Audience | First Date | CenterStage at The Trager Family JCC | November 2023

NOVEMBER 2023

Book by AUSTIN WINSBERG Music and Lyrics by ALAN ZACHARY and MICHAEL WEINER presented by

sponsored by

SEPT 29, 2023 –JAN 7, 2024

AMERICAN ART FROM THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM

Tickets at speedmuseum.org

This exhibition is made possible

Exhibition season sponsored by:

by the leadership support of the

Cary Brown and Steven E. Epstein

Terra Foundation for American Art

Sociable Weaver Foundation

and organized by the Princeton

Debra and Ronald Murphy

University Art Museum.

DAV FAM Art Fund

Additional major support provided by:

Detail: Renee Cox, born 1960, Colgate, Jamaica; active New York, NY The Signing, 2018, printed 2022

Carol Sharpe Harper, Grafton

Inkjet print

Harper and Spencer Harper III

28 3/4 x 84 in.

DAV FAM Art Fund

Princeton University Art Museum

Carol and Tracy Farmer

Museum purchase,

Max and Ellen Shapira

Kathleen Compton Sherrerd Fund

Media sponsor

for Acquisitions in American Art © Renee Cox

NOVEMBER 2023 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 First Date....................................................5

Publisher The Audience Group, Inc. G. Douglas Dreisbach

Cast ..................................................................................6

Managing Editor Amy Higgs

Special Thanks...............................................................10

Biographies......................................................................9

Founding Publishers Jeff and Kay Tull Creative Director Rhonda Mefford Sales & Marketing G. Douglas Dreisbach Printing Minuteman Press, Louisville, KY 2023, The Audience Group, Inc.

©

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.

GET DIGITAL WITH AUDIENCE502!

Our digital footprint is stronger than ever. We keep performing arts enthusiasts “in the know” with show previews, reviews, photo galleries, ticket offers, and more.

To read this program in a digital format, scan the QR code with your smartphone, or visit Audience502.com

502.212.5177 AHiggs@TheAudienceGroup.com Audience502.com

WELCOME TO THE SHOW! Our season celebrates love and the many ways it plays throughout our lives. We are excited to continue our storytelling with FIRST DATE! Like CAROUSEL, we endeavored to use our space in a new way for this production in order to bring a unique theatre experience to our community.

Erin Silliman Director

A sharp departure from our first production, though, this story is a contemporary tale of dating in the modern world. Finding love has, historically, never been easy, but this story takes that process to a different level. Our story examines the inner-worlds of potential partners and their experience on a first date. What is so engaging is the privilege to enter one’s private thoughts and see that we all desire to feel accepted, seen, loved, and have common fears of rejection or feelings of doubt.

We are thankful you are here with us as we continue with the 2023-24 season. We are excited to partner with the wonderful local restaurant and wine bar LouVino on this production and thank them for helping our story come to life on the stage. We hope this story of love brings something good into your life so that we may all be generous, empathetic, and accepting towards one another.

In a world where snap judgments and preconceived notions often guide our decisions, FIRST DATE reminds us that there is always more to people than meets the eye through the story of two strangers brought together by fate and a little matchmaking.

Alex Roby Assistant Director

As you enjoy the funny and heartwarming moments our characters share, take a moment to think about how appearances can be deceiving and that first impressions aren’t always correct. While you may think you have someone figured out from a single glance, everyone has stories waiting to be uncovered. By embracing the unexpected and the chance to connect, we open ourselves up to personal growth and the joy of living.

We hope FIRST DATE inspires you to keep an open heart and mind, ready to embrace the wonderful surprises that life has in store. Sit back, enjoy the show, and remember that every first date is an opportunity for something extraordinary.

4

A U D I E N C E

at the Trager Family JCC

presents

BOOK BY

AUSTIN WINSBURG MUSIC & LYRICS BY

ALAN ZACHARY & MICHAEL WEINER ORCHESTRATIONS

VOCAL AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC ARRANGEMENTS

AUGUST ERIKSMOEN

DOMINICK AMENDUM

Originally Produced on Broadway by: Junkyard Dog Productions, Stem Productions, Altar Identity Studios, Alex and Katya Lukianov, Susan and Jim Blair, Linda and Bill Potter, in association with Yasuhiro Kawana Vijay and Sita Vashee Kevin and Lynn Foley Jeff and Julie Goldstein, Edward and Mimi Kirsch Frank and Denise Phillips, Steve Reynolds and Paula Rosput Reynolds, Land Line Productions, Alhadeff Family Productions/Sheri and Les Biller Pat Halloran/Laura Little Theatrical Productions, Tony Meola/Remmel T. Dickinson and John Yonover and ShadowCatcher Entertainment/Tom and Connie Walsh.

NOVEMBER 2-12, 2023 FEATURING

SETH BREWER, JILLIAN CAIN, LOUISA FREY, PHIL GOSSELIN, JOSH O’BRIEN, COLLETTE PRIDDY, ALEX ROBY DIRECTOR

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

CHOREOGRAPHER

ERIN SILLIMAN

BENJI SIMMONS

MOLLY KAYS

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

STAGE MANAGER

SCENIC ARTIST

ALEX ROBY

LOGAN McNEELEY

MORGAN McGILL

SCENIC DESIGN

SET BUILD

LIGHTING DESIGNER

ERIN SILLIMAN

NATHAN PROFFITT

COLTON BACHINSKI

SOUND DESIGNERS

LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR

NICK STEVENS & CAL REED

COLTON BACHINSKI

SOUND BOARD OPERATOR

SPOTLIGHT OPERATOR

CAL REED

JENNY FERNANDEZ SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

FIRST DATE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com A U D I E N C E

5

CAST AARON............................................................................................................................. SETH BREWER CASEY................................................................................................................................. LOUISA FREY MAN #1........................................................................................................................... JOSH O’BRIEN WOMAN #1....................................................................................................................... JILLIAN CAIN MAN #2................................................................................................................................ALEX ROBY WOMAN #2.............................................................................................................. COLLETTE PRIDDY MAN #3......................................................................................................................... PHIL GOSSELIN

SETH BREWER

LOUISA FREY

ALEX ROBY

JOSH O’BRIEN

COLLETTE PRIDDY

JILLIAN CAIN

PHIL GOSSELIN

ORCHESTRA KEYBOARD....................................................................................................................THOMAS WHITT REEDS................................................................................................................ MICHAEL BURKEHEAD GUITAR 1/KEYBOARD 2...................................................................................................TOMMY COOK GUITAR 2/ KEYBOARD 3....................................................................................................JEFF PAYTON DRUMS........................................................................................................................ BENJI SIMMONS BASS.....................................................................................................................................DAVE NEILL

6

A U D I E N C E

QUEENS OF SOUL

FRIDAY JAN 19, 2024 PRESENTED BY

THE LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA BOB BERNHARDT, CONDUCTOR An evening featuring hits made famous by the reigning divas of Soul and R&B: Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys and Adele.

Features three female singers performing popular hits made famous by these powerful and soulful songstresses.

TICKETS AT LOUISVILLEORCHESTRA.ORG

CONCERT PROGRAM PROUD MARY AT LAST NEW ATTITUDE MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA DON’T LEAVE ME THIS WAY ROLLING IN THE DEEP THE BEST FALLIN’ I’M EVERY WOMAN

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY TOUCH ME IN THE MORNING YOU KNOW I’M NO GOOD HELLO RESPECT FREEWAY OF LOVE YOU MAKE ME FEEL

A U D I E N C E

7

MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I

ACT II

The One

I’d Order Love

First Impressions

Allison’s Theme #2

Bailout Song #1

The Things I Never Said

The Girl for You

Bailout Song #3

The Awkward Pause

In Love With You

Allison’s Theme #1

The Check!

That’s Why You Love Me

Something That Will Last

Bailout Song #2 Safer 15-MINUTE INTERMISSION

8

A U D I E N C E

WHO’S WHO in the CAST SETH BREWER (Aaron) is stoked to return to the JCC stage having just joined for Carousel!

Previous 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). Much love to friends and family for their support!

JOSH O’BRIEN (Man #1) is so excited to be returning to CenterStage at the JCC. He was previously seen with the company in Hair (Berger), Sweeney Todd (Pirelli), and Assassins (John Hinckley, Jr.). Other selected credits include It Shoulda Been You (Marty) and Love! Valour!

Compassion! (Arthur) with Pandora, Monty Python’s Spamalot! (Patsy) with METC, Company (Bobby) with AYUTC, and Titanic (Frederick Fleet) and The Secret Garden (Archibald) with TheatreWorks of So. Indiana. Thank you Erin and Benji! I love you, Jen. JILLIAN CAIN (Woman #1) is delighted to return to CenterStage in First Date. The dancer, singer, choreographer, and arts educator is a Louisville native and a Youth Performing Arts School graduate. Jillian was last seen in Carousel! at CenterStage, and in Once On This Island with Redline Performing Arts, where she also serves on the Board of Directors. Previous stage credits include 42nd Street and West Side Story. Jillian is grateful to perform with yet another amazing cast/crew at the J! LOUISA FREY (Casey) is excited and grateful to be doing her first show with Centerstage.

You may have seen Louisa before at area shows with TheatreWorks of SOIN such as Big Fish or The Humanities Theatre Festival. She would like to thank her friends and family for their ongoing support.

PHIL GOSSELIN (Man #3) was last seen as Enoch Snow in CenterStage’s production of Carousel, and is thrilled to be back! Previous credits include Everybody Else in SUDS, Tito in Lend Me a Tenor, Lenny in Rumors, Clown 1 in The 39 Steps, and Nicely in Guys and Dolls. Phil holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University. Thank you to Erin, Alex, Benji, Molly, and Logan for the opportunity. For Jenny and Flint!

COLLETTE PRIDDY (Woman #2) is excited to make her debut with Centerstage this season. She’s slowly become more involved in the community theater scene over the past two years and is loving every minute of it! Her most memorable roles she has played recently were Maleficent in Disney Descendants with Sacred Heart School for the Arts and Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer with Redline performing arts! She is so grateful for the opportunity to perform everyday!

ALEX ROBY (Man #2) is excited to return to CenterStage after performing in Spelling Bee this Spring! He attended Belmont University, earning his Bachelor and Master of Music in commercial music performance. While in Nashville, he had the opportunity to share the stage with musicians such as Hans Zimmer, CeCe Winans, and Michael W. Smith. Some of his favorite roles include Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon), Xanadu (Thalia), and Mamma Mia! (Sky). Thank you Jason, Bert, and Benji for everything!

YOU DON’T HAVE TO TAKE A NUMBER EVER AGAIN

4OPTIONS TO RENEW CAR TAGS Online | JeffersonCountyClerk.org Telephone | (502) 569-3300 Drop-Box | At every Motor Vehicle location Mail-In | P.O. Box 33033

A U D I E N C E

Louisville, KY 40232-3033

9

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 Sam Pilotte Donald Platoff

Tymika Prince Daniel Riddlesmith Sandra Rivera Larry Singer

SPECIAL THANKS Crossfade Design LLC Phoenix Lighting Stage Right Corp.

A.G. Exhibitions Bar Ties

Shapira Foundation Doo Wop Shop 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

Elaine Bornstein Jon and Sarah Klein Mark and Lisa Eichengreen Steven and Sloan Goldberg

CENTERSTAGE: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

10

•

Box Office and VIP Lounge open one hour prior to showtime curtain.

•

General Admission seating will open 30 minutes prior to showtime curtain.

•

Accessible seating is available.

•

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.

•

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.

A U D I E N C E

at the Trager Family JCC

2023-24 TICKET INFORMATION THE PROM February 22, 24, 25, 29, 2024 March 2, 3, 2024

SHE LOVES ME May 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 2024

DON’T MISS OUR UPCOMING SHOWS! Visit jcclouisville.org/centerstage for information on pricing, choosing dates, and payment options. Thank you for supporting local theatre and CenterStage with your ticket purchases!

Scan the code with your smart phone to reserve your tickets now!

CHEF-DRIVEN, SOUTHERN-INSPIRED CUISINE WITH A SELECTION OF CURATED WINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD A GREAT PLACE FOR A DATE!

PRESENT THIS PLAYBILL FOR

10% OFF

YOUR FOOD PURCHASE! TWO LOUISVILLE LOCATIONS

HIGHLANDS 1606 BARDSTOWN RD DOUGLASS HILLS 11400 MAIN ST WWW.LOUVINO.COM

A U D I E N C E

11

Shop works from over

850

Kentucky-based arrsts and small businesses

Open Daily 9am - 6pm 200 Artisan Way Berea, KY 40403