GIL CATES THEATER AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
WELCOME TO THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
Photo by Jeff Lorch Photography
LOUIS & KEELY: ‘LIVE’ AT THE SAHARA
FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND WELCOME TO LOUIS & KEELY: ‘Live’ at the Sahara. As you might remember, we had the pleasure of hosting this musical in 2009 in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater. Originally produced by Sacred Fools Theater Company here in Los Angeles, the script continued to evolve, and Taylor Hackford signed on to direct the next incarnation at the Geffen. We booked the show for a six-week engagement beginning in March of 2009; nine months later they were still performing to sold-out houses. Since that time, Taylor has continued to work with the show’s creators to hone the piece and take yet another step in its life. The fruit of that labor is what you will see here. Always keen to participate in the further development of plays, we have the rare pleasure to bring one back for a command performance. Vanessa Claire Stewart, both co-author and portrayer of Keely Smith, is a powerhouse performer, and we are thrilled to welcome her back. Joining her is Anthony Crivello as Louis Prima, also a Geffen alum, having performed in Steve Martin’s The Underpants. Much like Prima and Smith, these two extraordinary actors portray this complicated love story with unparalleled verve and passion. With director Taylor and producer Hershey Felder, Louis & Keely continues to change, grow and play to sold-out houses all over the country. We can think of no better way to usher in a new year than to celebrate this show again. For those who saw the original, you will be charmed by the changes and for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure, get ready for a swinging good time with Louis & Keely: ‘Live’ at the Sahara. Enjoy the show! Randall Arney ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P1
and
Anthony Crivello as Louis Prima Vanessa Claire Stewart as Keely Smith in
with
Erin Matthews and Paul Perroni Written by
Vanessa Claire Stewart, Taylor Hackford and Jake Broder Scenic Design
Costume Design
Hershey Felder & Trevor Hay
Assistant Costume Design
Melissa Bruning
Lighting/Projection Design
Christianna Rogers
Sound Design
Christopher Ash
Erik Carstensen Choreography
Vernel Bagneris Dance Captain
Erin Matthews
Production Research
Meghan Maiya
Production Stage Manager
Rebecca Peters
Directed by
Taylor Hackford Originally Workshopped at Sacred Fools Theater Company, Los Angeles A Geffen Playhouse Spotlight Entertainment Series Event
CAST OF CHARACTERS Louis Prima ............................................................................................................................ Anthony Crivello* Duchess and others ................................................................................................................. Erin Matthews* Frank Sinatra and others ........................................................................................................... Paul Perroni* Keely Smith .............................................................................................................. Vanessa Claire Stewart*
MUSICIANS Musical Director/Trumpet ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Paul Litteral Performance Conductor/Piano ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Jeremy Kahn Bass ............................................................................................................................................ Nick Klingenberg Tenor Sax/Sam Butera ................................................................................................................. Colin Kupka Trombone/Jimmy ............................................................................................................... George McMullen Guitar/Sax/Clarinet/Flute/Piccolo/Doc ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� Dan Sawyer Drums ......................................................................................................................................... Michael Solomon *Member of Actor’s Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States P2 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
ERIN MATTHEWS (Duchess and others) Erin is thrilled to return to the Geffen to reprise the role lovingly referred to as the “Floozy of Many Colors.” She originated the role here and has gone
PAUL PERRONI (Frank Sinatra and others) An Arkansas native, Paul began his acting career in Chicago’s vibrant theater community, working primarily with Collage Productions (Long Day’s Journey into Night, Self-Portrait), Oak Park Festival Theatre (Julius Caesar, Robin Hood) and more. Paul gave more than 800 performances Off-Broadway and across the country in the Broadway tour of the solo comedy Defending the Caveman. He has been seen on stage at the Long Wharf Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO and showrooms in Las Vegas. In NYC, Paul studied with Terry Schreiber at the T. Schreiber Studio and worked with notable Off-Broadway theaters, including Labyrinth Theater Company, in the critically acclaimed staging of John Cassavetes film, Shadows, with Hoi Polloi, Abingdon Theatre and the Bowery Poetry Club. He has also appeared at The Laugh Lounge and Times Square Comedy Club. TV: Peep Show (Spike TV/pilot), As The World Turns, and recently on Showtime in the SXSW award-winning film Animals. Paul would like to thank Taylor Hackford, Hershey Felder, Vanessa Stewart and the cast and creatives for this incredible opportunity.
VANESSA CLAIRE STEWART (Keely Smith/Co-Author) Vanessa started co-writing and starring as Keely Smith in Louis & Keely: ‘Live’ at the Sahara at her home base, 99-seat Sacred Fools Theater Company (Ovation Award for Best Actress and Best Musical, LA Weekly Award for Best Musical). Afterwards, Louis & Keely moved on to successful runs at the Matrix, the Geffen Playhouse and (with the help of new producer Hershey Felder) the Royal George Theater in Chicago. Proving lightning can strike twice, she also wrote Stoneface starring French Stewart first for Sacred Fools and then moved it to the Pasadena Playhouse. Currently, Vanessa is writing book and lyrics for an original musical entitled Deadly about serial killer HH Holmes, which was recently workshopped at Sacred Fools and Chance Theater. She recently hosted the L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards with her husband French Stewart, and is thrilled to be returning to the Geffen Playhouse where their love was first kindled. Favorite stage roles: Alex, A Clockwork Orange (LA Weekly Award for Best Actress); Olivia, Twelfth Night; Louise, Gypsy; Beth, Little Women; Hodel, Fiddler on the Roof; Laura, A Glass Menagerie, (Peter Bennett, director). JAKE BRODER (Co-Author) Jake trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and lived and worked there for fifteen years. In New York, he studied Saxophone with Lee Konitz and went to the New England Conservatory and Tufts University. Jake co-wrote and originated the role of Louis in Louis & Keely: ‘Live’ at the Sahara, winning Ovation, LADCC, Garland and LA Weekly awards for Best Actor and Best Production. As an actor, Jake’s other theater credits include: Mozart in Amadeus directed by Sir Peter Hall (West End London, Broadway, L.A.), When Harry Met Sally with Alyson Hannigan and Luke Perry (West End), Lord Buckley in His Royal Hipness Lord Buckley (Off Broadway, Off West End, L.A.) and Ophelia & Juliet in the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works of Shakespeare show in London. Film includes: Bad Milo!, Kevin Spacey’s Beyond the Sea, Shadow Dancer, L’entente Cordiale, In A Day and The Barn (for which he was awarded the 2004 BIFA award) The
Chicago 8, as well as the 2015 thriller Sleepwalker with Richard Armitage. Television includes a recurring role on Silicon Valley, Company Town, The Cleaner, How I Met Your Mother, Keen Eddie, Roman Mysteries, Strange, Line of Beauty, Broken News, Auf Weidersein Pet and The Eagle (Denmark; winner of a 33rd International Emmy). His writing includes the produced plays Louis & Keely as well as His Royal Hipness Lord Buckley and Our American Hamlet in development with Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. His first feature film, The Barn, was the winner of the 2004 British Independent Film Award. He is repped by Paradigm and Dana Jackson. TAYLOR HACKFORD (Director/Co-Author/Producer) Taylor Hackford began his entertainment career at KCET, the Los Angeles public television affiliate, where he produced, wrote or directed documentaries, investigative reports and music performance programs. In 1979, Taylor turned his focus to narrative filmmaking and won an Academy Award in the category of Best Live-Action Short Film for his first dramatic effort, Teenage Father. He then proceeded to make his feature directorial debut in 1980 with The Idolmaker. An Officer and a Gentleman, starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger, was Taylor’s second film and a commercial and critical hit in 1982. It received five Academy Award nominations and brought home Oscars for Louis Gossett, Jr. as Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Song. Taylor subsequently produced and/or directed Against All Odds, White Nights, the acclaimed documentary Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock n Roll, Everybody’s All-American, Blood In, Blood Out (Best Director Award, 1993 Tokyo Film Festival), Dolores Claiborne, and Proof of Life. Taylor, who has been fascinated by all things Latino since his stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in South America, developed and produced La Bamba, the Richie Valens biography, still the most successful Latin-themed feature film in history. In 1996, Taylor discovered some unreleased documentary footage of the legendary Ali/Foreman title fight in Zaire shot by filmmaker Leon Gast. Taylor shot new interviews with Norman Mailer, George Plimpton and Spike Lee, and then restructured the original footage, virtually creating a new film, When We Were Kings, winner of the 1997 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. In 1998, Hackford directed the critically acclaimed, worldwide hit The Devil’s Advocate, starring Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves. This film also introduced newcomers Charlize Theron and Connie Nielsen. Hackford struggled for nearly fifteen years to make Ray, a dramatic film portrait of American musical icon, Ray Charles, starring Jamie Foxx. His passion paid off when this film received critical raves and was nominated for most major film awards
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LOUIS & KEELY: ‘LIVE’ AT THE SAHARA
ANTHONY CRIVELLO (Louis Prima) Anthony received Broadway’s Tony Award, Chicago’s Jefferson Award, a Carbonelle Award and three Jefferson Award nominations, two Canadian Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations, L.A.’s Ovation, Drama Critics, Robbie, Garland Award, and Friends of New York Theater Award Nominations. Broadway: Golden Boy, Kiss of the Spiderwoman (Toronto, London), Marie Christine, Evita, Les Misérables, The News, Measure For Measure, Heathers: The Musical. Toronto: Jane Eyre. L.A.: Steve Martin’s The Underpants (Geffen Playhouse), Expecting Isabel, Do I Hear a Waltz. Chicago: Louis & Keely: ‘Live’ at the Sahara, The House of Martin Guerre, A Flea in Her Ear, Evita (National Tour), Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? (Original Chicago Company). Las Vegas: Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular. Films: Emma’s Chance, The Mark (short), Henry Toy (short), Fame Us, Trade, Material Girls, Texas Rangers, Independence Day, The Glass Jar, Jane Austen’s Mafia!, Slaves of New York, Spellbinder, Shakedown, Crocodile Dundee II. Television: Behind The Candelabra, Seinfeld, CSI: NY, Frasier, In-Laws, Law and Order, Normal Ohio, Dillinger and Capone, The Lost Capone, Miami Vice, Geppetto, Murder in Black and White, Star Trek: Voyager, Babylon 5, Alien Hunter, The Glass Cage, 919 5th Ave., The Bet (short), Great Performances (three times), Les Misérables in Concert (Royal Albert Hall/London), One Life to Live, Wheel Of Fortune.
on to perform it at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago as well. Other theater credits include Exit the King, A Kind of Love Story, Sketches From The National Lampoon, Reefer Madness (L.A. & N.Y.) and Debbie Does Dallas (N.Y.). She has also done many shows with the acclaimed Troubadour Theater Company, including It’s a Stevie Wonderful Life, Fleetwood Macbeth, and OthELO. Her film credits include Garry Marshall’s Valentine’s Day, House Bunny, This Last Lonely Place and Small Time. Recent TV credits include Superstore, Chasing Life, KC Undercover, Sullivan and Son, The Exes, Rizzoli & Isles, Liv and Maddie, The Young and the Restless, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Shameless, Criminal Minds and Castle.
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES in 2005, including six Academy Award Nominations. Mr. Foxx won for Best Actor. More recently, Hackford produced and directed Love Ranch, starring his wife Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci; as well as Parker, based on Donald Westlake’s celebrated literary character, starring Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez. He is currently prepping The Comedian, starring Robert DeNiro and Jennifer Aniston. Mr. Hackford has been an active member of the Directors Guild of America for over 30 years, serving in various leadership positions, including two terms as President of the DGA. HERSHEY FELDER (Producer/Scenic Co-Design/ Hershey Felder Presents) Mr. Felder created and performed George Gershwin Alone, which played on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre, in the West End at the Duchess Theatre, and in theaters around the country. His Composers Sonata — George Gershwin Alone; Monsieur Chopin; Beethoven, As I Knew Him; Maestro Bernstein; Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt in Musik, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin — has been presented at dozens of theatres across the U.S. and around the world. Compositions and recordings include Aliyah, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra; Fairytale, a musical; Les Anges de Paris, Suite for Violin and Piano; Song Settings; Saltimbanques for Piano and Orchestra; Etudes Thematiques for Piano; Love Songs of the Yiddish Theatre, Back from Broadway, George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven As I Knew Him and An American Story for Actor and Orchestra. As director, he premiered Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane at the Geffen Playhouse in 2012. He created Eighty-Eight Entertainment in 2001; its newest division, Hershey Felder Presents, continues in the creation of new works of musical theater. Current projects include the musical plays Baritones Unbound and I Found My Horn as well as the upcoming Hershey Felder TCHAIKOVSKY and several musical theater projects in development. Mr. Felder has been a scholar-in-residence at Harvard University’s Department of Music and is married to Kim Campbell, the first female Prime Minister of Canada. TREVOR HAY (Scenic Co-Design) Directed the world premieres of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, An American Story For Actor and Orchestra, Abe Lincoln’s Piano and Hershey Felder As Franz Liszt In Musik. He is Associate Director for Mona Golabek’s The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Former member of the historic Old Globe Theatre in San Diego where, at the age of nine, his first position was selling Old Globe memorabilia. Over the next 32 years, Mr. Hay went on to various aspects of production on more than 80 presentations including Hershey Felder’s George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin and Maestro Bernstein.
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MELISSA BRUNING (Costume Design) Theater credits include: Louis & Keely: ‘Live’ at the Sahara at the Geffen and Royal George, My Antonia at the Rubicon Theater directed by Scott Schwartz, Mindgame at Soho Playhouse directed by the late Ken Russell and Anoush, an Armenian opera produced by Michigan Opera Theater among other NYC Off and Off-Off Broadway productions. Film credits include: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Wild, Parker and Love Ranch with director Taylor Hackford, Friends with Kids, Let Me In, Broken Lizard’s Super Troopers and Kissing Jessica Stein, among others. Melissa received her MFA in Costume Design from Tisch School of the Arts, NYU. She is pleased to be working with Taylor Hackford and the cast of Louis & Keely again. CHRISTIANNA ROGERS (Associate Costume Designer) Christianna Rogers is a San Francisco Bay Area native. She began her career designing and constructing costumes for the Regional Center for the Performing Arts in Contra Costa County. She has designed and assisted on several short and feature films seen on Netflix (Mamitas!), ABC Family (My Dog’s Christmas Miracle), PBS and Lifetime (Stolen Child). Her credits also include commercials for Google, Match.com, Old Navy, Playstation 3, Macy’s and Fiat, to name a few. She currently lives in Los Angeles and is delighted to be back working in theater where she originally discovered her passion for costume design. CHRISTOPHER ASH (Lighting & Projection Design) Theater: Guthrie, Yale Rep, Soho Rep, Engeman, Theatre Row, Chautauqua Institute, Old Globe, Geffen, South Coast Rep, LATC, Arizona, Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Drury Lane Oakbrook. Opera: Lyric Opera Chicago, Canadian Opera, Opera Delaware, Summer Opera DC. Dance: Charlotte Ballet, River North, Hubbard Street 2, Heidi Latsky, Anadolu Ateşi, Hershey Park. Training: BFA SUNY Fredonia, MFA Yale School of Drama. ERIK CARSTENSEN (Sound Designer/Production Manager, Hershey Felder Presents) Sound Designer on Hershey Felder’s Beethoven As I Knew Him (2009 Ovation Award Winner, Large Theater Sound Design), Maestro Bernstein, An American Story, The Pianist of Willesden Lane (2012 Ovation Award Nomination), Franz Liszt in Musik, Abe Lincoln’s Piano and Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. Master Sound Technician at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego 1997-2012. Production Engineer on over 60 productions. Erik is a member of IATSE Local 122. VERNEL BAGNERIS (Choreographer) Vernel wrote, directed and starred in the musical One Mo’ Time, which spawned
seven touring companies, national and international. The show ran Off-Broadway for three and a half years, moving to Broadway in 2002 and followed by an extended run in London’s West End and a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth II. Vernel also wrote and starred in the musical Jelly Roll! playing at the 47th Street Theatre in Manhattan with three touring companies. He received an OBIE, Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama Desk Award. Vernel’s most notable film roles are the Accordion Man in Herbert Ross‘ Pennies From Heaven and Preston in Jim Jarmusch’s Down By Law. He has been a guest star on American Horror Story, Memphis Beat and others, as well as a recurring role as Judge Williams on the HBO series Treme. He choreographed Taylor Hackford’s film Ray, HBO’s Bessie starring Queen Latifah and the Joel Silver film The Nice Guys scheduled for release in 2016. MEGHAN MAIYA (Production Research) Meghan Maiya is a Project Manager and Senior Program Evaluation Specialist in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego. She manages multiple research projects in the fields of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Behavioral Health. She also spent twelve years as a psychology professor (San Diego State University, San Diego Mesa College, Grossmont College, Cuyamaca College), courses in holistic well-being at Optimum Health Institute, and five years as a Career Transition Consultant working with military personnel transitioning into civilian life. Meghan has collaborated with Hershey Felder Presents as dramaturge and historical/biographical researcher for Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin and Franz Liszt in Musik. REBECCA PETERS (Production Stage Manager) For the past thirteen years, Becca has been actively involved in the theater community, working at Broadway Costumes and running shows at the Goodman Theatre, Stage 773 and the Royal George Theatre. As wardrobe supervisor, deckhand and stage manager, Becca has taken part in productions such as Don’t Dress For Dinner, Black Nativity, Old Jews Telling Jokes and Late Nite Catechism. She is delighted to be working on her sixth production with Hershey Felder and his team. Big thanks to Brian and Jane for all their support. PAUL LITTERAL (Musical Director/Trumpet) Paul Litteral is a founding member of the world-renowned Uptown Horns and has toured and recorded with The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Tom Waits, Joe Cocker, James Brown, Pat Benatar and Ray Charles. Mr. Litteral played in NYC Broadway hits such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, A
Chorus Line and Chess. His numerous TV appearances include The Tonight Show, David Letterman and SNL. Recent contributions include the Los Angeles premiere of Heathers. Paul was awarded Best Musical Direction by Stage Scene L.A. for Louis & Keely: ‘Live’ at the Sahara (Geffen Playhouse). Mr. Litteral won the 2011 Ovation Award for Musical Direction for Hoboken to Hollywood, which he also co-wrote. JEREMY KAHN (Performance Conductor/Piano) Jeremy is one of Chicago’s busiest pianists, dividing his time between jazz venues, pit orchestras and recording and teaching studios. A graduate of New England Conservatory of Music, he has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Branford Marsalis, the Chicago and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras and countless others. He has also played for many of Chicago’s Broadway productions. Currently a faculty member of Northwestern University and the Music Institute of Chicago, he has been a featured performer at the Chicago and Hyde Park Jazz Festivals and is a 2014 honoree of the Chicago Musicians Union Dal Sagno Club. www.kahnman.com NICK KLINGENBERG (Bass) Nick received his education at USC’s esteemed Thornton School of Music, studying with renowned bassists John Clayton and Alphonso Johnson. Since graduating in 2007, he has carved out an impressive sideman career as an upright and electric bassist, including studio session work, national and international touring, TV performances and consistent local performances. Nick has played with artists such as Bridgit Mendler from NBC’s Undateable, YouTube-sensation Megan Nicole, and Grammy-winning Latin artist Ana Barbara. He has made many TV appearances, performing on X-Factor, Good Morning America and Oxygen Channel’s original series Glee Project. Nick performs regularly around L.A., including Sunday and Thursday nights at chic rooftop restaurant/bar Perch in the heart of downtown L.A. COLIN KUPKA (Tenor Sax/Sam Butera) Colin picked up the saxophone at the age of 10 and never looked back. Graduating from California Institute of the Arts (BFA in Jazz), he pursued music full-time. Almost immediately, he jumped aboard the first production of Louis & Keely: ‘Live’ at the Sahara, and has immensely enjoyed performing in each of its incarnations. It is with great honor and enthusiasm that he plays the role of Sam Butera once again. Aside from musical theater, he has performed/recorded/toured with numerous artists and bands throughout Southern California including Bruce Sudano, The Elliot Deutsch Big Band, Late Night Jazz Orchestra, Vaud and The Villains and Bennie Maupin. Colin thanks
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
RICHARD LEVINSON (Music Consultant) After penning Burt Reynolds’s hit “Let’s Do Something Cheap and Superficial” many years ago, Chicago native Richard Levinson entered the world of jingles, winning many advertising awards, including two Clios. His songs have appeared in dozens of TV shows and films. Richard’s “Honky-Tonk” musical Savin’ Up for Saturday Night is published by Samuel French, Inc. and he is the co-author of the family musical Priscilla’s Perfect Day. An active member of Sacred Fools Theater Company, Richard has been associated with Louis & Keely since its inception here, performing on piano over 350 times in all of its Los Angeles productions. GEORGE MCMULLEN (Trombone/Jimmy) George McMullen has been a sought-after professional trombonist for over twenty years. Besides a long list of recording accomplishments in music, film, TV and commercial jingles, he has played live and toured with an astonishing variety of musicians and artists in jazz, rock, R&B, Latin pop and Latin jazz. He has also done a variety of live TV including celebrity award shows and appearances on all of the major late night and early morning talk shows. During his tenure as Musical Director for the Brian Setzer Orchestra, he was honored to participate in six Grammy-nominated performances, including three Grammy winners, two for Best Instrumental, and one for Best Performance by a Group. Some of the other artists George works with or has worked with in the past include Doc Severinsen and the (old) Tonight Show Orchestra, James Newton, The Luckman Jazz Orchestra, Charlie Haden, George Lewis, The Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra, Vinny Golia, Don Henley, Oingo Boingo, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Tom Waits, Paul Anka, Bobby Caldwell, Tony Bennett, Lou Rawls, Poncho Sanchez, Sheila E., Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Eddie Santiago and Tito Nieves. George McMullen remains busy in the New York area as a freelance trombonist and can currently be seen touring with Don Henley. DAN SAWYER (Guitar/Sax/Clarinet/Flute/ Piccolo/Doc) Dan Sawyer is an accomplished jazz and studio musician and was fortunate to see the real Louis Prima perform live in Las Vegas! Dan is also an award-winning composer for many animated television series including Nickelodeon’s Doug, 101 Dalmatians, PB&J Otter and Disney’s Stanley. His latest CD is a cult favorite of ukulele tunes called Uke of Ages. Dan has been featured on stage with famous artists including Al Jarreau, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin.
MICHAEL SOLOMON (Drums) Originally from Pittsburgh, Michael is a Duquesne University graduate with a degree in music performance. Michael was the drummer for the National Tour of Cats and the internationallytelevised Crystal Cathedral Hour of Power Orchestra. He has also played with Jose Carreras and Shirley Jones. Before becoming the original drummer with this award-winning show, Michael played on the hit show Menopause, The Musical in Los Angeles and at the Laguna Playhouse. After returning from playing in Chicago with this show, Michael is happy to continue playing this great music back in L.A. and swinging it along in memory of his Dad who he knows has the Angel Gabriel smiling down upon him! KAREN RACANELLI (Executive Producer, Hershey Felder Presents) Karen comes to Hershey Felder Presents from Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where she worked as General Manager since 1993, overseeing daily operations, and where she had the pleasure of producing several shows performed and/or directed by Hershey Felder. She has represented the League of Resident Theatres during negotiations with both Actors’ Equity Association and the union of Stage Directors and Choreographers, served on LORT’s Executive Committee and served as a panelist at several LORT meetings. Prior to her tenure at Berkeley Rep, Karen worked as an independent producer at several Bay Area theater companies and has served on the boards of Climate Theater, Overtone Theatre Company, Park Day School, and the Julia Morgan Center. Karen is married to arts attorney MJ Bogatin. SAMANTHA F. VOXAKIS (Producer/Company Manager, Hershey Felder Presents) Samantha is a native of Maryland where she spent twelve memorable years in the front office of the Baltimore Orioles. Since 2004, Sam has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of Eighty-Eight LLC and Hershey Felder Presents. With special thanks to her very supportive family and to Mr. Felder.
RANDALL ARNEY (Artistic Director) Randall Arney has been a theater professional for over 30 years and has served as Artistic Director of
the Geffen Playhouse since 1999. In addition to his artistic programming and oversight at the Geffen, Arney has helmed more than 10 productions for the theater, most recently Outside Mullingar, The Night Alive, Reasons to Be Pretty, Slowgirl, American Buffalo, Superior Donuts, The Female of the Species, The Seafarer, Speed-the-Plow and All My Sons. Arney is an ensemble member and former Artistic Director of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre where his directing credits include: Slowgirl, The Seafarer, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Death and the Maiden, Curse of the Starving Class, Killers and The Geography of Luck, among others. Arney also directed Steppenwolf’s world premiere of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, as well as the subsequent national and international acclaimed productions. Mr. Arney’s acting credits with Steppenwolf include Born Yesterday, Ghost in the Machine, The Homecoming, Frank’s Wild Years, You Can’t Take it with You, Fool for Love, True West, Balm in Gilead and Coyote Ugly. As the Artistic Director for Steppenwolf from 1987 to 1995, he oversaw the creation of a new state-of-the-art theater which is Steppenwolf’s current home. Broadway transfers under his leadership include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Song of Jacob Zulu (six Tony Award nominations) and The Grapes of Wrath (1990 Tony Award, Best Play). Mr. Arney has an MFA degree in Acting from Illinois State University and has taught master classes and workshops at UCLA, Steppenwolf, around the U.S. and in Tokyo.
GIL CATES, JR. (Executive Director) Gil Cates, Jr. has proudly served on the Geffen Playhouse Board since 2012 and has years of producing and directing experience in theater, film, and television. Gil’s theater credits include the award winning Names (Matrix Theatre) starring Dixie Carter and Greg Mullavey, The Night I Knocked Out Joe Frazer and Lost 90 Pounds (Gardner Stage Theater), as well as Three Sisters and David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre (both at Syracuse Stage). Gil’s film credits include The Surface (starring Sean Astin and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Chris Mulkey), Jobs (starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, as well as Geffen Playhouse alumni Matthew Modine and Ron Eldard) and the 2011 feature
film Lucky (starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor, Ann-Margret and recent Golden Globe winner Jeffrey Tambor). In addition, Gil produced and directed the critically acclaimed Life After Tomorrow, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, which won best documentary at the Phoenix Film Festival and later had its premiere Christmas Eve on Showtime. His other films include Deal (starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and Charles Durning), The Mesmerist (starring Geffen Playhouse alumnus Neil Patrick Harris), and the critically acclaimed independent film Order of Chaos. Gil also made his TV directorial debut with an episode of the NBC comedy, Joey, starring Emmy winner Matt LeBlanc. He studied at the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and holds a BFA in Drama from Syracuse University in 1991.
REGINA MILLER (Chief Development Officer) Regina has been a development professional for over 18 years, working with non-profit institutions, foundations and corporations on strategy, analysis and fundraising. She has worked for Simon Wiesenthal Center, The Clinton Foundation, Ben Affleck’s Eastern Congo Initiative, Hank Azaria’s Determined to Succeed, Charlize Theron's Africa Outreach Project, Water.org, Codenow.org among others. Prior to the Geffen, Regina served as the Director of Partnerships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire where she led strategic planning and development while executing policies that advanced the organization’s visibility and growth. Regina also has a strong passion for teaching. After graduating from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, she taught in preschools and kindergartens in New York. From the age of 13, Regina worked as a professional dancer on Broadway as well as with a number of prominent modern dance ensembles. Fusing two of her interests, she created a highly successful program which incorporated dance therapy and creative movement into an early childhood curriculum as well as wrote and produced a television show based on this concept. In addition to being a published author and photographer with Tallfellow Press and Prometheus Books, Regina has taught and lectured at numerous schools in New York, Los Angeles and abroad.
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LOUIS & KEELY: ‘LIVE’ AT THE SAHARA
his family and friends for their continued guidance, support and for making life an incredibly, exciting journey!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
GEFFEN AT A GLANCE
PRODUCTION STAFF FOR LOUIS & KEELY: ‘LIVE’ AT THE SAHARA
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BOX OFFICE WINDOW When shows are not in performance, the box office window is open:
UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM AND TELEVISION Geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, specifically the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Geffen Playhouse values its role as an important educational resource by providing students with master classes, workshops and internships. Students are also able to work and learn from distinguished visiting Geffen artists such as Alan Ayckbourn, Jon Robin Baitz, Annette Bening, Ed Harris, David Ives, Neil LaBute, David Mamet, Donald Margulies, Terrence McNally, John Rando and Kathleen Turner in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and production. Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.
Mon – Fri ................. 10:00 am — 6:00 pm Sat & Sun ................ 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm During the run of a show, the window will be open until curtain. Please note: the box office is unable to process exchanges and future sales one hour prior to curtain time on any performance day.
ACCESS
ASL
ACCESSIBLE ACCOMMODATION Geffen Playhouse is fully committed to ensuring a satisfying theater experience for our patrons with special needs or disabilities. Please contact the box office or an usher to discuss your needs.
AT THE THEATER
This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union. The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.
P6 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
LATE SEATING Should you arrive late to the theater or vacate your seat during the performance, please expect to be held in the lobby until an appropriate pause in the action on-stage. To minimize disturbance to other patrons, you may be seated in the first available location by the house staff even if different from your assigned seat. Be advised that some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Director Taylor Hackford. Photo Courtesy Hershey Felder Presents.
MY MOTHER WAS A HUGE KEELY SMITH FAN, SO I GREW UP HEARING KEELY’S GORGEOUS VOCAL PHRASING EVERY DAY IN OUR HOME. I was introduced to Louis Prima on The Ed Sullivan Show where Louis & Keely recreated many of their Vegas routines. When their “Old Black Magic” became a hit single on Top 40 Radio in 1958, people began to think they were hip. Of course, Louis Prima had been “ultra-hip” for decades. He virtually pioneered the jazz scene on NYC’s 52nd Street in the mid-1930s, and then took his band to Hollywood where they appeared in several movies. His big band was one of the most popular touring ensembles in the 1940s. Most people don’t know that Benny Goodman’s signature recording of the Swing Era, “Sing, Sing, Sing” featuring Gene Krupa’s famous drum intro, was penned by Louis Prima. Louis’s influence has become cross-generational — contemporary recording artists like Brian Setzer and David Lee Roth have covered Louis’s records … not to mention the fact that Sonny & Cher effectively modeled their act after Louis & Keely’s. In 2005, I finally had an opportunity to meet Keely Smith, who was amused that I knew most of her repertoire by heart. I was smitten by this fantastic woman, who was not an egocentric Hollywood type. Instead, her personal style was much like her singing: strong, straightforward and wonderfully alive. Her candor disarmed me … not only did she describe to me personal anecdotes about her life with Louis Prima, she also gave me insights into her intimate relationship with Frank Sinatra that had never before been reported. I became obsessed with telling her story. About a year later, I heard about a musical review in East Hollywood featuring the music of Louis & Keely, so I went to the Sacred Fools Theater Company to see Vanessa Claire Stewart and Jake Broder perform in the title roles — wonderfully
evoking Louis & Keely’s original routines. While I enjoyed the show, I proposed to them that we expand their musical revue into a Pygmalion-like musical play, with accents of A Star Is Born. We began writing together and finally produced a new work that we mounted in 2009 at the Geffen Playhouse’s Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater. Our musical play broke house records at the Audrey (playing for eight months), and our production won L.A.’s top theater award — the Ovation — for Best Musical — beating out touring Broadway hits. While we were performing at the Geffen, I met theater impresario Hershey Felder who was presenting his Gershwin show in the Gil Cates Theater. After Hershey saw Louis & Keely, he told me he thought it had great potential. Our paths separated for a few years while I made two more feature films and two TV pilots and while Hershey wrote, performed and produced several shows. While we had an ongoing discussion for years, we finally got together on the matter in January of 2015 and started talking about resurrecting L&K. Hershey suggested that we begin the show’s new life at Chicago’s Royal George Theater, where he has performed many times. Vanessa Claire Stewart and I revised the book, and we opened in March of 2015 with Tony-winner Anthony Crivello in the role of Louis Prima and Vanessa reprising her original role of Keely. That production received rave reviews and was extended by popular demand. It was nominated for two Jefferson Awards, Chicago’s most prestigious theater awards. Now we’re bringing an even newer production of Louis & Keely: ‘Live’ at the Sahara back to the Geffen’s Gil Cates Theater. Vanessa and I have revised the show substantially since our successful Chicago run, adding several new musical numbers and an intermission. We’ve been fortunate to have had the time to develop this show, and with each new life, it’s improved. Come see for yourself how it’s grown since our early days in the Audrey.
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P7
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE STAFF Randall Arney Artistic Director ARTISTIC
Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director MARKETING & SALES
Amy Levinson Phyllis Schuringa Young Ji Rachel Wiegardt-Egel Rebecca Birstock
Artistic Associate / Literary Director Artistic Associate / Casting Director Artistic Coordinator / Company Manager Literary Associate Artistic Intern
DEVELOPMENT Regina Miller Ellen Catania Jessica Brusilow Rollins Jamie Mikelich Kristen Smith Eshaya Scott Kriloff Clay Dzygun Ava Bogle Taylor Dearden Justin Baer
Chief Development Officer Senior Vice President, Development Director of Education Partnerships & Donor Relations Associate Director of Individual Giving & Spotlight Manager Development & Education Programs Coordinator Development Associate & Donor Database Administrator Development Associate Development Coordinator Development Assistant Development Intern
Joseph Yoshitomi Director of Marketing & Communications Karen Gutierrez Director of Advertising & Sponsorships Brian Dunning Graphic Design Manager Kevin O’Brien Marketing & Graphics Coordinator Mark San Filippo Ticket Services Director & Database Administrator Stephanie Strand Audience Services Manager Janice Bernal Box Office Manager Bryan Martin Box Office Manager Zack Hamra Box Office Assistant Manager Korie Benavidez, Kaitlin Huwe, Richard Martinez, Cameron Reck, Celia Rivera, Christine Rivera, Celeste Russi, Alyssa Tyson Box Office Staff
COMMUNICATIONS Katy Sweet, Pam Giangregorio Sue Fleishman
Katy Sweet & Associates Public Relations Consultant, September Media
EDUCATION
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Jennifer Zakkai Director of Education & Community Engagement Carolyn Marie Wright Manager of Education & Community Engagement Corky Dominguez, David Guerra, Mariel Higuera, Kristina Leach, Juan Rivera, Connor White Teaching Artists
Karim Bouzzit
ADMINISTRATION Behnaz Ataee Frankie Ocasio Peter Banachowski Charity Felton Marguerite Harris
Chief Financial Officer Executive Assistant Accounting and Payroll Manager Staff Accountant Receptionist
PRODUCTION Daniel Ionazzi Jill Barnes Sam Craven-Griffiths Evan Friedman Rich Gilles James Grabowski Darren Rezowalli Ramine Ameli Joel Fullerton
Production Manager Associate Production Manager / Company Manager Technical Director Assistant Technical Director Properties Master House Sound Supervisor Lighting & Video Supervisor Production Electrician Stage Supervisor
System Administrator
FRONT OF HOUSE Jeni Pearsons Director of Special Events David Gerhardt Supervising House Manager Jane Phillips Harper Deputy Supervising House Manager Josiah Davis, Amy Farkas, Caroline Harrison Kohler Roxana Meyers House Managers Ally Aberrotman, Rebecca Birstock, Kailey Bray, Christopher Caron, Taylor Cerny, Vianney Cossyleon, Taylor Dearden, Brett Donaldson, Ida Herndon, Mariel Higuera, Netta Lee Joseph, Brigid Leahy, Nathaniel Meek, Keith Mitchell, Aaron Newman, JoJo Nwoko, Shannon O’Hara, James Porter, Juan Rivera, Luis Ruiz, Jonathan Schwartz, Oliver Vaughn, Dennis Woullard Ushers Rob Mersola Bar Manager and Mixologist Manuel Mayorga Weekend Bar Manager Adam Carr, Brenda Davidson, David Gregory, Mariel Higuera, Lyndsi LaRose, Kimberly Legg, Ryan Turner Bartenders
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Miguel del Castillo Mario Santillan-Perez Juan Carlos Umaña
Facility Manager Custodial Cleaning Custodial
Geffen Playhouse is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. This project was also funded in part by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles. Geffen Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles.
P8 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE