The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue - Know Before You Go

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

November 28 – December 21

BEFORE YOU GO

KNOW

We look forward to seeing you at La Jolla Playhouse at your upcoming performance of The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue. Below is some additional information about the production and the venue to enhance your theater-going experience.

Parking Parking is free for all subscribers. For all others parking is $2 (subject to change), Mon-Fri. Upon arrival to campus, please purchase your parking permit from one of the automated pay stations located next to the information kiosk. Simply park, note your space number, and pay $2 at the pay station. Pay stations accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express or cash ($1 and $5), and do not give change. You will not need to return to your car. Parking is free on the weekends.

Audience Engagement Events The Playhouse offers unique opportunities for audience members to delve deeper into the play with these special performance series options: Foodie Friday: Buy a ticket to The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue and enjoy San Diego’s finest food trucks, plus a complimentary microbrew tasting from Stone Brewing Company.

- Friday, December 5 starting at 6:00 pm

Accessibility A golf cart is available to assist patrons with accessibility issues to and from the parking lot. Please notify Patron Services prior to your performance if you are in need of this service; additionally, you may pull into the five minute parking in front of the theatre, and a friendly La Jolla Playhouse greeter will assist you.

ASL Interpreted Performance:

- Friday, December 12 at 8:30 pm

Dining La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to announce that James’ Place will be the Theatre District’s new on-site restaurant, beginning service soon!

Developed by renowned Sushi Master James Holder, the menu will include his signature sushi, as well as delectable dishes created with Prime and Angus cuts of beef, locally and sustainably harvested seafood, along with seasonal dishes. A lighter fare menu will also be served at the newly-redesigned sushi/cocktail bar, featuring craft beer and California wines.

Please contact La Jolla Playhouse Patron Services at (858) 550-1010 for more information.

Until James’ Place opens, we also recommend the following nearby restaurants: Dolce Pane e Vino 16081 San Dieguito Road Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 dolcepaneevino.com

Pamplemousse Grille 514 Via de la Valle, Suite 100 Solana Beach, CA 92075 pgrille.com

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 8970 University Center Lane San Diego, CA 92122 flemingssteakhouse.com

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 rockbottom.com

Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering 700 Prospect Street San Diego, CA 92037 giuseppecatering.com

Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar 875 Prospect Street La Jolla, CA 92037 roppongiusa.com

MISSION STATEMENT

ON SALE NOW

MISSION: La Jolla Playhouse advances theatre as an art form and as a vital social, moral and political platform by providing unfettered creative opportunities for the leading artists of today and tomorrow. With our youthful spirit and eclectic, artist-driven approach, we will continue to cultivate a local and national following with an insatiable appetite for audacious

A World-Premiere Play

and diverse work. In the future, San Diego’s La Jolla Playhouse will be considered singularly indispensable to the worldwide theatre landscape, as we become a permanent safe harbor for the unsafe and surprising. The day will come when it will be essential to enter the La Jolla Playhouse village in order to get a glimpse of what is about to happen in American theatre.

La Jolla Playhouse has received La Jolla Playhouse has received the the highest rating from Charity highest rating from Charity Navigator, Navigator, the nation’s premier the nation’s premier charity evaluator. charity evaluator.

By

Darrell Hammond

and

Elizabeth Stein

Directed By

Christopher ASHLEY

The Darrell Hammond Project, based on Hammond’s acclaimed memoir, God, If You’re Not Up There, I’m F*cked: Tales of StandUp, Saturday Night Live and Other Mind-Altering Mayhem, invites the audience on a heartbreaking and hilarious journey inside the life and mind of an American comic genius, trying to unravel the mystery of how a man repeatedly climbed out from the depths of despair to become a world-class comedian.

January 31 – March 8, 2015

OUR MISSION

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE presents Michael S. Rosenberg Managing Director

Christopher Ashley Artistic Director

Directed by

PIERO PROCACCINI Featuring

Lisa Barber, Jo Feldman, Rachel LaForce, CHUCHO PÉREZ, NICK REES, ADAM SCHRECK

MUSIC DIRECTOR Nicholas Gage STAGE MANAGER Fernando Alvarez Assistant Production Manager Tarin Hurstell

THE ENSEMBLE

Lisa Barber Jo Feldman Rachel LaForce Chucho Pérez Nick Rees Adam Schreck

The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue is performed with a 15-minute intermission.

The Second City, Inc. Co-Chairmen........................Andrew Alexander & Len Stuart

Director of Talent Development........................Beth Kligerman

CEO & Executive Producer..........................Andrew Alexander

Producer of the Touring Company............................Joe Ruffner

Executive Vice President...................................... Kelly Leonard

Producing Director of the Touring Company........... Nate DuFort

Managing Producer.................................................. Jenna Deja

Admin to the Producers...............................................Kim Miller

Acknowledgements Sharp Business Systems

All Actors and Stage Managers are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers.

This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE.

This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.

La Jolla Playhouse is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national service organization for the nonprofit professional theatre.

THE COMPANY LISA BARBER La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Ms. Barber is a small town girl who couldn’t be happier to be living in the big city of Chicago working with these talented folks. A proud graduate of The Second City’s Conservatory and Writing programs, she has sailed the high seas with Second City Theatricals aboard the Norwegian Pearl and recently performed as an understudy in The Second City’s Incomplete Guide to Everything. Check out her web series Growing Alice and what other crazy shenanigans she’s up to at lisakbarber.com. When not performing, Lisa can be found frolicking about town with her poodle, Sophie, who is always stirring up trouble.

JO FELDMAN La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Ms. Feldman is incredibly proud to be a member of The Second City Touring Company.

Jo grew up in Detroit and went to college in Israel and Chicago. Her first job with The Second City was as an intern at age 19. Jo has worked for NPR, toured with The Second City aboard Norwegian Cruise Line, and performed in the great state of Maine with ImprovAcadia. In Chicago she performs with Sears Tower at the iO Theater and her best friend Mike Marunowski in Feldmanowski at the Upstairs Gallery. Endless thank yous to my family, best buds, Elissa and Andy for the constant love and snacks.

RACHEL LaFORCE La Jolla Playhouse: The Second City’s Laughing Matters.

Ms. LaForce is an actor, comedian, writer and voiceover talent. Hailing from Atlanta, she is a Columbia College alum and has studied at The Second City and iO Chicago.

Currently, Rachel performs with The Second City Touring Company, Improv All Stars and is an understudy on the e.t.c. stage.

Other credits include: Who Do We Think We Are? (understudy), What the Tour Guide Didn’t Tell You, Nut-cracking Holiday Revue and Girls Night Out. Beyond The Second City, Rachel has performed with The Annoyance Theater, iO Chicago, The Playground Theater and WILDCARD, an independent sketch and improv ensemble. Love to Bert and Sue! Follow her @raelaforce or check out www.rachellaforce.com.

CHUCHO PÉREZ La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Mr. Pérez is honored to be touring with The Second City. When he isn’t on the road, you can most often see him performing solo shows, with his rap group Handsome Naked or with PimprovFriday nights.

Hailing (Go Blue) from Michigan, you can follow him and his Detroit sports bias @TheChuchoPerez. Chucho would like to thank The Second City for providing this experience, Dionna Griffin-Irons for all she has done, and most importantly, his parents for being supportive of him wasting his college education by pursuing an acting career.

NICK REES La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Mr. Rees grew up driving tractors in Iowa before getting a creative writing degree and a job at a gas station. He left that job at his wife Kathryn’s urging to try comedy. It’s going alright. In addition to the University of Missouri, he is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory.

He also performs regularly with the Second City’s Improv All-Stars. More? @FakeNickRees.

ADAM SCHRECK La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Mr. Schreck is absolutely thrilled to perform with The Second City. Originally from Pittsburgh, Adam graduated from Denison University and moved to Chicago after falling in love with the Windy City while enrolled in the Second City’s Comedy Studies Program. In addition to the Touring Company, Adam is also an ensemble member of The Second City Improv All-Stars and the improvised children’s show Go, Improv, Go!.

Adam also regularly performs at iO, The Playground, the Upstairs Gallery and all around Chicago with his sketch/improv duo, Sweethearts. Adam would very much like to thank The Second City for this opportunity and his family and friends, especially Caitlin, for all their support.

FERNANDO ALVAREZ, JR., Stage Manager La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Mr. Alvarez graduated with his Bachelors in Theatre Education from University of Texas at El Paso, where he stage managed numerous shows such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Threepenny Opera. In Chicago, he completed a stage management internship at the Goodman Theatre for their production of Chinglish; stage managed Family Devotions (Halceyon), Assisted Living (Profiles), L-Vis Live! (Victory Gardens), The Diary of Anne Frank (Metropolis Performing Arts Center), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Haven Theatre) and assistant stage managed Be a Good Little Widow (Collaboraction), Reefer Madness and Pippin: A Bollywood Spectacular (Circle).

NICK GAGE, Music Director La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Mr. Gage is thrilled to be working once more with The Second City. He’s worked with The Second City before as a Music Director aboard the NCL Star in the inglorious winter of ‘14. He’s also music directed several shows with Chicago’s internet sensation Team StarKid, including two successful runs at The Second City’s UP Comedy Club. Other credits include writing the music for Team StarKid’s 2012 internet musical Holy Musical B@man! and being featured as an actor in 2013’s Twisted: Story of a Royal Vizier.

PIERO PROCACCINI, Director La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Mr Procaccini is excited to be working with such a talented ensemble. Many thanks to his family and friends for their constant support.

of istory The H

Martin Short

The Second City opened its doors on a snowy Chicago night in December of 1959. No one could have guessed that this small cabaret theatre would become the most influential and prolific comedy theatre in the world.

With its roots in the improvisational games of Viola Spolin, The Second City developed an entirely unique way of creating and performing comedy. Founded by Spolin’s son, Paul Sills, along with Howard Alk and Bernie Sahlins, The Second City was experimental and unconventional in its approach to both theatre and comedy.

At a time when mother-in-law jokes were more the fashion, The Second City railed against the conformist culture with scenes that spoke to a younger generation.

The Broadway success of Mike Nichols and Elaine May – members of The Second City’s predecessor, The Compass Players – put attention on the fledgling company. Soon, alumni of The Second City – such as Alan Arkin, Barbara Harris, Robert Klein, David Steinberg and Fred Willard – began to cement the theatre’s reputation for developing the finest comedic voices of each and every generation. With the debut of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, populated by Second City Alums John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Gilda Radner, the theatre became internationally known for its ever increasing roster of comedy superstars.

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Tina F ey

Soon, The Second City’s sister-theatre in Canada developed its own sketch comedy series, SCTV, hailed as one of the greatest comedy series of all time and featuring an all-star cast that included Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty and Rick Moranis.

By the 1980’s, The Second City had become much more than a small cabaret theatre on Chicago’s north side. In the middle of the decade, The Second City would begin a new era as The Second City Toronto proprietors Andrew Alexander and Len Stuart would buy out Bernie Sahlins’ interest in The Second City Chicago and set in motion a new era of innovation for the company. rg berg einbe Stein vid St David Da

Today, The Second City continues to produce the premiere comic talent in the industry. From Mike Myers to Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert to Tina Fey – The Second City imprint is felt across every entertainment medium. Additionally, The Second City has grown well beyond a single stage to become a diversified entertainment company. The Second City Training Centers in Chicago, Toronto and Los Angeles teach thousands of students every week; four touring companies perform The Second City revues all over North America and abroad; Second City Communications has become an industry leader in bringing improv-based methodologies to the corporate sector; and The Second City continues to create unique media in television, film and the digital realm.

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LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE LEADERSHIP Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director has served as La Jolla Playhouse’s Artistic Director since October, 2007. During his tenure, he has helmed the Playhouse’s productions of Chasing the Song, His Girl Friday, Glengarry Glen Ross, A Dram of Drummhicit, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Restoration and the acclaimed musicals Xanadu and Memphis, which won four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical and just opened in London’s West End. He also spearheaded the Playhouse’s Without Walls (WoW) series and the Resident Theater program. Prior to joining the Playhouse, he directed the Broadway productions of Xanadu (Drama Desk nomination), All Shook Up and The Rocky Horror Show (Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations), as well as the Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration productions of Sweeney Todd and Merrily We Roll Along. Other New York credits include: Blown Sideways Through Life, Jeffrey (Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Valhalla, Regrets Only, Wonder of the World, Communicating Doors, Bunny Bunny, The Night Hank Williams Died, Fires in the Mirror (Lucille Lortel Award), among others. Mr. Ashley also directed the feature film Jeffrey and the American Playhouse production of Blown Sideways Through Life for PBS. Mr. Ashley is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Director Fellowship and an NEA/TCG Director Fellowship.

Debby Buchholz, General Manager has served as general manager of La Jolla Playhouse since 2002. She is a member of the Executive Committee and of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT). In 2009, she received a San Diego Women Who Mean Business Award from The San Diego Business Journal. Previously she served as Counsel to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. She was a faculty member of the Smithsonian Institution’s program on Legal Problems of Museum Administration. Prior to the Kennedy Center, she served as a corporate attorney in New York City and Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of UC San Diego and Harvard Law School. Ms. Buchholz and her husband, noted author and White House economic policy advisor Todd Buchholz, live in Solana Beach and are the proud parents of Victoria, Katherine and Alexia.

Michael S. Rosenberg, Managing Director has served as the Managing Director of La Jolla Playhouse since April, 2009. Working in partnership with Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, he has developed and produced new work by Ayad Akhtar, Trey Anastasio, Amanda Green, John Leguizamo, Carey Perloff, Herbert Siguenza, Basil Twist, Sheri Wilner, Doug Wright and The Flaming Lips. Playhouse collaborations have included projects with UC San Diego, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, The New Children’s Museum, San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Rep, Tectonic Theatre Project, the I.D.E.A. District and the cities of Escondido and Chula Vista. Additionally, he fostered the growth of the Playhouse’s awardwinning Performance Outreach Program (POP) Tour, achieving the most performances at local schools in Playhouse history. Previously, Rosenberg was Co-Founder and Executive Director of Drama Dept., a New York non-profit theatre company, where he produced new works by the likes of Douglas Carter Beane, Warren Leight, Isaac Mizrahi, Paul Rudnick and David & Amy Sedaris. His early work included stints at the Kennedy Center and the National Dance Institute. As a Theatre Communications Group Board member, he is proud to be on the Global and Diversity & Inclusion Committees.

Des McAnuff, Director Emeritus served as La Jolla Playhouse’s Artistic Director from 1983 through 1994, and from 2001 through April, 2007. Under his leadership, the Playhouse garnered more than 300 awards, including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.

Playhouse to Broadway credits: Jersey Boys (four Tony Awards), Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays (Tony Award), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (five Tony nominations), director and co-author with Pete Townshend on The Who’s Tommy (Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Director) and Big River (seven Tony Awards), among others. Film credits: Quills, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, The Iron Giant (nine Animation Society awards) and Cousin Bette. Recipient of the Drama League’s 2006 Julia Hansen Award, Mr. McAnuff served as Artistic Director at Canada’s Stratford Festival from 2007 through 2012. He recently directed the hit productions of Sideways, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and Jesus Christ Superstar at the Playhouse.

PATRON SERVICES PATRON SERVICES is located in the lobby area of each theatre. A representative is available to answer questions and hand out assisted listening devices, restaurant guides, performance schedules and subscription information.

BARS AND CONCESSIONS are open one hour prior to curtain and during intermissions. To avoid the rush, intermission beverages can be ordered before the show.

CAMERAS AND RECORDING DEVICES are strictly

in the theatre. Please check these items with the P9 prohibited PERFORMANCES MAGAZINe House Manager and turn off your camera phone.

PARKING is free for subscribers; $2 for the general public on weekdays (free on weekends). Upon arrival to campus, please enter your parking space number and pay the automated paystations located in the parking lot. Spaces that are not paid for are subject to ticketing by UC San Diego Campus Police.

BABES IN ARMS Out of respect for fellow audience members and the performers, babes in arms are not permitted in the theatre during performances.

THEATRE TOURS Tour the stages and production shops of the Playhouse facilities and learn more about the history of La Jolla Playhouse and the role that it plays in the community.

Contact (858) 550-1070 x101.

ACCESSIBILITY

La Jolla Playhouse provides wheelchair-accessible seating and parking. Wheelchair seat locations are available for wheelchair users and a companion at all performances; be sure to advise the reservationist that you require a wheelchair location. Additionally, a golf cart is available to assist patrons with accessibility needs to and from the parking lot. Please notify Patron Services prior to your performance if you are in need of this service; additionally, you may pull into the five minute parking in front of the theatre, and a friendly La Jolla Playhouse greeter will assist you.The Playhouse also provides assisted listening devices for patrons who are hard of hearing.

Devices are available, free of charge, at the Patron Services Center prior to performances (subject to availability).

Listening Devices Provided in Part by

PLEASE SILENCE all electronic devices including cellular phones, watches and pagers before the performance.

Safety in the Theatre District La Jolla Playhouse is constantly working with the UC San Diego Police Department and UC San Diego Transportation and Parking Services, which operates the parking lot and security system, to maintain and improve security conditions for patrons and staff members. Additionally, patrons and staff are welcome to use UC San Diego Community Service Officers (CSOs) for an escort to their cars by calling (858) 534-WALK (9255). Further questions regarding security may be addressed to UC San Diego Police at (858) 534-HELP (4357).

DOCTORS AND PARENTS expecting calls during the performance should leave their names and seat numbers with the House Manager before the show. Leave the following number with your service: (858) 550-1030.

LATECOMERS or PATRONS WHO LEAVE THEIR SEAT DURING THE PERFORMANCE will be admitted to the standing room section of the theatre at the discretion of the House Manager. They may take their assigned seats at intermission. La Jolla Playhouse accepts no responsibility for inconvenience to latecomers.