Cleveland’s Classic Company at the Hanna Theatre presents
2010–11 SEASON
September 26–November 2, 2014
October 3–November 9, 2014
Cleveland’s Classic Company at the Hanna Theatre
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Great Lakes Theater at PlayhouseSquare
About Great Lakes Theater....................................................................................................................4 Trustees.................................................................................................................................................5 Donor Spotlight .....................................................................................................................................6 The Merry Wives of Windsor.................................................................................................................13 The Cast..............................................................................................................................................14 Les Misérables.....................................................................................................................................15 The Cast..............................................................................................................................................16 A Message from the Producing Artistic Director.................................................................................22 Our Sponsors.......................................................................................................................................23 Who’s Who: The Artistic Company.......................................................................................................24 Staff: Great Lakes Theater .................................................................................................................38 September/October at PlayhouseSquare.............................................................................................39
greatlakestheater.org
Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging and Golden Age Centers are pleased to announce our new partnership:
Great Lakes Theater
Background: About the Plays..............................................................................................................18
Continuing to provide resources and services to Cleveland's seniors:
In-home meal deliveries Congregate meals Social and educational activities 216.231.6500 • www.rosecenters.org
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About
T
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Great Lakes Theater
he mission of Great Lakes Theater, 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 Great Lakes 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 Great Lakes Theater’s 2014 production of Deathtrap. capacity to illuminate truth (Photo by Roger Mastroianni) and enduring values, celebrate and challenge human nature and actions, revel in eloquent language, 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 Great Lakes Theater’s fall 2013 production of Sweeney has had a strong presence in area schools, bringTodd. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni) ing students to the theater for matinee performances and sending specially trained actor-teach- classic theater. As Great Lakes moves into a new ers to the schools for weeklong residencies devel- era with a permanent home in the Hanna Theatre, oped to explore classic drama from a theatrical the company reaffirms its belief in the power of point of view. GLT is equally dedicated to enhanc- partnership, its determination to make this coming the theater experience for adult audiences munity a better place in which to live, and its through Surround, a series of community pro- commitment to ensure the legacy of classic thegrams that explore the themes of a main stage ater in Cleveland. production. To this end, Great Lakes Theater 1501 Euclid Ave., Suite 300 regularly serves as the catalyst for community Cleveland, OH 44115 events and programs in the arts and humanities P: (216) 241-5490 that illuminate the plays on its stage. F: (216) 241-6315 Great Lakes Theater is one of only a handful of W: www.greatlakestheater.org American theaters that have stayed the course as a
Trustees Chair Thomas G. Stafford*†
President Samuel Hartwell*
Secretary Susan Hastings*
Treasurer Walter Avdey* Michelle Arendt Dalia Baker Robyn Barrie Viia R. Beechler David L. Bialosky Kim F. Bixenstine* Mitchell G. Blair* Todd M. Burger William Caster* Barbara Cercone Beverly J. Coen Gail L. Cudak
Carolyn Dickson† Leslie Dickson William B. Doggett† Carol Dolan* Edward Donnelly Timothy J. Downing* Dr. Howard Epstein Natalie Epstein*† Dianne V. Foley Rudolph H. Garfield † Stephen H. Gariepy Henry G. Grendell Elizabeth A. Grove* William W. Jacobs*† John E. Katzenmeyer† Denise Horstman Keen Jonathan Leiken William E. MacDonald III† Ellen Stirn Mavec† Mary J. Mayer John E. McGrath Leslie H. Moeller Janet E. Neary*†
Robert D. Neary† Pamela G. Noble* Laura Passerallo Michael J. Peterman† Thomas A. Piraino Jr. Timothy K. Pistell† David P. Porter† Georgianna T. Roberts† Rudolph K. Schmeller John D. Schubert† Peter Shimrak† Laura Siegal† Mark C. Siegel* Sally J. Staley* Diana W. Stromberg Gerald F. Unger Donna Walsh Thomas D. Warren Nancy Wellener Kevin M. White Patrick Zohn Rebecca A. Zuti * Executive Committee † Life Trustee
WE BELIEVE IN
greatlakestheater.org
“ideastream… challenges our thinking…opens new doors…keeps us informed.”
Great Lakes Theater
Trustees
Great Lakes Theater
- Marilyn Valentino & Tom Cizmar
Find out more at ideastream.org/support
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Great Lakes Theater
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 made generous gifts between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. “I can no other answer make but thanks.” Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene iii
Make a Contribution Great Lakes Theater served over 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 hundreds of the 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 (www.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 and Culture** Lead Sponsors $50,000 to $99,999
The George Gund Foundation*** The John P. Murphy Foundation* The David & Inez Myers Foundation***
Ohio Arts Council*** The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation***
Sponsors $25,000 to $49,999 The GAR Foundation*** The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation*** The Kulas Foundation*** The Reinberger Foundation
Shakespeare for a New Generation – National Endowment for the Arts The Sherwick Fund
The Business Alliance of Great Lakes Theater
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*3 – 5 consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor **6 – 9 consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor ***10 or more consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor
Shakespeare Society 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
Stratford Circle ($5,000 to $9,999)
Chuck & Bonnie Abbey* Walt & Laura Avdey** Dalia & Robert Baker*** Robyn & David Barrie*** William & Viia Beechler Mitch & Liz Blair*** Glenn & Jenny Brown*** Mr. & Mrs. Homer D. W. Chisholm*** The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation*** Gail Cudak & Thomas Young*** Edward Donnelly & Mary Kay DeGrandis Barry & Suzanne Doggett*** Richard & Evelyn Dolejs* Charles, Lidia & Alexa Fee** Dianne V. Foley Steve Gariepy & Nancy Sin*** Henry G. Grendell Ms. Elizabeth A. Grove Hahn Loeser & Parks, LLP Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Hartwell*** Susan C. & Jeffery A. Hastings** William W. Jacobs*** The Laub Foundation***
Donors educate
Folio Circle ($1,000 to $2,499) Michelle R. Arendt*** John & Laura Bertsch* David & Carolyn Bialosky* Kim & Bart Bixenstine* H.F. & J.C. Burkhardt*** Calfee, Halter & Griswold, LLP** Marilyn A. Callaly Jack & Janice Campbell*** Beverly J. Coen* Carolyn & Charles Dickson*** Ms. Leslie C. Dickson* David Goodman & Barbara Hawley Ms. Roe Green Ms. Evalyn Greene The Gries Family Foundation***
William R. Gustaferro*** John & Virginia Hansen*** Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.*** Kenneth Karosy** Donna M. & Alex I. Koler Charlotte R. Kramer John & Joann Lane Mr. & Mrs. William E. MacDonald, III Jack McGrath*** The Mersol Family*** Mr. & Mrs. William Mitchell*** Mr. & Mrs. John C. Morley*** Mr. & Mrs. William Osborne, Jr.*** Laura Passerallo Dr. Scott & Mrs. Judy Pendergast*** Mary Perkins Mr. & Mrs. John S. Piety*** Dr. & Mrs. Bradford J. Richmond* Linda Schlageter*** Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph K. Schmeller Mr. & Mrs. Mark Siegel** Donald A. & Catherine C. Sinko** Brit & Kate Stenson*** Cynthia R. Stillings Target* Mr. Robert A. Tschannen*** Ulmer & Berne, LLP** Gerald F. Unger*** Raymond Voelker Mary C. Warren** Mr. & Mrs. Kevin M. White* Patrick M. Zohn***
greatlakestheater.org
Bridgewater Associates, Inc.** The Eva L. & Joseph M. Bruening Foundation*** Bill & Judie Caster* Cleveland Indians Baseball Company Carol Dolan & Greggory Hill** Larry & Eva Haas Dolan* Mr. & Mrs. Morton G. Epstein Ernst & Young, LLP*** The Harry K. & Emma R. Fox Foundation*** The Giant Eagle Foundation* Paul R. & Denise Horstman Keen**
Globe Circle ($2,500 to $4,999)
The Victor C. Laughlin, M.D. Memorial Foundation Trust*** The Lubrizol Foundation*** Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Mayer*** Donald W. Morrison*** Nicholas & Sue Peay*** Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Peterman*** Thomas A. Piraino & Barbara C. McWilliams* Prof. Alan Miles Ruben & Judge Betty Willis Ruben Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Ruhl*** Dr. & Mrs. Gerard Seltzer* Sally J. Staley** Diana & Eugene Stromberg*** Paul & Pamela Teel* Donna & Richard Walsh*** Lori & John Wheeler
Great Lakes Theater
The Abington Foundation* The Community Foundation of Lorain County*** Eaton Corporation** Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer*** Janet & Bob Neary*** 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*** Squire Sanders, LLP Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford***
David P. Porter & Margaret K. Poutasse*** Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Ratner* Kim Sherwin** The J.M. Smucker Company University Hospitals John & Catherine Van Hulle* The Thomas H. White Foundation, a KeyBank Trust**
Our Region’s Students Each year, over 40,000 students throughout Northeast Ohio participate in a main stage, classroom or community program produced by Great Lakes Theater. Donors help underwrite student tickets and programming fees to make it possible for many to experience first-hand “the world’s greatest plays.”
Learn more and help us change lives at GreatLakesTheater.org.
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Sustainers ($500 to $999) Fred & Mary Behm** Jeffrey Boecker & Susan Iler Bette Bonder & Patrick Bray* Mr. Jonathan M. Boylan & Mrs. Marianne Ludwig** Beverly & Bruce Cameron Christopher & Nancy Coburn** Eleanor Davidson Richard Furnstahl & Teresa Stankiewicz Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph H. Garfield, Jr.*** Janet & Patricia Glaeser*** Gary & Joanna Graeff*** Mrs. Robin H. Hatch Mr. Herbert J. Hoppe, Jr.*** Robert & Linda Jenkins** Stewart & Donna Kohl The Rosa & Samuel Lobe Memorial Fund of the Jewish Federation*** Ken & Mary Loparo*** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Lynch*** Lynda & Charlie Mayer** Francis & Viola McDowell** Mr. & Mrs. Douglas McGregor Helen & Harry Mercer The Music & Drama Club* Mr. & Mrs. Patrick W. O’ Connor** John & Norine Prim*** Mr. John Rampe Naomi G. & Edwin Z. Singer Family Fund, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland* Lloyd Snyder & Margaret Terry Kathleen Turner*** Margaret & Loyal Wilson The Women’s Committee of Great Lakes Theater Festival*** Brian Wynne & Patrick Cozzens* Donald & Dorothy Zito
Patrons ($250 to $499)
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Nancy L. Adams** Lori Adler Thomas & Joann Adler** John & Winnie Awarski Randy & Pam Ballard Mr. & Mrs. Benham S. Bates*** Gary & Kay Bluhm** Susan Bobey* Mr. & Mrs. Roger A. Boehnlein Julia & Ben Brouhard Audrey DeClement*** Prof. & Mrs. George W. Dent* Bob & Ginny Eckardt Dr. & Mrs. Michael Eppig*** Jeanne S. Epstein** James Eschmeyer*** Jon & Mary Fancher** Ann & Harry Farmer Mary Ann & Joseph Fischer Lainie Hadden*** Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Heller
Donors support
Audiences and Artists Did you know that ticket revenue covers only half of the cost of creating a Great Lakes Theater production? Generous donors ensure that our productions of timeless classics, “re-imagined” for contemporary audiences, are of the highest quality. Thanks to donors like you, we’ve connected over four million people to the classics over the last five decades!
Learn more about how you can play a part at GreatLakesTheater.org. Tom & Luz Higgason** Kathy & Jamie Hogg** Amy & Jeff Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Jahn Bernie & Nancy Karr*** Mr. Karl Keller Ms. Joylen J. Kent Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kimmel** Charles King & Catherine Keating Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick** James Koehler Ronald G. Kollar** Dr. & Mrs. Eric Konicki Chris & Laura Larson** Stephen & Lillian Levine Ms. Beth Liff Eva & Rudolf Linnebach Morton & Lola Litt*** Thomas & Sheryl Love** Mr. David McKissock Rita C. McLaughlin Jean McQuillan & Richard Christ*** John J. Meiburger Mary & Steve Mitchell*** Brian & Cindy Murphy** Deborah L. Neale*** Mr. & Mrs. Wilmer M. Piper*** Maria Poulos Thomas & Helen Rathburn* Dr. Edward J. Rockwood*** Mrs. Sharon M. Rogers** Michael Russell Bob & Kathy Rutter Otmar & Rota Sackerlotzky*** Dr. Howard Simon Frances Stewart & David Mook* Dr. & Mrs. Lynn A. Smith** Karl & Carol Theil* Frank & Vicki Titas*
The Edward & Katherine Thomas Family Robert & Marti Vagi*** Mr. & Mrs. James D. Vail Carol Lee Vella*** Christine & Daniel Vento Nancy-Anne Wargo Dr. & Mrs. Gregory A. Watts* Mr. John Wiedemann & Ms. Pamela Schnellinger Mr. Lee C. Zeiszler Ms. Margaret E. Zellmer
Associates ($125 to $249) Donna Beletic* Mr. James J. Benedict, Jr.* Mr. Joseph M. Bennett John & Jeannene Bertosa* Roger Bielefeld** Bernice A. Bolek*** Mr. & Mrs. Charles P. Bolton*** Mr. D. Stephen Botorff & Ms. Patricia J. Moyer** Ms. Robin Herrington Bowen*** Joanne R. Bratush** Richard & Mary Ann Brockett V. Elizabeth Brown* Mike & Carole Brown Mrs. Nancy H. Burcham*** Larry & Andi Carlini** Tim & Cindy Carr Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Charlick John & Donna Clifford*** Rollin & Anne Conway* Stan & Lisa Corwin* David & Gayle Cratty** Lowell & Carole Davis*** Mr. Alex Derkaschenko**
Daniel & Joyce Dyer Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eikenburg*** Janice Evans Gene & Patricia Ewald Friends of Nordonia Hills Library Susan L. Fike*** Mary Eileen Fogarty*** David V. Foos** Mrs. Barbara J. Garris* Gary & Katie Geoffrion Larry & Jean Gilbert Thomas Gilbride** Hazel Haffner*** Tom & Kirsten Hagesfeld** Marian Hancy* Michael & Suzanne Harris* James G. Hayes Curt & Karen Henkle** Clyde A. Horn*** Ron & Joanne Hulec*** Mr. Richard Hyde James & Gale Jacobsohn Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Janson* Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Kahn Marilyn & Howard Karfeld*** Lauren Kawentel** Ms. Judith A. Kish David & Sue Klepac** Mr. Thomas Knox Jacob Kronenberg & Barbara Belovich** Charles Kruger Eleanor & Stephen Kushnick*** Fred & Joann Lafferty Mr.& Mrs. Brian Lawler Gregory Leach Ms. Carla Licastro* Mr. & Mrs. Devere E. Logan* Anne R. & Kenneth E. Love* Brian & Renee Lowery*
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* and Paul Brentlinger Willard and Donna Carmel Mary* and Leigh Carter Natalie and Morton Epstein Edward S. Godleski Samuel S. Hartwell Mary Anne* and Jack McGrath Janet and Bob Neary
Richard II, Act II, Scene ii James A. Nelson* Donald and Anne Palmer Lynn and Tim Pistell Professor Alan Miles Ruben and Judge Betty Willis Ruben George* and Marjorie* Springer Thomas G. and Ruth M. Stafford Audrey* and 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, Great Lakes Theater’s Director of Development, (216) 453-1068 | dbernardo@greatlakestheater.org.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. McDonald*** Richard & Karen Middaugh* Ms. Jennifer A. Miller Amanda Mockbee Toni & Linda Moore** Roy & Cindy Moore** Tom & Mary Neff Ms. Karen Nemec* Ms. Brenda Norton Lou M. Papes* Zachary & Deborah Paris** Peggy & Michael Partington** Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Patalon Frank Rausche Reinhold & Ginny Roedig*** Ms. Lori Riga & Mr. Jeff Saks Mrs. Kathy Salem Mr. & Mrs. James A. Saks Jim & Joan Schaefer* Dr. Dave & Faye Sholiton Dina & Richard Schoonmaker*** Donna Schuerger** John & Susan Siegfried Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Slavin** David & Rita Smith*** William E. Spatz* Susan St. John* Kathlyn & Harry Stenzel*** Anita K. Stoll Albert Stratton Mr. & Mrs. Timothy L. Sullivan** Mr. Joseph E. Talaba Elizabeth Twohig** James L. Wagner* Mrs. Betty S. Weiss* Gordon & Virginia Wepfer Ms. Jennifer B. Schwartz Wright Dr. C. Russell & Cynthia Zachem Arthur & Deborah Zinn**
Friends ($75 to $125) Joel & Teresa Andreani* Dr. & Mrs. Robert C. Bahler Lynne M. Bajec* Carol Barnak Tom & Dorothy Bier*** Mr. & Mrs. David R. Blackman Dr. & Mrs. Dieter F. Bloser*** Ms. Dorothy F. Borer Mr. Stanley C. Brandt & Ms. Mary K. Whitmer*** Ms. Megan Casserlie Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Chernus Marcia G. Christian** Kathleen M. Cooper** Doug & Mary Court** Samuel Cowling** Ronald & Patricia Cramer Shirley B. Dawson* Chris & Mary Ann Deibel*** Carolyn J. Buller & Bill Doll*** Barbara J. Burke* Daniel Divis
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Donna Douglas*** Judith Darus Rita & Dennis Dura** The Eldridge Family*** Deena & Richard Epstein*** Howard P. Erlichman* Mr. & Mrs. Frank L. Field*** Mr. & Mrs. Lou Galizio*** Katherine A. Ganz Deborah A. Geier*** Greg & Gail Gibson*** Dr. & Mrs. Norman W. Goldston*** Ilona K. Gram* Mr. & Mrs. Richard S. Gray* John Greene Jean E. Gubbins* Lee & Peter Haas Iris & Tom Harvie*** Jean Heller Ms. Eleanor W. Helper Frank & Gerry Hoffert* Mark & Lynn Hofflund Dr. Randal N. Huff Mr. & Mrs. Joseph C. Kelley*** Michael & Lynn Kleinman* Mr. & Mrs. Mark D. Kozel*** Mr. & Mrs. Robert Larson Frederick C. Luckay Jennifer & Peter Meckes Rev. Edward E. Mehok*** Mrs. Ruth P. Mennell Christine Myers-Johnston Susan Janney* Mr. Gilbert P. Kenehan* Samuel C. Kennell Stuart & Anne Klein Mary Jo Klements Mr. & Mrs. Gregory G. Kruszka Pat Murphy & Mike Kupiec* Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Lacey Lauri Laribee Gregory & Vickie Leyes* Ronald & Elizabeth Manolio*** Ms. Linda McGinty* Nan Miller** Ms. Cheryl A. Moskwa Ken Noetzel* Joan M. Oravec*** Mr. & Mrs. James M. Petras James & Susan Prince Mr. & Mrs. Harold I. Pittaway III Andrew & Brenda Pongracz Mr. & Mrs. Louis Pongracz* Larry & Susan Rakow* Judy & Clifford Reeves** The Reinker Family*** Mr. & Mrs. Gerald P. Rencehausen Ms. Jacqueline Y. Rhodes* Barbara S. Robinson Mr. Mark J. Salling & Ms. Cindie Carroll Pankhurst*** Diane Savage Mrs. Lois Schneider Mr. & Mrs. Tom Schock*
Doris A. Schultz** Steve & Kathy Schultz* Donna Sheridan** Patricia J. Shook** Mary Slak** Marg Slesnick** Alma L. Smith Mr. Joseph A. Sopko Rex & Judy Stanforth Darwin L. Steele*** Ms. Lillian Stewart Ms. Rochelle R. Straffon Dan & Robin Sullivan Dalma & Lajos Takacs*** Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Tatman John & Emily Hartwell Taylor Anne Unverzagt & Richard Goddard** Carol A. Vidoli*** Natalie Vloedman Drs. Jay & Kathleen Ward*** Sharon & Yoash Wiener*** Mrs. Barbara S. Walker* Robert & Emily Williams Jeanne Wojciechowicz James & Sandra Wood* Mr. A. Paul Ziegler Ruth & Sidney Zilber*** Ms. Rebecca A. Zuti & Mr. Anthony D. DeCello* *3 – 5 consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor **6 – 9 consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor ***10 or more consecutive years as an Annual Fund donor
Matinee Idols Donors who underwrote tickets to 2014-2015 Student Matinees so more students can attend. Steve Adler AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings Mary Archambault Walt & Laura Avdey Carol Barnak David & Carolyn Bialosky Jack & Janice Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Frank Cercone Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Chernus Karen, Ken, & Zoe Conley Mr. & Mrs. John Ferchill Mr. Gerald Freedman Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph H. Garfield, Jr. Lawrence & Linda Hatch Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick Mr. & Mrs. John S. Piety Mrs. Nancy B. Pottorff Mrs. James O. Roberts John & Barbara Schubert Laura & Alvin Siegal
Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford Sally J. Staley Brit & Kate Stenson Linda M. Kane & Gary Stewart John & Dianne Young
Matching Gift Corporations AT&T Foundation Eaton Corporation FirstEnergy Foundation FM Global Charitable Contributions IBM Corporation Key Foundation The Lubrizol Foundation Nordson Corporation Foundation Perkins Charitable Foundation PNC Foundation Rockwell Automation
Gifts were received in honor of: Dr. Howard Epstein Mr. & Mrs. Morton G. Epstein Chris Fornadel Samuel Hartwell Sally J. Staley
Gifts were received in memory of: Jack L. Brown Corning Chisholm Marie Strawbridge
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 and at events, and 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 (216.453.4442) with questions or to report updates and revisions.
Photo: Roger Mastroianni
Great Lakes Theater
Cleveland’s Classic Company at the Hanna Theatre
2014 2015
SEASON
subscribe! Sit in our best seats & SAVE BIG. Shakespeare’s Uproarious Battle of the Sexes
the merry wives of windsor September 26 - November 2, 2014 / Hanna Theatre
A Tony Award-Winning Musical Epic
Les Misérables
October 3 - November 9, 2014 / Hanna Theatre
Northeast Ohio’s Favorite Holiday Tradition
a christmas carol November 29 - December 23, 2014 / Ohio Theatre
An Unforgettable Classic Thriller
Dial “M” for Murder February 27 - March 22, 2015 / Hanna Theatre
Shakespeare’s Final Glorious Gift to the Theater
the tempest
April 10 - 26, 2015 / Hanna Theatre
Experience great entertainment in the region’s most extraordinary theater.
call or visit us online for more info or to subscribe.
216.664.6064 / GreatLakesTheater.org
Hanna Theatre September 26–November 2, 2014
Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director
presents
By
William Shakespeare Directed by
Tracy Young
Jodi Dominick * Clare Howes Eisentrout* Tom Ford* Keri René Fuller Ian Gould* Kayleigh Hahn Leah Jennings* Mia Knight Lisa Nazelli
Scenic/Lighting Designer Rick Martin Wig Designer Mary Schilling-Martin
Costume Designer Alex Jaeger
Choreographer Helene Peterson Stage Manager Tim Kinzel*
Fight Choreographer Michael Mueller
Cameron Nelson Tracee Patterson* Katie Proulx Mickey Ryan Brian Sutherland* Alex Syiek* M.A. Taylor* Sam Wolf*
greatlakestheater.org
Company
Kyle Jean Baptiste Pedar Benson Bate* Laura Welsh Berg* Lynn Robert Berg* Stephen Mitchell Brown* Aled Davies* Brandyn Day Owen Desberg
Great Lakes Theater
With generous support from The Business Alliance of Great Lakes Theater
Sound Designer Brandon Wolcott Assist. Choreographer Katie Proulx
Assistant Stage Manager Jennifer Caster*
There will be one 15 minute intermission. *Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
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The Cast
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Dramatis Personae Mr. John Falstaff, a raconteur.....................................................................................................Aled Davies * Mr. Frank Ford, a husband...............................................................................................Lynn Robert Berg * Mrs. Alice Ford, a wife...................................................................................................... Laura Welsh Berg * Mr. George Page, a husband and father........................................................................................Ian Gould * Mrs. Margaret Page, a wife and mother..............................................................................Jodi Dominick† * Miss Anne Page, a daughter....................................................................................Clare Howes Eisentrout * Mr. William Page, a son......................................................................................................... Owen Desberg Gen. Robert Shallow, a military man................................................................................ Brian Sutherland * Mr. Hugh Evans, a Parson......................................................................................................... M.A.Taylor~ * Mr. Fenton, suitor to Miss Anne Page.............................................................................................Sam Wolf * Mr. Abraham Slender, nephew of Gen. Shallow and suitor to Miss Anne Page....................................................................................... Pedar Benson Bate * Dr. Caius, suitor to Miss Anne Page............................................................................................... Tom Ford * Madame Quickly, a “housekeeper”..................................................................................... Tracee Patterson * Host of The Garter, a theater owner................................................................................Kyle Jean Baptiste Bardolph, an associate to Mr. Falstaff....................................................................Stephen Mitchell Brown * Pistol, an associate of Mr. Falstaff..................................................................................................Alex Syiek * Nym, an associate of Mr. Falstaff..............................................................................................Brandyn Day Robin, assistant to Mr. Falstaff...................................................................................................Katie Proulx Simple, assistant to Mr. Slender................................................................................................ Mickey Ryan Nurse Rugby, assistant to Dr. Caius.....................................................................................Keri René Fuller Ensemble........................... Kayleigh Hahn, Leah Jennings*, Mia Knight, Lisa Nazelli, Cameron Nelson † Serves as Dance Captain for this production ~ Serves as Fight Captain for this production * Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
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Hanna Theatre October 3–November 9, 2014
Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director
With generous support from
A New Production of Boublil and Schönberg’s
Based on a Novel by
Directed by
Victoria Bussert
Company Kyle Jean Baptiste Stephen Mitchell Brown* Tom Ford* Pedar Benson Bate* Lexi Cowan Colin Frothingham Laura Welsh Berg* Brandyn Day Keri René Fuller Lynn Robert Berg* Jodi Dominick* Ian Gould* Clare Howes Eisentrout* Leah Jennings* Scenic Designer Jeff Herrmann
Costume Designer Esther M. Haberlen
Choreographer Gregory Daniels
Lighting Designer Mary Jo Dondlinger
Musical Director Joel Mercier Stage Manager Robin Grady*
Tracee Patterson* Katie Proulx Mickey Ryan Brian Sutherland* Alex Syiek*
M.A. Taylor* Colin Wheeler Sam Wolf* Calista Zajac
Sound Designer Amanda Werre
Wig Designer Mary Schilling-Martin
greatlakestheater.org
ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL VICTOR HUGO Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER Original French Text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL Additional Material by JAMES FENTON Adapted and Originally Directed by TREVOR NUNN and JOHN CAIRD Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON Original London Production by CAMERON MACKINTOSH and THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY Les Misèrables is licensed by Music Theatre International [MTI] www.mtishows.com by arrangement with CAMERON MACKINTOSH LTD. A musical by
Great Lakes Theater
presents
Fight Choreographer Assoc. Choreographer Michael Mueller Sam Wolf* Asst. Stage Manager Jennifer Caster*
Special Student Matinee Series support was generously provided by Forest City Enterprises & EY. Les Misérables is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MIT). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019/ Phone: 212-541-4684/ Fax: 212-397-4684/www.MTIShows.com Casting by Michael Cassara Casting The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
There will be one 15 minute intermission.
*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
15
The Cast
Les Misérables
Dramatis Personae Jean Valjean.............................................................................................................Stephen Mitchell Brown * Javert.................................................................................................................................... Brian Sutherland * Farmer............................................................................................................................................. Tom Ford * The Bishop of Digne...................................................................................................... Lynn Robert Berg~ * Constables................................................................................................................Mickey Ryan, Sam Wolf * Factory Foreman............................................................................................................................Alex Syiek * Fantine.....................................................................................................................................Jodi Dominick * Factory Girl.................................................................................................................................Katie Proulx Old Woman..................................................................................................................... Laura Welsh Berg† * Bamatabois.................................................................................................................................Brandyn Day Fauchelevant....................................................................................................................................Sam Wolf * Little Cosette........................................................................................................ Lexi Cowan, Calista Zajac Madame Thénardier........................................................................................................... Tracee Patterson * Thénardier...................................................................................................................................... Tom Ford * Prostitute.......................................................................................................................... Laura Welsh Berg† * Gavroche...............................................................................................Colin Frothingham, Colin Wheeler Éponine.................................................................................................................................Keri René Fuller Cosette......................................................................................................................Clare Howes Eisentrout * Loud Hailer..................................................................................................................................... Tom Ford * Major Domo...................................................................................................................................Ian Gould *
Thénardier’s Gang Montparnasse.................................................................................................................................Ian Gould * Babet............................................................................................................................................. M.A. Taylor * Brujon.............................................................................................................................. Lynn Robert Berg~ * Claquesous......................................................................................................................................Alex Syiek *
Students Enjolras...............................................................................................................................Kyle Jean Baptiste Marius.............................................................................................................................. Pedar Benson Bate * Combeferre..................................................................................................................... Lynn Robert Berg~ * Feuilly.........................................................................................................................................Brandyn Day Courfeyrac.......................................................................................................................................Sam Wolf * Joly.............................................................................................................................................. Mickey Ryan Grantaire.........................................................................................................................................Alex Syiek * Lesgles........................................................................................................................................... M.A. Taylor * Jean Prouvaire.................................................................................................................................Ian Gould * Ensemble.................................................................................................................................. Leah Jennings *
Musicians Conductor/Keyboard 1 – Joel Mercier; Keyboard 2 – Sarah Smith; Flute/Clarinet – Craig Wohlschlager; Oboe/English Horn – Cynthia Warren; Trumpet/Piccolo – David Duro; French Horn – Sean Yancer; Trombone – Jason Smith; Percussion – Luke Rinderknecht † Serves as Dance Captain for this production; ~ Serves as Fight Captain for this production
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* Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
overview
Scenes & Musical Numbers
Act I Prologue: 1815, Digne Prologue......................................................................................................................................The Company Soliliquy...................................................................................................................................................Valjean
1823, Montreuil-Sur-Mer
1823, Montfermeil Castle on a Cloud...................................................................................................................................Cosette Master of the House.............................................................Thénardier, Mme. Thénardier, and Customers The Bargain......................................................................................... M. and Mme. Thénardier and Valjean
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At the End of the Day............................................................................................................ Factory Workers I Dreamed a Dream.............................................................................................................................. Fantine Lovely Ladies........................................................................................................................ Ladies and Clients Who Am I?..............................................................................................................................................Valjean Fantine’s Death..................................................................................................................Fantine and Valjean
1832, Paris
Act II
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Paris.........................................................................................................................Gavroche and the Beggars Stars............................................................................................................................................................Javert ABC Café...................................................................................................Enjolras, Marius, and the Students The People’s Song..............................................................................Enjolras, the Students and the Citizens In My Life.............................................................................................Cosette, Valjean, Marius and Éponine A Heart Full of Love..........................................................................................Cosette, Marius and Éponine One Day More............................................................................................................................The Company
On My Own..........................................................................................................................................Éponine A Little Fall of Rain......................................................................................................... Éponine and Marius Drink With Me to Days Gone By................................................. Feuilly, Grantaire, Students and Women Bring Him Home...................................................................................................................................Valjean Dog Eats Dog................................................................................................................................... Thénardier Soliloquy.....................................................................................................................................................Javert Turning........................................................................................................................................... The Women Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.............................................................................................................. Marius Wedding Chorale.....................................................................................................................................Guests Beggars at the Feast.................................................................................................M. and Mme. Thénardier Finale...................................................................................................................................................Company
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background The Merry Wives of Windsor Director’s Note
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he end of the Second World War was a particularly galvanizing time in American history. The country as a whole shared great optimism about the future prosperity of the new baby boomer generation, yet at the same time experienced a more complicated and darker awareness of humanity overall. America had strong regard for its moral fabric and also an increasing doubt about the durability of that fabric. Tensions between ideals of community and individualism, transformations of accepted notions of status, and evolving expectations of traditional gender roles introduced changes in American society that would unfold over the next 50 years. Soldiers returned home to spouses, and both partners often struggled with the distance that had come between them literally and figuratively. Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor explores similar expectations and tensions, and this adaptation carries them into the period just after the war, when triumphant feeling struggled with the realities of a threatening world. Merry Wives is about feeling like an outsider to a community and finding identity within it, and about how a community can support or inhibit self-expression. The play good-naturedly, but pointedly, skewers our weaknesses. Jealousy is represented in at least three other Shakespeare plays as a potently destructive force, but in this one we can recognize and grow from it. Lustfulness and a propensity for gossip and deceitfulness appear as potentially but never quite destructive. The play is constructed to a human scale, and with a generosity toward the characters that inhabit its world. Shakespeare’s Falstaff is a paragon of human foibles, and in The Merry Wives of Windsor he is the figure most alien to the play’s community. What is it about Falstaff? Why is this largerthan-life figure so memorable and so prone to take up residence in our hearts and imaginations? Referred to as a “fat knight,” he embodies a laundry list of vices; He is lazy, slovenly, a drunkard, a womanizer, a thief, a braggart, a coward and a prevaricator. And yet, we can’t get enough of him. Perhaps it is because Falstaff represents the joy of
About the plays
freely following our impulses without concern for the consequences. But then, inevitably, the consequences of hedonistic living come to pass — obesity, alcoholism, poverty, and perhaps most meaningfully the rejection of one’s community. Falstaff is brought down by his unbridled ways and rejected by the young king in the Henry plays. But there is no delight in watching Falstaff get his comeuppance there, for we still harbor a love for him, and the way he mirrors us in our most childlike selves. Shakespeare is rumored to have been encouraged by Queen Elizabeth I to write a lighthearted romp for Falstaff. In Shakespeare’s wisdom, this rollicking work framed Falstaff as an outsider who, by his very way of being, challenges the community to confront its notions about morality and acceptance of difference. Once again, Falstaff suffers rejection and humiliation for his shortcomings, but ultimately Shakespeare uses the community’s embracing of Falstaff as a symbol of enrichment and growth. Lastly, though, it is useful to remember that Shakespeare titled this play The Merry Wives of Windsor, and for good reason. The play is centered not around Falstaff but around the women of the story — the “merry wives.” They are the engines that drive the action of the play, and they seem to relish their role. The ladies Ford and Page are fiercely intelligent and witty, yet also seem content to wield power within their prescribed roles as wives and mothers. These women provide a pointed contrast to other hyper-intelligent Shakespearean women who are often thwarted and limited by their gendered roles (Lady Macbeth and shrewish Kate come to mind). In Merry Wives, the women find ways to maneuver in their own, albeit limited, milieu. They mete out the standards around which the community rallies and establish the “rules of combat.” At the end of the play, Falstaff is welcomed into the community by one of the wives who can see past his limitations and embrace him with forgiveness that transcends his foolishness. It is ultimately that final grace note that offers the most stirring and heartfelt moment of the play: Recognizing that shortcomings are shared by everyone, and that forgiveness is always possible. — Tracy Young Director, The Merry Wives of Windsor
Synopsis
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Les Misérables Director’s Note
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es Misérables has been a blockbuster hit since 1862. That was the year Victor Hugo’s soaring saga of social injustice, revolution, hope and redemption was published in Paris. It took Hugo almost 20 years to write the 1,200 pages — or 365 chapters — that make up what many believe to be one of the greatest novels of all time. It sold out its initial print run on the very first day. The journey from novel to musical is an interesting one. In 1978, Alain Boublil and ClaudeMichel Schönberg, friends for more than a decade, attended the London revival of Lionel Bart’s Oliver, based on the Charles Dickens novel and produced by a young Cameron Mackintosh. While watching the production, Boublil began to see striking similarities between the Artful Dodger of Oliver and the street urchin Gavroche in Hugo’s novel. During the performance, he continued to uncover more and more character parallels between the two works. Describing that experience, Boublil says, “I was in a kind of trance the whole evening and came out of that incredible production obsessed. I was going to do the same. I had no doubts ... the characters were all there ... so I went back to Paris, spent time with the novel, went through it with my pen thinking this would make a song and this wouldn’t, and called Claude-Michel.” The collaborators were so confident and excited by the project that they gave up their jobs and committed their time to writing this epic musical. It became a two-year labor of cutting, condensing and shaping. Alain and Claude-Michel produced a demo tape of their musical with Claude-Michel at the piano singing all the parts — male and female. Director Robert Hossein heard their cassette and agreed to tackle the first production at the Palais des Sports, which happened to have an unexpected three-month scheduling gap between Holiday On Ice and the Moscow State Circus. The initial pro-
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alstaff arrives in Windsor short on money. In an effort to solve his financial woes, he decides he will court two wealthy married women, Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page. Falstaff sends the women identical love letters and asks his associates, Pistol and Nym, to deliver them to the wives. When they refuse, Falstaff sacks them, and in revenge the men tell the husbands of Falstaff’s intentions. Mr. Page is not concerned, but Mr. Ford’s jealousy is inflamed. Meanwhile, three different men are trying to win the hand of Mr. Page’s daughter, Miss Anne Page. Mrs. Page would like her daughter to marry Doctor Caius, a physician, but the girl’s father would like her to marry Mr. Slender, the nephew of the wealthy Mr. Shallow. Anne herself is in love with Mr. Fenton, but Page has rejected Fenton as a suitor due to his having squandered his fortune on extravagant living. When the wives receive Falstaff’s letters, each informs the other, and they discover that the letters are identical. For their own amusement and to gain revenge for his indecent assumptions, the wives pretend to respond to his advances. Mr. Ford becomes suspicious of his wife’s fidelity and poses as man named Mr. Brook, who offers to pay Falstaff to court her, saying that once she has lost her honor he will be able to tempt her himself. Falstaff cannot believe his luck, and tells Mr. Brook he has already arranged to meet Mrs. Ford while her husband is out. When Falstaff arrives to meet Mrs. Ford, the wives trick him into hiding inside a basket to avoid discovery by the jealous husband. The wives then have the basket taken away and the contents (including Falstaff) dumped into the river. Although this affects Falstaff’s pride, his ego is surprisingly resilient. He is convinced that the wives are just playing hard to get, and so he continues his pursuit of them. Again Falstaff goes to meet the women, but Mrs. Page comes back and warns Mrs. Ford of her husband’s approach again. This time, they trick Falstaff into disguising himself as Mrs. Ford’s aunt, but Mr. Ford ends up beating him anyway. Eventually, the wives tell their husbands about the series of jokes they have played on Falstaff, and together they devise one last public humiliation for him, involving a pageant being enacted by residents of the town. During the pageant, each of Miss Anne Page’s suitors attempts to steal her away, with Mrs. Page aiding Dr. Caius and Mr. Page aid-
ing Slender. However, Fenton escapes with Anne. Once the joke is played out on Falstaff, he accepts his punishment surprisingly well, and sees it is deserved. Fenton and Anne return and announce they have married. Fenton chides the parents for trying to force Anne to marry men she did not love, and the parents accept the marriage and congratulate the young pair. A celebration begins and Mrs. Page happily invites Falstaff to join the festivities.
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duction had many problems, including the testing of a transmitter on the Eiffel tower that made the actors’ microphones unusable at the first preview. The frustrated director went onstage and ordered the audience to go home; however, most of them waited out the hour and a half delay and didn’t leave the theatre until the show’s completion at one o’clock in the morning. In those three months of performances, more than 500,000 people packed the sports arena to witness this epic production. “It was a huge success,” recalled Schönberg, “but when it finished, it was finished.” Or was it? Much later, the collaborators heard from the French Society of Writers that a British producer named Cameron Mackintosh, the same man who had produced the revival of Oliver, was looking for them. They met for lunch in Paris on February 4, 1983. “We didn’t know it,” said Schönberg, “but it was the most important day of our lives.” Two years later, Les Misérables opened at the RSC in London, later transferring to the Palace Theatre, and in 2004 to the Queens Theatre where it has been running ever since. Mackintosh says, “I am often asked what it is that makes audiences and actors so passionate about Les Mis, as the show is fondly known. The abbreviation of the title is maybe a clue. In Hugo’s story, the characters are so personal, so timeless, so universal, they remain a contemporary mirror of ourselves. Audiences feel possessive of this timeless tale, where the downtrodden have to fight to be heard and sometimes die to be free, yet in their darkest struggle find love, life and laughter, and mankind’s most redeeming trait, the unquenchable survival of the human spirit.” Les Misérables originally opened at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center in December 1986 — a city specifically chosen due to its audience’s sophistication and political awareness. It made the move to Broadway on March 12, 1987, opening to rave reviews and winning eight Tony Awards. The original production closed in 2003, with revivals in 2007 and 2014. There is no doubt that Les Misérables is a global phenomenon. Its through-composed score changed the landscape of musical theatre and welcomed a new generation of epic musicals. And yet, it’s somehow especially fitting that the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and the Great Lakes Theater, sister companies that share the Royal Shakespeare Company vision of valuing Shakespeare and musicals side-by-side, should bring Les Misérables back into a classical
theatre company. Welcome home, Les Mis — tonight we hear the people sing. — Victoria Bussert, Director, Les Misérables
Synopsis Act I Prologue: 1815, Digne After 19 years on the chain gang, Jean Valjean finds that the ticket-of-leave he must display condemns him to be an outcast. Only the Bishop of Digne treats him kindly, and Valjean, embittered by years of hardship, repays him by stealing silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by the police and is astonished when the Bishop lies to the police to save him. Valjean decides to start his life anew. 1823, Montreuil-Sur-Mer Eight years have passed, and Valjean, having broken his parole and changed his name to Monsieur Madeleine, has become a factory owner and Mayor. One of his workers, Fantine, has a secret illegitimate child. When the other women discover this, they demand her dismissal. Desperate for money to pay for medicines for her daughter, Fantine sells her locket and her hair, and then joins the whores in selling herself. Utterly degraded, she gets into a fight with a prospective customer and is about to be taken to prison by Javert when the Mayor arrives and demands she be taken to the hospital instead. The Mayor then rescues a man pinned beneath a cart. Javert is reminded of the abnormal strength of convict 24601, Jean Valjean, whom he says has just been recaptured. Valjean, unable to see an innocent man go to prison, confesses that he is prisoner 24601. At the hospital, Valjean promises the dying Fantine that he will find and look after her daughter Cosette. Javert arrives to arrest him but Valjean escapes. 1823, Montfermeil Cosette has been lodged with the Thénardiers, who horribly abuse her while indulging their own daughter, Éponine. Valjean pays the Thénardiers to let him take Cosette away to Paris. 1832, Paris Nine years later, there is unrest in the city because of the likely demise of the popular leader General Lamarque, the only man left in the government who shows any feeling for the poor. A street gang led by Thénardier and his wife sets upon Jean Valjean and Cosette. They are rescued by Javert,
Act II The students prepare to build the barricade. Marius, noticing that Éponine has joined the insurrection, sends her away with a letter to Cosette, which is intercepted by Valjean. Éponine decides to rejoin her love at the barricade. The barricade is built, and the revolutionaries defy an army warning to give up or die. Javert is exposed as a police spy. In trying to return to the
barricade, Éponine is killed. Valjean arrives at the barricade in search of Marius. He is given the chance to kill Javert but instead lets him go. The students settle down for a night on the barricade and, in the quiet of the night, Valjean prays to God to save Marius. The next day, the rebels are all killed. Valjean escapes into the sewers with the unconscious Marius. After meeting Thénardier, who is robbing the corpses of the rebels, he comes across Javert once more. He pleads for time to deliver the young man to the hospital. Javert lets Valjean go. His unbending principles of justice having been shattered by Valjean’s mercy, Javert kills himself. Unaware of the identity of his rescuer, Marius recovers in Cosette’s care. Valjean confesses the truth of his past to Marius and insists he must go away. At Marius and Cosette’s wedding, the Thénardiers try to blackmail Marius. Thénardier says Cosette’s “father” is a murderer and as proof produces a ring that he stole from a corpse the night the barricade fell. It is Marius’ own ring, and he realizes it was Valjean who rescued him that night. He and Cosette go to Valjean where Cosette learns for the first time of her own history before the old man dies.
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who does not recognize Valjean until he has gone. The Thénardier’s daughter, Éponine, who is secretly in love with the student Marius, reluctantly agrees to help him find Cosette, with whom he has fallen in love. News of General Lamarque’s death circulates in the city, and a group of politically minded students stream out into the streets to whip up support for a revolution. Cosette is consumed by thoughts of Marius, with whom she has fallen in love. Éponine brings Marius to Cosette and then prevents an attempt by her father’s gang to rob Valjean’s house. Valjean, convinced it was Javert lurking outside his house, tells Cosette they must prepare to flee the country.
PHOTO: JULIE HAHN/SUGARBUSH DESIGN
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Welcome
Producing Artistic Director
Dear Friends,
O
n behalf of our artists, staff, and Board of Trustees, welcome to Great Lakes Theater’s 53rd season! Our mission, “to bring the pleasure, power, and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience,” guides our mainstage productions as well as our educational programming, in the belief that theater holds the capacity to illuminate truth and enduring values, celebrate and challenge human nature and actions, and provide our student audiences a glimpse of a broader world and the wellspring of learning made possible through the arts.
Our fall season brings two productions of astonishing scale to the Hanna Theatre with Shakespeare’s raucous comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, playing in “rep” with the most successful musical in the world, Les Misérables. Moving effortlessly between the ridiculous and the sublime, a company of twenty-five actors, under the direction of two powerhouse artists, Victoria Bussert and Tracy Young, will breathe life and music into these classics. Tracy Young’s audacious adaptation of Merry Wives sets the play in Windsor, Wisconsin just after WWII, freely imagining Sir John Falstaff as a down-on-his-luck celebrity in exile from Hollywood (think Orson Welles plotting his come-back!) Victoria Bussert has created a deeply moving, intimate performance of Hugo’s epic tale by focusing on the characters rather than spectacle in this beautifully re-imagined production. As the curtain rises on our fall repertory, we hope you will consider using the enclosed brochure to join the Great Lakes Theater family as a member, supporting the work we create on the Parker Hannifin Stage at the Hanna Theatre. As you read through your program and look around the theater tonight, you will see the names of many friends, partners, corporations and foundations whose support makes all of this possible. We offer special thanks to members of the Great Lakes Theater Business Alliance for their support of The Merry Wives of Windsor, and PNC Bank and The Kulas Foundation for their sponsorship of Les Misèrables. We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of them, with special thanks to our partners of over 30 years at PlayhouseSquare and the tireless efforts of our talented administrative staff, dedicated board of trustees, and the tremendous generosity of this community! I hope to see you in our audience again soon.
Charles Fee, Producing Artistic Director Great Lakes Theater
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who’s who Kyle Jean Baptiste Host of The Garter, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Enjolras, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Kyle Jean Baptiste is very excited to be joining Great Lakes Theater this fall. Kyle was last seen playing Javert in Les Misérables (New London Barn Playhouse), Tom in Murder Ballad (Playhouse Square Lab Theatre), Billy Bigelow in Carousel (Baldwin Wallace University) and Dr. Ackerman in Love Story (PlayhouseSquare). He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in musical theatre and will graduate in 2015. Most recently, Kyle was nominated for a New Hampshire Theater Award for his portrayal of Javert in Les Misérables. He wants to thank his family and his teachers for never giving up on him. He’d also like to thank Idaho Shakespeare/Great Lakes Theater for this opportunity. Pedar Benson Bate* Mr. Abraham Slender, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Marius, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Pedar is so pumped to make his GLT debut! He just finished spending a glorious summer with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Before ISF, Pedar spent three years performing with the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Youth Theatre, touring through beautiful central and upstate New York. Some favorite regional credits: Slender in The Merry Wives of Windsor, ISF; Marius in Les Misérables, ISF; Oliver Hix in The Music Man, New London Barn Playhouse; Sam in My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, MGR Playhouse. Bachelor of music in vocal performance from The Ohio State University. Many thanks to Vicky, Greg, Joel, Tracy and Charlie, and to the ever-delightful cast and crew. So very grateful for my supportive family: Meredith, Matt and Brigid, Mom and Dad, Marissa and Ben, Chris and all the Schneiders! Proud member of AEA. “Let the wine of friendship never run dry.”
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The Artistic Company Laura Welsh Berg* Mrs. Alice Ford, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Old Woman/ Prostitute, Les Misérables Eight seasons at Great Lakes Theater Laura is thrilled to be returning to the Great Lakes Theater stage. Shows with GLT and her sister company, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival include 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 and Speed in Two Gentlemen of Verona 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 Sheil Park. She has a B.A. in theater from Baldwin Wallace University and an M.F.A. in acting from DePaul University. Laura is blessed to share her life and work with Lynn. Much love to her amazing parents! Lynn Robert Berg* Mr. Frank Ford, The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Bishop of Digne/Brujon/Combeferre, Les Misérables Thirteen seasons at Great Lakes Theater Previously at Great Lakes Theater: The lead role of Richard III, Jonas Fogg in Sweeney Todd, Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale, Doctor Purgeon in The Imaginary Invalid, Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, Doctor Parker in Bat Boy: The Musical, Banquo in Macbeth, Caliban in The Tempest, Sandy Tyrell in Hay Fever, Marcus Lycus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and the Ghost of Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol. Other credits: Friar Laurence/Montague in the Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth in the Short Shakespeare! Macbeth tour with Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Malvolio in Twelfth Night at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival; Bill Walker in Major Barbara, Hortensio in The Taming of the Shrew, Edmund in King Lear and Hastings in She
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The LiTTLe Foxes
sept 12 – oct 5, 2014 | Allen Theatre
Lillian Hellman’s delicious drama of ambition and greed warns us to keep our friends close — and our relatives closer.
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An uplifting lyrical journey of dreaming big and discovering your voice.
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nov 28 – Dec 21, 2014 | Allen Theatre
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Renowned pianist Mona Golabek’s deeply moving story of hope and the life-affirming power of music.
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Christopher Durang’s zany, Tony Awardwinning comedy that questions our ability to age gracefully in an era of iPods and Twitter.
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Stoops to Conquer at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Prospero in The Tempest at Maine Shakespeare Festival; The Professor in All the Great Books (Abridged) at Delaware Theater Company; and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at Writer’s Theater in Chicago. Lynn holds an MFA from the University of Delaware Professional Theater Training Program. SLL’M Stephen Mitchell Brown* Bardolph, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Jean Valjean, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Thrilled to be making his GLT debut! Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde (revival). National tours: Jekyll & Hyde, Chauvelin in The Scarlet Pimpernel, “Leadville” Johnny in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Regional: Rochester in Jane Eyre (Legacy Theatre — Atlanta’s Suzi Bass Award), Oliver! (Paper Mill Playhouse), Enoch Snow in Carousel, Professor Bhaer in Little Women, Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls (all at Cumberland County Playhouse), Beast in Beauty and the Beast (Fireside Theatre), Capt. Albert Lennox in The Secret Garden (Theatre By The Sea), Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf in Into the Woods and Thurston Wheelis in Greater Tuna (both at Jenny Wiley Theatre). B.A. in theater with music minor from Muhlenberg College. Proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Special thanks to Victoria for the opportunity to play a dream role, Michael Cassara, Eddie and Take 3 Talent, Eric Michael Gillett, Mom, Dad, Ginger, Sadie, and my wife, Leah. Much love. One Day More! www.stephenmitchellbrown.com
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Lexi Cowan Little Cosette, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Lexi is excited to be making her debut appearance with Great Lakes Theater. She is 8 years old and is a third grader at Laurel School. She earned her first professional job at age 3 1/2, when she played the role of Rosie Conlon in the Lionsgate film, Warrior. In 2012, she appeared as Drew’s daughter in the Focus Features film, Promised Land. Last holiday season, Lexi sang a solo song with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. She has also appeared in numerous TV commercials and print advertisements. Lexi is represented by the Docherty Agency in Cleveland and the Carson Adler Agency and Abrams Artists Agency in New
York City. Lexi wants to thank her mom, dad, brother, family, friends and teachers for being her constant cheerleaders … and GLT for this super fun role! Aled Davies* Mr. John Falstaff, The Merry Wives of Windsor Fourteen seasons at Great Lakes Theater Previously for GLT: Scrooge/ Samuels in A Christmas Carol, Adam in As You Like It, Porter Milgrim in Deathtrap, Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls, Dr. Bradman in Blithe Spirit, Camillo in The Winter’s Tale, Monsieur Diafoirus in The Imaginary Invalid, Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap, Vincentio in The Taming of the Shrew, Duke of Milan in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 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, Sea Captain/Priest in Twelfth Night, Solinus/ Dr. Pinch in The Comedy of Errors, Dorn in The Seagull, Duncan/Old Siward in Macbeth, Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible, King of France in All’s Well That Ends Well, Mr. Witherspoon in Arsenic and Old Lace, Escalus in Measure for Measure, Prospero in The Tempest, David Bliss in Hay Fever, Senex in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Boyet in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar, Claudius in Hamlet, Cleante in Tartuffe, Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing, Buckingham in Richard III and Topper in A Christmas Carol. Aled has been a proud and appreciative member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1984. Go Browns! Brandyn Day Nym, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Bamatabois/Feuilly, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Brandyn is thrilled to be spending this fall at Great Lakes Theater for the first time. He was last seen as Jigger in Carousel and he spent last summer performing in numerous productions at Timber Lake Playhouse, including one of his favorite roles, Agent Frank in Unnecessary Farce. Brandyn studied acting at The Stella Adler Conservatory in NYC, and has been featured in two
national commercials. He is currently a senior music theatre major at Baldwin Wallace University. BWMT’15. Brandyn would like to dedicate this performance to Mom, Dad, Mar and Katie. Enjoy.
Tom Ford* Dr. Caius, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Farmer/Thénardier/ Loud Hailer, Les Misérables Nine seasons at Great Lakes Theater Great Lakes Theater: Sidney in Deathtrap, Sweeney in Sweeney Todd, Hastings/ Tyrrel in Richard III, Argan in The Imaginary Invalid, Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale, Mr. Paravicini in The Mousetrap, Baker in Into the Woods, Ross in Macbeth, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the King of Navarre in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Casca in Julius Caesar, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Nicola in Arms and the Man and Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Idaho Shakespeare Festival: Deathtrap, 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, Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Gremio in The Taming of the Shrew, Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Touchstone in As You Like It, Casca Julius Caesar, the title role in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Hucklebee in The Fantasticks. Boise Contemporary Theater: This Wonderful Life, Truman Capote in Tru, I Am My Own Wife (co-produced with ISF). Portland Stage Company: Greater Tuna, The Snow Queen, Bach at Leipzig, The Mystery of Irma Vep, I Am My Own Wife, Iron Kisses, The Woman in Black, Scrooge in A
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Jodi Dominick* Mrs. Margaret Page, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Fantine, Les Misérables Eight seasons at Great Lakes Theater Jodi’s previous roles include Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Prince Edward/ Ensemble in Richard III, Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Lady MacDuff in Macbeth, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Lady Chiltern in An Ideal Husband, Bianca in Othello, Ivana/Tailor in The Taming of the Shrew, Samson in Romeo and Juliet, Lucetta/Outlaw in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Louison in The Imaginary Invalid, Emilia in The Winter’s Tale and Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Seven seasons at Idaho Shakespeare Festival include Sweeney Todd, Richard III, Into the Woods, Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Twelfth Night, An Ideal Husband, Othello, Two Gentleman of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew, Cabaret, The Mousetrap, The Winter’s Tale and The Imaginary Invalid. Other credits include Diana in I Love You Because at 14th Street Theater in PlayhouseSquare; Miss Gardner in Carrie the Musical, Clara in Passion and Helen in The Break Up Notebook at Beck Center. Other theaters: New World Stages, Hudson Backstage Theater, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Hayworth Theatre, Dobama and The Cincinnati Playhouse in
Clare Howes Eisentrout* Miss Anne Page, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Cosette, Les Misérables Second season at Great Lakes Theater Past credits include Johanna (Sweeney Todd) and Young Elizabeth (Richard III) at ISF/GLT, Sally (Follies) at Baldwin Wallace University, Sally Brown (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown) at Weston Playhouse, Martha (Spring Awakening) at Beck Center for the Arts and Philia (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) at New London Barn Playhouse. Proud BWMT ’13! Always grateful for support and hugs from Mama, Padre, Mr. Sparkly and Rare Home Entertainment. Sending love to my loves all over the country.
Great Lakes Theater
Owen Desberg William Page, The Merry Wives of Windsor Great Lakes Theater debut Owen is thrilled to be making his Great Lakes Theater debut. Most recently, Owen was seen as Whitney in Weathervane’s production of Life With Father. A dancer for many years, he has appeared in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and The Wizard of Oz with Ballet Theatre of Ohio. Currently a student at Ana Lobe´ Ballet Academy, he plans to continue studying dance and theater, all while working toward his ultimate goal of playing for the Indians some day! Owen thanks everyone involved in the production for their support and guidance.
the Park. Jodi is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music.
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Christmas Carol, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, Mr. Manningham in Gaslight and Yvan in Art. Broadway: Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s By Jeeves at the Helen Hayes Theater. New London Barn Playhouse: Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Man in the Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey, Major General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Sipos in She Loves Me and Max in The Producers. Other performances: Dromio of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors at Pittsburgh Public Theater, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Lincoln Center Director’s Lab, Once Around the City at New York Stage and Film, Rutherford and Son at the Mint Theater, Salvador Dali in Hysteria at Florida Studio Theater, Johnny in Maurice Sendak’s production of Really Rosie and Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at McCarter Theater. tomfordactor.com Colin Frothingham Gavroche, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Colin Frothingham is in the seventh grade at Shaker Heights Middle School. This is his first performance with Great Lakes Theater. Colin has participated in Heights Youth Theatre, Shaker Heights Musical Theatre Camp, Woodbury Elementary Drama Club, John Carroll University Theatre and Onaway Little Theatre. Some of his most memorable roles include Peter in Peter Pan (Woodbury Elementary), Michael in Peter Pan (Heights Youth Theatre), Aladdin in Aladdin (Woodbury Elementary) and Theo in Pippin (JCU). In addition to singing and acting, Colin enjoys playing soccer, swimming, skiing, playing the piano, writing/directing plays and hanging out with his friends. Colin gratefully acknowledges his family, friends and teachers for encouraging him to pursue his passion for theater. Colin would like to thank his family and friends for their continuous love and support.
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Keri René Fuller Rugby, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Éponine, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Keri René Fuller could not be more excited to make her GLT
debut with some old and new friends! She is ecstatic to reprise the role of Éponine after doing Les Misérables at New London Barn Playhouse last summer. Previous credits include Lizzie Borden in Lizzie Borden: The Musical and Sara in Murder Ballad at PlayhouseSquare in Cleveland; Maggie Winslow in A Chorus Line at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma; Lavinia in Titus Andronicus at Reduxion Classical Theatre Company; and Diana in All’s Well that Ends Well at Baldwin Wallace University. Keri René is graduating this year with a BM from the musical theater program at Baldwin Wallace University as AEA. She would like to thank her family in Oklahoma for supporting her in anything and everything she does, James and the Pencas for being the best second family a girl could ask for, and Victoria Bussert, Scott Plate, Gregory Daniels and Sara Whale for pushing her farther than she ever thought she could go. For Tiffany. Ian Gould* Mr. George Page, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Major Domo/Montparnasse/Jean Prouvaire, Les Misérables Four seasons at Great Lakes Theater Previously at Great Lakes Theater: Thomas Diafoirus in The Imaginary Invalid, Antigonus in The Winter’s Tale, both Dromio twins in The Comedy of Errors, Medvedenko in The Seagull, Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night. Other theater credits include Guildenstern in both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Hamlet (The Acting Company; off-Broadway, at the Guthrie Theater and on national tour), Heisenberg in Copenhagen (Luna Stage), Twelfth Night (Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival), The Miser (Centerstage), Amadeus (New Harmony Theater), Rough Crossing (MetroStage), The Devil’s Disciple (Metropolitan Playhouse), Titus Andronicus, The Weir, Cymbeline, Benefactors and Our Country’s Good (Folding Chair Classical Theatre) and his six GLT productions at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Film: Friar Jacomo in The Jew of Malta. Training: MFA, The Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy for Classical Acting; BFA, NYU. Proud member of Actors’ Equity.
Mia Knight Ensemble, The Merry Wives of Windsor Three seasons at Great Lakes Theater Mia is excited once again be back
Lisa Nazelli Ensemble, The Merry Wives of Windosr Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater. Lisa made her debut last fall playing Belinda and Abigail in A Christmas Carol. She is thrilled to return to the Great Lakes Company with The Merry Wives of Windsor, and to work with so many familiar faces. An eighth grader in Chagrin Falls, Lisa runs cross country, sings with the Select Choir and plays guitar. Previous roles are: Taylor in High School Musical, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Belle in Beauty & the Beast (in concert), Glinda in The Wizard of Oz (in concert), Jasmine’s attendant in Aladdin, an orphan in Annie, and in the ensemble of Mercury Summer Stock’s production of 13. A big thanks to her friends & family for all their love and support!
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Leah Jennings* Ensemble, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Ensemble, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Thrilled to be joining the company and making her GLT debut! National tours: Molly Brown in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Regional: Carrie in Carousel, Adelaide in Guys & Dolls, Meg in Little Women, Nancy in Oliver! (all at Cumberland County Playhouse), Madame Dindon in La Cage Aux Folles (Theatre By The Sea), Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music, Camelot (both at White Plains PAC), Mrs. Phagan in Parade (Gallery Players), The Sound of Music (North Shore Music Theatre), Searching for Romeo (NYMF). Cabaret: The Amanda McBroom Project (MAC Award - Special Production). MM in musical theater from Oklahoma City University. Proud Member of AEA. Special Thanks to Victoria and Charlie for the opportunity to join the company, Eddie and Take 3 Talent, EMG, GAB, my family in OK, Ginger, Sadie, and my husband, Stephen. www.leahjennings.com
on stage amongst her friends at Great Lakes Theatre. She is an honors student currently in ninth grade at Beachwood High School. Mia’s most recent performances include, Soloist/Street child in A Christmas Carol at Great Lakes Theater; Ngana in South Pacific at Porthouse Theatre; Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods and Young Olivia in The Color Purple at Karamu House along with her début at Cleveland Play House as Ann in the world premiere of A Carol for Cleveland. Mia found her love for performing at age four and has gained a variety of experiences throughout the greater Cleveland area, other favorites include, (Mayzie) Seussical at Karamu house; (Swing and Street Girl) A Christmas Carol at Great Lakes Theater; (Knave) Alice Wonderland at Beachwood Community Theatre; (Ensemble) Music Man at FPAC, and as the youngest member of the cast (Ensemble) in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at Fairmount Performing Arts Conser vatory. Mia enjoys singing and running track where she finished first in the 100-meter dash state championship. She is also looking forward to joining the Cleveland Youth Orchestra Choir 2014 season. Mia is thankful for the opportunity to perform with Great Lakes Theater and wishes to thank her family for their continued support as she pursues her triple threat dream of acting, singing, and performing.
Great Lakes Theater
Kayleigh Hahn Ensemble, The Merry Wives of Windsor Great Lakes Theater debut Kayleigh is thrilled to be making her Great Lakes Theater debut after seeing so many wonderful GLT productions growing up, including A Christmas Carol every year since 2005. Currently a freshman at Magnificat High School, some of Kayleigh’s favorite roles at her alma mater, The Academy of Saint Adalbert in Berea, include Miss Hannigan in Annie JR. and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Other memorable theatrical experiences include attending GLT’s Camp Theater for three summers, and receiving the Education Department’s School Residency Program all eight years at her school. She has studied dance for twelve years at O’Connor Dance Studio in Parma and has worked with the Broadway touring company of The Lion King at PlayhouseSquare’s 2013 Broadway Summer Camp. Special thanks to family and friends.
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Cameron Danielle Nelson Ensemble, The Merry Wives of Windsor Six seasons at Great Lakes Theater Cameron is very excited to be performing in The Merry Wives of Windsor this fall. She just started the eighth grade at Olmsted Falls Middle School. Past favorite credits include: Oliver! (Oliver), Sound of Music (Briggita), Fiddler on the Roof (ensemble), Damn Yankees (Ensemble), Annie Get Your Gun (Little Jake) Porthouse Theater; Plain and Fancy (Miller girl) Kent State University; A Christmas Story (Helen) Cleveland Play House; A Christmas Carol – Five seasons (Tiny Tim, Sarah Crachit) Great Lakes Theater; Annie (Annie) Caryl Crane Youth Theater; The Nerd (Thor) Weathervane Community Theater and Fiddler of the Roof (Bielke) Beck Center for the Arts. Cameron has also been in several short films; Lucky Duck, Flight to India, Voyage to Russia, Bully on Elm Street, and Death and Taxes. When Cameron is not on stage, she studies dance (ballet, tap, and jazz, lyrical) and bass clarinet. She is very thankful for this opportunity. Tracee Patterson* Madame Quickly, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Madame Thénardier, Les Misérables Three seasons at Great Lakes Theater Tracee is honored to return to the Great Lakes stage, having last performed as Myra in Deathtrap. Locally, Tracee has played a variety of roles, including Golda in Fiddler on the Roof (Porthouse Theatre); Medea in Medea (Mamai Theatre); Veronica in God of Carnage, Jean in Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Stevie in The Goat (Dobama); Desiree in A Little Night Music (Fairmount Theatre); Lettice in Lettice and Lovage, Timothea in SeaMarks (Coach House Theatre); Gloria in Return to the Forbidden Planet (CSU Summer Stages); Woman 2 in Songs for a New World, Luisa in Nine (Cain Park); Emma in Song and Dance, Arkadina in The Seagull, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, Francis in Breakup Notebook: The Lesbian Musical, The Whore in Hello Again (Beck Center for the Arts); Paulinka in A Bright Room Called Day (Cleveland Public Theater). Tracee is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association.
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Katie Proulx Robin, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Factory Girl, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Katie Proulx is excited to be in Cleveland making her GLT debut. Select credits include Georgie in Spike Heels (W 19th Street Theatre, NYC), Hannah in The Art of Dining (Harborfields Theater Co.), the Mute in The Fantasticks (Winnipesaukee Playhouse), Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story (The Concord Players), Meg in Little Women (Stagecoach Productions), Florence in the premiere production of Ghost Hunting (NH Theatre Factory), Wet: Shakespeare (NYCDA), Joseph (Palace Theatre) and Carmen (Granite State Opera). A graduate of the NY Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, Katie has trained and worked throughout NH, Boston and NYC, and was an original company member of the Roschman Dance Company in NYC. Katie is very happy to be here working with her fiancé Joel and this talented company. Mickey Ryan Simple, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Constable/Joly, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Mickey is endlessly excited to be making his debut with Great Lakes Theater. He was recently seen in Carrie at Beck Center for the Arts. Other credits include Carousel (Enoch Snow), 25th APC Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear), Titanic (Hitchens) and Into the Woods (Jack). Mickey is a rising senior at Baldwin Wallace University, where he is pursuing a BM in music theatre. At BWU, Mickey is also a proud member of BWBeatles, the oldest collegiate Beatles festival in the nation. Big thanks to all friends and family, BWMT’15, Vicky, and Mom. Brian Sutherland* Mr. Robert Shallow, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Javert, Les Misérables Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater Brian is delighted to return to Great Lakes Theater, having last appeared here in Sondheim on Sondheim. Broadway: Sound of Music, 1776, Victor/Victoria, Steel Pier, Cats, Dance a Little Closer, A Change in the Heir, 110 in the
Shade (NYC Opera). Off-Broadway: A Second Chance (Public Theatre). Tours: The Light in the Piazza, Disney’s On the Record, Guys and Dolls (w/ Maurice Hines), Cabaret (w/Joel Grey) and 42nd Street (European tour). Regional: And the Curtain Rises and Second Chance (Signature Theatre), Kiss Me, Kate and Fantasticks (St. Louis Rep), Shenandoah (Ford’s Theatre), Man of La Mancha (Pittsburgh Public), Pirates of Penzance (Guthrie Theatre), Breaking Legs (Coconut Grove Playhouse), She Loves Me (Cincinnati Playhouse) and Enter the Guardsman (Indiana Rep). Film: Burning Blue. TV: Taxi Brooklyn
Sam Wolf* Mr. Fenton, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Fauchelevant/ Constable/Courfeyrac, Les Misérables Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater Regional: Les Misérables (Courfeyrac), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Fenton), Guys & Dolls (Angie the Ox) directed by Tony nominee Dan Knechtges, Carrie (Billy), Xanadu (Sonny), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (John Calhoun/Male Soloist), Grease (Roger), Footloose (Travis). Other: Rent (Roger), Singin’ in the Rain (Cosmo), All Shook Up (Chad), Swing! (Principal Dancer). Sam is a senior music theatre major at Baldwin Wallace University, where he was seen in Carousel (Captain), Follies (Young Vincent) and Titanic (Mr. D’amico). Many thanks to Vicky, Greg, Scott, Czarnota, Charlie, Sara and Slayzie. Endless love to Emily, and Mom and Dad. BWMT15! Calista Zajac Little Cosette, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Calista is extremely excited and proud to join the Great Lakes Theater family this season for her
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M. A. Taylor* Mr. Hugh Evans, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Babet/ Lesgles, Les Misérables Twelve seasons at Great Lakes Theater Mark Anthony (aka M.A.) is pleased to return to the Hanna. Previously at Great Lakes Theater, he was Le Beau/Oliver Martext, As You Like It; Charity Man/Old Joe, A Christmas Carol; Beadle, Sweeney Todd; Lord Rivers, Richard III; Verges, Much Ado About Nothing; Guy, The Imaginary Invalid; Peter, Romeo and Juliet; Grumio, The Taming of the Shrew; Speed, The Two Gentlemen of Verona; Actor 3, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged); Flute/Fairy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; and Fabian, Twelfth Night. Also among his credits: Candy in Of Mice and Men (directed by Adrian Hall) for PTTP/Rep, Dracula for Boise Contemporary Theater in the title role, Launce, Two Gentlemen of Verona; Gravedigger/Player King, Hamlet at
Colin Wheeler Gavroche, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Colin could not be more thrilled to be playing Gavroche in his Great Lakes Theater debut! The fourth grader at St. Angela Merici has a huge passion for theater and hopes to someday play The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Recent credits include Ralphie Parker in A Christmas Story the Musical and Agwe in Once On This Island Jr. at Near West Theatre; The Mayor in The Wizard of Oz, Randolph in Bye Bye Birdie, Patsy in Going Medieval: A Ye Ole Comedy and Oompa Loompa in Willy Wonka at the Beck Center; Avery in Charlotte’s Web the Musical at True North; and Jr. Wickersham Brother in Suessical the Musical at Fairview Park Fine Arts and Theatre Association.
Great Lakes Theater
Alex Syiek* Pistol, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Factory Foreman/ Claquesous/Grantaire, Les Misérables Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater Alex is really quite thrilled to be doing these wonderful shows with an amazing company. Some of his favorite credits include Andrew Jackson (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson at Color and Light Theatre), Hamlet (Hamlet at John Patrick Theatre), and Mr. Franklin (Passing Strange at 14th St. Theater). When not acting, Alex works on writing and collaborating on new plays and musicals. He would love to thank his mother, father and sister, as well as Victoria Bussert for their constant support. www.alexsyiek.com.
Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. He holds an MFA from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). He wishes to thank his families (both genetic & professional) without whom, I would n’er be able to follow my passion. As always… Go Tribe !!. And LeBron who?
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professional debut! Calista is 9 years old and in the fourth grade at Incarnate Word Academy. She is also a student at Beck Center for the Arts, where she has appeared in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The Pied Piper of Hamelin and most recently, The Wizard of Oz. Calista would like to thank her family and friends for all of their encouragement and support, and a special thanks to Helen Todd and the Beck Center for the Arts for preparing her for this incredible role! Calista is elated to be a part of such an exceptional production.
UNDERSTUDIES Zach Adkins, Lucy Anders, Kyle Jean Baptiste, Adrian Bumpas, Brandyn Day, David Hansen, Khaki Hermann, Leah Jennings*, Genna Paige Kanago, Andrew S. Keller, Andrew Kotzen, Katie Proulx, Mickey Ryan, Alex Syiek*, MA Taylor*, Hannah Jo Weisberg
DIRECTORS Victoria Bussert Director, Les Misérables Twenty-eight seasons at Great Lakes Theater Victoria Bussert balances the professional and academic worlds, dividing her time between an active career as an award-winning freelance director while holding the position of Director of Music Theatre for Baldwin Wallace University. Nationally, her work has been seen at Manhattan Theatre Club, York Theatre, New World Stages, Goodspeed Opera, PlayhouseSquare, Portland Stage, Dallas Theatre Center, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Pegasus Players, Anchorage Opera, Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Play House and Beck Center for the Arts, among others. Her international credits include Friar Tuck in Russia, The Who’s Tommy in Brazil, the Danish premiere of Avenue Q (2012 Reumert Award nomination) and the European premieres of [title of show] and Lizzie for the Fredericia Teater in Denmark. Prior to her teaching career, Victoria served as associate director for Great Lakes Theater and continues her long association with that company as resident director, most recently directing the award- winning Sweeney Todd. Upcoming projects include the Midwest premiere of Dogfight at the Beck Center and A Chorus Line for BW. Special thanks to Charlie, Greg, Joel and the entire ISF/GLT families. For Dale.
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Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director Thirteen seasons at Great Lakes Theater
Directing credits at GLT: 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 Lake Tahoe, Nevada (since 2010). His appointments have resulted in a dynamic and groundbreaking producing model for the companies, in which more than 50 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 in Boise, 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 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 19-year-old 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! Joel Mercier Musical Director, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Joel is excited to be in Ohio for the first time working for Great Lakes. An award-winning New England-based director, music director and composer, his recent music direction credits include
Gregory Daniels Choreographer, Les Misérables Three seasons at Great Lakes Theater Gregory is thrilled to return to GLT after choreographing Cabaret and Sondheim On Sondheim. Credits include the regional premieres of Carrie: The Musical and Spring Awakening (2012 Cleveland Critics Circle award for Best Choreography) at the Beck Center. Other choreographic credits include Anything Goes (Houston Theatre Under the Stars) starring Tony Award-nominated actress Dee Hoty; the world premiere of a new musical, My Own Song (Flatrock Playhouse, NC), starring Clint Holmes; and Putting it Together (Syracuse Stage), starring Tony Award winners Lillias White and Chuck Cooper; Dreamgirls; Lizzie: The Rock Musical; Hairspray; and Hair. He also had the rare honor of creating and choreographing a new number for The Rockettes for The Commerce Bank Wow Awards. As the head of the Dance Department at Baldwin Wallace University, he has choreographed Rent, La Boheme, Titantic, Follies, Carousel, and this fall, A Chorus Line. He is a proud member of SDC. Special thanks to my creative collaborating partner Vicky. Thank you to Charlie, Chris, Bob and the entire GLT
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Tracy Young Director, The Merry Wives of Windsor Three seasons at Great Lakes Theater This is Tracy’s third season with the wonderful Great Lakes Theater, and she’s thrilled to be back! Thanks to the amazing cast and production team. Directing credits include The Taming of the Shrew (Great Lakes Theater); The Imaginary Invalid (Great Lakes Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival); A Wrinkle In Time (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Good People (Marin Theatre Co.); Clybourne Park (Playmakers Rep); Medea/Macbeth/Cinderella (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Yale Rep); The Servant of Two Masters and Luis Alfaro’s Breakfast Lunch and Dinner (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); The Winter’s Tale (Ten Thousand Things, MN); Michael Schlitt’s Jesus Ride (The Marsh, LA Fringe Festival); Alison Tatlock’s Jolly Good Fellow (Chalk Repertory Theatre); The Wide Open Ocean Ate Aimee Semple Whole (Los Angeles Theatre Center); Hysteria, Euphoria, DreamPlay (The Actors’ Gang). Other credits: Resident Director, The Actors’ Gang, 1992-2001; Associate Artist, Cornerstone Theater Company, 1996-2002; Assistant Director, The Clean House (Lincoln Center Theater) Awards: Connecticut Critics Circle, Ovation, LA Weekly and Backstage West Garland Awards for Direction; finalist for the Alan Schneider Directing Award, CTG Robert Sherwood Directing Award, and the P.E.N. West Playwriting Award.
DESIGNERS
Great Lakes Theater
The Spitfire Grill, Nunsense and Chicago (Northern Stage, VT); Les Misérables, Ragtime, Drowsy Chaperone and Legally Blonde (New London Barn Playhouse, NH); Spring Awakening, Hairspray and Rent (Dartmouth College); national tour of A Christmas Carol: A Sparkling New Musical (CMI Entertainment, NYC). Prior to relocating to NH, Joel’s work in NYC comprised of assisting numerous shows, readings and concerts including offBroadway and the Nokia Theatre Times Square as music director, music copyist and supervisor. A graduate of the Hartt School of Music, Joel was artistic associate at the New London Barn Playhouse for six seasons, a guest artist at Dartmouth College for the past three, and is currently the artistic director of the newly founded NH Theatre Factory in southern NH. Joel is thankful to be working with this wonderful company, and especially his amazing fiancé, Katie. www.joelmercier.com for more info.
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family, and to Jared for always being there with smiles, support and inspiration. For more info, please visit www.gregorydaniels.net. Mary Jo Dondlinger Lighting Designer, Les Misérables Twenty-eight seasons at 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, TheaterWorks (Hartford) and many others. Mary Jo has long been associated with the York Theatre Company offBroadway 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 last season’s Sweeney Todd and co-designer of the annual holiday presentation of A Christmas Carol.
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Esther M. Haberlen Costume Designer, Les Misérables Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater Previously at GLT/Idaho Shakespeare Festival: Much Ado About Nothing. GLT Surround: On the Dark Side of Twilight, Tales of the Decameron, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Double Heart, Seven Ages. With GLT/CMSD All-City Musical – Dreamgirls, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Guys & Dolls, Fame. Select Theater Credits: The Misanthrope, Too True to Be Good (Cleveland Play House/CWRU); Exact Change, The Secretaries, Sleep Deprivation Chamber, Fever Dream, Chalk Circle, The Santaland Diaries (Cleveland Public Theatre); The Little Dog Laughed (Beck Center); Tigers Be Still, Humble Boy, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, The Pillowman, A Number (Dobama Theater); South Pacific (Jewish Community Center); You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Charlotte’s Web, The Hobbit (Willoughby Fine Arts Association). Opera: Semele, Orpheus in the Underworld (Baldwin Wallace Conservatory); Die Zauberflöte, La Finta Gardiniera, The Impressario, and Suor Angelica (Cleveland Institute of Music. Esther joined the staff of GLT in 2003 as Wardrobe Crew, working as Stitcher, Wardrobe Supervisor, Draper and Assistant Shop Manager before assuming her current position as Costume Shop Manager for GLT, Idaho Shakespeare and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare. Esther holds a BFA in Theater Production/Costume Design from the State University of New York – Fredonia and interned at
the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater and The Chautauqua Conservatory. Thanks to the cast, the creative team, and artists in the shops and backstage for their enormous talent and support; her wonderful family and to her amazing husband, Richard. Jeff Herrmann Scenic Designer, Les Misérables Seven seasons at Great Lakes Theater Jeff is pleased to return to Great Lakes Theater for his seventh season. Previous productions for GLT include Cabaret, Bat Boy: The Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Into the Woods, all joint productions with Idaho Shakespeare Festival in Boise. For GLT and PlayhouseSquare, he designed the scenery for Sondheim on Sondheim. Other ISF production designs include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; The Spitfire Grill; Little Shop of Horrors; and Noises Off. For Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, Jeff has designed a combination of scenery and lighting for productions including Tintypes, Bye-Bye Birdie, Damn Yankees, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver, Songs for a New World, Hair, Dreamgirls and the Cleveland premiere of tick...tick...Boom! For Dobama Theatre in Cleveland Heights, he has designed scenery for the Cleveland premieres of Closer, Wit, Refuge, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Take Me Out, The Last Five Years, The Blue Door and Blackbird. For Beck Center for the Arts, he has designed sets and lights for Spring Awakening and Next To Normal. Jeff is a professor of theater at Baldwin Wallace University, where he teaches courses in scene design, lighting design and VectorWorks. As the resident scenic and lighting designer for the program, his recent production design work for Baldwin Wallace has included Rent, La Boheme, Follies, Noises Off, Turn of the Screw and The Seagull. Jeff holds an MFA in scene and lighting design from Southern Illinois University, and he is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. Jeff resides in Lakewood with his partner Bob. Alex Jaeger Costume Designer, The Merry Wives of Windsor Three seasons at Great Lakes Theater Deathtrap, The Taming of the Shrew (GLT); Two Sisters and a Piano (Public Theater); A Parallelogram, Other Desert Cities (Mark Taper Forum); Mr. Burns (Guthrie Theatre); Major Barbara, Arcadia, Once in a Lifetime, Maple and Vine and others (A.C.T. San Francisco); A Wrinkle in Time, A Streetcar Named
Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, August: Osage County, Romeo and Juliet and others (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Rock ‘N Roll (The Huntington Theatre); The Nether, The Paris Letter, Eclipsed (Kirk Douglas Theatre). Additionally, Alex has longstanding relationships with the Magic Theatre, South Coast Repertory and Studio Theatre in D.C. He also works as a celebrity stylist in Los Angeles. Alex is the recipient of numerous awards for his designs, including two Ovation awards.
Helene Peterson Choreographer, The Merry Wives of Windsor Four seasons at Great Lakes Theater Helene has worked for Idaho Shakespeare Festival for 22 years, seven of those in ISF’s administrative offices, from 1993 to 2000. Her choreography for ISF includes A Christmas Carol; Twelfth Night; The Tempest; Private Lives; Romeo and Juliet; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Cymbeline; Much Ado About Nothing; You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Fantasticks; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now
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Rick Martin Scenic and Lighting Designer, The Merry Wives of Windsor Thirteen seasons at Great Lakes Theater Many productions with GLT and ISF. Other theater: US premiere of Kurt Weil’s Marie Galante (Opèra Français de NY); Hekabe, The Illiad and The Rage of Achilles with Music-Theatre Group (New York and Santa Fe); and The Bitter Tears of Petra van Kant (Henry Miller Theatre, New York).
Michael Mueller Fight Choreographer, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Les Misérables Five seasons at Great Lakes Theater Michael Mueller is an actor, educator and fight choreographer. In addition to being a Certified Teacher of Stage Combat with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), Michael is also a combat instructor with Revenge Arts and a member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC), the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat (BASSC), Fight Directors Canada (FDC), and SAG-AFTRA. Michael earned his B.F.A. in Acting from Wright State University and M.F.A. in Performance Pedagogy from the University of Pittsburgh. He also serves as an Associate Editor of The Fight Master and Editorial Consultant for The Cutting Edge. His most recent fight choreography credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor and Les Misérables for the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (ISF), The Uncanny Valley for Boise Contemporary Theater, Romeo and Juliet and Jabberwocky for the ISF’s educational outreach tours, Spring Awakening for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Undergraduate Theatre Association as well as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and A Yorkshire Tragedy for the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-UponAvon, UK.
Great Lakes Theater
Mary Schilling-Martin Wig Designer, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Les Misérables Six seasons at Great Lakes Theater Thirty two years ago, Mary built her first hair piece at the Spoleto Festival for Jane Alexander in a new play by William Goldman, a sequel to his previous The Miracle Worker. Since that time, she has worked in regional, non-profit, commercial and educational theater, including Cleveland Play House, Goodman Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company, Old Globe Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Victory Gardens, Theatre at the Center, Opera Colorado, Arizona Theatre Company, Lyric Opera Works and Baldwin Wallace University. She has created wigs for amazing performers, including Mariette Hartley, Tony winner Jesse Mueller, NaTasha Williams, Cloris Leachman, Annette Bening, Jim Parsons, Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays, Patrick Page, Tom Hewitt, Berke Moses, John Cudia, Kathy Voytko and Susie McMonagle. Her wigs even made a Tony Award ceremony appearance in 2012, in a production number from Hairspray streamed from the Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. In 2007, she was privileged to build her first wig for GLT. It was worn by Lynn Berg for Hay Fever. That very wig is making an appearance on the same actor this year. No spoilers but count yourself an alert and devoted audience member if you recognize it.
Opera: Le Diable dans le beffroi, La Chute de la Maison Usher (Opéra national de Paris – scenery and lighting); Castor et Pollux, Pellèas et Mèllisande and To Be Sung (Opéra Français de NY); Dialogues des Carmèlites, Cenerentola (Opéra de Toulon); and Romèo et Juliette (Spoleto Festival USA). Concerts: Harawi (Opèra Comique, Paris – scenery and lighting), Le martyre de Saint Sèbastien (Citè de la Musique, Paris and Arsenal, Metz), Orchestre national de Lyon and the Orchestre de Champs Élysées (Lyon, Poitiers, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, São Paulo). Coming up: US tour of Harawi, 2014.
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Change; Arsenic and Old Lace; Love’s Labour’s Lost; Greater Tuna; A Tuna Christmas; An Ideal Husband; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged); and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Helene is also the managing director of Boise Contemporary Theater. She holds a BA in international politics from the University of Colorado at Boulder and an MFA in dance from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. She was awarded a Fellowship from the Idaho Commission on the Arts for Artistic Excellence in 2006. Brandon Wolcott Sound Designer, The Merry Wives of Windsor Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater New York: The Record (original score), The Good Person of Szechwan and Titus Andronicus (Pubic Theater), Kiss the Air (Park Avenue Armory), The Mystery of Irma Vep, The Maids (Red Bull Theater), Hit the Wall (Barrow Street), The Tenant, Confidence Man (Woodshed Collective), So Much Mad in Me (with Faye Driscoll). Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center, The Joyce, LaMama, DTW, PS122, 3LD, Clubbed Thumb, New Ohio, Collaboration Town, New Georges. Regional: Two River, Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, The Magic. Amanda Werre Sound Designer, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Recent designs include Les Misérables at Idaho Shakespeare Festival; The 39 Steps, All Shook Up and The Hot Mikado at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre; The Lyons and Mrs. Mannerly at Max and Louie Theatre Company; and You Can’t Take It with You at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. As a sound technician, Amanda has worked at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Actors Theatre of Louisville. She received her BFA in sound design from Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts.
STAGE MANAGEMENT
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Jennifer Caster* Assistant Stage Manager, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Les Misérables Three seasons at Great Lakes Theater Previously at Great Lakes Theater: performance stage manager for Deathtrap, assistant stage manager for Sweeney Todd and Guys & Dolls. Additional stage management credits include Les Misérables (assistant credit, Idaho Shakespeare
Festival); Yentl (Cleveland Play House); Irina’s Birthday Party (Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant, NY); Water Ways, The Secret Social, Standing on Ceremony, Poor Little Lulu (Cleveland Public Theatre); Antony and Cleopatra, Burt Dow, Much Ado About Nothing, Measure for Measure, Elizabeth Rex, Dying City and Brilliant Traces (Stonington Opera House, ME); Red Light Winter, Fefu and Her Friends, Passion Play and How I Learned to Drive (Bard College Fisher Center, NY); Septimus and Clarissa (assistant credit, Ripe Time, NY); Futurity (HERE Arts Center, NY); PITCH (LaMaMa, Etc., NY); and Waxing West (Dramalabbet, Stockholm). Jennifer is the production manager for Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant, who will return to perform at Cleveland Public Theatre this December. Robin Grady* Stage Manager, Les Misérables Great Lakes Theater debut Regional credits include Les Misérables, The Merry Wives of Windsor (Idaho Shakespeare Festival); Betrayal (Huntington Theatre Company); Love Alone, The Crucible, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Shooting Star and Shapeshifter (Trinity Repertory Company); Oklahoma!, Sweeney Todd, South Pacific (Pennsyl vania Shakespeare Festival); Into the Woods, The Mikado, Meet Vera Stark, Big River, Spelling Bee and Follies (Lyric Stage Company of Boston); The Diary of Anne Frank, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Miracle on 34th Street, Les Misérables, Rent and Fools (Ocean State Theatre Company); La Cage aux Folles (Theatre by the Sea); Slasher (Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival); Much Ado About Nothing and To Kill a Mockingbird (Colorado Shakespeare Festival); and The Elephant Man and Much Ado About Nothing (Gamm Theatre). Ms. Grady is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, and has her BFA in stage management from the University of Rhode Island. Tim Kinzel* Stage Manager, The Merry Wives of Windsor Six seasons at Great Lakes Theater Previous stage manager credits for Great Lakes Theater include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, An Ideal Husband, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo & Juliet, Imaginary Invalid, Blithe Spirit, Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III, A Christmas Carol, Deathtrap, and As You Like It. Assistant stage manager credit for Great Lakes Theater includes The Mystery of Edwin Drood. 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. He also holds multiple production assistant and intern credits with Alley Theater, Houston Grand Opera and Stages Repertory Theater. Love to his family, friends and Cleveland who have supported him and the arts over the years. Here we go Brownies, here we go… WOOF WOOF!
THE CREATORS
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Claude-Michel Schönberg Claude-Michel Schönberg is a successful record producer and songwriter who began his collaboration with Alain Boublil in 1973, writing the very
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting schools, as well as amateur and professional theaters from around the world, the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these shows to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 60,000 theatrical organizations in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide.
Great Lakes Theater
Alain Boublil Alain Boublil’s first musical, La Revolution Française in 1973, marked his transition from songwriting to musical theater and the start of his collaboration with Claude-Michel Schönberg with the hit album that became the first-ever staged French musical. His idea of writing a musical version of Les Misérables brought them together again in 1978. The acclaimed show was written over a two-year period and recorded as an album before opening at the Palais de Sports in Paris in September 1980. In 1983, Mr. Boublil met Cameron Mackintosh, which led to his first London production Abbacadabra (a musical fairy tale set to ABBA music) and to working with Claude-Michel and directors and writers on the English language adaptation of Les Misérables. The show has subsequently opened in 19 countries and 14 languages. Among the many awards Mr. Boublil has received were two Tony Awards in 1987 for Best Score and Best Book for the NY production and a 1988 Grammy for the Best Original Broadway Cast Recording, which he coproduced with Claude-Michel Schönberg. Miss Saigon opened on September 20, 1989, at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London and on April 11, 1991, in NY. The show has also played in Tokyo and Toronto with future production scheduled for Sydney, Australia, and Stuttgart, Germany. Mr. Boublil will maintain a close association with all the international productions of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon while working with ClaudeMichel on the screenplays for motion picture versions of both musicals.
first French musical, La Revolution Française. Mr. Schönberg played the role of Louis XVI in that production and also co-produced the double-gold record album of the show. In 1974, he recorded an album, singing his own compositions and lyrics, which included the No. 1 hit single Le Premier Pas. In 1980, after two years’ work on the score, Mr. Schönberg and Mr. Boublil’s musical Les Misérables opened in Paris, where it was seen by more than 1.5 million people. In 1983, Mr. Schönberg produced an opera album in Paris with Julia Migenes Johnson and the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. Following work on the London production of Les Misérables (the third longest-running musical in British theater history), Mr. Schönberg co-produced the double-platinum London cast album and became involved in casting all the major overseas productions of the show, including the American, Japanese and Australian companies. He won two coveted Tony Awards, for Best Score and Book, for the Broadway production of Les Misérables and a Grammy Award for the Best Original Cast Recording, which he co-produced with Alain Boublil. He also worked closely on the symphonic recording of the show. His score for Miss Saigon, again written in collaboration with Alain Boublil, is now repeating the international success story of Les Misérables. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and again bringing together many members of the creative team behind Les Misérables, Miss Saigon opened with huge success at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London in September 1989, in NY in April 1991, in Tokyo in May 1992, and in Chicago (the first national U.S. tour) in November 1992. Future productions will open in Sydney, Australia, and Stuttgart, Germany. Now Claude-Michel is back at the keyboards, composing their next musical, Martin Guerre, while keeping close eye on the development of the screenplays for Les Misérables and Miss Saigon.
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staff
Great Lakes Theater
Charles Fee, Producing Artistic Director Bob Taylor, Executive Director 2014–15 ARTISTIC COMPANY Les Misèrables, The Merry Wives of Windsor DIRECTORS Victoria Bussert, Tracy Young DESIGNERS Alex Jaeger, Gregory Daniels, Mary Jo Dondlinger, Esther M. Haberlen, Jeff Herrmann, Mary Schilling-Martin, Rick Martin, Joel Mercier, Michael Mueller, Helene Peterson, Katie Proulx, Amanda Were, Brandon Wolcott, Sam Wolf* ACTORS Kyle Jean Baptiste, Pedar Benson Bate*, Lynn Robert Berg*, Laura Welsh Berg*, Stephen Mitchell Brown*, Lexi Cowan, Aled Davies*, Brandyn Day, Owen Desberg, Jodi Dominick*, Clare Howes Eisentrout*, Tom Ford*, Colin Frothingham, Keri René Fuller, Ian Gould*, Kayleigh Hahn, Leah Jennings*, Mia Knight, Lisa Nazelli, Cameron Nelson, Tracee Patterson*, Katie Proulx, Mickey Ryan, Brian Sutherland*, Alex Syiek*, M.A. Taylor*, Colin Wheeler, Sam Wolf*, Calista Zajac MANAGEMENT TEAM Director of Development...............................................Don Bernardo Artistic Associate.............................................................. Sara Bruner Production Manager......................................Christopher D. Flinchum Director of Educational Services........................Kelly Schaffer Florian Marketing & Public Relations Director .......................Todd Krispinsky Director of Educational Programming..............................Lisa Ortenzi EDUCATION Education Outreach Associate....................................... David Hansen Actor-Teachers School Residency Program.........................Luke Brett, Chennelle Bryant-Harris, Chelsea Cannon, Katelyn Cornelius, Khaki Hermann, Tim Keo, Shaun O’Neill, Michael Silverstein ADMINISTRATION Audience Engagement Manager................................... Chris Fornadel Assistant Production Manager.................................... Corrie Purdum Finance Associate...................................................... Stephanie Reed Development Assistant.................................................... Jill Robinson Marketing Intern..........................................................Natalie Gullatt Trinity High School Intern.......................................... Chloe Opperman Office Volunteers........ Janice Campbell, Barb Cercone, Janet Glaeser
PRODUCTION Technical Director........................................................... Mark Cytron Assistant Technical Director.................................William Langenhop Master Carpenter............................................................ Lindsay Loar Carpenter/Welder.....................................................Richard Haberlen Properties Master.............................................................Terry Martin Assistant to the Properties Master.....................Alexandra Haubrich Costume Shop Manager........................................Esther M. Haberlen Assistant Shop Manager/Draper..........................................Leah Loar Crafts Assistant...................................................... Krista Tomorowitz Wardrobe Supervisor...........................................Colleen McLaughlin Wardrobe Crew................... Tamara French, Zach Hickle, Kayla Keller Wig Assistant...................................................................Caitie Martin Wardrobe Intern........................................................Miranda L. Marti Master Electrician..........................................................Tammy Taylor Charge Scenic Artist........................................................... Angi Grow Audio Supervisor................................................Richard B. Ingraham Deck Audio Crew.......................................................... Brian Chismar Stage Managers..........................................Robin Grady*, Tim Kinzel* Assistant Stage Manager...........................................Jennifer Caster* Production Associate................................................ Jessica B. Lucas Production Assistant..........................................................Amy Essick Run Crew............................................. Richard Haberlen, Gary Zsigrai Hanna Theatre Crew................................... Thomas Boddy, Chris Guy, Shaun Milligan, Robert Prah Casting.......................................................................Michael Cassara *Members of Actors’ Equity Association Special Thanks: Melanie Boeman/Charlotte Yetman – Baldwin Wallace University Costume Shop Jeffrey Van Curtis/Kristine Davies – Cleveland Play House Costume Shop Robin Ruth – Kent State University Costume Shop Keri Fitch/Darrin Pufall – Boise State University Costume Shop Mark Linderbach and 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
A not-for-profit performing arts center that presents and produces a wide variety of performing arts, advances arts education and creates a destination that is a superior location for entertainment, business and housing, thereby strengthening the economic vitality of the region.
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Playbill Editor: Linda Feagler For advertising information, please contact Jennifer Roberts: 216-377-3667
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US BANK PLAZA Saturday
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Farmers Market After Work Concert Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
Summer Movie Series Mike Birbiglia Tommy Emmanuel Jim Jefferies The Little Foxes The Little Foxes
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Les Misérables Motown the Musical Don Williams The Little Foxes
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Motown the Musical The Merry Wives Of Windsor Edward Albee’s OCCUPANT Hannibal Buress
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Tim and Eric & Dr. Steve Brule The Little Foxes
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Jazz Discovery Series Motown the Musical Motown the Musical Motown the Musical Motown the Musical Les Misérables The Merry Wives The Merry Wives Of Windsor Of Windsor Edward Albee’s OCCUPANT Ghost Hunters Live The Blood, The Cross Motown the Musical Motown the Musical Motown the Musical Motown the Musical Les Misérables Les Misérables Les Misérables Edward Albee’s OCCUPANT Discover DaVinci & Michelangelo
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Motown the Musical Les Misérables Edward Albee’s OCCUPANT Esperanza Spalding
9 10 11 Motown the Musical The Merry Wives Of Windsor Edward Albee’s OCCUPANT Halloween Town
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Summer Movie Series Edward Albee’s OCCUPANT The Merry Wives Of Windsor Brian Regan The Little Foxes Edward Albee’s Edward Albee’s OCCUPANT OCCUPANT Les Misérables Les Misérables Motown the Musical Motown the Musical The Little Foxes The Little Foxes
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The Little Foxes
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CONNOR PALACE
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Motown the Musical Les Misérables
Jazz Discovery Series Evil Dead The Musical So You Think You Can Dance
The Merry Wives Of Windsor Evil Dead The Musical Bryan Adams
Les Misérables
Les Misérables How We Got On
The Merry Wives Of Windsor How We Got On
The Merry Wives Of Windsor Edward Albee’s OCCUPANT GroundWorks Dance Theater How We Got On
Merry Wives/Windsor Les Misérables Music Masters OCCUPANT GroundWorks Dance How We Got On Ballet in Cleveland
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Les Misérables Steven Wright How We Got On
How We Got On
Les Misérables How We Got On
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