JULIANNE ARGYROS STAGE / DECEMBER 13 - 24, 2002

David Emmes Martin Benson PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

presents LA POSADA MAGICA´

written by OCTAVIO SOLIS music by MARCOS LOYA

Scenic Design Costume Design Lighting Design Musical Director CHRISTOPHER ACEBO SHIGERU YAJI LONNIE ALCARAZ MARCOS LOYA

Choreographer Production Manager Stage Manager LINDA KOSTALIK JEFF GIFFORD *RICHARD SOTO

Directed by DIANE RODRIGUEZ

Honorary Producers BRIAN AND SADIE FINNEGAN

Corporate Producer AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

The Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund has provided major support for the commissioning, workshop and production of La Posada Mágica through its New Works for Young Audiences Program.

La Posada Mágica • SOUTH COAST REPERTORY P1 CAST OF CHARACTERS (In order of appearance)

Horacio ...... *Miguel Najera Eli, Bones, Lauro ...... *Kevin Sifuentes Gracie ...... *Tiffany Ellen Solano Mom, Mariluz ...... *Crissy Guerrero Papi, Jose Cruz ...... *Mauricio Mendoza Refugio, Buzzard ...... *Sol Castillo Consuelo, Widow ...... *Denise Blasor Caridad, Widow ...... *Carla Jimenez Musicians, Ensemble ...... Marcos Loya, Lorenzo Martinez

SETTING Christmas Eve. The present.

LENGTH Approximately two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.

PRODUCTION STAFF Casting Director ...... Joanne DeNaut Production Assistant ...... Christi Vadovic Costume Design Assistant ...... Julie Keen Assistant to the Lighting Designer ...... Christina Munich Stage Management Intern ...... Heather McLain Additional Costume Staff ...... Judith Bennett, Bronwen Burton, Tracy Gray, Diane Lucas, M.K. Steeves

Cellular phones, beepers and watch alarms should be turned off or set to non-audible mode during the performance. Please refrain from unwrapping candy or making other noises that may disturb surrounding patrons. The use of cameras and recorders in the theatre is prohibited. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the theatre.

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Official Airline Media Partner

P2 SOUTH COAST REPERTORY • La Posada Mágica The Gift of Grace A Note from Playwright Octavio Solis

hen I was commissioned to write a family baby names, Christmas play for South Coast Repertory, she told me WI had no idea there would be deep syn- that she chronicities with my own life. I simply thought I wanted to would write another play for another theatre and name our that would be that. But while my talented collabo- baby girl Gra- rators (director José Cruz González and composer ciela, or Gra- Marcos Loya) and I toiled away on our first draft of cie, for short. Posada at the Sundance Theatre Lab in Utah, I re- This stunned ceived a call from my wife Jeanne that she was me because I pregnant with our daughter, and that changed ev- had just set- erything. tled on that The play suddenly revealed to me the essen- name for my tial universal sanctity of life, the glowing sense of protagonist. hope and love that babies always suggest for the How could HENRY DiROCCO world. But she have the confluence known? She of this play hadn’t read with my wife’s the play, nor had I spoken of it to her. And yet news also here now, our daughter was not only coming into transformed our house, she was filling our play. It seemed fit- the holiday of ting. Christmas for Gracie was born on September 24, 1994, and me. The ado- the play itself was delivered three months later. We ration be- brought her for one of the first performances, and to stowed on the this day, I can't help but feel that the wide brown infant Jesus eyes of the infant Graciela have shone their grace spoke more on La Posada Mágica. deeply and directly to my new sta- tus as a fa- ther. The Nativity be- came a metaphor for the profound responsibility we all owe to the fragile innocent children we dare to bring into this brutal world. Later that spring, as I continued to write Posada and Jeanne pored over all the books of

Gracie has been played by three actresses since its premiere in 1994: Ruth Livier (1994), above left, Crissy Guerrero (1995-1998), top right, and Tiffany Ellen Solano (1999-2002), with Richard Coca as Lauro, right.

La Posada Mágica •SOUTH COAST REPERTORY P3 The Historical Procession of Las Posadas

he familiar story of Joseph and Mary’s long- themselves. The pilgrims knock on the door and call ago search for lodgings is related every year out in song, asking for shelter. A chorus of voices on at Christmastime in churches and homes the the other side asks: “Who knocks at my door so late in world over. But in many Latin countries, it the night?” actuallyT comes to life again each December, reenacted The pilgrims respond. “In the name of Heaven I for nine consecutive nights in the festive ritual of Las beg you for lodging – my beloved wife can no longer Posadas, which means inns, or lodgings. travel, and she is weary.” But the response is a stony, The idea of commemorating the Holy Family’s hardhearted refusal. “This is no inn. Go away!” After journey to Bethlehem can be traced to St. Ignatius Loy- repeated requests for shelter, the pilgrims explain who ola, in the 16th Century. He suggested they are and that Mary will soon a Christmas novena, special prayers give birth to the Son of God. The to be said on nine successive days. In innkeepers relent and welcome 1850, St. John of the Cross made a re- the exhausted travelers: “Enter, ligious pageant out of the proceed- holy pilgrims. Come into our ings, and seven years later the nine- humble dwelling and into our day remembrance was introduced to hearts. The night is one of joy, for the Indians in Mexico by Spanish mis- here beneath our roof we shelter sionaries. the Mother of God.” Solemn and deeply religious in Everyone enters the room feeling at first, the observances soon and kneels in prayer, after which became imbued with a spirit of fun the party moves out to the patio for and, eventually, left the church and fireworks and fun. Small baskets began to be celebrated in people’s of sweets, called colaciones, are of- homes. The posadas have become fered along with sandwiches, cook- community affairs with friends, relatives ies and a fruited punch – and then and neighbors sharing in the festivities it’s time for the most exciting mo- and visiting a different house each ment of all – the breaking of the evening. fancifully decorated candy and nut- The posada begins with a proces- filled piñata. Sometimes there are sion that sets off as soon as it gets dark. separate parties for different age Often a child dressed as an angel goes groups – one for teenagers and an- first, followed by two more children car- other for the younger children. In rying figures of Mary and Joseph on a Mexico City, especially, so many small litter adorned with twigs. After posadas are held that active partygo- more boys and girls come the lead fig- ers can manage to attend four or ures, then come the grown-ups and last five in one evening … and the fes- of all the musicians. Singing or chant- tivities often go on until dawn. ing special posada songs, they all walk Over time, posadas have been slowly along, each person carrying a light- tailored by their respective communi- ed candle. When the procession reaches the house ties, so that a remarkable variety of posada styles can chosen for that evening, it divides into two groups, be found throughout Mexico and the Southwestern one representing the holy pilgrims, the other the United States. innkeepers. The pilgrims line up behind the angel and the DOOR OF PERCEPTION. The 2000 cast of ‘La Posada Mágica’ featured clockwise from top left: Lorenzo Mar- children bearing the figures of the Holy Family, and tinez, Marcos Loya, Benito Martinez, Carla Jimenez, they file through the house until they arrive at a closed Denise Blasor, Sol Castillo, Tiffany Ellen Solano, Teresa door, behind which the innkeepers have stationed Velarde, Sal Lopez and Armando Duran.

P4 SOUTH COAST REPERTORY • La Posada Mágica DENISE BLASOR SOL CASTILLO CRISSY GUERRERO Consuelo/Widow Refugio/Buzzard Mom/Mariluz

Artist Biographies

*DENISE BLASOR (Consuelo/ performed with the original musi- ed by Roger Spottiswoode. In Widow) returns to SCR this season cal production of Caderas at January she will be directing the for her seventh year in La Posada LATC. Other stage credits include English translation of The Wide Mágica. She was last seen as leading roles in the world pre- Sea at The Bilingual Foundation Circe in Cooking (which she also miere of House of the Spirits at of the Arts. directed at the A theatre), Jenny in LATC; Yerma, Lorca and Women The Three Penny Opera, directed Without Men for Bilingual Foun- *SOL CASTILLO (Refugio/Buzzard) by Angelina Reaux, and Lorca’s dation of the Arts; Cervantes’ In- is proud to return to SCR for his Women at The Bilingual Founda- terludes at Stages, directed by third season of La Posada Mágica. tion of the Arts. Other credits in- Florinel Fatulescu; The Good He was seen in the SCR world clude the new adaptation of Faust Woman of Setzuan at the Odyssey premiere The Hollow Lands and parts one and two at the Odyssey Theatre, directed by Ron Sossi; the Pacific Playwrights Festival Theatre, directed by Ron Sossi. Made in Lanus, directed by Lillian workshop of References to Sal- She appeared at The- Garrett at the Old Globe Theatre; vador Dali Make Me Hot. At San atre Center as the Bride in Blood and Accelerando, Puntila & Matti Diego Repertory he appeared in Wedding, directed by Margarita and The Bacchae at the Odyssey Zoot Suit, The Imaginary Invalid Galban, which the Los Angeles Theatre. She played Juana in The and Barrio Hollywood. Other the- Times named one of the year’s top False Chronicle of Juana La Loca atre credits include the national productions. She is Artistic Direc- at the Festival Cervantino De Gua- tour of Veteranos: A Tribute, West tor of Los Angeles Diversified najuato in Mexico and has per- Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie and Theater Company, where she formed in Spain and Puerto Rico. Talking to Yellow Roses. Mr. adapted and performed in The Her film credits include The Dis- Castillo was last seen in Show- Three Sisters and appeared in the appearance of Garcia Lorca with time’s Resurrection Blvd. and will Ovation Award-nominated pro- Andy Garcia; Univers’l directed by be seen in Valor Productions’ fea- duction of He Who Gets Slapped, Ana Nicholas; and Noriega, God’s ture film Who’s James Cagney? He directed by Dan Shor. She also Favorite with Bob Hoskins, direct- dedicates his performance to his

La Posada Mágica •SOUTH COAST REPERTORY P5 CARLA JIMENEZ MARCOS LOYA LORENZO MARTINEZ Caridad/Widow Musician/Ensemble Musician/Ensemble

family, and is grateful for their sistant Editor and Producer of “Strong Medicine” and can also be love and support. bonus materials on the Kids in the seen in commercials. Ms. Jimenez Hall documentary Same Guys, thanks amazing directors like *CRISSY GUERRERO (Mom/Mar- New Dresses and as Associate Pro- Diane Rodriguez and Luis Alfaro, iluz) is happy to be returning ducer and co-star of Dave Foley’s as well as her family, for believing home to La Posada Mágica (after The True Meaning of Christmas in her. a three year hiatus) as an adult. Specials which will air this season She was last seen at SCR in the in Canada and next season in the MARCOS LOYA (Composer/Musi- role of Gracie for four seasons. U.S. cal Director/Ensemble) is an ac- She has spent the last seven years complished musician and compos- touring the world singing and *CARLA JIMENEZ (Caridad/ er and a master of acoustic guitar. dancing as Priscillita with El Vez, Widow) returns for her third sea- He is also adept on requinto, jar- the Mexican Elvis. She has also son in La Posada Mágica. Her rana, cuatro, 12-string, mandolin, been seen on “Late Night with theatre credits include The Lalo electric guitar and various indige- Conan O’Brien,” HBO’s U.S. Com- Project (A Mark Taper Forum pre- nous folk instruments. His debut edy Arts Festival, The Toyota sentation at the Actor’s Gang, di- CD, Love is the Reason, garnered Comedy Festival and at Largo and rected and written by Diane Ro- an Independent Contemporary the Roxy starring in the critically driguez); Godspell at the Knights- Jazz Album of the Year nomina- acclaimed musical White Trash bridge Theatre; Black Butterfly, tion. In 1996 he composed the Wins Lotto. Most recently, she ap- Jaguar Girl, Piñata Woman and score for the “American Play- peared as Jasmine in Black But- Other Super Hero Girls Like Me house” film adaptation of Tomas terfly, Jaguar Girl, Piñata Woman (Mark Taper Forum at Actor’s Rivera’s and the earth did not and Other Superhero Girls Like Me Gang); and the national tour of swallow him (y no selo trago la at the Mark Taper Forum. Con- The Mikado among others. She tierra). His music is featured in currently, she worked as First As- also has a recurring role on Artist bios continued on page 8

P6 SOUTH COAST REPERTORY • La Posada Mágica Sing Along with the Posada ‘Vamos A Pie’ ‘Este Canto Mio’ Vamos a pie caminando Este canto mío canto con pasión Caminando, caminando Por el Niño Dios quien es mi salvación Una posada Buscando Si mi voz al cielo no alcanza Buscando para El. Es porque le falta esperanza Velas prendidas alumbran Gloria gloria gloria al Señor La noche más santa de Dios Eschuchame y hazme el favor Este camino termina Quiero ver el Rey de la humanidad En oración. En la Noche Buena de la Navidad. Vamos con fe caminando Mucho gusto siento en mi corazón Caminando, caminando Cada vez que canto, santa es mi canción Los angeles saben cuando Ya se acerca el momento de Saben cuando llegará. El Nacimiento de la Nueva Fe. A la posada más linda Gloria gloria gloria al Señor Llena de luz y amor Eschuchame y hazme el favor En esta noche veremos Quiero ver el Rey de la humanidad Al Redentor. En la Noche Buena de la Navidad. Vamos a pie caminando Caminando, caminando Words by Octavio Solis; music by Marcos Loya Una posada buscando Buscando buscando.

The cast of the 2001 production of ‘La Posada Mágica’ clock- wise from left, are Lorenzo Martinez, Ge- offrey Rivas, Marcos Loya, Richard Coca, Sol Castillo, Denise Blasor, Carla Jimenez, Tiffany Ellen Solano, Danny Bolero and Teresa Velarde.

La Posada Mágica •SOUTH COAST REPERTORY P7 MAURICIO MENDOZA MIGUEL NAJERA KEVIN SIFUENTES Papi/Jose Cruz Horacio Eli/Bones/Lauro

the films Deep Cover, The Water- Mr. Loya has performed and/or LORENZO MARTINEZ (Musician/ dance, A Million to Juan, Old toured with a variety of perform- Ensemble) was raised with the Gringo, Vibes, Stand and Deliver, ers including Placido Domingo, rich, culturally diverse music of Born in East LA, Hold Me, Kiss Me, (with the Houston Los Angeles and has traveled and Thrill Me and Kiss Me a Killer (for Symphony Orchestra), , performed throughout the South- which he received a nomination , Lalo Guerrero, Chick west. Recently he represented for the Independent Spirit Award) Corea, Chaka Khan, Gerald Al- music in Paris with Lalo and will be featured in Director bright, Hugh Masekela, Keiko Guerrero and Flaco Jimenez. His Robert Rodriguez’ sequel to Des- Matsui, Phillip Bailey, Stephen education includes Music Theory perado, entitled Once Upon a Stills, Vicki Carr, Luis Enrique, and and Instrumental Studies at Cerri- Time in Mexico. He scored Jose Feliciano. With Madonna, he tos College and UCLA’s Ethno Mu- and/or composed music for sever- recorded “La Isla Bonita” and ap- sicology program with emphasis al plays, including the Los Angeles peared in the video. Mr. Loya’s in Mariachi music. His vast musi- Theater Center productions of La most recent project is the acoustic cal experience includes Tex-Mex, Victima, August 29 (Drama-Logue group Trio Los 5, which offers a conjuntos, orquesta styles, mari- Award, Best Original Music), fascinating look at the achi, zydeco, jump blues, jazz, Stone Wedding (Los Angeles political/folk music of the Americ- jarocho, huasteco, nueva cancion, Drama Critics Circle Award nomi- as. The group, which includes trio romantico, early California nation), and most recently the current La Posada Mágica ensem- and Chicano movimiento music. Southwestern tour of Veteranos (A ble member Lorenzo Martinez and Other groups Mr. Martinez has legacy of valor). His television past member Mundo Armijo, looks performed with include Hermanos work includes the musical scores for ways to express their Chicano Baca and Lil Joe y La Familia. He for the PBS productions “Dreams heritage to contemporary audi- was part of the Mariachi concert of Flying,” “Elders,” “Between ences. He dedicates his perfor- Las Tres Voces de Oro, backing Friends” and “Los Pinateros.” His mance to his mother Bertha Loya Lucha Villa, Lola Beltran and music can be heard in the “Man- and the memory of his father, Miguel Aceves Meija. He per- gas” episode of the PBS series Arthur Loya, whose courage and formed with the UCLA Mariachi “Foto Novela” for which he also love remain a constant source of under the direction of Nati Cano composed the theme. He served inspiration. Mr. Loya would like of Los Comperos, and in the Uni- as musical director for Univision’s to extend his thanks to Jack for versal film Who Will Sing the long-running “El Show de Paul the accordion and to recognize Songs starring Freddie Fender and Rodriguez;” the Buenavista/ Dis- the generous sponsorship of Vicki Carr. He performed and ney “Navidad en las Americas” Tacoma Guitars, whose fine in- recorded with Los Perros del special; the ABC special “Latin struments are featured in this pro- Pueblo Nuevo and Trio Los Cinco Nights;” and NBC’s “Vida Awards.” duction. with Marcos Loya, Mundo Armijo

P8 SOUTH COAST REPERTORY • La Posada Mágica of the Shrew and As You Like It at Theatre credits include The Yellow the Globe Theatres. Film credits Boat and Bocon! at the Mark include Blow, Rhapsody on Rails, Taper Forum; The Grapevine at Malasangre, Un Tiempo Atras, the Los Angeles Theatre Center; Wing Commander IV, Under Cov- Burning Patience at San Jose ers and Never Trust a Serial Killer. Repertory; Token, Alien with Cor- Television credits include series nerstone Theatre Co.; Leonce and regular roles on “Resurrection Lena at Stages Theatre; By the Blvd.” as Miguel Santiago and Hand of the Father with About “Angeles;” and co-starring roles on Prod.; and Wheels - A One-Man “King of Queens,” “Days of Our Show with InterActive Prod. Film Lives,” “Babylon 5” and “Judging credits include 29 Palms, Inde- Amy.” He is co-producer of a pendence Day, Steel, Street Corner new musical Latin Twist con- Justice, Rosarita Kid, My Girl II, ceived by his brother Carlos Men- And the Earth, and Hearts of TIFFANY ELLEN SOLANO doza. Stone. Television credits include Gracie recurring roles on “Resurrection *MIGUEL NAJERA (Horacio) is the Blvd.,” “The New Rockford Files,” founder of Ce Acatl Productions, “Gunsmoke - The Last Apache,” and Ray Islas. The group per- an independent film production “China Beach” and “Grand Slam.” formed Dia de Los Muertos and La company. A multi-talented artist, Virgen del Tepeyac by he is an actor, writer, director and *TIFFANY ELLEN SOLANO at the Japan Theatre, the opening producer. He wrote and directed (Gracie) is happy to return to SCR ceremony of Luis Valdez’ Bandido Ce Acatl’s award-winning short for her fourth year with this pro- at the Mark Taper Forum and with film, Libertad, which screened to duction. She has spent more than Culture Clash in La Carpa at the critical acclaim on WGBH Boston half her life on stage, beginning Mark Taper Forum. as part of their Latino film series. in musical theatre, and later per- Mr. Najera is also poised to direct forming in straight plays and *MAURICIO MENDOZA (Papi/Jose his first feature film Spiritual Run- Shakespeare. Ms. Solano por- Cruz) is making his SCR debut. ner in 2003, which he co-wrote trayed Ginya in Nine Theatre credits include Much Ado with writer/producer Carolyn Pis- Armenians at the Mark Taper about Nothing at the John Anson tone. His acting career in the in- Forum and Denver Center The- Ford Amphitheater; Castro and dustry has spanned more than 25 atre, played Miranda in The Tem- the Pitcher at the Hollywood years in film, television and the- pest at the Los Angeles Theatre Court Theatre; Zorro, Live at The- atre. He holds an MFA in Center and received critical ac- atrical Arts International; The film/theatre directing from the claim for her depiction of Anne in Imaginary Invalid, Zoot Suit and California Institute of the Arts, at- The Diary of Anne Frank. Other A Christmas Carol at San Diego tended the American Conservatory performances include lead roles Repertory; Three Sisters at LATC; Theatre in San Francisco and re- in David and Lisa, Brighton House of the Spirits at BFA The- ceived his BA in Drama from San Beach Memoirs, West Side Story, atre; He Who Gets Slapped at Hud- Francisco State University. Fiddler on the Roof and Under the son Backstage; and Ballad of the Gaslight. In 2001, the Young Blacksmith, Twelfth Night, King *KEVIN SIFUENTES (Eli/Bones/ Artists Organization awarded her Lear, Arms and the Man, Taming Lauro) is making his SCR debut. the prestigious honor of “Most

La Posada Mágica •SOUTH COAST REPERTORY P9 Outstanding Young Performer in an NEA Playwriting Fellowship, award for Directors from 1998- Live Theatre” for her portrayal of two playwriting grants from The 2000. This season she will act in Gracie in previous productions Kennedy Center, the Will Glick- Lisa Loomer’s Living Out at the of La Posada Mágica. Though man Playwright Award, the 1998 Mark Taper Forum where she is her heart is truly in the theatre, TCG/NEA Theatre Artists in Resi- a resident artist and Co-Director this multi-talented young artist dence Grant, the 1998 McKnight of the Mark Taper Forum’s Latino also enjoys film and music work. Fellowship grant from the Play- Theatre Initiative, one of the She is a proud member of AEA, wrights Center in Minneapolis largest Latino play development SAG and AFTRA. Film credits in- and the 2000-2001 National The- programs in the country. clude commercials, television atre Artists Residency Grant from guest spots, industrials, interac- TCG. He is the recipient of a CHRISTOPHER ACEBO (Scenic tive videos and independent grant from the Pew Charitable Design) recently designed the films. Ms. Solano has also re- Trust for a new project with the world premieres of The Beard of cently been pursuing a recording Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Avon, Hold Please and California contract. She sends her love to Solis is a member of the Drama- Scenarios and the West Coast all of her family and friends (es- tists Guild and New Dramatists. premiere of The Countess at SCR. pecially “SAS”sy Girl and “Cute Upcoming productions include Boy”) and encourages you to MARCOS LOYA (Composer/Musi- the world premiere of Living Out keep supporting the wonderful cal Director/Ensemble) See biog- at the Mark Taper Forum. Other art of theatre. raphy on page P-6. regional design work includes productions for Portland Center PLAYWRIGHT, DIRECTOR DIANE RODRIGUEZ (Director) re- Stage, Mark Taper Forum, & DESIGNERS turns for her third season of La Pasadena Playhouse, La Jolla Posada Mágica. She also ap- Playhouse, The Goodman The- OCTAVIO SOLIS (Playwright) is a peared at SCR in Latins Anony- atre, Cornerstone Theater Com- playwright and director living in mous, which she co-wrote. She pany, Missouri Rep, Great Lakes San Francisco. His works Man has participated in seven of Theatre Festival, Children’s The- of the Flesh, Prospect, El Paso SCR’s Hispanic Playwrights Pro- atre Company of Minneapolis, Blue, Santos & Santos, La Posada jects. She has directed the work The Kennedy Center, San Diego Mágica, El Otro and Dreamlan- of playwrights Nilo Cruz, Oliver Repertory Theatre, The Western dia have been mounted at the- Mayer, Jessica Goldberg, Kirsten Stage, The Magic Theatre, Actors atres nationwide. Burning Greenidge, Cherrie Moraga, Roy Theatre of Phoenix, ASK Com- Dreams, co-written with Julie Conboy, Octavio Solis, Derek mon Ground Festival, Taper Too, Hebert and Gina Leishman, was Nguyen and Polly Penn at SCR, The Venture Theatre in Philadel- produced by San Diego Reperto- San Jose Repertory, the Mark phia, Sledgehammer Theatre, ry, and his collaborative project Taper Forum, Hartford Stage, among others. Mr. Acebo is an with Erik Ehn, Shiner, was Cornerstone Theatre, Mixed ensemble member of the nation- mounted by Undermain Theatre Blood Theatre in Minneapolis, ally acclaimed Cornerstone The- in Dallas. His most recent pro- the Strasberg Theatre, Border- ater Company in Los Angeles. ject was The Seven Visions of En- lands Theatre, Phoenix Theatre He received his MFA in design at carnacion written for Shadow- and Actors Theatre of Phoenix in the University of California, San light Theatre Company, a shad- , among others. She was Diego and is a past recipient of ow puppet work performed in the recipient of the prestigious the prestigious NEA/TCG fellow- San Francisco. Solis has received NEA/TCG Career Development ship for designers.

P10 SOUTH COAST REPERTORY • La Posada Mágica SHIGERU YAJI (Costume Design) is Later Life and Three Viewings. He good to be working with the SCR very pleased to enter his 21st sea- designed Culture Clash’s The Birds family. The happiest of holidays son at SCR with more than 45 pro- at both SCR and Berkeley Reperto- to everyone! ductions including most recently ry, along with their national tour- productions of Major Barbara and ing show, Radio Mambo, which RICHARD SOTO (Stage Manager) The School for Wives. Over more has been seen in Los Angeles, San appeared on the SCR Mainstage for than 20 years, he has designed for Diego, San Francisco, Arizona, 11 years as young Ebenezer in A 25 theatres on the West Coast, New York, Seattle and Washing- Christmas Carol. He has partici- creating costumes for more than ton DC. Further design experi- pated in several of SCR’s Hispanic 110 productions. He is the recipi- ence includes the Utah Shake- Playwrights Projects, most recently ent of numerous awards and spearean Festival’s 2002 summer stage managing this summer’s Cal- recognitions, including five Los season of shows, Man of La Man- ifornia Scenarios. He has also per- Angeles Drama Critics Circle cha, Harvey and Hay Fever. He formed in or stage managed ten Awards and a Bay Area Theatre recently completed work on Uni- Educational Touring Productions at Critics Circle Award. His most re- versal Studios, Japan where he de- SCR. Mr. Soto is a Resident Artist cent entertainment designs have signed the live shows Terminator of the highly acclaimed theatre been for a spectacle show, Mystic 2 in 3D, and Monster Makeup, the company A Noise Within, where Rhythms, at Tokyo Disney Sea in attractions Jurassic Park the Ride he has appeared in over 25 pro- Japan, and the A&E broadcast of and Snoopy Studios, along with ductions, including Romeo and Cathy Rigby’s Peter Pan, for which exterior architectural facades Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s he received a 2000-01 Emmy throughout the park. He is a Dream, What the Butler Saw, and Award nomination following the member of the United Scenic So It Is! (Drama-Logue Award). production’s Broadway engage- Artist/IATSE - Local 829. Other theatres include The Globe ment and national tour. Mr. Yaji Theatres, San Diego Rep, and the is a member of the United Scenic LINDA KOSTALIK (Choreographer) Grove Shakespeare Festival. Mr. Artists Local 829 and the UC Irvine is a professor in the Theatre Arts Soto is a member of Palabras Writ- Drama Department faculty. and Dance at CSULA and works ers Lab, where he has just complet- for the award-winning Los Ange- ed Danny and the Masked LONNIE ALCARAZ (Lighting De- les County High School of the Arts Avenger, a children’s theatre piece. sign) is an Asst. Professor at the as choreographer for their Musical His film and television credits in- University of California, Irvine and Theatre Ensemble. Her career as clude “The West Wing,” “Three a professional Lighting Designer. dancer, choreographer and educa- Fourty,” “All Through the Night,” He has designed at various re- tor has spanned 38 years. She has Firebirds with Nicolas Cage, Third gional theatre houses, such as choreographed numerous produc- Degree Burn for HBO, “General SCR, Berkeley Repertory, Sierra tions for professional theatres Hospital,” “Days of Our Lives,” as Repertory, The Arena Stage in DC, such as SCR, Playwrights Hori- well as numerous commercials and and the Utah Shakespeare Festi- zons, the Goodman and the Inter- industrial films. val. In addition to his eight sea- national City Theatre. This year sons with La Posada Mágica, she will direct the Bobby Ro- DAVID EMMES (Producing Artistic shows at SCR include Play Strind- driguez A Latin Jazz Christmas Director) is co-founder and Pro- berg, Dimly Perceived Threats to show and she will be chore- ducing Artistic Director of SCR, one the System, Sidney Bechet Killed a ographing a “Bebop” retro with of the largest professional resident Man (for which he received a award-winning videographer Alan theatres in California. He has re- Drama-Logue Award), BAFO, Bloom. This year it is especially ceived numerous awards for pro-

La Posada Mágica •SOUTH COAST REPERTORY P11 ductions he has directed during MARTIN BENSON (Director/Artis- Days and Wit. He also directed SCR’s 38-year history, including a tic Director) shares co-founder the film version of Holy Days 1999 Los Angeles Drama Critics credit and artistic leadership of using the original SCR cast. Along Circle Award for the direction of SCR with his colleague David with David Emmes, he accepted George Bernard Shaw’s The Phi- Emmes. As one of SCR’s chief di- SCR’s 1988 Tony Award for Out- landerer. He directed the world rectors, Mr. Benson has directed standing Resident Professional premieres of Amy Freed’s The nearly one third of the plays pro- Theatre and won the 1995 Theatre Beard of Avon and Freedomland, duced here in the last 38 years. LA Ovation Award for Lifetime Thomas Babe’s Great Day in the He has distinguished himself in Achievement. Mr. Benson re- Morning, Keith Reddin’s Rum and the staging of contemporary ceived his BA in Theatre from Coke and But Not for Me and Neal work, most notably Paul Osborn’s California State University, San Bell’s Cold Sweat; the American Morning’s at Seven, the critically Francisco. premiere of Terry Johnson’s Un- acclaimed California premiere of suitable for Adults; the West Coast William Nicholson’s Shadowlands, PAULA TOMEI (Managing Direc- premieres of C.P. Taylor’s Good Athol Fugard’s Playland, Brian tor) is responsible for the overall and Harry Kondoleon’s Christmas Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa, administration of the day-to-day on Mars; and the Southland pre- David Mamet’s Oleanna, Harold operations of SCR. A member of miere of Top Girls (at SCR and the Pinter’s The Homecoming, the the staff since 1979, she has Westwood Playhouse). Other pro- West Coast premiere of Peter served in a number of administra- ductions include the West Coast Hedges’ Good As New and David tive capacities including Subscrip- premieres of Three Viewings by Jef- Hare’s Skylight. He has won ac- tions Manager, Business Manager frey Hatcher, The Secret Rapture by colades for his direction of five and General Manager. She cur- David Hare and New England by major works by George Bernard rently serves as President of The- Richard Nelson; and Arcadia by Shaw, including the Los Angeles atre Communications Group Tom Stoppard, Six Degrees of Sepa- Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) (TCG), the national service orga- ration by John Guare, The Impor- Award winners Misalliance and nization for theatre where she tance of Being Earnest by Oscar Heartbreak House. Among the also served a two-year term as Wilde, Ayckbourn’s Woman in numerous world premieres he has Treasurer, and has served as the Mind and You Never Can Tell by directed are Jon Bastian’s Noah Vice President of the League of George Bernard Shaw, which he Johnson Had a Whore..., Tom Resident Theatres (LORT). In ad- restaged for the 1990 Singapore Strelich’s BAFO, and Margaret dition, she has been a member of Festival of Arts. His producing re- Edson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning the LORT Negotiating Committee sponsibilities involve the overall Wit, which he also directed at for industry-wide union agree- coordination of SCR’s programs Seattle Repertory Theatre and the ments and represents SCR at na- and projects. He has served as a Alley Theatre in Houston. He has tional conferences of TCG and consultant to the Orange County directed American classics includ- LORT; is a theatre panelist for the Performing Arts Center and as a ing Ah, Wilderness!, A Streetcar National Endowment for the Arts theatre panelist and onsite evalua- Named Desire, A Delicate Balance and the California Arts Council tor for the National Endowment for and All My Sons. Mr. Benson has (CAC), and site visitor for the the Arts. He has served on the been honored with the Drama- CAC; served on the Advisory board of the California Theatre Logue Award for his direction of Committee for the Arts Adminis- Council, the Executive Committee 21 productions and received tration Certificate Program at UC of the League of Resident Theatres, LADCC Distinguished Achieve- Irvine; and has been a guest lec- and as a panelist for the California ment in Directing awards an un- turer in the graduate school of Arts Council. After attending Or- paralleled six times for the two business at Stanford. She graduat- ange Coast College, he received his Shaw productions, John Milling- ed from UC Irvine with a degree BA and MA from California State ton Synge’s Playboy of the West- in Economics and pursued an ad- University, San Francisco, and his ern World, ’s The ditional course of study in theatre PhD in theatre and film from USC. Crucible, Sally Nemeth’s Holy and dance.

The Actors and Stage Managers em- The Scenic, Costume, Lighting and The Director is a member of the So- ployed in this production are mem- Sound Designers in LORT theatres ciety of Stage Directors and Chore- bers of Actors’ Equity Association, the are represented by United Scenic ographers, Inc., an independent na- Union of Professional Actors and Artists Local USA-829, IATSE. tional labor union. Stage Managers in the United States.

P10 SOUTH COAST REPERTORY • La Posada Mágica