Skylight-Gershwin

presents

Gershwin and Friends Music by George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and Harold Arlen January 27, 28, 29, and February 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Stage Director: Bill Theisen Music Director: Paul Helm Choreographer: Pam Kriger Set Designer: Rick Rasmussen Lighting Designer: Holly Blomquist Sound Designer: Gary Ellis Costume Coordinator: Shima Orans Production Stage Manager: Kimberly Ann McCann* Assistant Stage Manager: Jennifer Anderson

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

This production was 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.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE STAGE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – BILL THELSEN Since I began my tenure as artistic director of Skylight in 2004 it has been my goal to bring the music of George Gershwin back to the Cabot stage. But why stop there? Why not include the amazing work of a few of George’s “friends”….. his remarkable contemporaries who, along with Gershwin, transformed popular music during the 1920s and 1930s.

Gershwin had a string of Broadway successes from 1924 through 1933 that could not be matched, all leading up to his most ambitious and renowned work, Porgy and Bess which premiered in 1935. As I write this there is a revival of Porgy and Bess playing in New York, as well as a new Gershwin musical heading to Broadway this spring called Nice Work If You Can Get It. Music with such unique and original melodies will never go out of style.

Duke Ellington wrote some of his best loved tunes during the 1930s- Mood Indigo, It Don’t Mean A Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing, Solitude and Sophisticated Lady. He also embarked on a highly successful European tour with his 15 piece orchestra and when he landed back in the States made a monumental return to the Cotton Club.

Fats Waller was a skilled composer and pianist-so much so that his good friend Oscar Levant dubbed him “the soulful Horowitz.” His string of hits included After You’ve Gone, This Joint Is Jumpin’, Honeysuckle Rose, Keeping Out Of Mischief Now and Ain’t Misbehavin’. In 1978, Ain’t Misbehavin’, a revue of the music of Fats Waller introduced a whole new generation to the syncopated swing tunes of this legendary man.

Harold Arlen may be the most underrated American composer of all time. While starting out as a band singer he began writing music that he would sing himself and that turned into an inspired career yielding more classic songs than you can imagine. Get Happy, Stormy Weather, It’s Only A Paper Moon, That Old Black Magic, Blues In The Night and One For My Baby are just a few of his brilliant creations. But biggest of all was his unforgettable score for one of Hollywood’s most important movie musicals, The Wizard of Oz. Add to the genius of these four composers the incomparable talents of Cynthia Cobb, Parrish Collier and Paul Helm and you are in for a performance that is dynamic, innovative and chock-full of hit tunes.

It may be a cliché, but it’s true- “They just don’t write songs like this anymore!”

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A MESSAG E FROM T HE MANAG ING D IR EC TOR – A M Y S . J E N S E N Welcome to the Skylight Music Theatre’s production of Gershwin and Friends. We are so excited to be bringing this delightful production to the Cabot Theatre after a very successful run in the Studio Theatre last season. With sold out performances last season, if you were one of the many people who missed out on seeing it, you are in for a real treat. If you were lucky enough to see it last year, you’ll enjoy it all the more with additional songs and enhanced musical arrangements.

As a patron and/or donor, you may have already heard of an important change for Skylight effective February 1, 2012. As of that date, our name is officially changed to Skylight Music Theatre. Skylight’s name has been an ongoing topic of discussion for our board and staff as we strive to ensure that it truly reflects our mission, the work we do onstage, and our programs in our local schools. Because we produce the full spectrum of music theatre, the name “Skylight Opera Theatre” doesn’t accurately reflect the breadth of work that we do. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we represent ourselves accurately in the hearts and minds of our patrons. It’s critical to the future of the Skylight.

Skylight’s strength lies in the magical combination of music and song to tell a story in a way that words or music alone can’t reach. Whether in a beautiful operatic aria, a thrilling song and dance number from a Broadway musical, a Gilbert & Sullivan patter song or the work of contemporary composers who are blurring the lines between musical theatre and opera, Skylight Music Theatre will continue to seek out productions that have a moving story to tell and compelling music through which to tell it.

Thank you for joining for Gershwin and Friends and please join us throughout the remainder of our season for an engaging array of stories that sing! Best wishes for a happy and music-filled 2012.

a riveting American opera of

innocence lost

SUSANNAH

By CarliSle FloyD

marCH 16 & 18 | marCUS Center 414

for tickets, call or visit

291-5700 ext 224 | Florentineopera.org Florentine opera

Company

William Florescu General Director

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CAST Cynthia Cobb* Parrish Collier* Paul Helm ORCHESTRA Bass................................................................................................................................... Tom McGirr Drums and Vibes................................................................................................... Michael Lorenz MUSICAL NUMBERS Act 1 September, 1936 - The Gershwin Estate Act 1 songs composed by George Gershwin Shall We Dance.......................................................................................................................Parrish Strike Up The Band............................................................................................................. Cynthia Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off.................................................................... Cynthia & Parrish I’ll Build A Stairway to Paradise........................................................................................Parrish Just Another Rhumba..........................................................................Cynthia, Parrish, & Paul Embraceable You..................................................................................................................Parrish Someone To Watch Over Me.......................................................................................... Cynthia Nice Work If You Can Get It.................................................................................. Parrish & Paul Fascinating Rhythm/I Got Rhythm.............................................................Cynthia & Parrish Bidin’ My Time............................................................................................................................. Paul Oh, Lady Be Good.................................................................................................................Parrish My Cousin In Milwaukee................................................................................................... Cynthia I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’..........................................................................................................Parrish Summertime......................................................................................................................... Cynthia Bess, You Is My Woman Now........................................................................Cynthia & Parrish There’s A Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For New York.......................................................Parrish But Not For Me..................................................................................................................... Cynthia Blah-Blah-Blah........................................................................................................................Parrish Love is Here To Stay..........................................................................................Cynthia & Parrish Clap Yo’ Hands.........................................................................................Parrish, Cynthia & Paul THERE WILL BE A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION

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MUSICAL NUMBERS Act 2 Later that evening - A club in Harlem Entr’acte/Take The “A” Train (Duke Ellington)..................................................Paul & Band Drop Me Off in Harlem (Duke Ellington)......................................................................Parrish The Joint Is Jumpin’ (Fats Waller)................................................................Cynthia & Parrish It Don’t Mean A Thing (Duke Ellington)..................................................Cynthia & Parrish Hit Me With A Hot Note (Duke Ellington).................................................................. Cynthia Slap That Bass (George Gershwin)........................................Cynthia, Parrish, Paul & Tom Satin Doll (Duke Ellington)................................................................................................Parrish Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Fats Waller)....................................................................................... Cynthia That Old Black Magic (Harold Arlen)..............................................................................Parrish Mood Indigo (Duke Ellington)..........................................................Cynthia, Parrish & Paul Stormy Weather (Harold Arlen)..................................................................................... Cynthia Sophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington).............................................................................Parrish Solitude (Duke Ellington)................................................................................................. Cynthia Over The Rainbow (Harold Arlen)..................................Cynthia, Parrish, Paul & Michael Get Happy (Harold Arlen)................................................................................................ Cynthia I Love To Sing (A-Harold Arlen)........................................................................................Parrish Don’t Get Around Much Anymore (Duke Ellington)................................................Parrish It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie (Fats Waller).................................................................................. Cynthia It’s Only a Paper Moon (Harold Arlen)...........................................Cynthia, Parrish & Paul They All Laughed (George Gershwin)............................................Cynthia, Parrish & Paul

WHO’S WHO Cynthia Cobb* – Cynthia is excited to be back at Skylight as part of the creative team for this remount of Gershwin and Friends. Other roles at Skylight have included both Armelia and Charlaine in Ain’t Misbehavin’, BJ in Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Susannah in Tintypes, The Lady in Blues in the Night, and Woman 2 in The All Night Strut. Other favorite roles have included Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, Mary Kenny in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? at Drury Lane Evergreen Park, Epatha in Elmer Gantry at Marriott Lincolnshire, Lee in Cowgirls at Northlight Theater and Queenie in Showboat at Gateway Playhouse. She has also been seen out on the ocean traveling the world as a featured singer with Royal Caribbean.

Parrish Collier* – Parrish returns to Skylight where he was last seen in last year’s production of Gershwin and Friends.

Other Skylight credits include RENT, Smokey Joe’s Café and The All Night Strut!. His Chicago credits include Andre in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Don in A Chorus Line, and Four-Eyed Moe in Five Guys Named Moe at Drury Lane Evergreen Park; Simon Zealotes in Jesus Christ Superstar and Paul in Kiss Me Kate at Drury Lane Oakbook; Peaseblossom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Zooter in Zoot Suit and Andre in Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Goodman Theatre; Evita and The King and I at Marriott Theatre; Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Rosemont Theatre. Other credits include Bernardo in West Side Story (European tour), Swing for Elektra, Rockies and Components in Starlight Express (Germany) and Four-Eyed Moe in Five Guys Named Moe (UK National Tour).

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W H O ’ S W H O (c o n t. ) Paul Helm (Music Director) – Paul is thrilled to return to the Skylight for more “fascinating rhythm!” Skylight credits include The Music Man, Plaid Tidings, The Pirates of Penzance, The Midnight Angel, Patience, South Pacific, The Mikado, and Iolanthe. He has also performed, directed, and music directed with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, First Stage Children’s Theater, Florentine Opera Company, American Folklore Theatre, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, and the UW-Platteville Heartland Festival.

Recent credits include Seussical, Grease, Ragtime, U: Bug: Me!, My Son Pinocchio, Laurel and Hardy, Beauty and the Beast, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Elmer Gantry, and The Producers.

Next, you can catch Paul tickling the ivories at the Milwaukee Rep for Always…Patsy Cline before he battles evil Space Bears in Packer Fans from Outer Space at the Marcus Center. www.paulhelm.net Bill Theisen (Stage Director) – Bill Theisen made his professional theatre debut as a performer at the Skylight Music Theatre in 1981 and began his tenure as Artistic Director in 2004. He has directed over 100 productions for theatre and opera companies from coast to coast.

Recent directing credits include The Pirates of Penzance for Santa Fe Opera, Showboat with Gateway Playhouse, H.M.S. Pinafore at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Sweeney Todd with Cleveland Opera, The Fourth Wall at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, The Magic Flute for Virginia Opera, A Little Night Music with Seaside Music Theater, The Mikado with Opera Carolina, Seussical at First Stage Children’s Theatre and Into The Woods at the Capitol Canter for the Performing Arts. Skylight Directing credits include The Figaro Story, La Boheme, Souvenir, South Pacific, The Tragedy of Carmen, Animal Crackers, The Spitfire Grill, La Cenerentola, The Mikado, Patience, The Pirates of Penzance 6 Skylight Opera Theatre

and the world premiere of Over the Moon with Gilbert and Sullivan. Mr. Theisen works frequently on the university level as a Guest Director and Lecturer. He served as Director of Opera at the University of Iowa and has continued that relationship for the past 12 years. Other university credits include Carnegie Mellon University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Florida State University, Portland State University, Manhattan School of Music, Utah State University, Northwestern University, NYU and St. Ambrose University where he is also serves on the advisory committee to the theatre department. Bill was the Artistic Director of the Capitol Center for the Performing Arts in Upstate New York and is an adjudicator for arts programming on PBS. Pam Kriger (Choreographer) – Pam returns to Skylight after serving as choreographer for The Music Man. Other Skylight stage director/choreographer credits include last year’s production of Gershwin and Friends, Dames at Sea, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, White Christmas, Tintypes, Lady Be Good, The All Night Strut, Little Shop of Horrors, The World Goes ‘Round and Once On This Island. She has choreographed a multitude of Skylight shows since 1980 including Oh, Lady Lady!, Cabaret, West Side Story, The King & I and Animal Crackers. She is a member of the theater faculty at Cardinal Stritch University where she has directed Zombies From the Beyond, Urinetown, the Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone and most recently, Into the Woods. Recent regional credits include Cheeseheads, the Musical and Bing, the Cherry Musical for American Folklore Theatre, Muskie Love for Madison Rep, Urinetown, the Musical for Nicolet High School, and Into the Woods for University Theater at UW Madison. Her next project will be as director/choreographer for Grease! at Nicolet High School.

Rick Rassmussen (Set Designer) – Rick Rasmussen has been working with Skylight Music Theatre since 1991 when he designed the scenery, props and

W H O ’ S W H O (c o n t. ) costumes for its production of Dames At Sea in the old Skylight theatre. He was honored to be the scenic designer for its first season in the Cabot Theatre, designing 110 In The Shade. Rick resides in Seattle, but works extensively in Milwaukee and other parts of the Midwest. Area theatrical credits include, Duet For One at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, La Boehme at Skylight Music Theatre, High School Musical at the Fireside, Seven Stories at Next Act Theatre, A Christmas Story at First Stage Children’s Theater and Syncopation at Renaissance Theaterworks.

Holly Blomquist (Lighting Designer) – Holly’s lighting design work this season includes Gorgons (Renaissance Theaterworks), Heroes (Chamber Theatre) and Tea at Five (In Tandem).

Past work for Skylight includes A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine.

While lighting for theatre is her first love, Holly is fortunate to have a career which includes lighting designs for architectural projects.

Locally, these include the façade at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, the new Wauwatosa Fire Station, and the Pabst Brewery Parking Structure which earned LEED Gold for sustainable design. A big thank you to Bill and the rest of the Skylight staff for such an enjoyable experience!

Gary Ellis (Sound Designer) – Gary is serving in his fifth year as Skylight’s audio visual supervisor and he loves working in this great theatre with this great group of people. He began his career as a software engineer in Silicon Valley, but watching performances at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Cirque du Soleil got him hooked on theatre. Shows he has designed and mixed include Rent, Adding Machine-The Musical, The Music Man, White Christmas, The Spitfire Grill, The Producers, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Jesus Christ Superstar, Blues In The Night, Sunday In The Park With George, Side Show, Dames At Sea and Violet. Gary studied technical theatre at San Francisco

State University. Previously, he worked at The Santa Fe Opera, Theatreworks in Palo Alto, CA and Summer Repertory Theatre in Santa Rosa, CA. Shima Orans (Costume Coordinator) – Shima designed costumes for Skylight’s H.M.S. Pinafore; A Day in Hollywood/A Night in Ukraine; I Do, I Do; Souvenir; South Pacific; Little Women; and A Grand Night For Singing. She also serves on the Skylight staff as costume director/ draper. Shima has designed for Syracuse Opera, Sterling Renaissance Festival, Oswego Opera, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Apple Hill Playhouse, Acadia Repertory Theatre, and the 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.

Kimberly Ann McCann* (Production Stage Manager) – Kimberly is joining Skylight for her second season. Her regional credits include: A Civil War Christmas at Northlight Theatre (Chicago), Million Dollar Quartet (Chicago). Broadway credits: Curtains.

Off-Broadway credits: Bill W. and Dr. Bob, How to Save the World, John Ferguson. Other credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (San Francisco), Door Shakespeare, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, toured with ArtsPower National Touring Theatre and numerous productions at The Juilliard School. Kimberly is a graduate of Illinois State University and a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

Jennifer Anderson (Assistant Stage Manager) – Jen is very excited to be returning to Skylight! Previously at Skylight, Jen has been a part of the Stage Management teams for Rent, The Pirates of Penzance, I Do I Do and The Producers.

She has also worked with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Jen recently completed a Stage Management internship at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN for their production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Enjoy the show!

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P R O D U C T I O N S TA FF Director of Production................................................................................................Mark Turner Technical Director..................................................................................................Robert Wagner Assistant Technical Director............................................................................Steve Gillingham Technical Assistant......................................................................................... Alexander Moliere Scenic Carpenters........................................................................ Adam Held, Rebecca Knipfer Scene Shop Apprentice.......................................................................................... Amanda Srok Production Stage Manager..................................................................Kimberly Ann McCann Assistant Stage Manager.............................................................................. Jennifer Anderson Properties Director................................................................................................. Lisa Schlenker Properties Carpenter.............................................................................................. Jennifer Lyons Properties Artists.............................................................................Nikki Kulas, Jennifer Bezjak Properties Apprentice................................................................................................. Kara Waala Scenic Charge................................................................................................................... Carri Dahl Scenic Artists.......................................................................... Andrea Toussaint, Jason Schultz Scenic Artist Apprentice................................................................................................Jane Vang Costume Coordinator............................................................................................... Shima Orans Costume Shop Manager............................................................................................... Barry Link Wig Designer................................................................................................................. Lara Dalbey Wig Master, Hair Stylist & Wardrobe.....................................................................Justin Deehr Wardrobe...................................................................................................................Susan Maroske Stage Supervisor.................................................................................................. Andrew Booher Lead Props...................................................................................................................Amanda Srok Audio Visual Supervisor...................................................................................................Gary Ellis Master Electrician...................................................................................................Ryan Bertelson Spot Operators........................................................................... Doug Vance, Terry Valdovinos Light Board Operator..................................................................................................Jessica Peck Electricians.............................................................................. Andrew Booher, Thomas Moore, Jessica Peck, Doug Vance, Ross Zentner

AC K N O W L E D G E M E N T S Kris Klein, Klein’s piano workshop; Sandy Strawn, UWM department of Theatre; Milwaukee Repertory Theatre prop department; Michael Cronin & Lt. Philip Jones; Anne Van Deusen; The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel; and Milwaukee Repertory Theater Costume Shop

2 011-2 012 SU B S C R I B E R B E N E FI T PA R T I C I PA N T S Bella Caffé Kate Gingrass Gallery Swig Third Ward Caffè Water Buffalo

8 Skylight Opera Theatre

189 N. Milwaukee St. 241 N. Broadway 217 N. Broadway 225 E. St. Paul Ave. 249 N. Water St.

(414)-273-5620 (414) 289-0855 (414) 431-7944 (414) 224-0895 (414) 431-1133

S K Y L I G H T O P E R A T H E AT R E B OA R D S 2011-2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Harvey, President F. Tessa Escamilla Bartels Marta Bianchini Rick Bliss Michael Bula F. Colin Cabot (Honorary Director) Jameson Delgadillo Laura Emory John Flanagan Byron Foster

Susan Godfrey Leslie Hauser Mark Huber Valerie Johnson Tracey Klein Christopher Layden Michael Lueder Michelle Mattson Sandra McNeely Howard Miller

James Plunkett Brad Quade Mary Ann Renz Curtis Sawyer John Shannon John Stollenwerk Paul Sweeney

BOARD OF ADVOCATES Betty Arndt Polly Beal Dorothy Biwer Mary Emory Suzy Foster Harry Franke Sue Frautschi Timothy Frautschi Lloyd Gerlach Roy Gromme Sue Gromme Katie Harding

Grace Johnson William Johnson Gary Jorgenson A. Kipp Koester Terrance Kurtenback Pam Kriger Arthur F. Lubke Jr. Zabelle Malkasian Sally Manegold Steve Mech Susan Nichols Nick Owen

Mary Pollock John Shannon Greg Reiter Blaine Rieke Linda Rieke Julia Taylor Teri Vice David B. Williams Nick Wilson Herbert Zien

PAST PRESIDENTS John Stollenwerk Mary Emory Matt Flynn Byron Foster Sue Frautschi Timothy Frautschi

Jack Gardner Suzanne Hefty Terry Kurtenbach Howard Miller Jeff Nohl

Nick Owen Mary Pollock Larry Salustro Richard Wright

SKYLIGHTERS COMMITTEE Karissa Feller Sherry Johnson Amy Schmidt Jones Jeanne Kessler Christopher Layden

Karen Lemmer Justine Leonard Kate Mann Sara Miller Bobbi Polacheck

Mary Jo Trotter Kay Valcq Stephanie Wesselowski

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S K Y L I G H T M U S I C T H E AT R E S TA FF AMY S. JENSEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR BILL THEISEN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Diana Alioto, Director of Artistic Operations Cindy Haas, Finance Director Jim Farrell, Development Director Ray Jivoff, Associate Artistic Director Jennifer Samuelson, Marketing Director Mark Turner, Director of Production and Facilities ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Kelley Arlt........................................................................................................ Box Office Manager Alyssa Brakke..............................................................................................Graphic Design Intern Lee Caracci..............................................................................................................House Manager Madeline Cope........................................... Special Events and Donor Relations Manager Robin Dennis......................................................................................... Resident Teaching Artist Madelyn DePrey........................................................................................... Development Intern Corinne Gilbert.....................................................................................Education Administrator Barbara Weber.......................................................................................................Grants Manager Rose Hebein....................................................................................Marketing Project Manager Amy LaMacchia............................................................................................. Campaign Manager Paul Kaishian.................................................................................................................... Custodian Becca Marten................................................................................................. Education Manager Kristen Nissen.............................................................Office Manager and Finance Assistant Ruben Piirainen.................................................................................. Education Music Director Jennifer Stanislowski................................................................................Box Office Supervisor Julian Salas...............................................................................Weekend Box Office Supervisor Jess Jante, Koren Nowak, Gwen Zupan......................................................... Box Office Staff Cara McMullin, Michelle Brien, Patrick Schley....................... Assistant House Managers

PRODUCTION STAFF Ryan Bertelson.................................................................................................. Master Electrician Andrew Booher.................................................................................................. Stage Supervisor Carri Dahl................................................................................................................... Scenic Charge Gary Ellis.................................................................. Audio Visual Supervisor and IT Manager Steve Gillingham...........................................................................Assistant Technical Director Adam Held ...........................................................................................................Scenic Carpenter Rebecca Knipfer .................................................................................................Scenic Carpenter Barry Link............................................................................................... Costume Shop Manager Michael Lorenz............................................................................................Orchestra Contractor Jennifer Lyons.............................................................................................. Properties Carpenter Kimberly Ann McCann..................................................................Production Stage Manager Alexander Moliere..........................................................................................Technical Assistant Shima Orans...................................................................................................... Costume Director Lisa Schlenker.................................. Properties Director & Assistant Director of Facilities Lillian Tillson.......................................................ASM and Production and Facility Assistant Jane Vang............................................................................................................Scenic Apprentice Kara Waala...................................................................................................Properties Apprentice Robert Wagner..................................................................................................Technical Director 10 Skylight Opera Theatre

S K Y L I G H T M U S I C T H E AT R E C I R C L E O F D O N O R S Skylight recognizes and honors, with our deepest gratitude, the following individuals, foundations, organizations, businesses and government agencies who provided support to our Annual Campaign and helped us to deliver high quality music theatre productions to the Greater Milwaukee community. A special thanks to the members of the Clarion Society, who have made multi-year commitments of pledging $5,000 or more for the Annual Campaign (these members are listed as bold). Our thanks, too, for the many donors of $249 and under whose gifts are vital to Skylight’s continuing success, we regret there is not space to list them all.

(This list is current as of January 12, 2012.)

BENEFACTOR CIRCLE $25,000+ Anonymous The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation Mary Ann & Lloyd Gerlach Greater Milwaukee Foundation David & Margarete Harvey Potawatomi Bingo Casino United Performing Arts Fund STAR CIRCLE $10,000-$24,999 Anonymous (2) Helen Bader Foundation Robert W. Baird & Company Chase Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Halbert and Alice Kadish Fund

Pain Fund The Richard & Ethel Herzfeld Foundation Johnson Bank Frontier Airlines Howard & Sara Miller Northwestern Mutual Foundation Verne & Marion Read Linda & Blaine Rieke Schoenleber Foundation Daniel M. Soref Charitable Trust Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder CharitableTrust David & Julia Uihlein Charitable Foundation The Windhover Foundation

SPONSOR CIRCLE $5,000-$9,999 Anonymous Assurant Health Alvin & Marion Birnschein Foundation Rick & Wendy Bliss Briggs & Stratton Corporation Foundation Michael & Anne Marie Bula F. Colin & Paula Cabot Mae E. Demmer Charitable Trust John & Mary Emory Ralph Evinrude Foundation Lili & Rick Friedman Greater Milwaukee Foundation Burns-Schrader Fund Asher & Susan Nichols Family Fund Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Inc. Krause Family Foundation Phoebe & Jack Lewis Maihaugen Foundation Marcus Corporation Marshall & Ilsley Foundation Nonprofit Management Fund Meyer & Norma Ragir Foundation Adriana & Robert Ragir Greg & Mary Ann Renz Rockwell Automation Wayne Roper Charles & Patricia Roy Curtis & Candace Sawyer Carol & Kevin Schuele Sempercor Foundation

John Shannon & Jan Serr Stollenwerk Family Charitable Foundation WE Energies Herb Zien & Liz Levins PRODUCER CIRCLE $2,500-$4,999 Anonymous Chris & Storm Elser John Flanagan & Deborah Schwartz Byron & Suzy Foster Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s

Luedke-Smith Fund Susan Godfrey Lindsay & Peter Hammerer Mark Huber & Nari Haig Freida & William Hunt Memorial Trust Johnson Controls Foundation Pam Kriger Terry & Kristie Kurtenbach Nancy & Arthur Laskin Sandra & Mike McNeely Susan Nichols Gordana & Milan Racic Matthew Sirinek & Michelle Mattson Sigma-Aldrich Foundation DIRECTOR CIRCLE $1,000-$2,499 Richard Adamek Tom & Betty Arndt Nancy H. Balcer Polly & Robert Beal Lee A. Berthelsen Richard & Kay Bibler Skylight Opera Theatre 11

S K Y L I G H T O P E R A T H E AT R E C I R C L E O F D O N O R S ( c o n t . ) Mr. & Mrs. William D. Biersach John & Olive Bryson Christine & Robert Bukowski Barbara & Don Buzard H.H. Camp Foundation Doris Hersh Chortek Laura & John Emory, Jr. Suzy B. Ettinger Jim & Lynne Farrell Mary Lou Findley Leona Fitzsimonds Gardner Foundation Joe & Gwenn Graboyes Catherine Graham Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Cottrell Balding Fund

Dr. Carl W. Eberbach & Elizabeth Falk Eberbach Fund Margaret Heminway Wells Fund Mr. & Mrs. Wayne K. Hader Charles & Margaret Harper John & Sara Hein John E. Holland & Konrad K. Kuchenbach Helen & Ronald Jacobs Amy S. Jensen Carol Jensen Valerie Johnson & Dennis Robison William R. & Charlotte S. Johnson William Stark Jones Foundation Gary & Judy Jorgensen Tracey & Rick Klein Kipp & Mary Koester Ruth De Young Kohler KPMG LLP John E. & Nancy Larson Pasquale Laurino Chris & Emilia Layden James & Camilla Levin Franklin Loo & Sally Long Art Lubke & Gloria Tracy Tonya & Michael Lueder Zabelle Malkasian John R. & Coleen E. Marshall George Michel 12 Skylight Opera Theatre

Mr. & Mrs. George A. Mosher The Charles D. Ortgiesen Foundation Clare M. Peters Charitable Trust James G. & Gwen Plunkett Ildy & Skip Poliner Mary S. Pollock PPC Foundation Ronald & Carol Scott Service Club of Milwaukee Nita Soref Paul & Lisa Sweeney Target Stores Brian & Joan Wake Dr. Marcia J.S. Richards & Mr. Donald R. Whitaker Nick & Stoney Wilson Dick & Diane Wright DESIGNER CIRCLE $500-$999 Robert & Rebecca Adlam Marilyn Auer F. Tessa & Richard Bartels Jane & Jim Bell Dr. & Mrs. Michael Besch Carolee C. Beutler Marc & Marta Bianchini Mr. & Mrs. Gregg Bolt William & Karen Boyd James Cauley & Brenda Andrews Margaret & B. Lauren Charous Thomas & Belle Chatton John & Kay Crichton Joan Dimow & John Moulder Edward Doemland Karen Duffy Mr. & Mrs. Walter Dusold Albert J. & Flora H. Ellinger Foundation David Flores Kristen & Alec Fraser Sue & Tim Frautschi Gardner L.R. & Karen Friedlander Scott & Lyn Geboy Douglas George Mary Jane Gralton

Dale & Mary Graves Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Youth Foundation Greater Milwaukee Foundation Donald & Barbara Abert Fund

Werner M. & Susan W. Krause Family Fund

Bill & Gwen Werner Fund Roy & Sue Gromme Bill & Sandy Haack Donald Haack & Karen Smith Dr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Handrich Arlene Hansen Ralph & Susan Harkins Cheryl & Roy Hauswirth Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation Burton & Lynn Hoffman Dwayne Johnson Clark E. Johnson & Nona G. Hill Sydney & Grace Johnson Warren & Sally Kreunen Jeanne C. Kuelthau Dale & Sandra Landgren John & Audrey Makowski Mary McAndrews Anne Grace Nimke Jeffrey & Mary Nohl Dr. Mark & Kristine O’Meara Dr. Nick & Mary Owen Donald Peterson Anthony Petullo Foundation, Inc. Jack & Martha Prince Mr. & Mrs. Edward A. Purtell, Jr. Mickey Ripp Robert & Lenore Swoboda Calvin & Pauline Verbrugge VJS Construction Services Sargit Warriner Allan & JeanAnn Wirth

S K Y L I G H T O P E R A T H E AT R E C I R C L E O F D O N O R S ( c o n t . ) CHOREOGRAPHER CIRCLE - $250-$499 Acme Sales, Inc. Sara Alter David & Patricia Anderson Anonymous (4) L.B. & J.K. Robert Bjerke Jill & Frits Broekhuizen Donald A. Cress Bob & Belle Danforth Susan Dawicke Mrs. Ross H. Dean Harry & Barbara Drake Don & Nora Dreske Tom & Bette Drought Brian & Heather Dunn JoAnn Durrett William Eastham John & Polly Edgar Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Engman Marianne Holtz Epstein Robert & Kristin Fewel Rachel E. Finger Robert & Diane Gagliano Mark & Virginia Gennis Susan Getzel Burton Goodman Mary Anne Gross Mary Kay & Johnathan Gundlach George B. Haasler Ed & Priscilla Heinecke Edward M. Hipke Ann & Fred Horwitz Sarah & Milton Hwang Richard & Diane Kane Ironwood Foundation George & Angela Jacobi Suzette J. Kappes Bruce & Sally Kehl Tim Kitzke John & Patricia Konkel Charles Lenz Justine Leonard Jim & Susan Loveridge John & Marty Lubing Wayne & Kris Lueders Lee Marquardt

Christine McGee Barry McNulty Retta & Jeff Meser Jequitta K. Molot Jane S. O’Connell Lincoln & Mary Oro Larry & Bonnie Paplham Park Bank Foundation Robert D. Parrish & Richard E. Steele Mr. & Mrs. James Petrie Fred Pike & Cecilia Taylor Bruce & Candy Pindyck Larry & Bobbi Polacheck Jill Anna Ponasik Greg Reiter Roger & Nancy Ritzow Curtis & Patty Robinson Bibi & Greg Rosner Jerold & Lee Dougherty Ross Dr. Emily Schlenker Robert & Sally Schmidt Margery J. Senn Marsha Ruth Sehler Mark & Karen Sostarich Robert Spencer James & Catherine Sponholz Annette StoddardFreeman Barbara & Christian Steinmetz Edwin & Jean Stone Audrey Strnad Rudolph & Theresa Sundberg L. Jean Turner Kay Valcq Joan & Gary Weida Sue Wells Diane Wiese Mr. & Mrs. David B. Williams Carlton & Leslie Wininger Richard & Kay Yuspeh

The Skylight receives support from the following government agencies: City of Milwaukee Arts Board Milwaukee County CAMPAC National Endowment for the Arts Wisconsin Arts Board Thank you to those that have supported the Skylight with an in-kind gift: Assurant Health DigiCOPY Dryit Carpet Dry Cleaning Inc. Entech Dale & Mary Graves NOVA Systems Inc. Dr. Marcia J.S. Richards & Mr. Donald R. Whitaker A special thank you to the following corporations for matching employee gifts: Alliant Energy American Transmission Company AptarGroup Assurant Health Dominion Foundation Eaton Corporation GE Foundation Johnson Controls Quad/Graphics, Inc. Rexnord Rockwell Automation International SPX Foundation UBS WE Energies Well Point

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 us at 414/299-4953 so that we may correct it.

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S K Y L I G H T S TA R S Skylight Stars was established in 1998 to recognize those special donors who have designated Skylight in a bequest, trust or other planned gift for organization, artistic, capital and endowment initiatives. Thank you very much for your generous support.

Christopher Seton Abele Anonymous (8) Dennis & Mary Bersch The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation Aunt Teckie Brumder Barbara & Don Buzard Anne Perkins Cabot F. Colin & Paula Cabot 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 Joseph & Gwenn Graboyes Roy & Sue Gromme David & Margarete Harvey Tom & Suzanne Hefty

Jane E. Heinemann Richard & Ethel Herzfeld Foundation John E. Holland Robert F. & Jean E. Holtz Grace & Sydney 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 Susan & Asher 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 Jon & Teri Vice Audrey Wegner Robert & Joyce Weiss Nora & Jude Werra

CO M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S

Mae E. Demmer Charitable Trust

Maihaugen Foundation Frieda & William Hunt Memorial Trust Daniel M. Soref Charitable Trust 14 Skylight Opera Theatre

TO T H E AU D I E N C E Audience Guide…A free audience guide is generated by Enlighten, Skylight’s education program, with the help of volunteer Justine Leonard. It is meant to provide in-depth background information about the show, including information on the composer and author, source material, historical perspective on the setting, and information about Skylight directors, designers and performers. The guide is available on our website and in the lobby of the theatre.

Bad Weather Policy...Skylight rarely cancels or reschedules performances due to inclement weather, however in cases of extreme weather circumstances we may be forced to do so.

Cabaret Series...Friday and Saturday evening performances in the Cabot Theatre are followed by a free, 45-minute cabaret show in the Skylight Bar & Bistro. There is not a cabaret performance on opening night.

Emergency Contact…If you need to be contacted during the performance, an emergency number is available for your convenience: (414) 908-6645. This extension is a message center for the house manager. Please leave your seat location so we may contact you.

Food and Drink...Skylight Bar & Bistro, located on the second floor of the Broadway Theatre Center, is a full-service bar with a pre-theatre dinner menu open two hours before Cabot Theatre performances, at intermission and after performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. For dining information visit www. getindulge.com or email info@getindulge.com.

Group Discounts...Groups of 10 or more are eligible for our group discount.

Make your event unique and ask about our rental spaces for a pre- or post-show reception with cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres, dinner or dessert. Please contact Rose Hebein at (414) 299-4951 for more information or to reserve group tickets.

Lost and Found...Leave a message with the House Manager at (414) 908-6645 to check if lost articles have been found.

Parking...Convenient, free or low-cost parking is available in several locations.

Metered street parking throughout the Historic Third Ward is free after 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays. The Italian Community Center parking lot, three blocks east of the theatre at Jackson and Menomonee streets, is free after 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays; daytime parking is also available for a small fee. Structure parking is available for a small fee in the Third Ward parking structures located at Chicago and Milwaukee streets (two blocks east) and Chicago and Water streets (two blocks west).

Recording Equipment & Cameras...The use of recording devices and/or photography is strictly prohibited in the theatre during a performance.

Skylight’s Annual Campaign...Consists of individuals, corporations and foundations whose generous gifts allow Skylight to achieve fiscal soundness and artistic excellence. To become a donor, please contact Sara von Hemert-Dachelet, Campaign Manager, at (414) 299-4953.

Skylight Insights…Join us for an opportunity to learn more about Skylight Opera Theatre productions. Ray Jivoff will lead pre-performance talks one hour before curtain for every Wednesday and Sunday performance.

Special Patron Services... A limited number of infrared hearing systems are available on a first come, first served basis. Audio description, sign language interpretation and wheelchair seating are available and can be arranged in advance by calling (414) 291-7800.

Tours...With advance notice, tours of the Broadway Theatre Center and Skylight’s production shops are available throughout the year. Call (414) 299-4972 for reservations.

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B OX O FFI C E I N F O R M AT I O N Skylight Music Theatre’s Box Office is located in the Broadway Theatre Center at 158 North Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Phone: (414) 291-7800.

Hours...Monday through Saturday noon to 6:00 p.m. and two hours prior to all performances. Skylight tickets are available for purchase online at www.skylightopera.com — 24 hours a day/7 days a week!

Ticket Exchanges… Season tickets may be exchanged for tickets to another performance of the same production by mail, fax, or in person, up to 48 hours in advance of a performance. Reservations for ticket exchanges may not be made less than 48 hours in advance of the original performance date. Subscribers and single ticket holders who lose their tickets may contact the box office for duplicates; seating locations are on record. All sales are final.

Ticket Donations...Ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets may donate them for resale and receive a receipt for a tax-deductible contribution. Just ask the box office for a contribution receipt. Tickets are not refundable, nor may the ticket value be applied to future ticket sales or outstanding pledges.

VO LU N T E E R I N F O R M AT I O N The Skylighters... The Skylighters are involved in a variety of activities and special events in support of Skylight. For event or membership information, contact Madeline Cope, Donor Services and Special Events Manager, at (414) 299-4972.

Ushers...Sign up for any show at www.skylightopera.volunteerhub.com or email our House Manager, Lee Caracci, at leec@skylightopera.com Volunteer for Skylight… For over 50 years, Skylight Music Theatre as been providing fun on and off the stage! To learn more, email volunteer@skylightopera.com

G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N Skylight Music Theatre Broadway Theatre Center 158 North Broadway Milwaukee, WI 53202 Administrative Office: (414) 291-7811 Box Office: (414) 291-7800 www.skylightopera.com Skylight Music Theatre is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), Theatre Wisconsin, Visit Milwaukee, the Historic Third Ward Association, and Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee, and is a cultural partner of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Arts in Community Education (ACE) Program.

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