rituals in India, and later embracing them herself in the moors of Northern England. Just as we know, historically, how the meeting of Arab and Indian cultures came to shape traditions and customs in this region, The Secret Garden, in this way, portrays another instance of cultural exchange crossing time and place.

celebrates the people places and things that make our community great

WHO’S WHO

PEARL SUN* (Norma Desmond) Broadway: Come From Away, If/Then, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Off-Broadway: Regretfully, So the Birds Are (Playwrights Horizons), Plays for the Plague Year (The Public Theatre), Assassins and Merrily We Roll Along (City Center Encores), Happiness (Lincoln Center Theatre), The Seven (New York Theatre Workshop). National tours/regional: Next to Normal (First National Tour), Into the Woods (ACT of CT), The Price (Arena Stage), Bernstein’s Mass (Philadelphia Orchestra), Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (LaJolla Playhouse). “Sweep Your Own Snow” on Tom Kitt’s album “Perfect”. TV: “Fleishman is in Trouble” (FX on Hulu), “New Amsterdam” (NBC), “The Blacklist” (NBC), “Orange Is the New Black” (Netflix), “Gotham” (FOX), and “The Good Wife” (CBS). Special thanks to Andrew Byrne, Joel Goldes, KMR Talent, and the entire company at ACT of CT. For Johannes & Max, always. MICHAEL BURRELL* (Joe Gillis) ACT of CT Debut! International: Henri Baurel in An American in Paris (Théâtre du Châtelet). Regional: Jerry in The Full Monty (Transcendence TC); Gaston in Beauty & the Beast (Olney Theatre Center); Shrek in Shrek the Musical (Craft Productions); Beast in B&TB (Theatre Under the Stars); Claude in Hair (Geva Theatre Center); Warren in Meet Me In St. Louis (The Muny); John Newton in Amazing Grace (D.C.). Upcoming: The Gilded Age (HBO). B.F.A. Texas State University. michaelburrell.com @michaelpburrell. HELEN J SHEN* (Betty Schaefer) (she/they) is thrilled to be making her ACT of CT debut with this remarkable cast. Previous credits include: The Lonely Few (Geffen Playhouse) and Man of God (Williamstown Theatre Festival). They are a proud graduate of The University of Michigan. GEORGE XAVIER* (Max Von Mayerling) This is George’s first show with ACT of CT. He is thrilled to be performing again and would like to thank the creative team for the opportunity to do so. He would also like to thank his beautiful wife and his 2 exceptional dogs for their bountiful love and

support. Recent regional theatre credits include Seussical (General Ghenghis Kahn Schmidtz) at Centenary Stage Company, Sondheim’s Assassins (Leon Czolgosz) at the East West Players, Medusa the Musical (Philoctetes) at Deaf West. To learn more about George please visit georgexavier.com. PRAGUN BHARDWAJ (Artie Green & others) is an Indian/American Actor with a BFA in Musical Theater from Pace University. Some of his favorite roles include playing Lord Farquaad in Shrek The Musical, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family, Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night, and Rohit in Maya. For fun he loves powerlifting, table tennis, and writing music! He wants to share love and entertainment to the world as well as his bubbling charisma. He thanks his amazing family for their unbelievable love and support. Pragun is excited for the future! WILLIAM BISHOP (Myron & others / u/s Joe Gillis) is so excited to be making his ACT of Connecticut debut! National Tour Credits: Anastasia (North American Tour), Jersey Boys (NCL). Favorite Regional Credits: Beautiful (Tuacahn Hafen Theater), Heathers (JD), Once Upon a Mattress (Sir Harry), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Phoebus), Head Over Heels, Dogfight and many more. William was also a featured soloist for Broadway’s Future Stars at Lincoln Center. He would like to thank his agents at Encompass Arts. All the love to his parents and Victoria. @Williamabishop. CLAIRE FOSSEY (Katherine & others) is thrilled to be making her debut at ACT of Connecticut! Regional credits include Violet (Music Hall Singer) at Theatre Squared, Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal) at Arkansas Repertory Theater, In The Heights (Vanessa) at The Madison Theater, Hunchback (Esmeralda Cover) at The REV, State Fair (Vivian/Ensemble) at The REV, and Matilda (Acrobat) at Theatre Squared. She would like to thank her friends, family, and loved ones for their love and support! Instagram: @claire.fossey.

WHO’S WHO

JASMINE GOBOURNE (Handmaid & others) is a NY native and is thrilled to be returning to ACT of CT! Credits: Aida (John W. Engeman Theater), Cabaret (Hangar Theatre), Guys and Dolls (ACT of CT), Rock of Ages (ACT of CT), Rock of Ages (The Argyle Theatre), and most recently Grease (The Argyle Theatre). Jasmine attended Marymount Manhattan College as a BFA Dance Major and later, studied and graduated from The Ailey School. She thanks her family & friends for their support! GARY HARGER* (Cecil B. DeMille & Finance Man / u/s Max) is equally at home in both the theatre and concert worlds. Credits include Broadway: Shenandoah (The Corporal - original cast and recording), National Tours: Les Miserables, West Side Story. CT appearances: Amadeus and Stagestruck at Ivoryton Playhouse, Anything Goes and Footloose at Seven Angels Theater, My Fair Lady at STONC, and Our Town, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Importance Of Being Earnest for Valley Shakespeare Festival. Guest artist: San Francisco Opera, Dallas Opera, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and The Wexford Festival-Ireland. AMANDA HUNTER-FINCH (Joanna & others) ACT of CT debut! Credits include: Sound of Music (Sister Berthe, u/s Mother Abbess, Engeman Theater) After Midnight! (LowTrio, Norwegian CruiseLine), Flashdance (Louise, Gateway Playhouse), Footloose (Swing, Norwegian CruiseLine), Anna Nicole (Ensemble, New York City Opera) Porgy and Bess (Ensemble, Palacio de Bellas Artes), and NY Fashion Week. She has also appeared in several commercials for major brands including: Crocs, Sabra, Kind Bar and Fiverr. IG: @finchy4life. VICTORIA MADDEN* (Swing/Dance Captain) is thrilled to be making her ACT of CT debut! Broadway National Tour: Anastasia (u/s Anya; Odette) Regional: 42nd Street (Riverside Theatre), School of Rock, The Count of Monte Cristo, Beauty and the Beast, Annie (Tuacahn Amphitheatre), Anne Frank: My Secret Life (Syracuse Stage), The Wizard of Oz, Hello Dolly! (Maine State Mu-

sic Theatre), The Little Mermaid (The Argyle Theatre). She is an alum of Syracuse University where she received her BFA in Musical Theatre. So much love to my parents, my brothers and William. victoriamadden.com. MATTHEW MARVIN* (Swing) is thrilled to be making his ACT of CT debut! National Tour: Elf The Musical. Regional credits include Flounder in The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Maine State Music Theatre, The Fulton, The Lexington Theatre Company, Interlakes Summer Theatre, and Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. Film: “Doubt”. BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College. Endless thanks to this fabulous team, The Casting Collaborative, and everyone at Avalon Artists Group. More: @matthewmarvin & matthewmarvin.com. CONOR MCGIFFIN (Sheldrake, Finance Man & others / u/s DeMille) is a New York based actor/puppeteer and writer. He’s a proud University of Michigan graduate, and his recent productions include Mystery Science Theater 3000 (TV and Tour), Finding Neverland (National Tour), Fiddler On The Roof (First National Tour) and Beauty And The Beast (NBFT). You can watch him as Tom Servo on the MST3K streaming app! Thank you, Take 3 Talent. Mom, Dad, and Bridget, I love you! VAL MORANTO (Astrologer & others / u/s Norma Desmond) is thrilled to be returning to ACT of CT! Highlights: America’s Got Talent Season 16, Josh Groban’s Harmony Tour 2022, Guys & Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Secret Garden (ACT of CT), Sweeney Todd (Madison Lyric Stage), Mary Poppins (ArtsCenter Coastal Carolina), The Who’s Tommy (Broadway Intl. Tour), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Boston Premiere), Fiddler on the Roof (Fulton Theatre & Ogunquit Playhouse) & Les Miserables (Ogunquit Playhouse & Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach). She thanks Daniel C. Levine, Bryan Perri, Sara Brians, Erin Craig and Katie Diamond for this opportunity and her husband TJ for his love & support!

WHO’S WHO

MAC MYLES (Manfred & others / u/s Artie Green) is making his ACT of Connecticut debut with Sunset Boulevard. Based in New York City, Mac has performed regionally in Calling All Kates (World Premiere) at Adirondack Theatre Festival. Additional regional credits include What A Wonderful World (Timberlake Playhouse), My Fair Lady, Merrily We Roll Along (Sharon Playhouse), Children of Eden, and Peter and the Starcatcher (Weathervane Playhouse). Muhlenberg College B.A. Theatre. Love to Mom & Dad. DANIEL PAHL* (John & others / u/s Sheldrake) is thrilled to be a part of Sunset Boulevard! Off-Broadway: The Goodbye Girl. National Tours: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Elf. Select regional credits: West Side Story (The Muny), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (TUTS), Newsies (Casa Mañana), Joseph and the...Dreamcoat (Sharon Playhouse), Spamalot (Palace Theatre). NY Dance: Broadway Dance Lab, Trainor Dance, and Steps Repertory Ensemble. Columbia University graduate. All the love to Mom, Dad, Matt, Joe, Kira, and Lila-Rose! @dpahl10.

LIZ SCHMITZ* (Temple Virgin & others) is thrilled to be making her ACT of CT debut in her first show since becoming a mom! 1st National Tour: Matilda (Swing u/s Miss Honey), An American in Paris (u/s Milo), Cats (Demeter), Hello Dolly! Select Regional: Fulton Theatre (Ariel in Footloose), Maine State Music Theatre (Zaneeta in The Music Man), Pittsburgh CLO. BFA Penn State University. Thanks to my family, to Kevin. For Doris. @cesddance @lizschmitz. EMILY SOLO* (Mary & others / u/s Betty Schaefer) Praised for her “expressive soprano” (South Florida Classical Review), “star glamor” (CT Critics Circle), and “brilliant voice” (OperaWire), Emily has been seen nationally in musicals, operas, plays, and film. Select credits: A Christmas Carol (McCarter), Lend Me A Tenor, Jersey Boys (MTC), The Sound of Music, La Bohème (Charlottesville Opera), Infinite Energy (New Camerata Opera/DixonPlace), Threepenny Opera (Everyman Rep), The Artwork of the Future

(Fresh Squeezed Opera/HERE), and Hamlet (Camden Shakespeare Festival). @emmsolo www.emilysolo.com.

WILL STONE* (Sammy & others) Off Broadway: Plays For The Plague Year, Hercules. Regional: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Man of La Mancha, Richard III, Henry VI, Metamorphoses, The Oedipus Plays, King Lear. TV/Film: Pose, WuTang: An American Sage, Law & Order, SNL, Michael & Michael Have Issues, Never Forever. Concerts: World Pride 2019, Patti LuPone 70th Birthday Concert, Broadway Backwards, Tick Tick Boom Netflix Premiere, Concert For America, A Tribute to Stephen Schwartz. Composing/Arranging: New Jack City Live Tour, Once Upon A Rhyme. Education: Juilliard (Group 35). ANDREW WINANS (Hog-eye & others) debuts at ACT of CT with this Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece! NYC: City Center, Public Theatre, Players Theatre. National/International Tours: A Chorus Line, 42nd Street. Regional: NSMT, PCLO, Gateway, MSMT, American Theatre Group. TV/Film: SNL, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Live by Night. Training: The Boston Conservatory (BFA MT), The School at Jacob’s Pillow. Love and gratitute to this brilliant creative team and incredible husband, Danny. DANIEL C. LEVINE (Director, ACT of CT Artistic Director), is a 2022 Grammy Nominee and is thrilled to serve as Artistic Director of ACT of CT. Before co-founding ACT of CT in 2018 (along with Katie Diamond & Bryan Perri), Daniel appeared on Broadway and in the Broadway National Tours of: Mamma Mia!, Little Shop of Horrors, The Rocky Horror Show, Jesus Christ Superstar (Tony nomination for Best Revival), Chicago, Les Miserables, and Tommy. Daniel was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical by The League of American Theaters and Producers, for his role as Cousin Kevin in Tommy. He also originated the role of Mary Sunshine in the Broadway National tour of Chicago. Daniel has worked extensively across the country and has been seen in: Oklahoma! (5th Avenue, Seattle), Next to Normal (Seven Angels Theater), Guys and

WHO’S WHO

Dolls (The Ordway Theater, Minneapolis), Company (5th Avenue, Seattle), Man of La Mancha (Cleveland Playhouse), Sweet Charity (West Virginia Public), Jesus Christ Superstar (North Carolina Theater / Kansas City Starlight), Joseph.... (North Shore Music Theater, Boston), and Evita (Music Theater of CT). Daniel is the creator/producer/ director of Broadway Backstage!, Dancin’ Broadway, and American Dance Spectacular! – all of which have toured throughout the U.S. He is the creator/director of Born to Dance, a multi-media production performed throughout the fleet of ships on Princess Cruise Lines, in collaboration with Stephen Schwartz. At the Ridgefield Playhouse, Daniel Directed Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and An Evening With Joel Grey, and also moderates and hosts An Evening With The Celebrity Housewives at The Playhouse. At ACT of CT, Daniel has directed Mamma Mia, Evita (2018 Broadway World CT Best Director of a Musical winner), Working (which he re-conceived with Stephen Schwartz), Godspell, Snapshots, Into The Woods (In Concert), Jesus Christ Superstar, RENT, Guys and Dolls, and The Secret Garden (winner of the 2023 CT Critics Circle Award for Best Direction of a Musical). Daniel returned to his performing roots and played “The Dentist” in ACT of CT’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, and was also thrilled to star alongside Katie Diamond and Bryan Perri in The Last Five Years. Daniel was nominated for a Grammy Award for the cast album recording of ACT of CT’s Snapshots (this production is now available on-demand on BroadwayHD). Daniel’s reconceived version of Working was recently licensed by Music Theater International and theaters around the country are now able to produce and present ACT of CT’s version of the musical. Daniel graduated Brandeis University and attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. SARA BRIANS (Choreographer) is a NYC based director, choreographer, and educator, and is thrilled to return to ACT of CT after choreographing Godspell, Snapshots,

Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys And Dolls, and Rock Of Ages. Sara has worked on six Broadway shows including 42nd Street, Billy Elliot, White Christmas, and Matilda and at numerous NYC and regional theatres such as New York City Encores!, The Kennedy Center, Goodspeed Opera House, Fifth Avenue Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, The Alley Theatre, Theatre Aspen, Ogunquit Playhouse and others. She won the NY Indie Theatre Award for Outstanding Choreography for Follies and has choreographed for Princess Cruise Lines and industrials for CES in Las Vegas and CERAWeek in Houston, among others. Sara’s educational faculty credits include Juilliard, Pace University, Manhattan School of Music and Duke University. Find out more at SaraBrians.com.

BRYAN PERRI (Music Director, Conductor, ACT of CT Resident Music Supervisor) was most recently music director and conductor of Almost Famous on Broadway. He also just returned from serving as music supervisor and co-orchestrator for the world premiere of the critically acclaimed new musical, The Lonely Few at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, which will receive its New York City premiere this spring Off Broadway at MCC Theater. He recently released his first single, “No Words” (available on all streaming platforms) and will release his first full length album “Few Words” this spring. He also music directed and conducted the Tony Award winning Jagged Little Pill on Broadway. Bryan’s other Broadway credits as music director include Wicked and Chaplin (for which he also provided dance and vocal arrangements). He also served as music director for the Broadway national tour of Next to Normal (starring Tony winner Alice Ripley). Off-Broadway credits include Superhero, Dogfight, and Vanities all at 2nd Stage Theater. He was music supervisor for Disney’s Freaky Friday premiering at the Signature Theater in D.C. as well as Limelight at the La Jolla Playhouse. Bryan was awarded the prestigious Craig Noel Award for Best Music Direction for his work on the pre-Broadway run of Almost Famous at San Diego’s Old Globe theater. Bryan is the music direc-

WHO’S WHO

tor and arranger for Aaron Tveit as well as Lauren Patten and performs with them in venues across the country, including the American Songbook series at Lincoln Center, House of Blues, Irving Plaza, and Webster Hall. He has also worked on numerous shows with his husband Daniel C. Levine (Artistic Director of ACT of CT) including Born to Dance (created in association with Stephen Schwartz and which is currently running on the Princess Cruise Line fleet). Bryan is proud to be a founding member of ACT of CT and is honored to serve as ACT of CT’s Resident Music Supervisor. At ACT of CT Bryan has music supervised Mamma Mia!, Evita, Working, Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, Nickel Mines, Godspell, Into The Woods, The Last Five Years, Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, Smokey Joe’s Café, and Guys And Dolls. Bryan created ACT’s Broadway Unplugged Series, which has become an audience favorite. He was also nominated for a Grammy Award for the world premiere cast recording Stephen Schwartz’s Snapshots. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Music from NYU in Vocal Performance, as well as an Master’s Degree in Music from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in Orchestral Conducting. Bryan firmly believes that theater matters and the arts are essential! DAVID GOLDSTEIN (Scenic Designer) is excited to be back working with ACT of CT after designing The Secret Garden last season. Off Broadway: Black Odyssey, Emojiland, Mr. Parker, Winnie The Pooh Show, Church and State, Stalking the Bogeyman, That Golden Girls Show, The Portal, Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, Soul Doctor. Regional: Senior Living Portland Stage, Supadupa Kid Barrington Stage, Next to Normal Zoetic Stage Miami, Christmas Foundling, Clue, Misery Sierra Rep, Into the Woods, Newsies, The Little Mermaid Timberlake Playhouse, Joseph..., West Side Story Tibbets Opera House, Hungry Caterpillar Seattle Children’s Theatre, Stalking the Bogeyman NCStageCo, Anything Goes, All Shook Up WVPublic Theatre, Souvenir Penguin Rep, and many others. www.davidgoldsteindesigns.com

KURT ALGER (Costume and Wig Designer) Regional: Rock of Ages, Matilda, Sunset Boulevard, Aida, Oklahoma!, Grease, Gypsy, Annie, Jekyll and Hyde, Newsies, Man of La Mancha, Singing in the Rain, A Gentleman’s Guide…, Mary Poppins, 1776, The Producers, Evita, Elf The Musical, The Music Man, Miss Saigon, Hello, Dolly!, Beauty and the Beast, Crazy For You, Chicago, The Wiz, Xanadu, Dreamgirls, and Les Misérables. Coordinator: Finding Neverland Tour, Shrek The Musical World Tour, RENT on tour & Broadway for 10 years, Hairspray tour & the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Tour. Thrilled to be returning to ACT of CT! CHARLIE MORRISON (Lighting Designer) NYC/National/International tours: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, A Chorus Line, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Miss Saigon, Disney’s Aida, The Producers, Man of La Mancha, Guys and Dolls, Groovaloo, Hello, Dolly!, My Fair Lady, The King and I, Spelling Bee, Gypsy, 42nd Street, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Who’s Tommy, Titanic, The Music Man and many others. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Guthrie Theater, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Goodspeed Musicals, Seattle Repertory, Seattle 5th Avenue, Broadway Sacramento, Theatre Under the Stars, Dallas Summer Musicals, Kansas City Starlight, Pittsburgh CLO, George Street Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, PlayMakers Repertory, Tulsa Opera, ACT of CT, and many others. TV: “Finding Magic Mike” for HBOMax. Charlie is the recipient of two Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Lighting Design. www.cmlighting.com. MARISA J. BARNES (Sound Designer) is delighted to work with ACT of CT again. Other Credits include, as Designer: The Secret Garden (ACT of CT), Merry Wives of Windsor (Opera House Arts), And A Child Shall Lead (HERE), Long Way Go Down, Slaughter City (Jackalope Theater). As Associate: Hairspray (Revival Tour), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Tuacahn), Once On This Island (1st National Tour), The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey (Old Globe), Through The Yellow Hour

WHO’S WHO

(Rattle-stick). As Production Mixer/A1: Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Broadway, LA), Candide, Champion (Washington National Opera), Elf! The Musical (Madison Square Garden), Shrek The Musical (International Tour).

JEFF COX (Associate Music Director, Keyboard 2) is a New York-based music director and conductor who has performed internationally and on Broadway. His credits include The Band’s Visit (Broadway & National tour), A Letter to Harvey Milk (Off-Broadway), Wicked (National tour), Austen’s Pride (5th Avenue Seattle), and numerous other regional theatres and concert venues. An avid arranger and orchestrator, Jeff has shaped the development of new works, most notably as music supervisor of Danny K. Bernstein’s Far From Canterbury. Jeff is a faculty member at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and he holds a Master’s Degree in conducting from Ithaca College. www.jeffcoxmusic.com. JOHN ATHERLAY (Production Stage Manager) was raised in Connecticut. Broadway credits include the original companies of Prelude to A Kiss, A Small Family Business, Beauty and the Beast, and Xanadu. Also on Broadway: The Seagull (with Tyne Daly and Jon Voight) and Fela. National Tours include Pre-Broadway tour of Stardust (with Betty Buckley), Almost Like Being in Love (with Diahann Carroll), The Producers, Little Shop of Horrors, Young Frankenstein, Fiddler on The Roof (with Topol), The 101 Dalmations the Musical (with 15 real dalmations), Fela, Anything Goes, The Gershwin’s’ Porgy and Bess, Cabaret, Blithe Spirit (with Angela Lansbury), The Band’s Visit, A Soldier’s Play. BENJAMIN BLAINE HAWKINS (Assistant Stage Manager) Favorite credits include; National Tour: Wicked, Hamilton. Off-Broadway: Gloria (Vineyard Theatre), Lazarus (NYTW), In & Of Itself (Daryl Roth Theatre), Head Of Passes (The Public), The Legend Of Georgia McBride (MCC), The Wolves (Playwrights Realm), The Best In The Jungle (Vineyard Theatre), Evening At The Talk House (Signature Theatre), Back Home Again (Aruba Productions), A Taste Of Things To Come

(York Theatre Company), The Secret Life of Bees (Atlantic Theatre Company), Sweet Charity (Signature Theatre Company), Zuccotti Park (New York Fringe Festival), Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical (NYMF), Smoke Fall (MCC), Wide Awake Hearts (59E59), Lost Girls (MCC). Other theatre: The Tale of Despereaux (The Old Globe), Radioactive (Manhattan School of Music), Perfect Picture (The Mill). TV: Gotham (Fox), Homeland (Showtime). Fashion clients: Chanel, Rag & Bone, Hugo Boss, Phillip Lim, Cartier, Valentino, Armand de Brignac, H&M, Fenty, Ralph Lauren, The Met Gala. DENNIS J. ARCANO (Music Coordinator / Synth Programmer) has been involved for every production at ACT of CT from Mamma Mia! to The Secret Garden, including the Grammy Nominated World Premiere recording of SNAPSHOTS. Broadway/ Off-Broadway: Kimberly Akimbo, Almost Famous, Mr. Saturday Night, Jagged Little Pill, ...Spelling Bee, Altar Boyz, Tick, Tick...Boom!, Follies (2001 Revival). National Tour: Tick, Tick...Boom! (Assistant Music Director). Regional: Candlewood Playhouse, Barrington Stage Company, Goodspeed’s Norma Terris Theater. ANGELINA AVALLONE (Make-up Designer - Norma Desmond) Broadway: Diana; Company (Patti LuPone); War Paint; The Prince of Broadway; Cabaret; Disgraced; Big Fish; Cinderella; Nice Work...; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Chaplin; The Addams Family; Young Frankenstein; Dreamgirls; West Side Story; Memphis; Rock of Ages; Sweeney Todd; The Color Purple; A Little Night Music; Anything Goes; Company; Gypsy; The Little Mermaid. THE CASTING COLLABORATIVE (Casting) Broadway: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder (Tony Award), Dames at Sea, Lion King, Nice Work... Film/TV: Severance (Apple TV+), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix), Carousel (PBS), Six by Sondheim (HBO), SYTYCD, How You Look at It. Off-Broadway: Gatsby, Little Girl Blue, Puffs, Midnight at the Never Get, Pedro Pan, Apple Boys, Missed Connections, 15 different Encores! productions. Tours: A Gentleman’s Guide..., Sugar

WHO’S WHO

Skull, West Side Story, Anastasia, Fiddler, Yemandja, King and I, Cinderella, Lion King, White Christmas. Other: Dance Lab New York, In Pieces, Magic Mike Live (London/ Las Vegas), The Bridgerton Experience, Wild (Black Iris Project), Phish (MSG), Arkansas Rep, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Virginia Theatre Festival, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Syracuse Stage, and more. www.thecastingcollab.com.

KATIE DIAMOND (ACT of CT Executive Director) is honored to be a founding member and to serve as Executive Director of ACT of CT. Katie has written, produced, and/or performed in numerous musical theatre and cabaret shows over the past twenty-five years. Broadway and tour credits include: Lorraine in Jersey Boys, The Pirate Queen (understudy for Stephanie J. Block), White Christmas, and The Wedding Banquet. As a producer/performer, Katie has had the pleasure of working with Daniel C. Levine on The Who’s Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Joseph..., all presented at the Ridgefield Playhouse, as well as Mamma Mia!, Evita, Working, Austen’s Pride, Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, The Last Five Years (Cathy), and The Secret Garden, all presented at ACT of CT. She has also written, produced, and performed in three cabaret shows in NYC; Secondary Characters, All Knocked Up, and Typed Out. Katie has released two solo albums, Original Passion and Down by the Riverside, and can be heard on The Pirate Queen original cast recording. A lifelong advocate of arts education, Katie is thrilled that ACT of CT is able to offer such wonderful classes for the youth of our community. After graduating with a bachelor of music in vocal performance from New England Conservatory of Music, Katie lived and worked in Seattle before moving to NYC in 2005. In 2014, she relocated to Ridgefield with her husband Bill Diamond and their three children. R. ERIN CRAIG (ACT of CT Producing Director) joined the executive leadership team for ACT of CT in 2020 after having moved to Ridgefield from NYC where she

has spent her career to date developing, mentoring, and producing new artists and works through her work as Producer, Executive Producer, General Manager, Production Manager, and Consultant for theatre, film, music, and special events for nearly 30 years. Current commercial projects include: Austen’s Pride (Carnegie Hall 2023, ACT of CT 2019), Mr. Rickey Calls A Meeting, Academy, Into the Wild, Beatsville. Select past projects: In the Heights (development through Broadway), High Fidelity (Boston, Broadway), The Velocity of Autumn (Broadway), The Evolution of Mann (Off-Broadway), Right Before I Go (benefit performance Town Hall NYC, live stream benefit 2020), Himself and Nora (Off-Brodway), Stalking the Bogeyman (Off-Broadway), The Jazz Age (Off-Broadway), Irena’s Vow (Off-Broadway, Broadway), Merrilee Mannerly, How We Got Away With It (film), Easter Mysteries (musical film). Member - Broadway League, Off-Broadway League, Theatre Resources Unlimited (TRU). Educator and Mentor. Houses on the Moon Theater Company, Board Member. Founder & owner of La Vie Productions. www.lavieproductions.com.

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER has composed the scores of some of the world’s most famous musicals. From Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969) to Cinderella (2021), his work has been consistently seen on world stages. Before the COVID pandemic hit, Lloyd Webber had shows continually running in the West End for 48 years and on Broadway for 41. When Sunset Boulevard joined School Of Rock, CATS and The Phantom Of the Opera, he equalled Rodgers & Hammerstein’s record of four shows running simultaneously on Broadway. He is one of the select group of artists with EGOT status, having received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards. Lloyd Webber owns seven London theatres, including the iconic London Palladium and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Over the past three years the latter has been completely restored and renovated at a cost of over £60 million. It is one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by a private

WHO’S WHO

theatre owner in recent times. His mantra that every penny of profit made from his theatres is ploughed back into the buildings has meant that considerable work has been undertaken across his theatre portfolio during the pandemic, including the complete remodelling and reseating of the Gillian Lynne. Lloyd Webber is passionate about the importance of musical education and diversity in the arts. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation provides 30 performing arts scholarships every year for talented students with financial need and supports a range of projects such as the Music In Secondary School Trust and commissioning research into diversity in theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber was knighted in 1992 and created an honorary life peer in 1997. To mark his 70th birthday, his bestselling autobiography Unmasked was published by Harper Collins in March 2018. ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 actors and stage managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. actorsequity.org #EquityWorks

STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY (SDC) is the theatrical union that unites, empowers, and protects professional Stage Directors and Choreographers throughout the United States. Its mission is to foster a national community of professional stage directors and choreographers by protecting the rights, health and livelihoods of all its Members; negotiating and enforcing employment agreements across a range of jurisdictions; facilitating the exchange of ideas, information and opportunities; and educating current and future generations about the critical role of directors and choreographers in

leading the field. ACT (A CONTEMPORARY THEATRE) OF CONNECTICUT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional theatre located in Ridgefield, CT. Founded in 2018 by Katie Diamond, Daniel C. Levine and Bryan Perri, and along with the more recent addition of R. Erin Craig, ACT of CT presents limited engagement runs of well-known musicals, as well as world-premiere productions by the next generation of writers and composers. In addition to fully produced mainstage productions, ACT of CT’s programing also includes a New Works Series, a Broadway Unplugged Series, and an extensive theater education program. With its 182 seats and turntable stage, the theater offers an intimate, unique, and immersive theatrical experience for its patrons. Given the proximity to New York City, ACT of CT has access to top theatre talent and professionals. In just five seasons, ACT of CT has become one of the most well-known and highly respected regional theatres in the area and received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album for the cast album of their 2021 production of Stephen Schwartz’s Snapshots. ACT of CT is dedicated to inspiring, creating and nurturing a culturally diverse and equitable environment for its staff, creative teams, cast, musicians, crew members and audiences, and is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and to maintain an inclusive, discrimination-free environment. Information and/or opinions expressed in “Who’s Who” are those of the players, not necessarily those of ACT of CT.

SPECIAL THANKS: Tizzie & Tom Mantione, Eileen & Tom McIntyre, Lars Pederson / 4Wall Entertainment, Gerri & Robert Lewis, Rudy Ruggles & Chris Westman, Mike Donato, Jenn Scully, Richard Harrison, Jonathan Svec, Kirsten Salley & Danny Butler, Alison & Hillard Bloom, Kelly & Jonathan York, Gerald Roche, Ryan Bailer Support, Inc., NCL Ridgefield & Nutmeg Chapters, Pollinator Pathway, Mary Jones / Rodier Flowers, MTC, Michael McGuirk, Prospector Popcorn, American Metal Whiskey, Rudy Marconi & The Town of Ridgefield, The West Lane Inn, Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee, and our amazing volunteer ushers. The Producers wish to thank Goodspeed Musicals Costume Collection & Rental and Vanity House for their assistance in this production.

ACT OF CT STAFF

Artistic Director .............................................................................................................. DANIEL C. LEVINE Producing Director................................................................................................................ R. ERIN CRAIG Executive Director ........................................................................................................... KATIE DIAMOND Resident Music Supervisor .................................................................................................. BRYAN PERRI Director of Education & Outreach ...................................................................... HEATHER HILLMAN Director of Development .............................................................................................. SHELLEY TERRY General Manager ..................................................................................................... TRACEY BRYGGMAN Company Manager ............................................................................................................. PATRICK GOSS Production / Technical Coordinator .......................................................................... ELLIE MALLARDI Stage Supervisor ........................................................................................................... CONNOR IMHOFF House Manager ....................................................................................................... JULIE COHEN SLOMA Patron Services Representative ................................................................................... EMMA GIORGIO Resident Music Coordinator ................................................................................... DENNIS J. ARCANO Marketing Manager ..................................................................................................... CARSON COLLINS Marketing Coordinator ................................................................................................... MAE ARCHACKI Education Coordinator ............................................................................................ CAROLYN CLINTON Office and Transportation Coordinator .............................................................................. AILIS TYRA Office Assistants ........................................................................... NATHAN BRENN, ANYA NARDONE, CATHERINE SARACENO, OLIVIA WALSH Front of House Staff ................ NATHAN BRENN, EMMA GIORGIO, AILIS TYRA, OLIVIA WALSH Bookkeeper .................................................................................................................... KAREN T. WERNER Accountants ........................................................................................................ REYNOLDS & ROWELLA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Katie Diamond, President Daniel C. Levine, Vice President Tizzie Mantione, Treasurer Heather Hillman, Secretary Rebecca Baglio, Kristin Beylouni, Betsy Brand, R. Erin Craig, Ashley Diamond, Randy Donaldson, Mary E. Joyce, Caroline Kellen, Peggy Marconi, Jack Mehler, Larry Morley, Bryan Perri, Michael Seelbach, Rajal Young

ARTISTIC ADVISORY BOARD Susan Batten Al Blackstone Beowulf Boritt Christian Borle Trish Breede R. Erin Craig Mike Evariste Caite Hevner

Peter Hylenski Tom Kitt Simon Matthews Lindsay Mendez Alan Menken Christina Millar Stephen Schwartz Frank Selvaggi

EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Dennis J. Arcano Nancy Caron Randy Donaldson Carina Drake Mike Evariste Cory Gillette

Deborah Penn Angela Rice Rachel Ruggeri Claire Simard Jennifer Sproule

Support has been provided to ACT of CT from CT Humanities (CTH), with funding provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature.

2023-2024 SEASON SPONSORS TITLE SPONSORS Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, Denise and Michael Kellen Foundation MARQUEE SPONSORS CT Humanities, Connecticut Office of the Arts, Diamond Properties, Anita and Nick Donofrio PRESENTING SPONSORS Anne S. Richardson Fund, HamletHub, Rudy L. Ruggles, Jr. PRODUCING SPONSORS The Borman Family Foundation, Burry Fredrik Foundation, Fairfield County Bank, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Ridgefield Station, The West Lane Inn DIRECTOR SPONSORS Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, Colonial Automobile Group, Gallo Ristorante, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Heather Hillman and Jack Whalen, Karen and Todd Kipnes, Robert and Gerri Lewis, Tom and Tizzie Mantione, Patrick and Catherine Neligan, Michele and Tom Quinlen, Ridgefield Thrift Shop, Rodier Flowers, Daniela Sikora, 068 Magazine, Gary and Susie Singer SPOTLIGHT SPONSORS 109 Cheese & Wine, Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe, Colonial Cleaners, The Jacullo Family, George Landegger, Joe Loonan and Linda MacDonald, M&T Charitable Foundation, Nature’s Temptations, Russ and Holly Neumann, Nissan of Yorktown Heights, Nutmeg Livery Service, Jim and Susie Perakis, RPAC Gallery, Steinway & Sons, TerraSole Ristorante, Vine & Co., Volvo Cars Danbury

2022-2023 Donors $100,000+ Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation Denise and Michael Kellen Foundation Diamond Properties $50,000-$99,999 CT Humanities Connecticut Office of the Arts Anita and Nick Donofrio Ridgefield Town Hall Rudy L. Ruggles, Jr. $30,000-$49,999 Anne S. Richardson Fund Bareburger - Ridgefield The Borman Family Foundation Burry Fredrik Foundation Fairfield County Bank HamletHub LaQuinta by Wyndam-Danbury Ridgefield Station The West Lane Inn $10,000-$29,999 Adam Broderick Salon & Spa Lori and John Berisford Kristin and Darren Beylouni Colabella Media Colonial Automobile Group Gallo Ristorante Liz and Steven Goldstone Sheila and Michael Gray

Heather Hillman and Jack Heather and Robert Salaga Whalen Allison and Jon Stockel Karen and Todd Kipnes TerraSole Ristorante Gerri and Robert Lewis Joyce and Gary Tomlinson Tizzie and Tom Mantione Vine & Co. National Endowment for the Volvo of Danbury Arts Elizabeth and Paul Wronski Ridgefield Thrift Shop Rajal and Jordan Young Daniela Sikora and Keitha Kinne Susie and Gary Singer $2,500-$4,999 Barker Welfare Foundation $5,000-$9,999 Bart’s Tree Service Laura and Joe Ancona Linda and Joshua Blum Rebecca and Scott Baglio Christine and Jeffrey Boris Wendy and William Beurket Betsy and Michael Brand Melissa and David Beylouni Couri Foundation, Inc. BMW of Ridgefield Sue and Bruce Cruikshank Ann and Steven Carlson Lisa Esneault Katie and William Diamond Susan Galione George F Landegger Kaye Hale Malton and Doug Emily and Jeffrey Levi Malton Joseph Loonan and Linda Jana and Sean Hogan MacDonald Mary and Christopher Joyce MLE Foundation Caroline Kellen The M&T Charitable Foundation Kristen and Robert Liesegang Nature’s Temptations Peggy and Rudy Marconi Catherine and Patrick Neligan Lauren and Russ Mika Holly and Russ Neumann Lorraine and Larry Morley Nissan of Yorktown Heights Elizabeth Murray Ellis Nutmeg Livery Karla Murtaugh Susie and Jim Perakis Danille and David Petrie Peter and Jeanne Charitable Fund Patricia and Stephen Ross Michele and Tom Quindlen Rotary Club of Ridgefield Rodier Flowers Teed & Brown

2022-2023 Donors continued The Tow Foundation Danielle and Philip Van Riper Weeks Automobile Corporation

Brenda and Dan Berta Barbara Beylouni Nancy and Gene Brandon Ellen Burns and Darwin Ellis $1,000 - $2,499 Kristen and Rick Cacciapaglia Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center Lorraine and Anthony Catalano Stephanie and Andy Anderson Karen Coblens and Thomas Susan Batten and Truitt Bell Rosamilia Matt Bartelme and Kelly Moriarty Richard Conway Sandi Barry Susan Consentino Joshua Benet Elaine and Kevin Cox Sarah and Mark Blandford Shelly and Ira Joe Fisher Brandmark Studios LLC Anna Hardwick Dr. Gregory Brucato Jeffrey Hansen Georgia Burger Dana and Andrew Harnett Heather and Jeff Butchen Annette Hasapidis Christopher Cartelli Cheryl Helfer Tammy Conley and Roselinde Susan Herron Torres Barbara and Paige Hillery Robert and Lauri Craig Robert Iannucci Jennifer Crowl Susan Kania Dalessio Family Foundation Juliet Lambert Pratt and John Harry Dayton Pratt Antonio Fernandez Noelle and Brendan Kenny Jennifer and Christian Forsyth Barbara Manners The Fountain Inn Heidi Marcus Renee and KR Fozouni Elaine and Thomas McIntyre Elizabeth and Raffaele Gallo Kostas Mavridis, Dimitri’s Diner Kerri Glass Michele and Kyle Morehouse Madelyne Gray Polly O’Brien Morrow John Grissmer Benjamin Oko and Helen Dimos Leah and Jonathan Hayner Suzanne Rabinowitz Lenore and Robert Herbst Stephen Reynolds and Susan Wolf Sharon and Darrin Hoffner Ridgefield Library Cynthia and Todd Kemmer Margaret Rodgers Kovak Foundation Evelyn and Jeffrey Sabin Kutnick Foundation Michael Seelbach and David Trish LaRosa Stone Christine and Philip Lodewick Marisa and Timothy Schafer Erika Long David Smith Brenda McKinley Tina and Don Sturges Trish Minskoff Faye and Jerry Walton Terri and Marc Nathanson Joan and Michael Wexelbaum The New York Community Trust Dayna and Jason White Leslie and Michael Partington Marguerite and Alan Winsor Amy Piantaggini Young’s of Ridgefield Jean and James Prusko Grace Weber Jillian and Rob Rae Victoria and David Yolen Angela and Jason Rice Diana and Michael Rosella $250-$499 Kirsten Salley and Danny Butler Sue Bellion Lonnie Shapiro Suzanne Brennan Stephen Shiller Katie Burton Bellanca Smigel Rutter Mary and James Coleman Elizabeth and Andrew Smolenack Carol Dockery Rachel and Joseph Sondheimer Denise and Robert Fontenelli Nick Spofford Roland Fiorelli The Stephen & Carole Schwartz Founder’s Hall Foundation Justin Jabara Leslie and Peter Swan Carrie and Ian Lewis Synchrony Foundation Kristen Lee Tito’s Handmade Vodka Marquerite and John Mehler Chris Whitten, Fred Astaire Cornelius McMorrow and Monroe Dance Studio Alechman Amy Pal and Kevin Maney $500-$999 Mary Ellen Raab Tracy Anderson Michael Rettger

Joseph Savoia Scott Schwartz Ed Smith Martin Wagner Whip Salon $150-$249 Jim Abbott Hilary and Michael Aronow Liz and Phil Arturi Sarah Paige Bareau Danielle Beylouni Meg Campbell Kim and Jeffrey Carone Marian Dar and Richard Schlosberg Debbie Eck Niro and Ed Feliciano Amy Gewirtz Emma Hardiman Marion Hargett Richard Kalriess Richard Larson John Olson Laurie Rippon Anne and Rudy Ruggles III Kassie Seavy Adam Schwabe Joel Third Debbie Thornton Jerusha Vogel Sarah Whitton Kelly York Business Partners 109 Cheese & Wine 850 Degrees Wood Fire Pizza AG Beauty American Metal Whiskey Bobo’s Café - Ridgefield Books on the Commons, LLC Colonial Cleaners Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe De Clercq Office Group First Connecticut Home Services Katie’s Intoxikating Kakes Marty’s Motors New England Landscape Nod Hill Brewery Prospector Theater The Residence Inn - Danbury Ross Bread Shoppe Southwest Café Tusk & Cup *donors from Aug 1 2022– July 31, 2023

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HOME • BODY • SOUL PURVEYORS OF POSITIVITY • A UNIQUE LIFESTYLE BOUTIQUE Crystals & Jewelry • Candles, Essential Oils & Incense Yoga Wear, Boho Clothing & Accessories • Spiritual Gifts & Statuary • Decks, Books & Cards The First Shungite Room in the USA Special events, classes, workshops and retreats in both our Shungite Room and at The Angel Wing (our spiritual center next door). • Readings • Yoga - All Levels • Massage • Reiki • Sound Healing • Acupuncture • Energy Work • Gong Baths • Certification Classes 51 & 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rt 7), Ridgefield, Connecticut 203 -4 31-2959 • THEANGELCOOP.COM

The Beylouni Family and The Colonial Automobile Group wish continued success to our friends at ACT.

The arts inspire a sense of community and bring us comfort and happiness. It is our pleasure, now more than ever, to support professional theatre.

rd : o F l ia n o l o C t a g in y N ow P l a

! o c n o r B e h t f o Th e R e t u r n

ColonialAutomobile.com Colonial Colonial Colonial Brewster Granite 126 Federal Road Danbury CT 06811

89 Newtown Road Danbury CT 06810

100C Federal Road Danbury CT 06811

1021 Route 22 Brewster NY 10509

193 Lowell Road Hudson NH 03051

Help Us, Help Our Community!

Thanks to generous donations, dedicated volunteers and loyal customers, RTS was able to give out 81 local community grants and six scholarships in 2022!

www.RidgefieldThriftShop.com

Because theater brings joy to people of all ages, Ridgeeeld Station is proud to support ACT of Connecticut.

ASSISTED LIVING & COMPASS MEMORY SUPPORT 55 Old Quarry Road, Ridgeﬁeld, CT 203-403-0990 • RidgeﬁeldSLR.com

Nissan of Yorktown Heights is proud to support

ACT of Connecticut and helping to bring the best of Broadway into our local community.

Want to keep in touch with the happenings in the

O68 zip codes? Subscribe for a glimpse into the vibrant culture for the year and receive six bi-monthly issues that focus on the wonderful arts and community that thrive within Connecticut’s first cultural district and surrounding areas. Please note: Residents of Ridgefield and Wilton receive a complimentary magazine subscription. This option is for those who would like to receive the magazine outside of zip codes 06877, 06879, and 06897.

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www.O68Magazine.com

ACT on it

109 Cheese, Wine & Catering 109 Danbury Road, Ridgefield 203-438-5757 7 Old Barn Road, Kent 860-592-0366

CARING FOR THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY Family-owned since 1982

OUR TEAM OF SPECIALISTS

We hope you’ll feel good when you visit our shop…or when you arrive home and notice your dry cleaning has been delivered…or when you see our four-leaf rating awarded by the Green Cleaners Council as proof of our commitment to the environment…or when you look in the mirror and see how great you look in your clothes that have been cared for by Colonial Cleaners.

19 CATOONAH STREET, RIDGEFIELD

Making Ridgefield Sweeter since 1998

Nature’s Temptations YOUR HEALTHY FOOD MARKET

ORGANIC • LOCAL • SUSTAINABLE

100% Organic Produce • Dairy • Meats Seafood • Groceries • Bulk Foods Herbs • Vitamins • Health & Beauty Prepared Foods • Homemade Soups 100% Organic Juice Bar • Café Catering for All Occasions 32 Prospect Street, Ridgefield, CT • 203-438-5443 naturestemptations.com

Lounge Menu Brunch and Lunch Menu Pizza Night Weekly Specials Events

Instructor Led

Independent Study Classes Customized art classes, times, and instructors n Painting n Drawing n Fashion Design & Illustration n Tatoo Art For Beginners n Color and Design n Comic & Character Design n Children’s Book Illustration And Writing

Portfolio Creation 100% Of Students Accepted To School Of Choice

Art Center and Academy

or Call 475-215-5740 for more information

GREAT CARE. ALWAYS HERE. Nursing and Rehabilitation Therapies Parkinson’s Disease Center Palliative and Hospice Care Hourly and Live-In Caregivers 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford

203.438.5555 RVNAhealth.org

LEARN MORE

Stephen Shiller Realtor® 203.300.1783

sshiller@williampitt.com stephenshiller.williampitt.com

Proud Supporter of ACT of CT

Work with a Realtor you can count on to buy or sell a home. Work with a Realtor who is a 25+ year Ridgefield resident and knows who, what, when and where. I don’t just ACT the part of a Realtor, I perform.

470 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT Each office independently owned and operated.

GREGORY BRUCATO, MD, FACS Board Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery Fellow, American College of Surgeons 38-B Grove Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-431-7644 · BrucatoPlasticSurgery.com

Inspiring. Aspiring. Offering Courses In: Pre-Ballet for Age 1 and up Ballet Modern Contemporary Musical Theater

Pointe Jazz Tap Hip Hop

To register, or for more information on current classes as well as our Summer Program, call 203.438.5597 or visit ridgefielddance.org. Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 440 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut

Tune in WMNR Fine Arts Radio with us An Oasis of Classical and Classic Music

WMNR.org

88.1 fm 90.1 fm 91.9 fm

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER at Western Connecticut State University Angels in America, Part One Nov. 3 - 12 Three Sisters Dec. 1 - 3 Next to Normal Feb. 23 - Mar. 3