S E A S O N
Streaming Oct. 16 - Nov. 12, 2020 Book & Lyrics by Paul Gordon Music by Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska
Based on The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Milwaukee
Steve Marcus VICE PRESIDENT Matt Thiele DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Greg Widener ART DIRECTOR Sarah Sallmann VENUE RELATIONS/EDITOR Ryan Albrechtson COMPANY COMPTROLLER Karin Marcus ADVERTISING SALES // CHICAGO Will M. McAuliffe ADVERTISING SALES // MADISON Courtney Neckar ADVERTISING SALES // MILWAUKEE Sherry Brisch | Jacqueline Jaske | Barbara Kluth ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Allyson Imig PRESIDENT + PUBLISHER
The arts need a voice. There needs to be a place to go to find out what, when, where, and why. Enter stage right….ArtsScene." -STEVE MARCUS, PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER
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CHICAGO // MADISON // MILWAUKEE Milwaukee: 262.782.9751 | Chicago 773.938.6681 | Madison: 608.257.4560
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Footlights is published by Marcus Promotions, Inc. The content of any article in this publication is based solely on the opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Marcus Promotions, Inc., Footlights, or its staff. The center program content is at the sole discretion of the performing arts group. Any errors, omissions, or inconsistencies are their responsibility. Inquiries or comments should be directed accordingly.
music theatre Thank you for joining us as we safely return to live theatre. We are grateful for your support during our 61st season. We invite you to: • Experience Milwaukee’s professional music theatre company. We present the full spectrum of music theatre, ranging from blockbuster Broadway musicals to reimagined operas, from Gilbert & Sullivan operettas to exciting new works. • Enjoy Skylight Style productions. We bring fresh approaches and create meaningful connections between the characters on stage and the audience.
Our mission since 1959: To bring the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition.
We fulfill this mission through • Partnering with nationally recognized directors and designers • Serving as the largest employer of Wisconsin theatrical artists in the State • Performing in the beautiful, intimate Cabot Theatre • Bringing the excitement of a live orchestra to every production
Krystal Drake in Pippin (2018) Photo: Ross Zentner
GENERAL INFO Box Office 158 North Broadway, Main Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 291-7800 Email: Tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org Monday - Friday, Noon to 5 p.m. The lobby window is open two hours prior to performances. Box Office and lobby window hours of operation are subject to change. Tickets also available at www.skylightmusictheatre.org Administrative Office 158 North Broadway, Sixth Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 291-7811 Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Emergency Phone Number (414) 908-6645 Alert House Management of your seat location before the performance and leave the above number so they may reach you. Recording Equipment and Cameras The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
has started will be seated at the discretion of House Management. ADA Services Assisted listening devices are made possible through support from Alvin & Marion Birnschein Foundation. Audio description and wheelchair seating are available and can be arranged in advance by calling (414) 291-7800. Audience Guides are free through Enlighten, Skylight’s education program. The guide is available on our website and can be emailed upon request. Skylight Insights Not at this time. Ushering For information, current opportunities and to sign up to become a volunteer usher, visit www. skylightmusictheatre.volunteerhub.com. Volunteer for Skylight by e-mailing info@skylightmusictheatre.org. Lost and Found Leave a message with the House Manager at (414) 908-6645.
Late Arrivals Patrons arriving after the performance
A Few Highlights from 60 Years 1959 Skylight Opera Theatre is
founded by Clair Richardson and Sprague Vonier in the skylighted attic of a European-style coffee house at 929 N. Jefferson St. The first show is a musical revue based on the life and works of Gilbert & Sullivan
1992 In April, construction
begins on the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s historic warehouse district, the Third Ward.
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Skylight Music Theatre 2020-2021 Season
1962 Needing more
space, Skylight moved nearby to a converted tire-recapping garage at 813 N. Jefferson St. on Cathedral Square and created a 99-seat theater
1993 In October, Skylight opens its new
home in the Broadway Theatre Center. The $6 million renovation and new construction was supported by an extensive capital campaign.
ABOUT THE CABOT THEATRE
“To help us forget some things, remember others, and to refresh the dry places in our spirit”
Quote adapted from “World of Wonders” by Robertson Davies
The intimate Cabot Theatre, modeled after an 18th century French jewel-box opera house, was built in 1992. With just 350 seats, everyone has a great view and feels close to the emotion and action on stage. The quote on the ceiling celebrates the spirit of music and theatre. The people and cupids depicted represent various important players in Skylight history and landmarks from the Milwaukee skyline as it appeared in 1992. The ceiling features the Goddess of Memory: Mnemosyne, mother of the Nine Muses. Each of the nine boxes on the Gallery level celebrates one of those Muses (History, Tragedy, Comedy, Literature, Science, Oratory, Poetry, Dance and Music) and is decorated with associated images. In a nod to the spirit of fun that makes up Skylight’s DNA, playful images are part of the decorations for each Muse. Can you spot the bag of cough drops for one of them? “Do you want to have some real fun?” – Question Clair Richardson asked that led to the birth of Skylight in 1959. When Clair died in 1980, per his wishes, his ashes are kept in an urn under the stage, fulfilling his request that all future productions be performed “over my dead body.”
1967 Skylight is founding member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), which generously provides ongoing support to Skylight and other area performing arts organizations.
Can you find the following 1992 landmarks? St. John’s Cathedral Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company City Hall Wisconsin Electric Power Company Elsa’s on the Park The original Skylight Theatre on Jackson Street The Wisconsin Gas Company The Pabst Theatre
1980 Clair Richardson dies. Per
his wishes, his ashes are kept in an urn under the stage, fulfilling his request that all future productions be performed “over my dead body.”
1995 On January 31, the 358-seat theatre is
inaugurated as the Cabot Theatre. Colin Cabot looked at small opera houses in France for inspiration, and found Le Theatre de la Coupe d’Or in Rochefort sur Mer. The Cabot Theatre was designed based on that theater’s architectural drawings.
2012 Name changes
from Skylight Opera Theatre to Skylight Music Theatre to better reflect the broad array of music theatre works presented.
Being Earnest
5
A STAGE
FOR ALL
UNITE with UPAF to Sustain the Arts Your gift helps local arts groups weather the storm and increase access and inclusion on stage, behind the scenes and in the audience.
DONATE TODAY AT
UPAF.ORG/DONATE Danceworks; MYSO, Photo by Ron 2020-2021 Oshima; Milwaukee Ballet, Photo by Social Candy; Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Photo by Michael Brosilow. 6 Skylight Music Theatre Season
Michael Unger Artistic Director
music theatre Presents
Jack R. Lemmon Executive Director
Book & Lyrics by Paul Gordon Music by Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska Arranged and Orchestrated by Jay Gruska Based on The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
October 16 – November 12, 2020 STREAMING
DIRECTOR Michael Unger MUSIC DIRECTOR Conor Keelan CHOREOGRAPHER Amanda Marquardt COSTUME COORDINATOR Shima Orans PROPS COORDINATOR Simone Tegge STAGE MANAGER Samantha Pekelnicky
Season Sponsored by
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
SKYLIGHT LEADERSHIP Michael Unger (Artistic Director) joined the Skylight team in September, 2019, as Artistic Director. Michael is also the Producing Artistic Director of NewArts in Newtown, CT, which he started with a local father in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. For NewArts he has directed a dozen large-scale musicals involving over 600 local children. He was until recently the Associate Artistic Director and Director of Education for Off-Broadway’s York Theatre Company. Michael has directed many benefit concerts, including for Susan Stroman, Andre DeShields, as well as for the Sandy Hook, CT and Parkland, FL communities. Selected world premieres include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Caligula, and A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is featured in the award-winning documentary film, Midsummer in Newtown. Other directing credits include McCarter Theatre, 59E59, Paramount, W.H.A.T., Signature, Cape Playhouse, Deaf West, and The St. Louis MUNY. He has directed fifteen operas, two of which are available on DVD. Jack R. Lemmon (Executive Director) joined Skylight in 2015 after having worked in the performing arts for his entire career. He is also currently president of the board of the Historic Third Ward Association and of the Milwaukee Arts Partners Consortium. Lemmon has served as Executive Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Louisville Ballet and Colorado Ballet to name a few. He also served at the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington D.C. He currently serves on the Public Policy Committee of Imagine MKE. He served on the board and executive committee of Dance/USA and was a board member of the Partnership for Creative Economies (KY). He chaired the board of the Arts and Cultural Attractions Council in Louisville, KY, and the Chicago Dance Alliance. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids (Iowa) and an M.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
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Skylight Music Theatre 2020-2021 Season
A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - MICHAEL UNGER It is 100% wonderful to be “back” in the Show Business after this forced hiatus. It has been an odd time of increased isolation and decreased interactive art since we started our extended “intermission” on March 14th. Our world has been thrown into crisis after crisis over the past six months which will have long-lasting impact on most aspects of our lives, including our beloved performing arts. As a result, we have repeatedly pivoted one way, then another, to create our revised 20/21 season. The “new normal” (“new slightly abnormal”) includes applying as much ingenuity as we can muster to every aspect of what we do. That certainly applies to our first offering of this season, Being Earnest by Tony-nominated, Paul Gordon and Emmy-nominated, Jay Gruska. Oscar Wilde meets Austin Powers in this groovy resetting of Wilde’s glistening comedy of manners, The Importance of Being Earnest. In describing the play’s theme, Wilde said, “That we should treat all trivial things in life very seriously, and all serious things of life with a sincere and studied triviality.” The specific brand of ironic levity Wilde is suggesting offers us poignant doses of humor, escape, and biting satire. I don't think Wilde would have offered that opinion in regards to world events that have caused us to create this virtual offering, but it certainly applied to the conventions he was skewering at the time. Creating this particular Earnest was an exciting challenge that involved each of our seven performers in their own homes becoming camera operators, sound mixers, scenic designers, lighting designers, and stagehands. Each had their cell phones on a tripod, a laptop behind that cell phone so I could see them, direct them, and frame the camera shots through Zoom calls, and a third device to play music tracks into earphones so we could isolate their vocals. They also had to sound-proof their performance spaces which included more than a few mattresses against windows, blankets hanging on shelves, and other sundry accommodations we have fondly labelled, “MacGyver-ing”. With Being Earnest we hope to lift the experience above the average zoom call (to which we have all become accustomed) and create a new, virtual form that turns the limitations and challenges of these times into opportunities to look at our art in a different way. Like the main characters in Earnest, we need to look past the boxes into which circumstances and society have placed us and find the connections, the empathy, the humanity (and humanities) in whatever ways we can. Skylight is proud to offer Being Earnest as a tasty appetizer before you devour the official first course of the season: Little Shop of Horrors.
Being Earnest
9
CAST OF BEING EARNEST in order of appearance Algernon............................................................................................................................................. Max Pink Lane/Dr. Chasuble /Merriman.................................................................................................Tim Rebers Jack................................................................................................................................................. Joey Chelius Lady Bracknell.....................................................................................................................Nathan Marinan Gwendolyn.......................................................................................................................Stephanie Staszak Miss Prism................................................................................................................................. Karen Estrada Cecily..........................................................................................................................................Ashley Oviedo Orchestrated and Arranged by................................................................................................Jay Gruska Additional Orchestrations................................................................................................... Conor Keelan Background Vocals.................................................................................Barbara Gruska, Ethan Gruska
PRODUCTION SUPPORT Video Consultant...................................................................................................................... Tyler Milliron Artistic Intern.............................................................................................................................. Emma Knott
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special Thanks: Nathaniel Unger, Susan Varela, Robert “Bebo”Nelson / TMN Brand
MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT ONE 1. Prologue............................................................................................................................Algernon & Cast 2. No Romance....................................................................................................................Algernon & Jack 3. Age of Ideals.............................................................................................................................Gwendolen 4. Handbag................................................................................................................ Lady Bracknell & Jack 5. Gwendolen’s Good............................................................................................ Lady Bracknell & Cast 6. Cecily............................................................................................................................................... Algernon 7. Bad Behavior........................................................................................................................................ Cecily 8. A Man Dressed in Tweed........................................................................................ Algernon & Cecily 9. Brothers.............................................................................................................................Algernon & Jack ACT TWO 10. All in the Gutter....................................................................................................................................Cast 11. Absolutely Perfect................................................................................................... Algernon & Cecily 12. Absolutely Perfect (Reprise)........................................................................................................ Cecily 13. Age of Ideals (Reprise)........................................................................................... Cecily & Algernon 14. I Wish That You Were Old.................................................................................Gwendolen & Cecily 15. Go......................................................................................................................................Jack & Algernon 16. I Wish That You Were Old (Reprise)..............................................................Cecily & Gwendolen 17. Cecily (Reprise)................................................................................ Jack, Algy, Gwendolyn & Cecily 18. Absolutely Perfect (Reprise).......................................................................................Lady Bracknell 19. Go (Reprise)..................................................................................................................Jack, Algy & Cast 20. Handbag (Reprise).........................................................................................Lady Bracknell & Prism 21. Brothers (Reprise)........................................................................................................Jack & Algernon 22. Age of Ideals (Reprise)........................................................................................................Gwendolen 23. Bad Behavior (Reprise - Finale).......................................................................................................Cast 10 Skylight Music Theatre 2020-2021 Season
WHO’S WHO Joey Chelius (Jack) is ecstatic to be back at Skylight after debuting in 2020’s KidsWrites: Me Myself and I. A graduate of the 2018 BFA-Acting Class at UW – Stevens Point, Joey lends his talents as an actor, director, guitarist, and teaching artist to various theater companies, schools, and non-profit organizations throughout the Milwaukee area. Some favorite credits include Jason in Rabbit Hole at the Sunset Playhouse, Fred Gailey in Miracle on 34th St. with the Forte Theatre Company, and the guitarist in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, produced by All In Productions and staged at Next Act Theatre and PrideFest Milwaukee. Joey would like to dedicate this performance to theater students everywhere. He encourages all young performers to believe that even though things seem dark, through the power of arts we may find joy, light, and laughter. Karen Estrada (Miss Prism) Karen Estrada has had the pleasure of performing with Skylight in last season's Ruddigore collaboration with Milwaukee Opera Theatre and she is so pleased to return for the challenge of this production of Being Earnest. She has previously been seen on the Skylight stage in Sunday In The Park With George, Into The Woods, I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change and ten seasons of KidsWrites. Karen has also had the privilege of working with many Milwaukee theaters including First Stage, Milwaukee Chamber Theater, Next Act, Renaissance Theaterworks, In Tandem Theatre, and Milwaukee Opera Theatre. Karen is a proud three-time alumna of Disney on Classic in Japan and Taiwan. She has taught at many theater Schools including First Stage, MITY, Waukesha Civic and the Next Actors program. Karen is also proud to have
directed pieces for Renaissance's Brinks Briefs, Chamber Theater's Young Playwright Festival and First Stage Milwaukee's World Premiere of On The Wings Of A Mariposa in the Todd Wehr Theater. Nathan Marinan (Lady Bracknell) Nathan is a Midwest transplant from Texas, Las Vegas, and South Korea. His Milwaukee area work includes Skylight Music Theatre (Urinetown, Avenue Q, Les Misérables), In Tandem Theatre (The Fabulous Lipitones, Carnival, Scrooge In Rouge, Ernest In Love), Boulevard Theatre (Mothers And Sons), Theatrical Tendencies (The Normal Heart), Sunset Playhouse (Into The Woods, Musical Mainstage Concert Series), and Lake Country Playhouse (Parade, Little Women). Much love to Joel, Sharon, Wrigley, and Rupert for their constant encouragement. For more information, please visit www.nathanmarinan.com. Ashley Oviedo (Cecily) is making her Skylight debut in Being Earnest. Ashley is a recent 2020 graduate of the UWM Peck School of the Arts and has most recently worked on roles including Bonnie Parker in Bonnie & Clyde at UWM, Miranda in The Tempest at UWM, Ensemble/Maria in 9 to 5 at UWM, and Narrator in This is Washington Park, This is Milwaukee at UWM. She was seen as Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at All in Productions, as well as Winterdances 2020 at UWM. She thanks her loving parents for supporting and loving her always!
Being Earnest 11
WHO’S WHO cont. Max Pink (Algernon) Max is very grateful to Skylight for this rare opportunity, and for their perseverance during this unprecedented time. He most recently performed with Renaissance Theatreworks in Russian Transport and has worked extensively with First Stage Children’s Theater (Baker Street Irregulars, Ella Enchanted, Goosebumps The Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium). Max has trained and performed with First Stage’s Young Company (Hamlet, Our Town) and Milwaukee Repertory Theater (History of Invulnerability, So Thrive My Soul Professional Training Institute). Max was fortunate enough to represent Wisconsin at the Jimmy Awards in 2017 and 2018. In 2018/19 he studied at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Tim Rebers (Lane/Dr. Chasuble/ Merriman) has performed in operas, operettas, musicals, plays, concerts, cabarets, and recitals at Skylight and several other companies for the last decade. Most recently at Skylight he was seen as Sir Roderic in Ruddigore in addition to music directing and arranging the score. In February, Tim and dancer/collaborator Posy Knight created and performed Winter Journey, a fully theatricalized performance of Schubert's epic song-cycle Winterreise.
12 Skylight Music Theatre 2020-2021 Season
Recent operatic roles include Don José in Carmen with Brew City Opera, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus with Madison Savoyards, and Hoffmann (understudy) in Tales of Hoffmann at Skylight. Last November, Tim conducted/music directed She Loves Me at Wisconsin Lutheran College. As a composer, Tim recently composed two 10-minute sci-fi operas for UW-Milwaukee's Opera Program spring performance (cancelled due to Covid-19). His full length opera, Thank You. NEXT! was commissioned by Milwaukee Opera Theatre and premiered in 2016. Stephanie Staszak (Gwendolyn) is thrilled and honored to take on the challenge of performing in this groovy, virtual production of Being Earnest! Since 2014, Stephanie has worked as a performer with Skylight and other Milwaukee theatre companies such as Milwaukee Opera Theatre, In Tandem, First Stage and Forge Theatre. Before quarantine, she was most recently seen with Forge in the world premiere of Not Today and as Slim & Laurie u/s in Oklahoma and Hannah/Bowery Beauty & Katherine u/s in Newsies at Skylight. The creativity of the Milwaukee arts scene never ceases to amaze her during these interesting and difficult times, and she feels very lucky to be a part of it.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CREATIVE TEAM Jay Gruska (Songwriter/Composer/ Orchestrator/Arranger) is a multiple hit songwriter and a three-time Emmy nominated and GENIE (Canadian OSCAR) Award-nominated Film/TV composer. Jay has written songs for a variety of artists that have sold over 10 million records, that include, Chicago, Bette Midler, Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Amy Grant and many others. He has garnered 11 ASCAP awards for either, most performed songs of the year or for score for one hour dramas, and has had songs on most Billboard charts including #1's and Top 10's on POP-#2, Adult Contemporary-#1, Country-#1 and Dance-#1. As a film composer, he has scored many Movies of the Week for all the major networks, as well as composing the themes and underscores for over 500 episodes of numerous TV series including: thirtysomething, Lois & Clark The New Adventures of Superman, Charmed, Better Things and currently finishing his 15th season of Supernatural. Being Earnest is his third Musical Theater collaboration. www.jaygruska.com Paul Gordon (Book, Music and Lyrics) was nominated for a 2001 Tony Award for composing the music and lyrics to the musical Jane Eyre. He won the 2015 Jeff Award for Best New Work for his book, music and lyrics for Sense and Sensibility, commissioned by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. He is the recipient of the 2009 Ovation Award for his music and lyrics to Daddy Long Legs which has had productions all over the world, including at Skylight, and was nominated for 2 Drama Desk Awards, an Off-Broadway Alliance Award and 3 Outer Critic Circle awards. Paul has been an advocate for capturing theatre on film while creating new revenue streams for theatre artists. His company, StreamingMusicals.com, has been on the forefront of this movement and his musicals Pride and Prejudice, Emma and No One Called Ahead can currently be streamed on Amazon Prime and
other online platforms. Estella Scrooge: A Christmas Carol with a Twist is scheduled to be streamed worldwide in December of 2020. A Knight’s Tale, written with John Caird, opened at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo, 2018 and is slated for its second production in 2021. His other shows include: Analog and Vinyl, The Front, Juliet and Romeo, Sleepy Hollow, The Circle and The Sportswriter. In his former life, Paul was a pop songwriter and wrote several number one songs. paulgordonmusic.com Conor Keelan (Music Director) is an award-winning orchestrator, arranger, music director and guitarist. His arrangements have been sung by Jon Batiste, Jessie Mueller, Alice Ripley, and Patti LaBelle among others. Select credits include: (B’Way) A Bronx Tale, (Off-B’Way) The Pout-Pout Fish, Merrily We Roll Along, Painted Alice, and The Lilliput Troupe as well as Paul Gordon’s A Knight’s Tale in Tokyo and Pride & Prejudice at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and Amazon Prime and Estella Scrooge on Amazon Prime, several world premieres in Chicago including October Sky at The Marriott Theatre and Encore! On Disney+. Proud alumnus of the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University. In addition to theatre, Mr. Keelan is a producer for rock and folk bands as well as the orchestrator for the American Pops Orchestra. www.cmkeelan.com Amanda Marquardt (Choreographer) is a producer, director, choreographer, and teaching artist. She is deeply proud of the six years she spent choreographing large scale musicals at Wauwatosa East High School. Prior to focusing on education, she spent ten years in Los Angeles producing, choreographing, and performing largely for and in the underground neovaudeville scene. Her revamped Weimer inspired cabaret that has been running periodically for the last 10 years was nominated for multiple 2011 LAWeekly Awards and the cast was featured on Being Earnest 13
WHO’S WHO IN THE CREATIVE TEAM cont. the cover the week of the awards. She is most grateful for the opportunity to have coached these performers in her favorite style of dance, 1960’s craze! Shima Orans (Costume Coordinator) This is Shima’s seventeenth season with Skylight. Previous designs include Carmina Burana, Zombies From the Beyond, Beauty and the Beast, The Pirates of Penzance, Into the Woods, Hair, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Edith Piaf Onstage, Sunday in the Park with George, Gershwin and Friends, H.M.S. Pinafore, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, I Do, I Do, Souvenir, South Pacific, Little Women, A Grand Night for Singing. She also serves on Skylight’s staff as Costume Director and Draper. Other local credits include Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Winterdances, and the M & I Bank Animals. Shima has also designed for Opera Saratoga, Syracuse Opera, Sterling Renaissance Festival, Oswego Opera, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Apple Hill Playhouse, Acadia Repertory Theatre, and Albuquerque Civic Light Opera. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University and has taught at Point Park University and the State University of New York at Oswego.
Group discounts and packages are available for groups of 10 or more. Contact Group Sales at (414) 299-4964 or EmilyF@skylightmusictheatre.org for more information. 14 Skylight Music Theatre 2020-2021 Season
Tyler Milliron (Video Consultant) is owner and operator of Milliron Studios - a media assets company based in New York City dedicated to "helping creatives create". Tyler comes from a background in musical performance, and loves nothing more than to work on these exciting new mergers of independently produced theatre and film. Thanks to Paul and Michael! Simone Tegge (Props Coordinator) is happy to be returning for her third season at Skylight Music Theatre! She has been working as a props artisan and scenic painter since earning her degree in Theatrical Design at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. When not in the prop shop at Skylight, she can be found working with many other local and Wisconsin-based theatre companies, such as Renaissance Theatreworks, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and American Players Theatre. She wants to thank her family, those related to her and those not, for always encouraging her work in the arts. As well as her cat for her unconditional, if slightly grumpy, support. Samantha Pekelnicky (Stage Manager) earned her BFA in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2019. Her favorite credits include Triumph of Love, Strong Poison, and Toil and Trouble. She is back at Skylight with Being Earnest after assisting stage managing Skylight’s recent production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Have your next event on
Broadway!
On stage or off, your event will be unforgettable at the Broadway Theatre Center. Take full advantage of our extraordinary theatre and event spaces and evoke the style and grace of a fabulous bygone era. Cabot Theatre • Studio Theatre • Dorothea C. Mayer Salon • Skylight Bar & Bistro • Lobby areas Rental space available for all occasions • Weddings, parties, showers, meetings and more! Accommodations for groups of all sizes, from 10 to 450. Exquisite catering by our preferred caterer, Indulge Wine Room, with personalized menus to fit all needs and budgets.
158 N. Broadway in the Historic Third Ward
Contact events@skylightmusictheatre.org
Being Earnest 15 Call Today: (414) 299-4957
SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian D. Till, President Marta Bianchinci, Past President Irene Pilugin Skipper VP of Development Ken Dortzbach, Secretary Valerie Johnson, VP of Marketing Barbara Bolens, Treasurer Michael C. Lueder, VP of Strategic Planning Alec Frasier, VP of Governance F. Tessa Escamilla Bartels Rachel Blige Colin Cabot (honorary) Laura Emory Gerald Falci Moira Fitzgerald
Robert Heath Marni King Rebekah Kowolski Terry Kurtenbach Howard Miller Robin N. Reese
John Shannon John Stollenwerk Judith Williams- Killackey Ray Zellmer
PAST PRESIDENTS
(chronological order)
Clair Richardson Dale Sorden Allen Slichter George Krueck Timothy Frautschi Mary Emory Mary Pollock Jack Gardner Dick Wright
Byron Foster Nick Owen Sue Frautschi Jeff Nohl Asher Nichols Matt Flynn Larry Salustro Howard Miller Suzanne Hefty
Terry Kurtenbach John Stollenwerk David Harvey John Flanagan Alec Fraser Michael Lueder Marta Bianchini
SKYLIGHT ADVOCATES Betty & Tom Arndt Carol & Richard Bayerlein Polly & Robert Beal Katherine & William Biersach Wendy & Richard Bliss Morton Blutstein E. J. Brumder, Jr. Barbara Buzard Patricia & Phillip Crump Thallis Drake Elizabeth Elser Mary & John Emory Mary & Matthew Flynn Gabrielle & John Franke Susan & Timothy Frautschi Elizabeth & Frederic Friedman Lloyd Gerlach Gwenn & Joseph Graboyes Catherine Graham Suzanne & Roy Gromme Lindsay Holbrook Hammerer & Peter Hammerer Arlene Hansen Katie Harding & James Pionkoski Cheryl & Roy Hauswirth G. Edward Heinecke John Holland & Konrad Kuchenbach Mary & David Huntington
Sharon & Ted Hutton Charlotte & William Johnson Judy & Gary Jorgensen Jeanne & Richard Kessler Susan & Robert Kinde Tracey & Richard Klein Mary & Kipp Koester Marie Kohler & Brian Mani Patricia & Robert Kraft Roz & Charlie Krause Pam Kriger Kristie & Terrance Kurtenbach Nancy & Arthur Laskin Emilia & Christopher Layden Phoebe Lewis Sally Lewis Sally Manegold Rose Mary & Frank Matusinec Grace McBain Haydon & John Haydon Sandra & Michael McNeely Donna & Anthony Meyer Susan Nichols Mary & Jeff Nohl Jody & Joe Nolan Barbara Notestein Jane S. O’Connell Bruce & Candy Pindyck Nancy Pinter & R. Max Samson Gwen Plunkett
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Roberta & Larry Polacheck Ildy & Skip Poliner Mary S. Pollock Hattie & Edward Purtell Gordana & Milan Racic Kristine & James Rappe Linda & Blaine Rieke Lee Dougherty Ross & Jerold Ross Patricia & Charles Roy Marlene & Richard Schilffarth Kathleen & Thomas Schrader Carol & Kevin Schuele Marsha Ruth Sehler Maureen & Larry Sherkow Joanne & Vincent Shiely, Jr. Paige Sinden Anne & Frederick Stratton, Jr. Lisa & Paul Sweeney John W. Taylor Gloria Tracy Pauline & Calvin Verbrugge Anne & Tom Wamser Gwen & William Werner Nora & Jude Werra Kathleen & David Williams Helen Wilson Diane & Richard Wright Herbert Zien & Elizabeth Levins
SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE STAFF MICHAEL UNGER
JACK R. LEMMON
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ARTISTIC Susan Varela...................................................Director of Artistic Operations Michael Lorenz........................Orchestra Contractor
FINANCE Cathy O'Loughlin.......................Director of Finance
BOX OFFICE Kelley Arlt.....................................Box Office Manager Tessa Larson........Weekend Box Office Supervisor Brianna Biloff, Becky Cofta, Maureen Kailhofer Avery Schantz, Audwin Short, Curtis Vandenbusch..........................Box Office Staff COSTUMES Shima Orans....................................Costume Director Barry Link............................Costume Shop Manager Lauren Stoner...............................Costume Assistant, Lead Wardrobe DEVELOPMENT Jim Moore......................... Director of Development and Operations
HOUSE MANAGEMENT Chris Segedy............................Lead House Manager Nate Press, Dawn Wenszell...........Assistant House Managers MARKETING Susan Heymann.............Director of Marketing and Communications Emily Farebrother........Group Sales and Audience Development Manager Kendall Judy................................Marketing Manager PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT DJ Haugen..............................Director of Production and Facilities SCENIC STUDIOS Aneta Zafonte............................... Technical Director
EDUCATION Amanda Marquardt..................Education Manager
Being Earnest 17
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Please join us this holiday season! We are back live with safety protocols in a socially distanced Cabot Theatre.
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November 13 – December 27, 2020 Book and Lyrics by
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Howard Ashman
Music by
Alan Menken
Directed by
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Michael Unger CM
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Little Shop of Horrors is a worldwide phenomenon, devouring the hearts of theatregoers for over 30 years. In this disarmingly funny and quirky love story, our hapless hero journeys from obscurity to fame and fortune, unwittingly allowing an opportunistic plant to grow from innocent little flytrap to unstoppable man-eating force. Sponsored by
We look forward to welcoming you back! When you are ready to return to the theatre, Skylight has implemented extensive health and safety protocols in order to present live music theatre as safely as possible. In consultation with medical professionals and following all CDC and governmental guidelines, protocols will include: mask requirement, touchless tickets, reduced theatre capacity, electrostatic disinfectant cleaning of seats and public areas, and more. Read the complete list at:
OUR COMMITMENT TO PATRONS to exchange, credit, donate or refund tickets should Covid-19 cancel performances or prevent your attendance
www.skylightmusictheatre.org/about/health-and-safety-protocols/
More Information
Visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org • Box Office (414) 291-7800 158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202 18 Skylight Music Theatre 2020-2021 Season
SKYLIGHT MUSIC CIRCLE OF DONORS Skylight gratefully acknowledges the following individuals, foundations, organizations, businesses and government agencies who provided support within the last year and helped us to deliver high quality music theatre productions to the Greater Milwaukee community. Our thanks to the many donors below $250 whose gifts are vital to Skylight’s continuing success; we regret there is not space to list them all. Please refer to our website for a complete listing. This list is current as of October 1, 2020. Skylight Music Theatre acknowledges and thanks United Performing Arts Fund, our single largest donor, for its generous annual support. RICHARDSON CIRCLE - $500,000+ United Performing Arts Fund BENEFACTOR CIRCLE - $25,000-$499,999 Anonymous Black Box Fund The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation Herzfeld Foundation
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Gerda A. Debelak Fund Jan Serr & John Shannon
STAR CIRCLE - $10,000-$24,999 Bert L. & Patricia George H. and Virgilee S. Steigleder F. Krueck Fund Charitable Trust David & Margarete CAMPAC Harvey Daniel M. Soref Terrance & Kristie Charitable Trust Kurtenbach Greater Milwaukee Susan Nichols Foundation’s SPONSOR CIRCLE - $5,000-$9,999 Associated Bank Milwaukee Dick and Diane Wright Charitable Fund Ken Dortzbach & Jennie Kent Leona I. Fitzsimonds Dr. Burton E. Goodman & Harriet Bocksenbaum
Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Asher and Susan Nichols Family Fund Leslie Hauser & Karl Wuesthoff Krause Family Foundation Howard & Sara Miller
PRODUCER CIRCLE - $2,500-$4,999 Baird Private Asset Management Barb & Mark Bolens Barbara Buzard Cream City Foundation Laura & John Emory, Jr. Gerald & Sue Falci Dr. Burton E. Goodman & Harriet Bocksenbaum
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Luedke-Smith Fund Bill and Sandy Haack Rob & Maryeve Heath Judy & Gary Jorgensen Brent Killackey & Judy Williams-Killackey Konrad Kuchenbach
Stollenwerk Family Charitable Foundation Ralph G. or Cherie Gorenstein Charitable Foundation We Energies Foundation Wisconsin Arts Board
Quarles & Brady LLP Charles & Patricia Roy Carol & Kevin Schuele Walt Skipper & Irene Pilugin Skipper
Sadhna Morato-Lindvall & Scott Lindvall Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. Rexnord Foundation Blaine & Linda Rieke Sempercor Foundation Gloria Tracy Richard & Kay Yuspeh
Being Earnest 19
SKYLIGHT MUSIC CIRCLE OF DONORS cont. DIRECTOR CIRCLE - $1,000-$2,499 Baird Private Asset Management Bob Balderson Mr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Baldwin Katherine Banzhaf Polly & Robert Beal Marta & Marc Bianchini Briggs & Stratton Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bula Charles D. Ortgiesen Foundation Margaret & B. Lauren Charous Clare M. Peters Charitable Trust Jane & William Crise Jim & Karen D'Ambrisi Daniel M. Soref Charitable Trust Heather and Brian Dunn Mary Lou Findley Rebecca Fishman Leslie Fitzwater Four-Four Foundation, Inc. GE Foundation Greater Milwaukee Foundation's Gerda A. Debelak Fund
George H. and Virgilee F. Krueck Fund Burns-Schrader Family Fund Dr. Carl W. Eberbach & Elisabeth Falk Eberbach Fund Margaret Heminway Wells Fund Joe & Gwenn Graboyes Cheryl & Roy Hauswirth Rob & Maryeve Heath Hub International Midwest Limited Amy S. Jensen Valerie Johnson & Dennis Robison Susan & Donald Kerber Sharon Klode Pam Kriger Sandra Laedtke Barbara Jean Lee Eleanor Lee Jack & Beverly Lemmon Justine Leonard Franklin Loo & Sally Long Mike & Tonya Lueder
DESIGNER CIRCLE - $500-$999 Albert J. & Flora H. Ellinger Foundation Anonymous Martha Audley Mr. John Baratti F. Tessa & Richard Bartels Carolee Beutler Mr. and Mrs. William H. Boles Wendy Burke Phillip & Patricia Crump Dianna Dentino & John Gielow Donald and Barbara Abert Fund Steve & Buffy Duback Mary & John Emory Robert & Kristin Fewel Mary Lou Findley Foster Family Foundation Tim & Sue Frautschi
Mark & Virginia Gennis Mary Anne Gross Margaret Hader Nancy Jacobs Leila & Joseph Hanson Hugh and Robin Hoffman Ms. Sherry Husa Jacqueline & Jeffrey Jahnke Valerie Johnson & Dennis Robison William & Charlotte Johnson Michael Johnston Richard & Diane Kane Stephen and Diane Kavalauskas Marni King Dr. & Mrs. Robert Kinde Rebekah and Thomas Kowalski Lloyd and Sheri Levin
20 Skylight Music Theatre 2020-2021 Season
Coleen Marshall Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Milwaukee Arts Board Art No last name Susan Nichols Jane O'Connell Larry & Bonnie Paplham Quarles & Brady LLP Marcia Richards & Donald Whitaker Carol & Kevin Schuele Vincent & Joanne Shiely Karen Sostarich Stollenwerk Family Charitable Foundation Laura Strain David Unger David & Cheryl Walker We Energies Foundation Sue E. Wells William Stark Jones Foundation Wisconsin Arts Board Herb Zien & Liz Levins Joseph & Maryann Zompa
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Matusinec Joseph & Joni McDevitt Mrs. Luann and Mr. John Molitor James Moore & Paul Stabell Candy & Bruce Pindyck Mary Pollock Charles and Janice Sable Joseph Silvers & Amy Rabideau Silvers David Stein Brian Till Corinthia Van Orsdol & Don Petersen John Walter Sargit Warriner Lee Wolcott Mr. Josh Zaidel Mr. and Mrs. Donald Zien
SKYLIGHT MUSIC CIRCLE OF DONORS cont. CHOREOGRAPHER CIRCLE - $250-$499 Thomas and Kathleen Alpren Mr. and Mrs. David Arnstein Mark & Jane Babich Mr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Baldwin F. Tessa & Richard Bartels Donna & Donald Baumgartner Mrs. and Mr. Kathy Biggs Frank & Pat Bock Mrs. and Mr. Buehler Alvin Burgemeister L.B. & J.K. Charlie Dee Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Burg Thomas and Mary Belle Chatton Marion Chucka Fr. David E. Cooper Mr. Thomas J. Congdon Frederick Cullen Richard Czeszynski Bruce Davidson Mrs. and Mr. Jill DeFrance Mr. and Mrs. Tim Farebrother Rachel Finger Natalie Frankel Kristin & Alec Fraser Gerald and Patricia Freitag Rodney & Linda Gehrig
IN MEMORY OF Mary Pollock
James Gensler Paul Glessner Caren Goldberg Ms. Judith Golden Anonymous Hansen Mr. John & Mrs. Kathleen Hickey Michael and Mary Ignatowski Herb Kohl Philanthropies Peter & Jean Jacobsohn Mary R. James Ron & Pat Jodat Richard & Diane Kane Dr. & Mrs. John Konkel Robert & Patricia Kraft Anonymous Kritzik Jeanne C. Kuelthau Dale & Sandra Landgren Peter and Kristin Langhoff Dr. Paul Loewenstein & Jody Kaufman Loewenstein Pat Lombardo Lois Malawsky Lee Marquardt Chris Mastronardo John McCarty Michael and Patricia McCauley William & Barbara Michaels Sr.
Jequitta K. Molot Lucia & John Murtaugh Albert Nagy Mr. and Mrs. William Nasgovitz Jean Novy David & Janet Olsen Mrs. Elaine H. Pagedas Barbara Peters Wendy Pribbanow Frank and Melanie Popa Reader's Digest Foundation Toby E. Recht Matt & Betsy Sauer Michael Schall Mrs. Imy Schley Paul and Christy Schwan Nita Soref Karen Sostarich Chris Spencer Mr. Neil Staszak Ms. Brenda Stugelmeyer Steven Tietz and Catherine Markwie US Bank Foundation Venture Investors Michael Wright and Ray Jivoff Joan Yuen Ms. and Mr. Susan Zientek
TRIBUTE GIFTS
Florence Lindsay Mrs. Mary S. Lillydahl Mrs. Judith Goetz Howard & Sara Miller Tim & Sue Frautschi Blaine & Linda Rieke Mary Nohl Carol & Kevin Schuele Emalou and Arthur Sandsmark Pam Kriger Mrs. and Mr. Amy Saint John’s Grandslammer Bridge Group
Byron & Suzy Foster Polly & Bo Beal
William Lueder
Marci and James LeDuc
Cindy Haas
Luann and John Molitor
John Holland
Outwords Books Mens Book Club Konrad Kuchenbach
IN HONOR OF Jane & Bill Crise
John & Jo Anne Evans Being Earnest 21
SKYLIGHT MUSIC CIRCLE OF DONORS cont. THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN-KIND DONORS Thomas and Kathleen Alpren Anonymous Art Associated Bank Milwaukee Martha Audley Ann Aurand Baird Private Asset Management Mr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Baldwin Lynn Balistreri Mr. John Baratti Mr. and Mrs. Clair Baum Mrs. and Mr. Kathy Biggs Charles and Lena Biller Marta & Marc Bianchini Kathleen Brenckle Katherine Burbach Wendy Burke Glenn Cain Ms. Kristin Catalano Mary Cannon Mr. Thomas J. Congdon Frederick Cullen Mr. and Mrs. Steve Cushman Phillip & Patricia Crump Dianna Dentino & John Gielow Kathleen Dolan Ken Dortzbach & Jennie Kent Charlie Dee Catherine Dills Mrs. Lee Dougherty Mr. Thomas Drucker Mr. and Mrs. William C. Dulde Laura & John Emory, Jr. Jay Miller and Donna Faw David Finder Mary Lou Findley Rebecca Fishman Barbara Forbes Kristin & Alec Fraser James Gensler Mr. and Mrs. James Gramentine Joe & Gwenn Graboyes Mrs. Joanne Graham Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grebner Mary Anne Gross John Halechko and Marc Colletti Sarah and Peter Hammond Beth Hansing
Ms. Laurie Hansen-Cardona David & Margarete Harvey Cheryl & Roy Hauswirth Leslie Hauser & Karl Wuesthoff Rob & Maryeve Heath Dave and Joan Henkel Elaine Herro Mr. John & Mrs. Kathleen Hickey Ms. and Mr. Meg Hopkins Hub International Midwest Limited Michael and Mary Ignatowski Mr. and Mrs. John P. Jacobson Mary R. James Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson Valerie Johnson & Dennis Robison Michael Johnston Scott Kania and Linda Even Mr. Aaron Kapp Stephen and Diane Kavalauskas Mary and Allan Klotsche Mrs. and Mr. Ellen Kmecak Marina and Frank Krejci Judy Krotky Konrad Kuchenbach James and Diane Kuntzelman Terrance & Kristie Kurtenbach Lloyd and Sheri Levin Barry Link Luann Longtine Mike & Tonya Lueder John & Audrey Makowski Marni King Lee Marquardt Chris Mastronardo Mr. and Mrs. Francis Matusinec Michael and Patricia McCauley Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Christine Miller Howard & Sara Miller Stefani Miller James Moore & Paul Stabell Albert Nagy Mr. and Mrs. William Nasgovitz Eric and Melissa Nelsen Greg Norman and Margaret Stratton
22 Skylight Music Theatre 2020-2021 Season
Sadhna Morato-Lindvall & Scott Lindvall Dreanna Nuss Pauline Obiakor Jane O'Connell Deborah O'Connor-Callahan Mr. Phillip Olson Shima Orans Mitchell and Sonia Ost Mrs. Elaine H. Pagedas Sharyn Parsons Wendy Pribbanow Alexander Pyke Therese Quirk Lucila Radke Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. Blaine & Linda Rieke Elizabeth S. Ross Charles & Patricia Roy Sally S Linda Gale Sampson Carol & Kevin Schuele Jan Serr & John Shannon Justin Schatzman Claudia Scholl Paul and Christy Schwan Mark Slocum Daniel and Sue Snyder David Stein Kay Stiefel Ms. Gillian Stewart Stollenwerk Family Charitable Foundation Donald and Anne Taylor Tom & Michele Tiffany Gloria Tracy David Unger John Walter Dr. Bill Weida Ms. Deanna Weinberg Ms. Annie Weisman Paula Wheeler Christin and Oscar Wille Harvey & Heidi Woehlck Mrs. Kelly Young Mr. and Mrs. Donald Zien Herb Zien & Liz Levins Mr. Josh Zaidel Sarah and Steven Zimmerman
SKYLIGHT MUSIC CIRCLE OF DONORS cont. MATCHING GIFT CORPORATIONS BMO Harris Foundation ExxonMobil Foundation GE Foundation Johnson Controls
JPMorgan Chase Foundation Reader’s Digest Foundation Rexnord Foundation Inc. We Energies
We make every effort to ensure that our donors are recognized properly. If we have made an error, please accept our sincere apologies and contact Sean Devlin at (414) 299-4953 with the correction.
SKYLIGHT STARS Skylight Stars was established in 1998 to recognize those special donors who have made special gifts to Skylight in one or more of the following ways: capital or endowment initiatives, trusts and bequests, and planned gifts. Thank you very much for your generous support. Christopher Seton Abele Anonymous (8) Dennis & Mary Bersch The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation Aunt Teckie Brumder Don & Barbara Buzard Anne Perkins Cabot F. Colin & Paula Cabot Doris Hersh Chortek John Dahlberg Mae E. Demmer Charitable Trust Hugh & Mary Denison Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Charitable Trusts John & Mary Emory Marianne Holtz Epstein Byron & Suzy Foster Lloyd & Mary Ann Gerlach Roy & Sue Gromme David & Margarete Harvey Tom & Suzanne Hefty Jane E. Heinemann Richard & Ethel Herzfeld Foundation John E. Holland Robert F. & Jean E. Holtz Sydney & Grace Johnson William & Charlotte Johnson William Stark Jones Halbert & Alice Kadish Fund Jack & Ginny Kopischke Konrad K. Kuchenbach
Clarice Laubenheimer Mr. & Mrs. Edward Malkasian Robert & Sally Manegold Dorothea C. Mayer Howard & Sara Miller Asher & Susan Nichols Asher & Susan Nichols Family Foundation Northwestern Mutual Foundation Jane B. Pettit Foundation James G. & Gwen Plunkett Mr. & Mrs. George William Pollock, Jr. Verne & Marion Read Blaine & Linda Rieke Esther Leah Ritz Rockwell Automation Wayne & Jean Roper Charles & Patricia Roy Larry and Susan Salustro John Shannon & Jan Serr Vince & Joanne Shiely L. B. & Lucy Smith Dale L. Sorden Family Daniel M. Soref Charitable Trust John & Jo Ellen Stollenwerk Art Lubke & Gloria Tracy David & Julia Uihlein Charitable Foundation UPAF Jon & Teri Vice Audrey Wegner Robert & Joyce Weiss
COMMUNITY PARTNERS Historic Third Ward Association Kimpton Journeyman Hotel TMN Brand Design Visit Milwaukee
A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS. Being Earnest 23