2010-2011 South Milwaukee Performing Arts Series
American English: The Complete Beatles Tribute Saturday, September 25, 2010 • 7:30 pm South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center Box Office: 414-766-5049
2010-2011 Season Sponsors The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center 2010-2011 Season 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.
Official Caterer of SMPAC
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H I S TO R Y American English is simply the best Beatle tribute story of our time. At the inception of the band, they were voted “number one” by thousands of Beatle fans as winners of a sound-alike contest at Beatlefest® for three consecutive years. They have also won Illinois Entertainer of the Year and have been voted “Best Tribute Band” three of the last four years by their fans in the Chicagoland area. Their demand here and abroad, coupled with their spectacular fan base, has anchored them into a professional setting and launched them into larger venues and theatres worldwide. American English has shared the stage with musical headliners such as The Grassroots, The Neville Brothers, Three Dog Night, The Ides of March, Eric Burdon, The Buckinghams, The Doobie Bros., Badfinger, Gary Senise’s Lieutenant Dan Band and many others. With the band’s increasing success, American English then hit the international scene by making their debut in Tokyo. Their appearance hit the press and initiated a major article in the upscale Japanese magazine Lightening, causing “American English Mania” in Japan. The frenzied crowds in Tokyo reacted as though they were seeing the real thing! The next year, American English invaded the Caribbean and appeared on every major television network in Puerto Rico. American English was truly a band on the run. Constantly pursued by television, radio and newspapers, they stirred up the islanders like never before. As an added honor, The President of the House of Representatives, Carlos Vizcarrondo, invited the band to the capitol for a private meeting. The band made history by being the only American band to ever perform at the capitol. Following their return from Puerto Rico, American English awakened a major significant figure in The Beatle world. Sam Leach (the original Beatles promoter from Liverpool) was in Chicago for a book signing, promoting his Birth of the Beatles book. After seeing American English, he has since called the band “The Beatles incarnate!” and is now back promoting and managing American English. Under the wings of Sam Leach, American English was granted the honor never bestowed upon any other group. They traced the historic footsteps of The Beatles and performed on the hallowed ground of several original Beatles venues including The Cavern Club in Liverpool and The Grosvenor Ballroom across the River Mersey in Wallasey. Later that year, the band headlined the George Harrison tribute at the House of Blues in Chicago, where they were joined by several legendary Beatles/Wings related artists. This tribute was the first of its kind and the event made news headlines around the world. The band had the distinct honor to perform with the original Beatles drummer Pete Best! Their crowning moment came in August that following year, as they headlined International Beatle Week in Liverpool in front of a screaming crowd of 50,000 plus! To top it all off, American English recorded a concept album at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London. The fantasy album What If, features songs that might have ended up on the next Beatles record, had they stayed together in 1971. American English is the only Beatle act to have ever performed concerts accompanied by Denny Laine, co-founder of Wings, and the original Wings horn section, 2 South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center
H I S TO R Y ( c o n t .) featuring Howie Casey, Thaddeus Richard and Steve Howard. Recently, they have all joined forces to put on special concerts around the world. This unprecedented merging of talent begins with American English as The Beatles and closes with an incredible tribute to Paul McCartney and Wings. This unique and exclusive show entitled Rock Show is currently available to the public. The fantasy lives on with these remarkable musicians who take the music to the highest level possible. American English is the closest you will ever get to reliving The Beatles. Whether you grew up with the Fab Four, or not, this show will be your window to the past. Witness “The Complete Beatles Tribute” with American English!
BIOGR APHIES Eric Michaels and Paul McCartney have several things in common, but perhaps the most striking similarity is that they are both incredibly versatile vocalists. Eric has the power to scream out a raucous rocker like “I Saw Her Standing There” and also the finesse to sweetly sing a tender love ballad such as “Yesterday.” He is also a multi-talented instrumentalist; not only does he play a left-handed Hofner Beatle bass like McCartney; he is also proficient on piano, organ and guitar. Eric’s physical resemblance to McCartney combined with his vocal and instrumental talents produce an amazing performance every time. American English’s version of Sir Paul, Eric Michaels, also has the distinction of being endorsed by Hofner guitar. Tom Gable mirrors the very nature of Ringo Starr. Not only does Tom accurately duplicate Ringo’s voice in fun loving songs like “Yellow Subma-
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rine” and “With A Little Help From My Friends,” he completely replicates the wild and unorthodox drumming style for which Starr is known. Keeping flawless time and never giving in to the tendency to rush or slow down, Tom is the essential element of driving Rock n’ Roll Beatle tunes with American English. He always gives each song a special feel by adjusting his rhythms to suit the musical tone. The owner of The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England was quoted as saying, “Tom’s voice is the closest to Ringo’s that I have ever heard!” Doug Couture has found his true calling in the music industry, paying tribute to the “quiet one,” George Harrison. As a teenager, Doug would spend countless hours daily playing and singing along to Beatles records, trying to emulate the signature riffs and threepart harmonies that made The Beatles
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B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) one of the most influential groups of all time. Spending many of his past years touring the country with several different Beatle tribute bands, Doug has received rave reviews for his performances with “Beatlemania.” His understanding of George’s vocal and guitar style has earned him a reputation as on of the “Best!” Doug’s accurate portrayal of George even led him to a consulting position for the making of the Beatles to a Tee guitar instructional DVD. As a Beatle fan, Doug confides that he has lovingly studied and carefully recreated George Harrison’s persona on stage. Young Hines brings to the Beatle world his exceptional musical and vocal skills, which quickly gained him the
status of “The Guy!” As John Lennon, Young has an unlimited vocal range, beautiful falsetto and rich timbre that John was so famous for. His vocals are so realistic that he and his former bandmates from The Return were invited to appear on the ABC television network show, Good Morning America! Young’s vocal talent gives him the ability to belt out “screamers” like “Twist and Shout” and “Mr. Moonlight,” switch to ballads such as “In My Life” and “Norwegian Wood” and then use his uncanny falsetto in songs like “Day in the Life” and “Baby You’re a Rich Man.” Young’s stunning portrayal of John Lennon will surely please even the most die-hard Beatle fans.
S M PAC S TA F F A N D B OA R D Director....................................................................................................................Chad Piechocki Marketing & Communications Coordinator..................................................Rebecca Ohm Technical Director...........................................................................................................Alex Clark South Milwaukee Performing Arts Council 2010-2011 Board Pat DerHovsepian Jan Garcia Karla Harris
Cindy Jackson David Kieck Ed Magnuson
Rev. Deborah Payden Rachel Sorce Carla Uphill
SCHOOL BOAR D FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SOUTH MILWAUKEE Dr. Rita Olson, Superintendant Patricia Bordak Brett Briesemeister John E. Haslam
David J. Maass Kathleen Molus Therese C. Travia Joseph Weirich
T H A N K YO U The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center would like to thank the Wisconsin Arts Board for their support of this performance, as well as Creative Catering for being the Official Caterer of the SMPAC. We thank the community for its support and for building this magnificent facility. It is our goal to provide you with quality arts programming that leaves you waiting for more. 4 South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center
A B O U T T H E S O U T H M I LWAU K E E P E R F O R M I N G A R T S C E N T E R Mission: to enrich the community by providing creative, innovative and diverse performing arts and life-long learning experiences, as well as a professionally managed facility for community and regional organizations. Vision: to be a performing arts center that delivers outstanding and diverse performance events and services to the students, district, community and greater South Shore area.
2 010 - 2 011 A N N UA L C A M PA I G N D O N O R S Visionary ~ $1,000 Connie U’Ren Jacky U’Ren In the Spotlight ~ $500 Bob & Bunny Scudder Center Stage ~ $250 Ray & Barbara Buckley In the Wings ~ $100 Fritz & Connie Mahsem Joan & Arjuna Yelanjian
Advocate ~ $50 Evelyn “Irish” Dean In Honor of Jane & Wes Hellen’s 60th Wedding Anniversary **If there is an error with your gift acknowledgement, please accept our sincere apologies. We ask that you inform us of this error so we may correct it as soon as possible.
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D I D YO U K N OW ? 2009-2010 marked the 6th Anniversary of our existence and the 5th Anniversary of our Performing Arts Series. Audiences have tripled in size to an average of 600 per performance in the past 5 years. Our annual season has grown from 4 shows in 2005-2006 to 11 shows in 2010 2011. Six performances have been completely sold-out.
The SMPAC has some of the finest natural acoustics in Wisconsin and is one of the favorite halls in which the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra likes to perform. The SMPAC is one of the favorite theatres for artists to perform in due to our exceptional hospitality and wonderful audiences. All artists who have performed here have requested to return.
The SMPAC has hosted artists such as Arlo Guthrie, John McGivern, Missoula Children’s Theatre, The Jonas Brothers, Guy & Ralna and Slim Goodbody. We have had artists from across the country and from China, Poland and Austria. The SMPAC is a rental home for several dance studios, choral groups (including Cantare Chorale), the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Wisconsin Jr. Miss and many more regional and national artists and organizations.
Often artists that perform here provide master classes, clinics, performances and workshops for the students in South Milwaukee. When possible, the students have the opportunity to perform with the artists, such as the Dallas Brass and Alpin Hong, on stage during the public performance.
The average cost of one artist/show in our season costs $10,000.
Besides artist fees, the SMPAC covers the cost of advertising, hotel rooms, meals, transportation and equipment rental for our artists. We occasionally need to hire additional technical staff for productions. When all expenses are added up, the average cost of a show is $15,000.
On average—ticket sales cover 90% of the cost of a performance; 40% of our entire budget is covered by ticket sales; rental revenues account for 10% of our entire budget. SMPAC is a nonprofit organization. A Board of Directors oversee the organization of the SMPAC—assisting in planning performing arts series, educational outreach, publicity and the on-going operation of the Center. Donations and bequests from patrons like you and fundraising events are vital to our existence and providing quality arts entertainment. All donations are tax deductible. Volunteers are always welcome and needed to help the SMPAC office and to assist patrons at performances. Currently there are 85 Smart Corp members. Keep informed of upcoming events—send us your email. (If you do not have email we can add you to our mailing list!) If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Chad Piechocki, Director of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center at cpiechocki@sdsm.k12.wi.us or at 414-766-5048. Thank you for your support of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center! Enjoy the show! 8 South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center
POLICIES At the request of the artists, the taking of photographs or the use of recording devices during the performance is strictly prohibited. All sales for the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Series are final. Refunds will be given only when an event is cancelled and not rescheduled. South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center reserves the right to substitute comparable attractions or to change the dates of programs when compelled to do so by circumstances beyond our control. No refunds will be made in such cases. Performances are subject to change without notice. If you are unable to attend a performance, the donation of your ticket(s) to South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center would be appreciated to enable resale. This is particularly appreciated for sold out events, when waiting patrons could fill vacant seats. Your contribution will be acknowledged for tax deduction purposes. Latecomer Policy: Performances start promptly at the time stated on your ticket. If you arrive late and the performance has already begun, SMPAC ushers will seat you toward the back of the theatre where it will be least disruptive to the audience and performers. You may take your reserved seats after intermission if there is one. Services for patrons with disabilities: South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is accessible to persons with disabilities. Please notify the Box Office when you are purchasing tickets if special arrangements are required. Handicap Accessible seating is available. The theatre allows for nine seats to be removed for persons remaining in their wheelchairs, as well as eight seats with arm rest removed for those transferring from a wheelchair or walker to a theatre seat. Seeing Eye Dogs are allowed in the theatre. Assisted Listening Devices are available for patrons who are Hard of Hearing. Largeprint programs are available upon request. Audio Description and American Sign Language Interpreted performances are also available upon request and where applicable. At least two weeks notice is required to provide these services. If you have questions please call 414-766-5049. Cell phones and electronic paging devices: Out of respect for the artists and fellow audience members, please turn off your cell phone and/or electronic paging device before the performance. Electronic devices cause interference with our wireless microphones. If you need to use these devices, please exit the theatre before doing so. Bad weather policy: South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center does not cancel or reschedule performances due to inclement weather, nor can we offer refunds. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the grounds of the School District of South Milwaukee. Box Office hours are 10-4 pm, Monday-Friday, and one hour prior to performances. The Box Office phone number is 414-766-5049. Group Seating: If you would like to sit with friends, please submit your ticket orders together. If one person is ordering for many, the Box Office would appreciate having the names and addresses of others in your party. South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center 901 15th Avenue South Milwaukee, WI 53172 414-766-5049 www.southmilwaukeepac.org South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center 9
2010-2011 PERFORMING ARTS SERIES
Mark your calendars for these other exciting events in the 2010-2011 South Milwaukee Performing Arts Series. Deer Camp: The Musical Thursday, October 14, 2010 7:30 pm Deer Camp hilariously follows four fearless deer hunters on their annual trek to deer camp. But things are looking bleak this season. After decades of hunting trips, the guys have yet to bring home a single deer and the wives are getting suspicious. This season they need to show their wives that they are the mighty hunters they claim to be. This is not so easy when the thought of drinking beer and hanging out in the deer shack is more appealing than freezing in a deer stand. Luckily for our guys, what happens at deer camp stays at deer camp. Laugh and sing along with Douglas “Doogski” Matowski, Franklin “Diesel” Thorkin, Anslo “Moose” Johnson and Clarence “Digger” LaVigne as they hatch a plan to save their hunting paradise without firing a shot. Tickets: $25/adult; $20/senior (60+); $10/student; $6/free & reduced Cirque Le Masque Sunday, January 9, 2011 6:00 pm Audiences will be thrilled by the theatrical wizardry of this extraordinary international troupe. The gravity-defying performers of Cirque Le Masque bring an entirely new dimension to circus arts. In this sophisticated European-style circus, brilliantly costumed jugglers, acrobats, comics and aerialists perform gasp-inducing acts of balance, grace, strength, and detailed teamwork set to spellbinding special effects and creatively inventive lighting, choreography and music. Tickets: $40/adult; $35/senior (60+); $15/student; $10/child under 12; $10/ free & reduced John Hammond Saturday, January 29, 2011 7:30 pm Blues artist John Hammond earned a 2 010 Grammy Nomination for Rough & Tough, his 33rd album since his 1962 self-titled debut. John has performed or recorded with Jimi Hendrix (discovered while playing in John’s band), Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Duane Allman, Mike Bloomfield, JJ Cale, Tom Waits, The Band, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John and many more. He remains one of the world’s premier acoustic blues artists. A tireless performer, 10 South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center
2010-2011 PERFORMING ARTS SERIES
he played his 4000th date as a Rosebud artist in June 2008 and continues to tour world-wide on an annual basis. Don’t miss John’s sound, which Tom Waits says is, “… so compelling, complete, symmetrical and soulful with just his voice, guitar and harmonica, it is at first impossible to imagine improving it… He’s a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming. He chops them all down.” Tickets: $25/adult; $20/senior (60+); $10/student; $6/free & reduced John Gurda: The Making of Milwaukee Saturday, February 19, 2011 7:30 pm Milwaukee-born writer and historian John Gurda has been studying his hometown since 1972. He is the author of 19 books, including histories of Milwaukeearea neighborhoods, industries and places of worship. The Making of Milwaukee is Gurda’s most ambitious effort. With 450 pages and more than 500 illustrations, it is the first full-length history of the community published since 1948. Milwaukee was known as “good land” to Native Americans, a place of abundant natural resources. It became, over the decades, a major Great Lakes port, a stronghold of industry, a capital of ethnic diversity, a model of good government and one of the most livable large cities in America. The Making of Milwaukee is a fast-paced PowerPoint program that captures the full sweep of the community’s history, from its wilderness past to the complex patterns of the 21st century. Tickets: $5
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YOUR GUIDE TO THE PERFORMING ARTS
STUDENTS’ CHOICE: Chapter 6 Friday, April 1, 2011 7:30 pm Chapter 6 is a professional a cappella ensemble from Illinois. Their familyfriendly show features a light-hearted, high-energy blend of pop/jazz harmonies that is sure to put a smile on your face. Engaging performances feature a diverse repertoire of American popular music, from Gershwin to Stevie Wonder, as well as original songs. In addition, clever medleys including “The Wizard of Oz” entertain music lovers of all ages. Whether for an audience of 3 or 30,000, these young men stand ready to sing for anyone who’s ready to smile. South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center 11
The 2009-2010 Season saw the creation of a Student Advisory Committee consisting of students from South Milwaukee High School. Their goal is to find an artist that appeals to their peers, as well as to the SMPAC’s established patron base. The students learn about presenting as they work with us to market the event to their peers and the greater community, volunteer the day of the event and assist with the hospitality for the artist. Tickets: $25/adult; $20/senior (60+); $10/student; $6/free & reduced Alpin Hong: Classical Alpin Thursday, May 5, 2011 7:30 pm Back by popular demand, Alpin Hong will join us for two evenings of performances. His combination of stunning technique, emotional range and rare humor continues to bring audiences young and old to their feet. The New York Times lauded his “crystalline energy… clear and persuasive ideas… and remarkable breadth of coloration” and called him “a pianistic firebrand” in a review of his standing-room only New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. On Thursday, May 5, Classical Alpin will feature South Milwaukee High School music students and share with you the power of Stravinsky and the clarity of Bach. Tickets: $25/adult; $20/senior (60+); $10/student; $6/free & reduced Alpin Hong: Unplugged Friday, May 6, 2011 7:30 pm For a lighter evening, join Alpin for his Unplugged performance on Friday, May 6. In this performance he will share with you the delicacy of Debussy and the exuberance of Gershwin. Alpin will choose selections from jazz and pop standards to other non-classical favorites. Rooted in extensive classical training and a background in skateboarding, snowboarding, martial arts and video games, Alpin is a creative force unmatched in his youthful vivacity and boundless energy. His astonishing ability to connect to people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds distinguishes him and shapes his evolving performance style. Tickets: $25/adult; $20/senior (60+); $10/student; $6/free & reduced
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