opera theatre Presents
H.M.S. Pinafore November 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28 December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Music by Arthur Sullivan Book and Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert Stage Director and Choreographer: Bill Theisen** Music Director: Richard Carsey Scenic and Lighting Designer: Peter Dean Beck*** Costume Designer: Shima Orans Uniforms supplied by Malabar Limited, Toronto.
Assistant Stage Director and Choreographer: Molly Rhode* Assistant Music Director: Ruben Piirainen Stage Manager: Jessica Berlin Krivsky* *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. **Member of the Stage Director and Choreographers Society ***Member of the United Scenic Artists 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. Additional support from the Dale L. Sorden Fund is provided for Gilbert and Sullivan Productions. Skylight Opera Theatre 1
A M E S S AG E F R O M T H E A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R – B I L L T H E I S E N H.M.S. Pinafore premiered 132 years ago on May 25, 1878. I think it is amazing that this work of Gilbert and Sullivan, written so long ago, can still be as fresh, smart and funny as it is today. Their wit and daring combined with gorgeous melodies and catchy tunes created a new world of operetta previously unknown to audiences. In preparing for this production of H.M.S. Pinafore I was thrilled to find a letter that Mr. Gilbert sent to Mr. Sullivan shortly after their previous collaboration, The Sorcerer, had opened. Dear Sullivan, I send you herewith a sketch plot of the proposed opera. I hope and think you will like it. I should have liked to have talked it over with you, as there is a good deal of fun in it which I haven’t set down on paper. Among other things a song for the First Lord- tracing his career as officeboy in cotton-broker’s office, clerk, traveler, junior partner, and First Lord of Britain’s Navy. I think a splendid song can be made of this. Of course there will be no personality in this- the fact that the First Lord in the opera is a radical of the most pronounced type will do away with any suspicion that W.H. Smith is intended.(Gilbert could not have seriously believed this, but as W.H. Smith was Disraeli’s First Lord Appointee, he was probably trying to allay any potential fear Sullivan might have had that offense might be given in high places.)I shall be anxious to know what you think of the plot. It seems to me that there is plenty of story in it, with good musical situations. As soon as I hear from you that the plot will do, I will set to work sending you the first act as soon as it is finished. Sincerely, Gilbert Sullivan received this letter in Paris and his reaction to the sketch plot had been instantly favorable. What grew from this correspondence was a comic opera about love- but not a simple love. A love between different classes and a love on many different levels. This was really quite daring at the time because it could easily be seen as a reflection of England and its stuffy “Class Pride.” Keeping with the original ideas for H.M.S. Pinafore I want to honor the tradition of the piece but at the same time add an exciting theatricality to the production. This enables us to heighten the comedy and drama, yet be true to Gilbert and Sullivan’s brilliant collaboration. My goal is to make this production a valentine. A celebration of love for everyone. But also a look back at the class system- a gentle reminder of how little some things have changed in the past 132 years.
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A M E S S AG E F R O M T H E M A N AG I N G D I R E C TO R – A M Y J E N S E N Welcome to Skylight Opera Theatre and our production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore. We are so delighted to welcome back so many of our favorite Gilbert and Sullivan performers who have made our recent productions sparkle with wit and beautiful music. We are also pleased to pay tribute to the Skylight past by bringing Gilbert and Sullivan to the stage at this festive time of year. To me, there is no wrong time of year for Gilbert and Sullivan, but it is particularly fun to include it as an option for Milwaukee’s holiday entertainment. At this thankful time of year, I would like to express my great thanks and gratitude to our dedicated and hardworking staff, to our committed board members and board of advocates, to our terrific ushers and volunteers, to our talented performers and artists, and to our wonderfully supportive donors and patrons. None of our performances or programs would be possible without all of your work and support. Finally, on a sad note, Skylight lost a true friend and long-time supporter when former House Manager Carl Komassa passed away this fall. Carl and his wife Carol were house managers here at the Broadway Theatre Center for many years. I had the great fortune of working with Carl not only here at Skylight, but at the United Performing Arts Fund as well. Carl was an individual for whom the glass was not just half-full, it always seemed filled to the brim. We are so thankful that Carl was a part of the Skylight family and we will miss him greatly. We dedicate this production of H.M.S. Pinafore to Carl’s memory.
Carol & Carl Komossa
CAST Josephine......................................................................................................................... Alicia Berneche Ralph Rackstraw......................................................................................................... Colm Fitzmaurice Captain Corcoran.............................................................................................................John Muriello* Buttercup.......................................................................................................................... Deborah Fields Dick Deadeye..........................................................................................................................Robb Smith Sir Joseph Porter.................................................................................................................Gary Briggle* Cousin Hebe.............................................................................................................. Rhonda Rae Busch Gus,The Boatswain.................................................................................................................Tim Rebers Lon, The Carpenter...............................................................................................................David Flores Grover........................................................................................................................................Joe Fransee Clarence..................................................................................................................................... Eric Nelson Ernest................................................................................................................................... Chase Stoeger Rufus........................................................................................................................ Nathan Wesselowski Lola.........................................................................................................................................Holly Behrens Gladys..........................................................................................................................................Heidi Boyd Pearl.................................................................................................................................Susan Gottschalk Lulu..................................................................................................................................... Beth Mulkerron Daisy.................................................................................................................................Jill Anna Ponasik Minnie........................................................................................................................... Susan Wiedmeyer Skylight Opera Theatre 3
ORCHESTR A Keyboard..........................................................................................................................Ruben Piirainen Violin...............................................................................................................................Pamela Simmons Cello.............................................................................................................................................Scott Cook Accordion................................................................................................................................ Tom Kanack Flute/Piccolo................................................................................................................. Janice Bjorkman Oboe..........................................................................................................................................Phillip Koch Clarinet..................................................................................................................... Christian Ellenwood Flute/Clarinet............................................................................................................................Ron Foster Trumpet...............................................................................................................................Tom Schlueter Guitar..................................................................................................................................... Bob Monagle Timpani/Percussion.......................................................................................................Michael Lorenz
SYNOPSIS Act I The Pinafore, a “saucy” beauty of a ship in her majesty’s Navy, is anchored in the harbor at Portsmouth. Its proud sailors are busy scrubbing the decks for the expected arrival of Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., Britain’s First Lord of the Admiralty. “Little” Buttercup, a bumboat woman who is “red and round and rosy” comes aboard to sell to the sailors her stock of “snuff and tobaccy and excellent jacky,” and other luxuries. A handsome and accomplished sailor, Ralph, tells his messmates that he is in love with the Captain’s daughter, Josephine. Dick Deadeye, the embodiment of the ugly truth, reminds the starry-eyed seaman that Captain’s daughters don’t marry foremast hands! The Captain arrives to inspect his crew. The gentleman captain sings that he never uses foul language and is never sick at sea—well, “hardly ever.” Josephine is sought in marriage by Sir Joseph, but it seems that she has no enthusiasm for a union with that cabinet minister—secretly, she is in love with a lowly sailor: Ralph. It also seems that Little Buttercup has a romantic interest in the Captain and harbors a secret about Ralph! Finally, Sir Joseph arrives attended by his many “sisters and his cousins and his aunts,” among whom is his loyal but jealous cousin Hebe. He explains that he rose to the top post in the Navy by sticking close to his desk and never going to sea. He also encourages the Captain to request that his sailors follow an order with the phrase,“if you please.” After all, his Lordship notes,“a British sailor is any man’s equal.” Indeed, he presents the crew with a song that he himself has composed to encourage “independence of thought and action in the lower branches” of the Navy. Sir Joseph and the Captain retire below decks to discuss the proposed marriage. Ralph finds Josephine alone on deck and declares his love for her and his willingness to try to fit in with middle-class society. She rejects his proffered love, although his simple eloquence goes to her heart. She is a dutiful daughter and cannot forget the disparity in their ranks. But when Ralph threatens suicide, the lady relents and declares her love for him. With the crew and the sisters, cousins and aunts assisting, the lovers plot to elope that very night. Dick Deadeye warns the pair of the impropriety of their plan, but he is forced to retreat. Act II Captain Corcoran is alone on deck with his guitar and sings to the moon of his troubles. Little Buttercup comes to him and reveals her affection. He tells her that because of his rank he can never be more to her than a friend; but she hints darkly that a change is in store for him, and “things are seldom what they seem.” Sir Joseph returns, complaining that Josephine does not favor his suit. The Captain comforts him by theorizing that she is dazzled by his lofty station and suggests that he plead 4 Skylight Opera Theatre
S Y N O P S I S ( c o n t .) his case on the ground that “love levels all ranks.” When Josephine hears this argument, she considers how eloquently Sir Joseph has stated the justification for her to marry Ralph! Dick Deadeye finds the Captain alone and reveals the planned elopement. He and the Captain lie in wait for the crew, who steal in “carefully on tip-toe.” The Captain confronts the elopers and is so exasperated that he actually swears a foul oath: “Damme!” which is overheard by Sir Joseph Porter. Judging first and asking questions later, Sir Joseph orders the Captain to go to his cabin for this “ill-advised asperity.” Upon inquiry, Sir Joseph finds out that Ralph and Josephine love one another and orders the “presumptuous” sailor to the brig. Affairs are interrupted by Little Buttecup, who discloses her long-concealed secret: As their foster mother, she had accidentally exchanged the Captain and Ralph while they were both babies. Sir Joseph immediately sends for Ralph (who is now Captain) and the Captain (who is now a humble seaman). Since it is “out of the question” for Sir Jospeh to marry the daughter of a mere sailor, his Lordship nobly contests to the marriage of Ralph and Josephine. The former Captain is now free to marry dear Little Buttercup, and Sir Joseph agrees to marry his longtime admirer, cousin Hebe. All ends with “joy and rapture unforeseen,” for “he is an Englishman!” Hip, hip hooray!
WHO’S WHO Alicia Berneche (Josephine)-Alicia has appeared on operatic stages across the country, including the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby; The Goodman Theatre; The Barbican; BAM in the world premiere of Philip Glass’ Galileo Galilei and was on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera. For Skylight Opera Theatre, Ms. Berneche appeared as the title role in Lucia de Lammermoor; Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro; Mimi in La Boheme; Marianne in Tartuffe; Yum-Yum in The Mikado; Josephine in the last production of H.M.S. Pinafore and as Meg and Cissy in the world premiere of Ballymore. Other houses include Kentucky Opera, Arizona Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Virginia Opera, Sarasota Opera and Orlando Opera. She has had the pleasure of essaying many Gilbert and Sullivan heroines throughout the years of her career. Colm Fitzmaurice (Ralph Rackstraw)Colm is delighted to return to Skylight as Ralph. He has performed as many Gilbert and Sullivan
leading roles, including: Ralph, Nanki-Poo, Frederic, Strephon, Fairfax, Hilarion and Alexis, with companies including Skylight, Virginia Opera, Kentucky Opera, The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, Opera Naples, Chicago Light Opera Works, and Light Opera Oklahoma. Other favorite performances include Tony in West Side Story (German tour), Tamino in Die Zauberflote(in Paris), and Candide with Dayton Opera. Upcoming performances include H.M.S. Pinafore with Opera Carolina. Visit www.colmfitzmaurice.com for more information. John Muriello (Captain Corcoran)John was last seen at Skylight as Gilbert in An Evening with Gilbert and Sullivan. Other Skylight credits include The Sergeant of Police in The Pirates of Penzance, Colonel Calvary in Patience, the title role in Kirk Mechem’s Tartuffe, Poo-bah in The Mikado, The Lecturer in Dominick Argento’s A Water Bird Talk and Mamma Agatha in Donizetti’s Viva la Mamma. Muriello has also performed with Seaside Music Theatre, Lyric Opera of Cleveland, Ohio Light Opera and Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. He teaches voice at the University of Iowa. Skylight Opera Theatre 5
W H O ’ S W H O ( c o n t .) Deborah Fields (Buttercup)-Deborah is very excited to return to the Skylight! She has performed over fifty leading and supporting roles in opera, operetta and musical theatre at Wolf Trap, Opera Carolina, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Lake George Opera, Piedmont Opera, NYC Wagner Theater, the famed New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players and has appeared as Katisha in The Mikado, Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore and Ruth in Pirates of Penzance. Deborah was selected by composer Carlisle Floyd to debut the role of Effie Belle in Opera Carolina’s southeastern’s premiere of Cold Sassy Tree. She also appeared in his opera, Susannah as Mrs. McLean. Robert Ward selected her to sing the role of Rebecca Nurse in his award-winning opera, The Crucible. Deborah also appeared as Mrs. Soames in Our Town. Life is full, rich and wonderfilled with her beloved husband, Peter. Robb Smith (Dick Deadeye)- Robb is delighted to return to Skylight for another bearded, rebellious role. Skylight audiences may remember him as a whip-wielding Pedro in Man of La Mancha or as Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof. Robb has had the pleasure of acting in a variety of roles with many fine theatres such as Door Shakespeare, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, First Stage Children’s Theatre, In Tandem Theatre and Nevermore. Outside of acting onstage, he coaches actors and has directed and designed a number of productions and will be directing Twelfth Night this coming spring at Waukesha Civic Theatre. When not in the theatre, he enjoys his time with Gabe, Isabelle and Laura. It is to them that he dedicates this performance with all his heart. Gary Briggle (Sir Joseph Porter)-Gary was last seen at Skylight as Sullivan in An Evening with Gilbert and Sullivan. Gary is honored to return to 6 Skylight Opera Theatre
his favorite theater in the country, having previously appeared in The Pirates of Penzance, Patience, Hansel and Gretel, The Mikado, Iolanthe, Sweeney Todd and The Threepenny Opera. In his home of the Twin Cities, he has worked with The Minnesota Opera Company, Midwest Opera Theater, The Children’s Theater Company, La Theatre de la Jeune Lune, The Guthrie Theater, Vocal Essence, The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Nautilus Music-Theater, Frank Theater, Minnesota Dance Theater, and Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” For twelve years, he served as principal tenor and subsequently as artistic director for Lyric Opera Cleveland and frequently performs with regional companies such as The Arizona Theatre Company, The Artist Series of Sarasota, Sacramento Opera, Virginia Opera, Dayton Opera, Nevada Opera, Memphis Opera, Opera Omaha, Anchorage Opera, The Ordway Theater, Berkeley Rep, Kansas City Rep, and Skylark Opera, among others. Rhonda Rae Busch (Cousin Hebe)Rhonda Rae is excited to be back at Skylight for another Gilbert and Sullivan show! She was also seen here in White Christmas as Martha and Man of La Mancha as the Housekeeper, Innkeeper’s Wife. Other credits include HONK! and Green Gables at First Stage Children’s Theatre; Cinderella and The Sound of Music at Fireside Dinner Theatre; Candide and A Little Night Music at Madison Opera; The Cudahy Carolers at In Tandem Theater; Fiddler on the Roof at Starlight Theatre in Los Angeles and Annie and Bells are Ringing at Capital Theatre in Rome, New York. Come see her as one of the Rhode sisters, (slightly raucous, slightly relevant, slightly related) in the Skylight Cabaret Series during the run of Jacques Brel! Tim Rebers (Gus,The Boatswain)-Tim is delighted to be making his debut with Skylight. Other recent opera credits include chorus in Rio de Sangre with Florentine Opera and La Traviata with
W H O ’ S W H O ( c o n t .) Music by the Lake. He’s sung Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors and Guglielmo in Cosi fan Tutte with Truman State University Opera. Tim also performs regularly with his wife, Maggie and is a private voice instructor.
The Idiot. He has also worked for several other companies in Milwaukee including Sunset Playhouse, Bialystock and Bloom, and In Tandem Theatre.
Chase Stoeger (Ernest)- Chase is David Flores (Lon, ecstatic to be working The Carpenter)-David with Skylight and has performed with such a wonderful cast. the Boulevard Theater, He was recently on Cornerstone, the Cabot Stage as Milwaukee Chamber Will in Chamber Theatre, Milwaukee Theatre’s production of Main-Travelled Shakespeare, Off the Roads. Skylight shows include A Day In Wall, Windfall, Florentine Opera and Hollywood/Night in the Ukraine, The Wildspace. Skylight appearances Producers, White Christmas, The Mikado include Barber in Man of La Mancha, and Cabaret. He’s also worked for First Hives in Animal Crackers, and the Stage, Nevermore, Off the Wall, Bialyscabaret series. Other credits include tock and Bloom, Milwaukee ShakeTartuffe in Tartuffe, Shylock in Merchant speare, Door Shakespeare and American of Venice, Vanya in Uncle Vanya, Charley Folklore Theatre. In his spare time Chase Kringas in Merrily We Roll Along, Emcee blogs his latest crocheted creations on in Cabaret and Molina in Kiss of the his website, www.realmencrochet.com. Spiderwoman. Nathan Wesselowski Joe Fransee (Grover)(Rufus)- H.M.S. Joe returns to Skylight Pinafore marks after appearing as Nathan’s 10th Sparky in Plaid Tidings. production with Past shows at Skylight Skylight. Past include Chicago, South productions include Pacific, White Christmas, Viva La Mamma, and The Producers. As a Madame Butterfly, The Christmas local performer and choreographer, he Schooner, The Mikado, Gianni Schicchi, has worked with Off the Wall Theatre, Animal Crackers, Patience, La Traviata and Boulevard Ensemble, Windfall Theatre, The Pirates of Penzance. Last spring Wildspace, and Theatre Gigante. Joe is a Nathan arranged the 26 Italian Songs & graduate of UW-Milwaukee with a double Arias and performed the role of The Boy major in Theatre and Dance. for Milwaukee Opera Theatre’s production of 26. He also composed and Eric Nelson co-wrote the lyrics for the cabaret The (Clarence)-Eric is Hairy Mothers with Jonathan West for pleased to be Skylight’s cabaret series in 2007. Nathan returning to Skylight recently composed music for First Stage for his 7th season. He Children’s Theatre’s First Steps produchas previously been tion of Aesop’s Fables. seen on Skylight’s stage in Cabaret, Holly Behrens South Pacific, White Christmas, The (Lola)-Holly is thrilled Producers, and others. He was most to be back at Skylight recently seen this past summer at Off where she was last the Wall Theatre in Into The Woods, as seen in Patience. the Prince/Wolf and Psycho Beach Party Milwaukee audiences as Star Cat. He will return to Off the have seen Holly Wall Theatre in 2011 to play the White perform with Rabbit in a new production of Alice in Skylight, the Florentine Opera and Wonderland and as Prince Myshkin in numerous community theaters for Skylight Opera Theatre 7
W H O ’ S W H O ( c o n t .) nearly 30 years. Favorite roles include Evita in Evita, Christine in Phantom of the Opera, Johanna in Sweeney Todd and Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro. Holly would like to thank her husband, Kurt, for supporting her during this process. 1-4-3!! Heidi Boyd (Gladys)Heidi Boyd is thrilled to be making her Skylight debut in H.M.S. Pinafore. Heidi earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Wendy Zaro Mullins. She has recently appeared as a concert soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Full Score Chamber Orchestra (Zion, IL) and at Fox Point Lutheran Church. Additionally, Heidi is a member of the Milwaukee Choral Artists, Wisconsin’s only professional women’s vocal ensemble. An advocate of both new music and the art song tradition, she frequently performs solo recitals throughout the greater Milwaukee region. Heidi is the Development Manager at the Florentine Opera Company and is a student of Connie Haas. She lives in Milwaukee with her husband Joel and their cat, Isis. Susan Gottschalk (Pearl)-Susan is ecstatic to return to Skylight. Previous Skylight credits include Iolanthe as Celia, Patience as Lady Saphir, Candide as The Baroness, Charlotte Sweet as Cecily and The Cocoanuts as Mrs. Potter. Other roles include Carolina in The Secret Marriage and Zombina in Zombies from the Beyond (off-Broadway). Susan has sung on both coasts of the US as well as Europe, most notably at St. Mark’s Cathedral, in Venice. Beth Mulkerron (Lulu)-Beth studied Musical Theatre at the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music and received her BFA from Florida State. Career highlights include New York City’s Off-Broadway 8 Skylight Opera Theatre
musical Redhook, performing in concert with Davis Gaines and voiceover credits including NBC’s Ed. Locally, Beth has performed extensively with First Stage Children’s Theatre including their productions of A Year With Frog and Toad, Junie B. Jones and Harry Connick Jr.’s The Happy Elf. Most recently, you may have seen her in Hula Hoop Sha-Boop at the Rep’s Stackner Cabaret. Additionally, Beth has appeared as Dot in Sunday in the Park with George and as Fay in Anyone Can Whistle with Windfall Theatre. Beth is glad to be back at Skylight after appearing in Animal Crackers, Patience and several after-show cabarets. You can catch her next cabaret, My Life: The Musical, in The Skylight Bar & Bistro this May and June. Jill Anna Ponasik (Daisy)-Jill Anna is thrilled to be back at Skylight after having performed in Pirates of Penzance and La Boheme. Recent roles include The Girl in 26, Lucy in Invader? I Hardly Knew Her! and Alice in Alice Unwrapped. New York City Workshops include One Big Lie and Verse of Fortune. Jill Anna is Artistic Director of Milwaukee Opera Theatre. Visit www. jillannaponasik.com for more information. Susan Wiedmeyer (Minnie)-Susan is delighted to return to Skylight after performing as Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro and as one of the Major General’s daughters in The Pirates of Penzance. She has also performed with Music by the Lake in Madama Butterfly and La Traviata, and in Danceworks’ presentation of Art to Art. She has enjoyed roles in Pippin as Catherine, The Threepenny Opera as Betty, La Finta Giardiniera as Sandrina, The Mikado as Yum Yum, Orpheus in the Underworld as Eurydice and The Old Maid and the Thief as Miss Pinkerton. In 2007, she won 1st place at the Wisconsin NATS Competition and was an Encouragement Award Winner at the Metropolitan Opera Auditions (Upper Midwest Region-Wisconsin District). Susan holds music degrees from St. Olaf College (B.M.) and UW-Milwaukee (M.M.) and studies with Dr. Connie Haas.
W H O ’ S W H O ( c o n t .) Bill Theisen (Stage Director/ Choreographer)- Bill Theisen made his professional theatre debut as a performer at the Skylight Opera 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.
Playhouse; Hartford Stage Company (Conn. Critics Circle Award), and the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. Also Souvenir (Skylight), Dirty Blonde (Chamber Theater), and House of Blue Leaves (B and B). Other musical direction includes Marriott Theater’s regional premiere of The Producers. He recently provided orchestrations and musical direction for a new version of The Wiz at First Stage in Milwaukee, and also helmed Harry Connick, Jr’s new musical The Happy Elf. He most recently conducted The Mikado for Syracuse Opera. In the new year, he will provide music direction for the New York premiere of Joshua Schmidt’s new musical A Minister’s Wife at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center.
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 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.
Peter Dean Beck (Scenic & Lighting Designer)-Peter has designed scenery and/or lighting for over 250 productions around North America. Among his opera credits are Falstaff, Turandot, Manon, Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly, Hansel and Gretel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo et Juliette for companies as Atlanta Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Virginia Opera, Edmonton Opera and Chautauqua Opera. He has designed productions of Andrea Chenier, L’italiana in Algeri, Macbeth, Elektra, Tristan and Isolde, and Don Carlo for Hawaii Opera Theatre, where he has been principal designer for 24 seasons. He has also been designing opera productions for the University of Colorado for 15 seasons. His other musical theater credits include West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Candide, The King and I and Fiddler on the Roof. He designed The Indigo Girls Project for Atlanta Ballet and Nutcracker for Ballet Hawaii. He also did a double bill of le Rossignol and Cavalleria Rusticana for Sakai City Opera in Japan, lit Cavalleria Rusticana/I Pagliacci in Macao and Don Carlo in Hong Kong.
Richard Carsey (Music Director)Richard Carsey recently conducted the first national tour of the new musical Little House on the Prairie, starring Melissa Gilbert and directed by Francesca Zambello. He has conducted over 60 productions at the Skylight, and was Artistic Director for 8 seasons. He is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Racine Symphony, where he recently appeared as piano soloist in “Rhapsody in Blue”. As an actor, he has appeared in 2 Pianos, 4 Hands at the Milwaukee Rep, Actors’ Theater of Louisville; Dallas Theater Center; Laguna Beach
Shima Orans (Costume Designer)- Shima Orans designed costumes for Skylight’s 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 College and the State University of New York. Skylight Opera Theatre 9
Presents
Featuring
Heart to Heart Quartet With district champion quartets:
Skyline & Expedition Hosted by
Mark Trevor Ranum Saturday, December 11 2:00pm Matinee and 7:30pm Evening Shows Greendale High School Auditorium 6801 Southway, Greendale Free Parking available
Tickets at www.MVE.org or 888-240-4426 Early Bird Ticket sale ends Dec. 3rd Student and Senior discounts available Dec. 3 - 11
W H O ’ S W H O ( c o n t .) Molly Rhode (Assistant Stage Director)Molly is proud to be part of Skylight’s 51st season and this beloved Gilbert and Sullivan work. Molly’s directorial work was just seen on the Cabot stage for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s production of Main-Travelled Roads. As an actress, Molly has appeared on all of Milwaukee’s professional stages. At Skylight, she was seen as Ulla in The Producers and Sally Bowles in Cabaret. She holds a BFA in Theatre Studies with Emphases in Directing and Playwriting from Southern Methodist University. Later this season, Molly will direct Miss Nelson Is Missing! and will choreograph U: Bug Me, both at First Stage Children’s Theatre. Ruben Piirainen (Assistant Music Director)-Ruben is thrilled to be making his Skylight debut with H.M.S. Pinafore. He holds degrees in piano performance from Lawrence University and Bowling Green State University. He has worked with numerous local groups including Sunset Playhouse, Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, Present Music, Festival City Symphony,
Waukesha Civic Theatre, Music by the Lake and many top high school theatre programs. Singers around the world use his extensive recordings for Hal Leonard’s Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology and Disney Songs series. He has performed in over 100 recitals across the country and made his international debut at the 2003 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Jessica Berlin Krivsky (Stage Manager)Jessica has worked with theatre’s across the country, including the Dallas Theatre Center, The Denver Center, TheShakespeare Festival of Dallas, Casa Manana, Studio Arena, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and San Jose Rep. She also worked as the Production Manager for Milwaukee Shakespeare for four seasons. Most recently, she stage managed RENT, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, The Marriage of Figaro, Plaid Tidings, The Barber of Seville, The Pirates of Penzance, Blues in the Night, I Do! I Do!, and The Producers, for Skylight. She also teaches Stage Management at UW-Milwaukee.
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director of Production................................................................................................................... Mark Turner Technical Director ....................................................................................................................Robert Wagner Assistant Technical Director...............................................................................................Steve Gillingham Technical Assistant............................................................................................................. Alexander Moliere Scenic Carpenters......................................................................................... Adam Held, Brandon Ribordy Stage Manager................................................................................................................Jessica Berlin Krivsky Assistant Stage Manager............................................................................................................ Lillian Tillson Properties Director.....................................................................................................................Lisa Schlenker Properties Artist............................................................................................................................Ana McHenry Properties Carpenter................................................................................................................. Jennifer Lyons Properties Apprentice..................................................................................................................... Nikki Kulas Scenic Charge....................................................................................................................................... Carri Dahl Scenic Artist.................................................................................................................................... Jason Schultz Scenic Artist Apprentice....................................................................................................... Brooklyn Henke Scenic Sculptor........................................................................................................................Andrea Guzzetta Costume Director...........................................................................................................................Shima Orans Costume Shop Manager................................................................................................................... Barry Link Stage Supervisor...................................................................................................................... Andrew Booher Run Crew .............................................................................................................................................Adam Held Lead Props.......................................................................................................................................Nicole Walter Milliner..........................................................................................................................Aliceson Hackett-Rubel Principal Wig Design.......................................................................................................................Lara Dalbey Wig Master & Hair Stylist..............................................................................................................Justin Deehr Costume Draper for Ms. Busch................................................................................................ Pam Rehberg Wardrobe...................................................................................................... Susanne Maroske, Justin Deehr Stitchers.................................................................................................. Carie Bronson, Marsha Kuligowski, Lisa Quinn, Jeanne Schrank Audio Visual Supervisor......................................................................................................................Gary Ellis Master Electrician...................................................................................................................... Ryan Bertelson Electricians..................................................................................................Andrew Booher, Kevin Connolly, Doug Vance, Katie Whittaker Light Board Operator...............................................................................................................Kevin Connolly Spot Operators.............................................................................................. Terry Valdovinos, Doug Vance Skylight Opera Theatre 11
2 010 - 2 011 S U B S C R I B E R B E N E F I T PA R T I C I PA N T S Artasia Bella Caffé Charles Allis Art Museum Dash and Dazzle Tanning DigiCOPY, Inc. Fanatics Sports Central Haggerty Museum of Art Hilo Martini Lounge Restaurant Karl Ratzsch’s Restaurant Katie Gingrass Gallery Leslie Davis Preservation Framing Lela Shoo Swig Third Ward Caffè Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum Water Buffalo
181 N. Broadway 189 N. Milwaukee St. 1801 N. Prospect Ave. 143 N. Jackson St. 222 E. Erie Street 185 N. Jefferson St. 530 N. 13th St. 185 N. Jefferson St. 320 E. Mason St. 241 N. Broadway 219 N. Milwaukee St. 321 N. Broadway 241 N. Broadway 217 N. Broadway. 225 E. St. Paul Ave. 2220 N. Terrace Ave. 249 N. Water St.
(414) 220-4292 (414)-273-5620 (414) 278-8295 (414) 727-8458 (414) 291-4050 (414) 220-8338 (414) 276-1669 (414) 755-8652 (414) 276-2720 (414) 289-0855 (414) 298-9830 (414) 727-8458 (414) 765-2355 (414) 431-7944 (414) 224-0895 (414) 271-3656 (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 2010-2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Stollenwerk, President Betty Arndt F. Tessa Escamilla Bartels Marta Bianchini Rich Bliss Christine Bukowsk Michael Bula Jamie Delgadillo Storm Elser Laura Emory John Flanagan
Byron Foster Susan Godfrey Lindsay Holbrook Hammerer David Harvey Mark Huber Valerie Johnson Tracey Klein Terrance Kurtenbach Christopher Layden
Michael Lueder Michelle Mattson Howard Miller James Plunkett Mary Ann Renz Curtis Sawyer Paul Sweeney F. Colin Cabot (Honorary Director)
BOARD OF ADVOCATES John Shannon, Chair Polly Beal Dorothy Biwer Mary Emory Suzy Foster Harry Franke Sue Frautschi Timothy Frautschi Lloyd Gerlach Roy Gromme Sue Gromme Katie Harding Grace Johnson
Syd Johnson William Johnson Kipp Koester Pam Kriger Bill LeFeber Arthur F. Lubke, Jr. Zabelle Malkasian Sally Manegold Steve Mech Susan Montgomery Susan Nichols Jeff Nohl
Jane O’ Connell Nick Owen Mary Pollock Greg Reiter Blaine Rieke Linda Rieke Julia Taylor Teri Vice David B. Williams Nick Wilson Herbert Zien
SKYLIGHTERS BOARD Jamie Delgadillo, President Heather A. Dunn Karissa Feller Sherry Johnson Amy Schmidt Jones Samantha Kwarcinski Rebecca Lawnicki
Christopher Layden Karen Lemmer Samantha Maldonado Kate Mann Sara Miller Anne Nimke
Farand Pawlak Bobbi Polacheck Mary Joe Trotter Britt Waller Stephanie Wesselowski
PAST PRESIDENTS Mary Emory Matt Flynn Byron Foster Sue Frautschi Timothy Frautschi 12 Skylight Opera Theatre
Jack Gardner Suzanne Hefty Howard Miller Jeff Nohl
Nick Owen Mary Pollock Larry Salustro Richard Wright
S K Y L I G H T O P E R A T H E AT R E 2 010 - 2 011 S TA F F AMY S. JENSEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR BILL THEISEN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Diana Alioto, Director of Artistic Operations Cindy Haas, Finance Director Ray Jivoff, Associate Artistic Director Jennifer Samuelson, Marketing Director Mark Turner, Director of Production and Facilities ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Kelley Arlt....................................................................................................... Box Office Manager Heather Cocking...........................................................................Marketing Project Manager Madeline Cope............................................. Donor Services and Special Events Manager Corinne Gilbert....................................................................................Education Administrator Kristin Hansen.......................................................................................................Grants Manager Noel T. Henebury-Farmer..................................................................Company Administrator Paul Kaishian.................................................................................................................... Custodian Becca Nielsen................................................................................................ Education Manager Jinnene Ross................................................ Finance Assistant and Benefits Administrator Sara Marie von Hemert-Dachelet..........................................................Campaign Manager Jennifer Stanislowski...............................................................................Box Office Supervisor Renae Bastar, Bashir Nuruddin.........................................Weekend Box Office Supervisor Gustavo Chaviano, Jess Jante, Jean Vogel, Gwen Zupan........................ Box Office Staff 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.........................................................................................................................Carpenter Brooklyn Henke............................................................................................... Scenic Apprentice Nikki Kulas..................................................................................................Properties Apprentice Barry Link............................................................................................... Costume Shop Manager Michael Lorenz...........................................................................................Orchestra Contractor Jennifer Lyons.............................................................................................Properties Carpenter Alexander Moliere.........................................................................................Technical Assistant Alexis Napier-Short........................................................................................ Scenic Apprentice Shima Orans...................................................................................................... Costume Director Ruben Piirainen...................................................................................Associate Music Director Brandon Ribordy..............................................................................................................Carpenter Lisa Schlenker................................. Properties Director & Assistant Director of Facilities Jessica Berlin Krivsky....................................................................Production Stage Manager Lillian Tillson......................................................ASM and Production and Facility Assistant Rob Wagner.......................................................................................................Technical Director
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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 D O N O R S The Skylight recognizes and honors, with our deepest gratitude, the following individuals, foundations, organizations, businesses and government agencies who provided support to our Annual Campaign. Thank you for joining the Skylight - to deliver high quality music theatre productions to the Greater Milwaukee community. Our thanks for the many donors of $249 and under whose gifts are vital to the Skylight’s continuing success, we regret there is not space to list them all. (This list is current as of October 26, 2010.) BENEFACTOR CIRCLE ($25,000+) Anonymous Assurant Health The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation F. Colin & Paula Cabot Joe & Gwenn Graboyes David & Margarete Harvey The Richard & Ethel Herzfeld Foundation William R. & Charlotte S. Johnson Northwestern Mutual Foundation Skylighters of Wisconsin Stollenwerk Family Charitable Foundation United Performing Arts Fund STAR CIRCLE ($10,000-$24,999) Anonymous (2) Robert W. Baird & Company Alvin & Marion Birnschein Foundation Barbara & Don Buzard Chase Byron & Suzy Foster Greater Milwaukee Foundation: Halbert and Alice Kadish Fund Mary Nohl Fund Pain Fund Johnson Bank Terry & Kristie Kurtenbach Midwest Airlines Howard & Sara Miller Northwestern Mutual Verne & Marion Read Linda & Blaine Rieke Daniel M. Soref Charitable Trust Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder CharitableTrust David & Julia Uihlein Charitable Foundation US Bank SPONSOR CIRCLE ($5,000-$9,999) Anonymous Polly & Robert Beal 14 Skylight Opera Theatre
Briggs & Stratton Corporation Foundation Michael & Anne Marie Bula Richard Carsey & Jurg Oggenfuss Mae E. Demmer Charitable Trust John & Mary Emory Ralph Evinrude Foundation Mary Lou Findley Marie-Christine & Stephen Fox Sue & Tim Frautschi Lili & Rick Friedman Mary Ann & Lloyd Gerlach Greater Milwaukee Foundation: Burns-Schrader Fund Samuel K. & Doris Hersh Chortek Fund Asher & Susan Nichols Family Fund Bill & Sandy Haack John E. Holland & Konrad K. Kuchenbach Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Inc. Johnson Controls Foundation Gary & Judy Jorgensen Kipp & Mary Koester Marie Kohler & Brian Mani Ruth De Young Kohler Krause Family Foundation Nancy & Arthur Laskin Phoebe & Jack Lewis Anne & Ormand MacDougald Maihaugen Foundation Marcus Corporation Marshall & Ilsley Foundation Jeffrey & Mary Nohl Nonprofit Management Fund Dr. Nick & Mary Owen Ildy & Skip Poliner Gordana & Milan Racic Greg & Mary Ann Renz Rockwell Automation Wayne Roper Larry & Susan Salustro Curtis & Candace Sawyer Carol & Kevin Schuele Sempercor Foundation John Shannon & Jan Serr Perry & Vivian Stuckey WE Energies Herb Zien & Liz Levins
PRODUCER CIRCLE ($2,500-$4,999) Anonymous Nancy H. Balcer Lisa Berman & Larry Dalton Rick & Wendy Bliss Kathryn & John Buono Chris & Storm Elser John Flanagan & Deborah Schwartz Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s: Luedke-Smith Fund Susan Godfrey Amy S. Jensen Tracey & Rick Klein Pam Kriger Chris & Emilia Layden Michael Best & Friedrich Renaissance Theaterworks Matthew Sirinek & Michelle Mattson Sigma-Aldrich Foundation Dr. Marcia J.S. Richards & Mr. Donald R. Whitaker Nick & Stoney Wilson DIRECTOR CIRCLE ($1,000-$2,499) Richard Adamek Tom & Betty Arndt F. Tessa & Richard Bartels Richard & Kay Bibler Mr. & Mrs. William D. Biersach William & Karen Boyd Gary Briggle John & Olive Bryson Christine & Robert Bukowski H.H. Camp Foundation Doris Hersh Chortek Carolyn & Dan Doedens Edward Doemland Laura & John Emory, Jr. Leona Fitzsimonds Gardner Foundation Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Youth Foundation Greater Milwaukee Foundation: Lois & Donald Cottrell Fund B Dr. Carl W. Eberbach & Elizabeth Falk Eberbach Fund
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 D O N O R S ( c o n t .) Margaret Hemingway Wells Fund Mr. & Mrs. Wayne K. Hader Charles & Margaret Harper John & Sara Hein Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation Terry Hueneke Helen & Ronald Jacobs Carol Jensen Diane Lane & Jamie Johns O.K. Johnson, Jr. William Stark Jones Foundation John E. & Nancy Larson William & Susan LeFeber James & Camilla Levin Franklin Loo & Sally Long Art Lubke & Gloria Tracy Tonya & Michael Lueder Zabelle Malkasian George & Colleen Michel Norman Moses & Carrie Hitchcock Susan Nichols Jane S. O’Connell The Charles D. Ortgiesen Foundation Robert D. Parrish & Richard E. Steele James G. & Gwen Plunkett Mary S. Pollock PPC Foundation Molly Rhode & Chase Stoeger Charles & Patricia Roy Daniel Schley & Barbara Haig Service Club of Milwaukee Nita Soref Paula Suozzi & Jonathan West Paul & Lisa Sweeney Target Brian & Joan Wake Dick & Diane Wright Francesca Zambello DESIGNER CIRCLE ($500-$999) David & Patricia Anderson Richard & Carol Bayerlein Foundation LTD Jane & Jim Bell Dr. & Mrs. Michael Besch Carolee C. Beutler James Cauley & Breanda Andrews Margaret & B. Lauren Charous Thomas & Belle Chatton John & Kay Crichton Michael Dillon
Joan Dimow & John Moulder Karen Duffy Mr. & Mrs. Walter Dusold Albert J. & Flora H. Ellinger Foundation Rachel E. Finger Kristen & Alec Fraser Gardner L.R. & Karen Friedlander Scott & Lyn Geboy Peter Glowacki & Charmaine George Mary Jane Gralton Greater Milwaukee Foundation: Donald & Barbara Abert Fund Werner M. & Susan W. Krause Family Fund Donald Haack & Karen Smith Dr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Handrich Arlene Hansen Ralph & Susan Harkins Cheryl & Roy Hauswirth Ed & Priscilla Heinecke Burton & Lynn Hoffman George & Angela Jacobi Sydney & Grace Johnson Warren & Sally Kreunen Jeanne C. Kuelthau Dale & Sandra Landgren John R. & Coleen E. Marshall John McGivern Anne Grace Nimke Dr. Mark & Kristine O’Meara David Paris Anthony Petullo Foundation, Inc. Fred Pike & Cecilia Taylor Jack & Martha Prince Steve & Janet Rhode Mickey Ripp Margery J. Senn Mark & Karen Sostarich Robert Spencer Edwin & Jean Stone Calvin & Pauline Verbrugge VJS Construction Services Sargit Warriner Diane Wiese Carlton & Leslie Wininger Allan & JeanAnn Wirth CHOREOGRAPHER CIRCLE ($250-$499) Acme Sales, Inc. Sara Alter Anonymous (5) Richard & Sara Aster L.B. & J.K.
Diane Bacha & John Koethe Andrew & Anita Boyd Matthew Brantley Jill & Frits Broekhuizen Drs. Christine Bryke & Anthony Garber Jim Coleman Donald A. Cress Phil & Pat Crump Mrs. Ross H. Dean Bill & Shirley Dentinger Harry & Barbara Drake Don & Nora Dreske Tom & Bette Drought Brian & Heather Dunn William Eastham John & Polly Edgar Mr. & Mrs. David Eggebrecht Dawna & Emil Ellis Joseph Engman Daniel & Katherine Flaherty Burton Goodman Dale & Mary Graves Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s: Spear Arts Education Fund Katherine Grogan Pauline Haack George B. Haasler Kenneth & Elaine Herro Rose J. Hill Edward M. Hipke Lenore & Reginald Horsman Ann & Fred Horwitz Ironwood Foundation Ron Jacquart & Mike McCarthy Joseph Jensen Ray Jivoff Andrew & Amy Jones Richard & Diane Kane Suzette J. Kappes Bruce & Sally Kehl John & Patricia Konkel Robert & Patricia Kraft Sybil La Budde Laura Lindner John & Marty Lubing Wayne & Kris Lueders Lee Marquardt RoseMary & Frank Matusinec Nancy Weiss-McQuide & Mark McQuide Retta & Jeff Meser Jequitta K. Molot Jerry Moses John & Lucia Murtaugh Larry & Bonnie Paplham Judith Perkins & David Keen Bruce & Candy Pindyck Larry & Bobbi Polacheck Jill Ponasik Skylight Opera Theatre 15
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 D O N O R S ( c o n t .) Jonas & Sylvia Prising Greg Reiter Roger Ritzow Bibi & Greg Rosner Jerold & Lee Dougherty Ross Emily Schlenker Robert & Sally Schmidt Marsha Ruth Sehler Annette Stoddard-Freeman Brian & Debra Stark Barbara & Christian Steinmetz Audrey Strnad Rudolph & Theresa Sundberg Randal Swiggum Alan W. Thompson L. Jean Turner Margery Uihlein Kay Valcq Michael Van Handel Joan & Gary Weida Peggy & David Wells Sue Wells Bill & Gwen Werner Maggie White
The Skylight receives support from the following government agencies: 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
Assurant Health Dominion Foundation Eaton Corporation GE Foundation Johnson Controls Quad/Graphics, Inc. Rexnord Rockwell Automation International SPX Foundation 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.
A special thank you to the following corporations for matching employee gifts: Alliant Energy American Transmission Company AptarGroup
T H E S K Y L I G H T S TA R S The Skylight Stars was established in 1998 to recognize those special donors who have designated The 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 & Paul 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 16 Skylight Opera Theatre
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
Florentine opera Company William Florescu, General Director
the
Italian Girl in Algiers L’italiana in Algeri
A Delicious Comic Romp! March 18-20, 2011 at the MarcuS center for the PerforMing artS directed by williaM theiSen underStand every word: sung in italian with english translations Projected above the stage
ticketS Start at $30! For tickets: 414-291-5700 ext. 224
ww.Florentine O pera .org Production Sponsors: Mary Ann & Charles LaBahn
C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S Alvin & Marion Birnschein Foundation Mae E. Demmer Charitable Trust Ralph Evinrude Foundation
Maihaugen Foundation Daniel M. Soref Charitable Trust
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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 the Skylight directors, designers and performers. The guide is available on our website and in the lobby of the theatre. Bad Weather Policy...Skylight does not cancel or reschedule performances due to inclement weather, nor can we offer refunds. Cabaret Performances...Friday and Saturday evening performances 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 with the exception of Sunday evenings. For reservations, call KafeVino at (414) 224-4900. 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 Heather 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 whether lost articles have been found. Parking...Abundant and 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 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 the 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. Associate Artistic Director 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 the Skylight’s production shops are available throughout the year. Call (414) 291-7811 for reservations.
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B O X O F F I C E I N F O R M AT I O N Skylight Opera 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 L U 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 the Skylight. For event or membership information, call 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, at leec@skylightopera.com Volunteer for the Skylight… For over 50 years, Skylight Opera Theatre as been providing fun on and off the stage! To learn more, email volunteer@ skylightopera.com
S K Y L I G H T O P E R A T H E AT R E Skylight Opera Theatre Broadway Theatre Center 158 North Broadway Milwaukee, WI 53202 Administrative Office: (414) 291-7811 Box Office: (414) 291-7800 www.skylightopera.com Skylight Opera Theatre is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), member of OPERA America, Theatre Wisconsin, Visit Milwaukee, the Historic Third Ward Association, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, and The 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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