Proudly presents Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows’
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT RE ALLY TRYING Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert Based on the book “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” By Shepherd Mead Originally presented by CY FEUER and ERNEST H. MARTIN in Association with FRANK PRODUCTIONS
Producer Marsha Rutenberg
Director & Set Designer Scott J. Sumerak
Music Director Robert Deason
Choreographer Zachary L. Gray
Stage Manager Daiva Paulis
Assistant Director Cory Stonebrook
Production Intern Danielle Stack
Costume Design Patty Halajian
Lighting Design Matt Kooi
Sound Design Richard Neumann
Big Noise Theatre Company is a division of Winnetka Theatre and a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres. The use of recording devices, as well as the taking of flash photographs, is strictly prohibited without prior consent of Big Noise Theatre Company. No smoking is allowed. How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com 847.604.0275 * www.bignoise.org * info@bignoisetheatre.org Big Noise Theatre Company 1
D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E Welcome to Big Noise Theatre’s 10th full season at the Prairie Lakes Theatre. The seasons have gone by so quickly. It seems like only a year or two ago that we first stepped onto this stage with our production of Big River (in which I was lucky enough to play Huck.) Since then, we have been fortunate enough to work with performers, designers, musicians, and directors from all over the United States to bring high quality theatrical entertainment to the Des Plaines/ Northwest Suburban community. From the pageantry of Barnum to the technical wizardry of Sunday in the Park with George, from the bold, contemporary messages of RENT to the classic vibe of All Shook Up and Pumpboys and Dinettes, Big Noise has pushed the boundaries of what audiences should expect from suburban theatre. This year also marks another special milestone in musical theatre. How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The musical opened at the 46th Street Theatre on Broadway in October 1961, running for 1,417 performances, and featured the work of Bob Fosse. The show won seven Tony Awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle award, and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The original production starred Robert Morse as Finch, Bonnie Scott as Rosemary, Rudy Valle as J.B. Biggley, and Charles Nelson Reilly as Bud Frump. Subsequent revivals have featured the likes of Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Roger Bart, Megan Mullally, Ralph Macchio, John Stamos, John Larroquette, and the book voices of Anderson Cooper, and Walter Cronkite. A new Broadway revival is currently running in New York, starring “Harry Potter’s” Daniel Radcliffe. Big Noise proudly adds our name to that list as the only theatre in Illinois to be producing H2S during this anniversary month! On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Production Staff and the rest of us in the How to Succeed team, we thank you for joining us for today’s performance. But why stop there? We have a full season to share with you. We will return to Des Plaines this January with the comedy Butterflies are Free, followed by our Spring musical Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Story. We hope to have you back in our audience for these shows and for our next 10 seasons! Thanks for your support, Scott J. Sumerak Board of Directors Production Director, How to Succeed… SPECIAL THANKS Shelli Sarg and the Prairie Lakes Community Center staff Gina Di Sandro and the Winnetka Community House Staff Jim and Nancy Moran
Dan Primozic and Oce North America The Saints Abracadabra Productions WR Imaging Phil Ponce
BIG NOISE THEATRE / WINNETK A THEATRE BOARD OF GOVERNORS Jon Cunningham, President Michelle Cunningham, Vice-President Marsha Rutenberg, Treasurer Rob Smith, Secretary 2 Big Noise Theatre Company
Nancy Flaster, Artistic Director Linda Andrews Joyce Bishop Marian Kaderbek Steve Malone
Daiva Paulis Scott J. Sumerak Tom Walker Melissa Young Evie Murphy
C A S T O F C H A R AC T E R S ( i n
or der of appe ar ance)
Voice of the Book........................................................................................................... Phil Ponce J. Pierrepoint Finch...................................................................................................... Greg Foster Rosemary Pilkington.............................................................................................. Kristine Burdi J. B. Biggley.............................................................................................................. David Whitlock Bud Frump....................................................................................................... Tommy Bullington Smitty............................................................................................................ Cassandra Cushman Hedy LaRue......................................................................................................................... Cara Hall Miss Jones........................................................................................................... Sara Maria Pardo Mr. Twimble/Wally Womper............................................................................. Mark Anderson Mr. Bratt................................................................................................................... Mark Komiskey Mr. Gatch..................................................................................................................... Steve Malone Miss Krumholtz............................................................................................................ Rachel Elise Junior Executives Mr. Johnson..................................................................................................... Jake Autizen Mr. Jenkins.......................................................................................................Tom Coppola Mr. Peterson.................................................................................................Isaac J. Loomer Mr. Tackaberry............................................................................................. Aaron Rumack Mr. Ovington/Mr. Matthews...................................................................Patrick Stengle Secretaries...................................................................................... Kat Dennis (Dance Captain), Janna Barta, Rachel Elise, Julie Haller, Kelly Maryanski MUSICIANS Piano/Conductor................................................................................................... Mike Goldman Bass.............................................................................................................................John Summers Reeds.......................................................................................................................Ashley Hammer Percussion....................................................................................................... Brandon Schreiner Trumpet........................................................................................................................Martin Tilton MUSICAL NUMBERS Act I How To Succeed in Business without Really Trying.........................................................Finch Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm..................................................................Rosemary, Smitty Coffee Break..............................................................................................Bud, Smitty, Ensemble The Company Way............................................................................................... Twimble, Finch The Company Way (reprise)..............................................................Bud, Twimble, Ensemble A Secretary is Not a Toy.............................................Bratt, Bud, Miss Krumholtz, Ensemble Been A Long Day..............................................................Smitty, Rosemary, Finch, Ensemble Been A Long Day (reprise).............................................................................Bud, Biggley, Hedy Old Ivy........................................................................................................................Biggley, Finch Paris Original....................................................... Rosemary, Smitty, Miss Jones, Secretaries Rosemary..............................................................................................................Finch, Rosemary Act II How To Succeed (reprise)............................................................................................ Secretaries Love From a Heart of Gold..................................................................................... Biggley, Hedy I Believe in You...................................................................................... Finch, Junior Executives I Believe in You (reprise)................................................................................................. Rosemary Brotherhood of Men.................................. Finch, Womper, Biggley, Miss Jones, Ensemble The Company Way (reprise)..........................................................................................Company Big Noise Theatre Company 3
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P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Producer............................................................................................................Marsha Rutenberg Director.................................................................................................................. Scott J. Sumerak Music Director........................................................................................................Robert Deason Choreographer...................................................................................................... Zachary L. Gray Stage Manager.............................................................................................................Daiva Paulis Scenic Design ..................................................................................................... Scott J. Sumerak Costumer.................................................................................................................... Patty Halajian Lighting Design............................................................................................................... Matt Kooi Light Execution.....................................................................................................Aaron Andrews Sound Design...................................................................................................Richard Neumann Sound Execution......................................................................................................Danielle Stack Master Carpenter................................................................................................ Scott J. Sumerak Set Construction and Decoration.......................................................... Jose & Sarah Garcia, Peter Hillebrand, Rachel Elise Johnson, Daiva Paulis, Production Intern....................................................................................................Danielle Stack Stage Crew................................................................................................................Millie Schmalz Dance Captain................................................................................................................Kat Dennis Tickets.................................................................................................................Marsha Rutenberg Auditions...........................................................................................Daiva Paulis, Steve Malone Program.............................................................................................................Marsha Rutenberg House Manager...........................................................................................................Evie Murphy THE CAST MARK ANDERSON (Mr. Twimble/ Wally Womper) Is happy to be returning to his favorite group with ...Business. In addition to work on Sunday in the Park and The Drowsy Chaperone, Mark has appeared in Beauty and the Beast as Cogsworth, Ragtime, The Student Prince and Love, Sex and the IRS. Mark works as an Editor at WTTW Channel 11 on such shows as Check, Please!, Chicago Tonight and promotional material. Love and thanks to Pamela, Sydney and Mackay. JAKE AUTIZEN (Mr. Johnson – Jr. Executive) Jake is crazy pumped to be part of this fun-filled production of H2$. This is his second time working with Big Noise Theater, the first being the Chicago regional premiere of RENT. Being from the cornfields of Nebraska, Jake is very humbled and gratified with the work he’s produced here in Chicagoland. Jake is proud to be a company member with Circle Theatre. Favorite past roles include, Joseph in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Jimmy Harper in Reefer Madness; Rocky in The Rocky Horror Picture Show; and originating the role of Bear in Hobo Junctions’ The
Regulars. Thanks to his Family for absolutely everything they do and who they are. Love to S. JANNA BARTA (Secretary) (‘Ensemble’) is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and honors recipient of a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theater and Dance with an Emphasis in Dance and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology. Her performance credits include Paquita, Down So Long It Looks Like Up by Randall Newsom, Bhaava by Autumn Eckman (Gus Giordano), Carmina Burana by Paula Frasz (Danszloop) and most recently, This Is A Damage Manual with her current company, BONEDanse Excavation (formerly Breakbone Dance Co.), at The Other Dance Festival. TOMMY BULLINGTON (Bud Frump) is thrilled to make his Big Noise debut! Recent credits include Into the Woods (Baker), A Slight Catastrophe, Kiss Me, Kate (Gangster 2), and The Wedding Singer. Tommy has worked on and off stage at such theatres as Wishing Star, Civic Opera Studio, AlphaBet Soup, Drury Lane Oakbrook and Circle Theatre, where he is a proud company member. Thanks to this great team and love always to Cookie Bullington! Big Noise Theatre Company 5
T H E C A S T ( c o n t .) KRISTINE BURDI (Rosemary) is thrilled to be making her Big Noise debut. Kristine has worked regionally with Metropolis, Circle, Noble Fool, Light Opera Works, Boho and Northbrook TYA. Favorite credits include: Spelling Bee (Olive), A Little Night Music, La Cage aux Folles (Anne) and Royal Caribbean International (Lead Vocalist). Kristine holds a BA in Theatre from Northern Illinois University. Huge thanks to the incredible production team and lots of love to my wonderful family, HLMSB and my amazing husband. TOM COPPOLA (Mr. Jenkins - Junior Executive) - Originally from New Rochelle, NY (really!), Tom was last seen as Elliott in Village Theatre Guild’s production of Apt. 3A. Favorite roles include: Marco (A View from the Bridge), The Baker (Into the Woods), The Emcee (Cabaret), Mark (The Shadow Box), Joe Pitt (Angels in America), Monty (Violet), and John the Baptist/Judas (Godspell). As a director and choreographer,
Tom has been at the helm of such productions as Nunsense, Forever Plaid, The Most Happy Fella, A Year with Frog and Toad, The Merry Widow, Once On This Island, Baby, Anything Goes, How to Succeed, Godspell, as well as countless musical revues. CASSANDRA CUSHMAN (Smitty) is thrilled to be appearing with Big Noise for the first time. A native of Portland, Oregon, she has trained with Moscow Art Theatre, Shakespeare NJ, and holds a performance degree from Mount Holyoke College. Some credits include: The Music Man (Marian Paroo), Into the Woods (Little Red), Amadeus (Katherina Cavalieri), Evita (Ensemble), Songs for a New World (Woman 2), As You Like It (Celia), and The Threepenny Opera (Polly Peachum). Cassandra would like to thank her amazing friends for their support, and for making Chicago feel like home! KATHLEEN DENNIS (Dance Captain, Secretary) is excited to be joining Big Noise Theatre once again with this fantastic production. Some of her past credits include: Young Heidi, Follies; Carlotta, Phantom Of The Opera; Witch, Into The Woods; Noleta Nethercott, Sordid Lives [X2]; Lina Lamont, Singing In The Rain; Magnolia, Showboat; Lil Bit, Paula Vogel’s How I Learned To Drive; Johanna, Sweeney Todd; Magenta, Rocky Horror Show; Andy, Stepping Out; among others including her favorites: Anita, West Side Story [X2] and Diana, A Chorus Line. Kathleen would like to thank all of the rock-star moms out there who have always supported our silly dreams. RACHEL ELISE (Miss KrumholtzSecretary) is excited to be working with such an amazing cast. She has performed in various productions throughout Chicago including Actors Theatre Company’s production of Follies (Young Phyllis), as well as Ouroboros and Big Noise’s production of RENT. She is thrilled to be on the stage once more; it is where she truly feels at home.
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T H E C A S T ( c o n t .) GREG FOSTER (J. Pierrepont Finch) Greg Foster is sincerely grateful to be working with big Noise Theatre Company for the first time and is very excited to be a part of this beautiful show. Other credits include: The Wizard of Oz, Godspell, The Fantasticks, Shadowlands, Suburbia, and Complete Works of W.S. (Abridged). He would first and foremost love to thank God for His many gifts, blessings and opportunities, Grossman and Jack Talent, and his awesome family and friends for all of their love and support. He would also love to dedicate his performance to his loving mother, Molly Foster. CARA HALL (Hedy LaRue) Cara couldn’t be more excited to be making her Chicagoland debut with Big Noise! A Kentucky girl at heart, Cara made the move to Chicago only this summer after earning her B.A. in Theatre and Psychology from Morehead State University. Cara has performed with companies all over the Southeast, including Dollywood Entertainment and the Jenny Wiley Theatre. Favorite credits include Little Sally in Urinetown: The Musical, Sharpay Evans in Disney’s High School Musical, and Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods. Growing up in an area where the performing arts are rapidly losing financial support, Cara would like to thank YOU for making it possible to do what she loves! JULIE HALLER (Secretary) Julie Haller is a graduate of Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Performance. Julie has pursued her passion for dance in her hometown of Chicago performing with various professional dance companies, dance teams, and commercial projects including modeling, teaching and choreographing a variety of dance styles through diverse dance facilities and programs. She is currently adjunct dance faculty at Harper College, teaches dance with Chicago Dance, On Your Toes Academy of Dance, North Suburban School of Dance and in the
Chicago Public School system through the “May I Have This Dance” program, and is on scholarship at Visceral Dance Center. She is excited to be a part of the H2S cast and would like to thank her family and Ben for their continued love and support. MARK KOMISKEY (Mr. Bratt) Mark is thrilled to be a part of his second Big Noise production; the previous one showcased him playing George, the best man, in The Drowsy Chaperone. Some of his other favorite roles include Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain, Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Stewpot in South Pacific, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, and, most recently, Jinx in Forever Plaid. When not on stage, Mark works as an actuary pricing ‘good hands’ insurance. Enjoy the show! ISAAC J. LOOMER (Mr. Peterson -Junior Executive) Isaac J. Loomer is proud to be in this brotherhood and excited to be working with such a talent filled cast. He was recently seen in Starlight Theatre’s Carousel as the Ballet Carousel Barker, as well as Sketch in Hairspray. He graduated with a B.A. in theatre and dance from MNSU, Mankato, and has been seen acting around Chicago for the last 3 years. He would like to thank his wonderful family for raising him to always go for what you want, his best friend Mealah for always being there with a puppy to make him smile, and finally to Musical Theatre as a whole for keeping his sanity intact, or at least reasonably intact. STEVE MALONE (Mr. Gatch) is happy to be performing again with Big Noise and directed by Scott Sumerak. He has been involved in theatre a very long time (38 years!) and believes this to be his 72nd show! A big THANK YOU to the amazing cast, crew, orchestra and production staff, especially Scott, Robert, Zack, Daiva and Marsha. Mark, David, Aaron, Kat and Rachael…thrilled to be working with you again! Love to my family, friends, and Barkley. And always to the audience: Thank you for your support! Big Noise Theatre Company 7
C A S T ( c o n t .) KELLY MARYANSKI (Secretary) is ecstatic to be making her Big Noise debut! She has danced and choreographed in the Chicagoland and Columbus areas, and has performed at Dance Chicago’s Best of New Dances and Valentine Dances, the AAHPERD National Convention, The Wexner Center for the Arts, and Walt Disney World Resort. She has also appeared in Hairspray (Lou Ann/Dance Captain) with NSTW and recently in UAC’s Footloose (Featured Dancer). Kelly holds a B.F.A cum laude in studio art and dance from Denison University. In her free time, she plays the role of a published illustrator and pianist. SARA MARIA PARDO (Miss Jones) Chicago-based performer Sara María Pardo is active on musical theatre, opera and operetta stages and is thrilled to be making her debut with Big Noise Theatre Company as Miss Jones. Favorite roles include: Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods; Catherine in Pippin; Nelly Nettleton in the American premiere of Arizona Lady; Frasquita in Carmen; Emily in the Southeast American premiere of Our Town the opera; and the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro in Rome, Italy. For more information on this “irresistable charmer who brings show-stopping pizzazz to her singing and dancing” (The Chicago Tribune), visit www. SaraPardo.com. PHIL PONCE (Voice of the Book) is a Chicago television journalist, who hosts Chicago Tonight on WTTW. In 1982 he joined WBBM TV, Channel 2 as a reporter. He grew to national prominence in 1997 as a news anchor on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, a national PBS show. Mr. Ponce returned to Chicago to assume his present post in 1999. He also teaches journalism at Loyola University Chicago, where he is the university’s distinguished journalist in residence. During Mr. Ponce’s distinguished career he has
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received many awards including Illinois Journalist of the Year, the Studs Terkel Award, and the IU Latino Alumni Award. Big Noise Theatre truly appreciates Phil Ponce’s generosity in contributing his time and effort to our production of How to Succeed…. AARON RUMACK (Mr. Tackaberry – Junior Executive) is excited to be making his Big Noise debut! H2$ marks Aaron’s 15th show in the Chicagoland area since 2005. His favorite musical credits are Smudge in HPP’s Forever Plaid, Fred in BG’s Kiss Me, Kate, Graydon in NSTW’s Thoroughly Modern Millie, Young Ben in ATC’s Follies, and Pharaoh in DFT’s Joseph. In 2009, Aaron was featured in Cole with Shoestring Productions. “Thanks to the entire production staff for a great experience!” PATRICK STENGLE (Mr. Ovington/Mr. Matthews – Junior Executive) Patrick is thrilled to be making his Chicago debut in How to Succeed... He was last seen as part of the Young Playwrights Festival at CENTERSTAGE in Baltimore, MD. Other recent notable credits include Peter Pan (Columbus Children’s Theatre) and Noises Off! (The Ohio State University). Patrick is also a member of the award-winning sketch comedy troupe Sketch By Number based in Columbus, OH. Much love to Jim and Barb. DAVID WHITLOCK (J.B. Biggley) David is delighted to help Big Noise kick off its tenth year at Prairie Lakes! Previous roles include Rudolph in Hello, Dolly! (Light Opera Works) and Drake in Annie (Highland Park Players). Previous Big Noise roles include Jim Haller in All Shook Up, Mr. in Sunday In The Park With George, Charlie Martin in On Golden Pond and Chet Pazinski in Over The Tavern. David lives in Northbrook with his lovely wife Alison and their two children: Brooks and Hannah.
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F SCOTT J. SUMERAK (Director) H2S is Scott’s 5th directorial turn with the company, having previously helmed Over The Tavern, On Golden Pond, RENT and last season’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He has also appeared on stage several times with the company: Big River (Huck), Amadeus (Mozart), Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), Kiss Of The Spiderwoman (Valentin), Barnum (P.T. Barnum), and most recently as George in Sunday In The Park With George. Other stage credits include: The Who’s Tommy (Tommy), West Side Story (Tony), Sweeney Todd (Toby), Into The Woods (Jack), Footloose (Ren), and Pippin (Pippin- Jeff Nomination for Best Actor). He performs as a stunt actor with Asylum Stunts of Chicago, and has appeared in several films and video games in that capacity. His deepest thanks to Robert, Zach, Daiva, Cory, the whole Big Noise Family, and the love of his life-Jenni (‘cause it’s all kinds of silly without her.) MARSHA RUTENBERG (Producer) is thrilled to once again collaborate with Scott et al in this production of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. The dream team of Scott, Robert, Zach, Cory, Danielle and Daiva has made this project so much fun! Their talent and enthusiasm all contribute to a very special experience. We have been so fortunate to have a fabulous cast! Hats off to all of them and thanks for their heartfelt dedication to the show and creating such a cohesive ensemble. Thanks also and grateful appreciation to our talented production staff! Working with all of you has been a pleasure. Marsha has served as a solo or co-producer of twelve Big Noise productions and has also managed the box office for many of our recent shows. She is a proud member of the Board of Governors of Big Noise Theatre and is excited to celebrate our tenth anniversary at Prairie Lakes Theatre!
ROBERT DEASON (Music Director) Robert is THRILLED to be returning to Big Noise, where he recently music directed their hit production of The Drowsy Chaperone. Other music direction credits include Sunset Boulevard at Timber Lake Playhouse, The Wedding Singer with Big Deal Productions, and the premiere reading of Join The Club, a new musical, as well as a variety of schools around the Chicagoland area. On stage, he has been seen at Theatre at the Center, Pheasant Run Resort, Circle Theatre, and The Bailiwick Rep. This Fall, Robert will be playing a brother in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora. In addition, he can be seen around the city and suburbs as a dueling pianist. www. robertandsaraduel.com. Thanks to Scott and Nancy for this fantastic opportunity, and the rest of the cast and crew for all their hard work and dedication to this project. Enjoy the show! ZACHARY L. GRAY (Choreographer) Zachary L Gray is thrilled to be making his Chicago-area choreography debut with Big Noise Theatre! Other choreography credits include Hair at Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, IL where he also staged several children’s’ shows including Cinderella, 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr., as well as the regional tour of Schoolhouse Rock Live! A proud member of Actors’ Equity, he has been seen on stage at Light Opera Works, Victory Gardens, Fireside Theatre, Timber Lake Playhouse, Marriott Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, and can be seen in Gypsy at Drury Lane Oakbrook beginning January 2012. He also enjoys teaching drama and tap classes at Beyond Center Stage performing arts studio in Elmhurst, IL. Many thanks to Nancy, Scott, Marsha, Robert, Daiva, our amazing production team, and hilarious cast for making this an incredible experience. When in doubt, SOUTENU! Big Noise Theatre Company 9
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t .) DAIVA PAULIS (Stage Manager) is shocked to realize that How To Succeed… is her nineteenth Big Noise and Winnetka Theatre production! During this time, her contributions to Big Noise Theatre have been invaluable. In addition to serving as stage manager, she is a one woman production staff, manning the desk at auditions, setting up for rehearsals, running sound and light boards, serving as projectionist, operating a spotlight, building, painting and always doing the unimaginable. We couldn’t put up a show without her! Most recently, she was the producer for The Drowsy Chaperone, and Stage Manager for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Winnetka Theatre’s “just for kids” production of Little Red and Her Friends. As if all that isn’t enough, Daiva is now a member the Board of Governors of Big Noise/Winnetka Theatre and she is spearheading our upcoming Theatre benefit, just another endeavor she was “dragged” into smiling and laughing all the way. CORY STONEBROOK (Assistant Director) Cory is so excited to be back with Big Noise working on this fantastic production of How to Succeed. This is Cory’s first time working behind the table after being seen in various productions on the Big Noise stage such as RENT, All Shook Up, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Drowsy Chaperone. Cory’s other directorial credits include Naomi in The Living Room by Christopher Durang and Charles Mee’s Big Love at Bowling Green State University. Thanks to Scott, Robert, Zach, Daiva, Danielle, Marsha, Nancy and the whole Big Noise crew for making this experience so rewarding. Next, see Cory on stage in The Paramount Theatre’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. www.corystonebrook.com
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DANIELLE STACK (Production Intern – Sound Execution) Danielle Stack was born and raised in Texas, where she attended Baylor University and received a BFA in Theatre Performance. While at Baylor she sound designed The Drowsy Chaperone, The Seagull and Anna In The Tropics. While in college, she also stage managed and sound designed the world premiere of Kooman and Diamond’s Dani Girl at Water Tower Theatre’s Out Of The Loop Festival in Dallas, Texas. A week after graduation she moved to Chicago and has recently completed an internship at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre as their Sound Engineer Intern. She is currently an intern at The Goodman Theatre. PATTY HALAJIAN (Costume Designer) Patty is very proud and happy to be asked back to costume for Big Noise Theatre for a 4th time. Much of her work in the Chicago area is with community theatre companies, such as Glenview Theatre Guild, and her resident costumer position is with Music On Stage in Palatine. Her real passion is creating dance wear for ballet companies all over the country. She has sewn for Burklyn Ballet Theatre in Vermont, The Carolina Ballet in North Carolina, and The Charleston Ballet in South Carolina. She has just finished taking advanced tutu making techniques classes. Don’t look for her to emerge for very long: August to December is “Nutcracker” season for tutu makers. Patty lives in Kildeer with her 3 cats and 6 sewing machines. MATT KOOI (Lighting Design) works as a freelance designer in and around Chicago. How To Succeed is his fifth production with Big Noise Theater Company. Matt previously designed lights on this stage for Beau Jest, Spelling Bee, Rent, and All Shook Up. He is the resident light designer for Oakton Community College. Matt would like to thank: Scott, the cast and crew, and his wife Kathryn.
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P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t .) RICHARD NEUMANN (Sound Design) this is the seventh Big Noise/Winnetka Theatre show for which Rich and his company Abracadabra Productions have provided sound design. Previous productions on this stage include Rent, Sleeping Beauty, All Shook Up. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Little Red And Her Friends, and The Drowsy Chaperone. Abracadabra Productions is a full service audio, video and production company located in Skokie, Illinois. www.abraprovideo.com AARON ANDREWS (Light Execution) Aaron is pleased to return for a fourth season with Big Noise Theatre as the company lighting technician. Whether from the booth or the catwalks above, he’s always ready to light up the stage. Past productions include Sunday in the Park with George, RENT, All Shook Up, Putnam County Spelling Bee, Beau Jest and The Drowsy Chaperone. Thanks and love to his wife Linda, who introduced him to this talented team, and congratulations to another great cast. Enjoy the show!
MILDRED SCHMALZ (Stage Crew) “As a lifetime devotee of the theater, when circumstances placed me at a cross roads of life, I found time to indulge my passions to help in many ways and view the world from my favorite spot, “back stage”. Thanks to Big Noise for making me a part of each production.” From the time that Millie approached Big Noise and offered to volunteer, her involvement as a part of our production family has been all encompassing. We marvel at all Millie can do…whether painting sets, serving as stage crew, dressing our actors, or distributing publicity materials, Millie inspires us all with her wonderful stories, fabulous attitude, and generosity of spirit. EVIE MURPHY (House Manager) The Murphy clan have been a quintessential part of Big Noise Theatre and have been involved in almost every production for the past several years. Evie has been our lobby hostess managing the house at both Prairie Lakes and Winnetka Community House. Her gracious attitude and endless spirit have made everyone feel welcome and we are also lucky to have her as a member of the Board of Governors of the theatre.
B E C O M E A N A N G E L ... Angels are the financial backers of theatre productions. Your financial support allows us to produce excellent shows at affordable prices. Send your check (payable to Winnetka Theatre, our corporate parent) along with your name as you wish it to appear in the program to Marsha Rutenberg, Treasurer, 1895 Clavey Road, Highland Park, IL, 60035. Winnetka Theatre is a 501(c)3 organization, so your contribution is tax deductible. Thank you! Corporate Sponsor Robert W. Baird & Company Archangels $500 - more Sandy & Nancy Flaster Marian and Stan Kaderbek
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Bill and Marsha Rutenberg Cherub $25 – 149 Marlon & Dennis Barden Joyce Bishop Bob & Susan Bloss Jean Brown
Lois & Harold Jaderborg Logan Langballe Nancy & Phil Lejman Joan & James Leeney, Jr. Nancy & Jim Moran Joe Schmitt Joe & Pat Sumerak Al & Virginia Walker