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Home , Christiane Noll, City of Angels (Glee), Craig Noel, Frenchie Davis, Jamie Lynn Spears, Rick Steiner (producer)

CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY OF WALNUT CREEK Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director presents

The Songs of Leiber and Stoller Words and Music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Scenic Designer Costume Designer Prop Master Kelly James Tighe Victoria Livingston-Hall Joshua Lipps Lighting Designer Sound Designer Wig Designer Paul Miller Lewis Mead Judy Disbrow Stage Manager Gregg Rehrig* Cast Dave J. Abrams Brittany Danielle* Rondrell McCormick* Noel Anthony* Taylor Jones Eva Rebane* Isaiah Tyrelle Boyd Constance Jewell Lopez* Anthony Rollins-Mullens Musical Director Sean Kana Directed and Choreographed by Robert Barry Fleming

In honor of the late Jerry Leiber of Leiber and Stoller

Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Frankel, Thomas Viertel, Steven Baruch, Jujamcyn Theatres/ Jack Viertel, Rick Steiner, Frederic H. Mayerson and Center Theatre Group/ Ahmanson Theatre/ Gordon Davidson. All of the songs in SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ were written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (alone or with others) except “Spanish Harlem,” by Phil Spector and Jerry Leiber. Messrs. Leiber and Stoller wish to acknowledge and thank the following writers who collaborated with them on various songs in the show: Ben E. King, Doc Pomus, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Kent Harris, Ralph Dino & John Sembello, and Carlo Donida & Mogol.

“Spanish Harlem” by Phil Spector and Jerry Leiber. Published by Mother Bertha Music, Inc. and Jerry Leiber Music by arrangement with ABKCO Music, Inc. SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ THE SONGS OF LEIBER AND STOLLER is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com. Margaret Lesher Theatre September 2 - October 9, 2011 Lesher Center for the Arts

Season Season Partner Season Media Sponsor Foundation Sponsor Sponsor

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the The Lighting Designer is a member of United Scenic Artists Union Center REP is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The National Organization for the American Theatre and Theatre Bay Area CAST CAST BIOGRAPHIES Constance Jewell Lopez* is so proud to be making her Dave J. Abrams Dave J. Abrams is a 20 year AEA debut in her hometown. Noel Anthony* old Bay Area native and Theater She is also thankful to be a part of Center REP’s production of Isaiah Tyrelle Boyd and Performance Studies major at the University of , Smokey Joe’s Cafe. She tours Brittany Danielle* Berkeley. Most recent credits as a back-up singer with Huey Taylor Jones include: Seaweed J Stubbs Lewis and the News, and as a Constance Jewell Lopez* in (Woodminster), vocalist with Bay Area rapper, Rondrell McCormick* Scarecrow in The Wiz (Belasco), Lyrics Born. Past theatre credits include, Maggie in Eva Rebane* and Man #1 in Songs for a New World (DTC). His most Working (AE in Berkeley), Ernestina Money in Hello, Dolly! (Woodminster in Oakland), Snug the Joiner in Anthony Rollins-Mullens recent television and film credits include: Slammer in the feature film, Her Best Move and television A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Will Geer Theatricum commercials for Microsoft, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Botanicum in ), and 283 shows as Kautsa/ There will be one 15 minute intermission and American Movie Classics. He would like to thank Momma in The American Girls Revue (Los Angeles). Raised Center REP for their love and support. Lots of love to in the Bay Area, Constance now lives in Los Angeles with TIME and PLACE his Mother, Gma-, Jonn E. Ganz, Jennifer Perry her wonderfully supportive and loving husband, Jaime. and all of those who have encouraged him to keep Constance would like to thank her friends and family for The heyday of Rock and Roll fighting. their love. Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Leiber and Stoller’s America constancejewelllopez.blogspot.com Noel Anthony* makes his return SONG LIST to Center REP in Smokey Joe’s Rondrell McCormick* welcomes Cafe after appearing as Kodaly his first season with Center ACT ONE in last season’s She Loves Me, REP. He was last seen onstage for which he won the SFBATCC in Vitality’s Production of Still Neighborhood...... The Company Award for best featured actor. Standing. The Road Weeps, Young Blood...... Rondrell Earlier this year, Noel appeared The Well Runs Dry (workshop ...... with Anthony, Dave and Isaiah as Corny Collins in CCMT’s with LATC). The Sign in Sidney Falling...... Brittany smash hit Hairspray. Past performances include Chris Brustein’s Window (workshop Ruby Baby...... Noel in , Judas in , Jerry in ft. Michael Stuhlbarg), Philistines (ft. Jack Willis), A ...... with Anthony, Dave, Isaiah and Rondrell The Full Monty, Ernst in Cabaret, Chad in All Shook Up, Christmas Carol, Good Breeding, Little Shop of Horrors, Dance With Me...... Dave and Constance Beast in Beauty & the Beast, Che in Evita, Tony in West Great Catherine, Ubu Roi, Richard II (workshop w/ Carey ...... with Anthony, Isaiah and Rondrell Side Story, Curly in Oklahoma!, Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf Perloff), La Ronde, Our Lady Of 121st Street (American Neighborhood (Reprise)...... in , Sky in Guys & Dolls and Jacques Brel Conservatory Theater). Other regional credits include ...... Brittany, Constance, Eva and Taylor just to name a few. All my love to Brittany and my fallen Othello, All’s Well That Ends Well (Shakespeare and Keep On Rollin’...... Isaiah angels! www.noelanthonyescobar.com Company), Seven Guitars (Triad Stage). Film credits ...... with Anthony, Dave and Rondrell include February One (PBS). Born and raised in North Searchin’...... Isaiah Isaiah Tyrelle Boyd is excited Carolina, he holds a B.F.A from NC Agricultural and ...... with Anthony, Dave and Rondrell to be making his debut with Technical State University and a M.F.A. from American Kansas City...... Constance, Eva and Noel Center REP. He has performed Conservatory Theater. Trouble...... Brittany and Taylor across the greater Bay Area Love Me/Don’t...... Eva and Rondrell in dozens of productions; Eva Rebane* Born and raised Fools Fall in Love...... Constance most recently portraying Mary in Las Vegas, Eva relocated to Poison Ivy...... Dave Sunshine in Chicago with the the Bay Area from NYC last ...... with Rondrell, Anthony and Isaiah Willows Theatre Company. summer. Favorite acting credits: Don Juan...... Taylor Favorite roles include: Ren in Footloose , Chip in 25th National Tours of Hairspray Shoppin’ for Clothes...... Anthony and Isaiah Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Travis in A Raisin (Female Authority Figure/Velma ...... with Rondrell, Dave and Noel in the Sun, and Seaweed in Hairspray . He would like u/s), and The Giver (Mother). I Keep Forgettin’...... Eva to thank his friends and family for all of their love and Joseph…Dreamcoat,Ivoryton On Broadway...... Anthony, Dave, Isaiah and Rondrell support. Playhouse (Narrator), Baby, Bristol Riverside Theatre, D.W. Washburn...... Isaiah and the Company Guys and Dolls, Jenny Wiley Theatre (Adelaide) and Saved...... Constance and and the Company Brittany Danielle* is delighted Anna Nicole Smith in a new play with Xoregos. She to be back at Center REP! played 12 characters in the premiere of Are ACT TWO Previous REP performances; We There Yet? and performed a one-woman show with She Loves Me (Illona)- BATCC Oceania Cruises. In November, catch her in The World Baby, That is Rock & Roll...... The Company Award, OFF Center’s Becoming Goes ‘Round with the Jewel Theatre Company in Santa Yakety Yak...... The Company Britney (Jamie Lynn Spears) Cruz. Eva spent 3 years in a rock band for kids (www. Charlie Brown...... The Company and Noises Off (Brooke)- Shellie rock-a-baby.net) and is planning to start Rock-a-Baby Stay a While...... Sean and Dave Nomination. Last seen in West. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pearl’s a Singer...... Eva CCMT’s production of Hairspray (Amber Von Tussle) from Ball State University. She lives with a handsome Teach Me How to Shimmy...... Brittany and Noel other regional credits include, Ulla in anthropologist named Tim and a handsome Boston ...... with Isaiah and Rondrell (Foothill Music Theater), Velma in West Side Story with terrier named Doolie. Proud member AEA. For Mom You’re the Boss...... Anthony and Taylor ’s Diana DeGarmo and Bebe in A Chorus and Isa. Smokey Joe’s Café...... The Company Line directed by original Broadway cast member Kay Loving You...... Dave and the Company Cole, (American Musical Theater of San Jose), Holly in Anthony Rollins-Mullens is Treat Me Nice...... Isaiah The Wedding Singer (The Willows), and Eva Peron in so excited to join this cast on Hound Dog...... Constance Evita - Best Actress Award (Tri-Valley Rep.) Up next, this, his first time performing Little Egypt...... Anthony Brittany will be making her 42nd Moon debut as with Center REP. The joys and ...... with Dave, Isaiah, Noel and Rondrell Dorrie in the American Premiere of Three Sisters. Love memories that each song sparks I’m a Woman...... Brittany, Constance, Eva and Taylor always to Mom and Noel. Proud Member of Actors will stay with him forever. His There Goes My Baby...... Rondrell Equity. www.BrittanyDanielle.com film credits include: Exit: and ...... with Anthony, Dave, Isaiah and Noel Enrico Banson Project, Girl 101, Love Potion #9...... Rondrell Taylor Jones is so excited to and Cold Nine. Theatrical Credits: ...... with Anthony, Dave, Isaiah and Noel be working with Center REP for Tom Collins in , Tonton in Once on this Island, Some Cats Know...... Taylor the second time. She is thrilled Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Jafar in Disney’s Alladin, Jailhouse Rock...... Noel and the Company to be working with such a Aslan in Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Fools Fall in Love (Reprise)...... Constance talented cast. She was recently The Pimp/Big Bad Wolf in the original production of Spanish Harlem...... Dave and Taylor seen as Mimi in RENT and Cindy Rent Boy Avenue A Fairy’s Tale, Eddie Mackrel in the I (Who Have Nothing)...... Isaiah Lorraine Watkins in Hairspray West Coast Premiere of La Chuisa’s The Wild Party, and Neighborhood (Reprise #2)...... Eva (CCMT). She would like to thank Belize in the 20th Anniversary production of Angels in Stand By Me...... Rondrell and the Company her family and friends for all their support! America. Finale: Baby, That is Rock & Roll (Reprise)....The Company CREATIVE TEAM also the co founder of The Miscreants Cabaret - a San Asia, La Scala. Tours: Storytime Live, Wizard of Oz, Sweeney Francisco based performance troupe. He has sung on a Todd, Legally Blonde, Nunsense, Scooby Doo, The Sound Jerry Leiber (Lyricist) and Mike Stoller (Composer) Sprint Holiday Commerical and has CD recordings such of Music. Television: Camelot (Lincoln Center), and the Leiber and Stoller began their songwriting partnership as There I’ll Be, A ’s Journey, and In Paradisum. He internationally televised New Year’s Eve Celebration in in 1950 upon discovering that they had the same has toured to Cuba, China, Italy, France, London, and Times Square. www.Q1go.net passion for Boogie Woogie and the Blues. If they had throughout the United States singing, directing, playing, written no other song but Hound Dog, the names and giving musical theatre workshops. Lewis Mead (Sound Designer) Broadway Credits of Leiber and Stoller would still have been indelibly include: Tom Sawyer, , and written in the history of popular music. However, as Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Designer) has been designing Wonderful Town. Touring credits include A Chorus Line, Smokey Joe’s Café - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller makes scenery around the U.S. for over twenty years. Originally and recently Julie Andrew’s new musical The abundantly clear, they didn’t start or stop there. In fact, from the San Francisco bay area, Mr. Tighe served as the Gift of Music. Founder and owner of Autograph A2D a Leiber and Stoller’s contributions as songwriters and resident designer for Center REPertory Company, Contra distribution company located in New York with offices record producers have been so monumental that it is Costa Musical Theatre and Diablo Light Opera Company. in London. Autograph A2D distributes Digico Theater impossible to envision what American popular music As a NY based designer, Kelly’s work has been seen products and Ljudesign Scandinavia Loud Speakers. would be like today without them. Their songs have on the road, off-Broadway, in Atlantic City and Vegas. been recorded by the likes of Elvis Presley, The Coasters, Off-Broadway productions include Almost Heaven and Judy Disbrow (Wig Designer) and her company Theatrical Jimmy Witherspoon, Little Esther, Amos Milburn, Charles the current revival of The Fantasticks (directed by Tom Hairgoods have provided wigs for theatrical productions Brown, Little Willie Littlefield, Bull Moose Jackson, Linda Jones). National tours include Movin’ Out (directed by for over 30 years. She has worked with companies Hopkins, Ray Charles, Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thorton, , Mooseltoe (annual holiday tour featuring throughout the United States including Diablo Theatre The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, James the voice talent of Chirsopher Plummer, Victoria Clark Company, CCMT, La Jolla Playhouse, Arkansas Repertory Brown, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Fats and Al Roker), and the current national tour of Cats. Theatre, San Francisco Opera, Portland Opera, Florida Domino, The Everly Brothers, Bill Haley and the Comets, Other notable projects include multiple productions Grand Opera, as well as many others. , Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Johnny for western Michigan’s Cherry County Playhouse, Ohio’s Mathis, Count Basie, John Mellencamp, Lou Rawls, Tom Dinner Theater, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Gregg Rehrig* (Stage Manager) returns to the Lesher Jones, Edith Piaf, Bobby Darin, Peggy Lee, Chet Atkins, San Jose Rep, Laguna Playhouse, and West Chester for his third production. Credits include Dracula, Back Aretha Franklin, Vandross, B.B. King, Otis Redding Broadway Theater. From 2002-2006 Kelly was the Again – A John Denver Holiday Concert – Lesher and literally hundreds more. designer in residence at the Gateway Playhouse on Long Center and Wheeler Opera House, Aspen CO. Cabaret- Island, designing sets that were seen on the Gateway’s Co-production w/ American Musical Theatre - San Jose, Robert Barry Fleming (Director/Choreographer) stages and subsequently sent to theaters around the 5th Avenue Theatre-Seattle, and Ordway Center for Center REP credits include: Blues in the Night, She Loves country. Theater highlights include Disney’s Beauty the Performing Arts – St. Paul, MN. AMTSJ – On The Me (2011 SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for and the Beast, The Full Monty, Sweet Charity, La Cage Twentieth Century, Dreamgirls (with Frenchie Davis), A Best Direction of a Musical), All Shook Up (2010 SF Bay Aux Folles, Enchanted April, Around the World in Eighty Chorus Line, Joseph..., Miss Saigon, and Singin’ in the Rain, Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for Best Direction Days, West Side Story, All Shook Up, The Who’s Tommy, My Fair Lady and many others. Puppeteer for Audrey of a Musical, Shellie Award for Direction), and Ain’t The Will Rogers Follies, Follies, Man of the Moment and II in AMTSJ’s Little Shop of Horrors, with Hal Linden, Misbehavin’ (Shellie Award for Best Direction of a 16 years of Center REP’s hit production of A Christmas Christiane Noll and Josh Lamon. Actor: Harold in The Musical ). He has also directed Lydia Diamond’s Stick Carol. Television and commercial work includes spots Full Monty, Uncle Ernie in The Who’s Tommy, Thenardier Fly (Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company), The Little Dog for Verizon, Disney Channel, Animal Planet, Kit Kat, in Les Miserables, Narrator/Dr. Scott - The Rocky Horror Laughed (The Diversionary), Erik Ehn’s The Saint Plays direction for Regina Spektor’s Us video and multiple Show and the King in - Barn Theatre – Augusta including Assent/Irish Love Ray (world premiere), and infomercials. Mr. Tighe holds the record for the most MI. Kaleidoscope - MGM Grand - Las Vegas. Stage Marat/Sade (MFA/BA joint production) at the University awards in any category with his 19 wins for outstanding Manager with Sacramento Music Theatre, San Jose of where he is an Associate Professor and scenic design in the Northern California regional theater Rep, San Jose Stage, American Conservatory Theatre, serves as Chair of the Theatre Arts and Performance Shellie Awards. Other awards and recognitions include San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, and San Francisco Studies Department. Other choreographic credits the SF Bay Area Theater Critics’ Circle Awards, East Bay Symphony. include: The Game of Love and Chance(San Jose Rep), Express Best of the Bay, Goodman Choice Award and Thunder Knockin’ on the Door (A Contemporary Theatre), DramaLogue. Aaron Spivey (Associate Lighting Designer) Off- and (Alabama Shakespeare Festival). His Broadway: Wanda’s World, From My Hometown, 4 Guys professional acting credits include and Stand- Victoria Livingston-Hall (Costume Designer) Work Named José, Golf the Musical, and Elle (w/Alan Cumming). Up Tragedy (Broadway), Insurrection: Holding History at Center REP includes, Boeing-Boeing, She Loves Me On Broadway Aaron has served as the associate or (The Public/NYSF), Good Boys (Mo’olelo Performing Arts (Shellie Award and BACC Award), Dracula, Noises Off, assistant lighting designer on 22 productions, including: Company) and productions at The Old Globe, The Mark Witness for the Prosecution, and Cabaret (Shellie Award The Coast of Utopia (Tony Award Best Lighting), Catch Taper Forum, and The Guthrie. Film/TV credits include and BACC Award). Victoria has a diverse background Me if You Can, , 9 to 5, Tarzan, L. A. Confidential, Twilight of the Golds, a series regular in design including industrial design, interior design, Little Women, (2007 Revival), A Chorus Line (2006 on the Disney Channel’s Adventures in Wonderland, and scenic and costume design. Costuming has been her Revival), Lend Me a Tenor, and Collected Stories. Other numerous guest spots. Robert won a 2008 Craig Noel focus for the last six years here and abroad. Her work in New York credits include: Starmites 2001 (Amas Musical Award for Outstanding Featured Performance by a Male London includes, The Long Hard - film, Olympia Theatre), King Lear (Aulis Collective) and Waiting for Godot in a Musical for his performance in Ain’t Misbehavin’ at at the Baron’s Court Theatre, S.N.U.B.- feature film- (The Actors’ Institute). Regional credits include: Marry Me a the San Diego Rep. MFA: University of Alabama/Alabama Angry Badger Pictures, Striklem, The National Film and Little (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Bomb-ity of Errors Shakespeare Festival PATP. This one is for Dad. Television School, British Society of Cinemotographers (Syracuse Stage) 4 Guys Named José (Actors’ Playhouse), BSC Test Shoot, Viv Skillset Screen Academy, Midsummer Mame (Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center), Little Shop of Sean Kana (Musical Director) a native of San Francisco, Murders for Virgin Media and she assisted at the Holland Horrors and Beautiful Dreamer (Cherry County Playhouse), is well known in the Bay Area for being a music/vocal Park Opera productions of Lakme and La Traviata. Bay The King and I and Joseph (Carousel Dinner Theatre), Big director for many different venues. He obtained his area work includes the A Seagull in the Hamptons for River and Annie Get Your Gun (Seacoast Repertory Theatre). Bachelor’s of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Shotgun Players, the ReOrient Festival for Golden Thread International: A Chorus Line (Mexico City). San Francisco State University and has been teaching Productions, Abe Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party for SF music ever since. Sean has done many different shows, Playhouse and the NYFringe Festival, among other Joe Coe (Assistant to the Production Manager) This such as Into the Woods, Ragtime, The Producers, The shows for Crowded Fire Theatre Co. The Magic Theatre, is Joe’s fourth season with Center REP and he couldn’t Sound of Music and has played keyboards for musicals and Theatre Artaud. be happier to be a part of such an amazing team of such as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Cinderella, Peter Pan, professionals and friends! Joe has had the pleasure of Miss Saigon, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Paul Miller (Lighting Designer) Broadway: Legally working with such companies as Berkeley Repertory Bee and more. Sean is a recording artist and has been Blonde, Freshly Squeezed, Laughing Room; Where’s Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, Summer involved in singing on Motion Picture movie trailers Charley?, Lost in the Stars, Of Thee I Sing, and Music in the Air Repertory Theatre, Suicide Kings touring production of recorded at Lucasfilm, such as Beowulf, Defiance and (Encores). Off-Broadway: Lucky Guy, Nunsense, Vanities In Spite of Everything, Boston Conservatory, SpeakEasy more. Sean has worked with SFSU, working on operas - the Musical, Waiting for Godot, Addicted, Balancing Act. Stage Company, and Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre. Joe such as The Bartered Bride, Orpheus and the Underworld, Regional: Cleveland Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, would like to thank all of his colleagues here at the LCA The Magic Flute, and has worked on musicals such Bay Street, Lookingglass, Chicago Shakespeare, Paper for a great season and for making it such a joy to work as West Side Story, , and others. Sean is Mill, and Goodspeed. International: West End, China, here! Alex Logemann (Deck Manager) is celebrating his 29th OUR SPONSORS ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY show backstage with Center REP. Alex has been backstage for ten seasons and is beyond pleased to be involved with Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the leading Center REP is the resident, professional theatre company such an amazing group. Alex has also crewed shows for corporate sponsor of Center REP and the Lesher Center of the Lesher Center for the Arts. Our season consists of for the Arts for the past eight years. In fact, Chevron has Contra Costa Musical Theatre and with Diablo Theatre eight productions a year – a variety of musicals, dramas been a partner of the LCA since the beginning, providing and comedies, both classic and contemporary, that Company. Alex is a proud member of the Fantasy Forum funding for capital improvements, event sponsorships continually strive to reach new levels of artistic excellence Actors Ensemble. He is very thankful for our community and more. Chevron generously supports every Center and professional standards. and the fun it provides. ”The real measure of our wealth REP show throughout the season, and is the primary i s h o w m u c h w e ’ d b e w o r t h i f w e l o s t a l l o u r m o n e y .” - sponsor for events including the Chevron Family Theatre Our mission is to celebrate the power of the human Benjamin Jowett Festival in July. Chevron has proven itself not just as a imagination by producing emotionally engaging, generous supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts. intellectually involving, and visually astonishing live Michael Butler (Artistic Director) This is Michael’s sixth theatre, and through Outreach and Education programs, Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) (Season season as Artistic Director of Center REP, where his to enrich and advance the cultural life of the communities Partner) is both the primary fundraising organization directing credits include last season’s Dracula, Boeing- we serve. of the Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA) and the City of Boeing and To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as the Shellie Walnut Creek’s appointed curator for the LCA’s audience and/or BATCC Award-winning productions of Around the What does it mean to be a producing theatre? We hire outreach. DRAA’s role in the community is all about the finest professional directors, actors and designers World in 80 Days, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Marriage building partnerships with the focused goal of enhancing to create our productions at Center REP. These are not of Figaro, How the Other Half Loves, A Midsummer Night’s artistic quality at the LCA and providing opportunities for touring productions – they’re conceived and developed Dream, Enchanted April, and Witness For The Prosecution. everyone to enjoy the arts. Through partnerships with the here, the sets and costumes are built in our shops, and His directing work has also been seen at San Jose Rep, LCA and its producers, individual donors, corporate and foundation sponsors and the City of Walnut Creek, DRAA the actors rehearse in our rehearsal hall. Whether the Cleveland Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Laguna Playhouse, production is a Bay Area premiere or a Shakespearean ACT in Seattle, Marin Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre plays a vital role in advancing the arts for the betterment of the community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org. classic, each is devised to be a one of a kind, artistic Company, San Jose Stage, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, creation that will be a unique theatre experience for our and The Juilliard School, of which he is a graduate. As Contra Costa Times (Season Media Sponsor) In the audience. an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway and off, in East Bay, the largest newspaper of the Bay Area News regional theatres, film and television, as well as REP’s Group is the Contra Costa Times and its sister editions, What does it mean to be a professional theatre? It productions of The Mousetrap and Noises Off. He is a the West County Times, Valley Times, San Ramon Valley means that all our artists and artisans are career theatre- published songwriter and the co-writer and composer of Times and East County Times. The Times, was judged practitioners. Many of the actors in this production are numerous music-theatre pieces, which he has directed the best newspaper in its circulation category in the members of Actors’ Equity Association; many of our and performed in NY, LA, and at festivals in India and state five times in a six-year period by the California directors and designers are members of professional unions. All do theatre because it is their profession and Morocco. In his career as a performer he has also danced Newspaper Publishers Association. In 2005, it won the prestigious national Freedom of Information Award their passion. with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, portrayed the from Associated Press Managing Editors. And, in 2007, villainous Pierre LeChance on The Guiding Light, and it was honored by the California Newspaper Publishers We are very proud to have the opportunity to produce played guitar and harmonica in many rock, blues, and Association for its leadership on public records. professional theatre for our community in the beautiful country western bands at all the notable dives in NYC. theatres here at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Thank Lesher Foundation (Foundation Sponsor) Since 1994, you for your support! Scott Denison (Managing Director) has been a the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has awarded leader in the Arts for 37 years for Walnut Creek and the grants totaling more than $40 million and reaching surrounding communities. Under Denison’s guidance citizens in all parts of Contra Costa County. True to Center REPertory Company for the last 21 years as General Manager for the Lesher the original wishes of Dean and Margaret Lesher, Center for the Arts, he oversees over 850 public events the Foundation continues to build on the strengths Managing Director - Scott Denison each year. He coordinates performing arts activities with of the community by supporting organizations and Artistic Director - Michael Butler over 85 producers and producing organizations. He programs that provide help and support to people is also the Managing Director of the Center REPertory in need; enhance and enrich the lives of all citizens; Production Marketing Company producing 8 professional productions each and promote a healthy and exciting future for the Production Manager Marketing Director Jeff Collister Gabe Marin season; and is the director and co-founder of Fantasy community. Established in 1989, the Foundation received its principal assets from Dean Lesher’s estate in Technical Marketing Assistant Forum Actors Ensemble, an adult family performing 1993 and 1995. In 1997, an additional endowment from Technical Director Ariel Ford arts company which presents programs for the young Dean Lesher’s estate followed the death of Margaret Joshua Lipps Production Services and Young at Heart. Scott directed CCMT’s hits Disney’s Lesher. A significant and final bequest from Mr. Lesher’s Assoc. Lighting Designer Production Svcs Coordinator Beauty and the Beast and Rogers and Hammerstein’s estate was received in 2003. As a family foundation, Aaron Spivey Toni Kilcoyne Cinderella, Hairspray, and for the past 13 seasons Center support for the Contra Costa community will be carried Master Electrician Technical Staff REP’s A Christmas Carol. Denison has directed over 150 on by the next generation of family members. Grant- Ray Oppenheimer Steve Pino productions including most recently REP’s The Lady with making decisions are based on the vision of Dean and Carpenters John Earls all the Answers starring Kerri Shawn. In 1979 he created Margaret Lesher who felt quality education, diverse art Daniel Casini Chris Currie the Shellie Awards, which annually honors outstanding programs, and healthy children and families are the Jordan Scott Mitch Kell performing arts achievement in Contra Costa County. building blocks of a strong and vibrant community. Cameron Swartzell Garrick Schuster In 2007 he created the Chevron Family Theatre Festival The Leshers defined the “spirit of giving” as “investing Chris Swartzell Stephen Spleiss in the community and its people.” By providing financial bringing adult nationally acclaimed performances Asst. to Production Manager Josh Stouffer support and direction in these critical areas, the Dean Joe Coe Audience Services together for one day performing to over 7,000 guests of & Margaret Lesher Foundation is investing every day, all ages. Deck Manager Audience Svcs Coordinator every week and every year in the health and well- Alex Logemann Courtney Egg being of this county that Dean and Margaret so loved. Dance Captain Ticket Office Staff THE BAND Eva Rebane Jeremiah Vierling Sean Kana...... Piano THANK YOU TO OUR Casting Director Caitlin Downing Marcus Benjamin Barron...... Guitar DINNER SPONSORS: Jennifer Perry Hillary Pearsall Ken Bergmann...... Drums Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Production Assistants Lindsey Cook Larry De La Cruz...... Saxophone Oi-C Bowl Julia Crosthwaite Beth Ellis-Dickson Danny Min...... Bass Scott’s Seafood Grill and Restaurant Alison Valentine Karla Kopfhammer John Valentine Britt Lauer CITY COUNCIL Kyle Valentine Benjamin Potter Cindy Silva, Mayor Costumes Aaron Prather Kristina Lawson Costume Manager Sadé Robinson Kish Rajan Michael A. Berg Usher Coordinator Robert Simmons Assistant Costumers Carolyn Orlik ADDITIONAL THANKS TO: Gary Skrel Jenine Hillaire Administration CITY MANAGER ARTS COMMISSION Massimo’s Ristorante Max Hilsabeck Asst. to Managing Director Walnut Creek Baking Company Ken Nordhoff Chair Reginald Marshall Matthew O’Connor Gail Pfeifer Waters Moving and Storage DIRECTOR Fritz Brunner Education Program Associated Services-Alta Water Arts, Recreation and Carol Fowler Education Directors Linda Nomura Shannon and Mike Demers Community Services Suzanne Masella Jeff Draper Hyatt Summerfield Suites Barry Gordon Jacquelyn Smith Kerri Shawn