Presents
Written and Directed by Rolland Roebuck Musical Director: Christopher Roebuck Pianist: Christian Martin December 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 2010
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CAST Carrie Williams..................................................................................................Leanna Jankowski Tommy Williams.................................................................................................. Logan Wilkinson Lauren Williams.................................................................................................... Madilynn Green Elizabeth Matthews.................................................................................... Angelina Strohbach Lou Buerkle............................................................................................................Ron Kowalewski Alice Buerkle.....................................................................................................Kelly Pierce-Defort Margie Williams...........................................................................................................Sally Fritzsch Tina Matthews............................................................................................................... Lisa Droese Aunt Kelli..................................................................................................................Deb Gilbertson Earl Cooper....................................................................................................................Jim Iaquinta Mattie Buerkle............................................................................................................. Lynn Klemm Mr. Damond............................................................................................................................ Himself
CREW Set Construction.............................................................................Bob Klemm, Nic Gilbertson Lights..........................................................................................................................Bob Gosewehr Sound..........................................................................................................................Nic Gilbertson Marketing..................................................................................................................... Tara Williams
ORDER OF SCENES ACT 1: Scene 1................................................................................Earl Cooper trying to find Buerkles Scene 2....................................................................................................... Lou asleep in the chair Scene 3..................................................................................................Kelli, Tina and Alice arrive Scene 4........................................................................................................... Adults having coffee Scene 5.....................................................................................................Grandchildren with Earl Scene 6.............................................................................................Earl’s final recommendation 15 minute Intermission- All guests are welcome to dessert at this time. ACT 2: Scene 1...........................................................................................................Earl and Mr. Damond Scene ..................................................................................................... Women talking with Earl Scene 3..................................................................................................... Earl with grandchildren Scene 4.....................................................................................Women returning from hospital Scene .............................................................................................................Earl and Mr. Damond Scene 6.......................................................................................................................Lou meets Earl Scene 7..................................................................................................................... Lou’s revelation
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MUSICAL NUMBERS Act 1 It’s a Wonderful Time of the Year................................................................... Mattie and Family Composed by Jeff Reeves Find your Way Home............................................................................................................... Mattie Music by Paul O’Neill, Lyrics by Paul O’Neill & Jon Olivia Santa’s Last Ride.............................................................................................................................Earl Music and words by Leslie Bricusse I’m Too Old for Santa Claus..................................................................... Elizabeth and Tommy Music and Lyrics by Joyce Eilers Act 2 The World that He Sees..........................................................................................................Margie Music by Paul O’Neill and Robert Kink, Lyrics by Paul O’Neill Here is Christmas....................................................................................................................... Tina Music and words by Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, and Richie Zito Candle on the Water................................................................................................................ Alice Music and Lyrics by Al Kash and Joel Hirschon Not Too Far from Here.............................................................................................................. Kelli Music and Lyrics by Ty Lacy and Steve Silef He Ain’t Heavy… He’s My Brother........................................................................................... Lou Music by Bobby Scott, Lyrics by Bob Russell Christmas Gifts........................................................................................Lou, Mattie and Family Music by Joe Raposo, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
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D I R E C TO R ’ S T H O U G H T S My Gift to You is the fourth in a series of plays I have written. The series of plays take a look at family values; set to the backdrop of the holiday season. It is during this season each year that people allow the true essence of being human to be expressed. This play explores what gifts are all about. From gifts that are handmade to those that are sought with great care and thought. Oh yes, let’s not forget the lastminute “I have to get something” gifts (know what I mean, guys?). Yet, through the happenings of this play, the family finds out that the greatest gift can come from a complete stranger. For me, allow this play to be my gift to you. Merry Christmas. Rolland Roebuck BIOGR APHIES LISA M. DROESE (Tina) The role of Tina marks Lisa’s debut on the Memories stage. Lisa has been a part of theater for almost half of her young life. She has primarily acted in musicals, but has also enjoyed helping with backstage work such as lighting, set design and costumes. When she isn’t working on a show and making her friends, she enjoys spending time camping, hiking, watching baseball and football, and relaxing with a good book and a cat on her lap. Lisa is a newlywed and lives in Cedarburg with her husband, Troy, their dog Nickel, and three cats; Jasper, Wallace, and Floyd. She would like to thank her husband for his love and support and for giving her the confidence she needed to get back onstage after taking a break the last few years. She would also like to thank her family and friends for coming to the show and hopes that everyone has a wonderful holiday season. SALLY FRITZSCH (Margie) Sally has a long history at Memories and is glad to be back on the stage here. When she is not singing, 4 Memories Dinner Theatre
her favorite role is as “Grandma” to her 2-year old granddaughter! DEB GILBERTSON (Aunt Kelli) Deb is a veteran at Memories onstage and off! She has done variety shows, plays and has also worked backstage on hair and makeup. She would like to thank Memories for such great experiences and her family and friends for their support. MADILYNN GREEN (Lauren Williams) Madi is a 4th grader at Port Washington Catholic School. This past summer she made her first theatrical performance in the Port Washington Theatre production of The Wizard of Oz as a munchkin and a member of the lollipop guild. Madi loves to sing, play soccer, basketball, and softball. JIM IAQUINTA (Earl Cooper) Jim has had a great time directing Baggage last February and playing Barney recently in Last of the Red Hot Lovers here at Memories.
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) He’s looking forward to Audition for LYNN KLEMM Murder, an interactive murder mystery, (Mattie Buerkle) January 14 & 15, as well as playing Dean Lynn is very happy Martin in Memories are Made of This to see the Buerkle’s in February – both here at Memories return to the stage with Lori Minneti. In the meantime, he here and is equally hopes your holiday season is as blessed pleased to be poras he’s been preparing Earl for you in traying Grandma Mattie once again. this heartfelt Christmas special. Thank you to Rolland for writing these wonderful heart-warming stories and LEANNA JANKOWSKI for bringing back #4- Lynn’s favorite. (Carrie Williams) Her other favorite roles include; Louise Leanna is 11 years old in Always, Patsy Cline, Sister Amneand lives in Grafton. sia in Nunsense, Doris in Same Time She has been seen Next Year, Louise in Wally’s Café and in Annie, Pirates of her performance in the musical revue Penzance, Will RogSome Enchanted Evening. Lynn wishes ers Follies, and Joseph and the Amazto thank her husband, Bob, of 31 years, ing Technicolor Dreamcoat. for his continued love and support of her crazy and demanding involvement in theatre. She would also like to thank the audiences for their support. It is wonderful to look out at the tables and see the faces of so many friends.
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B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) RON KOWALEWSKI (Lou Buerkle) Lou is a 64-year old mechanical engineer divorced and living in Brookfield, WI. He has two daughters ages 19 and 26. His favorite recreational pursuits are sailing, bicycling, and singing. He has been a member of the Brookfield Civic Chorus for over 20 years. Theatrically, in high school he played Marley’s Ghost in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and was a student leader in Sondheim’s Student Prince. While with the Bay Players 20+ years ago, he played the character of stage manager Pike in Joseph Stein’s Enter Laughing. KELLY PIERCEDEFORT (Alice Buerkle) Kelly hails from St. Francis and is no stranger to the stage. She was seen regularly at Broadway Baby, and her latest experience was a cabaret show at the Alchemist Theater. She hopes you enjoy the show! ANGELINA STROHBACH (Elizabeth Matthews) This is Angelina’s first production at Memories Ballroom. She is 15 years old and a freshman at Cedarburg High School. Angelina has been involved in theater since age 3, participating in various productions with NSAA, The Grafton Dance Academy, Parkview, Webster, and Cedarburg High School. Most recently, she played the role of “Betty” in CHS’s production of The Foreigner. Other favorite roles include: “Annie” in Annie and “The Witch” in Into the Woods. Angelina is in her ninth year at The Grafton Dance Academy where she studies pointe,
ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. She enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and forensics. LOGAN ALEJANDRO WILKINSON (Tommy Williams) Logan Alejandro started his music/ acting career at the age of 4 when he was cast as the lead in his preschool Christmas program. Since then he has been in several local productions such as The Stone in the Road, Treasure Island, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and currently portrays Tommy in My Gift to You. While not acting, Logan enjoys spending time with his family and writing music. In the past year he has written over 50 songs of his own that he plans on performing some day. ENJOY THE SHOW!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
For more info on any of the below events, please visit us at www.memoriesballroom.com or call us at 262.284.6850 2010-2011 Dinner Theater Season Side by Side by Sondheim Musical Review of Stephen Sondheim songs March 11-20, 2011
Memories are Made of This by Jim Iaquinta and Lori Minneti February 4-13, 2011
Spreading it Around by Londos D’Arrigo April 8-17, 2011 Broadway Cooper Black
Elvis
Just Added Special Dinner & Show Events
Happy Birthday Elvis a musical tribute show to Elvis in the month of his birth Saturday, January 22, 2010
Audition for Murder interactive murder mystery by Eileen Moushey January 14-15, 2011
Chicken Comedy Series- Hosted by Channel 6’s Rob Haswell “All the Chicken You Can Eat, All the Comedy You Can Handle!” January 8, 2011: Paul Kelly January 29, 2011: Mike Toomey March 26, 2011: Chris Barnes April 30, 2011: Sonya White with Janet Kane Psychic and Wellness Fairs Free Admission- Psychic readings, palmists, tarot readings, hypnotists, mediums, astrologists, handwriting interpreters, wellness gifts, crystals, and alternative health products and more! January 23, 2011
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