Mercury Theater - christmas schooner_3

presents

Book by

Music and Lyrics by

JOHN REEGER

JULIE SHANNON

Director L. WALTER STEARNS

Musical Director EUGENE DIZON

Choreographer BRENDA DIDIER

Scenic Design JACQUELINE AND RICHARD PENROD, U.S.A.

Lighting Design JASON EPPERSON

Costume Design CAROL J. BLANCHARD, U.S.A.

Sound Design MICHAEL ROSS

Production Stage Manager RITA VREELAND, A.E.A.

Assistant Stage Manger FRANK PAUL, A.E.A.

The Christmas Schooner is presented through special arrangement with, and all licensed materials are available through, Music Theatre International, 451 W. 24th Street, New York, NY 10019 www.mtishows.com

The Christmas Schooner 1

CAST Karl Stossel, at age 9.......................................................................................DANIEL COONLEY Gustav Stossel, Karl’s grandfather................................................................... JIM SHERMAN* Alma Stossel, Karl’s mother.........................................................................CORY GOODRICH* Peter Stossel, Karl’s father............................................................................. KARL HAMILTON* Rudy..................................................................................................................... THOMAS M. SHEA Oskar...................................................................................................................RONALD KEATON* Steve...................................................................................................... BENJAMIN MAGNUSON* Hans/Officer Wells..........................................................................................RYAN WESTWOOD Young Man/Karl Stossel, at age 15.................................................................. MARK KOSTEN Louie............................................................................................................................. JOHN FINLEY Enid............................................................................................................. CAROLINE KOBYLARZ* Martha/Kate................................................................................................... ELIZABETH HALEY* Olive/Rose..................................................................................................... DINA DICOSTANZO* Young Girl/Mary Claire Daugherty, age 10...........................................ISABELLE ROBERTS Caitlin..............................................................................................................KELLY ANNE CLARK* Lilli Mae................................................................................................. CATHERINE STEGEMANN

MUSICIANS Piano/Conductor..................................................................................................EUGENE DIZON Cello..................................................................................................................LAUREL HUMISTON Harp.................................................................................................................. JENNIFER RUGGIERI Keyboard...................................................................................................................JEFFREY LEVIN Percussion....................................................................LINDSAY WILLIAMS, MIKE PRZYGODA Violin.................................................................................................................MELISSA ARBETTER Woodwinds...................................................................................................ANTHONY PARSONS

UNDERSTUDIES Understudies will not perform unless an announcement is made at time of performance.

Gustav Stossel..................................................................................................RONALD KEATON* Alma Stossel.................................................................................................KELLY ANNE CLARK* Peter Stossel............................................................................................................... JOHN FINLEY Steve, Oskar......................................................................................................RYAN WESTWOOD Hans.............................................................................................................................. JOHN FINLEY Martha....................................................................................................... CAROLINE KOBYLARZ* Enid.................................................................................................................. DINA DICOSTANZO* Mary Claire Daugherty.................................................................... CATHERINE STEGEMANN

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P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director.............................................................................................................L. WALTER STEARNS Musical Director.....................................................................................................EUGENE DIZON Choreographer...................................................................................................... BRENDA DIDIER Scenic Design..................................................... RICHARD AND JAQUELINE PENROD, U.S.A. Lighting Design.................................................................................................JASON EPPERSON Sound Design...................................................................................................................MIKE ROSS Costume Design...........................................................................CAROL J. BLANCHARD, U.S.A. Stage Manager..........................................................................................RITA VREELAND, A.E.A. Assistant Stage Manager..............................................................................FRANK PAUL, A.E.A. Technical Director........................................................................................... THOM VAN ERMEN Scenic Construction........................................................................... CROSSTOWN SCENIC LLC Properties and Lobby Display.................................................................. REBECCA BEAUDOIN Dance Captain.............................................................................................. DINA DICOSTANZO* Sound Engineer............................................................................................... THOM VAN ERMEN Wardrobe.............................................................................................................MELANIE BERNER Assistant Lighting Designer...................................................................................BEN LOPRETO Assistant to the Costume Designer.............................................................ARIZONA POWERS Dialect Coach......................................................................................................RACHEL RIZZUTO Press Representative...................................................NOREEN HERON & ASSOCIATES, INC., NOREEN HERON ZAUTCKE, KATHARINE HUGHES, LIANNE WIKER, BRENNA O’LEARY, HOLLY GUSTAVSON Promotional Video Producer............................................JASON GROH, LEXORIA STUDIOS Graphic Designer..............................................................................................JASON EPPERSON T H E M E R C U R Y T H E AT E R Executive Director..........................................................................................L. WALTER STEARNS General Manager..............................................................................................JASON EPPERSON Business Manager..................................................................................................EUGENE DIZON Facilities Manager.......................................................................................... THOM VAN ERMEN Box Office Manager................................................................................................ MIGUEL PEREZ House Management............................................................................................. MATT CONLON Group Sales...................................................................................................... ELIZABETH BUTLER Special Thanks Bailiwick Chicago Skylight Opera Theatre SUNY Fredonia Joseph Griffin Michael Pacas Dutchman Tree Farms Bill Geller The Mercury Theater is a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Chicago Area Producers Organization, and the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. *Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org The Christmas Schooner 3

MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT ONE WE ALL HAVE SONGS.............................................................................................The Company THAT’S AMERICA...............................................................................................Alma, Gustav, Karl THE MUMMERS ARE HERE................................................................ Steve, Oskar, Rudy, Peter THE BLESSINGS OF THE BRANCH.......................................................................The Company THE LETTER............................................................................ Peter, Martha and the Company ANOTHER SEASON ON THE WATER...................................................................The Company WHEN I LOOK AT YOU............................................................................................................. Peter WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE WATER...........................................................................The Company THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER.......................................................Peter, Gustav, Steve, Oskar, Rudy and the People of Chicago ACT TWO ENTR’ACTE: SONG OF THE HUNGRY PEASANTS...........................................The Company WINTERFEST POLKA..............................................Oskar, Rudy and the People of Chicago LOVING SONS............................................................................................................Alma and Karl THE STRUDEL WALTZ........................................................................................... Peter and Alma ANOTHER SEASON ON THE WATER (Reprise)................................................The Company HARDWATER SAILORS................................................... Karl at 15, Steve, Oskar, Rudy, Hans, Louie, and the People of Manistique QUESTIONS................................................................................................................................. Alma WHEN I LOOK AT YOU (Reprise)....................................................................Gustav and Alma WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE WATER (Reprise)...................................... Karl at 15, and the crew THE BLESSINGS OF THE BRANCH (Reprise).....................................Alma and Mary Claire FINALE.........................................................................................................................The Company THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER IS PERFORMED WITH ONE TEN-MINUTE INTERMISSION Strobes and Theatrical Fog will be used in this production.

A B O U T T H E M E R C U R Y T H E AT E R Mercury Theater Chicago 3745 N. Southport Ave Chicago IL 60613 773-325-1700 www.mercurytheaterchicago.com The Mercury Theater is an intimate jewel box of a theater seating 290 people in a continental style. It is available for commercial productions as well as local, nonprofit producers. An anchor of the Southport Corridor community, the Mercury Theater beats at the heart of a sophisticated neighborhood of shopping, dining and entertainment.

The building that houses the Mercury opened in 1912 as a silent film nickelodeon called the Blaine Theater, named after former Senator and Secretary of State James G. Blaine. Around 1928, the popularity of “talkies” was on the rise, and the Blaine had become obsolete, so the much larger movie palace, the New Blaine Theater was built, which was shortly after named the Music Box Theater, still in operation today a few doors down from the Mercury.

For most of the 20th century, the original Blaine building served many retail purposes, and for a while, operated as a carpet cleaning facility, using the rake of 4 The Mercury Theater

A B O U T T H E M E R C U R Y T H E AT E R ( c o n t . ) the seating area to lay rugs out and drain the water off. In 1994, veteran Chicago theater producer Michael Cullen organized the purchase and renovation of the building, re-dubbing it The Mercury Theater after Orson Welles’ famous troupe of War of the Worlds fame. The Mercury opened in 1996 with Pope Joan, and from 1996-2009, showcased many critically acclaimed productions, including The Irish and How They Got That Way, Over the Tavern, and His Way, a tribute to Frank Sinatra.

Today, The Mercury Theater is led by Executive Director L. Walter Stearns, a veteran theater director, and former Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago.

It re-opened on May 1, 2011 with the critically acclaimed production of A Twist of Water. This production, by Route 66 Theater Company, reaffirms The Mercury Theater as a place where Chicago stories and local artists can find a home.

Though little of the Blaine still exists, you can see hints of what used to be inside, including decorative plaster pilaster busts flanking the house. The intimate theater now boasts warm exposed brick walls and 292 seats that were recovered and refurbished from a 1933- era Boston movie house.

PROFILES KELLY ANNE CLARK* (Caitlin, Understudy Alma) has performed as Woman #1 in I Love You, You’re Perfect… off-Broadway in addition to The Royal George, Detroit and Marriott Theatre productions. Other Marriott credits include Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Rosemary in How To Succeed In Business… and Norma in Victor Victoria! (Jeff Award). Recent credits include Dominique Jolie in C’est La Vie (Light Opera Works) and Mrs. Henderson in Annie Get Your Gun with Patti LuPone (Ravinia Festival Theatre). Other roles include Jeannette in The House of Martin Guerre (Goodman), Mary Turner in Of Thee I Sing and Philia (Jeff nomination) in A Funny Thing Happened... (Drury Lane Oakbrook ) as well as roles for Northlight, Milwaukee Rep, First Folio and Oak Park Festival Theatre.

DANIEL COONLEY (Karl at age 9) is excited to be making his Mercury Theater debut in a show that he enjoys so much! Previous credits include The Music Man (Winthrop) and For The Boys

at Marriott Theatre, Macbeth (Fleance) at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Ragtime (Little Boy) at Drury Lane Oakbrook, The Christmas Schooner (Karl Stossel) and Knute Rockne All-American with Theatre at the Center and The Bowery Boys.

Daniel fell into acting at the age of five with his first commercial, made his theatrical debut at the age of eight and continues to enjoy the challenges that every new production brings. Many thanks to the artistic team, Dawn and Brooke, my family, friends and to Julie and John for this fantastic show. Happy Holidays!

DINA DICOSTANZO* (Olive/Rose, Dance Captain, Understudy Enid) is so happy to spend the holiday season with this new company! Dina was last seen as Lorraine in Marriott Theatre’s production of 42nd Street. Other credits: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Maria Elena/Shirley) at Drury Lane Oakbrook and Drury Lane Water Tower.

At DLO: The Goodbye Girl (Singing Cupcake), Of Thee I Sing (Miss Benson), Evita (Mistress), Anything Goes (Chastity).

At DLW: Grand Hotel: The Musical (Flaemmchen, Jeff nomination). Cats (Jennyanydots), Grease (Frenchy), Singin’ in the Rain (Zelda Zanders) at Theatre at The Christmas Schooner 5

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) the Center. Rocky Horror Show Live!

(Janet) with CreatiVision @ Mercury Theater, Water Coolers (Brooke) at the Lakeshore Theatre, and God and Country (Ismene/Haemon/Eurydices) at Victory Gardens. Proud AEA member and Columbia College Theatre Program graduate. Thank you for supporting the arts and happy holidays!

JOHN FINLEY (Louie, Understudy Peter and Hans) Born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, John considers his hometown Lebanon, Missouri.

He just graduated from CCPA Roosevelt University with a degree in Musical Theatre. You may have recently seen John in the ensemble of Sweeney Todd at Drury Lane. Some of John’s favorite roles include Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods, Biff in Death of a Salesman, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, and Bobby Strong in Urinetown. John would like to say thanks to his friends and family for their support and encouragement. Gambete! -- For my brother, Spc. James Matthew Finley.

Without him, I wouldn’t be here.

CORY GOODRICH* (Alma Stossel) recently won the Jeff Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Mother in Drury Lane’s acclaimed 2010 production of Ragtime. Most recently, she was in Drury Lane’s Sweeney Todd, and Marriott Lincolnshire’s The Music Man. Up next? A Little Night Music at Writers’ Theatre.

Favorite roles include: Mrs. Molloy (Hello, Dolly!), Mrs. Smith (Meet Me in St. Louis), Guenevere (Camelot), Vi Moore (Footloose), Eliza (My Fair Lady), Eva Peron (Evita) and Jenny (Shenandoah).

In addition to her acting roles, Cory is also a children’s recording artist, and has two award winning CD’s, Wiggly Toes and Hush, available at Amazon.com.

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ELIZABETH HALEY* (Martha/ Kate) is excited to be a part of The Christmas Schooner again! She appeared as Alma in Bailiwick’s 2005 production. Other Chicago credits include My Fair Lady with Paramount Theatre, Nunsense (Sr. Mary Amnesia), and Baby (Arlene) with Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Meet John Doe, Promises, Promises, A Little Night Music, and The Secret Garden with Porchlight Music Theatre, 110 in the Shade (Lizzie), The Student Prince, Countess Maritza, and Ben Bagley’s Cole Porter with Light Opera Works, Footloose with Theatre at the Center, and Man of La Mancha with Chamber Opera Chicago. She has also worked with Theatre Building Chicago, Circle Theatre, Bowen Park Opera, Chicago Symphony Chorus, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and sings down the street at St. Alphonsus. Elizabeth is a graduate of The University of Tulsa.

KARL HAMILTON* (Peter Stossel) returns for his 5th season as Captain of The Christmas Schooner.

Most recently, he appeared in the World Premiere of Marriott Theatre’s For the Boys. Some of his other Chicago credits include The Three Musketeers, The Merry Wives of Windsor and As You Like It (Chicago Shakespeare), The Most Happy Fella (Ravinia Festival), By the Music of the Spheres (Goodman), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Charlotte’s Web and Mame (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Aladdin, The Full Monty and Shenandoah (Marriott), Meet John Doe and Miracle on 34th Street (Porchlight). He is probably most recognizable dancing alone in Grand Central Station in AT&T’s “Flash Mob” commercial. Karl remains a proud and outspoken member of the Actors’ Equity Association, now for the last four years.

Love always to Liz and deepest thanks to Julie, John, Walter, Eugene and Brenda for bringing him aboard his favorite Christmas musical. Finally, Karl would like to dedicate

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) this run to his mother, Jane, who always tried to bring the joy of Christmas to everyone everyday.

RONALD KEATON* (Oskar, Understudy Gustav) is a familiar face to Chicago theatergoers from appearances at various venues over the years – Goodman Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Apple Tree Theatre, the Drury Lane Theatres, Theater Wit, First Folio, and Oak Park Festival Theatre, to name a few. He has worked in Shakespeare (Twelfth Night, As You Like It), in musical theatre (1776, Guys and Dolls) and in drama (The Homecoming, Faith Healer). An elected representative of the Central Regional Board of Actors’ Equity Association, Ronald has just completed a new solo musical, Whispers From the Moon, with composer William Underwood. He is a writer, director, stage manager, singer, and arts advocate.

CAROLINE KOBYLARZ* (Enid, Understudy Martha) is happy to make her debut at The Mercury Theater in this production.

Favorite credits: Sarah Brown (Guys and Dolls) at Theatre at the Center, Cosette (Les Misérables) and Nimue (Camelot) at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Marian (The Music Man) and Jellylorum (Cats) at Wagon Wheel Theatre, Milly (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) at LaComedia Dinner Theatre, and Mary (A Wonderful Life) at The Janesville Armory. New York University: Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.

Love and gratitude to Mom, Dad, friends & family and special “thanks” to Walter Stearns, AEA, and to Jack & Dawn Vresics. Happy Holidays!

MARK KOSTEN (Young Man/Karl at age 15) is elated to be making his debut with The Mercury Theater!

Recent Chicago credits include Peter in Pinkalicious: the Musical (Emerald City Theatre and Broadway in Chicago), Stanley in Hello, Dolly!, The Student Prince (Light Opera Works), Dean Hyde in All Shook Up, The Drowsy Chaperone, Rent (Big Noise); as well as Peter Pan (Circle Theatre) in the title role. Mark would like to thank his wonderful family for always going above and beyond.

BENJAMIN MAGNUSON* (Steve) Broadway and national tours: Sweeney Todd (2005 Revival & 2007 Tour), Guys and Dolls (2009 Revival), Les Misérables (25th Anniversary Tour).

Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, American Conservatory Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, Cherry County Playhouse, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Human Race Theatre Company. Film and Television: The Other Guys, 30 Rock, The Tony Awards®, PBS Great Performances, and America’s Got Talent. Training: CCM. BenjaminMagnuson.com. For Em. ISABELLE ROBERTS (Mary Claire Daugherty and Young Girl) age 9, makes her professional debut in The Christmas Schooner. She has appeared in New Trier High School’s Les Misérables, as well as a number of productions at the Northbrook Theatre including The Wizard of Oz, Pinocchio, and Willy Wonka, Jr.

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P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

THOMAS M. SHEA (Rudy) is thrilled to be back for another journey on the Molly.

Tom has played Rudy twice before, at Bailiwick in 2001 and 2008. He was most recently seen as Mendy in The Lisbon Traviata for Pride Films and Plays, and in Maria La O with Chamber Opera Chicago.

He’s also appeared at Chamber Opera as Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha, and has worked all over Chicago, at Porchlight (Company, A New Brain, The Teapot Scandals), TimeLine (Fiorello!), Signal Ensemble (1776), Drury Lane Oakbrook (How to Succeed…), Fox Valley Rep (Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical), and extensively at City Lit Theatre and in Evanston with Light Opera Works. He’s also the author of a book, Broadway’s Most Wanted, which can be purchased on the Interwebs any old time. Thanks for coming. Hope you enjoy the show.

JIM SHERMAN* (Gustav Stossel) is delighted to be back in the skin of Gus for this Mercury Theater production of The Christmas Schooner, a role he played for five seasons with Bailiwick Repertory and for which he received a Jeff nomination. Other credits include Guys and Dolls, Crazy for You and Phantom with TATC; Miracle on 34th Street, Phantom, The Secret Garden, Meet John Doe and the Jeff award-winning Ragtime with Porchlight Music Theatre.

He also appeared as Cardinal Law in Bailiwick’s Sin, A Cardinal Deposed for which he received a Jeff Citation and which won Boston’s IRNE Award for Best Visiting Production. Jim has appeared with numerous productions with the Stages Festival and as a regular company member, appeared in more than 35 productions with Theatre II and Prairie Dog Theater Company. He thanks Walter for bringing this lovely holiday show back to Chicago audiences and his wife, Barbara, for her loving patience and support over the last 57 years.

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CATHERINE STEGEMANN (Lilli Mae, Understudy Mary Claire Daugherty) is very excited to be a part of The Mercury Theater production of The Christmas Schooner. A homeschooled 11-year-old, she has recently been seen in Kabulitis as Andrea/Nabila and played Nugget Gordon in Heddaton at the Steppenwolf Garage. She is also a member of the Lookingglass Theatre Young Ensemble. In addition to her passion for theatre, Catherine also loves dance and has been working on her contemporary, jazz, and ballet thru Extensions Dance Company. In her spare time, she is learning aerial silks and improving her musical skills on the harp.

RYAN WESTWOOD (Hans/Officer Wells, Understudy Steve and Oskar) is thrilled to be in his Chicago debut, The Christmas Schooner. He was most recently seen at Iowa Theater Artists Company in The Woody Guthrie Story. He is a proud alumni of the Acting Apprentice Company (2010-2011) at Actors Theater of Louisville where he performed in Dracula, A Christmas Carol, and The End. He has a BA in Theater from St. Ambrose University. He would like to thank his parents for their undying, and never faltering, love and support.

JOHN REEGER (book) and JULIE SHANNON (music & lyrics) are delighted to have The Christmas Schooner set sail at The Mercury Theater. The Christmas Schooner has enjoyed well over 100 productions around the United States, including a twelve-year holiday run at Bailiwick Theatre. It received its European premiere at Theatreworx in Bristol, England. Schooner, licensed world-wide by Music Theatre International, received the After Dark Award for Outstanding New Work. The Songs from the Christmas Schooner CD is available at the Mercury box office

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) and LMAMusic@aol.com. John and Julie have collaborated on three other musicals. Stones premiered at the St. Louis Black Rep and was subsequently produced by Arizona’s Phoenix Theatre and at Bailiwick, where it starred Tony nominee Felicia Fields (The Color Purple). Stones garnered numerous nominations and awards, including from The Black Theatre Alliance. John and Julie’s most recently produced musical, Let the Eagle Fly—The Story of Cesar Chavez, was performed in a soldout concert at the Goodman Theatre as part of Goodman’s 2004 Latino Theatre Festival. The concert was sponsored by the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. The show then received its first fully staged production at the University of Texas Pan American, followed by productions at California Stage in Sacramento, Teatro Máscara Mágica and Southwestern College in Chula Vista, by the Chavez family in San Jose, and Western Stage in Salinas, Calif.

L. WALTER STEARNS (Director) is delighted to bring this holiday experience to Chicago, where it began and belongs. As the former artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre, Walter has produced 40 musicals and nurtured the creative talents of hundreds of artists. In his new role as Executive Director of The Mercury Theater, Stearns is a champion for Chicago artists and productions. Walter has received the Jeff Award, After Dark Awards, the first Guy Adkins award for his contributions to the art of musical theatre and the Franny Award as a distinguished alumnus of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

EUGENE DIZON (Musical Director) is thrilled about working on his first show at his new artistic home, The Mercury Theater. After finishing 14 years as Porchlight Music Theatre’s musical director, he musical directed Starting Here, Starting Now with Theo Ubique this past fall. During his tenure at Porchlight, he received six Jeff Awards (Ragtime, Sweeney Todd, Amadeus, Company, Into the Woods, and Merrily We Roll Along), 13 Jeff nominations as well as four

After Dark Awards (Ragtime, Sweeney Todd, A New Brain, and Merrily). Eugene is honored to have been inducted into the Chicago Filipino Hall of Fame. He is currently the Business Manager at The Mercury Theater. Eugene would like to thank his fiancé, L. Walter Stearns, for his constant support in art and life.

BRENDA DIDIER (Choreographer) is thrilled to collaborate with Walter, Eugene and this extraordinary cast on her 10th voyage of the Schooner; much gratitude to John Reeger and to Julie Shannon! Ms. Didier previously choreographed nine productions of The Christmas Schooner at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre with various directors and casts and it was her choreography debut in Chicago! Ms. Didier is a multiple Jeff Award recipient in both direction and choreography and has also received two After Dark Awards, two Choreography Awards from the Academy of Theatre Artists and Friends, the National Youth Theatre Award in Choreography and Chicago’s Broadway World Fan Favorite award in choreography (Non-Equity). Ms. Didier is the owner/director of the Lincolnshire Academy of Dance, now in its 14th season, and its award-winning dance companies,“Expressions.” Ms. Didier has choreographed everywhere from China to Second City’s mainstage and sends love to Mike and Mom always. Merry Christmas!

RICHARD and JACQUELINE PENROD, U.S.A. (Scenic Designers) are very happy to be collaborating with The Mercury Theater on this production.

The Christmas Schooner is their favorite holiday show and they are happy to be designing it again, having designed the maiden voyage many years ago. Last season included the Jeff nominated sets for Lookingglass Theatre Company’s production of The Last Act of Lilka Kadison and Remy Bumppo’s production of The Importance of Being Ernest. Other recent set designs include Tree for Victory Gardens, McMeekin Finds Out for Route 66 Theatre Company, Around the World in 80 Days for Lookingglass Theatre Company, Around the World in 80 Days The Christmas Schooner 9

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) for Centerstage Baltimore and Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Philadelphia Story, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Love’s Labour’s Lost for Milwaukee Shakespeare, Oklahoma! for American Theatre Company. The Gimmick and The Shape of a Girl for Pegasus Players. Their designs for The Philadelphia Story, Oklahoma! and The Shape of a Girl were also nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award. Rick is the Resident Designer/ Technical Director for New Trier High School. Jackie is a Professor of Design at Columbia College Chicago. They are the proud parents of three wonderful daughters, Anne, Sarah, and Miranda.

JASON EPPERSON (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be lighting another show at the Mercury, where he previously lit Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, As Long as I’m Singing, Come Fly With Me, and The Men and Their Music. Other lighting credits include The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (The Gift Theatre), Quake (American Theatre Company), Crumble (Dog & Pony), The Secret Garden (Porchlight), Ghost Watch (Polarity) Standing in Matoon and Kama Sutra: The Musical (commercial productions).

Concert credits include The Gin Blossoms, Molly Hatchet, Foghat, Dennis Tufano (formerly of The Buckinghams), and Ron Hawking. Jason has lit many shows for numerous dance companies, and is the resident designer for The Joel Hall Dancers Second Company and Youth Company. He has served as an Associate Designer for architectural projects including the McCormick Freedom Museum, the Children’s Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo, the flagship McDonalds restaurant, and the Chicago Gold Star Memorial. Jason serves on the faculty at Columbia College as the Theatre Technology Program Coordinator where he has recently lit Bernarda Alba, Summerfolk, and Ubu Roi, and is proud to be returning as the General Manager for the new ownership at the Mercury, where he previously served for six years. He would like to thank his lovely wife, Abigail, for her endless love and support.

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CAROL J. BLANCHARD, U.S.A. (Costume Designer) has designed for companies such as Cleveland Symphony’s Blossom Opera (Falstaff, Die Fledermaus), New York’s Hillman Opera (Hansel and Gretel), Shakespeare in the Park (Much Ado About Nothing, Measure for Measure), Skylight Opera (Cosi Fan Tutte, The Barber of Seville), First Stage Children’s Theater (Seussical, The Sleeping Beauty), Karamu Theatre (Tambourines to Glory, Hamlet Jones), and the Champlain Shakespeare Festival (Love’s Labours Lost, The Importance of Being Earnest). Her Chicago stage credits include Drury Lane (Barefoot in the Park, Of Thee I Sing), Victory Gardens Theatre (The Boys Room, Hanging Fire, Four Places), Goodman Theatre/SRTP (Yohen), Porchlight Music Theatre (Amadeus, Pacific Overtures), Apple Tree Theatre (Wings, Match), The Silk Road Theatre Project (Golden Child, Scorched), and PTAP (RIGHT, Seven Doors). She has been honored with a Joseph Jefferson Award for Costume Design as well as an After Dark Award.

Carol is a Professor Emeritus of Design at The State University of New York.

RITA VREELAND, A.E.A.* (Production Stage Manager) is delighted to be collaborating with the wonderful people at the Mercury.

Recent credits include productions at Northlight Theatre in Skokie (most recently: Snapshots,The Outgoing Tide, Civil War Christmas, Daddy Long Legs) and Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana (most recently: Jesus Christ Superstar,The Christmas Schooner, Footloose). Elsewhere, her stage management credits include the world premiere of A Twist of Water with Route 66 Theatre Company, El Nogalar at the Goodman, the most recent Ignition Festival as well as many other productions for Victory Gardens Theater; and productions at Marriott Lincolnshire, Famous Door, and Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park. Rita has been the resident set designer at Harold Washington College since 2001 and is a member of the Route 66 Theatre Company in Chicago. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado and a proud member of Actors’ Equity. Thank you for supporting live theatre!

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

FRANK PAUL, A.E.A* (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be working on The Christmas Schooner. He was recently seen playing Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls at Theater at the Center in Munster, Ind. He has worked on over 20 shows in and around the Chicago area performing, building sets, and running spotlights.

Some of his favorite roles include Abraham in Altar Boyz, Seymour in Little Shop, Sparky in Forever Plaid, and Tony in West Side Story. He has also been seen in a national commercial for Chevy telling the mechanic to “just fix it.” He wants to send love and thanks to his friends, family, and puppy for their support... MD. NOREEN HERON & ASSOCIATES (Press Representative) is a full service PR, Marketing, & Advertising agency.

Previous clients include the National Tours of The Singalong Wizard of Oz and the current National Tour of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, as well as numerous concert engagements

at arena theaters representing such artists as Prince, Fleetwood Mac, Wynonna Judd, Louis CK, Martina McBride, The Beach Boys, Linda Eder, Michael Feinstein, Jewel, Andre Rieu, and Linda Ronstadt. Clients have also included Sesame Street Live, the 2004/2008 Olympic Superstars, the 2011 Champions Challenge (McEnroe, Bjorg, Courier, Agassi), Barney Live!, the Highland Games, and the Harlem Globetrotters. Additionally, they represent large regional theaters including Drury Lane, Marriott Theatre and Theatre at the Center as well as Chicago Dramatists, and the commercial engagements of The Game Show, Show (late night) at The Mercury Theater, Hershey Felder in Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein and the upcoming Midwest Premiere of Clutter at Victory Gardens. Other corporate clients have included Hyatt Hotels, Massage Envy, and Smirnoff.

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“Goodnight Moon fanatic... rest assured no detail is overlooked”

-Chicago Tribune “Tearing-through-presentsChristmas-morning pandemonium.”

“Happiness unwrapped!”

-ChicagoNow.com

North Shore

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