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8/17/2017 3:51:15 PM
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to another exciting season at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. We hope that you enjoy performances here with family and friends, that you are amazed by the talent on stage and that each performance connects with you in a meaningful way. We have planned a variety of exciting programs this season. We hope you will save the date for such performances as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Cirque Holidaze, Letterman Christmas, Branford Marsalis, Verb Ballet, and so many others.
2017-2018 Season
Dear Patron,
As you entered the hall, we hope you noticed the improvements we have made. Regal wood panels have been installed on both sides of the lobby atrium walls, areas have received a fresh coat of paint, and new energy-saving LED lights have been installed. We are committed to preserving the integrity of the Hall for generations to enjoy.
As our season continues, stay connected with Thomas Hall by visiting our website at UAevents.com and signing up to receive our weekly e-news, and by liking our Facebook page (facebook.com/EJThomasHall) for contests, pre-sale offers and more. Thank you for supporting E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall at The University of Akron.
Margo E. Ohlson Director of Theatre Operations
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
Nathan J. Mortimer, CPA Vice President for Finance & Administration/ CFO
EJ THOMAS HALL
Thanks to the generosity of The Flying Balcony Club, a new red house curtain was purchased for the Thomas Hall stage. The curtain is colossal in size, with two panels that are each 38 feet high by 32 feet wide. To thank the members, a light will shine on the stage curtain to highlight the Flying Balcony logo before each performance.
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2017-2018 Season
EJ THOMAS HALL
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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Phone Numbers you should know: Ticket Office..........................330-253-2488 Information Counter..........330-972-6828 General Information...........330-972-7595 Lost and Found....................330-972-7595 Website........................ www.uaevents.com Ticket Office
Guest Services
Advance tickets are available at the EJ Thomas Hall Ticket Office Monday through Friday 10 am-4 pm. On days of shows the Box Office is open two hours prior to show times.
Assistive Listening System The Williams Personal Assisted sound system is available at the McCormick Information counter for all performances. This is a special receiver with headphones or loop to enable the listener to hear the spoken word more clearly.
Tickets may also be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000, or at Ticketmaster outlets. There is a per ticket service charge and handling fee for all Ticketmaster purchases. Discounts are not available. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Refunds – Please check your tickets carefully, as all sales are final. Exchanges are not permitted. Refunds are given if an event is canceled and are made to the original purchaser at the point of purchase. Beware of Ticket Scalpers EJ Thomas Hall is not responsible for tickets purchased through unauthorized third parties. Tickets to EJ Thomas Hall events may not be resold at a premium. Tickets ordered within nine (9) days of the performance will be held at Will Call. A photo ID is needed to pick up Will Call tickets. Gift Certificates are available and are valid for up to one year from the date of purchase. Cancellations, postponed events, or inclement weather – On rare occasions severe weather may cause EJ Thomas Hall to cancel or postpone an event. Event cancellation information is available by calling The University of Akron emergency information number at 330-972-SNOW (7669.) You may also visit our website, Facebook page, or Twitter for the most upto-date information.
Accessible Seating EJ Thomas Hall has seating for patrons in wheelchairs and special needs at Entry 10 in the Orchestra and Entry 14 on the Grand Tier level. Patrons needing assistance to their seat may stop at the Information Counter in McCormick Lobby. An usher will assist you with wheelchair transportation to your seating area. Requests should be made when ordering tickets by calling the Ticket Office at 330-253-2488. Handicap Parking There are a limited number of handicap parking spaces available in the EJ Thomas Hall parking deck. Additional spaces are located in Lots 26 and 27, directly across from the Hill Street entrance. Show a valid H/C permit and traffic police will direct you to the nearest spot. There is a $5 charge for all parking. Accessible Restrooms Accessible restrooms are located at the bottom of both ramps on either side of the building. Family Events Some events at EJ Thomas Hall are specifically designed for children and families and we encourage you to enjoy these events. For performances not suitable for young children, parents are asked to use discretion.
Intermission Intermissions are 20 minutes in length. Lobby lights will flash as your signal to return to your seat for the start of the performance.
For a Wonderful Evening … Live performance is truly magical; art created from the energy flowing between people on both sides of the curtain. When you attend a show, you are part of the experience. There is no rewind or instant replay at a live event. In general: n Leave home early enough to find parking and locate your seats before the performance begins. Remember to allow time for poor weather conditions, heavy traffic, road construction and parking congestion, especially on school nights.
n Read the program notes.
n Patrons on emergency call status should leave their name and seat location at the Information Desk so that we may reach you during a pause in the performance n Smoke Free/Tobacco Free – EJ Thomas Hall is a smoke and tobacco free building. This includes e-cigarettes. n Unless instructed to do so by the performers, do not talk, hum, sing along or beat time. n Aisles must be kept free of any obstructions for safety. n For your enjoyment, food and beverages purchased at EJ Thomas Hall are permitted inside the theatre for selected shows. n In the event of an emergency, ushers and other members of the staff will advise audience members as to the appropriate procedures to exit the theater as quickly and safely as possible. Patrons needing special assistance should contact the ushers.
Interested in renting EJ Thomas Hall for that special occasion or performance? Please call 330-972-7595 or email ejthomas@uakron.edu.
uaevents.com
n Safety First – Listen to the pre-show announcements and note the emergency exit routes.
Theater Policies n Cameras or any other recording devices are not permitted – this includes cell phones. Please silence all electronic devices as a courtesy to both other audience members and the performers.
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
Subscriber Lounge As a season subscriber to the Broadway in Akron shows, you not only “lock in” your seats from season to season, but you also enjoy live music, snacks and a private bar in Goodrich Lobby before the performance and during intermission. Season subscribers also receive complimentary parking for the performances, get priority offers to special events and have a personal Ticket Office contact for ticket exchange and replacement services.
Following these general rules of the theater will ensure that everyone can enjoy the show.
EJ THOMAS HALL
ATM PNC Bank has an ATM in the Ticket Office Lobby for your convenience. Food and beverage service is cash only.
n When in doubt, ask the ushers. They are here to help.
2017-2018 Season
Seating Latecomers Please note the curtain time printed on your tickets as performances begin promptly. Latecomers will be seated at a suitable pause in the program. This includes patrons who leave the auditorium before or during a selection.
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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2017-2018 Season
Edwin J. “Eddie” Thomas, 1899-1986 Born in 1899, the son of an East Akron postman, “Eddie” Thomas started with The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 1926 as a stenographer and worked his way up to President at age 41 (1940), Chief Executive Officer (1956) and Chairman of the Board (1958). Upon his retirement in 1964, at a time where most people would have put their feet up and relaxed, Thomas, who had been a Director of The University of Akron since 1952, turned his energies toward the future of Akron itself. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Area Progress Board he helped raise large sums of money to pump life into “the old hometown.” Projects focused on downtown redevelopment became a reality and his dedication to the United Fund and other local charities helped untold numbers of Akron residents. Even today, The E. J. Thomas Foundation continues to support many local charities and benefits the community. So persuasive were his powers and his personality that in 1967 Goodyear made a pacesetting gift of $1.25 million, the largest ever given to the University at the time, to name the performing arts hall on its campus in his honor. At the July 30, 1968 groundbreaking, Mr. Thomas and Norman P. Auburn, President Emeritus, made the following remarks: “This building will provide an inspiration for all those who labored over the years to keep the light of culture burning in Akron. This structure reflects the inspiration of Norman P. Auburn and all of the trustees, the campaign workers and the donors who have worked so hard to get it.” —Edwin J. Thomas “The opening of the Edwin J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall is another evidence of the splendid town and gown relationship in Akron. This majestic structure will now serve as a cultural bridge, linking together a thriving community and a great University. All of us who worked over the years to bring this worthy project to fruition are grateful to the thousands of donors whose gifts turned a dream into a reality.” —Norman P. Auburn, president emeritus, The University of Akron (1973)
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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2017-2018 Season 8
Sarah Chang
A Thank You… Special appreciation is extended to the John S. Knight and James L. Knight Foundation for the generous support of EJ Thomas Hall. Knight Foundation has funded the EJ Thomas Hall Endowment to enhance programming, established the John S. Knight Lectureship at The University of Akron and continues to fund contemporary performers at EJ Thomas Hall. Founded by brothers Jack and Jim Knight, newsmen who owned the Akron Beacon Journal, Knight Foundation fosters more informed and engaged communities. The foundation’s arts program works to make art general in Knight communities, so that a range of programming is seen and felt across the city. Knight invests in some of the city’s anchor arts institutions, helping them better engage the public, and in smaller initiatives through the Knight Arts Challenge, which funds the best ideas for the arts. Over the past several years, the arts program has invested $11 million in the Akron arts, including funding for a new national choreography center at The University of Akron and support for grassroots efforts through the challenge. The University of Akron and EJ Thomas Hall would like to thank John Palfrey, chairman of the foundation’s board, and Alberto Ibargüen, president, for their continued support of EJ Thomas Hall. The University also wishes to recognize the leadership of Hodding Carter, III, former president, CEO and trustee and his predecessors Creed Black, C. Colmery Gibson and Ben Maidenburg. Special recognition is also extended to Dr. W. Gerald Austen, University of Akron Honorary alumnus, as former chairman and trustee of Knight Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Learn more about the foundation at knightfoundation.org.
uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL
AMBER JACOBSEN, NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS LLC, COL JOYE IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIONSGATE AND MAGIC HOUR PRODUCTIONS present
By
ELEANOR BERGSTEIN with
AARON PATRICK CRAVEN
KALEIGH COURTS
ANAÏS BLAKE ERICA LEE CIANCIULLI NICKOLAUS COLÕN RYAN CUPELLO BUDDY DANIELS FRIEDMAN RICK GROSSMAN DEMITRA PACE OWEN RUSSELL CHRISTOPHER ROBERT SMITH RAMOND THOMAS ALEX CALDWELL AYLA CICCONE-BURTON AMANDA CLEMENT J'ROYCE JATA HUNTER MIKLES HONZA PELICHOVSKY ERICA PHILPOT JOSHUA CLIFTON POWELL HANNAH STRANEY JAY STUART KELSEY WALSH AIDAN ZIEGLER-HANSEN Set Designer
Lighting Designer
Costume Designer
Sound Designer
MIKIKO SUZUKI MACADAMS
KEN BILLINGTON
JENNIFER IRWIN
LEON ROTHENBERG
Hair Designer
Associate Costume Designer
Ballroom & Latin Choreographer
Casting
BERNIE ARDIA
ANNA STAINBACK
CRAIG WILSON
STEWART/WHITLEY
Associate Director
Associate Choreographer
ILANA RANSOM TOEPLITZ
TOBIN DEL CUORE
Music Director
Music Coordinator
ALAN J. PLADO Production Stage Manager
SHELBY STARK
JOHN MEZZIO
Tour Booking
Company Manager
Marketing & Publicity Direction
THE ROAD COMPANY CHRISTOPHER KETNER BOND THEATRICAL GROUP
General Manager
GENTRY & ASSOCIATES JAMEY JENNINGS
Executive Producer
Production Manager
TRINITY WHEELER
NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS CODY O'DELL
2017-2018 Season
Special Thanks to JIMMY IENNER Music Supervisor and Orchestrations
CONRAD HELFRICH Choreographer
MICHELE LYNCH Original Chroreography by
KATE CHAMPION Director
SARNA LAPINE Originally Produced by Jacobsen Entertainment, 18 November 2004, Theatre Royal, Sydney, Australia
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your performance your performance will stick with us your performance will stick forever. with us will stick forever . with us forever. PNC is proud to be a part of E.J. Thomas Hall’s 2017/2018 Performance Season. Because we believe
your performance will stick with us forever.
in andis support the arts can PNC proudeverything to be a part of E.J. accomplish. Thomas Hall’s 2017/2018 Performance Season. Because we believe PNC is proud to be a part of E.J.
pnc.com in and support everything the arts can
Thomas Hall’s 2017/2018 accomplish. Performance Season. Because we believe in and support everything the arts can pnc.com accomplish.
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©2017 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC
©2017 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC
©2017 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC
PNC is proud to be a part of E.J. Thomas Hall’s 2017/2018 Performance Season. Because we believe
uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
CAST
(in order of appearance) Frances “Baby” Houseman .............................................................................................. KALEIGH COURTS Elizabeth / Singer .................................................................................................................. ERICA PHILPOT Dr. Jake Houseman. .................................................................................. CHRISTOPHER ROBERT SMITH Marjorie Houseman ................................................................................................ERICA LEE CIANCIULLI Lisa Houseman.......................................................................................................................DEMITRA PACE Billy Kostecki / Singer ..................................................................................................NICKOLAUS COLÕN Max Kellerman ..................................................................................................................RICK GROSSMAN Neil Kellerman ..................................................................................................................... OWEN RUSSELL Penny Johnson. ........................................................................................................................ ANAÏS BLAKE Johnny Castle ..................................................................................................... AARON PATRICK CRAVEN Mr. Schumacher ........................................................................................... BUDDY DANIELS FRIEDMAN Robbie Gould ........................................................................................................................RYAN CUPELLO Tito Suarez ...................................................................................................................... RAMOND THOMAS Vivian Pressman.............................................................................................................HANNAH STRANEY Moe Pressman / Sheldrake Emcee ....................................................................JOSHUA CLIFTON POWELL Ensemble ..........................................................................ALEX CALDWELL, AYLA CICCONE-BURTON, J'ROYCE JATA, HUNTER MIKLES, ERICA PHILPOT, JOSHUA CLIFTON POWELL, HANNAH STRANEY, JAY STUART, KELSEY WALSH, AIDAN ZIEGLER-HANSEN SWINGS AMANDA CLEMENT, HONZA PELICHOVSKY
EJ THOMAS HALL
UNDERSTUDIES Understudies never substitute for the listed players unless a specific posting or announcement is made at the time of the performance. For Frances "Baby" Houseman: ALEX CALDWELL; for Johnny Castle: JAY STUART; for Penny Johnson; KELSEY WALSH; for Dr. Jake Houseman: JOSHUA CLIFTON POWELL; for Marjorie Houseman: AMANDA CLEMENT; for Lisa Houseman: ALEX CALDWELL; for Billy Kostecki/Singer: RYAN CUPELLO; for Max Kellerman: BUDDY DANIELS FRIEDMAN; for Neil Kellerman: AIDAN ZIEGLER-HANSEN; for Tito Suarez: J'ROYCE JATA; for Mr. Schumacher: JOSHUA CLIFTON POWELL; for Elizabeth/Singer: AYLA CICCONE-BURTON; for Vivian Pressman: AMANDA CLEMENT; for Robbie Gould: HUNTER MIKLES; for Moe Pressman: HONZA PELICHOVSKY; for "This Magic Moment" Soloist: AYLA CICCONEBURTON; for "We Shall Overcome" Vocalist: AYLA CICCONE-BURTON; for Sheldrake Emcee: HONZA PELICHOVSKY"
2017-2018 Season
Dance Captain: HONZA PELICHOVSKY Assistant Dance Captain: AMANDA CLEMENT Fight Captain: NICKOLAUS COLÕN
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THERE WILL BE ONE 20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
2017-2018 Season
CAST
Aaron Patrick Craven
Kaleigh Courts
Nickolaus Colõn
Ryan Cupello
Buddy Daniels Friedman
Rick Grossman
Demitra Pace
Owen Russell
Christopher Robert Smith
Ramond Thomas
Alex Caldwell
Ayla Ciccone-Burton
Amanda Clement
J'royce Jata
Hunter Mikles
Honza Pelichovsky
Joshua Clifton Powell
Kelsey Walsh
Hannah Straney uaevents.com
Jay Stuart
Erica Philpot
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
Erica Lee Cianciulli
EJ THOMAS HALL
Anaïs Blake
Aidan Ziegler-Hansen E
uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2017-2018 Season F
MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT ONE This Magic Moment Merengue (I've Had) The Time Of My Life (Incidental) You Do Something To Me You’re The Cream In My Coffee There Will Never Be Another You Johnny’s Mambo Do You Love Me? Love Man Honey Love Infectious Cha Cha An Original Waltz / Penny’s Waltz Viva La Quince Brigada This Land Is Your Land / We Shall Overcome Stubborn Kind Of Fellow De Todo Un Poco / Wipeout Hungry Eyes Overload Hey! Baby! (I've Had) The Time Of My Life (Incidental) / Johnny’s Tango To The Sheldrake De Todo Un Poco Maybe The Way Life Goes These Arms of Mine Cry To Me
ACT TWO Dawn Interlude Blow the Man Down (Trad.) Besame Mucho The Way Life Goes (Reprise) Save The Last Dance For Me If You Were The Only Girl Magic Hour Serenade Duke of Earl Love Is Strange You Don’t Own Me Nunca Lisa’s Hula Yes! In The Still Of The Night (I’ll Remember) Summertime (Incidental) Nocturando Someone Like You She’s Like The Wind Kellerman’s Anthem (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life A number of songs Eleanor Bergstein tried very hard and unsuccessfully to obtain for the movie we have been able to obtain for our production and put in the places originally intended, including “Save The Last Dance For Me” (The Drifters) and “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” (Marvin Gaye).
DIRTY DANCING ORCHESTRA Conductor/Keyboard: Alan J. Plado Associate Conductor/Keyboard: Jonathan Marro Guitar: Ethan Hack-Chabot Reeds: Michael Bliss Drums: Kevin McNaughton Percussion: Ryan McCausland Bass: Jared Pasimio Trumpet: Patrick Stouffer Music Coordinator: John Mezzio
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON uaevents.com
and the Giant Peach, Les Misérables, Light in the Piazza, Night of the Iguana, Last Night of Ballyhoo, The Temperamentals, Little Shop of Horrors. MFA: ART/Harvard. A huge thank you to Lisa, Mickey, Yvan, and the entire Price Group team! Love to my parents! www.ryancupello.com BUDDY DANIELS FRIEDMAN (Mr. Schumacher; u/s Max), comes to this production for the first time. He has been an actor since his first film Danger Zone (1986). He brings with him extensive Film/TV/Music Videos/New Media credits. Films credits: Nasty Piece of Work, Merica My Lovely, My Baby Sister is an Alien; Taking Care of Business (with Charles Grodin); “Tha Eastsidaz” (Snoop Dog). As for TV "Star Trek: Next Generation" (Boilan Barber), "Golden Girls," "Ally McBeal," a recurring role on "Passions, Beverly Hills Pawn" reality show. Has a Blending Award for a Pistachio Commercial. Theater: several productions of all kinds & 13 years in an ongoing role-playing experience, The Dungeon Master. Buddy was a Theatre Arts Major @Temple U. in Phila. Buddy is delighted to be in and share his talent with this wonderful cast. Find out more about Buddy at IMDB and look up his names: also Buddy Daniels and Daniel Friedman. Thanks for coming! Enjoy the show. RICK GROSSMAN (Max Kellerman). A NY based actor/director who spent much of his youth working and performing in the Catskills! National Tours: Bullets Over Broadway (1st National), Man of La Mancha, Enter Laughing, Come Blow Your Horn, Milk & Honey. Off Broadway: The Canary, Awake & Sing, Harry & Eddie, Feldman & Sons, The Manufacturer's Daughter, Damn Yankees (Lincoln Center Outdoors). Regional: Leading roles at Laguna Playhouse, Surflight Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Glove Theatre, Starlight Theatre. TV/Film: "House of Cards," "Byte Me" (Pilot), College Senior, The Pitch, Paper Planes, Demons, The 30 Year Old Bris (Tribeca FF), Finding Oscar. Dedicates DD to family and friends from Monticello, Kiamesha and So. Fallsburgh NY! Hope you "have the time of your life!" DEMITRA PACE (Lisa Houseman) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut with this amazing company! A California native, Demitra recently graduated form UCLA's School of Theater, Film, & Television. She would like to thank all of the wonderful teachers who have greatly inspired her over the years, her incredible team at KMR, and her friends and family members for their endless love and support. OWEN RUSSELL (Neil Kellerman) is very grateful to be performing on his first national tour! Regional credits include: My Fair Lady (Jamie), Merrily We Roll Along (Tyler), The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks (Jason). A graduate of NYU Tisch; BFA Drama (Playwrights Horizons/New Studio on Broadway). Huge thanks to Rich and Mike, the whole Dirty Dancing team, and my family/friends for their
EJ THOMAS HALL
AARON PATRICK CRAVEN (Johnny Castle) is proud to be touring with Dirty Dancing! BFA in Dance Performance/Choreography from Wichita State University. Favorite Credits include Billy Elliot (Older Billy), The Rocky Horror Show (Rocky), Mamma Mia! (Pepper), West Side Story (Diesel), and Goodspeed’s Oklahoma!. Aaron has also appeared as a Principle with Ballet Wichita, and has toured internationally with Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre. Love and thanks to Mom, Dad, Alex, and Katie! Special thanks to Paul Hardt! Follow: @aaronpatrickcraven, aaronpatrickcraven.com KALEIGH COURTS (Frances “Baby” Houseman) is excited to be making her national touring debut with Dirty Dancing! Previously a member of the Houston Ballet, her performance credits include Swan Lake, La Bayadere, and Maria in West Side Story Suite. She also attended the Houston Ballet Academy and The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Love to Mom, Dad, Ash, and the rest of the family! ANAÏS BLAKE (Penny Johnson) is thrilled to be making her Broadway touring debut. Previously with the Sarasota Ballet, (2008-2017), she has also toured to the Kennedy Center (Dance Across America), Jacobs Pillow, and New York City Center (Fall for Dance). Collaborations and guest artist with Suzanne Farrell Ballet, American Contemporary Ballet, State Street Ballet and Trinity Irish Dance Company. Asolo Theater’s Broadway production of Contact (swing) in collaboration with Sarasota Ballet. She has appeared in numerous print ads, commercials and Kartemquin Films, Life Lessons (2011). Love to Jason, my family and stellar friends for their steadfast support. anaisblake.com, @anaisblake ERICA LEE CIANCIULLI (Majorie Houseman) is so excited to be joining the team of the National Tour of Dirty Dancing. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Erica attended Point Park University for her college career. Other national tour credits include Pippin (Fastrada). She would like to thank the cast, creatives, friends, and family for all of the love and support they have given her throughout this journey. NICKOLAUS COLÕN (Billy Kosteki, Singer) hails from North Carolina and is a proud alumni of the drama program at UNCSA. Nick is delighted to be making his National Tour debut in Dirty Dancing. Credits include: Waitress (workshop), City of Ember (Mayor Cole), Guys & Dolls (Nathan Detroit), Learned Ladies (Lepine), Les Misérables (Thenardier). He is thankful for this opportunity to perform across the country including Fayetteville, NC, his home town. RYAN CUPELLO (Robbie Gould) is thrilled to be a part of Dirty Dancing! A native of Rochester, NY, he currently lives in New York City. National Tour: Fiddler on the Roof. Regional: Violet, James
2017-2018 Season
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2017-2018 Season H
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
support and love. Instagram: @owenrussell CHRISTOPHER ROBERT SMITH (Dr. Jake Houseman). Originally from Michigan. Chris has performed in regional theaters all over the country and in New York and Los Angeles. Favorite recent credits include: Pilate in JCSS and Ned Stark "Game of Thrones" in LA. TV: "Big Bang Theory," "Days of Our Lives" and "Friends with Better Lives." As well as many commercials and fitness magazines. He's very excited to be on this. Thanks to his family back in Michigan and friends in Los Angeles for helping this to happen God Bless :) Chrissmithactor.com. IMDb Christopher Robert Smith. RAMOND THOMAS (Tito Suarez) favorite roles include Mr Black in The Wild Party with Ray of Light Theatre, Delray in the National Tour of Memphis The Musical, Keegan Theater's Working as Rex/Utkarsh and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Mitch Mahoney. The InSeries' production of Love Potion #1 (L'Elisir D'Amore) and an understudy in TheatreWorks Palo Alto's production of Grey Gardens. ALEX CALDWELL (Ensemble; u/s Baby, Lisa). Regional credits include: West Side Story (Graziella), Chicago (Velma), Peter Pan (Tiger Lily), and The School at Jacob’s Pillow. This is Alex’s tour debut! You can check her out at alexcaldwell.net. AYLA CICCONE-BURTON (Ensemble; u/s Elizabeth) is making her National Tour debut with Dirty Dancing. Just coming back from studying popular music at Goldsmiths, University of London, she's thrilled to be a part of the show! AMANDA CLEMENT (Swing, Asst. Dance Capt.) spent her formative years training with Midwest Movement Dance Co., Faubourg School of Ballet and the CMDC. She moved to NYC after graduating from the University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign in 2012. Most recently, her performance with Vixen Productions was nominated for Best Music Video at the Winter Film Awards in NYC. She has worked for Carnival Cruise Line as a Singer. Dad, Mom and Big C- I love you. J'ROYCE JATA (Ensemble; u/s Tito Suarez). Incredibly humbled to be sharing this story. OffBroadway: Endangered! (Tour Guide/Snoop); NYC: BroadwayCon, LaMama, Symphony Space. Nat'l Tours: Fame (Tyrone Jackson), Memphis (Swing/Black DJ u/s). TV/Film: "Killer Unicorn", "Royal Pains", "Babylon". Regional: The Wiz, Passing Strange, Footloose, The Little Mermaid (NY Regional Premiere). Love & Light to this beautiful cast, crew, creative team, Gregg Baker Management, my family, and YOU for supporting live art! Learn more @jroycejah & jroycejata.com HUNTER MIKLES (Ensemble; u/s Robbie Gould). National Tour debut! Hunter is ecstatic to join the Dirty Dancing family! Favorite credits include Newsies and Big! The Musical at the Fulton Theatre, and Chicago at Park Playhouse. Hunter
graduated Magna Cum Laude from Point Park University, earning his BA in Jazz Dance. Endless love and gratitude to my family, friends, and LDC fam. Follow along! @hunter_mikles HONZA PELICHOVSKY (Swing, Dance Captain) holds a BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College. He has worked for The MET Opera, BARE Dance, Hivewild, and LoudHound Movement. Eternally grateful to God, mom & dad, the Fetch Four, Catherine Cabeen, and Wanda. ERICA PHILPOT (Elizabeth/Singer, Ensemble) is delighted to be making her national tour debut with this wonderful production. She received her BA Degree in Theatre Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park. Performance credits include: Supporting Vocalist for Tsidii Le Loka (from Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway), Rent (Mimi), Something Like A Fairytale (Princess Alyse). She thanks God, her family and friends for the support. JOSHUA CLIFTON POWELL (Ensemble; Moe Pressman; Sheldrake Emcee) is originally from Kansas City and now lives and works in New York. He is humbled to be surrounded by this phenomenal group of people for his first national tour. He is blessed and grateful for amazing parents, siblings, grandparents, and 7th Street Family. Always, Peace. HANNAH STRANEY (Ensemble; Vivian Pressman) is thrilled to join the Dirty Dancing Company! She received her BFA in Dance Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance. While there she studied abroad at Taipei National University of the Arts. She has performed for Aszure Barton, Sidra Bell, and Tom Weinberger. JAY STUART (Ensemble; u/s Johnny Castle) is thrilled to join the North American tour of Dirty Dancing. Select NYC: "Ray" in Seeing You (World Premiere) dir. Randy Weiner/Ryan Heffington, TAPE (The Wild Project), Regional: Memphis (Cabrillo Music Theater). TV: Derek and Julianne Hough's "Move Live" (GMA). @_jaystuart KELSEY WALSH (Ensemble; u/s Penny). National tour debut! Recent: SoulEscape, Odyssey Dance Theatre. BFA, University of Arizona. Love to my family and MTA for their endless support. @kelsey_walsh AIDAN ZIEGLER-HANSEN (Ensemble; u/s Neil) is thrilled to make his National Tour debut with Dirty Dancing! Originally from Eugene, OR, Aidan recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in musical theatre. He would like to say a big thank you to the entire creative team, NETworks, and Stewart/Whitley for this amazing opportunity. Much love to Mom, Dad, and Tanner. ELEANOR BERGSTEIN (Writer) is a novelist, screenwriter, producer and director. Her stories have been published in national magazines, and her first novel, Advancing Paul Newman, about women and politics in the 1960s, was published
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EJ THOMAS HALL
Y and the Bucks County Playhouse. Select Regional: Buyer & Cellar (Bucks County), Other Desert Cities (Theatre Aspen) Henry Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play, Tribes (Segal Centre of Montreal), Hope and Gravity (Creede Repertory Theater), Sunday in the Park With George (Short North Stage), Waiting for Lefty, and The Year of Magical Thinking (Intiman Theatre). Touring Productions: The National Theatre’s War Horse (North American Tour & Japan) and Lincoln Center Theater’s South Pacific. Has been a teaching artist at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute and guest director at Fordham University. Marcie Bloom Film Fellow. MFA: Columbia University. KATE CHAMPION (Original Choreographer) is the Artistic Director and founder of the Sydney based dance-theatre company Force Majeure. She has also worked variously as a director/ choreographer/performer for Sydney Theatre Company, DV8 Physical Theatre, Australian Dance Theatre, Opera Australia, Belvoir, Legs on the Wall, NIDA and The English National Opera. In 1996, Kate was awarded the Robert Helpmann Scholarship for Choreographic Excellence enabling her to create her first solo work Face Value which was awarded a Green Room and a MO Award. In 1997 she directed Under the Influence for Legs on the Wall, which premiered in Sydney and toured to the Edinburgh Fringe and Riverside Studios, London. In 2001 she created a
2017-2018 Season
WHO’S WHO IN THE COMPANY
by The Viking Press. Her first movie script was It's My Turn, starring Michael Douglas and Jill Clayburgh. Her second novel, Ex-Lover, about sexual obsession, was published by Random House. Her film credits include the final script revision of Sister Act and Let It Be Me, starring Patrick Stewart, Leslie Caron and Campbell Scott, which she wrote and directed. Her most famous project, Dirty Dancing, was one of the most successful independent films of all time. It was the unique continuing response to the story over the years that made her decide to reimagine Dirty Dancing as a stage event. Ms. Bergstein, through her company, Magic Hour Productions, is developing a series of new projects including a television series based on Advancing Paul Newman. She is completing a new work of fiction and a memoir. SARNA LAPINE (Director). Broadway: Sunday in the Park With George, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford. (Associate Director) Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Sondheim on Sondheim, the Tony-award winning revival of Lincoln Center Theater’s South Pacific, Clifford Odets’ Awake and Sing! and The Light in the Piazza. (Director) Concerts: Sondheim on Sondheim with the Boston Pops at Tanglewood and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. Additional concerts for: Umeda Arts Theatre (Japan), Encores! (City Center), the Boston Pops, 92nd Street
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WHO’S WHO IN THE COMPANY
new solo show - About Face and in 2002 directed Same, Same But Different for Force Majeure. Both these productions won Helpmann Awards. Kate choreographed the world premiere of the stage version of Dirty Dancing, which opened in Sydney November 2004 and has subsequently toured to Europe, UK and USA. Since 2005 Kate has directed Already Elsewhere, Tenebrae 1 and 11, The Age I’m In, Not In A Million Years, Never Did Me Any Harm (a co-production with Sydney Theatre Company) and Food (a co-production with Belvoir) for Force Majeure. In 2010 Kate choreographed the premiere production of Opera Australia’s Bliss which subsequently toured to the Edinburgh Festival and Spring Awakening for Sydney Theatre Company. Kate was Associate Director of Opera Australia’s 2013 production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. CONRAD HELFRICH (Music Supervisor and Arranger). Credits as Musical Director/Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arranger include Broadway The Last Word at the Duke Theatre in July 2016 for NYMF. Other credits include Dirty Dancing Hamburg (2006-2008), London (2006-2011 and 2013), Toronto, Utrecht, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Berlin, Oberhausen, Stockholm, German National Tour, Paris; The Australian Outback Spectacular (2006-2010) for Warner Village Theme Parks; The Full Monty (2003 Australia); Singin’ in the Rain (2001 Australia and Asia); The Man from Snowy River (2001/2002 Australia); Jolson (1999/2000 Australia); Me and My Girl (1994-1996 Australia and New Zealand); The New Rocky Horror Show (1992 Australia and Asia); Blues in the Night (1991 Australia); Nine (19871988 Australia); Me and My Girl (1986 Australia); Songbook (Australia); As You Like It (Melbourne Theatre Company 1984). Awards: ARIA awards as Musical Director and Producer best cast albums for Nine (1989) and The Man from Snowy River (2003), Green Room Award as Best Musical Director (The Man from Snowy River). He has also produced the cast albums for all international productions of Dirty Dancing since 2006. Conrad is indebted to Col Joye, Kevin Jacobsen, Amber Jacobsen, Eleanor Bergstein, Jimmy Ienner and Chong Lim for their undying faith, confidence and trust in this most exciting of adventures. But above all Conrad thanks all the musicians who faithfully perform this fantastic score night after night. MICHELE LYNCH (Choreographer) is thrilled to be a part of Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage. Most recently Michele worked alongside Sarna Lapine, where she choreographed the Hollywood Bowl’s production of Sondheim on Sondheim. She is also received the 2016 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Choreography for the critically acclaimed production of Kiss Me, Kate at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC, which is set to make its West Coast debut
next year at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre. Favorite Broadway credits include: Everyday Rapture, The Coast of Utopia, Hairspray (assoc. choreo with Jerry Mitchell), The Full Monty (asst. choreo), Urinetown (asst. choreo). Off-Broadway: Little Miss Sunshine, Everyday Rapture, We The People. Opera: Showboat at the Washington National Opera - Kennedy Center, Chicago Lyric, Houston Grand, and San Francisco Opera. National tours: Little House on the Prairie, Happy Days. Film: Camp, Joyful Noise, The Last Five Years. Concerts: Dolly Parton World Tour 2011. MIKIKO SUZUKI MACADAMS (Set Designer). Mikiko's work has been seen Off Broadway; Epic Theater Ensemble, INTAR Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Working Theater, and NAATC, Regionally; Berkeley Repertory Theatre Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Arena Stage, the Old Globe, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Syracuse Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cornerstone Theater Company, Intiman Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Yale Repertory Theatre, among others. Internationally; Aichi Triennale, Kanagawa Prefectural Hall, Nissei Theatre, Nikikai Opera, and more. As an associate scenic designer, Broadway credits include: Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, The Bridges of Madison County, Golden Boy, That Championship Season, Women on The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Next Fall, and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. KEN BILLINGTON (Lighting Designer) has almost 100 Broadway shows to his credit including such theatre milestones as Sweeney Todd and the longest running American musical in history, Chicago. Many touring productions have included Chicago (worldwide), Riverdance (lighting supervisor), Fiddler on the Roof, High School Musical, White Christmas, Annie, 42nd Street, the current Waitress and Amazing Grace. Other projects: Hugh Jackman in Concert, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (1979 to 2006), Fantasmic! at Disneyland and New York’s Tavern on the Green. Ken’s many awards include the Tony and the Lumen for his architectural work; in 2015 Ken was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame. JENNIFER IRWIN (Costume Designer). Jennifer’s career spans 35 years designing for drama, opera, film & in particular dance & ballet. Jennifer designs regularly for all the major Australian companies including The Sydney Theatre Company, The Australian Ballet, Belvoir Theatre Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance Company & Opera Australia. Jennifer has designed the largest scale spectacular productions ever staged in Australia: Sydney 2000 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, The Official Commemorative Ceremony marking the Centenary of Australian Federation,
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EJ THOMAS HALL
Express at The Las Vegas Hilton, Cinderella with Eartha Kitt and Debbie Gibson, and ABC-TV "Happy Birthday Hollywood." It has been a thrill working with so many talented performers throughout his career including, Jeanne Cooper, Toni Tennille, Anita Gillette, Mary Wilson, Makenzie Phillips, Lynda Carter,Melody Thomas Scott and even Judge Judy! This production is dedicated to his sister. Mr. Ardia is also the author of Barbra Streisand in New York City. ALAN J. PLADO (Music Director) is ecstatic to be working on Dirty Dancing! Broadway national tours: Legally Blonde, Elf The Musical, Memphis, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Off-Broadway: We’re Still Hot, Just a Matter of Time. Alan serves as the Music Supervisor for Menopause The Musical, and, internationally, was the music director and arranger for the show on the West End (Shaw Theater) and in Dublin, Ireland (Tivoli Theater). Thanks to Conrad, John, and NETworks. JOHN MEZZIO (Music Coordinator) has conducted several national tours including State Fair starring John Davidson, Victor Victoria starring Toni Tennille, Seussical The Musical, Cinderella starring Eartha Kitt and Deborah Gibson, the Royal National Theatres revival of Rodgers and Hammersteins Oklahoma! and The Wedding Singer. Additionally, Mr. Mezzio was Associate Conductor for Andrew Lloyd Webbers Starlight Express at the Las Vegas Hilton. John
2017-2018 Season
WHO’S WHO IN THE COMPANY
The Olympic Arts ‘Festival of the Dreaming’ Opening. Jennifer designed the costumes for the Original Production of Dirty Dancing 2004. LEON ROTHENBERG (Sound Designer). Select Broadway: A Doll’s House Part 2, Violet, The Realistic Joneses, The Nance (Tony Award), The Heiress, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Tony Nom). Select New York and Off-Broadway: Second Stage, New York City Center, Private Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Public Theater, Culture Project, Tectonic. Select regional: Huntington, A.C.T., Portland Center Stage, Arena Stage, Seattle Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, Old Globe, Folger Shakespeare Theater, Long Wharf, McCarter, Williamstown Theater Festival, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Merrimack Repertory, Delaware Theater Company, New York Stage and Film, Two River Theater, North Shore Music Theater, Theatre By The Sea. International: Cirque du Soleil, National Theatre of Cyprus, Dijon. BERNIE ARDIA (Hair Designer) has enjoyed a 37-year career, starting in television. Mr. Ardia has designed over 75 productions including the currently running NETworks’ tours of The Sound of Music, Elf the Musical and Dirty Dancing. Working with Eleanor Bergstein again is another exciting adventure. A few past highlights include Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Misérables USA and Canada. Ragtime at The Kennedy Center, Kiss of the Spider Woman with Chita Rivera, Starlight
K
uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2017-2018 Season L
WHO’S WHO IN THE COMPANY
was Musical Coordinator for several national and international tours including Sweet Charity starring Molly Ringwald, Annie starring John Schuck and Mackenzie Phillips, Hairspray, The Producers, A Chorus Line, Spring Awakening, Elf The Musical, Memphis, Bullets Over Broadway, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Shrek The Musical. ILANA RANSOM TOEPLITZ (Associate Director). Favorite director/choreographer credits: Reefer Madness (Starring Alan Cumming in 2014, New World Stages & 2015, 54 Below), The Drowsy Chaperone, Click Clack Moo! & A Christmas Carol (TWUSA Natl Tours), Spellbound!, and Shark Attack!. Assistant Director: Violet (2014 Broadway), Crazy For You! (2017 Lincoln Center), A Christmas Story (Associate, Natl Tour), Sondheim on Sondheim (2017 premiere w/Boston Pops). Additional directing/choreographing credits with NYMF, Lincoln Center (reading), The York Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Group, 54 Below. Pittsburgh fan. Drama League Directing Fellow. @IlanaRanToe TOBIN DEL CUORE (Associate Choreographer). A native of Maine, Tobin Del Cuore trained at the Walnut Hill School and later graduated from The Juilliard School. Del Cuore danced with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, working with some of today’s most important choreographers. Since leaving HSDC, Tobin has danced with Aszure Barton & Artists, the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, The Metropolitan Opera, Alessandra Ferri Dance, SFDanceworks, Houston Grand Opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, and BalletX. He has staged numerous works for Aszure Barton and Alejandro Cerrudo. KATHY FABIAN / PROPSTAR (Props Supervisor). Fabian's Recent Broadway credits include: Indecent, Sunday in the Park with George, Falsettos, Fiddler on the Roof, China Doll, On Your Feet, Living On Love, The King and I, An American In Paris, The Real Thing, The Realistic Joneses, If/Then, Rocky, The Bridges of Madison County, I’ll Eat You Last, Kinky Boots, Lucky Guy, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Anarchist, Chaplin, Nice Work If You Can Get It, A Streetcar Named Desire, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Stick Fly, Relatively Speaking, The Normal Heart, House of Blue Leaves, Anything Goes, Ghetto Klown, and Fences. Off Broadway: Othello (NYTW) SHELBY STARK (Production Stage Manager). Touring: Elf the Musical, National. Shrek the Musical, International. Other experience: Williamstown Theatre Festival, NETworks Presentations, Cirque du Soleil's Mystere, Santa Fe Opera. B.A. in Theatre & Dance, The University of Texas at Austin. Many thanks to Daddy, Shea, and caffeine for their constant support. CHRISTOPHER KETNER (Company Manager) is a Tony Nominated Broadway Producer for The Great Comet of 1812. Producer: Working:
A Musical with Lin Manuel-Miranda at the Southwark Playhouse London, nominated for Best off-West End Musical. Upcoming London West End Producer of Heisenberg (October 2017), and the Stephen Sondheim reimagined production of Company (Summer 2018). Previous tours: Joseph…Dreamcoat (US and Japan tours), and Elf the Musical (US Tour). Other producing credits: The U.S. Open 2012-2015, Super Bowls 47, 48, 49; concerts with Beyoncé, Lenny Kravitz, Elvis Costello, Fall Out Boy, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Lady Antebellum, Usher, Blake Shelton, as well as former First Ladies Laura Bush and Michelle Obama. NYU Steinhardt Alumni. IG: @ketnerrocks THE ROAD COMPANY (Tour Booking) was founded in 1997 by Stephen Lindsay and Brett Sirota. In addition to Dirty Dancing, current representation includes Wicked, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, War Paint, The Band’s Visit, SpongeBob SquarePants, Rock of Ages, Clue, The Choir of Man, The Lightning Thief, The Illusionists, The Sound of Music, Kinky Boots and multiple companies of Elf The Musical. The Road Company is made possible by Magaly Barone, Shawn Willett, Jenny Kirlin, Justine Spingler, Joe Reed, and Josh Cape. BOND THEATRICAL GROUP (Marketing & Publicity Direction) is a fully independent Booking, Marketing and Publicity company for live entertainment productions. Current tour booking and marketing projects include Blue Man Group; CATS; Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Current marketing and publicity projects include Anastasia; Cabaret; The Color Purple; Dear Evan Hansen; Dirty Dancing; Escape to Margaritaville; Fiddler on the Roof; Half Time; Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical and marketing services for The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Duncan STEWART/WHITLEY (Casting). Stewart CSA & Benton Whitley CSA. Broadway/ NY: The Great Comet, A Clockwork Orange, As You Like It, On The Town, Pippin, Chicago The Musical, La Cage Aux Folles, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Carnegie Hall West Side Story, The Band Wagon, Pageant. West End/UK: Thriller Live, Menier Chocolate Factory, West Side Story. Tours: Finding Neverland, Dirty Dancing, The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, The Bodyguard, Chicago The Musical, Once, Shrek, Elf, Flashdance, Anything Goes, Bullets Over Broadway, We Will Rock You. Upcoming: Prince of Egypt, Hadestown, The Man in the Ceiling, Back Home Again, Waterfall, August Rush; REGIONAL: American Repertory Theater, Alley Theatre, Bay Street, Goodspeed, Theatre Under the Stars, Aslo Rep, Hollywood Bowl, TheatreWorks, Royal Caribbean. The Casting Society of America. Artios Award Winning. stewartwhitley.com
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throughout Australia. Col was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to music and charity on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. Col was chosen to run with the Olympic Torch for the Sydney Olympics and recently received his own postage stamp. Col has been a producer of every production of Dirty Dancing worldwide. LIONSGATE (Producer). The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content platform whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming, virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global licensing infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company's worldwide consumer base. www.lionsgate.com MAGIC HOUR PRODUCTIONS (Producer) was founded by Eleanor Bergstein in 1994 to develop and produce works by herself and others for print, film, and stage. Magic Hour Productions has been involved in the development and production of the stage musical of Dirty Dancing since its inception, including the first staged workshop in New York in 2001. Currently, Magic Hour Productions is working to bring Dirty Dancing to new territories around the world. In addition to Dirty Dancing, Magic Hour Productions is developing a new musical by Ms. Bergstein set in London. She is also preparing a television series based on her first novel about women, feminism and politics in the sixties. Magic Hour’s team includes Tomoko Minami, who has worked with Ms. Bergstein since 2001, and Robin Nahas. The company is based in New York City.
2017-2018 Season
WHO’S WHO IN THE COMPANY
TRINITY WHEELER (Executive Producer). Broadway: Les Misérables (Production Stage Manager). National Tours: Bullets Over Broadway (Executive Producer), Elf the Musical (Executive Producer), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Executive Producer), The Phantom of the Opera (Supervisory Production Stage Manager), Les Misérables (Production Stage Manager), Mary Poppins (Production Stage Manager), Young Frankenstein starring Roger Bart and Rent starring Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. Trinity currently works on the national tours of Les Misérables, Finding Neverland, Dirty Dancing and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. Instagram: @trinityonbroadway AMBER JACOBSEN (Producer) started working for her father (Col Joye) as the head of touring and executive producer in Australia. She was responsible for touring artists including Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, the Bee Gees, Pearl Jam and Usher as well as executive producing Fame, SHOUT, The Man From Snowy River and Long Way to the Top. Amber was the executive producer for the original production of Dirty Dancing and has produced all productions since 2010. This year Amber produced The Last Word, a new musical comedy for NYMF. NETworks PRESENTATIONS, LLC (Producer), from its inception over 20 years ago, has been an industry leading producer and manager of touring musical theatre productions and remains committed to delivering quality entertainment to audiences worldwide. Having toured over 70 productions internationally, NETworks current touring productions include Cameron Mackintosh’s The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Elf the Musical, Finding Neverland, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Dirty Dancing, The Sound of Music and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I. COL JOYE (Producer) has had No. 1 hits, recorded 15 Top 10 albums and was the first inductee into the Australian Hall of Fame (ARIA). He has numerous platinum and gold albums and hundreds of awards and toured extensively
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A note from the creator... I was blessed in my original collaborators on the film. Their vision and friendship was what made it possible for us to find enough truth to reach our lovely audience. I thank them all—for their commitment, their kindness and their talent. To my beloved Emile Ardolino, who I dare to hope is smiling on us, to David Chapman whose brilliance as a designer let us turn a low-budget movie into a world of radiance and glamour, and to my dear friend, Kenny Ortega. Kenny’s contribution went far beyond his electric and dynamic choreography. It was and is his spirit, his joy and passion for movement and the pursuit of joy—for dance as the defining point of happiness—that we have kept in our hearts and our spirits on our journey to the stage. Thank you, my beloved Kenny, thank you all. —Eleanor Bergstein MUSIC CREDITS BESAME MUCHO (Velasquez/Skylar). © Peer International Corp. CRY TO ME (Russell) by Solomon Burke;© Sloopy II Music and SonyATV Music Publishing LLC. Licensed by Mana Music Productions Pty Ltd on behalf of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd. DAWN INTERLUDE (Helfrich/Bergstein). DE TODO UN POCO. Words and Music by Louis A. Lou Perez © UNIVERSAL MUSICA, INC. ON BEHALF OF FANIA SONGS (ASCAP). DO YOU LOVE ME? (Gordy Jr.); © Jobete Music Co. Inc. DUKE OF EARL. Written by Earl Edwards/Bernice Williams/ Eugene Dixon. Performed by Gene Chandler. Published by Conrad Music, A Dvision of Arc Music Corp (BMI)/BMG Platinum Songs (BMI). Used by permission. All rights reserved. Licensed by Mana Music Productions Pty Ltd on behalf of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd. HEY BABY! (Channel/Cobb) by Bruce Channel; © EMI Unart Catalog Inc.; Licensed Courtesy Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd. HONEY LOVE. (CLYDE MC PHATTER/GERALD WEXLER) by THE DRIFTERS © 1954 (RENEWED) OLIMAC MUSIC (BMI) & UNICHAPPELL MUSIC INC., ALL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF OLIMAC MUSIC (BMI) ADMINISTERED BY WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP. (BMI). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION. Licensed by Mana Music Productions Pty Ltd on behalf of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd. HUNGRY EYES. (Previte/DeNicola) by Eric Carmen. © Worldsong lnc./RU Cyrius Publishing/Knockout Music Co./Sony ATVMusic Publishing LLC. Licensed Courtesy SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD. IF YOU WERE THE ONLY GIRL IN THE WORLD. (NAT D. AYER, CLIFFORD GREY) © 1916 WARNER BROS. INC. (ASCAP) & REDWOOD MUSIC LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION. IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT (I’LL REMEMBER) (Parris); © Llee Corporation (BMI). INFECTIOUS CHA CHA (Lloyd/D’Andrea): © Michael Music/ Scoreboard Music. I’VE HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE Written by Franke Previte / John DeNicola / Donald Markowitz Published by Sony/ ATV Tunes, LLC / Knockout Music Company / R U Cyrius Publishing / Marcu Music Company, Inc. / Calspen Music (ASCAP). All rights for Knockout Music Company and R U Cyrius Publishing administered worldwide by WorldSong, Inc. All rights for Marcu Music Company, Inc. administered worldwide by PEN Music Group, Inc. All rights for Calspen Music (ASCAP) administered worldwide by Debrawiseesq@aol. com. JOHNNY’S MAMBO (Lloyd/D’Andrea/Bulling); © Michael Music Curb Songs/Scoreboard Music/Erich S Muic. KELLERMAN’S ANTHEM (Goldman); © Lionsgate Music Publishing LLC. LISA’S HULA (Brucker/ Ortega): © Brucker/Ortega. LOVE IS STRANGE. Words and Music by Mickey Baker, Ellas McDaniel, Sylvia Robinson, by Mickey & Sylvia © SONGS OF UNIVERSAL, INC. ON BEHALF OF BEN-GHAZI ENT, INC AND TWENTY NINE BLACK MUSIC (BMI). Licensed Courtesy SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD. LOVE MAN. Words and Music by Otis Redding © IRVING MUISC, INC. (BMI) MAGIC HOUR SERENADE (Helfrich/Bergstein). MAYBE (Barrett) by The Chantels. © EMI Longitude Music. Licensed Courtesy Mana Music Productions Pty Ltd on behalf of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd.MERENGUE (Lloyd/D’Andrea/Bulling): © Michael Music/Curb Songs/ Scoreboard Music/Erich S Music. NOCTURNANDO (Cairo) by Orchestra America. © Peer International Corporation. Licensed Courtesy Balboa Records. NUNCA (Cardenas/Lopez Mendez) lnterpreted by
the vocalist of Orquesta America. © Edward B Marks Music Company. Courtesy of Tumi Music UK. www.tumimusic.com. ORIGINAL WALTZ (Lloyd): © Michael Music. OVERLOAD (Mark Zappocosta); © 2013 DD Rights Ltd. PENNY’S WALTZ (Lim/Helfrich). SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME. (DOC POMUS, MORT SHUMAN) by the Drifters © 1960 (RENEWED) UNICHAPPELL MUSIC INC. (BMI). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION. Licensed by Mana Music Productions Pty Ltd on behalf of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd. SHE’S LIKE THE WlND (Swayze/Widelitz) (Instrumental); © Plainview Diner Music/Very Tony Music. SOMEONE LIKE YOU (Previte/DeNicola); Worldsong lnc./RU Cyrius Publishing/Knockout Music Co. STUBBORN KIND OF FELLOW (Gordy/Gaye/Stevenson) by Marvin Gaye; © EMI April Music lnc/Jobete Music Co. Inc/Stone Agate Music. Licensed Courtesy Universal Music Australia Pty Limited. SUMMERTIME INCIDENTAL (Lim/Helfrich). THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU (Gordon/Warren) © Morley Music Co./Four Jays Music Publishing and Mattsam Music. THESE ARMS OF MINE. Words and Music by Otis Redding, Performed by Otis Redding © IRVING MUSIC, INC. ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND REGENT MUSIC CORP. (BMI). Licensed by Mana Music Productions Pty Ltd on behalf of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd. THE WAY LIFE GOES (Eleanor Bergstein/Conrad Helfrich); © 2012 DD Rights Ltd, E Bergstein and C Helfrich. THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND.Words and Music by Woody Guthrie. TRO-© Copyright 1956 (Renewed) 1958 (Renewed) 1970 (Renewed) 1972 (Renewed). Ludlow Music, Inc., New York, NY. lnternational Copyright Secured. Made in USA. All Rights Reserved Including Public Performance For Profit. Used by permission. THIS MAGIC MOMENT. (DOC POMUS, MORT SHUMAN) © 1955 (RENEWED) UNICHAPPELL MUSIC INC. (BMI). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION. VIVA LA QUINCE BRIGADA (VAN DER SCHELLING) by Pete Seeger; © Stormking Music/The Royalty Network, Inc. Licensed Courtesy SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED. WE SHALL OVERCOME (Musical & Lyrical adaptation by ZilphiaHorton, Frank Hamilton, Guy Carawan and Pete Seeger). Inspired by African American Gospel Singing, members of the Food & Tobacco Workers Union, Charleston, SC, & the Southern Civil Rights Movement. TRO © 1960 (Renewed) and 1963 (Renewed) Ludlow Music, Inc., New York, lnternational Copyright Secured. Made In USA. All Rights Reserved Including Public Performance For Profit. Royalties derived from this composition are being contributed to the We Shall Overcome Fund and The Freedom Movement under the Trusteeship of the writers Used by Permission. WIPE OUT (Fuller/Berryhill/Connolly/Wilson) by The Surfaris; © Robin Hood Music/Miraleste Music. Licensed Courtesy Universal Music Australia Pty Limited. YES! (Cavanaugh/ Fryer/Graf). © Sony ATV Tunes/The Flood Music Company Inc. YOU DO SOMETHING TO ME. (COLE PORTER) © 1929 (RENEWED) The Cole Porter Musical and Literary Property Trusts. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION. YOU DON’T OWN ME. (JOHN MADARA, DAVID WHITE) © 1963 (RENEWED) UNICHAPPELL MUSIC INC. (BMI). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION. YOU’RE THE CREAM IN MY COFFEE. (RAY HENDERSON, LEW BROWN, B.G. DESYLVA) © 1928 (RENEWED) CHAPPELL & CO., STEPHEN BALLENTINE MUSIC & RAY HENDERSON MUSIC. BNS Canada LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
Opening Night: October 5, 2017 Folsom, CA - Harris Center GENERAL MANAGEMENT GENTRY & ASSOCIATES GREGORY VANDER PLOEG JAMEY JENNINGS BRAD BROMAN KEVIN PERSAUD PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS LLC JASON JUENKER HECTOR GUIVAS CODY O'DELL EMMA DOWNEY COMPANY MANAGER CHRISTOPHER KETNER
EXCLUSIVE TOUR DIRECTION THE ROAD COMPANY Stephen Lindsay Brett Sirota www.theroadcompany.com CASTING STEWART/WHITLEY Duncan Stewart, CSA Benton Whitley, CSA Paul Hardt Christine McKenna Danny Dunitz
Financial Services and Banking Arrangements by SunTrust Bank
CREDITS
Scenery constructed by PRG Scenic Tecnnologies. Show control and scenic motion control featuring Stage Command Systems ® by PRG-Scenic Technologies A Division of Production Resource Group, L.L.C., New Windsor, NY. Automation equipment provided by PRG Scenic Technologies. Lighting equipment from Christie Lights. Sound equipment by Sound Associates. Video equipment provided by PRG Video. Rigging by Christie Lights. Scenic Painting by Joe Forbes and Scenic Arts Studios. Properties provided by Marcus Hall Props. Costume Shops Arel Studio, Valerie Strok, Lisa Krizner-George and L. Allmeier. Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech license granted by Intellectual Properties Management, Atlanta, Georgia, as exclusive Licensor of the King Estate.
Rehearsed at Ripley-Grier Studios Dirty Dancing ®, TM & © 2017 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. SPECIAL THANKS NEURO TOUR - Official provider of Physical Therapy services Spencer Theatre of the Performing Arts, Alto, NM and Charles Centilli, Executive Director ONLINE
us.dirtydancingontour.com Facebook: @DirtyDancingOnTour Instagram: @dirtydancingontour #DirtyDancingOnTour
Backstage employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.).
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Production Stage Manager ........................................................Shelby Stark Assistant Stage Manager.......................................................Riley Hutchison Associate Director ......................................................Ilana Ransom Toeplitz Assistant Choreographer ..................................................... Tobin Del Cuore Associate Set Designer ......................................................... Libby Stadstad Associate Costume Designer ............................................... Anna Stainback Associate Sound Designers ..............................Chris Cronin, Josh Samuels Associate Lighting Designer ...............................................Jason Kantrowitz Assistant Costume Designer ............................................. Natalie Loveland Assistant Set Designers... ...............Chika Shimizu, Christopher Thompson, Selby Souza Scenic Assistant ......................................................................Michael Triolo Moving Lighting Programmer ................................................. Jackson Miller Production Electrician ......................................................... Brendan Quigley NY Office Lighting Assistant...................................................Conor Mulligan Fight Director ............................................................Christian Kelly Sordelet Fight Captain ...................................................................... Nickolaus Colõn Dance Captain .................................................................Honza Pelichovsky Assistant Dance Captain ................................................... Amanda Clement Head Carpenter .......................................................................Justin Gamerl Assistant Carpenter ...................................... Ronan Havlice, Matthew Tabor Flyman ..........................................................................................Gina Cirillo Head Electrician ................................................................... Lucas Sevedge Assistant Electrician .................................................................Travis Triplett Sound Engineer ....................................................................Mason Wisecup Assistant Sound Engineer .........................................................Emily Hutton Head Props................................................................................. Adam Uhlig Props Supervisor .......................................................Props by Kathy Fabian Associate Props Supervisor ........................................................ John Estep Head Wardrobe .................................................................... Jessica Simons Assistant Wardrobe ............................................................... Nicolas Nelson Head Hair & Makeup ..................................................................Eric Miralles Production Assistants ........................... Riley Hutchison, Nicholas Ibarguen, Melissa Shevae Mitchell Music Licensing ....................................................Chris Roberts, Kim Green Physical Therapy ...................................................................... NEURO Tour Massage Therapist ........................................................ Catherine Dell, LMT Medical Director............................................................... Dr. Craig Weil, MD Production Videographer ...................................... Steam Motion and Sound Production Photographer........................................................ Jeremy Daniel Website.......................................................................................... AKA NYC Legal Counsel............... Davis Wright Tremaine LLP / M. Graham Coleman, Andrew Owens, Jeffrey Carter Accounting ...................................................... NETworks Presentations LLC HR & Payroll Services ...............................................Human Resources inc. Trucking .................................................................................. Clark Transfer Housing ..........................................Road Concierge, an ALTOUR Company Cast Bus ........................................................................ Croswell VIP Coach Crew Bus.................................................................................Clarion Coach Merchandising ....................................................................The Araca Group
Tax & Financial Consulting, Accounting Services, IT Services CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Brian Enverso, Pat Guerieri
EJ THOMAS HALL
MARKETING & PUBLICITY DIRECTION BOND THEATRICAL GROUP DJ Martin Temah Higgins Marc Viscardi Mahaley Jacobs Nicholas Jaech Olivia Simas
FOR NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS Chief Executive Officer .........................................................Kenneth Gentry Chief Operating Officer ...................................................... Scott W. Jackson President ........................................................................................ Orin Wolf Executive Vice President Production...........................................Seth Wenig Executive Assistant / Associate General Manager ..................... Curt Owens Director of Finance ...................................................................... John Kinna Controller ...............................................................................Jennifer Gifford Director of Tour Accounting ...................................................Laura S. Carey Executive Producer ............................................................... Trinity Wheeler Senior Director, Booking & Engagements ............................... Mary K. Witte Director, Booking & Engagements..............................................Colin Byrne Engagement Manager .................................................Esther Schwarzbauer Director of Marketing/PR ......................................................... Heather Hess Digital Marketing Strategist..................................................... Perrin Shapiro Senior General Manager ............................................Gregory Vander Ploeg General Manager................................................................. Jamey Jennings Assistant General Managers .......................... Brad Broman, Kevin Persaud Senior Production Manager ....................................................Jason Juenker Production Managers ........................................ Hector Guivas, Cody O'Dell Assistant Production Manager...............................................Emma Downey Music Coordinator .....................................................................John Mezzio IT Manager .................................................................................... Tim Pizza Warehouse Manager .....................................................................Brad Korff Warehouse Costume Coordinator...................................Bobby Maglaughlin Office Manager .................................................................... Buddy Piccolino Administrative Assistants ............................................................ Carol Jewel
2017-2018 Season
DIRTY DANCING STAFF
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2017-2018 Season
EJ THOMAS HALL THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
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SEPTEMBER 2017 SAT 9/16 Tuesday Musical: Prelude Concert 7:30 pm Reserved $45, $40, $25 SAT 9/23 ASO: Opening Night, The Slavic Soul 8 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25 THU 9/28 Wynton Marsalis 7:30 pm Reserved $45, $40, $25
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
NOVEMBER 2017 WED 11/1 University of Akron School of Music, Collage 2017 7:30pm GA $12, $6 non UA students, UA students free with ZIP CARD FRI 11/3 Bob Dylan 8 pm $125, $79.50, $55 TUE 11/7 Dirty Dancing Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm Reserved $77.50, $62.50, $40, $20 WED 11/8 Dirty Dancing Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm Subscriber Prices $295, $245, $175, $40 SAT 11/11 Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone – In Concert 1 pm Reserved $82, $72, $62, $52, $42 SAT 11/11 Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone – In Concert 7:30 pm Reserved $82, $72, $62, $52, $42 SAT 11/18 ASO: Pictures at an Exhibition 8 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25 SUN 11/19 Wild Kratts Live! 1 pm Reserved $103 VIP, $46, $36, $26
EJ THOMAS HALL
OCTOBER 2017 SUN 10/1 DanceCleveland Koresh Dance Company 3 pm Reserved $47, $42, $32, $27 FRI 10/6 ASO: Die Meistersinger 8 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25 TUE 10/10 Kinky Boots Broadway In Akron 7:30 pm Reserved $77.50, $62.50, $40, $20 WED 10/11 Kinky Boots Broadway In Akron 7:30 pm Subscriber Prices $295, $245, $175, $40 FRI 10/13 Rumors: A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac 8 pm Reserved $20 SAT 10/14 Second City Touring Company 8 pm Reserved $28 THU 10/19 Tuesday Musical: Academy of St. Martin in the Fields 7:30 pm Reserved $45, $40, $25
FRI 10/27 Josh Rzepka Quartet featuring Theron Brown, Jordan McBride, and Zaire Darden 8 pm $20 SAT 10/28 ASO: Video Games Live 7:30 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $37, $25
2017-2018 Season
2017/2018 EJ SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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DECEMBER 2017 FRI–SUN 12/1–3 Holiday Craft Show FRI 12/8 ASO: Home for the Holidays 7:30 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25 SAT 12/9 Tuba Christmas 12 pm & 2:30 pm SAT 12/9 NUANCE 8 pm TUE 12/12 Cirque Dreams Holidaze 7:30 pm Reserved $97, $65, $55, $35 WED 12/13 The Lettermen Holiday Show 7 pm Reserved $40 SUN 12/17 Carol of the Kings: Irish Dance Christmas Spectacular 7:30 pm Reserved $35, $25 SAT 12/30 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas 7:30 pm Reserved $75, $60, $45, $10 JANUARY 2018 FRI 1/12 McCartney Project 8 pm SAT 1/20 ASO: Brahms Second Symphony 8 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25 TUE 1/23 Tuesday Musical: Chamber Music Society 7:30 pm Reserved $45, $40, $25
FEBRUARY 2018 SAT 2/3 Vagina Monologues 8 pm $10 FRI 2/9 ASO: Petrushka w/NEOS Dance Theatre 8 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25 FRI–SUN 2/16-18 Beyond the Stars Dance Competition SAT 2/24 ASO: Gospel Meets Symphony 7:30 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25 MARCH 2018 SAT 3/3 Groundworks 8 pm THU 3/8 Tuesday Musical: Andreas Haefliger 7:30 pm Reserved $45, $40, $25 SUN 3/11 ASO: Youth Philharmonic 3 pm WED 3/14 University of Akron School of Music Presents Jazzfest 18: Blue is More 7:30 pm GA $12, non UA students $6, UA students free with ZIP CARD THU 3/15 University of Akron School of Music Presents Jazzfest 18: Blue is More 7:30 pm GA $12, non UA students $6, UA students free with ZIP CARD
2017-2018 Season
EJ THOMAS HALL
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
WED 11/29 Tuesday Musical: Vienna Boys Choir 7:30 pm Reserved $45, $40, $25
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I build by taking apart.
I see what I’m capable of.
I find solutions.
I ask bigger questions.
I make today count.
Big, world-changing moments. Every day, at Old Trail School. Contact us to schedule a personal tour today. admission@oldtrail.org | oldtrail.org/admission | 330.666.1118
Old Trail School Ad - EJ Thomas Hall - October 2018.indd 1
8/30/2017 1:13:12 PM
· Stream music and movies
· Access e-books, audiobooks and e-magazines · Improve skills with online learning tools
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MAY 2018 TUE 5/1 Jersey Boys Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm Reserved $77.50, $62.50, $40, $20 WED 5/2 Jersey Boys Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm Subscriber Prices $295, $245, $175, $40 SAT 5/5 ASO: Verdi’s Requiem 8 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25
Take the Library with you.
EJ THOMAS HALL
APRIL 2018 SAT 4/7 University of Akron School of Music Presents U of A Steel Drum Band 8 pm GA $12, non UA students $6, UA students free with ZIP CARD SUN 4/8 University of Akron School of Music Presents Monster Pianos 2 3 pm GA $12, non UA students $6, UA students free with ZIP CARD TUE 4/10 A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm Reserved $77.50, $62.50, $40, $20 WED 4/11 A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm Subscriber Prices $295, $245, $175, $40 SAT 4/14 ASO: Jazz Meets Symphony 7:30 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25 SUN 4/15 University of Akron Greek Life Songfest 3 pm WED 4/18 Tuesday Musical: Brentano String Quartet 7:30pm Reserved $45, $40, $25 FRI 4/20 NUANCE Spring Concert 8 pm MON 4/23 Branford Marsalis 7:30 pm FRI 4/27 Verb Ballets 8 pm SUN 4/29 University of Akron School of Music Presents Big Band Dance 3 pm GA $12, non UA students $6, UA students free with ZIP CARD
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2017-2018 Season
FRI 3/16 University of Akron School of Music Presents Jazzfest 18: Blue is More 7:30 pm GA $12, non UA students $6, UA students free with ZIP CARD SAT 3/17 Tuesday Musical: Tribute to Sarah Vaughan 7:30 pm Reserved $45, $40, $25 FRI 3/23 ASO: Planet Earth 8 pm Reserved $60, $47, $37, $25 WED 3/28 Tuesday Musical: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 7:30 pm $45, $40, $25
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EJ THOMAS HALL STAFF Nathan J. Mortimer, CPA Vice President for Finance & Administration/CFO njm9@uakron.edu Margo Ohlson Director of Theatre Operations mohlson@uakron.edu Melissa Paul Patron Services Manager mlpaul@uakron.edu
2017-2018 Season
EJ THOMAS HALL
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
Patricia Donovan Theatre Manager patric3@uakron.edu
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Dominic Cardarelli Senior Accounts Coordinator dc21@uakron.edu Lenny Pizzute Technical Services Associate pizzute@uakron.edu Thomas Stewart Technical Services Associate tstewar@uakron.edu Volunteering at EJ Thomas Hall Do you ever wonder how to become a volunteer usher? If you enjoy sharing the arts with the public, helping them have a memorable experience, and making new friends, then consider becoming a volunteer usher at EJ Thomas Hall. As a team member or a substitute usher, you see a variety of programs while assisting the public, from children’s shows to Broadway, Akron Symphony and Tuesday Musical concerts to graduations. Contact Melissa Paul, Patron Services Manager at 330-972-6316 for more information. Many volunteers have served for 15 years or more and thoroughly value the friends they have made and their contribution to the arts in Akron.
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Located on the top floor, the Flying Balcony Club is a members-only area that features a full-service bar and hors d’oeuvres on selected evenings. New memberships begin at just $250 and include such perks as: n Reserved or complimentary parking n Food and beverage vouchers n Access to special club members services n Program recognition—and much more!
Last year, Flying Balcony Club memberships generously funded a new ACT curtain—the brightly lit red curtain that patrons see before every performance. The previous curtain was nearly two decades old, torn and faded, and had water damage. Thanks to memberships, patrons will be greeted by a new curtain that will be illuminated prior to every performance with the Flying Balcony Club logo—a special reminder of the group’s generosity.
RAVE ($500+) Marcia Adair and Dick Edwards Virginia Wojno-Forney James and Barbara Noonan Thomas and Diane Vukovich Molly Plaskett Jay Hershey Roger Read James Hindel Marianne Uhl Dianne Kauffman Nathan & Karen Mortimer Patricia Brown Kevin & Leslie Christensen Charles & Sue Walker Barbara A. Vensey Sherryl & Steve Owen APPLAUSE ($250+) Duwayne and Dorothy Hansen Marc and Sharon Merklin Judit Puskas and Gabor Kaszas John & Carolyn Kline Tom & Shirley Waltermire James & Paula Trenta Michael & Virginia Hoffman Thomas Luck Connie and Thomas Repko Faith and Thane Cook Barbara Banks and Phyllis Fitzgerald
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If you would like to become a member of the Flying Balcony Club contact Melissa Paul, Flying Balcony Membership Services at 330-972-6316 or mlpaul@uakron.edu.
STANDING OVATION ($750+) Mark and Sandra Auburn Thomas Dudek Wes & Linda Van Fossen
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
Membership in the Flying Balcony Club also does something else: It provided EJ Thomas Hall with a vital source of funding. Membership proceeds are used to make improvements at the Hall that otherwise would not be possible.
BRAVO! ($1,500+) Randy and Mary Jo Worthington Miklos And Lorita Gaspar Julia Myers Kevin & Laura Crucs
EJ THOMAS HALL
EJ Thomas Hall is a treasure – for arts, for culture, for The University of Akron, and for the region!
2017-2018 Season
FLYING BALCONY CLUB MEMBERSHIP
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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL
Some Trivia and History
Above: EJ Thomas Hall. Right: 2017 renovations to the hall.
Have you ever wondered why the ACT Curtain and seats of most theatres are red? The tradition of using red for the ACT Curtain and seat covers of a theatre began in the nineteenth century. It could be that red is the color of opulence and grandeur, since, at one time, its use was restricted only to royalty. However, a more likely explanation is that red is the first color lost to our sight in low light conditions. This makes it easier for our eyes to adjust to the darkness of the theatre. Why is the room where the actors wait called the Green Room? The direct answer is that no one knows for sure because it is such a long standing tradition the origin of the phrase has been forgotten. Some explanations are: n Green is the easiest color on your eyes. n Green is a calming color and puts the actors at ease before going onstage. n The room was painted green to relieve the eyes from the glare of the stage. n In Shakespeare’s time, the room where the actor’s waited to go onstage was filled with greenery because it was believed the moisture in the plants helped the actor’s voices. n Many actors are nervous before a performance and may be nauseous and look “green.” Perhaps they were sent to the Green room while they waited. n In Shakespeare’s time, the stage area was known as the “Green” because it was usually a grassy area. The Green Room was the room closest to the stage or green.
2017-2018 Season
And the most likely explanation…
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n Before modern makeup was invented, the makeup actors used had to be cured or it would crack. Before the makeup was cured it was said to be “green” or uncured and the actors were sent to the Green room to sit quietly while their makeup dried. Many actors use the phrase “break a leg” before a performance, a way of wishing their fellow actors good luck before the show. But where did this phrase come from? Theatre has many superstitions, one of which is wishing someone good luck will actually backfire and give the actor bad luck in his performance. So by saying “break a leg” you can wish someone well without jinxing them. But back in the days of vaudeville, not every performer went on stage in front of the audience every night. If you remained backstage, you were not paid. The side curtains on a theatre stage are known as “legs.” When you go out in front of the audience, you enter from the side, and “breaking the leg” means you are now
Just as on sailing ships, it is bad luck for an actor to whistle on or off stage. Original stage crews were hired off ships in port, theatrical rigging having is origin in sailing rigging. Sailors used coded whistles to communicate. When the sailors became theatre riggers they used the same coded whistles to communicate scene changes. Actors who whistled could confuse them and cause mistakes in scene changes that could be dangerous to actors and crew alike.
EJ Thomas Hall occupies three acres on The University of Akron campus and was built at a cost of $13.9 million. Ground breaking was July 30, 1969. The cornerstone was laid on July 21, 1971, with the official grand opening October 9 and 10, 1973. “Initium,” by Carlos Chavez, was commissioned by the Akron Symphony Orchestra for the opening of the EJ Thomas Hall by the members of Witan in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Louis Lane, musical director and conductor of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, directed its performance in world premiere on October 9, 1973. The original score is on display in the Goodrich Lobby.
Located Located within within the the heart heart ofofthe ofthe the Cuyahoga Cuyahoga Valley Valley Located within the heart Cuyahoga Valley
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
The Orchestra and Choral shell is the gift of the Tuesday Musical Association, given in memory of Mary Z. Schumacher of the Quaker Oats family whose generosity helped make these concerts possible. The shell is also used for Akron Symphony Orchestra concerts, lectures and many other performances. The shell moves on air casters to be put in place on the stage.
EJ THOMAS HALL
The sound-reflecting ceiling is the most unique and troublesome feature of the building, with EJ Thomas Hall being one of the few halls in the world whose movable ceiling still functions. The 44 ton ceiling is composed of 3,800 interlocking steel panels, suspended in curved sections from a network of counterweighted cables attached to the Louis A. Witzman Counterweights in Goodrich Lobby with a combined weight of 47 tons. When the weights are all the way down, the ceiling is all the way up.
2017-2018 Season
in front of the audience receiving pay. So wishing an actor “break a leg” is wishing them a good paid performance.
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Caring isn’t just reserved for doctors and nurses. Akron Children’s Hospital is able to improve the lives of children like Jordan because of caring people like you. Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a positive impact on our patients. What moment will you help make possible? Please give at akronchildrens.org/donate.