Kevin Glaccum Producing Artistic Director
AZUKA THEATRE presents
by JORDAN HARRISON Featuring KATHRYN PETERSEN KEITH J. CONALLEN DELANTÉ G. KEYS JOE MALLON KEVIN MEEHAN AMANDA SCHOONOVER ZURA YOUNG Set Design DIRK DUROSSETTE
Costume Design ALISA SICKORA KLECKNER
Sound Design/Original Music TROY HERION Video Design STEVE ORGAN
Lighting Design JOSHUA L. SCHULMAN Sound Engineer MATT RICCHINI
Assistant Director ALLISON HEISHMAN Stage Manager LINDSAY GALBRAITH Directed by KEVIN GLACCUM
August 27 - September 13, 2008 Azuka Theatre Collective is a 501 (c) (3) Not for Profit Organization Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. www.playscripts.com
CAST Moll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amanda Schoonover Oliver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Delanté G. Keys The Narrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Zura Young The Mercenary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Keith J. Conallen Father, Mr. Wachtel, Voice One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joe Mallon Mother, Miss Kendrick, Voice Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kathryn Petersen* Foley Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kevin Meehan *Member of Actors’ Equity Association
There will be no intermission. Please TURN OFF your cellular phones, pagers and watch alarms prior to the performance. Photography of any kind, including cellular phones, is strictly prohibited.
The noted Actors in this production are members of Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Azuka Theatre is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (GPCA).
Azuka Theatre is a member of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia (TAGP).
Azuka Theatre proudly participates in the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre.
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR I like to think all of us are involved in the act of creation on a daily basis. If you’re as lucky as I am your career offers you a creative outlet, but even if that isn’t the case we all spend time trying to create a nice life for ourselves or our families. Whether it’s creating a nice garden, a happy home or better future, we often put everything we have into the process…including a piece of ourselves. That’s what attracted me to Kid Simple. Our heroine Moll creates something and quite literally puts a piece of her self in it to make it work. Anyone who’s ever made anything can relate to this, as well as to the idea of what your reaction might be if someone were to come along and take this creation from you…watch out! Kid Simple is very reminiscent for me of stories I loved as a child, particularly The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland; a young girl goes to a strange place, meets some very interesting characters, all in an attempt to get back to where she started. It was that fairy tale aspect of this story that led me to the design choices we made. Troy Herion, our sound designer, suggested the idea of Steampunk when we had our first meeting. Researching this design concept I had a bit of a Eureka moment. It felt like the perfect compliment to this tale; somehow familiar and strange all at the same time. I really wanted to give Kid Simple a world of its own, because it’s often while looking at the fantastical that we most clearly see what’s right in front of us, the hearts desire in our own backyard. I hope all of you see a bit of yourselves in Moll’s quest. I know I did.
WHO’S WHO Amanda Schoonover (Moll) is thrilled to back with Azuka for the 6th time! Amanda is a two time Barrymore Award recipient for her work as Dottie Smith in Theatre Exile’s Killer Joe directed by Joe Canuso. She has worked with many theaters in Philadelphia including People’s Light, the Lantern, Bristol Riverside, Hedgerow, Luna, Brat Productions and Pig Iron. She also co-produced and performed in the critically acclaimed 4.48 Psychosis with Theater Catalyst. Thanks to Kevin for another great opportunity! Delanté G. Keys (Oliver) is elated to have his Azuka debut! Delanté is a recent graduate of Arcadia University’s B.F.A. Acting Program. Since graduation, he has appeared in Little Bunny Voodoo’s Late Night at the Tiki Bar at last year’s Fringe Festival, Living News at the National Constitution Center, Six Degrees of Separation at Allen’s Lane Theater, Curio Theatre Company’s The Nutcracker and What the Butler Saw, and the world premiere of Black Gold with InterAct Theatre Company. Thanks to all! Zura Young (The Narrator) is thrilled to finally be working with Azuka. She most recently performed in The Life of Galileo at The Wilma. MFA Old Globe Theatre, San Diego where some roles included Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard, Ginny in Relatively Speaking and Lady Britomart in Major Barbara. Also Anthony and Cleopatra, As You Like It, Comedy of Errors and A Winters Tale, Old Globe Shakespeare Festival. Love to my Saulty Sea Dog, Dan and K. Much thanks to Kevin for this wonderful opportunity. Keith J. Conallen (The Mercenary) is thrilled to make his Azuka debut. Thanks to Kevin, cast and crew. Keith has worked with Brat Productions, Lantern Theater, Flashpoint Theatre and others. Support your local artists and check out Traverse Arts Project. Go Fringe. Love to Grant. Joe Mallon (Father, Mr. Wachtel, Voice One) graduated with a BFA from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Recent Philadelphia credits include El Gallo in The Fantasticks (Kimmel Center Cadillac Broadway Series), Alan in Picnic (Montgomery Theater), and multiple roles in Working (Theatre Horizon). He has also performed improvisation with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City. When not performing, he assists Tony Braithwaite in directing the shows at his beloved alma mater, St. Joseph’s Prep. Special thanks to Kevin for this opportunity, Tony, Howie, Will, Matt, Brendan, Annie, and Mom and Dad for all your support. Kathryn Petersen (Mother, Miss Kendrick, Voice Two) is thrilled to be working with the wonderful folks at Azuka. Kathryn has appeared regionally in over seventy productions. She has been awarded the Emerging Artist Award from The Princess
Grace Foundation and has been nominated for Philadelphia’s Best Actress Barrymore for the role of Jill in Jack & Jill. Kathryn is an Artistic Associate and company member of The People’s Light & Theater Company located in Malvern PA. As a playwright, Kathryn has had nine plays produced and two published (in 2006 by Dramatic Publishing.) She is a member of the Dramatist Guild of America. Kathryn is also an Assistant Professor at Arcadia University. Kevin Meehan (Foley Artist) is a Philadelphia native and graduate of Adelphi University. His recent credits include performances in Cardboard-Box Collective’s reading of Slip/Shot, Philadelphia Dramatist Center’s anonymous theatre piece Won At Last, and Kafka in the Hedgerows at Hedgerow Theatre, where he also spent 8 months in their Fellowship program. He’d like to thank the Azuka family for this wonderful opportunity, experience, and challenge. He is also most grateful for his family and friends’ love and support. “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” Jordan Harrison (Playwright). His plays include Doris to Darlene; Act a Lady, Amazons and Their Men and The Museum Play. Jordan’s plays have been seen and developed at Ars Nova Theatre, Geva Theatre Center, Illusion Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, PlayLabs, PlayPenn, Playwrights Horizons, Rattlestick Productions, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre Company, Soho Rep, South Coast Rep, Tokyo International Arts Festival, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Jordan has been supported by a Lucille Lortel Fellowship, two Jerome Fellowships and a McKnight Grant from The Playwrights’ Center, an NEA/TCG Playwright-in-Residence Grant, and a New Works Grant from the Rhode Island Foundation. Jordan is a graduate of Stanford University and the Brown University M.F.A. Playwriting program. He is currently working on a musical adaptation of The Invisible Man and a play about the dark, untold history of fonts. Kevin Glaccum (Director) is the Producing Artistic Director of Azuka Theatre where he has directed Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Barrymore Nomination; Best Director of a Musical Philadelphia Weekly) Azuka One-Acts, The Boys, Four and Sincerity Forever. Other credits include Say Goodnight, Gracie (Act II Playhouse), Iron Kisses (PGLTF), The Shoes (Assylumsong Productions) and MirrorImage (Villanova University). Up next, Rocky Horror (Arcadia University), Greek Active (The Painted Bride) and Whisky Neat for Azuka. Kevin is a member of The Lincoln Center Directors Lab in NY. Thanks to HP. Dirk Durossett (Set Designer) has been teaching and designing in the Philadelphia area for the last ten years. He has designed scenery for Temple Theaters, Temple Opera Theater, University of the Arts, Villanova University, Drexel University, West
Chester University, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Painted Bird Productions, New City Stage Company, Theater Horizon, Freedom Theater, Mum Puppettheatre, Gas and Electric Arts, Amaryllis Theater Company, Lantern Theater, Azuka Theatre, and InterAct Theatre. Alisa Sickora Kleckner (Costume Designer) has designed nationally recognized costumes, puppets and masks for companies throughout the Northeast including Azuka, Walnut Street Theatre, Act II Playhouse, People’s Light and Theatre Company, Historic Philadelphia and Brat Productions. As adjunct faculty and resident designer at Arcadia University, Alisa teaches numerous courses as well as running the university’s costume shop. Her work has been showcased at the International Greek Festival in Cyprus, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, New York Fringe and Philly Live Arts. Studying with Czech puppet masters, she created her adult puppet company’s namesake character, Little Bunny Voodoo, who will be presenting LIVE! LIVE! LIVE!hoity meets the ‘hood during Fringe on 12th & Green, above The Institute Bar. Troy Herion (Sound Design/Original Music). Based in Philadelphia, Troy works as a composer, performer, improviser, musical director and sound designer. Compositions include two Italian operas premiered in Italy, symphonic and chamber works, and improvised scores. Theater collaborations have included composition and sound design for Pig Iron Theatre’s Love Unpunished, The Wilma Theater’s Life of Galileo and Age of Arousal, The Arden Theatre’s Our Town, and musical direction for Azuka Theater’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch (for which he is Barrymore Nominated). In the summer of 2008 Troy was awarded an Independence Foundation Fellowship to study and perform gamelan music in Bali, Indonesia. Joshua L. Schulman (Lighting Designer) is happy to be working with Kevin and Azuka Theatre once again. Previous shows for Azuka include Sweetie Pie, Azuka One-Acts, and Four. Josh has also designed for Flashpoint Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, Theater Catalyst, Theater West Virginia, Theater Horizon, Tempestra di Mare, InterAct Theatre Company, Rebecca Davis Dance Company, The Media Theatre, Isis Nua Theatre Company, and many more. Josh is the programmer for Boathouse Row and the Cira Centre. Josh was recently Barrymore nominated for his lighting design of ART at Delaware Theatre Company. Love to Karen. Steve Organ (Projection Design). This marks Steve’s sixth production with Azuka Theatre. Previous credits include videos for ‘Twas the Night (2005 & 2006), Hedwig and the Angry Inch as well as directing Speak Now for the 2006 Philly Fringe Festival (Azuka One-Acts). He just completed editing a collection of previously published interviews with director David Lean to be published in the spring of 2009 and will begin production on A Slight Imperfection, a film he wrote and will direct for DC Dogs productions. Avista Custom Theatrical Services, LLC (Properties) was founded in 2007 by Jennifer Burkhart, Amanda Hatch, and Travis Whitaker as a properties design and
construction firm. Avista specializes in custom construction, upholstery, soft goods construction, and reproduction paper props. Avista is pleased to be working again with Azuka on this production, having worked on Hedwig in the spring. Over the past season, Avista’s work was also seen in The Taming of the Shrew with CCTC, Bug and Roosters at Theatre Exile, and Brothers-in-Law and Songs for a New World at Act II Playhouse. Avista Custom Theatrical also recently purchased the rental houses Prop Shop, Inc. and Entertainment Technologies in Norristown, where they now make their home. Allison Heishman (Assistant Director, Literary Manager). In addition to being the Literary Manager for Azuka Theatre, she also works as the Theatre Programs Coordinator for The National Constitution Center. With Azuka she has directed Coney Island (Fringe ‘06: Azuka One-Acts), ‘Twas the Night (AD, Tom Reing Dir.) and a reading of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for Azuka’s part in the EgoPo Tennesse Williams Reading Series. She has also directed for Madhouse Theatre Co., The Cardboard Box Collaborative and The Secret Room Theatre. Allison is a former Casting/Literary Apprentice at the Walnut Street Theatre and holds a B.A. in Drama from Washington College in Chestertown, MD. Thanks to Kevin for the opportunity to see this lovely play come to life, to Lindsay, Mark, Mike, Steve and this incredible cast and crew. Terry Smith (Production Manager) is happy to return to production managing for Azuka after Hedwig and the angry inch. He is also a lighting designer and the master electrician for Philadelphia Theatre Company. Simon Harding (Technical Director) is the Resident Designer and Production Manager for SaBooge Theatre and has designed and built all of their productions, including the critically-acclaimed shows Hatched, Fathom, and Every Day Above Ground, each of which have toured to the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival. He was most recently the Technical Director for Azuka Theatre’s production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. See his website for more information: www.simonharding design.com. Lindsay Galbraith (Stage Manager) has a B.A. in theatre from Bloomsburg University. She completed the stage management fellowship at the Wilma for the 2005-2006 season, has worked with Pig Iron and Azuka during the past two fringe festivals, stage managed Azuka’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch last May, has been on 3 tours with American Family Theater and is looking forward to going out again in November. She’s very excited to be working with Azuka again and thanks everyone for their love and support.
DRAMATURGICAL NOTES Gathering Steam Steampunk began as a sub-culture of the Speculative Fiction genre, combining elements of Science Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, Superhero Fiction and Alternate History. The foundation of the movement is in the merging of historical, often Victorian England era, Industrial Revolution mechanizations with a modern or futuristic bent. This creates a world and a time outside our own, with the familiarity of one of the most ingeniously creative and progressive eras in our history carried through, and past our most current technologies. The Steampunk influence has been around long before it ever had a name and a listing on Wikipedia. Its presence in literature and film is myriad, and often one influences the other. Early writers that touched the genre were Mark Twain, Jules Verne and H.G. Wells carrying over to the current popular novel and film franchises of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy and Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Fans of Terry Gilliam’s work will be familiar with his Steampunk inclinations; and there are of course the Western Steampunk movies Back to the Future III and Will Smith’s Wild Wild West. Other notable Steampunk films include Metropolis (1927) and The Return to Oz (1985). At the other end of the spectrum, if you look on Ebay you can even get a wood or brass Steampunk designed cover for your iPhone, ipod, laptop or even your desktop computer. You can see the influence in our production of Kid Simple in our heroes’ costuming and transformations. Our splendid machine takes on a magical life, and its very existence becomes a testament to the heart of Steampunk. The stories that make up the genre often revolve around a hero’s mad journey and this theme fits our mad heroine like patina glove.
Allison Heishman Literary Manager
P.S. In case you were curious, Catullus’ “Cur non tam latera ecfututa” translates loosely from the Latin to, “Why? Not so! Your flanks will be worn out with sexual intercourse.” Enjoy the show!
PAST SEASONS
An Artist's Workshop (2004)
Sweetie Pie (2007)
Friends (2002)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2008)
Laura’s Bush (2004)
Four (2005)
2007-08 *Sweetie Pie by Madi Distefano Hedwig and the Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell music & lyrics by Stephen Trask 2006-07 Azuka One-Acts by various ‘Twas the Night by Veronica Griego Two Rooms by Lee Blessing Co-Produced with Blue Ridge Theatre Festival
2003-04 *An Artist’s Workshop conceived and created by Alden Moore written by Raelle Myrick-Hodges 2001-02 **Sincerity Forever by Mac Wellman **Friends by Kobo Abe 2000-01 **Polaroid Stories by Naomi Iizuka
2005-06 *‘Twas the Night by Veronica Griego *The Boys by Kris Elgstrand
1999-2000 *Trouble With Bohemia by Raelle Myrick-Hodges Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka adapted by Steven Berkoff
2004-05 **Laura’s Bush by Jane Martin **Four by Christopher Shinn
1999 *La Rue des Faux by Raelle Myrick-Hodges adapted from James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room
*World Premiere
**Philadelphia Premiere
Azuka Theatre
Producers Circle Azuka Theatre established The Producers Circle in order to ensure that each of our productions could be presented in a way that best conveys their extraordinary stories. Azuka Theatre strives to give voice to the people whose stories go unheard, and so we applaud the members of The Producers Circle for their exceptional generosity and allowing us to bring this incredible story to life.
Louis Bluver Linda & David Glickstein Annie Goldenberg Terry Graboyes Harmelin Media Nancy & Al Hirsig Michelle Hong & Alex Goranin The Leo Model Foundation Brian Moore Brad Richards June & Steve Wolfson Anonymous (1) We are very proud and humbled by the extraordinary response and support we’ve received through our new Producers Circle. If you would like to learn more about this program or are interested in becoming a member of the Azuka Theatre Producers Circle, please contact Kevin Glaccum at (215) 733-0255 x3 or kevin@azukatheatre.org.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2008-2009 David Fedor - President Heather Evans - Vice-President Andrea Sheaffer - Treasurer Mark Andrews - Secretary Alan Blumenthal Kevin Glaccum Eileen Mayko Brian Moore AZUKA THEATRE STAFF Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum Director of Marketing Mark H. Andrews Literary Manager Allison Heishman Artistic Associate - Education Mike Dees PRODUCTION STAFF Production Manager Terry Smith Technical Director Simon Harding Stitchers Meredith Boring, Rebbecca Austin & Hallie Keyser Craft Work Hallie Keyser Production Crew Stuart Bartlett, Jeff Devers-Green & Adrienne Finger CREDITS Graphic Design Mark H. Andrews, Derek Carnegie IT, Website Design & Maintenance Andrew Nelson Printing Quaker Printing SPECIAL THANKS Tyler Melchior, Kate Tejada & 1812 Productions, Kelly Longacre & South Philadelphia Taproom, Tom Shotkin, Dave Jadico, Dawn Falato, Karen Getz, Meghan Williams, Tony Braithwaite, Tim Litostansky & Ark Media, Stacia Rabith, Tamanya Garza, Mike Cristaldi & Philadelphia Theatre Company, Chris Buttersfield, Derek Hachkowski & Prince Music Theater, Clayton Tejada, Patrick Heydenburg & the Wilma Theater, Theatre Exile, Laris & the Latvian Society.
FOUNDATION SUPPORT Charlotte Cushman Foundation Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust “B” As recommended by Lenny Haas Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust “A” As recommended by Carole Haas Gravagno The William Penn Foundation Philadelphia Cultural Fund June and Steve Wolfson Family Foundation The Lida Foundation INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Lori Aghazarian Mark Andrews Robert & Mary Anne Andrews Steve Anthonavage Beau Monde Jeffrey Bell Dennis & Christine Bloh Alan & Sherry Blumenthal John Paul Christy Juliana Clawson & Adam Brunner Chris & Peggy Cline Phyllis Cohen Marie Conti William Dadamio John F. Daly Albert N. Decola Joseph & Helene Dees Jared Delaney Charles J. Devlin Madi Distefano Michael Donaghy Joshua T. Eck Heather Evans Jason D. Evans Anthony & Susan Faillace David Fedor Michael & Jill C. Feighan Mary Q. Frantz Narinder K. & Patricia A. Garg Eric Gartenberg & Sean Bradshaw Nan R. Gilbert Kristin Glaccum Maureen Glaccum & David Speers Bonnie Graham Craig Hamilton John Haynes Betsy Hershberg Stephen & Jane Heumannn Michael Hollinger & Megan Bellwoar David Ingram & Melanye D. Finister
Arden Kass Joann Kean Patrice Kelly John & Catherine Kerrigan Kate F. Kimbel James A. Kirby David Krensing Margaret Lonzetta Meredith N. Maciolek Noris Weiss Malvey Stephen Mandato Jean S. Markovitz Mary Martello Francis R. Matherly Eileen Mayko Nancy J. McCauley & Patrick Woods Christopher McCarrick Paul McElwee Rick McIntire Michael McKeever Tyler Melchior Susan L. Mock Joseph K. Murphy Michael Norris Thomas K. O’Leary Steve Organ Matthew Pettigrew
Sara Pilling Robert S. Plunkett Phylllis A. Priester Moira Rankin Thomas J. Reing Kevin Riordan Eduardo Ruiz Kurt Runco Douglas L. Schantz Andrea Sheaer Kathleen Stepehnson Noreen Tarr & Eric Tarr Ed & Lynn Tettemer Allison Trimarco Tony Zalis (List complete as of August 15, 2008)
Azuka Theatre thanks all of our donors for their continued support of the work we do. If you have questions about supporting Azuka, please call Kevin Glaccum at 215.733.0255, ext.3.
Kevin M. Lyons FUNERAL SERVICE, LTD.
202. S. Chester Pike Glenolden, PA 19036 610.583.4400 Kevin M. Lyons Supervisor