EJ Thomas Hall 2018-2019 Season

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Dear Patron, Welcome to our 45th season at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall! We have an exciting year of diverse performances planned with world-class 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 members and friends will 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.

EJ THOMAS HALL

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

2018-2019 Season

Wayne County

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Margo E. Ohlson Director of Theatre Operations

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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.

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2018-2019 Season 4

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 – 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 – 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: 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. Safety First – Listen to the pre-show announcements and note the emergency exit routes. Read the program notes. 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 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. 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. Smoke Free/Tobacco Free – EJ Thomas Hall is a smoke and tobacco free building. This includes e-cigarettes. Unless instructed to do so by the performers, do not talk, hum, sing along or beat time. Aisles must be kept free of any obstructions for safety. For your enjoyment, food and beverages purchased at EJ Thomas Hall are permitted inside the theatre for select shows. 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)

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

Guest artists New York City Ballet dancers

Sponsored by Kenan Advantage Group

12/7, 8 & 9

Fri. 7:30pm / Sat. 2:00pm & 7:30pm / Sun 2:00pm Canton Palace Theatre

cantonballet.com 330.455.7220

Cassandra Crowley A r t i s t i c & E xe c u t i ve D i re c t o r


2018-2019 Season

NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS presents

Music by

Lyrics by

Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp with JILL-CHRISTINE WILEY

HUNTER BROWN

LAUREN KIDWELL

MIKE McLEAN

JAKE MILLS

LAUREN O’BRIEN

ETHAN DOUGLAS CUTILLO RILEY O’KANE JENNA SEASHOLTZ QUINN TITCOMB EDWARD TURNER ALEXANDRA BRADLEY

KATE TURNER

EMILY STRUGATSKY HENRY FIN BERRY

BRYAN AUSTERMANN TOMMY BETZ MORGAN BLANCHARD NICHOLAS CARROLL ELAINE COTTER SCOTT FUSS KELLY GLYPTIS STEPHANIE GRAY LEAH GREENE JORDYN NORKEY JAMES TAYLOR ODOM JAMES PARKS JILLIAN ROSSI CHRISTINA TOMPKINS ARIANA VALDES TERESA WHITT

Scenic Designer DOUGLAS W. SCHMIDT

Orchestrations by ROBERT RUSSELL BENNETT Production Stage Manager MARY DENNIS General Manager Gentry & Associates JAMEY JENNINGS

Lighting Designer NATASHA KATZ

Hair and Wig Designer BERNIE ARDIA

Music Coordinator JOHN MEZZIO

Casting by STEWART/WHITLEY CHRISTINE McKENNA, CSA Tour Booking THE ROAD COMPANY

Tour Press & Marketing BROADWAY BOOKING OFFICE NYC

Executive Producer TRINITY WHEELER

Sound Designer SHANNON SLATON Music Director/Conductor MICHAEL GILDIN Dance & Vocal Arrangements by TRUDE RITTMANN Company Manager ANNE CAPE Production Manager NETworks Presentations EMMA DOWNEY

Music Supervisor

ANDY EINHORN Choreography Recreated by

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Costume Coordinator JIMM HALLIDAY

Costume Designer JANE GREENWOOD

EJ THOMAS HALL

RICHARD RODGERS OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II Book by HOWARD LINDSAY and RUSSEL CROUSE

JONATHAN WARREN Original Choreography by

DANNY MEFFORD

Original Direction by

JACK O’BRIEN Produced by Special Arrangement with Rodgers & Hammerstein: A Concord Music Company, Crouse Literary Properties Company LLC and The Howard Lindsay Trust

uaevents.com

Directed by

MATT LENZ

www.TheSoundofMusicOnTour.com

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

CAST AND MUSICIANS

(in order of appearance) The Mother Abbess ......................................................................................................... LAUREN KIDWELL Maria Rainer, a Postulant at Nonnberg Abbey........................................................JILL-CHRISTINE WILEY Sister Berthe, Mistress of Novices. ..................................................................................... ARIANA VALDES Sister Margaretta, Mistress of Postulants...............................................................................TERESA WHITT Sister Sophia ........................................................................................................................ELAINE COTTER Captain Georg von Trapp ........................................................................................................ MIKE McLEAN Franz, The Butler ........................................................................................................................ SCOTT FUSS Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper ......................................................................................... STEPHANIE GRAY Liesl LAUREN O’BRIEN Friedrich EDWARD TURNER Louisa JENNA SEASHOLTZ Children of Captain von Trapp Kurt ETHAN DOUGLAS CUTILLO Brigitta EMILY STRUGATSKY Marta RILEY O’KANE Gretl QUINN EDEN TITCOMB Rolf Gruber ........................................................................................................................ HUNTER BROWN Elsa Schraeder......................................................................................................................... KATE TURNER Ursula ...................................................................................................................................... JILLIAN ROSSI Max Detweiler .............................................................................................................................JAKE MILLS Herr Zeller................................................................................................................................ JAMES PARKS Baron Elberfeld .........................................................................................................BRYAN AUSTERMANN Baroness Elberfeld .............................................................................................................. ARIANA VALDES A New Postulant ..................................................................................................................... JILLIAN ROSSI Admiral von Schreiber ............................................................................................. JAMES TAYLOR ODOM Neighbors of Captain von Trapp, Nuns, Novices, Postulants and Contestants at the Festival Concert..................... BRYAN AUSTERMANN, TOMMY BETZ, MORGAN BLANCHARD, ELAINE COTTER, SCOTT FUSS, KELLY GLYPTIS, STEPHANIE GRAY, LEAH GREENE, JORDYN NORKEY, JAMES TAYLOR ODOM, JAMES PARKS, JILLIAN ROSSI, ARIANA VALDES, TERESA WHITT

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SWINGS NICHOLAS CARROLL, CHRISTINA TOMPKINS UNDERSTUDIES

Understudies never substitute for the listed players unless a specific posting or announcement is made at the time of the performance.

For Maria Rainer - ELAINE COTTER, JILLIAN ROSSI, TERESA WHITT; for The Mother Abbess KELLY GLYPTIS, ARIANA VALDES; for Captain Georg von Trapp - NICHOLAS CAROLL, JAMES TAYLOR ODOM; for Liesl - LEAH GREENE; for Friedrich - HENRY FIN BERRY; for Louisa - EMILY STRUGATSKY; for Kurt - HENRY FIN BERRY; for Brigitta - RILEY O’KANE; for Marta ALEXANDRA BRADLEY; for Gretl - ALEXANDRA BRADLEY; for Rolf Gruber - TOMMY BETZ, MORGAN BLANCHARD; for Max Detweiler - JAMES TAYLOR ODOM, JAMES PARKS; for Elsa Schraeder - JORDYN NORKEY, CHRISTINA TOMPKINS. Dance Captain: ELANIE COTTER ORCHESTRA Music Director/Conductor/Keyboards: MICHAEL GILDIN; Assistant Conductor/Keyboards: MILES PLANT; Violin/Concertmaster: VICTORIA HURLBURT; Violin: ANNIE SOPHIE ANDERSEN; Cello: EARLE PEREZ; Flute/Piccolo/Clarinet: MICHAEL ROSEN; Clarinet/Oboe: DREW SPENCER-BELL; Bassoon/ Clarinet: ANNA ROSEN; French Horn: REBECCA FATHMAN; Trumpet/Flugelhorn: NICHOLAS BERRY; Drums/Percussion: BRIAN GANCH; Musical Coordinator: JOHN MEZZIO

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LAUREN KIDWELL

MIKE McLEAN

JAKE MILLS

LAUREN O’BRIEN

KATE TURNER

JENNA SEASHOLTZ

EMILY STRUGATSKY

QUINN TITCOMB

EDWARD TURNER

ALEXANDRA BRADLEY

HENRY FIN BERRY

BRYAN AUSTERMANN

TOMMY BETZ

MORGAN BLANCHARD

NICHOLAS CARROLL

ELAINE COTTER

SCOTT FUSS

KELLY GLYPTIS

STEPHANIE GRAY

LEAH GREENE

JORDYN NORKEY

JAMES TAYLOR ODOM

JAMES PARK

JILLIAN ROSSI

CHRISTINA TOMPKINS

ARIANA VALDES

TERESA WHITT

uaevents.com

RILEY O’KANE

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

ETHAN DOUGLAS CUTILLO

EJ THOMAS HALL

HUNTER BROWN

2018-2019 Season

JILL-CHRISTINE WILEY

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

MUSICAL NUMBERS AND SCENES ACT I Scene 1: The Nonnberg Abbey Preludium .......................................................................... The Nuns of the Nonnberg Abbey Scene 2: A Mountainside Near the Abbey The Sound of Music .......................................................................................................... Maria Scene 3: The Office of the Mother Abbess, the next morning Maria ..................................................Sisters Berthe, Sophia, Margaretta and Mother Abbess My Favorite Things ......................................................................... Maria and Mother Abbess Scene 4: A Corridor in the Abbey Reprise: My Favorite Things ........................................................................................... Maria Scene 5: The Living Room of the Trapp Villa, that afternoon Do-Re-Mi .............................................................................................. Maria and the Children Scene 6: Outside the Villa, that evening Sixteen Going On Seventeen .............................................................................. Rolf and Liesl Scene 7: Maria’s Bedroom, later that evening The Lonely Goatherd ........................................................................... Maria and the Children Scene 8: The Terrace of the Villa, six weeks later How Can Love Survive?........................................................... Max, Elsa and Capt. von Trapp Reprise: The Sound of Music .............................................. The Children and Capt. von Trapp Scene 9: The Living Room, one week later So Long, Farewell ................................................................................................ The Children Scene 10: A Corridor in the Abbey Morning Hymn ...........................................................................................................The Nuns Scene 11: The Office of the Mother Abbess, three days later Climb Ev’ry Mountain....................................................................................... Mother Abbess

2018-2019 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL

ACT II

F

Scene 1: The Terrace, the same day Reprise: My Favorite Things ............................................................. The Children and Maria No Way To Stop It .................................................................... Elsa, Max and Capt. von Trapp Something Good ............................................................................ Maria and Capt. von Trapp Scene 2: The Office of the Mother Abbess, two weeks later Gadeamus Domino .................................................................................................... The Nuns Scene 3: The Cathedral at Nonnberg Abbey, immediately following Reprise: Maria .......................................................................................................... The Nuns Confitemini Domino ...................................................................................................The Nuns Reprise: Something Good ............................................................. Maria and Capt. von Trapp Scene 4: The Living Room, one month later Reprise: Sixteen Going On Seventeen............................................................. Maria and Liesl Scene 5: The Concert Hall Stage, Kaltzberg, three days later Reprise: Do-Re-Mi .................................................. Maria, Capt. von Trapp and the Children Edelweiss ................................................................. Capt. von Trapp, Maria and the Children Reprise: So Long, Farewell..................................... Maria, the Children and Capt. von Trapp Scene 6: The Garden of the Abbey, that night Finale Ultimo ..................................................................................................... The Company There will be one 20-minute intermission The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices such as cell phones and pagers prior to the beginning of the performance.


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 H

WHO’S WHO

JILL-CHRISTINE WILEY (Maria Rainer) returns to the hills of Austria for a second year! A native of Lancaster, PA, she feels delighted to be a part of this iconic show! National Tours: Beauty and The Beast (u/s Belle, Ensemble). Regional: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel (Carrie Pipperidge), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle), The Fantasticks (Luisa), Little Women (Beth). Love and thanks to NETworks, Stewart/Whitley Casting, Gregg Baker Mgt., the company of SOM, family and friends. @jilljcw #liveinthehappy MIKE McLEAN (Captain Georg von Trapp) is excited to share this experience with you! It’s wonderful to tell a story that the whole family can enjoy. National Tours: Guys and Dolls (Benny), Saturday Night Fever (Frank Jr.). Off-Broadway: Ziegfeld’s Midnight Frolic (Jack Pickford), 90210: The Musical (u/s Dylan Mckay). Regional: Brigadoon (Tommy), Life Could Be a Dream (Wally). @the.other.mclean mikemcleanofficial. com HUNTER BROWN (Rolf Gruber) was born and raised in Orlando, FL and received his BFA in musical theatre from Elon University. National Tour: Fame: The Musical (Nick Piazza). Select Regional credits: Oklahoma! (Curly), Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy), The Fantasticks (Matt), The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie), Grease (Danny) and Mame (Patrick). Hunter has also headlined on Norwegian Cruise Lines with The Company Men: America’s First Mash-Up Group. @BrunterHown LAUREN KIDWELL (The Mother Abbess) is very excited to join The Sound of Music! MFA in Musical Theatre from Boston Conservatory. Credits: Ragtime (Mother), My Heart in a Suitcase (Mutti), Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary Magdalene), Smile (featured performer, Boston Gay Men’s Chorus), Franc D’Ambrosio’s Broadway: Songs of the Great White Way, Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Lauren is grateful to the Lord and her family for their continued love and support! Love never fails. laurenkidwell.net JAKE MILLS (Max Detweiler) is thrilled to be back on the road with NETworks and to continue his journey with this beloved classic. National Tour: Annie (directed by original lyricist, Martin Charnin). Regional: Holiday Inn (Danny), Parade (Watson/Starnes), Jekyll & Hyde (Bishop), 1776 (Joseph Hewes), The Drowsy Chaperone (Mr. Feldzieg), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Reuben/Butler), Spamalot (Bedevere), Avenue Q (Nicky/Trekkie). Thank you NETworks, Stewart/Whitley and the entire SOM family for this humbling opportunity. For Mom, Dad, Tess and Matt. @mrjakemills LAUREN O’BRIEN (Liesl) is honored to be in her first national tour! Regional: Dames at Sea, South Pacific, The Murder Room. BFA from SUNY Fredonia. Thanks to her NYC family, grandparents, TSOM team and Stewart/Whitley. Especially grateful for Mom, Dad and Kevin.

KATE TURNER (Elsa Schraeder) is thrilled to be a part of The Sound of Music national tour with this fantastic company. Kate was last seen in Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of Ragtime. National Tours: Ragtime (Mother), Camelot (Nimue). Regional: A Christmas Story (Mother), Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), A Chorus Line (Val), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Cindy Lou), All My Sons (Anne Deever), Annie Get Your Gun (Annie Oakley). Kate is a proud graduate of the Penn State BFA Musical Theatre program. Thanks to family, friends and my mother Debbie for all of the inspiration and support! @thekateturner ETHAN DOUGLAS CUTILLO (Kurt). From Clarks Summit, PA, Ethan is thrilled to make his national tour debut. Regional credits include: Rags (David), Mary Poppins (Ensemble). He gives thanks to Danny Marx and Colin Holmes for starting him on the path to this great opportunity. Much love and thanks to all his family, especially to Mom, Dad and his sister, Carolyn, for all their help and support. RILEY O’KANE (Marta, u/s Brigitta) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut. Riley is a 4th grader at Green Meadow Elementary School (East Greenbush, NY). Recent credits: Annie (Orphan) Mac-Haydn Theater, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka (Oompa Loompa/Candy Girl), Peter Pan (Tinkerbell). Special Riley hugs to all who inspire her: Emma, Lisa, Charles, The Mac-Haydn Family, Andrew, Mom, Dad. JENNA SEASHOLTZ (Louisa) is thrilled to make her national tour debut! Credits: Walnut Street Theatre: Annie (Annie), Wizard of Oz (Munchkin). Regional: Gypsy (Baby June), Street Scene (Mary Hildebrand), White Christmas (Susan Waverly), SOM (Gretl). Thanks to God, Stewart/Whitley, the entire SOM team, Naomi Kolstein Bohemia, Michelle Thompson BMG, Kathy Johnston, Danceworks, Jacqueline Ballarin Studios. Love to my family and friends! @jennaseasholtz EMILY STRUGATSKY (Brigitta, u/s Louisa). A 10-year-old from Brooklyn, NY, is honored to make her Tour debut. Stage credits: People’s Garden and Junie B. Jones with Pixie Dust Theater, Annie Jr. with Kidz Theater. Emily would love to thank her entire team of coaches who have helped her live her dream and for pushing her to the next level. Special thanks you to her Manager Mallory Levi and to her family for their unconditional love and support. Instagram: Emily. Strugatsky; emilystrugatsky.com QUINN TITCOMB (Gretl), age 6 from South Florida, is thrilled to be joining the cast of The Sound of Music! Credits: Waitress (Lulu), Broadway National Tour. Quinn enjoys swimming, learning and playing with her friends. Thanks to Connecting Talent Company and Carson-Adler Agency for believing in her. Big


regional credits: 1776 (Thomas Jefferson), The Fantasticks (El Gallo), Big Fish (Karl the Giant), Spamalot (Lancelot), Shrek The Musical (Lord Farquaad) and Disney Cruise Line. Proud BFA Ithaca College alum. Many thanks to Michael Bradshaw Flynn, Stewart/Whitley and all cast and crew! @nickarroll

EJ THOMAS HALL THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON uaevents.com

ELAINE COTTER (Sister Sophia, u/s Maria, Dance Captain). Regional Credits: Newsies (Katherine Plumber), Little Women (Jo March), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Edwin Drood), Mamma Mia (Ali). Cruise ship credits: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Female onstage swing). B.F.A in musical theatre from Indiana University — Go Hoosiers! elainecotter.com SCOTT FUSS (Franz) is so excited to be performing on his first tour in America. Recent credits: Sister Act (Ensemble, Monsignor, u/s Joey), The Bridges of Madison County (u/s Bud), Working! 40th Anniversary Concert w/ Stephen Schwartz. Thank you so much for being a patron of the arts! KELLY GLYPTIS (Ensemble, u/s The Mother Abbess). Professional: Prizery Theater, Opera Saratoga, Cardinal Stage, Shreveport Opera, VA Opera, Atlanta Opera, Fargo-Moorhead Opera, MD Lyric Opera, OperaDelaware, Baltimore Concert Opera, Brooklyn Metro Chamber Orchestra. Training: Potomac Vocal Institute, Indiana University (MM), Canadian Operatic Arts Academy, Operafestival di Roma. Thank you to Kathy (Encompass Arts), Betsy, Matt, Anne. kellyglyptis.com STEPHANIE GRAY (Frau Schmidt) is thrilled to be back on the road with The Sound of Music. National Tours: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), ArtsPower. Regional: Beauty and the Beast (Wardrobe) at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. Young Artist at the Seagle Music Colony. BM, Boston University, 2013. Love to my family and Keefe. LEAH GREENE (Ensemble, u/s Liesl) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut! She has previously toured internationally with Sister Act (u/s Mary Robert) and Disney Cruise Line. Other credits include: The Bridges of Madison County (Carolyn), …Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky). Thanks and love to Mom, Dad and Scott! leah-greene.com JORDYN NORKEY (Lady Zeller, u/s Elsa Schraeder) is ecstatic to make her professional debut! Originally from Tecumseh, MI, Jordyn graduated from The University of Michigan with a BFA in Musical Theatre. She would like to say thank you to the creative team, NETworks and Stewart/Whitely for this incredible opportunity. Much love to Mom, Dad and Payton! JAMES TAYLOR ODOM (Admiral von Schreiber,

2018-2019 Season

WHO’S WHO

hugs to her parents, family, friends and teachers. EDWARD TURNER (Friedrich) is thrilled to join the cast. National Tour: A Christmas Story The Musical (Ralphie). Regional: Mary Poppins (Michael Banks), Beat Bugs (Jay), Oliver! (Orphan). Semifinalist, Hal Leonard Children’s Musical Theatre Competition. Thanks to NETworks, Matt, Christine, Bercy Talent, Amelia, Danny, his 6th grade pals, brothers, Mom and Dad. @edwardbturner ALEXANDRA BRADLEY (u/s Marta, u/s Gretl) is thrilled to join the cast of The Sound of Music. Credits/Off-Broadway: High School Musical (Kratnoff); Legally Blonde (Pilar), Dance Divas World Premiere (Kendra); Show and Tell U.S. Premiere (Harriett); Annie (Molly). Special thanks to NETworks Tours, Matt Lenz, Theresa Pittius, David JV Meenan, Karen Lampiasi, Kerri Krilla and family. HENRY FIN BERRY (u/s Friedrich, u/s Kurt). National tour Debut! Credits: A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant, Newsies (Les), Peter Pan (Michael), A Christmas Story (Grover Dill), Dance Divas Nutcracker (Timmy). Competitive dancer at Kick Dance Studios (national title winner, 2017 and 2018). Member of NYC Tap Crew with Thommie Retter and Koin and Kids training program. Thank you to my Kick Family, Katie Kurkemelis, Katie O’Toole, Justin Reamy, Badine Magaziner, Stewart/Whitley, NETworks, Jody Prusan, Nancy Carson, and especially Mom, Dad and Sadie. BRYAN AUSTERMANN (Baron Elberfeld). National Tour debut! Regional: The Bridges of Madison County (Michael). Cruise Lines: Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line. Many thanks to the entire Sound of Music team, Baker Management, Stewart/Whitley, and his family and friends. BFA, NYU Tisch. Pass It On. @bryanaustermann TOMMY BETZ (Ensemble, u/s Rolf). National tour debut! Regional: Newsies (Buttons/Darcy), Footloose (Garvin), West Side Story (Diesel), Mary Poppins (Neleus), Into the Woods (Jack). Thanks to Stewart/Whitley, NETworks, the entire SOM team, and of course my family for their undying love and support. BFA, Otterbein University. @tommyfbetz MORGAN BLANCHARD (Ensemble, u/s Rolf) is thrilled to be making his national tour debut with a show that holds a very special place in his heart. Regional: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, New London Barn Playhouse, Kitchen Theatre, New Bedford Festival Theatre and UFOMT. Ithaca College BFA 2018. Thank you to family and friends for all of their love and support. morgan-blanchard.com NICHOLAS CARROLL (Swing, u/s Captain Georg van Trapp). National tour debut! Favorite

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

WHO’S WHO

u/s Captain Georg von Trapp, u/s Max Detweiler). National Tour: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (The D’ysquith Family). NYC: One Christmas Eve (FringeNYC). Regional: Grumpy Old Men (Tim, Ogunquit Playhouse), Murder for Two (Suspects, TheatreSquared), The ThirtyNine Steps (Richard Hannay, Cortland Repertory Theatre), God of Carnage (Alan, Shadowland Stages), My Fair Lady (Broadway World Award, Henry Higgins, Prather Entertainment Group), Baskerville (Sherlock Holmes, Cider Mill Playhouse), Disfarmer (Arkansas New Play Festival, Arkansas Rep) and Mary Poppins (George Banks, Gainesville Theatre Alliance). Other regional favorites include: One Man, Two Guvnors, The Importance of Being Earnest, Sherlock Holmes & The West End Horror and It’s a Wonderful life. Original one-man shows: Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon and The Mystery Bookshop Musical. MFA, University of Arkansas and BA, Brenau University. Avalon Artists Group. jamestaylorodom.com JAMES PARKS (Herr Zeller, u/s Max Detweiler). Selected NYC Credits: Night of the Secretary General, Missing Gemini, Discovering Magenta (cast recording available). National tour credits: Pinkalicious, Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun. Thank you for supporting live theater. Quack! MM: NYU Steinhardt; BM: Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins. thejamesparks.com; @TheJamesParks JILLIAN ROSSI (Ursula, Postulant, u/s Maria). NYC: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Ensemble). Regional: Weaver of Raveloe, American Repertory Theatre; Me and My Girl, Reagle Music Theatre. BFA Boston Conservatory. Thanks to Christine/Stewart Whitley, Henderson Hogan Agency; endless gratitude and love to my parents, family and Bill. This is for you! @jillian__rossi CHRISTINA TOMPKINS (Swing, u/s Elsa Schraeder) is returning to the hills after working on the U.S. premiere of Grumpy Old Men (Ogunquit Playhouse). Regional Favorites: Anything Goes (Reno), Hairspray (Velma), Sister Act (Sister Mary Martin). BFA University of Mississippi. Thank you family, friends, TSOM team and you for supporting the arts! @ tina_tompkins ARIANA VALDES (Sister Berthe, Baroness Elberfeld, u/s The Mother Abbess) is delighted to return for a second season with The Sound of Music! National Tour/Singapore: My Fair Lady (Mrs. Hopkins). Regional: The Sound of Music (The Mother Abbess), In The Heights (Daniela), Sister Act (Sister Mary Patrick), Jerry Springer: The Opera (Baby Jane/Peaches), Shrek (Dragon), Guys and Dolls (General Cartwright), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Madame de la Grande Bouche). Proud Boston Conservatory-Voice/Opera alum. Follow @ arianavaldiva and ArianaValdes.com for more!

Infinite love to Mom, KB, family and friends! TERESA WHITT (Sister Margaretta, u/s Maria) is delighted to be joining this incredible company! Favorite regional credits include My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables and The Addams Family. BFA: Montclair State. Love to my family, friends and AP. teresawhitt.com RICHARD RODGERS and OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II (Music and Lyrics). After long and highly distinguished careers with other collaborators, Richard Rodgers (composer, 1902–1979) and Oscar Hammerstein II (librettist/ lyricist, 1895–1960) joined forces in 1943 to create the most successful partnership in the American musical theater. Prior to his work with Hammerstein, Rodgers collaborated with lyricist Lorenz Hart on a series of musical comedies that epitomized the wit and sophistication of Broadway in its heyday. Among their greatest successes were Pal Joey, On Your Toes, and Babes In Arms. Throughout the same era, Hammerstein brought new life to the operetta, culminating in the masterpiece Show Boat (music by Jerome Kern). Oklahoma!, the first Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, was also the first of a new genre, the musical play, blending Rodgers’s musical comedy style with Hammerstein’s innovations in operetta. Oklahoma! was followed by Carousel, State Fair (film 1945, 1962; Broadway 1996), Allegro, South Pacific, The King and I, Me and Juliet, Pipe Dream, Cinderella (television 1957, 1965, 1997; Broadway 2013), Flower Drum Song, and The Sound of Music. Collectively, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals have earned Tonys, Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Pulitzers, and Olivier Awards. HOWARD LINDSAY and RUSSEL CROUSE (Book). The Lindsay and Crouse partnership stands today as the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical history, lasting for 32 years. Howard Lindsay was born in 1889 and died in 1968. He became an actor at 19 and went on to become a successful Broadway playwright and director. Russel Crouse was born in 1893 and died in 1966. After serving in the Navy, he worked on New York newspapers, gaining his first renown through a signed column in the Post. In 1932 he became head of the publicity department for the Theatre Guild and in 1933 wrote his first Broadway show, collaborating with Corey Ford on the musical comedy Hold Your Horses. From 1934 on Crouse wrote only with Lindsay. Their hits include The Sound of Music (with a score by Rodgers & Hammerstein); Anything Goes and Red, Hot, and Blue (with scores by Cole Porter); Call Me Madam (score by Irving Berlin); the longrunning play Life With Father (which originally starred Lindsay); the Pulitzer Prize winning State of the Union; and The Great Sebastians, written for the Lunts. Their producing credits included The Hasty Heart, Detective Story, and Arsenic and Old Lace.


2018-2019 Season EJ THOMAS HALL

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THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

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Doylestown

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

WHO’S WHO

JACK O’BRIEN (Original Director). Upcoming: The Hard Problem at Lincoln Center. Broadway: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Front Page, It’s Only a Play, Macbeth, The Nance, Dead Accounts, Catch Me If You Can, Impressionism, The Coast of Utopia (Tony Award), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nomination), Henry IV (Tony Award), Hairspray (Tony Award), Imaginary Friends, The Invention of Love (Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award), The Full Monty (Tony nomination), More to Love, Getting Away With Murder, Pride’s Crossing, The Little Foxes, Hapgood (Lucille Lortel Award,), Damn Yankees, Two Shakespearean Actors (Tony nomination), Porgy and Bess (Tony nomination). Metropolitan Opera: Il Trittico. Carnegie Hall: Guys and Dolls. Public Theater Central Park: Much Ado About Nothing. London: Love Never Dies, Hairspray (Olivier nomination). National Theatre: His Girl Friday. Artistic Director of the Old Globe Theatre, 1981 – 2007. Six productions for PBS’s American Playhouse. Books: Jack Be Nimble, publisher Farrar, Straus & Giroux. MATT LENZ (Tour Director). Broadway: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can, The Velocity of Autumn (Associate Director on original productions), Beauty and the Beast (Resident Director). OffBroadway: Pageant: The Musical (Drama Desk nomination), The Irish Curse (Soho Playhouse), Idaho! (NYMF), The Great Daisy Theory, Fingers and Toes (NYMF) and Alan Ball’s The Amazing Adventures of Tense Guy. National Tours: A Christmas Story: The Musical, Cheers! Live On Stage, Catch Me If You Can and Hairspray. Lenz also directed productions of Hairspray in South Africa, U.K., Toronto, Las Vegas and Germany. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, St. Louis MUNY, Ogunquit Playhouse, Cape Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theater, Zach Theatre, Gulfshore Playhouse, Casa Manana, Gateway Playhouse, Short North Stage, Forestburgh Playhouse and Stamford Center for the Arts. Lenz is a member of SDC and a teaching artist with the Broadway Dreams Foundation. mattlenzdirector.com DANNY MEFFORD (Original Choreographer). Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen (Tony Award, Best Musical), Fun Home (Tony Award, Best Musical), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and The Bridges of Madison County. TV: NBC’s Rise. Other New York credits: Miss You Like Hell, Venus, Love’s Labour Lost, Good Person of Szechwan, Much Ado About Nothing, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Melancholy Play and Dance Dance Revolution. Directing: Becoming Liv Ullmann, Wasted and The Maids. Danny has been nominated for Drama Desk, Astaire and Lortel Awards for choreography. Education: University of Evansville and Brown University.

JONATHAN WARREN (Tour Choreographer). Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen (Associate Choreographer), Wicked (Dance Captain). National Tour: A Night with Janis Joplin (Dance Supervisor). International: Wicked Mexico City (Asst. Dance Supervisor). Regional: A Night with Janis Joplin (A.C.T., The 5th Ave, and McCarter), La Cage Aux Folles (Goodspeed). Film/Television: Outside Providence. Performing Credits: Wicked, Peter Pan, We Will Rock You, West Side Story, Cats, Radio City Christmas Spectacular. DOUGLAS W. SCHMIDT (Scenic Designer) has designed more than 200 productions over the past 50 years. Highlights: New York Drama Desk Awards for the Andrews Sisters’ musical Over Here and Ira Levin’s Veronica’s Room, Neil Simon’s They’re Playing Our Song, Bernard Slade’s Romantic Comedy, Howard Ashman and Marvin Hamlisch’s musical Smile, the original production of Grease, and the now legendary multi-million dollar spectacle Frankenstein, which closed on opening night. In 1983 he designed Jack O’Brien’s spectacular production of Porgy and Bess at Radio City Music Hall, which also toured in America and Europe. Broadway: 2001 revival of 42nd Street and this year’s remounting currently playing The Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London (Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics’ Circle Award nominations) and the 2002 revival of Into the Woods (Tony nomination, Drama Desk and L.A. Ovation Awards). Other recent projects include the Broadway production of The Front Page, for which he was also nominated for a Tony Award. The Sound of Music and The Front Page are his 18th and 19th collaborations with director Jack O’Brien since 1975. JANE GREENWOOD (Costume Designer). Originally from Liverpool, England, Ms. Greenwood was educated at the Central School of Arts. She has designed over 125 Broadway productions since Ballad of the Sad Café in 1963. Recent credits: Saint Joan, Mother of the Maid (with Glenn Close), The Little Foxes (Tony Award), The Assembled Parties, The Sound of Music (national tour), You Can’t Take It With You, Act One, Harvey and Driving Miss Daisy. Awards: Irene Sharaff Award, 19 Tony nominations and the 2014 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement. She is in the Theater Hall of Fame. Professor of Design at Yale School of Drama since 1976. NATASHA KATZ (Lighting Design). A sixtime Tony Award winner, Natasha has designed extensively for theatre, opera, dance, concerts and permanent lighting installations around the world. Recent Broadway: Springsteen on Broadway; Frozen; Hello, Dolly! (starring Bette Midler); Cats; Long Day’s Journey into Night; School of Rock; An American in Paris; Aladdin; The Glass Menagerie; Motown; Once; Follies; The Coast of Utopia: Salvage; Aida and Beauty


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The Producers, A Chorus Line, Spring Awakening, Elf the Musical, Memphis, Bullets Over Broadway, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Shrek The Musical. MICHAEL GILDIN (Music Director/Conductor) is a New York-based music director thrilled to be making his national tour debut—special thanks to Andy for making this possible. Michael works regularly with New York City Center’s Encores! Series and with conductors Rob Fisher and John Mauceri. In his spare time, he enjoys reconstructing forgotten musicals from the 1920s50s. Mom, this one’s for you. ROBERT RUSSELL BENNETT (Orchestrations). In a career spanning more than five decades, Robert Russell Bennett (1894–1981) arranged more than 300 Broadway musical scores. In musical comedy’s golden era of the 1920s, he orchestrated up to 22 shows a season. Among his credits were Show Boat; Roberta; Sunny; RoseMarie; No, No, Nanette; Girl Crazy; Of Thee I Sing; Face The Music; Carmen Jones; Finian’s Rainbow; Kiss Me, Kate; My Fair Lady and Camelot. He orchestrated seven of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musicals including Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music. His arrangements for the 1955 film version of Oklahoma! earned him an Academy Award. He also orchestrated and arranged Rodgers’s 13 television documentary score for Victory At Sea. A classically trained composer, Bennett’s prolific output of original compositions includes symphonies, sonatas, a ballet, a concerto and an opera. He is the posthumous recipient of a 2008 Special Tony Award in recognition of his historic contribution to American musical theater. TRUDE RITTMANN (Dance and Vocal Arrangements) has more than 50 Broadway credits as a choral and dance arranger including The Sound of Music, The King and I, South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Carousel, Finian’s Rainbow, Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon and Peter Pan. A composer in her own right, she has provided music for such shows as Omnibus and Seven Lively Arts. STEWART/WHITLEY (Casting) Duncan 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/U.K.: Hadestown, 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: Hadestown, Paradise Square, August Rush, Reefer Madness, Other World, The Man in the Ceiling, Back Home Again, Waterfall. Regional: American Repertory Theater, Alley

2018-2019 Season

WHO’S WHO

and the Beast. SHANNON SLATON (Sound Designer) has designed many national tours including The Sound of Music; Elf the Musical; Bullets Over Broadway; The Illusionists; Turn of the Century; Shrek The Musical; Hairspray; The Producers; Kiss Me, Kate; Noise/Funk; The Full Monty; Contact; A Chorus Line; Tap Dogs; Sweeney Todd; The Wizard of Oz; The Drowsy Chaperone and The Wedding Singer. He was also the Advance Sound on Wicked and the Production Sound for The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and the U.S. National Tour. Shows he has mixed on Broadway include: Man of La Mancha, Bombay Dreams, Sweet Charity, Jersey Boys, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Fela!, Anything Goes, Annie, Legally Blonde and Cabaret. JIMM HALLIDAY (Costume Coordinator) has been a proud member of the NETworks family since 1999, having designed or coordinated costumes for dozens of national tours. With Santo Loquasto, he won the 2010 Helen Hayes Award for the acclaimed production of Ragtime at The Kennedy Center and has been the resident Costume Designer at New York’s Mac-Haydn Theatre for the past 33 years. Special thanks and gratitude to dear friend and colleague Seth Wenig for all his insight and guidance. BERNIE ARDIA (Hair and Wig Design) has enjoyed a 37-year career, starting in television. He has designed over 75 productions, including Bullets Over Broadway (tour), Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Misérables (U.S. and Canada). Ragtime at the Kennedy Center, Kiss of the Spider Woman with Chita Rivera, Starlight Express at The Las Vegas Hilton, Cinderella with Eartha Kitt and Debbie Gibson, and Happy Birthday, Hollywood (ABC-TV). 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. JOHN MEZZIO (Musical Coordinator) has conducted several national tours including State Fair starring John Davidson, Victor/Victoria starring Toni Tennille, Seussical, Cinderella starring Eartha Kitt and Deborah Gibson, the Royal National Theatre’s revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! and The Wedding Singer. Additionally, Mr. Mezzio was Associate Conductor for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express at the Las Vegas Hilton. John was Musical Coordinator for several national and international tours including Sweet Charity starring Molly Ringwald, Annie starring John Schuck and Mackenzie Phillips, Hairspray,

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

WHO’S WHO Theatre, Bay Street, Goodspeed, Theatre Under the Stars, Asolo Rep, Hollywood Bowl, TheatreWorks, Royal Caribbean. The Casting Society of America. Artios Award Winning. stewartwhitley.com THE ROAD COMPANY (Tour Booking) was founded in 1997 by Stephen Lindsay and Brett Sirota. In addition to The Sound of Music, current representation includes Wicked, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, War Paint, The Band’s Visit, SpongeBob SquarePants, A Clockwork Orange, The Lightning Thief, The Illusionists, Dirty Dancing, 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. BROADWAY BOOKING OFFICE NYC (Tour Press and Marketing) is a leading theatrical tour booking, marketing and press company representing award-winning musicals and plays. Currently: Jersey Boys, Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, A Bronx Tale, Falsettos, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Sound of Music, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, Fun Home, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies, Bright Star and Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes. www.bbonyc. com ANNE CAPE (Company Manager) is thrilled to be back with the NETworks family. National tours: The Sound of Music, Elf the Musical and Once. Other work includes assistant general manager for NETworks Presentations. Graduate of Ohio Northern University (BFA). Thanks to my incredible family, Rick, Chris and Connie for your constant love and support. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you! M A RY D E N N I S ( P ro d u c t i o n S t a g e Manager) is excited to be working on her second national tour! Past credits – NETworks Presentations: The Sound of Music (ASM/ PSM). Pennsylvania State University: Be More Chill (PSM), Hair (PSM), Titanic (ASM). New York: The First Noel (Apollo Theatre; Props Master) Regional: Les Misérables (FUSE Productions; PSM), Totem Pole Playhouse (PA/ ASM). Penn State Graduate. TRINITY WHEELER (Executive Producer). Broadway: Les Misérables (Production Stage Manager). National Tours: Dirty Dancing (Executive Producer), Bullets Over Broadway (Executive Producer), Beauty and the Beast (Executive Producer), The Phantom of the Opera (Supervisory 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, Elf and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. Instagram:@ trinityonbroadway

NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS (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 and upcoming touring productions include Cameron Mackintosh’s The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Elf the Musical, Finding Neverland, The Sound of Music, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, The Band’s Visit, A Bronx Tale, Falsettos, Fiddler on the Roof and Cameron Mackintosh’s Miss Saigon. STAFF FOR The Sound of Music Executive Producer Trinity Wheeler General Management Gentry & Associates Gregory Vander Ploeg Jamey Jennings Steve Varon Pearce Landry-Wegener Nicole Gehring Production Management NETworks Presentations Jason Juenker Hector Guivas Evan Rooney Walker White Emma Downey Tour Booking The Road Company Stephen Lindsay, Brett Sirota www.theroadcompany.com Tour Press & Marketing Broadway Booking Office NYC Steven Schnepp Kent McIngvale, Jenny Bates, Zach Stevenson, Danny Knaub, Rachel Peterson Casting Stewart/Whitley Duncan Stewart, CSA Benton Whitley, CSA Paul Hardt; Christine McKenna; Allie Carieri Company Manager Anne Cape Assistant Company Manager Christina Tompkins Production Stage Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mary Dennis Asst. Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andi Radujkovic Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Bradshaw Flynn Assistant Choreographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mackenzie Dade Associate Musical Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . .Catherine Venable Assistant Musical Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grant Strom Asst. Scenic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maya Linke Associate Costume Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Urlie Associate Costume Coordinator . . . . . . Matthew C. Hampton Associate Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jon Goldman Asst. Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Abby May Moving Light Programmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Hague Asst. Sound Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Lachance Head Carpenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Maybury Asst. Carpenter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Keefe Kennedy Flyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Kutrufis Head Electrician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wade Acevedo Asst. Electrician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer Trewhella Production Electrician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam Cavanaugh Head Sound Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin Cleary Asst. Audio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parker Stegmaier Head Props. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jae Hamilton


All stage work performed by employees represented by IATSE.

The Director and Choreographer are members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.

Sunday, December 9 | 4 PM | A Light That I Can See

Fairlawn Lutheran Church 3415 W. Market St. Free

Saturday, February 23, 2019 | 4 & 8 PM and Sunday, February 24 | 4 PM Menotti’s chamber opera The Old Maid and the Thief Balch Street Theater 220 S. Balch St. $15 Sunday, March 24 | 4 PM | With Akron Baroque Faith Lutheran Church 2726 W. Market Free

Sunday, March 31 | 3 PM | Vocal Chamber Music Project: Life in the 17th & 18th Century Salon

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2018-19 CONCERT SEASON: LISTEN TO OUR LIFE

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.

Samuel Gordon, Executive Artistic Director

A holiday collage that celebrates the light and wonder in us all

EJ THOMAS HALL

Credits Scenery, Lighting and Audio provided by Production Resource Group; Properties by BrenBri Properties, LLC; Costume Shops: John Schneeman Studios Ltd., Giliberto Designs Inc., Arnold S. Levine Inc., Jeff Fender Studios, The Costume Source, Joelyn R. Wilkosz, Dale DiBernardo. Rehearsed at RWS Studios; Long Island City. Special Thanks to Oklahoma City Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center, Oklahoma City, OK and Richard J. Charnay, Director of Cultural Programs “Something Good” Lyrics by Richard Rodgers Additional Lyrics by Jack O’Brien Tax & Financial Consulting, Accounting Services CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Brian Enverso, Kathleen Thies Insurance Broker Services Maury Donnelly and Parr, Inc. Robert B. Middleton, Sr. and Meghan Shriver Financial Services and banking arrangements by SunTrust Bank Stock and Amateur rights for The Sound of Music are represented by R&H Theatricals: A Concord Music Company, 229 West 28th Street, 11th Floor, New York, New York 10001 www.rnh.com TheSoundOfMusicOnTour.com Facebook /TheSoundofMusicOnTour Instagram @SoundofMusicOnTour Twitter @SoundOfMusic #SoundofMusicOnTour

2018-2019 Season

Head Wardrobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicole Giangola Wardrobe Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angela Carstensen Hair & Make Up Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Destinee Steele Tutor/Child Wrangler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tanya Fensore Print Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AKA NYC Radio Spot Production. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HMS Media Television Spot Design/Video Production. . . . . . .HMS Media Website. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AKA NYC Production Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew Murphy Merchandising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Araca Group Merchandising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will Cox Accounting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NETworks Presentations LLC Legal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F. Richard Pappas, Esq. HR & Payroll Services . . . . . . . . . . . . Human Resources inc. Housing . . . . . . . . . .Road Concierge, an ALTOUR Company Travel Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janice Kessler, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Trucking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Janco Staff for NETworks Presentations Chief Executive Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken Gentry President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Orin Wolf Chief Financial Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scott W. Jackson Chief Operating Officer . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer Ardizzone-West Executive Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seth Wenig Executive Producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trinity Wheeler Director of Adminstration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Curt Owens Executive Assistant to the President . . . . . . Hannah Rosenthal Senior Director of Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Kinna Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer Gifford Director of Tour Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura S. Carey Tax Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Guerieri Associate Tax Accountant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kim Ngan Tran Health and Safety Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . .Emma Downey Senior Director, Booking and Engagements . . .Mary K. Witte Director, Booking and Engagements . . . . . . . . . . Colin Byrne Booking Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah Rosenthal Director of Marketing/PR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Hess Senior Director, General Management . . . Gregory Vander Ploeg General Managers . . . . . . . . . . . Jamey Jennings, Steve Varon Associate General Manager. . . . . . . . Pearce Landry-Wegener General Manager Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicole Gehring Senior Director, Production Management . . . . . Jason Juenker Senior Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hector Guivas Production Managers . . . . . . . . . Evan Rooney, Walker White Associate Production Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . .Emma Downey Music Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Mezzio IT Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Pizza Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buddy Piccolino Office Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Jewell Warehouse Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brad Korff Warehouse Costume Manager . . . . . . . . . Bobby Maglaughlin

Western Reserve Chapel, 115 College St. Hudson Free

Sunday, March 5 | 5 @ 5 Series | 5 PM The Heart of It Westminster Presbyterian 1250 W. Exchange Free

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2018-2019 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

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2018-2019 Season EJ THOMAS HALL

A Thank You…

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.

Learn more about the foundation at knightfoundation.org.

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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.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

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 EJ Thomas Hall to enhance programming, established the John S. Knight Lectureship at The University of Akron and continues to fund contemporary performers at EJ Thomas Hall.

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2018-2019 Season 10

2018-2019 EJ THOMAS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS OCTOBER 2018 SAT 10/13 Doo Whop Project 7:30pm SUN 10/14 Catapult: The Amazing Magic of Shadow Dance 3PM TUE 10/16 Tuesday Musical Les Violons du Roy 7:30PM WED 10/24 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox – Back in Black & White Tour 7:30PM THU 10/25 Knight Lecture Series—Ann Curry 7:30PM SAT 10/27 Confucius Institute 7PM NOVEMBER 2018 THU 11/1 Arlo Guthrie—Alice’s Restaurant— Back By Popular Demand 8PM FRI 11/2 Steve Martin and Martin Short 8PM SAT 11/3 Tuesday Musical: The Tell-Tale Heart Musical Ghost Story 7:30PM SUN 11/4 An Evening With: Stephen Marley Acoustic 8PM WED 11/7 UA School of Music: Collage 7:30PM THU 11/8 Simon and Garfunkel Story—50th Anniversary Tour 7:30PM FRI 11/9 The University of Akron: Akron A Cappella 8PM

SAT 11/10 TUE 11/13 WED 11/14 FRI 11/16 TUE 11/27 FRI 11/30

Piff the Magic Dragon 8PM Broadway in Akron: Rock of Ages 7:30PM Broadway in Akron: Rock of Ages ASO: Verdi and Valkyries 8PM Amy Ray and Her Band 8PM 38th Annual Christmas Craft Show

DECEMBER 2018 SAT 12/1 38th Annual Christmas Craft Show SUN 12/2 38th Annual Christmas Craft Show TUE 12/4 Broadway in Akron: Sound of Music 7:30Pm WED 12/5 Broadway in Akron: Sound of Music 7:30PM FRI 12/7 ASO: Home for the Holidays 7:30PM SAT 12/8 Tuba Christmas 10AM & 2PM SAT 12/8 NUANCE Holiday Show 8PM SUN 12/9 UA School of Music: Jingle Jazz 3PM SAT 12/15 The University of Akron Commencement 10AM SAT 12/15 The University of Akron Commencement 1:30PM TUE 12/18 Cirque Dreams Holidaze 7:30PM FRI 12/28 Akron Children’s Hospital Charity Ball 8PM


EJ THOMAS HALL

FEBRUARY 2019 SAT 2/2 UA Dance Institute: Snow Maiden 7:30PM SUN 2/3 UA Dance Institute: Snow Maiden 3PM SAT 2/9 ASO: La Mer 8PM TUE 2/12 Tuesday Musical: Lawrence Brownlee 7:30PM THU 2/14 UA School of Music: University of Akron Band Clinic FRI-SUN 2/15-17 Beyond the Stars Dance Competition SAT 2/23 ASO Pops: Gospel Meets Symphony 7:30PM TUE 2/26 Tuesday Musical: Joshua Bell 7:30PM

MARCH 2019 SAT 3/2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azaban in Concert 1PM SAT 3/2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azaban in Concert 7:30PM TUE 3/5 Broadway in Akron: Finding Neverland 7:30PM WED 3/6 Broadway in Akron: Finding Neverland 7:30PM THU 3/7 UA Foundation Lecture: Jim Clapper, Admiral Mike Mullen, and Lisa Monaco FRI 3/8 One Night in Memphis 8PM TUE 3/12 Tuesday Musical: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center 7:30PM SAT 3/16 ASO: Also sprach Zarathustra 8PM THU 3/21 UA School of Music: Jazzfest 7:30PM FRI 3/22 UA School of Music: Jazzfest 7:30PM SAT 3/23 One Funny Mother—Dena Blizzard 8PM THU 3/28 Tuesday Musical: Escher String Quartet 7:30PM SAT 3/30 Groundworks 8PM

2018-2019 Season

JANUARY 2019 TUE 1/15 RHPB: Sailesh 9:09PM SAT 1/19 ASO: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 8PM TUE 1/22 Tuesday Musical: Calidore String Quartet 7:30PM FRI 1/25 UA School of Music: Vocal-Choral Festival 4PM SAT 1/26 Vagina Monologues 8PM

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

I build by taking apart.

I see what I’m capable of.

I find solutions.

I ask bigger questions.

I make today count.

Contact us to schedule a personal tour today. admission@oldtrail.org | oldtrail.org/admission | 330.666.1118

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Big, world-changing moments. Every day, at Old Trail School.

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

EJ THOMAS HALL STAFF Nathan J. Mortimer, CPA njm9@uakron.edu

Margo Ohlson Director of Theatre Operations mohlson@uakron.edu

Melissa Paul Special Projects mlpaul@uakron.edu

Lenny Pizzute Technical Services Associate pizzute@uakron.edu

Patricia Donovan Theatre Manager patric3@uakron.edu

Thomas Stewart Technical Services Associate tstewar@uakron.edu

Vice President for Finance & Administration/CFO

Dominic Cardarelli Senior Accounts Coordinator dc21@uakron.edu Volunteer at EJ Thomas Hall – Make Friends, Make Memories, Make a Difference Would you like to join our volunteer usher program? Our volunteer ushers greet patrons at the door or assist them to their seat while helping to enhance the theatre experience. Ushers generously give their time and talents to support and inspire performing arts at EJ Thomas Hall. Duties include reading tickets, scanning tickets and directing patrons to their seats. As a team member you see a variety of programs while assisting the public. If you love to share your passion for the arts, we would love to have you on our team! For more information on our volunteer usher program call 330-972-7595 or volunteers@ejthomashall.com

2018-2019 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL

“Volunteer ushering at EJ Thomas Hall rewards me with one interesting experience after another!”—Carol, volunteer usher.

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EJ Thomas Hall is a treasure – for arts, for culture, for The University of Akron, and for the region! Located on the top floor of the Hall, the Flying Balcony Club is a members-only area that features a full-service bar and hors d’oeuvres on selected evenings. Memberships include such perks as: Reserved or complimentary parking Food and beverage vouchers Access to special club members services 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. If you would like to become a member of the Flying Balcony Club contact Margo Ohlson at 330-972-7170 or mohlson@uakron.edu.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

BRAVO! ($1,500+) Mr. and Mrs. Miklos Gaspar Julia Myers Randy and Mary Jo Worthington STANDING OVATION ($750+) Barbara J. Crucs Thomas J. Dudek Wes and Linda Van Fossen Arlene Nettling

APPLAUSE DuWayne and Dorothy Hansen Dr. Judit Puskas and Dr. Gabor Kaszas Virginia B. Wojno-Forney Michael and Virginia Hoffman Dr. Thomas and Connie Repko

Don rumm studios & gallery 437 CROUSE ST. AKRON 330.253.6268 4

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RAVE ($500+) Dr. James and Barbara Noonan Drs. Thomas J. and Diane Vukovich Molly Plaskett Jay R. Hershey Roger Read Nathan and Karen Mortimer Marcia Adair/Richard Edwards Marianne Uhl Patricia S. Brown Leslie and Kevin Christensen Chuck and Sue Walker The James T. Hindel Family Mr. and Mrs. James W. Trenta Jim and Louise Kuhns Harvey

EJ THOMAS HALL

Membership in the Flying Balcony Club also does something else: It provides 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.

2018-2019 Season

FLYING BALCONY CLUB MEMBERSHIP

DONDRUMMSTUDIOS.COM

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2018-2019 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

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2018-2019 Season EJ THOMAS HALL

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

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Live Life Your Way Ohio Living Rockynol is located on 15 acres of beautiful park-like grounds, creating a perfect setting for early morning walks, fresh air, and family and social gatherings by the ponds. )RU RÉŁ FDPSXV DGYHQWXUHV 2KLR /LYLQJ 5RFN\QRO LV ZLWKLQ PLQXWHV RI renowned museums, quality theater and entertainment, professional sporting events, shopping, and numerous golf courses. Customized on-site amenities, features and services provide freedom from chores, opportunities for growth, and the security of knowing quality care and services are close at hand.

Call 330.867.2150 to schedule your visit! Apartment Homes | Assisted Living | Memory Care | Short-Term Rehabilitation | Long-Term Nursing Care | Home Health & Hospice

1150 W. Market St. | Akron, Ohio 44313 | ohioliving.org


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