Hannukatz-National Pastime

presents

HANNUKATZ THE MUSICAL Book and Lyrics Terry Abrahamson Music by Michael Carlson Director.......................................................................................................Brian LeTraunik Music Director............................................................................................... Robert Ayres Choreographer....................................................................................Jennifer LaTurner *Artistic Director......................................................................................Laurence Bryan *Production Manager..................................................................... Keely Haddad-Null Stage Manager............................................................................................Jared McDaris Assistant Stage Manager...................................................................Ashlee Edgemon *Set Designer.............................................................................................David Denman Costume Designer.................................................................................... Emily Beaudin Lighting Designer.........................................................................................Steven Besic Properties Designer................................................................................Phillip Denofrio Sound Designer............................................................................................ JJ Porterfield *Technical Director..........................................................................................Joe Loffing *Public Relations.................................................................................. Elayne LeTraunik Graphic Designer............................................................................................. Nolen Otts Photography..............................................................................................giaphotos.com *The National Pastime Theater is: Laurence Bryan, Don Claudin, David S. Denman, Mark Habert, Keely Haddad-Null, Arch Harmon, Larry Horne, Rebekka James, Elayne LeTraunik and Rollins Warden, Julie Welden.

The National Pastime Theater www.nationalpastimetheater.com

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OUR MISSION

The National Pastime Theater strives to fill thousands of empty theater seats with generations of new theater audience, to stop this audience dead in their comfortable tracks and spur them to take an active role in their neighborhoods, communities and world.

Live theater must grab all generations and drag them–perhaps kicking and screaming–into an active role in our world.

Chicago is a perfect location for the type of theater that The National Pastime Theater Ensemble creates. We push ourselves and our audience to the limit. We aspire to bring people into the work, not just into the theater: we create terror, awe and strike down apathy. We sell not just tickets, we enable dreams.

The National Pastime Theater Ensemble (NPT) is like no other theater company. We are a company with a new reason for theater: setting to rights the jaded viewpoints of generations weaned on passive entertainment forms.

For twenty years, The National Pastime Theater has insured progress by producing dynamic and masterful live theater. In addition to producing live theater, NPT has fostered over one hundred and fifty emerging and staple Chicago theater companies.

In an effort to expand our mission, NPT supports those itinerant theaters that present a similar focus to that of NPT’s.

H A N N U K AT Z C A S T Hannukatz..................................................................................................................Joshua Razavi Emily........................................................................................................................Katie Bellantone Josh.................................................................................................................................... Steve Love Syl..........................................................................................................................................Molly Kral Gil........................................................................................................................................ Evan Barth

H A N N U K AT Z A L B U M Lyrics .......................................................................................................................Terry Abramson Music, original tracking.....................................................................................Michael Carlson Mastering, Guitars, additional instruments......................................................JJ Porterfield * indicates National Pastime Company member SPECIAL THANKS *Ann and Rollins Warden, *Rebekka James-Yost and The Dude, *Julie Welden, Egg Roll King, Radu, Marc James, Michael’s Pizzaria, Yahweh, achurch4me?, Brian Schipinski 2 National Pastime Theater

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CAST BIOGR APHIES Joshua Razavi (Hannukatz) This is Josh’s debut production with the National Pastime Theater and he is excited to be a part of Hannukatz and getting back to musical theatre- as his usual singing venue, the shower, is getting somewhat played out. He is currently in another show this holiday season with New Millennium Theatre Company, and is playing George in their production of Silent Night of the Living Dead.

He would like to thank everyone at NPT for the opportunity to perform in such a fun new work and hopes you all enjoy the show!

Katie Bellantone (Emily) is very excited to be joining NPT’s cast of Hannukatz, The Musical. In May she graduated with a BFA in Theatre from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and has since performed various roles for Trumpet in the Land outdoor theater in New Philadelphia, OH, including Pinky Tuscadero in Happy Days: A New Musical, Cindy Lou in The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Catharine in The White Savage.

Steve Love (Josh) is making his Chicago debut with the National Pastime Theater after spending last year performing with Disney Cruise Lines. Credits: Ken Davenport’s Awesome 80’s Prom! (Dickie, [Dir. Ken Davenport]), Cabaret (Emcee), Die,

Mommie, Die! (Lance), La Cage Aux Folles (Mercedes), The Foreigner (Ellard), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Snoopy).

Molly Kral (Syl) is thrilled to be a part of Hannukatz. Molly graduated with a BFA from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Favorite roles include Aldonza (Man of La Mancha), Charlotte (Moon Over Buffalo), Lucy (Jekyll and Hyde), Ann Putnam (Crucible) and Cinderella (Into the Woods).

Thanks to Mom, Dad, and the boys.

Evan Barth (Gil) Hannakuh is a holiday shrouded in mystery and secret. For centuries, an unknown entity has shared his knowledge of this magical celebration. This spiritual being will be in your presence tonight, in this theater.

Lucky. Learn all you can so that you may pass it on to others.

4091 N. Broadway Chicago 773-929-9241

Stop by after the show.

Get your second drink free. Must have date stamped show program

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PRODUCTION TEA M PROFILES Laurence Bryan (Artistic Director) is the founder of The National Pastime Theater in 1991. Laurence has directed over 60 plays. He has also directed television, industrial and trade video as well as film. He is a lifetime music producer and audio engineer. Thank you for coming to The National Pastime Theater.

Keely Haddad-Null (Production Manager) is a happy to be a member of The National Pastime Theater. She has worked in Chicago theatre as a playwright, director, production and stage manager. Keely thanks her production team, cast and all of the professionals who have worked tirelessly to make this production a success.

Terry Abrahamson (Playwright) Chicago native, Grammy-winning songwriter and artist, Terry has written for or with Muddy Waters, Joan Jett, George Thorogood, Oprah Winfrey and Clarence Clemons. His ad parody triggered the Falwell v Flynt US Supreme Court case. His Blues photography is part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Michael Carlson (Composer) Credits include: The New Orleans Jazz Funeral of Stella Brooks (Tennessee Williams Festival 2010) and How to Bust a Bully (LTTS).

Arrangement credits include Fascinatin’ Rhythm from The All Night Strut (Marriott Theatre) and KSTM (Davenport’s) for which he produced the Chicago Cast Recording.

Michael co-owns Chicago’s www. crrainbowstudio.com recording studio.

Brian LeTraunik (Director) is extremely thankful and grateful to Laurence, Terry and Keely for this incredible opportunity. Previous directing credits include the Chicago premieres of “The Stroop Report”,“A Rosen By Any Other Name”,“Oy!” and “The Chopin Playoffs” at Chicago Jewish Theatre. He has been a professional actor since 1984 and is also a theatre educator having taught acting, movement, stage combat, voice and musical theatre at such institutions as Coe College, Drake University, Western Illinois University, Simpson College and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Brian is a Certified Teacher of stage combat with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) and has taught and choreographed stage combat around the country. He has a BA in Theatre from Columbia College Chicago, a MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University and is a proud member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA. Robert Ayres (Music Director) spent the past several years as Resident Director with the Shapeshifters, but previously acted extensively with the Organic, Court and Freedom Theatres and Midnight Circus (etc.). The Founding Director of Boston’s Catbox Cabaret, Robert wrote or co-wrote 36: A Cabaret, Once Upon A Time . . . and Popcorn Girl.

Jennifer LaTurner (Choreographer) has performed around Chicago with National Pastime Theater, Clock Productions, Consortium Project,

Virtual Elayne Public Relations, Grant Writing Theatrical Production www.virtualelayne.com Elayne LeTrannik has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of theatrical production.

An experienced P.R. person and grant writer, she specializes in working with small organizations with small budgets. For more information, contact her at virtualelayne@gmail.com Hannukatz the Musical 5

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P R O D U C T I O N T E A M P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

Tantalus Theatre Group, Chicago Fusion Theater & The Factory Theatre to name a few and is a former professional ballet dancer. Much love to Phil C and all of you who support the arts.

Jared McDaris (Stage Manager) is new to Chicago, but has already produced and directed the Unrehearsed Shakespeare Company’s productions of Much Ado About Nothing, the Tempest, Taming of the Shrew, and Othello. He’s loved Hanukkah ever since he read Hershel & the Hanukkah Goblins as a kid. www. jaredmcdaris.com Ashlee Edgemon (Assistant Stage Manager) is delighted to be working with National Pastime Theatre for the first time and just as happy to be part of the team for this original musical.

She received her MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University and also currently teaches at the Chicago Academy for the Arts.

David Denman (Set Designer) is a long time member of The National Pastime Theater. Designing the sets for Salome, Street Scene, Alice in the House of Carrol, The Magician, Julius Caesar, and The Adding Machine. Mr. Denman is the Artistic Director of Clock Productions.

Emily Beaudin (Costume Designer) Emily spends her days as head of the fabric and furniture departments at local event company, Event Creative. She is excited to be returning to National Pastime, where she has worked in the past on Naked July and Street Scene.

Phillip Denofrio (Properties Designer) has worked as a puppet maker and puppeteer, as well as a props designer for several theatres in

and around the Chicago land Area; this is his second production at the National Pastime Theater.

JJ Porterfield (Sound Designer) has worked on many National Pastime plays and is happy to be back with them again. He is also a recipient of a Jeff Award for sound design.

Joseph Loffing (Technical Director) is a recent graduate of Northwestern University working as a designer and technician in and around Chicago.

Hannukatz is his second excursion with the National Pastime having previously served as Technical Director on Naked July and Doo Lister’s Blues. Joe has also worked with Timeline Theatre, Quest Theatre Ensemble, and the Actor’s Training Center.

Elayne LeTraunik (Public Relations) is the Associate Artistic Director of Genesis Theatrical Productions. She is a native Chicagoan and has been involved in the Chicago theatre scene since the 1970s. Elayne currently works as a freelance grant writer and PR person for a number of small theater companies in Chicago. More information about her can be found at www.virtualelayne.com.

Christopher Merrill (Web Design) christophermerrill.com Steven Besic (Lighting Designer) is excited to be back working with The National Pastime Theater on Hannukatz the Musical. Trained as a stage manager, Steven is enjoying freelance design work, as it has a more accommodating schedule. Steven would like to thank Keely Haddad-Null for all her love, support and patience through the years

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PRODUCTION HISTORY: THE NATIONAL PASTIM E THE ATER *denotes co-production in conjunction with Clock Production **denotes co-production in conjunction with Prop Theatre 2011 Naked July: Art Stripped Down Festival Salome

by Oscar Wilde Directed by Laurence Bryan

Dead Wrong

By Darby Tillis and Laurence Bryan World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan

Doo Lister’s Blues

By Terry Abrahamson Directed by Laurence Bryan

Will He Bop Will He Drop

By Robert Alexander World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan

2010 Naked July: Art Stripped Down Festival The Emperor’s New Clothes

By Keely Haddad-Null World Premiere Directed by Carolyne Anderson Street Scene *

By Elmer Rice Directed by Laurence Bryan and Keely Haddad-Null 2009 Naked July: Art Stripped Down Festival Day on Which a Man Dies

By Tennessee Williams World Premiere Directed by David Kaplan Also the headline production at the 2009 Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival Alice of the House of Carroll*

By Laurence Bryan and Keely Haddad-Null World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan The Magician*

By Igmar Bergman World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan Firebugs*

By Max Frisch Directed by Laurence Bryan

Thanatos

By Ron Simonian World Premiere Directed by Dado Kirkos World Premiere Written and Directed by Michael Sokoloff

Julius Caesar

By William Shakespeare Directed by Laurence Bryan

AmphiGorious

By Edward Gorey World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan

The Adding Machine

By Elmer Rice Directed by Dale Goulding

Rats

By Israel Horowitz Directed by Laurence Bryan

The Possessed**

By Fyodor Dostoyevsky World Premiere Directed by Dado

Red Dog Moon World Premiere Written and Directed by Michael Sokoloff

Yuba City

By Michael Sokoloff World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan

The Orphan

By David Rabe Directed by James Lynch

The Trial

By Franz Kafka Adapted by Steven Berkoff US Premiere Directed by Roger Smart Rhinoceros

By Eugene Ionesco Directed by Laurence Bryan Servant of the People!!

The Rise and Fall of Huey P Newton and the Black Panther Party

By Robert Alexander Directed by Frank Pullin

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

By Ken Kasey Directed by Laurence Bryan National Pastime Children’s Theater: Free to Be You and Me

By Marlo Thomas and Friends Directed by Beth Lynch Giddings Aria De Capo

By Edna St. Vincent Malay Directed by Don Haag A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By William Shakespeare Directed by Laurence Bryan

The National Pastime Theater Ensemble is a 501(c)3 corporation and is supported, in part, by grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and also from the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.

The National Pastime Theater would like to extend the warmest thanks possible to company member David S. Denman and Clock Productions for almost twenty years of support and collaboration. We look forward to twenty more. Thank you David.

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