Much Ado About Nothing
March 29 - April 14, 2013
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welcome to
Great Lakes Theater at PlayhouseSquare
Mike Giarrizzo Sr.
our mission
27100 Chagrin Boulevard Orange Village, Ohio 44122
location
Our team is third generation in the industry
Jill Strauss
LJI builds confidence in every customer and ensures quality repairs and superior customer service. Our commitment is to achieve and retain customer loyalty for life!
(216) 364-7100 Fax (216) 364-7110
web: ljicollisioncenter.com
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Lauren Angie
Customer Confidence – Priority One™
Great Lakes Theater
About Great Lakes Theater...................................................................................................................4 Trustees................................................................................................................................................5 Donor Spotlight ....................................................................................................................................6 Much Ado About Nothing....................................................................................................................15 The Cast.............................................................................................................................................16 About the Play....................................................................................................................................18 A Message from the Producing Artistic Director................................................................................20 Our Sponsors......................................................................................................................................21 Who’s Who...........................................................................................................................................22 Staff ...................................................................................................................................................30 March/April at PlayhouseSquare........................................................................................................31
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About
T
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Great Lakes Theater
he mission of Great Lakes Theater, through its main stage productions and its education programs, is to bring the pleasure, power and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience. Since the company’s inception in 1962, programming has been rooted in Shakespeare, but Great Lakes commitment to great plays spans the breadth of all cultures, forms of theater and time periods –– including the 20th century –– and provides for the occasional mounting of new works that complement the classical repertoire. Classic theater holds the Great Lakes Theater’s Spring 2013 production of Blithe Spirit. capacity to illuminate truth (Photo by Roger Mastroianni) and enduring values, celebrate and challenge human nature and actions, revel in eloquent language, preserve the traditions of diverse cultures and generate communal spirit. On its main stage and through its education programs, GLT seeks to create visceral, immediate experiences for participants, asserting theater’s historic role as a vehicle for advancing the common good and helping people make the joyful and meaningful connections between classic plays and their own lives. The company’s commitment to classic theater is magnified in the educational programs that surround its productions. Since its inception, GLT Great Lakes Theater’s fall 2012 production of The has had a strong presence in area schools, bringImaginary Invalid. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni) ing students to the theater for matinee performances and sending specially trained actor-teach- classic theater. As Great Lakes moves into a new ers to the schools for weeklong residencies devel- era with a permanent home in the Hanna Theatre, oped to explore classic drama from a theatrical the company reaffirms its belief in the power of point of view. GLT is equally dedicated to enhanc- partnership, its determination to make this coming the theater experience for adult audiences munity a better place in which to live, and its through Surround, a series of community pro- commitment to ensure the legacy of classic thegrams that explore the themes of a main stage ater in Cleveland. production. To this end, Great Lakes Theater 1501 Euclid Ave., Suite 300 regularly serves as the catalyst for community Cleveland, OH 44115 events and programs in the arts and humanities P: (216) 241-5490 that illuminate the plays on its stage. F: (216) 241-6315 Great Lakes Theater is one of only a handful of W: www.greatlakestheater.org American theaters that have stayed the course as a
Trustees Chair
President Mitchell G. Blair*
Secretary Susan Hastings*
Treasurer Walter Avdey*
Trustees
* Executive Committee † Life Trustee
greatlakestheater.org
Great Lakes Theater
John E. Katzenmeyer† Denise Horstman Keen Anthony C. LaPlaca Jonathan Leiken William E. MacDonald III† Ellen Stirn Mavec† Mary J. Mayer John E. McGrath Gregory V. Mersol Leslie H. Moeller Janet E. Neary*† Robert D. Neary† Pamela G. Noble* Michael J. Peterman† Thomas A. Piraino Jr. Timothy K. Pistell† David P. Porter† Deborah Ratner Shawn M. Riley Georgianna T. Roberts† John D. Schubert† Peter Shimrak† Laura Siegal† Mark C. Siegel* Sally J. Staley* Robert L. Stark Kate Stenson Diana W. Stromberg Gerald F. Unger John V. Van Hulle Donna Walsh Thomas D. Warren Paul L. Wellener IV Kevin M. White Patrick Zohn
Thomas G. Stafford*†
Thomas A. Aldrich Michelle Arendt Dalia Baker Robyn Barrie David Bialosky Kim F. Bixenstine* Mark H. Brandt William Caster* Barbara Cercone Beverly J. Coen Gail L. Cudak Carolyn Dickson† Leslie Dickson William B. Doggett† Carol Dolan* Edward Donnelly Timothy J. Downing* Natalie Epstein*† Rudolph H. Garfield † Stephen H. Gariepy Elizabeth A. Grove Samuel Hartwell* William W. Jacobs*†
Great Lakes Theater
KEEP GOING AND LIVING AND GIVING When you volunteer you aren’t giving yourself away, you are just giving. - Dorothy O. Jackson, Akron Civic Leader & Volunteer, on successful aging
216.791.8000 / Read the interview at www.benrose.org
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Welcome! The following donors made their first contribution to Great Lakes Theater during the period July 1 – February 28, 2013. A heartfelt “Thank You” goes out to these generous individuals for joining the Great Lakes Theater “family!” Randy and Pam Ballard Mr. Joseph M. Bennett Mr. Jesse Berger David & Carolyn Bialosky Mr. & Mrs. Roger A. Boehnlein Mr. David C. Borsani Christopher Brandle Ms. Emily Holdge Brasfield Mr. William D. Broadhurst Dr. David L. Bronson Ms. Julia R. Brouhard Robert J. Conrad Ms. Jean Seitter Cummins
Bob & Ginny Eckardt Mr. & Mrs. L. William Erb Ms. Belinda B. Fouts Mr. Bernie J. Golias Jack & Joyce Hall Mr. Robert Iredell IV Mr. & Mrs. Edwin T. Jeffery Ms. Carla Licastro Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth A. Linick Frederick C. Luckay Mr. Robert J. Mathews Kevin & Kim Miller Ms. Barbara B. O’Connor Mr. Jason Oblander
Robert & Jan Ontolchik Ms. Diane L. Pauley Mr. & Mrs. Gerald P. Rencehausen Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph K. Schmeller Mr. & Mrs. Lee Tenenbaum Mr. & Mrs. Roger S. Vail John & Catherine VanHulle Robert & Emily Williams Mr. Larry M. Wolf Mr. Sam Wolfe Ms. Jennifer B. Schwartz Wright Mr. David A. Zagore Mr. Lee C. Zeiszler
The donors listed below have returned to active donor status by making a contribution to Great Lakes Theater’s Annual Fund during the eight-month period ending February 28, 2013. Welcome back! Lori Adler Daniel & Ellen Arbeznik Mrs. “AL” Archambault Kathy & John Baker Dr. & Mrs. George H. Belhobek Roger A. Bielefeld Richard & Mary Ann Brockett Ms. Jan M. Campbell David & Carole Carr Marcia G. Christian John & Donna Clifford Dr. & Mrs. Kevin D. Cooper Alexander Derkaschenko Thomas & Jane Donovan Janice G. Downing Daniel & Joyce Dyer Howard P. Erlichman Gene & Patricia Ewald Lee & Peter Haas Michael & Suzanne Harris Tom & Luz Higgason
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Kathy & Jamie Hogg Dr. Randal N. Huff James & Gale Jacobsohn Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas R. Jones Samuel C. Kennell Charles King & Catherine Keating Mr. & Mrs. Albert Kirby Stuart & Anne Klein Glenn & Jean Knight Mr. Martin F. Kohn & Mrs. Marcia R. Silver Jacob Kronenberg & Barbara Belovich Mr. & Mrs Gregory Kruszka Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Lacey Stefanie Lanese Morton & Lola Litt Paul & Georgia Martoccia Mrs. Ruth P. Mennell Tom & Mary Neff Mr. William J. Neubert
Mr. & Mrs. Michael F. O’Neil Dr. George P. Parras Mr. & Mrs. James M. Petras James & Susan Prince Larry & Susan Rakow Ann Pinkerton Ranney Barbara S. Robinson Prof. Alan Miles Ruben & Judge Betty Willis Ruben Michael Russell John & Susan Sigfried Theresa A. Simek Mary Slak Kent & Judy Smith Albert Stratton Mr. & Mrs. Timothy L. Sullivan The Edward & Katherine Thomas Family Ms. Alice H. Webster Sharon & Yoash Wiener John & Diane Young
DonorS
Great Lakes Theater
The trustees, staff and artistic company of Great Lakes Theater express our deepest gratitude to the hundreds of supporters of “Cleveland’s Classic Company.” The donors listed below made generous gifts between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. Evermore Thanks!
Make a Contribution As our supporters know, ticket revenue covers only about half of the cost of producing the high quality, professional classic theater for which Great Lakes Theater is known. We invite you to help us bridge this gap by making a tax-deductible contribution today and becoming a member of the Great Lakes Theater “family.” To make a donation or learn more, contact the Great Lakes Theater Development Office (216.453.1068) or visit the “Support Us” section of our website at www.greatlakestheater.org. Company Sponsors $100,000 and above The Cleveland Foundation*** Cuyahoga Arts and Culture*
The George Gund Foundation*** The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation Lead Sponsors $50,000 to $99,999 Ohio Arts Council*** PNC Foundation* The Sherwick Fund
John P. Murphy Foundation David & Inez Myers Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio
The Community Foundation of Lorain County**
The GAR Foundation** The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation***
Kulas Foundation* John & Barbara Schubert***
Avon Circle $10,000 to $24,999 The Abington Foundation Mr. Paul S. Brentlinger*** The Eva L. & Joseph M. Bruening Foundation* Eaton Corporation***
Louise H. & David S. Ingalls Foundation Mary Ann & Jack Katzenmeyer*** Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Neary*** The Nord Family Foundation***
William J. & Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation Parker Hannifin Corporation Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Pistell*** Mrs. James O. Roberts*** The Shubert Foundation***
greatlakestheater.org
Sponsors $25,000 to $49,999
Great Lakes Theater
Sponsors
Donor Loyalty Key *3 – 5 consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor; **6 – 9 consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor; ***10 or more consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor
The Business Alliance of Great Lakes Theater
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Cleveland’s Classic Company
Committed to education for over five decades!
help us change lives! Your support makes a difference.
Did you know... We connect over 40,000 students to the classics each year through our education programming - both on our main stage and in classrooms throughout northeast Ohio. Committed to education since our inception in 1962, we’re grateful to the many individual donors, foundations and corporations that generously make this programming possible each season.
Please help us positively impact the lives of students and consider making a donation.
Over 40,000 students this season say THANK YOU.
Learn More at GreatLakesTheater.org
Stratford Circle ($5,000 to $9,999)
Globe Circle ($2,500 to $4,999)
Over 17,000 students and their teachers from school districts across northern Ohio attend Great Lakes Theater Student Matinee Series performances each season thanks to deeply discounted tickets underwritten by donor support.
Learn more and help us change lives at GreatLakesTheater.org. Folio Circle ($1,000 to $2,499) Anonymous (2) Thomas A. Aldrich & Carol A. Armbrust Michelle R. Arendt** Dr. & Mrs. James Arnold The Biel-Goebel Family Foundation* Kim & Bart Bixenstine Mr. & Mrs. Mark Brandt J.C. & H.F. Burkhardt*** Mr. & Mrs. Frank Cercone** Corning Chisholm*** Beverly J. Coen The Collacott Foundation** Carolyn & Charles Dickson*** Ms. Leslie Dickson Larry & Eva Haas Dolan Timothy J. Downing & Ken Press** Helen W. France Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph H. Garfield, Jr.*** David Goodman & Barbara Hawley* Ms. Roe Green Gries Family Foundation*** William R. Gustaferro*** Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Hahn, Jr.** John & Virginia Hansen Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Hartwell** Mr. & Mrs. Michael Horvitz Kenneth Karosy** Donna M. & Alex I. Koler Charlotte R. Kramer Jonathan Leiken & Erika Friedman Jack McGrath*** Stephen & Donna Miller** Mr. & Mrs. William Mitchell*** Mr. & Mrs. John C. Morley*** Donald W. Morrison*** NACCO Industries, Inc.
Pamela G. Noble & E. Macke Bentley IV Mr. & Mrs. William Osborne, Jr.*** Dr. & Mrs. Donald Palmer*** Dr. Scott & Mrs. Judy Pendergast*** Mr. & Mrs. John S. Piety*** Dr. & Mrs. Bradford Richmond* Linda Schlageter*** The Elizabeth & Ellery Sedgwick Fund Craig & Wendy Stark** Mrs. Edward R. Stell Marie Strawbridge Diana & Eugene Stromberg*** Target Mary C. Warren** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Warren** Mr. & Mrs. Paul L. Wellener IV*** Mr. & Mrs. Kevin M. White
Sustainers ($500 to $999) Anonymous Robert & Dalia Baker** Jonathan M. Boylan & Marianne Ludwig Mr. & Mrs. John D. Campbell* Karen, Ken, & Zoe Conley James Eschmeyer*** Gary & Katie Geoffrion*** Christine L. Gill Janet & Patricia Glaeser*** Iris & Tom Harvie*** Harry & Sandra Holmes Howell Computing, Inc. Stewart & Donna Kohl* Lampl Family Foundation*
Rosa & Samuel Lobe Memorial Fund** Dr. Lawrence & Mary Lohman Ken & Mary Loparo** Gil & Carol Lowenthal*** Mr. & Mrs. Arthur C. Mayer* Jean McQuillan & Richard Christ*** The Music and Drama Club* John & Norine Prim*** Donna & James Reid** Mrs. Sharon Rogers* Mr. & Mrs. Mark Siegel* Naomi G. & Edwin Z. Singer Family Fund* Frances Stewart & David Mook Mr. Robert A. Tschannen** Mr. & Mrs. James D. Vail Carol Lee Vella** Nancy C. Wamsley Mr. & Mrs. Robert Warmeling Women’s Committee of Great Lakes Theater Festival*** Dr. Brian R. Wynne & Patrick Cozzens John & Jane Zuzek**
greatlakestheater.org
Anonymous (3) Bonnie & Chuck Abbey* Walt & Laura Avdey* Robyn & David Barrie*** Mitchell & Elizabeth Blair** Jenny & Glenn Brown*** The Carmel Family Foundation** Bill & Judie Caster Mr. & Mrs. Homer D. W. Chisholm*** George W. Codrington Foundation*** Gail Cudak & Thomas Young*** Barry & Suzanne Doggett*** Richard & Evelyn Dolejs Dominion Foundation*** Charles, Lidia & Alexa Fee Steve Gariepy & Nancy Sin** Susan C. & Jeffery A. Hastings* William W. Jacobs** Anthony LaPlaca The Laub Foundation*** Victor C. Laughlin, M.D. Memorial Foundation Trust Lincoln Electric Company Lubrizol Corporation*** Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Mayer** The Mersol Family*** Mr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Moeller** Nordson Corporation Foundation* Nicholas & Sue Peay** Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Peterman*** Thomas A. Piraino & Barbara C. McWilliams Shawn M. Riley & Christine Sommer Riley* Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Ruhl*** Dr. & Mrs. Gerard Seltzer Kim Sherwin* Donald A. & Catherine C. Sinko*** Sally J. Staley** Brit & Kate Stenson*** Paul & Pamela Teel* Donna & Richard Walsh***
Our Region’s Students
Great Lakes Theater
Anonymous Bridgewater Associates, Inc. Carol Dolan & Greggory Hill Mr. & Mrs. Morton G. Epstein*** Ernst & Young, LLP The Harry K. & Emma R. Fox Foundation*** The Giant Eagle Foundation Paul R. & Denise Horstman Keen** Leonard Krieger Fund of The Cleveland Foundation David P. Porter & Margaret K. Poutasse*** Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Ratner Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford*** The Thomas H. White Foundation, a KeyBank Trust*
Donors educate
Patrons ($250 to 499) Anonymous (2) Actors’ Equity Foundation*** Thomas W. & Joann Adler** Dr. & Mrs. David F. Bennhoff* Elizabeth Billings* Gary & Kay Bluhm Children of Marilyn E. Brentlinger Jack & Mebby Brown Barbara J. Burke Marilyn Callaly* Mr. & Mrs. Lucien H. Case
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Donors support
Audiences and Artists Did you know that ticket revenue covers only half the cost of creating a Great Lakes Theater production? Generous donors ensure that our classical theater productions are of the highest quality possible, attracting the brightest talent to our stage.
Learn more about how you can play a part at GreatLakesTheater.org.
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Christopher & Nancy Coburn Rebecca Dent Pete & Margaret Dobbins* Donna Douglas*** Christopher & Beth Dunworth Dr. & Mrs. Michael Eppig* Jon & Mary Fancher Ann & Harry Farmer Eleanor & J. Gilbert Frey Mr. & Mrs. Randall J. Gordon** Mr. & Mrs. Herbert J. Hoppe, Jr.* Ron & Joanne Hulec** Robert & Linda Jenkins* Amy & Jeff Johnson* Bernie & Nancy Karr*** R. Robert Koch Trust Chris & Laura Larson** Dee T. Latimer Sheryl & Thomas Love** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Lynch* Herm & Carol McCreary Steven & Dolly Minter*** David & Leslee Miraldi*** Brian & Cindy Murphy Deborah L. Neale*** Mr. & Mrs. Patrick O’Connor Mr. & Mrs. Robert Oshinsky** Dr. & Mrs. Charles A. Peter* Otmar & Rota Sackerlotzky** Martin & Mary Ellen Saltzman* Dr. & Mrs. Lynn A. Smith** Rebecca & Richard Smith Dalma & Lajos Takacs*** Karl & Carol Theil Frank & Vicki Titas Robert & Marti Vagi*** Dr. & Mrs. Gregory A. Watts Barry & Patricia Wilson Donald & Dorothy Zito
Associates ($100 to $249) Anonymous (8) Stanley & Hope Adelstein* John Bacon & Cat White Dr. & Mrs. Robert Bahler** Lynne M. Bajec Carol Barnak Mr. & Mrs. Benham S. Bates* Mr. James J. Benedict, Jr. Linda M. Betzer & Iris W. Bishop Den Blanda George & Gerry Blomgren Susan Bobey Ms. Nicole Bogdanovic Phyliss M. Boggs Mr. & Mrs. Charles P. Bolton John Bolton* Bette Bonder & Patrick Bray* Robin Herrington-Bowen** Stanley Brandt & Mary Whitmer** Joanne R. Bratush** V. Elizabeth Brown* Ms. Nancy H. Burcham*** Bill & Marilyn Caplick** Larry & Andi Carlini* Cindy & Tim Carr*** Rollin & Anne Conway Tom & Anita Cook*** Doug & Mary Court* David & Gayle Cratty* Judith Darus* Lowell & Carole Davis*** Shirley B. Dawson Myron R. Day* Chad & Andrea Deal Sean M. Decatur Audrey De Clement*** Firmin C. Deibel, Jr.**
Marilyn P. Demeter*** Carolyn J. Buller & Bill Doll* Rita & Dennis Dura* Anthony P. Duszynski Dr. Robert Eiben Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eikenburg*** The Eldridge Family*** Mr. & Mrs. Oliver F. Emerson Deena & Richard Epstein*** Jeanne S. Epstein** Janice Evans Susan L. Fike*** Mary Eileen Fogarty*** David V. Foos** Joy M. Freda** Mr. & Mrs. Lou Galizio** Mrs. Barbara J. Garris Deborah A. Geier*** Greg & Gail Gibson*** Gary & Joanna Graeff* Mr. & Mrs. Richard S. Gray Lainie Hadden Hazel Haffner** Tom & Kirsten Hagesfeld* Zoe Harper* Tom & Debra Hayes Curt & Karen Henkle* Mark & Lynn Hofflund Clyde A. Horn*** Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Janson Margaret Kaczmarek Marilyn & Howard Karfeld*** Lauren Kawentel* Mr. Karl Keller Mr. & Mrs. Joseph C. Kelley*** Mr. Jack K. Kellogg Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kimmel* Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick** David & Sue Klepac Ronald Kollar*
Mr. & Mrs. Mark D. Kozel*** Loretta J. Krejci Brandon Kubitz Eleanor & Stephen Kushnick*** Ben & Julie Langhinrichs Devere E. Logan Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Love* Brian & Renee Lowery* Cathy J. McCall Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. McDonald Francis & Viola McDowell** Ms. Linda McGinty Michael H. McGookey Rita C. McLaughlin* Jennifer & Peter Meckes*** Rev. Edward E. Mehok** Helen & Harry Mercer* Richard & Karen Middaugh Antoinette Miller Mary & Steve Mitchell*** Amanda Mockbee Roy & Cindy Moore* Toni & Linda Moore* Patricia Moyer & Steve Botorff* Pat Murphy & Mike Kupiec Ms. Karen Nemec Rosemary Nosetic** Lou Papes* Zachary & Deborah Paris* Lee & Maria Parks*** Brian Perry & Ka Pi Hoh*** Alan & Nancy Petrov* Thomas & Helen Rathburn* Judy & Clifford Reeves* Sue Reusser*** Keith & Margaret Robinson Dr. Edward J. Rockwood*** Reinhold & Ginny Roedig** Joan Rusnak Mr. & Mrs. James A. Saks* Mrs. Kathy Salem Mark J. Salling** Mr. & Mrs. James C. Schaefer Dina & Richard Schoonmaker*** Kathryn Schultz Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Shemo Donna Sheridan** Dr. Dave & Faye Sholiton*** Howard & Judith Siegel** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Slavin* Marg Slesnick David & Rita Smith** William E. Spatz* Susan St. John* Darwin L. Steele*** Kathlyn & Harry Stenzel*** Mickey Stern Dan & Robin Sullivan* Lorraine S. Szabo Mr. & Mrs. John J. Tanis Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Tatman Dr. & Mrs. Ken Tomecki** Kathleen Turner** Elizabeth Twohig** Anne Unverzagt & Richard Goddard* James L. Wagner Ms. Kathleen Waits
Karl & Nancy Ware Frank & Sharon Wargo Nancy-Anne Wargo Mrs. Richard C Weiss Richard & Darlene Wiegandt Judith Wolfe & Robin Richmond** Mr. & Mrs. James Xinakes** Robert & Kathleen Young Ruth & Sidney Zilber Rebecca Zuti
Donors add to
Friends ($50 to $99)
Community and Economy Each year, Great Lakes Theater performances and programs contribute over $6.2M in regional economic impact while connecting more than 100,000 students and adults to the world’s greatest plays.
Learn more about our programming at GreatLakesTheater.org. Mr. & Mrs. John P. Neubert** Ken Noetzel* David Oldham* Geraldine C. O’Neill* Joan M. Oravec*** Paul H. Pangrace** Peggy & Michael Partington** Cathrin Peter Wilmer & Joann Piper* Mr. & Mrs. Harold Pittaway III Mr. & Mrs. Louis Pongracz Donald & Anjean Poyer Mr. Stanley Proctor The Reinker Family** Ms. Jacqueline Rhodes Mr. Norman Robbins Carole & Charles B. Rosenblatt** Drs. Arnold & Alta Rosenzweig Marjorie Rott Mr. & Mrs. Michael Rowan* Barbara Sabo Mr. & Mrs. Tom Schock William & Lisa Schonberg Donna & Raymond Schuerger* Doris A. Schultz* Ms. Terry Sericola Randall & Sara Shaner* Ms. Julia Shaw Elaine & Don Sherman Patricia J. Shook* Laura & Alvin Siegal*** Mr. & Mrs. David K. Siegel* Mr. & Mrs. Bart Simon H. Bernard & Edith Smith Mr. & Mrs. John Southworth*
Rex & Judy Stanforth** Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Stanger* Ms. Karen Stanton Albert & Bernice Strasshofer* Linda Striefsky & James Carlson* Mr. & Mrs. James F. Sweeney* Ms. Deanna Taborosi Bob Taylor & Jeff Herrmann* Carol A. Vidoli* Mr. Kenneth Vinciquerra Tom Wagner & Malinda Smyth Mrs. Barbara S. Walker David M. Walker*** Drs. Jay & Kathleen Ward*** Todd & Margie Warnicke* Carole & William Warren** Ronald & Pearl Waxman* Mrs. Leslie T. Webster Mr. & Mrs. Edward Weintraub Mel & Maureen Weisblatt** Mr. & Mrs. John H. Weitz*** Roger & Nancy Welchans** Mr. W. Craig Wilde Ronald Wittmaack James & Sandra Wood* James Zaranec Ms. Denise Zeman *3 – 5 consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor **6 – 9 consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor ***10 or more consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor
greatlakestheater.org
Roger & Madelon Horvath William Ivancic Mr. James Jaggers Susan Janney Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Kahn Ruth & Don Kalish* Dennis Kelly Mr. Gilbert Kenehan Larry & Janet Kilgore** Robert & Nancy Klein** Michael & Lynn Kleinman Herschel & Maxine Koblenz* Ursula Korneitchouk* Sharon Kraber Ms. Anna Kukelhan Dr. & Mrs. Irving Kushner Fred & Joann Lafferty John & Johanna Langham Mr. & Mrs. Brian Lawler Stephen & Arlene Lawson* Gregory & Vickie Leyes Ted & Mary Lomac** Mrs. Martha Lottman Walt & Molly Maciejewski** Linda Macklin Mr. J. Adin Mann Mr. & Mrs. Theodore M. Mann* Ronald & Betty Manolio** Gretchen Mates* Nancy V. Matyazic Constance B. Miller Nan Miller Ms. Susannah Muskovitz Kim Whitesel-Nakel Betty Nassif*
Great Lakes Theater
Anonymous (3) Ms. Tereasa Andreani Janis Baker* Thomas & Joan Baker Jeanette S. Barclay* Carol Barnak Margret Beekel John & Jeannene Bertosa* John & Laura Bertsch Tom & Dorothy Bier** Mr. & Mrs. David Blackman* Mr. Paul Blonsky Dr. & Mrs. Dieter Bloser*** Ms. Dorothy Borer Bill & Jewell Brake Barbara Brock Mr. & Mrs. Robert Charlick* Donald & Annamarie Chick Kathleen M. Cooper* Lisa & Stan Corwin Alfred R. Cowger Jr. & Tony Wesley Samuel Cowling* Ronald & Patricia Cramer* Mr. & Mrs. John Dettelbach Mr. Evan DeWitt Daniel Divis** Mr. & Mrs. Mike Dowell Ms. Linda Elliott Douglas D. Farling Mr. & Mrs. Frank L. Field** Dr. Jay Taylor & Ms. Kristin Firth Mary Ann & Joseph Fischer Jeffrey Ford Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Fouts*** Gerald Frei* Mr. & Mrs. Ralph C. Frey* Charles & Julia Gall Ms. Sally Gamier Katherine A. Ganz Mr. & Mrs. James Gianelos Ms. Marlyn Gilbert Thomas Gilbride* Jeffrey P. Gluvna & Barbara A. Blake** Dr. & Mrs. Norman W. Goldston** Ilona K. Gram Jean E. Gubbins Nancy Y. Hammond Marian Hancy* Mr. John Hayden Arlene & William Hazlett* Jean Heller Marcus Hendershott* Robert T. Hexter Susan Hill Frank & Gerry Hoffert*
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Matinee Idols Donors who underwrote tickets to 2012-13 Student Matinee performances so that more students can attend. Mrs. “Al” Archambault Jerry & Kathy Berkshire Suzanne & Jim Blaser Dr. W. Henry Boom & Ms. Anne L. Batzell Mr. & Mrs. John D. Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Chernus Mr. & Mrs. Morton G. Epstein Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph H. Garfield, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Brent Grover Nancy Johnson, M.D. Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick Mrs. Jean Kumler Mr. & Mrs. John C. Morley Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Neary Krzysztof & Grazyna Palczewski Mrs. James O. Roberts Mr. & Mrs. Dan Rocker Dr. & Mrs. Robert A. Salata Linda Schlageter Brit & Kate Stenson Mrs. Elizabeth G. Stueber Mr. & Mrs. Arthur W. Treuhaft Dr. Richard W. Watts Stanley Wertheim John & Dianne Young
“Raise Your Paddle for Education” May 5, 2012 50th Anniversary Gala donors who gave generous support for Great Lakes Theater’s 2012-13 education programs. Bonnie & Chuck Abbey Christopher Abbey Richard Allen Thomas S. Allen Mr. & Mrs. Glenn G. Anderson, Jr. Mrs. “Al” Archambault Michelle R. Arendt Frederick Asbeck Mr. and Mrs. Darrell W. Austin Walt & Laura Avdey Roxanne Bain Robyn & David Barrie Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Barrie Keith & Karen Bayer Mr. Eugene Bentley Elizabeth Billings Mitchell & Elizabeth Blair Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Blankenship Dr. W. Henry Boom & Ms. Anne L. Batzell Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bowes Donna Bradford Mr. Paul S. Brentlinger Jack & Mebby Brown Steven Broz The Rev. Dr. Joan Campbell
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Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Campbell Larry Case Mr. & Mrs. Frank Cercone Beverly J. Coen Mr. & Mrs. Bill Colvin Robert Conrad Dr. & Mrs. Kevin Cooper Mr. & Mrs. Emerick J. Corsi, Jr. Chad & Andrea Deal Gary & Sherry Dinner Marsha Dobrzynski Carol Dolan & Greggory Hill Timothy J. Downing & Ken Press James & Therese Drake Rebecca Dunn William Eadie Mr. & Mrs. Douglas S. Eckert Mr. & Mrs. Arthur E. Ellison James Elsey Dr. Howard Epstein Mr. & Mrs. Morton G. Epstein Mr. Jonathan Epstein Dr. James & Renee Epstein Scott Esposito Mr. & Mrs. John Ferchill Greg Forte Clint Fowler Craig Frabotta Eric Fried Chad Gaizutis Richard Garcia Susan Gavazzi Mark Gerteis Frances & Gary Goins Sandra Gontero H. E. Gregory, III James Gruber Robert Haffke Lynn Hardacre Susan C. & Jeffery A. Hastings Raymond & Theresa Hatch David & Lynn Heiman Mr. & Mrs. David B. Hollister Steven & Diane Hupp Greta & Chet Insolia Les Jacobs Brian & Katherine Jereb Lisa Kapp Paul R. & Denise Horstman Keen William & Julie Keller Mr. Jack K. Kellogg Joseph King Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick Bruce Kleinline Mr. Rob Kocian Margarita Krncevic John & Carrie Lane Anthony LaPlaca Donald & Cheryl Laubacher John & Diane Lewis Frank Loughan Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Lynch Marcie Manson M. Kay Mathieu Erin Maxin Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Mayer Christy McGucken
Helen & Harry Mercer The Mersol Family Gary & Clare Miller Mr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Moeller Christopher & Leanne Moll Kevin S. Moore Sean Nagel Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Neary Mr. & Mrs. Doug Neary Ms. Linda Olejko Ms. Colleen O’Neill Krzysztof & Grazyna Palczewski Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Pavey Elsa M. & Thomas C. Pavlik Luanne Paynick Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Peterman Mr. & Mrs. John S. Piety Thomas A. Piraino & Barbara C. McWilliams Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Pistell Andrew Platt John Polinko Florence K. Pollock Paul Putnam & Eric Dicken Uma & Lilena Rajeshwar Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Ratner Alan M. Rauss & Marcie Bergman Judy & Clifford Reeves Ms. Beth Riebe Shawn M. Riley & Christine Sommer Riley Mrs. James O. Roberts Mark Royle Philip Ryder Dr. & Mrs. Robert A. Salata Crystal Salerno Dale Schmid John & Barbara Schubert Jason & Lisa Seifert Thomas & Nancy Seitz Heather Sherwin Laura & Alvin Siegal Mr. & Mrs. Mark Siegel Mr. & Mrs. Mario Sinicariello Mr. & Mrs. Judson E. Smith Jeff Smythe Ryan Sobel Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford Sally J. Staley Brit & Kate Stenson Linda Striefsky & James Carlson Diana & Eugene Stromberg Congresswoman Betty L. Sutton Bob Taylor & Jeff Herrmann Dr. Jerry Sue Thorton Melissa Thurstone Martha C. Towns Gerald F. Unger Jeff Ustin Wulf & Moira Utian Mr. & Mrs. Roger S. Vail Kaj Van Alem Jeanie Voss Cheryl Wahl Mr. & Mrs. James L. Wamsley. III Laura Watson Chaz & Jessica Weber
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Weintraub Mr. & Mrs. Paul L. Wellener IV Mr. & Mrs. Kevin M. White Eric Wilson David Wittkowsky & James S. Anderson Eric & Paulette Yasinow Glenn Yauch John & Dianne Young
Matching Gift Corporations Aetna Foundation, Inc. AT&T Corporation Eaton Corporation Emerson FM Global Foundation GE Foundation GlaxoSmithKline Foundation IBM Corporation Key Foundatiom Nordson Corporation Foundation PNC Foundation Progressive Insurance Foundation Rockwell Automation Trust Matching Program Tompkins Corporation Foundation
Gifts were received in honor of: Corning Chisholm Natalie Epstein Chris Fornadel Michael J. Peterman Sally J. Staley William Jacobs
Gifts were received in memory of: Viola Dominick Audrey Watts
The Women’s Committee Formed in 1961, the committee is Great Lakes Theater’s longest standing volunteer support group. Members act as hosts for our actors, provide support in our administrative office and at events, and cheer us on throughout the season. If you would like to become a member, call Joanne Hulec at (216) 252-8717 for more information. Officers Barbara Cercone, President Janice Campbell, Vice Chair Viola McDowell, Recording Secretary Bernice Bolek, Corresponding Secretary Nanci Kirkpatrick, Treasurer
Every effort is made to ensure that our Donor records are current and correct. Please call the Development Office (216.453.4442) for questions or to report updates and revisions.
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Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director
With generous support from
Much Ado About Nothing By
Directed by
Sharon Ott
Company
J. Todd Adams* Laurie Birmingham* Cassandra Bissell* Austin Blunk Neil Brookshire* Kyle Carthens
Scenic Designer Hugh Landwehr
Laurel Hoffman Maggie Kettering* Drew Kopas* Juan Rivera Lebron* Darren Matthias* David McCann* Dougfred Miller* Costume Designer Esther M. Haberlen
Choreographer Martín Céspedes
Betsy Mugavero* David Anthony Smith* Eric Damon Smith* M. A. Taylor* Karen Thorla Steven J. West
Lighting Designer Rick Martin
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William Shakespeare
Great Lakes Theater
presents
Sound Designer Stephen LeGrand
Stage Managers Corrie E. Purdum* Tim Kinzel*
There will be one 15 minute intermission. *Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
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Much Ado About Nothing
The Cast Dramatis Personae in order of appearance
Leonato, Governor of Messina............................................................................................David McCann * Antonia, wife of Leonato............................................................................................ Laurie Birmingham * Hero, daughter of Leonato.................................................................................................Betsy Mugavero * Beatrice, niece of Leonato................................................................................................Cassandra Bissell * Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon................................................................................. David Anthony Smith * Benedick, a lord of Padua...................................................................................................J. Todd Adams * Claudio, a lord of Florence................................................................................................ Neil Brookshire * Balthasar, attendant on Don Pedro..............................................................................Eric Damon Smith * Don John, Don Pedro’s bastard brother......................................................................Juan Rivera Lebron * Conrade, follower of Don John................................................................................................Drew Kopas * Borachio, follower of Don John........................................................................................Darren Matthias * Ursula, companion of Hero...................................................................................................Karen Thorla Margaret, companion of Hero.........................................................................................Maggie Kettering * Friar Francis.................................................................................................................Eric Damon Smith * Dogberry, master constable..............................................................................................Dougfred Miller * Verges, a headborough.............................................................................................................M. A. Taylor * First Watch............................................................................................................................ Austin Blunk Second Watch...................................................................................................................... Steven J. West A Sexton.................................................................................................................... Laurie Birmingham * Ensemble ..................................................Austin Blunk, Kyle Carthens, Laurel Hoffman, Steven J. West *Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
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Background Synopsis
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on Pedro, Prince of Aragon, has not only forgiven the intrigues of his bastard brother Don John, who recently led an unsuccessful rebellion against him, but he includes him in his unit as he goes to visit Leonato, governor of Messina, together with two young noblemen, Benedick and Claudio, who have served him with great distinction in the recent war. As Don Pedro and his group arrive, we meet Leonato’s daughter Hero, and his spirited niece Beatrice. Beatrice appears to have had some sort of prior relationship with Benedick, and when they meet again they begin their customary witty bantering and scornful repartee. Claudio is attracted to Hero, and tells Don Pedro of his love. The Prince offers to help Claudio in getting Leonato’s consent, and begins to personally woo the girl for her lover by impersonating him at a masked ball that evening. Two followers of Don John, Borachio and Conrade, hear of the plan and tell Don John who insinuates to Claudio that Don Pedro is faithlessly making love on his own account. This suspicion quickly evaporates, however, when the Prince and Hero appear with Leonato who consents to the young soldier’s suit and arranges for a wedding in a week’s time. Don Pedro, an inveterate matchmaker, proposes to Leonato and Claudio that in the interim they undertake to make Benedick fall in love, in spite of his denunciations of marriage. Hero and her companions, Margaret and Ursula, concoct a similar plan with Beatrice. Meanwhile, Don John’s malicious mind has turned upon the impending marriage as an opportunity to bring humiliation on his brother and Claudio who has gained military glory. Realizing how easily he can play upon Claudio’s nature, he lays a plot to bring Don Pedro and Claudio to witness what will seem to be an illicit meeting between Hero and a lover. Claudio is furious when he sees the woman he assumes to be Hero in another’s arms. In fact, this pair is actually Don John’s companion, Borachio, and his lover, Margaret who is an unwitting accomplice in the plot. In his fury, Claudio determines to be revenged in public for his damaged dignity, and Don Pedro consents to accompany him to the church where, as the cere-
About the Play
mony begins, he harshly repudiates Hero before the assembled guests. Hero, stunned and hurt, drops in a dead faint into Beatrice’s arms whose cry of anger brings Benedick to her side as the others leave. The level-headed Friar Francis strongly suspects Don John of villainy and suggests that Leonato give out the report that his daughter has died, and await developments. In the tense moments that follow, Benedick and Beatrice confess their love for each other, but the soldier in Benedick at first recoils in horror when Beatrice commands him to kill Claudio, his old comrade and constant companion. However, he soon arrives at Beatrice’s point of view believing that the man who broke the heart and smirched the honor of the innocent Hero must die, and seeking him out he challenges Claudio to a duel. At this juncture, the sexton, knowing of Hero’s public disgrace, solves the whole problem in a trial where Dogberry, the local constable, tells an involved story of how he and his watchman having arrested Borachio and Conrade, Don John’s henchmen. Later, Don Pedro recognizes the men, and Borachio verifies the story of Don John’s vicious plot that the watchmen overheard him tell Conrade while drunk. Claudio, genuinely distressed, offers to make amends through any penance Hero’s father may prescribe, and accedes at once to Leonato’s request that he publicly demonstrate his belief in his dead love’s innocence by hanging an epitaph on her tomb in a ceremony of song which he vows to repeat yearly, and by marrying Leonato’s niece and heir who exactly resembles his lost daughter. When Claudio is married the next day, he joyfully discovers his veiled bride to be Hero herself. Benedick, who has just asked the good friar to marry him to Beatrice, all but loses her through a sudden tiff, but love poems written by each of them are produced which cannot be denied, and they finally declare they are marrying out of sheer pity for one another. Gaily swinging the party into a dance, Benedick bids his Prince, Don Pedro, to get himself a wife, and put off until the morrow all thought of the punishment of Don John who has just been captured in his flight from Messina. – The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Cambridge Edition, 1936
Director’s note
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Beatrice: Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile, and I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one. Marry, once before he won it of me with false dice, therefore your grace may well say I have lost it. (II, 1. 257-64) This earlier attempt at a relationship doesn’t appear to have ended on an altogether happy note. Even though it is clear to all the other characters in the play, and to the audience, that this couple belongs together, experience and more than a little bitterness keeps them from seeing that themselves. So many of my friends and colleagues cite Much Ado About Nothing as their favorite Shakespearean comedy. Why is that? It doesn’t have the perfect poetic symmetry of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with its down-to-earth, mostly prose language. It doesn’t have the iconic cross-
Beatrice: Very ill. Benedick: And how do you? Beatrice: Very ill too. Benedick: Serve God, love me, and mend. (V, ii, 81-86) This advice, so simple but so human, comes from a character who, like his author, truly understands the healing power of love. Our production is inspired by many things: the Tuscan countryside; various social and aesthetic movements in Europe post-World War I, including the rise of the “new woman;” the spirit of the wild parties of the Jazz Age; and even the early silent movies from Keystone, particularly The Bangville Police. We hope you enjoy our exploration of this most human comedy. – Sharon Ott Director, Much Ado about Nothing
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D. Pedro: Come lady, come, you have lost the heart of Signior Benedick.
Benedick: How does your cousin?
Great Lakes Theater
cholars place Much Ado About Nothing solidly in the “middle years” of Shakespeare’s comedies. Appearing on the scene in 1598 (or 99), it comes after the early comedies Two Gentlemen of Verona (1592), The Comedy of Errors (1592-93) and The Taming of the Shrew (1594-95). With its first production in either 1598 or 1599, it is positioned after those early forays into comedy, but before As You Like It, which appeared later in 1599, and Twelfth Night in 1601-2. One can feel the strong residual influences of Kate and Petruchio in Beatrice and Benedick’s verbal sparring, but it seems as if, by Much Ado, Shakespeare began to give more of a “voice” to his female comic lead, as one would never find Beatrice kissing the foot of her husband! The wonderful raucous energy of Shrew is preserved in the central couple of Much Ado About Nothing and in the comic subplot, but a note of melancholy and sadness enters the comic picture. The play begins with soldiers returning from war. Granted, not much is made of this fact in the course of the play. Shakespeare doesn’t weave it into the central texture of the plot as much as he does the exile to the forest of Rosalind and her father in As You Like It, or the shipwreck and supposed death of a brother in Twelfth Night, but it is there nonetheless. Also, Benedick and Beatrice have had some kind of relationship before, as we can see from the following exchange:
dressing leading ladies of As You Like It or Twelfth Night (although Beatrice certainly wants to put on the pants and eat Claudio’s heart out in the marketplace). It doesn’t have the famous speeches of As You Like It, or the masterfully worked out subplot of Twelfth Night. But what it does have in spades is this wonderful central couple. These are two people we can relate to, and their mature and beautiful realization that they want each other, and enjoy each other, and actually need each other is one of the most fulfilling and moving of Shakespeare’s creations. Every time I read this simple exchange between Beatrice and Benedick in Act V, I get teary.
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A message
Producing Artistic Director
Dear Friends,
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n behalf of our artists, staff and Board of Trustees, welcome to Great Lakes Theater’s 51st season! Our mission, “to bring the pleasure, power and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience,” guides our mainstage productions as well as our educational programming, in the belief that theater holds the capacity to illuminate truth and enduring values, celebrate and challenge human nature and actions, and provide our student audiences a glimpse of a broader world, and the wellspring of learning made possible through the arts.
We are thrilled to be back in the Hanna Theatre this spring as our season continues with Shakespeare’s battle of wits and wooing, Much Ado About Nothing, and our season finale, Frank Loesser’s Tony-Award-winning musical, Guys and Dolls — one of the largest productions Great Lakes Theater has undertaken. It is a joy to work, once again, with Art Falco and Gina Vernaci and the great team at PlayhouseSquare to offer Guys and Dolls as part of the Key Bank Broadway Series. Throughout the spring season, you will see many familiar names and faces from our astonishing core company of artists, educators and technicians joined by artists making their Great Lakes debut. Of particular note are two directors joining us this spring. We are delighted to welcome Sharon Ott (directing Much Ado About Nothing) and Cleveland native Dan Knechtges (director and choreographer of Guys and Dolls) to the Great Lakes family. Sharon is a director of international renown in theater and opera: During Sharon’s 13 years as Artistic Director of Berkeley Repertory Theater, she built a reputation as one of the leading artists in American theater, and the company won the 1997 Tony Award for best Regional Theatre. Following her tenure at Berkeley Rep, she became the Artistic Director of Seattle Repertory Theater, where she produced and directed both classics and world premieres. Dan is a Tony-Award-nominated choreographer and director who also happens to be a graduate of Otterbein College. His Broadway credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Sondheim on Sondheim (also seen on our stage last spring), Lysistrata Jones and Xanadu. In 2007, Dan enjoyed the extraordinary experience of having three shows running simultaneously on the Great White Way. But we could not produce our work without the tireless efforts of our talented administrative staff, dedicated board of trustees and the tremendous generosity of this community! As you look around the theater you will see the names of many friends, partners, corporations and foundations whose support makes all of this possible. We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of them and look forward to a future filled with ever more collaboration and creativity. Thank you for your continued support. I hope to see you in our audience again soon.
Charles Fee, Producing Artistic Director Great Lakes Theater
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who’s who J. Todd Adams* Benedick, Much Ado About Nothing; Cleomenes/Ensemble, The Winter’s Tale and Bonnefoi, The Imaginary Invalid Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater Regional: Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio) The Denver Center Theater Company; Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), The Imaginary Invalid (Bonnefoi), The Winter’s Tale (Cleomenes) at Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio) at Great Lakes Theater; Henry IV pt. 1 (Hotspur), The Three Musketeers (Aramis), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Costard) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck) at Shakespeare Santa Cruz; The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack) and The Real Thing (Billy) at PCPA; Ghosts, Henry IV, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, A Noise Within; Drawer Boy, Lonesome West, Entertaining Mister Sloane, South Coast Repertory; Gross Indecency, Mark Taper Forum; King Lear, San Diego Repertory; Much Ado About Nothing, Arizona Theatre Company; Scapin, American Conservatory Theatre; I Pagliacci, Kennedy Center, directed by Franco Zeffirelli; and performances at the Theatre at Boston Court, Grove Theater Center and Utah Shakespeare Festival. Film/Television: Gilmore Girls, The West Wing, Flyboys and Warriors of Virtue. Mr. Adams holds an MFA from the American Conservatory Theater.
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Laurie Birmingham* Antonia/Sexton, Much Ado About Nothing; Madame Arcati, Blithe Spirit; Cynthia/Mrs. Fezziwig/Laundress/ Ensemble, A Christmas Carol and Paulina, The Winter’s Tale Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater Laurie is blessed to join Great Lakes again this season! Last year Laurie played the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet. Laurie is a 35-year veteran of regional theaters across the United States. She was a resident company member with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and played many roles over the 17 years she spent there. Some favorites include Josie Hogan in A Moon for the Misbegotten, Penny Sycamore in You Can’t Take It With You and Claire in A Delicate Balance, to name only a few. Other regional credits include Asolo Theatre, Virginia Stage Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Connecticut Repertory, Meadowbrook Theatre, NY Shakespeare Exchange and the Tony-Award-winning Utah
in the Cast
Shakespeare Festival. In NYC, Laurie has played in two off-Broadway shows: A Little Journey with The Mint Theatre, nominated for a Drama Desk Award; and created the role of Miss Abigail in Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating, and Marriage. She also narrates for Recorded Books, LLC. TV credits include The Onion News Network, Celebrity Ghost Stories and a pilot called Modern Love. Visit her at www.lauriebirmingham.com Cassandra Bissell* Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing Great Lakes Theater debut Cassandra is delighted to be performing with Great Lakes Theater for the first time! She is based out of Chicago, where her credits include work with Chicago Shakespeare Theater (The Tempest, Richard II, King John and Short Shakespeare! productions of Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth), Court Theatre (Arcadia, Hamlet), Steppenwolf Theatre Company (The Berlin Circle), Victory Gardens (Memory House), The Shakespeare Project of Chicago (Twelfth Night, A Woman Killed With Kindness, Othello), Next Theatre Company (In The Blood, Measure for Measure), Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (Mary’s Wedding Joseph Jefferson nomination for Best Actress in a Principal Role), Shakespeare on the Green (Othello). She performed throughout the Midwest and South as part of the National Endowment for the Arts Shakespeare in American Communities initiative with Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Regionally, she has appeared at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (My Name is Asher Lev, In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play), Actors’ Theatre of Louisville (Memory House, In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play), Cleveland Play House (Pride & Prejudice, Noises Off) and Renaissance Theaterworks (Crumbs from the Table of Joy), as well as six seasons at Peninsula Players in Door County, Wisconsin (including Proof, Doubt, Opus, The Lady’s Not for Burning, A Man for All Seasons, Around the World in 80 Days.) Cassandra has been a member of Actors’ Equity since 2003 and holds a degree in Gender Studies from the University of Chicago. Austin Blunk First Watch/Ensemble, Much Ado About Nothing Great Lakes Theater debut Austin is thrilled to make his regional
theater debut at Great Lakes Theater this year! He is a junior in the performing arts program at Savannah College of Art and Design. He has played parts in several plays in their mainstage season over the three years he has attended. Favorites include Matt in Dog Sees God, Jimmy/Chad in Almost Maine and Butch Honeywell in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Before Austin went to college, he performed at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre for four years. Austin would like to thank his friends and family for their unfailing support and Sharon Ott for affording me this opportunity!
Maggie Kettering* Margaret, Much Ado About Nothing and Ruth, Blithe Spirit First season at Great Lakes Theater Maggie is very excited to join Great Lakes this season! She is currently based in Chicago, where some favorites include Maureen Buckley in My Kind of Town (TimeLine Theatre); Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Pattie in Season’s Greetings (Northlight Theatre), where she received the Jack Springer Award; and Mrs. Grigson in Shadow of a Gunman (Seanachai Theatre). Regionally, she has worked with Resident Ensemble Players, Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Warehouse Theatre and Delaware Theatre Company. She is a member of A Crew of Patches Theatre Company, and holds an MFA from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program. Maggie is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Drew Kopas* Conrade, Much Ado About Nothing and Archidamus/Ensemble, The Winter’s Tale First season at Great Lakes Theater Drew’s previous roles include Archidamus in The Winter’s Tale at Great Lakes
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Kyle Carthens Ensemble, Much Ado About Nothing and Ensemble, The Winter’s Tale First season at Great Lakes Theater Kyle is happy to return to the Hanna Theatre stage again this season. He won an Emmy Award for his role in the television program Crimestoppers Case Files: Northeast Ohio, and can be seen in the upcoming films Fun Size, Alex Cross and most recently in the football film Underdogs which is set for a theatrical release in 2013. Other show credits include Citizen Barlow, Gem of the Ocean; Trombone 7, God’s Trombones; Drawer/Lightbulb/Window, Closure; African Student, Great White Hope; Bass Reeves, A Solitary Voice: Bass Reeves; Zero, Holes. Four Seasons at Karamu House. Other shows include Lowboy, Lower Ninth; Torry, Huck and Holden, The Gospel According to James at Ensemble Theater. Jason Harlan, While I’m Here on this Earth, These are the Times for Cleveland Public Theater, Andre Louis, Seedfolks for the Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, Victor Frankenstein, Frankenstein; Storyteller, Once on this Island; Benvolio, Romeo and Juliet at
Laurel Hoffman Ensemble, Much Ado About Nothing Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater Laurel Hoffman recently appeared in the 2013 NEO MFA Festival. Cleveland Credits: Proof (Lakeland); Antebellum, boom (CPT); Freakshow, Brainpeople, Quake (convergence-continuum); Humble Boy (Dobama), Red Light Winter (BNC); and other performances with convergence-continuum, Dobama, Ensemble, Beck Center, Cleveland Public Theatre and Great Lakes Theater. Regional credits: Picnic (Inge Festival); Measure for Measure (Powerhouse Theater); Rocket to the Moon, Cuckoo’s Nest (New York). TV credit: The Kill Point on SpikeTV. Laurel received an Acting degree from the Esper Studio and a B.A. in Linguistics from Brandeis University. Thanks to her family and husband, Geoffrey, for their loving support. laurelbrookejohnson.blogspot.com
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Neil Brookshire* Claudio, Much Ado About Nothing and Father/Bob Cratchit/Ensemble, A Christmas Carol Four seasons at Great Lakes Theater Originally from Wyoming, Neil earned a BA from Boise State University and an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University. Previously with Great Lakes Theater: Clifford Bradshaw, Cabaret; Tranio, The Taming of the Shrew; Valentine, The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Moth, Love’s Labour’s Lost. He has worked with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival for eight seasons, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Boise Contemporary Theater, Idaho Dance Theatre, Opera Idaho and Company of Fools. He also stars in The Pact, an independent film by Tarantula Entertainment.
Cleveland Play House. He has also shot industrial videos for Best Buy. Kyle is a proud graduate of the Cleveland School of the Arts in 2009 and is represented by the Docherty Talent and Model Agency.
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Theater; Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice at Virginia Shakespeare Festival; Curio in Twelfth Night at the Shakespeare Theatre Company; King Louis XIV in Las Meninas at Rep Stage; Gunner in Misalliance and Young Charlie in Da at Olney Theatre Center; Romeo in A Commedia Romeo and Juliet with Faction of Fools; Freddy/Nepommuck in Pygmalion and Frank in All My Sons at Everyman Theatre; Lakshman in The Ramayana and Melchior in On the Razzle at Constellation Theatre; Aldo in Italian American Reconciliation at 1st Stage; Orlando in As You Like It and Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona for the National Players. Drew is a graduate of Cleveland State University and holds an MFA in acting from Western Illinois University. Juan Rivera Lebron* Don John, Much Ado About Nothing; Clown /Ensemble, The Winter’s Tale and Cleante, The Imaginary Invalid First season at Great Lakes Theater Great Lakes Theater: Clown/Ensemble in The Winter’s Tale and Cleante in The Imaginary Invalid. Other selected credits include Florizel in The Winter’s Tale at The Guthrie Theater. Seven seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, including Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing, Sylvio in Servant of Two Masters, Rodolfo in A View from the Bridge, Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, Valentine in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Bicycle Pants in Lorca in a Green Dress. BFA, Carnegie Mellon University. Member of the U.S. delegation to the Unesco/ITI World Congress in Madrid, Spain, 2008. Recipient of the Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship funded by the William & Eva Fox Foundation and administered by Theater Communications Group. Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Special thanks to C.W., A, O and B for their love and support.
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Darren Matthias* Borachio, Much Ado About Nothing Great Lakes Theater debut Tours: Macbeth (London, Antibes, Nice, Valbonne), Tommy, Seussical and Joseph and the Amazing Tech nicolor Dreamcoat. Off-Broadway: Harold Clur man Theatre, York Theatre and Prospect Theatre Company. Regional: Another Time, Stepping Out and The Song of Jacob Zulu (Steppenwolf), Riverview and Never the Sinner (Goodman), Richard II & Henry V (The Shakespeare Theatre, D.C.), The Wizard of Oz (Ordway, Cincinnati Playhouse and N. Carolina Theatre), Lizzie Borden (Goodspeed), Equus, Carnival!, Candide and The Rocky Horror Show
(Cincinnati Playhouse), The Spitfire Grill (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), Arcadia (Clarence Brown), Aida (Actor’s Playhouse and Drury Lane), Of Thee I Sing (Remains), 90 North (Kennedy Center), Illyria, Henry V, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Man of La Mancha, Measure For Measure and The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ). Film & TV: The Definite Maybe (Phoenix), Law & Order, Law &Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: SVU (NBC) and Chappelle’s Show (Comedy Central). David McCann* Leonato in Much Ado about Nothing Great Lakes Theater debut In 38 years, Mr. McCann has appeared in theaters across the U.S., Canada and the U.K., including the Old Globe, Shakespeare Theatre, Pioneer, New World Stages, Kansas City Rep, St. Louis Rep, Geva, Denver Center, Alliance, Walnut Street, Syracuse Stage, Delaware, Vermont Stage, Virginia Stage, Dorset, Olney, Wilma, Triad, Alabama/Orlando/Nebraska/Vermont Shakes peare festivals, Meadowbrook, Actors Playhouse, EST, Walker space, Ensemble (CA), CRT, and with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican and on tour. Roles include Hamlet (3 times), Claudius (2), Prospero (2), Oberon, Feste (2), Bassanio, Lord Byron, Hosanna (2), Don Pedro (2), Aunt Augusta (3), Iago, Salieri, Cauchon, Ganesha, Milo Tindle, Robert Scott, Colm Primrose, Claudio, Ross (2), Pato Dooley, Bernard Nightengale, Felix Turner (3), Judge Brack, Pastor Manders, Rev. Brown, Bajazeth, Warwick, Exeter/Nym/Alice, McLeavy, Ben Franklin, St. Paul, and the original company of John Barton’s Tantalus. TV includes Sex and the City, The Sopranos, ATWT, L&O and L&O: CI. He is also a food writer, recipe developer, teacher and playwright (Great American Home Cooking, Every Day with Rachel Ray, 18 productions of Christmas Carol, Immortal Longings, Black & White, The Wake, Grand). Follow his food blog at www.thisoldchef.com. Dougfred Miller* Dogberry, Much Ado About Nothing Eight seasons at Great Lakes Theater This is Doug’s eighth season with Great Lakes Theater. Previous appearances include the title role in Macbeth, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Jonathan in Arsenic and Old Lace, Cassius in Julius Caesar, Jaques in As You Like It and Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest. In several seasons with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, his roles include Cusins in Major Barbara, Holofernes in Love’s Labor’s Lost, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Horatio in Hamlet, Don Pedro in Much Ado
David Anthony Smith* Don Pedro, Much Ado About Nothing; Muggeridge/The Ghost of Christmas Present/Debtor/Ensemble, A Christmas Carol; Leontes, The Winter’s Tale and Beralde, The Imaginary Invalid Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater In 10 seasons at Great Lakes Theater, audiences have seen him as Iago in Othello, Viscount Goring in An Ideal Husband, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Macduff in Macbeth, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Sergius in Arms and the Man, Algernon in The
Eric Damon Smith* Balthasar/Friar, Much Ado About Nothing and Charles, Blithe Spirit First season at Great Lakes Theater A Chicago-based actor and director, Eric happily joins Great Lakes Theater this season, having just made his GLT debut as Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit. Recently, Eric was seen as Bud in Gutenberg! The Musical at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Bassanio (The Merchant of Venice) and Oliver (As You Like It) at Riverside Theatre in the Park in Iowa City. Other Chicago credits include his Jeff-Award-nominated turn as Flaminio Scala in the Midwest premiere of The Glorious Ones with Boho and at Theatre on the Lake, Jacques in As You Like It (Muse of Fire), Mosca in Volpone, directed by Sheldon Patinkin (City Lit Theatre) and Jamie in Long Day’s Journey into Night (Polarity), as well as work with Remy Bumppo and Northlight Theatre. Eric trained at Hofstra University. M. A. Taylor* Verges, Much Ado About Nothing; Charity Man/Old Joe, A Christmas Carol; Old Shepherd/Ensemble, The Winter’s Tale and Guy, The Imaginary Invalid Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater Mark Anthony (aka M.A.) is back for another Spring Rep in the magnificent Hanna Theatre. He has most recently been seen as Charity Man/Old Joe, A Christmas Carol; Old Shepherd/Ensemble, The Winter’s Tale; Guy, The Imaginary Invalid; Peter, Romeo and Juliet; Grumio, The Taming of the Shrew; Speed, The Two Gentlemen of Verona; Actor 3, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged); Gratiano, Othello; Phipps, An Ideal Husband; Flute/ Fairy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Durdles, The Mystery of Edwin Drood; and Fabian, Twelfth Night. Also among his credits: Candy in Of Mice and Men (directed by Adrian Hall) for PTTP/Rep, Dracula for Boise Contemporary Theater in the title role, Launce in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Gravedigger/Player King in Hamlet for Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and Crave & Fully Committed for Tooth & Nail
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Betsy Mugavero* Hero, Much Ado About Nothing. Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater Betsy is thrilled to be returning to GLT! Last season, she appeared as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at Great Lakes Theater and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Other favorite credits include Noises Off! (Brooke) at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival; A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia), As You Like It (Phoebe), The School for Wives (Agnes), Henry V (The Boy), The Utah Shakespeare Festival; Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival; The Tempest (Miranda) and Much Ado About Nothing (Hero), the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater; and Hamlet (Ophelia), Player King Productions in Los Angeles. Betsy holds an M.F.A from the University of California, Irvine. Much love and thanks to her family, friends, and Quinn and Henry for their support!
Importance of Being Earnest, Marc Antony in Julius Caesar and Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost. He has performed at the Tony-Award-winning Old Globe Theater in San Diego, South Coast Repertory, 12 seasons with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (title role in Henry V), at Laguna Playhouse, Sierra Rep, Madison Rep and the Shakespeare festivals of Utah, Colorado, Garden Grove, Rhode Island and Nevada. Forever and a day — Natalia.
Great Lakes Theater
About Nothing, several Dukes, an Emperor in Amadeus and Prince Hal in Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2. Other appearances include Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Versati in The Underpants at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Jim Tyrone in A Moon for the Misbegotten at the Coach House Theatre, Lysander in a Vietnamese/English production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Central Dramatic Theatre Company in Hanoi, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at Portland Center Stage, Richard in Richard III and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing at Tygres Heart Shakespeare Company, Prospero in The Tempest and the Duke in Measure for Measure at Texas Shakespeare Festival. Doug teaches theater at Hiram College, and is a proud graduate of the PTTP at the University of Delaware. He is the father of one and the husband of another; he could have conquered Europe — all of it — but he had women in his life.
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Theater in Salt Lake City. Other productions include Arsenic and Old Lace, The Crucible, Tooth of Crime, Translations, An Ideal Husband, All the King’s Men, The Effects of Tobacco and Swan Song. He holds an MFA from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). He wishes to give Special thanks to his supportive families, both Professional and Genetic, as well as the gracious Staff and Board of Great Lakes Theater. Seeing as it is Spring, after all … Go Tribe !! Karen Thorla Ursula, Much Ado About Nothing Great Lakes Theater debut Previous credits: Regional: GA Shakespeare: Sprite in The Tempest. Film: CBGB. Other: Workshop: The Aeneid (dir. Kay Matschullat, music by Duncan Sheik), But I’m a Cheerleader (book and lyrics by Bill Augustin, music by Andy Abrams). Training: Savannah College of Art and Design: Senior, BFA Performing Arts. Steven J. West Second Watch/Ensemble, Much Ado About Nothing Great Lakes Theater debut Steven is thrilled to be back in Cleveland, this time on stage at the beautiful Hanna Theatre! From 2009-2011, Steven served as an actor teacher in GLT’s acclaimed school residency program. Other Cleveland credits include Shane in The New Century at the Dobama Theatre and Voice Over and McInjun in The Cleveland Public Theatre’s Big Box Series. Currently residing in NYC, Steven played Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in an outdoor production on the Hudson River for NYC’s Pulse Ensemble Theatre. In addition to working as an actor in NYC, Steven is fortunate to work as a teaching artist for several theater companies in the Tri-State area. Other regional credits include T.J. Brooks in Southern Baptist Sissies, Tommy Murphy in Trainspotting at The Ringwald Theatre, White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland at The Hilberry Theatre and Tom Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Detroit Free Shakespeare. Big thanks to Charlie and the team at GLT for allowing him to come to his second home for work, and to friends and family for their endless love and support.
Understudies
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Austin Blunk, Kyle Carthens, Laurel Hoffman, Drew Kopas*, Juan Rivera LeBron*, David Anthony Smith*, M.A. Taylor*, Karen Thorla, Steven J. West
DIRECTORS & CHOREOGRAPHERS Martín Céspedes Choreographer, Much Ado About Nothing Four seasons at Great Lakes Theater Martín is happy to return to Great Lakes Theater and to be working with Sharon Ott for the first time. At Great Lakes, he has choreographed Comedy of Errors, Into theWoods, and Bat Boy: The Musical. He most recently staged the critically acclaimed Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson and Xanadu for Beck Center for the Arts. Favorite productions include Nine The Musical; Equus; Smokey Joe’s Café; Five Guys Named Moe; Ain’t Misbehavin’ and My Way (the Music of Frank Sinatra). He has appeared in several Broadway national tours, including Man of La Mancha with Jack Jones and Ron Holgate; The King and I with Hayley Mills, Marie Osmond, Maureen McGovern and Faith Prince; South Pacific with Robert Goulet; and West Side Story with Bebe Neuwirth. In New York, Martín staged choreography for the off-offBroadway production of Scrooge and Marley. He choreographed the opening acts for Earth, Wind, and Fire and the Bee Gees, and has appeared on TV’s Dance Fever and NBC’s Weekday Fever. His most recent opera credit was the lavish PBS production of Le Cid with Placido Domingo and the Washington Opera live from Kennedy Center, He is an alumnus of Jacque d’Amboise’s National Dance Institute at New York City’s PS 161. He is the recipient 2012 Cleveland Critics Award for Outstanding Body of Work, The News Herald 2012 Theater Award for Best Choreography, Cleveland Scene magazine’s 2012 Best Choreography for Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson and The 2011 Broadway World Award For Best Choreography in a Musical Theater Production. Thanks to my family and Marion for their support. Support the Arts, Any Arts. Charles Fee Director, Blithe Spirit; Producing Artistic Director Eleven seasons at Great Lakes Theater Directing credits at GLT: Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, All’s Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, Hay Fever, The Importance of Being Earnest, Arms and the Man and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Charles holds a unique position in the American theater as producing artistic director of three independently operated, professional theater companies: Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland, Ohio (since 2002), Idaho Shakespeare Festival in Boise, Idaho (since 1991) and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival in Lake Tahoe, Nevada (since 2010). His
family, and the generous communities he serves!
Save the Date
May 11, 2013 for speakeasy fun to benefit Great Lakes Theater. enjoy food and entertainment inspired by “Guys & Dolls” and productions past.
The gin
Password and location to be revealed to “serious party-goers.”
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Sharon Ott Director, Much Ado About Nothing Great Lakes Theater debut Sharon Ott has been a leading figure in the American theater for the past 30 years. She served as Artistic Director for two major theaters, the Berkeley Repertory Theater (for 13 years) and the Seattle Repertory Theater (for 8 years), winning many awards for her work as a director and producer, including three Bay Area Theater Awards (The Tooth Of Crime, Heartbreak House and You, Nero), several Hollywood Dramalogue awards (Ballad Of Yachiyo, The Lady From the Sea, Twelfth Night and others), the Elliot Norton Award (Boston, MA, for The Woman Warrior), the Paine Knickerbocker Lifetime Achievement Award (San Francisco, for Artistic Direction of Berkeley Rep) and an Obie Award (shared with members of Theatre X, Milwaukee, for A Fierce Longing- production design). During her last season as Artistic Director at Berkeley Rep, the company received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater. Ms. Ott has worked with such outstanding artists as Phillip Kan Gotanda, Anna Deavere Smith, Stephen Wadsworth, August Wilson, Mary Zimmerman, Ping Chong, Amy Freed and Nilo Cruz, and directed at theaters throughout the country, including Playwrights Horizons, the Public Theater and the Manhattan Theater Club in New
Great Lakes Theater
appointments have resulted in a dynamic and groundbreaking producing model for the companies, in which 45 plays have been shared since 2002. In 2009, Charles was honored to receive recognition for his leadership by the Cleveland Arts Prize as a recipient of the Martha Joseph Award. Other awards include The Mayor’s and Governor’s awards for Excellence in the Arts, in Boise, Idaho. From 1988 to 1992, he held the position of artistic director at the Sierra Repertory Theatre in California. He has also worked with The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, the Milwaukee and Missouri repertory theaters, Actor’s Theatre of Phoenix and the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival. In addition to his work with the companies in Ohio, Idaho and Nevada, Charles is active within the community. He has served as a member of the strategic planning committee for the Morrison Center, as producer of the FUNDSY Award Gala (’96, ’98 and 2000), and as producer of the 1996 Idaho Governor’s Awards in the Arts. Charles has served on the board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Downtown Rotary Club. He received his B.A. from the University of the Pacific and Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, San Diego. Along with his wife, Lidia, and 17-year-old daughter, Alexa, Charles resides in Boise, Cleveland and Lake Tahoe –– a feat that is only possible because of the incredible love and support of his
bath will
be tapped at 6 pm.
For more information please call the Development office: 216.453.1068 or visit greatlakestheater.org
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York, Arena Stage, South Coast Repertory, the Huntington Theater, Intiman and ACT/Seattle, La Jolla Playhouse and Utah Shakespeare Festival. She has also directed operas for San Diego Opera, Seattle Opera, and Opera Colorado. Ms. Ott is a member of the Executive Board of her union, SDC. She currently lives in Savannah, Georgia, where she is a professor and serves as the Artistic Director of the Performing Arts Department at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Much Ado About Nothing is her eighth Shakespeare play, and she is thrilled to return to his wonderful world, and is also thrilled to make her debut at Great Lakes Theater.
DESIGNERS
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Esther M. Haberlen Costume Designer, Much Ado about Nothing Nine seasons at Great Lakes Theater Esther is thrilled to make her Hanna Theatre debut on this production. Previous Designs with GLT Outreach: On the Dark Side of Twilight, Tales of the Decameron, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Double Heart. With GLT/CMSD All-City Musical – Dreamgirls, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Fame. Other theater: The Misanthrope (Cleveland Play House/ CWRU); The Secretaries, Sleep Deprivation Chamber, Fever Dream, Chalk Circle, The Santaland Diaries (Cleveland Public Theatre); The Little Dog Laughed (Beck Center); Tigers Be Still, Humble Boy, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Mirror Circle Transformation, The Pillowman, A Number(Dobama Theater); South Pacific (Jewish Community Center); You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Charlotte’s Web, The Hobbit (Willoughby Fine Arts Association). Opera: Semele, Orpheus in the Underworld (Baldwin Wallace Conservatory); Die Zauberflöte, La Finta Gardiniera, The Impressario, Suor Angelica (Cleveland Institute of Music); Lead Gowns for Salomé with Opera Cleveland and various productions for Cleveland Opera on Tour. Esther joined the staff of GLT in 2003 as Wardrobe Crew, working as Stitcher, Wardrobe Supervisor, and Draper along the way to her current position as Costume Director for GLT, Idaho Shakespeare and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare. Esther holds a BFA in Costume Design from the State University of New York – Fredonia and has also worked regionally for such theaters as the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater and The Chautauqua Conservatory. Much love and thanks to her amazing friends and colleagues in the shop and backstage for their enormous talent and support; and to her husband Richard, who makes everything and anything possible.
Hugh Landwehr Scenic Designer, Much Ado About Nothing Great Lakes Theater debut Hugh Landwehr’s work on Broadway has included productions of Frozen, Bus Stop, All My Sons and A View From The Bridge. Off-Broadway, he has designed Beyond The Horizon, Last Easter, Scattergood, Filumena and The Baby Dance, among others. He has had long and productive relationships with many regional theaters in the United States, including the Alley Theater in Houston, Texas; Long Wharf Theatre New Haven, Connecticut; CENTERSTAGE in Baltimore, Maryland; the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Seattle Repertory Theatre and The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C. During the summer, he has designed at the Berkshire Theatre Festival, the Williamstown Theatre Festival and the Westport Country Playhouse. He is a member of the faculty of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and has taught at the University of WisconsinMadison, the North Carolina School of the Arts and Williams College. He is proud to have twice been the recipient of NEA grants as an Associate Artist, to have won the Murphy Award in Design (administered by Long Wharf Theatre) and to be the 2003 winner of the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Set Design. He was educated at Yale College. Stephen LeGrand Sound Designer, Much Ado About Nothing Great Lakes Theater debut Stephen LeGrand has composed music and designed sound for theaters throughout the country, including Roundabout Theatre Company, The Public Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Huntington Theatre Company, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Alliance Theatre Company, Mark Taper Forum, Roundhouse Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse. He served as Resident Sound Designer at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco for 12 years before relocating to Savannah, where he is currently serving as the Graduate Coordinator of the Sound Design program at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Rick Martin Lighting Designer, The Winter’s Tale, The Imaginary Invalid, Blithe Spirit and Much Ado About Nothing Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater Many productions with GLT and ISF. Other theater: U.S. premiere of Kurt Weil’s Marie Galante (Opéra Français de NY), Hekabe, The Illiad and The Rage of Achilles with Music-Theatre Group (New York and
Santa Fe) and The Bitter Tears of Petra van Kant (Henry Miller Theatre, New York). Opera: Le Diable dans le beffroi, La Chute de la Maison Usher (Opéra national de Paris – scenery and lighting), Castor et Pollux, Pelléas et Méllisande and To Be Sung (Opéra Français de NY), Dialogues des Carmélites (Opéra de Toulon) and Roméo et Juliette (Spoleto Festival USA). Concerts: Le martyre de Saint Sébastien (Cité de la Musique, Paris and Arsenal, Metz), Orchestre national de Lyon and the Orchestre de Champs Élysées (Lyon, Poitiers, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, São Paulo). Coming up: Harawi (Opéra Comique, Paris - scenery and lighting) Member: United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE.
Tim Kinzel* Stage Manager, Blithe Spirit, Much Ado About Nothing Four seasons at Great Lakes Theater Stage manager credits for Great Lakes Theater include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, An Ideal Husband, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo & Juliet and The Imaginary Invalid. Assistant stage manager credits for Great Lakes Theater include The Mystery of Edwin Drood and A Christmas Carol. Tim has multiple stage management credits from the following
Corrie E. Purdum* Stage Manager, Much Ado About Nothing, A Christmas Carol and The Winter’s Tale Seven seasons at Great Lakes Theater GLT: The Taming of the Shrew, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Christmas Carol, The Tempest, Measure for Measure, The Crucible, Into the Woods, The Comedy of Errors, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Bat Boy: The Musical, Othello, The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Cabaret. Other credits include The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, seven seasons with Idaho Shakespeare Festival, six seasons with the Cleveland Play House and three seasons with Cain Park. Corrie is an alumna of Baldwin-Wallace College, where she teaches stage management.
Great Lakes Theater
STAGE MANAGEMENT
companies: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Playwrights Horizon, Cherry Lane Theater NYC and Houston’s Stages Repertory Theatre. He also holds multiple production assistant and intern credits with Alley Theater, Houston Grand Opera and Stages Repertory Theater. Tim owes an enormous debt of gratitude to his family, friends and coworkers for their positive push in life. “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”
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staff
Great Lakes Theater
Charles Fee, Producing Artistic Director Bob Taylor, Executive Director 2012–13 ARTISTIC COMPANY The Winter’s Tale, The Imaginary Invalid, A Christmas Carol, Blithe Spirit, Much Ado About Nothing DIRECTORS Jesse Berger, Sara Bruner, Charles Fee, Matthew Webb, Tracy Young, Sharon Ott DESIGNERS Christopher Acebo, David M. Barber, Martín Céspedes, Mary Jo Dondlinger, John Ezell, Gene Emerson Friedman, Esther M. Haberlen, Jason Hartley, Richard B. Ingraham, Stan Kozak, Hugh Landwehr, Stephen LeGrand, Tom Mardikes, Rick Martin, Russell Metheny, Paul James Prendergast, Lisa Reynolds, Ken Roht, James Scott, Kim Krumm Sorenson, Cynthia Stillings, Sara Jean Tosetti, Robert Waldman, Adam Wernick, Brandon Wolcott ACTORS J. Todd Adams*, Julia Ashkettle, Laura Welsh Berg, Lynn Robert Berg*, Laurie Birmingham*, Cassandra Bissell*, Austin Blunk, Neil Brookshire*, Lise Bruneau*, Sara M. Bruner*, Kyle Carthens, Kate Clay, Ashley Coleman, Aled Davies*, Jodi Dominick*, Kiara Durbin, Mackenzie Dale Durken, Tom Ford*, Shanara Gabrielle*, Ian Gould*, Laurel Hoffman, Paul Hurley*, Sara Hymes, Morgan August Isabella, Maggie Kettering*, Drew Kopas*, Kimbre Lancaster*, Juan Rivera Lebron*, Darryl Lewis*, Darren Matthias*, David McCann*, Chris McCarrell, Molly McGinnis*, Dougfred Miller*, Betsy Mugavero*, Cameron Danielle Nelson, Carly Marie Nelson, Cassidy Josephine Nelson, Bennett Palmer, Laura Perrotta*, Eduardo Placer*, David Anthony Smith*, Eric Damon Smith*, Dudley Swetland*, M.A. Taylor*, Matthew Taylor, Karen Thorla, Miles Gaston Villanueva*, Ryan Vincent, Jordan Whalen, Steven J. West, Cody Zak MANAGEMENT TEAM Artistic Associate.............................................................. Sara Bruner Production Manager......................................Christopher D. Flinchum Director of Education........................................................Daniel Hahn Marketing & Public Relations Director ...................Todd S. Krispinsky Development Director....................................................Holly Tomasch EDUCATION Education Associate............................................Kelly Schaffer Florian Associate Director of Education........................................Lisa Ortenzi School Residency Supervisor........................................ David Hansen Actor-Teachers School Residency Program............. Katelyn Cornelius, Melissa Crum, Andrew Gombas, Khaki Hermann, Tim Keo, Debbie Keppler, Eric Perusek, Brett Radke
ADMINISTRATION Audience Engagement Manager................................... Chris Fornadel Finance Associate ........................................................Tamara Nelson Development Associate..............................Kathy Schwartfigure-Yopp Trinity High School Interns........…..Jacqueline Brown, Hannah Maier, Emily Spies Office Volunteers........Janice Campbell, Barb Cercone, Janet Glaeser PRODUCTION Stage Managers.................................. Tim Kinzel*, Corrie E. Purdum* Production Assistant.........................................................Sarah Kelso Production Assistant................................................Kristen Boehnlein Production Associate.................................................... Jessica B. Lucas Technical Director.............................................................Mark Cytron Assistant Technical Director................................. William Langenhop Master Carpenter.............................................................Lindsay Loar Master Electrician.......................................................... Tammy Taylor Carpenter/Welders..........................Michael Esber, Richard Haberlen, Fritz Lombardi Properties Master.............................................................Terry Martin Charge Scenic Artist............................................................Angi Grow Scenic Artist...............................................................Christine Dugan Costume Shop Manager........................................ Esther M. Haberlen Assistant Shop Manager/Draper.......................................... Leah Loar Draper.................................................................... Katherine Rommell First Hands.................................................. Carol Fitch, Grace Keenan Stitchers...........................................Stephanie Fisher, Michelle Metro Design Assistant/Craft Artisan.................................Krista Tomorowitz Costume Interns.............................. Jamie Farkas, Kelly Wannamaker Wardrobe Supervisor........................................................... Anji Dunn Wardrobe Crew....... Christopher Ersing, Beth Foble, Kelly Wannamaker Run Crew........................................................ Greg Falcione, Gary Zsigra Staff Sound Desinger......................................... Richard B. Ingraham Assistant Sound Designer........................................Jeremiah Sinopoli Hanna Theatre Crew.........Thomas Boddy, Chris Guy, Shaun Milligan, Robert Prah *Members of Actors’ Equity Association Special Thanks: Arrow Video Great Lakes Theater is a member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT) and operates under agreements with LORT, Actors’ Equity Association, American Federation of Musicians, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and the United Scenic Artists, which are unions representing professional actors, stage managers, musicians, stagehands, directors, choreographers, and designers, respectively, in the United States.
A not-for-profit performing arts center that presents and produces a wide variety of performing arts, advances arts education and creates a destination that is a superior location for entertainment, business and housing, thereby strengthening the economic vitality of the region.
Playbill Editor: Linda Feagler
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For advertising information, please contact Jennifer Roberts: 216-377-3667
at PlayhouseSquare
mArch/AprIL ALLEN
HANNA
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The Devil’s Music Blithe Spirit Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music
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OHIO
PALACE
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The Devil’s Music Sister Act
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Sister Act Ina Garten
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WESTFIELD INSURANCE STUDIO THEATRE
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Flanagan’s Wake The Devil’s Music Blithe Spirit Joshua Seth Identity Theft Sesame Street Live Plastic Cup Boyz
Flanagan’s Wake The Devil’s Music Blithe Spirit Joshua Seth Identity Theft Sesame Street Live Mark Morris Dance
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The Devil’s Music Blithe Spirit Identity Theft Sister Act
Flanagan’s Wake The Devil’s Music Blithe Spirit Identity Theft Sister Act A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer
Flanagan’s Wake The Devil’s Music Blithe Spirit Identity Theft Sister Act Class By the Glass
Sister Act
Sister Act
Flanagan’s Wake Last Call Cleveland Sister Act John Mulaney
Flanagan’s Wake Last Call Cleveland Sister Act
Flanagan’s Wake Last Call Cleveland Good People My Brother Marvin
Flanagan’s Wake Last Call Cleveland Good People My Brother Marvin Ted Neeley
Good People Flanagan’s Wake CSU Dance Concert Good People CSU Dance Concert Much Ado About Nothing
Flanagan’s Wake Good People CSU Dance Concert Much Ado About Nothing Mike Epps Live
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Rick Steves’ Europe My Brother Marvin Through the Back Door
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APRIL
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Much Ado About Nothing Kathy Griffin Esperanza Spalding Good People
Much Ado About Nothing War Horse Good People
Fela! Good People
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War Horse Good People
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Much Ado About Nothing Fela! Good People
Flanagan’s Wake Much Ado About Nothing 1964 the Tribute Good People Perhaps, Pericles
Flanagan’s Wake Much Ado About Nothing Celtic Woman Good People Perhaps, Pericles
Much Ado About Nothing War Horse Good People
Much Ado About Nothing War Horse Rita Dove Good People
Flanagan’s Wake Much Ado About Nothing War Horse Good People Perhaps, Pericles Keyshia Cole
Flanagan’s Wake Much Ado About Nothing War Horse Cle. School of Dance Good People Perhaps, Pericles
War Horse
War Horse Miss Julie
Flanagan’s Wake War Horse Miss Julie Rich Girl A. Neville/Dr. John Perhaps, Pericles
Flanagan’s Wake War Horse Miss Julie Rich Girl Robert Glasper Kenny Garrett Smooth Jazz All-Stars Perhaps, Pericles
Flanagan’s Wake Miss Julie Rich Girl Michael Feinstein Perhaps, Pericles
Flanagan’s Wake Miss Julie Rich Girl Bill Frisell/Joe Lovano Natalie Cole Chris Mann Perhaps, Pericles
Fela! Good People
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The Devil’s Music Blithe Spirit Identity Theft Sister Act
Great Lakes Theater
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The Devil’s Music Blithe Spirit Sister Act
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Miss Julie Rich Girl Perhaps, Pericles
22 23 Stuart McLean Fair on the Square
Rich Girl
Rich Girl Erik Larson
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Rich Girl Theresa Caputo
Miss Julie Rich Girl Boney James
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