RRH Show Program

By Allison Gregory

PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS

Show Sponsored By:

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Welcome to The Rose

Thank you from each one of us at The Rose for sharing your family’s time with us. Theaters across the country are struggling to navigate these years after the pandemic. We feel so incredibly lucky to have you here with us, particularly at this moment.

The artists whose work you are here to see are professionals, even if they are student artists. The vast majority of them are also from this community. They make their lives as your neighbors. The same is true of the dedicated staff responsible for everything from maintaining this historic building to designing this program, to teaching wonderful classes in design, acting, singing, and dance.

As your only professional theater for young audiences, we are also proud to bring you some of the best working artists from around the country. Though they are guests in our community, these folks care deeply about helping children see themselves reflected onstage.

We hope our work uplifts you and your young people, that it contributes to your sense of connection to this place, and to the people around you. We need your presence to complete the act of making theater, so the gift of you being here is deeply appreciated by all of us who call The Rose our home.

Matt Gutschick Artistic Director

2023-24 Mainstage Season

Arthur & Friends Make a Musical

Sept. 8 - 24, 2023

WORLD PREMIERE

Life Doesn’t Frighten Me: I Am Fearless Royalty

Oct. 6 - 22, 2023

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Dec. 1 - 23, 2023

Night at the Farm: A Bedtime Party

Jan. 19 - Feb. 4, 2024

Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds

Feb. 23 - Mar. 10, 2024

Red Riding Hood

Mar. 22 - Apr. 7, 2024

Charlotte’s Web

Apr. 19 - May 5, 2024

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

June 7 - 23, 2024

Board of Directors

President

Michelle Smithberg

Past President

Bill Stott

President-Elect

Debora Wisneski

VP of Marketing/Development

Paul Tranisi

VP of Finance

Maureen Ereckson

Production/Education

Jennifer Petersen

Secretary/By-Laws

Troy Romero

Ex-Officio Non-Voting Member

Allison Balus

Foundation Representative

Amy Ryan

Board Members

Maranda Adams

Jen Bartholomew

Kanyon Chism

Dr. Kerry-Ann Escayg

Katherine MacHolmes

Merri Melvin

Divyaprakash (DP) Modi

Doris Moore

Megan Horn

Gennean Scott

Thomas Sowinski

Joanna Swanson

John Tinius

Sarah Weller

The Rose Guild

The Rose Guild is a group of dedicated volunteers who support The Rose by hosting and attending friendraisers and fundraisers throughout the season. Fundraisers include Rockin’ Rosie (Apr. 6, 2024 at Champions Run) and the Guild Boutiques that accompany select main stage productions.

The Guild is also proud to continue a “Rosebud” membership that allows children 18 and under to help support family-oriented performing arts. Rosebuds can meet actors, tour the stage, and receive an item at The Guild Boutique. For additional information about Rosebuds and to download an application, visit http://www.rosetheater.org/support/the-rose-theater-guild/ and click on “Rosebuds.”

Guild Exec Board: Megan Horn, Molly Junge, Stephanie Poots, Haley Lubeck, Jessica Holdenreid, Michelle Pernicek, Elizabeth Thielen, Sarah Volpone

Rockin’ Rosie Chairs: Molly Junge Hoskins, Caitlin Jones

Guild Members: Christin Merwald, Alyssa Lindahl, Rachel Skradski Luhrs, Ashley Kunes, Kayla Raimondo, Claire Stevens, Kerri Lewis, Tanin Arkfeld, Erin Moran, Steph Drewnoski, Caitlin Jones, Lauren Sparks

Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors

Season Sponsors: Show Sponsors: Show sponsors make it possible for The Rose to offer high-quality performances for the entire family!

Baird Holm LLP

FNBO

Kiewit

Max I. Walker

Mutual of Omaha

National Endowment for the Arts

Nebraska Arts Council

Nebraska Cultural Endowment

Omaha Steaks

Physicians Mutual

Runza® Restaurants

Wells Fargo

Special thanks to The Rose’s Every Single Child sponsors!

Sherwood Foundation

Omaha Public Schools Foundation

Dixon Family Foundation

Holland Foundation

Iowa West Foundation

The Bob & Evelyn Veach Foundation

Special thanks to the Veach Foundation for providing free memberships to more than 250 families!

Lincoln Financial Foundation

Papillion-LaVista Community Schools Foundation

Ruth & Bill Scott

Nebraska Arts Council

The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported this program through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

Visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

In 1989, through LB262, the Nebraska Legislature authorized Douglas County to establish a “County Visitors Improvement Fund” to promote tourism through funds derived from a special hotel tax. The Rose is pleased to acknowledge this grant to support programs that promote tourism. It represents tangible recognition of the importance of arts in the Omaha area.

By Allison Gregory

PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS

Matt Gutschick

Scenic Designer

Whitney Lehn Meltz

Sponsors:

Meghan Boucher Director

Props Designer/Coordinator

Ren Walther Stage Manager

Costume, Hair, & Makeup Designer

Zach Kloppenborg

Lighting Designer

Sierra Smith

Sound Designer/Engineer

Christy Hernandez

Opening Night Sponsor:

Special thanks to our fun sponsor Oriental Trading Company for its donation to the Guild Boutique!

The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported this program through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Cast

Delivery Person ...............................................................

Carina DuMarce

Wolfgang ............................................................................ Rachel Smart

Rose Production Team

Artistic Director Matt Gutschick

Director of Production ......................................................... Sarah Buck

Director of Strategy and Community Impact ....................... Kathy Tyree

Technical Director ....................................................... Jackson Curtright

Props Mistress......................................................... Devon Denn-Young

Resident Lighting Designer & Lead Electrician ...................... Matt Benes

Resident Sound Designer & Audio Engineer .............. Christy Hernandez

Resident Stage Manger Meghan Boucher

Scenic Charge Artist ......................................................... Trent Grooms

Costume & Makeup Director..................................... Zach Kloppenborg

Costume Shop Manager...................................................... Katie Greve

General Production Technician ........................................... Ren Walther

Stage Management Apprentice ............................. Erin McNeley-Phelps

Electrics/Audio Apprentice .................................................. Sierra Smith

Swing Tech Aiden Carmen

Drapers ................................................. Katie Greve, Zach Kloppenborg

Stitchers ...................... Katie Greve, Seana Holmes, Zach Kloppenborg

Run Crew ....................................................................... Ransom Buda

Wurlitzer

Theater Pipe Organ

The preshow music was provided by The Rose Theater’s own Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ. The Rose is privileged to have a restored 3 manual, 21 rank theatre pipe organ which was originally installed when the theatre was built in 1927. The Rose is fortunate to have this unique instrument. It is the only theatre pipe organ in concert condition in the state.

The River City Theatre Organ Society (RCTOS); maintains and supports the Rose’s Wurlitzer. We would love to have you as a member. If you would like to be added to our email list informing you of other concerts sponsored by RCTOS, go to our web site and send us your email address. Our membership is composed of music appreciators from all walks of life. Many of our member’s simply enjoy the music. For more information, check out our web site at RCTOS.com

Our members volunteer their time and labor. The funding from RCTOS help keep the ROSE’s Wurlitzer organ in top condition. We would love to have you as a member!

If you would like to see and hear this fabulous Wurlitzer in a formal concert setting, please come to our annual public concert here at the Rose. Each year our concert date is held in mid-August. Every year (in cooperation with the Rose’s staff), RCTOS features the mighty Wurlitzer in concert. Theatre organists from around the world are featured. The console is placed on center stage. You would hear music from show tunes, big band, and popular songs. The exact concert date will be on our web site (rctos.com) and also will be noted in the ROSE’s monthly email “Blast” sent to ROSE members. Proceeds from this event are used by RCTOS for the organ’s maintenance. RCTOS is a non-profit organization.

April 27 & 28

Hoff Center

May 11 & 12

Orpheum Theater

Rose Donors

This list reflects gifts received April 1, 2023 - February 8, 2024. Gifts received after February 8 will be acknowledged in the next show program. Thanks to these generous corporate sponsors, foundations, government agencies and individual donors, The Rose Theater is able to enrich the lives of children and families through live theater and arts education.

P

Denotes donation in memory of Tracy Iwersen

Wizard of Oz ($10,000+)

Adah and Leon Millard Foundation

Children’s Nebraska Collective For Youth Dixon Family Foundation

Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund

EPIC!

Faith Foundation

FNBO

Hager Family Foundation

Hawks Foundation

Holland Foundation

Iowa West Foundation

Kiewit

Lozier Foundation

Mammel Family Foundation

Max I. Walker

Mutual of Omaha National Endowment for the Arts

Nebraska Arts Council

Nebraska Cultural Endowment

Nebraska EDA Tourism Grant

Nebraska Furniture Mart Pacific Life Foundation

Parker Family Foundation

Pape Family Foundation

Richard Brooke Foundation

The Rose Blumkin

Performing Arts Center Foundation

The Rose Guild

Ruth & William Scott

The Sherwood Foundation

The Shubert Foundation

Bob & Evelyn Veach Foundation

Weitz Family Foundation

Whitmore Charitable Trust

Fairy Godmother ($5,000 – $9,999)

Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation

Hy-Vee Food Stores

Kum & Go

Lincoln Financial Foundation

Allan & Ann Mactier

Charitable Foundation

Physicians Mutual

Runza® Restaurants

Wells Fargo

Prince Charming ($2,500 – $4,999)

Joanie & Larry Friend

Molly & Toby Schropp

Mother Goose ($1,000 – $2,499)

Roger Blauwet

Children’s Theatre

Foundation of America

Cindy Calhoun

Milton S. & Corinne N.

Livingston Foundation Fund

Sharee & Murray Newman

Alexander Payne

Lynn Perry

Heather & Meyer Schwartz

Michelle Smithberg

Mary Weinheimer P

Roberta Wilhelm & Vic Gutman

Princess Aurora ($500 – $999)

Jerry Brabec P

Nicki Cleveland

Michael Dively - in honor of Brian Guehring

Ike & Roz Friedman Foundation

Mark & Deborah Heeney Foundation

Terry Helphrey

Amy & Mike Ryan

Scheels

Kate & Roger Weitz

V. Sue Whitesel

Jiminy Cricket ($250-$499)

Christi Janssen

Christopher Wiig P

Susan Koenig P

Little Red Riding Hood ($100 – $249)

Stephen Abate P

Susan Allen

Ruth Brace P

Tracy Chaplin

Michael Faust

Amy Fountaine

Elizabeth Golmanavich

Michael Gross

Laura & Jim Hale

Sally & Dan Hartley

Rose Donors (cont.)

Carol Haas

Matt Hoppe

S. Thomas Johnson P

Brian Knauss

Susan Koenig

Alixandra Kruntorad

Shelly Kuhen P

Dody Kupka

John MacLay

Eric Radloff

Kori Radloff P

Peggy Reinecke & Dean Arkfeld

Mary Roth

Julie Sacks P

Aveva & Marty Shukert

Sissy & Howard Sibler

Eve Simon

Bill Slovinski

Catherine Sutko

Catherine Tenn P

Pippi Longstockings (Up to $100)

Kristin Acker

Holly Alexander

Alley Poyner Macchietto

Architecture

Dean Bachman

Ian Baker

Carrie Barry

Katie Behounek

Krystal Betts

Colleen Blanchard

Megan Blankman

Dmitry Borisov

April Bradley

Cheryl Brown

Sarah Buck P

Laura Calvert P

Desiree Cannon

Felicia Cervantes

David Corbin

Brenda Cornelius

Amy Cotton P

Dan Croson

Jodi Custer

Jayson Emig

Jennifer Farmer

Cortny Faurot

Amy Fricke

Maurissa Genant

John & KayLynn Goldner

Pam Goswick

Melanie Griffiths

Amy Handler P

Rosalind Heckman

Susan Heese

Christy Hernandez P

Alicia Hoffman

Mandy Howe

Stephanie Jacobson P

Alanna Janssen

Edward Kalick

Emily Koch

Sam Kooienga

Jennifer Koom

Nick Korth

Kourtney King Conrad

Debra Kroll

Rhonda Lemieux

Sara Levy

Lissette Aliaga Linares

Taylor Litz

Stephen Lopez

Jaclyn McClanahan

Breanna Marsh

Don Keelan-White

Kris McKinley

Merri Melvin

Stacee Milan

Patron

Andrea Butler

Holly Chandler

Charles Morris

Harry Ngondo

Kelly Nielsen

Marshall Okeefe

Hope Peabody

Jason Peplinski

Sarah Rider P

Wren Robinson

Jade Rogers

Kristine Rohwer

Mary Roth

Jeff Sauvageau

Corinne & Alden Schmitz

Steve Salavec P

Travis Steen

Juliet Summers

Megan Tamisiea

Megan Thornton P

Colan Tollison

Eva Vachal

Heidi Venteicher Dingman

Dorcas Waruingi

Kurt Weidauer

Margaret Welsch

Peggy Witthauer

Debora Wisneski

Keli Wragge

Bruce Yoder

Jeff Young

Ryan Youtz

Michele & Robert Zadalis

In-Kind Donations

Deb Preston

Members WE SEND OUT A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO OUR 2023-24 PATRON MEMBERS:

Daniel & Sally Hartley

Debbie & Mark Heeney

Dick & Dot Connealy

Andrew Cutinella

Nina Eary

Karen Fitzgibbons

Ryan Foor

Neely & John Miller

Rosemary Pauley

Michelle Pernicek

Lynn Perry

Nicolle Peterson

Rockin’ Rosie Donors

Presenting Sponsors

Faith Foundation

Skip & Katy Joyce

Leland & Dorothy Olson Foundation

Valmont Industries, Inc.

Benefactors

Alvine & Associates, Inc.

E Creative

Heider Family Foundation

Kiewit

Pinnacle Bank

Signature Sponsors

Anonymous

Carson Wealth

Mutual of Omaha

Patron Sponsors

Jennie Bartholomew

FNBO

Kutak Rock

Bill & Jodie Mackintosh Family Foundation

Merri Melvin

Microsoft

Parker Family Foundation

Brandon & Ashley Rich

Toby & Molly Schropp

Roxanne & Dan Wach

Howard Woodward

Bruce Yoder

Donors

Baird Holm

Black Hills Energy

Deloitte

Dundee Bank

Gary & Lisa Gotsdiner

Hancock & Dana PC

Lincoln Financial Group

Lueder Construction

Lund Company

McCarthy Capital

Millard Lumber

Rosebud

Crew Hale

Graecyn Hale

Elizabeth Horn

Fletcher Horn

Aia Huckins

Magnus Huckins

Dierk Johnson

Ruby Johnson

Henry Kerns

Katie Kerns

Adalyn Lee

Cummings Lee

Emily Lee

Ezra Lee

Tristin Lee

Rosebuds are kids 18 and under who support The Rose Theater! Membership is $20 and includes invitations to special events, goodie bags at shows, recognition in each program and much more. Please see The Rose Guild boutique in the lobby or the Box Office to join!

Quentin Lindahl

Cecilia Lubeck

Henry Lubeck

Teddy Lubeck

Olivia McCormick

Frank Merwald

Jack Merwald

James Merwald

Michael Moran

James Pernicek

Lily Pernicek

Carter Poots

Olive Poots

Taylor Poots

Fordham Rich

Preston Rich

Elise Risicato

Hattie Scallon

Maren Scallon

Augustus Schroen

Phoebe Schroen

Eleanor Senft

Howie Senft

Charlie Sparks

George Sparks

Harper Stawniak

Gianluca Stevens

Gianna Stevens

Josyln Thompson

Lilly Townsend

Sophia Townsend

Annabella Volpone

Giuliana Volpone

William Volpone

Parking is no predicament at The Rose

Imagine if every time you came to The Rose, there was a parking spot waiting for you at one of the closest and most convenient spots in the area. This dream is now a reality!

Thanks to the Omaha Douglas Public Building Commission, Rose audience members can now park for just $2 in the parking garage at 1910 Harney Street (the corner of 19th & Harney) on weekend show days. This convenient location across the street from The Rose allows families quick and easy access to the theater at an affordable price.

“This is a wonderful benefit to our visitors,” says Rose managing director Julie Walker. “The families visiting The Rose now have access to the closest parking facility -- literally just across the street to the southeast -- at a rate less than they would pay at other uncovered lots or at a parking meter. We are so grateful to the Omaha Douglas Public Building Commission for the use of the garage.”

Rose Theater Staff

Artistic Director Managing Director

Matthew Gutschick Julie Walker

Production Staff

Director of Production – Sarah Buck

Resident Stage Manager – Meghan Boucher

Costume & Makeup Director – Zach Kloppenborg

Costume Shop Manager – Katie Greve

Technical Director – Jackson Curtright

Properties Mistress – Devon Denn-Young

Scenic Charge Artist – Trent Grooms

Resident Lighting Designer & Lead Electrician – Matt Benes

Resident Sound Designer & Audio Engineer – Christy Hernandez

General Production Technician – Ren Walther

Lighting/Audio Apprentice – Sierra Smith Stage Management Apprentice – Erin McNeley-Phelps

Swing Technician – Aiden Carman

Company Artists – Mykala Bazzell, Donovaughn Daniels, Carina DuMarce, Brian Guehring, Jay Hayden, Stephanie Jacobson, Michael James, Jackie Kappes, Biannah Peji-Palm, Elizabeth Peller, Zoella Sneed

Playwright in Residence & Literary Manager – Brian Guehring

Education Director – Jackie Kappes Director of Musical Theater Education & Dance – Aubrey Fink

Director of Youth Productions & Associate Director of Musical Theater Education – Michael James

Associate Director of Musical Theater Education & Dance – David Nuno

Competition Dance Director – Mimi Lawry

Early Education Director – Stephanie Jacobson

Director of Teen Programming – Jay Hayden

Director of School-Based Programming – Zoella Sneed

Teaching Artists - Kenna Antaya, Mykala Bazzell, Emily Boganowski, Claire Booton, Jerry Brabec, Roger Bunnell, Shelby Burr, Carina DuMarce, Wendy Eaton, Angie Frey, Brian Guehring, Natalie Hanson, Jay Hayden, Alfred Ibsen, Stephanie Jacobson, Michael James, Jen Kalvoda, Jackie Kappes, Lucy Kupka, Mimi Lawry, Grace Manley, Elizabeth Peller, DeAnn Mauro, Nikki McMullen, Michael Montez, Avery Newman, Rhyan Nolan, David Nuno, Biannah Peji-Palm, Sarah Ryland, Zoella Sneed, Laurelin Sterns, Hannah Taylor, Stephanie Tepox, Alex Vandenberg, Shelby Weis

Teaching Artist Fellows – Marcus Butteweiler, Breanna Mack, Erin O’Hara, Rachel Smart

Rose Studios Manager – Biannah Peji-Palm

Rose Studios for Youth Artists Desk Attendants – Robin Franco, Elizabeth Gocek, Jen Lemke, Jules Logue, Grace Luis, Alex Vanderberg, Meghan Witte

Summer Interns – Taylor Coffer, Abby Schreiber, Izzy Scozzaro, Natalie Renk, Lydia Rice, Eric Schutt, Rachel Smart, Danielle Tanner, Elizabeth Veloso, Sophie Williams

High School Interns – Shelby Gerken, Vox Hoffman, Katie Howell, Iman Pearson, Wren Robinson, Astria Smith, Tristan Tyson

Director of CommUNITY Connections – Isaiah Ruiz

Associate Director of CommUNITY Connections – Carina DuMarce

CommUNITY Connnections Coordinator – Doriette Jordan

Finance Director – Janelle Kupka

Director of Strategy and Community Impact – Kathy Tyree

Facilities Director – Scott Kupka Facilities Staff – Hubert Clark, Michelle Clark

Audience Services Director – Mandy Aleksiak School & Class Coordinator – Lindy Glenn

Audience Services Manager – Cici Gruber

Box Office Assistants – Alex Beil, Ransom Buda, Sarah Caruso, Ali Gustafson, Grace Luis, Jey Nelson, Rowan Owens, Zachary Pachol, Pretzel Urwin, Molly Zabawa

Marketing Director – Kori Radloff Marketing Associates – Audrey Wardian, Zachary Pachol

Development Consultant – Vic Gutman Development Specialist – Lisa Winton

Grants Manager – Mary Hubl

Art is a spark that shines from within.

Never underestimate the power of the arts to illuminate and inspire. Each performance is an expression of what makes us human, and a reminder that we’re all meant to shine.

CHI Health is proud to support The Rose Theater. CHIhealth.com