Once at the Gargaro Theater

Pittsburgh Musical theater presents

MARCH 9TH - APRIL 2ND, 2023

GARGARO THEATER

Once began as an Oscar winning film in 2007 and was later adapted into a Tony winning Broadway musical in 2012. The story and the heart at the center of Once has remained the same thru all of its iterations, and we are so honored that you have joined us for our production. There are many theories behind the title. “Once I do X, then I will have time to do Y.” “Once upon a time...” is the beginning of every great tale. I personally find inspiration in the theme that some opportunities only come around Once in a lifetime. It is up to us to decide to engage or disengage, to take the leap or keep our feet on the ground, to speak up or keep silent, to dream or to wake up. These choices often feel most prevalent in love and art, and being an artist is tricky. It can often feel as though you are the only person who cares about your art; that your vision doesn’t matter.

Once begins with a Guy who has found himself in that exact predicament, and a Girl who sees a gift inside of him. With a simple but powerful handshake between the two, the wheels of our story are set into motion.

This idea of constant motion was certainly an inspiration for myself and the creative team (cast included). We wanted the music and the moments in

between to feel as though they were always churning forward. We were also excited by the challenge of telling our story within the confines of a space, encouraging our audience to imagine the connective threads with us and connect the dots themselves. We were inspired to create a sacred but simple space that seems to grow out of the existing walls of the Gargaro Theater, a space that comes to life as our Guy and Girl begin creating their beautiful music together. We chose a very limited palette (instruments, chairs, light) to hone focus on these extraordinary characters and the gorgeous music that they create as an ensemble. It was important to us that we did our best to eliminate the imagined “4th wall” between the actors and the audience so that everyone inside this sacred space feels as though they are a part of this story, not just a bystander.

Studies have shown that heartbeats and breathing rates begin to sync together while audiences experience the power of live theatre together. At a time where connection and empathy are needed more than ever, I encourage you to lean in, open your heart, and breathe together with us.

Please

Seib Director,

Tim

Once Pittsburgh Musical Theater

Cast A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE

Welcome to our gem here in Pittsburgh’s West End! As we continue to make this building into a unique and special place for the performing arts, we continue to grow within and reach out beyond.

Today we celebrate this remarkable group of local and national artists who hail from both Pittsburgh and across the country. Just as you may be discovering the West End for the first time, some of the cast and creative team for the show are discovering Pittsburgh for the first time. Also, some of the cast you may have been seeing in PMT productions for years. Regardless, when we bring together discovery and the familiar, new connections are made, energy and excitement sparks hope, and something meaningful and magical happens.

After the past years of industry shutdown this production celebrates PMT’S ability to reach out and create new connections. First and foremost, this is why we moved here in 2000 and secured our forever home in this 107-year-old building on this historic

DIRECTOR

West End Main Street. We made certain that our staff, our conservatory, and professional theater continued and can now thrive. Because of this commitment, new connections have been made such as the Confluence Ballet Company and the Kulture Dance Academy which we host and accommodate upstairs in our studios.

Like the music and movement on this stage, these connections recall in us the power of being together and how being together is an essential part of being alive. All of this is crucial for us to come together as an audience in our remarkable “Off-Broadway” style theater and enjoy this magical story.

This is why we are working to take our building and site to new levels in the future, embarking on a capital campaign to elevate, optimize, and grow. Through this work, new connections, meaningful and inspiring art, and relationships between the new and the familiar, we will be inspired and continue into the future.

Colleen Doyno Executive Director Pittsburgh

CastPROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION

FOR OVER 30 YEARS,

PMT has been an anchor in the musical theatre industry in the Pittsburgh region. Professional Productions feature local creative talent both on stage and in backstage roles. Truly unique and unmatched in the city, these productions also support PMT’s mission to provide mentorship and integrated opportunities with students of PMT Conservatory, creating a community of belonging and enhancing the vibrancy of our region.

Patrons can enjoy Professional Productions in multiple performance venues including the historic Broadway style Byham Theater in the Cultural District, and PMT’s own OffBroadway style Gargaro Theater in the West End.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, 2022 GARGARO THEATER PRO SHOW, PHOTO CREDIT: MATT POLK

ONCE, 2023 GARGARO THEATER PRO SHOW, PHOTO CREDIT: MATT POLK

Pittsburgh Musical theater presents

Book by ENDA WALSH

Music & Lyrics by GLEN HANSARD & MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ

Based on the Motion Picture Written and Directed by JOHN CARNEY

Orchestrations by Martin Lowe

Originally Produced on Broadway by Barbara Broccoli John N. Hart Jr. Patrick Milling Smith Frederick Zollo Brian Carmody Michael G. Wilson Orin Wolf The Shubert Organization Robert Cole, Executive Producer

in association with New York Theatre Workshop

Once was originally produced Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop in December 2011, Jim Nicola, Artistic Director, William Russo, Managing Director

Once was originally developed at the American Repertory Theater, Cambridge, Massachusetts, in April 2011 Diane Paulus, Artistic Director, Diane Borger, Producer

MARCH 9 - APRIL 2, 2023

CastMUSICAL SYNOPSIS

Act I

“Leave”

“Song Without Words”

“Falling Slowly”

“The North Strand”

“The Moon”

“The Moon (Reprise)”

“Ej, Pada, Pada”

“If You Want Me”

“Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy”

“Baruska’s Story”

“Say It to Me Now”

“Abandoned in Bandon”

“Satisfy Me”

Act II

“When Your Mind’s Made Up”

“The Hill” Girl

“Gold (A Cappella)” Company

“The Moon (Company Reprise)” Company

“Falling Slowly (Reprise)”

Cast CAST

GUy David Toole*

Girl Kate Queen*

Billy Jack Boice

reza Kamilah Lay

BaNk maNaGer Todd Aulwurm

BarUska Cissy Rebich*

Da Paul Binotto*

eamoN Tommy McDowell*

ex-GirlfrieND Lauren Wainwright*

aNDrej Ben Johnson

svec Thomas Kuklenski

emcee Brecken Newton Farrell*

ivoNka Ainsley Christof^ / Alex Delale-O’Connor^

swiNG Julia Kreutzer

UNDersTUDies

GUy - Tommy McDowell*

eamoN - Brecken Newton Farrell*

BaNk maNaGer / Billy - Nick Mitchell

aNDrej / svec / emcee - Andi Trageser

* denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association

^ denotes student of PMT Conservatory

Cast WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST

ToDD aUlwUrm

PaUl BiNoTTo*

aiNsley cHrisTof^

jack Boice

BreckeN NewToN farrell*

alex Delale-o’coNNor^

Tommy mcDowell*

kaTe QUeeN*

DaviD Toole*

cissy reBicH* laUreN waiNwriGHT*

THomas kUkleNski

kamilaH lay

BeN joHNsoN

jUlia kreUTzer

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association

^ Student of PMT Conservatory

CastWHO’S WHO

ToDD aUlwUrm (BaNk maNaGer) is grateful for his PMT debut with Once! Todd’s most recent production was the Once National Tour in 2019 and is delighted to have the chance to return to his favorite show. Some of his favorite past theatre companies have been RMRT, LTOTS and TATC. More recently, he has been in the recording studio playing cello for fellow Chicagoans’ albums and working in web development. Thanks to his family, Bryan, and comic sans for their support.

PaUl BiNoTTo* (Da) Glad to be back! My PMT credits include Pilate in Superstar and the Engineer in Miss Saigon. Other Pittsburgh credits include Peer Gynt at The Pittsburgh Playhouse, Company and 1776 at The Pittsburgh Public, National tours of Dreamgirls and Starlight Express at The Benedum and Garrison Keillor’s American Radio Company of the Air at Heinz Hall. His University of Pittsburgh credits include Cabaret and A View From the Bridge. Paul’s Broadway credits include: Dreamgirls (original cast), Hair, One Night Stand, King of Schnorrers, Starlight Express and It’s So Nice to be Civilized. New York City Opera credits include Sweeney Todd and Candide. Paul has appeared in shows at our nation’s White House, across the country, around the world and at local bars/restaurants, wineries and beer festivals as a musician.

jack Boice (Billy) Fáilte! Jack is “walking on moonbeams” to be making his PMT debut. So much gratitude to Tim Seib for this opportunity. He would like to thank the incomparable Lisa Price, Andrew Barikmo and the amazing Price Group for their continued guidance. His incredible Mom and Dad for their unwavering support. Shannon for her

undying love. So much love for Jackson! Of course God for His many gifts! ‘Cause to live you have to love.” Sláinte!

www.jackboice.com @jackboice

aiNsley cHrisTof^ (ivoNka) is thrilled to be performing in her first professional production with PMT! A 4th grader at Avonworth Elementary, Ainsley studies at the PMT Conservatory and has appeared as Wendy in Peter Pan Jr. and Aristocratic Lady/Pepper in Beauty and the Beast Jr. Ainsley’s love of performing began at the age of 4 as Lulu in Waitress (National Broadway Tour—Pittsburgh). She has also appeared with Pittsburgh CLO Academy as Anna in Frozen Jr. Ainsley studies dance at Wexford Dance Academy, as well as piano and trumpet and loves to play soccer. Many thanks to all her instructors at PMT and the superb cast and crew of Once for their tremendous support!

alexaNDra “alex” Delaleo’coNNor^ (ivoNka) is thrilled to be part of this incredible cast of Once on the PMT stage. Alex is a PMT Conservatory student and first appeared on the PMT stage as part of the ensemble of Music Man. Alex was recently Narrator in PMT’s production of Beauty and the Beast and appeared as part of the ensemble in PMT’s production of The Little Mermaid. Alex is a 4th grader at O’Hara Elementary where she sings in the chorus and plays the bass. She also plays the piano and participates in Girls on the Run. Alex would like to thank her mom, dad, sister, Anna, and her grandparents for all their love and support. She would also like to thank her PMT Conservatory teachers for their encouragement and her friends (especially Finley and Ainsley) for all their love and enthusiasm.

CastWHO’S WHO

BreckeN NewToN farrell* (emcee, U/s eamoN) is honored to be performing and playing his favorite instruments in this very special show. He has recently been seen as “Jesus” in Jesus Christ Superstar for which he won the Broadway World Regional Award for Best Performer in a Musical. Other recent credits include “Scott” in Evil Dead: The Musical, also with PMT. In addition to theater, Brecken is the lead singer for the rock band “Fade The Silence” (@fadethesilenceband) who is releasing their debut EP this spring. He would like to thank God, his parents, his brother, Shelby, his guitar “Joanne”, family and friends for their unwavering support. Brecken dedicates his life’s work to his late grandparents, Elmer and Joanne Lauster, who loved nothing more than watching him perform. Isaiah 40:31

BeN joHNsoN (aNDrej) is so beyond excited to be making his debut at PMT joining the incredible cast of Once! Raised in Rockford, Illinois, Ben graduated from Rockford University where he earned his BFA in Musical Theatre. Ben most recently performed in Songs for a New World (the Studio). Credits also include: Buddy, Elf (the Studio); Mitch, Dear Soldier Boy (Blue Gate Musicals); Cheech, Bullets Over Broadway (Rockford University); Benny, Hands on a Hardbody (Rockford University); and Mark Rothko Red (Rockford University). Theme park goers may have seen him perform at Cedar Point and Kings Dominion. When not on stage, Ben loves to songwrite and release his music online. Ben would like to thank his sister Miranda as well as his friends and family for all their support! He also thanks Gemma, the cast, and the rest of the PMT team for the memories to come. Thanks for reading and enjoy the show! @ben_johnson_007

jUlia kreUTzer (swiNG) is grateful to be back at PMT to support the incredible cast of Once. Julia first appeared at PMT as a Swing in the 2022 production of Evil Dead. A director/ actor from Philadelphia, she proudly holds a BA from the University of Pittsburgh and now works as a Resident Artist at Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Select credits include Assistant Director, Rapunzel (Pittsburgh Cultural Trust); Swing, A Man of No Importance (Front Porch Theatricals); Baker’s Wife, Into the Woods (Pitt Stages). Upcoming: Nadia/ Assistant Director, Morning Reckoning (The New Hazlett Theatre).

THomas kUkleNski (svec) is thrilled to be making his PMT debut in a show that has meant so much to him since his freshman year of high school! Film: Camp Rebel (RIIFF Selection). Selected regional/NYC credits: Spring Awakening and If/Then (The Gallery Players), Dancing On Ice (New York Theatre Festival), Peter Pan (5-Star Theatricals), Lone Star (Kraine Theater). Marymount Manhattan College BFA Musical Theatre Alum, where educational credits include The Who’s Tommy, Steven in Bring It On: The Musical, and Jedadiah Schultz/Aaron McKinney in The Laramie Project. Also the drummer for NYC based indie-folk band The Day Boys, whose debut single comes out soon! Love to Renee, Pete, and Zoie. For my parents, who bought me a drum set for Christmas when I asked for a Wii. IG: @thomaskuklenski

kamilaH lay (reza) Wisconsinnative Kamilah is delighted to make her Pittsburgh Musical Theater debut. Regional credits include: Theatre Raleigh, The Fireside Theatre, First Stage, Carowinds, Cedar Point, Ravinia

CastWHO’S WHO

Festival, Marriott Theatre, and Drury Lane Theatre. She is an alumna of Illinois Wesleyan University, where she earned her BFA in Music Theatre. Kamilah extends endless gratitude to Tim as well as the entire team of dedicated talents at PMT. Many thanks and much love to her Midwestern family for their steadfast support in addition to her dearest Collin. Kamilah aspires to connect, learn, and grow as new opportunities present themselves.

Tommy mcDowell* (eamoN, U/s GUy) is super excited to be doing this beautiful show again with a few old friends and several new ones! National Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary Tour (Peter), American Idiot First National (Swing), Roundabout Theatre Company’s Cabaret (Max, Herman, w/s Cliff); Regional: Urinetown, Oguma Playhouse (Bobby Strong), Hairspray (Link Larkin), The Who’s TOMMY (Tommy), Jersey Boys (Nick Massi), Grey Gardens (Joe Kennedy, Jr./Jerry), Once (Eamon). All love and thanks to my supportive friends & family. IG: @tommy_mcdowell, www.TommyMcDowell.com

kaTe QUeeN* (Girl) is grateful to be a part of this incredible show and cast. Some of Kate’s favorite previous Pittsburgh Musical Theater credits include Jane Tarzan, Oz We Will Rock You, and Wendla Spring Awakening. Other favorite credits include Mary Magdalene Jesus Christ Superstar (The Strand) and Sylvia The Carols (Off the Wall Productions). Kate is extremely grateful for the village of women who have helped with childcare: The Goddard School, Nanner, VV, Hope, Vanessa, Aunt Yucky, and Zoe. She’d like to thank Francesca for all things piano, Gemma for all things

friendship and encouragement and Tim for the opportunity and for being an absolute master of his craft. Kate wants to thank her family Dave, Bear, and Eli for rolling with the chaos and being her biggest fans. Lastly, thanks be to God for the strength and grace that can only come from His love.

cissy reBicH* (BarUska) After a long and successful performing career in NYC, Cissy is happy to be working with Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Broadway: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Rags, Mame with Angela Lansbury, Evita, US premiere company of Les Miserables. National Tours: On the Twentieth Century with Frank Gorshin, A Little Night Music, The Merry Widow. Off-Broadway: Annie Get Your Gun, Gifts of the Magi. She was critically acclaimed in her favorite role as Agnes Gooch in Mame with Sally Kellerman at the Burt Reynolds’ Theatre in Jupiter, Florida. Cissy joined the original cast of Broadway’s Chess at Carnegie Hall and stood by for Sarah Brightman in the original production of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. At Prudential Hall in Newark, NJ, one of her performances was memorialized in an original cartoon in The New Yorker. She made her cabaret debut at Danny’s Skylight Room on West 46 th Street and was a frequent guest commentator on Court TV and MSNBC, along with other television and film appearances.

CastWHO’S WHO

DaviD Toole* (GUy) US Regional credits include Tuachan Performing Arts Center UT: Count of Monte Cristo (The Count/Edmund Dantès), School of Rock (Theo / Dewey u/s]); w/ Theatre Raleigh NC: Great Comet of 1812 (Pierre), Once (Guy), Rock of Ages (Drew); w/ Berkshire Theatre Group: Once (Guy), w/ Pittsburgh Musical Theater: Tarzan (Tarzan), Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), Newsies (Jack Kelly), The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), West Side Story (Tony), We Will Rock You (Galileo Figaro), Les Mis (Marius). With Pittsburgh CLO: Once (Emcee), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Jim), First Date (Reggie/Gabe). With Front Porch: A Man of No Importance (Robbie), The Last 5 Years (Jamie). David recently performed as a soloist alongside composer Jason Robert Brown at the Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh NC. Outside of theater David is one of 5 rotating National Anthem singers for the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), vocalist/ co-songwriter for the band Identity X (idxmusic.com), a private voice instructor; a husband and father. Thanks to God for his faithfulness and continued blessings year after year, to director Tim Seib for trusting me to carry out his artistic vision once again, and to PMT for bringing this beautiful show back to the Burgh. All my love to my family, my undeniably superhuman wife Katie and our wild and wonderful two sons Barrett and Elijah! IG: @davidmichaeltoole

laUreN waiNwriGHT* (ex-GirlfrieND) is a NYC based actor originally from Cleveland, but thanks for the towel anyway! Regional: Ex-Gf, Once (Florida Studio Theatre, Theatre Raleigh); Laura, The Glass Menagerie (Mill Mountain Theater); Young Violet in Violet, Perdita

in The Winter’s Tale, Laurie in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Guys and Dolls (Festival 56); Love’s Labour’s Lost (Great Lakes Theatre); Medea (Hydrama Theatre, Greece). New York: As You Like It (Hamlet Isn’t Dead, Match:Lit); Midsummer… (Shakespeare in Bryant Park); The Tempest (Torn Out Theatre); Twelfth Night (FringeNYC). Film: The Ides of March. Endless gratitude to Tim and PMT for this opportunity to get onstage before she begins a new chapter this summer as a graduate student of Occupational Therapy, and thanks for the neverending support Mom, Dad, and Cory. Proud member of AEA.

@wrenwainwright

colleeN DoyNo (execUTive DirecTor, ProDUcer) has been with PMT since 1997. Ms. Doyno directed and choreographed countless shows for both the Professional and Conservatory theater companies. Several of these shows have been counted as the “Best of Pittsburgh” in the annual Pittsburgh Post-Gazette year in review; including the Conservatory Theater Company’s 2013 production of Miss Saigon, the first student show to be so honored. In 2013 Colleen’s achievements were recognized with the prestigious “Woman of Integrity” award and her commitment to mentoring young women into future leaders was honored when she was selected as a finalist for the 2013 “Athena” award. Ms. Doyno is a strong advocate for the development of the West End Community, which serves as PMT’s forever home. She has worked with Pittsburgh City Council, PA State and Allegheny County officials and the Mayor’s office to advance growth in the area. She has a deeply held belief in developing our children into healthy,

CastWHO’S WHO

self-assured, well-rounded individuals through the arts. This belief is at the heart of her educational philosophy and has guided the success of the conservatory under her direction. Colleen considers herself fiercely local and is dedicated to concentrating on the positive, found in each individual and each day that she faces. Many thanks to the never ending dedication of the PMT staff, the constant support of the PMT Board of Directors and the love of my amazing family.

Tim seiB (DirecTor) is a stage director who currently resides in New York City. He most recently directed the sold-out runs of The Play That Goes Wrong and Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812 at Theatre Raleigh, as well as the national tour of Million Dollar Quartet. Tim has worked with notable companies such as La Mirada Theatre, Heritage Theatre Festival, Casa Manana, The O’Neill Center, Theatre Raleigh, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, Ozark Actor’s Theatre, Storm Theatre, Wings Theatre, Festival 56, The Gorilla Theater, The Universal Theatre Festival, and Emerging Artists Theatre. Regional directing credits include Fun Home, Once, The Secret Garden, Peter and the Starcatcher, Stop Kiss, Million Dollar Quartet, Stop Kiss, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Gypsy, Into the Woods, Cabaret, The Full Monty, Proof, The Lucky Stiff, The Wizard of Oz, A Doll’s House, Vanities, The Shape of Things and more. Tim has a passion for working with children and students on the autism spectrum, having helped create Two Roads Educational Arts Theatre as well as teaching with Stages on the Sound in Brooklyn, NY. Tim also enjoys the development process, having worked on the new musicals Broadcast,

Goddess, and The White City at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center as well as directing readings for the NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program and the North Carolina Playwrights Lab where he is now a co-producer. Tim is a graduate of Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, Missouri, and a proud member of the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society.

Dr. fraNcesca TorTorello, D.m.a. (mUsic DirecTor) is the Resident Music Director of Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Recent productions include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, HAIR, Newsies, and The Sound of Music. She teaches multiple classes for the pre-college program in the PMT Conservatory. Dr. Tortorello is also an accomplished classical musician and performs with a variety of instrumentalists and singers. She frequently collaborates with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony. A dedicated teacher and coach, she has maintained an active piano teaching studio for the past twenty years. Dr. Tortorello began piano lessons at the age of four in her hometown of Mount Kisco, NY. She holds a Bachelors degree in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music where she studied with Antonio PompaBaldi. She received a Masters degree and Professional Studies certificate in Collaborative Piano from CIM, studying with Virginia Weckstrom. She also earned a Doctorate in Collaborative Piano and Coaching at the University of Minnesota and studied with Timothy Lovelace. Francesca and her husband, Pittsburgh Symphony cellist Michael DeBruyn, have been performing as a professional duo since 2004.

CastWHO’S WHO

amBer kocHer (ProPs masTer) hails from Pittsburgh, with her husband, Kevin and son, Brody. She is a graduate of Clarion University and is the Props Master, Set Dresser, Jack-of-all-Trades Resident Artist and theater mom at PMT. Her most favorite credits with PMT include Evil Dead: The Musical, Disney’s Newsies, The Little Mermaid, Shrek, and more. Amber has been with the company since 2012, and is looking forward to many more seasons with PMT.

keviN kocHer (associaTe TecHNical DirecTor) has set designed several shows at Pittsburgh Musical Theater including Sister Act, Jekyll and Hyde, We Will Rock You and Newsies. He has also worked in various other technical positions at PMT and PMT Conservatory such as sound designs for Evil Dead the Musical (2019), Hunchback of Notre Dame (2019), and A Lyrical Christmas Carol (2019). Over the past 3 years as the resident artist with the Teen Performance Intensive Program helping to educate students in technical theater design and application. Kevin attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and studied theatrical design and direction.

aNDoNeTTa cHiariNa TraGeser (aNDi) (ProDUcTioN assisTaNT) is so excited to work on her very first Pittsburgh Musical Theater professional production with such an amazing cast and crew. Previous Pittsburgh Musical Theater credits include: Beauty and the Beast Jr. (Production Assistant), A Lyrical Christmas Carol (Run Crew), Bye Bye Birdie (Run Crew), and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Assistant Stage Manager). Andi spent 5 years as

a student of the PMT Conservatory and has now returned to the PMT Family as a Resident Intern. Thank you to PMT’s Executive Team for allowing her to live her dreams every day and a special thank you to Tim, Larry, Francesca, and Gemma. Andi also like to dedicate all her work and dedication for this production to her father, Jack Phinney who passed in 2018 and her oldest sister, Cailyn Phinney who passed in 2022.

forresT TrimBle (liGHTiNG DesiGNer) has been a designer in the Pittsburgh area and has been working with Pittsburgh Musical Theater for over ten years. As a designer at PMT, Forrest has realized the designs of In The Heights, HAIR, and The Little Mermaid, as well as many designs with the PMT Conservatory. Outside of the company Forrest has worked with multiple shows in the area. Wizard of Oz, Jazz Nutcracker, and Cinderella with Morgantown Dance Studio. Four Chord Music Festival and Jubilee with Hearcorp. Forrest is also the resident designer at Moon Area High School and PineRichland Area High School as well as an assistant designer at the Pittsburgh Opera and a designer with Bold designs.

alex riGHeTTi (cosTUme DesiGNer) has been designing costumes in the Pittsburgh area for over a decade, having worked predominantly with Avonworth High School and Throughline Theater as well as other productions. His first show with PMT was the 2019 production of A Lyrical Christmas Carol. Since then he has worked with the PreCollege Program on Mamma Mia!, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Jesus Christ Superstar, and now Once. He would like to thank all of his friends in

CastWHO’S WHO

the Pittsburgh Theater community for all of their support over the years.

cHrisToPHer PaTrick (makeUP & wiG DesiGNer) is a Journeyman Makeup Artist of I.A.T.S.E. Local 798 has worked in theater, film and commercials in the Pittsburgh region for the past 17 years. Christopher has loved helping bring PMT’s productions to life over the years and has fulfilled many design dreams with them including Hairspray, Dreamgirls, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Evil Dead. His film work includes makeup on The Avengers, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Super 8, Archive 81, American Rust and the upcoming Rustin and The Pale Blue Eye.

Gemma williamsoN* (ProDUcTioN

sTaGe maNaGer) is ecstatic to finally produce this beautiful production with Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Favorite Pittsburgh Musical Theater credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar (winner of Broadway World Pittsburgh’s Best Lighting Design of a Play or Musical and Best Musical 2022), The Little Mermaid, The Sound of Music, Les Miserables, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, Miss Saigon, and Evil Dead (winner of Broadway World Pittsburgh’s Best Scenic Design of a Play or Musical 2022). Gemma has spent fourteen years in the PMT Family as the Director of Production Operations and a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association for PMT’s Professional Company and PMT Conservatory Productions. Thank you to PMT’s Executive Team and this *golden* cast and creative team. A very special thank you to Tim, Larry, Francesca, and Andi. IG: @missgemmamitch

larry a. lozier jr. (cHoreoGraPHer) raised in southern Missouri and now a “yinzer” for almost 5 years, is absolutely elated and tremendously grateful to make his choreographic debut with Pittsburgh Musical Theater in Once. Larry has a BFA in Musical Theater from Sam Houston State University. Training in Jacobs Pillow School of Dance and the Broadway Theatre Project. He has performed all around the world in regional theatre, with cruise lines and the last two years of the original Broadway tour of CATS the musical. He has worked as an Associate Choreographer on several productions including; Evita and The Producers, to name a couple. Most recently seen in PMT’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Larry is currently a resident artist for PMT Conservatory. Larry gives thanks to God Universe. This truly collaborative and inspiring team; Colleen, Tim, Francesca, Gemma, Andy and the entire tech team. A huge thanks to this incredibly giving and talented cast. All his love and thanks to his loving, hardworking fiancé Zack Woods. He could not be the artist he is without Zack’s unending support and love. Love and thanks to his entire Pittsburgh family and friends.

CastWHO’S WHO

TUcker ToPel (seT DesiGNer) (He/Him) is a Pittsburgh based scenic designer and teaching artist, after growing up in the southern Wisconsin area. He is an alum of Point Park University. Tucker’s most recent local design credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mercyhurst University), 9 to 5 (Stage 62), Abduction The Musical (MTAP), Meanwhile (CSA Program at The New Hazlett Theater), and HOARD (off the WALL). He also works with local schools including Moon Area High School, Seneca Valley High School, and CAPA Pittsburgh 6-12.

joNaTHaN T. saGe (TecHNical DirecTor, soUND eNGiNeer) has been with Pittsburgh Musical Theater for more than ten years and is excited to be part of another fabulous production. A Michigan State University alumnus, additional professional credits include The Boarshead Professional Theater in Lansing, Michigan and The Ohio Light Opera in Wooster, Ohio. Jonathan would like to thank his family for all of their love and support.

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MAY 4 - 14

BYHAM THEATER in the Cultural District

by:

ACCOLADES OF GIVING

Pittsburgh Musical Theater extends our gratitude to our generous individual donors, as well as foundation, corporate and government partners.

Donors acknowledged here made a gift to Pittsburgh Musical Theater between July 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. If your name is listed incorrectly or has been mistakenly omitted, please contact Allison Hannon, Director of Development, at (412) 539-0900 x236

PRODUCER’S CIRCLE

$10,000 and Above

Allegheny County Regional

Asset District

Ken and Colleen Doyno

Heinz Endowments

Henry C. Frick Educational Fund of the Buhl Foundation

Hillman Foundation

The Jack Buncher Foundation

Jendoco Construction Corporation

Laurel Foundation

PNC Charitable Trusts

PA Council on the Arts

Peter C. Dozzi Family Foundation

The Pittsburgh Foundation

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

$5,000 - $9,999

Randy and Cathy Emanuelson

Malinda Hallett

Ken and Jane Gargaro

Giant Eagle

Alicia and Michael Klein

The Kuhn Family

Rochelle Lilien

The Schmidtetter Family

The Klein Family

Joseph and Rosemary Mendel

BRAVO

$500 - $999

The Baun Family

Sandra Blaser

Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Joan Moff

Ms. Kimberly C. Davis

Jennifer and Michael Bails

Ken and Linda Krynski

Melissa Wissel

Baird

City of Pittsburgh

Dollar Bank

ACTOR’S CIRCLE

$2,500 - $4,999

Mike’s Beer Bar

North Shore Tavern

Stephen L. Yoset

Jakub Sprankle Family

FOREVER FRIENDS CIRCLE

$1,000 - $2,499

Anonymous (1)

Larry and Rikki Berger

Adam and Jenny Birch

Kaitlyn Hendrickson

STANDING OVATION

$250 - $499

Anonymous (1)

The Padnos Family

Cheryl Begandy

Marianne Downer

Ellen J. Doyno

Mary Carole Herbick

The Mueller Family

Cara Shuckett

The Virtue Family

Allison Hannon and William Dodds

CHEERS

$100 - $249

Anonymous (7)

Michael J. Accetta

Emily L. Brooks

Gloria Caceres

Michelle Farrell

Mr. and Mrs. Cliff and Roseanne Levine

The Darke Family

Greg and Julie Dodds

Steven Doerfler

Jan Glick

Mr. and Mrs. Greg Brooks

Karen and Brian Hannon

Mary Grace Hannon

Howard M. Rieger

Mr. and Mrs. John Bechtol

Joseph and Rhonda Popovich

The Kocher Family

Madeline Mamaux

The DeBruyn Tortorello Family

Susan Monteverde

Gemma and Nick Mitchell

The Parsons Family

The Karashin Family

Theresa Sage

Barry Tague

The Toole Family

Rachel Viehman

Kevin Ziperstein

We also wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to donors who made gifts up to $99. Additional PMT donors are recognized at pittsburghmusicals.com/honorroll

Thank you! We are so grateful for your support, which is critical to keeping PMT positioned as a cultural asset, community resource, and arts ambassador for the Pittsburgh community. Donations cover 35% of our operating costs annually, while each season Pittsburgh Musical Theater enriches the lives of over 35,000 art-lovers and families. Contact Allison Hannon at 412-539-0900 x236 or visit www.pittsburghmusicals.com/donate if you would like to join this list of generous supporters.

LITERARY RECOMMENDATIONS

for fans of Once

The Music Shop: a novel by Rachel Joyce

Frank, a music shop owner, has a way of connecting his customers with just the piece of music they need. Then, one day, into his shop comes a beautiful young woman, Ilse Brauchmann, who asks Frank to teach her about music. Can a man who is so in tune with other people’s needs be so incapable of connecting with the one person who might save him?

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

Thirteen interrelated stories with one thing in common: Bennie Salazar, an aging former punk rocker and record executive, and his assistant. Each crossed path reveals the unique and flawed characters through vignettes of their own lives.

We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland by Fintan O’Toole

O’Toole, one of the Anglophone world’s most consummate stylists, weaves his own experiences into Irish social, cultural, and economic change, showing how Ireland, in just one lifetime, has gone from a reactionary “backwater” to an almost totally open society--perhaps the most astonishing national transformation in modern history.

Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall by Kazuo Ishiguro

Five brilliantly etched, interconnected stories in which music is a vivid and essential character. Ishiguro portrays individuals with extraordinary precision and subtlety, and with the arresting psychological and emotional detail that has marked all of his acclaimed and best-selling works of fiction.

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Rob is a pop music junkie who runs his own semi-failing record store. His girlfriend, Laura, has just left him for the guy upstairs, and Rob is both miserable and relieved. After all, could he have spent his life with someone who has a bad record collection? Rob seeks refuge in the company of the offbeat clerks at his store, who endlessly review their top five films; top five Elvis Costello songs; top five episodes of Cheers.

Provided by our friends at the Carnegie Library - West End

PRODUCTION

Producer Colleen Doyno

Director Tim Seib

Music Director Dr. Francesca Tortorello

Production Stage Manager Gemma Williamson*

Technical Director Jonathan T. Sage

Choreographer Larry A. Lozier Jr.

Props Master Amber Kocher

Set Designer Tucker Topel

Sound Designer Eric Collins

Sound Engineer Jonathan T. Sage

Costume Designer Alex Righetti

Lighting Designer Forrest Trimble

Scenic Charges Kelsey Jamison, Amber Mount

Wig & Makeup Designer Christopher Patrick

Associate Technical Director Kevin Kocher

Production Assistant Andi Trageser

Pre-show

sPecial THaNks:

Pittsburgh International Folk Arts Institute Tamboritzans

Nash Beck

Justin Bendel

Paul Binotto

Darin DiNapoli

THaNk yoU To oUr sPoNsors:

Jack Boice, Lauren Wainwright

Pittsburgh Musical Theater (PMT) is a non-profit arts education organization committed to youth development. We cultivate a diverse creative community and future leaders with transferable life skills through a uniquely-designed convergence of training, mentorships, and professional

performances. In a nurturing environment that promotes wellness, safety, and freedom of expression, our integrated opportunities for young artists and local professionals create quality productions for all audiences, foster a community of belonging, and enhance the vibrancy of our region.

PmT BoarD officers:

President Joseph F. Mendel

Vice President Stephen L. Yoset

Secretary Malinda Hallett

Treasurer Larry Berger

PMT Board of Directors: Adam Birch, Carmen Ellington, Kaitlyn Hendrickson, Michael D. Klein, Michael Kuhn, Rochelle Lilien, Denise Mosley, Tyson Sears

Ex Officio: State Representative Dan Deasy, Senator Wayne Fontana

aDmiNisTraTive Team:

Executive Artistic Director

Colleen Doyno

PMT Conservatory Director Quinn Patrick Shannon

Director of Production Operations

Gemma Mitchell

Director of Development Allison Hannon

Marketing & Media Manager

Lindsay Kalbfleisch

Box Office & Audience Services Manager, Accessibility Coordinator Amber Kocher

Technical Director Jonathan T. Sage

PMT Conservatory / Associate Technical Director, Health & Safety Coordinator

Kevin Kocher

Director of Finance Kate Toole

Graphic Designer

Brianna Booher

Resident Music Director Dr. Francesca Tortorello

Thank you for your continued support of Pittsburgh Musical Theater