EJ Thomas Hall 2017 Season by Live Publishing

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On behalf of all of us at EJ Thomas Hall, welcome to the second half of the exciting 20162017 Season. The schedule offers a rich variety of experiences, with a mix of new shows as well as some treasured traditions. Performances to be offered during this portion of our 42nd season include The University of Akron Dance Institute’s ballet Snow Maiden, the sensational Five Irish Tenors, and the extraordinary violinist Sarah Chang, who will be joined by the PKF-Prague Philharmonia.

The Hall will also host numerous annual performances such as JazzFest, Gospel Meets Symphony and UA Dance Company. In addition, you can enjoy performances from the GroundWorks Dance Theater and UA’s unique Steel Drum Band with guest artist Kendall Williams. Thank you again for joining us. We hope that you take a few moments to peruse this brochure of upcoming performances and events and decide to spend an evening or two with us. Warmest Regards,

Margo E. Ohlson Director Theatre Operations

On the cover, clockwise from upper left: Chicago, Sarah Chang, Rent, GroundWorks Dance Theater and the Five Irish Tenors.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

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

EJ THOMAS HALL

The Broadway in Akron series presents two all-time great shows — Rent and Chicago. The Akron Symphony performs Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Tuesday Musical Association will be in concert with the Imani Winds, one of the most successful chamber music ensembles in the United States.

2016-2017 Season

Hello from The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall!

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2016-2017 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 Lost and Found....................330-972-7595 Website........................ www.uaevents.com Ticket Office

Guest Services

Advance tickets are available at the EJ Thomas Hall Ticket Office Monday through Friday 10 am-4 pm. On days of shows the Box Office is open two hours prior to show times.

Assistive Listening System The Williams Personal Assisted sound system is available at the McCormick Information counter for all performances. This is a special receiver with headphones or loop to enable the listener to hear the spoken word more clearly.

Tickets may also be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000, or at Ticketmaster outlets. There is a per ticket service charge and handling fee for all Ticketmaster purchases. Discounts are not available. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Refunds 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 made to the original purchaser at the point of purchase. Beware of Ticket Scalpers EJ Thomas Hall is not responsible for tickets purchased through unauthorized third parties. Tickets to EJ Thomas Hall events may not be resold at a premium. Tickets ordered within nine (9) days of the performance will be held at Will Call. A photo ID is needed to pick up Will Call tickets. Gift Certificates are available and are valid for up to one year from the date of purchase. Cancellations, postponed events, or inclement weather 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.

Intermission Intermissions are 20 minutes in length. Lobby lights will flash as your signal to return to your seat for the start of the performance.

For a Wonderful Evening … Live performance is truly magical; art created from the energy flowing between people on both sides of the curtain. When you attend a show, you are part of the experience. There is no rewind or instant replay at a live event. In general: n Leave home early enough to find parking and locate your seats before the performance begins. Remember to allow time for poor weather conditions, heavy traffic, road construction and parking congestion, especially on school nights.

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 selected shows. n In the event of an emergency, ushers and other members of the staff will advise audience members as to the appropriate procedures to exit the theater as quickly and safely as possible. Patrons needing special assistance should contact the ushers.

Interested in renting EJ Thomas Hall for that special occasion or performance? Please call 330-972-7595 or email ejthomas@uakron.edu.

n Read the program notes.

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n Safety First – Listen to the pre-show announcements and note the emergency exit routes.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Subscriber Lounge As a season subscriber to the Broadway in Akron shows, you not only “lock in” your seats from season to season, but you also enjoy live music, snacks and a private bar in Goodrich Lobby before the performance and during intermission. Season subscribers also receive complimentary parking for the performances, get priority offers to special events and have a personal Ticket Office contact for ticket exchange and replacement services.

Following these general rules of the theater will ensure that everyone can enjoy the show.

EJ THOMAS HALL

ATM PNC Bank has an ATM in the Ticket Office Lobby for your convenience. Food and beverage service is cash only.

n When in doubt, ask the ushers. They are here to help.

2016-2017 Season

Seating Latecomers Please note the curtain time printed on your tickets as performances begin promptly. Latecomers will be seated at a suitable pause in the program. This includes patrons who leave the auditorium before or during a selection.

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uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2016-2017 Season 6

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)

2016-2017 Season

The Hot Sardines

EJ THOMAS HALL

Sons Of Serendip

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.

Sponsored by the Knight Foundation, a series of innovative, edgy trend setters who broke stereotypes while generating critical acclaim for their artistry. The Hot Sardines and Sons Of Serendip were two of the groups that performed.

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

2016-2017 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

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Barry & Fran Weissler present

CHICAGO THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Book by

Music by

Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse

Fred Ebb

Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Bob Fosse

Starring

Dylis Croman Terra C. MacLeod Eddie George Paul Vogt Roz Ryan

Also Starring

C. Newcomer

Shamicka Benn Nicole Benoit Christophe Caballero Lauren Gemelli Daniel Gutierrez Brent Heuser Anthony LaGuardia Tanner Lane Jennifer Mathie Pilar Millhollen Drew Nellessen Laura Oldham Evelyn Christina Tonn Colt Adam Weiss Matthew Winnegge Corey Wright Supervising Music Director

Rob Fisher

Scenic Design

Ken Billington

Orchestrations

Dance Music Arrangements

Sound Design

David Thompson

Lighting Design

William Ivey Long

Scott Lehrer Script Adaptation

Music Director

Rob Bowman

Costume Design

John Lee Beatty EJ THOMAS HALL

Lyrics by

John Kander

Ralph Burns Casting

Duncan Stewart, CSA/ Benton Whitely, CSA Executive Producer

Alecia Parker

General Management

Peter Howard

Musical Coordinator

John Monaco

Company Manager

Bill Schaeffer

Presented in Association with

Broadway Across America Tour Marketing & Press

B.J. Holt & Hilary Hamilton

Anita Dloniak & Associates, Inc.

Technical Supervisor

Production Stage Manager

Arthur Siccardi

Michael Danek

2016-2017 Season

Based on the presentation by City Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Encores!

Choreographer Original New York Production

Ann Reinking

Re-creation of Original Production Choreography by

In the style of Bob Fosse

David Bushman

Director Original New York Production

Re-creation of Original Production Direction by

Walter Bobbie

Broadway Cast Recording on RCA Victor

David Hyslop

UNDERSTUDIES Understudies never substitute a listed player unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance. For Roxie Hart—NICOLE BENOIT, EVELYN CHRISTINA TONN For Velma Kelly—LAUREN GEMELLI, LAURA OLDHAM For Billy Flynn—DANIEL GUTIERREZ, BRENT HEUSER For Amos Hart—TANNER LANE, MATTHEW WINNEGGE For Matron “Mama” Morton—LAUREN GEMELLI, LAURA OLDHAM For Mary Sunshine—C. CABALLERO For Fred Casely—DANIEL GUTIERREZ

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

THE SCENE: Chicago, Illinois. The late 1920s.

EJ THOMAS HALL

Velma Kelly .............................................................................................TERRA C. MacLEOD Roxie Hart ......................................................................................................DYLIS CROMAN Fred Casely .....................................................................................................BRENT HEUSER Sergeant Fogarty ............................................................................................COREY WRIGHT Amos Hart ..............................................................................................................PAUL VOGT Liz ............................................................................................................. LAUREN GEMELLI Annie ......................................................................................................PILAR MILLHOLLEN June ..............................................................................................................LAURA OLDHAM Hunyak ...........................................................................................................NICOLE BENOIT Mona ..........................................................................................EVELYN CHRISTINA TONN Matron “Mama” Morton ..........................................................................................ROZ RYAN Billy Flynn ...................................................................................................... EDDIE GEORGE Mary Sunshine ................................................................................................. C. NEWCOMER Go-to-Hell-Kitty ......................................................................................... SHAMICKA BENN Harry ...................................................................................................... DANIEL GUTIERREZ The Doctor ........................................................................................ANTHONY LaGUARDIA Aaron........................................................................................................COLT ADAM WEISS The Judge ..........................................................................................ANTHONY LaGUARDIA The Bailiff ........................................................................................................ TANNER LANE Martin Harrison...................................................................................... DANIEL GUTIERREZ Court Clerk....................................................................................................... TANNER LANE The Jury ............................................................................................ MATTHEW WINNEGGE

2016-2017 Season

CAST

(in order of appearance)

Dance Captain—CHRISTOPHE CABALLERO

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SWINGS CHRISTOPHE CABALLERO, JENNIFER MATHIE, DREW NELLESSEN

PLAYBILL

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2016-2017 Season

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT I “All That Jazz” ........................................................................................... Velma and Company “Funny Honey” ...................................................................................................................Roxie “Cell Block Tango”............................................................................................Velma and Girls “When You’re Good to Mama” ............................................................Matron “Mama” Morton “Tap Dance”............................................................................................ Roxie, Amos and Boys “All I Care About” ............................................................................................... Billy and Girls “A Little Bit of Good” .........................................................................................Mary Sunshine “We Both Reached for the Gun” ............................ Billy, Roxie, Mary Sunshine and Company “Roxie” ...............................................................................................................Roxie and Boys “I Can’t Do It Alone” .........................................................................................................Velma “My Own Best Friend” .................................................................................... Roxie and Velma INTERMISSION ACT II Entr’acte ........................................................................................................................The Band “I Know a Girl” ..................................................................................................................Velma “Me and My Baby” .............................................................................................Roxie and Boys “Mister Cellophane” ..........................................................................................................Amos “When Velma Takes the Stand” ........................................................................Velma and Boys “Razzle Dazzle” ............................................................................................Billy and Company “Class” .............................................................................. Velma and Matron “Mama” Morton “Nowadays” ..................................................................................................... Roxie and Velma “Hot Honey Rag” ............................................................................................. Roxie and Velma Finale.............................................................................................................................Company Original choreography for “Hot Honey Rag” by Bob Fosse ORCHESTRA Musical Conductor—ROB BOWMAN Associate Conductor/Piano/Accordion—HOWARD LEVITSKY Piano—BRIAN WHITTED Drums/Percussion—MIKE LUNOE The musicians employed in this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.

The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited. 4

C. NEWCOMER (Mary Sunshine). Broadway: Chicago, The Visit (OBC). Tour: Chicago. Regional: The Visit at Williamstown. Concert: Chita: Nowadays at Carnegie Hall, Mary Sometimes at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Opera: Xerxes, A Midsummer…, Dido & Aeneus. Recordings: The Visit, Volpone with Wolf Trap Opera (Grammy nominated). Thanks to Mom, Dad and Chita. Instagram: @cdnewcomer. SHAMICKA BENN (Go-to-Hell Kitty) is thankful to be sharing her dream show with you! Recently in: Honda Commercial, GrubHub print campaign, TV’s “Jane The Virgin,” “To Tell the Truth,” “Bella and the Bulldogs” and “General Hospital.” Keep in touch new friend on Insta, Twitter and Facebook @ ShamickaBenn. Thank you Jesus and family! NICOLE BENOIT (Hunyak, u/s Roxie Hart) is “not guilty” to be rejoining the Chicago family for this incredible anniversary tour! Favorite credits: Chicago (Roxie, Kitty), The Producers

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EDDIE GEORGE (Billy Flynn) makes his Broadway debut in Chicago following stage appearances in Matthew Lopez’s The Whipping Man (Nashville Repertory Theatre), Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog (Amun Ra Theatre) and the title roles of Othello and Julius Caesar at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. His transition to the stage completes the journey he began at the conclusion of his NFL career. George continues to be active in Nashville, where he refines his craft with his theatrical troupe, Actors By George, while sitting on the board of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. He resides in Nashville with his wife Tamara George and his family.

ROZ RYAN (Matron “Mama” Morton) holds a unique Broadway record, having played more performances of Chicago than any other leading actress in the show’s historic 18-year run. Besides that, she’s done it all. Broadway: Seven productions, including Chicago, Dreamgirls, One Mo’ Time and Ain’t Misbehavin plus various national tours. Most recently, Roz was seen in Because of Winn Dixie at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Television series: “KC Undercover,” “Amen,” “Good News,” “The Rickey Smiley Show” and more. Cartoon voiceovers: “Adventure Time,” “Hercules,” “Looney Tunes,” etc. Films: Plenty of those too. TV commercials like Charles Barkley’s Mom for Capitol One and more! Just Google her. Why? Because God is Good! RozRyan.com.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

TERRA C. MacLEOD (Velma Kelly). Hailing from the Broadway company, Terra is thrilled to be a part of Chicago’s 20th anniversary tour. Terra originated Velma in the world French premiere of Chicago in both Montreal/Paris (Moliere nomination). Other credits include Chicago (Velma Kelly) (Broadway, West end, national and international tour); The Addams Family (Morticia) (Moonlight Stage); Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Blood Brothers (Mrs. J.), The Producers (Ulla) (The Vancouver Arts Club); Kiss of the Spider Woman (Spider Woman) (L.A. Havok Theatre); Cats (Bombalurina) and The Pajama Game (Gladys) (MTWLA); West Side Story (Anita) (New Orleans Opera and Vancouver Arts Club, Jessie Award, Best Supp. Actress); Guys and Dolls (Adelaide) (San Diego MT); Damn Yankees (Lola); A Chorus Line (Cassie). Film/TV: The Lizzie Maguire Movie, “The Reagans,” “The Dead Zone,” “Jeremiah.” Thank you to the Chicago team. What an incredible ride this has been! “Love to Rick and my 3 C’s.” terramacleod.com.

PAUL VOGT (Amos Hart). Broadway: Hairspray (Edna Turnblad), Chicago (Amos Hart). Regional: Oliver! (Mr. Bumble), Arena Stage Wash D.C.; replaced Harvey Fierstein in Vegas (Hairspray); Ursula in Disney’s Little Mermaid (Muny); Laurel and Hardy (Falcon Theater—West Coast premiere); Idaho (Forestburgh—world premiere); Elf and A Funny Thing...Forum (Paper Mill); Hairspray (NSMT, Sacramento, Muny, PCLO, TUTs); Disney’s Aladdin (Tuacahn); Minsky’s (Ahmanson—world premiere). Film: Mothers Day, Valentines Day, The Princess Diaries 2, Good Boy, Lilo and Stich 2, Blonde Ambition. TV: “MADtv,” “ReRUN Show,” “Raising Hope,” “Glee,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Hannah Montana,” “Arrested Development,” “Reno 911,” “Maximum Bob.” Twitter @Therealpaulvogt. paulcvogt.com.

EJ THOMAS HALL

DYLIS CROMAN (Roxie Hart) is thankful to have been a part of the Chicago family for over seven years. She most recently performed the role of Roxie Hart in New York City on Broadway. Other Broadway and national tour credits include New York Stage & Film’s new production of In Your Arms; A Chorus Line (standby Cassie/Sheila); Movin’ Out (Brenda); Sweet Charity (Rosie, u/s Charity); Oklahoma!; Thou Shalt Not (u/s Therese Raquin); and Fosse (trumpet solo, filmed for PBS “Great Performances”). On television, she appeared as Andrew Daniels on “Guiding Light,” “Smash” on NBC, as well as many national commercials. “Thank you Mom, Dad, Todd, Janet, Seth and my beautiful friends for your endless love and support. My life is so blessed because of you. I dedicate this performance to every patron who graces this theater. Thank you God for this gift to share.” You can follow Dylis on IG @dycro33 and on FB at Dylis Croman.

2016-2017 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2016-2017 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST (Ulla, Best Actress nom.), Cabaret (Sally). TV: “Inside Amy Schumer,” “Target.” Check out Nicole and her nonprofit LEAP (@theleapevent) at NicoleBenoitOnline.com. CHRISTOPHE CABALLERO (Swing, Dance Captain). Happy 20th Chicago! Broadway: original and Tony-winning companies of La Cage aux Folles (2010), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol. Fosse recreation workshops, multiple international, regional and touring productions. TV highlights: “Fame” with Debbie Allen, “The Tracey Ullman Show,” voice of Odd in “Code Lyoko.” ChristopheCaballero.com. LAUREN GEMELLI (Liz, u/s Velma, u/s Matron “Mama” Morton). NYC: City Opera’s Candide, directed by Hal Prince. National tours: The Drowsy Chaperone. Regional: Arena Stage, Trinity Rep, PCLO, OSTC, NBFT. Training: Boston Ballet, Manhattanville College, Verdon Fosse Legacy. Thanks to the entire Chicago creative team, everyone at Stewart/Whitley and Irene at DDO Artists Agency. laurengemelli.com. t: @ laurengemelli. ig: @lalagem. DANIEL GUTIERREZ (Harry, Martin Harrison, u/s Fred Casely, u/s Billy Flynn). NYC: Chicago (tour), Giselle (Lincoln Center), Broadway Bares 2016, Radio Broadway Live (Town Hall). TV: 2016 Tony Awards, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, “The View” (Barbara Returns Special). Thanks to NAMCO, Duncan Stewart Casting and family! @ dannygcreative. BRENT HEUSER (Fred Casely, u/s Billy Flynn). Broadway: Chicago (Fred Casely). Off-Broadway: My Big Gay Italian Wedding (Andrew). TV: 2013 Tony Awards opening, 2016 Tony Awards Chicago tribute. Favorite regional credits: 9 to 5 The Musical (Franklin Hart Jr.), Hairspray (Corny Collins), Bye Bye Birdie (Albert). Love to family and friends! Brent is also a singer/songwriter. Follow him on Instagram @TallGuy223. ANTHONY LaGUARDIA (The Judge) is thrilled to be back! Nat’l tours: Chicago (Aaron), Beauty and the Beast (Swing, u/s Lefou). Int’l: NAMCO/ RCCL Chicago (Bailiff, u/s Mary Sunshine— played) Favorite credits: Hairspray, Dreamgirls, 42nd Street. “Love and gratitude to my Chicago family, Stewart/Whitley, my family, friends and Matty.” @anthonyjaylag. TANNER LANE (Bailiff, Court Clerk, u/s Amos Hart) is thrilled to be back on the road with Chicago! Theater credits: Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Billy Elliot, Joseph…,

A Chorus Line, Bye Bye Birdie. B.F.A. Florida State University. Proud AEA member! “Thanks to Mom, Dad, Matthew and all my family.” IG: @tannerlane17. JENNIFER MATHIE (Swing). Credits include Spamalot, Radio City Rockette, Fosse, Follies at Encores, White Christmas and numerous national TV commercials. “Thank you to everyone, and never ever stop believing! This is truly a dream come true.” JenniferMathie.com. PILAR MILLHOLLEN (Annie). Broadway: Doctor Zhivago, Chicago. Pilar is a certified personal trainer and teaches fitness at the Institute for American Musical Theatre. She also holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, focusing her ministry in racial, economic and LGBTQ justice. Grateful to again tell this story which speaks to our current political and cultural climate. Love to David. Micah 6:8. DREW NELLESSEN (Swing). is thrilled to be back with his favorite show! Tours: Chicago (national, Tokyo, Bangkok, Dubai productions), West Side Story (Riff). Select regional: Goodspeed Opera House, Goodman Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, St. Louis Muny, Barrington Stage Company, Marriott Theatre and many more! TV: “General Hospital.” Love to family and friends! LAURA OLDHAM (June, u/s Velma Kelly, u/s Matron “Mama” Morton) Laura is jazzed to be back on the cellblock! National tours: two years with Chicago, three years with Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Favorite roles: Kate Monster (Avenue Q), Maggie (A Chorus Line), Janet (The Drowsy Chaperone) and Morgan’s wife. Much love to Mom and Dad! Proud BirminghamSouthern College grad. EVELYN CHRISTINA TONN (Mona, u/s Roxie Hart). Blessed to once again rejoin her Chicago family, Evelyn is simply delighted to share this stage with those whom she loves! Feel free to give her imdb page a gander for her credits/reels/resume! Gratitude to an amazing God, her supportive family and her incredible friends! Enjoy the show! MATTHEW WINNEGGE (The Jury, u/s Amos Hart) is so thrilled to be returning to Chicago! New York City: Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Regional: Casa Mañana, KC Starlight, Stages St. Louis, Arkansas Rep. Thanks to Stewart Whitley & Co, Hilary and the Davids! Love to family and friends. Instagram: mjwinnegge. COLT ADAM WEISS (Aaron) is from Hamburg, Pa. and is a graduate of The University of the Arts, 6

New season just announced!

NOVEMBER 7 & 8, 2017

APRIL 10 & 11, 2018

MAY 1 & 2, 2018

broadwayinakron.com CALL 330-253-2488 | GROUPS 1-800-888-9941

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E VA LL I TH E ST OR Y OF FRSEANASKION S & TH E FO UR

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

OCTOBER 10 & 11, 2017

EJ THOMAS HALL

Guarantee your seats for all four shows TONIGHT in the Goodrich Lobby

2016-2017 Season

2017-2018

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2016-2017 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST with a concentration in jazz dance performance. Colt is excited to be rejoining the national touring company of Chicago! Other credits: Broadway: Chicago. Off-Broadway: Trip of Love. COREY WRIGHT (Sergeant Fogarty) Favorite credits: theater: Chicago, Washer/Dryer. TV: “General Hospital,” “The Daily Show with John Stewart.” Film: In the Night, Where Do We Go From Here. Writing: Lou in Lieu of Genius (a new musical coming to Broadway), Bridges (a feature film currently in development.) IG: CoreyCor. corey-wright.net. JOHN KANDER & FRED EBB (Music, Book/ Lyrics). The John Kander and Fred Ebb collaboration of four decades created what many would consider Broadway standards and contemporary classics: Flora, the Red Menace; Cabaret (Tony Award); The Happy Time; Zorba; 70, Girls, 70; Chicago; The Act; Woman of the Year (Tony Award, Best Score); The Rink; Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony Award, Best Score); and Steel Pier. Their collaboration also transferred itself to movies and television as they wrote original material for the Academy Awards; “Liza With a Z” (Emmy Award); HBO’s “Liza Minnelli’s Stepping Out” (Emmy Award); Funny Lady (Oscar nominated for “How Lucky Can You Get”); Lucky Lady; New York, New York; Stepping Out; and Chicago (Oscar nominated for Best Song). In the mid ’80s the song “New York, New York” becoming the official anthem of New York City. At the time of the unfortunate death of Mr. Ebb, Kander and Ebb had several projects in different stages of completion waiting in the wings: All About Us, Curtains and The Scottsboro Boys. Life goes on. BOB FOSSE (Book). First director in history to win Oscar, Tony and Emmy awards in one year (1973) for the film Cabaret, the musical Pippin and the TV special “Liza With a Z.” He won the first of eight Tonys as choreographer for The Pajama Game followed by directing and choreographing Redhead, Little Me, Sweet Charity (stage and film), Chicago, Dancin’. Other choreography: Damn Yankees, New Girl in Town, How to Succeed…, Big Deal. Film: My Sister Eileen, The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees. Director: Lenny (Oscar nom.), All That Jazz (Oscar nom.), Star 80. WALTER BOBBIE (Director) recently directed the Tony-nominated Venus in Fur on Broadway; Terrence McNally’s Golden Age at Manhattan Theatre Club, and David Ives’ School for Lies at Classic Stage. His international hit Chicago won him a Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards and has become the longest-running revival in Broadway history. Other Broadway credits include High Fidelity, Sweet Charity, Twentieth Century and 7

Footloose. Mr. Bobbie directs regularly for New York’s most prestigious theatre companies, served as artistic director of City Center’s Encores! and is on the Executive Board of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. ANN REINKING (Choreographer). 1997 Tony Award, Best Choreography for Chicago, as well as Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Astaire and NY Drama Critics awards. Other credits include: director, co-choreographer for Fosse (1998 Tony Award for Best Musical); Tony nomination for Best Director in a Musical, Fosse, Nominations for Tonys in 4 different categories: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Choreographer, Best Director (won the Tony for Best Choreography), as well as Tony nominations for her leading performances in Dancin’ and Goodtime Charlie; won the Lawrence Olivier Award for Fosse; recipient of Theatre World, Clarence Derwent and Outer Critics Circle awards for her work as Maggie in Over Here! Film credits: Movie, Movie; All That Jazz; Annie; Micki and Maude. Recent choreography: Sondheim Suite for Pacific Northwest Ballet, Suite Kander for Missouri State Ballet, Ritmo & Ruido for Ballet Hispanico, Legends for Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, The Threepenny Opera for Williamstown Theatre Festival, Nilsson/ Schmillson for Seattle’s Spectrum Dance Theatre, “Bye Bye Birdie” for ABC-TV, national tour of the revival of Applause. Co-choreographed The White City and Light In The Dark/Thodos Dance Chicago. Choreographed The Harrison Tribute/ American Ballet Theatre. She is the recipient of the National Broadway Theatre Award for best choreography, Fosse, 2001, the Drama League Award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre 1999, Musical Hall of Fame Award 1999, Dance Library of Israel Award 1998, Distinguished Artist Award 1998, School of American Ballet Artistic Achievement Award 1997, National Art Club Award for Service to the Arts 1995, Governor’s Award—Ambassador of the Arts for the State of Florida 1994, Honorary Doctorate from Florida State University, Dance Magazine Award, Ford Foundation Scholarship for the San Francisco Ballet Company and the Robert Joffrey Scholarship with the Joffrey Ballet. JOHN LEE BEATTY (Set Design). Broadway: After Midnight, The Nance, Other Desert Cities, The Color Purple, A Delicate Balance, The Heiress, The Sisters Rosensweig, The Most Happy Fella, Burn This, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Talley’s Folly, Fifth of July, among 100 others. Off-Broadway: Sylvia; The Substance of Fire; The Road to Mecca; Song of Singapore; Lips Together, Teeth Apart; A

Life in the Theatre; many seasons at MTC, Circle Rep, Lincoln Center and Encores. Major regional theaters, film, opera, TV and the circus. Multiple Tony, Obie, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. Graduate: Brown and Yale.

ROB FISHER (Supervising Music Director). Original conductor and music director for Chicago and its Grammy Award-winning cast album and supervisor of Chicago companies worldwide. Music director and conductor of City Center’s Tony Award-winning Encores! series since its inception in 1994. Other credits: Garrison Keillor’s radio broadcasts, concerts at Carnegie Hall, New York City Opera, PBS, the White House, guest symphony conductor and more than 20 recordings. Broadway tour: 3 Penny Opera starring Sting, Me and My Girl, A History of the American Film, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, Little Johnny Jones, Big River. JOHN MONACO (Music Coordinator) is a veteran of the musical theatre. He has been music

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SCOTT LEHRER (Sound Design) received the first Tony awarded to sound for the Lincoln Center Theater revival of South Pacific. Recent B’way work: Honeymoon in Vegas, A Delicate Balance, Love Letters, A Raisin in the Sun, Betrayal, Lucky Guy, Chaplin (Drama Desk), Death of a Salesman (Tony nom), That Championship Season, Women on the Verge, Finian’s Rainbow, A View From the Bridge (Tony nom), Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Tony nom) and over 40 City Center Encores. Music engineer/ producer projects include Loudon Wainwright’s Grammy-winning High Wide and Handsome, Bebe Neuwirth’s Porcelain, Judy Kuhn’s All This Happiness and Meredith Monk’s Mercy.

DAVID THOMPSON (Script Adaptation). Broadway productions include the librettos for The Scottsboro Boys (Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations, Hull-Warriner Award), Steel Pier (Tony nomination) and Thou Shalt Not. OffBroadway: And the World Goes ‘Round (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards), Flora, the Red Menace (Drama Desk nomination). Regional: McCarter Theater’s A Christmas Carol. Television: “Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall,” “My Favorite Broadway.” Thompson is a graduate of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism.

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KEN BILLINGTON (Lighting Designer) has 98 Broadway shows to his credit including such theater milestones as Sweeney Todd and the current production of Chicago. Many touring productions over the years including Chicago (worldwide), Riverdance (lighting supervisor), Fiddler on the Roof (from 1976 to 2012), White Christmas, 9 to 5, High School Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone and the current tour of Annie to name a few. Other projects include Hugh Jackman in Concert, from 1979 to 2006 the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and for Seaworld Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio “The Shamu Shows.” Ken’s many awards include the Tony, NY Drama Desk and Outer Critics awards, the Ace Award for Television Lighting and the Lumen for his architectural work.

DAVID BUSHMAN (Choreography Recreation). Broadway: Chicago, current dance captain, male swing. National tours: Chicago, re-stager of previous tour, dance captain, ensemble. International: Chicago, French productions (Montreal and Paris), dance captain, ensemble. Other credits include director’s assistant for Cirque du Soleil, Las Vegas; principal dancer in various works by Balanchine, Jiri Kilian, Nacho Duato and other world-class choreographers.

EJ THOMAS HALL

WILLIAM IVEY LONG (Costume Designer) has designed costumes for 66 Broadway productions. Select credits include Cabaret, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Young Frankenstein, Grey Gardens, Curtains, Hairspray, The Producers, Little Shop of Horrors, The Boy From Oz, Contact, The Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Swing, 1776, Smokey Joe’s Café, Crazy for You, Guys and Dolls, Assassins, Lend Me a Tenor, Nine. He has also designed for Mick Jagger, Siegfried and Roy, the Pointer Sisters and Joan Rivers. He serves as Production Designer for North Carolina’s seasonal outdoor drama, The Lost Colony. Mr. Long has 14 Tony Award nominations, winning six times. He was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in January 2006, and elected chairman of the American Theatre Wing in June 2012.

DAVID HYSLOP (Director Recreation) has been affiliated with the Broadway production of Chicago since 2005. One of his duties there has been to rehearse dozens of new cast members, including Huey Lewis, Usher, Brian McKnight, John O’Hurley, Lisa Rinna, George Hamilton and Sofia Vergara. He has over 20 Broadway credits as a stage manager including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, La Cage, Democracy, Rocky Horror Show, The Blue Room, Jekyll & Hyde, An Ideal Husband, Grease!, and A Few Good Men. Resident theatres include seasons with PCPA/Solvang Theatrefest and with The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Recently, he served as director/restager for the national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

2016-2017 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2016-2017 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST coordinator for over 100 Broadway musicals and has performed in more than 40 Broadway shows. Mr. Monaco has had the privilege of working with Richard Rodgers, John Kander, Jule Styne, Elmer Bernstein, Harvey Schmidt, Philip Springer, George Forrest, Robert Wright, Janusz Stoklos, Steve Margoshes and many others. ROB BOWMAN (Music Director/Conductor) is happy to be continuing his involvement in Chicago having served as Music Director/Conductor for last year’s U.S. tour, the Broadway production for five years, the first national touring company in 1997; and Music Supervisor for companies in Australia, Holland, China, Stuttgart, Korea and Berlin. He began a partnership with Elaine Stritch as her Music Director for nearly 15 years until her death in 2014. He is featured in the critically-acclaimed Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me and the HBO/Pennebaker Emmy Award-winning documentary Elaine Stritch at Liberty. On Broadway, he has conducted numerous shows including A Little Night Music with Bernadette Peters, All About Me with Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein and the Tony Award-winning Elaine Stritch At Liberty. He spent two years as Music Director/Conductor for Kiss of the Spider Woman with Chita Rivera. As a composer, he has written and arranged a number of scores including Hot Mikado and the David Bell production of A Christmas Carol. He most recently served as a judge for the 2017 Miss America Pageant. DAVID BRIAN BROWN (Wig/Hair Design). Broadway: highlights: Curious Incident…, If/ Then, Bridges of Madison County, Macbeth, The Nance, Death of a Salesman, Follies, Sister Act, Arcadia, A Steady Rain, Shrek, The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, Spamalot, Tarzan, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Fiddler on the Roof, Nine, Gypsy, Sweet Smell of Success, The Invention of Love, Aida, The Iceman Cometh, Chicago, Sideshow, Steel Pier. Off-Broadway: Far From Heaven, Giant. Film/TV credits: “The Sound of Music”— live NBC, It’s Complicated, “Angels In America” (Emmy nominated), To Wong Foo…. DUNCAN STEWART, CSA/BENTON WHITLEY, CSA (Casting). Duncan Stewart and Company. Broadway/New York: On the Town, Pippin, Chicago, La Cage, The Band Wagon (Encores), Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Natasha Pierre & Great Comet of 1812, Pageant, People Sing (Carnegie Hall). West End/London: Thriller Live, Menier Chocolate Factory. National tours: We Will Rock You, Pippin, La Cage, Flashdance, Anything Goes. Regional: A.R.T., Bay Street, Alley Theatre, RCCL. Casting Associate Andrea Zee. dstewartco.com. 9

ARTHUR SICCARDI, THEATRICAL SERVICES INC. (Technical Supervisor) has been involved in more than 200 Broadway shows: Hello, Dolly!; A Chorus Line; Cats; The Real Thing; Ballroom; Dreamgirls; Chess; Broadway Bound; Jerome Robbins’ Broadway; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Gypsy; Lost in Yonkers; Fiddler on the Roof; Falsettos; The Goodbye Girl; My Fair Lady; Sunset Boulevard; Laughter on the 23rd Floor; My One and Only; Billy Elliott; The Tony Awards and Night of a Thousand Stars. In 2012, he received a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre. MICHAEL DANEK (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back with Chicago. Broadway: Chicago, Pippin, Wicked. National Tours: Rock of Ages, Dr. Dolittle, Little House on the Prairie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Disney’s High School Musical. Off-Broadway: A Christmas Carol, The Fantasticks. BRIAN WESTMORELAND (Stage Manager). Broadway: Phantom of the Opera, A Doll’s House, Juan Darien. Tours: Chicago, The King and I, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fiddler (30th anniversary), Annie Warbucks. Regional: Crossroads Theatre Company, Signature Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Gateway Playhouse. Dance: Dance Theatre of Harlem, Connecticut Ballet, Eliot Feld’s Ballet Tech. UCLA graduate. RICK PESSAGNO (Assistant Stage Manager). Credits include Chicago The Musical (Cell Block Tour 2013/14/15/16), [title of show] (Tidwell Productions), The Mad Project (Martian Productions) and many others. “My journey with Chicago began in 1997 with the first national tour where I originated the role of Fred Casely. Thanks to my friend Hilary for believing in me, to my T.S. for standing by me, to my beautiful daughters and to the newest addition in my life my Granddaughter Lyla. Places Please!” BARRY and FRAN WEISSLER (Producers) have had a producing career that spans over 40 years. They are the recipients of seven Tony Awards. Othello starring James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer, Fiddler on the Roof with Topol, Gypsy with Tyne Daly, Annie Get Your Gun with Bernadette Peters and Reba McEntire, the 2010 revival of La Cage aux Folles with Kelsey Grammer, their new hit, Pippin, currently on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre and Chicago, the longest-running American musical on both Broadway and the West End. Other Broadway credits include Zorba, My One & Only, Falsettos, Grease, Seussical, Wonderful Town, Sweet Charity and The Scottsboro Boys. Current projects include The Heart of Robin Hood and a musical adaptation of the independent film Waitress.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (Producer) is part of The John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, under the supervision of nine-time Tony-winning producer John Gore (Owner and CEO). Current and past productions include Beautiful, Cats, Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, Hairspray, Million Dollar Quartet, On Your Feet!, School of Rock and The Producers. BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; Broadway.com.

CITY CENTER’S ENCORES! GREAT AMERICAN MUSICALS IN CONCERT. City Center, a not-for-profit theater founded in 1943 as Manhattan’s first performing arts center, is home to many of America’s leading dance companies, education programs and popular engagements. The award–winning series Encores! was created in 1994 to revisit rarely heard scores, of which Chicago is one. Presented by special arrangement with American Play Company, Inc., Sheldon Abend, President. STAFF FOR CHICAGO

TOUR MARKETING/PRESS Anita Dloniak & Associates. Inc. Anita Dloniak Diane Rodes Melissa A. Hazek COMPANY MANAGER ........... BILL SCHAEFFER PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER ..MICHAEL DANEK

TOUR DIRECTION Columbia Artists Theatricals 250 West 57th St., Suite 901 New York, NY 10107 917.206.4600 tel/917.206.4646 fax www.columbiaartiststheatricals.com CREDITS Scenery built and painted by Hudson Scenic Studios, Lighting equipment from PRG Lighting. Sound Equipment by PRG Audio.

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GENERAL MANAGEMENT B. J. Holt, General Manager Nina Skriloff, International Manager Hilary Hamilton, Associate General Manager

STAFF FOR NATIONAL ARTISTS Vice President of Marketing..............Chelsea Salyer Director of Marketing..............................Ken Sperr Head of Business Affairs. ............ Daniel M. Posener Chief Financial Officer. ........................Bob Williams Accounting ................................. Marian Albarracin Associate to the Weisslers .................Brett England Assistant to Barry Weissler ................ Emma Feiwel Assistant to Alecia Parker .................. Alana Graber Assistant to BJ Holt ............................Tyler Forrest Receptionist ................................Michelle Coleman Messenger ...........................................Victor Ruiz

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

B.J. HOLT (General Manager). Broadway, West End and touring productions include Chicago, Fosse, La Cage aux Folles, Les Misérables (CM), Miss Saigon (CM), Pippin, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Seussical, Sweet Charity and the upcoming Finding Neverland, The Heart of Robin Hood and Waitress. His favorite role, however, is to be father to Christina and Payson, who make everything worthwhile!

EJ THOMAS HALL

ALECIA PARKER (Executive Producer) serves as executive producer of all worldwide productions of Chicago, Pippin on Broadway, and the current touring production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Currently licensing Once the Musical internationally. Other credits, spanning more than 30 years, include executive producer of La Cage aux Folles, The Scottsboro Boys, Sweet Charity, Wonderful Town, Seussical; associate producer of Annie Get Your Gun, My Thing of Love, Grease!, My Fair Lady, Falsettos, Fiddler on the Roof, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cabaret, Zorba starring Anthony Quinn. She is the proud mother of Michael a senior at Washington University in St. Louis.

Stage Manager ....................... Brian Westmoreland Assistant Stage Manager .................Rick Pessagno General Management Associate.... Stephen Spadaro Associate Lighting Designer ................Ed McCarthy Associate Lighting Designer Worldwide ...John Demous Associate Sound Designer ............ Benjamin Furiga, Andrew Lang Assistant to William Ivey Long......... Donald Sanders Production Carpenter ...........................Seth Larkin Flyman ........................................... Michael Moore Production Electrician ..................... James Fedigan Master Electrician................................. Eric Briggs Assistant Electrician ........................ Sean Hamilton Production Sound Engineer .................Jared Ullman Assistant Sound ........................ Aaron Fensterheim Master of Properties......................... Michael Triolo Wardrobe Supervisor .......... Cindy Krantz-Silverstein Hair Supervisor .............................. Scott Mortimer Banking ............City National Bank/Michele Gibbons Music Preparation ........ Donald Oliver, Evan Morris/ Chelsea Music Service, Inc. Payroll ..............................Castellana Services, Inc. Accountants............................. Marks Paneth, LLP. Counsel ........................Seth Gelblum/Loeb & Loeb Insurance.................Stockbridge Risk Management Art Design ......................................... Spot Design Advertising ....................................... Ryan Zatcoff, Jeff Perri, Stephen Sosnowski Web Design ....................................... Spot Design Production Photography........................Paul Kolnik, Jeremy Daniel Merchandising................................Creative Goods

2016-2017 Season

WHO’S WHO in the CAST

The musicians employed in this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians.

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The Director and Choreographer are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union. United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre. The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

Backstage and Front of the House Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.). The Press Agents and Company Managers employed in this production are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers.

The musicians employed in this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians.

This production is produced by a member of The Broadway League in collaboration with our professional union-represented employees.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

The Director and Choreographer are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union. United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre. Backstage and Front of the House Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.). The Press Agents and Company Managers employed in this production are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers.

2016-2017 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL

This production is produced by a member of The Broadway League in collaboration with our professional union-represented employees.

JANUARY 2017 TUE 1/17 Prague Philharmonic with Sarah Chang 7:30 pm $47, $42, $27 SAT 1/21 Akron Symphony: Beethoven’s Ninth 8 pm $55, $45, $35, $20 WED 1/25 Tuesday Musical: Imani Winds 7:30 pm $45, $40, $25

FRI 3/24 UA Jazzfest ’17 Closing Concert with Steve Tyrell 7:30 pm $25, $15 students FRI 3/31 GroundWorks Dance Theater 7:30 pm $25 APRIL 2017 SAT 4/1 GroundWorks Dance Theater 7:30 pm $25 TUE 4/4 Rent – Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm

SAT 1/28 Vagina Monologues 8 pm $10

WED 4/5 Rent – Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm

FEBRUARY 2017 SAT 2/4 Snow Maiden 7 pm $20 SUN 2/5 Snow Maiden 1 pm $20 FRI 2/10 Akron Symphony: The Firebird 8 pm $55, $45, $35, $20

SAT 4/8 The University of Akron Steel Drum Band with guest artist Kendall Williams 8 pm $22, $20 Seniors, UA Faculty/Staff, $11 students SUN 4/9

Marc Cohn 8 pm $45

SAT 2/25 Gospel Meets Symphony 7:30 pm $55, $45, $35, $20

FRI 4/14 The University of Akron Dance Company 7:30 pm $14

MARCH 2017

WED 4/19 United States Navy Band 7:30 pm FREE

WED 3/1 Tuesday Musical: St. Petersburg Philharmonic 7:30 pm $45, $40, $25 SAT 3/4 Yesterday Once More: A Musical Celebration of The Carpenters 8 pm $25 All Seats Reserved

FRI 4/21 Akron Symphony Pops: Cirque de la Symphonie 7:30 pm $55, $45, $35, $20 WED 4/26 Tuesday Musical: Escher String Quartet 7:30 pm $45, $40, $25

MON 3/6 Five Irish Tenors 7:30 pm $42

SAT 4/29 Rubber City Beatlefest 8 pm $25

FRI 3/17 Akron Symphony: NEOS Dance Theatre 8 pm $55, $45, $35, $20

MAY 2017

TUE 3/21 Delta Gamma Lectureship with Spencer Stone 7:30 pm $10 WED 3/22 UA JazzFest ’17 John Fedchock – Stage Door 7:30 pm $12, $6 nonUA students, Free for UA students with card

TUE 5/9 Chicago – Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm WED 5/10 Chicago – Broadway in Akron 7:30 pm

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THU 3/23 UA JazzFest ’17 John Fedchock with UA Faculty – Stage Door 7:30 pm $12, $6.00 non-UA students, Free for UA students with card

SAT 5/6 Akron Symphony: Mendelssohn’s Elijah 8 pm $55, $45, $35, $20

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

FRI 2/11 Akron Acapella 8 pm $10

THU 4/13 The University of Akron Dance Company 7:30 pm $14

EJ THOMAS HALL

FRI 1/27 Vocal Choral Festival Closing Concert 3 pm Free SUN 1/29 Rick Springfield and Richard Marx 8 pm $64.50, $54.50, $39.50

2016-2017 Season

2017 EJ SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2016-2017 Season 10

• Home of F.A. Seiberling, Goodyear Co-founder • 6th Largest Historic Home in the Nation • 70 Acres of Historic Gardens and Grounds

Events • Tours Exhibits • Family Fun 714 N. Portage Path Akron, OH 44303 330.836.5533

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What will your child do in a day? Only everything.

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oldtrail.org Contact us to schedule your visit at admission@oldtrail.org. Connect with us

Nathan J. Mortimer, CPA Vice President for Finance & Administration/CFO njm9@uakron.edu Margo Ohlson Director of Theatre Operations mohlson@uakron.edu Melissa Paul Patron Services Manager mlpaul@uakron.edu Patricia Donovan Theatre Manager patric3@uakron.edu

2016-2017 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL STAFF

Dominic Cardarelli Senior Accounts Coordinator dc21@uakron.edu

Volunteering at EJ Thomas Hall Do you ever wonder how to become a volunteer usher? If you enjoy sharing the arts with the public, helping them have a memorable experience, and making new friends, then consider becoming a volunteer usher at EJ Thomas Hall. As a team member or a substitute usher, you see a variety of programs while assisting the public, from children’s shows to Broadway, Akron Symphony and Tuesday Musical concerts to graduations. Contact Melissa Paul, Patron Services Manager at 330-972-6316 for more information. Many volunteers have served for 15 years or more and thoroughly value the friends they have made and their contribution to the arts in Akron.

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Wayne County, Ohio Downtown Dazzle to Country Calm

www.wccvb.com 1.800.362.6474

Where Beautiful Gardens, Special Occasions, & Everyday Living Begin.

TODAY’S KITCHEN STORE Your source for Quality Kitchen Products

Open Late March-Dec. • Tues.-Sat. 9-5 • 2810 Armstrong Rd., Wooster OH 44691 • 330-345-6722

330.601.1331

SHOP ONLINE any time at www.TodaysKitchenStore.com

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Unique Kitchenware and Gifts for Cooking Enthusiasts 116 S. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691

Explore our gardens, gift shop & greenhouse.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

One of a kind shopping & dining experiences in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country — less than an hour away!

EJ THOMAS HALL

Lenny Pizzute Technical Services Associate pizzute@uakron.edu

uaevents.com 2016-2017 Season

EJ THOMAS HALL

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

OUR MEMBERS MATTER

The members of EJ Thomas Hall’s Flying Balcony Club (FBC) are supporters of this region’s premiere performance venue. Through their support, each helps EJ enrich The University of Akron’s and the greater Akron community’s cultural life with the presentation of world-class performances and dynamic educational programs. Members for the 2016-2017 season are: BRAVO! ($1,500+) Miklos & Lorita Gaspar Randy & Mary Jo Worthington STANDING OVATION ($750+) Drs. Mark & Sandy Auburn Thomas J. Dudek Hank & Arlene Nettling Wes & Linda Van Fossen RAVE ($500+) Patricia Brown Kevin & Leslie Christensen Jane Delcamp Marcia Adair & Dick Edwards Barbara Banks & Phyllis Fitzgerald Mrs. Dorothy (Stephen) Farkas Dr. Howard Greene Jim & Louise Kuhns Harvey Jay R. Hershey James Hindel Sam & Marilyn Landers

Thomas R. Luck Dr. Alan Meshekow Nathan & Karen Mortimer Sherryl & Steve Owen Molly Plaskett Roger Read Kenneth Robinson Marianne Uhl Drs. Diane & Thomas Vukovich Virginia Wojno-Forney APPLAUSE ($250+) Faith & Thane Cook DuWayne & Dorothy Hansen Dianne Kauffman Kevin Lauterjing Marc & Sharon Merklin Dr. James & Barbara Noonan Dr. Judit E. Puskas, Dr. Gabor Kaszas Dr. Thomas & Connie Repko

A gorgeous venue at the top of EJ Thomas Hall, the private Flying Balcony Club is open to members and their guests one hour prior to all Main Stage events – including Broadway, Akron Symphony, and Tuesday Musical. The Flying Balcony Club offers a full service bar, elegant seating, delicious fare, VIP treatment through the FBC Membership Services’ direct phone line, and complimentary parking. Plus, depending upon the level selected, members receive exclusive amenities such as backstage tours and complimentary tickets to select events. Do you appreciate the arts and the role EJ Thomas Hall plays in the greater Akron area? By joining the Flying Balcony Club, you join a community dedicated to keeping the arts thriving. Your donation helps underwrite programming bringing a diverse range of new and established talent to Akron. Find out how you can become a member. Contact Flying Balcony Club Membership Services at 330-972-6316 or mlpaul@uakron.edu.

2016-2017 Season

Some Trivia and History

n EJ Thomas Hall was designed in part by Dr. Vern O. Knudsen, Los Angeles, world renowned physicist, UCLA chancellor emeritus and acoustical expert, who also checked the acoustics of the building and “tuned” it after it was completed. Dr. Knudsen considered the entire Hall a musical instrument. He designed the unique system of sound dispersal with a range of various acoustical devices built into the structure to handle the differing requirements of a concert hall, opera house or Broadway show, and intimate theater. The hall is programmed to change at the push of a button on a console backstage. n The sound-reflecting ceiling is the most unique and troublesome feature of the building, with EJ Thomas Hall being one of the few halls in the world whose movable ceiling still functions. The 44 ton ceiling is composed of 3,800 interlocking steel panels, suspended in curved sections from a network of counterweighted cables attached to the Louis A. Witzman Counterweights in Goodrich Lobby with a combined weight of 47 tons. When the weights are all the way down, the ceiling is all the way up.

n 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

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n When the Hall was finished, Knudsen and theater consultant Dr. George Izenour spent four days making extensive tests of its acoustical properties and ceiling apparatus. Tests were made with live and taped sounds, including a .22 caliber pistol being fired from the stage and the reverberation times measured throughout the Hall. The variance was only 3.5 to 4 decibels, a discrepancy not even a trained ear could detect.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

n Before EJ Thomas Hall was built, the only places in Akron to house performances by touring companies were the Akron Civic Theatre and the Akron Armory, which was designed to drill troops.

EJ THOMAS HALL

Above: EJ’s ghost light. Left: Counterweighted cables.

uaevents.com THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON EJ THOMAS HALL 2016-2017 Season 14

EJ Thomas Hall by the members of Witan in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Louis Lane, musical director and conductor of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, directed its performance in world premiere on October 9, 1973. The original score is on display in the Goodrich Lobby. n EJ Thomas Hall’s ghost light was rescued from the Colonial Theatre when it was demolished in 1970. The Colonial Theatre was built in 1901-02 as a 1,600 seat playhouse, supposedly a replica of the old Lincoln Playhouse in New York. From vaudeville to motion pictures with a small Wurlitzer theatre organ to accompany the silent films, back to vaudeville during WWII and on to full time movies before closing, the ghost light now safeguards Broadway shows, UA student performances, lectures and a diverse range of performing artists. n There is almost one acre – or more than 43,000 square feet of carpeting in EJ Thomas Hall. New carpet was installed for the 40th birthday makeover, as well as new furniture and paint in the lobby. Out of sight there is a new light board, projector and two additional follow spots. n If you go on Hill Street, look between the Pardee Lobby and Stage Door entrances for the iron rings that were used to chain the elephants when the circus came to EJ Thomas Hall in the 70s. John Kenley Players also performed summer stock and volleyball games were often played in Goodrich Lobby after the shows. n The Orchestra and Choral shell is the gift of the Tuesday Musical Association, given in memory of Mary Z. Schumacher of the Quaker Oats family whose generosity helped make these concerts possible. The shell is also used for Akron Symphony Orchestra concerts, lectures and many other performances. The shell moves on air casters to be put in place on the stage.

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