NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2013
PROGRAM VOL. 26, ISSUE 4
www.StateTheatreNJ.org • 732-246-SHOW (7469)
5-Time NJ Monthly Readers’ Poll named STAGE LEFT
“The Best Restaurant in Central Jersey.” “ ” —Star Ledger Stage Left has received 4 stars more times than any restaurant in the history of New Jersey
Call us at 732-828-4444 • www.stageleft.com VISIT US DOWNSTAIRS AT: 5 LIVINGSTON AVENUE, NEW BRUNSWICK
Italian American Restaurant
4 Years Running – NJ Monthly Readers’ Poll named CATHERINE LOMBARDI:
“Best Italian Restaurant” “
” —Star Ledger
Call us at 732-296-9463 • www.catherinelombardi.com VISIT US UPSTAIRS AT: 3 LIVINGSTON AVENUE, NEW BRUNSWICK
HUNGARIAN STATE FOLK ENSEMBLE
NOVEMBER 2013 9 10
Sat Sun
16
Sat
17 18 20
Sun Mon Wed
3pm 2pm & 7pm 10am & 12pm 8pm 3pm 8pm 8pm
Hungarian State Folk Ensemble Godspell ! Milk & Cookies: Free Storytelling Series for Kids The Butterfly Lovers — The Shanghai Ballet ! New Jersey Symphony Orchestra LN ZZ Top Bryan Adams L
GODSPELL
Presented by Beaver Productions
23
Sat
8pm
The Fab Faux L with Crème Tangerine Strings and Hogshead Horns
25
Mon
10am & 12pm 7pm Tue 8pm Fri 1pm 4pm & 7pm
Performance for Schools: The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites HD BROADCAST: Le Corsaire Yamato The Drummers of Japan Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure L
Sat 11am 2pm & 5pm
Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure L
Presented by HK Entertainment
26 29
Presented by Feld Entertainment
30
ZZ TOP
Presented by Feld Entertainment
DECEMBER 2013 1 4
Sun Wed
3pm 8pm
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra LN Tony Orlando's Great American Christmas
See HD BROADCASTS, MOVIES, and CONCERTS IN HD larger-than-life on our 46-foot screen. Visit StateTheatreNJ.org for an up-to-date listing of events.
Buy Online: www.StateTheatreNJ.org Ticket Hotline: 732-246-SHOW (7469) Group Discount Hotline: 732-247-7200, ext. 517 Ticket Office: 15 Livingston Ave New Brunswick, NJ 08901
/StateTheatreNJ
!
TONY ORLANDO’S GREAT AMERICAN CHRISTMAS
Pre-Performance Insights—an illuminating and thought-provoking exploration of the show, Free of charge.
L This event is not a State Theatre presentation. State Theatre ticketing policies may not apply. N Tickets for this event are available only through the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra: 1-800-255-3476.
/StateTheatreNJ
/StateTheatreNJ
Welcome TO THE STATE THEATRE Our beautiful, historic theater offers the finest amenities to make your experience a memorable one. The staff is anxious to serve your needs and is dedicated to helping you enjoy your time with us. To learn more about the State Theatre, visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org.
THEATER AMENITIES Accessibility Services
Concessions and Gift Shop
• The orchestra level is wheelchair accessible. You can make arrangements for accessible seating through the Ticket Office when purchasing tickets. There is no elevator at the State Theatre.
• Food and beverages are available in the lobby. A variety of hot and cold beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), sweets, and other snack items can be purchased.
• The theater is equipped with an assistive listening system that improves sound clarity and amplification. The lightweight, wireless headsets may be borrowed free of charge at coat check. Guests are required to leave a photo ID as collateral when borrowing a listening device.
• Come early and browse. Our gift shop is in the lower-lobby and offers a wide array of gifts, jewelry, posters, and theatricallythemed items suitable for both adults and children.
• We are happy to offer coat check services for a nominal charge. • Large print programs are available free of charge for most performances. Please see an usher to obtain a copy. • Deaf and hearing-impaired patrons may contact us through the NJ Relay Service at (TTY) 800-852-7899. • Restrooms are available on both seating levels. • Booster Seats are available at the coat check for a nominal fee, with an ID. Lost & Found • If you discover that you have lost something during the performance, please contact the Theater Manager in the lobby or call the theater at 732-247-7200, ext. 521. Questions?
• An ATM is located in the lower-lobby. • Credit cards are accepted. Theatre Policies • Guests should arrive 30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure ample time to collect tickets, use the restroom, and be seated. • Guests who arrive after a performance has begun will be held in the lower lobby and will be seated at the discretion of the Theater Manager during an appropriate break in the performance. Please note this may not be until intermission, so guests should always plan to arrive early. Guests who must leave the theater during a performance are encouraged to do so during a break in the performance, and are subject to being held in the lobby until an appropriate break in the performance as deemed per management. • Food and drink are allowed in the theater chamber for select performances, check with your bartender/usher before entering the theater.
• Call 732-246-SHOW (7469) • Email info@StateTheatreNJ.org Photo on Cover: The Midtown Men Holiday Hits
A Message from the PRESIDENT AND CEO Dear Friends, Welcome to the State Theatre’s 25th Anniversary season! I invite you to join in our 25th Anniversary Celebration by becoming a member today! From now until December 15th, donate and you will receive great benefits, such as: • $100 or more: Listing in our Playbill • $250 or more: Invitation to our Annual Donor Appreciation event * • $500 or more: Access to pre-sale tickets before they go on sale to the public* • $2,000 or more: Unlimited access to our exclusive Boraie Donor Lounge* As a nonprofit venue, we rely on donations and support from people like you. Your gift will enable us to continue to bring the finest artists and provide nationally recognized arts education programs to 30,000 children annually. Plus, if you donate $100 or more by December 15th will get you an additional Membership Drive benefit, a special State Theatre “Proud Supporter” car magnet.
Join the State Theatre family today and in something wonderful! Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely,
Mark W. Jones * Benefits are cumulative. Complete benefits for each level of giving are listed on the enclosed. PS: Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. Pledges can be charged to a credit card and/or paid in installments. Stock gifts are welcomed. And, matching gifts count toward your donation level!
Photo by Mary Brown
Without the support of individuals—like yourself—we can’t continue to provide the quality entertainment and educational outreach that is essential to our mission. Help us celebrate the remarkable 25 year history since the grand reopening of the venue. We truly believe that with your support of the Theatre, the best is yet to come!
State Theatre offers sincere thanks to
The Leist Family for their generous support of the State Theatre and The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble.
Sat, November 9, 2013 at 3pm
The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble “HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY” Gypsy Romance featuring Direct from Budapest, Hungary The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble Full Company of Dancers and Live Orchestra
General Director Artistic Director and Choreographer Orchestra Leaders Dance Troup Leader Assistants
László Kelemen Gábor Mihályi Istvan Pál, Ferenc Radics Richárd Kökény Beatrix Borbély, Katalin Jávor, Péter Varga
UNDERWRITTEN BY
The Leist Family
This program is made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble
About the Program As a musical genre, the rhapsody is best characterized by its tumultuous rhythms, strong emotion, impassioned surges of thought, and freedom of expression. The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble’s dance performance, Hungarian Rhapsody, incorporates all the hallmarks of this genre, taking its inspiration from folk music and dance traditions, creating its own unique dance rhapsody. The performance includes images of the peasant traditions of the Hungarians and other national groups of the country’s surrounding regions in dynamic succession, offering a compelling look into this singular kaleidoscopic, yet oddly unified, thousand-year old culture as expressed in the acrobatics of the men’s dances, the lyricism of the women’s movements, and the virtuosity of couples’ dances. Hungarian Rhapsody is a journey through time: from the present to the past, and back again. Though the world from where this music and dance originates has long disappeared, the message it bears is still relevant-that even today, in the midst of homogenized, superficial “global culture,” we still have a culture that is unique and eternal. Hungarian Rhapsody suggests that Hungarian folk culture is both ongoing, and of great significance; that traditional music and dance, refined over hundreds of years, remains vital to our existence; and that culture itself is one of the principal sources of our identity, not merely for Hungarians, but for all nations.
PART 1 1. OVERTURE: Dances from Szatmár The program is kicked off by the exciting, and perhaps most characteristic dances, of the Hungarians: the Csárdás (couple’s dance) and the Verbunk (men’s dance) from Szatmár, Northeastern Hungary. 2. TWO OF A KIND: Dances from Somogy and Kalocsa (Western Hungary) Dances from two folklore-rich areas of Western Hungary are introduced. The woman’s bottle dance, swineherd man’s dance, and czardas from Somogy is paired with the marching dance and czardas from Kalocsa, an area which, besides the dances, is also adored for its wonderfully embroidered costumes. The two dance dialects highlight the similarities in their jumping dance style. 3. ETERNAL KALOTASZEG: Couple and Men’s Dance from Eastern Transylvania This composition features the dances of a very colorful geographic region predominantly inhabited by Hungarians (now in the political borders of Romania). The elaborate costumes of the women, the virtuous dances of the men, and the sensuous couple’s dance are sure to impress. 4. MUSIC FROM BONCHIDA: Folk Music to Remember the Renaissance This musical selection features the very characteristic music from Bonchida in Transylvania—a village where Hungarians, Romanians, and Gypsies harmoniously live side-by-side. The wonderful melodies originating from the renaissance period were reserved by Gypsy musicians throughout the centuries. The typical band from this area includes a cimbalom (hammered dulcimer) which ornaments and rounds out the music. 5. GIRLS FROM MOLDVA: Ancient Songs and Dances from the East Carpathians This is the oldest genre of folk music and dance which survived only in the most remote geographic areas. Moldva lies on the eastern slope of the Carpathian Mountains, and is the farthest east one can still find Hungarians who preserved their culture. It is reminiscent of the
Sat, November 9, 2013 at 3pm
Middle Ages in, its costuming, dance, and music. 6. RHYTHMIC VARIATIONS: Men’s Solo Dance from Méhkerék In Hungary, one of the most exciting and difficult improvised men’s dances can be found in the small southeastern village of Méhkerék, inhabited mostly by Romanians. Playful rhythmic variations of improvised stomping, heel clicking, and slapping offer infinite possibilities. 7. REMEMBERING THE RHAPSODY: Musical Remembrance of Liszt’s Rhapsodies Franz Liszt composed 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies based on folk-tunes, which made Hungarian music known world-over. This musical interlude, played in a traditional Gypsy band style, reminds us of the virtuosic music which may have inspired one of the greatest composers we know today, the Hungarian-born Liszt. 8.COLOR AND HIGH SPIRITS: Dances from Rábaköz, Western Hungary The dances of this area are energetic and versatile. The jumping dance called the “dus,” the verbunk (military recruiting dance of men), and the slow and fast csárdás offer a glimpse into the complete dance culture of the area. The costumes are also elaborate and colorful in the villages of this region. —INTERMISSION—
PART 2 1. IMPROVISATION GALORE: Dance of Mezőség, Eastern Transylvania Improvisation is the most important overriding characteristic of Hungarian dance, in which the dancers use the dance motifs as words and they thread their dance into beautiful sentences. This area is especially noted for highly versatile and unpredictable stylings, which is offered by the innumerable possibilities, all rooted in improvised dance. 2. THE CIMBALOM: Meet One of the Most Exciting Hungarian Instruments The hammered dulcimer probably originated from Asia thousands of years ago, though today it can be found, in different forms, in many Asian and European folk cultures. In 1874, a Hungarian instrument maker, József Vencel Schunda, redesigned the instrument by placing a pedal on the strings, making it possible for the cimbalom to become a true concert instrument. It requires exceptional talent and dedication to be able to play the instrument which has over 100 open strings, all hammered with sticks. 3. MEDIEVAL ROOTS OF CULTURE: Dances from Gyimes – Eastern Transylvania The dance culture of an area may change based on historical trends and fashions, but in the remote geographic location of Gyimes, the dance culture has not changed since the Middle Ages. We will see the jártató (walking) and the lassú (slow) and sebes (fast) magyaros (Hungarian) dances. The instrumentation is
Exclusive Mailer of the State Theatre
1-888-MAIL-UMS • 732-981-9100
The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble
also unique, featuring the percussive cello, which is unique to the Gyimes area. 4. GOSSIP: Who? What? No–Don’t Tell Me. What happens when more than a dozen girls meet in a village square? They will exchange seemingly important information about boys, relationships, family secrets, other women—and possibly shop for even more information. 5. DREAMING: Folk Songs from the Székely Region of Transylvania Enjoy a beautiful song from the most characteristically Hungarian area of Transylvania, melodies of sturdy and strong-willed people called Székelys (or Seklers) who have survived the winds of historical changes over the last centuries. This song has a particularly oldstyle lyrical melody. 6. TEST OF SKILLS: Men’s Dances with Tools The men show off their physical dexterity through the use of every-day tools used in the trades. This choreography embraces dances from Hungary and Transylvania–spiced with a characteristic dance from the village of Elek, located in Southeastern Hungary. 7. THE TRADITIONAL GYPSY ORCHESTRA: Music from the Szatmár Region of Northeastern Hungary A traditional Gypsy band is featured showing of its musicians’ skillful playing techniques. The music from this area represents an immediately recognizable and typical Hungarian style, rooted in romantic nineteenth century music.
8. FINALE: Dances from the Küküllő Region of the Székely area of Transylvania The valley around the Küküll Riverisrich in folklore –here, Magyars, Romanians, and Roma people live in many neighboring small villages and their music and dance can reach surprisingly high energy levels. Authenticity, improvisation, respect for other cultures, virtuosity, and dignity characterize this presentation of dances from this region, with which the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble bids farewell.
About the Company The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, regarded as one of the greatest folkloric dance ensembles in the world, was established in 1951. Its aims were to collect and play authentic folk music and to preserve the folk dances and traditional costumes of Hungary and Hungarian-inhabited areas by putting them on stage before the public. During the more than four and a half decades of its existence, the Ensemble has achieved its aim by revitalizing the culture of the Hungarian people. Their rich and colorful repertoire entitles the Ensemble to be regarded as one of the top touring groups in the world. The Ensemble has performed in 44 countries across four continents, and won the admiration of an audience of more than seven and a half million people. In the last few years, the Ensemble has encountered special interest in North America—which was illustrated by their fourth invitation to undertake a three-month coast to coast American tour in 1994. They have also toured the Far East and Western Europe. The choreographies are all based on authentic dances, some of them collected in isolated villages with dance elements dating back hundreds of years. The extraordinary folk music that inspired Liszt, Bartók, and Kodály is put on stage by both the Folk Orchestra and the world-famous Gipsy Orchestra. The members of the Folk Orchestra play authentic, traditional instruments and perform Hungarian folk music at its highest artistic level. The famous Gipsy Orchestra plays both dance accompaniments and performs alone. Their rich repertoire includes folk music which inspired Hungarian and international classical composers such as Liszt, Brahms, Kodály, and Bartók. Aside from its performances around the country and abroad, the Ensemble gives approximately 90-100 annually performances in its Corvin tér theatre, in the Budai Vigadó.
Theater Parking Made Safe • Convenient • Affordable
www.NJNBPA.org
Ask the State Theatre Ticket Office about pre-paid parking.
/NJNBPA
/NJNBPA
The New Brunswick Parking Authority also uses Nixle to send out important updates in relation to our operation. Nixle provides a way for official authorities to get messages out to the masses, quickly. You can choose to receive text or email notifications, or both. Sign up for free at Nixle.com and search for the New Brunswick Parking Authority to start receiving notifications today!
Sun, November 10, 2013 at 2pm & 7pm
Moonglow Productions presents
Conceived and Originally Directed by
John-Michael Tebelak Book by
John-Michael Tebelak
Music and New Lyrics by
Stephen Schwartz
Choreographed by
Adele MacKenzie
With
Lisa Michelle Cornelius David Cotton Michael De Rose Michael Hogeveen Stacey Kay Ivan Lo Alessia Lupiano Rebecca McCauley Janelle Murray Graham Parkhurst Jake Stern
Scenic Design by
Lighting Design byOriginal Costume Design by
David Rogers
Jeff Johnston-Collins
Musical Director
Miranda Hoffman
Mark Payne
General Management
Production Management
Company Management
Paul M. Rambacher
Bartolo Cannizzaro
Keith Levenson
Executive Producer
Aldo Scrofani
Directed by
David Hogan
Originally Produced on the New York Stage by EDGAR LANSBURY/STUART DUNCAN/JOSEPH BERUH
This performance is presented through special arrangement with THEATRE MAXIMUS, 1650 Broadway, Suite 601, New York, New York 10019
This program is made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Godspell
The Company Ensemble.......................................................................................LISA MICHELLE CORNELIUS Ensemble ........................................................................................................MICHAEL De ROSE Ensemble...................................................................................................MICHAEL HOGEVEEN Ensemble ...................................................................................................................STACEY KAY Ensemble...........................................................................................................................IVAN LO Ensemble.........................................................................................................ALESSIA LUPIANO Ensemble....................................................................................................REBECCA McCAULEY Ensemble .........................................................................................................JANELLE MURRAY John/Judas ................................................................................................GRAHAM PARKHURST Jesus ...........................................................................................................................JAKE STERN (Understudy for Jesus/John the Baptist/Judas: DAVID COTTON; Understudy for Rebecca McCauley, Lisa Michelle Cornelius and Alessia Lupiano : JANELLE MURRAY; Understudy for Janelle Murray and Stacey Kay : REBECCA MCCAULEY)
Musical Numbers ACT I Prologue ............................................................................................................................Company “Prepare Ye” .....................................................................................John The Baptist and Company “Save the People” ...............................................................................................Jesus and Company “Day by Day”.................................................................................................Rebecca and Company “Learn Your Lessons Well” .....................................................................Janelle, Jesus and Company “Bless The Lord”...............................................................................................Stacey and Company “All for the Best” ......................................................................................Jesus, Judas and Company “All Good Gifts” .................................................................................................Ivan and Company “Light of the World”...................................................................................Michael D and Company ACT II “Learn Your Lessons Well (Reprise)”...........................................................Ivan, Stacey and Graham “Turn Back, O Man”...............................................................................Alessia, Jesus and Company “Alas for You”............................................................................................................................Jesus “By My Side”* .............................................................................................................Lisa and Girls “We Beseech Thee”.....................................................................................Michael H and Company “Beautiful City” .........................................................................................................................Jesus “On the Willows”.......................................................................................Alex Baerg and The Band Finale.................................................................................................................Jesus and Company “Day by Day (Reprise)” ......................................................................................................Company THERE WILL BE ONE 15-MINUTE INTERMISSION * Music by Peggy Gordon, Lyrics by Jay Hamburger GODSPELL ORCHESTRA Conductor/Keyboard I: John Yun Guitar I: Alex Baerg Guitar II: David “Dee” Klinger Bass: Mark Laidman Drums/Percussion: Daniel Baer The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.
Sun, November 10, 2013 at 2pm & 7pm
Who’s Who in the Cast LISA MICHELLE CORNELIUS: Theatre: Godspell (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia), Obeah Opera (Theatre Archipelago/bCurrent Theatre), Leader of the Pack (Encore Entertainment). Film/ TV: Satisfaction (CTV), Horizon (USA Network). Cornelius is an actor, singer, and songwriter from Toronto. She has released three studio albums: Love Lessons, Rebound and her latest, This Moment. This summer she performed with her band at the world’s renowned Montreal Jazz Festival. She’s excited to be reunited with her Godspell besties for another run! “Love to Kirk, family & friends for their never-ending stream of support.” www.ThisIsLisaMichelle.com DAVID COTTON (Understudy): Theatre credits: Baptiste in the World premiere of Evangeline, Mr. Philips in Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival), Warner in Legally Blonde (Neptune Theatre), Jack in Ross Petty’s Snow White, Joe in 9 to 5: The Musical, Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Stage West Calgary), Cliff in Cabaret (The Rose), Mikey in Shear Madness, Link in Hairspray, Troy
in Disney’s High School Musical, Camelot (U.S. national tour). Cotton is thrilled to be apart of this amazing cast. A Sheridan College graduate, Cotton sends a big thank you to the Talent House team, his family, and beautiful girlfriend Sarah for all their support. MICHAEL DE ROSE: Theatre: Blood Ties (2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Hot Stuff (Bluewater Playhouse), The Lion in The Wizard of Oz (Globe Theatre), Queen for a Day (April 30th Entertainment), Godspell (VPP), I Love You Because (Angelwalk, Dora nomination Outstanding Production), Unscripted (Canadian Stage), She Loves Me , A Christmas Carol: The Musical and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (The Rose Theatre), Reefer Madness (L.O.T), The Story Begins/Driven to Score (Theatre 20). De Rose is a graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School, and can be seen next in Avenue Q (STC). Special thanks to Hogie for his unyielding energy and to his family and the village that raised him: “This one’s for you.” MICHAEL HOGEVEEN: Theatre: Fox On The Fairway, Country Sunshine, Godspell (Victoria
Godspell
Playhouse Petrolia), SUDS (Sudbury Theatre), Alice In Wonderland, Puss In Boots (Stirling Festival), All Shook Up (Stage West). Hogeveen holds a B.F.A. in performance acting from Ryerson University. He is certified by the Fight Directors of Canada in four separate weapon forms and has worked both on stage and in film as a stunt performer. He is an accomplished pianist and is trained in instrumental performance and notation. Following his acting training, Hogeveen attended the Ryerson University dance program, receiving training in modern, ballet, jazz, and improvisational dance. Love to his family and friends for their support and positivity.
Sing Song (CBC/Nickelodeon). Kay is very excited to announce the release of her first pop album this year, and her music will be available for sale in the lobby! www.staceykaymusic.com
STACEY KAY: Theatre: Parfumerie (SoulPepper). Kay graduated from Sheridan Institute’s Music Theatre Performance program and is now a recording artist with Slaight Music. Some of Kay’s performances include the Juno Award after party (along with David Usher, Jim Cuddy, and The Arkells), Canada’s Walk of Fame (along with Serena Ryder, Suzie McNeil, and Jully Black), and you can hear Kay’s numerous voices/rap skills on the cartoon Big Block
ALESSIA LUPIANO: Theatre: Cinderella in Cinderella (The Grand Theatre), Suzy in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Port Hope Festival Theatre), Shelley in Bat Boy (Black Sheep Theatre), Ensemble in Godspell (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia). Lupiano is a proud graduate of the Sheridan Music Theatre—performance program. “A big thank you to the incredible artistic team, ETM, the Lupi clan, Ryan, and Donna Garner, for more than I can ever say.”
IVAN LO: Theatre: Godspell (Victoria Petrolia Playhouse), Let the Sunshine In (Imperial Theatre), Paris/Le Duc in Romeo et Juliette (Opera NUOVA), Full Monty (Rose Theatre), Phil D’Armano in The Wild Party, Angel in RENT, Steward in Into The Woods (UWO). Lo graduated from University of Western Ontario with a degree in voice performance. “Many thanks to my family and friends! Enjoy the show - LOVE LOVE LOVE!”
REBECCA MCCAULEY: Theatre: Luisa in The Fantasticks (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia), Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (Grand Theatre HSP), Ensemble/Day by Day in Godspell (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia). McCauley feels so fortunate to be working with such a wonderful group of people. “Sincere thanks to David and David and the entire artistic team for this terrific opportunity. Much love to Mum and Dad for their unconditional support and to Moo and Jojo for putting up with a lot of shower singing.” JANELLE MURRAY: Theatre: Annie Get Your Gun, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Carousel, Fiddler on the Loose, The Heart and Soul of Broadway, Country Sunshine (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia), Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Cinderella in Into the Woods (UWO), Let the Sunshine In, The Power and Passion of Broadway (Imperial Theatre Sarnia), Starbright Christmas (Stratford Festival). Murray holds a Bachelor of Music – Honors Performance (Voice) from The University of Western Ontario. “Many thanks to my family and friends for their support, love and encouragement. Enjoy!”
Sun, November 10, 2013 at 2pm & 7pm
GRAHAM PARKHURST: (Judas) Theatre: Songs of Sinatra (Victoria Playhouse), Fiddler on the Roof (Stage West Mississauga), Peter Potter Panto, Panto of the Opera (Moonpath Productions), Godspell (Victoria Playhouse), All Shook Up (Stage West Mississauga, Stage West Calgary), Anne (Theatre Orangeville), Blood Brothers (Thousand Islands Playhouse). When not performing, Parkhurst is seeking his next thrill, playing a mean ukulele, or simply trying to live life to the fullest! “PREPARE YE for this wonderful theatrical experience! Thanks to the Talent House, the Davids, and my incredible family and friends for their love and support.” JAKE STERN: (Jesus) Theatre: Jesus in Godspell (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia), Soloist in Starbright Christmas (Stratford Festival, Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, Imperial Theatre), Town Child/Ensemble in The Merry Wives of Windsor (Stratford Shakespeare Festival). Film/TV: Haven (SyFy/Showcase), Hemlock Grove (Netflix Original). “Thanks to my family, friends, cast mates and everyone at OAZ for their love and support! Big thanks to the creative geniuses be-
hind the scenes of this amazing show! Huge thanks to the big guy upstairs where “All Good Gifts” come from! Enjoy!” Facebook: Jake Stern Twitter: @JakeStern14 ALEX BAERG (Band) graduated with honors from the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology in 2011. He is a freelance audio engineer and musician, working as a front of house mix engineer for the University of Western Ontario, as a cast member, pit guitarist, keyboardist for the Starbright Musical Theatre festival, and as owner and operator of Studio B: Music Services in London. As a performer, Baerg has played on stages and in pits all over Ontario. DANIEL BAERG (Band) Theatre: Hollywood Sings, Fiddler on The Loose (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia). Baerg is a professional drummer and percussionist currently based in London, Ontario. In addition to holding two performance degrees (Masters of Music, Bachelors of Music), he is a regular gigging musician in the region. Throughout the summer months, Baerg was playing for Canadian Idol country star Jaydee
Godspell
Bixby. He is thrilled to be a part of Godspell! DEE KLINGER (Band) Klinger is a multi-instrumentalist and band leader, touring and recording with some of Canada’s hottest young acts. As well as performing around the country, his playing has been featured on TV and radio all over Canada, including charted singles. Originally from London, Ontario, and now residing in Vancouver, Klinger has worked with singing talents such as Jaydee Bixby, The Higgins, Mackenzie and Kalan Porter, Carly Rae Jepsen, and others. Delighted to be doing Godspell again, he would like to thank everybody at Drayton Entertainment, the cast, crew, and band, DR Strings, Tunz InEars & HLC Calgary, and his loving family. MARK LAIDMAN (Band) Laidman is a bassist from London, Ontario. Laidman’s professional career began in 2006 when his band, Article One, toured for three years through thirty-nine states and nine provinces, culminating in a Juno nomination in 2009. Since returning from the road, Laidman has spent three years as a member of the Starbright Band at the
10% DISCOUNT with this ad
In home catering for holidays, birthdays, graduations, & family gatherings 732.846.7470 Main St | Milltown, NJ To view and print our menu please visit:
www.legendscaterers.com
Imperial Theatre in Sarnia, followed by two years at the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia. Laidman is currently finishing his music degree at UWO specializing in education. JOHN YUN (Band) Theatre: Songs Of Sinatra, Godspell (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia), Simply Grand, Broadway Baritones (Starbright, Imperial Theatre Sarnia). Yun is frequently engaged as a collaborative artist and opera répétiteur. In 2012, he was one of three collaborative artists at La Musica Lirica opera program in Novafeltria, Italy. In 2011, he studied at the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy. Most recently, Yun was Head Opera Coach and Assistant Conductor of UWOpera’s 2013 production of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte. He is the Artistic Director of the concert series “Fridays at Fairmont” in London, ON. Yun is also a doctoral candidate of piano performance at Western University, under Stephan Sylvestre. JOHN-MICHAEL TEBELAK (Concept and Original Direction) originally wrote Godspell as his Master’s thesis project at Carnegie Mellon in 1971. Subsequently, he directed productions of Godspell at LaMaMa, the Cherry Lane Theatre, the Promenade Theatre, and on Broadway. He received the 1971 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Director. In 1972, Tebelak directed the play Elizabeth I on Broadway, and Off-Broadway staged The Glorious One in 1975 and KaBoom in 1980. He was also co-writer with David Greene of the 1973 film of Godspell. He was dramaturg for the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York, where he staged liturgical drama, and the church’s theatre bears his name. John-Michael Tebelak died of a heart attack in 1985 at the age of 35. STEPHEN SCHWARTZ (Music and New Lyrics) has also contributed music and/or lyrics to Pippin, The Magic Show, The Baker’s Wife, Working, Rags, Children of Eden, My Fairytale, and Wicked. He collaborated with composer Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s Enchanted, Pocahontas, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame and wrote the songs for DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt. He has written an opera, Séance on a Wet Afternoon; English texts for Bernstein’s Mass; and two musicals for children, Captain Louie and My Son, Pinocchio.
Sun, November 10, 2013 at 2pm & 7pm
Schwartz has released two CDs of original songs, Reluctant Pilgrim and Uncharted Territory, and his career is the subject of the book Defying Gravity. He is the current president of the Dramatists Guild and has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Other awards include three Academy® Awards, four Grammy® Awards, and four Drama Desk Awards. www.stephenschwartz.com DAVID HOGAN (Director) Director theatre credits: The Heart and Soul of Broadway, Godspell, You’ve Got a Friend, The Power and Passion Of Broadway, I Dreamed a Dream, Let The Sunshine In, Broadway Heroes, Master Class, and A Starbright Christmas (Stratford Festival Theatre and all other venues). Hogan is currently Co-Artistic Director at the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, alongside David Rogers. ADELE MACKENZIE (Choreographer) Choreography/Performance credits: Songs of Sinatra, Twist and Shout: The British Invasion, Legends, Fiddler On The Loose, Godspell, Country Sunshine (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia), Let The Sunshine In (Starbright/ Theatre Sarnia), Starbright Christmas (Starbright/ Theatre Sarnia/ Stratford Festival), A Grand Night for Stratford (Stratford Festival), Mélange-A Cabaret Show (Bread and Circus), Grease, The History of Rock and Roll, Legends Alive (International tours), Sentimental Journey, Disco Fever (Carmen’s Dinner Theatre), The Misty Kids (Silvermist Productions), and various industrial projects. Mackenzie has taught at George Brown College, Randolph Academy, and has showcased choreography at Etobicoke School of the Arts, Cawthra Park, and numerous dance studios. She has performed in dance companies, film, TV, and music videos and at esteemed festivals such as Luminato Festival, Fringe Festival, Fashion Cares, and Dusk Dances. We Will Rock You (Mirvish), Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, Hello Dolly, The Tempest (Stratford Festival), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Stage West), CATS (Theatre Calgary), Beauty and the Beast (The Grand Theatre, London), Peter Pan (Elgin Theatre). MARK PAYNE (Musical Director) Payne is the resident Music Director for the Victoria Play-
house in Petrolia, where he prepares and directs all the musical productions at the playhouse. He has starred in and/or led over 20 productions with D2 Entertainment and the Victoria Playhouse over the past seven years. Payne has performed virtually every conceivable role with orchestras and opera companies across Canada—conductor, pianist, singer, repetiteur, and chorus master. He has recorded multiple CDs, most recently arranging and performing on Michael Vanhevel’s first solo CD, Intimate. CHARLES RUSSELL (Assistant Stage Manager) Theatre Credits: Oliver!, The Love List, Blue Suede Shoes: Memories of the King, Harvey, Murder at the Best Western, The Wizard of Oz (Charlottetown Festival Theatre), Extraordinary, Canada in Love (Young At Heart Musical Theatre for Seniors). Russell sends special thanks to Norm and Catherine for their ongoing support and encouragement. PAUL PEMBLETON (Stage Manager): North American Tour Stage Manager: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Stage Manager: Legends of Harmony, Big Band Legends, The Love List, Harvey, 9
DINE-IN • DELIVERY • TAKE-OUT LATE NIGHT HOURS
732-846-9060
336 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ
Godspell
To 5: The Musical, Blue Suede Shoes: Memories of the King, Murder at the Best Western, Shear Madness, Separate Beds, On Golden Pond, The Heiress, Camelot, The Mousetrap, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Corpse!, Cotton Patch Gospel. Assistant Stage Manager: Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Hairspray, Crazy For You, CATS. Other theatre: Suds: The Musical (Carousel Playhouse), The Foursome (Stage West, Mississauga), Steel Magnolias (Stage 237). KEITH LEVENSON (Company Manager) Keith has conducted the Broadway and national companies of Annie, Annie Warbucks, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (with Ann-Margaret), Peter Pan (with Cathy Rigby), Dreamgirls, Kung Fu Panda Live, Franco Dragone’s India and many others. Levenson is the principal conductor and arranger of the British Rock Symphony and is proud to have worked with The Who, Kiss, Yes, Alice Cooper, Paul Rodgers, Gary Brooker, Billy Preston, Eric Burdon, Peter Frampton, Nigel Kennedy, and Darlene Love. He was company manager for A Chorus Line and Hooray for Hollywood! PAUL M. RAMBACHER (General Manager) He has represented in excess of 125 productions for over 34 years. Specializing in national tours, some of his credits include; Fela starring Michelle Williams, A Chorus Line, directed by Baayork Lee, Merchant of Venice starring F. Murray Abraham, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Love Janis, Nobody Don’t Like Yogi, starring Ben Gazzara, International Shakespeare Globe’s original practice productions with Mark Rylance, Elaine Stritch: At Liberty, Savion Glover’s productions of Classical Savion, Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk and Footnotes, Richard Little in The Presidents, Julie Harris in The Belle of Amherst, Tap Dogs, and Copenhagen. ALDO SCROFANI/MOONGLOW PRODUCTIONS (Executive Producer) With 35 years of experience in the live entertainment industry, Scrofani has served for 13 years as Executive VP of Jujamcyn Theatres, and 19 years as the COO of Columbia Artists Theatricals. In 2009, he formed Theatre Management Associates and its subsidiary, Moonglow Productions. He has produced, co-produced and/or been associated with over 100 productions on Broadway, Lon-
don, national touring companies, and in numerous foreign territories. Productions include Gone With The Wind, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, Lovemusik, STOMP, Stomp Out Loud, Tap Dogs, Grand Hote, City of Angels, M. Butterfly, Into the Woods, Gypsy, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Big River, Bring In ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk, Jelly’s Last Jam, Elaine Stritch: At Liberty, Sunset Boulevard, Carousel, Master Class, My One and Only, and Dracula. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and has served on the Executive Committee, Board of Governors, and both the Tony® management and Tony® administration committees. STAFF FOR GODSPELL EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Aldo Scrofani GENERAL MANAGEMENT Professional Management & Resources Paul M. Rambacher TOUR DIRECTION PROVIDED BY Columbia Artists Theatricals www.columbiaartiststheatricals.com COMPANY MANAGER Keith Levenson STAGE MANAGER Paul Pembleton Technical Director ...................................Sean Sacco Head Wardrobe............................Lauren Karbowski Head Lighting...............................Benjamin LoPreto Head Sound ...................................John McQuiggan Swing Technician..........................Kirsten Upchurch Tour Press & Marketing.....................Tara Troutman Television Spot Production.....................HMS Media Production Assistant .......................Billy S Shepherd Payroll Services ...................Castellana Services, Inc. Insurance..............................................Dewitt Stern Air travel and accommodations booked by............... Road Rebel Entertainment Touring Trucking Stage Call Specialized Transportation Busing............ Crossroads Tours Special thanks The generous support of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
PANICO’S
BRICK
OVEN PIZZERIA BAR & GRILL
94 Church Street (Across from Panico’s Restaurant) phone: 732-545-6161 • fax: 732-545-6868 Delivery, Take-out, or Dine-in • Full Bar Private room available for up to 100 people
Sat, November 16, 2013 at 8pm
The Butterfly Lovers The Shanghai Ballet Full-length Ballet in Four Acts Music: XU Jianqiang Libretto: LUO Huaizhen Choreography: XIN Lili Assistant Choreographers: CHEN Zhenrong, CAI Yilei, LI Fei Premiered on: December 1, 2001 at Shanghai Grand Theater ZHU Yingtai LIANG Shanbo MA Wencai Old Teacher Magistrate MA (MA Wencai’s father) Father of ZHU Yingtai LIANG and ZHU in the dream Magpie Mandarin Duck
FAN Xiaofeng, JI Pingping WU Husheng, WU Bin WU Bin, ZHANG Yao ZHONG Min ZHONG Min, JIANG Yong WU Jie, JIANG Yong ZHOU Haibo, ZHANG Yao, ZHANG Wenjun LI Chenchen, ZHANG Yao, ZHANG Wenjun CHEN Yan, ZHOU Haibo, XIANG Jieyan, FENG Bo
Plus the Corps de Ballet: Li Yang, Lei Xinmin, Wang Xudan, Bao Deli, Xu Yuchen, Gong Liwei, Tang Jingqi, Miao Siyun, Shi Pengfei, Sun Haonan, Sun Xuan, Zhou Jiawen, Tie Jiaxin, Zhao Hanbing, Zhang Mengjin, Meng Fanyu, Hu Pingting, Zhang Wenhui, Li Chenchen, Xiang Yang, Jin Xin, Chen Yunxuan, Ding Chengjun, Ji Luxi, Qian Juemin, Xu Yiru, Li Rui, Chen Lu, Zhang Yuwei, Yu Qiaoer (Chen Tianxu, Tang Kaipeng, Huang Xiaowen, Yu Lang)
This program is made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Butterfly Lovers
Notes on the Program ACT I – In School It is spring, with flowers blossoming, birds singing and mountain water running. Liang and Zhu are studying eagerly in class. Dressed as a male, Zhu plays cheerfully with her classmates after class. Ma Wencai is a bully who disregards the teacher and cheats on his classmates. Zhu Yingtai tries to stop him but is threatened in return. Liang helps Zhu, but is beaten by Ma. At last, Ma is driven out of the school. In the evening, Zhu kneads Liang’s wounds with passion. She falls in love with Liang, but Liang isn’t aware of Zhu’s emotions. At dawn, a letter comes from Zhu’s family asking her to return home. ACT II – Farewell It is a beautiful midsummer morning with frogs croaking and cicadas chirping. Liang escorts Zhu back home with deep friendship, but Zhu is laden with anxiety. Butterflies are flying in pairs. Mandarin ducks are playing in the water. Magpies are singing. It is a love scene in Zhu’s eyes, but Liang pays no heed. Passing by a team of brides meeting for a wedding, Zhu disguises herself as a bride, but Liang takes it as a game. Liang, pleasantly surprised, realizes that Zhu is a girl by a fan with butterfly decoration given by Zhu as a parting gift. —Intermission— ACT III – Against Marriage Grief and loneliness penetrates through autumn leaves. The wedding ceremony of the rich family is magnificent, with guests in splendid costumes. Zhu Yingtai is arranged to marry Ma Wencai, her former classmate. Ma is amazed and extremely satisfied. Zhu Yingtai is upset and against the marriage. Liang Shanbo comes to propose marriage to Zhu Yingtai, but Zhu’s father looks down upon him. Ma’s family uses its wealth to bully Liang. Zhu opposes her fathers’ and Ma family’s coercion. Zhu expresses her deep love for Liang. After a beating by Ma’s servants, Liang falls to the ground.
ACT IV – Turning into Butterflies Liang’s gravestone stands surrounded only by calm wind and quiet white snow. On her wedding day, Zhu comes to Liang’s grave and mourns, disregarding all opposition. Liang died for Zhu, and Zhu dies for love. Suddenly, as if heaven were abiding by their wishes, Liang and Zhu are reunited and become a pair of butterflies. Epilogue: We could not marry in life. We live together in another world. Spring returns to the good earth. It is a beautiful and colorful world.
About the Company The Shanghai Ballet was organized in 1979. The White-Haired Girl, a classical Chinese ballet created in the 20th century, brought instant fame to The Shanghai Ballet and helped establish its predominant position in the international ballet world. The company has performed The WhiteHaired Girl in over 1,700 performances and was first introduced to North American audiences during its coast to coast tour in the fall of 2002.With a history of 33 years, The Shanghai Ballet has, after its legendary The White Haired Girl performances, created and staged new folk-styled ballet productions of The Butterfly Lovers (XIN Lili) and A Sigh of Love (Bertrand d’At). Additionally, the company’s repertoire includes the classical ballet repertoire of Swan Lake (Derek Deane), Coppelia (Pierre Lacotte), La Sylphide (Jean-Paul Gravier), The Nutcracker (Tetsutaro Shimizu), Romeo and Juliet (Derek Deane), Serenade (George Balanchine) along with such modern pieces as The Imagination of Red, Fébrile, Now, Here, and Conversation with Chopin. Additionally, the Shanghai Ballet has performed many pas de deux from classical ballets, including La Fille Mal Gardée, Giselle, Don Quixote, LeCorsaire, The Sleeping Beauty, La Esmeralda, and Raymonda. Since its founding, many young dancers of the Company have won a total of 32 medals in various international dance competitions, and they have also achieved impressive results in nationwide competitions. The team of current principal
Sat, November 16, 2013 at 8pm
dancers, including Fan Xiaofeng, Sun Shenyi, Ji Pingping, Chen Zhenrong, YuXiaowei, and Chen Yan, is growing into a brilliant and artistically mature unit, with rising dancers such as Wu Husheng, Wang Ya’nan, Duan Wenfei, and Zhang Yao becoming the stars of the next generation.
she held the special gala performance in February 2008. She won the Special Price of the Organization Committee at the 8th China Dance Competition in 2011. In March of 2012, she won the ‘Shanghai Literature and Art Award’ from the Municipal Propaganda Department.
The Shanghai Ballet is active in cooperation and artistic exchange with artists and companies both at home and abroad. The company has toured not only throughout China, but in almost one hundred cities all over the world, including the U.S., Canada, France, Spain, Norway, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.
Ji Pingping First Principal Dancer of the Shanghai Ballet National First-class Dancer Entering the Shanghai Dance School in 1986, Pingping became a dancer of the Shanghai Ballet after her graduation in 1992. She has danced main roles in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppelia, La Sylphide, Romeo and Juliet, The White-haired Girl, Jane Eyre, The Butterfly Lovers, A Sigh of Love, The Last Mission of Marco Polo and performed George Balanchine’s La Valse, Piano Dance Dream Back to Shanghai and solo The Dying Swan, Pas de Quatre, pas de deux Sleeping Beauty, etc. She won gold medal at the 9th Paris International Dance Competition (classical) in 2000. She was invited to perform in
About the Artists Fan Xiaofeng First Principal Dancer of the Shanghai Ballet National First-class Dancer Entering the Shanghai Dance School in 1989, Xiaofeng became a dancer of the Shanghai Ballet after her graduation in 1996. She has danced main roles in Swan Lake, Coppelia, Giselle, La Sylphide, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Jane Eyre, The Butterfly Lovers, The White-haired Girl, A Sigh of Love, The Last Mission of Marco Polo, Shanghai Grand Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker and performed in George Balanchine’s Serenade, La Valse, Pas de Deux in Don Quixote, Grand Pas Classique, and modern pieces such as Red Fan, The Horizon, and Water. She won the Silver Prize in the junior division at the First Shanghai International Ballet Competition in 1995; She was awarded the title of “Shanghai New Star of Culture” in 1999; she won the gold medal in the senior division at the 19th Varna International Ballet Competition in Bulgaria in 2000; 2nd Prize and Best Pas de Deux Award at 2nd Shanghai International Ballet Competition with her partner SUN Shenyi in 2001. She was invited as a guest principal dancer by Australia National Ballet. She was invited to perform in the 1st Asia Ballet Festival in Seoul, Korea in 2006. Together with her partner SUN Shenyi,
Rich’s Cleaning Services
Carpet and Duct • Windows Tile and Grout Water Damage Restoration MENTION STATE THEATRE AND RECEIVE 10% OFF!
The Butterfly Lovers
the 1st Asia Ballet Festival in Seoul Korea in 2006. She, together with her partner Wu Husheng, held the special Gala performance in July 2009. She was awarded the title of “Shanghai New Star of Culture” in 2002. Wu Bin Principal dancer of Shanghai Ballet Graduated from the Shanghai Dance Academy in 2000, Bin became a dancer of Shanghai Ballet. He has played principal roles in The Butterfly Lovers, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker (Shanghai Grand Theatre version). He performed important roles in Romeo and Juliet and The Last Mission of Marco Polo. He has taken part in performances such as Coppelia, La Sylphide, and The White-haired Girl, George Balanchine’s neoclassical ballet Serenade, La Valse, the modern ballet La Dance du Stravinsky and the Grand Pas du Bach, among others. Wu Husheng First Principal Dancer of the Shanghai Ballet National First-class Dancer Entering the Shanghai Dance School in 1997, Husheng became a dancer of the Shanghai Ballet after his graduation in 2003. He has danced main roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, La Sylphide, Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, The White-haired Girl, The Butterfly Lovers, A Sigh of Love, and The Last Mission of Marco Polo the Shanghai Grand Theatre’s Version The Nutcracker. He has also performed George Balanchine’s Serenade, La Valse, Piano Dance Dream Back to Shanghai, Pas de Quatre, and modern pieces such as Conversation with Chopin, Web5, The Song of the Mother, Water, among others. He won the Special Jury Award at the 3rd Shanghai International Ballet Competition in June 2004. He was invited to perform at the First Asia Ballet Festival in Seoul, Korea in 2006. In June 2007, at the 9th New York International Ballet Competition, he won the silver (no gold medal was awarded) and the Igor Youskevitch Award. He won the gold medal at the 4th Shanghai International Ballet Competition in August 2007. Together with his partner, Ji Pingping, he held the special gala performance in July 2009. He won the Dramatic Sil-
ver Prize at the 7th China Dance Competition in 2009; the Annual Best Potential from Municipal Propaganda Department in 2010; the Dramatic Silver Prize of 8th China Dance Competition in 2011; the ‘Outstanding Young Dancers of 2011’ from the Shanghai Dance Association in 2011, and the “Shanghai National Labor Medal” and “Young Talent of Shanghai Arts Culture” in 2012. He participated in the performance in Nijinsky with the Hamburg State Opera in 2012. Chen Yan Principal Dancer of the Shanghai Ballet National First-class Dancer Entering the Shanghai Dance School in 1990, Yan became a dancer of the Shanghai Ballet after her graduation in 1996. She has danced main roles in Swan Lake and The White-haired Girl, and performed important solos in The Nutcracker, Coppelia, La Sylphide, Romeo and Juliet, The Butterfly Lovers, and A Sigh of Love. She also danced George Balanchine’s Serenade, La Valse, and modern piece La Danse du Stravinsky, Grand Pas du Bac, etc. Xiang Jieyan Principal of the Shanghai Ballet Entering the Shanghai Dance School in 2000, Jieyan became a dancer of the Shanghai Ballet after her graduation in 2007. She has danced main roles in The White-haired Girl, Swan Lake, Coppelia, and performed important solos and leading dances in The Last Mission of Marco Polo, The Nutcracker (the Shanghai Grand Theatre’s production), Jane Eyre (the Shanghai Grand Theatre’s production), The Butterfly Lovers, A Sigh of Love, La Sylphide, Giselle, and Romeo and Juliet. She also danced George Balanchine’s Serenade, La Valse, and the modern pieces Beyond Bach, La Danse du Stravinsky, Grand Pas du Bach, among others. Zhang Wenjun Principal Dancer of the Shanghai Ballet Entering the Shanghai Dance School in 2000, Wenjun became a dancer of the Shanghai Ballet after his graduation in 2007. He has danced main roles in The White-haired Girl, A Sigh of Love, Coppelia, and performed impor-
Sat, November 16, 2013 at 8pm
tant solos and leading dances in Swan Lake, The Butterfly Lovers, The Last Mission of Marco Polo, Romeo and Juliet, La Sylphide, Giselle, The Nutcracker (the Shanghai Grand Theatre’s production) and Jane Eyre (the Shanghai Grand Theatre’s production. He has also danced George Balanchine’s Serenade, La Valse, and the modern pieces Keep the Length, W.H.Y, La Danse du Stravinsky, Grand Pas du Bac, among others. He won the Best China Audience and Encouragement Award at the 4th Shanghai International Ballet Competition in 2007, and he won the Best Pas De Deux at the 9th Helsinki Ballet Competition in 2009.
Zhang Yao Principal of the Shanghai Ballet National Second-class Dancer Entering the affiliated school, Beijing Dance Academy in 1996, Yao became a dancer of the Shanghai Ballet after his graduation in 2003. He has danced main roles in A Sigh of Love, The Butterfly Lovers, and performed important solos and leading dances in Swan Lake, The White-haired Girl, the Shanghai Grand Theatre’s version The Nutcracker, Coppelia, La Sylphide, Giselle, The Last Mission of Marco Polo, and Romeo and Juliet. He also danced George Balanchine’s Serenade, La Valse, and modern piece Now, Conversation with Chopin, La Danse du Stravinsky, Grand Pas du Bac, among others.
Mon, November 18, 2013 at 8pm
ZZ TOP La Futura Tour
This program is made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
ZZ Top
About the Artist ZZ TOP a.k.a. “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas,” lay undisputed claim to being the longest running major rock band with original personnel intact and in 2004 the Texas trio was be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course, there are only three of them—Billy F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard—but it’s still a remarkable achievement that they’re still very much together after more than 40 years of rock, blues, and boogie on the road and in the studio. “Yeah,” says Billy, guitarist extraordinaire, “we’re the same three guys, bashing out the same three chords.” With the release of each of their albums the band has explored new ground in terms of both their sonic approach and the material they’ve recorded. ZZ TOP is the same but always changing. Evidence of that consistency and adaptability is found in La Futura, their first studio album in nine years. Produced by Rick Rubin and Billy F. Gibbons, it reflects the solid blues inspiration that has powered the band since the very beginning with a contemporary approach that underscores the group’s inclination to experiment and explore new sonic vistas. The album includes ten new tracks including the widely lauded “I Gotsta Get Paid” that has become both a video and in-concert sensation as was featured among the four La Futura preview tracks that were packaged as Texicali, a digital EP that generated excellent sales numbers in the weeks leading up to La Futura’s release on September 11, 2012. It was in Houston in the waning days of 1969 that ZZ TOP coalesced from the core of two rival bands, Gibbons’ Moving Sidewalks and Hill and Beard’s American Blues. The new group went on to record the appropriately titled ZZ Top’s First Album and Rio Grande Mud that reflected their strong blues roots. Their third, 1973’s Tres Hombres, catapulted them to national attention with the hit “La Grange,” still one of the band’s signature pieces today. The song is unabashed elemental boogie, celebrating the institution that came to be known
as “the best little whorehouse in Texas.” Their next hit was “Tush,” a song about, well, let’s just say the pursuit of “the good life” that was featured on their Fandango! album released in 1975. The band’s momentum and success built during its first decade, culminating in the legendary “World Wide Texas Tour,” with a production that included a longhorn steer, a buffalo, buzzards, rattlesnakes, and a Texasshaped stage. Following a lengthy hiatus during which the individual members of the band traveled the world, they switched labels (from British Decca’s London label to Warner Bros.) and returned with two amazingly provocative albums, Deguello and El Loco. Their next release, Eliminator, was something of a paradigm shift for ZZ TOP. Suddenly, Billy, Dusty and Frank were video icons, playing a kind of Greek chorus in videos that highlighted the album’s three smash singles: “Gimme All Your Lovin,’” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.” The melding of grungy guitar-based blues with synthpop was seamless and continued with the follow-up album Afterburner as they continued their chart juggernaut. ZZ TOP had accomplished the impossible; they had moved with the times while simultaneously bucking ephemeral trends that crossed their path. They had become more popular and more iconic without ever having to be “flavor of the week.” They had become a certified rock institution, contemporary in every way, yet still completely connected to the founding fathers of the genre. ZZ TOP’s music is always instantly recognizable, eminently powerful, profoundly soulful and 100% Texas American in derivation. The band’s support for the blues is unwavering both as interpreters of the music and preservers of its legacy. They have sold millions of records over the course of their career, have been officially designated as Heroes of The State of Texas, have been referenced in countless cartoons and sitcoms and are true rock icons but, against all odds, they’re really just doing what they’ve always done. They’re real and they’re surreal and they’re ZZ TOP.
Tue, November 26, 2013 at 8pm
YAMATO The Drummers of Japan YAMATO 20th Anniversary Tour “Rojyoh” – The Beat on the Road
This program is made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Yamato
On the Road As we come to a sudden stop on a road somewhere, we hear the footsteps of the passing days behind us. The cold wind blows past our ears and we are enveloped in a dignified silence. We look at our feet and then direct our gaze towards the future that stretches off into the distance. We slowly start to walk. The sound of tramping reverberates on the hard earth. We have a keen and certain sense of being there in the moment. We feel our heart rates increase to overlap with the beat of our footsteps. The reverberations that slowly begin to radiate from our bodies overlap with those of the people we are walking with and resound even louder on the earth. This is our Yamato beat. Yamato is the sound of planet earth. The proof that we are alive and should be loved. This explosion of noise is sometimes a shock to the system! It is like the always sweltering, jostling and exhilarating hustle and bustle of a festival. We globetrot with our footsteps reverberating loudly. This is the moment when our beat synchronizes with your heartbeat. So, in that moment, we create energy and keep on walking towards the future!
New Brunswick’s Finest Ice Cream, Chocolates and Frozen Yogurt For Over 25 Years Homemade chocolates for all occasions: • Corporate Gifts • Party Favors
• Platters & Gift Baskets • Holiday Favorites
55-57 EASTON AVE • NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ ICE CREAM: 732.828.3855 CHOCOLATE: 732.828.3894 1 1/2 BLOCKS FROM TRAIN STATION
Tue, November 26, 2013 at 8pm
Program 1. Opening of the show “The Birth Place of YAMATO” The first cry of life that began on that day. Yamato’s first rhythm was like this heartbeat. Cast your mind back to the moment when Yamato was born—20 years concentrated in the reverberations. The pulse of the soul. The esounding rhythm of life. 2. Masurao — Strong Man (2005) This piece is performed using a special technique. The Miyadaiko drum is laid flat on its side and is struck horizontally. The people of Miyajima Island in Japan are famous for playing their “Kiyari Taiko” using this method and Japanese Taiko drummers everywhere long to play in this unique fashion. Yamato is no exception. Please enjoy our combination of the Yamato-style with this traditional method of Taiko drumming. Today we face our Taiko drums and we show our courage as we unlock the path to tomorrow.
3. Kizashi — The Moment that Something Begins (1995) This piece was composed in 1995 and is characterized by its speed and its feeling of absolute unity. Even though the drums are struck extremely fast, the movement of the drumsticks and the sounds they create are in perfect unity. The training required to maintain this kind of beauty and dignity can be found in everything in everyday life. We hope you also experience this feeling of unity which has been nourished through us living under the same roof. 4. Ittetsu — The Concentrated Spirit (2011) In this age of endless information, one can feel a strong urge to try many different things. But when you are unable to concentrate on what is important right now, one meaningless day follows another. Contrary to the trend of the times, the term Ittetsu implies a spirit to persevere, focusing on a single purpose with
Yamato
undivided attention. Even if you are awkward and shy in company, the soul of Ittetsu will break through these walls to bestow its ray of light on you. 5. Rekka — The Fire (2002) This sessions pitches two male drummers against two female drummers—all four highly skilled. Enjoy the crackling tension and the lightning speed. No one will back down. Which team do you support? 6. Ucho-ten — On Top of the World (2009) This is a moment in which you forget all about the difficulties of life. Be rapturous as if to say, “I am at the top,” “I am the best,” or “I am in my prime!” Nothing can be achieved if you are cornered by the fear of other people’s opinions. First of all, surrender yourself to the sound of the drums. Beat the drum, sing and dance with friends. This relieves stress and makes you feel like you’re walking on air. You’re already exhilarated, aren’t you? —Intermission—
7. Rakuda — Drumming like a Camel (1998) It’s no exaggeration to say that Yamato couldn’t exist without performing this piece. Since the inclusion of this composition in our performances a few years after the group was formed, playing the drums has become more and more enjoyable. This particular playing style gives us a strong sense of unity with the drums, one that can’t be felt by beating Taiko drums that are placed on the ground. United with the drums, our existence as individuals gradually merges into a unified group. Thanks to the creation of this piece and its style, we have been able to travel all over the world, moving freely with our Taiko drums. 8. Garakuta — Toys for Scrap (2005) If I were to liken myself to anything in this whole wide world, I would say I was like a piece of junk in a box full of toys. Am I discarded even though I was created and loved? But even the life of a piece of junk is full of excitement. I have a lot of friends. Come on everyone, we’re all junk in the same toy box, so let’s clank and clatter together! 9. Rojyoh — The Beat on the Road (2013) Everyone is standing at some point on the road of life – at one point in the long stretch of history. Born as a product of love, brought up in the bosom of humanity, the heart and soul grow. We all have dreams and strive to attain them but then sometimes we come to a stop, at a loss. We look back, we look back again then we look into the distance and fight back the tears. We start to walk. Again. Slowly. Slowly but surely. We are on the road and we are facing forwards. *The program is subject to change.
Wed, December 4, 2013 at 8pm
Tony Orlando’s Great American Christmas
This program is made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tony Orlando’s Great American Christmas
About the Artist TONY ORLANDO No entertainer can move and excite an audience like Tony Orlando. One of America’s most endearing and enduring stars, Orlando and America recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of his recording of “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree.” Orlando brings to the stage a warmth and exhilarating energy that electrifies an audience. From million selling records (five number one hits), a popular television variety series, movies, and Broadway (Barnum and Smokey Joe’s Cafe) Tony Orlando has conquered every facet of show business. Orlando, born and raised in New York City, began hitting the national charts at the age of 16 with “Halfway to Paradise” and “Bless You” as the first vocal artist to sign with Epic Records. He later routed his musical career to the nonperformance side and became one of the youngest vice-presidents for CBS Records, heading their April-Blackwood music label. Through no plans of his own, Orlando was coaxed into putting his voice on a demo record
for a song titled “Candida” for his friends Hank Medress and Dave Appell at Bell Records. The record was released under the name of the record promotion director’s daughter, Dawn. “I think it is really the rule of show business that every big break you get, you back into it without knowing it at the time. A few weeks after recording “Candida,” I had forgotten all about it. And then Hank Medress calls me and says, ‘Hey man, we’ve got a hit.’ The crazy thing was, the song kept climbing the charts till it hit number one,” said Orlando. Hoping lightning would strike again, Medress had Orlando record “Knock Three Times.” The song not only became number one, it was the top song of 1971, selling over six million copies worldwide. The immense popularity of the song is still evident today. Orlando’s recording of the song was featured in the hit movie Now and Then. Realizing it was probably safe to give up his successful career at CBS Records, Orlando decided to jump full force into what was already a meteoric rise to the top. Along with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, Orlando and
Wed, December 4, 2013 at 8pm
Dawn became an international sensation. Amazingly enough, he hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his stardom. In 1973, he recorded “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree.” The song was number one for the year, became Orlando’s theme song and grew into an American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal. The yellow ribbon has welcomed home POWs from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, the hostages from Iran, and the troops from Desert Storm. Veterans are honored each Veterans Day, November 11th, in Branson with the Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Salute to Veterans. This is a specially produced extravaganza which is free to veterans and their families. As part of this salute to Vets, Orlando presents the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Freedom. Past recipients have included Bob Hope, former POW Major Stephen Long, BoxCar Willie, and Connie Stevens. In 1999 the Eisenhower family, represented by Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, received the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Freedom.
A string of hits continued including “Sweet Gypsy Rose,” “He Don’t Love You,” “Who’s In The Strawberry Patch With Sally,” “Cupid,” “Steppin’ Out (Gonna Boogie Tonight),” and “Mornin’ Beautiful.” Orlando then set his sights on television which resulted in his highly rated weekly variety series on CBS. Breaking new ground, it was the first multi-ethnic variety show on television. Orlando, of Hispanic and Greek origins, and Hopkins and Wilson, African Americans, were an instant hit. The show, which ran for four seasons, from 1974 - 1976, welcomed the biggest names in show business each week as Tony’s guests, including his boyhood idols, Jackie Gleason and Jerry Lewis. Orlando remains one of America’s best loved personalities. He has been a recipient of three American Music Awards and a People’s Choice Award. For outstanding achievements to the entertainment industry, Tony was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990.
State Theatre offers sincere thanks to
Peter and Maggie Stavrianidis for their generous support of the State Theatre and The Midtown Men.
Thu, December 5, 2013 at 8pm
The Midtown Men Holiday Hits 4 Stars from the original cast of Jersey Boys
UNDERWRITTEN BY
Peter and Maggie Stavrianidis
Not a performance of, not affiliated with the show Jersey Boys
This program is made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Midtown Men
About the Artists THE MIDTOWN MEN are thrilling crowds on concert stages and symphony halls across the continent, celebrating the music that defined the ‘60s. Tony® Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard, and Tony® Award nominee J. Robert Spencer, star in this one-of-a-kind concert experience with recent national TV performances on Good Morning America, Access Hollywood, Katie, and The Chew. Don’t miss their debut album, Sixties Hits and first radio single, “All Alone On Christmas,” produced by rock and roll icon Stevie Van Zandt, featuring fellow members of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. They took Broadway by storm in one of the biggest hits of all-time! Now, The Midtown Men are bringing their signature sound to audiences everywhere, singing their favorite “Sixties Hits” from The Beatles, Motown, The Four Seasons, and much more! CHRISTIAN HOFF is thrilled to reunite with his fellow stars from the original cast of Broadway’s Jersey Boys as The Midtown Men. He won a Tony® Award for his performance as Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys, as well as Drama Desk Award, Drama League Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. He was named “The Master of Mimicry” by Entertainment Weekly. His voice-over accomplishments have earned him notable success including Foreword Magazine’s 2008 Audio Book of The Year, when his voicing of over 200 characters surpassed the audio book world record. As the voice of Richie Rich in the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series, his voice-over career was launched and continues today with numerous audio books, television and radio campaigns. Theatrical highlights include the roles of Frank-n-Furter in the Los Angeles production of The Rocky Horror Show; King Herod in the national revival tour of Jesus Christ Superstar; Governor Hugh Dorsey in the Los Angeles revival of Parade; George M. Cohan in George M!; Will Rogers in The Will Rogers Follies; Huck in Big River; and his
Broadway debut in the Tony® Award and Grammy® Award-winning The Who’s Tommy. MICHAEL LONGORIA is best known for his star turn on Broadway as Frankie Valli in the Tony® Award-winning Musical Jersey Boys. Hollywood born and Broadway bound, Longoria trained at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, then traveled to the east coast to attend New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, earning a B.F.A. in drama. Longoria made his Broadway debut in the smash hit Tony® award winning musical Hairspray, later creating the role of Joey Pesci in the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys. He has appeared on television as the lead vocalist for Cirque du Soleil on America’s Got Talent: Season 9 Finale, Broadway Under The Stars: A Tribute To Harold Prince, opening ceremonies at The U.S. Open, the documentary film One Night Stand, and as an animated character on Dora the Explorer. As a headlining solo concert artist, Longoria has appeared nationally, most recently at Caesar’s Palace in Atlantic City, co-staring with SNL’s Joe Piscopo in That’s Life! Internationally Longoria appeared in West Side Story at Teatro alla Scala in Milan and A Chorus Line in Munich. As a singersongwriter, Longoria has been performing his original songs at Joe’s Pub, The Cutting Room, CB’s Gallery, and Caroline’s on Broadway. DANIEL REICHARD is honored to share the concert stage with his friends from Broadway’s original cast of Jersey Boys as The Midtown Men. Reichard, a native of Cleveland, Ohio and the eighth of nine children, is best known for his portrayal of chief songwriter and original Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio in the box-office smash Jersey Boys, a role he originated both on Broadway and in the La Jolla Playhouse premiere. His performance earned him a Drama Desk Award nomination. He followed Jersey Boys with a critically acclaimed performance as Candide in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide at the New York City Opera under the direction of legendary theatre luminary Harold Prince.
Thu, December 5, 2013 at 8pm
J. ROBERT SPENCER is excited to return to making music with The Midtown Men, which reunites four stars from the original cast of Jersey Boys. He is a Tony® Award nominated actor, independent film director, producer, and writer. In 2004, he was cast and originated the role of Nick Massi in the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. In 2008, Spencer was cast and originated the role of Dan Goodman in the critically acclaimed Broadway production of Next To Normal, for which he was nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, and nominated for a 2008 - 2009 Tony® Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.
The Midtown Men Cast & Crew Christian Hoff – Principal Michael Longoria – Principal Daniel Reichard – Principal J.Robert Spencer – Principal Adam Souza – Musical Director Adam Fischel – Drums Steve Gilewski – Bass Guitar Sean Driscoll – Electric Guitar Jay Webb – Trumpet Greg Riley – Saxophone and Flute Paul Arbogast – Trombone Tour Management & Audio: Jann Hoff Management & Media: Jeff Vee At Rockhouse Productions, LLC Business Management: Ken Wirth www.themidtownmen.com
State Theatre offers sincere thanks to
Warren and Wendy Zimmerman for their generous support of the State Theatre and Celtic Woman.
Tue, December 10, 2013 at 8pm
Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas The Symphony Tour
UNDERWRITTEN BY
Warren and Wendy Zimmerman
This program is made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
ADP Aetna American Express Arch Chemicals Inc. AT&T Foundation AXA Foundation Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Bank of New York Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Cigna Health Care CNA
Duke Energy Corporation Dunn & Bradstreet ExxonMobil Chemical Company FMC Good Government Program
Gannett Foundation General Electric GE Foundation Give with Liberty Goldman Sachs Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield IBM
IDT Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies JP Morgan Chase Lucent McGraw-Hill Companies
Merck Partnership for Giving Merrill Lynch MetLife Microsoft Matching Gifts Company Mitsui USA
Net2Phone Charitable Matching Gifts Program Network for Good The New York Times Company NYSE Group Pfizer Foundation
Prudential Foundation Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Time Warner Tyco Verizon Wells Fargo
Did you know that all these companies and many more offer matching gift plans to their employees? See how you could give more! Call the State Theatre at 732-247-7200, ext. 512 and find out how your company will match your gift today.
Gifts to the State Theatre The State Theatre, a nonprofit organization, is deeply grateful to the many individual, corporate, and foundation donors to our Annual Giving program from 10/25/12 – 10/25/13. Their support enables us to continue to bring the finest artists and provide nationally recognized arts education programs to 31,000 children annually. To find out more about opportunities to support the State Theatre, contact Linda Van Derveer, Director of Major Gifts, at 732-247-7200, ext. 594 or lvanderveer@statetheatrenj.org.
Corporate and Foundation Support $100,000 + The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies New Jersey State Council on the Arts The J. Seward Johnson, Sr. Charitable Trusts The Star-Ledger $50,000 + Magic 98.3 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The Heldrich
$25,000 + The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey Investors Bank Karma Foundation United Airlines $10,000 + Bank of America Colgate-Palmolive Financial Resources Federal Credit Union Frank & Lydia Bergen Foundation The Hyde and Watson Foundation Ingredion Incorporated Magyar Bank MetLife
Miller's Rentals New Brunswick Parking Authority New England Foundation for the Arts The Princeton Packet TD Charitable Foundation Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation $5,000 + The Provident Bank Foundation $2,500 + Credit Suisse Great-West Financial Robert's Florals
Chairman’s Council Visionary Circle ($25,000+) Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Campbell Louis and Sharon Cyktor Carolyn and Dave Horn Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Markey Michael Wagner and Caryl Mackin-Wagner
Diamond Circle ($10,000+) Ann and Lou Asbaty Mr. and Mrs. Omar Boraie Andrew Chen and Heidi Mass Doug and Diane Garback ~ The Garback Agency Mr. and Mrs. John A. McCrane
Dave Retcher Peter and Maggie Stavrianidis Ralph Voorhees Donna and Jack Walcott Warren and Wendy Zimmerman
Gold Circle ($3,000+) Campbell Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John Fischer Friend of the State Theatre Thomas and Annette Griffoul Ms. Eileen Harkins Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Hartnett Robert Wood Johnson 1962 Charitable Trust Stephen K. Jones Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Korbel Charles and Ruth Larsson Barbara and Len Littman Andrew and Pamela Lovasz Mr. and Mrs. Duncan L. MacMillan Ron and Lisa Rapolas Salvatore J. and Bernice A. Romano Sharon Levine and Bruce Samuels Ms. Robin E. Suydam and Mr. Paul Corkery
Silver Circle ($2,000+) Joan A. Appelson Joseph and Xenia Balabkins Madeleine Berk and Corey Weiner Gil Blitz Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Ciatto Russell and Stephanie Deyo Henry A. Dombrowski E & G Foundation, In Memory of George W. & Edith H. DeVoe Matthew and Liz Drucker John and Jeanne Fitzgerald Franklin Mutual Insurance Judd and Carol Hamlin Carol Jefferson Mr. and Mrs. Chris Jensen Toby Lublin Patrick and Mary Ellen Morris Drs. Dean and Karan Newton Rita and David Paszamant Barbara and Richard Reinhardt Rona Solberg Art and Eva Stevens Steven and Peggy Tepper Anne and Robert Wilson
President’s Council Platinum Circle ($5,000+) Isa and Michael Beck Samer and Susan Boraie Stephan DeMicco and Jeanne M. Fox Mr. Efrem B. Dlugacz Scott and Barbra Fergang William and Constance Fortenbaugh James A. and Elizabeth E. Hance Mr. & Mrs. Timothy W. Harbison Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Harkins Bill Herman Richard and Larisa Leist Joseph Light Jeff and Theresa Moeller Sherard and Naomi Murphy Kenneth G. and Jennifer J. Osterman Susan and Brent Podlogar Alma Scott Raj and Nidhi Singh
Patron’s Council Guarantor ($1,000+) Anonymous Esta Aranoff Brother International Corporation Dr. Alvin and Joyce Glasgold Michael and Suzanne Lindemann Thomas Oates Frank Santiago and Dana Farrell Senator Bob Smith and Ellen Smith Mr. Tamas Tamas Benefactor ($500+) Anonymous (2) Bryan Baugh Robert and Jane Berry Augustina Bisso Mr. and Mrs. John A. Bradley II Mr. and Mrs. George L. Buchman Richard P. and Joan Burt Joann Camporeale Richard Cianfrone Arthur B. Corona Ms. Ruth J. Crawford and Ms. Michelle Gorda Alice A. DeVoe and John Szabo The Frazee's Mr. and Mrs. Frizalone Katrina Gabriel Steve and Ann Garvey Lonnie Gietter Rowie Gray Shelley and Woody Haiken Carol Hoagland and Frank Damelio Cynthia Jankech Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kahle, Jr. Sidney Kress Bruce Lowenhaupt Mr. and Mrs. William Lynch Jr. & Family Antonio Machado Joseph F. Marazzo Ann Marie Maroon Charles Marshall Stephanie Martin Paula Masciulli Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McDonnell Michael Graphics, Inc. Ruth Marcus Patt Robert and Joy Pellegrino Lawrence and Mimi Perfetti Marion Prager-Aubrecht Anthony and Janis Scelsa & James and Diane Downey George and Jane Schildge Drs. Anthony and Rosanne Scriffignano Rachel and Michael Silverstein Irving and Claire Sinai Patrick Sinko Lisa Marie Smoyak Peter and Karen Tarricone Angelo J. and Rosalind Valetutto Linda Van Derveer Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weiss & Family
Patron ($250+) Anonymous Shelley and Haym Benaroya Mr. and Mrs. Terrill M. Brenner Lori Dacko Erika Lynn Foundation for Autism Lian Brooke Farrer Deborah S. Freedman Bryan and Susan Garruto Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Gauthier Paul Goldman Sharon and Sid Granetz Ms. Margaret Grove, in memory of Barbara Voorhees Robert and Kelsey Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. Hans O. Hansen Todd Harvey Irene Hnidj John and Judy Hoffman Theodore U. Horger Deborah and Frank Huber Mr. and Mrs. A. Jodidio Mark W. Jones Jerry and Barbara Judin Iris I. Kislin Wayne and Debi Klokis Casimir A. and Christine W. Kulikowski Mr. and Mrs. John Lucs Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Lukacs Deborah Anne and Edward Magaziner Camille and Joseph Mallia Larry and Pam Mayewski Richard and Joan McCormick Anthony Mero Michael and Diane Moskal Alan and Kathy Negreann Robert and Ellen Norman On-Tech Consulting Ann O'Rourke Margaret Palermo Anthony A. Panko Jack and Helga Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Portnoy Robert C. Provost Ann and Robert Rafano Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ragonese Sherrie and John Sadlon John & Peggy Scanlon, in memory of Brian P. Scanlon Dr. Peter J. Schroeck and Alexander E. Pichugin Stephan and Leslie Sekulich Blanquita B. Valenti Allan and Bonnie Warton Bill Conte and Kenny Whitworth
Family & Friends ($100+) Anonymous (4) Jeffrey and Gail Aaron Bill and Nancy Ainslie Jane Anderson Marie and Tom Andreano James and Jean Andrews Mr. Michael C. Bagarozza Barbara Baier Lawrence and Nancy Bailey Cheryl Barber Glenn Bell and Kathleen Love Patricia and George Bernet Albert and Mildred Bieber Mr. and Mrs. Lewis M. Bloom Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bolanowski Krystyna Borysewicz John A. Boughtwood Linda Bradley Gary and Janice Broder Mindy and David Carton Castellanos Family Chuck Chaplin Laura A. Cisar and Robert Gowin Dr. and Mrs. James Cline Paul Coffey Kevin Corcoran Susan Cort Gloria P. Cowherd Margaret Curry Fred and Vivian Daniel Victor and Sandy Dizengoff James Dolan Robert Dour John and Barbara Duffy Mr. and Mrs. Allan Ellis Lois and Mort Farrah John Fedors, Jr. Lenore and Harvey Feldman Richard Feldman Joe and Lori Filicetti Lori and Bob Fink Barbara Fisk James and Lucinda Florio Stephen Foley and Elisabeth Kaplan Stuart and Joane Fox, in honor of William Herman Donna Frandsen Bonnie and Sheldon Freidenreich Leonard P. and Lois J. Fromer III Arlene Gerencser John E. Gerometta Warren Gooderman Jason Goodman Marjorie and Deborah Gourley, in memory of Herbert G. Stolzer Iris and Jeff Green Bob and Janice Grossman Raymond and Joyce Hanson Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hartmaier, Jr. Phyllis and Sal Lucille C. Heller Patrick and Ann Marie Hill Joy and Stanley Ho Laurel J. Hook David and Jan Houtman Ms. Barbara Howard Janet and David Iacovone Paul Israel
Patron’s Council Mr. and Mrs. William R. Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. M. Jessen Mr. Vincent Jule, Jr. Lola Kamp Dr. Basil and Katherine Kasimis Joan E. Kautsky Susan and Brian Kheel Kim Kleasen and Glenn Thomas Ervin and Juliet Klein Ravikanth Kolla Joyce Kosa William and Eleanor Kover Jordan B. Krantz Tom Kukla Lois A. Steindl Debra Lamanna Miriam W. Lampen Eileen and Geoff Lanza Beverly and Allan Lavroff Robert and Linda Lecky Van Lefford Mr. and Mrs. D. Leinwand Joyce Levine Howard and Susan Levine, in honor of Bill Herman Karen and David Levinsky Paul and Katie Levit, in honor of Bill Herman Barbara and Milton Loeb Dr. and Mrs. James T. Luxhoj Gerard F. Lynch Mr. and Mrs. G. Magliocca Carmel Mangarella Barbara and Vito Mannino Barbara and Joel Marcus
Karl Marhoefer Joseph Marino Judith Marlowe Joseph P. Masterson The McBurney Family J. McNulty Mark Miles Carol Miller Ronald and Paula Mindzak Vincent Minklier Barry Montalto Dr. Patricia Morton Drs. Robert and Sandra Moss Melissa Mount Mr. Camen J. Nastus Kurt and Barbara Nathan Naomi Nierenberg Ray and Denise Nolan Doris and Dennis O'Dea Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Olson Patricia Paszamant Judy and Mark Patrizzia Mark and Anne Pepper Charles Persing Evelyn Petercsak The Pichinson Family Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Post Cesar Prado Leo Priola Dr. Norbert and Sylvia Psuty Mr. and Mrs. MK Pugsley Dr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Purpura Charlotte W. Quaintance Arnold and Barbara Rabson Joanne Ramundo
Debra and Scott Rekant Michael and Frances Robinson Mr. and Mrs. James Ronk Buena Rosenbloom David and Frumet Sachs Josef and Susan Saloman Lawrence F. Salvatore Ronald R. Sauers George and Phyllis Scardena Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Seda Cynthia and Vincent Serrao Fred and Mary Jean Shandor Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sleppin Richard E. Spicer John and Alexis Stashkevetch Robert Strunk Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Suk Gayle C. Szczesny Dr. Barbara A. Tocco Allan Tordini Frank Totten Peter and Mary Beth Ventrice Maria and Phil Ward Patrick Washam Larry Wehr Cecelia Widup and Sharron Williamson J. Michael and Pamela Williams Melissa L. Young Dr. Shawn and Phil Zipkin-Day
Endowments Endowment guarantees financial stability by providing reliable income, year after year, to support the State Theatre’s programs, and is thus the perfect charitable investment opportunity for the donor who wishes to ensure permanence and excellence. Following are our endowed funds of $50,000 or more: Regina and John Heldrich Symphony Endowed Fund Betty Wold Johnson Endowed Fund J. Seward Johnson, Sr. 1963 Charitable Trust Endowed Fund
Robert Wood Johnson 1962 Charitable Trust Endowed Fund David Lloyd Kreeger Endowed Fund George F. Smith Charitable Trust Endowed Fund
Barbara B. Voorhees Symphony Endowed Fund Donna and Jack Walcott Symphony Endowed Fund
Major Capital Gifts The State Theatre is deeply grateful to the following donors, who have made major capital gifts to the theater to assist in the achievement of our mission and to take us to even higher levels of excellence. Thank you! Middlesex County/ Renovation of the Theatre J. Seward Johnson Trusts/Technology Madiha & Omar Boraie and Boraie Development Company/ Boraie Donor Lounge Margrit McCrane & McCrane Foundation/Concert Grand Piano
Dave & Carolyn Horn/Renovation of the Theatre & HD Equipment New Jersey Cultural Trust/ Cash Reserve Fund Microsoft, Inc./Technology Family of Ben & Marie Bucca/ Green Room
RTS Unified Communications & Stewart Filmscreen Corporation/HD Equipment The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation/Technology & Equipment
Bequests The State Theatre expresses its continued gratitude to those who care about the future of their communities, and leave a major legacy to the theater through a bequest of planned gift. Estate of Klaus Peter Kuchel
Estate of Barbara B. Voorhees
Governors’ Council The State Theatre Governors’ council includes former members of our Board of Trustees who remain active in the life of the State Theatre. We appreciate their support and continued dedication to our mission. Madiha Boraie Frankie Busch Kevin P. Egan Constance Fortenbaugh C. Judson Hamlin, Esq.
John Heldrich Joseph Light Nancy MacMilliam Andrew J. Markey Fredrick P. Pierce
Mort Plawner Herbert Stolzer Lora Tremayne William H. Tremayne Ralph Voorhees
Matching Gift Companies ADP Aetna American Express Arch Chemicals Inc. AT&T Foundation AXA Foundation Bank of America Bank of New York BlackRock Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Chubb & Son Cigna HealthCare CAN Duke Energy Corporation Elsevier Science, Inc.
ExxonMobil Chemical Company FMC Good Government Program Gannett Foundation GE Foundation Give With Liberty Glenmede Trust Company Goldman Sachs Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield IBM IDT IFF Foundation Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies JP Morgan Chase Lucent
The McGraw-Hill Companies Merck Partnership Merrill Lynch Mico Mondrian Investment Partners The Pew Charitable Trusts Pfizer Foundation Prudential Financial Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Tyco Unilever The Vanguard Group Verizon Wells Fargo Bank
Board of Trustees Warren R. Zimmerman CHAIRMAN
Efrem B. Dlugacz VICE CHAIRMAN
John S. Fitzgerald TREASURER
Douglas M. Garback SECRETARY
Ann H. Asbaty Henry D. Bignell Sam Boraie Sharon Cyktor Matthew Drucker Scott Fergang Timothy W. Harbison Bill Herman Richard J. Leist Sharon L. Levine Caryl Mackin-Wagner Andrew J. Markey Sherard Murphy Susan Podlogar Peter Stavrianidis Robin Suydam
EMERITUS MEMBERS
John J. Heldrich Joan Schwartzman Paul Smilow Ralph W. Voorhees EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
The Honorable James M. Cahill, Mayor, City of New Brunswick H. James Polos, Freeholder, County of Middlesex Christopher D. Rafano, Freeholder Director, County of Middlesex
Staff Mark W. Jones President & CEO
MARKETING
DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATION
Daniel B. Grossman † Vice President of Marketing
Anna Marie Gewirtz Vice President of Development
Dave Hartkern ∞ Director of Operations
Kelly Blithe † Director of Public Relations
Linda Van Derveer † Director of Major Gifts
Brian O’Boyle Vice President of Programming
Tracy Furr * Art Director
Marlene Canavera Executive Assistant
Jason Paddock Marketing & PR Coordinator
May R. Van Norman Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Tim Bailey * Facility Maintenance
Garry Owen Group & Advertising Consultant
Jessica Trechak † Theater Manager
Ben Negreann † Group & Advertising Consultant
Dan Lyons Bar and Concessions Manager
Don McKim † Ticket Office Manager
PRODUCTION
FINANCE
Alison A. Hegarty † Ticket Office Assistant Manager
Larry Dember † Director of Production
Jerry Campagna, CPA, CGMA * Chief Financial Officer
Gary Frangione Ticket Office Shift Supervisor
Charles Hayman ∞ Head Flyman
Patricia Lanza † Accounts Payable Clerk, Volunteer Coordinator
Anna Synek Ticket Office Shift Supervisor
Mike Sivetz ∞ Head Carpenter
Susan Blumert ˚ Ticket Office Sales Associate
Richard Stanek ∞ Head Technician
Van Lefford Ticket Office Sales Associate
Craig Werner ∞ Master Electrician, Lighting Designer
AUDITORS
Willie Weist † Head Audio
Joseph Rodriguez † Staff Accountant EDUCATION Lian Brooke Farrer ∞ Vice President of Education Jennifer Cunha † Education Associate
Mercadien, PC Certified Public Accountants The State Theatre is proud to be associated with the professional technicians of IATSE Local #21
Leah J. Anglum † Development Associate for Donor Relations Alisson Canavera Development Assistant for Patron Relations
† Indicates 5+ years of service * Indicates 10+ years of service 15+ years of service ˚∞ Indicates Indicates 20+ years of service
These programs are made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
General Information STATE THEATRE is located at 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ.
SMOKING is strictly prohibited in all areas of the theater.
WEBSITE www.StateTheatreNJ.org
CELLPHONES/CAMERAS And the use of such equipment are prohibited in the theater chamber at all times. Guests who do not adhere are subject to ejection without a refund.
TICKET OFFICE: 15 Livingston Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Telephone: 732-246-SHOW (7469) Fax: 732-745-5653 Ticket Office Hours: Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri: 10am6pm; Wed: 11am-7pm; Sat: 1pm-5pm; Sun: Closed unless there is a performance. On weekends, the State Theatre Ticket Office is always open at least 3 hours prior to any performance we ticket. For all performances we ticket, the State Theatre Ticket Office is always open at least one half hour past curtain and open through first intermission, when applicable.
STATE THEATRE RENTAL: Information regarding the rental of the State Theatre can be obtained by contacting Dave Hartkern, Director of Operations, at 732-247-7200, ext. 518. FIRE NOTICE: The red exit sign nearest to your seat indicates the shortest routes to the street. In the event of fire or other emergency, please do not run—walk to that exit. EDUCATORS interested in the State Theatre’s programs for teachers and students may obtain more information by calling the State Theatre Education Department at 732-246-SHOW (7469), ext. 545.
GROUP SALES discounts are available for groups of 12 or more. Contact State Theatre Group Sales, at 732-247-7200, ext. 517 for more information.
State Theatre Accessibility Services Only the orchestra level is wheelchair accessible. Patrons can make arrangements for accessible seating through the Ticket Office when purchasing tickets. The theater is equipped with an assistive listening system that improves sound clarity and amplification. The lightweight, wireless headsets may be borrowed free of charge at either coat check or the gift shop.
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4 • NOV-DEC 2013
Large-print programs are available free of charge for most performances. Ask for your copy at the lower-lobby bar. Deaf and hearing-impaired patrons may contact the State Theatre through the NJ Relay Service at (TTY) 800-852-7899. If you know someone who loves the arts and would benefit from these services, please share this information.
Playbill Design by: Tracy Furr Edited by: Kelly Blithe & Jason Paddock Printed by: Premier Graphics
The State Theatre program is published directly under the supervision of the State Theatre Regional Arts Center in New Brunswick. Production costs are met by advertising revenue; any remaining monies benefit the State Theatre. For advertising information, contact 732-247-7200, ext. 517.
Photo by Suzy Perler.
She’s So Unusual! Cyndi Lauper celebrated the 30th anniversary of her debut album, She's So Unusual, with a worldwide tour which included a stop here in New Brunswick on October 23. Right: New State Theatre Trustee Scott Fergang with Cyndi. Below: State Theatre President's Council Member Joe Light (second from left) and friends backstage with Cyndi.
Scientists Exploring the Arts Select science majors, who are majoring in specific areas of science or technology such as food science and molecular gastronomy, nutrition, and chemistry, participated in our free Scientists Exploring the Arts program on October 22 (which featured a performance of Tango Fire). The free program is a unique partnership between the State Theatre and Ingredion (a world leader in the development and manufacture of specialty food and industrial starches) celebrating the essential elements shared by the performing arts and science and technology: creativity, innovation, problem solving, teamwork, and process. Students selected to participate in the program receive a ticket to the performance, a pre-performance “Exploration” with a talented arts educator, and a pre-performance dinner, where there are opportunities to network with Ingredion employees as well as other students. Interested in learning more or details on how to sign up? Visit StateTheatreNJ.org/SEA
Check out “Sightings” on the State Theatre website at www.StateTheatreNJ.org.