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ABOUT US
LEADERSHIP
John Dias Artistic Director
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Michael Hurst Managing Director
Robert M. Rechnitz Executive Producer Joan H. Rechnitz Associate Producer
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Todd Herman President Anne Luzzatto Vice President Hon. Edward J. McKenna, Jr. Treasurer Susan Olson Secretary Stephen Becker Marilyn Broege Amanda Butterbaugh Robert Butters Carolyn Cushman DeSena Kathleen Ellis Gale Grossman Caroline Huber Mary Jane Kroon Nyire Melconian Adam Rechnitz Joan H. Rechnitz Robert M. Rechnitz Geoffrey Sadwith Maureen Silliman Mary Carol Stunkel Webster Trammell Richard B. Worley Howard P. Aronson William Marracini Kathryne Singleton Emeritus Board Members
ARTIST ADVISORY BOARD May Adrales Barbara Andres Brandon J. Dirden Joel Grey Lisa Kron Martin Moran Brenda Pressley Ruben Santiago-Hudson Tanya Saracho Maureen Silliman Leigh Silverman Jennifer Tipton
Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, develops and produces great American theater. Through 6 theatrical productions each year (including world premieres, musicals, classics and theater for families) and 40+ annual events happening around Monmouth County, we produce exceptional theater and cultivate engaged audiences. Two River celebrates and honors our core values of Artistic Excellence; Education and Community Engagement; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; and Operational Excellence. Founded by Joan and Robert Rechnitz in 1994, Two River is recognized in the national theater community for its newplay commissioning program, which creates a pipeline for developing work that contributes to the vitality and future of the American theater. Each season, the theater hosts numerous artist residencies, workshops and readings, and presents an annual Cabaret of New Songs for the Musical Theater in association with NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing program. The Crossing Borders (Cruzando Fronteras) festival and Nosotros program foster a closer relationship between the theater and Latino artists and audiences. Two River cultivates a new generation of theatergoers through innovative arts education programs that introduce young people to the theater and create opportunities for them to engage with renowned theater artists. For more information, visit tworivertheater.org or call 732.345.1400. Â
5 Title Page 7 Patron Services 9 A Note from our Education Director Kate Cordaro 11 Cast of Characters and Musicians 12 Bios 20 Finding Your Voice: WBGO 88.3FM Interview 23 Leadership Bios 24 The Real-Life Musicians Who Inspired Oo-Bla-Dee 30 19/20 Season Spread 33 Mark Your Calendars: Crossing Borders 34 Summer Intensives 35 Education Spotlight: Play Dates 36 25th Anniversary Gala Spread 38 Individual Donors 41 Institutional Support 43 Meet Our Staff 46 Scene at Two River
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3/22/18 4:01 PM
John Dias Artistic Director
OO-BLA-DEE
Michael Hurst Managing Director Robert M. Rechnitz Executive Producer
By Regina Taylor Original Lyrics by Regina Taylor Original Music by Diedre L. Murray
Joan H. Rechnitz Associate Producer
With Marva Hicks Cedric Sanders
Amber Iman Stacey Sargeant
and George Caldwell
Corinthia Cromwell
Stanley Wayne Mathis Allison Semmes
Eli Fountain
Monica J. Palmer Chesney Snow Mimi Jones
SCENIC DESIGNER.................................................................Michael Carnahan COSTUME DESIGNER.........................................................Karen Perry LIGHTING DESIGNER..........................................................Jane Cox SOUND DESIGNER.................................................................Jane Shaw PROJECTION DESIGNER.................................................Alex Basco Koch COPYIST............................................................................................Kevin Massey WIG, HAIR and MAKEUP DESIGNER.................... J. Jared Janas CASTING .........................................................................................Binder Casting/Chad Eric Murnane, CSA ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER ............................... Larry Copeland PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER ......................... Mark Dobrow
Orchestrations by Diedre L. Murray Vocal Arrangements by Carol Maillard Music Direction by George Caldwell Choreography by Kenneth L. Roberson Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson
OPENING NIGHT: JUNE 14, 2019 JOAN AND ROBERT RECHNITZ THEATER
This play was developed in part with the support of the Sundance Theatre Laboratory. Originally commissioned and the World Premiere of Oo-Bla-Dee was produced by La Jolla Playhouse, Des McAnuff, Artistic Director & Terrence Dwyer, Managing Director. Oo-Bla-Dee was commissioned and Originally Produced by the Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL, on March 5, 1999; Robert Falls, Artistic Director, Roche Schulfer, Executive Director.
Two River Theater is supported in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
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PATRON SERVICES
Thank you for joining us at this performance. Two River Theater is dedicated to making your experience the best that it can possibly be. Please note the following offerings and requests to better enhance your time at the theater:
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Join us 45 minutes prior to every performance in the Two River lobby for a pre-performance talk, which will give you valuable insight into the play you are about to see. Talks last 10-15 minutes and are led by a member of the company or Two River’s Artistic Department.
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POST-PLAY DISCUSSIONS Post-play discussions are scheduled following select performances of every subscription series production. During these discussions, audiences are invited to share their questions and responses to the work on stage with members of the cast and staff of the theater. Post-play discussion dates for the current season can be found in our season brochure or on our website.
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INSIDE TWO RIVER EVENTS A series of mostly FREE arts & humanities events specially curated for each of our productions. Events include film screenings, book club, poetry readings, crafting nights, lectures, social events with our artists & more! To make sure you are first to hear about these events sign up for our email list, follow us on Facebook, and stay tuned to our website!
A S S OC IAT ES ,
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BOX OFFICE Box Office Hours: Monday through Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday from 12-5pm and starting one hour prior to all performances.
CONCESSIONS Coffee, tea, water, soda, candy, and snacks are available at the concessions stand in the lobby. Only water will be permitted into the theater during performances.
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Monmouth University proudly supports Two River Theater
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A NOTE FROM OUR
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
KATE CORDARO Hello, beautiful people! Welcome to the final show of Two River Theater’s 2018/19 season. We are psyched beyond measure to share this production of Oo-Bla-Dee with you. And I’m here to tell you about some new developments in our Education Department. Each year, we serve thousands of students and community members through arts and humanities programs at the theater, in schools, and throughout our region. We have always strived to be a genuine resource for teachers, whether through our vibrant student matinee series or professional development workshops. In July 2018, thirty local teachers attended our free day-long workshop, “Examining the Work of T. Thomas Fortune and August Wilson,” a collaboration between the T. Thomas Fortune Foundation and Two River, in compliance with the New Jersey Amistad Commission (photo below). The program focused on the work of journalist and socialjustice crusader T. Thomas Fortune and playwright August Wilson. Lecturers included distinguished historian Dr. Walter Greason, actor/director Brandon J. Dirden, and Two River’s Literary Manager Taylor Barfield. This July, we will offer a similar type of workshop focusing on gentrification – a topic that was explored extensively by both authors and one that is profound to all of us even now.
Speaking of First Monday Masters—have you attended one yet? Educators aren’t the only ones who can benefit from our relationship with world-class artists. In fact, this series reaches multi-generational and diverse participants, with most classes geared toward teens and adults alike; Karen Perry’s costume workshop (photo below) saw students ranging from 8th grade to 80 years old, and somehow everyone learned something new! This season’s workshops covered a range of topics including Adapting Shakespeare with director Sara Holdren, Stage Combat with UnkleDave’s Fight-House, Creating Personal Narrative with Theo playwright Martin Moran, and everything under the sun in The World According to Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Next season will bring us more workshops with more artists, and will include classes in our new Center for New Work, Education & Design.
Our new building will allow us to expand our offerings in all sorts of ways. Those beautiful studios will hold new play readings, classes and workshops, rehearsals, and new programming we have yet to announce. One of our newest educational offerings is featured on page 35—we will give families a chance to attend the theater together for a Play Date. Definitely check it out and sign up. Personally, I am looking forward to the return of our Summer Intensives program this July. Our students, who are entering grades 7-12, create an original show every week, performed on the Rechnitz stage each Friday night. This program attracts kids with diverse backgrounds and interests, with an Onstage Track for actors, singers and dancers, and a Backstage Track for designers, stage crew and technicians, all taught by professional theater artists and artisans. I can’t wait to see what they create this year.
But that’s not all! We pair professional development workshops with our productions throughout the season, helping educators to tie the work on stage with their academic curriculums. Teachers can also attend First Monday Masters, a series of master classes taught by artists affiliated with the theater’s season. All of these offerings count towards required, yearly professional development hours for teachers.
I do hope that you will join us as we continue to build on this incredible foundation. Here’s to the next 25 years! In the meantimeBe brave, Be kind, And do your best. Peace, Kate 9
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CAST AND MUSICIANS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Evelyn Waters.........................................................Marva Hicks Luna C.........................................................................Amber Iman Shorty..........................................................................Stanley Wayne Mathis Ruby.............................................................................Monica J. Palmer Arthur/Soldier........................................................Cedric Sanders Lulu...............................................................................Stacey Sargeant Gin Del Sol................................................................Allison Semmes Vocal Foley...............................................................Chesney Snow Conductor and Piano.........................................George Caldwell Saxophone...............................................................Corinthia Cromwell Percussion................................................................Eli Fountain Bass..............................................................................Mimi Jones Oo-Bla-Dee will be performed with one intermission.
Gin Del Sol Cocktail Two River is thrilled to collaborate with some of our restaurant partners for a specialty cocktail inspired by Oo-Bla-Dee’s character, Gin Del Sol. We asked restaurants to come up with their own variation of the “Gin Del Sol Cocktail” to be made available throughout the run of our show. Participating restaurants include Danny’s Steakhouse + Sushi, Triumph Brewery and Urban Coalhouse.
DANNY'S STEAKHOUSE + SUSHI Hendrick's Gin, Blueberry Grenadine, Lemon Juice Shaken with a Splash of Seltzer on the top. Garnished with Lemon and Blueberries over ice. TRIUMPH - a Vesper-Styled Cocktail with Bluecoat Gin, Tito’s Vodka, Lillet Blanc and a Lemon Peel. URBAN COALHOUSE Brooklyn Gin, St. Germain and Club Soda with a Lime.
BE SURE TO STOP BY ONE OF OUR PARTNER RESTAURANTS AND GIVE THEIR GIN DRINK A TRY TODAY! Urban Coalhouse’s “Gin Del Sol Cocktail.” Photo by Yurik L. Lozano.
PRODUCTION CREDITS Assistant to the Director: Brian Eckert Assistant Scenic Designer: Amelia Bransky Assistant Lighting Designer: Stacey DeRosier Associate Projection Designer: Brittany Bland Wig and Makeup Department Head: Tony Lauro
CASTING BINDER CASTING Jay Binder, CSA, Mark Brandon, CSA Justin Bohon, CSA, Chad Eric Murnane, CSA Kyle Coker, Anthony Pichette Jarrett Reiche Part of RWS Entertainment Group Ryan Stana CEO, Bruston Manuel COO
The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The Director is a member of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union. NI SCE C A
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The Designers at this Theatre are Represented by
United Scenic Artists • Local USA 829 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes
The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers in LORT theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE
Two River Theater is a member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT), Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and ArtPride New Jersey. 11
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MEET THE ARTISTS! Marva Hicks (Evelyn Waters) Broadway: Motown the Musical; Caroline, or Change; The Lion King; Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. Off-Broadway: Cabin in the Sky, Little Shop of Horrors (City Center Encores!), The First Breeze of Summer (Signature Theatre). Regional: The Wiz (Theatre Under the Stars); Sarah Sings a Love Story (Crossroads Theatre); Thunder Knocking on the Door (Helen Hayes Award), Crowns, The Women of Brewster Place, Sophisticated Ladies (Arena Stage); The Women of Brewster Place (Alliance Theatre, Suzi Bass Award); Porgy and Bess (Zach Scott Theatre, B. Iden Payne Award). TV: Star Trek: Voyager, House of Cards, The Blacklist, Search Party, Madam Secretary. Film: Labor Day, Asunder, and Preaching to the Choir.
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Amber Iman (Luna C) Broadway: Shuffle Along, Soul Doctor. Off-Broadway: A Civil War Christmas, Rent. National Tour: Hamilton (1st National, Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds). Favorite Regional Credits: Joy in Witness Uganda (The Wallis), Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors (Kennedy Center), Cheryl in Stick Fly (Arena Stage), Aldonza in Man of La Mancha (Shakespeare Theatre, Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Actress & Emery Battis Award for Acting Excellence). Howard University Graduate (2016 James Butcher Alumni Award), and proud founding member of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition. www.amberiman.com Stanley Wayne Mathis (Shorty) Broadway The Book of Mormon; Nice Work If You Can Get It; Wonderful Town; Kiss Me, Kate; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Lion King; Jelly’s Last Jam; and Oh, Kay!. Encores!: Call Me Madam, St. Louis Woman. Stanley has performed nationally and internationally in productions of Gem of the Ocean (Seattle Rep), Ruined (Florida Studio Theatre), Williams & Walker (Bermuda Theater Festival), Radio Golf (Kansas City Rep), Spunk (Royal Court Theatre), Day of Absence (Baltimore Center Stage), Blues for an Alabama Sky (Cleveland Play House), Death of a Salesman (Yale Rep), “Master Harold”…and the Boys (Triad Stage), Of Mice and Men (Dallas Theater Center) and Fences (Bristol Riverside Theatre). His film and television credits include Dark Streets, Santa Baby, Brother to Brother, Shame by Steve McQueen, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, 20/20, Gossip Girl and, lastly, NBC’s Rise as Principal Evan Ward. Please visit www.stanleywaynemathis.com.
Monica J. Palmer (Ruby) is a native of Detroit Michigan. She obtained her BFA in Theatre from Wayne State University and her MFA in Theatre from Cornell University. Credits include The Lion King (National Tour), Sistas the Musical (Off-Broadway), and Mom’s Gift (Meadowbrook Theatre). Cedric Sanders (Arthur/Soldier) is thrilled to be making his return to theater after a six-year break. He last starred in the West Coast premiere of Kander and Ebb’s The Scottsboro Boys at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Previous to that, Cedric starred in Matter of Honor at the Pasadena Playhouse, for which he won the 2008 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Actor. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Mr. Sanders earned his BFA in Acting from Howard University. Three years later he made his television debut in HBO’s Life Support starring Queen Latifah, followed by his big-screen debut in American Gangster starring Denzel Washington. Other TV credits: Future Man (recurring), Mind Games (series regular), NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Los Angeles, 9-1-1, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Anger Management, and Bones. Audiences can currently catch him on ABC’S streaming show American Koko. Stacey Sargeant (Lulu) is thrilled to return to Two River Theater after having starred as “Esther” in Intimate Apparel directed by Seret Scott. She was most recently seen in Lincoln Center Theater’s premiere of John Guare’s Nantucket Sleigh Ride directed by Jerry Zaks. Other credits include: Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future (Ars Nova, Drama Desk, Drama League and Lortel nominations), Wild Goose Dreams (Public Theater Studio), Homos, Or Everyone in America (Labyrinth), Two Gentlemen of Verona and the all-female The Taming of the Shrew (Delacorte Theater), Eclipsed (Public Theater, Curran, Yale Rep, McCarter Theatre (workshop)), Our Lady of Kibeho and Big Love (Signature Theatre), Legally Blonde (1st Nat’l Tour). Film: Come Sunday, Top Five, Obvious Child. TV: Elementary, The Blacklist, Gossip Girl, Glee, Law & Order: SVU. Allison Semmes (Gin Del Sol) is thrilled to debut at Two River Theater! B.M: Opera (U of Illinois), M.M. Musical Theater (NYU). Broadway: Motown the Musical (Diana Ross), The Book of Mormon (Nabulungi u/s, Swing). Theater: Little Shop of Horrors (Kennedy Center), Soul: The Stax Musical, Dreamgirls, Bubbling Brown Sugar, The Wiz, Oo-Bla-Dee (NYC reading). Concert: Kurt Elling’s The Big Blind (Jazz at Lincoln Center), My One and Only (Roundabout). TV: The Blacklist. National Tour: Motown the Musical (Diana Ross), The Color Purple (Squeak). www.allisonsemmes.com Chesney Snow (Vocal Foley) is a Drama Desk Award-winning Brooklyn-based theater artist, songwriter, educator and beatboxer. He originated the role of Boxman in Broadway’s first a cappella musical, In Transit. Considered a pioneering figure in American beatbox culture, he founded the American Beatbox Championships and executive produced the documentary American Beatboxer, which was placed in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Harvard University’s Hiphop Archive, among others. He twice headlined Carnegie Hall with DCINY, was a three-time artist-in-residence at Harvard University and has collaborated on stage as a beatboxer with many legendary artists including KRS One, Zap Mama, and Nile Rodgers. He has opened for artists such as MC Lyte, Snoop Dogg, and Immortal Technique. His most recent work as a composer and lyricist was alongside renowned playwright and actress Regina Taylor for her 15th anniversary production of Crowns at McCarter Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre. His critically acclaimed autobiographical show The Unwritten Law was presented in Dixon Place’s 2018 season. National Tour: Vocalosity. Select NY credits: Burn This, Golden Boy, Antigone. www.ChesneySnow.com MUSICIANS George Caldwell (Pianist and Musical Director) is a veteran of Broadway, having conducted several shows such as Black and Blue and Play On!, as well as having served in orchestra pits for such hits as Bring In ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk, The Full Monty, and others. In addition to providing musical direction for the European tour of Black and Blue, and serving as associate conductor for the tour of Body and Soul in Europe, Caldwell has toured the regional circuit with many shows, including serving as musical director for the original musicals Thunder Knocking on the Door, Golden Boy at the Long Wharf, and tours of Cookin’ at the Cookery. Caldwell has 13
also toured the world with the premier jazz orchestras of modern times. He played for three years with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, under the direction of Ellington’s son Mercer, and seven years with the Count Basie Orchestra, under the direction of Frank Foster and Grover Mitchell. The Basie Orchestra received a Grammy Award with Caldwell at the piano for the recording The Count Basie Orchestra Live at the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild (with the New York Voices). He has performed with many artists, performers as diverse as George Benson, Savion Glover, Lou Rawls, Elvis Costello, Art Blakey, Shirley Bassey, Freda Payne, Wynton Marsalis, Lionel Hampton, the Manhattan Transfer, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, The Coasters, Cab Calloway, Quincy Jones, Gregory Hines, Dizzy Gillespie and even Brenda Lee. Caldwell has composed and arranged the music for two musicals: The King Is a Fink, and Histrioniks. His recording credits are equally diverse, including a variety of musical styles, from original cast albums for Broadway shows to straightahead jazz; his latest release is Accord, available online at Amazon. His compositions and arrangements are recorded extensively.
CELEBRATING
49 YEARS
IN BUSINESS
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Corinthia Cromwell (Saxophone) National recording Artist Corinthia Cromwell is a gospel/jazz saxophonist, vocalist, composer, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader. With two internationally released CD recordings and three international single recording releases under her belt, Corinthia has been established as one of the most anointed musicians of this era. Cromwell has performed on stage and in concert with some of the music industry's most notable artists including Grammy- winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum, the late Wayman Tisdale, Grammy-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, pianist extraordinaire Cyrus Chestnut, jazz violinist Ken Ford, jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows, R&B Artist Maysa Leak and K'Jon, Gospel artist Maurette Brown-Clark, the incomparable Clark Sisters, Tramaine Hawkins, Richard Smallwood just to name a few. As a producer, she has written and produced all of her music as well as music for other artists in the genre of gospel and R&B music. Although music is a true passion, she's multi-talented in the world of entertainment. In the early 90s Cromwell received roles in major box-office hits such as Spike Lee's Malcolm X starring Denzel Washington, Reginald Hudlin's Boomerang starring Eddie Murphy and Robin Givens, and Chris Rock's Head of State. She has appeared in numerous magazines and publications including Downbeat Magazine, and in 2003 she was recognized as one of Black American Music Great Women of Jazz in a literary work by Mark Baszak entitled “Such Sweet Thunder, Views on Black American Music.” Cromwell has performed on several stages including The Kennedy Center, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric and Gordon Center for the Performing Arts. Corinthia is truly an artist that is salt and light and exemplifies the true meaning of “Changing the Atmosphere.” www.corinthiacromwell.com Eli Fountain, Jr. (Percussion), a Detroit native, is the son of legendary MOTOWN saxophonist Eli Fountain. He attended Cass Technical High School & Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Eli has recorded with Max Roach, Geri Allen, James Carter, Sam Rivers, Lena Horne, Butch Morris, Aretha Franklin and many more. Eli has performed with The Temptations, Whitney Houston, Peabo Bryson, Bob Hope, Glen Campbell, Freda Payne, Oleta Adams, Shirley Caesar, and many more. His ballet “Play” is performed by The Complexions
Dance Company and choreographed by Dwight Rhoden. His ballet (SIC) is performed by Daniel Squire’s Dance Company. Eli’s latest ballet, “Change” is choreographed by Dianne McIntyre and performed by Dance Theater of Harlem. He was music director for Yale Rep’s production of King Lear, directed by Harold Scott, and the Denver Theater Center’s production of Pork Pie, directed by Israel Hicks. He was also music director for Savion Glover for over 10 years. He is a longtime instructor and clinician at schools such as the University of Massachusetts, Jazzmobile, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Eli is also the leader of Percussion Discussion, and The Organizers. He is a member of Max Roach’s M’Boom and endorses Sabian Cymbals. Mimi Jones (Bass) has been on the scene for more than two decades as a bassist/vocalist/producer/label owner and now filmmaker. She has reigned supreme as a sideman to an impressive coterie of musicians and as a leader with three CDs on her own Hot Tone Music label, A New Day (2009), Balance (2014) and Feet in the Mud (2017). Born and raised in New York City on March 25, 1972, Jones attended the LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts, Manhattan School of Music, Jazz Mobile, Barry Harris workshops, Jazz In July, City College, and other institutes. Mimi Jones studied with Linda McKnight, Lisle Atkinson, and Guillermo Edgehill. This Jazz Ambassador toured Africa, Europe, Russia, China, all the Americas, and Caribbean. Her vast work as a sideman includes performances with Kenny Barron, Lizz Wright, Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, Dianne Reeves, Tia Fuller, Roy Hargrove, Terri Lyne Carrington and others. Jones' record label, Hot Tone Music, has produced nine albums. Active works by Mimi Jones: The D.O.M.E. Experience (co-producer with composer ArcoIris Sandoval), a 20-piece jazz orchestra, choreography and cinematography; “Next Stop Harlem,” a mini-musical production about the Great Migration and Harlem Renaissance (septet including tap dance and dialogue); the Lab Session (Jam Session/Jazz Party Residency) at Small's Jazz Club. She is currently working on a new music project called "The Black Madonna,” which she aims to release in Spring 2020. Ms. Jones is currently a professor at Berklee College of Music, Carnegie Hall, Milt Hinton Institute and was voted #1 rising star by in DownBeat polls in 2018. www.mimijonesmusic.com CREATIVE TEAM Regina Taylor (Playwright/Lyricist) is an actress/director/ playwright. She is featured in Netflix’s One Day and a Night starring Jeffrey Wright, Ashton Saunders and directed/written by Joe Robert Cole (co-writer of Black Panther), and guest stars on Red Line (producer Ava DuVernay for CBS) and The Good Fight (starring Christine Baranski). She holds commissions from Denver Center Theatre Company and The Old Vic in London. She will be recording a new play for Audible and is currently writing a screenplay about Sojourner Truth. Her playwright credits also include: Bread (Edgerton Award, WaterTower Theatre), Crowns (four Helen Hayes Awards, including Best Director), Oo-Bla-Dee (Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award), Drowning Crow (Broadway, MTC), The Trinity River Plays (Edgerton Foundation Award) and stop.reset (Signature Theatre Residency Five). Ms. Taylor received the Denzel Washington Endowed Chair Fordham University at Lincoln Center. An Artistic Associate of Goodman Theatre, she is its most produced playwright.
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She was a Signature Theater New York City Residency Five playwright. For her TV role as Lily Harper in I’ll Fly Away, she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress, three NAACP Image Awards and two Emmy Award nominations. Her other television roles include The Unit. Taylor was Masterpiece Theatre’s first African American lead in Cora Unashamed, starred as Anita Hill in HBO’s Strange Justice (Gracie Award) and in A Good Day to Die starring Sidney Poitier. She has co-starred in USA Networks’ Dig and guest starred in Elementary and The Blacklist. Her film credits include Saturday Church, The Negotiator, Courage Under Fire, Clockers, and Lean on Me. Taylor was also the first Black woman to play Juliet in Romeo and Juliet on Broadway. Taylor has received honorary doctorates from Columbia College, DePaul University and Lake Forest College, and a Distinguished Alumnae Award from Southern Methodist University. Diedre L. Murray (Composer/Orchestrator) is an innovative composer, musician, producer and curator. From the 1970’s through early 90’s, she pioneered the use of the cello as a jazz music instrument. She is a Pulitzer Prize finalist for the chamber opera Running Man and a two-time Obie winner for Running Man and for Eli’s Comin’. She’s collaborated extensively with Music Theatre Group and Diane Paulus. Works include Fangs, Best of Both Worlds and You Don’t Miss the Water. She wrote the arrangements for the Tony Award-winning The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Ms. Murray has composed for pieces written and/or produced by Lynn Nottage, Carl Hancock Rux, Kathryn Walker, Cornelius Eady, The Roots, Blondell Cummings, Risa Jaroslaw and Marcus Gardley, among others. Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Director) returns to Two River, where he directed August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Two Trains Running, and Jitney and his own world-premiere play, Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine. His Broadway production of Jitney won Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, New York Drama Critics’ Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards. He recently directed and performed his Obie Award-winning solo show Lackawanna Blues at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles; his screenplay for the HBO adaptation received the Humanitas Prize, Christopher Award, National Board of Review Honors, and NAACP Image Award, and Emmy, Golden Globe, and Writers Guild of America nominations. Santiago-Hudson made his directorial debut with Gem of the Ocean (McCarter Theatre and American Conservatory Theater). His other recent directing credits include Othello (Delacorte Theater); two world premieres by Dominique Morisseau, Skeleton Crew (Atlantic) and Paradise Blue (Williamstown); Athol Fugard’s My Children! My Africa!, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars and The First Breeze of Summer (all for Signature Theatre Company, where he was an Associate Artist 2008-2009); Quiara Alegria Hudes’ The Happiest Song Plays Last (for Second Stage); Things of Dry Hours (New York Theatre Workshop); and Radio Golf (Kennedy Center). Santiago-Hudson made his Broadway acting debut in Jelly’s Last Jam. His performance in Seven Guitars earned him the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. His recent theater performances include August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned (Signature Theatre), Stick Fly (Broadway), A Winter’s Tale (NYSF), and Gem of the Ocean (Broadway). 16
He was seen on TV in the ABC show Castle as Captain Roy Montgomery for three seasons and most recently on the AMC Drama Low Winter Sun; his other TV credits include: The Family, Billions, Public Morals, The Good Wife, Low Winter Sun, Person of Interest, Forgotten Genius, The West Wing, Law & Order The Red Sneakers, Solomon and Sheba, Rear Window. His film credits include Selma, Their Eyes Were Watching God, American Gangster, Shaft, Devil’s Advocate, and Domestic Disturbance, among many others. He has been honored with numerous awards, including three Obies, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Dramalogue, Joe A. Calloway Directing Award, Clarence Derwent, and Helen Hayes Awards, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Wayne State University, AUDELCO Awards, a Black Filmmaker’s Award, and an HBO Arts Festival Theater Award. He is the recipient of Honorary Doctorate degrees from both Buffalo State College and Wayne State University. The Ruben Santiago-Hudson Fine Arts Learning Center in Lackawanna, New York was named in his honor. Kenneth L. Roberson (Choreographer/Assistant Director) Broadway choreography credits include Avenue Q, All Shook Up and John Leguizamo’s Freak. He choreographed Purlie for City Center Encores!. Off-Broadway choreography credits of note: A Boy and His Soul (Lucille Lortel nominee), George C. Wolfe’s Harlem Song (Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk nominations), Seven Guitars and The Piano Lesson, both at Second Stage. He directed and choreographed Wycliffe Gordon’s Jazz á la Carte. Regional theater credits as director/choreographer: Nina Simone: Four Women (Northlight Theatre, 2019); Lettin’ the Good Times Roll (Victory Gardens, 2017); Ethel (Alliance Theatre, 2016); Crowns, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill and Ain’t Misbehavin’ (all at Arena Stage); Frog Kiss (Virginia Stage); Once on This Island (Baltimore Center Stage); Spunk (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park). Regional theater credits as choreographer: Ragtime (Marriott Lincolnshire, 2018); Ray (Pasadena Playhouse); The Color Purple (Alliance Theatre, world premiere); Guys and Dolls, Thunder Knocking on the Door (both at Arena Stage). Film: HBO’s Lackawanna Blues, Preaching to the Choir, Brother to Brother and John Leguizamo’s House of Buggin’ for Fox (primetime Emmy Award nominee for best choreography). He is currently Professor of Practice at Indiana University, Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance Department. Productions at IU as director and choreographer: Urinetown, Sweet Charity and Dames at Sea. Director: Into the Woods and The Drowsy Chaperone. Kenneth teaches workshops specializing in the Black Vernacular of social and theatre dance nationally and internationally. Also a performance artist and writer, Kenneth’s one-person shows have played the New York Public Theater, Joe’s Pub, Triad Theatre, and Baltimore Center Stage. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Henry Grady School of Journalism. Carol Maillard (Vocal Arranger) is an actress, singer-songwriter, producer and poet. She has performed on and Off-Broadway (Eubie, Don’t Get God Started, Comin’ Uptown, Home, It’s So Nice To Be Civilized, Beehive, Forever My Darling); with the Negro Ensemble Company (Home, Zooman and the Sign, Colored People’s Time, The Great Mac Daddy) and the New York Shakespeare Festival (Spunk, Caucasian Chalk Circle, Under Fire, A Photograph…); and in Ntozake Shange’s Betsey Brown at the American Musical Theatre Festival and also at the Actors Studio (Hunter). She can be seen
in the feature films Beloved and Thirty Years to Life. On television, Carol has appeared in For Colored Girls… and Halleluiah! (PBS); Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order. Carol is a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock. Her memorable rendition of Motherless Child, arranged for Sweet Honey, is featured in the motion picture The Visit and the Dorothy Height documentary We Are Not Vanishing. Carol was Conceptual Producer for the PBS’ American Masters film Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice!, which chronicled its 30th Anniversary. She also produced the accompanying live soundtrack recording for the film. In 2014 she produced the group’s 40th Anniversary stage production Forty and Fierce. As a vocalist, she has had the privilege of recording with Horace Silver, Betty Buckley, and on the SYDA Foundations inspirational recording Sounds of Light. Also a writer, in 2003 her poem H2O Flow was featured as the opening selection of Marjorie Ryerson’s photo/poetry book Water Music. Maillard composed Time to Get Ready with Louise Robinson for Regina Taylor’s production of Crowns at the Goodman in 2012; the show was also produced at the McCarter and Long Wharf. She lives in Manhattan and is the mother of Jordan Maillard Ware, a Morehouse graduate, violinist/composer and producer. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of this marvelous production! Grateful. SGMKJ! Michael Carnahan (Scenic Designer) previously designed The Ballad of Little Jo, Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine, Third, On Borrowed Time, and August Wilson’s King Hedley II, Seven Guitars and Two Trains Running at Two River. Off-Broadway— Atlantic Theater Company: Skeleton Crew; 59E59: I and You; Second Stage: The Happiest Song Plays Last; Signature Theatre: The Piano Lesson, The First Breeze of Summer, Life Could Be a Dream, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Three Mo’ Tenors, Pygmalion, Howie the Rookie, Brando. International —Billy Elliot the Musical: Atelier de Cultura, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Tours— Cheers, Live On Stage; A Christmas Story The Musical, Peter & The Starcatcher. Regional—credits include Apollo Theater, Mark Taper Forum, Arena Stage, American Conservatory Theater, The Kennedy Center, McCarter Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Baltimore Center Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Pasadena Playhouse, People’s Light, Chautauqua Theater Company, Cleveland Play House, Detroit Public Theater, Laguna Playhouse, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Northlight Theatre, Signature Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, Arsht Center. michaelcarnahandesign.com IG: Carnypics Twitter: @ mike_carnahan Karen Perry (Costume Designer) previously designed August Wilson’s King Hedley II, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Jitney, Two Trains Running and Seven Guitars at Two River, as well as Lives of Reason, Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine, Guadalupe in the Guest Room, Third, and Trouble in Mind. She has designed other Regina Taylor plays including the 10th Anniversary production of Crowns (Goodman), Trinity River Plays (Dallas Theater Center, Goodman), stop.reset (Signature/Goodman), Night in Tunisia (Alabama Shakespeare) and two one-acts (NYSF/Public Theater). Her most recent credits include Jazz (MTC), Lackawanna Blues with Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Mark Taper Forum), Fun Home (BCS), Steel Magnolias (DTC), Oklahoma! (Houston Ballet at TUTS) and Cinderella Ballet (Eglevsky Ballet Company). Other recent credits include Cabin in the Sky (Encores!); The Happiest Song Plays Last (Second Stage); Dreamgirls, Clybourne Park, A Raisin in the Sun (DTC); The Piano Lesson (Signature); Joe Turner’s Come and 17
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Gone (dir. Phylicia Rashad, Mark Taper); Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky, dir. Sheldon Epps (Pasadena Playhouse); John Grisham’s A Time to Kill, dir. Ethan McSweeny (Arena); The Trip to Bountiful, Walter Mosley’s The Fall of Heaven, dir. Marion McClinton (Cincinnati Playhouse); The Brother/Sister Plays by Tarell McCraney, dir. Tina Landau (The Public) and Landau and Robert O’Hara (McCarter); Things of Dry Hours by Naomi Wallace (NYTW); Having Our Say, written and dir. by Emily Mann (McCarter); and Resurrection by Daniel Beaty (Arena). She has designed eight of the 10 August Wilson plays including: Gem of the Ocean, The Piano Lesson, King Hedley II, Radio Golf, Two Trains Running, and Seven Guitars. Select film/TV credits include: Gregory Hines Show, Saturday Night Live, and The Brother from Another Planet by director John Sayles. Jane Cox (Lighting Designer) Designs for Ruben SantiagoHudson include Othello in Central Park, August Wilson’s Seven Guitars and Gem of the Ocean and the recent Broadway production of Jitney. Jane’s designs are currently represented by the Broadway production of King Lear and the new musical of The Secret Life of Bees at the Atlantic Theater. Other recent productions include True West and the musicals Amelie and Color Purple on Broadway, as well as a theatrical adaptation of Between the World and Me at the Apollo. Jane is a 20-year member of the Monica Bill Barnes Dance Company, has been nominated for several Drama Desk Awards and two Tony Awards, and is the director of the Program in Theater at Princeton University. Jane Shaw (Sound Designer) previously designed El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom, The Women of Padilla, Lives of Reason, Guadalupe in the Guest Room and Pinkolandia at Two River Theater. New York credits include I Was Most Alive with You (Playwrights Horizons); Actually (MTC, Williamstown Theatre Festival); Measure for Measure (Theatre for a New Audience); Ironbound (Rattlestick/Women’s Project); En el tiempo de las Mariposas (Repertorio Español) and 30 productions with the Mint. Regional credits include The Royale (Cleveland Play House); Caroline, or Change (Tantrum Theater); Rear Window, Breath and Imagination (Hartford Stage); They Promised Her the Moon (Old Globe) and productions at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Mark Taper Forum, ACT, and with the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Next: Annie Get Your Gun at Bay Street, Into the Breeches at Cleveland Play House. Recognition: Bessie Award, Henry Award, Drama Desk, Premios ACE 2012, two Connecticut Critics Circle Awards, Meet the Composer grant, Theatre Communications Group’s Career Development Program, and nominations for three Lortels, Henry Hewes and Elliot Norton Awards. She was born in Kansas and lives in Brooklyn. Alex Basco Koch (Projection Designer) Broadway: Be More Chill, Irena’s Vow. Off-Broadway: Buyer & Cellar (North American Tour; Menier Chocolate Factory; Barrow Street; Rattlestick); Fireflies (Atlantic); I Was Most Alive With You (Playwrights Horizons); The Liquid Plain (Signature; Oregon Shakespeare Festival); GOODBAR (The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival). Regional: El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom, Pinkolandia (Two River Theater); Indecent (The Guthrie); The Who›s Tommy (Denver Center); Approval Junkie, Tiger Style (Alliance; Huntington Theatre Company); Pride & Prejudice, Marley (Baltimore Center Stage); Invisible Man (Court Theatre, Chicago; Studio Theatre, Washington DC; Huntington Theatre
Company); ReEntry (Baltimore Center Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Roundhouse Theatre). Concert: The Magnetic Fields 50 Song Memoir. Kevin Massey (Copyist) With composer Diedre Murray: Best of Both Worlds (dir. Diane Paulus, ART, Women’s Project Theater, Music-Theatre Group), Blackamoor Angel (writer Carl Hancock Rux, Joe’s Pub, Public Theater/Bard Festival), Sweet Billy & the Zooloos (writer Lynn Nottage, Colored Girl Productions) Another Country (dir. Diane Paulus, Columbia University), The Voice Within (writer Marcus Gardley, Harlem Stage), The Iliad & The Odyssey (adapter Kathryn Walker), additional work for The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Broadway Revival). Other work includes The Lion, the Unicorn and Me (music by Jeanine Tesori, libretto by J.D. McClatchy, Washington National Opera/Glimmerglass), Blizzard on Marblehead Neck (music by Jeanine Tesori, libretto by Tony Kushner, Glimmerglass). www. kevinmassey.com J. Jared Janas (Wig Designer) Broadway: Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, Gettin’ the Band Back Together, Bandstand, Indecent, Sunset Boulevard, The Visit, The Real Thing, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Motown, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, All about Me, Next to Normal. Recent Off-Broadway & Regional: BLKS (MCC), Nantucket Sleigh Ride (Lincoln Center), Alice by Heart (MCC), Jagged Little Pill (A.R.T.), Miss You Like Hell, The Low Road, and Father Comes Home from the War… (Public Theater), The Amateurs (Vineyard), Jerry Springer the Opera (New Group), Yours Unfaithfully (Mint Theatre, Drama Desk nomination). Binder Casting/Chad Eric Murnane, CSA (Casting) Binder Casting, now part of RWS Entertainment Group, was founded by Jay Binder, CSA in 1984. Binder Casting has cast over 80 Broadway productions, dozens of National Tours, off-Broadway shows, full seasons for over 25 regional theaters, as well as feature films, episodic television and commercials. Binder has cast for Encores! at New York City Center since its inception in 1994. The office was also featured in the documentary, Every Little Step. Binder Casting is a 12-time recipient of the Artios Award. www.bindercasting.com Larry Copeland (Assistant Stage Manager) is very happy to return to Two River Theater where he previously stage managed The Belle of Amherst, Lives of Reason and Henry V. Broadway: Leap of Faith. Off-Broadway: Exit Strategy. In Canada: The Lion King, I Am My Own Wife, Evangeline, Anne of Green Gables, two years of touring with Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia through the US, Canada and China. Larry would like to thank Sue, Sybil and CC for all their love and support. Mark Dobrow (Production Stage Manager) Roundabout: Merrily We Roll Along (Fiasco), The Robber Bridegroom, Into the Woods (Fiasco), Machinal. Broadway: Bandstand, The Illusionists: Turn of the Century (2016) and Live On Broadway (2015), Holler If Ya Hear Me, End of the Rainbow, Mary Poppins, Ring of Fire, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera. Arena Stage: Dave (2018). Paper Mill Playhouse: The Bandstand, White Christmas. Atlantic Theater Company: Found. Lincoln Center Theater: Thou Shalt Not, In The Summer House.
19
FINDING YOUR VOICE
Early during the rehearsal process of Oo-Bla-Dee, Two River audiences were treated to a live interview with playwright Regina Taylor, composer Diedre L. Murray, and director Ruben Santiago-Hudson, hosted by WBGO News Director Doug Doyle and recorded for broadcast on WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM. The following excerpts are edited and condensed from that conversation.
From L to R: Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Diedre L. Murray, Regina Taylor and Doug Doyle.
DOUG DOYLE:
Joining me is the playwright, Golden Globe winner, Regina Taylor. Without giving everything away, what can you tell us about the story of this all-black, all-female jazz band?
REGINA TAYLOR:
We see Gin Del Sol on the road trying to meet up with Evelyn Waters and the Diviners. Gin is a sax player, and she catches up with them in St. Louis; they just lost their last sax player and she has to prove that she can blow well enough to earn a spot on the stage with these incredible players. They are playing this new (at the time) type of music—be-bop. And Gin has to earn her spot on the stage, earn her wings, and find her own voice. That’s basically what the piece is about, Gin’s journey in finding her voice. It’s also about the times that she’s living in—you have Rosie the Riveter, and female baseball leagues, and these all-female bands. It was okay for women to play the piano, it was not okay to be plucking strings between your legs, to be slobbering over a horn, and you’re way too weak to be playing some drums. So these women were daring to own their own space in 1946. The other musicians keep telling Gin that she has to get a relationship with time. And so we have Mother Time herself on the stage; she is a character that Gin talks to, because she has to figure out in her playing how to get in between the beat, and she also has to figure out the times that she lives in, in order to own her own time.
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DOUG DOYLE:
Deidre L. Murray is the person responsible for the score of Oo-Bla-Dee. You’re no stranger to putting together shows involving the music of jazz.
DIEDRE MURRAY:
I am a jazz musician so basically everything I do is coming from a jazz perspective, whether it sounds like it or not. The way I think about jazz is that there are certain rules to it, but it’s also a feeling, there’s also a psychology to that kind of music. Be-bop was the jazz musicians’ declaration of independence. It was like, “we’re free, I’m going to play what I want, how I want, when I want, the way I wanna play it.”
DOUG DOYLE:
Creating the musical score, Deidre. Where do you start when you’re composing something for a show like this?
DIEDRE MURRAY:
Well, I read the words, and as I read the words I hear music in my mind. And then I meditate on it, and as I dream the music I write it out. It’s kind of like, “Oh I know like what that sounds like.” Then, once you’ve written some vignettes of different pieces, you start trying to put a through-line to how they all fit together, so that you can tell a musical story that’s parallel to the story of the playwright.
REGINA TAYLOR:
Diedre is brilliant, and she gets this—she has been a musician on the road with a whole bunch of guys, and she’s lived it. And that informs every note of what she’s written. The thing about Deirdre’s music is she doesn’t overwhelm you with it; she sets the stage and lays the blanket and she makes you lay on it. And then she wraps you in it. And I’ve loved opening up this piece. When I first wrote Oo-Bla-Dee, it was a play with music: we would see the journey of these women, and they would play a couple of sets, and that was the music. This production is more musicalized in a non-traditional way. And it’s been a joy to find those moments where the characters can’t speak but have to sing.
DOUG DOYLE:
The director of this play is Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Ruben, you capture the human spirit in all of the shows that you direct. And also when you’re acting or you’re the playwright. You seem to be able to look inside people a lot better than most of us, why is that Ruben?
RUBEN SANTIAGO- HUDSON:
I’m a child of observation. I was a curious kid and the people that I observed growing up in a segregated community were people that looked like me. I was fascinated by the incredible integrity they had, no matter what hardships they faced and, I always wanted to be able to mine that from every character that I saw, or directed, or interpreted myself. I always wanted to go to the root of that integrity that so impressed me and let me make a way through the world that knew I was worthy of every inch of space that I took up. When I see people not understand what’s important to people that look like me, I say, well I guess I have a duty. And so when I direct something I want to make sure that I get right that we’re incredible, magnificent, beautiful people. When you see the women and these men on this stage doing Regina’s play, they’re feeding you not only entertainment, they’re enlightening you. They’re teaching and telling and sharing something that’s very precious to our culture, that hasn’t really been shared in this way before. This play is a great opportunity to shine a light on those incredible, incredible people that are the rocks and foundations of not only our communities but of our education, our social activism, our music, and everything else. Oo-Bla-Dee is a story that’s not been told. Most people know nothing about the impact and power of these women. They took the world by storm. n 21
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LEADERSHIP BIOS
JOHN DIAS (ARTISTIC DIRECTOR) assumed his position as Artistic Director of Two River Theater in August 2010 after working as a producer and dramaturg in New York for 20 years. In partnership with Managing Director Michael Hurst he has brought new vitality to the 25-year-old Red Bank theater, including producing subscription shows on two stages for the first time; launching the theater’s first literary department and commissioning program for new plays; presenting annual events such as a musical theater cabaret in collaboration with New York University’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program and the Crossing Borders festival of Latino plays; and developing numerous arts-education initiatives for young people including A Little Shakespeare, an annual production of one of Shakespeare’s plays performed by highschool students. He is the co-author and was the director of Two River’s musical The Ballad of Little Jo, which he wrote with composer Mike Reid and lyricist Sarah Schlesinger. Throughout his career, John has been a leading advocate for bold new American plays and stimulating productions of the classics, including the Broadway productions of Lisa Kron’s Well and Shakespeare’s The Tempest. For 12 seasons, he worked in a variety of capacities at The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival, including Associate Producer and Associate Artistic Director. Previously, John was dramaturg at Hartford Stage Company. He also co-founded and led Affinity Company Theater, a production company dedicated to bringing daring new works from around the world to New York, and The Playwrights Realm, an off-Broadway company that produces new plays by emerging artists. He has been a Tony Award nominator, a consultant for the National Endowment for the Arts and numerous other organizations, and he has taught at New York University and Yale University. John currently teaches in the graduate school at Columbia University. He received his BA from George Washington University and his MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. MICHAEL HUR ST (MANAGING DIRECTOR) has been the Managing Director of Two River Theater since 2011. During his tenure, Two River has embarked on a new Strategic Plan; began producing subscription shows on two stages for the first time; and launched the theater’s first commissioning program for original plays, as well as numerous new community and education programs. Under his joint leadership with Artistic Director John Dias, Two River has experienced ambitious growth and enjoyed new recognition in the national theater community. Prior experience includes 16 years at The Public Theater, including four years as General Manager and six as Managing Director, overseeing budgets that ranged from $16 to $20 million. Michael was responsible for all financial aspects of the productions at The Public Theater and Central Park’s Delacorte Theater. During his tenure at The Public, he oversaw the Broadway transfers of many productions, including Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Take Me Out, winner of the Tony Award for Best Play; and Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori’s Caroline, or Change. Michael was also part of all strategic planning including the opening of Joe’s Pub, now considered one of the country’s best small venues for music and performance. Prior to coming to Two River, Michael was Chief Operating Officer of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, which presents the New York Film Festival. At the Film Society, he oversaw the building of a new three-theater, $40-million facility that opened in June 2011, and he managed the organizational growth necessary to support the facility. Michael served as Vice President for The Off-Broadway League and was a member of The Broadway League for 14 years. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and on the Advisory Board for the Indie Street Film Festival. ROBERT M. RECHNITZ (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER) founded Two River Theater in 1994 and serves as the theater’s Executive Producer. In 2015/16, Two River premiered his play (written with Kenneth Stunkel), Lives of Reason. An educator, writer, and director, he is one of New Jersey’s most esteemed theater leaders. He earned his PhD from the University of Colorado and was a Professor of American Literature at Monmouth University for 35 years, contributing scholarly articles and short stories to various academic journals. As Two River’s Executive Producer, he oversaw the theater’s move from Monmouth University in West Long Branch to the Algonquin Arts in Manasquan. While the company was in residence in Manasquan, he planned for and oversaw the building of Two River’s state-of-the-art, twotheater complex in Red Bank as its permanent home. He directed the opening production in the new building, the classic American comedy You Can’t Take It with You, in 2005. Among the other notable productions he has directed at Two River are Curse of the Starving Class (for which he received a nomination for Best Director of a Comedy from The Star-Ledger), True West, A View from the Bridge, The Glass Menagerie, Thieves’ Carnival, Uncle Vanya, American Buffalo, Barefoot in the Park and The Belle of Amherst. Bob is an active member of a number of organizations benefiting our Monmouth County, including serving as a Board member for several local non-profits. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, honors, commendations, and accolades.
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23
THE REAL-LIFE MUSICIANS WHO INSPIRED OO-BLA-DEE
NOTES FROM THE DRAMATURG
Oo-Bla-Dee takes place in 1946—a time during which the jazz world transitioned from the swing sounds of the Big Band era to the more experimental sounds of bebop. The play references a number of musicians from jazz, blues, and beyond that helped inform that radical transition. Here are a few notable names evoked by playwright Regina Taylor. MARY LOU WILLIAMS
the swing style, she easily made the transition to bebop. In the 1940s, Mary Lou Williams composed the song “In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee” from which the title of this play is derived.
BILLIE HOLIDAY
Born in Georgia in 1910, Mary Lou Williams began playing piano at the age of two and became professional at the age of six. Jazz fans and historians long ago concluded that Mary Lou Williams was the most important female jazz musician to emerge in the first three decades of jazz. Williams’s multidimensional talents as an instrumentalist, arranger, and composer made her a star from her earliest days to her death in 1981. Her longevity as a top-flight jazz artist was extended because of her penchant for adapting to and influencing stylistic changes in music. She once said, “I’m the only living musician that has played all the eras. Other musicians lived through the eras and they never changed their styles.” In his autobiography, Music Is My Mistress, Duke Ellington wrote, “Mary Lou Williams is perpetually contemporary. Her writing and performing have always been a little ahead throughout her career. Her music retains, and maintains, a standard of quality that is timeless. She is like soul on soul.” By 1943 Williams was organizing bands and performing at many clubs in the city. She became involved with a younger group of New York musicians: Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. Already an established musician in 24
Born Eleanora Fagan in 1915, Billie Holiday became one of the most prolific jazz vocalists of all time. She performed in Harlem nightclubs during her early years and eventually performed in front of prolific jazz writer and producer John Hammond. According to the American Masters series on PBS, “Hammond reported that she was the greatest singer he had ever heard.” Her bluesy vocal style brought a slow and rough quality to the jazz standards that were often upbeat and light. This combination made for poignant and distinctive renditions of songs that were already standards. By slowing the tone with emotive vocals that reset the timing and rhythm, she added a new dimension to jazz singing. With Hammond’s support, Holliday spent much of the 1930s working with a range of great jazz musicians, including Benny Goodman, Teddy Wilson, Duke Ellington, Ben Webster and, most importantly, the saxophonist Lester Young. Young gave Holiday one of her most enduring nicknames, Lady Day. Holiday tells the story of this nickname: “Mom and I double up with laughter hearing Lester tell how dangerous it was for a young man living alone in a New York hotel. And when he said, “Duchess, can I move in with you?” there was only one answer. Mom gave him a room and he moved in with us.
Lester was the first to call Mom “Duchess” – and it turned out to be the title she carried to her grave. Lester and I will probably be buried, too, still wearing the names we hung on each other after he came to live with us. Back at the Log Cabin the other girls used to try and mock me by calling me “Lady,” because they thought I thought I was just too damn grand to take the damn customers’ money off the tables. But the name Lady stuck long after everybody had forgotten where it had come from. Lester took it and coupled it with the Day out of Holiday and called me ‘Lady Day.’” Lady Day and her unique sound serve as inspiration to the musicians of Oo-Bla-Dee. As Eve, the leader of the band, states in the play, “Lady Day—now that’s a star. She had a relationship with time. Say she charmed death with her sound.”
During World War II, letter-writing campaigns from AfricanAmerican soldiers demanded the group come to perform for them overseas, and in 1945 the band embarked on a sixmonth European tour to France and Germany, making them the first black women to travel with the USO. Despite their incredible popularity during the war years, many members of the Sweethearts of Rhythm left the band in 1946 for a myriad of reasons including marriage, career changes, touring fatigue, aging, or lack of funds. The band in Oo-Bla-Dee, Evelyn Waters and the Diviners, was inspired by all-female jazz bands such as The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, The Darlings of Rhythm, The Harlem Playgirls, Ina Ray Hutton and her Melodears, among others.
VALAIDA SNOW
INTERNATIONAL SWEETHEARTS OF RHYTHM
Born in Cleveland City, Tennessee in 1905, Snow was raised in an intensely musical family. Her mother, Etta Washington Snow, taught Valaida to play cello, bass, violin, banjo, mandolin, harp, accordion, clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet. She also sang and danced. By the time she was 15 years old, she was entertaining professionally and had decided to concentrate on trumpet and vocals. Louis Armstrong called her the second-best trumpet player in the world (after himself). The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the first integrated, all-women’s band in the United States. The original members of the band met at Piney Woods Country Life School, a school for poor and African-American children, in Mississippi in 1938. The majority who attended Piney Woods were orphaned children, including band member Helen Jones, who had been adopted by the school’s principal and founder (also the Sweethearts’ original bandleader), Dr. Laurence C. Jones. After reaching national acclaim, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm turned professional in April 1941 and severed connections with Piney Woods. Shortly thereafter the band settled in Arlington, Virginia. Initially composed of 14- to 19-year-olds, the band included Pauline Braddy (drums), Willie Mae Wong (sax), Edna Williams (trumpet), Helen Jones Woods (trombone), and thirteen others. Anna Mae Winburn became bandleader in 1941 after resigning from her former position leading an all-male band, the Cotton Club Boys in North Omaha, Nebraska. Winburn would remain their prominently poised bandleader until 1947.
One of the most versatile artists of the early-20th Century, Snow performed live in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris. She made films with her husband, Ananias Berry of the Berry Brothers dancing troupe. She dazzled audiences well into the 1930s. However, in 1939, while performing in Scandinavia, Snow was arrested by the invading German army and interned into a concentration camp. After 18 months she was released as an exchange prisoner and returned to New York. Although free from the concentration camp, the experience left her damaged both physically and psychologically. She continued to perform, but no longer had the same spark and vitality that she had pre-war. The musicians in Oo-Bla-Dee use Snow’s story as a cautionary tale. Although you “can’t play the music until you’ve been through something,” as Eve says in the play, there are some pains that can break a musician. “Pushed to the edge—she fell,” Eve says. n
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Celebrating Women of Jazz
Friday & Saturday Evenings 8pm July 5 & 6 July 12 & 13 July 19 & 20 July 26 & 27
The Mimi Jones Band Champian Fulton Quartet Sherrie Maricle & 3D Jazz Trio Tia Fuller Quartet
SUMMER
Tickets Available at Two River Theater Box Office Two River Theater | 21 Bridge Ave. | Red Bank | NJ
EVENTS NOW
W o r l d - C l a s s
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ON SALE!
i n t i m a t e
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PLATINUM SPONSOR
SHADOW LAWN STAGE The Professional Theatre at
MY WAY
Frank Sinatra A Musical Tribute to
David Grapes & Todd Olson Book by Todd Olson
Conceived by
presented in special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
JULY 18 - 28|LAUREN K. WOODS THEATRE
TICKETS: 732.263.6889 | MONMOUTH.EDU/MCA 28
160 Route 35 South . Red Bank, NJ
732.345.9977
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2019/20 SEASON SUBSCRIPTION ON SALE NOW! SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE JULY 15TH! CYRANO
SEPT 21 – OCT 13/2019
Britney Simpson, Actress
By Jason O’Connell and Brenda Withers Adapted from the play by Edmond Rostand Directed by Meredith McDonough A co-production with Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival R E C H N I T Z T H E AT E R Jason O’Connell (Noises Off) leads a five-person cast as the larger-than-life Cyrano, the brilliant thinker, wordsmith, and swordsman. He’s a thorny romantic with an outsized reputation and a barely contained love for his childhood sweetheart, Roxane (Britney Simpson). Filled with wit and heart, this exuberant adaptation of the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac is a delightful combination of comedy and romance.
LOVE IN HATE NATION WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL
Joe Iconis, Playwright, Music and Lyrics
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NOV 9 – DEC 1/2019
Music, Lyrics and Book by Joe Iconis Directed by John Simpkins R E C H N I T Z T H E AT E R A turbulent rock romance by Joe Iconis, composer/lyracist of the worldwide sensation Be More Chill! Set in a 1960s Juvie Hall, Love in Hate Nation uses classic “bad girl” movies as the inspiration for the story of young people caught between eras of a changing America. Sixteen-year old Susannah Son is carted off to the National Reformatory for Girls to get her head put on straight. There she meets the aggressively incorrigible Sheila Nail, and a relationship forms which leads to an all-out “revolution in the institution” as they attempt to break out of the boxes society has created around them. Girl Group Wall of Sound harmonies are filtered through a punk rock spirit in this rebellious and romantic new musical.
TWELFTH NIGHT JAN 11 – FEB 2/2020
Sara Holdren, Director
By William Shakespeare Directed by Sara Holdren R E C H N I T Z T H E AT E R Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated plays and, perhaps, his most perfect comedy. Cross-dressing heroines, separated twins, and mistaken identities propel this gender-bending tale which celebrates a world in which every broken heart can be made whole. Director Sara Holdren is a theater artist, theater critic (for New York magazine and Vulture.com), and educator who has staged our last two productions of our popular A Little Shakespeare program, Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors.
A LITTLE SHAKESPEARE: TWELFTH NIGHT JAN 31 – FEB 9/2020
Em Weinstein, Director
By William Shakespeare Adapted and Directed by Em Weinstein M A R I O N H U B E R T H E AT E R th Celebrating its 7 season as one of Two River’s most popular programs, A Little Shakespeare engages young artists and audiences with the work of the Bard! A 75-minute version of Twelfth Night—adapted, directed and designed by professional artists—will be performed and supported backstage by local high school students.
Tickets: $20 for Adults & $15 Children 12 and Under Production Sponsor: OceanFirst 30
AUGUST WILSON’S RADIO GOLF FEB 29 – MARCH 22/2020 Directed by Brandon J. Dirden R E C H N I T Z T H E AT E R Brandon J. Dirden, Director
Director Brandon J. Dirden returns to Two River to direct our sixth production from August Wilson’s American Century Cycle—Radio Golf, the Cycle’s 10th and final play, set in 1997. Real-estate developer Harmond Wilks is determined to become the first black mayor of Pittsburgh, and to revitalize the Hill District. Starbucks, Barnes & Noble and Whole Foods are ready to move in. But one particular house on the development site, at 1839 Wylie Avenue, must be torn down, a casualty of urban blight. And that house belonged to Wilson’s legendary Aunt Ester—forcing Harmond, and the Hill District itself, into a battle between the past and the future.
THE HOMBRES WORLD PREMIERE
Tony Meneses, Playwright
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APRIL 11 – MAY 10/2020
By Tony Meneses M A R I O N H U B E R T H E AT E R The Hombres looks at the intimacy of male relationships through the point of view of Machismo culture. Set in New Jersey (“somewhere off the NJ Transit line”), the play follows Julián, a gay Latino yoga teacher, as he clashes with the Latino construction workers outside his studio—particularly the older head of the crew, Héctor, who seeks from Julián something he never expected. Tony Meneses is the author of The Women of Padilla and Guadalupe in the Guest Room, both of which had their world premieres at Two River.
LACKAWANNA BLUES JUNE 6 – 28/2020
Ruben SantiagoHudson, Playwright, Director and Actor
Season Sponsor
Written, Performed and Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson Music Performed by Chris Thomas King Original Music Composed by Bill Sims Jr. Additional Music Composed by Chris Thomas King R E C H N I T Z T H E AT E R A magical, musical, and deeply personal work written and performed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Lackawanna Blues is a reminiscence of his 1950s childhood growing up on the banks of Lake Erie. Santiago-Hudson takes on more than 20 colorful characters—from would-be philosophers and petty hustlers to lost souls and abandoned lovers—in a brilliant celebration of the eccentric boardinghouse he grew up in. Santiago-Hudson returns to his roots in this tour de force performance with live blues music by composer Bill Sims Jr., performed by Grammy Award-winning blues guitarist, composer, and actor Chris Thomas King.
SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TICKETS AT 732.345.1400 TWORIVERTHEATER.ORG
21 BRIDGE AVENUE, RED BANK, NJ 31
C reating our future, together.
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PLAY DATES New Program for Families!
At Two River Theater, we are always looking for ways to make theater a family-friendly experience. Beginning with Oo-Bla-Dee and continuing into next season, we are excited to announce a new program that will allow parents to attend a production while their children have creative fun in a safe environment. While parents and guardians attend a performance, their children ages 6-11 will engage with professional Two River Teaching Artists—playing theater games and making crafts—as they explore themes inspired by the production. Play Dates will be offered during a 3pm Saturday matinee of every show in our 2019/20 season and will cost $10 per child, using the code PLAY DATE when purchasing tickets.
EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT SAVE THE PLAY DATES! Cyrano: Love in Hate Nation: Twelfth Night: Radio Golf: The Hombres: Lackawanna Blues:
SEPT. 28 NOV. 16 JAN. 18 MARCH 7 APRIL 18 JUNE 13
FREE ‘PLAY DATES’ PREVIEW:
Spots are limited and reservations are required! Call 732.345.1400 or visit tworivertheater.org/play-dates for more information.
During the 3pm matinee performance of Oo-Bla-Dee on Saturday, June 22, kids ages 6-11 will experience a journey through jazz with acclaimed children’s author Carmen Rubin (pictured, left).They’ll travel with 9-year-old Ashti on a whimsical tale that’s rooted in jazz, where kids have a scatting good time exploring the sound of bebop. Magic happens when they meet Birdman Al, who helps them keep the music alive!
IT ALL BEGINS HERE
Nursery through Grade 8
That moment when...
CONFIDENCE
SHINES
Contact our Admissions Office today at admissions@rcds.org 35 Bellevue Avenue . Rumson, NJ 07760 732.842.0527 . www.rcds.org
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HONORING JOAN AND ROBERT RECHNITZ HONORARY CHAIRS D OROTHEA AND JON BON JOVI (JBJ SOUL KITCHEN)
T H A N K YO U
TO O UR GE N E RO U S SPO NSO RS AND U NDERWRITERS 25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA RECAP On May 18, 2019, more than 250 guests joined us in honoring our incredible founders Joan and Robert Rechnitz at Two River Theater’s 25th Anniversary Gala. It was a wonderful evening that celebrated these two visionaries and their steadfast commitment to making our community a wonderful place. All proceeds from the Gala benefit Two River Theater’s productions and programs, including our Education Department.
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T H A N K YO U TO E V E RYO N E WHO SUPPORTED OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA!
VI SI O N A RY HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH RIVERVIEW MEDICAL CENTER LESLIE MILLER AND RICHARD B. WORLEY
INN OVATO R JAY & LINDA GRUNIN FOUNDATION MARY JANE AND RICK KROON MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY PHILIP AND TAMMY MURPHY FAMILY FOUNDATION
B E N E FACTOR MARILYN AND ROBERT BROEGE ANNE LUZZATTO AND GORDON LITWIN VICTORIA AND WILLIAM MARRACCINI MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER AND MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION HEALTH GROUP
CH A M PI O N ELIZABETH COLUMBO CAROLYN CUSHMAN DESENA GALE AND ROBERT GROSSMAN JOSEPH AND BARBARA HOLLANDER MONMOUTH CONSERVATION FOUNDATION LAUREN NICOSIA AND THE HONORABLE EDWARD MCKENNA GLORIA AND LENNART NILSON TORCON, INC. TWO RIVER COMMUNITY BANK
PATRO N HOWARD ARONSON ELIZABETH AND ROBERT H. BARRETT, JR. MELISSA AND JOSEPH C. DEL BROCCOLO, III PATRICIA AND DR. E.F. CHESLOCK COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
COUNT BASIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS GAIL AND JOHN DUFFY JOAN ELLIS KATHLEEN ELLIS AND KENNETH PRINGLE ROBERT E. EVANSON GREYHAWK DAN AND IBBY HERTZ THOMAS K HESSMAN DONNA AND DAVID J. HODER ROBIN AND JOHN KLEIN JOANNA AND BRIAN LEDDIN MAXINE AND JOSEPH MACNOW WENDY AND GERALD MARKS LISA AND QUINN MCKEAN NEW JERSEY LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS MONICA AND JOHN RYAN LORI AND GEOFFREY SADWITH ANNE MARIE SCHULTZ KATHRYNE AND RICHARD SINGLETON THE SIVO FAMILY LYNN AND WILLIAM SPECTOR SPRINGPOINT SENIOR LIVING KATHY AND WEBSTER TRAMMELL CATHERINE WEISS AND SAMUEL HUBER
EV EN T U N D ER W R I TI N G CIRCLE BMW GAIL AND JOHN DUFFY THE GRAVINA FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC. HALL BUILDING CAROLINE P. HUBER NYIRE AND GREGORY MELCONIAN METROVATION SUSAN AND TY OLSON IVAN POLONSKY AND LIZ TORTORELLA LINDA AND ANDREW SARFAN SODON ELECTRONICS ANNE AND SHELDON VOGEL
Photos by Lisa Campbell and Yurik L. Lozano
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INDIVIDUAL
DONORS
THANK YOU to the following generous individuals who made contributions to the theater! VISIONARY CIRCLE ($25,000+) Anonymous Caroline P. Huber** Sidney and Helaine Lerner Victoria and William Marraccini** Joan and Robert Rechnitz** The Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation**
THE INNOVATOR CIRCLE ($10,000-$24,999) Anonymous Lisa and Stephen Becker** Jane Bergere Marilyn and Bob Broege** Melissa and Joseph C. Del Broccolo, III** Phyllis Kinsler Mary Jane and Rick Kroon** Joanna and Brian Leddin** Anne Luzzatto and Gordon Litwin** Liz and Adam Rechnitz
BENEFACTOR ($5,000-$9,999)
Sam Chevalier Elizabeth Columbo** Kelly and Brooks Cullen Carolyn DeSena** Kathleen Ellis and the Honorable Kenneth Pringle* Robert E. Evanson** Gale and Dr. Robert B. Grossman** Guttenplan Family Foundation Joan and Paul Hamelberg Lanae and Todd Herman** Barbara and Jim Hrebek Beth and Vincent Mazza* Linda McKean The Honorable Edward J. McKenna** Nyire and Gregory Melconian** Diane and Ross Millhiser JP Nicolaides and the Honorable Ed
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Zipprich Sean O’Connell Susan and Ty Olson** Elizabeth Tortorella and Ivan Polonsky** Mary Beth and Gerald Radke** Anne Marie Schultz** Kathy and Webster Trammell** Anne and Sheldon Vogel
CHAMPION ($2,500-$4,999)
Jeanne Achille Howard P. Aronson Shirely S. Boll Hall Building*** Diane and Robert Butters** Patrick Callinan Juliet Cozzi and Ronald Gumbaz The Devon Group Joan Ellis** The Gravina Family Foundation, Inc.** Christina Hewitt Eileen and Tim Hogan Barbara and Joseph Hollander** Maureen and James Hurst* Michael Hurst Nancy Karpf and Scott Brady Kathryn Kent and Robert Patton*** Katherine Kovner Cathy Larson Sharon Falco and Doctor Jonathan Lustgarten*** Kathleen and Arthur McConnell Susan and Brett Flynn Gloria Nilson Fund** Allyn and Patrick Quagliano Patricia and Vernon Ralph** Daryl and Steven Roth Foundation Linda and Andrew Safran** Mary Carol and Ken Stunkel Susan E. Whyman Cynthia and Bill Wilby Meta and Dr. Ralph Wyndrum Chryssa Yaccarino
PATRON ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous Jutta and George Aguilar Barbara and Andy Andres** Marie and Robert Arbour Elizabeth and Robert Barrett** Kasandrea Banks The Honorable William G. Bassler Melissa and John Bonello*** Lois P. Broder Barbara and Tom Carroll Lauren and Augie Carton*** Tamara Casriel Joan and John Cleary Jennifer Colyer and Shemmy Mishaan Robert Cordrey and Bruce Sherill Lynne and Jan Dash Nancy and Michael Del Priore John Dias Gail and John Duffy** Margean Gladysz The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation Lorraine and Bob Henry Thomas K. Hessman** Herbert Paul Melissa and Paul Hurst Jean Jaslovsky and Vincent Gifford Ginny Kamin Gerri and Brett Lawrence Edward Madden Wendy and Gerald Marks** Renee Maxwell Aida and Brian Murphy Jesse Muscarello*** Lauren Nicosia** Barbara and Rev. William Riker Monica and John Ryan** Karen and Omar Saad*** Lori and Geoffrey Sadwith** Candy and Dr. Sigmund Sattenspiel June and Mort Seligman**
Caryl and Charles Sills Maureen Silliman and William Parry Cathy Sivo** Rita and Arthur Steinman Laura and Gregg Wallace Warters Family Fund Cathy and Gene Weber* Catherine Weiss and Samuel Huber Joan Zakanych David Zippel
PRODUCER ($500-$999) Anonymous Jennifer and Joe Anderson Nancy and Ed Butler Patricia and Dr. E. F. Cheslock Isabella and John Chiappinelli Kathleen Anderson Culebro Philip Dorian* Judy and Richard Fuller Valerie Gordon-Johnson Eve R. Hershkowitz Sheela Jain, M.D. and Suresh Jain, M.D. Giovanna Kanu Judith Laufer Lisa McKean Lois and Robert Mortenson Barry V. Qualls The Craig and Flori Roberts Foundation, Inc. Anita and Robert Stix* The Wilder Family Gail and Stuart Van Winkle Carolyn Williams Nancy Winter*
DIRECTOR ($250-$499) Anonymous (2) Lisa and Michael Absatz Lucille and Richard Adelmann Meredyth Armitage* Nancy and Frank Bellezza Alba Di Bello Peg and John Bennett Sarah and Colin Bradley*** Dr. Janice Breen Jill and Harmon Butler Amanda Butterbaugh and Michael Mulheren Ellen and Donald Byck Dr. Joseph J. Calabro Lucy Campanella Barbara and Peter Carton
Donna and Michael Castellano Marjorie and Peter Cavalier Candice Chirgotis Susan and Alan Coen Robert Connolly Karen and Joseph D’Amore Lisa and Carl Dumont Judith and William Fraser Barbara G. Fleischman Maria and Paul Galeota Susan and Roy Gelber Matthew Goldzweig Suzanne Longley and Guy Gsell Gail and Marc Harrison Barbara Boas and Stephen Hecht Phyl and Don Howard Patricia and William Jaeger Ann Roseman and Stan Lumish Bob MacKasek Linda Mitchell Jennifer and Thomas Mullins Barbara R. Nevius and Tom Curtis Mary Pearson Marion and Michael Portnoy Karen and David Rajala Toni Rinella and Brian Compton Louis Rodriguez Barbara Sager Peggy Sansone Peter A. Schkeeper Linda Schottland William G. Shlala Kathryne and Richard Singleton Victoria Snoy* Susan Stamler Karin and Joe Stein Patrice Sullivan Nannette and Richard Tereo Stephen Thurber Jennifer Tipton Judith and Joseph Vassallo Cheryl Wild Dee and Fred Williamson Dr. Kenneth Womack Marjorie and Zeke Zaccaro Barbara and Maurice Zagha
MATCHING GIFTS
The following have provided matching gifts to Two River on behalf of their employees. C.R. Bard Foundation Goldman Sachs
HSBC Matching Gifts Program** IBM Corp Johnson & Johnson Matching Gifts JPMorgan Chase Foundation New Jersey Resources Matching Gift Microsoft Corporation Prudential Financial, Inc. (3) TE Connectivity Verisk Analytics (2) Verizon Wireless *Includes matching gift. **Includes Special Event Donation *** Special Event Donation
TRIBUTES AND MEMORIALS In memory of Ken Stunkel: Caroline Huber In memory of Layla Diba’s mother Leona Soudavar Magaloff: Ginny Kamin In memory of Kristi Kaepplein’s mother Jane: Ginny Kamin In memory of Art Kamin: Renee Maxwell In memory of Mary (Penny) Buchner: Barbara McCarthy In memory of Leon Yarusi: Paula Yarusi In Memory of Helen Selinger: Barbara Kenas In Memory of Kenneth Stunkel: Helen and Sam Kim In Memory of Kenneth Stunkel: Diane DeLoche In Memory of Kenneth Stunkel: Joan and Robert Rechnitz In honor of Michael Shelle: Maureen Silliman and William Parry In honor of Hannah Walker: Jodi Magee In honor of Mary Jane Kroon: Susan Stamler Listing reflects gifts made between March 1, 2018 and March 29, 2019.
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PRESENTING OUR 2019 SEASON
PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE ARTS Conveniently located less than two miles from Two River Theater, the Courtyard Lincroft Red Bank has everything you need to complete your theater-going experience. Lounge in our state-ofthe-art lobby and enjoy The Bistro offering fresh breakfast and dinner selections, Starbucks® coffee beverages and an evening bar featuring wine, beer and cocktails.
Friday June 21st 8pm Sunday June 23rd 3pm Friday June 28th 8pm Saturday June 29th 8pm Sunday June 30th 3pm
Friday September 13th 8pm Saturday September 14th 8pm Sunday September 15th 3pm Saturday September 21st 8pm Sunday September 22nd 3pm
Other features and amenities include: - 134 spacious guest rooms & 12 luxurious suites - Free WiFi access throughout the hotel - Flat screen HDTVs with premium channels - 24-hour business center - Fitness room - The Market, a 24-hour self-serve pantry
Friday November 15th 8pm Saturday November 16th 8pm Sunday November 17th 3pm Friday November 22nd 8pm Saturday November 23rd 8pm Sunday November 24th 3pm
For reservations and information contact: Sales Executive Anthony Fulginiti at 973.885.6134 or email: Anthony.Fulginiti@marriott.com for groups of 10 or more rooms.
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT® LINCROFT RED BANK 245 Half Mile Road | Red Bank, NJ 07701 732.530.5552 | RedBankCourtyard.com
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Get Your Tickets Today! Visit: PhoenixRedBank.Com/Tickets Or Call: (732) 747-0014
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
THE VISIONARY CIRCLE $25,000+
THE STONE FOUNDATION
INNOVATOR CIRCLE $10,000-$24,999 The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust
The Philip & Tammy Murphy Foundation
JKW FOUNDATION
BENEFACTOR $5,000 - $9,999
THE HILARIA AND ALEC BALDWIN FOUNDATION
THE MAX AND BELLA SCHULMAN FOUNDATION
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
DAVID SCHWARTZ FOUNDATION
The Merrill G. & Emita E. Hastings Foundation
IN-KIND SUPPORT
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MEET OUR STAFF ARTISTIC Stephanie Coen Associate Artistic Director Taylor Barfield Literary Manager Madeleine George Playwright in Residence Brian Eckert Artistic Assistant ADMINISTRATION Alma MalabananMcGrath General Manager Margaret Shafai Director of Finance Karen Pierce Staff Accountant AUDIENCE SERVICES, PR & MARKETING Courtney Schroeder Director of Marketing Jenna Castano Associate Director of Marketing Hannah Walker Institutional Marketing Manager Yurik L. Lozano Multimedia Manager
Michele Klinsky Box Office Manager Lauren Mancuso Box Office Supervisor Kristina Marinos Box Office Supervisor/ Student Matinee Coordinator Lynn Kroll Box Officer/Group Sales Coordinator Vernette Spicer Box Officer/Access Coordinator Evan Kudish Samantha Truglio Matt Yee Box Officers Angela White House Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Carmen Balentine Doreen Fromage Melissa Javorek Julie Mullen Donna Stiles Francesca Trerotola Assistant House Managers Tess Ammerman Briana Butler Kelsey Butler Colette Dante
Bobby DiGenova Thomas Dougherty John Knodel Matt Markowski Janet Pepsin Daniel Pino Kayla Santry Gabby Scerbo Elena Zambrowski Front of House Staff DEVELOPMENT Denyse Reed, Director of Development Katie Benson Special Events Manager Thomas Dougherty Events Assistant Rachel Hulsart Institutional Giving Manager Angela Kluwin Associate Director of Development Evan Kudish Development Assistant EDUCATION Kate Cordaro Director of Education
Amanda Espinoza Education and Community Engagement Manager Lea Anello Corinda Bravo Amanda Butterbaugh Devin Fletcher Shane O’Neil Maria Paduano Elliot Roth Teaching Artists Sara Holdren Adaptor/Director OPERATIONS Dave Hartkern Director of Facilities Wayne Van Sant Maintenance Supervisor Vinnie Gillick Lamar Hicks William Hinton Building Maintenance PRODUCTION Lauren Kurinskas Director of Production Will Cruttenden Associate Production Manager
Katherine Borden Company Management Assistant Colleen Dolan Scenic Charge Matthew Schmutz Associate Technical Director Fiona Malone Assistant Technical Director Duane Noch Master Carpenter Christian Dilks Staff Carpenter Laura Nuneviller Shop Assistant Victoria Schilling Assistant Properties Supervisor Mich Davis Props Assistant Lesley Sorenson Costume Shop Supervisor Jill DiGiuseppe Draper Maggie Barnett Wardrobe Supervisor Jaclyn Vela Costume Assistant Sue Patino
Lighting Supervisor Abigail Lynn Smith Lighting Assistant Dan Montano Sound Supervisor Natalie Soto Sound Assistant Jackie Romeo Christy Perez Production Assistants SPECIAL SERVICES Gilda Rogers Community Relations Social Sidekick Press & Publicity Design Army Graphic Design Suzanne Anan Graphic Design T. Charles Erickson Production Photography Michael Boylan Director, Cinematographer Gordon N. Litwin, Esq., Litwin & Provence, LLC Legal Counsel WithumSmith + Brown Auditors
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SCENE POETRY EVENTS
AT TWO RIVER (AND BEYOND!)
Two River was proud to host two poetry events in celebration of National Poetry Month and our production of The Belle of Amherst. On April 11th we hosted “A Night of American Poetry” in our lobby featuring 22 individuals reading poetry by Dickinson and other American poets. The readers were made up of members of our Little Shakespeare and Metro Scholars programs, TRT Ambassadors, and leaders from community organizations: Project Write Now and T. Thomas Fortune , and the evening was led by TRT Artistic Assistant Brian Eckert. On April 23rd Two River partnered with Monmouth University’s Arts and Humanities, English and Honors Schools at to host “Poems from the Nest: A Celebration of Poetry” where a group of students, faculty and Two River staff members (including Maureen Silliman , Two River’s own Emily Dickinson in The Belle of Amherst) read a selection of poems at the Murry & Leonie Guggenheim Memorial Library.
THE BELLE OF AMHERST OPENING NIGHT On Friday, April 19, Two River Theater hosted a post-show reception for donors and special guests attending the opening night performance of The Belle of Amherst. Those in attendance had the chance to mix and mingle with our creative and artistic teams along with a wide array of artists from Two River productions.
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All photos by Yurik L. Lozano.
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