presents
By Tim Firth
Directed by Larry Eisenberg
(basedC ona the lMiramaxen motiond picturea by rJuliette G Towhidii andr Timl sFirth)
August 26, 2016 – October 9, 2016
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM Sundays at 2:00 PM
The Lonny Chapman Theatre 10900 Burbank Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91601 818-763-5990 www.thegrouprep.com
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Larry Eisenberg Chris Winfield
ARTISTIC ADVISORY BOARD
F. Murray Abraham Lou Antonio Ed Asner Barbara Bain Bruce Davison Florence Henderson Salome Jens Martin Landau Mark Rydell
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bert Emmett, President Vice Presidents: Marc Singer, Kyra Schwartz Alternates: Lloyd Pedersen, Jack Csenger Community Liaison: Kevin Dobson
HOUSE STAFF
Treasurer, Bookkeeper...... Lloyd Pedersen Dues Coordinator...... Lareen Faye Social Secretary...... Renee Gorsey New Member Coordinator.…………………………………….…..Patrick Burke New Projects...... Alyson York Host Coordinator...... Katelyn Ann Clark Maintenance Coordinator...... Edgar Mastin Hospitality...... Sandra Cusimano Electrician...... Robert McCollum Master Carpenter...... Chris Winfield Ticketing & Reservations...... Julie Davis, Cathy Tomlin Photographers...... Drina Durazo, Doug Engalla Participating Actors Coordinator...... Drina Durazo
CONSULTANT STAFF
Graphics...... Doug Haverty Social Networks...... Drina Durazo Publicity, Public Relations...... Nora Feldman Web Design...... Larry Eisenberg
ARTISTIC COUNCIL Drina Durazo Doug Haverty Lloyd Pedersen Gwen Van Dam
presents Calendar Girls
By Tim Firth
DIRECTOR Larry Eisenberg PRODUCER FOR THE GROUP REP Drina Durazo DIALECT COACH Glenda Morgan Brown ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Alyson York MUSIC ADVISOR Paul Cady SCENIC & LIGHT DESIGN J. Kent Inasy COSTUME DESIGN Angela M. Eads PROP DESIGN Hisato Masuyama & Kyra Schwartz SOUND DESIGN Steve Shaw MARKETING & BACKSTAGE DRESSER Cynthia Howe PUBLIC RELATIONS Nora Feldman GRAPHIC DESIGN Doug Haverty + Art & Soul Design PROGRAM Drina Durazo
The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited.
presents Calendar Girls By Tim Firth
CAST Chris…………………...…….……. Michele Bernath* Annie……………………….…....…Lauren Peterson Cora……………………….…….…LizAnne Keigley Celia……………………………Vesna Tolomanoska Jessie………………...... …Cheryl Crosland Butler Marie…………………..….….……. Belinda Howell Ruth…………………………...... ….... Julie Davis Lady Cravenshire………...……...….... Lareen Faye Elaine……………………….....Jennifer Nicole Ross Lawrence……………...………..……...James Guinn Rod…………………………...... Chris Winfield John………………………....….….... Doug Haverty Liam……………………………...….... Devin Juleff
ACT I Scene 1: Church Hall, Knapely Village, Yorkshire, Autumn Scene 2: Church Hall, Winter Scene 3: Church Hall, Spring Scene 4: John’s Hill, Early Summer Scene 5: Church Hall, Later that Summer Scene 6: Church Hall, Night, a few days later
15-minute Intermission
ACT II Scene 1: Annual WI Conference, London Scene 2: Church Hall, the following day Scene 3: Church Hall, a few days later Scene 4: Church Hall, a few days later Scene 5: Church Hall, later that same day Scene 6: Church Hall, the next day Scene 7: Church Hall, late summer
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States of America.
PLAYERS DIRECTORY
Michele Bernath (Chris) Eddon Award winning actress- Bessie Berger Awake and Sing! Favorites: Boeing Boeing, Love Again, Nice Family Gathering, Over the River. Choreographer: That Lovinʼ Feeling, Ghost of Gershwin (Jules Aaron). Actress, Dancer, Singer: National Tours, Vegas, (Minnie Faye, Hello Dolly, Aunt Sue, No No Nanette, Anybodyʼs West Side Story). T.V: “Taxi,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “Columbo.” Michele has a featured role in the new film “Lookin’ Up.” Solo comedy ballerina, Hollywood Bowl. MFA-UCLA. Thank You Larry!
Lauren Peterson (Annie) It all started when Sister Ann Marie cast me as Bo Peep in an elaborate, Kindergarten production, of Little Bo Peep. Classically trained in NYC, initially under George Balanchine (SAB) and Uta Hagen (HB Studios). I am very blessed; I make a living doing stuff I love, and my son, Sashi, is one of the best people I know. I dedicate this performance to my “John Clarke” my dad, Roland Peterson. Thanks Larry!
LizAnne Keigley (Cora) has been part of The Group Repertory Theatre since June of 2014. Her first opportunity at GRT was the role of Eunice in A Streetcar Named Desire. She is honored to be cast as Cora in Calendar Girls and have the opportunity to perform with the other amazing actors in this wonderfully lovely play. LizAnne would like to dedicate her performance in memory of her mother Alice and her father Tommy.
Vesna Tolomanoska (Celia) is very excited to work in this amazing production of Calendar Girls with this ensemble of strong women. She was last seen as Gretchen in Marc Camoletti’s Boeing Boeing at The Lonny Chapman. Vesna’s most recent endeavor is Never Mind Isabella, a play she wrote and is looking forward to star in. She would like to thank her family, and friends for their continued support and Larry Eisenberg for this opportunity. [email protected]
Cheryl Crosland (Jessie) has joined her husband Kent Butler and daughter Truett Butler as a member of the GRT, and is thrilled to be making her main stage debut in Calendar Girls. Cheryl has done costuming and other backstage duties for the GRT in past productions, such as The Trip to Bountiful. She was last seen in Arsenic and Old Lace, a production of BFUMC.
PLAYERS DIRECTORY, cont’d.
Belinda Howell (Marie) Originally from LA, Belinda has lived on both West and East Coasts, and co-founded a theatre group on each. She has played a variety of character roles from a neurotic therapist in Woody Allen’s Central Park West, to a well-intentioned social worker who is buried alive in Problem Child/Suburban Motel. Belinda received her MFA in Acting from Cal Arts. She is very happy to make her first appearance as a new member of the Group Rep.
Julie Davis (Ruth) was last seen on the Group Rep stage in Don’t Dress for Dinner. Other theatre credits include: Stepping Out, Last Exit Before Toll, Not One More Foot of Land, Neighborhood Crime Watch, Me Too Then, Best Wishes, Shifting Gears, Lend Me a Tenor, Vanities, Father’s Day, Who is Jill McVane, Doin’ Time at the Alamo, The Happiest Millionaire, House of Blue Leaves, Uncommon Women and Others, and Lunch Girls. In her other life, Julie teaches 5th grade.
Lareen Faye (Lady Cravenshire) has been a member of GRT since 2005 and considers this her theatrical home. During her years of membership, she is most proud of the work she did in the GRT Productions of String of Pearls, Enchanted April and creating the role of Mrs. Weiss in GRT’s world premiere of The Howie Monologs. Recently Lareen appeared in Tiger by the Tail, and created 2 roles in our original One Act Festival at GRT Upstairs.
Jennifer Nicole Ross (Elaine) has been a member of The Group Rep for 7 years and has been seen in The Desk Set, Moon Over Buffalo and Boeing Boeing! Besides acting, she has worn other hats such as Assistant Director in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me and stage hand in Lombardi. Film credits include; “Names,” “A Fine Line,” “Doubting Thomas,” as well as some short films. Her passions include acting, writing, hiking, traveling and dabbling in music. She is thrilled to be part of Calendar Girls and is thankful to her supportive friends!
James Guinn (Lawrence) is thrilled to be making his GRT debut, and even more thrilled to be working under the direction of Larry Eisenberg. After spending his youth learning music and vocals from his father, he attended Theater of Arts and earned an A.A. degree in Acting. James has worked with the Ark theater company and performed with the National Ballet of Canada at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Theater Credits include: Phillip (The Shape of Things), Prior Walter (Angels in America), Bernado (Hamlet), and Cheswick (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest).
PLAYERS DIRECTORY, cont’d.
Chris Winfield (Rod) has been a member of GRT for 30 years, and has appeared in over 30 productions, most recently as Fasch in Bach at Leipzig, Dad in Phil Olson’s Mom’s Gift, various roles in Hotel Paradiso, as Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock’s Last Case, and as George Hay in Moon Over Buffalo. Film and TV credits include “Firefox,” “MASH,” “Baywatch,” “The Nanny,” and “Eli Stone.” He designs and builds most of the GRT sets and is the Co-Artistic Director of the company.
Doug Haverty (John) Group Rep: Another Antigone as Henry; Hotel Paradiso as Martin; Sherlock’s Last Case as Holmes; My Three Angels as Felix; And Then There Were None as Wargrave; A Christmas Carol as Cratchit; Inspecting Carol as Wayne, Lend Me A Tenor as Max; ZJU: The Bereaved, Lonely at the Top; Lyric/Hyperion: Carmilla; Falcon & Theatre West: Ray Bradbury’s Falling Upward; NASA: Monet in Defying Gravity; and Advent: Algy/Fenton+5 in Bullshot Crummond.
Devin Juleff (Liam) is making his debut here at the GRT with Calendar Girls, and is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful cast; after having been a member of the company for only a year, he has kept himself busy working on other projects you may see soon on this same stage. Thank you all for coming to see the show, enjoy.
PRODUCTION TEAM Larry Eisenberg (Director) earned his MFA from Cal Arts, received a DramaLogue Award for the world premiere adaptation of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s Stories for Children and has directed numerous productions at GRT. His favorites include Poor of New York, Trip to Bountiful, Over the River and Through the Woods and his original play, Nautilus, which was later turned into a feature film. He currently serves as one of the two co-artistic directors at the Group Rep.
Drina Durazo (Producer) GRT credits, as Producer: Sherlock’s Last Case, Awake and Sing, Lombardi; and as Director: The Armadillo Necktie, Don’t Dress for Dinner, and Moon Over Buffalo. Other credits, as director: Every Christmas Story Ever Told And Then Some and All The Great Books Abridged (Mammoth Lakes Rep), the Critically-Acclaimed production of Breaking Bard at the 2015 Hollywood Fringe and the extended Breaking Bard (Porters of Hellsgate -- Valley Theatre Award for Best Play). Other credits: Production Assistant on The City of Conversation (Wallis Annenberg/Performing Arts). PRODUCTION TEAM, cont’d.
Glenda Morgan Brown (Dialect Coach) is excited to be back with GRT, having previously coached dialects for A Streetcar Named Desire, Don't Dress For Dinner, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Lombardi. Recently, she coached a production of Mary Poppins for Laurel Hall School. Glenda is also a professional actress, appearing on "West Wing," "Boston Legal," "Monk," and many other television series. She plays the lead in "At Granny's House," a thriller available on Amazon Prime, iTunes, etc.
Alyson York (Assistant Director) directed Edward Albee’s play The American Dream at The Group Rep last year. In addition to directing, Alyson is also an actress. Some of her favorite roles include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, and Uncle Vanya. Alyson received the prestigious Audience Performance Award for the play Little Comedy, and was in the staged reading of Nobody's Home (winner of the summer playwright’s festival at The Road Theatre). Recently she finished the run of The Nine Winning One Acts upstairs at The Group Rep. Along with festival winning indie films, her television credits include: a recurring role on ABC's "General Hospital" and a National On-Air spokesperson.
Paul Cady (Musical Advisor) has appeared in many musical productions including Joseph/Dreamcoat, A Chorus Line, Unsinkable Molly Brown, the national tour of The Pirates of Penzance, and The Spirit of Pocahontas for Disneyland. Most recently Paul was seen here at GRT as Older Bill in That Lovin Feeling and also served as musical director. Other GRT productions include Boeing Boeing, Love Again, and The Paris Letter. Musical director credits include Guys and Dolls, Baby, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Beauty and the Beast, as well as GRT's Stepping Out.
Angela M. Eads (Costume Design) is a graduate of FIDM with degrees in Fashion Design and Costume Design. Her theater work includes Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, iGhost, Next Window Please, My Three Angels, Moon Over Buffalo, Boeing, Boeing, The Ghost Of Gershwin, A Streetcar Named Desire, Don’t Dress For Dinner, Tiger By The Tail, The American Dream, Love Again, Lombardi, The Winning Streak, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, That Lovin’ Feelin’, and The Armadillo Necktie.
Steve Shaw (Sound Design) sound design work has been heard from LA to New York to Idaho. He is a GRT member and most recently designed Bach at Leipzig, That Lovin’ Feelin’, Lombardi, and Tiger by the Tail. Also an actor and a writer, he was most recently Reverend Tooker in the GRT’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and his short play, Caller ID, was part of our 2015 Putting on Your Shorts! festival.
Hisato Masuyama (Prop Design) was most recently seen in My Fair Lady at GCT, and Wicked Lit 2015 in The Groves of Rashomon. Hisato has appeared in Japan Broadway productions of Tommy, Phantom and Chicago in his home country to great acclaim. Here in the US, he toured in Mame with Juliet Prowse, 42nd Street with Mariette Hartley, & Pacific Overtures with MAKO. His TV appearances include “Castle,” “Conan,” and “General Hospital.” Utilizing his talents in Japanese, he also translated/recorded for Tokyo Sesame Place and Tokyo Disney.
PRODUCTION TEAM, cont’d.
Kyra Schwartz (Prop Design) is so proud of this amazing cast! Favorite rolls include: Mae in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (The Group Rep), The Gender Bender Cabaret (Hollywood Fringe Festival), Sally in Why Do Fools Fall in Love? (The Canyon Theater Guild), Wendy in PlayDates (The Repertory East Playhouse), and Ethel in Footloose (Stepping Stone Players). Television credits include “Strip mall," “Rules of Engagement,” “Are You There Chelsea?,” and “Last Man Standing”.
J Kent Inasy (Light/Set Design) is a multi-award recipient for his work in LA theater. Recent GRT credits include: The Armadillo Necktie, Bach at Leipzig, That Lovin’ Feelin’, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Love Again, The Ghost of Gershwin, and The Paris Letter, to name a few. J. Kent has designed major productions in theaters across the U.S. and Canada.
Nora Feldman (Public Relations) is on staff at The Group Rep and Actors Forum Theatre. She has publicized numerous theatre productions, and events such as World Championships of the Performing Arts and Experience NoHo 2011. Nora has also served as producer of the theatre component for the NoHo Theatre & Arts Festival, NoHo Scene, and Experience NoHo 2011. Nora is married to actor Steve Peterson.
ADDITIONAL CREDITS & SPECIAL THANKS
Additional Prop Creations & Sunflowers by Marcus Anthony
Judi Lewin
Glendale Center Theatre Group for additional Props [ www.glendalecentretheatre.com/ (818) 244-8481 ]
Tai Chi Consultant Nzazi “Master Zi” Malonga [ www.dharmahealthinstitute.com ]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tim Firth (Playwright) Tim Firth's Theatre credits include The Singing Playwrights, Neville’s Island (Nominated for Best Comedy - evening Standard & Olivier Awards 1994, winner Beat Play Men Awards 2006), The Safari Party, the musical Our House (Olivier Award for Best New Musical 2002), The Flint Street Nativity (record- breaking productions two years running at the Liverpool Playhouse and then at Edinburgh Festival Theatre under the title the Corstorphine Road Nativity) and Sign of the Times. Tim's stage adaptation of Calendar Girls, produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers Ltd, has broken all British box office records for a play. It was nominated for an Olivier and won the 2010 “Whatsonstage” Best Comedy Award. Film credits include “Black Ball”, “Calendar Girls” (British Comedy Awards, Best Comedy Film 1993) and “Kinky Boots” (Sundance Selection, Best International Feature, Florida Film Festival). Television credits include “Money For Nothing” (Writer's Guild Awards - Best Television Film), the “Rotten Trolls 4” series (BAFTA Award, Best Children's entertainment 1997), “Cruise of the Gods”, “Flint Street Nativity”, and “Preston Front” (3 series Writer's Guild of Great Britain Best Original Series; Comedy Awards, Best Comedy Drama, RTS Awards Best Series, BAFTA nominated Best Drama Series).
notable careers to those building new ABOUT THE COMPANY careers.
The acting company began in May The Company has been home to 1973 with a rag--tag group of 12 untold numbers -- many of whom actors performing scenes for audiences continue to enjoy successful careers in in a Laundromat--turned 36-seat theatre the entertainment industry today. The on Van Ness Boulevard. When Lonny Group Rep looks forward to welcoming Chapman first entered that theatre, the new, passionate artists to its magic began. Here was an Artistic distinguished roster. Director searching for a theatre and a theatre company searching for an artistic In addition to professional stage director. The match was perfect and The productions, The Group Rep gives back Group Repertory Theatre was born with to the community with its Annual Lonny Chapman at the helm. Foster/Cancer Children’s Holiday Party. Its Participating Actor and Technical The first show, Round Dance, an Associates (PATA) program provides adaptation of Schnitzler’s La Ronde, was internship opportunities for aspiring an immediate hit, and The Group Rep artists in the creative and technical fields. was on its way. By 1974, with the Past graduates of The Group Rep’s growth in the number of productions and PATA program include such notables as additional company members, as Sean Penn and Jennifer Tilly. well as having acquired its professional status with Equity, Chapman suggested In June of 2010, Larry Eisenberg and that a bigger space was needed. Chris Winfield were appointed Co-Artistic Directors of the theatre. Both men are A new 58--seat venue was rented on long--time members of The Group Rep. Magnolia Blvd., which began playing to They have the experience, passion and sold--out houses. The Group creativity to maintain the Company’s Rep’s growth and success required yet exceptional reputation within the Los a larger venue. In 1980, Chapman Angeles Community and to guide it to secured the current Burbank and even greater heights. Vineland location, which was renovated into its present 90-seat configuration. With you, our audience, we continue to strive to fulfill the vision of Lonny The Company honored Mr. Chapman Chapman. His Vision? in 1999 with a naming ceremony, making the theatre officially The Lonny “First to entertain, then to illuminate the Chapman Theatre. He continued to human condition, and to never be serve as the Company’s Artistic Director boring.” until his death in 2007. Lonny Chapman’s artistic vision for the The audience, play and actor have equal Company spanned more than three parts in this exciting venture. decades. We Welcome You To The Lonny The Group Rep is a permanent Company of actors, Chapman Theatre For Many Years To directors, writers and technicians. The Come! Company has produced over 300 shows, including dozens of World Premieres. We now have over 80 active Company members, from those with
Company Members Jenny Sue Johnson Steven West Anny Devin Juleff Troy Whitaker Linda Alznauer Jennifer Laks Chris Winfield Mannette Antill Morgan Lauff Janet Wood Mark Atha Suzy London Marcia Woodridge Robert Axelrod Brenden MacDonald Alyson York Todd Andrew Ball Larry Margo John William Young Robert Benedict Edgar Mastin Michele Bernath Hisato Masuyama Technical Assistants Van Boudreaux Stan Mazin Christian Ackerman Andrew Brennan Robert McCollum Irene Chapman Susan Brennan Lisa McGee-Mann Cheryl Crosland Barbara Brownell Bruce Nehlsen Shira Dubrovner Cynthia Bryant Sheila Oaks Judith E. Patrick Burke Phil Olson Nora Feldman Kent Butler Mikel Parraga-Wills Elliott Goldwag Truett Butler Lloyd Pedersen Diana Martin Paul Cady Lauren Peterson Liz Nankin Christina Carson Tom Regan Steve Shaw Katelyn Clark Michael Robb Richard Woody Roslyn Cohn Colette Rosario Stephanie Colet Sean Rose PA Program Jack Csenger Judy Rosenfeld Members Ceirra Burton Sandra Cusimano Mike Sabatino Timm Damiano Antonia Czinger Kyra Schwartz James Guinn Julie Davis Loraine Shields LizAnne Keigley Kevin Dobson Art Shulman Jennifer Ross Drina Durazo Marc Singer Ted Ryan Larry Eisenberg Phoebe Singer Natalia Santamaria Bert Emmett Patrick Skelton Makena Taylor Doug Engalla J. Christopher Sloan Steve Terrell Lareen Faye Suzan Solomon Elijah Tomlinson Diane Frank Silke Sorenson
Rich Fullman Ian Stanley Robert Gallo Charlotte Taschen Honorary Members William Arrigon Pascale Gigon Debi Tinsley Nora Meerbaum Renee Gorsey Vesna Tolomanoska Lillian Robinson Doug Haverty Cathy Tomlin Cynthia Howe Gwen Van Dam Belinda Howell Justine Visone