PRESENTS
Words and Music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Producer/Artistic Director Mary Pat Sieck
Director/Choreographer McKinley Johnson
Music Director Tammy O’Reilly
Technical Director/Set Design/ Sound Design Stevan Saliny
Stage Manager/Props Mara Krizek
Lighting Design Paul Kerwin
Costumer Designer Sharlet Webb
Assistant Technical Director Ethan Kwas
“Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Frankel, Thomas Viertel, Steven Baruch, Jujamcyn Theatres/ Jack Viertel, Rick Steiner, Frederic H. Mayerson and Center Theatre Group/ Ahmanson Theatre/ Gordon Davidson. “All of the songs in SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ were written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (alone or with others) except “Spanish Harlem,” by Phil Spector and Jerry Leiber. Messrs. Leiber and Stoller wish to acknowledge and thank the following writers who collaborated with them on various songs in the show: Ben E. King, Doc Pomus, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Kent Harris, Ralph Dino & John Sembello, and Carlo Donida & ‘Mogol.”’ “Spanish Harlem” by Phil Spector and Jerry leiber. Published by Mother Bertha Music, Inc. and Jerry Leiber Music by arrangement with ABKCO Music, Inc. Open Door Repertory Company is a member of the Oak Park Area Arts Council, the League of Chicago Theatres and the Oak Park Convention and Visitors Bureau SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE; THE SONGS OF LEIBER AND STOLLER is presented through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals: www.rnh.com.
Open Door Repertory Company 1
CAST Reneisha Jenkins Missy Karle Qiana McNary Christine Mayland Perkins Brittany Bradshaw (Women’s Understudy)
Jed Feder Rudy Foster Nelson Green II Mario Mazzetti
PIT BAND KEYBOARD........................................................................................................................Tammy O’Reilly PERCUSSIONIST................................................................................................................... Joseph Davis GUITARIST................................................................................................................................. Kenn Smith BASSIST..............................................................................................................................Jaime Martinez TENOR SAX...............................................................................................................................Clayton Ball
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F BOX OFFICE/FRONT OF HOUSE..................................Lynn Kirsch, Mary Lipari, Mary Pat Sieck GRAPHIC ARTIST......................................................................................................................Tracy Matz PRODUCTION PHOTOS................................................................................................... Richard White
MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I
ACT II
Neighborhood Young Blood Falling Dance With Me Neighborhood (Reprise) Keep On Rollin’ Searchin’ Kansas City Trouble Love Me/Don’t Fools Fall in Love Poison Ivy Don Juan I Keep Forgettin’ On Broadway D.W. Washburn Saved
Baby,That is Rock & Roll Yakety Yak Charlie Brown Pearl’s a Singer Teach Me How to Shimmy You’re the Boss Loving You Treat Me Nice Hound Dog Little Egypt I’m a Woman There Goes My Baby Love Potion #9 Some Cats Know Jailhouse Rock Fools Fall in Love (Reprise) Spanish Harlem I (Who Have Nothing) Neighborhood (Reprise) Stand By Me Baby, That is Rock & Roll
O P E N D O O R B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S Lynn Kirsch, President Howard Visteen, Secretary Leo Zinanni, Treasurer Richard White, Member at Large Stevan Saliny, Technical Director/Facilities Manager Mary Pat Sieck, Artistic/Managing Director 2 Smokey Joe’s Cafe
A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R ’ S M E S S AG E Coincidence? Serendipity? Open Door’s last production also opened on the 21st of the month – February 21, 2009 to be exact. The 32 months between these two openings have taken us on a journey we would never have imagined. There have been so many highs, and an equal number of lows; stresses that have pushed everyone close to the edge and enough dust, dirt and concrete to fill hundreds of dumpsters. But what stands out, at the end of this journey, are the people, the amazing people who made this journey with us. Some were old friends, others are new friends who have that “old friend” feel. What they all share is an extraordinary spirit of generosity and a willingness to do what ever is needed. These friends are the reason behind the choice of Smokey Joe’s Café for the first production in our new home. Smokey Joe begins with ”In the Neighborhood,” which remembers and honors where we come from and the people who influenced who we are, and ends with “Stand By Me.” This production is dedicated to the hundreds of people who built this company between 1999 and 2009, and to the incredible people who stood by us this past 32 months. Without all of you, the doors would not have opened. THANK YOU. Mary Pat Sieck
F R O M T H E B OA R D Welcome to OPEN DOOR THEATRE. We are delighted to have you in audience once again. If you are an “old time” visitor, we hope our new home will delight you as much as it does us. And, if you are brand new to Open Door, we believe that you are in for a real treat. We have been absolutely amazed at the support that we have received in this very challenging project. Challenging, yet so full filling at the same time. Thank you everyone. Warm Regards, Lynn Kirsch, Board President, and proud to be
BIOGR APHIES Brittany L. Bradshaw is excited to be performing in her first professional show. Brittany is a Chicago native, and proud 2011 graduate of the Musical Theater program at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Brittany has recently been seen in productions of “All Night Strut”,“Once On This Island” and “Chicago”. Brittany would love to thank her family, friends, and boyfriend for their tireless support. She lives by Judy Garland’s quote “always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else.
Jed Feder is a recent graduate of Northwestern University where he studied film and music composition. Jed has been seen in various production at Northwestern and in Chicago as both an actor and percussionist, but this is his first performance with Open Door. He thanks the cast, crew, and staff and his family for all that they have contributed to this experience. Rudy Foster is a fourth-year Theater and Performance Studies major at the University of Chicago, originally from Chattanooga, Open Door Repertory Company 3
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) Mario Mazzetti Mario Mazzetti is honored to be a part of Open Door Rep’s first show in the beautiful new space. A native of Lake Zurich, and a graduate of Lake Forest College, Mario has performed in and around the Chicagoland area with companies such as Big Noise Theatre, Bailiwick Chicago, Ouroboros Theatre, Citadel Theatre, Bog Nelson Green II is an Theatre, Old Town School of Folk Music undergrad senior at and Music on Stage. Favorite credits Columbia College include Nigel Rancour (*Something’s Chicago for Musical Afoot*), Chip Tolentino (*Spelling Bee*), Theater Performance. Bobby Strong (*Urinetown*), Paul (*A Nelson has Chorus Line *), Frank N. Furter (*The performed in Rocky Horror Show*), Seymour Krelborn community theater (*Little Shop of Horrors*), Riff (*West Side productions as well as a number of Story*), and Sparky (*Forever Plaid*). Mario College musical productions but this is would like to thank his family and friends his first professional theater Debut and for their love and support, McKinley, he is very blessed and excited to be Tammy and Mary Pat for the amazing apart of such a great cast of other opportunity to perform in his favorite passionate artist. After receiving his BFA show of all time, and the incredible cast in Musical Theater, Nelson aspires to go you guys are F-I-E-R-C-E!! full-force into the Broadway entertainment industry, not only doing Missy Karle is Broadway but national tours and Cruise thrilled to be a part ships. Nelson would like to thank God, his of Open Door family and his teachers at Columbia for all Repertory Company’s of their un-failing love and support. SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ. She received her Reneisha Jenkins is Bachelors of Fine thrilled to be a part Arts in Music Theatre of the Smokey Joe‘s from Chicago College of Performing cast. She last Arts at Roosevelt University. She was appeared as the last seen as the Fishmonger/Featured Yellow Brick Road in Dancer in Music by the Lake’ s The Wiz at Theatre at BRIGADOON and Dorothy in Emerald the Center in Indiana. City Theatre Company’s WIZARD OF OZ. Other Chicago area credits include: She will be returning to Emerald City Renee in Torn the Musical with 3rd Theatre Company this winter as Snow Dimension Performance Group, Sheila White in SNOW WHITE. Missy would in A Chorus Line with Village Players like to thank all of her wonderful Theatre, Maureen in Rent with Towle friends and family for all of their love Theatre, Matron Mama Morton in and support throughout the years, Chicago with Wheaton Drama, and especially her Mother and Father who Katie in The Rotogravure with SadHat have never stopped believing in her. Productions. She would like to thank her Missy Karle is represented by family for all of their love and support. shirleyhamiltoninc. TN, who is thrilled to make his professional theater debut with Smokey Joe’s Cafe! Highlights of his previous theatrical credits include ... Forum (Pseudolus), Disney’s High School Musical (Troy Bolton), Oklahoma! (Will Parker), and Waiting for Godot (Pozzo). He wishes to thank his parents, Run for Cover, James Fleming, the perfect brochure mix, the cast, and the Blue Line for inspiring him more and more every day.
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B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) Qiana McNary is a graduate of Roosevelt University: Chicago College of Performing Arts where she finished a Master of Music Degree in Voice Performance. She began her vocal studies and graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University where she received her Bachelor of Music Degree. In the summer of 2007, Qiana furthered her vocal studies at The Italian Operatic Experience in Urbania, Italy. She has performed in numerous opera theater productions in and out of the country, and premiered a hip-hop opera at the DuSable Museum – Chicago. In the spring of 2009, she was a featured singer on the Chicago WGN Morning News for the Opera Idol presentation for young opera singers in the Chicago area. Ms. McNary was not only a National semi-finalist in the Emerging Young Artist competition, but won first place in the district and local rounds of the competition sponsored by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. She is a proud member of Mu Phi Epsilon music honorary and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Currently Ms. McNary is the
soprano soloist at Hyde Park Union Church. She would like to give special recognition to her PU’s (parental units) Fred and Minnie! Christine Mayland Perkins has found the people, music, and process of this show to be highly energizing, inspiring, and FUN. She was last seen donning a Dirndl in Light Opera Works’ The Student Prince. A graduate of Northwestern this past June, Christine double-majored in Opera and Theatre and completed the Musical Theatre Certificate program. Favorite University credits include Dominic Missimi’s Mass, David Bell’s first Waa-Mu, numerous AMTP workshops, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea and a student production of Company (the musical). A HUGE thank you to McKinley, Tammy, Mary Pat, Mara, our composers, the beautiful cast, crew, musicians, and the many people in the community who came together to make this possible. Mom, the Mayland family, the Perkins clan, Barbara, Melissa, roommates, friends, THANK YOU; I am grateful and so glad you’re mine.
PRODUCTION CREW BIOS MCKINLEY JOHNSON (Director/ choreographer) McKinley is a Playwright in Residence at Open Door as well as an Artistic Associate. His recent credits include: The Nativity written for Congo Square Theatre, 2011 production at The Goodman Theatre; a commission from Steppenwolf Theatre as a composer for Harriet Jacobs for The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and as the Music Director for its Chicago production. He is a Jeff Award nominee for Being Beautiful (outstanding new work). His play Georgia Tom at the Bailiwick Theater received a Jeff Recommendation. He has received Black Theater Alliance Awards for Train Is Comin’(Best Musical), and Being Beautiful (Best Performance
and Best Play). Both were produced at The Chicago Theatre Company. He is the recipient of an After Dark Award for Best Performance in a Musical for his performance in Being Beautiful and he was a playwright-in-residence at Chicago Dramatist for many years. He is full-time faculty at Dominican University, adjunct faculty at the International Academy of Design and Technology and Columbia College of Chicago. In April 2012, Open Door will bring back to the stage his script for Train Is Comin’ as its first production in The Earl Bitoy Series. PAUL KERWIN (Lighting Designer/ Light Board Op) This is Paul’s seventh season with Open Door. He came to Open Door Repertory Company 5
P R O D U C T I O N C R E W B I O S ( c o n t .) the company to do the lighting for Just So and has stayed to do more than a dozen shows since then. He is a computer specialist at Triton College during the day. MARA KRIZEK (Stage Manager/ Props Mistress) Mara is a graduate of Dominican University. She has worked as an actress, props master, set dresser, crew chief and Stage Manager. She stage managed both productions of Crowns for Open Door. She was also in the ensemble for Open Door’s Family Series production of Esperanza Rising and the assistant stage manager for Daddy’s Home!, also with Open Door. She would ultimately like to be a production manager on a film set. She is delighted to be working with this cast and crew and thanks her father for showing up at all her shows and those people in her life who support her. ETHAN KWAS (Master Electrician/ Rigger) is employed full time outside the theater but theater is where he likes to spend his time. He started his h-tech career in high school and has been at it ever since. With a background in electrical rigging and construction he has worked on various municipal festivals, rigging lights and sound and has been with Open Door for the past ten years. TAMMY O’REILLY (Music Director) Tammy is thrilled and honored to be a part of Open Door’s first production back in the beautiful new space. Many thanks to Mary Pat for her trust, encouragement and sense of humor! Thank you to all my band mates for a rockin’ good time! Special thanks to this amazingly talented cast. You are a joy to sing with! Your spirits and your voices soar! Thank you to McKinley for being an inspiring and talented partner. I hope our paths cross again soon. Thanks to Theater of the Highlands, Ltd. for the professional training and to Highlands Middle School students for keeping the performance light shining bright! I am forever grateful to Annette, Paul & Bethann who believed when 6 Smokey Joe’s Cafe
I didn’t. I would like to dedicate this show to the “Standing O’s,” my family. Making music together is what makes life worth living. I am blessed beyond measure to be in your lives. I love you all. Peace, Love and Joy to you and the whole world! TLBPNAAF. STEVAN SALINY (Technical Director/ Set Design) is a founding member of Open Door. As Company Technical Director he over-sees sound, lights, set designs, construction and decoration, along with his incredible staff of two, Paul and Ethan. Before becoming the company TD he acted in: To Kill a Mockingbird, Into the Woods, Peter Pan, The Music Man, Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, Newsies and three original Open Door music revues. His favorite musical performance was as a member of the doo-wop quartet in Smokey Joe’s Café. Favorite sets include: The Memory of Water, Spinning Into Butter, A View From The Bridge, The Sisters Rosensweig, Bleacher Bums, Crowns and Daddy’s Home! Thanks are extended to his Open Door family and, most importantly, to his wife and family for all the years of support. MARY PAT SIECK (Producer) is a founding member of the company and is the company’s Artistic and Managing Director. She has directed 15 productions for Open Door during this time. Among her favorites are: Good, The Laramie Project, Of Thee I Sing, A View From The Bridge and Daddy’s Home!. She loves working with the amazing people she meets through Open Door and would like to thank her wonderful family, especially Bill, for always being there. SHARLET WEBB (Costumer) is delighted to work again with McKinley Johnson and Open Door on this project. Other Credits include, Crowns for Open door and for MPAACT at the Greenhouse: Zulu Fits, Tad in 5th City, Last Saint on Sugar Hill and Ghosts of Atwood.
MAJOR DONORS Open Door would like to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions of our landlord and major supporter, Jerome Bloom – without him this would not have happened. Thank you to Errol Kirsch of Errol Jay Kirsch Architects for his design for our theater; it is everything and more than we asked for - it is incredible! Thank You to the following people, whose significant donations or personal loans, built Open Door’s new home. George and Linda Bailey Marguerite Bloch Peter and Nancy Clark Community Bank Oak Park River Forest Forest Park National Bank & Trust Eric and Angela Gershenson Paul Kerwin Richard and Cheryl King Errol and Lynn Kirsch Steven Kirsch and Bethanny Alexander Ethan Kwas Roberta Raymond Larson Anthony and Deidre Millard Michele Moore
Martin and Mary Lou Noll Teresa Powell Stevan and Susan Saliny Mary Jo Schuler John and Ann Secker James and Lisa Sieck William and Jieney Sieck William and Mary Pat Sieck Carl Spight Frances Sullivan Noah and Julie Sullivan Howard and Jeanne Visteen Richard and Susan Beach White Leo and Claudia Zinanni
Open Door would like to thank the Village of Oak Park’s Board of Trustees and the Office of the Village Manager for the Performing Arts Construction Grant of $15,000.00. Thank you to our wonderful neighbors, Scheck & Siress, who allow our patrons to use their parking lot.
DONORS Thank you to the many friends who supported Open Door with your continued donations – your help saw us through the past two years. Carole Albores Mary and Dick Anderson Ann Baker Alan and Janice Baldwin Richard and Nancy Ball Claudette Barrett Leah and Paul Beckwith Linda and Doug Belpedio Joan Berman Julie Bernstein Winnie Bixby Rich and Barb Board Bill and Shelby Boblick Wesley Boyer Bruce and Terry Bradford The Buzz Café The Careful Peach Paulette Cary Jamee and Wes Chicocz Jan Colliton
Ann Courter and Norman Hirsch Mike Cramer and Harlene Ellin Betsey Davis Daniel and Mary Deziel Ed and Pam Dieschbourg Mike and Annette Donlin William and Mary Donnelly Thomas and Martha Dwyer The Eastgate Café Bob and Diane Ebert Mary Eckstein Stuart Edwards Marcia and Bob Ellis S. Cody Engle Sarah and Jerry Finnegan Tom and Charlotte Floyd Catherine Gallogly
James and Louise Gates Lisa Ginet and Bob Spatz Edith Gnippe Galen and Marge Gockel Marie and Ira Goodkin Peggy and Michael Goodman Jeanne Graden Mike and Pam Grant Joyce and Tim Greening Doris Gruskin Joe and Claudia Hallissey Hugh Halverstadt and Craig Endicott Melanie and Bob Halverson Edna Hamburger Thomas and Kathleen Haney Ronna Henry Alan and Lynn Hoffstadter
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D O N O R S ( c o n t. ) Renardo Johnson Brett Kashanitz Peggy and Kevin Kell Glenda Kenyon Jan Keickhefer Ed and Trish Klima Joann Kirsch Sarah and Dan Knight M. Kopolow and C. Bachman Mara Krizek Ethan Kwas Mary Lipari Beth Lodal and Gene Pokorny Janet and Frank Lombardo Dagmar Lorenz Bob and Lois Lundgren Carol Lydecker and Bill Dwyer Sherita Lyles James and Sarah Lynch Majamas Cynthia Maroon Sue and Bill Marshall Bob and Lynn Mathis John and Maureen Matthews Jean Mavrelis and Thomas Kochman Bill McCarthy Sheila and John McDonnell Mary McEnry Bill McGlynn and Andrea McGregor Gerri McLaughlin Bobbie and Steve Meier
Charlotte Messier Priscilla Mims Larry and Carole Mitchner John Morrison John and Mykael Moss Laurence and Mary Jo Msall Musikgarten Phil and Kathie Nash Alison Nelson Priscilla and Richard Nied Sandy Noel Gloria Onischuk Jolaine and Stuart Orlin Gary and Kristi Osaga Lynn Palmore Roger Patera Robert and Lauren Peterson Diane and Ajith Pingle Lawrence Poltrock Joan and Robert Pope Joyce Porter Prodigy Glassworks Nancy Quinn Dan Reeg Jane Reich Sherlynn Reid Charles and Catherine Ripp Amy Rising Sheila and Phil Rock Patti and John Roeder Caryl and Harold Rohlfing Mary Ruhl Anna Sadowski Dennis and Melva Saliny Lauren Saliny
Ticket SPECIALS 8 Smokey Joe’s Cafe
Shannon Saliny Jim and Carol Scherrer Jane and Ken Schiffman Stephen and Marilyn Schlesinger Mary Schneider Jeff and Linda Schroeder Frank Schwerin and Marge Michalski Wendy Shulman Jim and Claire Sindelar Marion Sirefman Deborah Gabler Spira Arthur and Sher Watts Spooner Beverly Suber Carolyn Sullivan Stephen Sutera Pat Tantillo Lance and Alene Taylor Under the Ginko Tree Val’s Halla Wayne and Barbara Vanek Dr. Jesus Vega Gordon Waldron and Kathy Schroer Bill and Rogue Weiland Bonnie and Alan Weiss Stephanie and Charles Whitaker Winberies’ Bar & Restaurant Lynn and Jim Winnikates Joan Winstein Sam and Carol Witwer Joe and Becky Wojcik
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