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You’re reading the official blurb, or short summary, of [title of show]. Blurb. That’s a funny word. We spent a lot of time on this blurb so please read the whole blurb. [title of show] is a musical about two nobodies named Hunter and Jeff who decide to write a completely original musical starring themselves and their attractive and talented ladyfriends, Susan and Heidi. Their musical, [title of show], gets into the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and becomes a hit. Then it gets an off-Broadway production at the Vineyard Theatre, and wins three Obie Awards! Then (drumroll if you’ve got a drum) it’s announced that their musical is going to Broadway (hooray!) and people start seeing this blurb everywhere! They read that The New York Times called [title of show] ”DELECTABLE ENTERTAINMENT! A postmodern homage to the grand tradition of backstage musicals like Babes in Arms, Kiss Me, Kate and A Chorus Line.” Fully intrigued, those people snatch up tickets and help make Hunter and Jeff ’s life-long dream come true! ~ Jeff Bowen & Hunter Bell note from the original production http://www.titleofshow.com/
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2016 Spring Concerts
Matthew Travis, Music Director MUSIC FOR HOLY WEEK Classical Works with String Quartet and Organ Sunday, March 20th, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church, New Milford, CT DURUFLĒ REQUIEM With Madalyn McHugh, Mezzo-Soprano and David Baranowski, organist Sunday, June 12th, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Kent School Chapel, Kent, CT
(860) 619-8110 www.kentsingers.com
Sincere thanks to all our supporters
Artists $5,000+ • Grant & Jacqui Smith • Tillie Page Laird • Theodore W. Hine Playwrights Circle $1,500+ • The James J. McInerney & Gary R. Fafard Foundation • Connecticut Office of the Arts • Savings Bank of Danbury
Directors Circle $1,000+
• Stephen Sondheim • John & Kathy Bolster • In Memory of Jessie Fous
Sponsors $500+
• Stephen & Madeline Anbinder • Francis Arcaro • Connecticut Community Foundation Pathways for Older Adults • Gloria & Stephen Gorell • Diane & Martin Gucker • Russell Posthauer, Jr. • Elizabeth & Roger Smith • Deb Faust • Laurie Hornbecker
Partners $250+
• Norman Adler & Michele Shackelford • Glenn & Dionne Couture • June Baldyga • Siubhan Fallon • Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Greenspan • Heritage Village Theatre Guild • Donald Karcheski • Richard & Suzi Pettibone • Jonathan Ross • Warren Rubin • Paul Sinclaire
Advocates $100+
•Kay & Lou Abella • Angela & Joseph Barna • Donald Bickford • James Booth • Cecilia & Bill Buck-Taylor • Margie Bueide • Candlewood Animal Hospital • John Caraszi • Pat Catchpole • Annmarie Cochrell • Michael & Nelly Condon • Wright Danenbarger • Suzanne & Robert Deilus • David & Kathy Elmore • Tom Fogarty • Gay Heritage, Southbury, CT • Stan Greenbaum & Paula A. Cassidy • Anita Grover • Harold & Patty Jacobson • Alfred & Skip Jennings • Eric & Liz Jones • Erin Kampa • In memory of Eric & Frances Keoble • Bob’s Kretchko Antiques • Marilyn Lieff • Diane & David Lockwood • Jeanne McRoberts • Ronald Molles • Craig Morrison • Michael Natal • Carmel O’neill • Pace Family • Penny Palmer • Maura & Frederick Pauli • Joe Privitera • Philip & Hannah Schorr • Justin Schulman • Jim & Chrissy Scrimgeour • Sherry & Stephen Seward • Lisa & Chris Simo-Kinzer • Natalie Slavin • David & Alice Sprintzen • In memory of Eric & Frances Keoble • Richard & Joanne Sterk • Nancy Tolmoff • Susan & Henry Tritter • Grace & Tom Vetter • Michael & Evelyn Weinstein • Lynda Willingham
Associates $50+
• Anonymous • Anonymous • Barbara Ajello & John Lundin • Ellen Alpert • Nancy Babington • Mark Baranovic & Mary Hanifin • Jody Bayer • Roberta & Jeff Boyle • Denise Caplane • Hal Chernoff • Greg Chrzczon • Joseph & Diane Czarnik • Christine Daley • Marian Dar • David Fish • Susan Fogarty • Bert & Vivian Goff • Kristen Gould • Toni & Bob Grossman • Holly Guerrera • Christian & Monica Harcken • Barbara & Doug Henry • Nancy Hutchinson • Christy & Jeff Johnson • Marilyn Johnson • Joann Kjep • Deborah Levin • Ann M. Mckinney • Susan Metcalf • Penelope Morgan • Kristin Mulhare • Cathy Neill • Sonnie Osborne • Drika Purves • Juanita Rosillo • Judith Seppa • Alan Southard • Henry Spector • In honor of Frances & Eric Koeble, Augusta Born & Frederick Spick • Hillary & Arthur Stern • Carl Stuart • The United Jewish Center Sisterhood • Jacqueline Tougas • Gerard Toumey • Barbara & Albert Uziel • Anne Waldman • Brenda Warren • Mary Wilson
presents
[title of show] Music & Lyrics by Jeff Bowen
Book by Hunter Bell
Directed by Alicia Dempster Musical direction by Steven Oliveri
The Cast Jeff Hunter Susan Heidi
Michael L’Altrella Rob Bassett Carey Van Hollen Ashley McLeod
Setting A rehearsal space in New York City Running time approximately 90 minutes. There is NO intermission [title of show] was originally produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Roy Miller, Laura Camien, Kris Stewart, Vineyard Theatre and LAMS Productions at the Lyceum Theatre, where it opened on July 17, 2008. Originally produced by the Vineyard Theatre, New York City, February 2006. [title of show] was originally presented by Bridge Club Productions at the 2004 New York Musical Theatre Festival.
[title of show]
is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com.
Production Staff
Director...........................................................................................Alicia Dempster Musical Director................................................................................Steven Oliveri Stage Manager....................................................................................Kathy Bolster Costume Design..................................................................Alicia Dempster & Cast Set Design.................................................................................... Richard Pettibone Builders....................Richard Pettibone, Scott Wyshynski, Jim Hipp, Jay Novicky, ..................................Frank Russo, Sonnie Osborne, John Bolster, Russ Posthauer Lighting Design.............................................. Richard Pettibone, Scott Wyshynski Sound Design................................................... Richard Pettibone, Alicia Dempster Running Crew................................................................ John Bolster, Steve Larson House Managers.......................................Mary Kimball, Christine Daley, Jill Pace Publicist..............................................................................................Tom Libonate Photography....................................................................... Ghostlight Photography Web Site................................................................................printplusdesignllc.com Producer...................................................................................... Richard Pettibone Special Thanks • FM97.3 WZBG Backstage with Johnny O •
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Carey Van Hollen (Susan) is totally stoked to be putting on a show about putting on a show! She last appeared on the TheatreWorks stage as Meg in Leading Ladies. A graduate of The American Musical & Dramatic Academy, credits include: Avenue Q (Lucy T. Slut, and too many other puppet people to list), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Woman), Kiss Me Kate (Lili/Kate), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), Oklahoma! (Laurey), Carousel (Nettie), Wreck the Halls, The Full Monty, and singing with the CT Yuletide Carolers during the holidays. Other interests include anything pertaining to the wonderful world of puppetry, playing the piano, gardening & animal welfare. Rob Bassett (Hunter) is thrilled to be making his TheatreWorks debut, especially in the company of these talented folks on stage (and those behind the scenes)! Past theatre credits include Godspell (“We Beseech Thee” Soloist), RENT (Mark), Into the Woods (Jack) and HAIR (Woof). Rob is a member of the Board of Directors at The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts. By day, he works for a retail energy company. And this is the last line of his bio. Enjoy the show! theatreworks.us
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Ashley McLeod (Heidi) is not only thrilled to be back on stage after five (long) years away, but is also beyond excited to join the TheatreWorks community! Favorite past roles include Janet Weiss in Rocky Horror, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and Poppy in Noises Off. Special thanks to Steven and Alicia for believing in me, and to Clint, Mom, and Dad for all of your love and support. To the whole cast and crew - we rocked hard with only four chairs! Thank you for letting me be part of this amazing experience! MICHAEL L’ALTRELLA (Jeff ) is thrilled to be back at TheaterWorks, where he was last seen in Avenue Q (Princeton/Rod) and was honored to be nominated for best actor for both the Broadwayworld.com regional awards and The Onstage Critic Awards. Mike attended Shelton High School, and Boston Conservatory as a music theater major. He plays 8 different instruments, and is a traveling vocal coach, and teaches piano and guitar as well. Past Favorite roles are Tommy (Tommy) The Last 5 Years (Jamie) Bonnie and Clyde (Buck) They’re Playing Our Song (Vernon) Lend Me a Tenor (Max), Les Miserables (Enjolras), Grease (Danny Zuko). Sincre thanks to the entire ToS team, TheaterWorks, and my family and friends who have supported me, and if you’ve made it this far, you too! KATHY BOLSTER (Stage Manager) Philip Henslowe: “Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.” Hugh Fennyman: “So what do we do?” Philip Henslowe: “Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.” Much love to John, Chris, Ian and Kimberly who keep me laughing along the road. And thanks to Alicia, Steven, Carey, Ashley, Mike and Rob for allowing me to share in the journey. Let’s keep the monkeys busy! STEVEN OLIVERI (Music Director) returns to Theatreworks after ten years away! Previous TW credits include Urinetown, Nine, Ghost of a Chance, Dirty Blonde, Gross Indecency, Little Me, Cabaret, Kiss of the Spiderwoman and the TWKids program for the second summer running. For further credits, ask his mother who’ll be more than happy to oblige. theatreworks.us
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ALICIA DEMPSTER (Director) is a lifelong theatre enthusiast with over 30 years of experience onstage, backstage and in the director’s chair. She has helmed several productions in the area including Seminar, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Spring Awakening, Parade, Circle Mirror Transformation, My First Time, Doubt, Little Shop of Horrors, Little Women, Peter Pan, The Diviners, When Pigs Fly, A Few Good Men and How I Learned To Drive. She also co-directed and co-produced Chad Beckim’s play, A Matter of Choice, at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2010. Alicia has produced several events locally, including the Connecticut concert premiere of Joe Iconis as well as [title of show] co-creator Susan Blackwell’s Die Vampire, Die! writing seminar. Her play A Gift of Undetermined Value, which explores the bioethical issues of organ donation by prison inmates, was part of TheatreWorks’ inaugural season of Page2Stage: Plays In Progress and was honored with a BroadwayWorld.com nomination for Best Play. She received her B.A. in Theatre/Musical Theatre from Ohio Northern University and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She resides in Danbury with her husband Bill and their three children, Sabine, Isabelle and Delaney.
MUSICAL NUMBERS Untitled Opening Number ................................................Company Two Nobodies in New York.......................................Jeff & Hunter An Original Musical ....................... Jeff & Blank Paper (Hunter) Monkeys And Playbills . .................................................. Company The Tony Award Song ............................................. Jeff & Hunter Part Of It All . ............................................................ Jeff & Hunter I Am Playing Me . ................................................... Heidi & Others What Kind Of Girl Is She? ...................................... Heidi & Susan Die Vampire, Die! .................................................. Susan & Others Filling Out The Form ....................................................... Company Montage Part 1: September Song .................................. Company Montage Part 2: Secondary Characters .............. Heidi & Susan Montage Part 3: Development Medley . ........................ Company Change It, Don’t Change It .............................................. Company Awkward Photo Shoot ..................................................... Company A Way Back To Then ............................................................... Heidi Nine People’s Favorite Thing . ........................................ Company Finale . ............................................................................... Company
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST JEFF BOWEN (Music and Lyrics) wrote the music and lyrics for and starred in the Broadway musical [title of show] for which he won an Obie Award, as well as a GLAAD Media nomination and, along with his cast mates, a Drama League nomination for Distinguished Performance by an Ensemble. He was awarded the Jim Owles Human Rights Award and was named one of the 100 most influential people in OUT MAGAZINE. He has written music and lyrics for Villains Tonight! for the Walt Disney Company, the Easter Bonnet competition for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Actors Fund 125th Anniversary Gala, the Vineyard Theatre’s 25th Anniversary Gala, the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards, Broadway in South Africa, and Broadway Bares 18: Wonderland. He has composed music for several shows at P.S. 122 including Avant-Garde-A-Rama in Sparklevision, Hello, My Name Is Avant-Garde-A-Rama; Sparklefest 2000 at Dixon Place; The A-Train Plays; and the film Boat Mime. As an actor he has performed works at The O’Neill Center, manhattan theatre source, Ars Nova, the Vineyard Theatre and appeared in the Actors Fund benefit of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the August Wilson. He co-wrote and starred in the web series, “the [title of show] show” as well as scoring and performing its theme song. He developed a half-hour sitcom for ABC called “Glass Houses.” He is the composer/lyricist of Now. Here. This. which premieres at the Vineyard Theatre in 2012. Jeff is a proud member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Actors Equity Association, the Writers Guild Association, the Dramatists Guild of America, Yale Dramat, and National Audubon Society. HUNTER BELL (Book) earned an OBIE Award, a GLAAD Media nomination, a Drama League nomination, a Jim Owles Human Rights Award, and a 2009 Tony nomination for Best Book of a Musical all for [title of show]. Other credits include the book for Silence! The Musical, the book for the 137th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, Bellobration!, and the book for Villains Tonight! for Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment/Disney Cruise Lines. He has contributed material to numerous benefits and events including the Easter Bonnet and Gypsy of the Year competitions as well as Broadway Bares, all for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. He is also a co-creator of the web series the [title of show] show on titleofshow.com. A finalist in the Warner Brothers Comedy Writers’ Workshop, Hunter has written numerous spec scripts, pilots, and industrial films, and developed new works at the
Dramatists Guild, the O’Neill Center, Irish Rep, PS 122, Goodspeed/ Chester, Manhattan Theatre Club, the Neighborhood Playhouse, CanStage, and the Manhattan Theatre Source, and is currently in development with ABC television creating a new half/hour sitcom. As an actor, he has performed both on and off Broadway, at the St. Louis Rep, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, the North Shore Music Theatre, The MUNY, Dallas Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Playhouse, Vineyard Theatre, Stages St. Louis, Alliance Theatre, Carnegie Hall, York Theatre, Coconut Grove Playhouse, and the Paper Mill Playhouse. In 2003, he won the Connecticut Outer Critics Award for Best Actor in a Musical. TV credits include, “Guiding Light,” Disney’s “Out of the Box,” and Great Performances on PBS. Film credits include: Goodbye Baby, and Men Who Stare at Goats. Born in Tuscaloosa Alabama, Hunter is a graduate of Woodward Academy, a distinguished alumnus of Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts (where he earned a BFA in Musical Theatre), an honorary inductee to the Yale Dramat, and a proud member of the Dramatists Guild, Actors Equity, SAG/AFTRA, and the Writers Guild of America.
[tos]sary You might want to get familiar with some of the more obscure terms used in [tos] before it starts. Alice Ripley - Unbelievable Broadway actress and belter. As in, “Alice Ripley was f’in fierce in Side Show.” Ass-broke - Without funds. Used like, “If I don’t get that check from Paper Mill, I’m gonna be ass-broke, y’all.” Bagels and Yox - 1951 Jewish review that ran on Broadway around the same time as Borscht Capades. Betty Comden and Adolph Green - Book writers and lyricist of many musicals. As in, “Adolph, quit fartin’ around and help Betty write those Will Rogers Follies lyrics.” Bitches - Friends, pals, loved ones. As in, “I appreciate you bitches being so supportive at my grandma’s funeral.” Brazilian wax - Depilatory treatment that hurts like a mother f’in bitch. Bus and truck - The tour of a show that usually plays short gigs in many cities. Heidi may say, “Y’all, should I audition for that bus and truck of Seussical?”
Commodore 64 - Computer released in August of 1982. As in, “Hunter, I just got Donkey Kong for my C64!” Dan Pessano - “Daddy Warbucks” to Heidi’s “Annie” in 1982. Heidi may say, “Y’all, should I audition for that production of Hello, Dolly! that Dan Pessano is directing?” Dinah Manoff - (See “Empty Nest”). Dixon Ticonderoga - A soft, number 2 pencil. Used like, “Jeff prefers to write songs with a Dixon Ticonderoga, not an f’in Faber-Castell.” Doc Hollywood - 1991 film featuring Michael J. Fox, currently running every hour on the hour on TBS. Empty Nest - (See Dinah Manoff). Henry, Sweet Henry - The best damned Don Ameche musical ever. John Cameron Mitchell - Talented creator of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Used like, “Susan thinks by saying John Cameron Mitchell’s name in the show it increases her chances of meeting him.” Ken Billington - Lighting designer of A Doll’s Life, Annie Warbucks and [title of show]. Kwamina - Interracial musical from 1961 with music and lyrics by Richard Adler. Used like, “You can borrow my Kwamina record, but I’ll kill you if you scratch it.” Lynda Carter - The most beautiful actress in the world. For example, “If Jeff wasn’t gay, he’d have a serious boner for Lynda Carter.” Mamie Duncan-Gibbs - Talented theatre actress and star of Chicago. One of Mamie’s friends may say, “Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, that’s my girl!” Mary Stout - Lovable Broadway actress. As in “Mary Stout was excellent as “Enid” in A Change in the Heir.” Me doots - A variant pronunciation of “my doubts.” As in, “I hope this [tos]sary helps explain [title of show], but I have me doots.” Mexcellent - When something is both Mexican and excellent. Used like, “My travel agent Eileen said Cancun was Mexcellent this time of year.” Pink Sawdust - A deodorizing powder developed to absorb and neutrilize vomit odors. Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 - PC game for lonesome nerds. Jeff may say, “My Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 upgrade better have arrived in the mail today or I’m going to be sad.” Roma Torre - NY One anchor and notable theatre critic. Our press agent may say, “I hope Roma Torre doesn’t rip [title of show] a new a’hole.” Seafood Mare - Chelsea eatery featuring outdoor dining. A Chelsea boy may say, “I was sitting outside at Seafood Mare when--oh, my god, there’s Tim Gunn.” (see Tim Gunn)
S’luck - An appropriate response to “Wish us luck!” Smell-em-ups - Any scented room sanitizer. Smell-O-Vision - A 60’s invention that allows audience members to smell what they’re watching. As in, “When Susan eats Chinese food, it’s fortunate for the audience that the show isn’t in Smell-O-Vision.” Starlight Express - Andrew Lloyd Weber + roller skates = AMAZING! The Gray Lady - The New York Times. As in, “The Gray Lady could take the Post in a cage match any day.” The O’Neill Center - Connecticut-based summer camp for grown-up theatre nerds. Hunter may say, “I made out hard with that dude at The O’Neill Center.” The Rink - Kander and Ebb musical from 1984 that starred Chita and Liza. Where’s a time machine when you need it? Tim Gunn - Design mentor of TV’s “Project Runway.” Used like, “I saw Tim Gunn walk by Seafood Mare.” Tippy Turtle - Iconic reptile used as a litmus test for aspiring artists. For example, “My “Tippy Turtle” drawing wasn’t so good, but my “Pete the Pirate” totally rocked.” Word - Street vernacular. Short for “word to your mother.” As in, “Word.”
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2016-2017 ON THE MAIN STAGE
Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST November 5-13, 2016
The Who’s TOMMY February 4-12, 2017
FOLLIES
May 6-14, 2017
Disney/Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS July 29-August 6, 2017
NANCY MARINE STUDIO THEATRE
EVIL DEAD-THE MUSICAL
September 24-October 2, 2016
INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL October 13-15, 2016
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS December 10-18, 2016
CALENDAR GIRLS March 11-19, 2017
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
June 17-25, 2017
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