University of Wisconsin-Madison The Department of Theatre & Drama presents
F O R E P L AY
Hannah Arendt
B Y
Walter Benjamin
C A R L
Theodor Adorno
Gretel Adorno
DJ E R A S S I
A staged reading directed by Patrick Sims a n d f e a t u r i n g M FA a c t i n g s t u d e n t s . Meet the playwright after the performance. University Theatre 1
Department of Theatre and Drama University of Wisconsin-Madison presents a staged reading of
FOREPLAY By Carl Djerassi Tuesday, March 29, 2011 Town Center Wisconsin Institutes For Discovery Carl Djerassi’s visit to campus is an ILLUMINATE: UW-Madison year of the Arts 2010-11 event.
Illuminate: Year of the Arts spotlights the breadth, depth, power, and purpose of artistic exploration and expression at UW–Madison. From September 2010 through August 2011, more than 300 performances, exhibits, symposia, public events, publications, distinguished visiting speakers, and on-line resources will celebrate the many ways the arts help us see differently, and see more. Sponsored by Department of Theatre & Drama, Program in Creative Writing, Department of English, Department of Chemistry, Arts Institute, Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, University of Wisconsin Press, UW Foundation.
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THE CAST Theodor Adorno..............................................................................................................................William Bolz Gretel Adorno ....................................................................................................................Annelise Dickinson Hannah Arendt . ............................................................................................................................ Liz Cassarino Walter Benjamin ................................................................................................................................... Joe Lullo Fraulein X ..........................................................................................................................Kristin Hammargren Setting: Late 1960s The staged reading will be presented without an intermission.
F R O M T H E D I R E C TO R O F T H E AT R E P R O D U C T I O N As the Director of Theatre Production for the Department of Theatre and Drama at UW-Madison, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to an extraordinary event - a reading of FOREPLAY, a new play by Dr. Carl Djerassi. We are honored to have Dr. Djerassi present tonight as he completes a visit to our campus, during this Year of the Arts celebration. Along with being a brilliant scientist, Carl Djerassi represents that rare individual who bridges the borders of science and theatre with his playwriting and literary work. Those who were privileged to have seen the production of his play OXYGEN at the Mitchell Theatre on campus in 2003 will understand what I mean. Dr. Djerassi’s visit to campus is one of the Marquee Events for this Year of the Arts and we would like to recognize the Arts Institute and its Director, Professor Norma Saldivar, for making this special event possible. Dr. Djerassi will grace us with some thoughts at the end of the reading and please be aware that published copies of the play are available for purchase. David Furumoto Director of Theatre Production
D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S Is an affair of the heart equally as damaging to a relationship as an affair carried to fruition? Where does foreplay actually begin? In the mind or the body? Carl Djerassi challenges us all to think twice about these questions in his fascinating story of mystery and intrigue surrounding some of the greatest minds of the 20th century. Djerassi’s interpretation of the characters Theodor Adorno, Walter Benjamin and Hannah Arendt struck me as incredibly witty and dare I say, risqué. (But not in the way you would think, given the play’s title.) The brilliantly written and fast-paced language moves the story along in a way that will captivate you from beginning to end. I hope you are moved and inspired seeing the staging of this play as I was when I first read it. Sit back, relax and enjoy Dr. Djerassi’s exploration of foreplay in the truest sense of the word. Sincerely, Patrick Sims
WHO’S WHO William Bolz (Theodor Adorno) A secondyear graduate acting student, William has been seen as Jim Casy in THE GRAPES OF WRATH, Dr. Arnholm in THE LADY FROM THE
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SEA, and the Father in BLOOD WEDDING. Long active in Madison area theatre, he has worked with American Players Theatre, Madison Rep, CTM, Strollers, and Madison Theatre Guild. He can also be seen in Blame Society Films’ internet comedy series Chad Vader.
W H O ’ S W H O ( c o n t .) Liz Cassarino (Hannah Arendt) is a 2nd year MFA actor at UW-Madison and recently made her Madison Opera debut as Lucy Brown in THE THREEPENNY OPERA. Other Madison credits include VALPARAISO (Livia Majeski); INTO THE WOODS (Baker’s Wife); BLOOD WEDDING (Maid); THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Rona); Andrew Lippa’s WILD PARTY (Queenie). Regional credits include OKLAHOMA (American Theatre Company); LYSISTRATA, CHESS, BABY, THE DIARY OF ANN FRANK (national tour). Film and television: Chuck Palahniuk’s Choke, Rescue Me, The 4400. She has done various voice-over work in Madison as well as Chicago and NYC and is pleased to call Madison her home for the next couple of years. Many thanks to family, friends and Revere for endless love and support. Annelise Dickinson (Gretel Adorno) Originally from Grand Rapids, MI, Annelise earned her BA in Theatre from Purdue University. Since then, she has lived and worked in five different Midwestern states and the Czech Republic, settling happily in Chicago before moving on up to Madison. She has appeared in UT’s BLOOD WEDDING (Wife/Moon), THE LADY FROM THE SEA (Ellida), and THE GRAPES OF WRATH. Other favorite roles include Dunyasha in THE CHERRY ORCHARD, Tecumapese in TECUMSEH! and Luna in the world premiere of A STORY ABOUT A GIRL. Much love and many thanks go to her wonderful and supportive parents, mentors and classmates. Kristin Hammargren (Fraulein X) is excited to be a part of UW Madison Arts Institute’s Year of the Arts. Originally from Minnesota, she has a degree in theatre and vocal performance from Lawrence University and is a second year MFA Acting student at UW. Recent roles include Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS, the Bride in BLOOD WEDDING, Catherine in PROOF and ensemble/doorbell in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Guthrie Theater. Thank you for supporting theatre!
Joe Lullo (Walter Benjamin) Joe is currently pursuing his MFA in acting at UW Madison. Joe was most recently seen in THE THREEPENNY OPERA at Madison Opera, and will be heading back to American Players Theatre this summer. Joe has also acted at summer stock and dinner theater venues in Wisconsin, and he also toured the states with CLIMB Theater and Missoula Children’s Theater. Joe would like to thank his mother and father for encouraging him to follow his dream, and Ken Hill and Bob Amsden for all their wonderful support. Joe would also like to thank Alanna Reeves for all her support and love. Patrick Sims (Director) Entering his seventh year as the Founding Director of the Theatre for Cultural and Social Awareness (TCSA), Patrick is an Associate Professor of Acting and Head of the Undergraduate Acting Specialist Program in the Department of Theatre & Drama at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before joining the faculty at UW Madison, Patrick was a company member at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival as well as a Faculty Associate in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. There he served as a founding member and Artistic Director of the Human Experience Theatre (HET). TCSA and HET are interactive theatre-based training models that dramatize sensitive subject matters for universities, corporate and non-profit organizations in the United States. Patrick has helped train employees at Miller Brewing Company, Harley Davidson, Wisconsin Energies, WI State Department of Workforce Development, in addition to several institutions of higher education throughout the state of Wisconsin. Sims and his theatre outreach programs have been featured at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) and the Diversity Summit at Yale University. On stage, some of Sims’ favorite roles include Sterling North and Cephus Miles in Madison Rep’s productions of PERMANENT COLLECTION and HOME; Neal in THE STORY at the Goodman and Milwaukee Repertory Theatre; Hippolytus in PHAEDRA; Priam in THE GREEKS with the Shanghai Theatre University Theatre 5
W H O ’ S W H O ( c o n t .) Academy; and James Solomon in his original solo performance 10 PERFECT: A LYNCHING SURVIVOR’S STORY. His latest work, a bilingual solo performance entitled PIEL COMO EL MÍO (SKIN LIKE MINE), is inspired by race relations in Panamá and its three hundred year stint in the African slave trade. Carl Djerassi (Playwright) Emeritus professor of chemistry at Stanford University, Professor Djerassi is one of the few American scientists to have been awarded both the National Medal of Science (for the first synthesis of a steroid oral contraceptive-”the Pill”) and the National Medal of Technology (for promoting new approaches to insect control). A member of the US National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Royal Society (London) as well as many other foreign academies, Djerassi has received 24 honorary doctorates together with numerous other honors, such as the first Wolf Prize in Chemistry, the first Award for the Industrial Application of Science from the National Academy of Sciences, the Erasmus Medal of the Academia Europeae, the Perkin Medal of the Society for Chemical Industry, the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Chemists, and the American Chemical Society’s highest award, the Priestley Medal. An Austrian postage stamp with his image was issued in 2005. For the past 20 years, he has turned to fiction writing, mostly in the genre of “sciencein-fiction,” whereby he illustrates, in the guise of realistic fiction, the human side of scientists and the personal conflicts faced by scientists in their quest for scientific knowledge, personal recognition, and financial rewards. In addition to 5 novels (“Cantor’s Dilemma;”“The Bourbaki Gambit;”“Marx, deceased;”“Menachem’s Seed;”“NO”), poetry (“The Clock runs backwards”), autobiography (“The Pill, Pygmy Chimps, and Degas’ Horse”) and memoir (“This Man’s Pill”), he embarked in 1997 on a trilogy of “science-intheatre” plays. “AN IMMACULATE MISCONCEPTION”—first performed at the 1998 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and subsequently (1999 - 2005) in London, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Vienna, Munich, Cologne, Sundsvall, Stockholm, Sofia, Geneva, Seoul, Tokyo, Lisbon, and Singapore— has been translated into 12 languages and 6 University Theatre
broadcast by BBC Radio on its World Service in 2000 as “Play of the Week,” in 2001 by the West German and Swedish Radio, in 2004 by NPR (USA) and in 2006 by Radio Prague. “OXYGEN” (co-authored with Roald Hoffmann) premiered in April 2001 at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, in September 2001 at the Mainfranken Theater in Würzburg and in November 2001 at the Riverside Studios in London and was broadcast by both BBC World Service and the West German Radio in December 2001. It has since been translated into 16 languages. “CALCULUS,” translated into 5 languages and published in book form in English, German and Italian, premiered in 2003 in San Francisco followed by a London production in 2004 as well as performances in Vienna, Munich, Berlin, Dresden, Dublin, Cambridge, and Munich. A chamber opera version (music by Werner Schulze) premiered in May 2005 in the Zurich Opera (Studiobühne). Among his “non-scientific” plays, “EGO” premiered at the 2003 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and under the title “THREE ON A COUCH” in London (2004) and in 2008 in New York. A German translation of “EGO” was broadcast by the WDR in 2004, followed by its Austrian theatrical premiere in 2005 and a major German tour (Landgraf ) in early 2006 and again early 2007. The London premiere of his fifth play (“PHALLACY”) with a science vs. art theme occurred in 2005 with a German radio version broadcast in early 2006 by the WDR; its New York premiere was held in May 2007. His sixth play, “TABOOS” opened in London in 2006 and had its German language premiere in July 2006 in Graz and its New York premiere in September 2008. Semi-staged readings of his most recent docudrama, “FOUR JEWS ON PARNASSUS— a Conversation” (dealing with Benjamin, Adorno, Scholem, and Schönberg) were held in 2006 in Berlin at the Walter Benjamin Festival and subsequently in Madison, WI, Stockholm, London, Cambridge, Vienna, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Bayreuth, Berlin, London, and San Francisco. He is also the founder of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program near Woodside, California, which provides residencies and studio space for artists in the visual arts, literature, choreography and performing arts, and music. Over 2000 artists have passed through that program since its inception in 1982. Djerassi lives in San Francisco, Vienna, and London.
U N I V E R S I T Y T H E AT R E S TA F F Director of University Theatre............................................................................................ David Furumoto General Manager....................................................................................................................Michele Traband Production Manager..................................................................................................................David Stewart UT Technical Director...................................................................................................................Dan Lisowski Scene Studio Supervisor......................................................................................................... Chuck Mitchell Costume Studio Supervisor . .......................................................................................................... Jim Greco Electrics and Sound Studio Supervisor ................................................................................Casey Martin UT Office Manager................................................................................................................... Cindy Schkirkie House Managers . .................................. Mary McAvoy, Carol Carlson, Erin Hood, Liz Foster-Shaner PR/Marketing Assistant............................................................................................................Molly Richards Literary Manager......................................................................................................................Sandy Peterson Scene Shop Assistants.............................................................................. Walter Claassen, Cynthia Dean, Katy Lai, Michael Maloney, Cole Muth, Allyn Weber, Jennifer Reider Lighting Assistants...................................................................................................Katie Kudrick, Erik Barry, Jonathan de Leon, Brandi Mitchell Costume Assistants............................................................. Katie Gray, Sarah Woodworth, Emily Smith DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DRAMA FACULTY, ACADEMIC AND CLASSIFIED STAFFS
Department Chair..................................................................................................................Ann M. Archbold Acting/Directing Faculty/Staff.......................................................... Patricia Boyette, David Furumoto, Norma Saldivar, Patrick Sims, Susan Sweeney Design/Technical Faculty/Staff..............................................................Ann M. Archbold, Gail Brassard, Jim Greco, Dan Lisowski, Casey Martin, Chuck Mitchell, David Stewart, Joe Varga Theatre Research Faculty/Staff.........................................................Aparna Dharwadker, Kristin Hunt, Michael Peterson, Mary Trotter, Michael Vanden Heuvel, Manon van de Water Theatre for Youth Director..........................................................................................Manon van de Water Theatre for Cultural and Social Awareness Director........................................................... Patrick Sims Department Administrator................................................................................................. Melinda Menard Departmental Office Staff......................................................Terri Bonner, Jean Hauser, Brenda Weiss
F R I E N D S O F U N I V E R S I T Y T H E AT R E The FRIENDS of UT is a group of individuals that serves as a support organization for UW Madison’s University Theatre, providing members with opportunities to connect with and offer support for student actors, dramaturgs, directors, and designers involved in University Theatre productions. FRIENDS of UT plan and host receptions prior to productions, enjoy exceptional performances together, and work to encourage broader awareness and appreciation of the UW Department of Theatre and Drama throughout the community. Funds raised by FRIENDS of UT will provide much needed production support, including technical enhancements such as state-of-the-art equipment upgrades, as well as special guest artist residencies that will support the training of our students. In the past, Friends of UT have enjoyed invitations to a special post-performance reception with Olympia Dukakis as well as a pre-performance discussion with show directors. They sponsored a visit with Anthony Rapp (from the original Broadway cast of RENT). Funds raised were used to support a Suzuki acting workshop with Brandeis Professor Eric Hill and several guest sound designers. This fall, the group enjoyed a day trip faculty and students to Ten Chimneys in Genesee Depot, WI. We are proud to share the names of the FRIENDS of UT with you throughout this season.
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F R I E N D S O F U N I V E R S I T Y T H E AT R E ( c o n t .) FRIEND ($50-$249) Roger & Elizabeth Gray Heather & Samuel Murn Jeanne Whitish Guy Plunkett III & Joanne Harper Plunkett Louis & Julie Swedarsky Hal & Shirley Winsborough Susan Cook & Roger Pierson Dr. Jay & Sabrina Gold Shawn & George Klasek Bonnie D. Lewis Eric Mueller & Torrie Kopp Mueller
David & Jodie Rohrer Gerald & Vicki Stewart Bob and Sharon Stephenson Katherine & Bailey Walsh John & Nancy Webster William & Sharon Koenen Maureen Skelton Prof Barbara Buenger Peter & Donna Napoleone Norlin & Cynthia Benevenga David & Shirley Susan Laura & Barry Burden Joe & Jeanne Silverberg Tim & Rhonda Current
ANGEL ($250 and up) Shana Lewis & Robert Magasano Dennis Dorn Howard & Ellen Louise Schwartz Merry Anderson Tim & Pat Size Jon Sorenson CORPORATE ($250 and up) Lathrop and Clark
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEPARTM ENT OF THE ATR E AN D DR A M A (from January 1 to December 31, 2010) $1,000+ Evjue Foundation Inc. Jonathan B. and Susan Lipp Timothy K. and Patricia B. Size $250-999 Russell Howes Patricia Kugler Whitely Robert D. Magasano and Shana R. Lewis $100-249 Patricia J. Boyette Daniel P. Boylen Barbara C. Buenger Dennis L. and Katherine A. Dorn Melissa J. Friesen Julie M. Johnson
Eric D. Loring John E. Reilly, Jr. David M. Shaw Susan R. Sweeney Joseph Varga Milan Zivanovic $1-99 Ann M. Archbold William P. and Martha K. Barlow Steven D. Burch Katherine M. Charron Peter M. Cole Chris M. and Joan M. Collins Pamela S. Decker-Nelson Mariam A. Duckwall David H. Fennema David J. Furumoto Roger E. and Elizabeth E. Gray John M. Gulley Jessica Holmes
Virginia A. Hostetter Tamara S. M. Kaplan Marna J. King Bonnie D. Lewis Kimberley B. Marra Charles W. Mc Graw Samuel and Heather L. Murn James W. Neely, Jr. Sue A. Nilsson Joohee Park Guy D., III and Joanne H. Plunkett Sybil C. Robinson Judith R. Shuler Robert and Joann Skloot Bob and Sharon Stephenson C. John and Barbara R. Tolch Michael J. and Tracy L. Vanden Heuvel Allen and Brenda Weiss Jeanne H. Whitish Mary T. Zellmer
H OW TO C O N T R I B U T E There are many ways to contribute to the Department of Theater and Drama, including: Gifts of appreciated securities, personal property, and real estate Deferred gifts such as bequests, trusts, and life income agreements Permanently endowed scholarships, fellowships, and professorships named for a relative or friend For more information about all giving opportunities, please call Jon E. Sorenson at the UW Foundation, (800) 443-6162 or (608) 262-7211. Please make your check payable to University of Wisconsin Foundation and mail to University of Wisconsin Foundation, US Bank Lockbox, PO Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Indicate that your contribution should be credited to the Department of Theater and Drama.
I L L U M I N AT E : Y E A R O F T H E A R T S E V E N S T F O R A P R I L 2 011 Wisconsin Union: Annual Student Art Show, April 1-28 Abbie Furmansky & Daniel Sutton Concert, April 3 Fred Wilson workshop and lecture, April 4-5 Sir Ken Robinson lecture, April 5 Dance Concert: Dance and Community, April 14-16 University Opera Production: The Consul, April 15, 17, 19 Art Lofts Demo Extravaganza, April 27 Tad Gloeckler Residency: Drag Space Public Performances and Installations, April 30 Campus Arts Homecoming and Open House, April 30 For the full calendar of events and further information visit yearofthearts.wisc.edu 8 University Theatre