Cleveland’s Classic Company Presents
Charles Dickens’
a christmas Carol OHIO THEATRE
November 26-December 23, 2016
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
GreatLakesTheater.org
Welcome..................................................................................................................... 4 About Great Lakes Theater............................................................................................ 6 News & Notes.............................................................................................................. 8 A Christmas Carol....................................................................................................... 11 Cast of Characters...................................................................................................... 12 About The Play.......................................................................................................... 14 Buy Humbug! GLT’s Online Gift Shop.......................................................................... 16 The Artistic Company................................................................................................. 18 Donors....................................................................................................................... 36 Trustees..................................................................................................................... 41 Staff.......................................................................................................................... 42 Guest Services........................................................................................................... 46 Nov./Dec. at Playhouse Square.................................................................................... 47
Be the Star of the Show PHOTO: JULIE HAHN/SUGARBUSH DESIGN
In the glamour of Downtown Cleveland’s Theater District allow Wyndham’s service professionals to host your Wedding Reception, Rehearsal Dinner, and Wedding Brunch. Contact Beth Blankenship, our wedding specialist at 216-615-3325 or bblankenship@wyndham.com
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WELCOME Dear Friends,
at Playhouse Square
H
appy Holidays! Welcome to Great Lakes Theater’s 28th annual production of Gerald Freedman’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, based on the novel by Charles Dickens. It is no exaggeration to say that the popularity of A Christmas Carol has kept the lights on for many theater companies around the world – and this has certainly been true for Great Lakes Theater! Mr. Freedman’s beautiful production has been seen by more than 700,000 people in its quarter century onstage at the Ohio Theatre, nearly half of whom were students and children – many seeing their very first play. We are truly grateful to Mr. Freedman for giving Great Lakes Theater and our entire region such an amazing gift of theater. His vision and artistry have transcended generations and united our community in powerfully meaningful ways. We are grateful to so many people for the enduring success of A Christmas Carol, from the artists and technical staff who have kept this production as fresh as the day it opened to the funding community of foundations, corporations and individuals who have supported our work on Dickens’ masterpiece over the years. Special thanks again this year to the John P. Murphy Foundation whose support of A Christmas Carol began with our original production in 1989 and has continued ever since. Joining the John P. Murphy Foundation is Eaton Corporation in support of our student matinees — which will serve an expected audience of 10,000 students this year — and The Abington Foundation supporting our work on the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s A Christmas Carol Writing Contest. Along with these very special sponsors are many others who support our work each year. I would encourage you to look through this program at the list of individual members, corporations and foundations that support GLT. Please, consider joining them with a year-end contribution to Great Lakes Theater! We hope that you’ll join us across the street in the re-imagined Hanna Theatre as we continue our historic 55th season this winter/spring. Subscription packages are still available and our Bard Card is a great way to give the gift of theater this holiday season. From all of us at Great Lakes Theater, we wish you the happiest of holiday seasons.
Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director
“ Good night, sweet prince...” Hamlet – V, II
RICHARD F. DOLEJS (1929–2016)
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Tireless Advocate. Generous Supporter. Eternal Friend. Great Lakes Theater proudly celebrates the memory and legacy of this extraordinary member of our family.
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I M P A C T S TA R T S H E R E
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ABOUT GREAT LAKES THEATER
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Great Lakes Theater’s fall 2016 production of My Fair Lady (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
T
he mission of Great Lakes Theater (GLT), through its main stage productions and its education programs, is to bring the pleasure, power and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience. Since the company’s inception in 1962, programming has been rooted in Shakespeare, but GLT’s commitment to great plays spans the breadth of all cultures, forms of theater and time periods –– including the 20th century –– and provides for the occasional mounting of new works that complement the classical repertoire. Classic theater holds the capacity to illuminate truth and enduring values, celebrate and challenge human nature and actions, revel in eloquent language, and preserve the traditions of diverse cultures and generate communal spirit. On its main stage and through its education programs, GLT seeks to create visceral, immediate experiences for participants, asserting theater’s historic role as a vehicle for advancing the common good and helping people make the joyful and meaningful connections between classic plays and their own lives. The company’s commitment to classic
theater is magnified in the educational programs that surround its productions. Since its inception, GLT has had a strong presence in area schools, bringing students to the theater for matinee performances and sending specially trained actor-teachers to the schools for weeklong residencies developed to explore classic drama from a theatrical point of view. GLT is equally dedicated to enhancing the theater experience for adult audiences through Surround, a series of community programs that explore the themes of a main stage production. To this end, GLT regularly serves as the catalyst for community events and programs in the arts and humanities that illuminate the plays on its stage. Great Lakes Theater is one of only a handful of American theaters that have stayed the course as a classic theater. As GLT moves into a new era with a permanent home in the Hanna Theatre, the company reaffirms its belief in the power of partnership, its determination to make this community a better place in which to live, and its commitment to ensure the legacy of classic theater in Cleveland.
1501 Euclid Ave., Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44115 P: (216) 241-5490 | F: (216) 241-6315 | W: GreatLakesTheater.org
must see at least once in your lifetime
“I come back every year...I’m reborn and see true hope every time!” — Christine Walevska, “goddess of the cello”, watched Shen Yun 4 times
“Absolutely the No. 1 show in the world!” — Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of the English National Ballet
“Mind-blowing! Go back and see it about six times!” — Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic
“Awe-Inspiring Sensation!”
Feb. 4-5 State theatre
“A MUST-SEE!” — Broadway World
SeCUre YOUr beSt SeatS tODaY! PerFeCt hOLIDaY GIFt
216-241-6000
More info: 888-974-3698
Order today! ShenYun.com/Cleveland
NEWS & NOTES Yuletide Yarns
at Playhouse Square
Scrooge as a grumpy boar, Tiny Tim makes a daring escape and a teenage boy brings a family back together – just a few of the amazing stories created by students for the annual A Christmas Carol Writing Contest! Now in its 28th year, this competition inspires approximately 2,400 Cleveland Metropolitan School District middle school students to discover Dickens’ classic work and create their own imaginative tales. Award-winning writers meet A Christmas Carol cast members who also read their stories on WCPN 90.3FM! Tune in this December.
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Sounds Of The Season
Classics On Tour
Scrooge’s Tax Tips
One good “Carol” deserves another! That was our thinking anyway when we invited some of our community’s best choirs to provide a touch of pre-show musical merriment before this season’s performances of A Christmas Carol. To date, 16 talented singing groups have accepted our invitation. And we couldn’t be more excited about it! We are grateful to these partners for creating a special experience for our patrons, and wish the singers and their families the same joy they brought to others this holiday season!
We’ll be “galumphing” to elementary schools in 2017 with a “frabjous” new touring production that is designed to impart important social lessons and provide a memorable theatrical experience for students. In our new adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s The Jabberwocky, two bullied students band together and escape to the Tulgey Wood where they meet a colorful collection of characters. Along the way, the duo defeats the Jabberwocky and applies the lessons learned to face their fears back home. Visit GreatLakesTheater.org/ education to learn more about how to bring this production to a school near you!
Ebenezer Scrooge, “an excellent man of business,” has some great financial advice for you! If you have appreciated stock that you have held for one year or longer, consider donating it to Great Lakes Theater. There’s a double tax benefit: 1) You may deduct the current fair market value of the stock; and 2) You avoid the capital gains tax and the Medicare surtax that you would have paid if you sold the stock. Contact Great Lakes Theater’s director of development, Don Bernardo, at (216) 453-1068 to begin arranging your stock contribution well in advance of December 31. (Please, consult your tax advisor before implementing a charitable gift of stock.)
2016-17 SEASON All thE WAy Sep 17–Oct 9
Backroom deals and showdowns between the infamous and the influential take center stage in this absorbing Tony Award-winning drama highlighting Lyndon B. Johnson’s struggle to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
SEx With StrANGErS Oct 22–NOv 13
Olivia is an obscure novelist on the cusp of 40; Ethan is a famous blogger — and 28. When these two strangers collide, passion, intellect, and secret agendas clash in this smart, tantalizing take on modern love.
A chriStmAS StOry NOv 25–Dec 23
The record-breaking show returns to the CPH stage in all its pink-bunny-suit, glowing-leg-lamp, triple-dog-daring glory. The perfect holiday treat for the entire family. Ken Ludwig’s
BASkErvillE:
A ShErlOck hOlmES myStEry JaN 21–Feb 12
This madcap adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mystery transforms The Hound of the Baskervilles into an all-out comedic, theatrical adventure. Full of humor, horror, and plenty of stage magic, five actors play nearly 40 roles in this kooky and spooky caper.
hOW i lEArNEd tO drivE Mar 4–26
Li’l Bit takes us on a no-holds-barred trip back in time to her adolescence in 1960s Maryland and her complicated relationship with an older man. This Pulitzer Prize winner masterfully veers in and out of personal memory and deftly traverses comedy, drama, and farce.
BEtWEEN rivErSidE ANd crAzy apr 1–23
Ex-cop Walter “Pops” Washington is not about to compromise, especially on the racially-charged lawsuit he filed years ago against the NYPD — even if it means risking the impressive rent-controlled apartment he shares with his parolee son and colorful surrogate family. An exuberant and darkly comic tale of truth, family, and pride.
frEAky fridAy apr 15–May 14
In this hilarious, contemporary musical update of an American classic, a mother and daughter swap bodies and experience each other’s lives first-hand, if only for a day.
216.241.6000 clevelandplayhouse.com GrOupS Of 10 Or mOrE SAvE • cAll 216.400.7027
Cleveland’s Classic Company
presents
Spring 2017 Hanna Theatre
Playhouse Square
An Unforgettable Thriller
Feb. 17 - Mar. 12
The World’s Most Famous Tragedy
Mar. 31 - Apr. 15
A Pitch-Perfect Jukebox Musical
May 5 - 21 TICKETS START AT $15!
•
STUDENTS SIT IN ANY SEAT FOR $13!
216.241.6000 / GreatLakesTheater.org “...a drama company of exceptional quality...” -The Wall Street Journal
season sponsors:
Ohio Theatre Nov. 26 – Dec. 23, 2016
Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director
With generous support from: Presents
BY
CHARLES DICKENS GERALD FREEDMAN TOM FORD
ADAPTED AND DIRECTED BY STAGED BY
Company
Edie Barcelona Laura Welsh Berg* Lynn Robert Berg* Cassandra Bissell* Neil Brookshire* Aled Davies* Jonathan Dyrud* Clara Edleman
Mandie Jenson* Maggie Kettering* Patrick John Kiernan Emma McLelland Andrew Miller Dougfred Miller* Jessie Cope Miller* Laniey Rambert Chris Richards*
Ellie Ritterbusch David Anthony Smith* Sun-Hee Smith Lindsey Smits Xander Smits M.A. Taylor* Niko Ustin Chase Christopher Zadd
Scenic Design John Ezell & Gene Emerson Friedman
Costume Design James Scott
Lighting Design Mary Jo Dondlinger & Cynthia Stillings
Sound Design Tom Mardikes & Stan Kozak
Music Adaptor/ Arranger Robert Waldman Stage Manager Tim Kinzel*
Music Director Matthew Webb
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Choreographer David Shimotakahara
Assistant Stage Manager Jessica B. Lucas*
Student Matinee Tickets are subsidized in part by a generous gift from Eaton Corporation. There will be one fifteen-minute intermission. *Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
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CAST OF CHARACTERS Cleaveland Family
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Father, who will become Bob Cratchit................................................................ Neil Brookshire * Mother, who will become Fred’s Wife............................................................ Laura Welsh Berg *† Miss Elizabeth, who will become Fan.................................................................. Mandie Jenson * Richard, who will become Dick Wilkins.................................................................Andrew Miller Miss Abigail....................................................................................................... Lindsey Smits Master Robert...................................................................................... Chase Christopher Zadd Miss Polly.......................................................................................................Ellie Ritterbusch Master William, who will become Tiny Tim..................................... Clara Edleman, Xander Smits Samuels, who will become Ebenezer Scrooge...................................................Lynn Robert Berg * Muggeridge, who will become Christmas Present........................................ David Anthony Smith * Jane, who will become Mrs. Cratchit................................................................Cassandra Bissell * Nephew Fred................................................................................................... Jonathan Dyrud * First Charity Man....................................................................................................M.A. Taylor * Second Charity Man............................................................................................... Aled Davies * Streetsinger............................................................................................. Patrick John Kiernan Sled Boy....................................................................................................... Emma McLelland Skate Girl........................................................................................................ Lainey Rambert Marley............................................................................................................. Dougfred Miller * Christmas Past......................................................................................... Patrick John Kiernan Boy Scrooge.................................................................................................. Emma McLelland Adolescent Scrooge.............................................................................. Chase Christopher Zadd Belle.......................................................................................................... Laura Welsh Berg *† Mr. Fezziwig........................................................................................................... Aled Davies * Mrs. Fezziwig................................................................................................. Maggie Kettering * Fezziwig Guests..................................Laura Welsh Berg *†, Cassandra Bissell*, Mandie Jenson*, Jessie Cope Miller*,Chris Richards*, Lindsey Smits, M.A. Taylor*, Chase Christopher Zadd Young Scrooge................................................................................................. Jonathan Dyrud *
Cratchit Family
Peter..................................................................................................................Andrew Miller Martha............................................................................................................. Mandie Jenson * Belinda............................................................................................................. Lindsey Smits James................................................................................................ Chase Christopher Zadd Sarah.............................................................................................................Ellie Ritterbusch Miner................................................................................................................Chris Richards * Helmsman..............................................................................................................M.A. Taylor * Lighthouse Keeper........................................................................................... Dougfred Miller * Cynthia.......................................................................................................... Maggie Kettering * Topper...............................................................................................................Chris Richards * “Want”...........................................................................................................Ellie Ritterbusch “Ignorance”.................................................................................................. Emma McLelland Christmas Future ..................................................................................... Patrick John Kiernan Rich Men...........................................................Aled Davies*, Dougfred Miller*, Chris Richards * Soloist.............................................................................................................. Edie Barcelona Joe the Keeper........................................................................................................M.A. Taylor * Laundress...................................................................................................... Maggie Kettering * Charwoman....................................................................................................Cassandra Bissell * Undertaker...................................................................................................... Dougfred Miller * Debtor..................................................................................................... David Anthony Smith * Debtor’s Wife................................................................................................Jessie Cope Miller * Delivery Boy............................................................................................................ Niko Ustin Street Children......................................................................... Edie Barcelona, Sun-Hee Smith
Scene: London, 1864, and in the imagination of the listener
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† Dance Captain
* Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Govberg Jewelers
ABOUT THE PLAY
at Playhouse Square
S
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crooge. And “bah, humbug.” The name and phrase instantly conjure up the familiar tale retold from year to year. We all know Scrooge’s story, his wondrous transformation from “a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” to a man who “knew how to keep Christmas well.” His very name has entered our dictionaries as a synonym for miser. Since Charles Dickens (1812-1870) created this memorable character in his 1843 story, A Christmas Carol, we’ve met him in countless guises: He’s been portrayed by Alistair Sim in the 1951 film classic and updated by comedian Bill Murray in the movie Scrooged. There’s been a radio version of the story featuring Lionel Barrymore and a musical starring Albert Finney. And there are even cartoon figures of Scrooge McDuck and Mr. Magoo. Clearly, Scrooge and A Christmas Carol are indelibly imprinted in the heart of western culture. Like most of Dickens’ works, A Christmas Carol was born of both expediency and deeply felt conviction. Its 31-year-old author was already the toast of England and America, with the phenomenally successful Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby to his credit. And yet, with a fifth child on the way, improvident parents and several siblings clamoring for support, and sales of his latest book, Martin Chuzzlewit, fizzling, Dickens needed a new best seller. A warmhearted holiday story seemed a sure bet. At the same time, the young writer seized on the Christmas tale as an apt vehicle for his characteristic social and moral concerns. Driven by his own memories of an impoverished youth, Dickens ever championed the victims of urban industrialism in his work. His speaking and fund-raising efforts on behalf of education for the poor inspired him to write A Christmas Carol. He wanted, he said, to “throw [himself] upon the truthful feeling of the people” at an abundant time of year when they were most open to change. Scrooge, as he first appears, is the embodiment of the laissez-faire economic theories that shaped British public policy in the mid19th century; Dickens biographer Edgar
Johnson dubs the miser “the personification of ‘economic man.’” When solicited for a charitable donation, Scrooge sputters that prisons and workhouses should suffice for the idle poor, adding, “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” Scrooge must learn the lesson that the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, comes to teach him: “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence, were, all, my business.” Scrooge is forced to confront the consequences of social indifference in terrifying specters called Ignorance and Want. While acutely aware that selfishness and greed infect materialistic society as a whole, Dickens –– in early works like A Christmas Carol –– focused on the need to transform individuals one by one. As novelist George Orwell observed, “he is always pointing to a change of spirit rather than a change of structure.” Dickens’ message, Orwell added, is a deceptively simple one: “If men would behave decently, the world would be decent.” A Christmas Carol was the first –– and most enduring –– of a series of Christmas books and stories that provided Dickens with a nearly annual forum for propounding similar themes throughout the 1840s. Most of these Christmas stories borrowed their forms from imaginative children’s literature. This was the age of the brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen; fairy tales, ghost stories and ballads were gaining popularity in educated English circles during the 19th century. For Dickens, hearing and reading fanciful and folk stories had provided vital oases in his own otherwise barren youth. A Christmas Carol borrows the fairy tale’s “once upon a time” beginning and “happily ever after” ending. Subtitled “A Ghost Story of Christmas,” it also shares the ghost story’s supernatural characters and sense of time and space. By means of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, Dickens can transport Scrooge instantaneously from scene to vivid scene –– from his lonely school days to his former employer Fezziwig’s festive holiday ball to the humble
Dickens’ vision of magical Christmas conversion is primarily a secular rather than a religious one. His contemporary, John Ruskin, grumbled that for Dickens, Christmas “meant mistletoe and pudding –– neither resurrection from dead, nor rising of new stars, nor teaching of wise men, nor shepherds.” In fact, his holiday fable does depict the resurrection of a dead soul, but in moral and social terms. Decidedly anticlerical, antidogmatic and antisectarian, Dickens shared the liberal Protestant emphasis on Jesus’ humanity and was drawn to mesmerism and other non-traditional sorts of spiritualism. He longed for a human community infused with the grace of brotherly love. It was Dickens’ singular talent to convey this longing for fellowship in the warm bond he struck with his public. According to critic Angus Wilson, “The Christmas articles and stories ... were a yearly high point in Dickens’ relations with his tens of thousands of readers.” He affirmed this commitment to his audience in public readings of his works that absorbed his vast energies during the two decades before his death in 1870. In these readings –– which began as benefits for worker education and from first to last almost always featured A Christmas Carol –– Dickens created a sense of shared experience. When audiences roared at such lines as “and to Tiny Tim who did NOT die,” he felt “as if we were all bodily going up into the clouds together.” Whether read privately or brought to life dramatically as Dickens did in his own readings, A Christmas Carol still retains the power to communicate the force of its maker’s direct, engaged voice and childlike wonder. Men, women and children continue to experience the story as a personal holiday gift from Charles Dickens.
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home of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, to his own desolate grave. The ghostly machinery brings Scrooge face-to-face with his painful, nearly forgotten past and, in a process akin to modern psychotherapy, leads him to reflect on the experiences that shaped his selfishness; to develop a new awareness of the consequences of his behavior; and to resolve, “I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse.” Most critics agree that one of Dickens’ most profound personal myths is contained in his idealized memories of a sunny early childhood before his family’s steady slide into indigence. He was, notes Paul Schlicke, “the first major novelist to place children at the centre of novels.” In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge finds redemption in compassion for his own lost childhood as well as for the crippled but blessed Tiny Tim Cratchit. As scholar Harry Stone observes, Dickens evokes “the undefiled world of childhood and makes us feel that we, like Scrooge, can recapture it. Deep symbolic identifications such as these … give A Christmas Carol an enduring grip on our culture.” Particularly potent are the links Dickens forges between childhood and the child- and family-centered feast of Christmas. He once proclaimed, “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.” The marvelous transformations effected by Dickens’ ghosts are of a kind with both the magical thinking of children and the wondrous promise that surrounds Christmas. Child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim asks about Christmas, “What could be more magical than the birth of a child, or the rebirth of the world? What holds more magic for mankind than the promise of a chance of a new beginning?” And it is just such a joyful promise that A Christmas Carol holds out for the closed, hardened, isolated Scrooge in all of us. Scrooge’s nephew calls Christmas a “kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time.” For Dickens, says scholar Joseph Gold, it’s a recurring invitation to rebirth.
—Margaret Lynch Margaret Lynch holds a doctorate in literature from the University of Chicago.
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THE ARTISTIC COMPANY
at Playhouse Square
Laura Welsh Berg* Mother/Belle/Mrs. Fred/ Ensemble Eleven seasons with Great Lakes Theater Laura is thrilled to be returning to the Great Lakes Theater stage, where she was last seen as Vera Claythorne in And Then There Were None, Rosaline in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Fabian in Twelfth Night and Ensemble/Dance Captain in My Fair Lady. Shows with GLT and her sister company, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, include The Merry Wives of Windsor, Richard III, Sweeney Todd, The Tempest, Hay Fever, All’s Well That Ends Well, Major Barbara, Macbeth, Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Into the Woods, Arsenic and Old Lace, Measure for Measure, She Stoops to Conquer and A Christmas Carol. Other credits include Viola in Twelfth Night, Speed in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Nurse in Romeo and Juliet at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Chicago credits include The Farnsworth Invention at Timeline Theater, Arms and the Man at Centerstage and Mill Fire at SheilPark. She has a BA in theater from Baldwin Wallace University and an MFA in acting from DePaul University. Laura is lucky enough to share her life, and work, with Lynn. For Linda. Lynn Robert Berg* Samuels/Scrooge Fifteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater
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Previously at Great Lakes Theater: Malvolio, Twelfth Night; the title role of Richard III; Hucklebee, The Fantasticks; Frank Ford, The Merry Wives of Windsor; Zoltan Karpathy, My Fair Lady; The Bishop, Les Misérables; Jonas Fogg, Sweeney Todd; Polixenes, The Winter’s Tale; Doctor Purgeon, The Imaginary Invalid; Friar Laurence, Romeo and Juliet; Doctor Parker, Bat Boy: The Musical; Caliban, The Tempest; Sandy Tyrell, Hay Fever; Marcus Lycus, A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and for 11 seasons the Ghost of Jacob Marley, A Christmas Carol. Other credits: Macbeth, Short Shakespeare! Macbeth tour with Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Friar Laurence, Romeo and Juliet at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival; Bill Walker, Major Barbara; Hortensio, The Taming of the Shrew; Edmund, King Lear; Hastings, She Stoops to Conquer at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Prospero, The Tempest at Maine Shakespeare Festival; The Professor, All the Great Books (Abridged) at Delaware Theater Company and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at Writer’s Theater in Chicago. MFA from the University of Delaware PTTP. Lynn dedicates his work this season to the memory of his mother. SLL’M Cassandra Bissell* Jane/Mrs. Cratchit/ Charwoman/Ensemble Three seasons with Great Lakes Theater Cassandra is delighted to return for her second year in A Christmas Carol. Previous GLT credits: Twelfth Night, My Fair Lady, King Lear, The Secret Garden and Much Ado About Nothing. Regional (LORT) credits: Indiana Repertory (The Mousetrap), People’s Light (Sense & Sensibility), Idaho Shakespeare Festival (King Lear, The Secret Garden, Much Ado About Nothing), Utah Shakespeare Festival (Sense & Sensibility, Comedy of Errors), Northlight (Detroit ’67), Milwaukee Repertory (In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play, My Name is Asher Lev), Actors’ Theatre of Louisville (In the Next Room..., Memory House), Cleveland Play House (Noises Off, Pride & Prejudice) and Court Theatre (Arcadia, Hamlet). Chicago (CAT) credits: Chicago Shakespeare Theater (ShortShakespeare!Macbeth, King John, ShortShakespeare!Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest, Richard II), Steppenwolf (The Berlin Circle), Victory Gardens (Memory House), Shakespeare Project of Chicago
(Twelfth Night, A Woman Killed With Kindness, Othello), Next Theatre (Measure for Measure, In the Blood), Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (Mary’s Wedding –Jeff nomination, Best Actress) and Shakespeare on the Green (Othello). Small Professional Theatre (SPT) credits: Company of Fools (Proof), freeFall Theatre (Harvey), Renaissance Theaterworks (Amelia, The Understudy, Crumbs from the Table of Joy) and Peninsula Players for six seasons. BA in gender studies, University of Chicago. AEA and SAG/AFTRA. Neil Brookshire* Father/Bob Cratchit/ Ensemble Six seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Aled Davies* Charity Man 2/Mr. Fezziwig/ Rich Man 1 Sixteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previously for GLT: Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady, The Old Actor in The Fantasticks, General Mackenzie in And Then There Were None,
GILMOUR ACADEMY
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This marks Neil’s third year as Bob Cratchit. Other roles with Great Lakes Theater: Valentine, Two Gentlemen of Verona; Cliff, Cabaret; and Tranio, Taming of the Shrew, as well as productions of King Lear and The Secret Garden. Since working in Cleveland last winter, Neil has played Edward and Robert
Ferrars in Joe Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan’s Sense and Sensibility with People’s Light, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Door Shakespeare and most recently Richard Hannay in the comical romp, The 39 Steps, with Peninsula Players. Other regional theaters: Boise Contemporary Theater, Cadence Theatre Co, Company of Fools, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Opera Idaho, Seattle Novyi Theatre and 10 seasons with Idaho Shakespeare Festival. His film work includes The Pact and Stygian (short film). He earned his BA from Boise State University and MFA in acting from Northern Illinois University. In addition to acting, Neil paints and writes.
Educating the mind Empowering the heart
Some things are just better together Independent and Catholic If you educate the mind and empower the heart, students do more than succeed- they thrive. Call today to schedule a personal tour. 440 | 473 | 8050 gilmour.org/visit Gilmour Academy is an independent, Catholic, coed, school in the Holy Cross tradition. Montessori (18 months - Kindergarten) and Grades 1-12
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at Playhouse Square
Scrooge/Samuels in A Christmas Carol, King Lear in King Lear, Gonzalo in The Tempest, Chief Inspector Hubbard in Dial “M” for Murder, John Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls, Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap, Brabantio in Othello, The Earl of Caversham in An Ideal Husband, Sheriff Reynolds in Bat Boy: The Musical, Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Your Chairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Dorn in The Seagull, Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible, King of France in All’s Well That Ends Well, Prospero in The Tempest, David Bliss in Hay Fever, Senex in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar, Claudius in Hamlet, Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing, Buckingham in Richard III, Topper in A Christmas Carol and many others. Aled has been a proud and appreciative member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1984. GO BROWNS! Jonathan Dyrud* Young Scrooge/Nephew Fred/ Ensemble Three seasons with Great Lakes Theater
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GLT/Idaho Shakespeare Festival: King Ferdinand in Love’s Labor’s Lost, Anthony Marston in And Then There Were None, Young Scrooge/ Nephew/Fred/Ensemble in A Christmas Carol, Edmund in King Lear, Lt. Wright in The Secret Garden, Tony Wendice in Dial “M” for Murder and Antonio in The Tempest. Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival: Antipholus of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors. New York: Proteus in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Caius Lucius in Cymbeline (Hip to Hip Theater Company), Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew (Pulse Ensemble Theater) and Huck in the world premiere of Minstrel Show (The Weasel Festival). Regional credits: four seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival – Medvedenko in The Seagull, Froth and Friar Peter in Measure for Measure, Ensemble in To Kill a Mockingbird, Solomon in Speech and Debate, C.B. in Dog
Sees God and Marcus Gee in Yellowface. TV/ film: Bartender in My Crazy Love (Oxygen Network), Captain in So SOHA, Pale Interviewee in Redheads Anonymous and Verder in Big House. Training: BFA Southern Oregon University. Mandie Jenson* Elizabeth/Martha/Fan/ Ensemble Great Lakes Theater debut Mandie is thrilled to make her Great Lakes Theater debut! She was most recently seen as Luciana in The Comedy of Errors at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Favorite past credits include Arabella in Animal Crackers; Isabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Marya in The Government Inspector (Pearl Theater, NYC) and Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Idaho Repertory Theatre). TV: My Crazy Love (Oxygen Network), Suddenly Rich (TLC) and Monsters Inside Me (Animal Planet). Mandie earned her BFA from the University of Idaho, was the recipient of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 2011 Rex Rabold Fellowship and trained with The Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre, NYC. Love to CB, always. Maggie Kettering* Cynthia/Mrs. Fezziwig/ Laundress/Ensemble Three seasons with Great Lakes Theater Maggie is thrilled to return to A Christmas Carol, one of her favorite stories in the canon. Previous roles at GLT include Jacquenetta in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Mrs. Rogers in And Then There Were None, Ruth in Blithe Spirit and Margaret in Much Ado about Nothing. She has also worked with Peninsula Players (Outside Mullingar, Lend Me a Tenor), House Theatre (Season on the Line - Joseph Jefferson nomination), Shakespeare Theatre Company (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2), Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), TimeLine Theatre (My Kind of Town), Northlight Theatre (Season’s Greetings - Jack Springer Award), Michigan
Shakespeare Festival (Romeo and Juliet, Comedy of Errors), Irish Theatre of Chicago, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Warehouse Theatre and Delaware Theatre Company. Maggie is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and a resident of Chicago. Patrick John Kiernan Streetsinger/Christmas Past/ Christmas Future/Ensemble Four seasons with Great Lakes Theater
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Andrew Miller Richard/Peter Cratchit/ Dick Wilkins/Ensemble Five seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previous credits with GLT: Valentine, Twelfth Night; Marcade, Love’s Labour’s Lost; Fred Narracott, And Then There Were None; Richard/Peter Cratchit/Dick Wilkins, A Christmas Carol; Ensemble, The Tempest; Strato, Julius Caesar and Ensemble, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Other credits: Male 1, Teacher From the Black Lagoon and Other Storybooks (TheatreWorks USA); Marcellus, The Music Man; Milt Fields, Laughter on the 23rd Floor; Hysterium, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (New
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Patrick is proud to return to Great Lakes Theater and A Christmas Carol for his fourth year! He has performed regionally and in New York City. Credits include Widge, The Shakespeare Stealer (Idaho Shakespeare Festival); Jake, Shiner (Good Luck Macbeth); Mercutio, Romeo and Juliet (Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival/Young Shakespeare); the Dromios, The Comedy of Errors (Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespearience); Narrator, Side by Side by Sondheim (Shadowland Stages);
The Butcher/co-creator, The Hunting of the Snark (The Players NYC/University of Michigan). In addition to acting, Patrick is a sound designer and writer. Many thanks to all who bring their talents to the telling of this wonderful story, both onstage and off! patrickjohnkiernan.com
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London Barn Playhouse); Grumio, The Taming of the Shrew (Ithaca Shakespeare Company). Training: BFA, Ithaca College. Andrew is proud to have been born and raised in Solon, Ohio. Many thanks to the entire team here at GLT. GO CAVS!
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Dougfred Miller* Marley/Lighthouse Keeper/ Rich Man 2/Undertaker/ Ensemble Twelve seasons with Great Lakes Theater Most recently, Doug played Dr. Armstrong in And Then There Were None and Holofernes in Love’s Labour’s Lost. Previous appearances include Kent in King Lear, Ben Weatherstaff in The Secret Garden, several characters in Dial “M” for Murder, the title role in Macbeth and a widely acclaimed Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing. In several seasons with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, his roles have included Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Horatio in Hamlet, Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing; as well as several Dukes, a Prince, a number of Kings and an Emperor in Amadeus. Locally, he played Jim Tyrone in A Moon for the Misbegotten at the Coach House Theatre and King Arthur in Spamalot at the Beck Center (opposite his real life Lady of the Lake, Jessica Cope Miller). Other theaters include the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Alaska Repertory Theatre and the Central Dramatic Theatre Company of Hanoi, Vietnam. Doug is a proud graduate of the University of Delaware PTTP, a prouder member of Actors’ Equity and a proudest dad of Marlowe. Jessie Cope Miller* Debtor’s Wife/Ensemble Five seasons with Great Lakes Theater
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Jessie is very happy to return to A Christmas Carol. She most recently sang the latest top Broadway hits in The Musical Theater Project’s Song Is You! concert of For Good: The New Generation of Musicals. Her latest
role was Abuela in the Beck Center’s production of In The Heights. Other favorite credits include the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (Beck Center for the Arts), Sheila in HAIR (Blank Canvas Theatre), Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly! (Porthouse Theatre), Leading Player in Pippin (Cain Park, Alma Theater) and the Witch in Into the Woods (Great Lakes Theater). She is a proud graduate of the Baldwin Wallace Music Theater Program. In 2014, she debuted her one-woman cabaret, Under the Influence, at Nighttown and at Playhouse Square, and continues to sing around town in various concerts. Many thanks go out to Charlie, Vicky and the entire Great Lakes Theater family. Much love to Dougfred, Marlowe, family and especially Mom and Dad. I cannot thank you enough. Chris Richards* Topper/Miner/Rich Man 3/ Ensemble Four seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previously at Great Lakes Theater: Richard III, Twelfth Night, Othello and An Ideal Husband. OffBroadway & NYC credits include The Misanthrope (The Pearl Theatre Company Lucille Lortel Award nomination Best Revival), The Philanderer (The Pearl Theatre Company), The League of Youth (Project Shaw), Richard II (Gallery Players) and The Mint Theatre Company. Recent regional and local credits include Walter Jenkins in All The Way (Cleveland Play House - Tony Award, 2015), Sons of the Prophet (DOBAMA Theatre – Cleveland Critics Awards nomination for Best Actor in a NonMusical), Gutenberg! The Musical!, The Realistic Joneses (DOBAMA Theatre), Tuesdays with Morrie (Playhouse on Park) and The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Festival Stage of Winston-Salem). TV & film: Bachelorette (with Kirsten Dunst), Orange Is The New Black, Blue Bloods and The Good Wife. Proud AEA and SAG-AFTRA member. Training: B.F.A., Kent State University. chrisrichardsonline.com.
David Anthony Smith* Muggeridge/Christmas Present/Debtor/Ensemble Fourteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Replace with: It’s a pleasure to return to this Holiday Classic in the Ohio Theatre. Previous roles at Great Lakes Theater include Fest in Twelfth Night, Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Rogers in And Then There Were None, Nathaniel in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Charity Man/Old Joe in A Christmas Carol, Hugh Evans in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Babet/ Lesgles in Les Misérables, Beadle in Sweeney Todd, Verges in Much Ado About Nothing, Old Shepherd in The Winter’s Tale, Guy in The Imaginary Invalid, Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew, Speed in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Actor 3 in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Flute/Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Durdles in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Among other credits: Candy in Of Mice and Men (PTTP/ Rep), the title role in Dracula (Boise Contemporary Theater) and Crave & Fully
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GLT audiences have seen him as Prospero in The Tempest, Iago in Othello, Jaques in As You Like It, Duke of Buckingham in Richard III, Muggeridge/The Ghost of Christmas Present/Debtor/Ensemble in A Christmas Carol, Viscount Goring in An Ideal Husband, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Macduff in Macbeth, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Sergius in Arms and the Man, Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest, Marc Antony in Julius Caesar and Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost. He has performed at the Tony Awardwinning Old Globe Theater in San Diego, South Coast Repertory, 16 seasons with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (title role in Henry V), Laguna Playhouse, Sierra Rep, Madison Rep and the Shakespeare festivals of Utah, Colorado, Garden Grove, Rhode Island, Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Forever and a day – Natalia.
M.A. Taylor* Charity Man 1/Helmsman/ Joe the Keeper/Ensemble Fourteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater
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Committed (Tooth & Nail Theater, Salt Lake City). He holds an MFA from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). He wishes to thank his Families (both genetic & professional) who make it possible for him to do what he loves. May the Season bring you and yours Peace, Joy, & Prosperity.
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Edie Barcelona Soloist/Street Child Great Lakes Theater debut Edie is 10 years old and is a fifth-grader at Lakewood’s Grant Elementary. She is excited to share the stage with GLT actors she has enjoyed watching as an audience member for the past few years. Edie has appeared in Billy Elliot at the Beck Center for the Arts and The Snow Queen and Jesus Christ Superstar at NearWest Theatre, as well as youth musicals at Lakewood Congregational Church and Lincoln Elementary. A student of ballet, jazz and tap at the Beck Center for the Arts, she danced in productions of Sleeping Beauty, Ebenezer Scrooge and Nutcracker. Edie has performed with Ballet with a Twist (NYC) at Playhouse Square and participated in the ArtEmotion dance intensive through Ballet in the City. You’ll often find Edie upsidedown as she practices tumbling. She is a Level 3 gymnast with Cleveland’s Sokol Ceska Sin and placed first in age-group competition last spring. Edie sings in school and church choirs, and plays piano and cello. “Thank you everybody who helped make this show happen and thanks to my family for the support.” Clara Edleman Master William/Tiny Tim Great Lakes Theater debut
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Clara is 9 years old and in the third grade. She is overjoyed to be making her debut with Great Lakes Theater this season as Tiny Tim. Clara’s previous roles include Ensemble for the Beck Center’s productions of The Wizard of Oz and Oliver. Most recently,
she had the opportunity to act as understudy for young Cossette in the Olmsted Performing Arts production of Les Misérables. Clara studies voice, ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical dance at the Beck Center and Olmsted Performing Arts. Off-stage, she enjoys writing her own music and reading. Clara sends her love to her family and friends. Emma McLelland Sled Boy/Boy Scrooge/ Ignorance Great Lakes Theater debut Emma is 9 years old and in third grade, and is thrilled to be making her debut with Great Lakes Theater. Emma developed her love for theater at the age of 4, and has been performing ever since. Her favorite roles include Baby Bear in Shrek, Tootie in Meet Me in St. Louis and Chip in Beauty and the Beast. Emma studies musical theater under the direction of Brian Marshall (Caryl Crane Youth Theatre) and vocal coaching with Jennifer Myor. Emma has training in ballet, jazz and tap, as well as in piano, guitar and ukulele. She is also a lead singer in an allkids rock band. Emma would like to thank her family and friends for all of their love and encouragement! Lainey Rambert Skate Girl/Ensemble Great Lakes Theater debut Lainey is 10 years old and is in the fifth grade at Menlo Park Academy. She lives in Olmsted Township with her parents, little brother and grandfather. She is ecstatic to be making her debut with Great Lakes Theater in a show with such a rich history. Lainey’s previous roles include Ophelia in a Shakespeare Capsulate and most recently Amaryllis in Music Man. She has worked as a featured extra in several films and commercials. Lainey studies vocal performance with Amy Hanratty (Voice Variations) and recently held her first full solo concert. Lainey is also a member of the Voice Variations Encore Performance Group. She previously studied multiple forms of dance with Jim Becker, as well as with
Olmsted Performing Arts. She enjoys reading, playing volleyball and basketball, and learning piano when not acting, singing or dancing. Lainey would like to thank her family for all their love and support as well as her friends and classmates at MPA! Ellie Ritterbusch Sarah/Polly/Want Two seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Sun-Hee Smith Street Child/Swing Great Lakes Theater debut Sun-Hee Smith is 10 years old and she is thrilled to be making her debut with Great Lakes Theater. She played Helen in A Christmas Story at Cleveland Play House last season. Her other appearances include La Bohème with Cleveland Opera, Hillbillie Holiday at the Beck Center, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown at Cassidy Theater and Annie and Once Upon a Mattress at Olmsted Performing Arts. She participated in Broadway Artist Alliance Intensive Session in New York City this summer. Sun-Hee plays piano and flute, and enjoys playing volleyball.
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Ellie is honored to be performing with the talented cast of Great Lakes Theater again in this amazing holiday production of A Christmas Carol. Her most recent credits include The Little Mermaid Jr. as Ariel (82nd Street Theatre), Evita as Child Soloist (Spotlights Theater), Show Boat as Young Kim/Ensemble (Near West Theatre) and Seussical, Jr. as JoJo (82nd Street Theatre). Ellie is 12 years old and in the sixth grade. She studies vocal performance with Ryan Bergeron. In addition to singing and acting, Ellie enjoys skiing and spending time with friends and family. Ellie is extremely grateful
to everyone at Great Lakes Theater for this wonderful opportunity. She is also thankful to her family and friends for their love, encouragement and support. Enjoy the show!
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Lindsey Smits Abigail/Belinda Cratchit/ Ensemble Two seasons with Great Lakes Theater Lindsey is 11 years old and in the fifth grade at Olmsted Falls Intermediate School. She is thrilled to be returning to her all-time favorite production and to a show that was the highlight of her holiday season last year! Lindsey’s previous roles include Jane in Mary Poppins, Brigitta in The Sound of Music, JoJo in Seussical and Young Eponine in Les Misérables. She has performed the National Anthem at community events, and she was a finalist at the Garrettsville Idol 2016 competition. This summer, Lindsey will be returning to the Destination Broadway Musical Theater Camp in NYC, under the direction of Michael Rafter. Lindsey studies vocal performance with Amy Hanratty, and she is a member of Voice Variations’ Encore performing group. She studies ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and lyrical dance at Rock City Dance, and she competes on Rock City’s Diamond Dance Team. When not performing, Lindsey enjoys basketball, piano and drums, and she holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Lindsey sends her love to A Christmas Carol’s incredible cast and crew, and to all of her classmates at OFIS. She dedicates her performances to her beloved Grandma Carol. Xander Smits Master William/Tiny Tim Two seasons with Great Lakes Theater
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Xander is 9 years old and in the third grade at Falls-Lenox Elementary School. An avid Broadway musical theater fan, he is delighted to return to his favorite Christmas show and to have the honor of playing such an iconic character! Xander’s previous roles include Winthrop in The Music Man and Party Child in The Nutcracker. He also acted as an extra in the movie Hollidaysburgh (2014). Off-stage, Xander studies vocal performance with Amy Hanratty. He also studies piano and drums with NorthWoods Music. Xander is a Cub Scout, and he especially loves camping and
hiking. He plays basketball in Olmsted Falls recreation leagues, and he holds the rank of Little Tiger black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He also enjoys art classes, video games and writing. Xander thanks his family for their love and support and the cast and crew of A Christmas Carol for making the show so much fun! He dedicates his performances to his Grandma Carol, who loved watching him perform. Niko Ustin Delivery Boy/Ensemble Great Lakes Theater debut Niko is a fifth-grader at Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights. He is honored to perform with Great Lakes Theater for the first time. He has previously appeared as the Homeless Boy in The Grapes of Wrath with Sugar Creek Opera in Watseka, Illinois; and as Michael Banks in Mary Poppins with Mercury Theater Company in South Euclid; as well as in productions of Jungle Book, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Heights Youth Theatre in University Heights. He has been a member of the Croatian folk dance group, Zagreb Junior Tamburitzans, and studies piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music. His hobbies include soccer, basketball, skiing, building, cooking and latté art. Chase Christopher Zadd James Cratchit/Master Robert/Adolescent Scrooge/ Ensemble Four seasons with Great Lakes Theater Chase is 10 years old and in the fifth grade at Bethany Lutheran School. He is ecstatic to be returning for his fourth season in this year’s production of A Christmas Carol! Chase’s previous credits include Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, Ensemble in Near West Theatre’s production of Show Boat, Colin Craven (understudy) in The Secret Garden and Delivery Boy in A Christmas Carol (Great Lakes Theater). He most recently appeared in Into the Woods as Jack at Cassidy Theatre. His hobbies include running around with his dogs Max and Charlie, constructing different sets for plays
at home, singing and dancing. Chase thanks his dad, mom, and sister Brooke for always believing in him and supporting him with all of his crazy ideas. Chase truly loves this production and Great Lakes Theater, and is so thankful for another year to showcase his talents!
Understudies Trevor Buda, Aled Davies*, Jessie Cope Miller*, Alexander Lee Smith, Sun-Hee Smith, Mackenzie Wright, Emily Sofia Wronski
Directors Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director Fifteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater
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Directing credits at GLT: And Then There Were None, Dial “M” for Murder, Deathtrap, Blithe Spirit, Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, All’s Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, Hay Fever, The Importance of Being Earnest,
Arms and the Man and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Charles holds a unique position in the American theater as producing artistic director of three independently operated, professional theater companies: Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland, Ohio (since 2002), Idaho Shakespeare Festival in Boise, Idaho (since 1991) and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival in Incline Village, Nevada (since 2010). His appointments have resulted in a dynamic and groundbreaking producing model for the companies, in which more than 60 plays have been shared since 2002. In 2009, Charles was honored to receive recognition for his leadership by the Cleveland Arts Prize as a recipient of the Martha Joseph Award. Other awards include The Mayor’s and Governor’s awards for Excellence in the Arts, Idaho. From 1988 to 1992, he held the position of artistic director at the Sierra Repertory Theatre in California. He has also worked with The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, the Milwaukee and Missouri repertory theaters, Actor’s Theatre of Phoenix and the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival. In addition to
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his work with the companies in Ohio, Idaho and Nevada, Charles is active within the community. He has served as a member of the strategic planning committee for the Morrison Center, as producer of the FUNDSY Award Gala (’96, ’98 and 2000), and as producer of the 1996 Idaho Governor’s Awards in the Arts. Charles has served on the board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Downtown Rotary Club. He received his B.A. from the University of the Pacific and Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, San Diego. Along with his wife, Lidia and daughter, Alexa, Charles resides in Boise, Cleveland and Lake Tahoe — a feat that is only possible because of the incredible love and support of his family, and the generous communities he serves! Gerald Freedman Director, Adaptor Twenty-nine seasons with Great Lakes Theater Gerald Freedman is Dean Emeritus of then School of Drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, one of the leading undergraduate acting conservatories in the nation. An Obie Award winner and the first American invited to direct at the Globe Theatre in London, he is regarded internationally for his direction of productions of classic drama, musicals, operas, new plays and television. He served as leading director of Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival from 1960 to 1971, the last four years as artistic director. He was co-artistic director of John Houseman’s The Acting Company from 1974 to 1977, artistic director of the American Shakespeare Theatre
from 1978 to 1979, and artistic director of Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1985 to 1997. Gerald has staged 29 of Shakespeare’s plays, along with dozens of other world classics. He made theater history with his off-Broadway premiere of the landmark rock musical Hair, which opened the Public Theater in 1967. Broadway direction includes The Robber Bridegroom; The Grand Tour; the revival of West Side Story, co-directed with Jerome Robbins; the premiere of Arthur Miller’s The Creation of the World and Other Business and Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession. Gerald also directed opera productions for the Opera Society of Washington (Kennedy Center), the San Francisco Opera Company and the New York City Opera. Prior to becoming Dean of Drama at UNC School of the Arts, he taught at Yale and Juilliard. A native of Lorain, Ohio, he received both his B.S. and his M.A. (summa cum laude) from Northwestern University, and trained with Alvina Krause, Emmy Joseph and at The Actors Studio. Tom Ford Director Eleven seasons with Great Lakes Theater Directing: The Shakespeare Stealer and The Comedy of Errors (Idaho Shakespeare Festival Education Tours), The Fantasticks and Straw Hat Revue (New London Barn Playhouse) and Really Rosie (The Night Kitchen). Acting: Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Sir Andrew Aguecheeck in Twelfth Night, Wargrave in And Then There Were None, Dull in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Dr. Craven in The Secret Garden, Fool in King Lear, Stephano in The Tempest, Sidney Bruhl in Deathtrap,
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David Shimotakahara Choreographer Twenty-seven seasons with Great Lakes Theater David Shimotakahara was a member of the Atlanta Ballet, Boston Repertory Ballet, Kathryn Posin Dance Company and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. He performed with Ohio Ballet under the direction of Heinz Poll from 1983-1998. In 1998, he founded GroundWorks Dance Theater, for which he is Executive, Artistic Director. Based in Cleveland, the company is committed to creating and producing new work in dance. Mr. Shimotakahara has choreographed for opera and theater with Cleveland Opera, Great Lakes Theater, Cleveland Play House and the Dallas Theater Center. He has received seven Individual Artist Fellowships for Choreography from the Ohio Arts Council. In 1998, he received a McKnight Foundation Fellowship from the Minnesota Dance Alliance to create new work in the Minneapolis/St. Paul communities. Mr. Shimotakahara was awarded the 2000
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Dr. Caius in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Thénardier in Les Misérables, Sweeney in Sweeney Todd, Argan in The Imaginary Invalid, Mr. Paravicini in The Mousetrap, Baker in Into the Woods, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Casca in Julius Caesar and Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Idaho Shakespeare Festival: My Fair Lady, Twelfth Night, And Then There Were None, The Tempest, The Secret Garden, King Lear, Les Misérables, Sweeney Todd, Richard III, The Imaginary Invalid, The Winter’s Tale, The Mousetrap, Into the Woods, Macbeth, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Romeo and Juliet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Merry Wives of Windsor, As You Like It, Julius Caesar and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Other theaters include Boise Contemporary Theater, Portland Stage Company and New London Barn Playhouse. Broadway: Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s By Jeeves at the Helen Hayes Theater. TomFordActor.com.
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Cleveland Arts Prize for Dance. In 2002, his work with GroundWorks Dance Theater was voted “One of 25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine. In 2007, he received the OhioDance award for Outstanding Contributions to the Advancement of the Dance Artform. In 2010 and 2014, Mr. Shimotakahara was a recipient of a Creative Workforce Fellowship, a program of the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture, funded by Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.
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Matthew Webb Music Director Ten seasons with Great Lakes Theater Matthew is a graduate of the Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music, resides in New York City and hails from Cordova, Illinois. This is his sixth year as music director of A Christmas Carol in the Ohio Theatre. Previously at Great Lakes Theater: The Fantasticks, Sweeney Todd, Sondheim on Sondheim, Guys & Dolls, Cabaret, Bat Boy: the Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Into the Woods, Macbeth, Two Gentlemen of Verona and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the
Forum. Matthew is currently the music supervisor for the acclaimed corporate entertainment group, The Water Coolers, and has performed for such clients as AT&T, Adobe, Citibank, Toastmasters, Gogo Air, Pitney Bowes and Dunkin Brands. For two years, he created the sound design for Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s, Shakespearience, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest, and their productions of Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing. He sends abundant love and gratitude to Sara, Charlie, Corrie and his amazing parents, Carol and Jerry. Merry Christmas!
Designers Mary Jo Dondlinger Lighting Designer Twenty-nine seasons with Great Lakes Theater Career design credits include productions for Circle in the Square, The Irish Repertory Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, TheatreWorks
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(Hartford) and many others. Mary Jo has long been associated with the York Theatre Company off-Broadway, where she designed the original production of The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), as well as many other musicals and plays. Most recent credits at Great Lakes Theater are The Fantasticks, Les Misérables, Sweeney Todd and Sondheim On Sondheim. John Ezell Scenic Designer Forty seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Award-winning associate artistic director and director of design at GLT under Vincent Dowling, Gerald Freedman and James Bundy. He has designed for Broadway; New York Shakespeare Festival; NY Public Theatre; Crossroads Theatre; Roundabout Theatre; Shakespeare Theatre at the Folger; Williamstown; Berkshire; Old Globe; Coconut Grove; Asolo State Theatre; Arizona Theatre Company; Milwaukee Repertory Theater; Dallas Theatre Center; Indiana and Kansas City repertory theaters; Cincinnati Playhouse;1 11/4/16 10:53 AM Page 1 OH_2017_Start_Small_ad_PS.qxp_Layout
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Hong Kong Repertory Theatre; Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa; the Istanbul Cultural Olympics; Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts; Lyric Opera; Blackstone Theatre and Second City in Chicago; Cincinnati Ballet; Royal Danish Ballet; Royal Theatre in Copenhagen; Swedish Riksteater and the Cullberg Ballet in Stockholm; and CBS, PBS-TV and Swedish State Television. His drawings have been exhibited in New York, San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Prague and Brussels. His work received the Award for Experimental Television Art in Milan, Italy; two Corporation for Public Broadcasting Awards for Excellence; and 15 national Critic’s Circle awards, including the 20112012 Connecticut Critics Circle Award for best professional sets at the historic Westport Country Playhouse. He is a Fellow of the College of the American Theatre at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
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Gene Emerson Friedman Scenic Designer Twenty-eight seasons with Great Lakes Theater Gene has designed Gerald Freedman’s adaptations of A Christmas Carol and People Who Led to My Plays, as well as The Dearest Friends, The Boor, The Enemies, The World of Sholom Aleichem and What the Butler Saw (Great Lakes Theater Festival). Other designs include Calderon’s Life is a Dream (New York’s Lincoln Center); Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, Romeo and Juliet (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival); Second City Does Arizona (Arizona Theatre Company); A Christmas Carol, Death of a Salesman, Master Class, I’m Not Rappaport (Kansas City Rep); The Music Man, Carousel, La Cage aux Folles (StagesSaint Louis); Death and the Maiden (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). Gene is architectural historian of the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe [1629] at Zuni Pueblo, and he serves as archivist and curator of the Casa de Santo Nino also at Zuni. He is a tenured associate professor of design at UMKC. His fine art, Stages Of Conversion, has been seen at multiple galleries. Stan Kozak Sound Designer Thirty-one seasons with Great Lakes Theater
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Stan Kozak, among his more than 50 design credits, most recently designed sound for Bat Boy: the Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Comedy of Errors. His work in 1979 and 1981 with Geraldine Fitzgerald on Streetsongs at GLT led to the original cast album. Mr. Kozak was the resident sound designer for four seasons at the Porthouse Theatre Company, including productions of Driving Miss Daisy, Niteclub Confidential and And a Nightingale Sang. His collaborations with Victoria Bussert at Baldwin-Wallace College include productions of Chess, Hair, Cabaret, West Side Story, Tommy in Concert, the Ohio premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion and one of the first nonprofessional productions of Phantom of the Opera. For Cain Park, his design credits include Secret Garden; Fiddler on the Roof; Bat Boy: the
Musical; Tick, tick...Boom; Nine; The Wiz; and Pippin. Mr. Kozak has also designed sound for Dobama Theater, Cleveland Opera, Beck Center, the Jewish Community Theater and TrueNorth Cultural Arts. He has served as sound designer for the All-City Musical for the last nine seasons, as well as for the Ideastream Gala concert with Bebe Neuwirth in 2005. He was honored to be among the first group of LORT sound designers to achieve recognition in USA 829. Tom Mardikes Sound Designer Twenty-eight seasons with Great Lakes Theater Tom Mardikes most recently designed sound for GLT’s summer 2005 production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. His past designs have been for Julius Caesar, The Dybbuk, King Lear, Hamlet and The Cherry Orchard. He has worked on more than 250 professional productions nationwide, where he has designed for Kansas City (formerly Missouri) Rep, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Starlight Theatre, the Unicorn Theatre, the Dallas Theatre Center, Syracuse Stage, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, the Roundabout, Buffalo Studio Arena, Alley Theatre, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. In the spring of 2015, he designed sound for Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing for Repertory Theatre St. Louis and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. He is the head of graduate sound design training and the chair of the nationally prominent professional theater-training program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In 2005, he co-founded Kansas City Actors Theatre that has successfully produced acclaimed productions with its artist-led, artist-driven mission. James Scott Costume Designer Twenty-eight seasons with Great Lakes Theater James Scott has designed costumes for productions of works by Shakespeare, Moliere, Ibsen, Chekhov, Mozart, Rossini, Verdi and Puccini at regional theaters and opera houses across the country. Among his favor-
Photo: Roger Mastroianni
Great Lakes Theater
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ite productions are Love’s Labour’s Lost for the New York Shakespeare Festival; Ten Little Indians, Arcadia, The Miracle Worker and The Most Happy Fella for the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; The Merchant of Venice for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival; Norma and Il trovatore for the Minnesota Opera; Il barbiere di Siviglia for the Washington Opera; MacBeth, Othello and The Taming of the Shrew for the Acting Company’s national tours; Funny Girl, Fiddler on the Roof and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg for the Sundance Theatre; and Sweeney Todd, I pagliacci, and Il viaggio a Reims for the Portland Opera in Oregon. His production credits for Great Lakes Theater span more than 20 years, and include Romeo and Juliet, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Rough Crossing, As You Like It and A Little Night Music. Mr. Scott is a graduate of New York and Brown universities, and attended the School of Law at The City University of New York. He is also an elite figure-skater and is thrilled that Cleveland hosted the Gay Games in 2014. He would like to dedicate the design for this produc-
tion in memory of Susan Gregg, director of Fallen Angels for Great Lakes Theater. Cynthia Stillings Lighting Designer Twenty-six seasons with Great Lakes Theater Cynthia Stillings designs regionally and nationally, and designed the Great Lakes Theater premiere of Adrienne Kennedy’s Ohio State Murders. Opera and dance credits include Sweeney Todd, Carmen, Of Mice and Men, Man of La Mancha and Turandot for Cleveland Opera, where she was resident lighting designer; Tartuffe for Skylight Opera Theatre and An American Festival for the Cincinnati Ballet. Regional theater credits include Utah Shakespearean Festival, where she designed The Matchmaker, Candida and the world premiere of the new musical Lend Me a Tenor, the Musical; Madison Repertory Theatre; Porthouse Theatre; Cain Park Theatre; The Contemporary American Theatre Company; Phoenix Theatre Circle and an award-winning production of Assassins for Players Theater Columbus. Ms.
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Stillings is currently associate dean of the College of the Arts at Kent State University. Robert Waldman Music Adaptor and Arranger Twenty-eight seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Tim Kinzel* Stage Manager Seven seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previous stage management credits for Great Lakes Theater include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, An Ideal Husband, Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo & Juliet. Imaginary Invalid, Blithe Spirit, Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III, Deathtrap, As You Like It, Merry Wives of Windsor, Dial “M” for Murder, The Tempest, King Lear, And Then There Were None, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Fantasticks, Twelfth Night and My Fair Lady. Tim has multiple stage management credits from the following companies: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Playwrights Horizon, Cherry Lane Theater NYC and Houston’s Stages Repertory Theatre. Love to his family and friends. Shout out to Clevelanders for making downtown and Playhouse Square the place to be. Happy Holidays! Jessica B. Lucas* Assistant Stage Manager Five seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previous assistant stage management and production assistant credits include My Fair Lady, The Secret Garden, King Lear, Dial M for Murder, Les Misérables, A Christmas Carol and Deathtrap with Great Lakes Theater; And Then There Were None, Love’s Labor’s Lost, My Fair Lady, Dial “M” for Murder, Secret Garden and King Lear with Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Luna Gale with Cleveland Playhouse. Previous stage management credits include Twelfth Night and The Misanthrope with Cleveland Play House/CWRU MFA Program; and Memphis, Rent and Aida with the All-City Musical program. Jessica earned her BA in theater from the University of Scranton. Jessica has also worked as the company manager for Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.
GreatLakesTheater.org
Robert Waldman has written primarily for the theater. He began his career as a protégé of Frank Loesser, and his music has been heard in Alfred Uhry’s The Last Night of Ballyhoo at Cleveland Play House and Edgardo Mine at the Guthrie Theater, as well as in GLT’s production of Glass Menagerie; in New York in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy, The Heiress, Voices in the Dark; and Lincoln Center’s Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Ivanov, Dinner at Eight, The Rivals, Jon Robin Baitz’ A Fair Country and Ten Unknowns. Most recently, his work was heard in Wendy Wasserstein’s Third, David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre and Peter Parnell’s The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket. Waldman composed the score for Broadway’s Here’s Where I Belong and The Robber Bridegroom, which was nominated for a Drama Desk Award, and Florida’s Poinciana and Parker Playhouse’s revue of Lois Wyse’s Funny You Don’t Look Like a Grandmother. His music has been heard in Arthur Laurents’ 2 Lives; Hartford Stage’s musical, America’s Sweetheart; Long Wharf ’s As You Like It and The School for Scandal; Washington Shakespeare Theater’s Richard II and The Country Wife; as well as the Kennedy Center musical, Swing. Performances of Mr. Waldman’s compositions have been heard in films, on television, in ballets and in numerous commercials and concert halls. Illustrated collections of some 40 of his piano compositions for children have been published by G. Shirmer — among them A Swing Bag, A Rag Bag, A ¾ Bag and A Santa Bag. He has received a National Endowment for the Arts grant in musical theater, the Dramatists Guild of America’s Flora Roberts Award for Outstanding Music for the Theater and the JEFF Award in Chicago for Best Original Music for Driving Miss Daisy.
Stage Management
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DONORS The trustees, staff and artistic company of Great Lakes Theater express our deepest gratitude to the hundreds of supporters of “Cleveland’s Classic Company.” The donors listed below and on the following pages made generous gifts between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. “I can no other answer make but thanks.” Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene iii
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Make a Contribution Great Lakes Theater served more than 100,000 students and adults last year through its Hanna and Ohio Theatre mainstage productions and education programs throughout northeast Ohio. This would not have been possible without the annual support of the hundreds of generous donors listed below. Please join the Great Lakes Theater family by making a tax-deductible contribution to support Cleveland’s Classic Company. Visit the “Support Us” section of our website (GreatLakesTheater.org) or call us at (216) 453-4442 to learn more about our membership and donation programs.
Sponsors Company Sponsors $100,000 and above The Cleveland Foundation***
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture** Lead Sponsors $50,000 to $99,999 The David & Inez Myers Foundation*** Ohio Arts Council*** The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation***
The George Gund Foundation*** The Kulas Foundation*** The John P. Murphy Foundation***
Sponsors $25,000 to $49,999 The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation The GAR Foundation*** The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation*** PNC Foundation*
Season Sponsors:
The Reinberger Foundation*** Shakespeare for a New Generation – National Endowment for the Arts
Season Media Sponsors:
The Great Lakes Theater Business Alliance:
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*3 – 5 consecutive years as a donor **6 – 9 consecutive years as a donor ***10 or more consecutive years as a donor
THE LEGACY SOCIETY
Great Lakes Theater’s Legacy Society honors individuals, families, foundations and other generous donors that make gifts to Great Lakes Theater’s Endowment Fund or have made a provision for Great Lakes Theater through their estate plans. Please consider becoming a member of the growing list of generous Great Lakes Theater Legacy Society supporters and help ensure that classic theater endures for future generations in northeast Ohio by designating Great Lakes Theater a beneficiary in your will, trust or other estate plans.
“Evermore thanks.” Marilyn* & Paul* Brentlinger Willard & Donna Carmel Mary* & Leigh Carter Natalie & Morton Epstein Edward S. Godleski Samuel S. Hartwell Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer Kate Lunsford Mary Anne* & Jack McGrath Janet & Bob Neary
Richard II, Act II, Scene ii James A. Nelson* Donald & Anne Palmer Lynn & Tim Pistell Professor Alan Miles Ruben & Judge Betty Willis Ruben The John Sherwin Family George* & Marjorie* Springer Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford Arthur L. Thomas Audrey* & Dick* Watts
*Deceased: The legacy of these generous donors lives on for future generations.
LEAVE A LEGACY!
For more information regarding planned gifts, please contact Don Bernardo, Director of Development. (216) 453-1068 | dbernardo@greatlakestheater.org.
THE SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY
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Individual donors of $1,000 and above are members of Great Lakes Theater’s “Shakespeare Society” and are entitled to certain benefits, including invitations to special Society events and activities. For more information, contact Don Bernardo at (216) 453-1068.
Avon Circle $10,000 to $24,999
Globe Circle ($2,500 to $4,999)
Folio Circle ($1,000 to $2,499)
The Abington Foundation* The Community Foundation of Lorain County*** Eaton Corporation*** Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer*** Janet & Bob Neary*** The Lubrizol Foundation*** The Nord Family Foundation*** Nordson Corporation Foundation** Dr. & Mrs. Donald Palmer*** Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Pistell*** Mrs. James O. Roberts*** John & Barbara Schubert*** The Shubert Foundation*** Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford***
Chuck & Bonnie Abbey** Michelle R. Arendt*** Walt & Laura Avdey** Dalia & Robert Baker*** David & Carolyn Bialosky* Kim & Bart Bixenstine* Mitch & Liz Blair*** Glenn & Jenny Brown*** Mr. & Mrs. Homer D. W. Chisholm*** The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation*** Gail Cudak & Thomas Young*** Richard & Evelyn Dolejs* Timothy J. Downing & Ken Press* Charles, Lidia & Alexa Fee** Elizabeth Grove & Rich Bedell* Susan C. & Jeffery A. Hastings** Mary Elizabeth Huber William W. Jacobs*** Katie Kennedy & Doug White Victor C. Laughlin, M.D. Memorial Foundation Trust*** Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Mayer*** Donald W. Morrison*** Nicholas & Sue Peay*** Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Peterman*** Dr. Scott & Mrs. Judy Pendergast*** Thomas A. Piraino & Barbara C. McWilliams** Prof. Alan Miles Ruben & Judge Betty Willis Ruben* Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Ruhl*** Kim Sherwin** Steve Gariepy & Nancy Sin*** Brit & Kate Stenson*** Arthur L. Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Paul L. Wellener IV*** Robert & Emily Williams* Ms. Rebecca A. Zuti & Mr. Anthony D. DeCello**
John & Laura Bertsch** H.F. & J.C. Burkhardt*** Calfee, Halter & Griswold, LLP** Jack & Janice Campbell*** Beverly J. Coen* Carolyn & Charles Dickson*** Ms. Leslie C. Dickson* Mr. & Mrs. John Dunn Dr. Howard Epstein Leigh L. Fabens Mr. James Graham & Mr. David Dusek Henry G. Grendell* The Gries Family Foundation*** Drs. Thomas & Cynthia Gustaferro Virginia Hansen*** Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Heller Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.*** Faisal Khan & Angela DiCorleto Donna M. & Alex I. Koler Charlotte R. Kramer* John J. & JoAnn D. Lane* Ken & Mary Loparo*** Mr. & Mrs. William E. MacDonald III* Jack McGrath*** John J. Meiburger* Mr. & Mrs. John C. Morley*** Ms. Danielle M. Morris Ms. Karen Nemec** Pamela G. Noble & E. Macke Bentley IV John & Norine Prim*** Ms. Ana G. Rodriguez Linda Schlageter*** Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph K. Schmeller* Sally J. Staley*** Diana & Eugene Stromberg*** Gerald F. Unger*** Mary C. Warren** Mr. & Mrs. Kevin M. White* Julie Sabroff Willoughby Patrick M. Zohn*** John & Jane Zuzek***
Stratford Circle ($5,000 to $9,999) Bridgewater Associates, Inc.** The Eva L. & Joseph M. Bruening Foundation*** Mr. Todd M. Burger & Ms. Kristie Beck Bill & Judie Caster* Barry & Suzanne Doggett*** Carol Dolan & Greggory Hill** Mr. & Mrs. Morton G. Epstein*** Ernst & Young, LLP*** Dianne V. Foley* The Harry K. & Emma R. Fox Foundation*** The Giant Eagle Foundation** Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Hartwell*** Paul R. & Denise Horstman Keen** Diane Kathleen Hupp The Laub Foundation*** Mr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Moeller*** David P. Porter & Margaret K. Poutasse*** Laura & Alvin Siegal The Thomas H. White Foundation, a KeyBank Trust**
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*3-5 consecutive years as a donor. **6-9 consecutive years as a donor. *** 10 or more consecutive years as a donor.
Welcome! The following individuals made their first gift or returned as active donors to Great Lakes Theater during the period of July 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016. The Great Lakes Theater family welcomes you! Joel & Teresa Andreani Denise Blanda Mr. James Collins Robert & Susan Conrad Ms. Virginia Dybicz Dr. & Mrs. Robert L. Fairchild
Sustainers ($500 to $999)
Patrons ($250 to $499) The Thomas and Joann Adler Family Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland** Ms. Laura Aquila Ms. Nancy J. Arndt Mr. & Mrs. Benham S. Bates** Fred & Mary Behm*** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Berges Jerry & Kathy Berkshire Roger Bielefeld Martha & Wayne Bifano Paul & Heather Blonsky Gary & Kay Bluhm** Bernice A. Bolek*** Tim & Cindy Carr* Larry & Nancy Case Ms. Megan Casserlie* Mr. & Mrs. John Clarry Dr. & Mrs. Kevin D. Cooper* Brian Wynne & Patrick Cozzens* Bruce & Maryellen Cudney Audrey DeClement*** William Demboski Mr. & Mrs. Steve deMoulpied Ms. Anne B. DesRosiers & Mr. Stephen Kadish* Pete & Margaret Dobbins Mr. & Mrs. L. William Erb Ann & Harry Farmer Mr. Joseph A. Ferritto Catherine Fishbach Mary Ann & Joseph Fischer Ms. Michelle Frygier Chad & Ivy Gaizutis* Mr. & Ms. Patrick F. Gallagher Larry & Jean Gilbert* Ms. Michelle Goad Mr. Richard Goddard Gary & Frances Goins Ilona K. Gram* Douglas Gray Mr. & Mrs. Richard S. Gray** Ms. Jackie Grimm Lee & Peter Haas Ms. Kathleen E. Hancock Ms. Brighid Hillmuth Rick Hoch Mr. Herbert J. Hoppe, Jr. Mr. Richard Hyde Robert & Linda Jenkins** Amy & Jeff Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick W. O’ Connor Ms. Bette M. Prendergast Mr. Doug Perkowski Karl & Carol Theil Mr. Lee C. Zeiszler
Bernie & Nancy Karr*** Ms. Joylen J. Kent* Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kimmel** Charles King & Catherine Keating Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick*** James & Rosemary Koehler Ronald G. Kollar** Mr. Gene Kratus Jacob Kronenberg & Barbara Belovich** Stephen & Carolyn Kuerbitz Anne R. & Kenneth E. Love** Thomas & Sheryl Love The Mersol Family*** Mr. Salvatore Mileti Mary & Steve Mitchell*** Dale Sr., Dale Jr. & Gayle Montgomery Mr. & Mrs. Wilmer M. Piper*** Mr. & Mrs. James M. Petras Michael & Paulette Poklar James & Susan Prince Dr. Edward J. Rockwood*** Mrs. Sharon M. Rogers** Otmar & Rota Sackerlotzky*** Jim & Joan Schaefer Mr. Jon Shaffer Ms. Laura Shaw Dr. & Mrs. Lynn A. Smith*** Albert Stratton** Bob Taylor & Jeff Herrmann Frank & Vicki Titas** Robert & Marti Vagi* Mr. & Mrs. James D. Vail** Carol Lee Vella* James L. Wagner** Mr. & Mrs. James L. Wamsley III Dr. & Mrs. Gregory A. Watts* Nancy-Anne Wargo* Mr. Matthew T. Wholey & Dr. Leland L. Metheny Mr. John Wiedemann & Ms. Pamela Schnellinger* Ms. Margaret E. Zellmer* Donald & Dorothy Zito
Associates ($125 to $249) Chuck & Maureen Adler Donna Beletic* Ms. Pamela Benson* John & Jeannene Bertosa** Susan Bobey**
John Bolton** Ms. Dorothy F. Borer* Joanne R. Bratush*** Richard & Mary Ann Brockett James F. Brown Mike & Carole Brown* V. Elizabeth Brown** Larry & Andi Carlini** Jean McQuillan & Richard Christ*** John & Donna Clifford*** Rollin & Anne Conway** Douglas Court Stan & Lisa Corwin David & Gayle Cratty** Dr. Ben S. Curatolo Lowell & Carole Davis*** Chad & Andrea Deal** Marilyn P. Demeter*** Daniel & Joyce Dyer * Bob & Ginny Eckardt* Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eikenburg*** Howard P. Erlichman** Gene & Patricia Ewald Susan L. Fike*** Mary Eileen Fogarty*** David V. Foos** Mr. & Mrs. Gerald R. Frei** Mrs. Carla Gallagher* Deborah A. Geier*** Dr. Richard J. Goetsch John Greene* Tom & Kirsten Hagesfeld** Michael & Suzanne Harris* Curt & Karen Henkle** Kathy & Jamie Hogg*** Clyde A. Horn*** Ron & Joanne Hulec*** Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Janson* Marilyn & Howard Karfeld*** Lauren Kawentel** Michael & Lynn Kleinman* Mr. Thomas Knox* Ursula Korneitchouk Fred & Joann Lafferty*** Leslie Lahr Jennifer & Robert Larson* Mr.& Mrs. Brian Lawler* Brian & Renee Lowery** Robert MacMurray* Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. McDonald*** Jennifer & Peter Meckes* Rita C. McLaughlin*
GreatLakesTheater.org
Mrs. Al A. Archambault Mr. & Mrs. Glenn G. Anderson, Jr. Robyn & David Barrie*** Mr. Gary D. Benz & Ms. Betsy Karetnick Ms. Melanie Bingham Jeffrey Boecker & Susan Iler Bette Bonder & Patrick Bray** Steven & Sharon Broz* Beverly & Bruce Cameron* Donald & Annamarie Chick*** Mary Dolan & David Haracz James Eschmeyer*** Evans Charitable Foundation Dale Gabor Janet & Patricia Glaeser*** Ted & Nancy Goble Mr. & Mrs. Randall J. Gordon Gary & Joanna Graeff Mr. A. Allen Howell Kenneth Karosy*** Stewart & Donna Kohl Ms. Shirley Lanzieri Eva & Rudolf Linnebach* Rosa & Samuel Lobe Memorial Fund of the Jewish Federation** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Lynch*** Mark & Barbara Mazzone* Francis & Viola McDowell** Helen & Harry Mercer** David & Leslee Miraldi*** Mr. Ken Myles Deborah L. Neale*** Mr. & Mrs. William Osborne, Jr.*** Mr. John Rampe Thomas & Helen Rathburn** Robert & Linda Jenkins Naomi G. & Edwin Z. Singer Family Fund, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland** Gary & Jane Small Mr. Terry Szmagala Kathleen Turner*** Margaret & Loyal Wilson* Women’s Committee of Great Lakes Theater ***
Mrs. Carla Gallagher Ms. Elaine H. Green Ms. Robin Herrington-Bowen Bill & Susan Kirchner Chris & Laura Larson Roy & Cindy Moore
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Nan Miller** Diane Moffett Toni & Linda Moore** Mr. D. Stephen Botorff & Ms. Patricia J. Moyer** Marion Murfey Robert & Margery Orth Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Patalon* Brian Perry & Ka Pi Hoh* Ms. Mary L. Pollak Andrew & Brenda Pongracz* Mr. & Mrs. Louis Pongracz** Ms. Betsy R. Quinn Ms. Lori Riga* Reinhold & Ginny Roedig*** Mr. & Mrs. James A. Saks** Donna Schuerger*** Doris A. Schultz** Richard Shirey Dr. Howard Simon* Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Slavin** Mr. & Mrs. John Southworth* William E. Spatz** Kathlyn & Harry Stenzel*** Susan St. John** Katherine Stokes-Shafer Anita K. Stoll Mr. & Mrs. Timothy L. Sullivan** Mr. & Mrs. William W. Taft Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Tatman* Dr. & Mrs. Ken Tomecki** Dorothy Ann Turick Anne Unverzagt & Richard Goddard** Christine and Daniel Vento Mr. Kenneth Vinciquerra Ms. Kimberly A. Vivolo Raymond Voelker* Mrs. Betty S. Weiss** Bobby Withrow Thomas M. Wladyka James & Sandra Wood** John & Dianne Young
Friends ($75 to $124)
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Ms. Josephine B. Anderson Ms. Nancy M. Barnes Brian & Teresa Bester Elizabeth A. Billings Dr. & Mrs. Dieter F. Bloser*** Phyliss M. Boggs Mr. & Mrs. Charles P. Bolton*** Carol Brenneman Mr. Stanley C. Brandt & Ms. Mary K. Whitmer*** Mr. & Mrs. Jim Britenbach Julia & Ben Brouhard* James F. Brown Barbara J. Burke* Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Charlick* Dr. & Mrs. Dale H. Cowan Samuel Cowling** Judith Darus* Shirley B. Dawson Chris & Mary Ann Deibel*** The DeMinico Family Donna Douglas***
Ms. Patricia R. Esposito Janice Evans* Mr. & Mrs. Frank L. Field*** Laura & Donald Ford Mr. Bob Fowler Mr. & Mrs. Ralph C. Frey* Mr. & Mrs. Lou Galizio*** Greg & Gail Gibson*** Virginia T. Goetz Linda Grau Jean E. Gubbins** Marian Hancy** Ms. Charlene S. Harner Linda A. Heath Jean Heller* Ms. Eleanor W. Helper Mr. and Mrs. Douglas M. Hicks Frank & Gerry Hoffert** Mark & Lynn Hofflund* Ms. Sharon J. Hoppens Mary Immormino Chet & Greta Insolia* Marie Ivkanec Brittany Jackson Deb & Gar Kaminski Dennis Kelly* Mr. & Mrs. Joseph C. Kelley Mr. Gilbert P. Kenehan* Samuel C. Kennell William & Marion Kettering* Mr. & Mrs. Mark D. Kozel*** Mr. & Mrs. Gregory G. Kruszka* Eleanor & Stephen Kushnick Gregory Leach Ms. Linda V. Lefkovitz Gregory & Vickie Leyes* Morton & Lola Litt Ken & Mary Loparo Mr. & Mrs. John M. Lovett Gretchen Mates** Rev. Edward E. Mehok*** Antoinette Miller*** Frances Stewart & David Mook Tom & Mary Neff* Friends of Nordonia Hills Library Gerald Norton Fulton & Thea O’Donoghue Joan M. Oravec*** Meribeth Pannitto Lou M. Papes** Mr. & Mrs. Harold I. Pittaway III Mr. William Plesec Mr. Alan A. Pomiecko Maria Poulos Larry & Susan Rakow* Judy & Clifford Reeves** The Reinker Family*** Mr. & Mrs. Gerald P. Rencehausen Ms. Jacqueline Y. Rhodes* Ms. Ellen Roberts Robinson Family Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland* Mark & Monica Schie Mrs. Lois Schneider Steve & Kathy Schultz* Linda Sebald Jeff & Beth Ann Sedam
Randall & Sara Shaner Dr. Dave & Faye Sholiton* Mary Slowey Mr. James Smekal Alma L. Smith* Mr. & Mrs. Tony Smits Tom Wagner & Malinda Smyth* Darwin L. Steele *** Gail Stroud Ms. Elizabeth Swenson The Edward & Katherine Thomas Family Mr. & Mrs. Frederick C. Tyler, Jr. Carol A. Vidoli*** Adele Viguera Michael Wagner Rev. & Mrs. David M. Walker*** Mrs. Alice H. Webster Mr. & Mrs. Zach Wemple Sharon & Yoash Wiener*** Ms. Hope Wright Mr. A. Paul Ziegler Ruth & Sidney Zilber*** Arthur & Deborah Zinn *3 – 5 consecutive years as a donor **6 – 9 consecutive years as a donor ***10 or more consecutive years as a donor
Matinee Idols Donors who underwrote tickets to 2015-2016 Student Matinees so more students can attend. Michelle R. Arendt Carol Barnak Robyn & David Barrie Jack & Janice Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Chernus Beverly J. Coen Carol Dolan & Greggory Hill Dianne V. Foley Ron & Joanne Hulec Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Mayer Ms. Danielle M. Morris Janet & Bob Neary Rita Schneider & Sandra Beichler Sally J. Staley John & Dianne Young
Matching Gift Corporations ArcelorMittal Corning Incorporated Foundation Eaton Corporation GlaxoSmithKline Foundation IBM Corporation The Lubrizol Corporation PNC Foundation Nordson Corporation Foundation
Gifts were received in honor of: Todd Krispinsky Lisa Ortenzi Sally Staley Diana & Gene Stromberg Bob Taylor & Jeff Herrmann
Gifts were received in memory of: Beverly Dilling Hildegard Gebhardt James O. Roberts
The Women’s Committee Formed in 1961, the committee is Great Lakes Theater’s longest standing volunteer support group. Members act as hosts for our actors, provide support in our administrative office & at events, & cheer us on throughout the season. If you would like to become a member, call Joanne Hulec at (216) 252-8717 for more information. Officers
Barbara Cercone, President Janice Campbell, Vice Chair Viola McDowell, Recording Secretary Bernice Bolek, Corresponding Secretary Nanci Kirkpatrick, Treasurer
Every effort is made to ensure that our Donor records are current and correct. Please call the Development Office at (216) 4534442 with questions or to report updates and revisions.
TRUSTEES Chair
Thomas G. Stafford
President
Timothy J. Downing
Secretary
Kim Bixenstine
Treasurer Walter Avdey
Trustees
Mary J. Mayer John E. McGrath Katie McVoy Leslie H. Moeller Danielle Morris Janet E. Neary Robert D. Neary Pamela G. Noble Michael J. Peterman Timothy K. Pistell David P. Porter Georgianna T. Roberts Ana G. Rodriguez Sally J. Staley Diana W. Stromberg Gerald F. Unger Thomas D. Warren Nancy Wellener Kevin M. White
Julie Sabroff Willoughby Patrick Zohn Rebecca A. Zuti
Life Trustees
Carolyn Dickson Barry Doggett Rudolph Garfield William MacDonald III Ellen Stirn Mavec John D. Schubert Peter Shimrak Laura Siegel
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE In 2002, Great Lakes Theater (Cleveland, Ohio) and Idaho Shakespeare Festival (Boise, Idaho) conceived a unique, strategic producing alliance designed to maximize return on organizational investments, increase production efficiencies, create long term work opportunities for artists and share best practices. In 2010, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (Incline Village, Nevada) joined the collaborative — further contributing to the momentum of the revolutionary producing prototype's success. The long term results have been remarkable. The alliance's three independent, 501c3 regional theaters have shared over 50 jointly-created productions — each featuring long term, multi-city employment opportunities for artistic company members. This revolutionary producing model has realized its vision and exceeded expectations while simultaneously resulting in notable audience growth for each company.
GreatLakesTheater.org
Michelle Arendt Dalia Baker Gary D. Benz David Bialosky Mitchell G. Blair Todd M. Burger
William Caster Beverly J. Coen Gail L. Cudak Leslie Dickson Carol Dolan Dr. Howard G. Epstein Natalie Epstein Dianne V. Foley Stephen H. Gariepy Elizabeth A. Grove Samuel Hartwell Mary Elizabeth Huber Diane Kathleen Hupp William W. Jacobs John E. Katzenmeyer Denise Horstman Keen Kathleen Kennedy Faisal Khan John W. Lebold
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STAFF
Artistic Associate..............................................Tom Ford
Stitchers...................Zack Hickle, Mackenzie Malone Wardrobe Supervisor................. Colleen McLaughlin Wardrobe Crew................ Emily Dotson, Zack Hickle, Leah Loar, Mackenzie Malone, Ian Smith Master Electrician................................ Tammy Taylor Lighting Assistant.............................Colleen Albrecht Audio Supervisor............................... Brian Chismar Stage Manager........................................ Tim Kinzel* Assistant Stage Manager.............. Jessica B. Lucas* Production Associate/ Child Supervision..................................Amy Essick Run Crew...............Brian Chismar, Richard Haberlen, Bruno Ingram, William Langenhop, Lindsay Loar, Ralph Melari, Tammy Taylor, Gary Zsigrai Ohio Theatre Crew............ Thomas Boddy, Chris Guy, Shaun Milligan, Nathan Tulenson
Administration
Volunteers
Development Manager............................Chris Fornadel Audience Engagement Coordinator........ Jeremy Lewis Assistant Production Manager...........Corrie E. Purdum Manager of Finance & Administration.....................................Stephanie Reed Donor Relations Associate...............Elizabeth Steward
Special Thanks
Leadership Charles Fee, Producing Artistic Director Bob Taylor, Executive Director
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Management Team Director of Development.........................Don Bernardo Production Manager...............Christopher D. Flinchum Director of Educational Services.................Kelly Schaffer Florian Director of Marketing & Strategic Advancement......................Todd Krispinsky Director of Educational Programming...... Lisa Ortenzi
Artistic
Education Education Outreach Associate................David Hansen School Residency Program Actor-Teachers........................................... Luke Brett, Chennelle Bryant-Harris, Chelsea Cannon, DeLee Cooper, Khaki Hermann, Tim Keo, Shaun O’Neill, Will Sanborn
Production Technical Director.......................................Mark Cytron Assistant Technical Director..........William Langenhop Master Carpenter.......................................Lindsay Loar Carpenter/Welder...............................Richard Haberlen Properties Master..............................Jessica Rosenlieb Costume Shop Manager................. Esther M. Haberlen Assistant Costume Shop Manager/Draper....Leah Loar First Hand.......................................... Christine Krysa
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Company Doctor.....Dr. Donald Ford & Cleveland Clinic Trinity High School Intern......................Maxwell O’Neal
Arrow Video Great Lakes Theater is a member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT) and operates under agreements with LORT, Actors’ Equity Association, American Federation of Musicians, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and the United Scenic Artists, which are unions representing professional actors, stage managers, musicians, stagehands, directors, choreographers, and designers, respectively, in the United States. LORT
1501 Euclid Ave., Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44115 P: (216) 241-5490 F: (216) 241-6315 W: GreatLakesTheater.org
Playbill Editor: Linda Feagler For advertising information, please contact Matthew Kraniske: 216-377-3681
PLAYHOUSE SQUARE HISTORY Video Killed the Vaudeville Star By 1925 the popularity of motion pictures was spelling the decline of vaudeville. Seeing the writing on the screen, the Keith Organization (which ran the Palace Theatre, now Connor Palace) opted to introduce films into its schedule of reduced vaudeville bookings. The Iron Horse, a John Ford epic about the construction of the transcontinental railroad, was the first silent film to play the Palace. It starred George O’Brien and Madge Bellamy, and a ticket cost a whopping 25 cents!
No Butts About It
Knot Your Average Carpet The original carpet that adorned the Connor Palace Grand Hall (main lobby) when the venue opened in 1922, was touted as the largest carpet in the world to be woven in one piece. Gray with wine-colored roses, the 67-foot by 40-foot carpet was created in Maffersdorf, Czecho-Slovakia and contained 9,000,272 knots — all tied by hand.
Theatrical Vermin In No Need of the Orkin Man Mice and flies are two pests you would never
Young STARS Shine At Playhouse Square You might see volunteer RedCoats from time to time who look like they’re not old enough to vote — and they aren’t. These youths are part of the successful STARS (Students Take A Role at the Square) program, where older students volunteer to usher at Broadway Series shows, concerts and other special events at the theaters. While the STARS program can be interesting and fun for all students, it becomes a particularly invaluable opportunity to gain experience and behind-the-scenes knowledge for those students who are planning future careers in the performing arts.
Say Goodnight, Gracie Legendary comedy duo George Burns and Gracie Allen were married in Cleveland January 7, 1926 during their Playhouse Square booking. A brief, early-morning ceremony was performed by a Justice of the Peace, after which the newlyweds checked into the Statler Hotel. George’s older brother and his family (who lived in Akron) came up to Cleveland that afternoon to celebrate with the couple before George and Gracie returned to their room to honeymoon. At 2 a.m. the phone rang. It was fellow comedian Jack Benny calling from Omaha. Immediately recognizing Jack’s voice, George cut him off saying, “Send up two orders of ham and eggs,” then hung up. Ten minutes later the phone rang. It was Benny again. This time George interrupted his friend with, “You forgot the ketchup!” and hung up on Benny a second time. Half an hour later came a knock at the door. It
GreatLakesTheater.org
In the 1920s, women were being enticed by such advertising as reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet. Although ladies who smoked in public were still frowned upon in 1922, the management decided to buck the controversy by creating the private Egyptian Smoking Room. Located off the main lobby, it allowed female guests a proper place to smoke. The room’s walls were of Hindu design; its carved furniture upholstered in a black and gold brocade Egyptian motif; wrought iron Egyptian-styled lamps were topped with red silk shades, and a rare carpet from India covered the floor. Although the room retains the name of the Egyptian Smoking Room to this day, it is now used for administrative purposes because no smoking is allowed in any of the Playhouse Square spaces.
stand for in your house, but both are necessary to every theater house! Mice are actually special shields placed over microphones on the floor at the front of a stage. Flies is the entire area above the stage (not visible to the audience) where scenery is hung and stored. Flymen (stagehands operating the counterweight system and flying scenery) often are located on the fly floor, which is the work area above the stage floor.
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Ken Blaze
at Playhouse Square was a waiter with two orders of ham and eggs. Trying to keep a straight face the waiter announced, “Compliments of Mr. Jack Benny from Omaha!” As George liked to tell it, the newlyweds ate their Benny breakfast at 2:30 a.m., and, when they were done, Gracie said, “George, this was the high point of the night!”
The STATE THEATRE Murals
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The four murals on the walls of the State Theatre lobby were painted by American Modernist James Daugherty (1890-1974), whose work hangs in the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum and the Smithsonian. One of the murals, The Spirit of Cinema, was featured on the cover of Life magazine on February 20, 1970. It was that national attention that became the convincing argument to save the venue from the wrecking ball. Destruction of the State would also have meant the loss of the original historic Daugherty murals, since they are painted directly on the walls. Today they are the only Daugherty works which remain at the original site where they were painted.
Performers Help Restore Playhouse Square During her 1996 run of Kiss of the Spider Woman, legendary Broadway star Chita Rivera was given a guided tour of Playhouse Square. As she followed her tour guide into the State auditorium, an excited Chita pointed to the mezzanine railing and proudly exclaimed, I helped paint that! Indeed, she had. In 1984, Chita had last played Playhouse Square when much restoration remained, and during her free time willingly added her brush strokes to the history of the State. Likewise, Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary fame also performed at the State Theatre several times during its early restoration. She became so enthusiastic over the restoration process that she would climb the scaffolding and help paint the ceiling. Like Chita, on a return visit, Mary pointed out the ceiling area that she had helped paint (justabove-and-to-the-left of the Men’s Room doorway on the mezzanine).
Frank Cramer
CONNOR PALACE Trivia
Officially the world’s largest outdoor chandelier, the 20-foot tall GE Chandelier is adorned with 4200 crystals. To find out how it was made, visit the Playhouse Square YouTube channel.
Before the days of clothes dryers, touring performers were often forced to pull stilldamp clothes off the drying line when it was time to pack and leave. During the vaudeville era, the Connor Palace (known then as the Palace) became known as one of the most performer-friendly venues in the country because of its many backstage amenities, one of which included a drying room. In this large room, wet clothes could be hung and hot air was continuously blown into the area to hasten the drying time.
A Change in History? One of many fascinating items to be found in the book Playhouse Square: An Entertaining History deals with the infamous John Wilkes Booth. Booth performed locally at the old Academy of Music, which was one of the first drama schools in the country and was located at 1371 W. 6th Street. It was at that Cleveland Academy where he would play his last role prior to performing at Washington D.C.’s Ford Theatre where he would assassinate President Lincoln. (Might history have been changed if the Academy had held over Booth’s play for an extended run?)
GreatLakesTheater.org
The GE Chandelier
Singers’ Secrets Repeat three times: Performer packs pickle for perfect pipes. Singer Anita Baker surprised backstage workers during her sold out shows by keeping an ample supply of pickle juice in her dressing room — using it to gargle! (No report as to whether Anita acquired the pickle practice during her two pregnancies.) Likewise, another unusual gargling agent was the preference of singer Millie Jackson who required a certain imported beer as her gargle-of-choice.
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PLAYHOUSE SQUARE GUEST SERVICES Guest Assistance For questions or service that may provide a quality, entertaining experience, please see the House Manager on duty. A RedCoat usher can direct you to their office location.
at Playhouse Square
We Love Hearing From Our Guests Your feedback is important. For matters that are not immediate or for additional questions you may have, please access our online comment form at playhousesquare. org/contact-us. We read and share all comments with the staff and meet often to discuss how we can improve upon your experience at Playhouse Square. You may also find us on Facebook at facebook.com/playhousesquare, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/playhousesquare.
Beware of Ticket Scalpers Buy your tickets ONLY from the Playhouse Square Ticket Office, at playhousesquare. org, by phone at 216-241-6000 or your licensed group/travel leader. (We cannot guarantee validity or admittance for tickets purchased elsewhere, nor can we issue replacement tickets if they are lost or stolen). Help us keep ticket prices affordable and fair for everyone.
Service for Our Guests with Special Needs Large type programs and wireless headsets are available in the House Manager’s office.
Camera Policy Cameras, including cameras on cell phones and other personal handheld devices, audio/ video tape recorders and flash photography are strictly prohibited.
Emergency Phone Number In emergency situations, family members or babysitters may call 216-771-5537 (evening hours) or 216-771-4444 (daytime hours) should they need to get a message to a guest in our theaters.
Cell Phones The experience of a live performance can be ruined by the interruption of ringtones, vibrating phones or conversation. The magic of a darkened theater can be disrupted by the light of someone text messaging as well. Please be considerate to others and remember to turn off your cell phone for the duration of the show.
Thank You
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Playhouse Square gratefully acknow ledges the people of Cuyahoga County for their historical support to theater restoration, upkeep and programming, as well as through their ongoing contributions through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.
NOV./DEC. AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE OUTCALT/ HELEN/ ALLEN ALLEN
ALLEN Sunday
Monday
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KENNEDY’S
Tuesday
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OHIO
Wednesday
NOVEMBER
CONNOR PALACE
Friday
Saturday
Sex With Strangers Finding Neverland
Sex With Strangers Avenue Q Finding Neverland To Kill a Mockingbird Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Mika Singh Sex With Strangers Finding Neverland BODYTRAFFIC
Sex With Strangers Finding Neverland
Sex With Strangers Finding Neverland
Sex With Strangers Finding Neverland
Sex With Strangers Finding Neverland
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Finding Neverland
US BANK WESTFIELD PLAZA STUDIO
Sex With Strangers Avenue Q Finding Neverland To Kill a Mockingbird
Sex With Strangers Finding Neverland
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STATE
Thursday Sex With Strangers Avenue Q Finding Neverland To Kill a Mockingbird
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Sex With Strangers Avenue Q Finding Neverland
Sex With Strangers Finding Neverland
HANNA
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Finding Neverland Cleveland Comedy Festival
Finding Neverland Cleveland Comedy Festival
Finding Neverland Winter Wine & Ale Fest Cleveland Comedy Festival Cleveland Tonight! with Mike Polk and The Diamond Dogs
A Christmas Story Morrissey
A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol Thanksgiving Soul Jam
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Finding Neverland Almost Like Being in Love: The Songs of Lerner & Loewe The Singing Angels Cleveland Comedy Festival
BROADWAY ’S BIGGEST NEW HIT!
A Christmas Carol: Sensory Friendly Performance
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A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol Cleveland Pops
Peace on Earth - Mir The Nutcracker Na Zemlji
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A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol The Nutcracker Alan Cumming: Sings Sappy Songs North Coast Men’s Chorus
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A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol Santaland Diaries Grinch/Christmas Songs/Lerner & Loewe Cle Jazz Orchestra Straight No Chaser
Train/Andy Grammer Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical
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Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical Clybourne Park
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A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol Clybourne Park
DECEMBER
A Christmas Story The Nutcracker The Santaland Diaries Rick Steves
A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol The Nutcracker Santaland Diaries Lyfe Jennings & Vivian Green A Christmas Carol A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol The Santaland Santaland Diaries Diaries Grinch/Christmas Grinch/Christmas Cleveland Jazz Clybourne Park Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Orchestra Clybourne Park Me!
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A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol The Nutcracker The Santaland Diaries North Coast Men’s Chorus
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A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol The Santaland Diaries Grinch Stole Christmas Clev Jazz Orchestra Dave Koz Clybourne Park
GreatLakesTheater.org
Finding Neverland Brian Regan Cleveland Comedy Festival Cleveland All-Stars of Comedy
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A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol The Santaland Diaries Clybourne Park
A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol The Santaland Diaries Clybourne Park
A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol The Santaland Diaries Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Clybourne Park
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A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol The Santaland Diaries
A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Story A Christmas Carol
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25 26 27 28 29 30 31 New shows are announced every week. Sign up for the Playhouse Square newsletter at playhousesquare.org to get advance notices by email!
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WE’VE BEEN PATRONS OF THE LOCAL ARTS SCENE FOR YEARS. NEARLY 150 OF THEM. We’re extremely proud to sponsor Playhouse Square. Your creativity and passion inspire all of us to try to shine as brightly as you. From all your fans at Huntington Bank, thank you.
The Huntington National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. ® and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington.® Welcome.TM is a service mark of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2016 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.