Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. J.B. premiered at the Yale School of Drama on April 22, 1958 and opened on Broadway at the ANTA Theatre in New York, December 11, 1958. It won the 1959 Tony Award for Best Play and Best Direction (Elia Kazan), and was selected as the Pulitzer Prize Play for 1959. There will be a talkback session following the performance.
PROGR A M Pre-Show and Prologue – A Theatre Storage and Occasional Performance Space Scene 1 – J.B.’s Dining Room Scene 2 – The Theatre Space Scene 3 – J.B.’s Living Room Scene 4 – A Sidewalk Scene 5 – The Theatre Space Scene 6 – J.B.’s House Scene 7 – The Theatre Space INTERMISSION Scene 8 through the Epilogue – J.B’s House, after the destruction & The Theatre Space
CAST Deanna Strasse............................................................................................Zuss, a fixer of things, dignified Caleb Pearson............................................................................................. Nickles, her colleague, sardonic Ben Adickes........................................................................................... J.B., a successful, God-fearing man Renee Pottorff...................................................................................Sarah, J.B.’s wife (whom he calls, Sal) Josh Kneser......................................................................................................... David/ 1st Fireman /Zophar Anastasia Wild.......................................................................................Mary/ 2nd Paparazzi / Mrs. Adams Jon Krueger.......................................................................Jonathan/ 1st Soldier /2nd Fireman / Eliphaz Sarah Johnson..................................................................................... Rebecca/2nd Soldier / Jolly Adams Lachrisa Grandberry................................................................................ Ruth/1st Paparazzi /Mrs. Lesure Octavia Morton............................................................................ Maid/Society Page Girl / Mrs. Botticelli MaryFran Stefanich................................................................................................ Chef/Cop 1/Mrs. Murphy Hannah Stellick............................................................................................................................. Cop 2/ Bildad
PRODUCTION CREW Director............................................................................................................................................... Jay Sierszyn Scenic Designer......................................................................................................................... Richard Arnold Lighting Designer....................................................................................................................Kristen Kraklow Costume Designer...................................................................................................................Vince Pelligrino Hair and Makeup Designer...................................................................................................Erica Ortenblad Technical Director...........................................................................................................................Dana Fralick Stage Managers...............................................................................................Sarah Laupan, Katrina Smith Props Masters........................................................................................................... Ella Bethke, Tobi Sieglaff Light Board Op................................................................................................................................ Kirsten Funk Sound Board Op.................................................................................................................... Meghan Folkerts Lighting/Assistant................................................................................................................Lindsay Woelbing Technical Support ......................................................................................................................... Sean Floeter Shop Staff..........................Blake Miller, Sean Gogerty, MaryFran Stefanich, Amanda Schumacher, Renee Pottorff, Christine Wilde, Ben Adickes, Brenda Kolell, Wendy N Veramendi, Martin Smith Stagecraft Class......................................................Benjamin Adickes, Laura Benge, Meghan Folkerts, Lachrisa Grandberry, Stephen Hetzner, Octavia Morton, Renee Pottorff, Jessica Riege, Jay Sierszyn, Hannah Stellick
BIOGR APHIES This is freshman Ben Adickes’ (J.B.) third production at WLC, but his first involvement with dramatic verse. He is going to tackle J.B. with as much—if not more—fervor as his past performances. Thanks go out to his parents for their support, and his theatre buddies for their encouragement. 2 WI Lutheran
Richard L. Arnold, Jr. (Scenic Designer) is a freelance designer, assistant professor, and technical director for the department of theatre at Elmhurst College. His 24 years in the entertainment industry includes work in museums, special events, corporate theatre, and technician, he helped develop interactive exhibits for several Chicago area institutions including the Chicago History Museum, Chicago Children’s Museum, and the Morton Arboretum. He spent 16 years in the corporate theatre industry creating
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) memorable events for Fortune 500 companies such as Domino’s Pizza and Abbott Labs, as well as industry leading associations like National Association of Realtors and Rotary International. Ella Bethke (Props Master) is eager to display her abilities backstage rather than onstage this time around. Taking on the role of the Prop’s Master has opened some new and challenging doors for her and she hopes that you all enjoy watching J. B. as much as she enjoyed working on it! Meghan Folkerts (Sound Board Operator) is a junior Vocal Performance major and is enjoying her first time on the technical side of theater! Recent credits include being the Directing Intern for Skylight Opera Theatre’s production of Cosi Fan Tutte, and also Lady Jedburgh in WLC’s Lady Windemere’s Fan. Enjoy the show! Lachrisa Grandberry (Ruth/1st Paparazzi/ Mrs. Lesure) Is always excited to be doing another production with the theatre department! This has been an amazing first year for her with much thanks to the wonderful people of theatre and she look forward to more! Enjoy the show! Sarah Johnson (Rebecca/2nd Soldier / Jolly Adams) steps out from backstage as assistant stage manager in LWF to her first onstage WLC production. She thanks Jay and all her cast mates for helping her develop her characters and for making this a fun production. She also thanks her friends and family for supporting her and encouraging her to audition. Josh Kneser (David/ 1st Fireman /Zophar) is glad to be a part of WLC theatre. He is thrilled to be part of J.B. He would like to thank his family and friends for supporting him.
Kristen Kraklow (Lighting Designer) is getting out of the director’s chair from Gulf View Drive and back up to the catwalk for her final WLC production as an undergrad. Her gratitude goes to her Heavenly Father who deserves all the glory, her family and professors for their love and support, and her friends who made these last four years the best. John Krueger (Jonathan/ 1st Soldier/2nd Fireman/ Eliphaz) is a Psychology major planning to go to grad school to one day become a therapist or counselor. Since as long as he can remember, he has had a love for the theatre. Having been in Anything Goes and The Seagull, he looks forward to performing in J.B. Sarah Laupan (Stage Manager) is a senior Communicative Arts major and Theatre minor. She has been involved in numerous WLC Theatre productions in the past few years and is a Theatre Department scholarship recipient. She’s thankful for the opportunities and challenges WLC Theatre has afforded her during her time here and is excited to graduate in May. Octavia Morton (Maid/ Society Page Girl/Mrs. Botticelli) is a sophomore Theatre major at WLC and she is very excited to be a part of this show. Some of her previous roles include Melody Lane in Curse of an Aching Heart, and May in both Last Train to Nibroc and Gulf View Drive. She would like to thank her friends and family for their unwavering love and support. Erica Ortenblad (Hair & Makeup Designer) is happy to be joining the WLC theatre family once again. Designing hair and makeup, Erica is building up her portfolio and preparing for graduate school for wig WI Lutheran 3
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) design. She’s excited for a fun and creative experience working on JB. Enjoy the show! Caleb Pearson (Nickles) is a junior at Wisconsin Lutheran College majoring in Communications and minoring in Theatre. He wants to one day become a filmmaker, or teach his love of film to others. Thanks to everyone who helped with this production and all those who have been supportive of me. Vincent Pelligrino (Costume Designer) is a 2010 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College. He was brought on to the Theatre staff last fall to costume Last Train To Nibroc and Lady Windermere’s Fan. He then spent time living in Los Angeles where he was seen onstage at the Hollywood Fight Club Theatre. He continues to design costumes and audition as he pursues graduate study and a professional career in either Acting or Costume Design. Vincent is happy to be finishing out the 2010-2011 season at WLC. Thanks Jay. Visit his blog for costume and style at: www.ghostofbanquo.blogspot.com Renee Pottorff (Sarah) a junior Theatre major, is looking forward to getting back on the stage. Waltzing during Lady Windermere’s Fan in November seems so long ago. J.B. promises to be a show full of surprises. Can’t wait to share them all with you! Katrina Smith (Stage Manager), a junior Art major, is excited to participate in her fourth show this season. She always enjoys the opportunity to work with the WLC Theatre, serving backstage, in the booth, or on the catwalk. Thanks a million to friends and family for all the words of wisdom and support!
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Deanna Strasse (Zuss) is ecstatic to be back on the Raabe stage after her brief stay in the Black Box playing the lovely Mrs. Brummett in WLC’s production of See Rock City. Previous Raabe productions include Anything Goes, Hecuba, Curse of the Aching Heart, Lady Windermere and The Seagull. Big love goes out to her family for dealing with her. MaryFran Stefanich (Chef/ Cop 1/Mrs. Murphy) is a junior Theatre major who is ecstatic to be participating in her 10th show here at WLC. Most recently she was seen as Mrs. Gill in Gulf View Drive. She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant love and support. Hannah Stellick (Cop 2/ Bildad) is thrilled to be in her second production with the WLC theatre department. She sends a huge THANK YOU to everyone in the production, to her family, and God for always being there for her on stage, in the audience, on the phone, or in prayer and spirit. Anastasia Wild (Mary/ 2nd Paparazzi/ Mrs. Adams) is thrilled to be performing in her third acting role at WLC. She is a sophomore and loves the intensity and intricacy of this show. She sends a huge thank you to her family and friends for their amazing love and to God for all the blessings and opportunities he has given her in this facet of her life. Lindsay Woelbing (Lighting Crew) is a sophomore this year and enjoys working with the theatre department. She was the lightboard operator for Lady Windermere’s Fan and sound board operator for Gulf View Drive. Lindsay also did some stage work and spotlight operations at Union Grove High School. She is excited to be working in another production here at Wisconsin Lutheran College.