COUNT BASIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
July 2021
March 2022 Sponsored by
Sponsored by
YEARS
PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS Presents
PUTTING IT TOGETHER Words and Music by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Devised by STEPHEN SONDHEIM and JULIA McKENZIE Lighting Design KYLE SANTOPADRE
Sound Design JUSTIN CHRISTOPHER ODON
Music Director JASON NERI
Production Stage Manager DENNIS TOLENTINO Director JAMES GRAUSAM
Putting It Together (1993 MTC Version) Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Season Sponsors: The Law Firm of Jonathan D’Agostino & Associates; Red Oak Mortgage; World Subaru
Proud Sponsors of
Phoenix Productions
A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR It’s not often that we at Phoenix Productions get to discuss the “art” of theatre. Sure, we talk about contributing to the arts in Monmouth County. And we’re certainly proud to be part of the best arts organization in the state here at the Count Basie Center. However, the art forms that make up traditional American Musical Theatre isn’t something that anyone regularly dissects and discusses. A few months ago, our world lost a giant who revolutionized the art of Musical Theatre. Stephen Sondheim not only elevated the words and music of some of the greatest musicals ever produced, he also created a new way to tell those stories through music. Because of the rich, minutely detailed, intense, and sometimes painfully personal storylines he crafted, Sondheim challenged performers to create an entirely different acting and performing style, one that requires a depth of emotion coupled with a facility for language and nuance. Rapid fire lyrics coupled with intricate and often atonal melody lines work to strike the audience in the ear and the heart. The words may tell the stories, but the melodies deliver the emotion. And Sondheim was never afraid to hold a mirror up to society, tackling some of the most creative and controversial subjects in the Musical Theatre cannon including misogyny, cannibalism, freedom of expression, murder, gentrification, imperialism, the battle of the sexes, and the disillusionment of dreams. Nice topics for a night at the theater, right? Which is why Sondheim isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but his impact on how we create, perform, and enjoy modern musicals is legendary. So tonight we raise a glass to the man who taught us, “Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.” Enjoy the show.
James Grausam Managing Artistic Director Phoenix Productions
Phoenix Productions, Inc. would like to thank our dedicated cast and staff that worked so hard to make our PUTTING IT TOGETHER show a success.
THE CAST JOANNA BURNS LISA N. CURRAN SARA MASON
JENNA NAJJAR GINA TESCHKE
JENNIFER TOWNSEND ZACH BIRDSALL JEFF BODNAR CJ CARTER
MATTHEW DeMARCO JOEY MAHER
CASEY OKAMOTO JARROD SCOTT
THE PRODUCTION TEAM Director....................................................................................................... JAMES GRAUSAM Music Director...................................................................................................... JASON NERI Lighting Design........................................................................................ KYLE SANTOPADRE
Sound Design...........................................................................JUSTIN CHRISTOPHER ODON Production Stage Manager.................................................................... DENNIS TOLENTINO Light Board Operator........................................................................................EMILY LOVELL
Sound Board Operator.......................................................................................ZACH VIVINO Sound Crew.....................................................................................................BRYCE MATTOE
Rehearsal Pianist........................................................................................MICHELLE FOSTER Special Thanks....................................................................................................... JOE WAJDA
THE BAND Music Director / Conductor / Piano.................................................................... JASON NERI Keyboard...............................................................................................................KARA LEIGH Bass....................................................................................................................CHRIS LOUGH Drums....................................................................................................................... JAY MACK
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. The taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones, beepers, and watches.
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PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS BOARD PRODUCTIONS OF TRUSTEES PHOENIX
Andrea Zawadzky Brian LaRue Fran Katz Justine Coleman Jerry Conaty Jerry Conaty
Jim Marhold
Marc Goldberg
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mark Regan, Jr. Joe Wajda Jon D’Agostino Marc Goldberg Justine Coleman Fran Katz
Jon D’Agostino
Brian LaRue
SoVonna Day-Goins
Jim Marhold
SoVonna Day-Goins Tom Martini Tom Martini Mark Regan, Jr.
If you’d like information about auditioning for a future show, please visit our website at: www.PhoenixRedBank.com/auditions Phoenix Productions would like to thank the
Count Basie Center for the Arts’ Marketing, Operations, and Production staff.
This program is made possible in part by funds from Monmouth Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners.
Joe Wajda
MUSICAL NUMBERS “Putting It Together” (from Sunday in the Park with George)..............................................................Company
“Rich And Happy” (from Merrily We Roll Along)............................................ Gina, Jarrod, Jeff, Jenna, Zach “Merrily Fragment #1” (from Merrily We Roll Along)......................................................................................Joey “Lovely” (from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum)...................................... Sara
“Sooner Or Later Sequence” (“Sooner or Later”; “I’m Calm”; “Impossible”; “Ah, But Underneath”) (from Dick Tracy)........................................................... CJ, Jennifer, Joey, Lisa, Matthew “Hello, Little Girl” (from Into the Woods)......................................................................................... Jeff, Sara “My Husband The Pig” (from A Little Night Music).......................................................................................Jenna “Every Day A Little Death” (from A Little Night Music)................................Gina, Jenna, Jennifer, Joanna, Lisa, Sara
“Merrily Fragment #2” (from Merrily We Roll Along)................................................................................ Jennifer
“Have I Got A Girl For You?” (from Company)....................................................... Casey, CJ, Joey, Matthew with Zach “Pretty Women” (from Sweeney Todd)........................................................................... Jarrod, Jeff, Jenna
“Country House” (from Follies, 1987)............................................................................... Jennifer, Matthew “Merrily Fragment #3” (from Merrily We Roll Along)....................................................................................Casey “Could I Leave You?” (from Follies)...........................................................................................................Joanna “Back in Business” (from Dick Tracy)...................................................... Casey, Joanna, Matthew, Sara, Zach
“Medley - A Little Night Music” (“Night Waltzes”): “Love Takes Time”; “Remember?”; “In Praise Of Women”; “Perpetual Anticipation”; “The Sun Won’t Set” (from A Little Night Music)............................................... Gina, Jarrod, Jeff, Jenna, Zach “Gun Song” (from Assassins).............................................................CJ, Jennifer, Joey, Matthew, Sara
“A Little Priest” (from Sweeney Todd)................................................................... Jenna & Jeff, Lisa & CJ, Joanna & Matthew, Jennifer & Jarrod, Gina & Joey “The Miller’s Son” (from A Little Night Music)................................................................... Gina, Joanna, Lisa “Live Alone And Like It” (from Dick Tracy).........................................................................................................Joey
- CONTINUED -
MUSICAL NUMBERS “Sorry-Grateful” (from Company).......................................................................................................Jarrod
“I Could Drive A Person Crazy” (from Company)................................................... CJ with Jennifer, Lisa, Sara & Matthew
“Marry Me A Little” (from Company).................................................................... Casey, Joey, Matthew, Zach
“Getting Married Today” (from Company).............................................................. Lisa, Jeff, James with Company “Merrily Fragment #4” (from Merrily We Roll Along)..................................................................................... Zach
“Being Alive” (from Company)..................................................................................................Company “Like It Was” (from Merrily We Roll Along)......................................................................................Gina
“Old Friends/Finale” (from Merrily We Roll Along)..............................................................................Company “New Bows”.............................................................................................................Company (PUTTING IT TOGETHER IS PERFORMED WITHOUT AN INTERMISSION.) WARNING: The show involves the use of a gunshot.
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PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS THANKS OUR 2021/2022 SPONSORS & DONORS
2021/2022 SEASON SPONSORS
The Law Firm of Jonathan D’Agostino & Associates - Jon & Jade D’Agostino Red Oak Mortgage - Brian & Sarah LaRue World Subaru - Joe & Nicole Wajda
PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS DONORS BENEFACTOR LEVEL: $2000+
John & Justine Coleman, Jon & Jade D’Agostino, Ms. Nancy Robin Karpf
ANGEL LEVEL: $1,000-$1,999
Bari Ceka, Adriene Makstein, The Mallach Family, Adam Philipson & The Count Basie Center for the Arts, Wayne & Susan Relyea
RISING STAR LEVEL: $500-$999 The Brustein Family, Remember Jones
PATRON LEVEL: $250-$499
The Bedenko Schmidt Family, Bob Giangrasso & Bob Frankel, Patrice Simonetti, The Velho Family
FAN LEVEL: $50-$249
Priscilla Aikman, Mark Apostolou, Joyce Barnett, Scott Barnett, Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Baumann, Alfred A. Bevacqua & Marie L. Bevacqua, August J. Culbert, Susan D. Culbert, In Memory of Barbara DePinto,Thomas Hessman, Beverly Kuo-Hamition, Brian LaRue, Elizabeth Legregin, Local Bicycle Shop LLC, Richard & Rosemarie Mondello, Wayne & Margaret Nodes, Donna Pinamonte, Mr. Richard Scott, Lourdes Tolentino, Maria Tomassone, Eileen Zamerovsky
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PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS CONTINUES TO THANK OUR 2020 SPONSORS & DONORS
2020 SEASON SPONSORS
The Law Firm of Jonathan D’Agostino & Associates - Jon & Jade D’Agostino Red Oak Mortgage - Brian & Sarah LaRue World Subaru - Joe & Nicole Wajda
2020 SHOW SPONSORS
NJ Short Term Rentals; 1812 Marketing; AMDS Imaging; Personal Enhancement Center; Declarations, Inc.; Elite Specialty Care; Manning, Caliendo & Thomson - Attorneys at Law; RMS Title and Appraisal; HFA - Certified Public Accountants + Advisors; Golden Pear Funding; Immediate Care 2020 BENEFACTOR LEVEL: $2,000+ The Coleman Family, Brian & Sarah LaRue, The Goins Family, Thomas Hessman, Leonard August, Donald N. Heirman, Ivy Marketing Corp, Demolition Music 2020 ANGEL LEVEL: $1,000-$1,999 Randy & Liz Cooper, Wayne & Susan Relyea, Starr & Melvin Koplow, NY Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, Joseph Stefanelli, Joseph Heap, The Mallach Family, Konstantine Fotiou, Kenneth Thomson, The Oldroyd Family, Andrew Cooper, Daniel Savino 2020 RISING STAR LEVEL: $500-$999 Joseph Ercolino, Gloria Gross, Marc Goldberg, Jaclyn Mercandetti, Anthony & Janet Scherzo 2020 PATRON LEVEL: $250-$499 William & Judith Fraser, Jerome Perlongo, Anthony Petrizzo, Mr. & Mrs. John Tier, Mrs. Diane Tresente, Daniel W. Wilen, Sterling & Ilda Wood, Lauren Brancato, Wendy Dobbs, Casey Okamoto, Joanne Penrose, The Grand Roberts Family, Drs. Abrams Piazza & Julewicz, Alan Stewart, The Robinson Family, Kiley Escamilla
2020 FAN LEVEL: $50-$249
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WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ZACH BIRDSALL is thrilled to be performing in his second show with Phoenix Productions. Past credits include: The Magic Flute (Tamino), National Anthem Singer (Dec 2019 DNC Debate), and RENT (Roger). He would like to thank his grandparents and parents for making his performance here possible. @zach_birdsall JEFF BODNAR is making his Phoenix debut. Years ago, he toured nationally and internationally in West Side Story (Tony), Grease (Danny), and Evita (Che; with Audra McDonald). He has also sung with Ben Vereen and Betty Buckley. Recently, he’s been seen in Mamma Mia! (Sam) and Disney’s The Little Mermaid (King Triton). He sends his love to Jack, Ava, Joe, Mira, and especially Rachel. JOANNA BURNS can’t believe she’s doing a show! She is a composer/ singer-songwriter, actor, and graduate of Montclair State University, BFA Musical Theatre Performance. Favorite past credits include: Urinetown (Hope; Bergen County Players) and Burn it Down: The Rahm Emanuel Musical (Rahm Emanuel; The Tank, NYC). These days, she is an awardwinning composer with the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop in New York and a proud member of both The Dramatists Guild and Maestra. Love to family and friends, and thanks to Phoenix for this soulfueling opportunity! www.joannaburns.com CJ CARTER is excited to be back at The Vogel! CJ recently appeared on the Basie stage in Phoenix Productions’ The Wedding Singer (Robbie Hart). Previous credits include: the original musical, Every Wednesday Night (Jon), written by Jon D’Agostino and Michael August of Demolition Music; Spring Awakening (Moritz); Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus); Disney’s Newsies (Jack Kelly); The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Quasimodo); and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Gaston). He also recently directed and designed Puffs (Villagers Theatre). CJ thanks the production team, cast, and crew for their commitment to bringing this wonderful show to NJ, as well as his family and friends for their constant support and belief in him! For Nana, Pop and Uncle Al. @CJ_Carter LISA N. CURRAN is thrilled to be making her Phoenix Productions debut! From 9-5 on Monday-Friday, Lisa is proud to be the Senior Art Director of the New Jersey Devils & Prudential Center. Credits include: Little Women (Jo), She Loves Me (Amalia), Noises Off (Brooke/Vicki), and Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ariel). Much love to Ronan and family. Lisabondi.com MATTHEW DeMARCO is thrilled to return to Phoenix. Last seen in The Wedding Singer (Sammy). Past credits include: Into the Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince), Next to Normal (Dr. Madden), Spring Awakening (Hanschen), Viking Cruise Lines (Principal Vocalist), La finta giardiniera (il Podesta), Albert Herring (Sid), Bodas de sangre (Novio). He studied Vocal Performance at the John J. Cali School of Music. Matthew lives in Toms River, teaches at The Music Academy and Montclair Music Studio, and works as an Estimator for Certified Relocation Solutions. Thanks to James, Jason, Dennis, and everyone else involved in getting theatre back out to the public!
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JOEY MAHER is thrilled to be returning to The Vogel for his fifth production with Phoenix! Joey recently performed last summer in Phoenix’s Spring Awakening (Melchior), and last spring in Songs for a New World. Joey continues to pursue his career in the performing arts today and auditions professionally in the NYC area through his agency. Thank you for being alive everyone! SARA MASON is thrilled to be back onstage in her fifth show with Phoenix Productions. Past roles include: Shrek (Gingy), Annie (Lily St. Regis). Special thanks to the production staff for their endless support and for giving her a home to perform at again. Sara is beyond thankful to her amazing family and friends for helping out so that Mommy can do what she loves; love you! Enjoy the show! JENNA NAJJAR is thrilled to be a part of this production honoring Mr. Sondheim. She is a proud BFA Musical Theatre graduate of Syracuse University. Recent work includes: The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On (Betty Jean; Peach State Summer Theatre), 54 Sings Working, 54 Sings Carole King, 54 Sings Alanis Morisette, 54 Sings Amy Winehouse, and more. This is her fourth Phoenix production and this performance is dedicated to her new angels, Nana and Pop Pop. <3 CASEY OKAMOTO is thrilled to be performing once again with Phoenix Productions. Over the years he has played several great roles, his favorites being: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Lefou), Spamalot (Patsy), and Elf the Musical (Macy’s Manager). He is so proud to be sharing the stage with such talented performers and infinitely grateful to the amazing staff. To Stephen Sondheim! JARROD SCOTT is grateful to have the opportunity to perform Putting It Together with Phoenix Productions. A world touring Vocalist, Entertainer, Songwriter and Musician, he brings over two decades of experience and veracity to the stage. NY Credits: Bring Me A Dwarf, Naked Boys Singing, We Beat Whitey Ford, The Fantasy Party, The David Letterman Show. Features include: Robin Thicke, Paul McCartney, 7th Ave, and more. When he’s not performing, Jarrod is proud to share the gifts of Music and Art as a teacher with the Phoenix Rising Star Academy. Peace, Thanks and Love to MPNMD! GINA TESCHKE is so beyond thrilled to be back at her “home,” the Count Basie Theater. Previous roles include: Songs for a New World, Hair (Crissy), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy) and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle). Gina is a sophomore at Rowan University where she studies Musical Theatre. Gina would like to thank the entire cast and crew for this amazing experience in honoring her hero, Mr. Stephen Sondheim. She dedicates this show to her Mom. Happy birthday mama
❤
JENNIFER TOWNSEND is happy to be returning for another Phoenix production in such great company. Some of Jennifer’s previous Phoenix credits include: The Who’s Tommy (Mrs.Walker), Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Grease (Rizzo), Anything Goes (Erma), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit). Other favorite credits include: Les Miserables (Cosette), RENT (Maureen), and PICNIC (Madge). Jennifer feels lucky to have the opportunity to sing and share with you some of Stephen Sondheim’s work. When not performing, Jennifer works as a mental health counselor at a local private practice. Special thanks to the production staff, my family, and friends for their continued support!
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WHO’S WHO ON THE PRODUCTION TEAM JAMES GRAUSAM (Director) has directed several productions for Phoenix at the Count Basie including: Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, The 30th Anniversary Gala Concert, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Songs For A New World, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Spring Awakening, and Elf. He continues to direct and perform other places as time allows. As always, for Olivia. JASON NERI (Music Director) is thrilled to be back with Phoenix after music directing Smokey Joe’s Cafe last year. He works extensively in the tri-state area as a Music/Vocal Director and Accompanist. Favorite past productions include: Ragtime (Barrymore Nominated for Outstanding Music Direction), The Last Five Years, Godspell (Barrymore Nominated for Outstanding Music Direction and Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical), John & Jen, Rock of Ages, Heathers the Musical, Bonnie & Clyde,Tick Tick… Boom!, RENT, Tommy, Evil Dead the Musical, Baby, Song of Singapore, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Be here now! JUSTIN CHRISTOPHER ODON (Sound Design) Theatre background includes: directing, choreographing, lighting & set design, sound design, production management, and producing. Past credits include: Be More Chill, In the Heights, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, The Addams Family, Mamma Mia!, Songs for a New World, A Chorus Line, Elf, and The Wedding Singer. Justin is also a teaching artist for the Count Basie Academy of the Arts and directs the jr productions for the Phoenix Rising Star Academy. He is also the founder and artistic director of the virtual theatre company, Theatre@Home. Justin recently worked with The Monkees on their farewell tour. @justinchris95 KYLE SANTOPADRE (Lighting Design) has a BA in Theatre with a Design Concentration from Rowan University. After college, Kyle worked for Royal Caribbean as Technical Stage Staff on board the Oasis of the Seas (CATS, Frozen In Time, Come Fly With Me, Oasis of Dreams). He is currently the Assistant Technical Director and Lighting Designer for The Count Basie Center for the Arts. Some past designs include: Spring Awakening (Phoenix Productions), Hello Dolly! (Capital Productions), A Chorus Line (Phoenix Productions), and Noises Off (Raritan High School). Many thanks to a wonderful production team! DENNIS TOLENTINO (Production Stage Manager) has stage managed over 10 Phoenix productions since 2018, most recently on The Wedding Singer. He is an NJACT Perry Award winning stage manager (Memphis; PinnWorth Productions) and nominated actor (A Few Good Men; Playhouse 22). Other stage credits include: In the Heights (Kevin Rosario) and Mamma Mia! (Harry Bright). A 1st generation Filipino-American, Dennis grew up in Bloomfield and Old Bridge and now lives in Manalapan. Dennis graduated from Georgetown University (Marketing/International Business double major, Theatre minor) and spends his days working for McMaster-Carr Supply. Thanks to the entire team, on-stage and behind the scenes, and thank you to you, for supporting live theatre and sharing your night with us!
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CONTINUING A LEGAL TRADITION BEGUN IN 1935 CONTINUING A LEGAL TRADITION BEGUN IN 1935 CONTINUING A LEGAL TRADITION BEGUN IN 1935
ANNOUNCING
SEASON 2022/23 J U LY 22, 23, 24 • 2022
School of Rock SE P TEM BER 23, 24, 25 • 2022
Hair
N OVEM BER 18, 19, 20 • 2022
A Christmas Carol FE BR UARY 17, 18, 19 • 2023
Once on This Island M AY 5, 6, 7 • 2023
Guys and Dolls SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 22
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The Season Continues! TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1
TheBasie.org/Phoenix