PLAYBILL Stage 773
Admiral dmiral Earth arth a working title
Contents May/June 2012 THE PROGRAM Including Cast, Who’s Who & Credits
2
Stage 773 Theater in Chicago Au Naturale In Association with
Beard, Bulges & Bad Decisions Present
Admiral dmiral Earth arth Music By
Lyrics By
Matthew Asciutto
Matthew Asciutto Anthony Venturini
Story By
Matthew Asciutto Anthony Venturini Melissa Maddux Jason Maddux Costume Designer
Anthony Venturini
Production Choreographer
Melissa Maddux
Directed By
Matthew Asciutto
Director of Graphics
Jen Klabis / Alice Graphix
Music Performed By
The Earthtones Special Thanks To
Stephanie Vleck Mike Sportiello Pastor Charlotte St. John’s United Church Lauren Bishop Jen Klabis Andrew Diamond Sherra Lasley Adam Cole Stage 773 Second City our friends our family the cast the band Jewel Dominick’s Carrots Hummus the 1990’s Rock and Roll Matthew Lombardo CTA the Good People of Chicago
In Memoriam
JR Strzelec On February 24, 2012 a world of people lost one of the most singularly gentle, supportive, talented, loving and amazing young spirit. JR never went a day without smiling and never lived a day without lending his help, love, and support to everyone he encountered. His humble spirit was a bundle of talent, and his short three years in Chicago were a wonderful gift to all of us fortunate enough to share the stage with him in improv, musicals, and sketch comedy. There is never enough to say or do at a time of loss. There is such an outpouring of love that we all feel and share for JR’s family during these difficult days ahead. Our hearts go out to the Strzelec family. You will be missed.
Cast
(in order of appearance)
Anthony ........................................................................ Anthony Venturini Matt ............................................................................... Matthew Asciutto Paperboys .............................. Kaitlyn Majoy, Kerri Morrison, Erica Skelly Newscaster ............................................................................. Alex Kendig Mother Earth .......................................................................... Andi Woody Admiral Earth .......................................................................... Dylan Carey Poor French Robot ............................................................ Robert Jenkins Dr. Green Hauseffect ................................................................. Rob Speer Flame ..................................................................... Shannon Wittenberger Breeze ............................................................................. Danielle Wheeler Mist .................................................................................. Thomas Einstein Spleen ....................................................................................... Ricky Glore Train Rider ............................................................................. Davide Grody Giant Ninja Rat ........................................................................... Rob Speer The Good People of Chicago ...................... Davide Grody, Kaitlyn Majoy, Leslie Nesbit, Kerri Morrison, Erica Skelly, Ryan Gilbert EARTHTONES Music Director, Guitar: Matt Asciutto Guitar: Joe Logan Bass: Phil Chester Drums: Alex Kendig Piano: Eli Golden TIME: 2053 PLACE: Chicago, IL ADMIRAL EARTH: A WORKING TITLE WILL BE PERFORMED WITH A 10 MINUTE INTERMISSION.
Developed by Matthew Asciutto & Anthony Venturini
Matthew Asciutto
Dylan Carey
Shannon Wittenberger
Anthony Venturini
Rob Speer
Andi Woody
Robert Jenkins
Ricky Glore
Thomas Einstein
Danielle Wheeler
Davide Grody
Kaitlyn Majoy
Leslie Nesbit
Kerri Morrison
Ryan Gilbert
Erica Skelly
Song List 1. “The Setting is” ............................................................... The Good People of Chicago, Admiral Earth, Mother Earth 2. “Brown Line” ......................................................................... Admiral Earth, Ensemble 3. “Covered In” ............................................................................................ Mother Earth 4. “Le Beep” ...................................................................... Poor French Robot, Ensemble 5. “Powers” .......................................................... The Good People of Chicago, Admiral Earth, Mist, Flame, Breeze, Spleen 6. “Chances” ................................................. Poor French Robot, Dr. Green Hauseffect, Admiral Earth, Mother Earth, The Good People of Chicago 7. “12 More Beers to Go” ............................................................... Train Rider, Ensemble 8. “Could Been Me” ............................................. The Good People of Chicago, Admiral Earth, Mist, Flame, Breeze, Spleen 9. “I Can Do This On My Own” ................ Poor French Robot, Admiral Earth, Dr. Green Hauseffect, Mist, Flame, Breeze, Spleen, Ensemble 10. “Where Are You?” ........................................................ The Good People of Chicago, Mist, Flame, Breeze, Spleen 11. “What Did I Do?” ................................. Admiral Earth, Poor French Robot, Dr. Green Hauseffect, Mist, Flame, Breeze, Spleen 12. “ME Blues” .............................................................................................. Mother Earth 13. “Ninja Skills” .............................................. Giant Ninja Rat, Admiral Earth, Ensemble 14. “Travels” ................................. Poor French Robot, Admiral Earth, The Good People of Chicago, Mist, Flame, Breeze, Spleen, Dr. Green Hauseffect 15. “Where is My Song?” ............................................... Dr. Green Hauseffect, Ensemble 16. “Confrontation” ............... Dr. Green Hauseffect, Admiral Earth, Poor French Robot 17. “Searching for Love” ................................... Admiral Earth, Mother Earth, Ensemble
Who’s Who in the Cast
Anthony Venturini (Anthony; Writer; Marketing Director; Assistant Director; Costume Designer; Prop Master; Lighting Design Admirer; TakingCredit-For-Awesome-Set Design-er; Snack Get-er) is…out of room for his bio. He would like to thank everyone involved in this project for their hard work and dedication; what a beautiful experience. And you…the audience!
makes the Midwest a logical place to live.
Matthew Asciutto (Matt; Writer; Director) can hardly believe that this show stands in front of you today. He is very proud of everyone who helped put it there. When he’s not writing rock operas, he can be found at DePaul University pursuing his Master’s Degree in Chemistry. Among his previous theatrical pursuits, Matt’s favorites include playing the title role in the rock musical The Dude Abides and acting as a founding member of SongCo, a Second City House Ensemble. He would like to thank Melissa for her unflagging support.
Andi Woody (Mother Earth) is thrilled to be a part of “Admiral Earth”. When she’s not being kidnapped by evil doctors, Andi can be seen performing for the kiddies in Storytown at iO. You may also have seen her recently in Brunch Punkx at the Annoyance. Andi would like to thank her supercool friends for being s’darn supportive and Erin for being a dummy.
Dylan Carey (Admiral Earth) moved to Chicago from Florida in 2011 to pursue improv and comedy and to study at the iO theatre. Graduating from Eckerd College with a B.A. in Theatre, Dylan has performed with improv troupes Another Man’s Trash and The Third Thought, as well as the sketch group Ladyparts and has enjoyed stage, film, and musical acting. He also has a degree in Marine Biology and a passion for sailing which
Rob Speer (Dr. Green Hauseffect; Giant Ninja Rat) is a graduate of Second City Training Center’s Conservatory and can also be seen in Thirsty! at the Apollo Theater and this May & June as Danny Tanner at Gorilla Tango Theater. This is his first role without a shirt. It should also be the last.
Robert Jenkins (Poor French Robot) is currently performing every Sunday with Second City’s musical house ensemble Infinite Sundaes. He wants to thank His family, friends, Teachers and God for everything they have helped him accomplish. Get at me ladies. Thomas Einstein (Mist) moved to Chicago to study improv in 2010. You can see him playing with Interobang!?, a Harold Team at iO, and The Grrr, a Playground Theater Incubator team, as well as NEXT at Second City on Saturdays. Finally, Improv After Hours, a hot underground improv show , is on Thursdays 10 PM at
Who’s Who in the Cast
Stage 773 (yes, right after this show! Just down the hall! Come by!) He’s delighted to be part of the Admiral Earth cast because the people are nice, and the music’s darn tuneful.
at Chemically Imbalanced Comedy doing imbalanced comedy! Thanks for coming out to this Rock Opera, she hopes she danced well enough for you.
Shannon Wittenberger (Flame) is FIRED UP to be performing in her first real Chicago show since graduating Muhlenberg College last year with a B.A. in theatre and music. Credits there include Orlando and The Pajama Game, and out in her natural habitat of the ‘burbs she has been seen as Olive in Spelling Bee and Rita in Prelude to a Kiss among other. Shannon is also an actor/combatant, and this summer she will be attending the International Stunt School in Washington.
Ryan Gilbert (A GPC) Has been a part of numerous performance based programs, most notably the National High School Institute’s Theatre Division at Northwestern University. He has appeared in many shows around the Chicagoland area as well as doing minor background work in shows such as Glee and Boss. He would like to thank his family and friends for being supportive through all of his endeavors. He would also like to thank Anthony and Matt for helping him to be a part of such an amazing show and experience.
Ricky Glore (Spleen) would like to thank his family and friends and fellow castmates. Thanks for coming out! Danielle Wheeler (Breeze) is beyond stoked to be performing in her first ever Rock Opera! When she’s not rocking out with this awesome cast she can be found performing in Bye Bye Liver every weekend. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support! A very special thanks to her boyfriend, Adam for being amazing and reminding her to recycle! Leslie Nesbit (A GPC) spends most of her time lately on the ComedySportz stage as part of the main ensemble. She is also involved over
Kerri Morrison (A GPC; Paperboy) is a native New Jerseyan and graduated with a BFA in acting from Point Park University. You can see her around Chicago performing sketch comedy with her group Caken-Hatred. Davide Grody (A GPC; Train Rider) is grateful to be a member of Admiral Earth: the process has been an absolute joy from day one. Want to know more about him? Talk to him after the show! A huge thanks to everyone involved in this project, his family, his friends, and the D’Angelo family. Tangential, but Davide played pee-wee league soccer with this guy: http://kck.st/HQlN7c
Who’s Who in the Cast
Erica Skelly (A GPC; Paperboy) is thrilled to be apart of the amazing cast of Admiral Earth! She studied Musical Theatre at Plymouth State University, in New Hampshire where favorite roles include Witch in Into the Woods and Little Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown. Most recently in Chicago she performed in Cursed as a Townsperson at Studio Be. She would like to thank all the talented elements that made this show so radical, and her super mad awesome fiancé Brian. Kaitlyn Majoy (A GPC; Paperboy) is happy to be part of the AE team. Kaitlyn hails from Ohio and recently worked as an actor/educator with CLIMB Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Break a leg cast and crew! Eli Golden (Piano) has been playing piano all of his life. You can see him around chicago as a member of the improv group Delirious Confetti. He is very excited and happy to be part of Admiral Earth, and cannot wait to see Robert Jenkins probably fall down the stairs. Enjoy the show!
Alex Kendig Sherman (Drums, Newscaster) is a harpoonist for many “Save the (insert random sea animal)” campaigns world wide. Ask him about his scars or his website with zero carbon footprint. Joe Logan (Guitar) is also commonly known as Dorian Grey. He was privileged enough to rock out with The Dude, in The Dude Abides & is
excited to do the same with Captain Planet Admiral Earth. Phil Chester (Bass) was born in the United States around the year of 1990. Since then he has performed on trombone, bass, and didgeridoo. Phil was first titillated into the genre of rock opera by The Who’s “Tommy,” and later influenced by “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Although Phil has recently enjoyed Motörhead, he also enjoys friendship and love. His band, Wait, What? is a right jolly band that would very much like to play for you. Philip plays a red bass. Melissa Maddux (Choreographer; Co-Creator) is honored to be working with such a wonderful group of people. She moved back to Chicago after studying choreography in South Africa and founding a dance studio in La Jolla, California. She would like to thank her family and Matt for their perpetual support of her disparate adventures. She recently completed her B.S. in biology from Loyola University and will be attending Veterinary School at the University of Tennessee in the Fall.