Breaking Up is Hard to Do 1
Proudly Presents
Featuring the songs of NEIL SEDAKA Book by ERIK JACKSON and BEN H. WINTERS Music by NEIL SEDAKA Lyrics by NEIL SEDAKA, HOWARD GREENFIELD, and PHILIP CODY Orchestrations/Vocal Arrangements by TOM KITT Conceived by MARSH HANDSON and GORDON GREENBERG Creative Consultation by NEIL SEDAKA March 29 – May 20, 2012 Director & Choreographer Kevin Bellie Music Director Ken Jones
Scenic Design Bob Knuth
Lighting Design GaryC. Echelmeyer
Costume Design Kimberly G. Morris
Sound Design Joseph Fosco
Stage Manager Kristi J. Martens*
Casting by Becca Knights, Casting Associate, Simon Casting *Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” is presented through special arrangement with, and all authorized performance materials are supplied by, Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), 570 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2100, New York, NY. 10018. (866) 378-9758 www.theatricalrights.com Originally produced and developed by Harbor Entertainment: David Broser, Aaron Harnick, and Lisa Lapan, and Brown-Pinto Productions: Eric Brown and Melinda Pinto. First produced at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, New York, Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, Producing Artistic Director, 2005. Further developed at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Coral Gables, Florida, Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein, Artistic Director David Arisco, 2006. THE VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PERFORMANCE BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED
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CAST Marge......................................................................................................................Christina Myers* Harvey.............................................................................................................. Fred Zimmerman* Del...............................................................................................................................Michael Brown Lois...................................................................................................................... Stephanie Herman Gabe...................................................................................................................................Creg Sclavi Ester.................................................................................................................... Heather Townsend Female Understudy.....................................................................................Amanda Marcheschi Male Understudy...........................................................................................................Peter Sipla Male Understudy..................................................................................................... Adam Molloy
*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers ORCHESTR A Conductor/Piano.............................................................................................................Ken Jones Bass.........................................................................................................................Taylor Brysiewicz Drums ...............................................................................................................................Phil Martin Guitar............................................................................................................................. Natalie Myre P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Rehearsal Assistant Stage Manager...................................................................... Kate Collins Properties Master.................................................................................................Sarah Burnham Assistant Stage Manager...........................................................................................Laura Eilers Production Intern.................................................................................................... Karen O’Brien F O X VA L L E Y R E P E R TO R Y S TA F F Artistic Director........................................................................................................... John Gawlik Managing Director.................................................................................................. Colleen Tovar Production Manager...................................................................................................Tim Stadler Assistant Production Manager................................................................................Laura Eilers Marketing Manager ................................................................................................ Audra Sybert Development Manager ............................................................................................. Scott Piner Company Manager ....................................................................................................Morgan Ball Education Manager .......................................................................................... Tracy Whiteside Group Sales Manager.................................................................................................Morgan Ball Guest Services Manager ......................................................................................... Morgan Ball House Managers ................................................................. Katherine Minix, Rosalia Portillo Wardrobe Mistress......................................................................................... Kimberly G. Morris Sound Board Operator.............................................................................................. Daniel Link Master Electrician..............................................................................................Charlotte Rathke Ushers......................................................................................................Katie Beeks, Christa Max P H E A S A N T R U N R E S O R T B O X O F F I C E & R E S E R VAT I O N S S TA F F Box Office Supervisor...................................................................................Kendall Monaghan Call Center Agents....................................... Anne Ringrose, Elise Gagliardi, Barb Splinter, Sarah Divelbiss, Mary Gallo, Sandra Moment Breaking Up is Hard to Do 3
SPECIAL THANKS Pheasant Run Resort, Penske West Chicago, McArdle Enterprises Inc. Board Of Directors David Hayes, President Dan Hayman, Secretary Jeff Meyer, Treasurer Katherine Cornell, Debbie Hammes, Kevin Hewitt, Andrea Krueger, Mike Penny, Tamara Sims Education Committee Ron Koeppl, Donna Stockman, Ryan Colton Special Events Committee Tracy Adams, Karen Budnik, Gail Eckl Daniels, Michelle Das, Julie Denker, Letty Ebel, John Glenn, Susan Keldani, Maribeth Kuhlman, Brian Moline, Kris Pasterak, Robin Paris, Laura Poss, Michelle Phillips-Trademan, Tracy Whiteside, Barbara Young is a proud supporter of
For more information about the Saints & to join in, please call 773-529-5510, email office@saintschicago.org, or visit www.saintschicago.org. www.foxvalleyrep.org/saints
SONGS All songs used by permission of Careers BMG Music Publishing I, Screen Gems – EMI Music Inc., EMI Sosaha Music Inc., EMI Jemaxal Music Inc.,EMI Blackwood Music, SJL RSL Music Company, Songs of SJL RSL Music, Welbeck Music, and Sony/ATV Songs LLC. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (B-reel) Breaking Up is Hard to Do Lonely Night Where the Boys Are Happy Birthday Sweet 16 The Diary Stupid Cupid Betty Grable Oh, Carol Calendar Girl Next Door to an Angel Breaking Up is Hard to Do (reprise) Solitaire Laughter in the Rain My Friend Stairway to Heaven/Little Angel Love Will Keep Us Together 4 Fox Valley Repertory
P R O F I L E S O F T H E AC T I N G C O M PA N Y CHRISTINA MYERS (MARGE)* is tickled pink to return to Fox Valley Rep after being behind the scenes last year as the Always... Patsy Cline Understudy. Christina recently had the opportunity to be a part of Show Boat at the Lyric Opera as well as Follies at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Other Chicago credits include Marriott Theater’s The Music Man and My Fair Lady. Christina is also grateful to have spent the last four summers at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in majestic Grand Lake, Colorado - having a blast performing in shows like Guys and Dolls and Thoroughly Modern Millie by night, while discovering a flair for the outdoors and the Grand Lake Tennis Club by day. Much love to Daddy, Mama, and Melissa. Enjoy!
Encore Series at the Auditorium, and over 17 productions at The Marriot Theatre. When not onstage, Fred is a popular performer at corporate and private parties & events, presenting his one-man, after-dinner show called The Psych-Out Cafe, a fun-filled, interactive evening of Magic, Mind Reading, & Mystery. Remember, the only difference between Fred & Freud … is you.
MICHAEL BROWN (DEL) is thrilled to be making his debut at Fox Valley Rep! He most recently performed the role of Tommy in Brigadoon with Music by the Lake in Williams Bay, WI. Other theater credits include work with Chicago Opera Theater, Light Opera Works, Chicago Opera Vanguard, and Bowen Park Opera. Operatic roles include Guglielmo in Mozart’s Così fan FRED ZIMMERMAN tutte, Schaunard in Puccini’s La Boheme, (HARVEY)* is and Bob in Menotti’s The Old Maid and pleased to be the Thief. As a soloist, he has sung the making his Fox Fauré Requiem, Bach’s Magnificat, and Valley Rep debut Handel’s Messiah, as well as the English with Breaking Up is premier of Kurt Weill’s The Seven Deadly Hard to Do. Fred Sins with the Corpus Christi Symphony has spent the last Orchestra. An avid choral singer, he 25 years performing in comedies, sings with Chicago Symphony Chorus, dramas, and musicals in National Grant Park Chorus, the William Ferris Broadway Touring Companies, Regional Chorale, and Bella Voce. Michael and Stock companies across the currently teaches voice at Trinity country, as well as locally. Highlights Christian College. Much love to Megan! include the original cast of the Hal Prince’s Tony-award-winning revival of STEPHANIE Show Boat at the Auditorium Theatre, HERMAN (LOIS) is playing JP Morgan in the National delighted to make Touring Company of Ragtime directed her Fox Valley Rep by Frank Galati, Ho-ing it up as Santa in debut in Breaking the family favorite The Radio City Up Is Hard To Do! Christmas Spectacular starring the Recent credits Rockettes, and an arresting performance include Merrily We as Lt. Nick Rosetti in the iconic Chicago Roll Along (The Music Theatre comedy Shear Madness. Fred was also Company), She Loves Me (Writers’ in the original cast of Stephen Theatre), Sweet & Hot, Chess (Theo Sondheim’s musical Bounce, directed by Ubique), Sunday in the Park With Hal Prince, which opened at The George (Village Players), Forbidden Goodman Theatre and moved to The Broadway, and the world premiere cast Kennedy Center. Chicago audiences of Wild Goats (Steel Beam Theatre), have also enjoyed his performances at world premiere cast of Speed Dating theatres such as Northlight, Court, the The Musical (Metropolis Performing Breaking Up is Hard to Do 5
P R O F I L E S O F T H E AC T I N G C O M PA N Y ( c o n t .) Arts), Evita (Harper Theatre), and has studied and worked with The Second City in Chicago. Stephanie is grateful to her friends and family for their loving support. HEATHER TOWNSEND (ESTHER) is delighted to make her Fox Valley debut. She most recently appeared in Shattered Globe’s production of Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending. Other Chicago credits include the First Look reading of Miss Marx at Steppenwolf, Nine and Sunday in the Park with George with Porchlight (where she is an Artistic Associate); Boojum! with COV/Caffeine at the DCA; Icarus and Hello Again with Bohemian Theatre Ensemble; Roadkill Confidential with Dog & Pony; The Man Who Came to Dinner with Circle, On Golden Pond with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Macbeth with City Lit; Wings with Apple Tree; and A Christmas Story with Theatre Wit. She has also worked with Northlight, Remy Bumppo, Next, Stage Left and Pegasus. She is a graduate of Columbia University and The University of Chicago Law School. CREG SCLAVI (GABE) is very excited to be playing the role of Gabe in Breaking Up Is Hard to Do and to be working on his first show with Fox Valley Repertory. He is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point where he received his BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. Recent Chicago credits include the role of Bobby Strong in Circle Theatre’s production of Urinetown (Jeff Recommended) where he also had the chance to work under the direction of Kevin Bellie. Much thanks and love to friends, family, colleagues, and mentors.
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AMANDA GRACE MARCHESCHI (FEMALE UNDERSTUDY) A Chicago native, Amanda returned to the Chicago theater scene in 2010 after spending 3 ½ years in NYC performing on stage, film and TV. Since returning to Chicago, Amanda has been seen in The Hiding Place (Provision Theater), Nobody Likes Retsina (Stockyards Theater Co.) and Spring Rains & Labor Pains (Writer’s Workshop). Her most recent shows, The Original Grease (American Theater Company) and My Fair Lady (Paramount Theater), were named two of the best shows of 2011 by Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones. Favorite Chicago roles include Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz) and the title role in Cinderella. Amanda has appeared on stage at Theater at the Center, The Apollo Theater, The Mercury Theater, Theater Building Chicago and Bailiwick Rep. Off Broadway and NY credits include Kiss Me Kate (Lois/Bianca), Titanic (Kate MGowan) and Ray Noir: Beach Detective (Samantha Ray) and Charles Strouse’s latest musical Time Steps (Dame Hawkins). You can see Amanda in commercials, music videos and 3 upcoming films. Amanda holds a BFA from CCPA at Roosevelt University. Love and thanks to all, especially Mima and Papa. www.AmandaMarcheschi.com PETER SIPLA (MALE UNDERSTUDY) returns to Fox Valley Rep after understudying for They’re Playing Our Song. He was most recently seen as a Guest Artist at North Central College in The Crucible. Other Chicago area theater credits include: Maple and Vine (Next Theatre), Travels with My Aunt (Writers’ Theatre), Year Zero (Victory Gardens Theater), Passion (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Evolution (Collaboraction), Pacific Overtures (Porchlight Music Theatre), Macbeth and 50-Minute Midsummer
P R O F I L E S O F T H E AC T I N G C O M PA N Y ( c o n t .) Night’s Dream (First Folio Theatre), Fairways!, Forbidden Broadway, Honk!, and A Christmas Carol (Steel Beam Theatre). He has been seen regionally in A Year With Frog And Toad (Cardinal Stage Company). Peter can be seen and heard in numerous commercials and voice-overs. He is a proud alum of North Central College. ADAM MOLLOY (MALE UNDERSTUDY) is very excited to be working with Fox Valley Repertory! Recent credits include Griffin Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Ernst) and Chicago Children’s Theatre’s The Houdini Box (u/s Victor). Other credits include The Drowsy Chaperone (George), Sweeney Todd (Tobias), Babes in Arms (Gus Field), and Joseph and the... (Joseph). He is a recent graduate of the Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Many thanks to his family, mentors, and friends. TAYLOR BRYSIEWICZ (BASS) is a young, up and coming bass player from Bartlett, IL. Although previously a music composition major, Taylor now studies mathematics at Northern Illinois University. Some of his most recent performances include Sweet Charity, Gypsy, and most recently They’re Playing Our Song, at Fox Valley Repertory!
PHIL MARTIN (DRUMS) This is Phil’s fifth production at Fox Valley Rep and he is thrilled to be performing with this amazing cast! Originally from Pella, Iowa, Phil studied music at the University of North Texas and the University of Northern Iowa. Chicago Theatre credits include: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Taffetas, Spelling Bee, & Forever, Patsy Cline (Fox Valley Rep), Menopause the Musical (Apollo Theater), Ragtime, A Wonderful Life, Candide, and Pacific Overtures (Porchlight), Fiorello (Timeline), La Cage Aux Folles (BoHo), Knute Rockne All-American and Phantom (Theater at the Center), Spelling Bee & The Andrews Brothers (Metropolis) & John & Jen (Apple Tree). www.philmartindrums.com NATALIE MYRE (GUITAR) is excited to be playing guitar in another great show! She is also currently a guitar playing cast member of the TYA production of Joseph at the Marriott Theater. Past Chicago credits include TYA productions of Seussical and Pinocchio at Marriott Lincolnshire, The Full Monty at Drury Lane Water Tower, Bark! at CCPA and A Chorus Line at Theater at the Center. You can also find her performing original music and covers on piano and guitar at her monthly gig at Davenport’s Piano Bar in Chicago. She thanks her friends and family for their ongoing support, the talented cast and the production team for a great experience!
P R O F I L E S O F T H E P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F KEVIN BELLIE (DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER) is the artistic director of Circle Theatre. Kevin’s directing work at Fox Valley Rep has included Tafettas, Roasting Chestnuts, The 25th Annual… Spelling Bee, and Drood. His direction and choreography credits at Circle Theatre include The Baker’s Wife, Urinetown, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (JEFF Nominated), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes(JEFF Nominated), Can-Can (JEFF Nominated), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (JEFF Nominated), Mack &
Mabel (JEFF nominated), Sweet Smell of Success (JEFF Nominated), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (JEFF Nominated), Hello Again (JEFF Recommended), Nine (JEFF Award Recipient), Triumph of Love (JEFF Nominated), The Life (JEFF Award Recipient), and Grand Hotel (JEFF Award Recipient). Also at Circle, he choreographed Tommy (JEFF Nominated), Meet Me in St. Louis (JEFF nominated), She Loves Me, and The Secret Garden (JEFF Award Recipient). In addition to his work at Circle, Kevin has directed/choreographed Breaking Up is Hard to Do 7
P R O F I L E S O F T H E P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t .) A Chorus Line (McLeod Summer Playhouse), choreographed The Music Man (Light Opera Works), Anyone Can Whistle (Pegasus Players), A New Brain (Porchlight, JEFF Nominated), Closer Than Ever, Gypsy (Porchlight Music Theatre, JEFF Recommended and After Dark Award Recipient), and Being 11 (Serendipity). Kevin proudly served as co-host at the 2010 and 2011 Joseph Jefferson awards. KEN JONES (MUSIC DIRECTOR) is delighted to be back with Fox Valley Rep. Past FVR Productions: They’re Playing Our Song, Always, Patsy Cline, Spelling Bee, Plaid Tidings, I Love You...Now Change, Mid Life, Musical of Musical, Western Civ, Roasting Chestnuts, and Flanagan’s Wake. He is a graduate of University of Illinois and a member of American Federation of Musicians. In February, Ken became certified to teach Yoga in addition to teaching Piano and Voice. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Roosevelt University. An avid runner, you can find him running outdoors, weather permitting. Thanks to everyone involved in this process!! www.ken-jones.com BOB KNUTH (SCENIC DESIGNER) has been nominated for 14 Jeff Awards and received two for Best Set Design for his work at Circle Theatre in Oak Park, where he is resident scenic/graphic designer. At Circle, Bob has directed & designed The Ritz, A Little Night Music, Analytical Engine (Jeff nomination), Little Women (Jeff nomination), Enchanted April (Jeff Award for set design, nomination for best production), Meet Me In St. Louis, Jane Eyre, and The Secret Garden (Jeff Award for best production, nomination for Direction & Set Design). Other set designs include: Urinetown, The Women. Best Set Design Jeff award for Steel Magnolias and Jeff nominations for Philly Story, Hay Fever, An Ideal Husband, Stone Cold Dead Serious, Design For Living, The Life, and Triumph Of Love. During the day, Bob works for The Second City/UP Comedy Club as Art Director. GARY C. ECHELMEYER (LIGHTING DESIGNER) Chicago credits include: Circle Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare 8 Fox Valley Repertory
Theater, Factory Theater, The Gift Theatre Company, Porchlight Music Theater, Polarity Ensemble Theater, Theatre Seven of Chicago. Regional credits include Texas Repertory Theatre, Theater Under The Stars, Clinton Area Showboat Theater. Opera credits include: Houston Grand Opera, Opera Illinois, Tulsa Opera, Roosevelt University. Touring credits include: Here To Stay: The Gershwin Experience. Gary received his B.S. in Theatre Design and Production at Illinois State University. www.lightingbygce.com KIMBERLY G. MORRIS (COSTUME DESIGNER) is pleased to be working again with Fox Valley Repertory. Based in Chicago, she freelance designs and builds costumes, wigs, makeup, props, puppets and special effects for numerous venues around the country such as Chicago Children’s Theatre, Babes with Blades, Shedd Aquarium, Stage Left Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, The Griffin Theater, American Shakespeare Center (VA), Theatre West Virginia (WV), Denison University (OH), Virginia Commonwealth University (VA), and Tecumseh! (OH). Upcoming projects include Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed with Lifeline, Chicago with NWHS and High School Musical with Fox Valley Repertory Youth Ensemble. JOSEPH FOSCO (SOUND DESIGNER) is a Chicago based composer and sound designer. He has been nominated for a New York Drama Desk award and 9 Jeff awards. He has received 3 Jeff Awards, 2 After Dark awards and an Orgie Theatre Award. Joseph is a company member of A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago. He has also designed shows at The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, The Museum Of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Northlight Theatre, Marriott’s Theatre in Lincolnshire, Fox Valley Rep., Theater Wit, Porchlight Theatre and many others. Regionally he has composed music and designed sound at Barrow Street Theatre (NY), 29th Street Rep. (NY) and theatres in Seattle, Madison, and Milwaukee. In England Joseph has designed in London, Edinburgh, Brighton, and Manchester. Joseph has composed music for film,
P R O F I L E S O F T H E P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t .) video, multimedia, and dance. Visit www. josephfosco.com for more information. SARAH BURNHAM (PROPERTIES MASTER) is excited to be working with Fox Valley Repertory again this season. Recent projects include: properties design and production management for It’s a Wonderful Life, Waiting for Lefty, Rantoul and Die with American Blues Theater; properties design for Moonlight and Magnolias at Fox Valley Rep; properties design for Under the Blue Sky, Festen, Lakeboat with Steep Theater; properties design for Red Light Winter with MaryArrchie Theater; A Few Good Men, The Importance of Being Earnest at Peninsula Players Theater; The Chicago Landmark Project with Theater Seven; technical direction for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat with Magical Starlight Theater and properties design for Petrified Forest with Strawdog Theatre. Coming up next: production management for
The Cripple of Inishmaan at Redtwist Theater and properties design for The Receptionist at Steep Theater. Sarah is a proud ensemble member at American Blues Theater. KRISTI MARTENS (STAGE MANAGER)* is happy to be at Fox Valley Repertory with this production of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. Other theaters that she has worked at are: Drury Lane Theater Evergreen Park; Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace; Goodman Theater; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Northlight Theater; Doyle and Debbie Chicago; Oak Park Festival Theater; Theater at the Center (Munster, IN) and Carousel Dinner Theater (Akron, OH). Kristi has also been active as a stage manager in children’s theater the past 22 years and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Enjoy! *Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers
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AU T H O R I N F O ( c o n t .) Ben H. Winters (Book) wrote book and lyrics for two musicals, both with composer Stephen Sislen: SLUT, which was produced Off Broadway in the fall of 2005 at the American Theater of Actors, following a record-breaking run in the New York International Fringe Festival; and SPREAD THE WORD: THE STORY OF PAUL REVERE, which was commissioned by TheatreworksUSA, the country’s premiere not-for-profit theater for young audiences. Other past work includes the play Circus MUSIC, which he wrote and directed in productions in Chicago (1999) and Los Angeles (2001), and MARRY ME, MARY JO!, which appeared at Manhattan’s Open Pulse Arts Lab in 1999. Winters has also worked extensively as a journalist, with work appearing in numerous publications, including the Chicago Tribune, The Nation, In These Times, PerformInk, Stagebill, and Theatermania.com. Winters’ first book, The Jewish Comedy Thesaurus, was published by Quirk Books in October of 2007. Winters is a past participant in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop and a member of The Dramatists Guild of America. He is a teaching artist at The Anderson School PS 334 on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Erik Jackson (Book) has written four Off Broadway plays. The comedy CHARLIE! (1995) drew unprecedented “listening-room only” audiences to New York’s P.S. 122 and the HERE Theater. His comic thriller TELL-TALE (1997) premiered at P.S. 122 then transferred to the Cherry Lane Theater. It received a GLADD nomination as best play of the year. DOLL (2000), a twisted take on Ibsen’s A DOLL’S HOUSE, was produced at P.S. 122 and in Washington D.C. Jackson’s comic adaptation of Stephen King’s CARRIE premiered at P.S. 122 in 2006. Jackson is the playwright-in-residence for New York’s Theatre Couture and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. Jackson was a staff writer for season two of Here TV’s supernatural series DANTE’S COVE. He also wrote the screen adaptation of his play CHARLIE! The movie 10 Fox Valley Repertory
premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1998 and subsequently screened at festivals around the world. Jackson’s poems appeared in the 1997 Showtime film THE ESCAPE, starring Patrick Dempsey. As a journalist and editor, Jackson’s work has appeared in Glamour, InStyle, Town & Country, Time Out New York, W, Real Simple and Show People, among others. He has been an on-air reporter for the TV program Talking Movies on BBC/BBC America; acted as host of ABC’s entertainment program The Us Weekly Report; and was a correspondent for ABC’s News One radio show. He has appeared as an entertainment expert on a range of networks and shows, including CNN, VH1, Entertainment Tonight, The View, The O’Reilly Factor, and, in a moment of shining glory, on MTV’s HOW TO LIVE LIKE A CELEBRITY PET. Neil Sedaka (Music) was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 13, 1939. He first demonstrated musical aptitude in his second-grade choral class, and when his teacher sent a note home suggesting he take piano lessons, his mother took a part-time job in an Abraham & Straus department store for six months to pay for a second-hand upright. In 1947, he auditioned successfully for a piano scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School of Music’s Preparatory Division for Children. He also maintained an interest in popular music, and when he was 13, a neighbor heard him playing and introduced him to her 16-year-old son, Howard Greenfield, an aspiring poet and lyricist. The two began writing songs together. The best-known Billboard Hot 100 hits of his early career are “The Diary”,“Oh! Carol”,“Stairway To Heaven”,“You Mean Everything to Me”,“Calendar Girl”,“Little Devil”,“Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen”, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”, and “Next Door To An Angel”.A similar sharing of creative hits came earlier with Sedaka and singer Connie Francis. Her recording of “Stupid Cupid” reached #14 on the Billboard charts, and among the
AU T H O R I N F O ( c o n t .) other Sedaka/Greenfield Connie Francis hits are “The Diary” (Sedaka’s first hit single, “Fallin” and “Where the Boys Are”. Between 1960 and 1962, Sedaka had eight Top 40 hits. In 1972, Sedaka embarked on a successful English tour and in June recorded the Solitaire album in England, and a year later he recorded The Tra-La Days Are Over, which jumpstarted the second phase of his career. He then worked with Elton John, who signed him to his Rocket Records label. Sedaka returned to the public’s attention with a flourish, topping the charts twice with “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood” (both 1975). Elton John provided backing vocals for the latter song. The flipside of “Laughter in the Rain” was “The Immigrant”, a wistful, nostalgic piece recalling the days when America was more welcoming of immigrants, which Sedaka wrote to contrast the U.S. government’s refusal to grant John Lennon permanent resident alien status. Sedaka and Greenfield also co-wrote “Love Will Keep Us Together”, a No. 1 hit for Captain and Tennille and the best selling record of 1975.It was those hits, plus Sedaka’s own stagecraft, that made him a comeback success story. Sedaka continues to perform regularly. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in October 2006.A special concert has been planned for October 2007 at the Lincoln Center in New York City, to honor the 50th anniversary of Sedaka’s debut in show business. Howard Greenfield (Lyrics) was born in Brooklyn, New York, and worked out of the famous Brill Building with Neil Sedaka, a friend he had met as a teenager when they both lived in the same apartment building, in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn. Greenfield was educated at Abraham Lincoln High School. After first supplying “Passing Time” to The Cookies, Sedaka and Greenfield scored their first major pop hit single with Connie Francis’“Stupid Cupid”. When, in 1959,
Sedaka signed to RCA Records as a solo artist, he and Greenfield composed a string of hits - among them “Oh! Carol”, “Stairway to Heaven”,“Calendar Girl”, “Little Devil”,“Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen”,“Next Door to an Angel” and the chart-topping “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” - which sold a combined 25 million records. After Sedaka’s career cooled in 1963, the duo continued writing hits for other artists, including The Fifth Dimension’s “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing” and Tom Jones’“Puppet Man”. Apart from Sedaka, Greenfield also collaborated with Carole King (“Crying in the Rain”), Helen Miller (“Foolish Little Girl”, The Shirelles’ final Top Ten hit), and Jack Keller. The latter was his songwriting partner on “Breakin’ in a Brand New Broken Heart”,“Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool”,“My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own” and “When Somebody Loves You”. In addition Greenfield and Keller supplied the theme music for U.S. television programs such as Bewitched and The Flying Nun. Although Sedaka and Greenfield ended their partnership in 1973, two years later their song “Love Will Keep Us Together” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for Captain & Tennille, as well as earning a Grammy for Record of the Year. He and Sedaka later resumed their collaboration, and continued writing together in the years to follow. Greenfield died, aged 49, in Los Angeles, California in 1986 from AIDS. He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).In 1991, Howard Greenfield was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Philip Cody (Lyrics) is a renowned lyricist, having written, among other songs, “Laughter In The Rain”,“Bad Blood”, “Solitaire”,“The Immigrant”, and “Love In The Shadows” - all with music by Neil Sedaka, as well as “Ring Ring” (written with Sedaka, as well as Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson) and “Doing It All For My Baby” (written with Michael Duke).
Breaking Up is Hard to Do 11
FVR Performing Arts Academy
Robert Keldani
Robert is 8 years old and is a second grade student at Wild Rose Elementary in St. Charles. When he was just 5 years old, he took his very first Lion King class and was cast as the mighty and courageous "Mufasa". Robert enjoyed his first class so much that he signed up for his next class, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and played Charlie’s best friend, "Linus". It was after these classes that Robert knew he wanted to do more and auditioned for an advanced performance class of Snow White, winning the part of "Sneezy!” This role was more demanding, having many lines and many songs, but he loved it and loved working with FVR Education Manager and Teacher, Tracy Whiteside., whom he considers to be a great influence, teacher and friend.
“Playing Charlie Bradley in Best Christmas Pageant Ever has been my favorite
Robert went on to audition for the production of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown where he had a chance to reprise the character, "Linus,” this time with a dancing and singing solo, well..... more like a duo with his infamous blanket! Since then he played "Drake", the butler in Annie, the "King of Hearts" in Alice in Wonderland, "Charlie Bradley" in Best Christmas Pageant Ever and recently "Mr. Mayor" in Seussical Jr.
He also LOVES soccer, is on the "Rebel Alliance" soccer team, and is a Cub Scout from Den 4, pack 156, St. Charles.
Tracy Whiteside Photography
role so far,” says Robert. “Seeing the audience react and hearing them laugh really made it fun. I hope I get to do more comedies at FVR soon!”
In addition to theater, Robert also studies piano and sings lead in student rock bands at his music school and has performed several times at Chord On Blues in St. Charles, the Riverfest in South Elgin, the Scarecrow Fest in St. Charles and was part of a children's vaudeville “Robert is one of the sweetest kids I company that performed at various have ever met, and also one of the places. most conscientious. A very serious performer, Robert works very hard to Mrs. Debbie O’Cull of Music Education learn his lines and sets an excellent Centers of America has been Robert's example for the other cast members,” piano teacher and occasional vocal says Tracy. “This boy has real talent, coach since he was just 5 years old. and continues to amaze me with each “He has a natural ability with music, and performance.!” he really puts the time, effort & practice His energy and enthusiasm is also rec- in and get he gets better every week. His performances at our recitals and ognized at school. MECA Creates rock band shows AL"Robert is an enthusiastic learner who is WAYS bring the house down!” eager to share his thinking with the class. He is a polite, helpful student Robert’s Wild Rose Elementary Music who actively participates in all subject Teacher, Lynda, Clementz, couldn’t areas. It is a pleasure to have him in agree more. "Robert is a highly focused class," says Lori Algrim, his second student who is always positive and grade teacher at Wild Rose Elementary. eager to learn and do more."
And if you were to ask Robert what his favorite memory at the FVR Performing Arts Academy is, he would tell you that getting together with all of his cast mates at the Masquerade Ball Fundraiser was simply “awesome” and can’t wait for the next one in October!
To comment on this article, visit www.foxvalleyrep.org/blog. For more information on the Fox Valley Rep Performing Arts Academy, visit www.foxvalleyrep.org/education or call 630-364-0550. 12 Fox Valley Repertory
SUPPORTERS
* Fox Valley Repertory “Founding Members Circle”
Fox Valley Repertory warmly acknowledges the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations for their charitable support. Fox Valley Repertory is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, and is pleased to recognize contributions received 3/1/11— 3/7/12. With questions regarding donations, please contact Scott Piner Development Manager at 630/443-0438.
CORPORATE & FOUNDATION
Leadership Circle: $10,000 + Illinois Arts Council Pheasant Run Resort
Benefactors: $5,000—$9,999 City of St. Charles Visitors Cultural Commission Comcast Cable Daily Herald Delnor Express Care Kane County Chronicle
Producers: $1,000—$4,999 Dramatists Guild Fund Rotary Club of St. Charles Shure Incorporated St. Charles Bank & Trust Target Tukaiz LLC Two Brothers Brewing Yorke Printe Shoppe
Supporters : $999 or less
All State - Victoria Larson American Chartered Bank Bank of America Beauty Cellar BrandWeavers Brian Telander - Attorney at Law Briggs Wealth Management Classic Cinemas Charlestowne 18 Color Me Mine Dr. Hewell Plastic Surgery DuPage Airport Authority Fox Valley Orthopedics Hunt, Kaiser, Aranda & Subach, Ltd. Ken Jones Music Studio Loan Today Inc Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas Messina & Patek LLP On Track Transportation Paws in Time, Inc Prose Orthodontics Re/Max Team Binetti Regency Tile Rotary Club of St. Charles Scott Sheen & Associates St. Charles Kiwanis Foundation St. Charles Pain and Wellness Center St. Charles Park District State Street Jewelers Stop Time 341 (Liviu Pasare) The Einstein Academy
INDIVIDUALS
Angel : $1000+
Margaret Campbell Debra & Pat Hammes Mike & Betsy Penny*
Director: $500—$999
Bob & Diane Brown The Calbeck Family David & Beverly Hayes* Dan & Kathleen Hayman* Kevin & Lori Hewitt* Andrea Krueger, Corbett, Duncan & Hubly, CPA Firm Steve & Maribeth Kuhlman* Jeff & Joy Meyer William & Robin Paris Jay & Tamara Sims Jim & Lisa Tracy*
Designer: $250—$499 Tracy & Lance Adams* Doug Bella
Stephen & Laura Healey* Cameron Hotham David Hunt George Karzas David McArdle Steven & Laura Poss Brian Townsend Robert & Jan Wahlbeck*
Performer: $100—$249
Morgan Ball Addie Blomquist Pat Boersma Jeffrey & Christine Bohmer David & Michelle Buck Rose Canfield Doreen Christiani Katherine Cornell* John Dainauskas* Shannon Damico Michelle and PK Das Frank Defino & Family Julie Denker & Family Merle & Gail Denker Spare Wheels Transportation Jason & Letty Ebel Joseph & Linda Fagan Richard and Nanci Gannon Maureen Gawlik Beverly Goldsborough Patrice Kasper Susan Keldani Kate Kenny Cathryn Kinnison Ron Koeppl* Bruce & Alice MacCallum David & Marilee Mahler Dale & Karen Mancke Allison Marlowe City Publications Mary Nunez Ron & Marie Olbrysh Lydia Smith Dave & Karen Smith Donna & John Stockman Charles Sybert Laura Troyan Shannon Watson David & Mary White* Barbara G Young & Bruce W Worthel
Patron: $99 or less
Robert Ahern Christopher Aiston Richard & Tamara Appenzeller John Arthur Anderson Meg Barnstead Tom & Ann Bartosz Theodore & Sharon Beaver Dorothy Bell Marilynn J Bogetich Laura Boland Albert & Mary Nell Bolger Paul & Heather Botts* Candy Boulay Mesha Bracher John Brady James O. Breen Lynn Caldwell Kimberly Caligiuri Alex & Michelle Claney Jennifer Cleckner Ryan & Alma Colton Robert & Julie Crowell Meghan Dale Gail Eckl Daniels Jaclyn Delre
Ray & Joan DeMaertelaere Florilea Dennert Michelle Donatelli Angela & David Dowat Mishel Downie Gordon Drawer Ron Dubrock Joanne Dybas Laura Eilers Deborah Fee Terry & Dorothy Flanagan Jack Forstadt John Gawlik Barbara Gerrity Jerry & Marian Gibson Maggie Gleason Megan Gonzalez Caleb & Stephanie Hart Dave & Pat Heun Zoe Ingersoll Susan Jackovin Wade & Tracey Joyner Bruce Karmazin Susan Kendall Angela Kobylecky Robert Kowalski Family Victoria Larson Michelle & Christopher Lemp Rebecca & Lawrence Lenard Kathy Livernois Jennifer & Todd Madziarczyk Alice Farrell & Rich Majka Jodi Manthei Steven A. Martin Susan McDowell Shannon Misukanis Brian & Lisa Moline Kevin & Sandy Murphy Geri Natale Ron Onesti Wendy Parker Scott & Lara Piner Evan Plumb Peggy Raddatz Ray Reilly Deborah Robertson Davida Rochman Diane Cullen & Raymond Rogina Steve & Carolyn Runkle Lynn Schuman Robert & Carol Shaffer Sue Sievertson Andrea Smith Tim Stadler Daniel & Janice Staniszewski John Stark Donna Steele Judith Stockdale Joel & Debra Stombres Chuck Suda Audra Sybert Sybert Landscaping Zoli Tamas Mary Ann Tilton John & Colleen Tovar Michelle & Orin Trademan John & Becky Usedom John Van Acker Eugene & Lydia Vann Joan Weiss Tracy Whiteside Photography* Catherine Whiteside Erika Young Daniel A. Zelazek
Breaking Up is Hard to Do 13
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Musical PerforMance
register now for
sPring classes & suMMer caMPs at Pheasant run resort
acting
tots, Kids, tweens & teens ages 3 –19 Pay Pay
½
now later
iMProv
Voted BEST DAY CAMP By DAILY HERALD readers theater caMPs 4051 E. Main Street • St. Charles, IL 60174 • www.foxvalleyrep.org/education education@foxvalleyrep.org • 630-443-0438 Administration • 630-364-0550 Education
14 Fox Valley Repertory
Fox Valley Repertory FVR-115 Summer Shows Program Ad_3show 4.25” x 8.25” bw
MAy 31 – July 22
July 7 – 21
Summer Theater Fest performances: July 6-22
Staged reading celebrating Art, Science & Technology
July 6 – 22, 2012
www.summertheaterfest.org
A CelebrAtion of theAter in St. ChArleS!
during the
group rates, dinner & overnight packages available
MAy 25 & 26
August 4
July 21 – August 5
July 28
Youth Ensemble Musical
The Music of Rosemary Clooney
August 10 & 11
August 16 – OCtOBER 7
Pheasant Run mainstage | 4051 e. main stReet | st. ChaRles | 630-584-6342 | foxvalleyReP.oRg
Breaking Up is Hard to Do 15
FACILITIES AND SERVICES THEATER BOX OFFICE The box office at Pheasant Run Resort is open seven days a week. Call (630) 584-6342. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Closed on major holidays. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet or online at www.ticketmaster.com. GROUP SALES Special group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more, including dinner packages! Call Morgan Ball at (630)770-7699 or email sales@foxvalleyrep.org for more information. OVERNIGHT RESORT-THEATER PACKAGES are available starting as low as $174 for two people. Call the box office or visit www.pheasantrun.com for more information. WHEELCHAIR SEATING AND ASSISTED HEARING DEVICES are available in the Mainstage theater. Please notify the box office when ordering tickets. RESTROOMS are located in the upper and lower Mainstage theater lobby and on Bourbon Street. GIFT CARDS Give the memory of an exciting evening of dinner and a show! Gift cards in any amount are available at the box office. MAINSTAGE THEATER SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS Discounted subscription packages for the 2012 season are available! Subscribers have access to a variety of discounts on Pheasant Run Resort amenities. Call the box office or visit www.foxvalleyrep.org for more information. 16 Fox Valley Repertory
CHILDREN age 8 and older are welcome in the two live theaters at Pheasant Run Resort. However, some productions may not be suitable for all age groups. Call the box office for information about the content of a specific play. REFRESHMENTS may be purchased at the Lobby Bar, Harvest Lounge, Jambalaya and The Golf Bar. Drinks purchased at the resort may be brought into the Mainstage and Preservation Hall during any performance. Please turn off all ELECTRONIC DEVICES that may ring, beep, or otherwise produce a sound that would disrupt the performance. This includes cell phones, pagers, PDAs, and watches. SMOKING is strictly prohibited in our theaters. The use of CAMERAS or VIDEO/AUDIO RECORDING EQUIPMENT is strictly prohibited in our theaters. TICKET POLICY no refunds will be granted for theater tickets purchased via Ticketmaster or at the box office. LOST AND FOUND items may be turned in to the theater staff or the hotel’s front desk. Items lost or presumed stolen are not the responsibility of Fox Valley Repertory or Pheasant Run Resort. To inquire about lost items, visit the hotel front desk and ask for a member of the security staff.