presents
The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris (adapted by Joe Mantello)
Cast Elf.......................................................................................... Mitchell Fain*
Crew Director........................................................................ Jeremy Wechsler Scenic Design.........................................................................Joey Wade Lighting Design.................................................................... Mike Durst Costume Design.......................................................Mara Blumenfeld Sound Design................................................................... Joseph Fosco Stage Manager.........................................................Dana M. Nestrick* * Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional stage managers in the United States. Thanks to The Saints for providing ushers for the performances. Originally produced in New York by David Stone and Amy Nederlander-Case on November 7, 1996 The Santaland Diaries is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. in New York This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Theatre Wit 1
BIOGR APHIES Mitchell Fain (Elf) is once again excited to don his stripey tights and jingle his bells in The Santaland Diaries with Theater Wit . He was last seen at The Actor’s Theatre of Louisville and on The Pride of America as a part of a Second City touring company, performing improv/sketch comedy. Prior to that he was in THIS, a Chicago premiere right here at Theater Wit. He co-produces and co-directs “Big Red’s Cabaret”, a twice monthly musical review seen at Mary’s Attic in Andersonville, with the delicious Big Red herself, Meghan Murphy. Other Credits: LOOKINGGLASS ALICE, STILETTOS, CIRCUS and SOUL, HAMLET; THE MUSICAL, HENRY VI, HAMLET, COMEDY OF ERRORS, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN, BITCHES, HAYFEVER, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD and THE LYNCHING OF LEO FRANK. Television: WHAT ABOUT JOAN?, EARLY EDITION and most recently THE BEAST on A & E. Mr. Fain is an Artistic Associate of Chicago’s The Midnight Circus and About Face Theatre as well as a Cohost of The Windy City Queercast. He received his degree in English at the University of Rhode Island. As always, he would not have had the cajones to leave RI without the love and support of his family of choice, especially his Godmother Robin.. She’s probably watching tonight…so be nice to him! David Sedaris (Author) is the author of “Barrel Fever” and “Holidays on Ice”, as well as collections of personal essays, “Naked”,“Me Talk Pretty One Day”,“Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim”, and “When You Are Engulfed in Flames”, each of which became a bestseller. Sedaris’s pieces appear regularly in The New Yorker and have twice been included in “The Best American Essays.” His newest book, a collection of fables entitled Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary (with illustrations by Ian Falconer), was published in September 2010. He and his sister, Amy Sedaris, have collaborated under the name “The Talent Family” and have written half-a-dozen plays which have been produced at La Mama, Lincoln 2 Theatre Wit
Center, and The Drama Department in New York City. Joe Mantello (Adapter) His directing credits include ASSASSINS (Tony Award), WICKED, TAKE ME OUT (TONY AWARD), FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, DESIGN FOR LIVING, Terrence McNally and Jake Heggie’s DEAD MAN WALKING for the San Francisco Opera, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, BASH, ANOTHER AMERICAN: ASKING AND TELLING, LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, PROPOSALS, THE MINEOLA TWINS, CORPUS CHRISTI, MIZLANSKY / ZILINSKY OR SCHMUCKS, BLUE WINDOW, GOD’S HEART, THE SANTALAND DIARIES, LILLIAN, SNAKEBIT, THREE HOTELS, IMAGINING BRAD and FAT MEN IN SKIRTS. Mr. Mantello also directed the film LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!. As an actor he appeared in Angels in America (Tony nomination) and THE BALTIMORE WALTZ. He is the recipient of the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Helen Hayes, Clarence Derwent, Obie and Joe A. Callaway awards. He is a member of Naked Angels and an associate artist at the Roundabout. Jeremy Wechsler (Director) is the artistic director of Theater Wit where he has directed THIS (Melissa James Gibson), THE FOUR OF US (Itamar Moses), SPIN (Penny Penniston), FEYDEAU-SI-DEAU (Georges Feydeau), MEN OF STEEL (Qui Nguyen), THOM PAIN (BASED ON NOTHING) (Will Eno), TWO FOR THE SHOW (James Fitzpatrick and Will Clinger) and THE SANTALAND DIARIES (David Sedaris and Joe Mantello). He has directed over forty shows in the last fifteen years at various theaters, including: THE FLU SEASON (Will Eno), A TASTE OF HONEY (Shelagh Delaney – best show of 2007, The Wall Street Journal), THE PLAY ABOUT THE SQUIRREL (Mia McCullough), THE WHITE DEVIL (John Webster), THE REAL THING (Tom Stoppard), SZINHAZ (Itamar Moses), TITUS ANDRONICUS (Shakespeare), THE ROARING GIRL
BIOGR APHIES (c o n t.) (Thomas Middleton), THIS IS THE RILL SPEAKING (Lanford Wilson), HAY FEVER (Noel Coward) NOW THEN AGAIN (Penny Penniston), A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY (Brian Friel), EUROPE (David Grieg), HENRY VI: BLOOD OF A NATION (Shakespeare), THE PROMISE (Jose Rivera), LIFE IS A DREAM (Calderon), THE PRISONER’S DILEMMA (David Edgar), CABARET (Masteroff/Kander/Ebb) and THE THREEPENNY OPERA (Brecht/Weill). He has taught at several universities, is an artistic associate at Collaboraction and currently serves on the board of the League of Chicago Theatres. His productions have been nominated for and won multiple awards for design, performance, adaptation and best new work. Joey Wade (Scenic Design) is pleased to work with Theater Wit again. Some of his past work includes CHEKHOV IN YALTA and CALAMITY MEAT for Seanachai; THANATOS and THE POSSESSED at National Pastime; THE CAIRN STONES and A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY at Bailiwick; MARAT/ SADE for The Hypocrites; THE DUEL and WOYZECK for European Rep; UNCLE VANYA and THE DAZZLE at the Steppenwolf Studio; THE PRICE at Writers Theatre; LIQUID MOON and BLUE MOON at Chicago Dramatists; QUILLS at Trap Door; and THE GREY ZONE at A Red Orchid Theatre. He also has designed sets for the Tom Ramsey Theatre in North Carolina, Pistarckle Theatre in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Nottingham Playhouse in England, Scottish National Opera and Italy’s Teatre de l’Orange, as well as assisting a retrospective exhibition on legendary scenic designer Ralph Koltai at London’s Lethaby Galleries. He teaches stage craft, Architecture and design at Lincoln Park’s Francis W. Parker School. Mike Durst (Lighting Design) Mike’s work includes designs for premieres by Jonathin Tollins, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Austin Pendleton, and Stephen Belber. In Chicago Mike has designed for Lookingglass, About Face Theatre, Shattered Globe, Chicago Public
Radio, Adventure Stages, and Theater Wit. Other credits. Pete Townshend in concert at La Jolla Playhouse. X, LIVE IN LOS ANGELES at The House of Blues. IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, THE NIGHTMAN COMETH National Tour. SPLITTING INFINITY (Summer Play Festival), STOCK HOME for NYC Fringe. Off-Broadway: EXTINCTION at Cherry Lane (Red Dog Squadron), SECRETS OF THE TRADE Primary Stages at 59e59. Mike has received Chicago’s Jeff Award, Los Angeles’s Ovation Award, and San Diego’s Craig Noel Award. Mara Blumenfeld (Costume Designer) Chicago design credits include numerous productions at The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theatre, and Lookingglass Theatre Company, where she is an ensemble member. Her work has been seen extensively at regional theatres around the country and internationally. As a general rule, she does not design holiday-themed costumes, but was happy to make an exception for this production. Please direct all future requests for Santa suits, Easter bunnies, dancing chickens, and any or all Halloween costumes to someone else. Joseph Fosco (Sound Design) Joseph is Chicago based composer and sound designer. He has been nominated for a New York Drama Desk award, and 9 Jeff awards. He has received 3 Jeff Awards, 2 After Dark awards and an Orgie Theatre Award. Joseph is a company member of A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago. He has also designed shows at The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, The Museum Of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Northlight Theatre, Marriott’s Theatre in Lincolnshire, Noble Fool Theatricals/ Fox Valley Rep., Theater Wit, Porchlight Theatre and many others. Regionally he has composed music and designed sound at Barrow Street Theatre (NY), 29th Street Rep. (NY) and theatres in Seattle, Madison, and Milwaukee. In England Joseph has designed in London, Edinburgh, Brighton, and Theatre Wit 3
BIOGR APHIES (c o n t.) Manchester. Joseph has composed music for film, video, multimedia, and dance. Visit www.josephfosco.com for more information. Dana M. Nestrick (Stage Manager) is excited to return to Theatre Wit and spend her time with her favorite striped tights Elf. Previously at Theatre Wit – SANTALAND DIARIES (’09-’11), THIS; Teatro Vista – MOMMA’S BOYZ, OUR LADY OF THE UNDERPASS; Writers’ Theatre – THE OVERCOAT (workshop), A MINISTER’S WIFE (workshops & extension run); American Theatre Company – THE BIG MEAL, WELCOME TO ARROYOS’, SPEECH & DEBATE, I DO! I DO!, THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble – SLEUTH, The Goodman Theatre – Assistant Stage Manager ROMANCE; Stage Manager BINKY RUDICH OR
THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS, Provincetown Repertory – Production Stage Manager THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, Hartford Stage –Assistant Stage Manager TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (’02-’05), METAMORPHOSES, THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, Tennessee William’s EIGHT BY TENN, TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, CONSTANT STAR, World Premier of TEA AT FIVE starring Kate Mulgrew, Arizona Repertory Theatre- Stage Manager STEEL MAGNOLIAS, A FLEA IN HER EAR, Music Theatre Arizona Production Stage Manager SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM. Dana is a Core Tech Company Member at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin. She has been working there for the past 11 summers as the Dyer/Painter.
T H E AT E R W I T ’ S 2 011-12 S E A S O N DECEMBER The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris (adapted by Joe Montello) Our holiday classic returns for it’s 8th straight year, once again starring Mitchell Fain who played to rave reviews and soldout houses in 2009. Don’t miss what Time Out Chicago calls “a martini-flavored antidote to Christmas cheer.” A celebration of the desperation of unemployment, the insanity of Christmas shopping and the ineffable “cheer” of the holiday spirit. FEBRUARY The North Plan by Jason Wells What would ordinary Americans do if the U.S. government fell into tyranny? Quentin Tarantino meets All the President’s Men in Jason Wells’ The North Plan. In a small-town Missouri jailhouse, a federal bureaucrat is desperate to escape in order to thwart an unspecified constitutional crisis. To acheive this goal, he’ll need a drunk, a laptop, and guns. Many, many guns. In 2010 Wells’ dark political satire was hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “the most promising and provocative of the stimulating, three play First Look Repertory of New Work at Steppenwolf.” Theater Wit is excited to give The North Plan its first professional Chicago Production, to be helmed by acclaimed director Kimberly Senior. APRIL Tigers Be Still by Kim Rosenstock Tigers Be Still is a savagely funny dark comedy about a young woman who stops being a total disaster and gets her life back on track. Sherry is a recent graduate with a master’s degree in art therapy. But like so many 20-somethings who find themselves back at home, she is unemployed, overwhelmed and dealing with her crazy family. Things begin to brighten up when she gets hired as a high school art teacher and if only the principal would leave his rifle at home, her sister would get off the couch, her mother would come downstairs, her first patient would do just one of his art therapy assignments, and someone would catch the damned tiger that just escaped from the local zoo, everything would be perfect. 4 Theatre Wit
MISSION : SMART ART Theater Wit dedicates itself to producing plays that address contemporary issues with humor and intelligence. With groundbreaking new plays and classic works, Theater Wit seeks to engage its audiences with wit and wisdom. Now a year at our newly renovated 3 theater complex, Theater Wit strives to create a welcoming and professional home for the neighborhood to experience Chicago’s diversely talented theater scene.
M O R E T H E AT E R . M O R E ! ! ! ! Take full advantage of all the productions and companies at Theater Wit MEMBERSHIP With a Theater Wit Membership, you can see as many plays as you want, year round, for $36/month: »» Reserve a seat at any production in our facility. Do it in advance or just drop by on impulse. »» Free ticket exchanges and replacement tickets. »» Attend as many different shows as you want each month. Come once, twice or five times a week at no additional charge. »» No initiation or startup fee, but members must agree to a three-month minimum. »» Twice a year, bring a friend for free FLEXPASS Theater Wit’s FlexPass allows you see anything in the building at a dramatically reduced price: »» Your FlexPass gives you 10 tickets for any shows at Theater Wit to be used any way you want for only $200. See 10 shows, go on 5 dates or just bring your 9 closest friends with you to a show. »» After ordering, you get a card in the mail within a week with your FlexPass code which can be used online, over the phone or at the box office. Take full advantage of all the productions and companies at Theater Wit T H I S W I N T E R AT T H E AT E R W I T Salomee Speelt Date Me/Sound of Silence November 16 – December 18
New Millennium Theatre Silent Night of the Living Dead December
Theater Wit The Santaland Diaries November 25 – December 31
Bohemian Theatre Ensemble Tartuffe January – February
Griffin Theatre Ensemble Spring Awakening November 27 – January 8
Griffin Theatre Ensemble The Pact January – March
Stage Left Theatre 8 Reindeer Monologues December 9 – December 31
Theater Wit The North Plan February – April
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T H E AT E R W I T S TA F F Jeremy Wechsler....................................................................................................Artistic Director David Wechsler............................................................................................... Company Manager Mercedes Rohlfs....................................................................................................... Grant Director Mikey Laird......................................................................................................Box Office Manager Josh Nordmark................................................................................................................Box Office Majel Cuza..................................................................................................................Bar Manager Jay Kelly, L.C. Williams & Assocs......................................................................... Press Relations Michelle D. Miller and John D. Neumann, Jones Day................................................... Legal Richard Kasemsarn........................................................................................................... Architect David Trent Zilmer..........................................................................................General Contractor Jennifer Howard.................................................................................................................... Intern BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kathryn Stieber..................................................................................................................President Paul Danao..................................................................................................................Vice-President Charles Hornewer..............................................................................................................Treasurer Todd Goldberg Ashley Nelson
Neal Smyth Bruce Wechsler
With so much going on at Theater Wit, we recommend you get our e-newsletter to keep up. Get updated news on our resident companies, pre-production insights, interviews and photos. You can also be our bestest ever e-pals by visting us at facebook.com/theaterwit. Fill out a mailing list insert and give to any bartender, usher or house manager to get a free piece of chocolate, or sign up online at theaterwit.org/join. WIT RESIDENCE PROVIDING A HOME TO CHICAGO’S THEATERS Each season, Theater Wit offers its space to one or more companies to produce in year round. The WitRESIDENCE program combines the principles of a cooperative and a traditional rental house to create a more cohesive, professional, and efficient nonprofit environment. In its facility, Theater Wit will play host to other Chicago theater companies on a minimum two-year basis. The resident companies will volunteer their time for space maintenance, share audience development initiatives, and gain a home under one roof. Meet our resident companies for 2011-2012!
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B O H E M I A N T H E AT R E E N S E M B L E BoHo Theatre’s mission is to create theatre that incorporates the arts as a whole — Art for art’s sake. BoHo’s vision is to challenge convention through literary originality and eclectic expression while fostering an everevolving artistic environment in which people are inspired to learn, think, dream, and feel. To teach others and ourselves how to expand, create, and present art through theatre while reveling not only in the process, but also in the journey. BoHo’s season is chosen to highlight and explore the four bohemian pillars of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love. Four shows, four pillars (and maybe a holiday musical thrown in for good measure!)
S TAG E L E F T T H E AT R E Stage Left Theatre’s mission is to develop and produce plays that inspire debate about political and social topics. We focus on presenting complicated issues in the context of an engaging story, without prescribing a single point of view. We attempt to spark respectful debate about the issues most relevant to our community, and activate audiences to continue those conversations beyond the walls of the theatre. Stage Left also works to inspire playwrights to address political and social themes through our Downstage Left new work development program. N E W M I L L E N I U M T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y New Millennium produces a varied season which focuses on new and nontraditional approaches to theater. They create plays geared to audiences who have been reluctant to attend traditional theatre offerings, producing shows that are fun and relevant to today’s complex audiences.
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T H E AT R E W I T D O N O R S Over $5000 Arts Work Fund Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation James S. Kemper Foundation The Penniston Family Foundation The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation PAV John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Bruce & Sandy Wechsler $1000-$5000 Paul Danao Alan, Hedy, Roger, Eric and Julie Daniel Todd & Brandy Goldberg Tom Lally The Saints Kathryn Stieber Jeremy Wechsler $500-$999 Russell Ainsworth Anne Larson & Josh Vincent Lysaught Consulting Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Morris Art Murphy Susie & Rick Rieser The Saints $250-$499 Steve & Rose Owen Paczolt Insurance Neal Smyth & Martha Christensen
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Trent Zilmer / Z-Build design $100-$249 Debra Chesnin Nancy & Vito Coletto Cooper’s Monina Danao Helmut & Elfie Freudenthaller Joe Goodkin & Andrea Carr Patrick Harmon Jean Hornewer Peter & Leighann King James Kinoshita Todd Labinksy John Lahti Mimi Lutwak & Steve Fitzgerald Bridget A. Maile Kevin Metke Steve & Kelly Paczolt Steve & Lizanne Phalen Jeffrey & Penny Rappin Lucius Reese Carol Stanley -Robbins Jessica Turner Jill Webb & Neil Gustafson $99 and under Greg Bach Sharon Bergen Erica Beringer Johnpaul Cafiero Sandra Carter Claire Curley Derek Czaplews Daisy Danao Russell Demers Eleanor Deleth Helene Domash
Caitlin Fergus Arnie Flank Sam Franke Aparna Ghosh Janice Goldstein Ann Gallucci Alan Hirsch Suzanne Holden Arnold Kasemsarn Arlene Kelly Roger Kiley Peter King Amanda Kulczews Robert Lannin Joan Lovell Guadalupe Loyd Sheila Monahan Greg Morelli Helen Moshak Richard Murphy Lindsey Pearlman Corey Perry Flor Pinho Georgene Pope Terry Quinn James Radke Hugh Riley Gay Roberts Peter C. Robinson Martin Ryan Dorothy Smith Troy Smith Carla Tcruz Jeff Todd Meg Tortorello Bret Tuomi Damayan Vasudevan Denise Wilkinson Anthony Williams Joe Zarrow