Arcadia-Whitefish Bay

Arcadia 1

CAST (in

or der of appe ar ance)

Thomasina Coverly.....................................................................................................................Dana Jankins* Septimus Hodge..........................................................................................................................Braden Bjella* Ms. Jellaby..........................................................................................................................................Rose Misey* Ezra Chater................................................................................................................................Michael Felland* Richard Noakes................................................................................................................................. Dan Wilson Lady Croom...................................................................................................................................Kelsey Pfeifer* Capt. Brice, RN................................................................................................................................... Erik Gambill Hannah Jarvis......................................................................................................................... Michelle Desien* Chloё Coverly......................................................................................................................................Katie Miller Bernard Nightingale..................................................................................................................Patrick Pfeifer* Valentine Coverly.................................................................................................................................Matt Klein Gus Coverly.................................................................................................................................Andrew Fallone Augustus Coverly.....................................................................................................................Andrew Fallone Understudies: Grace Armstrong*, Trevor Nelson, John Thomure Setting: A room on the garden front of a very large country house in Derbyshire.

The action of the play shuttles back and forth between the early nineteenth century and the present day.

CREW Stage Manager................................................................................................................................... Ross Smith Props............................................................................................................................................Monica Kramer* Sound...............................................................................................................................................Jacob Sevart* Lights...................................................................................................................................................Jen Pereles* Grips.............................Jonathan Dean*, Charlie Porter*, Anna Martinez-Ortiz*, and Nick Fetting* Director................................................................................................................................... Mr. John Coleman Assistant Director..................................................................................................................Grace Armstrong Costumer................................................................................................................................... Ms. Terri Jelenski Props Advisor......................................................................................................................Ms. Christine Drake Scenic Paint Advisor.......................................................................................................Ms. Chris Armstrong * International Thespian Society

SPECIAL THANKS BOA Administration and Staff of WFBHS 2nd Shift ; Buildings and Grounds All the parents and families of our cast and crew for the time given to this endeavor

D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S “It’s that irresistible force of wanting to know that makes us matter.”

It has been suggested that one of Tom Stoppard’s favorite ideas is “all men desire to know.”

This seems particularly evident in Arcadia, a play obsessed with knowledge of many kinds.

The characters in Arcadia seek three different sorts of knowledge: mathematical knowledge, historical knowledge and sexual knowledge.

The play opens with the problem of mathematical knowledge. Septimus has given Thomasina the challenge of finding a proof for Fermat’s Last Theorem (more to keep her occupied than in hopes of her solving it). At the time the play was written Fermat’s Last Theorem was, indeed, a great mathematical task. Thomasina proposes her own original solution to the theorem: Fermat’s marginal note was an eternally tormenting joke to drive posterity mad.

It is ironic that in real life, shortly after the play opened, Andrew Wiles announced a proof of Fermat’s theorem that has, after subsequent amendments, been accepted as correct. But 2 Whitefish Bay High School

D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S ( c o n t .) the quest for mathematical knowledge persists within the play. Thomasina is the genius girl who can miraculously understand the foundations of thermodynamics and chaos theory a century before their formal definition.

Thomasina’s algebra lesson is interrupted by her own search for another type of knowledge.

Thomasina asks Septimus what “carnal embrace” is. Septimus’s characteristically witty reply, that it is the act of throwing one’s arms around a side of beef, does not deter Thomasina from her desire to know about sex. Thomasina studies history with disdain and boredom.

As she tells Septimus, she is bored with and hates Cleopatra. Thomasina abhors Cleopatra’s weakness for men and sex, as she complains Cleopatra makes “noodles of our sex.” Thomasina has seemingly distinguished between sex that is exciting and sex that weakens women and destroys knowledge and progress.

Historical knowledge is also sought after more urgently in the present. In scenes depicting modern-day Sidley Park, historical knowledge is rewarded by great fame and possibly sexual prowess. The modern characters value historical knowledge foremost. Bernard, of course, lusts after historical knowledge most of all, intent on receiving any and all fame it may bring. Hannah, with more reserve, also looks among the books of Sidley Park for a glimpse into the past and writes bestsellers on her findings.

The intertwining past and present of Sidley Park provide commentary on the progression of knowledge or quest for knowledge in modern times. The modern day characters are concerned with the workings and findings of the past, while Thomasina and Septimus work to make new discoveries. The quest of all of the scholars thus forms a sort of loop; what is undervalued in one generation is greatly revered in the next. The state of inquiry revolves and evolves from an interest in the future to that of the past. And, like Septimus’s apt description of humanity’s quest for knowledge, the modern day continues to pick up what has been lost in the past, while simultaneously finding new ideas and formulas.

Arcadia, by intertwining two stories of the past and present of the same family, begs a particular question: what is the meaning of self and how does one know it? The stories are strictly separate plots, settings and worlds; however, there persists the same question of identity for all characters. While the stories progress separately, each story has a distinct presence in the other until the final conclusion of the play, where the stories fully overlap and the characters seemingly talk to one another. The nineteenth century tale (that of Thomasina and Septimus) is reminiscent of a classic romantic comedy of errors—involving the requisite cuckolds, unrequited love, desperate lovers, affairs, word plays and so on. Thomasina’s social world has little consequence and is limited to the affairs of Sidley Park. The modern tale (that of Hannah and Bernard) reveals a broken comedy of errors—the dysfunctional and broken aristocratic family whose only source of excitement is a Regency ball for the community. The modern aristocratic society is one that must look to the past for prestige and entertainment.

BIOGR APHIES Katie Miller (Chloe Coverly, ‘12) is a senior and is very excited to be a part of Arcadia.

She wants to thank everyone who helped out and made this show possible! She also would like to thank her wonderful cast for the amazing memories!

Andrew Fallone (Gus/Augustus Coverly, ‘15) is a freshman and is thrilled to be in his first theatre production. He says he is blessed to be working with such a great crew, cast, and director. He’ll always think fondly of the play Arcadia, and the great time he spent involved in Whitefish Bay’s production of it!

Michelle Desien ( Hannah Jarvis, ‘13) is a junior and crazy out of her mind with excitement for this show. You might have seen her last spring in Anything Goes as Miss. Hope Harcourt. This is her 15th show and cannot wait for everyone to see it! She hopes everyone enjoys it as much as she has.

Patrick Pfeifer ( Bernard Nightingale, ‘12) is quite pleased to be involved in this production of Arcadia in his final year at Bay. Patrick has been proud to be a part of other WFB productions such as Anything Goes, Almost, Maine, A Flea in Her Ear and as Drama Club President for the 2012 year. He is also astounded by the work and passion of Mr. Coleman and the cast and crew to make this show a memorable experience.

Arcadia 3

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Matt Klein* ( Valentine Coverly, ‘12) a senior, is bursting at the seams with shear joy to be a part of Arcadia. This is the fifth show Matt has been involved in, one of his favorites being Almost, Maine. Matt is honored to work with a wonderful cast, crew and director and is ready for another exciting year of theater and plans on attending film school after graduation.

Michael Felland ( Ezra Chater, ‘14) is so very, very, very pleased to be a part of the wonderful production, Arcadia. After being on crew for two shows and acting in another two, he has now been joyously accepted into the Arcadia family. He hopes the audience enjoys the show as much as he had being in it!

Brendan McNally (crew, ’12) is excited to be a part of Arcadia. Being part of theater since freshmen year he is excited to have an even better year with amazing cast and crew. He hopes everyone has as much fun watching this play as he has helping be a part of it.

Kelsey Pfeifer (Lady Croom, ‘12) is quite pleased to kick off her senior year playing another stone-cold, crazy, driven lady. She is looking forward to attending The Universal Academy of Cosmetology in the fall and is very grateful for the free practice she has received during this production.

In her spare time she reads “The Couch of Eros” like a fiend.

Rose Misey (Ms Jellaby, ‘14) is super happy to be in Arcadia. Last year Rose was involved in stage crew throughout the year along with a chorus role in Anything Goes. Rose is ever so grateful to all involved, including Monica Kramer for her fantastic baking skills.

Rose looks forward to spending the rest of high school involved with theatre.

Grace Armstrong (Assistant Director ’14) feels very honored to be involved in the production of Arcadia. Grace was first seen on WFB’s stage as a 9-yr-old in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and then as a 11-yr-old playing Little Ti-Moune in Once on this Island. More recently she has been seen in Anything Goes last year and always can be found backstage helping with crew.

Grace would like to thank her two older sisters for showing her the way.

Jen Pereles (Lights, ‘12) has enjoyed being in stage crew since the musical The Secret Garden her freshman year and has continued adding to her knowledge every show 4 Whitefish Bay High School

since. Stage crew is a wonderful experience that has added to her leadership skills as well as built an appreciation for seeing a completed product of hard work and dedication. Jen hopes to continue her passion for theater into college (even if it is not her intended major) and add to her passion of theater for the rest of her life.

Nattida Panyakorn (Crew, ’12) is foreign exchange fly all the way from Thailand, Natt has never been in a play before. She is excited to be involved in stage crew. Natt looks forward to spending her year learning new experiences from crew.

Ross Smith (Stage Mgr. ’12) is a student from Scotland who joined stage crew in his sophomore year. He has done everything from grips to lights. Ross will conclude his senior year as stage manager and after high school plans on living on a ranch raising cattle.

Dan Wilson (Mr. Noakes, ‘12) is super duper excited to be a part of this absolutely fabulous show! He loves his whole cast and can’t wait to be in the musical with everyone! Dan enjoys calm, soothing music and the finer things in life. The play will be out of this world. Literally. Break a leg cast and crew! ONE TWO! Dana Jankins (Thomasina,’13) is simply elated to be a part of Arcadia! This is her second show at Whitefish Bay High School, the first being Anything Goes as Elisha Whitney’s arm candy. She is honored to have been a part of this show and to have worked with such wonderful actors, crew, and directors and looks forward to the lovely shows of the future!!

Erik Gambill (Capt. Brice, ’12) is thrilled to be a part of the fall play. This is Erik’s first role at WFB. He enjoys long walks on the beach and plans on attending university next year.

Braden Bjella (Septimus Hodge, ’13) is absolutely ecstatic to be playing Septimus.

You may recognize Braden from other WFB productions such as Anything Goes in the role of Evelyn Oakley, or as Jack in Dancing at Lughnasa. Braden would like to thank his family for dealing with his full schedule and dyed hair. Braden doesn’t know what the future holds for him and doesn’t have to think about that stuff yet.