MICHAEL WEBER Artistic Director
JONATHAN HEURING Managing Director
Book By HARVEY FIERSTEIN Music and Lyrics by JOHN BUCCHINO Original Orchestrations by JONATHAN TUNICK Director NICK BOWLING
Musical Director DOUG PECK
Assistant Director CHRISTOPHER PAZDERNIK
Assistant Musical Director ELIZABETH DORAN
Scenic Design BRIAN SIDNEY BEMBRIDGE Sound Design VICTORIA (toy) DEIORIO
Lighting Design NIC JONES Properties Designer JAMIE KARAS
Costume Design BILL MOREY Production Stage Manager MEGHAN TEAL, AEA
A Catered Affair is presented through special arrangement with: R&H Theatricals 601 West 26th Street, Suite 312 New York, NY 10001 www.rnhtheatricals.com A Catered Affair 1
CAST Aggie............................................................................................................................REBECCA FINNEGAN* Tom............................................................................................................................................CRAIG SPIDLE* Ralph.............................................................................................................................................. JIM DESELM Janey............................................................................................................................ KELLY DAVIS WILSON Sam/Mr. Halloran.............................................................................................................LARRY BALDACCI Uncle Winston...................................................................................................................... JERRY O’BOYLE Alice..................................................................................................................BRITTANI ARLANDIS GREEN Dolores/Mrs. Halloran.......................................................................................ANNE SHERIDAN SMITH Pasha/Caterer.........................................................................................................................CARON BUINIS Myra/Wedding Dress Saleswoman......................................................................... LAUREN VILLEGAS *Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers UNDERSTUDIES Aggie – Anne Sheridan Smith, Janey/Alice – Brittany Bookbinder, , Ralph – Nate Lewellyn, Uncle Winston – Matt McNabb, Tom/Sam/Halloran - Noah Sullivan, Ensemble – Jill Sesso Understudy performances will occur only with an announcement to the audience prior to the show. PLEASE NOTE: A CATERED AFFAIR RUNS FOR 90 MINUTES WITH NO INTERMISSION
TIME AND SET TING New York’s South Bronx, Tuesday following Memorial Day and onward, 1953
MUSICAL NUMBERS PARTNERS..........................................................................................................Sam & Tom, Ralph & Janey RALPH AND ME....................................................................................................................................... Janey MARRIED....................................................................................................................................................Aggie WOMEN CHATTER..................................................................................................Myra, Pasha & Dolores NO FUSS.....................................................................................................................................................Aggie YOUR CHILDREN’S HAPPINESS.................................................................................Mr. & Mrs. Halloran IMMEDIATE FAMILY...........................................................................................................................Winston OUR ONLY DAUGHTER..........................................................................................................................Aggie ONE WHITE DRESS................................................................................................................. Janey & Aggie VISION.........................................................................................................................................................Aggie DON’T EVER STOP SAYING” I LOVE YOU”.........................................................................Janey & Ralph I STAYED........................................................................................................................................................Tom MARRIED (REPRISE)................................................................................................................................Aggie CONEY ISLAND...................................................................................................................................Winston DON’T EVER STOP SAYING “I LOVE YOU” (REPRISE).......................................... Ralph, Janey & Tom CONEY ISLAND (REPRISE)...................................................................................... Winston & Company
MUSICIANS Conductor/Pianist.......................................................................................................ELIZABETH DORAN Violin #1...................................................................................................................JONATHAN SCHRIOCK Violin #2....................................................................................................................................LINDA LAGER Viola............................................................................................LERRYN SCHAEFER, EMILY VAN SICKEL Cello....................................................................................................................................BEN MAGNUSON Bass...................................................................................................................................... DEBRA JOHNSON Reeds................................................................................................................................. ADAM DeGROOT 2 Porchlight
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director................................................................................................................................. NICK BOWLING Musical Director........................................................................................................................ DOUG PECK Assistant Musical Director.........................................................................................ELIZABETH DORAN Scenic Design.................................................................................................. BRIAN SIDNEY BEMBRIDGE Lighting Design............................................................................................................................ NIC JONES Costume Design.......................................................................................................................... BILL MOREY Sound Design......................................................................................................VICTORIA (toy) DEIORIO Props Designer........................................................................................................................JAIME KARAS Production Stage Manager............................................................................................... MEGHAN TEAL* Assistant Director............................................................................................ CHRISTOPHER PAZDERNIK Technical Director.....................................................................................................................IAN ZYWICA Wig Design............................................................................................................................. KEVIN BARTHEL Carpenters............................................................................................... JOHN DANISH, TRAVIS ZYWICA Scenic Artist........................................................................................................................................ HANG LE Assistant Costume Designer.....................................................................KATE SETZER KAMPHAUSEN GeneralManagement Intern..........................................................SUZANNE DANIELS, KATIE O’NEIL Stage Management Intern.....................................................................................CHRISTINE MORGAN Lighting Design Intern........................................................................................................ ERICA BURGER Props Intern........................................................................................................................ ADRIAN JUAREZ Dramaturg................................................................................................................................KELLI MARINO Sound Engineer..................................................................................................................... JENNA MORAN House Manager.................................................................................................................... ELAINA PANICO Wardrobe Supervisor.....................................................................................SIENNA MACEDON-KUSEK Press Representative.......................................................SHOUT MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS: JAMES JULIANO & JILL EVANS Promotional Photographer................................................................................BRANDON DAHLQUIST Promotional Video Producer.................................................................................................CHRIS GEKAS Website & Graphic Design....................................................JON RUNNFELDT, LAB OF LIFE DESIGN
M A N AG E M E N T S TA F F Artistic Director................................................................................................................... MICHAEL WEBER Managing Director................................................................................................... JONATHAN HEURING Marketing & Development Associate............................................................................ RICHARD RUBIO Development Coordinator & Grant Office............................................................. DONALD SPRAGUE
SPECIAL THANKS To Stage 773, TimeLine Theatre, Rosie Kolba, Elizabeth Grove, Julia Eberhardt, and to our subscribers and audience members who maintain a continuing commitment to our work. Our special dining partner is Cooper’s—A Neighborhood Eatery, critically acclaimed for their good food, extensive beer list, and good value. Located across the street from the theatre, Coopers offers 10% off the food bill to Porchlight patrons, and if you dine there and stay for our show, you can use their parking lot for free. We are grateful to Coopers for their food donation for the opening reception of each show. Please patronize them! 1232 West Belmont / Chicago, IL 60657 / 773.929.COOP (2667)
Porchlight Music Theatre is a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres, Theatre Communications Group, Producing Area Chicago Theatres and the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. Vintage Jewelry provided by Mary Ann, Mary Ann Designs, www.maryannmaryann.com Fairmont Hotel is the exclusive accommodation sponsor of A Catered Affair A Catered Affair 3
A N E W S H OW AT P O R C H L I G H T BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy Conceived by Matthew Loren Cohen Directed by Amanda Blake Davis When Porchlight combines forces with some of Chicago’s hottest improvisers, lots of audience participation and a bouncy piano beat, you get BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy! From a grab bag of audience-suggested titles, you see the cast create the Best Songs of the season right before your eyes in Act I. You cast your vote, grab a drink and come back for Act II to witness the cast create an entire musical around that song! You won’t want to miss this always new hilarious musical concept. Playing Wednesdays at 8pm February 29th thru March 28th Tickets are $15, or $12 for students Call the Stage773 box office at 773-327-5252 or go online to stage773.com to get your tickets today
J O I N U S F O R O U R A N N UA L B E N E F I T Come celebrate our 17th season with us at our Annual Gala Benefit Brunch, on Sunday, April 22nd at 11am at the University Club Chicago. Enjoy a scrumptious brunch in this classic downtown setting. Get a chance to bid on great getaways and fabulous offers on the live and silent auctions, watch some of your favorite music theatre talents perform, and witness the presentation of the 2nd Annual Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago. Get your tickets today by calling the Porchlight office at 773-777-9884 or online at porchlightmusictheatre.org.
O U R F I N A L S H OW O F T H E S E A S O N tick, tick....BOOM! Music, Lyrics and Book by Jonathan Larson Script Consultation by David Auburn Directed by Adam Pelty Musical Direction by Diana Lawrence April 28 thru June 10, 2012 at Stage 773 tick, tick... BOOM! is Larson’s semi-autobiographical story of Jon, an aspiring composer anxiously approaching his 30th birthday. Jon’s girlfriend wants to get married and leave New York for a more conventional life, his best friend is earning a fortune on Madison Avenue, and Jon is still waiting on tables while trying to create the great American musical. An inspiring story of a struggling artist who chooses to follow his dreams, tick, tick... BOOM! features a dynamic pop-rock score blended with traditional musical theater styles, in what many believe to be Larson’s homage to Stephen Sondheim.
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PROFILES LARRY BALDACCI (Sam/Mr. Halloran) is excited to be making his first appearance with Porchlight Music Theatre. Previous Chicago credits include Spring Awakening and Company with Griffin Theatre, The Front Page and The Farnsworth Invention (both Equity Jeff nominees for Best Ensemble) with TimeLine Theatre, 1776 (Non-Equity Jeff winner for Best Musical ) with Signal Ensemble, Spinning Into Butter and Democracy with Eclipse Theatre, Pangs of the Messiah with Silk Road Theatre, and The Mark of Zorro (After Dark Award winner for Best Production) with Lifeline Theatre. Larry is a founding member of The Free Readers Ensemble, currently celebrating its 19th season of readers theatre. Many thanks to Nick and Doug. And, as always, this is for Ray. CARON BUINIS (Pasha/Caterer) is delighted to be working with Porchlight Music Theatre and with such an amazing cast and crew. A native New Yorker, Caron moved to Chicago a number of years ago and started singing with local pop/rock band, RPM. Her theatre credits include: Mame, Victor/Victoria, Annie, Nunsense, and Jerry’s Girls, at Stage Right Dinner Theatre; The Subject Was Roses, The Glorious Ones, and The Tale of the Allergists’ Wife, at the Illinois Theatre Center; Roasting Chestnuts and Cabaret, both at Pheasant Run; The Flowers with About Face Theatre, and Kabulitis with the Polarity Theatre Ensemble. Caron is currently a member of the cabaret group Acts of Kindness Cabaret, performing for various fund raising groups throughout the Chicagoland area, and is a vocalist with the big horn band, Brass from the Past. When not performing, Caron can be found running around – literally – having completed 21 marathons and countless smaller races.
JIM DESELM (Ralph Halloran) is excited to be working with Porchlight Music Theatre and this wonderful group of artists. He most recently Music Directed and appeared in Pump Boys & Dinettes with Theo Ubique. Previous Chicago credits: Violet, Departure Lounge, Bloom, Show Us Your Love (Bailiwick Chicago), Big River (BoHo at Theater on the Lake), Wedding Singer (Circle), Jesus Christ Superstar (TATC), Pump Boys & Dinettes, A Christmas Carol (Metropolis), Sarita (Halcyon). Regional Credits: Oklahoma!, Once Upon A Mattress, Plain & Fancy (Round Barn Theater). He sends love to his beautiful wife, Karri. REBECCA FINNEGAN (Aggie Hurley) is thrilled and honored to be returning to Porchlight Music Theatre stage where she has been seen in Company as “Joanne” (Jeff Citation) Cabaret as “MC”, Sweeney Todd as “Mrs. Lovett” (Jeff Award, After Dark Award ) Closer Then Ever (Jeff Award, After Dark Award) and Gypsy as “Rose” ( Jeff Nomination, After Dark Award). Other Chicago credits include Ben Bagley’s Cole Porter with Light Opera works (Jeff Nomination) A Kurt Weill Review with Theo Ubique (Jeff Citation ) Fiorello! With Timeline (Jeff Citation Nomination) Cabaret as “Frauline Schneider” with Drury Lane Oakbrook (Jeff Nomination) Suessical and The Three Musketeers- Chicago Shakespeare, Turn Of The Century and Candide - The Goodman, Little Women and Fiddler On The Roof - Marriott Lincolnshire and Working at The Broadway Playhouse. Regional credits include working with Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park, Arkansas Rep., Dayton’s Human Race, The Washington Shakespeare Theater and The Huntington Theater of Boston. BroadwaySummer and Smoke at The Roundabout. National Tour-The Secret Garden. Rebecca will be making her film debut in LOL Starring Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore.
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P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) BRITTANI ARLANDIS GREEN (Alice) was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. She recently received her B.F.A. in Acting from the The Theatre School of DePaul University, where she was last seen as “Mrs. Pinkerton” in Chicago Playworks’ production of Pinkalicious, the Children’s Musical. Brittani feels blessed to be working on another musical and her first Porchlight Music Theatre production. JERRY O’BOYLE (Uncle Winston) recently returned home to Chicago after 20 years. Jerry spent 4 years playing “Edna Turnblad” in the 2nd National and International tour of Hairspray performing the role over 1,000 times including two unforgettable trips to Japan. Ancient Chicago credits include numerous productions at Apple Tree Theatre, Into the Woods at Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theatre; Theda Bara and the Frontier Rabbi at Fox Theatricals/The Wellington; Pacific Overtures at Pegasus Players; and Dealing at Northlight. Jerry spent many seasons at The Round Barn Theatre in Nappanee, Indiana where he had the great good fortune to play “Horace Vandegelder” opposite Hollis Resnik in Hello, Dolly! Jerry would like to thank Michael, Nick and Doug for this opportunity and to dedicate his work on A Catered Affair to his “immediate family” all over the world. ANNE SHERIDAN SMITH (Dolores/Mrs Halloran/US Aggie Hurley) is thrilled to be working with Porchlight and this amazing cast. Anne recently appeared as Mae West in Dirty Blonde, a BoHo production at Theatre Wit. Her holiday season appearances included the Chicago Humanities Festival concert,“A Night at the Oscars” featuring every Oscar-winning song in a two-concert series. Other productions include: Strawdog Theatre’s production of 6 Porchlight
The Good Soul of Szechuan, The Juniper Tree (City Lit), “Nurse Ratched” in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Open Eye); “Abigail Adams” in 1776 (Signal Ensemble - Jeff Award - Best Musical Production); “Rose Stopnick” u/s in Caroline, Or Change (Court Theatre). She is a member of Foiled Again (vocal trio) with Rob Lindley, Allison Bazarko and Doug Peck on piano. She would like to thank her husband Ben, for his love and support. CRAIG SPIDLE (Tom Hurley) Steppenwolf: The Tempest, As I Lay Dying, Libra. Goodman: Passion Play, Oedipus Complex, Pericles. Black Star Line, As You Like It Court: Life’s A Dream, Little Foxes, Nora. Desire Under The Elms, The Cherry Orchard Northlight: The Immigrant, Over The Tavern, Experiment With An Airpump Lookingglass: Brothers Karamazov, Manuscript Found In Saragossa. Drury Lane Oakbrook: Ten Little Indians, Fiddler of the Roof, The Man Who Came to Dinner. Regional Theatre: Arden Theater, Philadelphia, PA; Arizona Theatre Co.; Indiana Repertory Huntington Theatre Boston; Freedom Theatre Philadelphia; Public Theatre in Pittsburgh; American Players Spring Green Wis.; Cherry Lane Theatre New York,. Television Chicago Code, Boss, Early Edition, America’s Most Wanted. Film: Public Enemies, Road to Perdition, The Untouchables, The Color of Money. Mr. Spidle has done voice-overs, commercials, and industrials and currently teaches at Columbia College in Chicago. LAUREN VILLEGAS (Myra/Wedding Dress Saleswoman) could not be more honored to be making her Porchlight debut. She is most noted as an ensemble member of Teatro Luna—Chicago’s first and only all-Latina theater ensemble—where she has either performed in, and/or contributed original work for Lullaby, GL 2010, S-EX-Oh!, Machos, and Solo Tu. Other recent credits include: Mrs. Themosticles in My Fair Lady (Paramount Theater) and Carlotta in The Phantom of the Opera (Jedlicka Performing Arts Center). Lauren is a proud graduate of Northwestern
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) University. By day, she is privileged to be a full-time arts educator at Holy Trinity Catholic High School. She would like to thank her incredible husband, Drew, for his love and support. KELLY DAVIS WILSON (Janey Hurley) is thrilled to be making her Porchlight Music Theatre debut! She sprouted from the cornfields of Southern Illinois and recently graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University. She was most recently seen as Maria in Bonhoeffer’s Cost at Provision Theater. Other Chicago credits include: Sandy in The Original Grease (ATC) and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Glass Onion Theatre). She would like to thank her parentals, bros, and Gray Talent Group. HARVEY FIERSTEIN (Book) made his professional acting debut at La Mama ETC in 1971 in Andy Warhol’s only play, Pork. He followed that with appearances in more than 60 off off Broadway productions before he began his playwriting career. Early plays like Flatbush Tosca and Cobra Jewels led to his underground hit, Torch Song Trilogy, which transferred Off-Broadway in 1981, and then to Broadway in 1982 where it won the Best Play Tony Award as well as Drama Desk, Obie and DramatistGuild awards. Fierstein also won Tony, Drama Desk and Theater World acting awards for his portrayal of the lead. Fierstein won his third Tony for the libretto of the musical La Cage aux Folles. His other plays include Safe Sex, Spookhouse and Legs Diamond. His television work includes Nurse Jackie, How I Met Your Mother, Family Guy and The Simpsons. He was nominated for an Emmy for his work on the TV classic, Cheers. Films include Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, Death to Smoochy, Bullets Over Broadway, and Showtime’s Common Ground (which he also wrote). His children’s book, The Sissy Duckling, is published by Simon & Schuster and the HBO film version won him the Humanitas Prize. Fierstein’s starring role as Edna in the musical Hairspray won him his fourth Tony Award as well as another Drama Desk Award, New York Magazine Award and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Performance ofthe Year. This
made him the first person in history to win Tonys as an actor as well as a writer on both the dramatic and musical sides of the theaterworld. In 2005 Harvey spent a triumphant year on Broadway as Tevye in a critically acclaimed production of Fiddler on the Roof, and then reprised the role in 2009 and 2010 on tour across America. Fierstein was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2008. As a social and political commentator, Harvey’s opinion pieces and essays have been featured as “Outtakes” on the TV series In the Life, and on the Op-Ed page of The New York Times, among other publications. Fierstein lives in a small fictional town in Connecticut where he is currently writing the books for two upcoming musicals and trying to get some sleep. Most recently he wrote the book for the new stage adaptation of Disney’s Newsies. JOHN BUCCHINO (Music & Lyrics) Mr. Bucchino’s songs have been performed and recorded by renowned pop, theatre, cabaret and classical artists including Liza Minnelli, Barbara Cook, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Judy Collins, Yo-Yo Ma, Art Garfunkel, Patti LuPone, Deborah Voight, Michael Feinstein, Audra McDonald, The Boston Pops, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in venues including Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, The Hollywood Bowl, The Sydney Opera House and The White House. Among his honors are The Johnny Mercer Songwriter Award, The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, The Jonathan Larson Award, The Kleban Award, The Los Angeles Ovation Award (for the revue It’s Only Life), The DVD Premiere Award (for the song “Better Than I”), and the first annual Fred Ebb Award. He has written scores for the musicals Urban Myths, Lavender Girl, Broadway’s A Catered Affair (winner of the Drama League Award for Best Musical, with a book by Harvey Fierstein), It’s Only Life, and the Dreamworks animated film Joseph, King of Dreams, and lyrics for the children’s musical Simeon’s Gift (with a book by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and music by Ian Fraser). As part of their Julie Andrews Collection, Harper Collins published a children’s book, based on John’s song, called “Grateful, A Song of Giving Thanks” which was awarded the Parents’ Choice Gold Award. A Catered Affair 7
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) NICK BOWLING (Director) is delighted to return to Porchlight Music Theatre where he directed Closer Than Ever. He was the founding Artistic Director of TimeLine Theatre where he is now Associate Artistic Director. He is the recipient of five Jeff Awards for Outstanding Direction (The History Boys, Fiorello!, This Happy Breed and The Crucible at TimeLine and Another Part of the Forest at Eclipse Theatre). He also received Jeff Award nominations for The Farnsworth Invention, The Lion in Winter, Haupmann and Closer Than Ever. Other recent credits include A Walk in the Woods, The Front Page, In Darfur, When She Danced and Not Enough Air (TimeLine), Bach at Leipzig (Writers’ Theatre), Time of the Cuckoo and Frozen Assets (Shattered Globe Theatre) and Factory Girls (Rivendell Theatre), among others. Nick is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. DOUG PECK (Music Director) is happy to return to Porchlight Music Theatre after Assassins. Favorite credits include Porgy and Bess, Candide, My Fair Lady, Carousel, Man of La Mancha, Caroline, or Change, Animal Crackers, Fiorello!, Oh Coward!, Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, Grey Gardens, Shenandoah, and Into The Woods, at theatres like Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Timeline Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Apple Tree, Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight, Peninsula Players, and the Ravinia Festival. He can be heard on the recordings Bright Young People: The Songs of Noël Coward, Foiled Again: Live, and Frank Galati and Stephen Flaherty’s Loving Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein. Doug is the recipient of five Joseph Jefferson Awards for Best Musical Direction. He studied at Northwestern University and Interlochen Center for the Arts, and is married to Chicago actor, Rob Lindley. BILL MOREY (Costume Designer) has designed Porchlight’s productions of The King and I (Jeff Nomination), Into the Woods (Jeff and Broadway World Chicago Nominations), Candide (Jeff Nomination), Nine (Jeff Award), Macaberet, Ragtime, Gypsy (After Dark Award), Elegies, A New Brain (After Dark Award) and Company. Bill recently made his Off Broadway debut doing costumes for Tomorrow Morning at the York. He has worked with Boho, Timeline, Lifeline, Theo Ubique, Griffin, Piven, Hell in a Handbag, The Scooty and JoJo Show and others. www.billmorey.com 8 Porchlight
NIC JONES (Lighting Designer) is very excited to be working with Porchlight on A Catered Affair. Nic recently wrapped shooting on NBC’s Playboy Club and his Film work can be seen currently on Kelsey Grammar’s Boss for Starz, Warner Bros Superman: Man of Steel, and FX’s Powers, past screen work includes Fox’s Chicago Code. On the stage recent work includes No More Dead Dogs at Griffin Theatre, The Metal Children at Next Theatre, Murder for Two at Chicago Shakespeare, The Earl produced by The Inconvenience at A Red Orchid Theatre, and In Darfur at Timeline Theatre for which he was nominated for an Equity Jeff Award. Elsewhere around Chicago Nic’s work has been seen at Writer’s, Marriott, Drury Lane, Lifeline, House, Strawdog, Mary-Arrchie, Remy Bumppo, Emerald City, Eclipse, Jackalope, and The Museum of Contemporary Art. Nic is a graduate of DePaul Theatre School, a Motion Picture Studio Mechanic with IATSE Local 476, and a founding member of The Inconvenience which was chosen by Steppenwolf Theatre for it’s 2012 Garage Rep Series this Spring. JAMIE KARAS (Properties Designer) is a recent graduate from Northern Illinois University with a B.F.A. in Theatre Design and Technology. She is excited to help with A Catered Affair and is grateful for the opportunity to work with everyone involved. Before coming to Porchlight Music Theatre, she was the Props Designer for Next Theatre’s The Girl in the Yellow Dress. BRIAN SIDNEY BEMBRIDGE (Scenic Designer) Off-Broadway: The Public Theater; Second Stage Theatre; Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre; Firework Theater; Theatre at St. Clement’s. International: Theatre Royal Stratford East in London and Carriageworks Theatre in Sydney, Australia, among others. Regional: Guthrie Theater; Children’s Theatre Company; Actors Theatre of Louisville; Alliance Theatre; Lookingglass Theatre Company (production affiliate), Arden Theatre Company; California Shakespeare Theater; Round House Theatre; Timeline Theatre Company(artistic associate); Virginia Opera; Opera Omaha;Dallas Theater Center; Teatro Vista (artistic associate); Milwaukee Repertory Theater; Victory Gardens Theater, Circle X Theatre Company (company member), among others. Mr. Bembridge has been honored with five Jeff
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) Awards, three Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, two Back Stage Garland awards, an Ovation Award, a L.A. Weekly Award. www.brainsidneybembridge.com
as 2 After Dark Awards. She is the head of Sound Design for The Theatre School at DePaul University. For more information visit www.victoria-sound-design.com.
VICTORIA (TOY) DEIORIO (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be making her Porchlight debut! Off-Broadway Productions: Cassie’s Chimera – Joe’s Pub, The Public Theatre, The Bluest Eye – Steppenwolf Theatre @ The Duke Theatre, and Ophelia – NYC Fringe Festival. National Tour: Private Lives – LA Theatre Works. Regional: Northlight Theatre, Indiana Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, Center Stage, Chautauqua Theatre Company, Florida Stage, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Milwaukee Rep, and others. Chicago: Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, Writers’ Theatre, Next Theatre, Remy Bumppo, and countless other theatres in and around Chicago, NY, and LA. Victoria is a founding member of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, an artistic associate at The Next, and an ensemble member at Lifeline Theatre. She has been nominated for 10 and has received 6 Joseph Jefferson Awards, as well
MEGHAN TEAL (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working with Porchlight Music Theatre for the first time. She has been a Stage Manager in Chicago for over six years now. Credits include: Second City Chicago Mainstage’s South Side of Heaven; Second City Theatricals’ regional runs in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Tucson, Phoenix, and Philadelphia; and the Stage Manager for The Second City Touring Company from 2005-2011. She’s also Stage Managed shows at Annoyance Theatre, iO Chicago, Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Metropolis Performing Arts Center, The Chopin Theatre, ComedySportz, The Apollo Theatre, and Theatre Building Chicago (now Stage 773.) She thanks her family and friends for the love and support, McNally for his brilliance, Bea Arthur for being Bea Arthur, and Michael Weber for the opportunity and guidance.
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P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) ELIZABETH DORAN (Asst. Music Director) is excited to be making her Porchlight Music Theatre debut. A native Chicagoan and recent graduate of Northwestern University, she music directed and played for numerous shows while there, including favorites Ragtime, Little Shop of Horrors and Elegies: A Song Cycle.This past spring she had the pleasure of assisting Doug Peck on Porgy and Bess at the Court Theatre. Previously she worked on The Addams Family during its time in Chicago and as the music director of the Actors Training Center in Wilmette. Many thanks to Doug for this incredible opportunity! CHRISTOPHER PAZDERNIK (Assistant Director) returns to Porchlight Music Theatre after directing Miracle on 34th Street (2010) and both By Popular Demand concerts. Favorite Chicago credits: Far From Freud (Director) and The Full Monty (Choreographer) with Village Players; Bombs Away (Choreographer), Show Us Your Love (Choreographer) and F**king Men (Asst. Director) with Bailiwick Chicago; and director of multiple cabaret revues at Davenport’s. Christopher is also an employee at Chicago Shakespeare Theater (Advancement Associate), an Artistic Associate at Porchlight, Collective Member of Bailiwick Chicago, and proud alumnus of Elmhurst College. Thanks to the audience for supporting live theater! KELLI MARINO (Dramaturg) has worked as a dramaturg with American Blues Theater, A Red Orchid, Court Theatre, TimeLine, Porchlight Music Theatre, Eclipse, Stage Left, and Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. Kelli holds an M.A. from the University of Arizona and a B.A. from the University of Northern Colorado. She is the literary associate/resident dramaturg and artistic affiliate at American Blues Theater and literary manager/dramaturg at Porchlight Music Theatre. Kelli is also the Regional Vice President of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of America—Chicago, and the proud coordinator of Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Artistic and Technical Team. MICHAEL WEBER (Artistic Director) joined Porchlight in June as the company’s new Artistic Director. Weber has won two Jeff Awards and has been nominated for seven. He directed the past five Joseph Jefferson Awards ceremonies and previously served as Artistic Director for the inaugural season of Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (2005) and Theatre at the Center (1998-2004). He 10 Porchlight
has also been a successful actor at venues including Ravinia, Chicago Shakespeare and Marriott Theatre. His directing credits include Fifth of July and Talley’s Folly at the Oak Park Festival Theatre, The Petrified Forest at Theatre at the Center, Over the River and Through the Woods at The Mercury Theater, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Pheasant Run Theatre, and Cirque du Symphony at Sears Center Arena. His productions of Assassins at Porchlight Music Theatre, Grand Hotel at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place and She Loves Me at Theatre at the Center were each nominated for a Jeff Award for Best Production-Musical. Weber’s regional acting credits include Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy (starring Patti LuPone) at Ravinia, Disney’s My Son Pinocchio at First Stage Milwaukee, Around the World in 80 Days at Cleveland Playhouse, The Winter’s Tale and Henry V at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, It Had To Be You (starring Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka) at Little Theatre on the Square, Angel Street at First Folio Shakespeare, and The Gifts of the Magi at Indiana Repertory. Weber is author of the new play, WAR of the WELLeS. JONATHAN HEURING (Managing Director) is in his 3rd season as Porchlight’s Managing Director. He has been an active member of the Chicago theatre community, having worked in all aspects of theatrical production in the Chicago area for the past 18 years. The majority of that time was 9 years at Victory Gardens Theater, where he helped produce over 60 world or regional premiere productions. He was also an integral part of the multi-year renovation of the historic Biograph Theater into the 299 seat Zacek-McVay mainstage and 120 seat Richard Christiansen Theatre. He has worked with countless other companies in the Midwest, including Indiana Repertory, Emerald City, TimeLine, Famous Door, Lifeline, Center Theatre Ensemble, Jam Theatricals and Oak Park Festival, and has worked as a consultant for non-profit software development and theatrical facility renovation. He is a proud graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, is an artistic advisor to Premiere Theatre and Performance, and is an original member of the Joseph Jefferson Awards Arts & Technical Committee. He would like to thank every last member of the theatre community from his past 18 years who has made this journey the trip of a lifetime!
A B O U T P O R C H L I G H T M U S I C T H E AT R E Mission Statement Porchlight is Chicago’s music theatre. By uniting the arts of music, drama dance, and design we transform stories into passionate and relevant events, which affect the lives of artists and audiences alike. As professionals and leaders in this field, we nurture and develop new artists and works, expanding and redefining the music theatre genre while matching artistic vision with fiscal responsibility. PMT Staff Michael Weber • Artistic Director Jonathan Heuring • Managing Director Richard Rubio • Marketing and Development Associate Donald Sprague • Development Coordinator & Grant Officer PMT Board of Directors Jeannie Lukow/President • Mary Kay Conley/Vice President/Secretary Ron Zoromski/Treasurer • Tony Calzaretta • Cheryl Coons • Bill Crowther William Ingraham • James Jensen • Kathryn Michael • Rhoda Reeling PMT Artistic Associates Charissa Armon • Danny Bernardo • Brianna Borger • Christin Boulette Eric Bramlett • Carrie Beth Dean • Brenda Didier • Eugene Dizon • Kristen Freilich • Lara Filip • Sarah Hayes • Bil Ingraham • Sean Kelly • Jenn Kincaid • Rob Lindley Chris Pazdernik • Doug Peck • Gerald Richardson • Jon Runnfeldt • Jon Steinhagen Jennifer Tjepkema • Heather Townsend • Thom Van Ermen PMT Advisory Board Brenda Didier • William Finn • Kevin Holland • Pat and Laura Lederer • Jill Moore Rob Oberwise • Maury Yeston • Kristi Zimmermann PMT Benefit Committee Christin Boulette • David Dorton • Jon Heuring • Jenn Kincaid Elizabeth McKevitt Knollman • Kathryn Michael* PMT Finance Committee Bill Crowther • Jon Heuring • James Jensen • Jeannie Lukow Rhoda Reeling • Ron Zoromski* PMT Marketing Committee Danny Bernardo • Eric Bramlett • Brianna Borger • Kristen Freilich • Jon Heuring Bil Ingraham* • James Jensen • Jeannie Lukow • Brad McCormick * denotes chair
A N N UA L S U P P O R T Porchlight Music Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the following individuals, businesses, foundations, and corporations. This list includes individual donor gifts received since January 1st, 2011. We apologize to donors whose commitment is secured after the printing of this program and we regret any errors in the listing of contributors’ names. If you would like your name to appear differently or prefer to remain anonymous, please contact us at info@ porchlightmusictheatre.org or phone 773.777.9884. Porchlight is most grateful to those individuals who not only subscribe to the season but who honor us with donations, so necessary for us to succeed.
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A N N UA L S U P P O R T ( c o n t .) Individuals can support Porchlight with gifts to the annual fund and with ticket purchases to the benefit concerts and the annual auction gala. 87% of all donations in America come from individuals. Please consider making a gift to Chicago’s leader in music theatre, the company acclaimed for nurturing young talent and talent new to Chicagoland. Porchlight appreciates the grants from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Porchlight encourages its audience members to thank their alderman, state representative, and state senator for supporting such vital government funding for the arts. Foundation/Corporate Sponsors A.R.T. League Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development Bespoke Cuisine Chase Bank CityArts Program/City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Illinois Arts Council - A State Agency The MacArthur Fund for Art & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Association of Realtors Peoples Energy Season Major In-Kind Donors & Sponsors Mike Accardo Bespoke Cuisine Carpets of Highwood Compliance Signs, Inc. Cooper’s - A Neighborhood Eatery Matthew Lew Jon Runnfeldt – Lab of Life Design Producer $2,500+ Commodity Consulting, Inc. Mary Kay Conley Brenda Didier Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Kathryn Michael Peoples Energy Richard H. Driehaus Foundation 12 Porchlight
Illinois Arts Council - A State Agency The MacArthur Fund for Art & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Avy & Marcie Stein Ron & Judie Zoromski Director $1,000+ City Arts 2 Program Kevin & Jan Holland IBM Corporation Diane Hires William Ingraham & Brad McCormick James Jensen Patrick & Laura Lederer Jeannie Lukow Rhoda Reeling Eddie Sugarman Choreographer $500-$999 Kyle Burke Cheryl Coons Jon & Darcy Heuring Yvette Ingraham Jean Klingenstein Andrew Pollis Jerry Proffit Stage Manager $250-$499 Lisa Bierly Richard Brannegan David Crabbe Maureen B. Daw Leonora Dickson Rich Dilts Jonathan Fiala Judith Friedman Scott Goldstein William & Winfred Heuring Gitta Jacobs Charlotte Newfeld Keith Olenik Lindsey Pearlman
Charles Peng Kim Shambrook & Angela Johnson Susan Wishnick & Allen Steinberg Artist $100-$249 Jil Adamczyk ART League Larry Baker Francis & Mona Barth Steven Bashwiner Richard Boyum & Louie Chua Eric Bramlett Fred & Charlotte Broitman Sarah McKinley Carter Jay Cook Sandra Daulton Kate Devore Deanna Dunagan Thomas & Helen Fanning Larry & Eileen Frederick Barbara Gaines Jack Goes Jason Groh Susan Haimes Jack Hakman Marty Higginbotham David & Lolly Holland Rosalie Kaplan Pat Kapsalis Louis Kersten Jenn Kincaid Wayne Koepke Stephen Kolinski Therese Kozlowski Linda Kraft Sean Allan Krill Thomas Lengacher David Marker & Georgann Joseph Henry & Florine Marks Mary Ellen Masek Jerry McCann Elizabeth McKevitt & Phillip Knollman Kenneth Meyer
A N N UA L S U P P O R T ( c o n t .) John & Linda Michael Anne Michka Arlene Mikol Steve & Karen Multer Drs. Shelley & Maris Nasatir Jeffrey M. Parker Laurie Pfiffner Angela & Charlie Platt Jane Purdy Mark Rabinowitz & Curtis Clark Anthony Riviello Mary Schilling-Martin John & Suzanne Shambrook Jay & Tamara Sims Elizabeth Sivak Donald E Sprague Brad Thien Peter & Therese Thursby Keely Vasquez Shifra Werch Joan Werhane Mary Alice Wheeler Roberta Zabel Sarah Zematis Kristi Zimmermann Patron $50-$99 Frank & Joan Adkins Jim Anderson Elizabeth Auman Sandra Barnett-White James Barrett Heather Behanna David Belew Michael & Margaret Blecha Carol Bowler John Breslin Lesli Cason Jessica Chakos Kevin & Maureen Cogan Magdalyn Cohn Elizabeth Derrico Susan & Frank Di Costanzo Diane Dorsey Roberta Duchak Brigid Duffy Michael Elkow Jr. Robin Fabricatore Ray & Patt Fiala John & Judith Figliuolo Edward Flaherty Kyle Gearhart Arlene Gembala Charles Giglio Cindy Gold David Goldberg David Gould
Gray Talent Group Linda Grear George Green Tom Guerra Michael V. Hamilton Brooke Jaeky Kristin Johnson Heidi Juiris Marian Kaderbek Joanne Kraft Barbara Larson Joan Lovell Julian Magdaleno Frances Maggio Diana Martinez Elizabeth McGarry Beckie Menzie David Michael Johanna McKenzie Miller Madeline Moon Tom Mullen Julia Neary Susan Newman & Michael Lowenstein Tom O`Connor Kate Oczkowski Michael Pauken Pepsico Foundation Ronald & Kathy Primeau Victoria Quade William Raffeld Melissa Reardon-Henry Jeff Richey Mark Satter Tamara Schiller & Charles Hoffman Rosemary Schnell & Russ Bruzek Steven & Janice Schoneman Steven & Janis Schroeder Linda Shore Jack Short Sarah Simpson Michael Sloan Sara Stern Mary Pat Studdert Richard Terrett Sean Thomas Benjamin Turry Christa & Thom Van Ermen Kristine Vanko Tina & Dennis Vaughn Betsy & David Weisman Claudia Winkler Larry Wyatt Friend $25-$49 Robert Armstrong
Robert Austin Matt Belcher Jeanne Berkowitz Nan Birmingham N.J. Blumenstein Kathleen Breski Lili-Anne Brown Michael Buenger Inara Bundza Lucinda Burkhardt Art & Fern Callistein David Chinitz Gerald & Donna Cody Scott Daniels Matthew Decaro Major George F. & Mary Dempsey Louise Dieterle Cardi Fleck Eric Fors Kristen Freilich Marcia & Thomas Fritz Tom & Mary Gibbons Jeffrey Glenn Mary Ann Greco Deanna Haverty Sarah Hayes Bobbie & Bob Heiman Jonathan Hickerson Gary Houston Michele Howard K.S. Kaihara Jesse Kane Stevan & Patricia Krkljes Iga Ksiazek Mario Mazzetti Thomas Moore Jill Moore Richard Murphy Caroline Overman Susan & Pat Pastin Patrick Phelan Barbara J. Plona Bradley Puckett Sue Ravenscraft Grant Robbin Susan Samson Ronald Sarbieski Marianne Schenker Lynne Schillaci Mr. & Mrs. D.J. Shinkle Stanley & Sandra Sklar Martha Spalding L. Walter Stearns Helen G. Stopek Jennifer Tjepkema Jan Wellspeak Caroline West John Whalin A Catered Affair 13
GIF T RECOGNITION PROGR A M The Porchlight Music Theatre Gift Recognition Program affords donors the opportunity to remember their beloved deceased with a memorial gift or to honor a friend on a special occasion with a gift in their name. Acknowledgements are sent to those memorialized or honored. Gifts in Memory of: Ruth Ann Andrew Robert Andrews Pat Flanagan Harvey Friedman Connie King Marge Maurer Gifts to Honor the Following Individuals: Christin Boulette Dorton Jenn A. Kincaid Jeannie Lukow & Kathryn Michael on their birthdays Becca Sheehan Walter Stearns & Eugene Dizon on their years of service to Porchlight Michael Weber Kristi Zimmerman
Donations are the lifeblood of a theater organization. Porchlight welcomes donations to the Annual Fund which supports the operating budget and to the Endowment Fund. We are happy to complete paperwork for matching gift programs. Please contact: Porchlight Music Theatre, 4200 W Diversey Avenue, Chicago IL 60639-2003, 773.777.9884 or info@porchlightmusictheatre.org As a 501-C-3 not-for-profit organization, all gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Porchlight acknowledges gifts with a letter recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an appropriate record for donations.
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A B O U T S TAG E 77 3 Mission Stage 773 acts to embody the vibrant spirit of Chicago off-loop theatre: · We celebrate the creative process, supporting the work of actors, directors, writers, composers and designers. · We nurture the artist, offering technical, organizational and emotional support. · We honor our audience, presenting accessible, affordable, exceptional entertainment.
S TAG E 77 3 B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S Laura Michaud, Chair Brian Posen, Secretary Alex Meyer, Treasurer Michael Gellman, Gayle Grindley, Charles H. Jesser, Steve Miller, Kristen Romans, Quinton Snodgrass, Jill Valentine, Brian Walter Please consider a gift to Stage 773 programming, or “Buy a Seat” in our new “Pro Theater” . Please contact jack@stage773.com for information on donations and sponsorships. Your support is critical to our future – and to the future of the many local artists who partner with us. Stage 773 is partially supported by The Illinois Arts Council and The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.
S TAG E 77 3 S TA F F Brian Posen............................................................................................................ Artistic Director Jill Valentine..............................................................................................Director of Operations Brian Peterlin................................................................................................. Director of Facilities Jack Short......................................................................................... Director of Tenant Services and Grant Management Mel Delbridge...............................................................................................................Bookkeeper Emily Claibourne.................................................Resident Stage Manager/ Tech Assistant Box Office and Front of House..........................................Nancy Farnand, Jon RodriQuez, Mandy Whitenack, Laura Wilson & David Yontz Bar Staff ........................................................................ Amy Alfultis, Liz McArthur, Ben Miller, Jacob Welch, Hilary Williams Intern Staff..............................................................Carlos Wagener-Sobrero, Tabitha Valdes Stage 773 ushers provided by The Saints For more information on performances, space rental and special events visit www.stage773.com
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HAVE A SEAT Make your mark on Stage773! Imagine YOUR name on one of the seats in our new renovated “Pro Theatre� seen by thousands of theater-goers each year. Does your family or circle of friends include an off-Loop performing arts enthusiast? Why not honor him or her with recognition right in the middle of the action? Go public with your support for Stage773! Call Jack Short at 773.929.7367 x 112 or email jack@stage773.com to engrave your name in our history today.
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