Originally produced in New York by Jack Thomas/Bulldog Theatrical and Bruce Payne. ALMOST, MAINE is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. in New York. Cardinal Stritch 1
PRODUCTION CREDITS Director........................................................................................................ Robert J. Liebhauser* Scenic Designer.................................................................................................Aaron Dyszelski* Costume Designer................................................................................... Robert J. Liebhauser* Lighting Designer.............................................................................................Aaron Dyszelski* Assistant Scenic Designer..................................................................................... Zachary Frick Assistant Lighting Designer.............................................................................. Matthew Carr* Stage Manager..................................................................................................... Ryan Treviranus Assistant Stage Manager.......................................................................................Christen Lee* Technical Director.............................................................................................Aaron Dyszelski* Assistant Technical Director............................................................................Amanda Paretti* Crew................................................................. Marcus Beyer, Rachel Boeder, Matthew Carr*, Eddie Carillo, Jillian Cassel, Zachary Frick, Austin Gomez, Cassie Goulais, Sean Jackson, Josh Krause*, Andrew Lex*, Amanda Paretti*, Ashley Pearine, Trevor Rees*, Steven Thomas, Jessica Werner, Josh Wohlleben, Rachel Zembrowski Properties Masters........................................................................Jen Anderson, Trevor Rees* Scenic Charges............................................................................Marcus Beyer, Cassie Goulais Run Crew...........................................................................................................................Lexi Gabel Costume Construction Crew......................................... Hugh Blewett, Shannon Bowling, Lexi Gabel, Christen Lee* Sound Board Operator.................................................................................. Shannon Bowling Light Board Operator.................................................................................Shaina Summerville Wardrobe.................................................................................. Heather Groleau, Sean Jackson Program Layout...............................................................................................Karen Mihopulos* Photographs..................................................Rachel Babiak, Alex Goecks, Ryan Treviranus Promotional Designs..............................................................................................Rachel Babiak House Managers..............................................................................Wayne Carey, Jillian Cassel *indicates member of Alpha Psi Omega Theater Honorary Society ALMOST, MAINE was developed by The Cape Cod Theatre Project. Professional Premiere Production: Portland Stage Company. Anita Stewart, Artistic Director, Tami Ramaker, Managing Director. SPECIAL NOTE ALMOST, MAINE - INCIDENTAL MUSIC Composer(s)/Sound designer(s): composed by Julian Fleisher There will be one interval of 15 minutes. F O R YO U R I N F O R M AT I O N Cameras and Recorders: No photographs or recordings may be made during the performance. In order not to disturb other patrons, please turn off all paging devices, cell phones and watch alarms. Exchanges and Refunds: No refunds are given, but exchanges may be made when tickets are available. Ticketing: Any person entering the theater must have a ticket. Babes in arms will not be admitted. Accessibility: The Nancy Kendall Theater can accommodate wheelchair and/or hearing-assist system needs. 2 Cardinal Stritch
THE CAST Pete/Man.................................................................................................................. Hugh Blewett Ginette/Gayle....................................................................................................Samantha Potter East/Randy/Steve.......................................................................................................Sam Shircel Jimmy/Chad/Dave.................................................................................................. Josh Krause* Sandrine/Marvalyn/Marci............................................................................ Olivia Ludwiczak Lendall/Phil..............................................................................................................Austin Gomez Hope/Waitress........................................................................................................Rachel Babiak Rhonda/Glory.............................................................................................Rachel Zembrowski Place: Various locales in Almost, Maine, a small town in northern Maine that doesn’t quite exist. Time: The present. Everything takes place at nine o’clock on a cold, clear, moonless, slightly surreal Friday night in the middle of the deepest part of a northern Maine winter.
SPECIAL THANKS Barstool Central: www.barstoolcentral.com FoamTek Incorporated: www.foamtekinc.com
PLAY WRIGHT BIOGR APHY – JOHN CARIANI John Cariani grew up in Presque Isle, Maine, and graduated from Presque Isle High School. After getting his BA in history from Amherst College, he studied acting and directing at StageWest in Springfield, MA. In late 1995, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. He spent his early years there working with the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and acting in Off-Broadway plays, television commercials and films. His first break came in 1999, when he was cast in the independent film, Scotland, PA playing opposite Christopher Walken. Shortly thereafter, he was cast in the OffBroadway play, It’s My Party…, starring F. Murray Abraham. He later landed a small role in the independent hit, Kissing Jessica Stein, and then played an unlikely villain in Showtime, a 2001 Warner Brothers release in which he shared the screen with Robert DeNiro. In 2002, John joined the cast of Law & Order for five seasons as CSU Tech Julian Beck. In 2004, he made his Broadway debut in the revival of Fiddler on the Roof, for which he received the 2004 Outer Critics Circle Award and a 2004 Tony Award nomination. That same year, John began his career as a playwright. His first play, Almost, Maine, debuted at Portland Stage Company and was named one of the ten best plays of the 2004-05 regional theater season by The Wall Street Journal. Two years later, Almost, Maine opened Off-Broadway, and is now featured in New Playwrights: Best Plays of 2006. Since its debut Off-Broadway, Almost, Maine has been produced by some 300 theaters all over the United States and in places as far flung as Mexico, Korea, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Australia. Cardinal Stritch 3
Sales, Service & Restoration of Fine Pianos
Dave Hulbert Owner
Authorized dealer of
Piano Rentals Concert Grands Rent to Own Program
In-Home Services Fine Tuning Action Regulation & Voicing Professional Cleaning Evaluations & Appraisals
Specializing in RESTORATION & SALES
Fine Accessories Lamps, Benches Climate Control Systems Cabinet & String Covers
5101 N. 125th St., Milwaukee, WI Call for hours 414.315.7763 dave@hulbertpiano.com • www.hulbertpiano.com
BIOGR APHIES Rachel Babiak - (Hope/Waitress), a junior Graphic Design major, has appeared in The Comedy of Errors as an ensemble member, The Magician’s Nephew as Zebra, and Urinetown the Musical as Mrs. Millenium and an ensemble member. This is Rachel’s first appearance in the Studio Theater and she is very grateful for this opportunity. She would like to thank Josh and her wonderful family for all of their love and support.“Enjoy the show!” Hugh Blewett - (Pete/Man) is a freshman Theater major. He has worked at the Boulevard Theatre for Indian Blood, Fourplay, and All’s Well That Ends Well. Hugh has also played Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest and Doc Baugh in Stritch’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Aaron Dyszelski – (Designer/Technical Director), a 2000 Stritch alum, is glad to be back home in the role of Assistant Professor and Technical Director for the Nancy Kendall Theater. In the intervening years, he worked as a scenic artist around the Midwest and earned his M.F.A. in Scenography from the University of Kansas. He then took on the roles of Costumer and Entertainment Manager with Walt Disney World and freelance designer for several professional theater companies. He’d like to thank his wife, Dana, for her willingness to share him with his art. Austin Gomez - (Phil/Lendall) is a sophomore Theater major. He performed in Urinetown as Bobby, Coyote on a Fence as Sam, and The Comedy of Errors as Egeon. This is his first production this year. “Enjoy!”
Josh Krause – (Jimmy/Chad/ Dave), a senior Theater major, was most recently in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as Big Daddy, The Comedy of Errors as Antipholus, Coyote on a Fence as John Brennan, and Urinetown as Bobby Strong. He would like to thank Robert and everyone involved in Almost, Maine for their continued hard work and commitment. Josh would like to say hello to his family and friends. “Break a leg everyone!” Christen Lee – (Assistant Stage Manager) is a junior Theater major. She has been in King Arthur’s Calamity, Coyote on a Fence, The Comedy of Errors, and was recently featured in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Christen has previously done costuming for shows, and is excited that she is broadening her experience as the assistant stage manager for Almost, Maine. She is very excited and will miss everyone very much when she is abroad for spring semester.“Thank you all for your hard work. Break some legs!” Robert J. Liebhauser – (Director), an Assistant Professor of Theater, has been on the theater faculty of Stritch since 1992 and has served as department costume designer since 1989. He is also an accomplished actor and director and currently is Director of Theater for Young Audiences at Stritch. Prior to Stritch, he received his B.A. in Theater Arts from Marquette University and his M.F.A. from the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also taught at Marquette University and has worked extensively throughout the Milwaukee area as a costume designer and as a stage and commercial actor. Credits include work with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Northern Stage Theatre, and the Bay View Players. Cardinal Stritch 5
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) Olivia Ludwiczak - (Marvalyn/Marci/ Sandrine) is a freshman making her college debut in Almost, Maine. She is a Musical Theater major here at Stritch, and has been in many shows in the past including Thoroughly Modern Millie as Mrs. Meers, Nothing but the Truth as Dr. Doane, and Brigadoon as Meg Brockie. She also helped with costumes in Stritch’s last show, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She hopes you enjoy the show tonight and would like to thank her parents for all of their love and support. Samantha Potter - (Ginette/Gayle) a Photography/Theater major, is excited to be in her first studio show at Cardinal Stritch! She has acted in high school and community theater productions in her hometown, Oconto. Recent productions at Stritch include The Magician’s Nephew and The Comedy of Errors. She was also props master for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Sam would like to thank her family and friends for their constant support of her participation in the arts and would like to dedicate each performance to her grandpa who got her involved in theater. “Jeezum crow, enjoy the show!” Sam Shircel (East/ Randy/Steve) is excited to make his return to Cardinal Stritch. He is a second semester sophomore majoring in Psychology and English. He has most recently performed in The Complete History of America (Abridged), Brigadoon, and Grease. His favorite roles still remain Jess from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and Horton the Elephant from Seussical the Musical. Sam thanks his family and friends for their support. 6 Cardinal Stritch
Ryan Treviranus – (Stage Manager) is a junior Photography/Theater major. He is back for his ninth show at Stritch and is excited to be stage managing again! After working on eight shows, he has joined the Theater Department as a new major. Ryan has assistant stage managed for King Arthur’s Calamity, Zombies From the Beyond, The Comedy of Errors, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and stage managed The Magician’s Nephew. Rachel Zembrowski - (Rhonda/Glory) is a sophomore English major. She is excited to be involved in another production here after wonderful experiences in The Comedy of Errors and Urinetown. She has also been involved in theater outside of Stritch, most recently performing as Emily in Our Town with the Shorewood Players and getting some more backstage experience in The President with Windfall Theatre. She is happy to be involved with the Stritch Theater Department and can’t wait to keep working in theater around Milwaukee.
COV E R S P OT L I G H T Cover photo: UWM Peck School of the Arts Mainstage Theatre 2010-11 Mainstage Theatre Series: Dec 8-12 Lovers’ Quarrels Mar 9-13 The Last Days of Judas Iscariot May 4-8 No, No, Nanette More at arts.uwm.edu
Cardinal Stritch 7
FA L L 2 010 C A R D I N A L S T R I TC H U N I V E R S I T Y E V E N T S Fall 2010 Cardinal Stritch University Music Events Piano Festival Saturday, November 20 High school pianists will compete for scholarships to attend Stritch as students of Dr. Eun-Joo Kwak. Free admission, with the exception of the guest artist recital at 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Dr. Eun-Joo Kwak at (414) 410-4662. Guest Artist Performance Saturday, November 20 • 3:00 pm Dr. Paul Shaw, Jamaican pianist, is associate professor of piano at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, alumni and students. Current Stritch students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid University ID card. Christmas Concert Friday, December 3 • 7:00 pm, Sunday, December 5 2:00 pm Featuring the Cardinal Stritch University Concert Choir, Michael Batcho, conductor. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, alumni and students. Current Stritch students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid University ID card. For information on all Stritch music events contact Dr. Dennis King, Music Department Chair, 414-410-4349. To order tickets, call 414-410-4171. Fall 2010 Cardinal Stritch Northwestern Mutual Art Gallery Exhibits 90-Day Lawn Ornament Gary John Gresl September 10-December 10 The “90-Day Lawn Ornament” is a site-specific outdoor assemblage located at the southwest corner of the Joan Steele Stein Center for Communication Studies/Fine Arts. Jim Matson {Intersection} October 1-December 10 All new figurative sculpture and wall reliefs by Jim Matson, whose work draws influence from the surrealists. 2010-2011 Cardinal Stritch University Theater Season A musical version of RUMPELSTILTSKIN By Robert Johanson & Albert Evans February 13, 19 & 20 Nancy Kendall Theater THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar April 15-17, 29-May 1 Nancy Kendall Theater 8 Cardinal Stritch