Dirty Blonde - June 2015

written by Claudia Shear

directed by Jennifer Lyman produced by Marian Holmes and Russell Wyland

DIRTYBLONDE

written by Claudia Shear directed by Jennifer Lyman musical direction by David Dender choreography by Grace Manly Machanic produced by Marian Holmes and Russell Wyland presents

Presented by special arrangements with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

PRESIDENT Eddie Page

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

ARTISTIC SUPPORT............................................................................................................................Beverley Benda

BOX OFFICE............................................................................................................................................Marian Holmes

BUILDING....................................................................................................................................................David B. Hale

DEVELOPMENT............................................................................................................................................Jim Howard

EDUCATION............................................................................................................................................Rachel Alberts

FRONT OF HOUSE................................................................................................................................Lloyd Bittinger

MEMBERSHIP..................................................................................................................................Eddy Roger Parker

PRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................Russell Wyland

PUBLIC RELATIONS..................................................................................................................................Becky Patton

SEASONAL PLANNING..................................................................................................................Frank D. Shutts II

TECHNICAL SUPPORT............................................................................................................................Robert Kraus

Treasurer....................................................................................................................................................David B. Hale

Secretary to the Board........................................................................................................................Tina Anderson

Executive Secretary................................................................................................................Margaret Evans-Joyce

Archivists..............................................................................................................................................Barbara Helsing

Business Manager..................................................................................................................................Virginia Lacey

Box Office Manager..................................................................................................................................Tina McCrea

Legal Counsel.................................................................................................................. Brian T. Goldstein, Esquire

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Public Performances: Wed.–Sat. at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

For your own safety, look for your nearest EXIT. In case of emergency, WALK, DO NOT run, to the exit. We regret that no sound recording or photographic equipment may be operated during the performance.

Director’s Notes

There are two intertwined stories in Dirty Blonde: Mae West’s rise to fame and the story of two of her fans. The common thread between these two stories is Charlie Konner, who as a teenager meets his idol, Mae West, and then as a young adult meets Jo, a kindred spirit and love interest. While I am certain it is the Mae West story that inspired the creation of this production and is the reason LTA chose to produce it, I think it is Charlie’s story that holds the production together and gives it heart.

Charlie finds inspiration in a movie star of his grandparents’ generation. In pursuing his icon (in a slightly “stalkerish” fashion), he turns inward and cuts himself off from making meaningful connections with the people around him. In a way, this mimics Mae’s behavior. She tirelessly pursued fame and success and, in the process, sacrificed a number of opportunities for relationships that went deeper than what she calls the “physical thing” she shared with the husband she abandoned.

When Charlie meets Jo, he finally finds someone who shares his love of Mae West. Perhaps Jo is someone who will understand him, appreciate him and—dare he hope— love him. In order to truly love someone you need to really see the entirety of the person: the good, the bad, the mundane and the strange. I don’t know if Mae West ever let anyone really see the entirety of her. I have a feeling that although she had a succession of long-term lovers, she may not have ever really opened up to any of them and shared her particular version of good, bad, mundane and strange. We will see if Charlie has the courage to do that—and risk getting hurt in the hope of finding love and acceptance.

Jennifer Lyman

PRODUCTION NOTES

Dirty Blonde premiered Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop in January 2000 and then opened at the Helen Hayes Theatre that May. It subsequently played at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London (2004) and many regional theaters in the United States: the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, the BoHo Theatre in Chicago and the Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles, to name a few. The play received the Theatre World Award and was nominated for Tony Awards (entire cast, director and play) as well as Drama Desk Awards (new play, lead actors, director and lighting design).

The

Cast (in order of appearance)

Jo ........................................................................................................................................Alexandra Guyker

Charlie ..............................................................................................................................Daniel J. Calderon

Actor 1 (Harry Richman, Joe Frisco, Frank Wallace, Barry O’Neill, Judge George L. Donnellan, Ed Hearn, W.C. Fields, Muscleman)..................................................................................................Chris Gillespie

Mae West ............................................................................................................................Janette Moman

Actor 2 (Armando, Jim Timony, Edward Elsner, Court Clerk, Duchess, Kid Moreno, Muscleman)................................................................................Daniel Doeuk

Setting

Various locations (primarily New York City and Los Angeles) from 1911 to 1984

Dirty Blonde will be performed without an intermission.

Musicians

Piano..........................................................................................................................................David Dender Bass............................................................................................................................................David Burrelli

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Ginger Ager, Gene’s Costumes, Kensington, MD

PERFORMANCE PARTNERS IN ART

June 5 • Long & Foster Realtors Martha Deal and Ruth Guirard

June 23 • Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society

Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association invites you to visit www.artseventsalexandria.com to view the arts calendar and schedule of events.

For information about The Little Theatre of Alexandria when you need it, visit our website! www.thelittletheatre.com

Your complete DC area theater coverage.

Musical Numbers

I’m No Angel

Jo and Charlie

[written by Harvey Oliver Brooks, Gladys Dubois and Ben Ellison and performed by Mae West in the movie I’m No Angel in 1933]

Cuddle Up and Cling to Me

Mae West

[written by Stanley Murphy and Henry I. Marshall and performed by Mae West on the vaudeville circuit in 1912]

I Love It

Mae West and Frank Wallace

[written by E. Ray Goetz (“So This Is Love” and “Me and My Gal”) and vaudeville writer/performer Harry Von Tilzer in 1920]

Oh My! How We Posé!

Mae West, Ed Hearn and Duchess

[written by Edward Harrigan and Dave Braham and performed in musical theater by Edward Harrigan and Tony Hart (Harrigan & Hart) in 1884]

A Guy What Takes His Time

Mae West

[written by Ralph Ranger and performed by Mae West in the movie She Done Him Wrong in 1933]

I Never Broke Nobody’s Heart When I Said Goodbye

Jo

[written by Alfred Bryan, Leon Flatow and Albert Gumble and performed by Mae West on the vaudeville circuit in 1923]

Dirty Blonde

Mae West and Musclemen

[written by Bob Stillman for the show Dirty Blonde in 1999]

Reprise:I’m No Angel

Mae West

The Crew

Producers ......................................................................................Marian Holmes, Russell Wyland

Director ............................................................................................................................Jennifer Lyman

Music Director ..................................................................................................................David Dender

Choreographer ..............................................................................................Grace Manly Machanic

Rehearsal Pianist ..........................................................................................................David Dender

Stage Managers ......................................................................Margaret Evans-Joyce, Lynn Lacey

Assistant Stage Managers ......................................................Charles Dragonette, Alex Mees, Meggie Webster, Casey Wilson

Set Design......................................................................................................................Andrea D’Amato

Set Construction ..............................................................................Alan Carniol, Michael Forcina

Assisted by: Jim Hutzler

Set Painting ......................................................................................................................Kevin O’Dowd

Assisted by: Mary Hutzler, Leslie Reed

Set Decoration ............................................................................Marian Holmes, Russell Wyland

Lighting Design ..................................................................................................Marzanne Claiborne

Master Electricians..........................................................Pam Leonowich, Micheal J. O’Connor

Assisted by: Ben Ashoori, Lloyd Bittinger, Kimberly Crago, Charles Dragonette, Jim Hartz, Michael Kwan, Doug Olmsted, Donna Reynolds, Nicholas Roy, Marg Soroos

Sound Design ......................................................................................................................Janice Rivera

Assisted by: Sherry Clarke, Peter Halverson, Gene Halverson, Alan Wray

Property Design ..............................................................................................................Bobbie Herbst

Assisted by: Rachel Alberts, Sherry Clarke, Bailey Coleman, Eileen Doherty, Marshal Kessler, Rebecca Sheehy, Allie Sobola, Helen Sobola

Costume Design ..........................................................................................................Beverley Benda

Assisted by: Grant Kevin Lane, Annie Vroom

Wardrobe ...Jean Coyle

Assisted by: Eileen Doherty, Donna Hauprich, Connie Shabshab, Mary Beth Smith-Toomey, Margaret Snow

Makeup Design ................................................................................................................Larissa Norris

Hair & Wig Design ........................................................................................................Rebecca Harris

Projection Design ............................................................................................................Austin Fodrie

Fight Choreographer ............................................................................................................Rob Leese

Rigging ..............................................................................................................................Russell Wyland

Photographer ........................................................................................................................Matt Liptak

Auditions ......................................................................................................................Maria Ciarrocchi

Assisted by: Mary Lou Bruno, Jay Cohen, Bobbie Herbst, Alex Mees

Double-Tech Dinner ..............................................................................Mary Beth Smith-Toomey

Assisted by: Terry Hardt, Michael Toomey, Carolyn Winters

Opening Night Party..................................................................................Frank D. Shutts II

Assisted by: Shirley Lord Cooper, Sherry Lord, Brendan Quinn, Maureen Rodriguez, Sherry Singer

Our thanks to those who worked on the show but whose names were not available when this program went to press.

Meet the Cast (in

alphabetical order)

Daniel J. Calderon (Charlie) is making his LTA debut with Dirty Blonde. He began acting in his hometown of San Antonio, TX, when he was five years old and has performed in church productions, community theater and made-for-TV movies and starred in a feature-length independent film in Hawaii. Most recently performing at Luke AFB Theatre in Phoenix, Daniel played Brad in The Rocky Horror Show, the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland and Mortimer in Arsenic and Old Lace. He sends special thanks to his wife and kids for supporting him as he follows his dream of performing on stage.

Daniel Doeuk (Actor 2) is delighted to be doing his first play at LTA. He has appeared in numerous plays and musicals and directed his first play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, a few months ago. His favorite past roles include Gary in I Hate Hamlet, King in The Spanish Tragedy, Father in Tales of Ordinary Madness, Eddie in The Wild Party, Cerpa in The V.I.P., Aldopho in The Drowsy Chaperone, Antipholus of Syracuse in Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, Tito Merelli in Lend Me a Tenor, Franz in The Producers and Father Donnally in The Marriage of Bette and Bo. My thanks to Jennifer for this opportunity—and gracias, mi amor, for your support.

Chris Gillespie (Actor 1) is excited to be back on the LTA stage. He was last seen as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, Rutledge in 1776 and King in Victor/Victoria. Other area productions include Cabaret and A Man of No Importance at Keegan Theatre; Spring Awakening, Psycho Beach Party, Ruthless! The Musical (WATCH nomination for Sylvia St. Croix) and Do Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? (WATCH nomination for Eddie Ryan) at Dominion Stage; and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Signature Theatre. Chris received a B.S. in theater education from Wright State University and an M.F.A. in acting from Florida Atlantic University. Thank you to Victor for all your support.

Alexandria Guyker (Jo) is thrilled to be a part of Dirty Blonde, her first LTA production. Favorite past roles have included Diana in Next to Normal, Little Red in Into the Woods and Mama Morton in Chicago. Alexandra holds an M.F.A. in acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training and a B.F.A. in musical theater from Niagara University. She would like to dedicate this performance to Betania, who is watching from the best seats in the house.

Janette Moman (Mae West) was last seen on the LTA stage as the spirited Miss Emma Goldman in last year’s production of Ragtime. Much of her background is in contemporary Christian music performance. Favorite stage roles include Gloria Thorpe in Damn Yankees (MCP), Truvy in Steel Magnolias (GTP), Muriel in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (ESP), Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Dilbur in A Christmas Carol (LTA) and Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray (LTA). Love and kisses to Chris, Craig, Carl, Mom, Dad, Anna, Group Therapy girls and all of her friends who continue to encourage her in her dreams.

Meet the Crew

Beverley Benda (Costume Design), a professional singer by trade, is a classical soprano with The United States Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”) and publications NCO and script writer for their Public Affairs Office. She has appeared in a variety of musicals including Brigadoon, The Pirates of Penzance, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Hollywood Pinafore, A Grand Night for Singing and the first revival of Call Me Mister. A private voice teacher and vocal coach, she teaches in the LTA education program. In her spare time, she is the LTA Governor for Artistic Support and an award-winning costumer.

David Burrelli (Bass) is thrilled to be back at LTA. After performing in over 125 productions over the last 20 plus years, many of them at LTA, he loves this opportunity to improvise or otherwise “wing it” for this show. Thanks to David Dender for the call out.

Alan Carniol (Co-Set Construction) has been an active member of LTA for three years, mostly as a set builder, and is excited to have his first official bio as co-set construction, sharing the responsibility with the very dedicated Mike Forcina and working with such an extremely talented and awesome set designer (his fiancée). When not building sets, Alan enjoys putting his carpentry skills to work building shelves and cat forts.

Marzanne Claiborne (Lighting Design) joined LTA last year working lights, sound and props on Ragtime. She has since worked some combination of lights and sound on every production. Last summer, she and Pam Leonovich were co-master electricians for Spamalot and recently joined forces again for The Odd Couple (Female Version). Marzanne is delighted to be embarking on her first lighting design for LTA with Dirty Blonde. She is particularly grateful to Franklin Coleman and Micheal O’Connor for their willingness to mentor her for this design project and to Pam Leonovich for being willing to climb to great heights to make it a reality.

Jean Coyle (Wardrobe) made her LTA “debut” as a volunteer speller in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She served as assistant to the stage manager for A Christmas Carol, assisted on props for Proof, assisted on wardrobe for 33 Variations, Ragtime, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Rocky Horror Show and Boeing Boeing and was co-wardrobe with her wonderful mentor, Margaret Snow, for A Christmas Carol (2014). Jean has been an LTA member since 2010, serving regularly as house manager and in the “will call” window and also serving as playbill coordinator. Jean apprenticed to the God of Carnage producers, Rance Willis and Sharon Fields. She is excited to be working with producers Russ Wyland and Marian Holmes and director Jennifer Lyman and thanks them for inviting her to join the team.

Andrea D’Amato (Set Design) is thrilled to return to LTA as set designer for Dirty Blonde. After designing the multiple set changes for the 2014 A Christmas Carol, she finds it exciting to create a single-set concept that integrates multimedia. When not designing sets, Andrea enjoys developing exhibits for the National Gallery of Art (for which she gets paid), playing ice hockey and eating raspberry chocolate ripple ice cream.

David Dender (Music Director, Rehearsal Pianist, Pianist) has been a regular at LTA. Favorite shows include Tommy, Ragtime and The Drowsy Chaperone. For Jeffrey, a most wonderful man.

Margaret Evans-Joyce (Co-Stage Manager)has a very long résumé at LTA. She has produced almost a dozen productions and stage managed almost twice that many, as well as serving four years as LTA President. She is currently the Executive Secretary of the Board of Governors. Margaret recently received the Outstanding Service to LTA Award and shared the award for the 2014 Outstanding Production of the Year for Avenue Q. After a long career in special education, Margaret retired five years ago and is now an adjunct professor at Howard University in speech and language pathology.

Austin Fodrie (Projection Design)hails from Boone, NC, where he recently graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in business administration, specializing in computer information systems. Last winter, Austin assisted with the projection design for A Christmas Carol, and for our first show this year, The Game’s Afoot, he assisted Russ with rigging. Austin also volunteers at Mount Vernon Children’s Theatre and works at Burgundy Farm Country Day School as technology support and integration specialist.

Michael Forcina (Co-Set Construction) first volunteered for last year’s production of Boeing Boeing and has worked on almost every set since then. He was the honcho for the elaborate set for A Streetcar Named Desire. Michael is from South Philly and the son of a “hard-nosed” construction worker—to use his phrase—so he comes by this naturally. Michael started as stage crew for high school productions and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity before coming to set construction at LTA in 2014.

Rebecca Harris (Hair and Wig Design) is thrilled to be invited to design for LTA’s production of Dirty Blonde. This is her first production at LTA and she is pleased to be part of such a well-respected company. The eras covered in this production represent some of Rebecca’s favorite styles so this will be a particularly exciting challenge. Rebecca thanks the producers and director for giving her this opportunity and her great friend Larissa for pointing her in their direction.

Bobbie Herbst (Property Design) designed and co-designed properties for Twentieth Century, Heaven Can Wait, The Underpants, The Foreigner and It Runs in the Family (all at LTA) and Black Hole (PCP), which won the WATCH properties award for 2014. She can also be found working wardrobe, box office, painting, producing and anything else when needed. Bobbie has received LTA’s Most Outstanding New Member Award, Outstanding Service to LTA Award and an Award for Excellence in Producing (The Secret Garden with Rachel Alberts and Robert Kraus). It is a pleasure and honor to work with Jen, Russell, Marian, MEJ and Lynn and with such a talented cast and crew. Love and hugs to M, C and E.

Marian Holmes (Co-Producer, Co-Set Decoration) is delighted to be co-producing with Russ once again. Their last show together was Hairspray, which made a good showing at both the LTA and WATCH awards. Marian has been LTA’s President and a Governor in several areas and is currently Governor for Box Office. She has worked crews backstage, given parties, designed sets (and props and costumes), and even played a part or two on stage.

Meet the Crew (continued)

Rob Leese (Fight Choreographer), a Chicago native and an Alexandria resident, was a state class wrestler in Illinois and served as a wrestling coach in high schools during his 22-year Air Force career. He loves sharing his knowledge and technical experience of the sport. Rob is currently an assistant wrestling coach at Annandale High School.

Lynn Lacey (Co-Stage Manager) has been stage managing (and designing sound) in the NoVA area since 1999 and is thrilled to be back at LTA. Lynn’s most memorable shows were A Streetcar Named Desire (LTA), In the Next Room or the vibrator play (PCP) and Sweeney Todd (LTA). As Always, Lynn thanks her ever-present angel, Jennifer, for the courage to “dance.”

Pam Leonowich (Co-Master Electrician) has been on more lighting crews than can be mentioned and last summer was co-master electrician for Spamalot. Pam feels that she’s following in her mother’s footsteps; her mother stage managed and designed for productions at military bases all over England during World War II, working for ENSA, the Entertainments National Service Association.

Jennifer Lyman (Director) has been a member of LTA for 20 years, starting out on lighting crews and then expanding her horizons to include designing, producing and, in the last few years, directing. Her favorite endeavors include designing lights for Picasso at the Lapin Agile (PCP) and Almost Maine (VTC)—both nominated for WATCH lighting design awards; stage managing Hairspray (LTA); producing Plaza Suite, Intimate Apparel and Dog Sees God (all for LTA); and directing the 2010 production of A Christmas Carol (LTA), The Drawer Boy (PCP) and Bug (DS). Jennifer holds a B.A. in media and theater arts from Montana State University.

Grace Manly Machanic (Choreographer) hasbeen choreographing award-winning shows at LTA for 25 years—nearly 30 of them. Grace started dancing at three, trained with the Washington Ballet and graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University). Her opportunity for a career with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was thwarted by a knee torn during a performance of the can-can, but while teaching English, she began choreographing annual high school musicals and moved on to include musicals at LTA, most recently A Christmas Carol this winter. She received a WATCH award for choreography for Spamalot and LTA choreography awards for Forever Plaid and Das Barbecü. Grace continues to teach tap and ballet at her studio, School for Swans.

Larissa Norris (Makeup Design) made her debut at LTA doing makeup, wigs, and hair for A Streetcar Named Desire, but she has been active at other local theaters and was nominated for WATCH awards for makeup design for Dreamgirls (DS) and 9 to 5 (TAP). Larissa also appears on stage and was last seen as Josephine “Ma” Strong in Urinetown at Dominion Stage.

Meet the Crew (continued)

Micheal J. O’Connor (Co-Master Electrician) is an experienced master electrician, having worked at LTA on The Full Monty,The 39 Steps, Boeing Boeing,A Streetcar Named Desire and The Rocky Horror Show. He has stage managed at a number of area theaters and was assistant stage manager for 33 Variations (2013 Outstanding Production of the Year) here at LTA.

Kevin O’Dowd (Set Painting) is pleased to be painting Dirty Blonde, having painted Plaza Suite just a year ago. In his years at LTA, Kevin has acted, designed props and produced as well as painting many, many sets. He co-produced last season’s Proof. He has won numerous awards for his set painting as well as a WATCH award for his work on Hairspray By day he works for the Falls Church public schools.

Janice Rivera (Sound Design)created sound designs for LTA’s Caught in the Net and Cantorial and recently assisted in the projection design for this winter’s A Christmas Carol Janice works in video and film through her post-production company, Offbook Productions. Although she is often found in the sound booth, she also appears on stage—at LTA as Ethel McCormick in Footloose, as well as at other area theaters.

Russell Wyland (Co-Producer, Co-Set Decoration, Rigging) has been a member of LTA for 24 years and has served the theater in numerous capacities—as President for three years, as Chairman of the Sound Department and the Selection Committee, and, most recently, as Governor for Production. Russ has produced numerous shows, including last summer’s Spamalot, 33 Variations and Hairspray (the last two were LTA 2012 and 2013 Outstanding Production of the Year winners). His least conspicuous contribution, however, is the rigging (curtain-hanging to the uninitiated) of every show we have produced for the last decade. This year he received the LTA award for Outstanding Service in a Single Department for his continuing and essential dedication in that department.

Theater Abbreviations Used in This Playbill

2FT –2nd Flight Productions

ACCT –Aldersgate Church

Community Theatre

ACT –Alliance of Community Theaters

BCT –Bowie Community Theatre

BP –British Players

CAPPIE –Critics & Awards Program for High School Theater

CAST –Community Alliance Supporter Theatre

CCDC –Capital City Players of DC

CCP –Chevy Chase Players

CRT –Castaways Repertory Theatre

CCS –Clinton County Showcase

CT –Chalice Theater

DLC –Drama Learning Center

DS –Dominion Stage

ESP –Elden Street Players

ESP/TFYA –Elden Street Players Theatre for Young Audiences

FCT –Fauquier Community Theatre

FP –Foundry Players (now CCDC)

GAC –Greenbelt Arts Center

GFP –Great Falls Players (now MCP)

GTP –Group Therapy Productions

HBP –Hard Bargain Players

KAT –Kensington Arts Theatre

KT –Keegan Theatre

LGP –Looking Glass Playhouse

LSDT –Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre

LTA –The Little Theatre of Alexandria

LTC –Landless Theatre Company

MCP –McLean Community Players

MP –Montgomery Playhouse

MPAT –Metropolitan Performing Arts

Theatre

MTA –McLean Theatre Alliance (now MCP)

MVCCT –Mount Vernon Community

Children’s Theatre

NST –NextStop Theatre

PCP –Port City Playhouse

PPF –Providence Players of Fairfax

PTC –Potomac Theatre Company Inc.

PWLT –Prince William Little Theatre

RCP –Reston Community Players

RLT –Rockville Little Theatre

RMT –Rockville Musical Theatre

RTP –Rooftop Productions

SCT – Springfield Community Theater

SMP –St Mark’s Players

SSS –Silver Spring Stage

ST –Signature Theatre

TACT –The American Century Theater

TAP –The Arlington Players

TAT –The Alliance Theatre

TFT –Taking Flight Theatre Company (formerly 2FT)

UMW –University of Mary Washington

VLOC –Victorian Lyric Opera Company

VTC –Vienna Theatre Company

WATCH –Washington Area Theatre

Community Honors

WS –Washington Savoyards

WST –Wildwood Summer Theatre

About MaeWest

Mary Jane “Mae” West was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1893. Her first taste of show business came at a church social at age five and, once on stage, she never really gave it up. With the encouragement of her mother (a former corset and fashion model), she sang and danced her way to her first big break in the 1918 revue Sometime with Ed Wynn. Her character shimmied and her photograph appeared on the sheet music for “Ev’rybody Shimmies Now.”

Along with her success on stage, Mae began writing a series of often-naughty plays using the pen name Jane Mast. Her first starring stage role in her play Sex in 1926 brought her into conflict with city officials on a charge of “corrupting the morals of youth”—a pattern throughout her life. She served a brief jail sentence (eight days with two days off for good behavior) and then went on to write, stage and star in 1928’s Diamond Lil, her greatest theater success.

In 1932, Paramount Pictures offered her a motion picture contract—certainly a coup for an actress who was almost 40 years old (though she certainly wasn’t advertising it!). Her first film was with George Raft (who described her as having stolen “everything but the cameras”), followed by She Done Him Wrong—with her “discovery” on the Paramount lot: Cary Grant. The film was a huge box office success and received an Academy Award nomination for best picture. Her greatest film success, I’m No Angel (also with Grant), followed in 1933. By 1935, Mae West was the second-highest-paid person in the United States—after William Randolph Hearst.

Mae continued to make films, increasingly running afoul of the censors. She also did radio guest appearances (of which the Federal Communications Commission frequently took unfavorable note) and later appeared on television. She appeared onstage in Las Vegas and made a number of recordings. In 1959, she wrote her best-selling autobiography, “Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It.”One of her last films, Myra Breckinridge, was a mainstream and critical failure but continues to have a cult following.

Mae West moved to Hollywood after her mother’s death in 1930. She lived in the Ravenswood Apartments—one of her many real estate properties—with her family members established nearby. She had many affairs but married only once. That marriage, in 1911 to Frank Wallace, was never publicly acknowledged by Mae, and she finally divorced him in 1942.

Mae died in November 1980 from complications following a stroke. She is buried with her mother, father, sister and brother at Cypress Hills Abbey in Brooklyn. She was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

It’s a Win-Win Opportunity!

Support LTA by placing an ad in our playbill. Our Patrons live and work around the Alexandria area. We have seven shows per season, reaching over 4,000 patrons per show. Grow your company and support LTA’s productions. Everyone wins!

Contact Virginia at 703-683-5778-ext.2

Looking for a Group Activity or Fundraising Idea?

Another great way to help LTA continue to be a vibrant part of our community is by having your organization host one of our Partners in Art Nights. Partners buy out the house for designated performances (at a discounted rate) and give away tickets to members or sell them as a fundraising opportunity. Partners may use our lovely Council Green Room (at the left of the lobby when you enter the theatre) for a pre-show reception. Shows are now available for our 2012-2013 season at reasonable rates.

Contact Virginia at 703-683-5778-ext.2

IntheHeights is the story of Washington Heights, a tight-knit New York community where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams, and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you and which ones you leave behind. This modern day musical will get you on your feet with salsa, hip hop, and soul in its score!

conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Join us at our beautiful Old Town theater, where we offer the best in theater education for children ages three through 16. Now in its seventh year, LTA is the premier Alexandria location for summer fun and drama! Featuring fantastic teachers that include RADA-trained television personality Heather Sanderson, Screen Actors Guild member and radio/ television voiceover actress Roberta Masters-Cullen, popular children’s vocal instructor Linda Wells, veteran acting teacher Kathy Dillaber, and many other local theater professionals. We have something for everyone! Highlights include:

Drama Tots Mini (Ages 3-4) • Drama Tots (Ages 4-5)

Little Stars: On the Farm (K – 2nd) • Footnotes!: Tap Dance Camp (3rd – 8th)

Shining Stars: Musical Theater (3rd – 8th)

On the Air: Radio Show (3rd – 8th) • The Play’s the Thing! (K – 4th)

Little Stars: A Trip to Wonderland (K – 2nd)

So You Want To Dance on Broadway (3rd – 8th)

Scripts on Stage! (3rd – 8th) • Creating A Dance (3rd – 8th)

Audition Like Your Hair’s on Fire (3rd – 8th)

Mystery Improv: Write Your Own Whodunnit… (3rd – 8th)

Live From Alexandria - It’s Friday Afternoon (3rd – 8th)

Shakespeare Scene Study and Performance (3rd – 8th)

Shining Stars: Act in a Play (3rd – 8th) • Singing for Musical Theatre (3rd – 9th)

Rising Stars (3rd – 9th) • Theater Games and Improv (K– 2nd) (3rd– 8th)

Dr. Seuss World (K – 2nd) • Frozen Camp! (2nd – 5th)

Please visit our website at www.thelittletheatre.com and click on “Take a Class” to see detailed camp descriptions and dates, instructor bios, and registration information or call the business office at 703-683-5778, extension 2.

JCamps run from May 26 through August 28. Camps fill up fast, so don’t delay.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria • 600 Wolfe Street • Alexandria, VA 22314 Michael Page, Camp Director • Rachel Alberts, Governor of Education

Thank You!

LTA wishes to recognize and thank all of the volunteers who have given of their time and talents by helping with house managing, ushering, or working in the box office for our previous production of The Odd Couple. Your contributions to the success of LTA are very much appreciated. Thank you!

Box Office Volunteers

Tina Anderson

Brenda Beck

Tammy Preston Boyd

Patricia Bradford

Jean Coyle

Gary Gladstone

John Guinn

Libby Guinn

Eileen Doherty Ira Forstater

Barbara Helsing

Bobbie Herbst

Marian Holmes

Wayne Johnson

Charlene Pritzker

David Pritzker

Jayn Rife

Kara Rosenquist

Front of House Managers and Ushers

Rita Costello

Jean Coyle

Sharon Field

Patricia Fitzgibbons

Robin Fradkin

Phyllis Ann Gruber

Donna Hauprich

John Henderson

Susan Hesser

Kathleen Hicks

Annie Jackson

John Johnson

Rebecca Johnson

Bonnie Jourdan

Robert Kraus

Valerie Larkin

Harriet Matthews

Iolaire McFadden

Susan McFadden

Jim Newman

Erin O'Leary

Effie Oellers

Jim Pearson

Ana Rasmussen

Gary Rasmussen

Jayn Rife

Greg Saunders

Margaret Snow

Linda Windsor

Eve Young

http://www.facebook.com/pages/

Nancy Saunders

Connie Shabshab

Sam Shabshab

Linda Shank

Carol Strachan

John Utter

Ed Wilde

Leslie Wilkes

Rance Willis

Founding Fathers

Anonymous

Jim Barthmaier

Laura Beauchamp & Chris Feldmann

Marzanne Claiborne & Leslie Wilkes

Charles Dragonette & Alan Wray

Kathy Fannon

Peter M. Fannon

In Memory of Pat Rohrer

Robert R. Hegland

In Memory of Leona Kraus

Steffen & Jennifer Krause

In Memory of Roylee McCullough

David & Michelle McNally

Continental Congress

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Becker

Kevin Deardorff & Lisa Blumerman

Tom Fitzgerald

John & Julia Gluck

Marian Holmes

Grace Manly Machanic

Jeanne & Dan Porter

Howard & Margaret Soroos

Pat & Ernie Sult

Andrew Terrell & Megan Waterhouse

Anne Paine & Fowler West

Patriots

John & Electra Beahler

The Reverend Stanley A. Dubowski

Dennis & Myrna Dunn

Barbara Helsing

Kira & Patrick Hogan

Jim & Mary Hutzler

James & Catherine Kelley

Anne Devonald Lash

Peter & Mary O'Konski

Rath Family

In honor of the dedication of Leslie Reed

In honor of Leslie Reed's Dedicated Work

Janis E. Richards

Michael & Mary Beth Toomey

Steve Topetzes

Billy & Michelle Yarborough

Alexandrians

The Addington Family

Neale Ainsfield & Dr. Donna Sieckmann

Martha E. Alliston

Lois & Peter Ancona

Anonymous

Ronald & Sheila Barrett

Mary Katherine Baumeister

Carol & Jim Becker

Dick & Cathy Becker

Richard & Judith Bednar

Beverley Benda

Patricia J. Bradford in memory of Pat Rohrer

Leonard & Betty Brown

Sylvia Buchanan

Nick & Diane Burakow

David Correia

Patricia Cosler

Brian & Paula Coupe

Ann S. Daniels

Larry Dempsey & Emily Cole

Robyn Dennis

Susan Devine

P. Michele Donahue

Alice Fitzgerald

Oliver & Carol Flint

Thomas & Rita Foss

Douglas R. Freeman

Jeff & Donna Gathers

James & Maria Gentle

Trish & Cam Gibson

The Honorable & Mrs. John Harper, Jr.

Barbara Hayes

Jim & Terry Howard

Stephen Hyde & Kara Rosenquist

John & Rebecca Johnson

Carla Jones-Batka

Ladies' Matinee Society

Michael Kharfen

Col. & Mrs. Kenneth R. Knapp, USMC (Ret)

Philip & Karen Kopp

Gordon Kromberg

Dale & Bob Latiff

Dave Lewis & Mary O'connell

William W. Lohr

P. Lord

Jennifer Lyman

Bob & Joanne Madison

Linda L. Mayer

In Memory of

Diane R. Mayers

Donors

Louise Meng

John & Karen Misura

Peter & Joanne Nanos

Jeff & Diane Nesmeyer

Douglas A. Olmsted

William P. Pope

The Rampy Family

Gary and

Ana Rasmussen

Maddie Reilly

George & Fran Rhodes

Joe A. Rodriguez

Mary Jo Roos

James Rorke

Tamara Salmon

Jean & Jim Schlichting

Richard & Rochelle Schwab

In Honor of Richard Schwab's Birthday

Aubrey & Carolyn Smith

John & Laurie Stackpole

Adrian Steel

Laszlo & Barbara Steingaszner

Capt. & Mrs. Donald

Taggart

Alison Tregea

Bob Van Eimeren

& Don Rowell

Hugh & Sue Van Horn

Kelley Wells

Calvert Whitehurst

David & Sue Wilkes

Linda W. Windsor

Chris & Gail Wollenberg

Linda Ysewyn

Minutemen

Mr. & Mrs. Leonard

Alfredson

Anonymous

The Apker Family

Robert & Joann Bingham

Herb & Dee Brooks

Mary Lynne Brown

Cheri L. Brown

Nancyanne M. Burton

Peter Butler in memory of Evelyn Butler

Heather Callahan-Stevens

& Fiona Stevens

Art & Joyce Casale

& Patricia Koepsel

Linda Couture

Robert B. Crane

Jack & Ramona Dano

Charles & Barbara DeRose

Giving Key

Founding Fathers......................................................$1000–Above

Mailia Du Mont

Margaret Evans-Joyce

Joanne Eyer

Jack Fannon

Ann C. Fitzgerald

Bill & Francine Gemmill

Mr. & Mrs. Donald Giles

Randall V. & Susan E. Gressang

Joe & Betty Griffin

Johanna Guccione

Ruth Guirard (Long and Foster)

Fritz & Pat Haberman

Clint & Kathy Hall

Anna Hawkins in memory of Bill Rinehuls

William & Mary Hettinger

Jacquelyn Hill

David Hunt & Kim Wells

Ray & Judy Isaacs

Jake & Celia Jacoby

Ed & Donna Johnson

Alma Kasulatis

James & Charlene

Kegerreis

Jean B. Kistler

Robert Kraus

Norma Jean Lawton

Walt & Manette Lazear

Pamela Leonowich

Susan & Andre' L'Heureux

Sylvia F. Linke

Mike & Gigi Louden

Nathan & Kara Macek

Donna Malarkey

Gray Parks

Becky & Jenni Patton

Theresa Pawlak

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce K. Petit

Elena Polyak

Roger & Cheryl Pratt

Mr. & Mrs. Harry P. Rietman

Col. Melvin H. & Barbara Rosen

Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Salter

Michael Schmitz

Audrey Scruggs

Mary Sellman

Robert & Maureen Simoniz

Richard L. Stoffa

John & Myrna Templeton

Jerry & Doris Wolf

Raymond M. & Sheri H. Wolfe

Colonists

Frank & Lynda Adamson

Anne A. Andrews

Mary Catherine Arend

LTC & Mrs. William G.

Austin

Walter & Andrea Baumann

James T. Bennett

William & Myriam Boczkowski

Joan Burg

Felicia Carretta

Ronald E. Cogan

David & Rita Cohen

Diana Cross

Anne Crowther

Cdr. Tom Downs, USN (Ret.)

Jerome & Anne Duncan

Robert & Jayne Eckert

Dan and Marie Ernst

Rosa Fein

Penelope Gallagher

Kathy Giannetti

Lotte Goldman

Kacie Greenwood

Bruce Harrison

Edith C. Heilberg

Barbara Hendrickson

Al & Suzanne Kalvaitis

Jean Keppler

Roberta S. Klein

Kathy Koczyk

Robert & Sally Mannion

Stephen &

Barbara Marcus

William Markland &

Donna Nash

Jim McWilson & Meg Herndon

J.J. & Pat Miller

Paul Oppenheimer

Kathleen Parrish

Bob & Elaine Peoples

Jackie Phillips

Barbara Quigley

Irene Rehbock

Gil & Marcia Siegert

Barbara Slavik

Marjorie Townsend

John Utter

Don & Erdine Walter

Rance R. Willis

Every effort has been made to ensure that this list of contributors is correct and complete as of the date this program went to press. If your name has been omitted or misspelled, please accept our apologies and inform us of the error so that the correction can be made.

The Council of the Little Theatre of Alexandria

John Johnson......................................................................................................................................Director

Tina Anderson..........................................................................................................................Vice Director

Grace Manly Machanic................................................................................................................Secretary

Sharon Field......................................................................................................................Financial Officer

Eddie Page........................................................................................Honorary Member, LTA President

Helga Ingrid Adams

Lloyd Bittinger

Luana Bossolo

Lesley Buckles

Nancyanne Burton

Jay Cohen

Steve Cohen & Mary Elizabeth McGowan

Franklin C. Coleman

David Correia

Emory & Susan Damron

Marilyn Deihr

Eileen Doherty

Betty Dolan

Sharon Dove

Charles Dragonette

Margaret Evans-Joyce

Peter Fannon

Duane Goddard

Jane Godfrey *

Roland Branford Gomez

John Guinn & Elizabeth Yowell-Guinn

Brigitte Guttstadt

Larry Grey, Jr.

David Hale

Doris Hamel*

Ronnie Hardcastle

Adriana Hardy

Anna Hawkins

Barbara Hayes

Bobbie Herbst

Kira Hogan

Marian Holmes

Jim Howard

Rebecca Johnson

Bonnie Jourdan*

Algis & Suzanne Kalvaitis

Judith Kee

Julie Kiley*

Mel and Lidia Kollander

Robert Kraus

Vivian Kronstedt

Anne Devonald Lash *

Lois D. Ligoske

David McCallum

Carlos Moctezuma

Will & Anne Monahan

Lynn O’Connell

Thomas & Alice O’Connor

William Pope

Leslie Reed

Jayn Rife

Benjamin Robles

Jean Schlichting

Joseph Schubert*

Dick Schwab

Daniel R. Sherman

Margo Shiffert

Kim Smith-Salmon

Arthur & Margaret Snow

Howard & Margaret Soroos

Adrian Steel

Allen & Jean Stuhl*

Ernest Paul Sult *

Michael & Mary Beth Toomey

Rance Willis

Frank & Carolyn Winters

Alan Wray

Russell Wyland

Janice Yeadon

Richard Young

The Council of the Little Theatre of Alexandria is a support group of interested and dedicated people who support the theatre with special contributions. Additionally, the Council has three social events per year, provides for the winter holiday decorations for the theatre, and maintains the Council Memorial Garden. The Council was organized in 1961 and presently has about 80 members, most of whom are long-term and wellestablished LTA members. Past contributions include: a new range for the Council Green Room of LTA, folding chairs and tables throughout the theatre, brass plates for the new theatre seats, new draperies in the Council Room, the computerized box office system, several grand drapes over the years, and many varied technical enhancements. Contributions to LTA from the Council have exceeded $200,000 and we gratefully accept donations from friends and members to assist in our support of LTA. We welcome new members and if you would like to become a member of the Council please feel free to contact the theatre or any of the Council officers. We are very pleased and honored to be a part of the Alexandria artistic community and are proud to be supporting one of the best community theatres in America today.