EJ THomas Hall 2019 Season by Live Publishing

2018-2019 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2018-2019 Season 2

Dear Patron, Welcome to our 45th season at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall! We have an exciting year of diverse performances planned with worldclass artists, cutting edge programming and many opportunities to see and hear the work of our talented University of Akron students. Our mission is to present performances that are fulfilling, technically remarkable, and inspirational in the finest artistic sense. We hope you, your family and friends enjoy many of them! Our season begins with performances from our resident tenants: The Akron Symphony, Tuesday Musical and Playhouse Square. Among the highlights of this special season is Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox— spend an evening singing and moving as your favorite pop tunes are spun into old sounds. Comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short will provide an unforgettable evening of laughter. Look for a night of magic, more humor and silliness with comedian Piff the Magic Dragon. For the holiday season, we have Cirque Dream Holidaze and Tuba Christmas. And, returning for another performance is Harry Potter and the Akron Symphony’s cinematic performance of “The Prisoner of Azkaban.” With Playhouse Square, we are bringing the best of Broadway to the Thomas Hall stage. This year, our Broadway in Akron series will feature “Rock of Ages,” “The Sound of Music,” “Finding Neverland” and “Something Rotten.” We invite you to stay connected to Thomas Hall by visiting us online at UAevents.com and signing up for our weekly e-news. Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/EJThomasHall for contests, pre-sale offers and more. We begin this season, like every season, with gratitude. We have so many generous patrons and faithful audience members who would never miss a program. Thank you for your support of E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall at The University of Akron.

Nathan J. Mortimer, CPA Vice President for Finance & Administration/CFO

Margo E. Ohlson Director of Theatre Operations

your performance will stick with us forever. The arts serve as a source of inspiration for us all. That’s why PNC is proud to support The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, home to Broadway in Akron, The Akron Symphony Orchestra, and Tuesday Musical Association.

2018-2019 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Phone Numbers you should know: Ticket Office..........................330-253-2488 Information Counter..........330-972-6828 General Information...........330-972-7595 Website....................................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 a 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 to enter the Hall. Refunds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Please check your tickets carefully, as all sales are final. Exchanges are not permitted. Refunds are given if an event is canceled and are refunded 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 required 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 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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. continued on page 6

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2018-2019 Season 6

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. 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. ATM PNC Bank has an ATM located in the Ticket Office Lobby for your convenience. Food and beverage service is cash only. Subscriber Lounge As a season subscriber to the Broadway in Akron performances, you not only “lock in” your seats from season-toseason, 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. 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 Safety First – Listen to the pre-show announcements and note the emergency exit routes. n Read the program notes. n When in doubt, ask the ushers. They are here to help. Following these general rules of the theater will ensure that everyone can enjoy the show.

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. 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 select 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.

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2018-2019 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)

2018-2019 Season

WORK LIGHT PRODUCTIONS STEPHEN GABRIEL, PRODUCER PRESENT

EJ THOMAS HALL

BOOK BY

Karey KirKpatricK and John oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Farrell MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

Wayne KirKpatricK and Karey KirKpatricK conceived by Karey KirKpatricK and Wayne KirKpatricK STARRING

DREW ARISCO ABBY BARTISH EMMA BENSON ZACHARY BIGELOW KATIE SCARLETT BRUNSON JULIAN BURZYNSKI JR. BRIAN COWING ALEX EISENBERG TIM FUCHS ROBERT HEAD DEVIN HOLLOWAY DANNY LOPEZ KEELEY ANNE McCORMICK NICK PANKUCH AVEENA SAWYER ALLISON C. SCOTT PETER SURACE DORSEY ZILLER SCENIC DESIGN

COSTUME DESIGN

LIGHTING DESIGN

SOUND DESIGN

SCOTT PASK

GREGG BARNES

JEFF CROITER

PETER HYLENSKI

CASTING

HAIR DESIGN

MAKEUP DESIGN

PRODUCTION MANAGER

WOJCIK | SEAY CASTING

JOSH MARQUETTE

MILAGROS MEDINA-CERDEIRA

PORT CITY TECHNICAL

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

KRISTIN SUTTER

STEVE BEBOUT

MUSIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR

MATTHEW CROFT

TOUR MARKETING

TOUR BOOKING AGENCY

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

ALLIED TOURING

THE BOOKING GROUP RICH RUNDLE, BRIAN BROOKS

WORK LIGHT PRODUCTIONS

MUSIC SUPERVISOR & VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS

ORCHESTRATIONS

MUSIC ARRANGEMENTS

ASSOCIATE MUSIC SUPERVISOR

PHIL RENO

LARRY HOCHMAN

GLEN KELLY

BRIAN P. KENNEDY

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

MATTHEW BAKER MATTHEW MICHAEL JANISSE GREG KALAFATAS EMILY KRISTEN MORRIS MARK SAUNDERS JENNIFER ELIZABETH SMITH RICHARD SPITALETTA

DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY

CASEY NICHOLAW

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ORIGINALLY PRODUCED ON BROADWAY BY KEVIN McCOLLUM, BROADWAY GLOBAL VENTURES, CMC, MASTRO/GOODMAN, JERRY & RONALD FRANKEL, MORRIS BERCHARD, KYODO TOKYO INC., WENDY FEDERMAN, BARBARA FREITAG, LAMS PRODUCTIONS, WINKLER/DESIMONE, TIMOTHY LACZYNSKI, DAN MARKLEY, HARRIS/KARMAZIN, JAM THEATRICALS, ROBERT GREENBLATT, JUJAMCYN THEATERS

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CAST

(in order of appearance) Minstrel .......................................................................................................................DEVIN HOLLOWAY Brother Jeremiah ...........................................................................................................MARK SAUNDERS Portia ........................................................................................................ JENNIFER ELIZABETH SMITH Shakespeare.................................................................................................................. MATTHEW BAKER Nick Bottom ............................................................................................MATTHEW MICHAEL JANISSE Nigel Bottom........................................................................................................ RICHARD SPITALETTA Francis Flute...................................................................................................................... BRIAN COWING Peter Quince .........................................................................................................................DREW ARISCO Tom Snout..................................................................................................................................TIM FUCHS Yorick ...............................................................................................................................NICK PANKUCH Robin ................................................................................................................................... ROBERT HEAD Snug ............................................................................................................................DEVIN HOLLOWAY Lord Clapham .................................................................................................................... PETER SURACE Shylock .............................................................................................................................. PETER SURACE Bea ................................................................................................................... EMILY KRISTEN MORRIS Eyepatch Man .................................................................................................................... PETER SURACE Nostradamus ............................................................................................................... GREG KALAFATAS Shakespeare’s Valet ..........................................................................................................NICK PANKUCH Will Power Backup Boys ....................ZACHARY BIGELOW, TIM FUCHS, JULIAN BURZYNSKI JR. Chef Trio ............................................ZACHARY BIGELOW, DEVIN HOLLOWAY, NICK PANKUCH Master of the Justice ......................................................................................................... BRIAN COWING Ensemble ..............................................................DREW ARISCO, ABBY BARTISH, EMMA BENSON, ZACHARY BIGELOW, JULIAN BURZYNSKI JR., BRIAN COWING, TIM FUCHS, ROBERT HEAD, DEVIN HOLLOWAY, KEELEY ANNE McCORMICK, NICK PANKUCH, AVEENA SAWYER, ALLISON C. SCOTT, PETER SURACE, DORSEY ZILLER UNDERSTUDIES Swings and understudies never substitute for listed performers unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the appearance.

EJ THOMAS HALL

for Brother Jeremiah—BRIAN COWING, PETER SURACE for Portia—EMMA BENSON, ALLISON C. SCOTT for Shakespeare—ZACHARY BIGELOW, NICK PANKUCH for Nick Bottom—DREW ARISCO, ROBERT HEAD, NICK PANKUCH for Nigel Bottom—TIM FUCHS, ROBERT HEAD for Bea—AVEENA SAWYER, DORSEY ZILLER for Nostradamus—BRIAN COWING, PETER SURACE SWINGS KATIE SCARLETT BRUNSON, ALEX EISENBERG, DANNY LOPEZ, PETER SURACE DANCE CAPTAIN DANNY LOPEZ

2018-2019 Season

ASSISTANT DANCE CAPTAIN KATIE SCARLETT BRUNSON

The photographing or sound recording of any performance or the possession of any device or such photographing or sound recording inside this theater, without the written permission of the management, is prohibited by law. Violators may be punished by ejection and violations may render the offender liable for money damages.

2018-2019 Season

CAST

RICHARD SPITALETTA

DREW ARISCO

ABBY BARTISH

EMMA BENSON

ZACHARY BIGELOW

KATIE SCARLETT

BRUNSON

JULIAN BURZYNSKI JR.

BRIAN COWING

ALEX EISENBERG

TIM FUCHS

ROBERT HEAD

DEVIN HOLLOWAY

DANNY LOPEZ

KEELEY ANNE McCORMICK

NICK PANKUCH

AVEENA SAWYER

ALLISON C. SCOTT

PETER SURACE

DORSEY ZILLER

JENNIFER ELIZABETH

SMITH

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MARK SAUNDERS

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

EMILY KRISTEN MORRIS

EJ THOMAS HALL

MATTHEW MATTHEW MICHAEL GREG BAKER KALAFATAS JANISSE

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2018-2019 Season F

SCENES AND MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT ONE SCENE 1: A South London Street “Welcome to the Renaissance” .................................................................................. Minstrel and Company SCENE 2: The Theatre “God, I Hate Shakespeare” ......................................................................................Nick, Nigel, The Troupe SCENE 3: A South London Street/Outside Nick and Bea’s House SCENE 4: Nick and Bea’s House “Right Hand Man” .......................................................................................................................... Bea, Nick “God, I Hate Shakespeare” (Reprise) ..................................................................................................... Nick SCENE 5: Soothsayer Alley “A Musical” ................................................................................................... Nostradamus, Nick, Ensemble SCENE 6: A South London Street/Outside the Theatre SCENE 7: The Theatre “The Black Death” ....................................................................................................................... The Troupe SCENE 8: A South London Street “I Love the Way” ........................................................................................................................Portia, Nigel SCENE 9: The Park “Will Power”............................................................................................................. Shakespeare, Ensemble SCENE 10: After-Show Party Tent SCENE 11: Soothsayer Alley “Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top”..........................................................................................Nick and Company ACT TWO SCENE 1: London “Welcome to the Renaissance” (Reprise) ......................................................................................... Minstrel “Hard to Be the Bard” ..........................................................................................Shakespeare and Ensemble SCENE 2: The Theatre “It’s Eggs!” .........................................................................................................................Nick, The Troupe SCENE 3: Under London Bridge “We See the Light” ........................................................... Portia, Nigel, Brother Jeremiah, Nick, Ensemble SCENE 4: The Theatre “To Thine Own Self” .................................. Nigel, Nick, Shakespeare, Shylock, Nostradamus, The Troupe SCENE 5: A South London Street “Right Hand Man” (Reprise) ....................................................................................................................Bea SCENE 6: One Stage at the Theatre “Something Rotten!”.................................................................................................................... The Troupe “Make an Omelette” ........................................................................................................Nick and Company SCENE 7: Courtroom “To Thine Own Self” (Reprise) ................................................................................................... Nick, Nigel SCENE 8: The Settlement “Finale” .................................................................................................................................... The Company ORCHESTRA Music Director/Keyboard 1—MATTHEW CROFT Associate Music Director/Keyboard 2—SARAH POOL Bass—CRISSY MARTINEZ Reeds—MICHAEL WITSBERGER Drums/Percussion—JESSE-RAY LEICH Music Copying & Preparation—EMILY GRISHMAN

MATTHEW BAKER (Shakespeare). Born in England, now a proud New Yorker. London credits: Sweeney Todd (u/s Tobias), Hair (Woof). U.S. tour: Saturday Night Fever (Tony). Regional: Mary Poppins (Northbrook) Engeman Theatre, Disney Cruise Line: OC Beauty and the Beast (u/s Lumiere/Cogsworth/ Maurice). For Dorothy and his ever supportive family.

GREG KALAFATAS (Nostradamus). Previous credits include the national tours of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Big Bopper) and The Drowsy Chaperone. Also, Disney Cruise Line (Genie), Hairspray (Edna), The Full Monty (Dave), The Producers (Franz) and Chicago (Amos). Lots of love and thanks to family, friends and everyone involved in this amazing production. gregkalafatas.com.

MARK SAUNDERS (Brother Jeremiah) couldn’t be more excited to be making his national tour debut! Recent/favorite credits include Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors, Schroeder in YAGMCB (Lippa), Miss Andrew in Mary Poppins and Davey in The Lieutenant of Inishmore. saunderssings.com. @mas872.

ABBY BARTISH (Ensemble). A Cincinnati native. National tour debut! Regional credits: The Producers, Funny Girl and Swing. Proud graduate of Indiana University (B.F.A. MT). Much gratitude to Wojcik|Seay Casting and the Something Rotten! team. Endless love to her family and friends. For Mom. EMMA BENSON (Ensemble, u/s Portia). National tour debut! Emma just graduated from Shenandoah University, B.F.A. in musical theater, MT ’18. Favorite professional credits: Bebe in A Chorus Line (Heritage Theatre Festival), Penny in Hairspray (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre). Huge thanks to her family, professors, her other half Zachy and her hilarious and enthusiastic friends for absolutely everything. Emma-Benson.com. ZACHARY BIGELOW (Ensemble, u/s Shakespeare). B.F.A. musical theater, Shenandoah Conservatory ’18. Regional: Flat Rock Playhouse, ACT of Connecticut, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. Favorite roles: Mick (Lysistrata Jones), Chip/Jesus (…Spelling Bee), Lumiere (Beauty and the Beast). Endless thanks to family, friends, professors, sweet Kade and other half Emma for their love and support. @zmbluvz2act. zacharybigelow1.me. KATIE SCARLETT BRUNSON (Assistant Dance Captain, Swing) is so grateful to be making her national tour debut! Regional: Singin’ in the Rain, 42nd Street (North Shore MT); Anything Goes (Westchester Broadway); Thoroughly Modern Millie, Carousel, Annie in 42nd Street (Reagle MT). The Boston Conservatory, B.F.A. “Love and many thanks to the Something Rotten! team, my dear family/friends and Henderson Hogan! Xo.”

RICHARD SPITALETTA (Nigel Bottom) is thrilled to join this rotten company! Off-Broadway: Me the People. National tours: A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Lightning Thief. Regional: Footloose, Newsies, Into the Woods, A Funny Thing

JULIAN BURZYNSKI JR. (Ensemble) recently finished traveling the world with Norwegian Cruise Lines as a Principle Performer. “Thank you to Mom and Dad for always believing in me.” Elon University 2017. IG: Juliancookies.

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JENNIFER ELIZABETH SMITH (Portia) is thrilled to be a part of Something Rotten! Regional: Adam Lives (Goodspeed Opera House), Swing! (Prather Entertainment). National tour: Cirque Dreams Holidaze. B.F.A. musical theater from The Boston Conservatory. Endlessly grateful to mom and dad, Steve Bebout, Wojcik|Seay Casting and SW Artists. Social handle: @jennsmith810.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

EMILY KRISTEN MORRIS (Bea). Regional: Mamma Mia! (Sophie) at Finger Lakes MTF, South Pacific at The Cape Playhouse. Also appeared at Weston Playhouse, New York Musical Theatre Festival, Summer Repertory Theatre and 42nd Street Moon. Performed in China with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra as Sarah in Guys and Dolls, among others. Proud CCM graduate. For Rocco. @emilykristenmorris. EmilyKristenMorris.com.

DREW ARISCO (Ensemble, u/s Nick Bottom) is eggstatic to be touring with Something Rotten! Favorite credits: Dogfight (SpeakEasy Stage), West Side Story (Actors’ Playhouse), Hair (BoCo), Outlaws (Goodspeed) and Grease (Royal Caribbean). The Boston Conservatory B.F.A. He would like to thank the whole Rotten team, Dave, his friends, mom, dad, siblings, nieces and nephews and you. @thedrewarisco.

EJ THOMAS HALL

MATTHEW MICHAEL JANISSE (Nick Bottom). National tour: Cabaret (Max/Sax), Mamma Mia! (u/s Bill, Harry). Regional: The Full Monty (Jerry), L5Y (Jamie), Into the Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince), Avenue Q (Princeton) and Shrek (Shrek). Janisse would like to thank ATB Talent, his family and Carolyn for making the journey “Something Wonderful!” Matthewjanisse.com. @matthewnofilter.

Happened on the Way to the Forum, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. B.F.A.: Penn State. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Kristen, Erica, SW Artists and the entire team. @RichardSpitzz. richardspitaletta.com.

2018-2019 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2018-2019 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST BRIAN COWING (Ensemble, u/s Brother Jeremiah, Nostradamus) is a proud graduate of Oklahoma City University from Madison, Wis. National tour: Annie (Mr. Bundles). Regional credits: Spamalot (Patsy), The Drowsy Chaperone (George), The 25th…Spelling Bee (Barfee). Huge thanks to his family, friends and the team of Something Rotten! Enjoy the show! @brian_cowing.

NICK PANKUCH (Ensemble, u/s Nick Bottom, Shakespeare) hails from Aurora, Ill., and graduated from Baldwin Wallace University with a B.M. in music theater. Favorite roles include Flynn Rider in Tangled The Musical, Link Larkin in Hairspray and swing dancing for In the Mood. He’d like to thank his family and friends, his mentors and Dr. Pepper.

ALEX EISENBERG (Swing) is thrilled to be making his national tour debut! Regional: Mary Poppins (NSMT/TBTS), Singin’ in the Rain (MSMT), Spamalot (TBTS), ZM (Goodspeed). “Endless love to Wojcik|Seay Casting, BLOC NYC, the entire Something Rotten! team and my loving family!” Training: B.F.A. The Boston Conservatory ’17. @alexseisenberg.

AVEENA SAWYER (Ensemble, u/s Bea) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut! She is from New York and just completed her B.F.A. in musical theater from Kent State University. Most recent professional credit is Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Porthouse Theatre. She extends her heart to her family and friends for the constant support.

TIM FUCHS (Ensemble, u/s Nigel Bottom). Natl. tour: 42nd Street (Swing). Cruise Ship: Cats (Mungojerrie). Regional: The Royal Family of Broadway (Barrington Stage), A Chorus Line (Al, Westchester Broadway), Newsies (Davey, PCPA). From Ithaca, N.Y. Love to family and friends, Sierra, thanks Wojcik|Seay Casting and WLP. SUNY Cortland, Daniel Hoff Agency. timfuchs282.com. Insta: @timfuchsphotography. ROBERT HEAD (Ensemble, u/s Nick and Nigel Bottom). National tour debut! Regional: Mamma Mia!, Newsies, Shrek (Tuacahn Amphitheater); Fiddler on the Roof (Portland Center Stage); Austen’s Pride (Finger Lakes MTF). Cruise Ships: Saturday Night Fever (Royal Carribbean). Robert thanks the artistic team, Daniel Hoff Agency, Wojcik|Seay Casting and his loved ones for their support! IG: @ robshead. DEVIN HOLLOWAY (Ensemble, Minstrel). Tours: Motown (Berry Gordy u/s), 42nd Street (Andy Lee u/s), Hair (Margaret Mead), Sesame Street Live (Swing). Regional: Cafe Variations (Siti Company), Carousel (Enoch). Much Love to his family and friends for their support. devinholloway.net. DANNY LOPEZ (Dance Captain, Swing) is super “egg-cited” to be part of Something Rotten! International tour: Mamma Mia! He has also performed in many regional theaters around the country. He would like to thank his family and friends for their unwavering love and support. dannylopezactor.com. @dlopez580. KEELEY ANNE McCORMICK(Ensemble). National tour debut! Regional: The Producers (Theatre By The Sea), Spamalot (Short North Stage). University of Utah B.F.A. ’15. Thank you to Wojcik|Seay Casting and the entire Rotten team for this opportunity! Endless gratitude to mom, dad and my favorite baby brother. Instagram: @keeleycattt.

ALLISON C. SCOTT (Ensemble, u/s Portia). National tour debut! Regional: 42nd Street (Lorraine Fleming), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Time Step. Education: Montclair State University, B.F.A. musical theater/B.A. jurisprudence, law and society. “Endless thanks to my mom.” allisoncscott.com. PETER SURACE (Ensemble, Shylock, Swing, u/s Brother Jeremiah, Nostradamus). National tour: Joseph…Dreamcoat (Canaan Days). Theater: Mary Poppins, The Mystery…Drood, Singin’ in the Rain, Tangled: The Musical, Twice Charmed (Prince Charming), The Taming of the Shrew, Kiss of the Spider Woman. B.F.A. in musical theater from Montclair State University. Love to Mom, Dad and Laura! petersurace.com. @petersurace. DORSEY ZILLER (Ensemble, u/s Bea) Dorsey is egg-static to be part of this production! Previous credits: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz (national tour), Mary Poppins (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse) and Frozen (Disney Cruise Line). Proud graduate of Point Park University. Love and thanks to her family. Proverbs 3:6. KAREY KIRKPATRICK (Book, Music and Lyrics) began his career as a screen and songwriter for Disney Animation, where he penned The Rescuers Down Under and James and the Giant Peach. With more than a dozen feature films produced, screenplay credits include Chicken Run (Golden Globe nominee for Outstanding Comedy), Charlotte’s Web, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Spiderwick Chronicles and Over the Hedge, which he also co-directed. He directed the Paramount Pictures film Imagine That starring Eddie Murphy and co-produced, wrote and performed on the film’s soundtrack. He recently directed the Warner Brothers animated musical Smallfoot for which he also co-wrote the screenplay and the songs (with brother Wayne). He has won a number of Tony, Oscar and Grammy awards and that number is zero. Other credits: husband of Nada, father of Sami, Maia and Finn. You can follow him @kareykirk. 7

GREGG BARNES (Costume Designer). Broadway: Pretty Woman, Mean Girls (Tony nomination), Tuck Everlasting (Tony nomination), Something Rotten!, Aladdin, Kinky Boots (2013 Tony nomination), Follies (2012 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award), Elf, Legally Blonde (2007 Tony nomination), The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards, Olivier nomination), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Flower Drum Song (2003 Tony nom.), Side Show, To Be or Not to Be. Other: Dreamgirls (Olivier nomination), The Wizard of Oz, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Cinderella and The Merry Widow (New York City Opera), Pageant (the Blue Angel and London’s West End— Olivier nom.). TDF Young Master Award. JEFF CROITER (Lighting Designer). Bandstand, Falsettos, Holiday Inn, Something Rotten!, Disaster, Pen & Teller, Newsies, Peter and the Starcatcher (Tony award), Mothers and Sons, A Time to Kill, Soul Doctor, Jekyll & Hyde, The Anarchist, The

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CASEY NICHOLAW (Director, Choreographer). Represented on Broadway as director/choreographer of The Prom, Mean Girls (2018 Tony nominations for Best Direction and Choreography), Disney’s Aladdin (2014 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle award nominations for Best Choreography); and codirector and choreographer of The Book of Mormon (2011 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for co-director and nominations in the same categories for Choreography; Olivier Award-winner for Best Choreography). Represented on the West End as director and choreographer of Dreamgirls, The Book of Mormon and Aladdin. Other Broadway credits as director/choreographer: Tuck Everlasting, Something Rotten! (2015 Tony nominee, Best Director), Elf: The Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations), Monty Python’s Spamalot directed by Mike Nichols (2005 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations Best Choreography). Additional New York credits: for City Center Encores!: the highly acclaimed productions of Most Happy Fella, Anyone Can Whistle and Follies (direction/choreography).

SCOTT PASK (Scenic Designer). Over 50 Broadway designs including The Book of Mormon (Tony Award); The Pillowman (Tony); The Band’s Visit (Tony nomination); Mean Girls (Tony nomination); Waitress; Oh, Hello!; Pippin (Tony nomination); Something Rotten!; The Visit; An Act of God; It’s Only a Play; I’ll Eat You Last; A Steady Rain; The Coast of Utopia (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Hewes awards); Pal Joey (Tony nomination); Les Liaisons Dangereuses (first revival, Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award); A Behanding in Spokane; Nine; Promises, Promises; Speed-the-Plow; Take Me Out; Martin Short…; The Vertical Hour; Sweet Charity; Urinetown. London: The Book of Mormon, The Playboy of the Western World, The Country Girl, LoveSong, On an Average Day… (all West End); Tales from Hollywood, Take Me Out and The Same Deep Water as Me (Donmar). Also Peter Grimes (Met Opera); Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna; John Mulaney Kid Gorgeous; and Oh, Hello! on Netflix

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JOHN O’FARRELL (Book) is one of the UK’s best known comic authors and script writers. Best-selling novels include The Best a Man Can Get, May Contain Nuts and The Man Who Forgot His Wife. Non-fiction includes An Utterly Impartial History of Britain, the political memoir Things Can Only Get Better and its recent sequel plus three collections of his satirical columns for the Guardian newspaper. O’Farrell’s books have been translated into 30 languages and adapted for BBC Radio and television. Winner, British Comedy Award. Previously a writer (and later panelist) on BBC’s “Have I Got News For You” and lead writer on 10 series of ITV’s “Spitting Image.” Currently writing the sequel to Chicken Run, and adapting one of his novels for Sony International Pictures. @mrjohnofarrell.

PHIL RENO (Music Supervisor and Vocal Arrangements). Broadway: Something Rotten!; Elf; Promises, Promises; The Drowsy Chaperone; The Producers; Thou Shalt Not; Dame Edna: The Royal Tour and Back with a Vengeance; Cats. OffBroadway: The Diva is Dismissed (Public), A New Brain (Lincoln Center). National tours: Joseph… (with Donny Osmond), original company of Music of the Night, Starlight Express, Bob Fosse’s Sweet Charity. Television: music director/conductor for “Broadway Under the Stars” (CBS 2002–2006), “CBS Tree Lighting in Bryant Park” (2006–2011). Film: The Producers. Two-time Grammy-nominee as coproducer of The Drowsy Chaperone and Something Rotten! cast albums.

EJ THOMAS HALL

WAYNE KIRKPATRICK (Music and Lyrics) is the Grammy Award-winning songwriter of “Change the World” by Eric Clapton (Song of the Year). Top 10 singles include “Every Heartbeat,” “Good for Me” (Amy Grant); “Wrapped Up in You” (Garth Brooks); “Boondocks,” “Bring It on Home,” “Little White Church” (Little Big Town); “Place in This World” (Michael W. Smith). He is a multi-formatted songwriter with songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Faith Hill, Joe Cocker, Gabe Dixon, Trisha Yearwood, Babyface and Peter Frampton, among others. His songs have been featured in TV shows (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “True Blood,” “Hart of Dixie”) as well as feature films (Almost Famous, Phenomenon, Smallfoot). Wayne lives in Nashville with his wife Fran and has recently been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame for 2018. Favorite productions: Kourtney, Shelby and Carson.

2018-2019 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2018-2019 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST Performers, The Pee-wee Herman Show, Next Fall, Kiki & Herb. Off-Broadway includes The True, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Jerry Springer The Opera, Tiny Beautiful Things, Cost of Living, Sweet Charity, Head of Passes, Ordinary Days, Last Five Years, The Internationalist. Other: Big Apple Circus, Penn & Teller at the Rio in Las Vegas, Jennifer Muller the Works. Jeff has received Tony, Hewes and Bass awards and Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lortel, Ovation, Irne and Audelco nominations. PETER HYLENSKI (Sound Designer). Grammy, Olivier and four-time Tony award nominee. Selected Broadway designs: After Midnight, Motown, The Scottsboro Boys, Rock of Ages, Side Show, Rocky, Bullets Over Broadway, Shrek the Musical, On a Clear Day…, Lend Me a Tenor, Elf, Wonderland, CryBaby, The Times They Are A-Changin’, The Wedding Singer, Sweet Charity, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Little Women, Brooklyn. Other credits: Le Rêve at Wynn Las Vegas, Ragtime (London), Rocky das Musical (Hamburg), King Kong (Melbourne), How to Train Your Dragon, Walking with Dinosaurs. LARRY HOCHMAN (Orchestrations). Broadway: On the Twentieth Century, The Book of Mormon (Tony, Drama Desk awards), Big Fish, Pippin, Chaplin, The Scottsboro Boys (Tony nom.), Spamalot (Tony nom.), A Class Act (Tony nom.), Fiddler on the Roof (Tony nom.), Jane Eyre. Television: composer of “The Wonder Pets!” (five Emmys). Twenty-five regional and Off-Broadway shows, including Death Takes a Holiday (Maury Yeston) and Marvin Hamlisch’s The Nutty Professor. Seventeen films, including The Informant! (Marvin Hamlisch). Recordings, concerts: Paul McCartney, Eric Idle, Barbra Streisand, Hugh Jackman, Audra McDonald, Barry Manilow, Mandy Patinkin, Boston Pops, New York Philharmonic. LarryHochman.net. JOSH MARQUETTE (Hair Designer). N.Y./ London: Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, Present Laughter, Dreamgirls, Paramour, Tuck Everlasting, School of Rock, Something Rotten!, Aladdin, Kinky Boots, The Book of Mormon, Trip of Love, First Date, Elf, Dogfight, The Best Man, Look Back in Anger, The Drowsy Chaperone, Pig Farm, The…Trailer Park Musical, Altar Boyz, Show Boat at Carnegie Hall, Mamma Mia!. Encores!: Most Happy Fella and Follies. West Coast: Robin and the 7 Hoods, Peep Show, Minsky’s, Vanities. Television: “The Slap,” “30 Rock,” “SNL.” Instagram: @josh_marquette. GLEN KELLY (Music Arranger) arranged music for Broadway’s Mean Girls, Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, The Scottsboro Boys, Something Rotten!, A Christmas Story, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spamalot and Beauty and the Beast, among others. He supervised and arranged Mel Brooks’ The Producers and

Young Frankenstein. He arranged and wrote lyrics for Bullets Over Broadway, and won the New York Drama Desk Award for his original score to The Nance. Upcoming project: The Prom. STEVE BEBOUT (Associate Director) also served as associate director of The Book of Mormon (Broadway, tour), The Addams Family (Broadway, tour, Brazil and Australia), Sister Act (Broadway), 101 Dalmatians (tour) and Girl Crazy (Encores!). Directing credits include I Got Fired and Two Rooms in NYC. Regional: Newsies (NCT), The Full Monty, The Buddy Holly Story and Little Shop of Horrors. NYU: Urinetown: The Musical and Bye Bye Birdie. Thanks to Casey and the Rotten team, and to Holly and Gus. BRIAN P. KENNEDY (Associate Music Supervisor). National tour: Something Rotten! (Music Director/Conductor), A Bronx Tale (Music Director/ Conductor). Los Angeles: Carrie, William Finn’s Make Me a Song, Harps & Angels, Re-Animator, Silence: The Musical, Oklahoma!, Hello! My Baby! (Arrangements/Orchestrations). Broadway: 13 (Music Assistant). Graduate of UNC-Greensboro. brianpkennedy.com. MATTHEW CROFT (Music Director) is thrilled to be music directing the second national tour of Something Rotten! Broadway: The Illusionists: Turn of the Century (Music Director/Keyboard 2, Palace Theatre). Touring: Motown: The Musical (Music Director); The Producers, Guys and Dolls (Associate Conductor/Keyboards). Regional: Forever Plaid, I Love a Piano, Altar Boyz, Hair (Music Director and Keyboard); You Never Know, Lysistrata Jones (Associate Conductor/Keyboards). “Thanks to Phil, Brian, Wayne and Karey, our creative team, the cast and crew, and my fantastic “Rotten” band. All my love to my incredible fiancée, Aubrey—can’t wait to marry you! F&A.” matthewcroftmusic.com. KRISTIN SUTTER (Production Stage Manager). B.F.A. from Wright State University. National tours: A Christmas Story (’16 and ’17), The Buddy Holly Story (’15 and ’16). Regional: Sweeney Todd; Avenue Q; Lombardi; Band Geeks!; Caroline, or Change; Footloose; Dames at Sea; The Fantasticks, …Spelling Bee; Crazy for You; Bonnie and Clyde; Grease; Ring of Fire. Cheers! ARTHUR J. M. CALLAHAN (Company Manager) is egg-cited to make every city Rotten! Recent national/international tours: Motown: The Musical, 20th anniversary tour of Rent, Ragtime, Peter and the Starcatcher, Rock of Ages, The Color Purple, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Grease with Frankie Avalon. Special thanks to Mom, the fam and JCM for never-ending support. “Happiness is not out there; it’s in you.” 9

BDB MARKETING (Marketing Services) is a division of bdb productions, an entertainment company focusing on live theatrical productions. In addition to Something Rotten!, bdb marketing also represents The Play That Goes Wrong. Previous clients have included Wicked, Penn & Teller, Stomp, If/ Then, Annie, Oleanna, Don’t Quit Your Night Job and Feinstein’s/54 Below. For more information: bdb-productions.com.

COMPANY MANAGER Arthur J.M. Callahan PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT PORT CITY TECHNICAL Rhys Williams Mackenzie Foster Susie Prueter Tom Klonowski Rossella Human Ilana Olken TOUR MARKETING & PRESS ALLIED TOURING Marya K. Peters Andrew Damer Anne Dailey Meyer Hayden Anderson Jennifer Gallagher Anne Waisanen Scott Praefke Jacqueline Smith Meghan Kastenholz Janie Dickerson Jessica Cary

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ALLIED TOURING (Tour Marketing & Press) is a full-service engagement management agency representing Broadway tours and other live touring events across North America. Current: The Book of Mormon; Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella; Hello, Dolly!; Kinky Boots; The Lightning Thief; The Play That Goes Wrong; RENT; Rock of Ages; School of Rock; Something Rotten!; Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Upcoming: Ain’t Too Proud, Bandstand, Clue – Live on Stage, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Clint Black’s Looking for Christmas, Mean Girls, The SpongeBob Musical.

STAFF FOR SOMETHING ROTTEN! GENERAL MANAGEMENT WORK LIGHT PRODUCTIONS Stephen Gabriel Nancy Gabriel Scott Seay Anièle Fortin Kevin Greene Carolyn Clark Smith Victoria Buczynski Courtney King Noelle Hedgcock

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PORT CITY TECHNICAL (Production Management) is a production management company based in Charleston, S.C. Also referred to as “Work Light South,” PCT was initially started in 1993 as Technical Theater Solutions by Rhys Williams. TTS worked with WLP on many shows, including American Idiot, Nice Work If You Can Get It, In the Heights and Avenue Q. Since the conception of PCT, tours with WLP have included Mamma Mia!, Vocalosity, and Motown: The Musical. Current tours include Rent, Cinderella, Something Rotten!, White Christmas and the pre-broadway Ain’t Too Proud: The Temptations Musical.

WORK LIGHT PRODUCTIONS (General Management). Dedicated to creating and producing live entertainment. Current productions: Something Rotten!, Rent 20th anniversary tour, Cinderella, White Christmas. Currently developing Clue, a new stage play based on the Paramount movie. Upcoming: 2016 Olivier Award-winning production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Bandstand and Ain’t Too Proud. Produced Julie Andrews, The Gift of Music at The Hollywood Bowl and London’s O2 Arena. Other recent touring productions include the Tony Award-winners American Idiot, In the Heights, Avenue Q, Vocalosity and Mamma Mia! WLP is led by founding partner and President Stephen Gabriel and Vice President Nancy Gabriel. worklightproductions.com.

EJ THOMAS HALL

WOJCIK|SEAY CASTING (Casting) is Scott Wojcik and Gayle Seay. Along with Holly Buczek and Kevin Metzger-Timson, they cast all mediums. Tours: Motown: The Musical, Rent, Kinky Boots, Vocalosity, Flashdance, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Jekyll & Hyde (national and Korean), Dreamgirls (Korean tour) Joseph…Dreamcoat, Oklahoma! and A Chorus Line. Off-Broadway: Church and State, Othello: The Remix, The Portal, Tennessee Williams’ The Two Character Play with Amanda Plummer and Brad Dourif, Handle with Care with Carol Lawrence, Triassic Parq, National Pastime, 666 and more. Regional: Multiple seasons/shows for Riverside Theatre—Fla., The Engeman Theatre—N.Y., Theatre Raleigh—N.C., Stages St Louis—Mo., Theatre Aspen—Colo. and Tuacahn PAC—Utah. Pilots: “Upstate” and “Stand-In.” Films: Best Man in the Dark, Tommy Battles the Silver Sea Dragon, My Prologue. Webseries: “The Fuzz.” Many commercials. wscasting.com.

THE BOOKING GROUP (Tour Direction). Since its inception in 1996, The Booking Group has represented 25 Tony Award-winning Best Musicals and Plays. Current touring productions include Hamilton; Anastasia; Come from Away; Dear Evan Hansen; Hello, Dolly! starring Betty Buckley; The Book of Mormon; School of Rock; Waitress; On Your Feet!; Rent: the 20th anniversary tour; Fiddler on the Roof; The Play That Goes Wrong; and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Future productions include The Cher Show, Mean Girls, My Fair Lady, Pretty Woman and To Kill a Mockingbird.

2018-2019 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2018-2019 Season

TOUR BOOKING AGENCY THE BOOKING GROUP Rich Rundle, Brian Brooks tbgtours.broadway

Housing Coordination ..........................Road Rebel Merchandising.............Creative Goods/Pete Milano Creative Services ........ Allied Integrated Marketing/ Debbie Allamong, Eric Stormoen

CASTING WOJCIK | SEAY CASTING Gayle Seay Scott Wojcik Holly Buczek Kevin Metzger-Timson

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LEGAL COUNSEL LEVINE PLOTKIN & MENIN, LLP Loren Plotkin, Conrad Rippy, Susan Mindell Daniel Watkins, Emily Erstling Production Stage Manager ................ Kristin Sutter Assistant Stage Manager ............... Brandon Martin Dance Captain ................................. Danny Lopez Assistant Dance Captain ......Katie Scarlett Brunson Associate Director............................Steve Bebout Associate Scenic Designer ...........Gabriel Firestone Associate Costume Designer....Alexander Cole Gottlieb Assistant Costume Designers .......... Dara Affholter, James Nguyen Associate Lighting Designer .................Aaron Tacy Assistant Lighting Designer .............. Jason Flamos Associate Sound Designer ................... Jeff Human Keyboard Programming ........................Jim Abbott Associate Hair Designer................... Kevin Maybee Assistant Makeup Designer ............Angela Johnson Head Carpenter.................................. Noah Smith Assistant Carpenter/Flyman ..................John White Head Electrician .............................. David Salazar Assistant Electrician ........................ Michael Smith Head Audio ......................................... Brian Davis Assistant Audio .................................. Robert Isley Head Props................................Amy Laemmerhirt Assistant Props ............................ Zachary Maurer Head Wardrobe ......................... Catherine Lovejoy Assistant Wardrobe ..........................Topher Jones Head Hair/Makeup ...................... Adrienne Maurer Production Electrician .................... Heather Hunter Moving Light Programmer ................... Sean Beach Production Audio ................................. Jeff Human Assistant Production Audio ............... Devon Swiger Production Assistant ......................... Aliyah Kiesler Production Photographer .................Jeremy Daniel Marketing Services ........................bdb marketing/ Betsy Bernstein Accountant ......................... WithumSmith+Brown/ Robert Fried, CPA, Karen Kowgios, CPA, Anthony Moore, CPA Comptroller ........................ Galbraith & Company/ Sarah Galbraith Insurance................... Maury Donnelly & Parr, Inc./ Bob Middleton, Meghan Shriver Banking .......................................Signature Bank/ Margaret Monigan Payroll ............................................... People, Inc.

CREDITS Scenery constructed by Hudson Scenic Studio, PRG-Scenic Technologies, a division of Production Resource Group, LLC, Scenic Arts Studios and TTS Studios. Lighting equipment by PRG Lighting, Inc. Sound equipment by PRG Sound, Inc. Props fabricated by Tom Carol Scenery, Joseph Cairo, Jeremy Lydic Design, Daedalus Design and Production, Jerard Studio, Matt Hodges, Sarah Odam Hodges, Marcus Kean, Atalantia Siegel, Rob McFayden, R. Ramos Upholstery, Raphael Mishler and Peter Sarafin. Hag noses created by Thomas Denier and Vincent Schiccchi. Costumes by Arel Studio Inc.; Artur & Tailors Ltd.; By Barak, LLC; Carelli Costumes Inc.; Costume Armour, Inc.; Cygnet Studio, Inc.; Eric Winterling, Inc.; Ingrid Helton; Jackson Wiederhöeft; Jan Parran LLC; Jennifer Chapman Studios LLC; Jennifer Love Costumes; Katrina Patterns, Inc.; Lynne Baccus; Pae & Kim’s Custom Tailoring; Redthreaded; Tricorne, Inc.; the Work Room. Costume painting, dyeing and distressing by Jeff Fender Studio and Gene Mignola, Inc. Crafts by David Crittenden; Judith E. Marsh; Miodrag Guberinic. Boots made by T.O. Dey Shoe Company. Custom shoes by LaDuca Shoes. Millinery by J. Doug James Millinery; Lynne Mackey Studio; Monica Viani; Rodney Gordon Inc. Custom jewelry by Moans Couture. Special thanks to Bra*Tenders for hosiery and undergarments. SPECIAL THANKS/SPONSORS Special thanks to Stephen Cabral at TDF Costume Collection. The Director and Choreographer are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union. Backstage and Front of the House Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.). United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.

2018-2019 Season

OISES OISES OISES

EJ THOMAS HALL

Experience German-American life in the 19th century at Historic Zoar Villageâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or relive the fight for American independence at Fort Laurens in Bolivar, Ohio! Less than an hour away from Akron, but a world away from today.

Come create your own history!

Call 330-874-3011 or 800-262-6195 for more information.

Canton

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Wooster

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Our cast of characters welcomes you!

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON 2018-2019 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL

EJ Thomas Hall Some Trivia and History

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 actors 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.” 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. And the most likely explanation… n Before modern makeup was invented, the actor’s makeup was actually 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. 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

Contemporary Midwest Ceramics On View

5/03/19 through 7/21/19

Experience American ceramics in a bold new exhibition! Five acclaimed artists push the boundaries of clay sculpture with dramatic design, color, and form often inspired through painting, drawing, or printmaking. DRAFTING Dimensions lets you discover the creative process and the expression of ideas in vivid new fashion.

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. 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 in front of the audience receiving pay. So wishing an actor “break a leg” is wishing them a good paid performance.

A LS O ON V I E W. . . B etween Worl ds: J ohn J ude P alenc ar Organi z ed A m bi gui ty: Gridw ork s of D av id K unt z man Food for Thought: C elebrat ing Food in A rt

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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 its 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. Malcolm Mobutu Smith (American). Beon Cloud Scoop, 2018. Stoneware, 34 x 29 x 10 ½ in. Image copyright © Malcolm Mobutu Smith.