FEBRUARY 2024
Book & Lyrics by CHAD BEGUELIN Book by BOB MARTIN Music by MATTHEW SKLAR Based on an original concept by JACK VIERTEL
presented by
sponsored by
Tickets at speedmuseum.org
South �sian Paintings from the San Diego Museum of �rt February 16 – May 12, 2024 Replete with over 80 jewellike painted portraits and manuscript illuminations reflecting the rich and diverse artistic traditions of South Asia from the 16th–19th centuries, this presentation promises to dazzle visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Tickets at speedmuseum.org
Organized By
Exhibition Support By Rose Mary Toebbe Trust Rishabh and Lopa Mehrotra Media Sponsor
Exhibition Season Support By Cary Brown and Steven E. Epstein Debra and Ronald Murphy Sociable Weaver Foundation
Detail: Two lovers sharing a drink Rajasthan, Jaipur ca. 1780 Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper 8 21/32 x 7 9/32 in. (22 x 18.5 cm) The San Diego Museum of Art, Edwin Binney 3rd Collection, 1990.861
FEBRUARY 2024 at the Trager Family JCC
Audience ® is the official program guide for: CenterStage Kentucky Performing Arts Presents Kentucky Shakespeare Louisville Orchestra PNC Broadway in Louisville
PROGRAM The Prom......................................................5
Publisher The Audience Group, Inc. G. Douglas Dreisbach
Cast ..................................................................................6
Managing Editor Amy Higgs
Special Thanks...............................................................14
Biographies....................................................................10
Founding Publishers Jeff and Kay Tull Creative Director Rhonda Mefford Sales & Marketing G. Douglas Dreisbach Printing Minuteman Press, Louisville, KY 2024, The Audience Group, Inc.
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Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Audience ® is published by:
The Audience Group, Inc. 136 St. Matthews Avenue #300 Louisville, KY 40207 502.212.5177 Audience502.com
THEATRE INFORMATION CenterStage performs in the Shapira Foundation Auditorium at the Trager Family JCC, 3600 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville KY 40205. Tickets at jcclouisville.org/centerstage.
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WELCOME TO THE SHOW! We are excited to bring this production to our stage and to you, our audience. Our season goal is to tell stories that celebrate love in its many forms, and we are proud to present this third story to you – one that is based upon a true story, in fact. This production brings so many elements to the stage that I desire when I see a musical – comedy, big dance numbers, memorable music, and a compelling storyline. Most importantly, it has great characters. Characters that bring this seemingly “larger than life” story right to our front door. We know these characters – their humor, sarcasm, and warmth. And portraying these characters is nothing short of an all-star cast. Our company is a powerhouse of talent and dedication, and I am confident this story and the performances will stay with you. The Prom is carrying the banner for love. We see partnerships and unity between so many different people over the course of the storyline – between friends, family and chosen family, romantic partners, and with oneself. There are those who seek to condemn that love and lessen its value. It’s something that persists every day in families and communities. It’s imperative that we continue to fight for love and fight for those we love. We are proud to continue in our mission of strengthening our community by telling stories of the human experience. Stories in which each person in the audience can find meaning, feel seen, and discover a little bit more about those around them. With gratitude,
Erin Silliman Director
DON’T MISS OUR NEXT SHOW!
May 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 2024 4
Scan the code with your smart phone to reserve your tickets or visit jcclouisville.org/centerstage
A U D I E N C E
at the Trager Family JCC
presents
BOOK & LYRICS BY
CHAD BEGUELIN BOOK BY
BOB MARTIN MUSIC BY
MATTHEW SKLAR BASED ON AN ORIGINAL CONCEPT BY
JACK VIERTEL FEBRUARY 22 - MARCH 3, 2024 FEATURING
DREW ASHLEY, LIV ASHLEY, LEILANI BRACEY, SETH BREWER, CHAD MICHAEL BROSKY, JILLIAN CAIN, JASON COOPER, LIAM CURRY, GILLIAN DICKINSON, FRANK GOODLOE, RUSTY HENLE, KENNEDY JULIAN, JULIE MCGUFFEY, NATALIE MINTON, ALEXIS PAXTON, WILLIAM PAXTON, ZOE PETIPRIN, CHANNING RIVERA, SANDRA RIVERA, AUSTIN SEELEY, COOPER TURK-GAGEL, SARAH ZIGRYE DIRECTOR
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
ERIN SILLIMAN
BENJI SIMMONS
CHOREOGRAPHERS
SANDRA RIVERA & FRANK GOODLOE
STAGE MANAGER
SCENIC ARTIST
SCENIC DESIGN
LOGAN McNEELEY
CLARITY HAGAN
ERIN SILLIMAN
SCENIC BUILD
LIGHTING DESIGNER
SOUND DESIGNERS
CLAY CHAPMAN
NICK DENT
NICK STEVENS & CAL REED
COSTUME DESIGN
LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR
SOUND BOARD OPERATORR
ERIN SILLIMAN & JULIE McGUFFEY
COLTON BACHINSKI
CAL REED
SPOTLIGHT OPERATOR
DANCE CAPTAIN
LEVI TASMAN
LIV ASHLEY SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR
The Prom is presented by arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide. www.theatricalrights.com A U D I E N C E
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CAST
CHANNING RIVERA
SANDRA RIVERA
LEILANI BRACEY
CHAD MICHAEL BROSKY
LIV ASHLEY
ALEXIS PAXTON
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FRANK GOODLOE
KENNEDY JULIAN
SETH BREWER
GILLIAN DICKINSON
JULIE McGUFFEY
JILLIAN CAIN
RUSTY HENLE
DREW ASHLEY
NATALIE MINTON
LIAM CURRY,
JASON COOPER
COOPER TURK-GAGEL
AUSTIN SEELEY
WILLIAM PAXTON
A U D I E N C E
SARAH ZIGRYE
ZOE PETIPRIN
CAST EMMA NOLAN......................................................................................................... CHANNING RIVERA ALYSSA GREENE............................................................................................................LEILANI BRACEY MRS. GREENE..................................................................................................................... JILLIAN CAIN DEE DEE ALLEN...........................................................................................................JULIE MCGUFFEY TRENT OLIVER.................................................................................................CHAD MICHAEL BROSKY ANGIE DICKINSON........................................................................................................SANDRA RIVERA BARRY GLICKMAN......................................................................................................... JASON COOPER MARION HAWKINS.....................................................................................................FRANK GOODLOE SHELDON SAPERSTEIN.................................................................................................... RUSTY HENLE SHELBY/ENSEMBLE.............................................................................................................. LIV ASHLEY KAYLEE/ENSEMBLE.................................................................................................... KENNEDY JULIAN NICK/ENSEMBLE..............................................................................................................DREW ASHLEY KEVIN/ENSEMBLE................................................................................................COOPER TURK-GAGEL OLIVIA KEATING/MOTEL CLERK/MRS. GREENE’S FRIEND..............................................ALEXIS PAXTON ADULT ENSEMBLE............................................................................SETH BREWER, NATALIE MINTON, AUSTIN SEELEY, SARAH ZIGRYE YOUTH ENSEMBLE.......................................................................... GILLIAN DICKINSON, LIAM CURRY, WILLIAM PAXTON, ZOE PETIPRIN
ORCHESTRA PIANO................................................................................................................... JOHN AUSTIN CLARK KEYBOARD.......................................................................................................................THOMAS WITT BASS.....................................................................................................................................DAVE NEILL GUITAR............................................................................................................................. DOUG PAYNE DRUMS.........................................................................................................................BENJI SIMMONS PERCUSSION..............................................................................................................CATLYN SIMMONS TRUMPET 1.................................................................................................................ROGER LEVERING TRUMPET 2..............................................................................................................MELANIE DILLMAN TROMBONE........................................................................................................................MIKE SMITH REEDS...................................................................................................................MICHAEL BURKHEAD
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MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I
ACT II
Changing Lives
Zazz
Changing Lives (Reprise)
The Lady’s Improving
Just Breathe
Love Thy Neighbor
It’s Not About Me
Alyssa Greene
Dance with You
Barry is Going to Prom
The Acceptance Song
Unruly Heart
You Happened
It’s Time to Dance
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WHO’S WHO in the CAST DREW ASHLEY (Nick) is excited to return to Centerstage! He is a sophomore musical theater major at YPAS. Some of his favorite past roles include Evan Goldman in 13 at JCC Centerstage, Schwartz in A CHRISTMAS STORY, Michael in ELF THE MUSICAL at Derby Dinner Playhouse, and Billy Flynn in CHICAGO at Dancensation Studios. When not performing, Drew enjoys listening to Taylor Swift and collecting vinyl records. He would like to thank his music/dance teachers, family, and friends for their support! LIV ASHLEY (Shelby) is excited to be back at Centerstage for her third production. Liv’s first ever musical was Sound Of Music at Centerstage at the age of 7 and she cannot wait to perform here again as an adult! Liv is a senior at YPAS and plans to attend college next year to study broadcast journalism. She would love to thank the whole production team at Centerstage, her Dancensation Family, and her family and friends for all of their love and support! LEILANI BRACEY (Alyssa Greene) is so excited to be back at Centerstage playing her dream role! She played Lucy in Centerstage’s production of 13 The Musical last year. She is a sophomore musical theater major and the Youth Performing Arts School. Some of her favorite roles include Little Sally in Urinetown (YPAS), Margaret Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility (KY Shakespeare), Alice in Alice in Wonderland (Faithworks Studios), and Little Timoune in Once on This Island (Actors Theatre). She wants to thank her Mom for all the support and love! SETH BREWER (Ensemble) is so excited to be returning to the JCC stage having recently been in First Date (Aaron) and Carousel (Ensemble)! Regional credits include Beauty and the Beast (Lumière), Sweeney Todd (Tobias Ragg), Mary Poppins (Bert), Spamalot (Not Dead Fred, Prince Herbert, Historian), Shrek (Donkey), Footloose (Ren), Godspell (John the Baptist/Judas), and Fiddler… (Motel). Seth would like to thank his friends and family for their continued love and support! CHAD MICHAEL BROSKY (Trent Oliver) has worked alongside many notable names in the industry including Ashton Kutcher, Selena Gomez and Zach Braff on projects like The Suite Life Of Zach and Cody, Wizards Of Waverly Place and Scrubs. Stage credits include Hairspray, Legally Blonde 10
The Musical and touring with the award winning team and several members of the Dancing With The Stars cast on the ballroom dance revue, Burn The Floor. He is excited to get back on stage with some of his life long friends at Centerstage, where he started his performance journey over 20 years ago! JILLIAN CAIN (Mrs. Greene) is delighted to return to CenterStage this season for The Prom. The dancer, singer, and arts educator is a Louisville native and a YPAS graduate. Jillian was last seen in First Date and Carousel with CenterStage, and in Once On This Island with Redline Performing Arts, where she also serves on the Board of Directors. Jillian is excited to work with yet another amazing cast/crew at the J! #LoveIsLove JASON COOPER (Barry Glickman) has worked in professional, regional, and community theatre for over twenty-five years. He is thrilled to be returning (home) to Centerstage after a long absence. In 2019 Jason Founded the awardwinning The Chicken Coop Theatre Company. His recent credits include Jersey Boys (Bob Crewe) at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN, and The Chicken Coop’s and Drag Daddy Productions’ wildly successful co-production of Jesus Christ Superstar (Herod)., Love to DC! LIAM CURRY (Ensemble) is so excited to be a part of The Prom! He is a musical theatre major at YPAS, and has previously been in 13 (ensemble), Urinetown (ensemble/swing), and Aladdin Jr. (Kassim). Liam is also excited to be working with Pandora Productions this summer in “My Mothers Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding,” as young David. He would like to thank his voice teachers, Garrett and Elizabeth Sorenson, as well as his family and friends. GILLIAN DICKINSON (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back performing at CenterStage. Previous credits include 13 The Musical (Ensemble), and Beauty And The Beast (Ensemble). She trains at Dancensation Studios, where she is a Showbiz Kid, and a competition-level dancer. She would like to thank the cast and crew, and especially her parents. FRANK GOODLOE (Marion Hawkins) is very excited to return to the CenterStage stage in this amazing show. He has worked with Derby Dinner Playhouse, Chicken Coop Theater,
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Pandora Productions (where he recently closed RENT in the role of Mr. J and swing/understudy for Benny and Collins,) and CenterStage where he was the Performance and Visual Arts Director. Favorite roles: Driving Miss Daisy (Hoke), Full Monty (Horse), Big River (Jim), and many others. Frank teaches dance, voice and acting at Dancenstarion Studios. RUSTY HENLE (Sheldon Saperstein) is thrilled to return to CenterStage. Past productions include Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Sheriff), The Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp); Baby (Alan), La Cage Aux Folles (Georges), 9 to 5 (Franklin Hart), and Funny Girl (Nick Arnstein). Other favorite roles include Falsettos (Whizzer), Pandora Productions, South Pacific (Lt. Joe Cable), Westgate Dinner Theatre, 1776 (Richard Henry Lee), Music Theatre Louisville. Rusty is proud to work with children as an Occupational Therapist. Thank you Claude for making life so sweet. KENNEDY JULIAN (Kaylee) a YPAS sophomore, is excited to be part of this amazing cast and thanks CenterStage for this opportunity. Previously, Kennedy enjoyed the roles of Annie (Annie),
Young Anna (Frozen), Little Sally (Urinetown), Beth Bradley (Best Christmas Pageant), Mary Sunshine (Chicago), and Kendra (13). Kenendy appreciates the training she receives from Dancensation Studios, Sandra Rivera, Jill Sullivan-Fulton, Emily Fields, and her YPAS teachers. She also wants to thank her family for continuing to encourage her. JULIE McGUFFEY (Dee Dee Allen) is delighted to be back at CenterStage after her recent performance as Rona in Spelling Bee. Other favorite performances include Mamma Mia! (Donna), Carrie (Margaret) and Pippin (Fastrada) with Acting Against Cancer; 9 to 5 (Violet) and Spring Awakening (Adult Female) with CenterStage; and Once the Musical (Barushka) with Timeslip. In her spare time, Julie is Senior Counsel and Director of Intellectual Property for a pizza company and a recent empty-nester enjoying her free time (“40 is the new 20”). NATALIE MINTON (Ensemble) is over the moon to be in her first production with CenterStage! After completing a degree in Vocal Music from the University of Kentucky in 2015, Natalie is pursuing a degree in Music Therapy from University of
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Louisville and is currently completing a Music Therapy internship. She feels so lucky to live in an area of Kentucky that has such a thriving theatre scene! She was most recently seen in Jesus Christ Superstar as Annas with Drag Daddy Productions and The Chicken Coop Theatre. Other appearances include Once as the Bank Manager with Time Slip Theatre; American Psycho as Jean with Acting Against Cancer; The Secret Garden as Lily with TheatreWorks of Southern Indiana. Natalie would like to thank her husband Drew, her family, and her friends, whom she loves with all of her heart. ALEXIS PAXTON (Olivia Keating) is so excited to be a part of The Prom! She was last seen in Carousel with Centerstage, as Beth in Coherence (Time Slip Theatre) last spring, and has performed in shows with Bunbury Theatre Company and the Louisville Dinner Detective show. Alexis is the Choir Director at Louisville Male High School. Thank you to Erin and Logan for all their dedication, and to her family. WILLIAM PAXTON (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be a part of The Prom! William is 15 and a sophomore musical theater major at the YPAS. He was
recently seen as Old Man Strong in Urinetown: The Musical, Richie in 13: The Musical, and Friedrich in The Sound of Music (ACT Productions). William would like to thank his parents, friends, sister, and two dachshunds for always supporting him! ZOE PETIPRIN (Ensemble) is delighted to return to Centerstage! An 11th grader at Francis Parker School and member of Dancensation Studios, she was recently seen as Juror 4 in 12 Angry Jurors and Louise Lerman in Ruthless, The Musical. Zoë earned the Ed Gupton Memorial Drama Award for her commitment to the performing arts and was recognized for her portrayal of Mrs. Soames (Our Town) by the National Youth Arts. CHANNING RIVERA (Emma Nolan) is happy to be a part of another Centerstage production. She was most recently seen as Patrice in 13: The Musical. She is a freshman musical theater major at YPAS. She has performed at Derby Dinner Playhouse in Music Man and A Christmas Story. Favorite shows/roles include Matilda (Lavender), Mary Poppins (Jane Banks), Into the Woods (Little Red), Shrek (Young Fiona). She studies dance, drama and voice at Dancensation Studios. She is
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excited to share the stage with her mom and so many great friends in this production. SANDRA RIVERA (Angie Dickinson) is excited to be the choreographer for The Prom and also to play to role of Angie. She has choreographed many productions over the years for Centerstage including Annie, Little Mermaid, Falsettos and more. Roles at the JCC include Joseph… (Potiphar’s wife) A Grand Night for Singing, Gypsy (Electra) and Cabaret (Sally Bowles) just to name a few. She was a Footnote and a regular at Derby Dinner Playhouse for over 20 years performing in almost 50 shows. Sandra also performed and choreographed for numerous theme parks and cruise lines. Sandra is the owner/director of Dancensation Studios which is celebrating it’s 30th year of business. She is proud to teach her students the joy of being musical theater performers. Sandra is very excited to share the stage with many of her students and best friends and also to get to perform a duet with her daughter Channing who is playing the role of Emma. Enjoy the show - ZAZZ! AUSTIN SEELEY (Ensemble) is excited to be back on stage in The Prom with Centerstage! Austin
was last on stage in Carousel at Centerstage. Some previous roles include Cogsworth in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Scuttle in Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Centerstage and Houdini in Ragtime at Faith Works. When not performing, Austin enjoys traveling, being an uncle and worshipping his lord and savior, Beyonce. He would always like to thank his friends and family for their love and support. COOPER TURK-GAGEL (Kevin) is excited to be a part of this season at CenterStage. He has acted in plays such as The Diary of Anne Frank (Peter), 13: The Musical (Brett Sampson), The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Leroy, Ralph, and Ollie Herdman), Legally Blonde Jr (Warner Huntington), and Spamalot (Sir Galahad). Cooper is thankful for the amazing experience that JCC has given to him and the support of his family and friends. SARAH ZIGRYE (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her CenterStage debut. She recently played the role of Elly Mae Clampett in the Oldham County Arts Center production of Beverly Hillbillies, her first production after a five year hiatus. A big thanks to her husband and all others who help wrangle her kids so she can take time to do what she loves on the stage.
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CENTERSTAGE COMMITTEE Sarah Harlan, Committee Chair Colette Delaney Mattingly Gene Dorf Scott Goodman Rusty Henle Mimi Housewright Cindy Hytken
Brian Martin Julie McGuffey Rabbi Stan Miles Alexis Paxton Graham Pilotte Sam Pilotte
Donald Platoff Tymika Prince Daniel Riddlesmith Sandra Rivera Larry Singer
SPECIAL THANKS Actors’ Theatre of Louisville Crossfade Design LLC Phoenix Lighting Stage Right Corp. A.G. Exhibitions
Bar Ties Shapira Foundation Audience Magazine Thomas Wissinger & Trager Family JCC Administration
Trager Family JCC Marketing & IT Teams Trager Family JCC Custodial Services Centerstage Committee & Volunteers
GOLD AND SILVER MEMBERS Allison and Daniel Noonan Bruce and Marcia Roth David & Barry Roth Edwin Goldberg
Jon and Sarah Klein Mark and Lisa Eichengreen Steven and Sloan Goldberg
CENTERSTAGE: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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Box Office and VIP Lounge open one hour prior to showtime curtain.
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General Admission seating will open 30 minutes prior to showtime curtain.
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Accessible seating is available.
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Exchange Policy: Tickets are non-refundable but may be exchanged PRIOR to your performance time. The exchange must be for another performance time of the same production, availability permitting.
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CenterStage and the Trager Family Jewish Community Center will follow CDC Heath Guidelines and best practice recommendations. Patrons will receive email communication with current health requests, requirements, and any changes or updates to our practices.
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