In Tandem Theatre
THE NIGHTMARE ROOM
By John Goodrum Based on a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Catherine ........................................................................................................ Mary C. McLellan* Helen .......................................................................................................................... Libby Amato Director .......................................................................................................................Chris Flieller Rehearsal Stage Manager ..................................................................................... Jane Flieller Sound Design .............................................................................................. Jonathon Leubner Set Design .................................................................................................................. Koren Black Light Design ...................................................................................................... Holly Blomquist Costume Designer ............................................................................................. Jason Orlenko Board Operator ..................................................................................................... Jillian Pequet Time: Present Place: A room *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, appearing under a Special Appearance Contract. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited including camera phones. This project is supported, in part, by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts, the United Performing Arts Fund and CAMPAC (County Funding) There will be one 15-minute intermission. The opening night reception for The Nightmare Room is courtesy of Konrad Kuchenbach. We thank him for his support!
The Nightmare Room
1
BIOGR APHIES Chris Flieller (Director/ Artistic Director, In Tandem Theatre) A fixture both on and backstage for more than 25 years in Milwaukee, Chris has numerous credits to his name. Acting credits include In Tandem Theatre, Skylight Opera Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Theatre X, First Stage Children’s Theatre, and the Marcus Center/Milwaukee Repertory. Among his directing credits are WONDER OF THE WORLD, SHAW SHORTS, THE EIGHT: REINDEER MONOLOGUES, HOLIDAY HELL, POLISH FROST, HOME, EQUUS (in a copresentation with the UWM undergraduate acting program), OLD WICKED SONGS, and most recently THE CHOSEN for In Tandem. Chris directed ORPHEUS DESCENDING for the UWM Theatre Program and coaches numerous dialect and performance workshops. Jane Flieller (Rehearsal Stage Manager/Managing Director, In Tandem Theatre) A former stage manager, Jane toured nationally with the Great American Children’s Theatre Company and has worked locally for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Theatre Tesseract, Next Act Theatre and Next Generation Theatre. For several years, Jane was the stage manager for ComedySportz, a position she originated. She co-founded In Tandem Theatre with her husband, Chris, in 1998 and now unleashes her creative energies on all aspects of running a small arts organization. Jane’s directing credits include In Tandem, Whitefish Bay High School, Carroll College and Broadway Baby Dinner Theatre. She looks forward to directing A CUDAHY CAROLER CHRISTMAS once again for In Tandem Theatre in December. As always, she gives thanks to her beloved husband, partner and best friend, Chris, through whom all things are possible. Mary C. McLellan (Catherine) Mary is thrilled to be making her In Tandem debut with THE NIGHTMARE ROOM! National tours and New York City theatre include THE SILENT BOY (Peggy) Artspower, 2
In Tandem Theatre
ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE...DAY (Nick/ Becky), CINDERELLA’S MICE (Cinderella) The Vital Theatre. In regional theatre, Mary has appeared in A WONDERFUL LIFE (Dorothy), OKLAHOMA (Gertie Cummings), SWING! THE MUSICAL (Comic Couple), REVIVING OPHELIA (Dawn), SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! (Dina) at The Surflight Theatre; SEUSSICAL (Gertrude McFuzz), STEEL PIER (Ensemble) at the Cape Cod Repertory Theatre; THE WILD PARTY (Nadine) at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre; JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Do Wop) at the Open Circle Theatre; DEAR WORLD (The Mute) at the American Century Theatre; BLACK COFFEE (Lucia), THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Liesl/Ensemble), SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (Sara) at the The Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre; THE WRESTLING SEASON (Melanie) at the Trumpetvine Theatre Company; and, ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE...DAY (Audrey) Adventure Theatre. Mary’s film and television credits include SENSING MURDER (Roberta Elam) Investigation Discovery Channel, GOSSIP GIRL (“The Handmaiden’s Tale” -Featured Dancer) The CW Network. Thank you to Miss Kelly for all her kindness and support. Lots of love to her partners in crime, Angela and Baby Johnny. And to Dave, I love you to the moon and back. Libby Amato (Helen) Libby is thrilled to be back at In Tandem for this delightfully wicked show! Previously for In Tandem, she has been seen in STUCK and VERONICA’S POSITION. Other credits include productions at Optimist Theatre, Chamber Theatre, Forward Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Alchemist Theatre, and Windfall Theatre, among others. This coming spring, Libby will add Next Act Theatre to the list with their production of GRACE. Libby is a graduate of Carroll University with a BFA in Theatre Performance. Love and thanks to Joe and Beth Amato for their untiring encouragement and support. Koren Black (Set Design) This is Koren’s first show with In Tandem as scenic designer and she is very grateful and excited for the opportunity to grow in such a supportive company. Her past designs include
BIOGR APHIES
c o n t.
NEIGHBORHOOD 3 REQUISITION OF DOOM with Youngblood, THE ORPHAN TRAIN at Attic Theatre in Appleton, WI, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER at Friends of Riverside Theatre in Mensha, WI, and PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has also worked for several companies in Milwaukee and the Appleton area including Attic Theatre, Friends of Riverside, UW-Fox Valley, Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and In Tandem Theatre as a technical director, paint charge, scenic artist, electrician, and light and sound board operator. In addition to her work on NIGHTMARE ROOM, Koren is also looking forward to designing for Youngblood and Sunset Playhouse in the 2012-2013 Milwaukee season. She is grateful for the love and support of her family and friends, especially her loving husband, Michael Black.
Children’s Theatre. www.jasonorlenko.com. Jonathon Leubner (Sound Design) Thud! Rip! SCREEAM!!! Crash! and other unworldly sounds of THE NIGHTMARE ROOM. Jonathon has spent the better part of three decades providing award-winning audio production to theater, film, commercial, documentary, television and music recording projects. His sound awards include an Emmy, numerous Silver Microphone, Addy and BPME awards, as well as a Grammy award nomination. It has been his privilege to work and create alongside the talented directors, designers, actors, theater staff and volunteers that all bring the magic to the stage of In Tandem Theatre. Jonathon dedicates all of his work to his beautiful wife, Mary, and their three wonderful sons for their endless inspiration, love and support.
Holly Blomquist (Lighting Design) Holly is pleased to return to In Tandem Theatre after designing past productions of HA!, TEA AT FIVE, OLD WICKED SONGS and THRILL ME. Upcoming work this season includes EDITH PIAF ONSTAGE at the Skylight Music Theatre, UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and JACKIE AND ME at First Stage. Past favorites include RABBIT HOLE (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre) and THE INTERNATIONALIST (Boulevard Ensemble). In addition to lighting for theatre productions, Holly designs lighting for architectural projects around the city and state. Thanks Chris and Jane for asking me back! Enjoy the show everyone!
Cindy Thomas (Administrative/Marketing Assistant, In Tandem Theatre) Cindy has been with In Tandem Theatre since August of 2008 as Marketing/ Administrative Assistant. She has been involved with the arts, especially music, since she can remember. After graduating in 1981 from Silver Lake College with a BA in Voice and a minor in music business, Thomas moved to Milwaukee where she managed the print music departments of two local music stores and worked in sales/marketing for a print music publishing company. Cindy has sung and performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Music Under the Stars, Bel Canto Chorus, and is currently a member of the Florentine Opera Chorus.
Jason Orlenko (Costume Design) Jason is thrilled to be working at In Tandem Theatre. Previous design work includes TAMING OF THE SHREW, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU and THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS for Indiana Festival Theatre; and, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, ... THE VIBRATOR PLAY, HAPPILY EVER CHLOE (world premiere), ANGELS IN AMERICA, RENT, and TAKE ME OUT for Indiana University. Regionally, Jason has worked for the Florentine Opera, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, the Hangar Theatre and First Stage
Miranda Levy (Gallery Curator, In Tandem Theatre’s Tenth Street Gallery) Miranda grew up in Wilton, Wisconsin and joined the military at seventeen. She served eight years in the Army as a construction equipment mechanic where she was fortunate enough to serve in Germany for two months of the three years of her active duty service. Shortly after her tour on Active Duty, she attended UW-Milwaukee where she received her BFA in Photography and Fibers in 2009. Throughout her career as an artist, she has The Nightmare Room
3
BIOGR APHIES
c o n t.
competed in several local juried exhibitions and has shown her work in fashion shows at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Deanna Strasse (Administrative Intern) Deanna is a graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College where she studied theatre. In the past, she has worked with a variety of companies including Sunset Playhouse, the Village Players and (of course!) the Off-Book Players, which she co-founded in 2009. Stay up-to-date with what OBP is doing by visiting us online at offbookplayers.tumblr.com.
Jillian Pequet (Board Operator) Jill is excited to join In Tandem for THE NIGHTMARE ROOM. Jill received her BA in Theatre Arts from St. Norbert College where she performed in such shows as METAMORPHOSES, CHILDREN OF EDEN, and TARTUFF. Jill has performed at Disney World in Florida and Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove, the latter for whom she recently provided technical support on productions of NUNSENSE and SWEET CHARITY. A special thanks to friends and family for all of their support.
S TA F F IN TANDEM THEATRE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Chris Flieller, Artistic Director Jane Flieller, Managing Director Cindy Thomas, Marketing/Administrative Assistant Miranda Levy, Gallery Curator Deanna Strasse, Administrative Intern BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ellen Maxey, President Dennis Kois, Vice President Leigh Wallace Tabak, Secretary Dan Glaser, CPA, Treasurer Scott Berkes Milt Flieller Sharveta Parker Jessica Thibodo-Johnson ADVISORY BOARD Annie Jansen Jurczyk Charles Kakuk Dan Kattman Claude Krawczyk In Tandem Theatre is currently in need of additional members to their Board of Directors. We seek individuals who will commit to fostering awareness of In Tandem Theatre, supporting its mission and nurturing its growth. If you would like more information about the role of the board and its responsibilities, please call 414-271-1371. 4
In Tandem Theatre
SPECIAL THANKS Brad McKendry, Mark Corkins, Lance Lamont, Alan Piotrowicz, Bryan Quinn, Colin Gawronski, James Clark and Ross Zentner. ABOUT THE PL AY WRIGHT John Goodrum has worked as an actor in theatres nationwide. Roles include Neville in NEVILLE’S ISLAND, Heisenberg in COPENHAGEN, Adam in SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME, Michael Starkwedder in THE UNEXPECTED GUEST, Fancourt Babberley in CHARLEY’S AUNT, Scrub in THE BEAUX’ STRATAGEM and Bottom in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Most recently he has appeared at the Pomegranate Theatre in Chesterfield’s six-play Spring repertory season, where roles have included Tim in NOISES OFF, Malcolm in BEDROOM FARCE, Ken in HAUNTING JULIA, George Harper in WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY and John Smith in RUN FOR YOUR WIFE. On Radio 4, he played James Miller in THE ARCHERS. John is a founder of Rumpus Theatre Company, for whom his directing credits include MURDERER, DUET FOR ONE, QUARTET, JUMPERS and ALFIE. Rumpus has also produced Goodrum’s plays and adaptations including SORRY, I LOVE YOU…, THE BLACK VEIL, THE COMEDY OF TERRORS!, THE JUDGE’S HOUSE!, THE RIPPER FILES!, THE SIGNALMAN, and THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM. The latter two were both subsequently produced by Bill Kenwright at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. THE JUDGES’ HOUSE! was produced recently in Germany and THE NIGHTMARE ROOM makes its American debut in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For Bridge Theatre, John has written the plays BLOOD RELATIONS (first seen at Sheringham Little Theatre) and THE HAUNTED HOUSE (first seen at Norwich Playhouse). SORRY, I LOVE YOU… and THE COMEDY OF TERRORS! are both published by Samuel French. SORRY, I LOVE YOU ... has been produced throughout England and as far afield as Nairobi in Kenya. D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S ‘I think that there are certain crimes which the law cannot touch, and which therefore, to some extent, justify private revenge.’ So says one of Arthur Conan Doyle’s other creations. Whether or not you believe that to be true, I think you will agree that justice on a personal scale is a rather fluid concept. Haven’t we all wished at some point that those little crimes and petty injustices that we have been dealt, even the ones we received at a tender age, could be avenged in some way. How sweet would be the little revenge that would scrub clean that lesion on our soul, put there by an ancient injury? And how satisfying if the tiny tyrant who bullied us when we were young was to get their come-uppance, especially at our own hand? In our story, what’s most important is what lies beneath; the dagger behind the smile, the feud under the friendship. And it may turn out that, as Fitzgerald says,“The past is not dead; it’s not even past”. I don’t want to give too much away here. This is a thriller, after all, so allow me to speak in generalities. Aside from the adrenaline rush that accompanies a good scare, thrillers can be very instructive because they show us aspects of ourselves that we don’t want to admit are there; the dark and cruel things that we are capable of doing to one another when driven by the dark emotions – greed, hatred, jealousy, revenge. So as you watch these events unfold, ponder what you would do if you found yourself in the situation being played out before you. And remember: Reality is the nightmare from which you cannot awaken. The Nightmare Room
5
I N TA N D E M N E E D S YO U ! We’ve accomplished a great deal for a small company since we began in 1998 and we are excited about the possibilities the future holds. As a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, In Tandem Theatre relies on the generosity of our patrons and friends to keep moving forward. Ticket sales, which we try to keep as reasonable as possible, can’t cover the entire costs of producing professional quality theatre. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to our annual campaign and see your contribution go directly toward production costs (actor and designer salaries; props, costumes, sets, lights; script royalties and marketing). We appreciate your patronage very much and hope you can help us out!
Superstars ($10,000 and up) Greater Milwaukee Foundation and the Mary L. Nohl Fund United Performing Arts Fund Platinum ($5,000 - $10,000) Johnson Controls Foundation Milwaukee Arts Board Solid Gold ($1,000 - $4,999) Anonymous CAMPAC (County Funding) Greg Chrisafis Milt and Carol Flieller Dan and Kathy Glaser John Holland JCI Global Community Relations Johnson Controls Matching Gift Program Dennis Kois Marilyn Nelsen Mark Sell Wisconsin Arts Board Heart and Soul ($250 $999) Anonymous Ervin and Beverly Colton Patti and Patrick Doughman David and Leslie FeilerPoethke Rachel and Dennis Hafemann Marc and Wendy Hurwitz Richard Ippolito and Pamela Frautschi Susan Klingman Konrad Kuchenbach Bess Lerner 6
In Tandem Theatre
John and Clare Martinkovic Lee Marquardt Ellen M. Maxey Howard and Sara Miller Ken and Denise Nieland Bibi and Greg Rosner John J. Shannon and Jan Serr David and Ruth Ann Schneider Dave Wesley Wisconsin Energy Corp. Foundation Employee Gift Program Rhythm Section ($100 $249) Anonymous Sherry Aronson Dick Burany Matt Daniels Carol Z. Dolphin Gretchen Durkin David Flores Tom and Barbara Forbes Margaret Huettner Sarah J. Ford and Randall Klumb Nona Hill and Clark Johnson Johnson Controls Power Solutions Employees Allen and Sharon Johnson Judy Klehr Michael Klitzke and Diane Brown Joan Levine Bill and Marlene Listwan Timothy McElhatton and Barbara Armstrong David and Alison McKee John E. Peters Claudette and Mark Robinson
Susan J. Salnajs Linda Schmidt Quartaro Gail Schumann Sandra Seymour Susan Stewart Jack and Marlene Udovich Sheryl VanHaren Lori Wucherer Roots (Up to $99) Anonymous Pat Anderson Tiger Beyer and Teri Kieffer Jill E. Bruss Mary Frances Bullamore Leon Burzynski Lee R. Carroll Lynda M. DiPierro Kathleen Falk Julie Gellendin Marti Gobel Chris and Jeanne Grenda Mike Hermes Paul Hoffman Susan Holicka Susan Horn Diane Kercheck Robert Kloes Mary Knudten Angie Kopf Linda Koszuta Claude and Sue Krawczyk Ruth Krossin Pam Kriger Eileen J. Langford Mary Ellen Lukaszewicz Carl and Eileen Lund Robert and Laura Lynn MacDonald Susanne Michalski Bill and Loretta O’Boyle James and Chris O’Brien
D O N O R S ( c o n t. ) Jane O’Connell Terry Ann Peterson Corliss Phillabaum Joanne Prymek Sarah Sandin Patrick M. Schumacher and Mary A. Henneman Kris Schmidt
Addy Stoiber Sheila Tobin Clancy Max Tolzman Jack and Marlene Udovich Anna Walls Windhover Foundation Mary Ellen Winter Terry and Dorothy Wobick
Barry Zalben and Marianne Walsh In-Kind Support Mark Frohna Daniel Glaser, CPA / Lora Murray
This list represents donations received since July 2011. We are grateful to all our donors whose generous contributions are vital to the growth of In Tandem Theatre. We appreciate your support and commitment. If we have inadvertently omitted or misspelled your name, please accept our sincere apologies and contact us immediately at 414-271-1371 so that we can make the correction.
T H I S S PAC E F O R R E N T The Tenth Street Theatre is available for rental (business meetings, parties, events, performances). Call us at 414-271-1371 to discuss our rates and availability.
The Nightmare Room
7
I N TA N D E M ’ S 15T H A N N I V E R S A R Y S E A S O N THE NIGHTMARE ROOM By John Goodrum (based on a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) October 5 - 21, 2012 A dark and chilling psychological thriller! Best friends since childhood and now both in love with the same man -- locked in a secret room with a bottle of poison. Who lives? Who dies? Who’s right? Who’s wrong? You’ll be on the edge of your seat through the spine-chilling climax in this American premiere! A CUDAHY CAROLER CHRISTMAS By Anthony Wood (based on an idea by Lee Becker) November 30, 2012 - January 5, 2013 The beloved Carolers are back in this hilarious holiday homage to bowling, beer, friendship and forgiveness! Following a bitter breakup five years earlier, Stasch must reunite the Cudahy Carolers to restore the spirit of the season! Join Stasch and the gang as they warble their way through such classics as “Ach Ya ‘Der Once”,“We Three Guys from Cudahy Are”, and “O, Bowling Night!” Best suited for 13 and over. BEAST ON THE MOON By Richard Kalinoski March 1 - 24, 2013 Set in Milwaukee, circa 1921, this award-winning play follows two survivors of the Armenian holocaust. Aram has relocated to the United States, determined to replace the family he has lost. he sends for a mail-order bride and a young girl, Seta, arrives, full of hope and love. When Aram’s plans don’t go as expected, Seta must help her husband discover that life is worth living and not just surviving. APARTMENT 3A By Jeff Daniels April 26 - May 19, 2013 An audience favorite from more than fifty plays and musicals over In Tandem Theatre’s 15-year history! Reeling from the loss of what she thought was the love of her life, Annie Wilson searches for a reason to hope again with the help of a mysterious new neighbor who teaches her what it truly means to be in love forever. Written by well-known film actor, Jeff Daniels, the play humorously draws us into a world of hope, love and modern-day miracles.
M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T In Tandem Theatre is committed to producing exciting, innovative theatre, presenting a creative and eclectic program that enlightens, inspires, provokes, and entertains a diverse audience. In Tandem Theatre Tenth Street Theatre 628 N. 10th Street Milwaukee, WI 53233 414/271-1371 www.intandemtheatre.org info@intandemtheatre.org 8
In Tandem Theatre