M E S S AG E F R O M T H E A R T S C E N T E R D I R E C TO R No, the Lion King isn’t coming to the OAC… Over the past two years or so, I have received dozens, if not hundreds of wonderful suggestions about programs and events that patrons would like to see at the arts center. Most have been well-known, regional and national performers including Chinese acrobats, Charlie Daniels Band, the Bo Deans, Danny Gokey, Straight No Chaser, Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits and, the Lion King to name a few. All are wonderful suggestions. There’s usually one drawback, cost. Most of the suggestions are quite expensive to present. In the list above the average cost range is anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 per performance. In the case of the Lion King, they require a minimum run of several performances often resulting in six figure commitments from the presenting venue. Frequently, this is only the performance fee which does not include housing, travel and hospitality expenses incurred by the theater, and that doesn’t include the administrative, production staff and marketing expenses required to promote the event. There is much to be done in order to bring any group or artist here to the OAC. In the end, however, I also want to make sure that we are reaching out to our lake country communities and offering programming that people want to attend and will support. If attendance continues to increase and the demand for more notable artists and events continues to be the subject of discourse, who knows, maybe the Lion King…uh, no. Keep the wonderful suggestions coming in. I value your input and will do everything I can to bring the events you want to see to the OAC. In the mean time, check out our 2011-12 season. I think you will be presently surprised. www.theoac.net Michael Duncan, Director Oconomowoc Arts Center
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O C O N O M OWO C A R T S C E N T E R S TA F F Arts Center Manager......................................................................................... Michael Duncan Marketing/Public Relations Manager...........................................................Robin Krakauer Box Office/Website Manager............................................................Cynthia Acosta Luksich Box Office Staff.............................................................................. Cheryl Fillmore, Ginni Hicks Connie Rizzo, Nancy Schwabe House Managers........................................................................... Lisa Abbott, Robert Abbott, Lynne Carlstein, Mark Carlstein, Deborah Duncan, Lindsay Duncan, Cheryl Fillmore, Jack Fillmore, Jan Gibeau, Angie Harrison, David Harrison, Davey Harrison Ginni Hicks, Dan Holzmiller, Adrianna Nowak, Connie Rizzo OAC Technicians.......................................... Marisa Abbott, Brandon Gariss, Sean Floeter, John Kyle, Michael Nicolai, Dustin Strobush Joe Zack, Andrew Zietlow Usher/House Manager Coordinator...............................................Cynthia Acosta Luksich M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T The Oconomowoc Arts Center mission is to provide patrons and artists of all ages, a professional, cultural and educational experience with the highest quality programming opportunities possible. C O M M I T T E E S / PA R T N E R S H I P S Oconomowoc Area School District Dr. Patricia E. Neudecker, Superintendent of Schools Board Of Education Mr. Donald Wiemer, President Mrs. Susan Kay, Vice President Mr. Dave Guckenberger,Treasurer Programming Committee Marisa Abbott Lisa Boudin Michael Duncan Marilyn Largent Emily Mariano Betty Reul Kim Schultz Peter Schwabe Joe Zack Marketing Committee McKenna Bryant Michael Duncan Robin Krakauer Rebecca Seymour Barb Simpson Jennifer Starke-White Visual Arts Committee Michael Duncan Terry Peterson Paul Schultz Jason Van Roo 2 Oconomowoc Arts Center
C O M M I T T E E S / PA R T N E R S H I P S ( c o n t .) Film/Media Committee Michael Duncan Terry Kaldhusdal Michael Krill James Scheuer Special Events/Hospitality Committee Julie Falk Ginni Hicks Barbara Hirsch Sandy Karkossa John Koehn June Mather Artistic Partnerships First Stage Children’s Theater Academy – Wisconsin Philharmonic Bel Canto, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Milwaukee Ballet Company Literary Partnerships Books & Company, Oconomowoc (Visiting Author’s) Visual Arts Partnerships Waukesha Creative Arts League Pewaukee Area Arts Council (PAAC) - Ekphrastic Event Milwaukee Regional Art Fair
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SUPPORT With Gratitude, the Oconomowoc Area School District acknowledges these local organizations, businesses and private patrons for their outstanding support of the Oconomowoc Arts Center. Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts Oconomowoc Performing Arts Council Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation Plunkett Raysich Architects Oconomowoc Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary Paul Phelps and Oakbrook Esser Studios Mr. and Mrs. Narendra Patel – “Cuculidae” (Bird of Songs) Sculpture Ace Hardware of Oconomowoc Badger Blueprint of Oconomowoc Books & Company, Footlights – Marcus Promotions, Inc. Jerry Foust Neumann Company Piggly Wiggly The Pub – Irish Tavern & Restaurant Sherpers Thanks to the UW Extension and the Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardeners for their assistance with the OAC gardens and their support of its educational value. Thanks to the Oconomowoc High school Landscape Class for their assistance with the OAC gardens.
The Oconomowoc Arts Center gratefully acknowledges grants from the Oconomowoc Area Foundation’s Scheriffius Fund and Richard R. and Karen Bertrand Charitable Fund. Direct gifts in memory have been made to the OAC by the following supporters: Mr. and Mrs. David Reul in memory of Ralph Trepte Dr. and Mrs. Victor Soderstrom in memory of Wally Wiese Mr. and Mrs. Donald Weimer in memory of Wally Wiese Rae Kinn in memory of Mary Von Bereghy
THE VIC DONORS The VIC is the rehearsal area named in celebration of excellence in education in the Oconomowoc Area School District and in honor of Vic Passante, OHS theater director, teacher and mentor from 1974 to 2007. Major Donors The Debbink Family Foundation Craig and Mary Schiefelbein Thomas X. Herro Foundation Oconomowoc Area Foundation Orbis Corporation Paragon Development Systems, Inc. Pat and Mary Sue McNamee And to the students, community members, and businesses who contributed to the 2007 celebration honoring Vic Passante’s dedication to the arts and to learning.
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Bill & Carol Lamm Terry & Marilyn Largent Helen Magnusson Lynne Marris Tom & Nancy Massnick Curt & Pat Neudecker Mary Jo Newburg * Kathy Pence + Kathy Pence + Oconomowoc High School Staff-2009 Oconomowoc Performing Arts Council Oconomowoc Performing Arts Council Oconomowoc Performing Arts Council Orthopaedic Associates of WI John & Pat Rodell Family Joseph & Dorothy St. Thomas Mike & Sandy Schick Craig Schiefelbein Mary Schiefelbein Greta Schiefelbein Hans Schiefelbein Klaus Schiefelbein Michael & Donna Scholl Andrew Schultz Conner Schultz Karly Schultz Kim Schultz Tim Schultz John Sutte + Dorothy “Grandma Dot� Thompson + Ray & Collette Warell Robb & Cheryl Wierdsma $750 Donors Emalou Sandsmark * Dean +, Ellen, Linda, Cheryl Strommen Dorothy M. Verhein $500 Donors Steve Baker * Ernest & Sharon Biel Family Maribeth Bush Carroll College Performing Arts Helena, MT * Cheney Family * John & Judy Cooley Family Malcom A. & Susan M. Dorn Maureen, Beth, & Michael Geraghty Howard F. Greene + Charlotte M. Hall Shirley Hamilton-Nehring Beth Hansing * John Hansing * Joe Haas Media Dr. & Mrs. Ron Karzel
PAC E D O N O R S ( c o n t .) Del & Joan Krueger David J. Magedanz * Patrick & Amy C. Middleton Dr. & Mrs. William Paton Jeff Sander Dave & Lucy Shanks Tom & Anne Simonis Family Sarah, Diane, & Phil Slaughter * Chad Vande Zande Family Benjamin, Elisa, Emily, & Brice Welch Tom Woods, OPEF Board Member* $250 Donors Books and Company Curtis & Anne Brewer Mike & Bridget Bruno Family Ginger Carney * Mary Casucci + Bill & Joyce Chapman Bob & Eileen Daly Family Drama Mamas and Papas Michael Duncan Family Steve & Carol Frankwick Daniel & Kathleen Giesen Greenland School Drama Clubs Jack & Gay Grothaus
Russell & Elizabeth Halkerston Robert E. Hasselkus + Jay & Heidi Huenink Darrell & Elaine Hurdle Amy Jappinen * Alyssa Jappinen Tessa Jappinen Jesse & Cameron Johanning Lydia Johnson + Ron & Kim Koehn Alan & Mary Koepke Andrew J. Mount Catherine Narloch * OHS Class of 1965 OHS of 1975 Ed Rohloff + Todd & Leah Scheid Family Paul & Holly Schmidtke Don & Mary Schmitt Dr. B. J. Schumacher * David & Carol Steger * $100 Donors Issac Ama Cria Ama Alice Anderson +
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PAC E D O N O R S ( c o n t .) Alice Anderson + Alice Anderson + Joyce Antonneau * Norbert Antonneau + Bev Babinec + Eva Balistrieri Kurt & Carrie Begalke Jennifer Betances Dwayne & Joyce Block Roger Bottoni Family Jeffrey, Jason, & Kaitlin Brandl David & Joan Brussat Jim Bush Rob & Katie Bush Gladys Christenson + Richard C. Craemer Family Sierra M. Dakouras * Dance Buddies* Kayla, Jeff, & Holly Daniels Lonnie Dykstra + Craig Finkelmeyer + Connie Frank * Janet Gibeau * Dr. & Mrs. W. G. Gill Carl Glaum Mark & Karen Gould Bob Grimm + Mark & Dani Herro Brittany Hoffman ’09 Sr. Director * Jim Holahan + Matt & Lindsay Holsen ’09 ‘14 Grace Huenink Sarah Grace Kleist * Jane R. Koning John W. Koning, Jr. Linda J. Krause Mike & Margie Krauski Michael Krill * Marilyn Largent * Harvey Larson Virginia Lawinger Patrick Leslie Susan Lucht Family Lois L. Luebke Jim & Pat Mack Patricia Matt Donald McCollum Margaret McCollum Kathryn McCollum Freeland Lynne McCollum Staley Sean McCollum
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Oconomowoc Arts Center 11
Main Stage Series
Saturday, September 17 – 7:30 PM Sunday, September 18 – 2:00 PM
Patsy Cline Live! Today, Tomorrow, and Forever An Alleycat Enterprises, Inc. Production Conceived And Written By Kelli Cramer and John Cramer Dialogue Based On The CD “Patsy Cline Live At The Cimarron Ballroom”
Performed By Kelli Cramer.....................................................................................................Patsy Cline Lou Cucunato........................................................................................................... Piano Jeff Hamann.................................................................................................................Bass Paul Silbergleit........................................................................................................ Guitar Terry Smirl........................................................................................................ Percussion Gary Williams........................................................................................................... Guitar Production Staff John Cramer............................................................................. Producer and Director Kelli Cramer..................................................................................... Costume Designer Marisa Abbott......................................................................................................Lighting Terry Smirl.................................................................................Musical Arrangements Sean Floeter...........................................................................................Audio Engineer Special Thanks To Cindy Liburdi and Sharon Sohner
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ABOUT Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932. She was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s. Since her death on March 5, 1963 at age 30 in a private airplane crash at the height of her career, she has been considered one of the most influential, successful, and acclaimed female vocalists of the 20th century. Cline was best known for her rich tone and emotionally expressive bold contralto voice, which, along with her role as a mover and shaker in the country music industry, has been cited as an inspiration by many vocalists of various music genres. Her life and career have been the subject of numerous books, movies, documentaries, articles and stage plays. THE SONGS Act One Come On In............................................................................ Words and Music by V. F. Stewart Walkin’ After Midnight........................... Words and Music by Alan Block and Don Hecht Three Cigarettes In An Ashtray.........................................Words and Music by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson I Don’t Wanna.......................................................................Words and Music by D. Haddock, E. Miller and W.S. Stevenson Don’t Ever Leave Me Again........................................... Music by James E. Crawford, Jr. and Lillian N. Claiborne. Lyrics By Patsy Cline Seven Lonely Days.............................................................Words and Music by Earl Shuman, Alden Shuman and Marshall Brown Write Me In Care Of The Blues..................................Words and Music by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson Imagine That......................................................................... Words and Music by Justin Tubb I Fall To Pieces........................................................ Words and Music by Harlan Howard and Hank Cochran Got A Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul.................. Words and Music by Barbara Vaughan and W.S. Stevenson Crazy......................................................................................Words and Music by Willie Nelson Act Two I Love You, Honey.........................................................Words and Music by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson Never No More...........................................................................Words and Music by Rita Ross, Alan Block, and Don Hecht (If I Could See The World) Through The Eyes Of A Child..................... Words and Music by Richard Pope, Sammy Masters, and Tex Satterwhite Ain’t No Wheels On This Ship.............................. Words and Music by W. D. Chandler and W.S. Stevenson You Belong To Me.............................................................Words and Music by Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, and Redd Stewart Back In Baby’s Arms ................................................Words and Music by Bob Montgomery Your Cheatin’ Heart........................................................ Words and Music by Hank Williams Sweet Dreams (Of You).......................................................Words and Music by Don Gibson Today, Tomorrow, And Forever............................................. Words and Music by Don Reid
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BIOGR APHIES John Cramer (Producer / Director) John has been involved in the entertainment industry for nearly 40 years. He is a producer, director, choreographer, designer, actor, singer, dancer, administrator, and teacher. He is currently the Managing Artistic Director of the Waukesha Civic Theatre, as well as the owner of his own production company, Alleycat Enterprises, Inc., and a member of the Actors’ Equity Association. John has produced, directed, and choreographed for professional, educational, and community theatres throughout the United States. He has also produced, directed, and choreographed over 200 corporate events, multimedia, and industrial films. He has appeared at numerous theatres as well, including the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, the Children’s Theater Company of Minneapolis, the Chimera Theatre, the Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace, the Guthrie Theatre, the Red Barn Dinner Theatre, and the Wagon Wheel Theatre. Favorite roles include Harold Hill in The Music Man, George in George M!, Matthew in Cotton Patch Gospel and Michael in I Do! I Do! He lives in Waukesha with his amazing wife, Kelli, and their two exceptional children, Elena and Jude. Kelli Cramer (Patsy) Kelli, a Waukesha resident, portrayed Patsy in Always ... Patsy Cline which she performed with Archangel Productions at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Brookfield, and the Wagon Wheel Theatre in Warsaw, IN. She has appeared with her husband John in Alleycat Enterprises’ production of I Do! I Do! at WCT and with nationally renowned composer David Friedman in Listen To My Heart, The Music Of David Friedman at the Miramar Theatre. Favorite Chicago credits include performances at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre as Prudie in Pump Boys And Dinettes, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, Becky in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Angel in
The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Mona Low in The New Yorkers, and Amanda McBroom’s Heartbeats. At the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace Kelli performed the title role in Annie Get Your Gun, for which she received a Jeff Award for Best Actress. Lou Cucunato (Piano) Lou has been working in the metro Milwaukee area for 25 years. Lou has played several national touring shows in Milwaukee including Hairspray and Mama Mia. Locally he’s worked at the Sunset Playhouse and Skylight Opera. Lou has also performed with Present Music. If you’ve ever been to the Pfister Hotel you may have seen Lou at the piano in the lobby lounge where he’s worked for over ten years. He’s also been on the music faculty of UWM’s Peck School of the Arts since 1999, where he teaches jazz piano and music theory. Jeff Hamann (Bass) Jeff, a native of the Milwaukee area, has a long list of professional collaborations that include Charles McPherson, Eric Alexander, David Hazeltine, Slide Hampton, Frank Morgan, Steve Allen, Ben Sidran, and Brian Lynch. In addition to recording, Hamann has several years of experience as an instructor and clinician. Currently Hamann teaches at his alma mater, the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Recent tours include Japan, France, Monte Carlo, and India. Jeff is also the bassist for the Public Radio International radio show, Michael Feldman’s “Whad ‘Ya Know?” Paul Silbergleit (Guitar) A prominent guitarist, bandleader, composer, and educator in the area’s jazz scene over the last two decades, Mr. Silbergleit performed with Melvin Rhyne, Berkeley Fudge, Brian Lynch, We Six, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, among others. His two CDs as a leader,“Silberglicity” and “My New Attitude,” made it onto the jazz charts with nationwide airplay. He is on Oconomowoc Arts Center 15
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) faculty at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and Cardinal Stritch University, and was last heard with Kelli and John Cramer in 2007 along with Terry Smirl and the Waukesha Symphony Orchestra in a tribute to Les Paul. Terry Smirl (Drums) In addition to leading his own trio, Mr. Smirl has performed with the area’s finest jazz musicians including Chuck Hedges, Berkley Fudge, Hattush Alexander, and Melvin Rhyne, as well as nationally known artists Bobby Shew, Anne Calloway, and Jim Pugh. He is percussionist with Present Music, one of the nation’s foremost New Music groups, Principal Timpanist with the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and the Wisconsin Philharmonic, and a sub/ extra percussionist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He’s performed at venues throughout the world including in New York City, Miami, Seattle, Tokyo, and Istanbul; and he’s recorded on Koss Classics, innova, Aoede, Albany Records, Changing Tone Records, Chameleon Records, and others.
Gary Williams (Guitar) Gary is a freelance guitarist and music instructor in the Milwaukee area. He studied at the David Hochstein Memorial Music School in Rochester, N.Y. and was a Jazz Performance major in the Bachelor of Music program at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in the 1970s. He has been an instructor in the Music Occupations program at Milwaukee Area Technical College since 1988 and maintains a private music studio as well. Gary has also worked for the Hal Leonard Publishing Company. Mr. Williams’ thousands of musical performances include Combo and Big Band Jazz, Broadway touring productions, and 20th century classical and pops concerts with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He is also featured on the album “Let Me Be Frank” which includes his composition “Kiara’s Song.”
A N O T E F R O M K E L L I ... Patsy Cline changed my life. Years ago, I was given the opportunity to portray her in the musical Always… Patsy Cline. Upon doing my research, I was both stunned and inspired. I fell in love with the way this woman lived her tragically short life! She worked, loved, and played hard. The stories about her have never left me and continue to impress me. I find myself thinking, “What would Patsy do?” Tonight, I will perform the music she loved, the way she loved to do it: alongside outstanding musicians and in front of a room full of her fans--just raw and real. Next to her children, there was nothing she cherished more. I try to emulate her, embody her spirit, and simply sing from the heart. No one will ever compare to her. It would be foolish to claim to do so. She was one of a kind. So step back in time with me, and enjoy “the sweetest music this side ‘a heaven!” I hope I can capture a bit of the magic she once had. It sure feels good to try … and I’m glad you’re along for the ride. Sincere thanks to Mom and Dad for countless affirmations, Elena and Jude for unconditional love and patience, and John for EVERYTHING!
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