REGIONAL PREMIERE MUSICAL
APRIL 24 – MAY 19, 2018
ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI ENSEMBLECINCINNATI.ORG 513.421.3555 #EYEONTHESPARROW @ENSEMBLECINCY
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Season ticket holders get select discounts at the restaurants. Hope you can join us! 4 •
ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI THE 2017-2018 OTTO M. BUDIG FAMILY FOUNDATION SEASON D. Lynn Meyers, Producing Artistic Director
Production Sponsor: John Goering
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW by Larry Parr
Directed by D. Lynn Meyers† April 24 – May 19, 2018 Set & Lighting Designer Sound Designer Costume Designer Music Director Properties Master & Design Assistant Production Manager Technical Director Production Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager
Brian c. Mehring Jeremy Lee‡ Mary Murphy Scot Woolley Shannon Rae Lutz Matthew Hollstegge Jack Murphy Brandon T. Holmes* Elizabeth Freyman*
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW is presented by special arrangement with The Luedtke Agency, LCC. World premiere at the Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota, Florida on October 7, 2005.
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production is a violation of United States copyright law and an actionable federal offense. This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. †
*Cast/production member belongs to Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. This theatre operates under an agreement between Actors’ Equity Association, Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States. Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance. ‡
Production member belongs to United Scenic Artists, Local 829, a labor union representing designers and artists in the entertainment industry. It is a nationwide autonomous Local of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
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guide cincy arts event calendar
Amazing Experiences Start Here. Discover music, dance, theater, museums, festivals, classes and more with the calendar at ArtsWave.org/Guide Download the app on Android or iOS!
Gratefully acknowledges our 2017–2018 Season sponsors SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
SEASON FUNDER
OPERATING SUPPORT
SEASON SUPPORTERS
Lucille Carothers Susan Friedlander Mitchell & Jackie Meyers
IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS
Chet Cavaliere Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, Interpreter Training Program College Hill Coffee Co. & Casual Gourmet LPK Marty Johnson OMS Photography Saint Plastering Systems, Inc. Suder’s Art Store Trader Joe's
FAIRY GODMOTHER SPONSOR
OUTREACH SPONSOR
CAFFEINATED CONVERSATIONS SPONSOR
GBBN
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH SUPPORTERS
Anonymous (2) William P. Anderson Foundation Arts & Culture Giving Circle* The Charles H. Dater Foundation The Thomas J. Emery Memorial* ETC Fairy Godparent Guild P&G Fund Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Fund* Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation
Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation
* Denotes a Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
2017-2018 RESTAURANT PARTNERS We are pleased to partner with the following local restaurants this season in offering our subscribers exclusive discounts:
P L AT T E
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It takes center-stage courage to share the dreams and struggles of your business. The Goering Center provides the resources, training and connections that can help you do it.
L e a r n y o u r r o l e a t w w w. g o e r i n g . u c . e d u 8 •
the arts are the highest form of expression. PNC is proud to be a part of the Ensemble Theatre. Because we believe in and support everything the arts can accomplish.
©2016 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC
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CAST & CREW CAST Ethel Waters...................................................................................... Torie Wiggins* RUNNING CREW Assistant Stage Manager.......................................................... Elizabeth Freyman* 2nd Assistant Stage Manager..................................................................Eric Minion Assistant Director........................................................................... Griff Bludworth Light Board Operator...................................................................... Maggie Cramer Spot Operator.................................................................................... Katie Mitchell Sound Operator.......................................................................... Natasia Reinhardt Video Operator......................................................................................Aaron Krick Running Crew/Wardrobe Crew/Dramaturg........................................ Dorothy Jolly SETTING 1957. The Billy Graham Crusades and in Ethel's mind, as she remembers her life. His Eye is on the Sparrow is performed with one intermission. Approximate total running time is 2 hours, 10 minutes.
Our friends at The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County put together a list of books, albums, and movies inspired by the life of Ethel Waters.
Read
His Eye is on the Sparrow: An Autobiography by Ethel Waters and Charles Samuels
To Me It's Wonderful
by Ethel Waters
An Autobiography of a People: Three Centuries of African American History Told by Those Who Lived It
edited by Herb Boyd
listen
Rhapsodies in Black: Music and Words From the Harlem Renaissance The Favourite Songs of Ethel Waters Broadway: The American Musical
watch
Cabin in the Sky directed by Vincente Minnelli, 1943 Pinky directed by Elia Kazan, 1949
All materials available through your local library branch.
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SONG LIST ACT ONE His Eye is on the Sparrow 1905, C. D. Martin, Charles H. Gabriel
Masculine Women, Feminine Men 1926, E. Leslie, J. V. Monaco
Frankie and Johnny Traditional
His Eye is on the Sparrow Reprise
I Don't Dig You, Jack Jack Wilson
Sweet Georgia Brown 1925, Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard, Kenneth Casey
This Joint is Jumpin' 1938, J.C. Johnson, Andy Razaf, Thomas Waller, Chappel and Co., Inc.
Little Black Boy 1934, J. C. Johnson, George Whiting, Record Music Publishing Company
Old Man Harlem 1933, Rudy Vallée, Hoagy Carmichael, Southern Music Company
ACT TWO Dinah 1925, Sam Lewis, Joe Young, Harry Akst
Taking a Chance on Love 1940, John La Touche, Vernon Duke, EMI Catalogue
Am I Blue? 1929, Grant Clark, Harry Akst, Warner/Chappell Music
Stormy Weather 1933, Ted Koehler, Harold Arlen, S. A. Music Co.
Heat Wave
1933, Irving Berlin, Irving Berlin Music Co.
Cabin in the Sky 1940, John La Touche, Vernon Duke, EMI Catalogue
Black and Blue 1929, Fats Waller, Harry Brooks, Warner/Chapell Music
His Eye is on the Sparrow Reprise
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Let your creative ambitions take center stage.
The Art Academy of Cincinnati will help you unleash your hidden talent to create your masterpiece. Our Community Education program empowers you with the proper tools to make your vision a reality. Go ahead, Create Yourself! Find out more at www.artacademy.edu/community_education
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Treasures from the Driehaus Collection
On view through May 27 Discover more than 60 iconic examples of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s decorative arts legacy.
Purchase tickets in advance at taftmuseum.org to save! Special Sunday pricing | Free for Taft members TAFT SPONSORS
SEASON FUNDERS
The Sutphin Family Foundation Lynne Meyers Gordon, M.F.A.
OPERATING SUPPORT
Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures from the Driehaus Collection was organized by the Richard H. Driehaus Museum and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC.
IMAGE: Tiffany Studios, River of Life Window (detail), 1900–1910, leaded glass. Photograph by John Faier. © 2013 Driehaus Museum
PIQUE YOUR CURIOSITY. The Future is Female will be on view in the 21c Museum November 2017 – September 2018. Located directly across from the Arnoff Center.
Frances Goodman (South African) Medusa, 2013-2014. Acrylic nails, foam, metal.
609 Walnut St, Cincinnati, Ohio 513.578.6600 | 21cCincinnati.com
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WHY WE DO THIS While planning the 2017-2018 Season, the theme of arrival threaded each show together. This theme coincided with moving into our new facility and the plays this season have all been about accepting “what is” and “what needs to be.” Stories about strong people working against odds to succeed jumped to the top of my list. Red Velvet showed us a man struggling with his pride, his passion, and his peers, while fighting a battle for recognition and respect. His Eye is on the Sparrow looks at the journey of a woman who created a life from nothing but pain and perseverance, breaking barriers on the stage, in clubs, and on the big screen before she eventually found peace in faith. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a rock musical that challenges the conventions of gender identity as each of us searches to define who we are. And here you are, an intelligent audience who cares about socially conscious and provocative new work, an audience who has embraced the ETC experience. I offer these shows as catalysts for conversation, sound bites of history, and vehicles for performances intended to linger with you long after the lights go down. Ken Early as Ira Aldridge, Torie Wiggins as Ethel Waters, and Todd Almond as Hedwig: three stellar artists inhabit these roles to share these stories with you. Yes, I often choose shows with certain artists in mind. Although ETC is not a resident company of actors, you will see actors year after year on our stage whose career objectives often align with our mission. Giving artists such as these the stage is a large part of who we are. You as an audience member are an essential part of our Ensemble because you support and watch our artists as they change, grow, and explore each new script on our stage. I appreciate the open, receptive audience you are. I appreciate being able to bring stories to the stage that resonate. Although plays cannot directly resolve the issues in our world today, they can expose and explore the points of view we would otherwise not know and inspire change. Essential Theatrical Creations: ETC. We welcome you to the conversation with gratitude for your participation and presence.
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BEHIND THE MUSIC A vibrant and versatile performer, Ethel Waters earned her fame from Harlem nightclubs to the Broadway stage and beyond. Here, a brief history of some of her most notable hits: His Eye Is on The Sparrow Written in 1905 by lyricist Civilia D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel, this song was inspired by Civilia’s friend Mrs. Doolittle. Though bedridden for over twenty years, Mrs. Doolittle maintained a positive attitude and belief in God. When Civilia asked about Mrs. Doolittle’s faith, she responded, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.” The theme of the song is based on several Bible passages including Psalm 32:2, Matthew 6:26 and 10:28-31. “His Eye is on the Sparrow” was a favorite of Waters's grandmother, and it was one of the only songs Ethel would perform toward the end of her life. Dinah In the spring of 1925, Earl Dancer asked Ethel Waters to temporarily step in for Florence Mills at the Plantation Club’s Tan Town Topics on Broadway. During her time at the cabaret, Waters was asked to try out a new song from composer Harry Akst and lyricist Joe Young. Ethel sang the song in her own leisurely style, favoring the dreamy lyrics and melody. The song was an instant hit among black and white audiences. In her autobiography, Waters says, “'Dinah' with your girl Ethel singing it in her own way, made history from Tin Pan Alley to Tokyo because it was the first international song hit ever to come out of an American night club.” Taking A Chance on Love Composed by Vernon Duke with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, this tune premiered in the 1940 hit musical Cabin in the Sky with Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. New York Times reporter Brook Atkinson said, “Ethel Waters has never given a performance as rich as this before. This theater-goer imagines that he has never heard a song better sung than ‘Taking a Chance on Love.’ She stood that song on its head and ought to receive a Congressional Medal by way of award.” Am I Blue? Composed by Harry Akst with lyrics by Grant Clark, “Am I Blue?” premiered in the 1929 film On with the Show!, performed by Ethel Waters and the Harmony Four Quartette. The film was the first all-talking, all-color feature length film, and though it received mixed reviews, “Am I Blue?” was a surprise hit. Sounding like something out of the Depression, Waters's reflective performance moved audiences and sent the song soaring to number one on musical charts for fifteen weeks.
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Stormy Weather At the Cotton Club in Harlem, 1933, Ethel Waters premiered Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler’s new song, “Stormy Weather.” In her autobiography, Waters wrote, “'Stormy Weather' was the perfect expression of my mood, and I found release in singing it each evening. When I got out there in the middle of the Cotton Club floor I was telling the things I couldn’t frame in words.” The song contributed so greatly to The Cotton Club’s success that the club’s first tour revue changed its name from The Cotton Club Parade of 1933 to Stormy Weather Revue. On May 3, 1933, Waters recorded the song with the Dorsey Brothers orchestra; in 2003 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the next year added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. Heat Wave Irving Berlin, often considered the greatest composer of the 20th century, composed “Heat Wave” for the 1933 musical revue As Thousands Cheer. The show was the first in Broadway history to give an African-American performer (Waters) equal billing with the white performers. Ms. Waters performed “Heat Wave” dressed in a red-and-gold outfit and wore a colorful turban. Reviewers of the day commented on Waters’s sexy style and ability to use vocal tricks from differing genres as she performed this tune.
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THE CAST TORIE WIGGINS (Ethel Waters) has been performing professionally for more than 15 years and received her BFA in Dramatic Performance from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music. She co-adapted and performed a one-woman show, Your Negro Tour Guide, at various venues in Cincinnati and across the country. Ms. Wiggins appeared on All My Children and her voice can be heard on numerous national television and radio commercials for H&M, Home Depot, and Burger King, among others. She landed a principal role in the Hallmark Channel's A Christmas Melody, starring and directed by Mariah Carey, as well as roles in The Old Man and the Gun with Robert Redford and Danny Glover; The Public, directed by Emilio Estevez; and Extremely Wicked, Evil and Vile starring Zac Efron. Her regional credits include Collapse, Afghan Women Writer’s Project, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Pluto, Harry and the Thief, and Dragon Play, Know Theatre; Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, Diogenes Theatre Company and Miami University; To Kill a Mockingbird, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Playhouse in the Park; and Mame, Vonya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and Crowns, Human Race Theatre. She also wrote and performed a solo piece entitled The Breath of Africana for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and has performed it in various venues. Her favorite roles at Ensemble Theatre include Black Pearl Sings!, The Mountaintop, Cinderella, Cinderella: After Ever After, and Violet. Ms. Wiggins would like to thank God and her loving husband for continuing to support her in doing what she loves.
COMING SOON | JUNE 5 – JULY 1
JUNE 5 – JULY 1
The groundbreaking, genre-bending rock musical returns!
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THE PLAYWRIGHT LARRY PARR (Playwright) has had hundreds of regional productions and is a Dramatists Guild and Sarasota Area Playwrights Society member. His awards include Hi-Hat Hattie: Kansas City’s Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, Florida Individual Artist Recipient, and American Cinema Foundation’s First Prize for Screenwriting; My Castle’s Rockin’: Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre’s ScriptFest, and the first white playwright produced in the history of the National Black Theatre Festival; Invasion of Privacy: 1999 Gold Coast Players Best Play Award, The National Arts Club’s Playwrights First Award in Manhattan, Ashland New Play Festival, Theatre Conspiracy’s New Play Competition, Florida Individual Artist Recipient, and Dezart Performs Audience Favorite, Best Actresses, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress in Palm Springs; Sundew: Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater’s Annual Play Competition, and Judith Chapman Best Director Desert Theater League Awards; His Eye is on the Sparrow: Florida Individual Artist Recipient, The Sarasota County Arts Council’s John Ringling Fellowship Grant, and Daytony Award for Best Overall Production; Shunned: Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater’s ScriptFest Winner, Utah Shakespeare Festival, New American Playwrights Project, and Julie Harris Playwright Award Finalist. Mr. Parr was a winner of Florida Studio Theatre’s Short Play Competition nine years in a row. He won Stages ’93, the 1994 Porter Fleming Playwriting Competition, The Arion Award For Music Excellence, Civic Recognition Award, and the Broome Agency’s Best-Novel Award. In 2000 and 2010, Florida Studio Theatre presented him with the Barbara Anton Playwriting Award. In 2002, he was chosen as a participant in The Floridian Project with a play about Harry T. Moore. He sends his heartfelt thanks to Bob Bernotus for everything. www.larryparr.info
#EYEONTHESPARROW LET’S THEATRE TOGETHER
@ENSEMBLECINCY
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THE DIRECTOR D. LYNN MEYERS (Director) is in her 22nd season as the Producing Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, where she has directed over 80 world and regional premieres, including The Legend of Georgia McBride, Hands on a Hardbody, Detroit ’67, I Am My Own Wife, Next to Normal, Cinderella: After Ever After, and The Dancing Princesses. She has directed Off-Broadway at the York Theatre with Marsha Norman’s Traveler in the Dark and James McClure’s Max and Maxie. She has directed extensively throughout the US and Canada and began her career as the Associate Artistic Director at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Aside from directing, Ms. Meyers is also a member of the Casting Society of America, having cast for Hallmark, PBS, CBS, BBC, HBO, MTM, Paramount, and MGM. Her favorite feature credits include Carol, Miles Ahead, The Goat, and The Public, in addition to serving as the Location Casting Director for The Shawshank Redemption. She was named a finalist for the Zelda Fichandler National Award in 2011 and is a past recipient of the YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award.
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CINCINNATI OPERA
201 8 SEASON AT MUSIC HALL JUNE 14–JULY 31
TS TICKEON NOW E! SAL
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PRODUCTION TEAM BRANDON T. HOLMES (Production Stage Manager) is currently in his sixth season with Ensemble Theatre. Mr. Holmes holds a BFA from Wichita State University in Technical Theatre and Design. He has served as an Assistant Stage Manager with Music Theatre Wichita and the Production Stage Manager for LOOK Musical Theatre in Tulsa, OK, and The Lexington Theatre Company’s production of Legally Blonde. He also interned for two seasons with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Favorite credits include Violet, Thunder Knocking on the Door, Hands on a Hardbody, Merrily We Roll Along (directed by John Doyle), The Legend of Georgia McBride, The Drowsy Chaperone, Miss Saigon, Tribes and Sunset Boulevard. Thank you to Lynn and ETC's incredibly talented production staff for imagining such beautiful productions and creating the magic that is seen onstage. Love to AJ and his wonderful family. Mr. Holmes is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
ELIZABETH FREYMAN (Assistant Stage Manager) became Ensemble Theatre’s Resident Assistant Stage Manager in the fall of 2015 and has worked on every show since. Her other credits include We Will Not Be Silent and Welcome to Fear City, Contemporary American Theater Festival; Le nozze di Figaro, The Princeton Festival; Il Trovatore and Carmen, Knoxville Opera; Magic Flute, Madama Butterfly, South Pacific, and Der fliegende Holländer, Piedmont Opera; Street Scene and La Traviata, Opera North; Don Giovanni and Galileo Galilei, Cincinnati Opera. Ms. Freyman graduated with a BFA from CCM’s Stage Management Program and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. Love to her amazing family and best friends.
BRIAN c. MEHRING (Resident Set & Lighting Designer) has designed over 100 productions at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. His favorite productions include Thom Pain (based on nothing), Next to Normal, 33 Variations, Freud's Last Session, and I Am My Own Wife. Mr. Mehring’s regional favorites for set design include: The Last 5 Years and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Playhouse in the Park; Henry IV, Part 1, The Georgia Shakespeare Festival; and I Am My Own Wife, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Peterborough Players, and Florida Studio Theatre.
SHANNON RAE LUTZ (Properties Master & Design Assistant) earned her Master’s degree from UC-CCM in 1996 and became Prop Master at ETC. Trained as a performer, she first appeared on ETC’s stage during the 1988-1989 New Works Festival. In 1991, she was granted an ETC internship. Now the Director of Apprentice Programming, she is honored to guide ETC’s essential ensemble: The Professional Acting Apprentice Company. Ms. Lutz would like to thank D. Lynn Meyers, Ruth Sawyer, and the Cincinnati theatre community and patrons for their generous, supportive, and tenacious spirit. 22 •
PRODUCTION TEAM, continued JACK MURPHY (Technical Director) went to undergrad at Hanover College where he studied technical theatre. While there, he spent his summers at several different summer stock theatres such as Georgia Shakespeare Company and the Brevard Music Center’s Janiec Opera Company as a carpenter. After graduation, he moved to Bellport, NY, to work for The Gateway Playhouse as a carpenter and rigger. When he left Gateway, he went to work on The Pride of America, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. After another summer at the Janiec Opera Company, he came full circle and returned home to Cincinnati. Since he has been back, he has also worked with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and River City Scenic. SCOT WOOLLEY (Music Director) has appeared at ETC in 33 Variations, Grey Gardens, and Souvenir. He created Broadway arrangements for State Fair and Off-Broadway vocal arrangements for Tapestry, the Music of Carole King. Some other ETC credits include 25 The Musical, Cinderella, Violet, Mack and Mabel. He also composed the theme for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float in 2004. Playhouse credits include conducting for Rocky Horror, Candide, Carnival, as well as performing in the world premiere of Ace. National tours include Crazy for You, Tommy, and The Will Rogers Follies. Mr. Woolley's orchestral arrangements have been heard in Atlanta, Portland, Indianapolis, Hong Kong, and regularly with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. MARY MURPHY (Costume Designer) is pleased to return to ETC, having last designed for When We Were Young and Unafraid and Around the World in 80 Days. Ms. Murphy puts her design talent to work as a wardrobe stylist for still photography and video/film production, where her recent credits include Carol, Miles Ahead, Hallmark Channel’s A Christmas Melody, and Mercy. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she obtained her BA in Theater from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia and has worked in various aspects of costuming for the entertainment industry for over thirty years. Ms. Murphy is inspired everyday by her handsome and loving husband, Kevin, and has three beautiful sons: Michael, Jack, and William. JEREMY LEE (Sound Designer) is a professor of Sound Design at University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music and designed ETC's First Date, Violet, and Hands on a Hardbody. Some of his other Cincinnati designs include the world premiere of Dead Accounts, Playhouse in the Park, and Les Misérables, CCM. His design work includes the international productions of Pais de Bicicleta, Bogota and Continental Divide, London's Barbicon Theatre and Birmingham Rep. He was the Associate Designer for the Bridge Project's 2010 World Tour of The Tempest and As You Like It, and the assistant designer for Tarzan in Holland and 42nd Street in Moscow. Off-Broadway, Mr. Lee has designed Tamar of the River, Working, The Ohmies, The Thugs, Dance Dance Revolution, and Song for New York. • 23
INTRODUCING THE UC COLLEGE-CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC’S 2018-19 MAINSTAGE SERIES
THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR ACTING
Oct. 4-7, 2018
GUYS AND DOLLS MUSICAL THEATRE
CCM’S PRODUCTION OF
Oct. 19-21 and 26-27, 2018
SEUSSICAL VOTED TM
THE TURN OF THE SCREW
BEST PLAY
OPERA
Nov. 15-18, 2018
BIRTHDAY VARIATIONS
(COMMUNITY/STUDENT) BY CITYBEAT READERS
DANCE
Dec. 6-9, 2018
OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD ACTING
Feb. 14-17, 2019
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME MUSICAL THEATRE
March 7-10, 2019
LA CLEMENZA DI TITO (THE CLEMENCY OF TITUS) OPERA
April 12-14, 2019
CINDERELLA DANCE
April 26-28, 2019
GUARANTEE your seats and your savings with one of our new streamlined SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES! RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE MAY 2, 2018.
24 •
CCM Season Presenting Sponsor
Mainstage Season Production Sponsor
Photo by Mark Lyons.
Titles and dates subject to change.
513-556-4183 boxoff@uc.edu ccm.uc.edu
PREMIERE SOCIETY The Premiere Society recognizes individuals who have made gifts totaling $1,000 or more within the past year. The exceptional generosity of these donors enables ETC to present world class new works and works new to the region by having the resources to achieve the highest level of artistic quality possible. The following list was updated March 27, 2018 and includes names of donors whose gifts total $1,000 + since February 20, 2017. For questions or corrections, please contact the Development Department at (513) 421-3555, option 4. WORLD CIRCLE ($10,000+): Anonymous (3) William P. Anderson Foundation ArtsWave Gale & Dave Beckett^ The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation^~ Lucille K. Carothers^ Tom & Annette Carothers^ Denise & Martin Chambers City of Cincinnati^ Burton & Susan Closson^~ Meredythe G. & Clayton C. Daley, Jr. Family Fund*~ The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. Harry & Linda Fath^ William A. Friedlander Fund *^~ Estate of Kenneth J. Furrier^ GBBN Architects^ John and Gloria Goering Family Gift Fund Linda Greenberg Fund*^ The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./US Bank Foundation^ Donald C. & Laura M. Harrison Fund* William & Mary Jane James^~ The Johnson Foundation Lorrence T. & Barbara W. Kellar Fund*~ Limestone Fund*^ LPK^ Macy's Kenneth T. & Molly M. Mahler Messer Construction Co.^ The Mitchell S. & Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation^ Ohio Arts Council Marilyn J. & Jack D. Osborn Fund *^ Daniel & Susan Pfau Foundation* Joseph A. & Susan E. Pichler Fund*~ P&G Fund*~ PNC Foundation Richard Postler & Manuel Hernandez^ Rosemary & Mark Schlachter^ Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee~ Digi & Mike Schueler^ The Shubert Foundation, Inc. State of Ohio through the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission^ Paul & Jill Staubitz^ Estate of Richard Steiner Elsa M. Heisel Sule Charitable Trust The Dudley S. Taft Charitable Foundation Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation~ Ms. Carol Talbot~ Dale & Joyce Uetrecht Ginger Warner^ Irwin & Barbara Weinberg Western & Southern Financial Fund
* Denotes a Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation ^ Capital Campaign Donor ~ Next Stage Donor
NATIONAL CIRCLE ($5,000-$9,999): Arts & Culture Giving Circle* Bob & Elaine Blatt Brian & Elizabeth Coley Crosset Family Fund* John DuBois~ The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Skip & Susan Hickenlooper^ Marilyn F. Hill Arleene Keller~ Mr. & Mrs. David E. Moccia~ Neal Patel & Avani Modi^~ The William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation Jackie Reau, Game Day Communications~ Caroline Richards~ Moe & Jack Rouse^ Elizabeth Sawyer Selnick Fund* The Sittenfeld Family^~ Tom & Barbara Tobias Family Fund*~ The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation The Dennis B. & Patricia L. Worthen Fund~ REGIONAL CIRCLE ($2,500-$4,999): Anonymous Christine Adams~ Nicholas Apanius^ Michael Berry & Melanie Garner^ Karen & Christopher Bowman Shirlee Cassidy~ Kelly M. Dehan Kathy DeLaura & Ron Steinhoff^~ Ehrsam Family Fund* Bob & Mary Fitzpatrick~ Dennis & Rita Geiger^ Jane & Chip Gerhardt^~ Alana & Shelly Gerson~ Helen & John Habbert~ Betsy & Tom Hampton~ Suzanne Hasl Debbie Hill Stephen King & Lynne Miller^ David and Judith Morgan Fund * Dr. Patricia O'Connor Marilyn Z. Ott~ Mary Stagaman^ Thompson Hine LLP Ed Trach Maureen & Larry Vignola~ Jo Ann Wieghaus~ Ronna & James Willis Charitable Fund~ CINCINNATI CIRCLE ($1,000-$2,499): Anonymous (7) Gordon Allen & Linda Baas Americana Arts Foundation Norman Bates Kathleen Bellamy
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SUPPORTERS ETC gratefully acknowledges the extraordinary individuals, families, and organizations whose generous support makes it possible for us to present exceptional theatre and unique educational outreach programs for our community. The following list was updated March 27, 2018 and includes the names of donors whose gifts total $125+ since February 20, 2017. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. For questions or corrections, please contact the Development Department at (513) 421-3555, option 4. CINCINNATI CIRCLE CONT. Malcolm A. & Glenda Bernstein~ Mary & William Bonansinga Charitable Family Fund* David Brashear~ Mrs. Charlene Breidster Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Matching Gift Program Dale P. Brown~ Bryson Family Charitable Fund~ Kenneth R. & Joan L. Campbell Foundation City of Sharonville William & Catherine Cody Margaret & Joseph Conway~ Ross Crabill & Bill Arbogast Mark Dauner Grace A. Epstein Alessandro Ferraris & Maria J. Martinez, in memory of Gordon Greene Lee & Sue Flischel Fund* GE Foundation Matching Gifts Program Karen Grass Judith B. Green & Thomas M. McDonough Irving Harris~ Bob & Judy Heaton~ Karlee Hilliard~ Marilyn P. & Joseph W. Hirschhorn Fund* Emily M. Hodges, in memory of her husband, Andrew L. Wolf Florette Hoffheimer Erin Houlihan & John Bostick Betty Huck~ Jim & Robin Huizenga~ Keith & Patti James Dick & Mona Kerstine^ Tom & Sue Kirkpatrick~ Cecilia & Tom Kloecker Carmen & Rich Kovarsky Kroger Community Rewards LaMacchia Family Foundation Chris Lewis & Alicia Bond-Lewis David Logan & Dale Hodges Ron Longstreth & Allen Black Edward & Anita Marks^ David Martin Philip R. McHugh & Suzanne E. McHugh Ihor and Dr. Lisa Jo Melnyk Allen R. Middleton & Gary A. Daniels~ Sue & Michael Miller~ Norah & Joe Mock Netherland Rubber Co. Overbeck Charitable Fund Scott Provancher Bob & Connie Reed Becky & Ted Richards Charles Scott Riley III Foundation George & Caroll Roden * Denotes a Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation ^ Capital Campaign Donor ~ Next Stage Donor
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Marvin & Betsy Schwartz Fund* Robert & Eleanor Shott Philanthropic Fund Mike & Laconia Smith Keven Speece^ Howard & Nancy Starnbach Dee Stegman Paula Steiner Summertime Kids Grant Glenda Suttman^ Bob & Sue Trusty Ellen & Ray Van der Horst~ Steve F. Warkany Fund* Barbara Wiedemann Andi Levenson Young & Scott Young Mike & Liz Zimmer THE ENSEMBLE ($30+ MONTHLY GIFT) Anonymous (4) Mark Bowen Jacqueline Conner Mark Dauner Donn Goebel & Cathy McLeod Linda R. Holthaus J.B. Lutz Family Jane MacKnight & Dennis Johnson David Martin Allen R. Middleton & Gary A. Daniels J.R. Rulon Eli Shupe & Toby Ruben Sara & Gunter Storjohann Pann & Terry Webb THE ENSEMBLE ($15+ MONTHLY GIFT) Anonymous Michele & Kevin Cain Paul & Bev Diamond Sandi Gans Al Roane Karen Wittenberg Kathryn Wright ACTORS COLUMN ($500-$999): Anonymous (5) David & Elaine Billmire Walter Blair^ Dabby Blatt Robert Bloom & Alison Kamine Fund*~ Clay & Emily Bond Mark Bowen Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard Brenda Carter Philip Clayton Jennifer & Vito Damiano Susannah Davids & Steve Myer~ Kathryn J. DeLong Emilie W. & David W. Dressler Family Fund*~ Fencl Family Fund*
SUPPORTERS, continued R. Terrell & Susan Finney Mary Fiorini Maureen Flanagan & Will Groneman Carol S. Friel Bob Gerding Nancy Gilman~ The Gumbleton Family~ Sue Harris & Meredith Green Debra Hartsell & Michael James Linda Holthaus Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Matching Gifts Program Robert Keith & Kathleen Thornton Keith Elizabeth Krone Virginia Kuertz Warren Leight Mark D. Manley & Annette J. Wick Donn Goebel & Cathy McLeod Mary Ann Meanwell Meierjohan Building Group, LLC Dr. Philip Meyers John & Deborah Moffatt Bill & Ruth Morley Nora & Michael Moushey Patti Myers & Alan Flaherty The Honorable Norbert & Linnea Nadel Pepper Family Fund* Alice Perlman Presidential Plaza Associates, LTD Hera Reines Steven & Carol Reubel Stephen & Helen Rindsberg Rich & Jess Roedersheimer Abby & David Schwartz~ Jane Bogart Sellers John & Ronnie Shore Steven & Sue Steller Elizabeth Stites & Kevin Randall The Sweeny Family Charitable Fund, in honor of Jack & Kit Overbeck Tom & Kate Tepe Jennifer Verkamp Priscilla S. Walford Scott & Vicki Walker Ann & Victor Warner Larry Weber Wuerdeman Family Fund* STAGE MANAGERS COLUMN ($250-$499): Anonymous (6) Amy Alig Albert & Lillian Andrews American Express Employee Giving Program Laura Atkinson Henrietta Barlag~ Jon & Carol Beeson Mary Ann Bender Mike & Juliette Bezold Katy Brown Ann & Lee Bulger Melanie Burden * Denotes a Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation ^ Capital Campaign Donor ~ Next Stage Donor
Anne E. Charles, in memory of Richard Charles & Rebecca Parker Andrew F. Cone Roger Cranos Lee D. Crooks Jerry Dehner & Patty Nagelkirk Charles & Lois Deitschel~ Paul & Bev Diamond Charles K. Eckert Charles & Harriet Edwards Mr. Steven Franks Sandi Gans Joanne Glaser~ Lynne Meyers Gordon Mrs. Madeleine H. Gordon Mary Pat & Jeff Harris Kevin & Deborah Horton Daniel Hurley Steve Kenat Charles D. King Renee & Bradley Lemberg Al & Mary Lopez J.B. Lutz Family Jackie Mack & Ted Silberstein Jane MacKnight & Dennis Johnson Bill & Karen McKim John & Julie Mellott Dr. Ralph Meyer William & Sibyl Miller Josh Neumeyer Burke Neville Victoria Parlin Nancy L. Phelan Thomas & Marianne Phillips Sara H. Pritchard Jared Queen Irene & Daniel Randolph Donor Advised Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation Blake Robison & Connan Morrissey J.R. Rulon Richard Russell Stephen Schwartz Peter Seidel Will Selnick, in honor of Ruth Sawyer^ Bryan Shick Daniel & Patty Shick Eli E. Shupe, Jr. & Toby Ruben Susan and David Smith John & Martha Spiess Ed & Anne Stern Sara & Gunter Storjohann Fred & Anne Straus Charitable Fund^ Marcia Togneri Marty Tomb Tom Umfrid & Phil Tworek Nancye & Thomas Van Brunt~ Rosalie P. van Nuis^ Buzz Ward~ Wendy & Norm Wasserman Karen & Barry Webb Pann & Terry Webb Joseph Wessling Jay and Kate Wilford
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SUPPORTERS, continued STAGE MANAGERS COLUMN, CONT. Karen Wittenberg Anne J. Wrider Fred Yaeger & Lisa Staggenborg Nora Zorich & Thomas Filardo Family Fund* CREW COLUMN ($125-$249): Anonymous (11) Marjorie & David Aaron Lucy Allen Bob Amott & Janice Flanagan Dan & Susan Ansel Wilma & Herbert Beigel^ Bill & Janet Berger~ Allen Bernard & Virginius Hall Anna Braam Charlin & Peter Briggs Agnes Brockman Rhoda & John Brooks Michele & Kevin Cain Maria Carver Susan Cohen & Robert Schmuelling Jacqueline Conner Rev. Dr. Robert W. Croskery & Beverly Croskery, Ph.D. Steve & Daina Dennis Mary & Clyde Dial Downtown Resident Council~ Igor & Jane Dumbadze Dennis & Catherine Dunwoodie Peggy Eberhard Jerome & Jean Eichert~ Linda Erpelding Barbara Feldmann David Flaspohler Chuck & Judy Foster Drusilla Garms Maureen Geiger Lois Gushin Gary & JoAnn Hagopian Mrs. C. H. Harrison III Mr. & Mrs. John Heldman~ Patricia Hemmer~ Ann Hicks Jacquelyn Hirt David & Karen Hoguet Cindy & Bill Hopping Jane Ruwet Hopson & Larry Pytlinski Cathy & Tom Huenefeld Caroline Idinopulos-Vigran Gifting Fund~ Ken & Christine Jones~ Doug & Marguerite Katchen~ Dr. James & Harriette Katz Crystal Kendrick Susan Kreuzmann Kroger Wayne & Karen Krueger Ms. Sooncha Lee John & Pat Leikhim Susan Lennert Nancy Lewis Amy & Scott Litwin * Denotes a Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation ^ Capital Campaign Donor ~ Next Stage Donor
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Charles & Jennifer Margolis~ Anne McAdams Patricia McKay Carol Miller Meibers Julia B. Meister Nancy Gordon Messer Jan & Marilyn Methlie F. Lee Meyer Drs. Jacqueline & Steven Miller & Family Kavin Miller Hatsuki Miyata Sally Moore Regine Moulton Patricia Murray~ Neda J. Nutley Ms. Kathleen O'Connell & Dr. H. Kenneth Peterson Paul & Mary Ann Odegard Nan Oscherwitz Terry & Jill Parsons~ Peaslee Neighborhood Center, Inc. Bill & Nancy Phelan David M. Piatt* Suann Pollock, in memory of Juliana & George Pollock Marsha Raanan Martha Ragland Royal C. Riedinger Jerri Roberts & Jim Thomas H. Gary Roberts Don & Connie Roesch Fred Ross^ Scott & Erin Rosson Barb & Rich Ruddy Sally & Howard Sampson Alfred & Stephanie Sassler Jeanie Schmidt Jim Schmidt~ Mark Silbersack & Ruth Schwallie~ Patrick & Ida Sepate Grace Sferra Elaine Shinkle Linda Silvati Mrs. Barbara Simon Mary Lee & Louie Sirkin Jackie & Dick Snyder~ Jerome Stein Kathy Stewart Ken & Ann Strunk Jennifer Stucker & John Eck Dennis & Helen Sullivan Ida & John Tergerson J. Michael & Patricia Thierauf Beverly Thomas Thomas Thompson Dan & Lynn Ticotsky Alan Ullman Charles Wagner Richard & Debbie Westheimer Lynne & D.H. Whitacre Lois Widlansky David & Nancy Wolf Philanthropic Fund Kathryn Wright
BOARD AND STAFF EXECUTIVE BOARD Stephen M. King, Chair Chip Gerhardt, President Kathy DeLaura, Vice President Mike Zimmer, Treasurer Nick Apanius, Secretary Founders' Circle Ruth D. & John Sawyer Ken & Mary "Murph" Mahler Dr. Charles O. Carothers Mitchell Meyers
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF D. Lynn Meyers The Ruth Dennis Sawyer/Mary Taft Mahler Producing Artistic Director Richard J. Diehl Managing Director Laura Proto Director of Development
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Alicia Bond-Lewis Otto M. Budig Melanie Burden Lucille Carothers Brenda A. Carter Susan Friedlander Dennis Geiger Directors Emeriti Skip Hickenlooper Edward G. Marks
Nilesh Patel Richard L. Postler Jackie Reau Rich Roedersheimer Paul G. Sittenfeld Mike Smith Mary Stagaman Financial Advisor Chet Cavaliere
PRODUCTION STAFF Brian c. Mehring Resident Set & Lighting Designer Matthew Hollstegge Production Manager
Amy Weinstock Development Assistant
Shannon Rae Lutz Properties Master, Design Assistant & Director of Apprentice Programming
Jocelyn Meyer Director of Marketing & Communications
Jack Murphy Technical Director
Amy Barbian Marketing Manager
Doug Stock Assistant Technical Director
Lauren Carr Director of Education & Outreach
Brandon T. Holmes Production Stage Manager
Lauren Bowler Education Associate: Hunter Heartbeat Program
Elizabeth Freyman Assistant Stage Manager
John Diehl Operations Associate PATRON SERVICES Jared D. Doren Patron Services Manager Amy Weinstock Assistant Box Office Manager Associates & House Managers Jared Earland Becca Howell Ben Ochsner Patrick E. Phillips Sharisse Santos Becca Schall
Starr Fish Costume Assistant Rachel Kuhn Scenic Charge Artist/Production Assistant SECURITY Nick Ligon PROFESSIONAL ACTING APPRENTICES Maggie Cramer Eric Minion Reginald Hemphill Katie Mitchell Dorothy Jolly Natasia Reinhardt Aaron Krick MARKETING CONTENT INTERN Alexis Jade Colón
Lead Bartender Sara Agee
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BOX OFFICE POLICIES ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI 1127 Vine Street | Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 | www.ensemblecincinnati.org | (513) 421-3555 ETC BOX OFFICE HOURS & ACCEPTED PAYMENT Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 2 hours prior to curtain. Weekend hours vary. VISA, MC, Discover, and AmEx are accepted, as well as Downtown Gift Cards. TICKET RESERVATIONS & SALE POLICY Reservations can be made by calling the box office, in person, or online. Ticket reservations are not accepted via email. Single-ticket purchases are final sale with no refund. Single tickets may, however, be exchanged for another performance during the run of a show for a fee, but may not be exchanged from one production to another. If a patron is a no-show for their reserved performance, ETC is under no obligation to reschedule his or her tickets. TAX CREDITS If for any reason you cannot attend your performance and cannot reschedule for another date, tickets released prior to performances by calling the ETC box office are fully deductible as a charitable contribution. No-shows or tickets released after curtain time do not qualify as tax credits. PARKING Patrons may park at the Gateway Garage (accessible via 12th Street) or at the surface lot, both are conveniently located at the corner of Vine and 12th Streets. Parking is also available at Washington Park Garage and Mercer Commons Garage. CHILDREN Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted to productions unless otherwise advertised. Parents with disruptive children will be asked to leave the theatre. LATECOMERS & ADMITTANCE Latecomers will be seated at the House Manager’s discretion and may be denied admission depending upon the demands or structure of a particular production. Should you need to leave the theatre during a performance, readmittance is not guaranteed. ETC reserves the right to deny admission and/or remove any disruptive patrons from the theatre at any time. RESTROOMS Public restrooms are located in the first and third floor lobbies. Should you need to use the restroom during a performance, readmittance will be at the House Manager's discretion. ACCESSIBILITY Please notify the box office in advance if you require wheelchair-accessible seating or have special seating needs and our staff will be happy to accommodate you. Audio-enhancement and large print programs available. Generally, sign-interpreted performances are on the third Wednesday of every production. CAMERAS, CELL PHONES & STAGE Actors’ Equity Association strictly prohibits the use of cameras or recording devices (including camera phones) in the theatre. Kindly turn off any cell phones or pagers prior to the show starting. Text messaging during the show disturbs other audience members and actors and will not be tolerated. For safety reasons, audience members are strictly prohibited from standing, sitting or otherwise being or putting anything onstage at any time. GROUPS & DISCOUNTS Groups of 8 or more can save on single-ticket prices. Student rates, rush discounts, Public Radio Perks Card, AAA, ArtsWave ArtsPass, Enjoy the Arts, and educator and military member discounts available (please consult your appropriate membership(s) for details and exclusions).
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RANDOM ACT OF CONSERVATION Adding native plants to your yard creates beneficial habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This simple act helps our planet and, ultimately, the human race.
4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150 • www.CincyNature.org